All posts by h716a5.icu

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Wolves striker Steve Bull has urged the Baggies not to sack Sam Allardyce.

Allardyce replaced Slaven Bilic before Christmas with West Brom sitting 19th in the Premier having collected just seven points from their opening 13 matches following promotion.

But the Baggies have collected just 11 points from the former England boss’ 16 games in charge, which has left the Midlands outfit 10 points from safety, and on course to end Allardyce’s proud record of having never been relegated as a manager.

But Bull reckons that keeping Allardyce would be West Brom’s best bet as he believes they’d have every chance of coming straight back up.

He told Football FanCast: “Whether you put Wenger, Mourinho or Arteta in there, they’ll be pulling their hair out, because it’s a tough job. They’re going through a transformation, but are banging their heads against a brick wall at the moment.

“Big Sam is known for keeping teams in the Premier League, and I know Wolves fans won’t like this, but I wanted them to stay up because I love the derbies. But Sam’s got a task on his hands, but I don’t think he’s going to get out of it.

“But I would keep him next year to get them out of the Championship.”

Whilst it’s been a difficult few months for both Allardyce and West Brom, providing they do go down, they’ve got the right man in charge to mount a serious promotion charge next season.

Allardyce has two previous promotions to the Premier League under his belt with Bolton and West Ham, so if the Baggies remain patient and keep him on board, they’ll surely have every chance of making an instant return to the big time.

Last week, the talk of the town was Roy Keane to Celtic. The Irishman looked set to walk into the vacant Parkhead hotseat and take charge of the Bhoys next season.

However, a massive U-turn has now taken place, with the Hoops hierarchy preferring a different manager.

What’s the word?

If last week was all about Keane, now it’s all about Eddie Howe. Last weekend, it was revealed that the former Bournemouth boss was a serious candidate to take over at Paradise.

It was then claimed that Howe was very much interested in succeeding Neil Lennon.

Fortunately, his ambition to manage Celtic now looks set to become a reality. According to BBC Sport, Howe is in advanced discussions with the club’s hierarchy over becoming their new manager.

The 43-year-old has reportedly held talks with majority shareholder Dermot Desmond over a move, with things moving smoothly up to this point.

He has already performed due diligence on behind-the-scenes matters at the club and has sought advice from contacts with close connections to Celtic.

Fans should be buzzing

This might not be the high profile appointment of Roberto Martinez or Rafa Benitez but it is the next best thing.

If Celtic decided to pursue Keane further, then they’d have been welcoming a manager severely out of touch with the modern requirements of football. The Irishman hasn’t managed for ten years and, when he previously had his chance at both Sunderland and Ipswich, he didn’t pull up many trees.

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Celtic podcaster Paul John Dykes admitted the news of Keane potentially arriving hadn’t gone down well with supporters and, considering his win rate of 38.7%, you can hardly blame them.

Howe has only ever succeeded with Bournemouth, but his record on the south coast of England is something to be savoured.

In two spells with the Cherries, the young head coach took them from League Two all the way to the Premier League. He established the club in the top-flight and was even tipped to become England manager at one stage.

A meticulous individual, he would be a huge asset on the training ground. Former players have waxed lyrical over his ability to think creatively and work hard. Such is his hunger and desire that Howe is usually the first to arrive and the last to leave.

Given Lennon’s pitfalls at Lennoxtown, failing to introduce new methods after Brendan Rodgers’ departure, it will be a breath of fresh air to see someone walk through the door with new ideas.

Howe is very much a modern coach; something from which Celtic should benefit. The fans should be delighted that the club have moved away from Keane.

AND in other news, Rarely-seen 18 y/o could be Favre’s new Sancho at Celtic, he’s “exceptionally good”…

Many Everton fans have been left to bemoan an injury update on Tyler Onyango as David Unsworth confirmed that the Toffees think he has fractured his leg.

The injury was suffered in an FA Youth Cup game over Manchester City, in which the Goodison Park outfit eventually won 1-0 with a late goal.

Nonetheless, Onyango looked to have suffered a bad injury, which has not gone down well with numerous supporters of the Merseyside club.

The central midfielder made his senior debut for Carlo Ancelotti’s team in the FA Cup fourth round win over Sheffield Wednesday earlier in the season, and at just 18 years of age, he is certainly an exciting prospect that the Toffees have on their hands.

Nonetheless, the club will hope that it is not serious and wish the teenager a speedy recovery.

Everton fans on Onyango injury update

These Everton supporters bemoaned the injury update on Twitter, with one fan describing it as ‘horrible’:

“Absolutely gutted for the lad. Fingers crossed for a speedy and full recovery.”

Credit: @NTylerVI

“Very sad! been good seeing him on the bench recently, get well soon @OnyangoTyler”

Credit: @karlriley_1997

“So cruel. Lad looks a player and was so close to the first team.”

Credit: @PaulEFC86

“Oh my… Get well soon lad”

Credit: @IndoEvertonian

“Serious… we are absolutely cursed! Just got Gbamin back and now Onyango has a career threatening injury. Feel like our long term injury chain goes back to Oviedo. Our physio team must never get a day off.”

Credit: @evertonian6

“That’s horrible”

Credit: @Matt_S_1982

In other news, find out what injury update before Crystal Palace has left these Toffees fuming!

Plenty of Arsenal fans have been reacting on social media to an injury update on Kieran Tierney.

The Gunners ran out 3-0 winners over Sheffield United on Sunday evening, with Alexandre Lacazette scoring twice and Gabriel Martinelli netting on his first start since January.

However, after the game, Mikel Arteta confirmed that Tierney is ‘probably out for the rest of the season’ through injury. The left-back was forced off with a knee problem in the recent 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, and it seems as if that issue could keep him out of the Gunners’ remaining fixtures this term.

Arteta used defensive midfielder Granit Xhaka at left-back at Bramall Lane to fill the void, with the Swiss international putting in a solid display in Yorkshire, ending with a 7.10 WhoScored rating.

Arsenal fans react

@AFTVMedia shared Arteta’s comments regarding Tierney shortly after the win over the Blades, and it unsurprisingly received plenty of attention from Gunners supporters.

Here is what some had to say, with one Arsenal fan describing the news as ‘devastating’.

“OH NO I CAN’T”

Credit: @Athrennaakira

“It’s over”

Credit: @rreiihaan

“Pain, pain, pain, all I know is pain…”

Credit: @RaymondGe1

“Devastating news. Whatever the result maybe in Prague, I genuinely can’t see us winning the Europa League without him.”

Credit: @ArsenalUltra49

“Why break my heart like this”

Credit: @Ric_Ardo2001

“Fold the season”

Credit: @TheClem

In other news: Many Arsenal fans react to Martin Odegaard transfer update, find out more here. 

Fans of Glasgow Rangers have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which relayed the comments of Alan Rough, who called for an extension to Glen Kamara’s ban.

Following the news that both Ondrej Kudela and Kamara have been handed bans by UEFA for their part in the incidents in the Gers’ Europa League clash against Slavia Prague – with Kamara’s three-game suspension coming as the midfielder was found to have assaulted Kudela after the match – Rough recently gave his opinion on the matter when speaking on the PLZ Soccer YouTube show.

However, rather surprisingly, the former Scotland goalkeeper actually called for Kamara’s ban to be extended from three to six games, as he didn’t believe the midfield’s current suspension “sends the right message.”

In fairness to the former Partick Thistle mainstay, he did also say he believes Kudela should get an even longer ban too, clearly feeling that UEFA have not stamped any authority on the incident.

That said, after one Rangers fan shared the comments of Rough on Twitter, fans of the club flocked to have their say on the matter, with many appearing, quite frankly, furious at the pundit’s remarks.

So, what exactly did these Rangers fans have to say in reaction to Alan Rough’s comments?

“He’s a nobody.”

@billyfaefife

“That’s disgraceful.”

@CraigSim

“What a disgrace.”

@iainmacrae

“Spoken like someone who is completely out of touch with modern society and football.”

@SandyG1410

“‘I don’t know maybe 6 or something’ – top quality punditry on PLZSoccer, maybe try and think before you speak? Absolutely disgraceful.”

@RangersRabble

“What the actual hell?”

@doolsy21

“What did I just hear? Absolute dinosaur. Shouldn’t be given a platform to speak on.”

@Sharpy1872

In other news: Gerrard set to pull plug as rivals near £300,000 move, claims Gers source – find out more here!

Celtic have been handed a major blow in their pursuit to land Eddie Howe as their new manager.

According to a report from Give Me Sport, the 43-year-old’s representatives have convinced him he can still get a job in the Premier League this summer.

The report adds that agents have been involved and Howe is refusing to commit to the Hoops as a result.

Crystal Palace have spoken to the Englishman about potentially replacing Roy Hodgson and Brighton are also keeping tabs on the former Bournemouth boss.

Transfer Tavern take

It seems as if it is all getting a bit messy when it comes to Howe and Celtic.

He verbally agreed on a move to Parkhead, however, he has now had second thoughts on a Glasgow switch.

In our view, that is due to two factors. Firstly, Howe reportedly wanted to bring Bournemouth director Richard Hughes with him, but it seems as if the Hoops are closing in on a deal for Manchester City’s Fergal Harkin.

Premier League interest could also be a reason for Howe’s Hoops U-turn, and it seems as if his representatives are in his ear over his return to the English top flight dugout, which could see him at a club with more funds available to make the signings he wants and perform a rebuild similar to the one he did on the south coast.

In other news: Hoops open to signing 28 y/o this summer, but it could cost them Edouard, find out more here. 

Despite earning a superb 1-1 draw against the reigning Premier League champions on Monday, there was one man who failed to impress for Leeds: Helder Costa.

The Portugal international was given the nod to start against Liverpool with Raphinha being out injured, and while those are some big boots to fill, he certainly didn’t show anything to Marcelo Bielsa that would warrant him keeping his place against Manchester United this coming weekend.

As per Sofascore, he missed one official big chance, failed to provide any accurate crosses, and managed just 12 successful passes in total – by and large, the game just seemed to pass the winger by.

Writing in his post-match player ratings, Leeds Live’s Beren Cross gave him a five, saying: “Never really figured as an option at any stage in attack for Leeds and was left for dead far too often by Andrew Robertson going in the other direction.”

Such was Costa’s ineffectiveness, that Bielsa took him off on the 67 minute mark, choosing to bring on the largely unseen Ian Poveda,

And, following his performance, former Leeds man Noel Whelan tore into the winger, even going so far as to saying that he’s simply been a “massive flop” for the price that they paid for him.

He said: “The one player that disappointed me was Helder Costa. Once again he was poor. There is something there that is not right because Poveda came on and did more in that short time than Costa did in the 60 minutes he was on the field.

“He is fourth in the pecking order in terms of wingers for me. Poveda has to come before him now. He is direct, exciting and wants to take people on. He wants to do his job as a winger and Costa does not. He plays it safe and he’s negative. For a player that cost £16m, I need to see a hell of a lot more from him.

“At least Poveda runs at people. He is positive and that is what a winger should do. Costa has been a massive flop. A real disappointment again.”

The winger has failed to score in his last seven Premier League appearances, and it’s been no real surprise that Bielsa doesn’t seem to trust him fully – he’s completed the full 90 minutes just once in the top-flight since November 2, and has either been hooked early or brought on as a very late substitute.

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With another clash against one of the Premier League’s big boys to come against United on Sunday, Bielsa has simply got to make a ruthless call on the £70k-a-week earning Costa and drop him from the starting line-up.

Meanwhile, Leeds should land this “exceptional” English striker…

Patryk Klimala sealed a permanent move away from Celtic on Thursday, and details have now emerged which could be a big boost for new Hoops chief Dominic McKay.

The club confirmed that the striker has joined MLS side New York Red Bulls, ending his 15-month stay at Parkhead.

Klimala joined last January from Jagiellonia Bialystok in a deal worth £3.6m, scoring just three times in 28 appearances.

No finances were shared by the Hoops in their official Thursday statement on the forward, however, Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph shared the fee on Twitter.

Joseph revealed Celtic will be receiving £3.5m for the 22-year-old.

“UPDATE: We’ve had confirmation from the US that New York Red Bulls are paying $4.8m (£3.5m) for Celtic striker Patryk Klimala.”

Transfer Tavern take

McKay, who arrived at the club on Monday, will surely be delighted at this update – not because the club desperately needed to move Klimala on, but due to the finances involved in the transfer.

Klimala’s Transfermarkt valuation dropped by half to £1.8m during his time in Scotland, so it could be seen as great news that the Hoops will be receiving close to double that figure.

He struggled to make an impact at Parkhead, but recouping the majority of the fee they forked out for Klimala in 2020 may allow McKay to put that money towards summer acquisitions, making the new Hoops chief’s job that much easier as the club enters what is sure to be an intriguing summer.

In other news: Edouard transfer saga takes another twist, could be more good news for McKay, find out more here. 

A reliable journalist has dropped an exciting transfer claim on Leeds United’s pursuit of Nicolas Tagliafico.

Speaking on the Kick-off podcast (via Voetbalprimeur), De Telegraaf reporter Mike Verweij has claimed that the Elland Road club’s interest in the Ajax defender seems to be ‘more serious than anyone assumed’, adding that Inter Milan also appear to be in the market for him.

Leeds must sign Tagliafico

Marcelo Bielsa’s team must do all that they can to try and sign Tagliafico once the summer transfer window opens.

The left-back would certainly be an upgrade on Ezgjan Alioski, as he has averaged more interceptions (1.8), clearances (1.3), shots (1.6), key passes (one), dribbles (0.4), crosses (0.7) and long balls (1.3) than the Leeds man so far in their respective domestic leagues this season.

One may argue that the Eredivisie is not at as high of a standard than the Premier League, but these figures show that Tagliafico is a more than capable player both in attacking and defensive areas.

At 28 years of age, the Argentina international is only just reaching the peak of his powers, and so now may be the best time for Leeds to capitalise on that by trying to bring him to Elland Road.

He would certainly seem a shrewd addition by the Whites should they be able to secure his signature.

In other news, Leeds are prepared to pay a club-record fee for this maestro!

Daniel Levy could repeat something he’s done before as Tottenham Hotspur’s managerial hunt takes a new twist…

What’s the word?

According to the Sunday Mirror (2nd May 2021, page 69), current interim boss Ryan Mason is under consideration for the vacant Spurs role on a permanent basis.

It’s thought that the 29-year-old, who was appointed on a temporary basis to replace Jose Mourinho until the end of the season, is now a genuine contender as there’s a growing belief that giving him the job would appease the fanbase.

They also claim that Daniel Levy and the Spurs hierarchy haven’t given up hope of convincing Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers, whilst Roberto Martinez and Nuno Santo also feature on his shortlist.

Shades of Jol

This would certainly be a bold and interesting move, but we shouldn’t be surprised if it does come to fruition as it has happened before in N17.

Martin Jol was never supposed to become manager of Spurs, it – kind of just fell on his lap.

Back in the summer of 2004, the Dutchman was appointed as Jacques Santini’s assistant manager but the Frenchman soon resigned after just 13 matches in charge and Jol was confirmed as their next head coach.

Mason’s playing career was tragically cut short and having come through the academy system at Hotspur Way, the North London outfit offered him a chance at forging a coaching career.

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He first joined in 2018 before being appointed U19 academy coach in 2019, and then head of player development U17 to U23 in August 2020. It does speak volumes that Levy has trusted him with such a huge role, though there is clearly some natural progression going on.

Under his tenure so far, Spurs have won two out of two Premier League games and lost the Carabao Cup final, so it’s not the worst start imaginable, especially given the latter occasion was only his second-ever match in senior management.

Ex-Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino once backed Mason to have a big future in management. He told the club’s official website back in 2018 (via the Metro):

“He will be great in football and he’s going to be a manager or whatever he wants to do because he’s such a clever person. He’s got a football brain. He’s had success in football as a player and he’s going to succeed in everything that he wants to do in the future.”

High praise indeed and merely a little insight into why Levy could be truly considering him full-time. Mason, unlike many candidates, at least knows what the football club means, too.

Whether it’s the right move or not remains to be seen but you wouldn’t call Jol’s time a complete disaster, so perhaps Spurs could feel see shades of the Dutchman back at the club by hiring a former member of the coaching staff straight into the hotseat.

AND in other news, Forget Bale: Spurs beast who had 111 touches was an unsung hero in Sheff Utd whitewash…