Tag Archives: circus

Demba Ba will be sold next summer if he fails to sign new deal, warns Alan Pardew

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Sign a new contract or leave! With Ba's 7.5m exit clause set to kick in, Pardew warns striker he will sell him next summer

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UPDATED:

14:36 GMT, 27 December 2012

Alan Pardew has told Demba Ba that even if he stays with Newcastle until the end of the season he will be sold in the summer if the release-clause remains in his contract.

The 27-year-old Senegal international has once again be linked with a departure from Tyneside next month when the 7.5million clause in his contract becomes active during the winter transfer window.

Sign up or leave: Alan Pardew wants to rid Demba Ba of his 7.5million transfer clause

Sign up or leave: Alan Pardew wants to rid Demba Ba of his 7.5million transfer clause

Toon boss Pardew is confident the player is happy to stay at St James' Park, but if he does, he will not allow the same circus about the striker's future to unfold in the summer.

The 51-year-old said: 'Really and truly this window is the key, I think, because if Demba goes in this window, it will cause us a problem.

'I think he will stay, but there's a possibility he could go because of the clause that's still in force.

Final plea: Newcastle boss Pardew doesn't want Ba's transfer situation to drag on

Final plea: Newcastle boss Pardew doesn't want Ba's transfer situation to drag on

'In the summer, I won't let it run until the summer. I'll do something about it.

'We will either move Demba on or we will secure him in the summer.'

Ba, who has 11 goals to his name so far this season to go with the 16 he scored during the last campaign, has been linked with Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, QPR and Paris St Germain among others in the run-up to the transfer window.

In demand: Ba is wanted by a host of top European suitors including Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain

In demand: Ba is wanted by a host of top European suitors including Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain

But Newcastle spent much of the summer awaiting a bid which would trigger the clause and it never came.

Meanwhile, Pardew confirmed that the ankle injury suffered by midfielder Vurnon Anita at Manchester United is only bruising and although he will miss Saturday's trip to Arsenal, he is not facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

London 2012 Olympics: Jack Laugher says he couldn"t deal with what Tom Daley has to deal with

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Laugher: I couldn't cope with the circus that Daley has to deal with

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UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 21 July 2012

Jack Laugher may be poised to become Britain’s next diving phenomenon but he insists he does not crave the fame of team-mate Tom Daley, with whom he will room in the Olympic Village.

‘I wouldn’t like the circus that follows Tom around,’ said Laugher, 17, who recalls a day off the two divers had while preparing for the Commonwealth Games two years ago.

Getting on with it: Jack Laugher says he could not handle the attention that Tom Daley gets

Getting on with it: Jack Laugher says he could not handle the attention that Tom Daley gets

‘We went to a theme park and there wasn’t a minute of the day when I didn’t hear people saying, “Oh my god, is that Tom Daley” or little girls screaming, “Tom!” and chasing after us.

‘That would be so annoying. I wouldn’t want it at all but Tom handles it.’

David Lloyd: Saeed Ajmal is just like Ashley Giles

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Bumble at the Test: Ajmal's new delivery It's just like watching Gilo!

Pioneer: Ashley Giles

Pioneer: Ashley Giles

It was right for England to bat first but they suffered from poor execution of their shots.

So Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal has a new delivery, does he Well, I think it should be called the ‘goes on-er’, a variation perfected by Ashley Giles, because it just looks straight.

There's no-one here…

This is a fantastic stadium but it is in the back end of nowhere. There is no public transport to get out here, either. No wonder there was such a small crowd, especially on a working day. The economic downturn has left this area totally under-developed. All the cranes are going rusty…

Alfalah jazzes it up

The teams are playing for the Bank Alfalah Jazz Cup in this three-match series. I was half expecting Lancashire comedian John Thomson to open proceedings in a puff of smoke with his Fast Show character Louis Balfour… ‘Welcome to the Jazz Cup. Nice.’

The Akmal's keep coming

There was yet another Akmal – Adnan – behind the stumps for Pakistan. There are seven brothers in all, which makes me think they should be a circus act – The Flying Akmals.

At least this lad is better than older brother Kamran, who waved them through in 2010.

Family affair: Adnan Akmal is keeping wicket for Pakistan

Family affair: Adnan Akmal is keeping wicket for Pakistan

It's an old man's game

Only two members of the 2010 Pakistan side remain, which suggests their new broom had swept in youngsters. But they are making a comeback by turning to old hands like captain Misbah-ul-Haq. And they have one of the oldest Test debutants, at 32, in Aizaz Cheema.

Monty call was not wrong

Debate rages over whether Monty Panesar should have played here and fuel was added to the fire by the way Matt Prior again batted. Can Prior bat at six And if so, which batsman drops out For what it’s worth I think they picked the right side but played poorly.

12th man: Some argued Monty Panesar (centre) should be in the XI

12th man: Some argued Monty Panesar (centre) should be in the XI

Stick with skip

The captain of Pakistan changes more often than a chameleon with a hot flush but they have found a steady one here in Misbah. He has moulded a team who are difficult to beat and was confident enough to bring on an off-spinner in Mohammad Hafeez for the sixth over. My advice would be to stick with him, lads.