All posts by z3u9t.icu

It is no secret that West Bromwich Albion have one of the worst defensive records in English football right now.

In fact, the Baggies are tied-bottom across the entire Premier League and Football League for goals conceded so far this season, and with a new striker on the horizon, Slaven Bilic will have to make do with what he’s got.

And one recent display should have alarm bells ringing in his ears.

The Croatian tinkered with a three-at-the-back formation early on in the campaign before switching back to the more familiar and promotion-winning 4-2-3-1 system.

Young Albion graduate Dara O’Shea has been ever-present regardless of the tactic deployed, he’s played both centre-back and at right-back, so evidently he’s a player that Bilic likes.

However, his Ireland performance on Wednesday evening should be a cause for concern as the Boys in Green lost to Finland in the UEFA Nations League – even if it was his senior debut.

Aside from the goalkeeper, the 21-year-old Baggies starlet recorded the lowest rating (6.4) in Stephen Kenny’s backline – per SofaScore, he won just 58% of his duels, lost possession 14 times, committed three fouls, was dribbled past twice and even made the error that led to Finland’s only goal of the game.

It was a woeful display all-round and not one that Bilic would have wanted to see before Monday’s clash with Burnley in the Premier League.

Neither O’Shea, Kyle Bartley or Semi Ajayi have averaged above a 6.35 rating in the top-flight this season, so a continuation of this disastrous form won’t be of any encouragement before Chris Wood’s revenge game at the Hawthorns.

Perhaps the Irishman’s place amongst the starting XI should now be at risk even though he’s adored by Bilic with Darnell Furlong waiting in the wings to take over on the right flank whilst there’s also Branislav Ivanovic for a central role.

Bilic has plenty to think about before the end of the weekend.

AND in other news, Baggies could be dealt a huge blow for Burnley clash…

The relationship between Jadon Sancho and Manchester United continues to provide new updates as a potential move could be on the cards.

By now it’s no secret the Red Devils are very keen on bringing Dortmund star Sancho to Old Trafford this summer. However, it seems it’s not just the club who are eager for a move.

According to a report from SportBild (via Sport Witness), the winger’s two ‘best buddies’ are already at United, and a move could benefit all three players in question.

Sancho has dominated the Bundesliga this season, scoring 17 goals and providing 17 assists, and has subsequently attracted a lot of interest from English clubs. Man United are very keen on his signature but Premier League giants Liverpool and Chelsea have also been named as potential suitors for the 20-year-old.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks like he means business as the football world creeps towards the summer transfer window. The Norwegian has been linked to big money names including Kai Havertz and Harry Kane. But there’s something about the persistent nature of this Sancho link that looks extremely promising.

Now, with reports revealing Sancho could link up with his best friends Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford, it seems like there’s an even bigger incentive to make the deal happen.

There’s no denying Sancho’s ability is absolutely everything Man United need in order to re-establish themselves in the Premier League next season.

The Reds have some very strong names listed in their current midfield, however it seems Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes have clashing playing styles as they are yet to play together on the big stage. Adding Sancho to United’s attack and using both Rashford and Lingard in the same squad could heavily multiply the team’s chemistry.

If these three ‘best buddies’ know each other inside out like any other best friends do, surely it will create a formula for success on the pitch. Lingard has struggled to bag game time this season, playing just 20 matches (via Transfermarkt). But if he proves to work well with Sancho and Rashford, the manager may opt to feature him a lot more. Especially as it looks more and more likely Solskjaer wants to experiment with the team.

Do you think Jadon Sancho will link up with his Old Trafford friends this summer, Reds? Have your say in the comments below!

Tottenham Hotspur have plenty of areas to bolster during the summer transfer window and although the wing position isn’t one of those, Jose Mourinho should absolutely look to upgrade it if latest reports are to be believed.

What’s the word?

According to Fussball Transfers, Inter Milan attacker Ivan Perisic is a wanted man in England with the likes of Everton and Manchester United joining Spurs in their interest.

The Croatian veteran has been on loan at Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich this campaign, but they are unlikely to trigger his permanent option whilst his future back at the Serie A outfit isn’t certain either.

Perisic has two years to run on his current deal and could cost Spurs around €15m (£13.5m) if they wish to clinch him this summer.

Lamela upgrade?

The 31-year-old played a bit-part role for the German giants yet still managed to provide six goals and ten assists in all competitions, via Transfermarkt.

It is true that Mourinho has a wealth of options out wide, but they are largely on the right-hand side rather than the left which is often Heung-min Son’s spot to lose.

And surely he can’t refuse a player that’s been on his radar for quite some time. Back in 2018, whilst still at United, the Portuguese boss lauded Perisic as “different” because he’s “very physical” and is “fantastic in the air” (Russia Today via TEAMtalk).

This is something that he doesn’t really possess in any of his wingers. There’s also a good chance that Erik Lamela is sold to garner some funds. Football Insider suggested earlier in the year that Spurs would be willing to listen to offers for the Argentine.

The 28-year-old wins a measly 0.2 aerial duels per game and is dispossessed an average of 1.6 times per appearance too, via WhoScored, which suggests he’s lacking something that Perisic could bring to Mourinho’s squad.

Even though he’s getting on a bit, he’d be an interesting outlet and one that could even provide back-up to Harry Kane in the attack. If Spurs’ reported chase of Willian is true, then they would be foolish not to try and sign Perisic instead.

AND in other news, Daniel Levy is setting Mourinho up for instant failure at Spurs…

Newcastle United may wake up in dreamland sometime in the near future, but that’s only if their prospective takeover passes the Premier League bar and gets actually confirmed.

Amanda Staveley is leading the consortium which is well-backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund as well as the Reuben brothers, though, it has been well over a month since these reports first emerged.

Hilariously obscure Premier League players – Can you name them all?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

Now the club are being linked to every superstar and his dog as if the takeover has already happened. One name that continues to be mentioned is Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly.

Sky Sports claim the prospective owners would like to land the 28-year-old colossus should the top-flight big wigs ratify their takeover, and the Serie A colossus could be keen.

They also suggest that Koulibaly is valued at €80m (£69.8m).

Much of the Magpies faithful have been reacting to the transfer report on social media after it was relayed by popular Twitter account NUFC360.

Here’s what has been said…

AND in other news, Newcastle fans react to Steve Wraith post…

David Moyes’ stint at Everton can often feel forgotten in light of what he has done since leaving Goodison Park, but in 11 years at the club the Scot certainly forged himself an impressive reputation.

With Everton languishing near the bottom of the league at the time of his arrival, Moyes quickly breathed life back into the club and the squad and was achieving plenty of success within just a few seasons.

Bringing Champions League football to the club was obviously a notable achievement, while the development of players like Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill showed his transfer market acumen.

Despite Moyes making Everton a consistent force in the top half of the Premier League table, he still faced criticism for never quite taking the next step or winning a trophy.

Here, we look back on the long and impressive career of David Moyes as Everton manager and want to know how much you can remember about his time at Goodison Park…

Leeds left it late to beat Luton on Saturday afternoon as last-gasp heroics from Patrick Bamford did enough to silence his doubters.The forward hit the post in the first half before opening the scoring in the second, taking Ben White’s ball in his stride and then burying the opportunity. Following that, the former Middlesbrough man got across his marker in the 90th minute to slide the ball home and wrap up all three points.But after he took pelters at half time, another one of his teammates also hadn’t done enough to convince supporters.That happened to be Luke Ayling, someone who according to fans, was at fault for a second goal in as many games.[ad_pod ]The defender was beaten to the ball and the Hatters consequently scored an equaliser. One individual suggested that Ayling’s Achilles heal was in the air while another decided to describe him in more simpler terms, labelling the Leeds man a donkey.A further supporter said they didn’t rate the 28-year-old at all.Ayling spent the opening months of the season out through injury before returning to the side, where he’s featured at right-back and in the centre of defence since returning. He’s also signed a new deal this term as well.Here’s the best of the reaction.

Wolverhampton Wanderers could soon suffer a nightmare as a mooted summer exit is likely to have a drastic knock-on effect at the west Midlands club.

According to Marca, Atletico Madrid have identified their former forward Diogo Jota as a potential target ahead of next season, and with no buy-back clause on the Portuguese, they could have fork out in excess of €35m (£31m).

The 23-year-old has grown into a top talent under the stewardship of Nuno Santo, scoring 43 goals in 120 matches and even though his departure would leave a huge void to fill, it’ll impact Wolf Pack talisman Raul Jimenez the most – especially as they have reverted back to a two-up-top system.

Both Jota and the Mexican have formed a lethal partnership together, which was most notably seen last term where the duo combined for 46.8% of their Premier League goals alone, and Nuno never once shirked away from that 3-5-2 formation.

Jimenez has often fed off his forward counterpart this campaign with Jota averaging 2.2 shots and 0.9 key passes across the English top-flight and the Europa League, via WhoScored.

Premier League experts will get full marks: The ultimate quiz on top-flight transfer flops…

Whilst he is also fouled 1.4 times per match, which always gives Wolves an opportunity to hand it on a plate for the 28-year-old.

The west Midlanders rely ever so heavily on Jimenez as their primary source of goals, so they simply cannot afford to lose a critical cog that makes him thrive entirely at Molineux.

He is effectively Nuno’s most valuable player having bagged 22 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt, and that is only emphasised given the fact that he is the only senior striker at the 46-year-old’s disposal.

Watch Wolverhampton Wanderers Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

If Atletico are serious about bringing Jota back to Madrid, then they’ll have to offer up substantial finances to clinch him. There is no way Jimenez, Nuno or Wolves can cope in his absence long-term.

AND in other news, Ruben Neves enjoying meteoric rise at Wolves…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland has praised Tom Davies for his leadership credentials after an inspiring performance against Southampton and hinted he is becoming a vital presence in the dressing room .

What did he say?

Over the last few weeks, the Toffees have managed to get themselves six points clear of the relegation zone. This comes after they managed to register two Premier League victories and one draw, whilst also advancing to the next round of the Carabao Cup.

Boyland has stated that a source close to The Athletic has explained how Davies has turned into a massive voice behind-the-scenes in these troubling times.

He wrote for The Athletic: “One source told The Athletic that, sensing confidence was dwindling, Davies has taken it upon himself to deliver rallying cries in the dressing room over the past month, showcasing a penchant for leadership fostered during his experience captaining all of England’s age-group sides.”

Future captain

Everton have been in turmoil for most of this campaign, and as Andre Gomes picked up a horror injury, the midfield looked depleted of quality options. The form of both Fabian Delph and Morgan Schneiderlin has been below par, registering a 6.58 and a 6.16 rating respectively throughout.

As a result of these performances and the injury to a key man, Marco Silva needed someone to step up, and he seems to have found that reliable figurehead in Davies.

Davies has then gone onto play 96 times for Everton since graduating from the academy and has even worn the armband for his country at U21s level.

Clearly, the midfielder has the mental attributes to thrive in this Toffees squad.

His attitude on the pitch and his rallying cries within the dressing room are all indicators that suggest he could be a future Everton captain.

Now he has got his first goal of the season, the man in the middle could be set for an impressive spell in the side.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

It’s almost impossible to criticise Sadio Mane for anything these days.

The Liverpool attacker has been nothing short of sensational over the past 12 months as he’s won the Premier League Golden Boot and continuously proven to be one of the best players in England.

However, his showing for Senegal on Sunday shows one thing that he must eradicate from his game.

Mane’s showing

Many observers may have been surprised when they saw that the winger was subbed off at half-time during Senegal’s game against Eswatini.

The winger was reportedly hooked at half-time due to the fact that he was on a booking which he received after arguing with the referee over persistent fouling from the opposition.

Needs to stop

The winger needs to get out of this habit as any suspension he picks up could be catastrophic for Liverpool.

The former Southampton man is undoubtedly one of the Reds’ most important players and picking up silly yellow cards is the last thing Jurgen Klopp wants to see from one of his stars.

Mane may not get the decisions that other players would get with the diver tag becoming increasingly attributed to him in recent weeks, and that could slightly influence referees’ leniency when he goes down under a challenge.

If refs are a little harsher on Mane he needs to keep his cool and not argue with them as unnecessary yellow cards could cause issues for the Merseyside outfit.

Tottenham’s run of bad form continued on Saturday as they salvaged a late draw against bottom of the league Watford, and now some fans are beginning to lose patience with Mauricio Pochettino.

Specifically, they are growing tired of his messages of motivation about what the team must do to turn things around, as instead they want to see the words put into action – with results on the pitch.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Players such as Harry Winks and Harry Kane have shared the thoughts of their manager, with the latter admitting it is the toughest period he has experienced in his Spurs career.

Some Tottenham fans seem to have moved past the stage where they may have felt worried upon hearing such comments, as they now feel weary from the continuous cycle of positive messages but poor performances.

It is quite a turnaround from the love shown towards the Argentine when he guided the club to the Champions League final, although considering they have one win in seven matches it is easy to understand their frustrations, as seen below.