All posts by h79snht.top

Spurs’ injury crisis couldn’t have come at a worse time really, with Harry Kane, Dele Alli, and Heung Min Son all missing for the foreseeable future.

Three big attacking players all being out could well have a massive impact on Pochettino’s men, and they will do very well to maintain their drive towards a top four spot without bringing anyone in during the transfer window.

With time running out though for January, potential options in terms of new signings are looking thin on the ground somewhat.

However, we here at the Tavern feel that there are one or two out there who could do a job for the Wembley based club, and one player we think could fill the void is Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge.

The England man is out of favour at Anfield and has been for some time, being used only sporadically by manager Jurgen Klopp, and he could well relish the chance of making a move to a big club who can offer him first team opportunities.

Sturridge has had a career of struggles in terms of injuries, and he will be desperate to finally get back to the form he showed when Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling were still with the club just a few seasons ago.

With Kane out, Spurs need to add some goals to their team from somewhere, and Sturridge could be just the man.

Spurs fans, what do you think? Would you take Sturridge? Let us know!

[ad_pod ]

Last week, as reported by Belfast Live on January 17,  Rangers manager Steven Gerrard stated that injured centre-back Connor Goldson would “hopefully be back involved soon”.

However, the Gers could still be without the 26-year-old for this weekend’s visit to Livingston. Gerrard must be prepared for this eventuality and ready to pick a side that can remain solid at the back despite Goldson’s absence.

On the chalkboard

Last time out against Kilmarnock, Rangers were poor defensively, and ultimately that cost them the game as they were beaten 2-1 in a big blow to their Scottish Premiership title hopes. Gerrard must learn from this and change things up with his next team selection.

Joe Worrall was especially poor against Kilmarnock and ought to be taken out of the firing line for the next game. Meanwhile, the obvious available alternatives aren’t particularly inspiring. 

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

Summer signing Gareth McAuley made a fine start to life at Ibrox Stadium, but has looked every one of his 39 years of age in recent weeks. Nikola Katic has also proved himself to be error-prone and untrustworthy this season.

Assuming Goldson remains unavailable, Gerrard ought to be bold and introduce midfielder Ross McCrorie to the heart of his defence for this weekend’s clash with Livingston.

A fresh dimension

The 20-year-old has played a centre-back role in the past, including on a few occasions for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership last season, as per Transfermarkt. Gerrard can therefore trust him in that position, and the 9-cap Scotland international would also bring a fresh dimension to the defence.

As a midfielder, McCrorie is supremely confident in possession and composed on the ball. His distribution skills could become a key factor in improving Rangers’ ability to play out from the back, even if it is only for one match.

Newcastle fans finally have something to shout about after defeating reigning champions Manchester City at St. James Park.

Things looked bleak after Sergio Aguero opened the scoring after just 24 seconds but Newcastle equalised through Salomon Rondon despite having little possession. City tried and failed to retake the lead with Matt Ritchie putting the Magpies ahead from the penalty spot. Rafael Benitez’s men held on for a massive three points.

The Spaniard will be overjoyed to overcome Pep Guardiola’s men and will be handed a significant boost in the transfer market with the club set to smash their transfer record to sign MLS star Miguel Almiron. The Paraguay international will add some much-needed creativity to their ranks to help steer the club away from danger.

One man Benitez should also consider signing on deadline day is Everton outcast – Yannick Bolasie. Valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt, the 29-year-old was once one of the most feared wingers in the Premier League, combing pace, power, and trickery. However, he has failed to fulfil expectations since swapping Selhurst Park for Goodison Park in 2016.

Bolasie was loaned to Aston Villa in the summer but his temporary stay in the Midlands was cut short – the winger remains out of Marco Silva’s plans making an exit more than likely, with the Toon Army linked by the Express not long ago. The DR Congo international is still a threat on his day and would add another dimension to Newcastle’s attack in the final third. If Benitez can install some confidence into the forward, luring him to Tyneside could prove to be a masterstroke.

A loan move with the option to buy makes perfect sense on deadline day.

Newcastle fans, thoughts?

[ad_pod ]

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that Harry Kane and Dele Alli are back on a football pitch after sustaining serious injuries.

Kane damaged his ankle ligaments in the 1-0 loss to Manchester United at Wembley and, per BBC, was initially ruled out until March.

Alli, meanwhile, sustained a hamstring problem in the 2-1 win over Fulham and, per Sky Sports, was also expected to be out until March.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

However, Tottenham confirmed on Friday that both England internationals had begun “on-field rehabilitation”.

The Sun had claimed that Kane could make a miraculous comeback against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, with the first leg set to be played next week.

And supporters are hopeful that both players could soon be back, with the club still vying for the Premier League title.

Spurs are five points behind both leaders Manchester City and second-placed Liverpool and play Leicester City on Sunday as they look to keep the pressure on the top two.

Manchester City have got a big few transfer windows ahead of them, as the club look set to see some of their elder statesmen so to speak come to the end of their peak.

City and manager Pep Guardiola have always been active and shrewd in the market in the main, and this summer gives them a chance to act once again.

The likes of Fernandinho, David Silva, Vincent Kompany, and Sergio Aguero are all players into their 30’s now, and it’s only natural for a club to look for continuity.

We here in the Tavern feel it might take one or two, maybe even more windows, for the club to fully replace that talent, but this summer could be a start.

With that, we’ve looked at TWO players who City should be looking to sign this summer…

Isco

A younger David Silva essentially, the Madrid man has not been the number one choice this season, making a move look likely come the summer.

Isco remains a class act though, and under Pep Guardiola, it’s easy to see him flourishing.

The chance to come and learn from Silva is also something which could appeal, and it would be no surprise to us to see City make their move for the Spaniard.

Tanguy Ndombele

The French midfielder is really coming on leaps and bounds, and as a direct replacement for Fernandinho, he would be a superb signing.

The Lyon man is growing by the game, and still very much in his infancy as a footballer, would have massive scope for development under Guardiola.

Tough tackling and full of energy, Ndombele would be a superb capture at the Etihad.

Newcastle are reportedly interested in Charlton’s Macauley Bonne and although they need a new striker, the 24-year-old may not be the best option.

Steve Bruce has admitted he is happy with his squad and therefore Newcastle may only look to add Bonne if they believe he is the right fit, and though he works hard and scores goals, there is a question over his quality.

Six goals in his first Championship season represent a decent return so far considering he only cost £200,000 but this is his first taste of the second tier and therefore there are doubts about whether he’d be able to cut it in the Premier League.

Newcastle’s current crop of strikers have managed just two goals this term, with £40m man Joelinton so far not proving value for money at all. Dwight Gayle and Andy Carroll are still yet to find the target either.

With that under consideration we asked our team of Football FanCast writers for their views on a possible deal for Bonne, and this is what they had to say.

Matt Dawson

“I’d be quite concerned if I was a Newcastle fan seeing this news. The Magpies are in desperate need of a striker that scores goals but targeting someone who has been somewhat inconsistent in the Championship is questionable business.

“Bonne has impressed at times, scoring six times, but he’s only just made the leap from non-league football to the second tier. It would be a big ask to expect him to perform at St James’ Park in such a short period of adaptation, especially when the pressure is so high in Tyneside.

“Joelinton has already been berated for his performances after scoring once so arguably, a player with Premier League know-how is needed to drag through Newcastle through the second part of the season.

“Landing the 24-year-old would be an interesting move but it wouldn’t be the right one, and that means Bruce must avoid this mistake.”

A football legend: Can you get over 80% on this Gazza quiz? Find out now…

Danny Lewis

“Macauley Bonne has been impressive for Charlton this season, especially while Lyle Taylor was out of action, as he has picked up a total of six goals. While there was a goal drought that lasted four games during this time, it should be considered that the striker has been playing in a severely injury-hit side. With all of this, he has taken his current step-up admirably, so it may be worth Newcastle allowing him to make another one.

“It is interesting that they have gone for Bonne rather than Taylor, with his age likely playing a part. Considering Newcastle are potentially producing an exciting crop of players, Bonne could play his part in that.”

Billy Meyers

“I think this would be a terrible signing, and would also only add to the number of struggling strikers Newcastle have on their books.

“Macauley Bonne – as much as he has worked hard this season – was playing non-league football last term and has only notched six Championship goals in the current campaign. He is by no means a Premier League player and is barely a Championship player in all honesty.

“Steve Bruce already has a man who has previously been deadly in the Championship within his ranks, Dwight Gayle, while he has a £40m forward in Joelinton to call upon – if the former Sunderland boss can’t get these two to score goals, then Bonne doesn’t have a chance.

“The personnel of the striking department at St James’ Park isn’t the problem, it’s the tactics – Bonne doesn’t seem like the man who can score goals off his own back by making chances out of nothing.”

Kealan Hughes

“Steve Bruce should be on the look-out for a new striker but making a move for Bonne at this stage of his career would be a bit of a gamble, not least because he doesn’t really fit into Newcastle’s style of play.

“He has poaching qualities but the Magpies already have Gayle who has even better attributes in that area, and yet he hasn’t really been part of plans this campaign.

“The only reason why this deal might make sense if because he could be available for a relatively low fee considering he didn’t cost the Addicks much in the summer, but in terms of improving the team he wouldn’t be the best option to make at this time.”

Newcastle could be in a more urgent need of a new attacker due to the injury to Allan Saint-Maximin, which may make like difficult for Steve Bruce.

Britain headed to the polls on Thursday evening, and as always the general election seemed to split the country.Leeds was one city that was particularly split on this matter as the Yorkshire city had both Conservative and Labour candidates winning in certain constituencies.

However, this could have all been avoided in Leeds if Andrea Radrizzani’s election idea was implemented.

The Leeds chairman stayed rather neutral on politics as he tweeted that he’d vote for Marcelo Bielsa if he had the choice as he posted a mock ballot paper.

Personally, we think that El Loco running to be an MP is an absolutely fantastic idea, and we’re sure that he’d have mopped up in the areas around Elland Road if he had put himself forward.

With areas of the country at odds with one another after Thursday’s results, it’s good to see that some people associated with football can make light of the situation.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay’s recent transfer update has shown how Leeds can kill two birds with one stone.

Since arriving from fellow Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen, Ryan Jack has set about trying to prove everyone why he deserves to be in the first-team for Rangers. The 27-year-old has already racked up 94 appearances across all competitions for the club, and this season has arguably been his best yet for the Ibrox side.

Watch Rangers Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

In 27 games, he has struck five times and provided three assists, and Steven Gerrard even lauded him as the club’s “player of the season” earlier in the week.

A football legend: Can you get over 80% on this Gazza quiz? Find out now…

And after setting up Joe Aribo for Rangers’ second goal of the night in their 3-0 win over Hibernian, fans of the side took to Twitter to hail the midfielder for his performance.

Some Rangers fans hailed Jack’s growing importance for the side, with one supporter in particular claiming that he has come on “leaps and bounds”.

A couple of supporters even insisted that the 27-year-old has proven himself to be the “best midfielder in Scotland” thanks to his performances this season.

With the title race hotting up, picking up away wins at the likes of Hibernian is crucial to ensuring Rangers stay in the hunt for ending Celtic’s league success. And if Jack can continue to be an instrumental figure in the middle of the park, the Ibrox side will fancy their chances of doing just that.

Meanwhile, Rangers fans have lauded this midfield ace’s impressive display against Motherwell.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are entering the new decade with a wealth of changing fortunes.

During the past ten years, the club suffered a shock double relegation, resulting in them competing in the third-tier of English football for the first time since 1992.

Since then, Chinese conglomerate Fosun have taken over and steered the west Midlanders to the dazzling heights of European football. It all began with their appointment of Nuno Santo and subsequent investment in the playing squad.

Championship winners in 2018, a record-high seventh-place finish in the Premier League. Things are only on their way up at Molineux.

As the club enters 2020, they are still alive in multiple competitions with the FA Cup beginning at the weekend, as well as the small matter of the Europa League knockout stages as well as battling for a place in the top six in the league.

Although, their chances of competing on all fronts will hinge on whether or not they can make critical additions during the transfer window. These three to four weeks could be season-defining.

Nuno likes to operate with a small, tight-knit squad, but that’s just not doable when you’re playing two games a week for the majority of the season.

The team will undoubtedly suffer from burnout, as seen with Raul Jimenez, who has already played 32 matches this campaign, not including those for Mexico on international duty, per Transfermarkt.

His recent showing against Watford only proved that as he failed to win any of his seven aerial duels.

But with Patrick Cutrone, who needs to be handed more of a chance, there’s plenty of cover in that department.

During the last 18 matches in all competitions, Wolves have managed to keep just two clean sheets, which isn’t good enough for a side wanting to break into the top six.

Sir Alex Ferguson once famously said: “attack wins you games, defence wins you titles” – he would know having won 13 Premier Leagues whilst in charge of Manchester United.

The damning figures above are no surprise to read considering the Portuguese boss has often gone with central midfielders in a back three in the absence of the injured Willy Boly.

It is believed that his return combined with the apparent ‘form’ of Romain Saiss and Leander Dendoncker at centre-back is enough to warrant a lack of defensive additions this month – which would be both naive and stupid.

It’s the dawn of a new decade in the Premier League, but how much do you know about the last 10 years?

Even with Boly expected back next month, he will need time to get up to the speed of things whilst the aforementioned duo have been far from consistent options, neither ranking in the top eight players for average rating per WhoScored this season.

A central defender should be top of Nuno’s priority this month. They can’t afford to head into the run-in with a lack of genuine options at the back.

It could be the difference between an above-average season and a simply outstanding one. The numbers over the past couple of months display the true story.

Meanwhile, could this summer arrival be under threat if Wolves plump for this emerging attacker?…

It appears that Liverpool are in the market for a goalkeeper.

At least that is according to Trabzonspor president Ahmet Agaoglu. He has been speaking about his shot-stopper Ugurcan Cakir, and he has confirmed that the Reds have “made an offer” (via Metro) for the 23-year-old and that the “Liverpool goalkeeper is in my goal”.

Some big words from the 62-year-old. And there are plenty of reasons why such a club as the European champions would be interested in the player. So far this campaign, he has a save percentage ratio of 75% in the Super Lig, and he has two caps for Turkey as well. Valued at £15m by the club, he would not break the bank and, considering that Adrian is already 33 years of age, a new back-up option to Alisson between the sticks will be needed sooner rather and later.

The big fat Liverpool quiz of 2019 – how much do you remember about the last year at Anfield?

However, how vocal Agaoglu is being about his player and the Anfield outfit’s apparent interest in him should have Liverpool worried. By talking up his potential departure, it seems that he is a little too happy for Cakir to move on and pick up the transfer fee of his sale. The Reds’ last transfer was already public knowledge well before the transfer was officially completed – RB Salzburg’s sporting director was talking about Takumi Minamino’s exit shortly after the apparent initial contact was made in regards to the Japan international.

There may be nothing in this from the Turkish club’s representative, and Cakir may not even be on the Premier League leaders’ radar. But should he in fact be a target, Liverpool need to make sure they do not earn themselves something of a reputation of doing their business in public.

Whilst teams such as Salzburg and Trabzonspor may relish the publicity of the world champions pursuing their stars, bigger and more glamorous teams will not enjoy such exposure. You only need to look at the way Manchester City reacted to Bayern Munich’s interest in Leroy Sane during the summer to appreciate that. As the Reds continue to turn into a super-club on the pitch, they must match that in the organisation of their affairs off the pitch. Otherwise, their stay at the top may be shorter than expected.

In other news, Dion Dublin has compared key Liverpool man to a Manchester United legend.