All posts by h716a5.icu

Glasgow Rangers recorded their fourth 2-0 win in a row after Steven Gerrard’s side beat Livingston at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon.

It’s not often that we say this, but Ryan Kent was largely anonymous against Livingston. As we previously discussed, we think that the highly-rated left-winger is one of the club’s best players, but it would be remiss to ignore his somewhat disappointing display at the weekend.

GlasgowLive gave the 23-year-old an average grade of 6/10, claiming he was “not quite as involved as he has been in previous matches” whilst he “struggled to make a major impact throughout the match.”

Per SofaScore, Kent failed to register a single shot on target all game, whilst he hasn’t scored a goal or supplied an assist since the 4-0 win over Willem II Tilburg in the Europa League last month. As far as we are concerned, we don’t think Rangers fans should be too worried, although it might be something to keep a watchful eye on in the months ahead.

Whilst the Englishman toiled on the left wing, Joe Aribo arguably stole the show on the opposite flank. Playing out of position, which saw Ianis Hagi sit in a free role behind the striker, the tactical change paid off almost immediately as the Camberwell-born Nigeria international, who usually plays in the centre of the midfield, opened the scoring with a well-timed strike from six yards out.

Rangers assistant manager Gary McAllister heaped praise on the “very talented player” for his performance, whilst Lee Bowyer has backtracked on his claims that his decision to join the Light Blues was a bad move for his career, insisting he is an “exceptional” talent. The Charlton boss told talkSPORT, as quoted by The Daily Record: “I never doubted for one second that he wouldn’t do well, because he’s an exceptional player and working under Steven Gerrard, who would only make him better. So it wasn’t that.”

Aribo has only recently recovered from injury, but he has shown no signs of suffering from any lingering issues, as he played 75 minutes against Livingston, before being replaced by Scott Arfield.

If the 24-year-old can continue to put in impressive performances like this, then it won’t be long before he is hogging the limelight.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Barker: Glasgow Rangers must return for long-term target Jacob Murphy…

In the end, the final score-line seemed to paint a completely different story to what actually happened on Sunday. A wretched display saw Aston Villa go 4-0 down at home to Southampton, before a late flurry of goals to make it 4-3 ensured the result looked far more respectable.

Dean Smith will undoubtedly not be impressed with the way his side started the game, especially in that first-half, when they went behind by three goals and also saw Che Adams have a goal ruled out for the visitors too.

But the one man who perhaps let the manager down the most, was John McGinn. The Scotland international was nowhere to be seen during his side’s Premier League clash, almost looking lost at having to play in a more deeper role in central midfield.

He just couldn’t get himself involved in the game, with a Saints midfield run superbly by double free-kick goal-scorer James Ward-Prowse completely overwhelming him in the engine room.

As per Sofascore, McGinn won just two of his eight total duels, whilst his usually energetic and intelligent runs forward deserted him. He attempted no shots on goal whatsoever, whilst he provided just one key pass and managed no successful dribbles whatsoever either.

With a final match rating of 6.2, the Scot had the worst score of any Villa midfielder, and his anonymous display contributed massively to Villa falling to yet another defeat in the Premier League.

After a barnstorming start to the top-flight, Smith’s side have suffered back-to-back defeats, halting all the momentum they had built up. Of course, it’s important to not go too overboard with Villa losing, especially given that they only avoided relegation from the Premier League on the final day of last season.

But even whilst putting a lid on expectations, Sunday’s performance was more than just a bubble being burst. And McGinn’s lacklustre display at the heart of midfield was the perfect symbol of that.

The British government have hope that the failed takeover of Newcastle United by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium can be resurrected.

As per The Guardian, high-level intermediaries are believed to be engaged in ongoing efforts to negotiate a compromise following the disputes between the Premier League and the Tyneside club.

Steve Bruce’s side made an official statement just a few days ago that confirmed that they have issued arbitration proceedings against England’s highest division, and it goes on to say that it is unclear as to when those proceedings would be resolved, given the approach of the English top flight and indeed its lawyers.

The Saudis reportedly remain as determined as ever in their pursuit to try and take the Magpies off of the hands of Mike Ashley, but it may not be as easy given the disputes between NUFC and the PL.

Can the Newcastle takeover be resurrected?

Indeed, there is still hope that the proposed takeover of Newcastle can be resurrected if their dispute with the league goes all the way to a court case.

If indeed they win that case, then the KSA group may decide to re-submit their bid, and thus grow closer to being the new owners at St. James’ Park.

In other news, find out what would make the Saudis re-submit their takeover bid here!

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former footballer and current pundit Carlton Palmer has made a claim regarding Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Following the Reds’ 1-1 draw against Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend, in which a late penalty was awarded to the home side after a VAR intervention, the German manager was less than happy in his post-match interview.

His main concern was that his Liverpool side were playing in the early kick-off on Saturday, despite having played earlier in the week in the Champions League.

In his post-match interview, the former Borussia Dortmund boss even went as far as to congratulate his interviewer after James Milner picked up a hamstring injury, implying that it may not have happened had Liverpool been given more rest days in between games.

This led Palmer to suggest that Klopp is currently frustrated, as he told FFC:

“If you get interviewed straight after the game, it’s difficult for managers. Your emotions run high, obviously, if you’ve got time to think about it and think about what you’re going to say, you would obviously say something different.

“People have to understand that he’s clearly frustrated, he was frustrated after the game and he got interviewed after the game.”

Whilst Klopp was likely to be frustrated after the game, as any manager would be after conceding a late equaliser, he shouldn’t really have aimed his frustrations at the reporter interviewing him, as he had no part to play in Liverpool kicking off at that time.

The German manager looks to have an extremely thin squad heading into the busy Christmas period due to the injuries his side have suffered this season, so it seems likely that the 53-year-old could continue to be frustrated until his players return to fitness, or until the January transfer window, where he can perhaps bring in some reinforcements.

The Reds face Wolves at Anfield on Sunday in another tough game, although next Wednesday’s game against FC Midtjylland in the Champions League should represent an opportunity to rest the majority of his first-team, considering the Reds have already secured top spot in their group, meaning the game is something of a dead rubber for the Merseyside club.

And, in other news… Klopp may have already identified his Van Dijk replacement in 21 y/o compared to De Ligt

Rob Lee has revealed the three key things that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium must fix if they complete their proposed takeover of Newcastle United.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, the Tyneside club legend outlined the massive overhaul that is needed in the North East, highlighting specifically the quality of players on the pitch, the set up at youth level as well as the improvements needed at the club’s training ground

“The club needs a huge overhaul, not just from the playing side of things, which obviously needs a lot of money spent on it.

“Chelsea just spent £200 million and we spent £35 million on two players or two free transfers, is that enough to push you forward? No.

“It’s probably enough to keep us staying where we are and not get dragged into a relegation fight.

“But it’s also that the youth set-up, the training ground is nowhere near what the new training grounds are now. Liverpool just moved into a fantastic training ground, that’s the way they’re going, and Newcastle is way out again, it’s way off it. The club, from top to bottom, needs a complete overhaul.”

Takeover would enable Newcastle to compete financially

The prospective £300m deal between Mike Ashley and the KSA group would allow the Magpies to compete financially with the likes of the so-called ‘big six’ in Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Spurs, which means that they could potentially attract better players than those who Steve Bruce currently has at his disposal at the moment.

There was even reported talk of a possible move for Cristiano Ronaldo if the bid were to be approved by the Premier League, which would be a big statement signing given his pedigree in the beautiful game.

Takeover would help with youth and training improvements

The takeover, as Lee suggests, could also help with the youth set up and improve the training grounds, which could lead to the Toon developing more their own stars in addition to buying them, which could make NUFC a real force in the years to come.

In other news, find out what concerns Lee has expressed with the KSA takeover here!

Former Scotland international Charlie Adam has voiced his thoughts on Celtic’s current situation. Current boss Neil Lennon could be staring down the barrel of a gun as the Hoops continue to struggle in their 2020/21 season.

They have suffered an early exit from the Europa League after winning just one of their group stage matches. Rivals Rangers are also pulling further and further away from second place Celtic, who look increasingly less likely to catch them up and retain their crown.

If they finish second, which is looking to be the only result at this point in the season, Lennon is at high risk of being sacked as the club’s head coach.

A lot of different names have been thrown into the mix when discussing who could replace Lennon and Adam has suggested Mauricio Pochettino could fit the bill.

Celtic would benefit from securing Mauricio Pochettino

“Could Pochettino be the one? He could come and rebuild his career again,” the Dundee United midfielder recently told PLZ Soccer.

The Argentinian was dismissed from his role as Tottenham Hotspur manager last year, and 2021 could be the year he gets himself back into the game.

Whilst Pochettino is regarded as an icon for guiding Spurs to their first-ever Champions League final. He was unable to win any silverware during his five years at the helm.

He impressed a lot of people with his final couple of seasons at Spurs. Liam Rosenior recently lauded the gaffer for performing “a miracle” at the north London outfit.

Joining a club like Celtic who have enormous chances of winning the Premiership and Scottish Cup year in, year out would be the ideal move for Pochettino.

Scotland’s top flight is very much a two-horse race and the Bhoys have an extremely rich history. If Pochettino joined Celtic, the chances of winning a trophy in his debut season are very high.

Not only would winning silverware with a new club boost his chances of a return to the Premier League but the Hoops would benefit from his knowledge.

The 48-year-old’s experience in both the English top-flight and the Champions League, plus his lure in the transfer market could completely transform Celtic as a club following a disappointing 2020/21 season.

In other news, Exclusive: Pundit rubbishes idea of Sam Allardyce replacing Neil Lennon at Celtic…

This year has been an absolute rollercoaster year for Wolves.

They went deep in the Europa League before they were knocked out by eventual winners Sevilla. Therefore, Nuno Santo’s men can hardly feel too hard done by.

The Old Gold desperately missed out on more European football when Arsenal won the FA Cup but hopefully this season, it has given them a stricter focus and more desire to get back to the Europa League.

Of course, Molineux has been empty since March but fans have been cheering on their team from home with enormous passion.

They have seen the likes of Diogo Jota depart but in signing players like Fabio Silva and Nelson Semedo, they certainly have a bright future.

So what will 2021 bring? Another cup run? Or perhaps an assault on the Premier League’s top four? Either way, we certainly hope it will be better than 2020.

So, with one last hurrah, take our big fat quiz of the year on Wolves – we bet you can’t get 100%…

AND in other news, Shi made a huge Wolves howler over £16m ace who “works his socks off”…

Steve Bruce can discover Newcastle United’s next Steven Taylor with the capture of Hull City prospect Jacob Greaves in the January transfer window.

What’s the word?

According to The Telegraph, Newcastle are among a host of English sides monitoring Greaves’ situation at the KCOM Stadium as the young centre-half continues to catch the eye.

A number of Championship outfits have been scouting the 20-year-old this season after Greaves established himself in Grant McCann’s first-team squad, starting all 12 of his League One appearances as the Tigers strive to secure an immediate return to the second-tier.

McCann awarded Greaves his step up to the Hull first-team in October after a successful season on loan with Cheltenham Town in League Two last term, and could soon be on the move again as more and more suitors descend on Humberside.

The Tigers boss expects Greaves will enjoy a strong career in professional football, having returned to the fold a better player and with more experience after his brief spell away.

“I’ve been really impressed. We saw a lot of him last year at Cheltenham and he won the EFL player of the month award the first month he was there. It’s brilliant to see him play two games and play like he has done. It’s a testament to him,” McCann said, via quotes by Hull Live.

“We see him every single day and we know what he has got. He has all the capabilities to go on and have a tremendous career. He’s come in and looked very assured in and out of possession, he’s been brilliant.”

Newcastle’s next Steven Taylor

Bruce urging Mike Ashley to sanction a January deal for Greaves to join Newcastle could see the Magpies discover their next Taylor, who proved an outstanding player in black and white during his 12 years in the Toon first-team.

Taylor made 268 appearances for Newcastle across all competitions before joining Portland Timbers in 2016, having proven a hit following his graduation from the Magpies academy in 2004 when awarded his senior debut under Sir Bobby Robson aged 18.

Bruce could have his own Taylor in Greaves, who has helped Hull to keep five clean sheets in League One this term with 0.8 successful tackles a game, plus 1.3 interceptions, 4.3 clearances, 1.8 ground duels won, 4.3 aerial contests won and is dribbled past just 0.3 times a game, per SofaScore.

The 20-year-old has also proven to be a safe bet in possession with 35.9 accurate passes a game, while penning an 88% completion rate for passes played in Tigers territory, and is yet to commit an error that has led to a shot, goal or penalty be awarded in the third-tier.

AND in other news, Steve Bruce is keen to sign a “fantastic” £15.5m-rated brute for Newcastle United…

Many Everton fans have slammed Roy Keane after a video involving the pundit emerged on social media.

Football Daily recently relayed a video involving Roy Keane, who was talking about Everton’s chances of competing for the title on Super Sunday. The former Man Utd midfielder said that teams would need around 80 points to win the league, but he said that fans should ‘forget’ about Everton challenging for the title. He made it clear that he wouldn’t include Everton in the debate for potentially winning the league.

The Toffees are currently at sixth in the Premier League table. They have 32 points in the bag and they find themselves only five points behind league leaders Manchester United. In their previous game, they beat Wolves 2-1 and they’ve won five out of their last six outings in the league (as per Whoscored).

Carlo Ancelotti’s men have generated a non-penalty xG of 1.18 in the Premier League this season and that is the ninth-best tally in the division. Their non-penalty Expected Goals against metric stands at 1.16, which is the ninth-worst in the Premier League (as per FBRef).

The video involving Keane was relayed on Twitter by All Together Now Everton podcast. Many Toffees fans talked about the former midfielder.

What did Everton fans make of this video about Keane?

“Clearly still hasn’t got over Everton turning him down when he was booted out of Old Trafford.”

Credit: @NikolasHeyes

“He speaks about football as if it’s the same as when he played, which a lot of the time is edgy and funny but sometimes it’s just plain embarrassing.”

Credit: @Dan_EFC1878

“Good keep on discounting us we’ll be the ones laughing when we finish in the top four.”

Credit: @Hugodrax0077

“There is a reason why Keane is sitting in the studio & not in the dugout. It’s laughable that he bigs up Brendan Rodgers who has won nothing of note & dismisses Ancelotti who has won everything.”

Credit: @ChrisPerez75

“What would Roy know, he is a failed football manager to be fair.”

Credit: @PaulClews2

“Didn’t Little Everton beat Leicester recently.”

Credit: @jasontgoodall

In other news, Everton reportedly like a Premier League defender – read more about it here.

David Moyes must urge West Ham United to strike a deal with ACF Fiorentina for Felipe Anderson to spend the remainder of the season in the Serie A.

What’s the word?

According to Gazzetta dello Sport (20/1, 09:55), Fiorentina have marked Anderson as a potential alternative target to Papu Gomez.

The Artemio Franchi Stadium side are thought to be struggling to get a deal for Atalanta BC veteran Gomez over the line, with interest firm in the €10m (£9m) forward who dreams of a move to Inter Milan.

Anderson is currently on loan with FC Porto but has struggled to establish himself at the Liga NOS giants, making only six appearances across all competitions and featuring in just two of Sergio Conceicao’s top-flight matchday squads since October.

The Brazilian had been linked with a potential early return to the London Stadium to secure a new loan move, as West Ham bid to protect his market value ahead of a likely permanent exit in the summer.

But recent claims from Portugal suggest the Dragoes are no longer interested in being separated from the 27-year-old this month, having been struck by a string of coronavirus cases and seeing potential deals for a replacement fall through.

Spartak Moscow attacker Aleksandr Kokorin is another alternative track for Fiorentina to explore, should Anderson not join, with Gomez considered an impossible reach for Cesare Prandelli’s Tuscan outfit.

A dream destination?

Moyes should be banging on the door to David Sullivan’s office demanding that the West Ham co-owner and chairman secures Anderson a move to Fiorentina this month, as the Serie A side could prove to be a dream destination for all involved.

Anderson is not getting the chances to feature he or West Ham need at Porto, and it will likely take a vast outbreak of Covid-19 cases for the Brazilian to gain a prominent role in Conceicao’s plans anytime soon.

But Fiorentina represent a fresh start for the £85,000-per-week winger, now valued by TransferMarkt at £22.5m just two years on from being rated at £40.5m, with Prandelli’s side 14th in the Serie A and in desperate need of attacking reinforcements.

Only Parma Calcio 1913 have scored fewer goals (14) than Fiorentina (18) after the opening 18 games of the season, while the Artemio Franchi Stadium natives have also failed to find the back of the net in seven matches to date.

Anderson knows the Serie A well from his five years with SS Lazio, where the two-time Brazil international’s form sparked West Ham to pay £36m to bring him to the Premier League in a then-club record deal that could rise to £41.5m.

The attacker struck home eight times and created nine goals in 32 outings during his final year at the Stadio Olimpico, to take his Biancocelesti record to 34 goals, 39 assists in 177 games across all competitions.

If West Ham are considering Anderson’s situation with a view to selling him in the summer, Moyes must convince Sullivan that Fiorentina – and not Porto – is the best home for the forward to rediscover his lost form.

AND in other news, West Ham are considering a £15.5m-rated striker without a goal since October to replace Seb Haller…