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Liverpool will look to clinch their fifth successive victory in the Premier League this evening as they welcome Fulham to Anfield amid the pursuit of a late surge towards Champions League contention, having fallen by the wayside earlier this term.

The club's woes have resulted in a plummet from prominence and a forced acknowledgement of the unthinkable reality of missing out on Champions League football next season after challenging for a historic quadruple last term, top-four surely the barest of minimums for such a talented and proven squad.

With fourth-placed Manchester United seven points ahead of the Reds and with a game in hand, attempts to issue a late sprint could well be deemed forlorn, but should the Red Devils and Newcastle United cede territory in the coming weeks, Klopp will be waiting to pounce like a cheetah biding its time in a lengthy hunt.

Four wins on the trot certainly quilt the seasonal misfortune with a late layer of optimism, but the recent 4-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, enthralling though it was, illuminated the issues that have plagued the Anfield contingency this season.

Diogo Jota incredibly found a winner in the dying embers after Spurs climbed back from three goals down, but the chaotic nature of Liverpool's season was on stark display during those tumultuous 94 minutes, and stalwart Andy Robertson was among the culprits for Spurs' rousing attempted fightback.

Should Klopp start Tsimikas against Fulham?

Recording a poor Sofascore rating of 6.4, Robertson flattered to deceive despite his outfit's remarkable win, making two calamitous errors and being branded with a chastening 5/10 match rating by Goal's Neil Jones, who criticised his inexplicable lack of awareness.

After such a "horrific" day at the office – as per writer Dave Hendrick – Klopp might be wise to offer a rare league start to Kostas Tsimikas, who has impressed with his creativity when called upon since signing from Greek giants Olympiakos for roughly £11m in 2020.

One of the better back-ups down the defensive left-back in English football, the 26-year-old has made 57 appearances for his club and won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup – while he hasn't found the back of the net himself, Tsimikas has registered 12 assists at a rate of 0.21 per outing.

Fulham have been impressive this season after clinching promotion from the second tier and perch in tenth place after 33 outings, five points above shambolic Chelsea with a game in hand.

And while recent form has left the Cottagers with just two victories from nine Premier League fixtures, the danger they imposed upon Manchester City during the recent 2-1 defeat illustrates the threat that could break Liverpool's resolve.

Completing eight of his ten long balls and succeeding with half of his six crosses, Tsimikas, who has made six assists this season despite his limited game time and succeeds with an average of 68% of his long balls, could wreak havoc on the opposition defence, also hailed as "fantastic” by Ian Doyle.

The £50k-per-week man could also play a big part in nullifying former Liverpool winger Harry Wilson, who has scored two goals and served one assist across his past three starting appearances in the English top-flight.

With the 26-cap Greek marauder ranking among the top 1% of full-backs for rate of assists, the top 2% for shot-creating actions, the top 5% for attempted passes and the top 9% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref, Wilson will likely have his work cut out to stop the ace from finding fruit down the left flank, thus negating his ability to stamp his authority on the game from an offensive standpoint.

With maintaining recent momentum simply paramount to the outfit's slim chances of retaining their position in the Champions League, a slip-up against Fulham is simply inconceivable, and freshening up the starting 11 with Tsimikas' inclusion could just be key to unlocking a sturdy defence and taking another stride towards pulling off a monumental late push for top-four.

نجح منتخب اليابان في تحقيق فوز مُثير على فيتنام، بنتيجة 4-2، في المباراة التي جمعتهما، اليوم الأحد، ضمن منافسات كأس أمم آسيا 2023.

والتقى منتخب اليابان مع فيتنام، في إطار منافسات الجولة الأولى من المجموعة الرابعة، والتي تضم أيضًا إندونسيا والعراق.

تقدم منتخب اليابان في الدقيقة 11 من زمن الشوط الأول، عن طريق لاعب موناكو صاحب الـ28 عامًا، تاكومي مينامينو، بعد أن ارتدت الكرة من حارس فيتنام، لتصل للاعب الذي لم يتردد في تسديدها من مرة واحدة في الشباك.

وتعادل فيتنام في الدقيقة 16، عن طريق رأسية أكثر من رائعة من اللاعب دينه باك نجوين، سددها بشكل مُخادع في شباك سوزوكي حارس اليابان، نتيجة كرة عرضية من ركلة ركنية على الجانب الأيسر.

وقلب التنين الأحمر الطاولة على الساموراي في الدقيقة 33، بعد إرسال طولية من كرة ثابتة، أرسلها لاعب فيتنام برأسه تجاه المرمى، ليُخطئ حارس اليابان في عدم الاستحواذ عليها، ويُتابعها فام توان هاي بتسديدة في الشباك.

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وتعادل اليابان عن طريق نفس اللاعب مينامينو، في الدقيقة 45 لليابان، بعد استلام تمريرة رائعة وصلت له داخل منطقة الجزاء، ووضعها في أقصى الزاوية اليسرى لحارس فيتنام.

وفي الدقيقة الرابعة من الوقت المحتسب بدلًا من الضائع للشوط الأول، أعاد اليابان تقدمه مرة أخرى، بتسديدة مقوسة رائعة من على حدود منطقة الجزاء، من اللاعب ناكامورا.

وفي الدقيقة 85، سجل اليابان الهدف الرابع، من خلال تسديدة من داخل منطقة الجزاء، ارتطمت بمدافع فيتنام لتغير مسارها إلى الزاوية اليمنى لحارس فيتنام.

يذكر، أن منذ أول مشاركة لليابان في بطولة كأس آسيا عام 1988، لم يسبق لها وأن خسرت في المباراة الأولى. أهداف مباراة اليابان وفيتنام في كأس آسيا

كشفت تقارير صحفية أن نادي مانشستر يونايتد يستعد لتوجيه صدمة قوية لجاره مانشستر سيتي، فيما يتعلق بتعيين عمر برادة رئيسًا تنفيذيًا جديدًا له.

ويبحث مانشستر يونايتد عن رئيس تنفيذي جديد لخلافة ريتشارد أرنولد، الذي رحل عن النادي الإنجليزي في الفترة الأخيرة.

وذكرت شبكة “ذا أثلتيك” العالمية أنه من المقرر أن يحقق مانشستر يونايتد مفاجأة كبرى بتعيين عمر برادة في منصب الرئيس التنفيذي للنادي.

وأعلن مانشستر سيتي، اليوم السبت، رحيل عمر برادة عن النادي كرئيس تنفيذي، حيث يبحث عن تحدِ جديد، حسبما جاء في بيانه الرسمي.

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وأوضحت أن مانشستر يونايتد يسعى لاستقطاب برادة، الذي كان أحد الرجال الأساسيين في مانشستر سيتي، داخل وخارج الملعب، وجزءًا من نجاحات النادي في السنوات الأخيرة.

وعمل برادة كمدير تجاري لتسويق كرة القدم في مجموعة السيتي قبل ترقيته إلى منصب الرئيس التنفيذي للعمليات في النادي، عام 2016.

وانضم برادة إلى مانشستر سيتي قادمًا من برشلونة في عام 2011، بعد أن عمل في النادي الكاتالوني لما يقرب من ثماني سنوات كمدير أول لتطوير الأعمال الإعلامية ورئيسًا لقسم تطوير الأعمال الإعلامية.

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been questioned after he started both Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak in their defeat on the weekend.

Why did Howe start both strikers?

The Tyneside club had their hopes of finishing inside the top four dented on the weekend after tasting defeat to title-chasing Arsenal.

Defeat to the north London side has seen their cushion to foot-placed Liverpool reduced to just three points – albeit with a game in hand over the Reds.

Howe did make a significant change to his starting XI on Sunday after deciding to start both Isak and Wilson despite sticking to his -3-3 formation.

And when speaking to the media about his thinking behind the decision to start both forwards despite having other options on the bench, Howe linked it to the absence of midfielder Sean Longstaff:

“I think the balance of the team has been so impressive and Sean does a really important job. both in and out of possession for us," he said.

"I thought it was just a different balance to our team with Alexander Isak on the left and Callum Wilson up front."

And speaking on his own podcast, Neville has hit back at the 45-year-old's explanation suggesting he was not convinced by Howe's explanation:

(15:10) "He said before the game, it's because of the Longstaff injury. We didn't go back to Eddie and say, well, that doesn't make sense. Because you've got [Miguel] Almiron on the bench, you've got Saint-Maximin, you could have easily replaced him with sort of other options. Why have you done gone and gone with obviously Isak?

"So he had options on the bench – Anthony Gordon as well – so he had three options on the bench, where he could have obviously got the balance that he's had all season. And he has said previously that he feels the balance of the team is important."

Did Howe have to start Isak and Wilson?

Previously, Joelinton has been the player who Howe has played at left-wing when in need of an option in attack.

However, the injury to Longstaff will have forced the 45-year-old to reconsider that with his options in midfield reduced through the Englishman's injury.

Having said that, the fierce competition against one of the league's standout sides this season may have also played a role in his decision-making to keep Joelinton in the middle.

Although Howe alluded to Longstaff's absence playing a role in his team selection, it is worth noting he did have his usual options at left-wing.

Both Anthony Gordon and Allan Saint-Maximin made the bench for the Toon on the weekend, but Howe opted to play both Wilson and the Swede instead.

So it does seem as if perhaps Howe chose the two forwards purely on the back of their recent form with Isak having netted seven in his last 10 league games and Wilson scoring eight in his last eight.

But it was not a decision which paid off with the striking pair failing to register a single shot on target between them throughout the 90 minutes (via SofaScore).

It is understandable that Howe may have wanted to include both forwards in the starting XI, however, perhaps a change of formation may be needed if he is to try it in their next game against Leeds United.

No quarter was asked or given in testing conditions at Canterbury where day two of Kent’s County Championship Division Two clash with Leicestershire was hampered by bad light and drizzle

ECB Reporters Network30-May-2016
ScorecardDaniel Bell-Drummond continued his good form•Getty Images

No quarter was asked or given in testing conditions at Canterbury where day two of Kent’s County Championship Division Two clash with Leicestershire was hampered by bad light and drizzle.Some 47 overs were lost in the day – taking Kent’s tally of missed action to 804 overs so far this summer – but, in the two sessions of engaging cricket that were possible, Kent fought their way to 117 for 2, to trail the visitors by 224 on first innings.Kent opener Tom Latham was the home side’s sole casualty during a gloomy morning session when, shortly after a 14-minute delay for bad light from noon, the New Zealand Test batsman played half forward and outside the line of a Clint McKay in-swinger to go leg before for 9.With the floodlights on from the start, Daniel Bell-Drummond and Joe Denly, with double-centuries to their names already this season, played and missed a couple of times. The pair also survived concerted appeals for catches behind the stumps, but made it through to lunch without further casualty.They added 88 in 28.2 overs either side of the lunch break before Denly, defending off balance to a full-length ball from Ben Raine, went lbw to make it 103 for 2.Bell-Drummond duly posted his sixth Championship half-century of the summer from 99 balls and with eight fours. It was his eighth score in excess of 50 in all forms of cricket this summer. When the players went in for a slightly early tea, Bell-Drummond had reached 65, while his captain Sam Northeast was unbeaten on 5.The players did not emerge for the final session and at 5.45pm umpires Alex Wharf and Paul Pollard called proceedings off for the day.At the start of day two, Kent needed only 15 balls to mop up Leicestershire’s two remaining first-innings wickets for the addition of only a single. McKay nicked to Sam Billings off the bowling of Darren Stevens, then Matt Coles knocked over last man Charlie Shreck without scoring.

أكد وينفريد شايفر، المدير الفني السابق لمنتخب الكاميرون، أن سبب تراجع مستوى بعض المنتخبات الكبرى في قارة إفريقيا خلال بطولة كأس الأمم الجارية الآن، يعود لعدم قتال اللاعبين بشكل كاف.

وقال وينفريد شايفر، في تصريحات عبر قناة الزمالك: “بالطبع أتابع مباريات كأس أمم إفريقيا، فهي مهمة جدًا بالنسبة لي، أنا أحب الكرة الإفريقية، وكنت مدربًا لمنتخب الكاميرون، وفزت بنسخة 2002 في مالي، ولم يدخل مرمانا أي أهداف”.

وتابع: “أنا متعجب جدًا من منتخبات إفريقيا الكبرى، ظهروا بدون مستواهم، سواء مصر أو غانا أو نيجيريا وساحل العاج والجزائر، فقط المنتخبات الصغيرة مثل الرأس الأخضر هي التي تصدرت مجموعتها، وأنا سعيد بذلك”.

وأضاف: “المنتخبات الإفريقية لديها 3 فئات من اللاعبين، لاعبون محليون، ودوليون في أوروبا، ولاعبون مولودن في أوروبا، من المهم جدًا أن يكون المدير الفني لديه خبرات كبيرة ليبني منتخبًا قويًا، ومن الضروري أن يُحارب الجميع في الدولة من أجل هذا المنتخب”.

واستكمل: “تابعت مباريات غانا ونيجيريا، ولم أجد أن الجميع يُحارب من أجل المنتخب، سأعطي مثالًا، ويليزمز لاعب غانا، لعب في كأس أمم إفريقيا وقدم مباراة جيدة، وسافر إلى أتلتيك بلباو ولعب لقاء أمام برشلونة وكان جيدًا جدًا، هذه مشكلة، اللاعب لا يُقاتل بالقدر الكافي مع منتخبه، كما يفعل ذلك مع ناديه، وهذه أكبر مشكلة قد تواجه المدير الفني”.

وأردف: “لا بد أن يكون المدير الفني لديه الخبرة في استبعاد أي لاعب لا يمتلك الجدية مع المنتخب، لقد حدثت معي حالة مماثلة في مالي، وقلت له خذ تذكرتك وسافر، وبعدها لعب بشكل قوي في البطولة”.

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وواصل: “المشكلة الكبرى التي تواجه المدرب هي وجود 3 فئات من اللاعبين كما قلت، على المدرب أن يُحضر الفئات الثلاثة لتكوين منتخب قوي، وعندما يرى أن هناك لاعب لا يُقدم أقصى ما لديه لصالح المنتخب فعليه أن يستبعده”.

واستطرد: “بالنسبة لمنتخب مصر، عندما يكون لديك محمد صلاح أحد أفضل لاعبي العالم، لا بد أن تلعب من أجله، فهو يُمكنه تغيير نتيجة المباراة، هو لاعب جيد جدًا، ولديه شخصية جيدة، وعندما يفوز فالكل يفوز والفريق والجهاز الفني يُصبحون أبطالا، هذا ما حدث مع ميسي، كل اللاعبين لعبوا من أجله وفازوا بكأس العالم، وعقود لاعبي التانجو ارتفعت في أوروبا بعد المونديال”.

واختتم: “لا بد أن يجد المدرب الموهبة ويدربها على أعلى مستوى، سأعطيكم درسين، فوز موريتانيا على الجزائر ليس منطقيًا، لأن الأخير لم يكن مستواه جيدًا في اللقاء، والدرس الثاني تعادل الرأس الأخضر مع مصر، مصر كانت على قمة كرة القدم الإفريقية لمدة 10 أو 15 عامًا، ولم يكن أحد يستطيع التغلب عليها، المشكلة هي أن اللاعبين لا بد أن يُقاتلوا من أجل المنتخب ويفخرون بارتداء قميص منتخب بلادهم”.

Manchester United have enjoyed a fine first season under Erik ten Hag, but it does seem like they are running out of steam as the campaign reaches its conclusion.

Back-to-back losses against West Ham United and Brighton and Hove Albion had thrown their top-four finish into doubt, which given how comfortable they once looked to bring Champions League football back to Old Trafford, would have been a travesty.

However, having since halted that mini-collapse against Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Red Devils are once again back in the driving seat ahead of their rivals Liverpool.

Given the success of this debut year, the Dutch tactician will likely already be looking ahead as to how he can bolster this team that has served him well. Admittedly, the main cause for concern would be to add to the depth surrounding the starting XI, as they have been hamstrung by numerous injuries in various positions.

Marcel Sabitzer may have deputised well, having joined in January amidst Christian Eriksen's injury, but the Austrian is no match for some of the experienced alternatives this huge club could attract.

Despite that, the on-loan Bayern Munich maestro has made his intentions clear: "I found my place here. Now I know the Premier League and can say there's nothing better."

What's the latest Man United transfer news?

The recent news – as per Football Insider – could spell bad news for Sabitzer with it said that an offer is now being readied to sign Mateo Kovacic in a potential £30m deal.

It was previously suggested that the Red Devils were merely keeping tabs on the Croat, although it now appears as though they are set to step up their interest.

United's hierarchy seem to think they can definitely sign the midfielder, but only if they can convince the selling club to slash their price tag.

How has Mateo Kovacic played for Chelsea?

To claim the 29-year-old entering his prime years could prove a fine coup for Ten Hag, adding a true winner into his squad alongside the likes of Casemiro and Raphael Varane.

The Blues' midfielder is the proud victor of four Champions Leagues amongst numerous other trophies, yet this season has struggled in what has been a horrid transitional period for the west London club.

However, just last year saw the former Real Madrid star maintain a 7.20 average rating in the league, scoring twice, assisting five times and recording 1.1 key passes and two tackles per game, via Sofascore. He truly was imperious, and this is form he has largely maintained throughout his whole career at Stamford Bridge.

It even led Jurgen Klopp to praise the World Cup finalist back in 2018, questioning how to defend the midfielder, when he is "running like a Formula One car".

Although Sabitzer has deputised well, with three goals and one assist in all competitions, the experience of Kovacic, as it has proven with Eriksen, would be vital.

The latter has quietly been one of the Premier League's most consistently high-performing stars in recent years, and should he prove to be a viable option, the decision of who to sign becomes a no-brainer. Indeed, Ten Hag must surely send Sabitzer packing if this move comes to fruition.

أوضح بيب جوارديولا مدرب مانشستر سيتي، أن فريقه يتعين عليه القيام بشيء لم يفعله من قبل إذا أراد الفوز على توتنهام في مباراة الدور الرابع لكأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي.

ويحل مانشستر سيتي ضيفًا على توتنهام غدًا الجمعة، ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي.

وأشار جوارديولا إلى ضرورة استغلال الفرص وتحويلها إلى أهداف، لحسم التأهل، وتطرق للحديث عن عدم فوز مانشستر سيتي على ملعب توتنهام الجديد منذ افتتاحه في عام 2019.

ولم ينجح مانشستر سيتي في الفوز على ملعب توتنهام الجديد بما في ذلك أربع مباريات في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز ومباراة الذهاب من ربع نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وقال جوارديولا في تصريحات خلال مؤتمره الصحفي: “هذا هو الواقع، كم هو صعب بالنسبة لنا”.

وأضاف: “في مرحلة خروج المغلوب للتأهل، عليك تسجيل الأهداف وإلا فسيكون الأمر مستحيلًا، هذه فرصة لذلك”.

وأردف: “الشعور السائد في معظم الأوقات هو أن كلمة استثنائية ليست هي الكلمة الصحيحة لأننا لم نتمكن من الفوز لكننا لعبنا بشكل جيد حقًا، الطريقة التي تصرفنا بها والطريقة التي لعبنا بها كانت جيدة”.

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وأكد: “الحقيقة هي أنه لا توجد أهداف ولا هزائم، إنهم أفضل منا بكثير، لم نتمكن من الفوز بأي مباراة هناك، لذلك كانوا خطيرين طوال الوقت”.

وانتقل جوارديولا للحديث عن رحيل عمر برادة وانضمامه إلى مانشستر يونايتد ليتولى مهمة المدير التنفيذي للشياطين الحمر.

وعندما سئل عن رأيه بشأن انتقال برادة لمانشستر يونايتد وحجم الخسارة التي لحقت بالسيتي، أجاب جوارديولا: “حسنًا، كل ما يمكنني قوله شخصيًا هو أنني أتمنى له كل التوفيق، فهو سيغير الشارع وليس المدينة”.

وواصل: “لقد كان شخصًا مهمًا للمنظمة بأكملها، واليد اليمنى للرئيس التنفيذي فيران سوريانو، لكنه قرر الرحيل بنفسه، وسيمضي النادي قدمًا”.

وشدد: “لذلك سنجد، في النادي، الطريق الصحيح أو الشخص أو الأشخاص المناسبين للمضي قدمًا والقيام بما فعله، لكنني شخصيًا أتمنى له كل التوفيق”.

وردًا على سؤال حول ما إذا كان هناك أي شعور بالصدمة من انضمام برادة إلى مانشستر يونايتد، وما إذا كانوا سيكونون أكثر قوة في المستقبل، أتم جوارديولا: “لا أعرف أفكار مانشستر يونايتد”.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their plans to improve their defensive options in the upcoming summer transfer window…

What's the latest on Jean-Clair Todibo to Newcastle?

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Magpies are one of three Premier League sides who have been keeping tabs on Nice central defender Jean Clair-Todibo.

The reporter revealed:

"Understand Newcastle, Manchester Utd and Liverpool scouts were in attendance at Nice-Rennes game to monitor Jean Clair Todibo #transfers French centre back could get top club move in the summer — with price tag understood to be around €45m."

However, it remains to be seen whether or not sporting director Dan Ashworth is prepared to match the French side's £39m asking price ahead of next season.

Who could replace Fabian Schar at Newcastle?

Eddie Howe and Ashworth could secure the dream long-term heir to Fabian Schar at St. James' Park by beating their Premier League rivals to Todibo's signature in the coming months.

The Switzerland international has enjoyed a terrific season alongside Sven Botman at the back for the Magpies this term but the central defender turns 32 later this year and the club may be starting to think about what life will look like after he departs or his powers wane with old age.

At 23, Todibo is a promising young centre-back who has already proven himself in a major European league and he could slot in as competition for Schar, with a view to eventually taking over from the 31-year-old.

In Ligue 1 this season, the Frenchman has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.93 across 31 appearances and won 66% of his individual duels. Schar, meanwhile, has averaged a score of 7.13 and won 64% of his battles across 32 Premier League outings this season.

These statistics show that both players are dominant defenders who can produce solid performances on a consistent basis but Todibo could have the edge when it comes to playing out from the back.

Over the last 365 days, the Nice star ranks in the top 12% of players in his position in Europe's top five leagues for progressive passes and successful take-ons per 90, whilst Schar does not rank higher than the top 28% in either statistic, making Todibo one of the best central defenders around at progressing the ball forward from the defence.

This suggests that Todibo, who talent scout Jacek Kulig hailed as "complete" and a possible "bargain" for a club this summer, could offer more than the current Newcastle defender in possession, whilst still boasting similar physical dominance off the ball in his respective division.

Therefore, Howe could receive a dream heir to Schar if Newcaslte win the race for Todibo, who is eight years younger than the Swiss international, this summer.

A win for either Leicestershire or Gloucestershire could put them top of the Division Two table if Kent fail to beat Derbyshire. Yes, Leicestershire…

Jon Culley at Grace Road27-Jun-2016
ScorecardMark Cosgrove’s half-century helped shore up Leicestershire’s first innings•Getty Images

Without wishing to be disrespectful to the progress Leicestershire have made in the last year and a half, I have to admit that one sentence in a match preview I read before play began here caused me to do a double take. “A win for either side,” the sentence read, “could put them top of the Division Two table if Kent fail to beat Derbyshire.”For either side, including Leicestershire. The same Leicestershire that only 13 months ago finally ended that extraordinary run of 37 matches – 993 days – spanning more than two full seasons – without a win, the worst run by any county in post-war Championship history. Excuse me for needing a moment to take that in.Then again, it isn’t the same Leicestershire. The appointment of Wasim Khan as chief executive appears to have been a move every bit as smart as it seemed at the time, as has the engagement of Andrew McDonald as coach.The Australian all-rounder, a former player here, has changed the mindset of the dressing room, convincing players that they should expect to win matches rather than lose. Meanwhile, Khan has given the club a sense of progressiveness and optimism.Even the ground itself, for so long hidden away within a grid of anonymous urban streets, now demands to be noticed. Six towering floodlight pylons are an obvious help in that respect. Yet more subtle changes are significant, too, such as the replacement of the high perimeter wall along the Milligan Road side of the ground with open railings, allowing passers-by to appreciate a vast green space that some, quite possibly, would not have known was there.On the field, Khan has strengthened McDonald’s hand with some shrewd signings. Paul Horton, Neil Dexter and Mark Pettini have all brought authority and experience; and a desire to invigorate their own careers by being part of a meaningful project.McDonald sees them taking his influence on to the field, reinforcing the messages he tries to impart in the dressing room. Apart from that, there is a good chance one of them will deliver a performance, too.The bad days have not yet been banished entirely. Their dismissal for 44 against Worcestershire in the last four-day match here is evidence of that. Yet they are not happening with anything like the same frequency.Horton and Pettini failed on this occasion, the former Lancashire opener lbw to David Payne for five during an opening spell that also accounted for Angus Robson, Pettini edging a good ball from Liam Norwell to depart for the same score. However, Dexter delivered handsomely.The former Middlesex all-rounder finished the day unbeaten on 107, a second hundred since his close-season move to Grace Road to go with the 131 he made against Kent in April. Conditions in the morning were difficult, with the ball swinging and nibbling off the pitch, and the Gloucestershire attack only occasionally surrendered easy runs, yet Dexter maintained his concentration and discipline. And given that Robson, completely misjudging a ball that knocked out his off stump, was dismissed by the fifth delivery of the match, he had effectively batted all day.Gloucestershire had sensed there was something in the pitch and a toss of the coin was not required. By the fifth over, Leicestershire were 18 for 2 but in partnership with Mark Cosgrove, his captain, Dexter helped add 101 for the third wicket.Cosgrove, who hit 10 fours in a half-century despite at times struggling to time the ball, departed early in the afternoon session when he struck a drive straight to mid-on, possibly deceived by a ball held back a little by Kieran Noema-Barnett, and when Pettini was out Leicestershire were in danger of letting a good position slip at 130 for 4.Dexter was rarely troubled, however. A bright 30 from Aadil Ali, who did the day’s only six off the spin of Graeme Van Buuren, helped the fifth wicket take the score to 188 before he was bowled by a straightish one from Craig Miles.Noema-Barnett picked up two more wickets in the evening session and Leicestershire were into the 95th over before they secured a second batting point. But, in a match likely to be disrupted by the weather in the next couple of days, their total might not be a bad one.