In his return to the USMNT XI – his first start in 478 days for the U.S. – Tyler Adams scored a stupendous long-range effort against Mexico.
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To say it has been a turbulent time at Rangers as of late would be an understatement. Following the Gers' poor start to the season, which included a Champions League thrashing at the hands of PSV Eindhoven and a disappointing Old Firm derby defeat against Celtic, Michael Beale was relieved of his duties. This allowed for the arrival of Philippe Clement, who now has the task of turning things around at Ibrox.
The former AS Monaco manager's first task must be to put an end to the negative noise surrounding his side, turning morale around and defeats into victories in the process. One thing that will not have helped towards achieving that task are the comments recently made by Nicolas Raskin.
What did Nicolas Raskin say?
The latest Raskin transfer news has been initiated by the player himself, who commented on his future ambitions. And whilst the chaos of Rangers' poor start continues to unfold at Ibrox, such comments will only add fuel to the flames burning the Gers' slowly fading title chances in the Scottish Premiership.
Raskin told La Tribune, via Football Scotland: "I am now at 98 games for Standard, surely it would be nice to one day round that 100 mark there. One day I want to play in the Premier League, but I don’t put pressure on myself. I have a plan in my head, Rangers is just a stage in that. Rangers was the best choice at that time to realise my plan."
Reacting to the news, Frank McAvennie slammed Raskin, telling Football Insider: "You cannot say that, the fans will not accept it, shut your mouth. Rangers are not anybody’s stepping stone. He has got to start doing it on the pitch before he starts mouthing off because if you can’t do it in Scotland then you are certainly not going to do it down in England.
"Prove on the pitch that you are better than what you think you are, show the fans that you care about them and the club and then the fans will be behind you. If you are not doing it on the pitch then it is just stupid, the clubs in England are not going to want you if you are not doing it in Scotland.“
How has Nicolas Raskin performed this season?
When it comes to Raskin's stats, he has certainly been one of the consistent features for Rangers this season, starting in all but two games in the Scottish Premiership. With the Gers struggling, however, that stat may not reflect too well on the 22-year-old, who has one assist in 11 appearances in all competitions so far in the current campaign.
His recent comments won't exactly please new boss Clement, either. The recent arrival will have plenty of important decisions to make, and the less negative headlines surrounding his players, the better, making Raskin's words all the more frustrating. From now on, the midfielder may look to get his talking done on the pitch, rather than causing controversy away from it, perhaps avoiding the wrath of McAvennie and other media members in the process.
West Bromwich Albion expressed their interest in recruiting a new defensive midfielder over the summer, but a fresh report has revealed that they weren't the only club looking to bring him to the Championship.
Who has signed for West Brom?
At The Hawthorns, Carlos Corberan secured the permanent services of Josh Maja during the previous transfer window, whilst signing both Jeremy Sarmiento and Pipa on loan for the remainder of the season from Brighton and Hove Albion and Ludogorets respectively.
With regards to outgoings, Dara O’Shea, Jake Livermore and David Button were the three senior squad members to leave the club for good, alongside Karlan Grant, Taylor Gardner-Hickman, Zac Ashworth and Ethan Ingram who headed for the exit door temporarily in search of more regular game time elsewhere.
The Baggies are now likely to be assessing their options in the market ahead of January and they could decide to revisit a deal for Yann M’Vila who is now a free agent having left Olympiacos upon the expiration of his contract at the start of July. The Frenchman made a total of 140 appearances for Diego Martinez’s side during his time over in Greece (Transfermarkt – M'Vila stats), but having made the decision to start afresh and begin a new adventure elsewhere, the 33-year-old was almost believed to be making his way to the Midlands.
Yann M'Vila transfer update
As per French outlet RMC Sport (via The 72) who have shared a transfer update on Yann M’Vila, West Brom and Sunderland both “showed interest” in the central talisman over the summer. The Baggies and the Black Cats individually “looked into a deal” for their out of work target, but despite their research, a move failed to come to fruition before the start of the season.
Atletico Madrid, Le Havre and Istanbul Basaksehir are also admirers overseas, but which club he will choose to be his next destination remains to be seen.
How good is Yann M'Vila?
According to Sunderland's former professional Ola Toivonen, M’Vila is a “quality” player and he’s gained a vast amount of experience throughout his career, so considering the positive impact he could have on the side, West Brom should definitely consider another bargain move for this free agent.
Yann M'Vila's Style Of Play
Likes to play long balls
Likes to shoot from distance
Does not dive into tackles (Data via WhoScored)
The Amiens native was averaging 3.3 clearances and 2.3 interceptions per game in the Europa League for Olympiacos last season prior to his departure which highlights his ability to get rid of the danger and protect his backline whilst sitting just in front of the defence (WhoScored – M'Vila stats).
M’Vila, who also has the versatility to operate as a centre-back and higher up in central midfield, is a fantastic calibre of veteran having previously competed in the Champions League and as mentioned the Europa League, so for a star who knows what it takes to be successful, his winning mentality would be more than welcomed at the Hawthorns.
ScorecardJames Hildreth plays a cover-drive at Taunton on a Saturday afternoon in May. The scoreboard flicks over and something of summer is held in the moment. Barely a good hit away the County Stores is offering cream teas at two for £6. Across town church aisles have been swept in preparation for weddings and now speeches are being smartened up, the bad jokes made a little worse. But inside the County Ground, Hildreth glides Fidel Edwards between gully and slips and down to the boundary. He is making a century and changing this game.On Sunday morning the papers will note Hildreth’s unbeaten 125 and his 133-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Craig Overton. That stand all but broke Hampshire’s attack and it took Somerset into a lead which had been extended to 93 by the close of a day from which 17 overs were trimmed by bad light. Overton’s dismissal when he played on to Gareth Berg for a rather cultured 80 did not end the suffering for James Vince’s players. Jack Leach was also batting capably when the players finally went off.Those papers will also make something of the absence of Kyle Abbott, who turned an ankle in the third over of Somerset’s innings and could not bowl for over three hours. And they may make much of Edwards’ dropped catch at midwicket which would have ended Hildreth’s innings when he had only 24 and Somerset were 71 for 4. Both points will be valid but the folk enjoying their caramel lattes in Coffee#1 will recall the ease of Hildreth’s square drives, the gentle tempo of his innings and all the pleasure it gave them.Taunton’s cricket ground, which is now squeezed between flats and offices, is woven tight into the life of the town. Hildreth moved into the nineties with the sweetest of clips through midwicket off Abbott and reached his century with a cut to the boundary off Berg. He had faced 138 balls and hit 13 fours in getting to his 41st first-class hundred for Somerset. But they still call him Hildy in The Ring of Bells.And centuries are often made glorious by the circumstances of their making. Somerset were 40 for 2 when Hildreth walked out to bat. They had lost Eddie Byrom, bowled by Edwards for 10, and George Bartlett, caught at slip off Brad Wheal for 1. The prize wicket, though, was that of Matt Renshaw, who had looked in the mood to reduce another county attack to weeping impotence. His flick through midwicket had carried the mark of Zorro; his uppercut for six off Wheal had been daring theatre. But having been dropped by a diving McManus and also survived a drum-splitting lbw shout from Edwards, Renshaw was eventually squared up by Berg and caught by Jimmy Adams at second slip when looking to play to leg. Seven balls later local gloom deepened when Tom Abell hooked his first ball to Edwards at long leg, thus giving Berg the second of his four wickets. Hildreth strolled around the pitch like a farmer inspecting his land.Something approaching calm was restored in the hour after lunch. Steven Davies and Hildreth put on 60 before the Somerset wicketkeeper was forced to retire when hit on the ankle. Lewis Gregory lasted seven balls but Overton marched out and announced his arrival with a blunderbuss off-drive to a ball from Wheal. One of Instow’s finest settled in and took his cue from Hildreth.And now we are deep in the evening session. The sun has bustled its way through tissues of cloud, prompting Jeff Evans and Jeremy Lloyds to summon the cricketers out again. The outfield carries shades of the afternoon’s magic. But we face only 11 balls before play is called off on this day when Hildreth made Somerset’s sixth hundred of this barely adolescent season. A year ago most of the top order had difficulty reaching double figures but victory in this game may take the county to the top of the table.Spectators drift away hardly daring to dream. It is over eight hours since the gates opened and they streamed to their favoured spots in the Marcus Trescothick Stand and the Colin Atkinson Pavilion. For the first Championship match against Worcestershire they were queuing at 8.30am and the club played the “William Tell Overture” as the members hurried to their coveted places. All for a game “nobody watches”; all for people like Hildy and days like this.
Liverpool have completed their midfield rebuild on Deadline Day with Ryan Gravenberch joining but a reliable source hinted that the Reds could have sealed a second deal in the dying minutes and hours of the transfer window.
Italian journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano hinted that Liverpool could have been in the running to sign Southampton defender Armel Bella-Kotchap before the transfer window closes.
Speaking on his KICK stream (via Caught Offside), Romano revealed:
"Let’s see [on Bella-Kotchap to Liverpool]. At the moment I don’t have any news on concrete negotiation, but Liverpool move fast in deals, like with Endo."
That said, the Saints star has in fact sealed a move to PSV Eindhoven, whom the centre-back will join on loan for the season.
There is no doubt that defensive reinforcements would be warmly welcomed at Anfield before the 11pm deadline this evening, as the fragility of the back line has continued to expose itself over the opening fixtures of the Premier League campaign.
Virgil van Dijk was sent off last weekend against Newcastle United and Ibrahima Konate has already suffered a minor muscle injury which saw him unavailable for selection for the victory over the Magpies and remains a doubt for the upcoming fixture against Aston Villa.
With Nat Phillips completing a move to Celtic on loan this afternoon, this leaves just Joe Gomez and Joel Matip as the most likely starters when the Reds welcome the Villains to Anfield.
As a result, the signing of Bella-Kotchap – who has a reported £25m release clause in his contract – would have been a great piece of business for the Merseyside giants, as defensive depth will not only be crucial in the immediate instance, but the Saints star would no doubt have been an ideal heir for Matip with his contract set to expire at the end of this season.
Over 24 Premier League appearances, the 21-year-old – once hailed "highly-rated" by Romano – registered two assists, tallied up an 80% pass completion rate, successfully completed 57% of his dribbles and won 69% of his aerial and ground duels combined, as per SofaScore.
Not only that, Bella-Kotchap has been a top performer across the top five European leagues over the last 12 months, ranking in the top 25% of his positional peers for assists, interceptions, blocks and clearances per 90 minutes played, according to FBref, which is a testament to his strong defensive attributes.
However, since being relegated with the south coast club, Bella-Kotchap has not been seen in the Championship yet due to a hamstring injury but was back on the bench against Queens Park Rangers last week – with Jan Bednarek and club captain Jack Stephens forming the trusted centre-back partnership under new manager Russel Martin so far.
With that being said, the signing of Bella Kotchap would've been a great opportunity for Liverpool to strengthen their defensive presence over the season ahead, however, it is now looking like it's another deal that the club have let pass them by.
The post-Harry Kane world at Tottenham Hotspur looks rather bright at present, with new boss Ange Postecoglou having enjoyed a stellar start to life in the dugout at N17, following his arrival from Celtic earlier in the summer.
A feature of the 58-year-old's early tenure has been the faith he has shown in the club's promising young talents, with Pape Matar Sarr, for instance, having started four Premier League games already this season – notably scoring in the win over Manchester United last month.
Arguably the biggest surprise, however, has been the emergence of 20-year-old, Destiny Udogie, with the exciting Italian having slotted in beautifully after making a belated beginning in north London this summer.
The attacking left-back had spent last back on loan at Udinese after signing from the Serie A side last year, with supporters having been eagerly awaiting the defender's eventual arrival at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since that £15m deal was agreed.
While it is still early days, the Verona-born sensation already looks "sickeningly good" – as per footballJOE's Hunter Godson – with Postecoglou having stumbled upon a potential star in the making in that left-sided berth.
That recent ascension has ensured that long-serving asset, Ben Davies, faces a fight on his hands to force his way back into the side, with the Welshman also likely to be threatened by those who are currently flourishing in the club's academy ranks…
How good is Ben Davies?
Nine years on from joining the Lilywhites from Swansea City, the 30-year-old has undoubtedly been a solid, albeit unspectacular servant for the club in that time, racking up over 300 appearances in all competitions, while contributing 32 goals and assists.
A versatile figure who has featured at left-back, centre-back or as a wing-back, the 80-cap international has certainly had a role to play in some capacity over the years, although finding a place for himself in Postecoglou's side may be a tough ask, amid the move away from Antonio Conte's preferred 3-4-3 formation.
There had even been reports over the summer that Daniel Levy and co were willing to cash in on the defender if a £15m offer was to arrive, with the £80k-per-week player having just two years left to run on his existing deal.
31 games
26 starts
2 goals
2 assists
0.6 interceptions per game
0.9 tackles per game
53% total duels won
6.81 avg. match rating
Stats via Sofascore
Speaking at the time of that report, pundit Gabby Agbonlahor suggested that Spurs should part ways with Davies in a bid to reshuffle the backline, with the full-back having underwhelmed as part of a side that shipped 63 league goals last term:
“I watched him recently and he was so poor on the ball. He’s been at the club a long time and he’s still struggling to put in top performances. They need a real shuffle of that defence. For me, they need two centre-backs and a left-back – because Davies just isn’t good enough any more."
Having potentially found the "upgrade" that they had been craving – as per Agbonlahor – in the form of Udogie, it remains to be seen what lies in store for the Neath native over the next year or so, with Postecoglou evidently keen to oust the experienced, senior players form the club, including the likes of Eric Dier and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
To help usher in the Greek-Aussie's new revolution, the attack-minded coach could then replace Davies with an up-and-coming gem who he can help to nurture and develop as a dream understudy to Udogie, with 18-year-old Jahziah Linton one such talent to keep an eye on.
Who is Jahziah Linton?
As an academy starlet who can operate at both centre-back and in his primary position of left-back, the teenager could well represent a dream successor or replacement to Davies in the backline over the coming years.
Although the London-born sensation is yet to feature at first-team level, it may not be too long before he is making his mark in the senior set-up, having sparkled at U18 level in recent times for the north Londoners.
The emerging ace was only recently handed his first professional contract as a sign of how highly-regarded he is by the club, with the hope being that he can make the leap to becoming a prominent part of Postecoglou's plans in the near future.
On the evidence of his form of late, Spurs appear to have a truly exciting talent on their hands, with podcaster Chris Miller having even suggested back in March that Linton could be a possible "wildcard" option to slot in as a "traditional" left-back, amid the first-team's defensive injury crisis at the time.
With 39 appearances across the age groups thus far – registering one assist – the teen talent may need to prove himself at U21 level before he can be truly considered for a promotion, although club insider superhotspur has previously written glowingly regarding his all-round qualities:
'He works well off the ball, is good in the tackle and is also as previously mentioned, a player who gets in to really good forward positions on the left side of the pitch.'
The respected source also went on to add that 'Jahziah likes to get forward up the pitch on the left flank, and his link-up play with the Spurs winger on that side of the pitch is impressive', while his 'fine balance to his game means that he is very capable of contributing well at both ends of the pitch'.
That promising report appears to indicate that if his recent progress can continue, then a first-team chance may soon emerge for young Linton, even if he has to contend with a player who "gets into nearly every team in the world already", in the form of Udogie – according to Godson.
As for Davies, the Welshman may then have a fight on his hands to continue his stay at N17, with it set to be no surprise if he does follow the likes of Dier and Hojbjerg by being brutally cast aside.
Ahead of the Premier League season, there may have been some concern about how West Ham United would cope without Declan Rice, who completed a reported £105m move to Arsenal in the summer. However, the Hammers have since got off to an incredible start, however.
In their opening three Premier League games, David Moyes' side have drawn against Bournemouth and defeated both Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 to remain unbeaten.
They have brought in a number of new players, using the funds they received for Rice, and now they have reportedly made an approach to add yet another reinforcement.
West Ham have welcomed four fresh faces this summer, including both James Ward-Prowse and Mohammed Kudus. Kudus, having only recently signed for the Hammers, is yet to make his debut, but after scoring 18 goals and assisting a further seven for Ajax last season, it may come as little surprise if he got off to a blistering start at the London Stadium.
Having landed targets who are capable of making an instant difference, it now seems as though West Ham are turning their attention towards the future.
According to Sky Sports' James Savundra, the London club have made an initial approach to sign Peterborough United defender Ronnie Edwards before the transfer window slams shut in a matter of days, although the player has been tracked by a host of Premier League clubs.
The 20-year-old has become a key player for the League One side, starting six of their seven games so far this season. With that said, West Ham's approach may need to be a convincing one, if Peterborough are to sell their young defender in the coming days.
Signing a 20-year-old centre-back who already has almost 100 first-team appearances to his name could represent a piece of incredibly shrewd business for those at West Ham in the final days of the window.
The only way appears to be up for Edwards, given how quickly he has become a key part of the set-up at Peterborough, and he now holds a career-high Transfermarkt valuation.
Last season, the 20-year-old, of course, suffered the ultimate play-off heartbreak, when Peterborough were on the other side of Sheffield Wednesday's incredible comeback from 4-0 down on aggregate to eventually win on penalties.
Edwards started both games, and has since shown a strong character to bounce back at such a young age, and keep his place under Darren Ferguson.
Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…
Throughout what is still a young career, he has earned plenty of deserved praise, too, including from Peterborough director Barry Fry, who said, via Football Transfers:
"Ronnie is a Rolls Royce. We knew that when we signed him.
"I used to watch a lot of under 18s football at Barnet as well as Posh and I told the gaffer about him. And when we brought him in for a game Darren watched him for 20 minutes and told me to sign him.
"Spurs were watching him at the time and Brentford were very keen on him. In fact Brentford were so upset when we did the deal they complained to the FA!"
MatériaMais Notícias
Sonhando com uma vaga no G4 do Brasileirão Série B, Juventude e Botafogo acabaram ficando no 0 a 0 na manhã deste sábado (29), no estádio Alfredo Jaconi. Mesmo com muita intensidade nos 90 minutos, as defesas de ambos os times acabaram levando a melhor, mantendo o marcador sem alterações.
Com isso, a equipe de Caxias do Sul acabou subindo para o 5º lugar somando agora 9 pontos, já o time de Ribeirão Preto pulou para a 7ª colocação, somando agora 7 pontos. Entretanto, ambos poderão perder algumas posições com o complemento da 6ª rodada.
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O jogo
Mesmo atuando longe de seus domínios, a equipe do Botafogo não intimidou-se e, logo no início, partiu pra cima do Juventude. Apesar de muito perde e ganha no meio-campo, a Pantera assustou por duas vezes com Gustavo Henrique e Rafinha, dando trabalho ao goleiro Luis Carlos.
Aos poucos o time da casa passou a buscar mais o seu campo de ataque, na expectativa de surpreender o adversário. No entanto, a defesa do time do interior paulista mostrava-se atenta, principalmente o goleiro Darley, que em uma das chegadas, fez uma linda defesa na finalização de Breno Lopes.
Já na reta final de confronto, o panorama passou a ficar mais equilibrado até os acréscimos. Apesar das faltas, as jogadas pouco assustavam os goleiros dando a deixa para a arbitragem encerrar etapa inicial.
Sem alterações em ambos os times no retorno para o segundo tempo, praticamente nada mudou no confronto. Antes mesmo dos 10 minutos, o equilíbrio ainda ditava o ritmo em campo, com algumas chances para os dois lados.
Com o passar do tempo, a equipe do Juventude passou a apostar mais no ataque. Após as primeiras substituições, os comandados de Pintado chegaram com perigo por duas vezes, sendo em uma delas com Renato Cajá, que finalizou com perigo contra o gol de Darley.
No entanto, não deixando o time de Caxias de Sul crescer no jogo, foi a vez de Claudinei Oliveira recuar para seus suplentes com a intenção de aumentar seu poder ofensivo. E por pouco as trocas não surtiram efeito. Aos 39, Guilherme Romão acabou não conseguindo alcançar a bola no cruzamento rasteiro de Ronald, mantendo o placar sem alterações.
Até os acréscimos, pouco foram as chances criadas pelas equipes. Sendo assim, até os 51 minutos prometidos pelo árbitro, o resultado sem gols foi mantido no Alfredo Jaconi, fazendo com que cada equipe levasse ponto na classificação.
Aston Villa forward Philippe Coutinho “could leave” the club before the end of the summer transfer window, according to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The Brazilian completed his permanent move to the Midlands last summer from Barcelona following a successful loan spell the season prior, as per Transfermarkt, but there’s a chance that he could already be on the move having fallen out of favour under Unai Emery.
The winger and attacking midfielder was handed just seven starts throughout the 2022/23 Premier League campaign, highlighting how far down in the manager’s pecking order he is despite still having another three years to run on his contract, though he has got potential suitors queuing up to sign him should he depart.
Read The Latest Aston Villa Transfer News HERE…
The Daily Mail previously reported that Saudi Pro League outfit Al Ettifaq were interested in the 31-year-old with Steven Gerrard eyeing a reunion with his former teammate, and Sport.ES later claimed that Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas were also keeping tabs on his situation.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor suggested that the forward could be “on his way” alongside the likes of Leander Dendoncker and Morgan Sanson who’s already completed a loan switch to Ligue 1's Nice, and if the following update is to be believed, he could be right.
Taking to Twitter, Romano revealed that Coutinho has admirers from overseas and that Aston Villa would be open to sanctioning his departure should they receive any respectable offers in the final weeks of the window. He wrote:
“Understand one club from Qatar has now asked for conditions of Philippe Coutinho deal. Coutinho could leave Aston Villa in case he receives good proposal; Saudi clubs also approached him in July.”
Aston Villa enjoyed a hugely successful last season without Coutinho being a regular feature of the side but Emery shouldn’t ignore the positive impact he’s had since initially joining the club, so the Brazilian deserves to be given more of a chance moving forward.
The Rio de Janeiro native, who pockets £125k-per-week, has posted nine goal contributions (six goals and three assists) in 41 appearances since first walking through the doors, and on his day, he’s been dubbed “unplayable” by journalist Josh Bunting.
Liverpool’s former starlet is also a versatile operator having been deployed in a remarkable eight different positions over the pitch since the start of his career, including everywhere across the frontline and even four roles in the midfield, so his flexibility makes him a great option for the boss to have available should any unexpected injuries occur.
NSWE will know that Emery is likely to be in two minds over whether to give Coutinho a chance considering that he wasn’t the one who brought him to the club, but he should be handed the opportunity to prove what he’s capable of in the early stages of the new term, and if it doesn’t work out, there’s always the next transfer window for him to be shown the door in January, with plenty of time on his contract.
Jonny Bairstow admits he is still unsure of his role in England’s white-ball set-up, but hopes his Champions Trophy appearance will count in his favour
Andrew Miller13-Sep-2017Jonny Bairstow admits he is still unsure of his role in England’s white-ball set-up, but hopes that the fact he is the man in possession will count in his favour when the one-day squad reconvenes in Durham this week for the one-off T20 ahead of five ODIs against West Indies.Bairstow became something of a cause célèbre earlier in the summer when, despite a run of form in all formats that any player in the game would envy, he could not force his way into a powerful one-day batting line-up, not even as wicketkeeper, where Jos Buttler is preferred in the shorter formats.However, Bairstow eventually got his opportunity during England’s most recent one-day campaign, the Champions Trophy in June, when Jason Roy’s dramatic loss of form became too acute for the management to ignore.Thrust in to open the batting for the first time in his international career, Bairstow responded with a hard-worked 43 from 57 balls in a low-scoring semi-final against Pakistan at Cardiff, an innings that was put into context by the struggles that his team-mates endured. From a comfortable position of 80 for 1 in the 17th over, Bairstow’s dismissal triggered a collapse to 211 all out, and an eventual eight-wicket defeat.However, with Roy back in form and a fair bet to resume his established partnership with Alex Hales at the top of the order, Bairstow is hopeful but not unrealistic about his chances of being given an extended run in the team.”I don’t mind where I play and bat, as long as I’m in that XI,” he said. “I finished the Champions Trophy opening the batting, which I like to think I’ve done alright. So wherever it is there’s an opportunity, hopefully I’ll get the nod.”I’ve been in and out, one game here and there over a period of time, and at some time it’d be nice to get a decent run, not just one series but a couple of series that you can get your teeth stuck into – into a role, a side and a series.”One small but significant change to Bairstow’s standing in the one-day squad is his restoration to reserve keeper duties, following the omission of Sam Billings from the squad to face West Indies. And that, in turn, follows an impressive run of form behind the stumps from Bairstow in the Test side.Jonny Bairstow flicks through midwicket•Getty Images”I’ve been delighted with my keeping this summer,” he said. “I’ve been really really happy with it, it’s something I’ve worked very hard on. There was a lot said about it a year ago, and for people not to be talking about it, that’s what you want.”I like to think I’ve kept nicely enough over the summer to say that I’m the second keeper in the ODI squad,” he added. “If I’m keeping in Tests, for 150 overs, instead of 50 or 20 overs, I’d like to think my keeping is up to scratch to keep in one-dayers as well.”Despite a record-breaking year in 2016, there was still a degree of fallability to Bairstow’s technique coming into the English season. However, his upturn in fortunes has stemmed from long hours of practice with Bruce French, the wicketkeeping coach. During the West Indies series, the ball was at times swinging appreciably – particularly for James Anderson and Ben Stokes – but a small technical change helped him adjust to the late movement and cling on to most things that came his way.”My fingers are cooked!” he joked. “It was swinging, it was wobbling, but that’s keeping in England. It was something that’s actually quite enjoyable. If it’s coming and it wobbles on you, you either take it in the chin or try and catch it.”That’s a big thing that’s changed, previously I was catching it closer to my body. Imagine a dinosaur trying to catch it with short arms, you can’t go anywhere, whereas if you catch it further out in front and it does wobble, you can give with it and go with it.”The coming one-day series promises to be closely fought, irrespective of West Indies’ lowly ranking – at No.9 in the world, they will need to seal an improbable 4-0 or 5-0 scoreline to ensure automatic qualification for the 2019 World Cup.However, following an improvement in relations between CWI and its star players, most notably Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels, West Indies will field a team that has more in common with the line-up that won the World T20 in India 18 months ago. And Bairstow, who needs no reminding of West Indies’ competitive spirit following a hard-fought 2-1 Test series win, is relishing the challenge that awaits in the coming fortnight.”It’s exciting. It’s great to be playing a one-day series with them at pretty much full strength,” said Bairstow. “But it’s important that we concentrate on ourselves. The press completely wrote West Indies off at the start of the [Test] series, which was pretty unfair and uncalled for, and they showed to everyone the strength and character that they have. With any West Indies side, you are going to have a lot of skill, desire and will to prove people wrong. That’s the nature of sport and I thought the way they played, especially at Headingley, hats off to them.”Jonny Bairstow was speaking on behalf of Royal London, proud sponsors of One Day cricket. Visit royallondoncricket.com to find out more.