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Former Sunderland striker Danny Graham says he ‘had no doubt’ that the fans ‘hated’ him at the Stadium Light. 

Graham reflected on his two spells with the Black Cats on the Undr The Cosh podcast.

He first joined from Swansea City back in January 2013 for a fee of £5.22million, and he was then back in the North East more than seven years later after leaving Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer.

Across those stints, he made 59 appearances in red and white, scoring just two goals (via Transfermarkt).

What did Graham have to say about his Sunderland experiences?

Graham, who retired from playing in February, feels he ‘was a fighting losing battle’ as he tried win over the fanbase and claims he faced ‘constant abuse’.

He also revealed that Phil Parkinson ‘was begging him’ to rejoin last year and that he was ‘probably the lowest paid in the squad’, so it clearly wasn’t ‘about money’.

Fan feed Roker Report relayed his comments, and here’s what supporters made of them.

Many Sunderland fans rip into Graham

“Danny Graham if you hit the back of the net things would have changed, the problem is you never did!”

Credit: @RobHall372

“I’ll speak candidly about them… the first spell was a joke, the second was a retirement home. one of the worst signings in the clubs history”

Credit: @DeanoCummings85

“Most of all, he comes across as a bit thick as well as lazy. Why not get stuck into training.. box to box sprints or whatever? It’s not doing you any harm & it might give you an edge. Says he worked hard in training then gives lots of examples how he didn’t. Aye, ok mate”

Credit: @GARP1967

“Blame the fans, it’s always the way when ex players are gone and it doesn’t work out for them. I see them as weak individuals as for me I would be BUSTING A GUT to prove them wrong. Danny was shocking for us and I always got the feeling he didn’t want to score for us. History”

Credit: @COLINDLYNCH

“Stole a living”

Credit: @paulbasnett10

“Wouldn’t even give him a response, what a waste of space”

Credit: @jeffangus12

In other news, fans react to the latest transfer link. 

The MCG will host every international match scheduled in Melbourne until 2019 under the terms of a new agreement between Cricket Victoria and the Melbourne Cricket Club

Cricinfo staff25-Nov-2008
The MCG has retained its status as Melbourne’s primary cricket venue © Getty Images
The MCG will host every international match scheduled in Melbourne until 2019 under the terms of a new agreement between Cricket Victoria and the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC). The current arrangement was to expire in March 2009 and lengthy talks were required to come to a similar deal for the next decade.Melbourne’s second-largest venue, the Docklands Stadium, was keen to bid for one-day internationals and even thought it had a chance of poaching the Boxing Day Test. Docklands has a retractable roof and held 12 ODIs from 2000 to 2006. But the new agreement has scuppered the plans of the smaller ground, which is primarily an AFL venue.”The MCG is one of world cricket’s premier stadiums,” the Cricket Victoria chairman Geoff Tamblyn said. “Cricket Victoria is delighted to continue its long-standing partnership with MCC and in doing so, provide the best opportunity to invest in the growth of our sport in this state over the next ten years.”The majority of Victoria’s home matches will also continue to be held at the MCG. David Meiklejohn, the MCC president, said the result was a positive outcome for cricket in Victoria.”The MCG has been the spiritual home of Australian cricket since the first Test in 1877 and we are delighted that our association with this great game will continue,” Meiklejohn said. “We have invested heavily in cricket facilities within the new northern stand and we believe the MCG is now one of the finest cricket stadiums in the world, both for players and patrons.”

The South African domestic season began last week with the opening round of SuperSport Series matches. Cricinfo rounds-up the action from the first three matches

Cricinfo staff06-Oct-2008Alviro Petersen led from the front with twin hundreds as the Lions opened their season with a tense 37-run victory against the Warriors at Johannesburg. He hit 131 in the first innings and 120 in the second to leave the visitors a target of 251. They made a brisk start, but slumped to 81 for 4 when Ashwell Prince was caught at third slip off Cliff Deacon for 9, following two wickets in two balls for Garnett Kruger. The middle order fought hard and at 195 for 6 the game was back in the balance when Robin Peterson edged Deacon to the wicketkeeper. Andre Nel then cranked up his pace to remove Wayne Parnell before Deacon shifted the Warrior’s last major hope, Justin Kreusch, for 49. Petersen was handed the Man-of-the-Match award after a fine start to his season. His 131 formed more than half the Lions’ first innings, as they lost 8 for 75 to fall away to 255. The Warriors battled to an advantage of 61 as Kreusch ended unbeaten on 85, but that was soon wiped off by Petersen. Again, though, the Lions lost their advantage, slipping from 145 for 1 to 272 for 9, before a tenth-wicket stand of 39 between Nel and Kruger. In the final outcome, it proved the difference.The Eagles launched their SuperSport campaign with an 86-run win against the Cape Cobras in a match dominated by the seamers at Kimberley. Dillon du Preez, fresh from his county season with Leicestershire, claimed match figures of 7 for 76 as the Eagles attack out-bowled a star-studded Cobras line-up that boasted Charl Langeveldt, Monde Zondeki and Vernon Philander. Ryan Bailey’s 91, alongside 81 from Boeta Dippenaar, boosted the Eagles to 296 then the Cobras batting was ripped apart. du Preez and CJ de Villiers shared eight wickets as the Cobras collapsed to 79 for 9. Despite a last-wicket stand of 46 they still fell short of the follow-on, but Dippenaar chose not to enforce. He may have been regretting his decision as they staggered to 18 for 4, however Riley Rossouw, the Under-19 batsman, held firm with an unbeaten 63 off 133 balls to lift the lead to 300. The Cobras were always unlikely to reach the highest total of the match and couldn’t find anyone to play a major innings. Philander top-scored with 42, but the Eagles wrapped up their win with a day to spare.Imran Tahir brought his impressive form from the County Championship straight into the South African domestic season, claiming five wickets for the Titans, but their opening match against the Dolphins was severely impacted by the weather at Durban. The final day was washed out after the Dolphins earned a lead of 81, despite losing their top-order to Tahir. He claimed the first five wickets to fall, before Jon Kent (91) and Pierre de Bruyn (73) responded with a sixth-wicket stand of 157. There had also been one main stand in the Titans’ innings with Martin van Jaarsveld (58) and Gulam Bodi (62) added 101 after coming together at 13 for 3.

Lions 1 1 00 0 0 17.1 Eagles 1 1 0 0 0 016.42 Warriors 1 0 10 0 0 8.32 Dolphins 1 0 0 0 1 07.4 Titans 1 0 00 1 0 5.22 Cape Cobras 1 0 1 0 0 03

Player of the week – Alviro Petersen
After finishing the tour of England with a 4-0 hammering in the one-day series, South Africa coach Mickey Arthur said it was time to start rebuilding the limited-overs team. Alviro Petersen has had a brief taste of international cricket with five ODIs against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh between 2006 and 2008, and the way he has begun this season another chance may not be far away. The future of some senior batsmen such as Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis is uncertain so, at 27, Petersen is part of the generation Arthur will be looking at. His back-to-back centuries against the Warriors have set a high standard for his season and won’t have gone unnoticed.

According to The Daily Express, Southampton are interested in signing Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham this summer.

The Lowdown: Saints eye Vestergaard replacement

The Saints have already been busy during this transfer window, making five signings in Romain Perraud (southamptonfc.com), Danyl Simeu (chelseafc.com), Valentino Livramento, Armando Broja and Adam Armstrong.

However, the departure of Jannik Vestergaard to Leicester City (lcfc.com) means the St. Mary’s Stadium outfit could do without another centre-back.

The Latest: Saints eye Adarabioyo

Now, it seems Southampton are interested in signing Adarabioyo.

As per the report, the 23-year-old has a £10m release his contract at Craven Cottage, while Norwich City are also believed to be interested in his services.

The Verdict: Solid option

The Saints have been looking to bring in young players during this transfer window – they have not signed anyone over the age of 25 – and Adarabioyo certainly fits that billing.

Former Blackburn defender Darren Lenihan called him “exceptional” (Goal.com), while Pep Guardiola even had praise for the defender (allnigeriasoccer.com).

He also has 33 Premier League appearances (Transfermarkt), showing he has already held his own at the highest level. £10m for a player of the former England U19 international’s man potential is hardly a huge fee – Ralph Hasenhuttl and co should make their move quick to make sure they get their man.

In other news, Southampton fans want to sign this four-time league winner.

MatériaMais Notícias

The £100m release clause in Jack Grealish’s Aston Villa contract was surprising, says Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield.

Grealish joined Manchester City last week after the Premier League champions had a £100m bid accepted, making him the most expensive player in British football history.

Shortly before, Sky Sports reported that they expected City’s offer to be accepted, and it turns out that Villa had no choice but to sanction a deal, with CEO Christian Purslow later revealing that Grealish had a release clause in his contract.

Having managed to keep it under wraps, it was a revelation that surprised many, including Aston Villa journalist Hatfield.

“It was a little bit of a surprise,” the reporter told FFC. “I think Villa always kind of kept those details very close to their chest. They don’t want knowledge of a release clause touted about left, right and centre just because it makes it much easier for buying clubs.”

It will be interesting to see if it is something Villa do in the future with other players. It is something some fans may not like, knowing that some of their assets, perhaps very important ones, will effectively always be for sale.

However, it may make enticing high calibre players to Villa Park, who can help the team to progress during their time there, an easier task.

Cricinfo previews the Asia Cup Super Four clash between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh

Kanishkaa Balachandran29-Jun-2008Match factsMonday, June 30, 2008
Start time 16.00 (local), 10.00 (GMT)
Kumar Sangakkara, fresh from his second hundred in a week, will be Bangladesh’s main threat © AFP
Big PictureBangladesh have their backs to the wall after losing their previous encounter to India and must now beat Sri Lanka to have a shot at qualifying for the final. An encouraging batting display against India – who were set a target of 284 – was not backed up by their bowlers and fielders and India sailed to an easy victory. Bangladesh’s inability to push the opposition reflects in their net run-rate, which stands at -0.894. Against an in-form Sri Lanka, they’ll be aware that nothing less than 300 is a safe score, especially on surfaces that offer little respite to the bowlers.A win for Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will seal their place in the final. They had defeated Bangladesh in the group stage, an emphatic 131-run win set up by a total of 357 for 9. This will be Sri Lanka’s second match in as many days but Mahela Jayawardene wasn’t perturbed, stating tough schedules were the norm in international cricket.Form guide (Last 5 completed ODIs; most recent first)
Sri Lanka WWWLL
Bangladesh LLWLLWatch out for …Alok Kapali , whose whirlwind 115 off 97 balls at No. 6 against the Indians was easily his most convincing performance with the bat since breaking into the team in 2002. His power-hitting in the slog overs made India sweat it out and, for a change, gave Bangladesh a big cushion of runs to work with.Kumar Sangakkara has two centuries already in the tournament, including one in the last meeting against Bangladesh. However, he got a duck in the match following that hundred and Bangladesh will hope to dismiss him early after his match-winning 112 against Pakistan on Sunday.Ajantha Mendis didn’t pick up any wickets in the previous encounter against Bangladesh, but has picked up nine in the next two matches.Team newsSri Lanka will face a tough choice. They might rest a few players but Jayawardene will want to seal a berth in the final as soon as possible. Veterans Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan were given a break against UAE but Sri Lanka may avoid resting them tomorrow.Sri Lanka (probable) 1 Sanath Jayasuriya, 2 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 3 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 4 Chamara Kapugedera, 5 Chamara Silva, 6 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 7 Chaminda Vaas, 8 Nuwan Kulasekara, 9 Thilan Thushara 10 Ajantha Mendis, 11 Muttiah Muralitharan.Bangladesh have retained the XI that played India on Saturday. However, they will need to pick up on their fielding – both Suresh Raina and Gautam Gambhir earned a reprieve during their seven-wicket loss to India.Bangladesh 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Nazimuddin, 3 Mohammad Ashraful (capt), 4 Raqibul Hasan, 5 Alok Kapali, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Farhad Reza, 9 Shahadat Hossain, 10 Abdur Razzak, 11 Mashrafe Mortaza.Stats and trivia Just two Bangladesh batsmen made centuries in 2007 but four have been scored since March this year. Tamim Iqbal’s 129 against Ireland broke the drought, followed by hundreds by Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful and Kapali. In the last three years, Bangladesh have managed to bat out the full 50 overs only six times while chasing a target. They lost all matches. Bangladesh have beaten Sri Lanka just once in 23 meetings.Quotes”All the while I was thinking of the team score and did not for once look at my runs on the scoreboard.”
Another dazzling hundred for Alok Kapali will surely aid his team.”I think in international cricket one has to be used to play such a tough schedule. Our players are fit and have been working hard and preparing for this tournament. In fact conditions were much tougher in Lahore, it is much better in Karachi.”
Mahela Jayawardene has no gripes about the itinerary, in fact he looks at the positives.

Huddersfield midfielder Juninho Bacuna only signed fresh terms with the club in May, but Football FanCast’s EFL spy reckons has suggested that Fulham sign him this summer.

The Dutchman was out of contract at the end of last season but exercised the option to extend his deal for an additional 12 months.

Bacuna has been with the Yorkshire outfit since joining in January 2019, the campaign when they were relegated back to the Championship.

And the tough-tackling midfielder man has returned impressive numbers in the second-tier – scoring 11 times and adding nine assists in 81 appearances having been a regular for Huddersfield across the last two years.

The 23-year-old is predominantly a central midfielder, but offers more versatility than most, having played in a crazy number of different positions last season, including right-back and centre-forward.

With that in mind, when asked whether he could be a potential addition for Marco Silva’s Fulham outfit, the EFL insider exclusively told FFC:

“He’s an industrious midfielder who was one of Huddersfield’s better players last year.

“He’s a tackler when needed but gets into good positions also, and helps set up breaks and counters.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Uma parcela dos sócios-torcedores do Flamengo já pode comprar ingressos para a próxima partida do time carioca na Libertadores. O Rubro-Negro encara o Atlético-PR no dia 12 de abril, pela terceira rodada do torneio internacional, no Maracanã. A venda para quem não é sócio começa somente no dia 8. Os bilhetes mais baratos custam R$ 30 (meia para sócios).

Confira abaixo preços, postos de venda e outras informações, retirados do site oficial do Flamengo:

:: Horários de abertura para vendas:

30/3, 10h – +Paixão
31/3, 10h – Paixão
1/4, 10h – +Amor
2/4, 10h – Amor
3/4, 10h – +Raça
4/4, 10h – Raça
7/4, 10h – Tradição
8/4, 20h – Venda online para Nação Jr e público geral
10/4, 10h – Abertura dos pontos de venda físicos

:: Preços

– Norte
Público geral e sócios-torcedores Nação Jr: R$120 (R$60 meia)
Sócio-torcedor Tradição: R$90 (R$45 meia)
Sócio-torcedor Raça e superiores: R$60 (R$30 meia)

– Sul
Público geral e sócios-torcedores Nação Jr: R$140 (R$70 meia)
Sócio-torcedor Tradição: R$110 (R$55 meia)
Sócio-torcedor Raça e superiores: R$70 (R$35 meia)

– Leste Superior
Público geral e sócios-torcedores Nação Jr: R$160 (R$80 meia)
Sócio-torcedor Tradição: R$120 (R$60 meia)
Sócio-torcedor Raça e superiores: R$80 (R$40 meia)

– Leste Inferior e Oeste Inferior
Público geral e sócios-torcedores Nação Jr: R$200 (R$100 meia)
Sócio-torcedor Tradição: R$150 (R$75 meia)
Sócio-torcedor Raça e superiores: R$100 (R$50 meia)

– Maracanã Mais*
Público geral e sócios-torcedores Nação Jr: R$395 (R$220 meia)
Sócio-torcedor Tradição: R$310 (R$180 meia)
Sócio-torcedor Raça e superiores: R$220 (R$135 meia)

*Os valores dos ingressos para o Maracanã Mais incluem o serviço

:: Acesso ao estádio para sócios-torcedores

– Sócios-torcedores que tiverem no momento da compra o seu cartão-ingresso ativo e comprarem apenas um ingresso deverão utilizá-lo para entrar no estádio, sem necessidade de retirada de ingressos. Se você tem o cartão-ingresso mas ainda não fez a ativação, acesse o site do Nação Rubro-Negra para fazê-lo antes de comprar o ingresso.

– Sócios-torcedores dos planos Amor e superiores que tiverem cartão-ingresso ativo e direito a comprar mais de um ingresso terão os ingressos dos convidados carregados em cartões-ingresso extras. Os sócios-torcedores do Rio de Janeiro receberão estes cartões-ingresso extras já ativos e prontos para uso em seus endereços cadastrados no site do Nação Rubro-Negra até 1 dia antes do jogo. Os sócios-torcedores de fora do Rio de Janeiro poderão fazer esta retirada na Gávea, do dia 8/4 ao dia 11/4, das 10h às 17h; ou no dia do jogo em bilheteria no Maracanã, a partir das 10h até o fim do primeiro tempo. Para tirar suas dúvidas sobre os cartões-ingresso extras, acesse www.flamengo.com.br/cartaoingresso_convidado.

– Sócios-torcedores que não tiverem o cartão-ingresso ativo no momento da compra online deverão fazer a retirada dos ingressos em um dos pontos de troca. Caso tenha comprado também ingressos extras para convidados, eles deverão ser retirados no mesmo momento do ingresso do titular da compra.

– Atenção: após a compra, não será possível alterar o meio de acesso ao estádio. Verifique antes da compra a posse de seu cartão-ingresso e se ele está ativo. Se não tiver mais o seu cartão-ingresso, faça o seu cancelamento antes de comprar o ingresso para que possa fazer a retirada.

:: Pontos de venda e retirada de ingressos comprados online

Venda online para os sócios-torcedores: www.flamengo.com.br/ingresso
Venda online para o público geral: flamengo.superingresso.com.br

– Sede do Flamengo na Gávea
Dias 8/4 e 9/4 – das 10h às 17h – apenas retirada de ingressos comprados online
A partir de 10/4 – venda e retirada

– Maracanã
A partir de 10/4 – venda e retirada de ingressos comprados online

– Haverá venda e retirada também em lojas oficiais do Flamengo. A lista completa das lojas participantes e seus dias e horários de funcionamento será divulgada em breve.

:: Instruções para retirada de ingressos comprados online

Para a retirada é necessário apresentar:

– Documento de identidade com foto
– Cartão de crédito usado na compra
– Voucher de compra
– Caso o ingresso comprado seja de meia-entrada, também será necessária a apresentação do documento que comprove este direito.

Caso a retirada seja feita por outra pessoa, ela deve apresentar:

– Documento de identidade com foto
– Cartão de crédito usado na compra
– Voucher de compra
– Cópia do documento de identidade do comprador
– Autorização de retirada feita de próprio punho pelo comprador.
– Ingressos de meia-entrada não poderão ser retirados por terceiros, com exceção dos responsáveis diretos pelo portador deste direito. Neste caso, serão necessários os documentos que comprovem que a pessoa fazendo a retirada é a responsável pelo usuário do ingresso e os documentos que comprovem o direito à meia-entrada.

:: Meia-entrada

– Têm direito à meia-entrada estudantes, menores de 21 anos, jovens de 15 a 29 anos pertencentes a famílias de baixa renda, professores e profissionais da rede municipal de ensino, portadores de necessidades especiais e seu acompanhante e adultos com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos.

– Os documentos de comprovação do direito à meia-entrada, definidos pela legislação vigente, poderão ser cobrados no momento da compra nos pontos de venda, no momento da retirada em pontos de troca no caso de ingressos comprados online e no momento de acesso ao estádio. Caso não sejam apresentados no acesso ao estádio os documentos comprobatórios do direito à meia-entrada, o acesso ao jogo poderá ser impedido, impossibilitando o uso do ingresso. Neste caso, não haverá a devolução de qualquer valor.

– O benefício da meia-entrada também é oferecido aos sócios-torcedores que cumprirem as condições para terem este direito. Neste caso, a meia-entrada é aplicada sobre o valor do ingresso praticado para o plano do sócio-torcedor.

:: Gratuidades

– Têm direito à gratuidade crianças menores de 12 anos, adultos com idade igual ou superior a 65 anos e portadores de necessidades especiais e seu acompanhante.

– As gratuidades são restritas aos setores Norte e Sul.

– A liberação da gratuidade será feita diretamente no acesso ao estádio, mediante apresentação de documentos que comprovem este direito. Não haverá reserva de ingressos de gratuidade, nem retirada de ingressos de gratuidade nas bilheterias.

RelacionadasFutebol InternacionalO rendimento dos 23 selecionáveis da Série A nas EliminatóriasFutebol Internacional30/03/2017Futebol NacionalA R$200, ingressos para Fla-Flu em Cariacica, no ES, já estão à vendaFutebol Nacional30/03/2017Futebol NacionalEmpates de Fla e Flu rendem grana alta nas casas de apostasFutebol Nacional30/03/2017

Crystal Palace have expressed tentative interest in Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, according to The Sunday World.

The Lowdown: Palace still on the hunt for a new boss

Palace seem to be attempting to make moves in the transfer window despite not having a first-team manager in place.

Steve Parish has come close on two occasions in the club’s attempts to find Roy Hodgson’s long-term successor. Deals for Nuno Espirito Santo and Lucien Favre were verbally agreed, only for talks to then collapse

The Eagles are running out of time to have a new manager in place for pre-season and also have 13 players out of contract at the end of the month.

The Latest: Eagles express interest

According to The Sunday World, Palace have now expressed their interest to the Blues regarding Abraham, however, no decision will be made over a possible deal until a manager is in place.

Reports back in April suggested that Chelsea were willing to sell Abraham for £40m this summer as part of a striker reshuffle at Stamford Bridge.

Abraham, who was described as ‘Drogba-esque’ by Rio Ferdinand, is on £82,000-a-week and has two years remaining on his Chelsea contract.

The Verdict: A club-record deal?

Should a £40m transfer materialise, Abraham would end up smashing Palace’s club transfer record.

The Eagles’ most expensive signing is Christian Benteke, who cost just over £28m from Liverpool.

Benteke has recently signed a new two-year deal at Selhurst Park, while the club also have Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew on the books.

Signing Abraham would bolster the club’s attacking ranks further as he has 26 goals in 89 Premier League appearances.

Palace were planning a £50m summer spending spree, so signing Abraham may well take up a large chunk of their funds.

In other news: ‘Please, please, please’, ‘No way’ – Many CPFC fans react as managerial news emerges, find out more here.