All posts by n8rngtd.top

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West Ham have suffered yet another injury setback, as reports claim Jack Wilshere is now officially out for the season.

What’s the story?

In a worryingly predictable turn of events, The Sun report that Wilshere has suffered an injury setback in West Ham training.

The report claims that Wilshere had returned to training but damaged his ankle further, and is now expecting to be told by a specialist that his season is over.

“He was running at West Ham’s Essex training ground but the foot joint is still causing trouble — although the exact diagnosis remains unclear,” the report continues.

Manuel Pellegrini has not confirmed the setback, but he also did not deny it during his Friday press conference, instead saying: “I am not a doctor, we must wait,” as reported by Claret & Hugh.

Gamble over, time to move on?

The 27 year-old played his last action against Newcastle at the beginning of December, and has managed just four starts this season.

The English international joined the Hammers on a free signing last summer with big question marks surrounding his injury record, and those questions have now been answered in the worst possible way.

The gamble that the midfielder could put his long list of fitness troubles behind him has well and truly backfired, and Manuel Pellegrini would now be wise to shop for another new signing in midfield this summer.

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According to a report in The Daily Mail, Leeds United have postponed new contract talks with top goalscorer Kemar Roofe until the summer when he will only have 12 month remaining on his deal, and they will live to regret it.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Daily Mail says that owner Andrea Radrizzani could be forced to sell unless the Yorkshire outfit win promotion this term, but their financial concerns with the Yorkshire outfit reportedly going “all in” on going up is behind the club policy to delay contract talks.

As a result, the Whites are clearly willing to let Roofe’s deal continue to run down rather than acting and rewarding him for his performances this season now.

The 26-year-old has scored 14 goals in 26 Championship appearances for Leeds during the current campaign, although he is out for the foreseeable future after suffering a knee injury.

What happens in the summer?

Well, according to The Daily Mail report it seems clear that the attacker’s situation will be resolved when it is clear what division the Yorkshire club find themselves in for the 2019/2020 season.

It is hardly a good sign for Roofe however that such an important player finds himself with just one year remaining on his contract come the summer, and there are certainly more than a few parallels to the fiasco regarding Chris Wood in the summer of 2017, when he was offered new terms on a soon-to-be ending deal before leaving for Burnley.

In addition, the marksman was linked with a number of Premier League teams including Newcastle United during the January transfer window, and whether the Whites return to the ‘promised land’ or not come what May, he could be tempted to take one of them if there is still interest later this year.

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Sunderland have been handed a boost ahead of Saturday’s League One showdown with Wycombe Wanderers, as several key Wycombe players could miss the match through illness.

What’s the word?

As reported by The Shields Gazette, The Chairboys expect to be without at least three first team players because of an illness that has spread through the camp.

Currently toiling in 12th place having lost their last four games in a row, things are going from bad to worse for the men in blue.

“If there’s one black mark against this week’s training it’s the lack of players,” said manager Gareth Ainsworth, speaking on his side’s efforts through the week.

“We’ve had a few off ill just two days before the game now so we are struggling for the full squad to be fit,” he continued, as reported by The Shields Gazette.

“I think there’s going to be two or three who won’t be able to start.”

What’s the verdict?

Well, the Black Cats travel to Adams Park on Saturday fresh off the back of their Checkatrade Trophy success.

After a difficult patch of form around the turn of the year, Jack Ross’ side have now won four on the bounce in all competitions, and that form should continue if Ainsworth’s comments are anything to go by.

While of course there could be some mind games involved from the Wycombe boss, his last comment sounds like it is indeed important first team players, regular starters even, who are struggling with illness.

With four wins in a row and clean sheets in three of those games, Sunderland should be raring to go against a fractured and declining Chairboys squad.

If fans weren’t already looking forward to a Saturday trip down south, they certainly will be now after Ainsworth’s comments.

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West Brom fans have had a busy weekend of debate following the sacking of Darren Moore.

It was news that came as a shock to Baggies supporters and Slavisa Jokanovic is now being seen as Moore’s potential successor at the Hawthorns – as reported by various publications including the Telegraph.

With his attacking brand of football and exciting progressive style, Jokanovic could well take West Brom to the next level. Fulham’s performances last season were extremely eye-catching and this is something Baggies supporters can look forward to if he is appointed.

The Serbian has previously taken two teams up to the Premier League, having also led Watford’s successful promotion campaign in 2014/15. Therefore, he knows the division and may now be the best man to lead West Brom’s charge going into the final few months of the season.

Despite being sacked from his position with Fulham after the club found themselves in relegation trouble in the Premier League, Jokanovic may well be the answer in terms of a short-term solution to the problems the Baggies have faced in the last couple of weeks.

His prior record in the Championship sticks out above all else and Albion will be hoping they can use that as a springboard for an instant return to the top flight after relegation in 2017/18.

Albion had been enjoying a productive season in the Championship, sitting fourth, but are on a run of three matches without a win in the league. The form that has seen them fall away from the automatic promotion places with Saturday’s draw at Ipswich proved the final straw for Moore.

His dismissal provided an angry response from West Brom supporters, but certain sectors have reacted well to the news that Jokanovic could be about to walk through the door.

Here’s what’s been said on Twitter…

Dean Smith praised his team’s energy and desire to win the ball back on Saturday after Aston Villa claimed their fourth win on the bounce with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough at Villa Park.

Clearly, the manager was particularly impressed with the determination Villa have shown to pressure opposition teams in a defensive manner and by doing so, controlling the game by taking a firm grip of possession. Villa moved into sixth place in the Championship table following the win over Boro and seem to be playing some of their best football of the season.

Having struggled to get positive results for the majority of the campaign, the Birmingham giants are now in a very good position to earn a spot in the playoffs again and perhaps secure promotion to the Premier League next season.

Villa have been relentless lately, in both attack and defence, and appear to be eager to get in their opponents’ faces by playing an effective pressing game in defence, while quickly turning into attack once they have the ball. Their recent performances have certainly regained the belief and trust of their fans and it was clear on Saturday that the Villa fans acknowledge the sense of urgency Smith’s team is playing with at the moment.

The four victories they have managed have been of the highest quality and they have been hungry to take the game to the opposition, no matter who they might be facing.

In-front of goal, mainly due to the return of midfielder Jack Grealish, Villa have looked to tear defenders apart and be absolutely ruthless.

This new energy and sheer persistence have been backed up with good discipline on the field, while remaining calm and composed to see games out.

That is also the reason why Villa have managed to keep three clean-sheets in these four successive wins, which will certainly give them confidence for the remainder of the season. At long last, the Dean Smith project is working.

Aston Villa fans, do you fancy yourselves to win promotion back to the Premier League? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

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Liverpool fans on Twitter have been busy debating who they think should be Andy Robertson’s understudy for next season, with Alberto Moreno’s contract set to expire in the summer.

The Reds recently tied young left-back Adam Lewis down to a new contract, a player who looks like a real prospect and one who appears to be highly-rated by Jurgen Klopp, seeing as the German included the teenager on his warm weather training camp to Marbella.

Are the media letting Jurgen Klopp off lightly for his lack of silverware? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

Another avenue the club could take to replace Moreno, who doesn’t seem like he’ll be offered a new contract, is to dip into the transfer market, but anyone who comes in will need to be aware that they won’t be starting ahead of Robertson, who is one of Europe’s best left-backs.

Lewis would be a good choice, as he would be able to learn from Robertson whilst not expecting too much first-team football, but let’s see what the undecided Liverpool fanbase are saying on Twitter…

Isco is seemingly an ever-present name in Liverpool’s (Tuttosport via the Daily Mail) rumour column whilst Zidane is said (via France Football) to be interested in Sadio Mane as he looks to reform a broken Real Madrid side.

It goes without saying that the two players are currently experiencing very different seasons at their respective clubs.

On top of the misery of being dumped out of every possible competition, Isco has faced the imposed isolation from former manager Santiago Solari, who has quite rightly been sacked for one of the unsuccessful reigns in the club’s illustrious history.

The gossip surrounding the Spaniard’s future may have calmed thanks to the recent appointment of Zidane, who is a firm admirer of the player, but there is still every chance he could be used as a makeweight for Mane’s future transfer to the club – with Madrid reportedly very keen on the player.

Mane, on the other hand, has been in tremendous form for Liverpool of late and is the key player in their drive for the Premier League title and Champions League.

But who comes out on top?

Sadio Mane

FSG really did pull off a masterstroke by signing him for £34 million back in the summer of 2016 as he’s gone on to become a world-class attacker and one of the Reds’ current heroes.

Senegal international Sadio Mane has been sensational in recent times, bagging nine goals in his previous ten games, lifting Liverpool from their recent ‘slump’ – if you could call it that.

He has more than capably taken the star role from Mohamed Salah, and as far as we are concerned, is a more important player to the club at the moment. A sentiment echoed by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp, who declared the forward “the main man” (via Sky Sports Football YouTube channel).

The industrious efforts of Mane both in attack and defence has really caught our eye so far this season, as it has with every previous campaign, but the fact that he has added more goals to his game (which were not lacking in the first place) makes him one of the most exciting talents in the world at this moment in time.

TT Rating: A+

Isco

Isco, who is valued at £54 million (by Transfermarkt), will want to put this season behind him after what has proven to be an absolute nightmare experience.

Despite being favoured by the former, and considerably more successful, Real Madrid manager Zidane, Isco found himself slumped on the bench more often than he was on the pitch, and the team suffered because of it.

The Spaniard is easily one of the most gifted players in the game when it comes to technical ability and dribbling, using his immense ability to weave past punters with the most admirable ease.

His goalscoring efforts are not too bad either.

During his prolific campaign (2017/18), the Spaniard recorded an impressive 10 goals in 30 games, and though these statistics have declined slightly since then, we think it is fair to say that he has the return to his best in front of goal.

Should Isco sign for Liverpool there is every bit of evidence to suggest that he would have a similar, if not better, impact on the squad.

TT Rating: A-

TT Verdict:

Both players are world-class but we have decided to go with Sadio Mane on this occasion.

The Liverpool forward has been on fire this season scoring goals, making chances, chasing back, defending, and passing – he has mastered the lot.

At this moment in time he’s simply outclassing Isco in all departments.

To knock Salah off his perch as the most important forward plater is no easy feat, but Mane has managed it with relative ease at such a vital stage of the season as well.

However, we must add that once Isco is back to his best then the results could look a little different.

Celtic are chasing Newcastle United’s England Under-21 goalkeeper, Freddie Woodman, with the youngster considering his future at the Premier League side.

Arsenal are also interested in the player, and it could see the two giants of the game on either side of the border battling it out for one of the best upcoming goalkeepers in the Premier League.

Woodman sees his career in limbo, after making only a handful of appearances in the FA Cup this season, and having recently lost his place on the Magpies’ bench with Karl Darlow’s return to fitness, report the Shields Gazette.

Arsenal are believed to be leading the race for the 22-year-old’s signature, but a move to Celtic may hold more appeal for the player.

With Scott Bain between the posts, ahead of ageing 36-year-old veteran Craig Gordon, a move North would likely see Woodman in a two-way battle for the number one spot.

With Petr Cech retiring, any move to Arsenal would likely see him as a back-up to German Bernd Leno, who has firmly established himself as the number one choice at the Emirates.

In playing terms, a move to London could prove to be a sideways step, with him struggling for action in the same way he is at Newcastle.

As that is the main reason for his frustration, the opportunity to fight for a starting place in Glasgow would seem like a much more attractive proposition for him.

What do you think of Celtic’s attempts to lure the goalkeeping prospect to the club? Would he win a battle with Bain for the starting spot? Let us know your opinion…

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Arsenal fans have been getting excited on Twitter after an article from The Mirror.

Arsenal have been lacking any real threat on the wing this season and they see Fraser as the solution to their problems out wide.

It was recently revealed that Arsenal will not have a huge transfer budget for the upcoming window but their coffers will be boosted if they qualify for next season’s Champions League, which they are now on course to do after leapfrogging Tottenham by beating Newcastle on Monday.

The Scottish winger has been in red hot form for Bournemouth this season scoring six goals and providing 10 assists in the Premier League so far.

The Gunners’ wingers this season have been wholly underwhelming with Alex Iwobi putting up only four assists compared to Fraser’s 10.

Fraser tore Arsenal to shreds a couple of seasons ago as Bournemouth drew with the Gunners 3-3 at the Vitality Stadium. That performance has seemingly stuck in the minds of the Arsenal scouts and they have now made Fraser a target for the summer transfer window.

Here’s what Arsenal fans have been saying on Twitter…

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Andre Villas-Boas is the latest name to make the rounds as Celtic continue their hunt for a permanent manager, but is he the right man for the job?

What’s the word?

Celtic have been rather tenuously linked with a move for Villas-Boas, and fans on Twitter were freaking out about the possibility of landing the 41 year-old on Tuesday.

SkyBet have slashed odds on the former Chelsea and Spurs boss moving to Paradise all the way down to 3/1, and some of the manager’s scouting notes on Celtic from 2003 have caused quite the stir as well.

Even The Daily Record are now talking about the rumours, but should the Bhoys actually swoop for Villas-Boas?

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

A monumental risk

On the surface, Villas-Boas looks like a prime candidate to take over from Neil Lennon.

The Portuguese boss is perhaps one of the game’s most underrated tacticians, played some lovely football during his time at Tottenham and Porto, and has multiple league titles and a Europa League winners medal to his name. He is also only 41 so would have plenty of time to learn and grow with Celtic.

However, the Hoops are in need of a bit of a mini-rebuild in the near future, with several defenders now past their peak and a squad in desperate need of trimming and reshaping.

This takes time – only now is Jurgen Klopp seeing the effects of his work at Liverpool after nearly four years at the helm for example – and Villas-Boas simply does not spend long amounts of time at one club.

Despite managing six clubs in his career, he has never spent more than two years at any of them, and spent a year or less at four of those clubs, only eclipsing 12 months with Spurs and Zenit Saint Petersburg.

Villas-Boas is charismatic and exciting, but he is not a long-term option for Celtic, and hiring him could lead to far more disarray when he inevitably leaves within two years. Quite simply, swooping for a manager who so consistently struggles to leave a lasting impact would be a monumental risk from the Hoops.