All posts by h716a5.icu

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There are currently no signs of Tottenham acquiring a new centre forward to replace the injured Harry Kane, but could the solution be right under Mauricio Pochettino’s nose?

On the chalkboard

Tottenham are expected to be without Kane until March after the talisman damaged his ankle in the defeat to Manchester United, as reported by BBC Sport.

Kane has scored 14 league goals this season and also added four assists, as per Whoscored, and the simultaneous departure of Son Heung-min to the Asian Cup means Pochettino has just one natural centre forward in Fernando Llorente.

Given the Spaniard showed on Sunday that he is more likely to score in his own net than the one at the other end, should Pochettino give up on the veteran and hand the responsibility to Lucas Moura?

The 26-year-old is expected to return to action this week, according to Football.London.

Which Man Utd star got fed by Salt Bae this week? Check out the video below to find out…

Good news for Alli and Eriksen?

Well, the Brazil international played up front in perhaps Tottenham’s best performance of the season, scoring twice in the rip-roaring 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

His pace, electricity on the ball and constant movement in behind stretched an already-disorganised Manchester United defence, allowing tons of space for the likes of Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen to exploit.

With Alli also now ruled out until March, according to BBC Sport, Eriksen needs to step up in the absence of Tottenham’s star duo, and playing a striker who constantly forces the defence to run back towards their own goal will make life an awful lot easier for him.

A new partnership?

It may also be possible to hand Lucas the nod without giving up on Llorente completely, as Pochettino has often elected for a diamond midfield with two up front this season.

Once again, this was on show in the win at Old Trafford with Kane and Lucas acting as the perfect foil for each other, and while Llorente won’t offer anything near what the England international does, he will occupy defenders and win aerial duels, allowing Lucas to cause mayhem.

To some, this may seem like a cut-price version of the Kane-Son partnership that has torn the league to shreds over the winter period, but it is surely a better option than sticking Llorente up front on his own, as was the case at Craven Cottage last weekend.

So, Tottenham, fans, would you like to see Lucas up front until Kane returns? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…

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Since signing on loan from Swansea in the summer, Jordan Ayew has cut a forlorn figure up front for Crystal Palace, and has put in a number of ineffective displays as fans wonder just what it is that he does on the football pitch.

Against Fulham, however, the Ghanaian showed exactly what he can do, and proved that all he needs is a little support up top to help him flourish.

How did he play?

The former Aston Villa man worked tirelessly throughout his 81 minutes on the pitch, proving to be a nuisance for the Cottagers who weren’t given a moment’s peace on the ball by the hungry forward.

Which player with “no potential” has just been named Crystal Palace’s worst ever January signing? Find out in the video below…

One redeeming factor of Ayew’s ineffective first six months at the club has been his work rate, the only thing keeping him in the team at times. However, his all-round game was far more impressive alongside Christian Benteke in attack.

Ayew had three shots, completed one dribble and was fouled four times throughout the game, and also made two successful tackles as he was afforded the freedom to go and press the ball and then carry it up field, safe in the knowledge that Benteke was there to win aerial duels and hold the ball up in his absence up top.

Style of play

The 27-year-old isn’t a forward who takes things by the scruff of the neck, but more a player who likes to pick up loose balls and dribble at the opposition whilst teammates do the aerial work for him.

At times when up front on his own, Ayew looks lost and largely useless but Benteke’s hold-up play proved to be the perfect compliment to the Ghana international’s talents.

Perhaps his performance had also been elevated by the arrival of Michy Batshuayi, who will put serious pressure on Ayew’s place in the team – nevertheless, Roy Hodgson should know never to start the diminutive striker on his own again.

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Leeds United winger Jack Clarke has thanked fans for their messages of support on Twitter after being taken ill during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough.

The 18-year-old has made his first-team breakthrough this season, playing 15 times in the Championship and scoring two goals, while also providing two assists.

However, after playing the first-half in the stalemate with Boro, Clarke fell ill on the bench, and was treated with oxygen before being taken to a local hospital.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

Fans, of course, were worried about the health of the 5 foot 11 teenager, who has been so impressive under Marcelo Bielsa thus far this season.

He has taken to Twitter, though, to express his gratitude to supporters after chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed that “everything is looking well.”

And Leeds supporters have responded with an outpouring of affection for the starlet, who will miss training for the remainder of the week as the club look to nurse him back to full health.

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Jonjo Shelvey has returned to Newcastle training ahead of a very winnable fixture at home to Huddersfield, and Rafael Benitez should switch things up to accommodate both the English pass-master and new signing Miguel Almiron.

Shelvey is officially back in Newcastle training, Sky Sports reports.

The 26 year-old England international has been missing since the beginning of January with a thigh injury, but has re-joined the first team at their warm-weather training camp in Spain.

The Magpies have no fixture this weekend due to their exit from the FA Cup, but the following weekend brings Huddersfield to St. James’ Park, and the struggling Terriers will be there for the taking, so Benitez should go for the throat.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….

Miguel, meet Jonjo

Benitez and Newcastle have found success with a 5-4-1 system recently, a formation which requires Matt Ritchie to play out of position as a left-wing-back.

By switching to a 4-3-3, Benitez would be taking a risk by benching one of his centre backs, who have performed mostly excellently all season.

However, there is simply no place for Almiron in the 5-4-1 setup, and a switch to 4-3-3 also makes room for Shelvey.

Salomon Rondon is un-droppable and Almiron would no doubt take a place in the front three, leaving the last spot for Ritchie, Christian Atsu and Kenedy to fight over.

Shelvey could then move into midfield alongside Mo Diame and the ever-improving Sean Longstaff, a midfield trio packed with athleticism, composure and most importantly for Almiron – Shelvey’s ability to ping balls behind the opponent’s defence.

The little Paraguayan international looked absolutely electric in his short cameo against Wolves, and his pace will terrorise the Huddersfield defence if Rafa finds a way to fit Shelvey in the team.

So, Newcastle fans, would you change the system to accommodate the star duo? Or keep the 5-4-1? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…

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Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to react after Jurgen Klopp revealed that he tried to bring Jadon Sancho to Anfield from Manchester City, before Borussia Dortmund swooped in to sign the teenager.

The Bundesliga leaders signed the Citizens academy graduate back in the summer of 2017 for a fee in the region of £10m, and even handed the little-known forward the number seven shirt vacated by the then-Barcelona-bound Ousmane Dembele.

Since then, the England international has lit up the Bundesliga and is now one of the most precocious talents in world football. Sancho has scored eight goals and recorded 10 assists in all competitions for Dortmund so far this season, helping them stay above Bayern Munich in the table and on course for a first title since 2012.

Speaking on the matter, Klopp said: “Buying English players is a smart idea because we would never have a chance to get Sancho.

“We are not blind – we saw him, we liked him and then we think ‘can we get him?’ No. Because English clubs don’t sell them to other English clubs. I don’t know exactly what the reason is for that but they don’t do it.”

Understandably, Liverpool fans will have been gutted to hear that they missed out on Sancho, and have reacted to the news on Twitter…

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Newcastle United will attempt to sign Benfica midfielder Andreas Samaris again in the summer after they failed with a move in the January transfer window, per Record via Sport Witness.

Samaris’ contract expires at the end of the season and Rafael Benitez’s side could well get themselves a bargain in the summer transfer window.

What’s the word?

Samaris was a target of the Magpies in January but a proposed deal, that would have seen him sign an initial short-term contract before committing to longer terms in the summer, fell through.

The report claims that the 29-year-old was unsure if he would actually have a club beyond the end of the season so decided to reject the proposal.

Newcastle signed Miguel Almiron from Atlanta United and Antonio Barreca on loan from AS Monaco last month.

And Samaris – who has played just six games in the Portuguese top-flight all season – can now begin negotiations with foreign clubs, with his deal soon due to end.

Newcastle, then, have the opportunity to finally get the signing over the line, with Record claiming that he will almost certainly be allowed to leave Benfica.

Patience pays off

Benitez and owner Mike Ashley may have played something of a blinder here.

Fresh from bolstering their squad at the turn of the year, the opportunity arises to do a deal for a long-term target that will ultimately cost them nothing at all.

Of course, it cannot be known if this was the plan all along – hence the convoluted offer presented to Samaris – but bringing him in when the summer window opens makes all the sense in the world.

Newcastle may well have to secure their Premier League survival first – they are currently 16th, just one point above the relegation zone.

But if they do just that, it would be a surprise if Samaris did not end up wearing black and white from the 2019-20 season.

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Jamie Redknapp has hit back at those who claim that Tottenham Hotspur have bottled the Premier League title.

Spurs lost 2-1 to Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, leaving them six points behind leaders Liverpool and five behind second-placed Manchester City, with games against Chelsea and Arsenal to come this week.

What’s he said?

Spurs have been in poor form for weeks, with their Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund – a 3-0 success at Wembley – proving to be the exception rather than the rule in north London.

And Redknapp believes that their defeat to the Clarets has been coming, instead of being symptomatic of some perceived mental failing.

He wrote for the Daily Mail: “After being talked up as title contenders, Tottenham’s defeat at Burnley was not a case of them ‘bottling it’.

“This has been coming. Not since their 3-0 win at Cardiff on New Year’s Day have Spurs won convincingly in the Premier League.

“They have stumbled over the line against a poor Fulham side, scraped past Watford and Newcastle and only beat struggling Leicester 3-1 after Jamie Vardy had missed a penalty to make it 1-1.

“That they came unstuck at a resurgent Burnley was no surprise.”

Redknapp absolutely right to dig out critics

The discourse surrounding the Premier League title race often revolves around “bottling it”.

One week, Spurs will be accused of doing it, Liverpool the next and Manchester City the week after.

Yet other factors have to be considered; fatigue builds up, while Harry Kane’s reintroduction to the team may have altered the dynamics that served them so well in a recent winning run.

This was not Spurs “bottling it” in terms of losing their grip on the title, either.

After all, one cannot bottle a league that they have never led, and which they were always considered outsiders to win.

Redknapp’s absolutely right to dig out critics on a phrase that has accompanied Tottenham particularly in recent seasons.

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ dreamlike campaign in the Premier League is majorly due to the contribution of their newest additions.

While Rui Patricio and co are helping them maintain impressive defensive stability, it’s Raul Jimenez’s excellent work up front to have won them many crucial points.

The Portuguese forward’s lit up the Molineux multiple times this season, with his clinical work up front helping Nuno Espirito Santos’ side overpower Premier League oppositions. Jimenez is currently Wolves top-scorer this season with 11 Premier League goals, while he’s also been a creative outlet for them with six assists as well!

He’s been a clinical outlet for Wolves, showing impressive strikers’ instincts in often wandering into promising positions and always being a viable option for midfielders to pass forward to. Jimenez’s fantastic link-up play’s allowed him to provide so many assists, while he’s also created 9 big chances for his side (stats via Premier League).

The towering striker’s used his physical prowess to easily adapt to English football’s conditions and proved himself as a fantastic loan deal for the cunning Wolves. While he’s thrived off having clever midfielders like Ruben Neves & Joao Moutinho to deliver balls for him, Jimenez’s predatorial instincts and hunger for goals make him a dangerous outlet for any opposition.

While Benfica might resist when it comes to permanently releasing him, Wolves should put their best offer possible to quickly snap him up.

Jimenez will be key for them to keep up their rise and aim an ambitious top six finish in the Premier League next season.

Where would Crystal Palace even be without Wilfried Zaha?

Obviously, no Eagle reading this will need telling but the majestic winger has been their shining beacon for many years now, keeping them etched into the Premier League even when dark times were at bay for the Croydon side.

A man rejuvenated even further under Roy Hodgson’s guidance, Zaha’s come a long way since being rejected by Manchester United and looking as if the experience up at Old Trafford scarred him. Following his heroics with the Eagles, United signed him as their own “next big thing”, but one problem led to another, eventually triggering his release from the club. That. oddly, looks to be the best thing that ever happened.

However, even at his worst phase, the Eagles stuck right by their man and moulded him into the superstar he is today. Zaha’s having another prolific season for his boyhood charges, having scored eight goals and assisted twice to keep them safe from relegation.

Game by game, the Ivory Coast international has lit up Selhurst Park with his trickery and amazing dribbling ability.

He’s turned Palace into a team everyone takes cautiously due to their attacking prowess. Linking up well with Andros Townsend and company, Zaha’s helped create some stunning moments for the Eagles, even flooring top oppositions with his skilful feet. The confidence he displays while roaming forward, going past one man after another, makes him a player defenders fear taking on.

The nature of modern football lends itself a recency bias but, without going over the top, Zaha is the best signing Crystal Palace have ever made. He’s just that good.

Even Palace probably didn’t realize he’d burst into the dazzling winger he is today when they initially resigned him from Manchester United. Once a discarded talent, Zaha’s now transformed into a heavily desired winger well on his way to scripting himself into the Crystal Palace record books.

Palace fans, do you think Zaha’s on his way to becoming one of the club’s best ever player? Join the discussion by commenting below…

Ayoze Perez has always divided opinion among Newcastle fans, and his two-goal display against Everton, in many ways, epitomised his Toon career, with a lack-lustre first half performance being eclipsed by a match-winning second half.

The Spaniard — who has been tipped by Luis Garcia to break into the national side — struggled to make any impact in the opening 45 minutes on Saturday, spurning a couple of great opportunities, before blowing the Toffees away in a frantic final quarter of the game.

For us, here at the Tavern, it’s exactly these hot and cold displays that polarise fans, and why he continues to frustrate the Geordie faithful. But for one afternoon at least, fans were unanimous in their praise for him after the game.

A poll, run on Twitter by fans’ site @ToonPolls, asked fans whether they would keep Perez in the summer or sell him, with only five per cent voting to sell him. Certainly, the introduction of Miguel Almiron has helped, and along with the superb hold-up work of Rondon, the three amigos seem to be spurring each other on.

Some of the comments below typify fans’ feelings following the game.

But it has not always been so rosy for him, as the results of a previous poll showed that more than half the fans voting would have sold him. Although, one fan seemed to sum things up eerily accurately.

So for now, Perez is the toast of the Toon, but for how long? Newcastle fans, what are your thoughts about your Jeckyll & Hyde player? Let us know, and leave your comments below…