All posts by n8rngtd.top

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Arsenal will look to maintain their place in the Champions League qualification spots on Sunday when they face Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Going into the weekend the fourth-place Gunners are only above London rivals Chelsea on goal difference, with Manchester United two points further back.

The north London outfit’s manager Unai Emery spoke to the press (13:44) prior to the trip to Merseyside, and these are two most important things the Spaniard said.

Granit Xhaka injury update

After scoring against Manchester United and then for his country during the international break, the Switzerland international missed the clash against Newcastle United on Monday through injury.

Judging by Emery’s latest update, it seems unlikely that he will be in the starting XI on Sunday.

The 47-year-old said: “We are waiting on tomorrow’s training, some players – Xhaka, Koscielny – didn’t train with us today. They are working with the physios.”

The fact the man that is becoming more and more of a vital player for Arsenal missed training two days before the match is hardy promising, and others may well need to step up to the plate again at Goodison Park.

Poor away form

The former Sevilla boss was also asked why his team’s results on the road have been nowhere near as good as they have been at home in the Premier League, a fair point considering they have taken 44 points on their own patch compared to 19 on their travels.

Pl>ymaker FC’s Bhav runs down his Arsenal transfer wish list in the video below…

Emery said: “We don’t set up differently. In all my career I did the same but not for me, I also watched other teams. Usually every team gets more points at home than away. Every team.

“After is how we can take our best performance and results away. It’s our challenge. The last matches in the Premier League: Huddersfield, Tottenham. We had good performances. Good results.

“The first is we need to feel our moment now, getting better. Above all, being competitive at home. We want to be the same away.”

No explanation perhaps, but it is telling that Emery hints that he almost doesn’t believe in his team to be as good away from home as they are at the Emirates.

That attitude needs to change if Arsenal want to challenge the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool for the Premier League title in the coming years.

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Ruben Neves has been near untouchable when it’s come to criticism after joining Wolves. The club raised eyebrows when they were able to prize the midfielder away from Porto in 2017 and he’s more than lived up to expectations.

He was regularly among the goals for the Midlands club last season and set the Championship alight as Wolves romped to the league title.

Although still effective this term too, he’s been far quieter than his debut campaign in English football, scoring three goals and claiming two assists across 29 Premier League matches so far.

But his performance against Watford in arguably the biggest game since he’s joined the club was questionable. This time it will have been raising eyebrows for the wrong reasons as the club were dumped out of the FA Cup in the semi-finals after their opposition sparked a remarkable comeback.

In recent matches, the Portuguese midfielder has arguably been worse than his midfield partners in Joao Moutinho and Leander Dendoncker. It suggests the club shouldn’t be as concerned as losing him as they may have been in the past when he attracted the interest of Juventus and Manchester City last year.

RUBEN NEVES (Watford vs Wolves)

39 touches

69% pass success

0 key passes

2 shots off target

0 dribbles

Stats courtesy of WhoScored

However, Watford demonstrated the perfect way of nullifying the 22-year-old. Javi Gracia played a midfield diamond which allowed the Hornets to essentially man mark Neves. This is exemplified in the fact that during the 86 minutes he was on the pitch, he only touched the ball 39 times.

When he did get on the ball he was hugely ineffective, possessing a poor pass completion rate, which is a rarity for someone usually so composed on the ball.

Wolves Fan TV place the blame for Wolves’ FA Cup semi-final collapse on John Ruddy in the video below…

Going forward he had no effect on the game, failing to make any key passes whilst the fact he failed to find the target with either of his two attempts on goal sums up his performance.

Neves may have come a long way since arriving in the Midlands, but this was one of his most disappointing displays in Nuno Santo’s team. If those huge clubs come calling once more with big sums of cash, it will be very hard to turn down if Neves doesn’t recover his previous form.

The manner of Sheffield United’s draw against Millwall on Saturday must have infuriated Chris Wilder.

With his side seemingly heading towards victory at Bramall Lane after Gary Madine had given them a deserved lead, the Blades conceded a 95th-minute equaliser which put a serious dent in their promotion hopes.

As a result of Leeds United’s 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday, Wilder’s side are now three points behind their rivals in the race for the top-two and with games running out between now and May, they are in need of a favour from elsewhere.

However, even if the Whites end up dropping points, there is no guarantee that the Blades will be able to capitalise, especially when you consider the issues they face in terms of selection ahead of their clash with Nottingham Forest on Friday. Central defender John Egan is scheduled to miss the next three matches after being sent off against Millwall whilst Chris Basham and Billy Sharp are major doubts for the showdown with the Reds due to injury (Leeds-Live).

In the absence of these three players, Wilder may be forced to change his preferred formation of 3-5-2 due to the club’s defensive crisis. Indeed, by switching to four at the back the club may lose some of their attacking impetus yet it would make more sense to do this than risk fielding players out of position. In need of a spark to get their promotion hopes back on track, the former Northampton Town boss could thrive from the deployment of a new idea in their last four games of the season.

Indeed, it would not be at all surprising if Wilder ends up sticking with the tactics which have put the club in their position that they currently find themselves yet at this stage of the year, advantages can be gained from the most unlikely of scenarios.

What do you think Blades fans? Should Wilder consider switching up the formation against Forest? Or is it too much of a risk to make this kind of change at this stage of the season? Let us know below.

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The war of words between Wolves supporters and Troy Deeney continued on Monday night as the Watford man was sent off during the club’s defeat to Arsenal, leading to fans of the Midlands club to lay into the forward.

The striker elbowed Lucas Torreira in the head and although there didn’t look to be a great deal in what was a rather innocuous challenge, he was given his marching orders.

Deeney had made some unsavoury comments about Raul Jimenez after Wolves lost in the FA Cup semi-final to the Hornets, and now their fans have taken his red card as a chance to get some revenge.

Following his dismissal, a number of Wolves fans felt as though karma had been served for not only Deeney but also Ben Foster who made a wretched mistake to allow Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to score.

With the two clubs set for a rematch later this month, one supporter said that Deeney had bottled their next meeting as he’ll now be suspended.

Wolves Fan TV place the blame for Wolves’ FA Cup semi-final collapse on John Ruddy in the video below…

The Hornets skipper was a thorn in Nuno Santo’s side earlier in April, scoring a last gasp penalty to take their FA Cup clash to extra-time. However, he and Foster both made remarks after the game which didn’t go down well.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

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Fernando Llorente was the Tottenham Hotspur hero against Manchester City on Wednesday evening and Spurs fans want him to stay at the club!

The Spanish striker, off the bench to replace the injured Moussa Sissoko, scored the decisive goal to send Spurs into their first Champions League semi-final in a generation.

In a crazy game that saw five goals in the first 21 minutes, Spurs thought they were heading out when Sergio Aguero made it 4-2 on the night.

However, with a patched-up midfield and the 33-year-old up front, Spurs somehow rallied, with Llorente diverting a corner past Ederson in the City goal.

The ball appeared to strike his elbow but a VAR review allowed the goal to stand.

More drama was to come, with Spurs seemingly knocked out in injury time as Raheem Sterling looked to have completed his hat-trick.

However, another VAR review saw the goal ruled out for an offside in the build-up.

Llorente, whose contract expires at the end of the season, was subsequently the hero of the encounter, with Spurs now set to play Dutch giants Ajax in the last four.

And fans hope he is given a new deal this summer. Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

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Manuel Pellegrini’s West Ham United venture to the new White Hart Lane for the first time on Saturday to face the daunting task of trying to cause a shock against an in-form Tottenham Hotspur under Mauricio Pochettino, but there’s four key starting Xl changes the Hammers should make to give themselves some hope.

What are they?

The quartet of alterations would mean changes in the defence, midfield and attack from last weekend’s disappointing Premier League home draw with Leicester City at the London Stadium.

At the back, it’s time for summer signing Ryan Fredericks to return at right-back in place of veteran Pablo Zabaleta and to the left of him at left centre-back, Issa Diop to do the same by replacing Angelo Ogbonna.

Looking further forward into the left centre of midfield, a rethink is also a must for Pellegrini here, giving Jack Wilshere his first start since early September 2018 by ousting Robert Snodgrass.

And finally, up front, lone striker Marko Arnautovic needs to be replaced by Lucas Perez.

How will they give West Ham a chance of pulling off an upset?

Suggesting these changes to the starting team is all well and good but how exactly are they going to give the Irons a chance of pulling off an upset in north London?

Well, Fredericks at right-back rather than his mentor Zabaleta will give West Ham that much-needed pace to be able to cope with Heung-min Son.

Meanwhile, in the middle of the back four, centre-half performances have really let the side down in recent weeks. Pellegrini’s tried to make Ogbonna alongside Balbuena or Diop work and but it just hasn’t with at least two goals conceded in each of the last six matches.

It’s time to reunite Balbuena and Diop in the partnership that was working so well up until the former’s injury prior to Christmas.

Snodgrass started the term well in Claret & Blue but has since faded away and offered little more than the odd deadly set-piece. With Wilshere back, the 27-year-old desperately needs starts and the Scot will have to be the unlucky one to drop out in the centre – the weakest link.

Another incentive for Wilshere’s inclusion is his willingness to beat Spurs, bitter rivals of his former club Arsenal, and the same will apply for Perez, who should replace an out-of-sorts Arnautovic and bring form to the table after what should have been two goals against the Foxes.

Despite four alterations, Pellegrini shouldn’t waver from the 4-1-4-1 that was effective on home soil last time out as these are like-for-like changes, ones that will give his team the best possible chance of taking something back to east London.

A loss at the new stadium was going to happen at one point. The main focus for Tottenham now though is how they will land themselves a spot in the Champions League final. Yikes, what a sentence. 

After miraculously making their way through to the semi-final, the aim for Tottenham, believe it or not, has to be getting to the final in Madrid. It would take some doing but with the quality Mauricio Pochettino’s players have shown at times this season, nothing is impossible.

What a story it’d be.

Next season though, is bound to be very different prospect entirely. Whether Tottenham can seriously challenge for the Premier League title and other silverware is unknown but building for the future is something they’re doing very well right now.

With a number of top quality youngsters throughout their team, Tottenham would do well to sign another highly-rated player in the name of Norwich City’s Max Aarons.

Aarons, (who is valued at £4.5 million on Transfermarkt) has rightly been named within the Championship Team of the Season this campaign, after playing his part in allowing Norwich to be promoted back into the Premier League. The 19-year-old has been crucial for the Canaries in every sense this season. His defending ability is fantastic, whilst he constantly gets up and down the pitch providing balls into the box for his team-mates.

Touted with a move to North London by the Telegraph late last month, he looks every inch the kind of player who’d thrive under Pochettino. Young, hungry and talented, it almost makes too much sense not to make a move.

With two goals and six assists, Aarons has shown exactly what he is capable of, and what an asset he could be for a club like Tottenham attempting to build for a better future. Over Kieran Trippier who has been poor this season, Max Aarons could be a fantastic addition for Tottenham and one that solidifies the right-back role for years to come.

Tottenham fans, would you take Aarons? Even over Kyle Walker-Peters? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

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Marko Arnautovic could play his last game for West Ham United this weekend against Watford.

The Austria international has a £45million release clause in his current contract and attempted to engineer a move away in the January transfer window.

The proposed move to China never came off, however, and, since then, he has struggled in front of goal even if he did net twice in the win against Southampton.

Should the Hammers attempt to convince the 30-year-old, whose current contract is worth £110,000-a-week according to Football FanCast sources, to stick around? Our writers give their verdicts below!

Billy Meyers

“Get rid of him. Marko Arnautovic has disrespected the club with his childish antics in attempting to force a move away, and regardless of that, his form since that January window has been appalling. If the Hammers can get anywhere near the price offered for the Austrian back in January, they should take the money and run with a younger, hungrier alternative instead.”

James Beavis

“Having only tied him down to a new contract in January, West Ham must convince Arnautovic to stay and then give him at least the first half of the 2019/20 season to prove his worth. Selling him would be the easy way out for club and player. Manuel Pellegrini can still work his magic with the Austrian and get him fully fit and motivated again in pre-season. If he is, he can make the difference for the Irons next term, especially alongside Felipe Anderson and a potential new striker signing. If he fails to step up to the plate, however, leave him on the bench until January and then move him on. Simple.”

Luke Glanville

“West Ham United shouldn’t try to persuade Marko Arnautovic to stay in the summer. Him remaining in east London would render the whole January transfer saga and the games that Manuel Pellegrini has lost as a result completely pointless. A whole season ruined for nothing. Yes, Arnautovic is a very important player for the Hammers, but they’ve shown at times in 2018/2019 that they can be a better team without him. Plus, this summer may be the last chance for David Sullivan and Gold to get back what they originally spent on the Austrian – the 30-year-old isn’t getting any younger. It makes perfect sense to let him leave this time around.

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Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on the signing of Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes, according to Sport, but supporters are mixed on the prospect of acquiring his signature.

The star is currently on loan at Everton and has played 28 times in all competitions, scoring once and laying on two assists.

However, he is not set to stay at Goodison Park, with the Spanish outlet reporting that Spurs are poised to table a €30million (£26m) offer for the 25-year-old.

Gomes is said to have already agreed personal terms with the club and Barca are merely waiting for Spurs’ bid, which they will accept.

The Portugal international joined Barca in 2016 and has made a total of 78 appearances for the Catalan giants.

He has won La Liga once as well as two Spanish Cups during his career at Camp Nou but appears certain to depart the club when the transfer window reopens.

If the transfer is completed, Gomes will become Spurs’ first signing since the arrival of Lucas Moura in January 2018.

But supporters are unsure about the prospect of bringing in a midfielder without much impact in the final third.

Take a look at the best of the reaction to the report below!

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The London Evening Standard are claiming that Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace are interested in Fulham hitman Aleksandar Mitrovic ahead of the summer transfer window.

What’s the word, then?

West Ham United are also eyeing the Serbian international as their second-choice target if they aren’t able to prise Maxi Gomez away from La Liga in the summer – per the original report.

The centre-forward joined the Cottagers permanently from Newcastle United a year ago as part of the club’s pre-Premier League return investment plan, with the 24-year-old being the only real thing that’s gone right about it.

Mitrovic has notched 11 top-flight goals and three assists in a team that has long been doomed to relegation, making him a sought-after man mostly to clubs who are bidding to keep him at the highest level of English football.

There is no mention of a potential transfer fee for Mitrovic, but Transfermarkt value him at £22.5million – which seems like the right ballpark.

The final piece of the cunning Zaha replacement plan jigsaw

Palace fans need to face up to the fact that, unless some kind of Selhurst Park miracle takes place over the summer months, Wilfried Zaha is going to be leaving their club – he practically admitted as much to The Daily Mail back in April.

The good news is that he shouldn’t exit for a low figure, giving Hodgson plenty of dough to spend on his replacement or replacements.

The Eagles aren’t going to be able to lure a big-name player with the ability to replace Zaha all on his own to south London, so they need to look for at least three stars who can replicate certain facets of his game.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

Pace and flair are key assets that need replacing too but where are the goals going to come from?

The answer to that is quite clearly Mitrovic as the prolific striker managed to net even more times than Zaha during the 2018/2019 Premier League season.

In signing the Serbia star, Palace would also be killing two birds with one stone, replacing Zaha in part while allowing themselves to shift deadwood such as Christian Benteke and Jordan Ayew. They’ll also need firepower to help fill the void of Michy Batshuayi who remains on course to return to Chelsea – although that could well change in the coming months.

This little cherry on the top helps to make Mitrovic a must-have for the South Londoners.