Simon Mignolet returns to form for Liverpool and Adil Rashid shows great character... but Scotland were clumsy to lose to Australia in the World Cup

  • Simon Mignolet produced some good saves to help Liverpool draw at Spurs
  • Adil Rashid showed great character to come back from poor first innings
  • France lacked heart in their World Cup defeat by New Zealand 
  • Steve Evans claims he received 840 text messages of support after taking the Leeds job this week
  • Rugby World Cup 2015: Latest RWC news, results and fixtures

It's Hot or Not time again as Ian Ladyman reveals what's been making him feel warm and what's been leaving him cold inside.

 

HOT

SIMON MIGNOLET

The Belgian goalkeeper was a weak link in Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool side and arguably should have been replaced in the summer. Nevertheless Mignolet is enjoying better form and the two outstanding saves he produced at Tottenham ensured Jurgen Klopp's bubble didn't burst completely on debut.

Simon Mignolet was in excellent form for Liverpool in Jurgen Klopp's first game at Tottenham

Simon Mignolet was in excellent form for Liverpool in Jurgen Klopp's first game at Tottenham

ENGLAND ROADSHOW

The inevitable ramifications of the scandalous cost of the modern Wembley include the fact that the stadium is dreadfully overused. It seems we are stuck with Wembley FA Cup semi-finals but the decision to take England internationals round the country is welcome. All we need now is some decent football.

The FA have decided to take England Internationals around the country

The FA have decided to take England Internationals around the country

ADIL RASHID

So miserable was the England spinner's first innings spell in the UAE that he must have been glad there was nobody in the stadium to see it. What character, then, to return a 'five-for' in Pakistan's second dig to establish a platform from which his team almost won the game. Takes guts, that.

Adil Rashid showed a lot of character to come back from his poor first innings to take five second innings wickets

Adil Rashid showed a lot of character to come back from his poor first innings to take five second innings wickets

MOUSSA SISSOKO

With the ball at his feet, the Frenchman was almost unstoppable as Newcastle destroyed Norwich. Defending appears to interest Sissoko rather less, however, and it's this combination that could make him rather hypnotic viewing in Sunday's north-east derby.

Moussa Sissoko looked excellent for Newcastle with the ball at his feet in the win over Norwich

Moussa Sissoko looked excellent for Newcastle with the ball at his feet in the win over Norwich

 

NOT

FAILING FRANCE

It's been a while since Philippe Saint Andre and his team have played like France but as they were rolled over by New Zealand in the World Cup they didn't look like them either. Their red change strip made them look rather like Wales, just without the huge hearts.

France were comfortably beaten by New Zealand in the World Cup quarter final by New Zealand

France were comfortably beaten by New Zealand in the World Cup quarter final by New Zealand

SHANE WARNE

Sky's documentary on the Aussie spinner includes remarkable footage of Warne showing us the specially commissioned painting of an imaginary pool party that hangs in his office. 'This is me and Bruce Springsteen, just chilling…' No, Shane, this would never happen.

The painting, which hangs in Warne's house features: (left to right) Shane Warne, Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger, Frank Sinatra, Muhammed Ali, John F Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Clark, Chris Martin, Jack Nicholson, Joe Hachem, James Dean, Elvis Presley, Sean Connery, Jason Warne, Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, Tony Hachem, Dimitri Mascarenhas and Aaron Hamill

The painting, which hangs in Warne's house features: (left to right) Shane Warne, Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger, Frank Sinatra, Muhammed Ali, John F Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Clark, Chris Martin, Jack Nicholson, Joe Hachem, James Dean, Elvis Presley, Sean Connery, Jason Warne, Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, Tony Hachem, Dimitri Mascarenhas and Aaron Hamill

STEVE EVANS

Into the lion's den goes the latest Leeds casualty – I mean 'manager' – and it seems Evans won't fail on the attention to detail. Apparently he received '840 text messages' wishing him well at Elland Road and I won't be happy until I am told that he didn't actually count them.

New Leeds manager Steve Evans claims he received 840 messages of support after taking the job 

New Leeds manager Steve Evans claims he received 840 messages of support after taking the job 

CLUMSY SCOTLAND

Yes the Scots got a bad call from Craig Joubert at the end of their titanic clash with Australia but bad refereeing decisions are part of sport, just as bad line-outs are occasionally part of rugby. If Scotland had got their bit right they would be in a World Cup semi-final on Sunday.

Scotland's players look dejected after they lost to Australia in the final minute of the game

Scotland's players look dejected after they lost to Australia in the final minute of the game

 

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now