All posts by n8rngtd.top

[ad_pod ]

The North London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal ended all square at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. The result marks Spurs’ first draw of the Premier League campaign so far. Aaron Ramsey opened the scoring for the Gunners but a second half Harry Kane penalty rescued a point for the hosts.

However, the story of this match could have been very different had Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang been able to convert his last minute penalty. The spot kick was awarded when Davinson Sanchez was adjudged to have brought down the Arsenal striker.

Had Aubameyang converted it would have been centre-back Sanchez’s second catastrophic error of the game. The 22-year-old was also responsible for Ramsey’s goal as he badly mistimed a header and failed to clear his lines. 

The 17-cap Colombia international had a tough day all round. After the match plenty of Spurs fans took to Twitter to give their verdict on his display…

Wolves are having a fine first season back in the top flight under Nuno Santo.

Some fine performances and some excellent work in the summer transfer window has set up the Molineux club to be a force for the considerable future it would seem, and Santo is a man who deserves a lot of credit for that.

The January window passed for Wolves without little to shout home about and there wasn’t really much needed for the club in terms of players for the first XI.

However, we here in the Tavern think a few summer additions wouldn’t go amiss at Molineux, and one man we feel the club should be testing the water for is Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck.

The Scottish star has been instrumental for United for the last few seasons now, and his growing confidence at Championship level appears to have him all set up do it in the top flight if the chance comes along either with the Blades or another club.

But Wolves would be a good fit for Fleck, with the club having a heavy reliance on Ruben Neves in the middle.

Fleck is someone who can come in and control games for Wolves, putting his foot on the ball and setting the tempo for games. He does still possess that fire in his belly though to put his foot in, do the dirty work, and make sure he bosses the middle of the park.

Sheffield United won’t want to lose him, but every player has his price, and he’d be a shrewd addition at Molineux.

[ad_pod ]

Each week on Football FanCast we will be celebrating those special breed who lit up the Premier League with their unique brand of utter genius. This time out we pay homage to a full-back too often devalued by his consistency.

Dependable. That’s the word that so often pops up whenever Leighton Baines’ name is committed to print. Even UEFA succumbed to it, once describing a player who has represented England on thirty occasions as a ‘dependable left-back’ on their official website. Fortunately, it has been updated since then.

It’s a somewhat belittling term that the Kirkby-born defender unquestionably does not deserve and probably derives from his durability that once saw him play every single minute of a Premier League campaign and another time play 99 consecutive games for Everton. It’s pertinent too of course that Baines was consistently excellent throughout, otherwise it would merely be his attendance record that would be lauded. He would be an ‘ever-present’.

Personally I hate the term. It implies that the 34-year-old has never let Everton – and formerly Wigan – down. In fact he has does more than most in lifting both clubs to impressive heights and though it’s an extreme example, are The Beatles called ‘dependable’ because they never failed to knock out an album per year during their peak era and all of them were of a high standard?

Since the Premier League’s inception Baines is one of the very few players to have plied his trade across all four divisions, bossing the left flank for the Latics as they rose from League Two to dreamland. That’s not dependable. That’s commendable.

In 2010/11, four years after his £6m switch to Goodison Park, he won every club award going by a landslide, ranging from the Toffees’ Player of the Year to the Player’s Player of the Year to the Goal of the Season. Only five players in the top flight made more assists, all of them wingers and creative midfielders, while Baines did so from his left-back berth. That’s not dependable. That’s estimable.

The following year his routinely brilliant displays earned him a place in the PFA Team of the Year, becoming the first Evertonian to achieve this honour for 22 years. That’s not dependable. That’s admirable.

In May of 2013 Baines was again selected for the PFA’s finest XI which is hardly a surprise given that he was the best component of a defensive quintet that shipped in less goals than champions Manchester United that season. Not only that but his forward raids were now becoming substantial and that year Leighton Baines created 116 chances: twelve more than anyone else in the Premier League.

That’s not dependable. That’s incomparable.

The shy and down-to-earth son of Merseyside also happens to play the guitar and is mates with the Arctic Monkeys. That’s just ace.

When choosing Baines’ slice of genius it was a no-brainer to opt for a free-kick because on so many occasions he made the specialist skill-set appear to be a breeze and that naturally led to his double against West Ham in September, 2013. First he went one way, for an equaliser from a full 25 yards out. Later he sought out the other corner, confounding Jussi Jaaskelainen with an accurate dink. ‘Move over Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. There is no-one in the world quite like Leighton Baines for amazing free-kicks’. That was how The Daily Mail responded the next day.

Instead though, his long-distance rocket that floored Newcastle several months earlier stands out. It stands out because no matter how many times it’s viewed it staggers on repeat.

In David Moyes’ final season in charge Everton were a goal down to an early Papiss Cisse effort at St James’ Park. An infringement is blown for roughly halfway between the centre circle and penalty box and with a slight angle and the vast distance from goal, Marouane Fellaini thumps up preparing for a floated delivery. Phil Jagielka too hauls himself into contention because surely the percentages here demand a cross. Only the deluded or exceptional would attempt a shot.

Being the latter Baines takes a longish run-up – three steps, maybe four – before pelting the ball as sweet and crisp and low and powerful as any ball has been struck since. It zips. It sings. It deviates once past the wall and you suspect that goalkeeper Tim Krul is quietly relieved to see this because for the first few moments it appears destined to take the Dutchman’s head off. That deviation aside the ball does nothing but fly straight and true, neither accelerating or slowing down on route. It is as unrealistic as a goal on FIFA until gamers complain about it in focus groups so EA Sports tone it down in the next version.

It is a free-kick propelled by accuracy and sheer power. It is a free-kick that singularly would make a hyped Brazilian great.

The reaction from the commentator is fairly muted considering what occurs before him. Then you remember that this is Baines pulling off something extraordinary. In such situations there is no-one more dependable.

It has been a testing couple of months for fans at Portsmouth as their hopes of automatic promotion this season were seemingly dashed following the club’s 2-1 defeat at Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

After initially leading the League One standings in December, Kenny Jackett’s side now found themselves eight points adrift of the top two places which are currently occupied by Luton Town and Barnsley following their disappointing loss at The Valley.

However, any despondency which may have been present following a run of just two wins in eleven games was not present during Pompey’s 3-2 win at Walsall on Tuesday. Brett Pitman’s penalty put them ahead before goals from Omar Bogle and Viv Solomon-Otabor saw Portsmouth cruise into a 3-0 lead.

After overcoming a nervy ending to the game set up by two late goals by Saddlers defender Jon Guthrie, Portsmouth held on to claim all three points and move within six of second-placed Barnsley.

With nine games to play, the prospect of achieving automatic promotion to the Championship is still an outside possibility for Jackett’s side, especially when you consider that they still have to face contenders Sunderland in the league. If they are to rescue their promotion push, they will also have to overcome tough fixtures against Coventry City and Peterborough United who are both enjoying successful campaigns in League One.

Even if the club do eventually miss out on a top two finish, they would undoubtedly benefit from a good end to the season as it would provide them with the momentum which is typically needed to succeed in the play-offs.

Although it is an almost impossible task, nine wins from nine would see Portsmouth finish on 95 points, a total which has guaranteed automatic promotion for each of the last ten seasons in England’s third tier of football. If they were to only achieve twenty points from a possible twenty-seven, it could still be enough for them to achieve their goal of a return to the Championship after seven years away.

With Jackett’s future at the club surely more than dependent on what happens at the end of the current campaign, Pompey’s results over the next two months could make or break their season.

What do you think Portsmouth fans? Is automatic promotion still a realistic prospect for your side? Or would you prefer a visit to Wembley Stadium if it guaranteed play-off success? Tell us your thoughts below.

Newcastle’s decision to bring in a loan manager in a bid to help bring on the young players graduating through the academy is long overdue, and is something that rival Premier League clubs have been doing for some time now.

The disastrous loans spells for Elias Sørensen, Jamie Sterry and Cal Roberts — resulting in all three of them being recalled yesterday due to lack of playing time — highlights the urgency of bringing in a specialist who can liaise between Rafa and clubs interested in borrowing the youngsters.

The Magpies have acted quickly to prevent a repeat of the trios’ dreadful experience, and will give Rafa one less problem to deal with on a day to day basis.

The impending arrival of the “Loan Player Coordinator”, as reported in the Newcastle Chronicle, along with two other key roles behind the scenes, is could save the club millions if it helps to develop more youth players into first team contenders.

More importantly, this must be seen as the clearest indication yet that Mike Ashley is willing to give Rafa the things he has been pleading for, in order to commit his long-term future to the club.

Revamping the academy — along with a written guarantee of a budget for each transfer window — was one of the main sticking points for Benitez, and heeding his warnings on the need to do so will have much more sway with the Spaniard than the promise of a marquee signing which was rumoured earlier in the week.

The stand-off between the club and manager has been in place for months, and these recent developments surely suggest that it is Ashley who has blinked first.

Fans, who are desperate for positive news regarding their manager’s situation, will be hoping so, and if the club are serious about trusting Rafa, then a new contract could be signed sooner, rather than later.

We think the signs coming out of the club in dribs and drabs are means for optimism for Toon fans, and that a happy ending me be in touching distance.

What do you think Newcastle fans? Are you feeling more confident that Rafa will stay? Let us know below…

[ad_pod ]

Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has opened up on one criticism he had of Leeds United duo Patrick Bamford and Jack Harrison, who have been key performers in recent weeks, during the 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United prior to the international break.

What’s the word, then?

Well, writing in a column in the Yorkshire Evening Post about the Yorkshire outfit and the Championship promotion race in general, the former Whites player picked up one thing he wasn’t impressed with against the Blades last time out.

Marcelo Bielsa’s men had 17 shots at goal but not a single one was on target, with Bamford and Harrison two of the biggest guilty parties when it came to bringing opposition goalkeeper Dean Henderson into action – especially in the opening 45 minutes.

Prutton wrote in the Yorkshire Evening Post: “If I had one criticism, aside from a couple of rare errors by Liam Cooper, it was that the finishing from the likes of Patrick Bamford and Jack Harrison felt timid in the first half.

“You were looking for confidence and in those instances, it wasn’t there. Leeds paid the price.”

Is he right to single those two out?

He certainly is.

Both of those players are regular starters now and can’t afford to lack that oomph in front of goal at such crucial stage of the campaign with key men like Kemar Roofe missing, and that was their ideal chance to step up and be a hero for their team.

Instead, they both lacked conviction against Chris Wilder’s visitors and now Leeds must hope taking no points against one of their direct automatic promotion rivals isn’t something they live to regret come what May.

[ad_pod ]

Leeds United legend Gordon Strachan has told LeedsLive that the Yorkshire outfit can make waves in the transfer market this summer should they win promotion to the Premier League.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the 62-year-old has been speaking about his former club as they remain in the automatic promotion race in the Championship with the season coming to a close.

Marcelo Bielsa’s men dropped to third following their 1-0 defeat against Sheffield United last weekend, but they are still just one point adrift of where they need to be to go straight up come what May.

Strachan believes that the club would make a big impact in the top flight should they get there, telling LeedsLive: “A lot depends on investment now. It’s huge. Recruitment’s huge in football now, no matter what club you’re at, it’s not so much tactics, it’s recruitment.

“Leeds can drag people, a lot of players in because of the atmosphere, the stadium, the history.

“They can do more than most clubs that get promoted.”

Exciting summer ahead?

It could well be.

There is no doubt that if Leeds do go up that Bielsa will want to strengthen his squad as well as keeping the faith with some of the players that had taken them to the Premier League, and it seems likely that he would be backed by owner Andrea Radrizzani in that case given the calibre of manager the Italian has at the helm.

Are Leeds set for another spectacular fall from grace? Ingood Nick believes so in the video below…

Adding some quality – especially in key areas of the pitch and throughout the spine of the team – could help the Yorkshire club make a huge impact not to dissimilar to the one Wolves have this term.

[ad_pod ]

West Ham United are considering a summer move for Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, per ClaretandHugh.

The Magpies star has been routinely linked with the Hammers over the past few seasons but manager Manuel Pellegrini could finally formalise their interest when the transfer window reopens.

What’s the word?

Shelvey has struggled for game time at St James’ Park this season, making just 14 appearances in all competitions due to a number of injury issues.

Indeed, he last played 90 minutes in the Premier League in October, in a 0-0 draw with Southampton.

ClaretandHugh claim that Pellegrini is keen to strengthen his midfield this summer, with Pedro Obiang almost certain to leave.

The Hammers have subsequently drawn up a shortlist of potential targets and the report states that Shelvey is on it.

The 27-year-old has spent three years at Newcastle, making 108 appearances. He has also won six caps for England.

Noble’s long-term replacement

Mark Noble is approaching the twilight of a storied career.

He is 31 and will be 33 when his contract expires in 2021.

A move for Shelvey, then, could form part of a succession plan for a player who first joined the Hammers in 2000.

He will surely mark 20 years at the club next season – there is precious little chance of the captain being sold on in the summer – but Pellegrini would be wise to bring in his successor before Noble actually departs.

That would allow Shelvey to sit under the learning tree, so to speak, and truly immerse himself at West Ham. He is a better player than Noble is currently; his range of passing, in particular, sets him apart from the Hammers captain, while he is also capable of the genuinely spectacular.

Nevertheless, Noble’s replacement will have a lot to live up to in the eyes of the fans and playing alongside him first is a logical way to ensure that the transition is seamless.

[ad_pod ]

According to Super Haber, Gary Medel has agreed terms with West Ham United over a summer move to the London Stadium.

Medel will see his contract with Besiktas expire in the summer of 2020.

The 31-year-old has previous experience of Premier League football having turned out for Cardiff City during the 2013-14 campaign, before joining Italian giants Inter Milan.

And it appears that the midfielder is heading back to England’s top flight.

According to Super Haber, Medel has already agreed terms with West Ham, where he will link up with fellow Chilean Manuel Pellegrini.

However, it would be fair to say that the London club’s fans are not overly pleased with the news.

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…

Indeed, it is expected that Medel will be on big wages if he moves to London and the West Ham supporters are struggling to make sense of the transfer.

A selection of the latest Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Manchester United fans won’t feel too disheartened after last night’s performance as their side managed to keep things tight against one of the world’s best sides. 

Although, the Red Devils are going to need all the firepower they can possible get in return leg at the Nou Camp.

Interestingly, it appears as if one of Manchester United’s current attackers could attract quite a healthy fee if he was to be sold, as according to CIES (via Daily Mail), Romelu Lukaku is valued at £137 million.

Manchester United fans will be confused as to why the Belgium international is worth so much after a very inconsistent season. Lukaku’s touch has been dreadful at times this season and he’s squandered a number of chances for the Red Devils, so it comes as some surprise to see him valued at that price.

If Lukaku’s 15 goals and four assists give him a value of £137 million then Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford must be worth at least double his price. It’s safe to say that no club would be willing to pay that kind of price for the forward as he’s done very little to suggest he can attract such a fee.

United originally paid £75 million (as per BBC) to sign the forward but even that amount of money looks like too much when you consider what he’s done for the Red Devils so far. Therefore, it seems crazy that he’s reportedly almost doubled his original fee as it should be the other way round, with his value decreasing.

Even if he scores a healthy amount of goals from here on in and helps United secure a top four spot and silverware in the Champions League, he still wouldn’t be deserved of such a high value.

Manchester United fans, do you really think Lukaku is worth £137 million? Join the discussion by commenting down below!