All posts by z3u9t.icu

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There’s something about an academy starlet that gets fans excited. With Nottingham Forest’s Arvin Appiah, that is no different.

The young forward was called up to England’s U19s squad last week but has only featured once in the league this season for Forest, something which has left supporters of the Reds a little puzzled.

Following comments made by manager Martin O’Neill about the 18-year-old, there is a demand that he now gets more game time.

O’Neill’s words about the attacker were full of positives so the frustration over his lack of game time from fans seems justified. In response to the manager’s statements, two individuals shared similar opinions, claiming that the club should be giving him minutes in preparation for next season.

The reasoning behind this is a lack of goals in the team, according to one fan. Another said he should be included more often because of Lewis Grabban’s injury whilst there was a suggestion that Appiah is better than Ben Osborn.

The question was also asked as to why is he not playing for Forest if he’s good enough to be called up for England U19s.

Appiah already has one goal for the club this term, scoring off the bench against Burton in the Carabao Cup. Since then, he’s found opportunities hard to come by.

Here’s the best of the reaction to O’Neill’s remarks.

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Leeds United came so close to signing Swansea City winger Dan James during the January transfer window, but following his goalscoring exploits for Wales this week and the fact that John Hartson believes he could now be worth £30m, it could be time to turn their attentions elsewhere.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Hartson has told talkSPORT that he believes the 21-year-old could now be valued at treble the £10m fee the Yorkshire club wanted to pay for the attacker just a couple of months ago.

That will surely cause an issue for the Whites even if they secure promotion to the Premier League this term, but there has been another interesting update on a former target in Albert Adomah, who they were reportedly keen to bring to Elland Road last summer before the player snubbed them.

The Birmingham Mail report that even though the 31-year-old’s Aston Villa contract expires this summer, the Midlands outfit are ready to put talks over a new deal on hold until the season is over.

Should Leeds move?

If he is to leave Villa Park for free then they would certainly be silly not to consider it, whichever division they do find themselves in next term.

The pacey winger has struggled for form, goals and assists during the current campaign, but he has been more of a regular in the starting XI in recent weeks under Dean Smith.

14 goals and five assists in 26 Championship appearances between September and March last season show exactly what Adomah is capable of when he is fully on his game, and that pace and finishing ability could be just what Leeds need.

Given the potential price tag difference between he and James, it is a bit of a no-brainer with Marcelo Bielsa surely able to transform him as he has done with so many others since arriving at Elland Road.

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Late last week, Fernando Forestieri was found not guilty by the courts for racially aggravated assault of Mansfield player Krystian Pearce.

However, the FA have now opened up more investigations into the Argentine’s part in a mass brawl that occurred between Sheffield Wednesday and Mansfield players during a pre-season friendly last summer.

As a result, he could face further sanctions from English football’s governing body.

It’s news that has made a host of the Hillsborough faithful extremely angry that their player is being treated in the way he is despite being found not guilty.

One supporter claimed it was beyond a joke whilst another said it made them feel sick.

Fans launched a scathing attack at the FA, with one fan branding them a laughing stock.

Who would make a combined Sheffield XI? Ingood Nick makes his picks in the video below…

Forestieri had initially received a three-match ban and a £25,000 fine for his role in the brawl that happened last July. However, his punishment may not be fully complete, according to the Sheffield Star.

Here’s the best of the reaction from Owls fans on Twitter.

Clearly, Everton boss Marco Silva has had his struggles to pick the best possible centre-forward option for his team this campaign due to some very inconsistent performances by the club’s strikers this season. Frankly, it’s been a nightmare at times. 

But, it looks as if the manager has finally settled with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has been nothing short of brilliant in recent weeks for the Toffees.

Everton backed up their famous win over Chelsea just before the international break with an equally impressive performance at the London Stadium on Saturday, where a dominant first-half performance saw the Toffees walk away with a 2-0 victory.

Calvert-Lewin might not have scored in the match against the Hammers, but his movement and runs made life difficult for the home side’s defenders, who had to absorb a lot of pressure.

The 22-year-old’s excellent performances of late even drew the attention of former England boss Glenn Hoddle, who suggested Everton should not spend money on a striker in the summer transfer window as they already have Calvert-Lewin, who is capable of doing the job for them up-front.

Silva had to adjust his combinations and strategy on a number of occasions this season due to poor efforts by his men up-front, which saw him play Richarlison as the lone striker for a long period of time.

During that stage, Calvert-Lewin and Cenk Tosun, failed to make a real impact whenever they had the opportunity of playing as the striker.

It was only until recently, that Calvert-Lewin started excelling in the position, providing a genuine threat in the air, while his decision making from close range has also been very accurate. The improvement he’s made in the last few months should be really exciting for Silva, who could use Calvert-Lewin as his main striker next season and make him a proper force to be reckoned with.

Everyone has been talking about Everton’s need to spend big on a new striker for what seems like an eternity, perhaps Calvert-Lewin can save them the hassle.

Everton fans, how impressed have you been by Calvert-Lewin of late? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

It has been a season to forget if you are a Huddersfield Town supporter.

A total of 24 defeats from 32 games in the Premier League has resulted in the Terriers being relegated from the top-flight in record-equalling time. Just three victories all year has left the club’s fans with very little to cheer about yet this could be about to change.

Following impressive showings for the club’s youth sides which saw him score nine goals in 30 appearances, Aaron Rowe was given the chance to demonstrate his talents for the first team last month as he made his senior debut against AFC Bournemouth.

The midfielder, who can operate either just behind the striker or as a winger showed promising signs for the Terriers and was handed his first start against West Ham United on March 16th. Although his side would go on to lose the game 4-3, Rowe delivered another solid individual performance which would have excited the club’s supporters.

With Huddersfield’s drop to the second tier confirmed by last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace, there is no reason why boss Jan Siewert shouldn’t continue to hand the teenager more chances to show just what he is capable of in the club’s final six fixtures of the season. If Rowe continues to develop as a result of playing against the best that the Premier League has to offer, he could become a vital player for the Terriers over the coming years which may even force his German boss to build a squad around him.

Whereas it is naive to suggest that the 18-year-old’s future depends on what he is able to deliver for his club over the next two months, a promising end to the campaign may force Huddersfield to reconsider their transfer policy in the summer.

With a number of players emerging from their academy this season, the Terriers will be hoping that they can usher in a new generation of homegrown talents that can represent them in the Championship and therefore follow in the footsteps of Philip Billing and Tommy Smith who have both established themselves as first-team regulars in recent years.

It was bound to happen at some point right? After their first loss since January, Wednesday fans must not be saddened but, instead, think of how good their side has been in recent weeks.

Losses are inevitable whoever you are and although Steve Bruce has done a terrific job convincing fans otherwise, even the Owls must lose at some point.

With a loss against Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday must now focus on finishing the season strong, whether that’s somehow sneaking into the play-offs or getting better prepared for next season. By which that means that Wednesday could look to give game-time to those who are deserving and are set to stay beyond the campaign, rather than others.

Although Lucas Joao hasn’t played since February and historically has a history suffering injuries, Wednesday should still look to keep the forward who is a nuisance on his day.

Joao, (who is valued at £1.8 million on Transfermarkt) is reportedly (according to the Sun via HITC) a player who Sheffield Wednesday may look to get rid of this summer and understandably so due to his injury record.

Yet putting that to one side, you will also discover that Lucas Joao has nine goals this season and it has to be said that when fit, Joao is a player you would want in your team. Unlike their current striking options like Sam Winnall and Atdhe Nuhiu, Joao on his day is a goalscorer that can be relied upon and is a great option in the Championship.

The Owls need to ensure they improve rather than decline this summer and selling Lucas Joao would be a bad move considering how good he can be.

Do you agree that Lucas Joao deserves to stay at Sheffield Wednesday? If not, why not? Let us know!

[ad_pod ]Sheffield United swept a poor Nottingham Forest team aside at Bramall Lane on Friday, and fans are once again delighted with the progress of Enda Stevens.While Leeds dropped points, Sheffield United took care of business on Friday afternoon, with several key players putting in superb performances in a 2-0 win.Jack O’Connell was monstrous at the back, Mark Duffy and David McGoldrick caused plenty of problems up front while John Fleck and Oliver Norwood ran the show in midfield.No one was more impressive than Stevens though, whose transition from traditional left-back to left-wing-back since joining the Blades has been remarkable.Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…Chris Wilder has turned the Irishman into one of the best full backs in the league, and his strike in the win takes his tally to two for the campaign, along with an impressive six assists.Fans are delighted with the 28 year-old’s form and Wilder deserves huge credit for getting the best out of him in a role he did not play at Portsmouth.You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

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According to the Daily Mail, Crystal Palace are interested in signing Aston Villa star Jack Grealish if Wilfried Zaha does depart the club this summer.

The Ivory Coast international recently revealed that he is keen to experience Champions League football.

If the Eagles No.11 did depart Selhurst Park this summer it would be a real blow to a fanbase who have watched him develop into a player of real pedigree since swapping Manchester United for Palace but, having said that, Grealish is a real talent himself and would be a great signing.

Has this guy found the worst stadium in English football? Decide for yourself by watching the video below…

Let’s take a look at the potential consequences of the Villans academy graduate arriving in south London…

Immediately high expectations and potential failure

If the 23-year-old is signed with the Zaha money and deployed in place of where the Ivorian once stood, it may not bode well for Grealish. Zaha is the club’s talisman, the one who makes them tick, and any man signed as a ‘replacement’ for the former Cardiff winger will immediately find themselves under a lot of pressure to perform to his level.

This definitely won’t be an ideal scenario, especially as Grealish has spent a few years out of the top-flight, and it could potentially see him fail at Palace as a result.

Other problem areas not sorted

It is no secret to the Selhurst Park faithful that the club still haven’t adequately replaced the talents of Yohan Cabaye, a calming presence in the middle of the park alongside Luka Milivojevic.

Additionally, when Michy Batshuayi returns to Chelsea this summer at the end of his loan spell, Roy Hodgson will have just the goal-shy Christian Benteke and the injury-prone Connor Wickham as his striking options – both of the aforementioned areas need investment.

United shrewdly inserted a sell-on clause when they sold Zaha back to Palace, which would entitle them to 25% of the profits if the Eagles did sell the forward – as a result, there may only be enough money for Grealish, who Spurs saw a £25m bid rejected for back in the summer.

Still no game time for Max Meyer?

The majority of Max Meyer’s few appearances since arriving on a free transfer last summer have come as an attacking midfielder, predominantly on the left where Grealish usually plays for Villa.

It has been a source of constant frustration for the Palace fans this season that the Germany international has not started more games, and if Grealish, a man who plays in the same position as him, arrives in a big-money deal, it would almost certainly push him even further down the pecking order.

That isn’t to say that the former Schalke man will leave the club, but he most certainly won’t be happy if Grealish does arrive.

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Last weekend West Ham were made to rue a costly error from the officials. With the club staring at an impressive win over Leicester, they had a goal criminally ruled out for offside, before the Foxes then equalised minutes later to seal a 2-2 draw.

It was a game which just about summed up the Hammers’ season. They’ve been on the wrong end of some horrible refereeing decisions and that was again the case on this occasion.

But a cameo from one man provided evidence of why it’s simply baffling that he’s been so out of favour under Manuel Pellegrini.

The player in question is Lucas Perez. He doesn’t create many headlines but he’s the type of player who, with game time, has the attributes to flourish in a midtable Premier League side.

Last weekend may have been all about his namesake, Ayoze Perez, but the West Ham man was also deserving of praise.

He played just 12 minutes from the bench, a position he’s become all too familiar with during his time in English football, but he was fantastic. He made clever runs in behind and was unfortunate not to score twice.

The Spaniard did find himself on the scoresheet once, tapping home from close range after being in the right place at the right time, but he was the unfortunate man at the centre of West Ham’s disallowed goal controversy.

It was an incredibly bright cameo, one which questions why he’s started just four times in the league this term. West Ham have plenty of talented strikers but with none finding consistency, perhaps he should have been the beneficiary.

Football FanCast sources revealed only last month that West Ham are planning a clear out of their strikers but Perez is someone who needs to stick around.

After all, the goals he’s scored for Deportivo La Coruna in Spain is evidence of his ability to perform in mid-table teams and that could be vital for a side like West Ham.

Before moving to Arsenal in 2016, he scored 17 goals for the La Liga outfit. He then notched eight goals and claimed six assists on loan at the same team last season.

He’s shown he’s a creative player and a hat-trick for Arsenal in the Champions League against Basel tells you all you need to know of his quality.

But perhaps it’s telling that players with European pedigree continue to underperform at West Ham. Maybe there’s a deeper rooted issue within the club.

Either way, Perez deserves more than the way he’s been treated in England and after his latest performance, Pellegrini needs to place more trust in him.

As the Irons gear up to take on Spurs, there’s a certain narrative in the air that a former Arsenal man could damage their top four hopes.

From a Gunners point of view, that may be too much to ask but they can certainly hope.

When the 5 ft 9 striker arrived in England in August 2016, Arsene Wenger told the Arsenal website; “He’s not only a goalscorer, he’s a guy who combines well with partners, who can give a final ball and makes good runs.”

And from his outing against Leicester that is evident, particularly with his willing runs.

Perez has a resilient nature about him and his career path shows how hard he’s had to work to be where he is. He’s made his way through Ukrainian football with Karpaty Lviv and Dynamo Kiev before also playing for Greek Super League side POAK.

It’s an interesting career path that’s led him to England but possibly now more than ever, he deserves a run in the Premier League. West Ham have nothing to play for between now and the end of the season and they could do far worse than turning to Perez to solve their attacking issues.

A move away looks as though it beckons and at the age of 30 it’s no surprise. However, his three goals from just four starts this term suggests there’s still something to work with.

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When the PFA announced its shortlist for the Young Player of the Year last weekend there were some startling absentees.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, arguably the best right back in the Premier League, was left off the list, whilst James Maddison, impressive in his debut top-flight campaign with Leicester, also missed out.

However, there’s a player at Arsenal who has continued to go under the radar for large parts of the campaign and, if we’re considering this to be a Young Player of the Year award, Matteo Guendouzi has to be in the picture.

There are a couple of players on the list, Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva, that are deserving of praise this term, but are we not completely missing the point of the award? Both players are 24, hardly young in today’s game.

In comparison, Guendouzi is just 20-years-of-age. It’s a stretch to say that he deserves the overall award but the midfielder certainly should have been in the conversation.

There is a feeling that outside of Arsenal the Frenchman isn’t particularly highly rated but the way he’s settled in the Premier League is undeniably impressive.

Arriving as a teenager from Lorient, Guendouzi has come from being a bit part of a Ligue 2 team to being a regular in Unai Emery’s side.

Whoever scouted him deserves a tremendous amount of praise because amongst the considerable spending we see in today’s market, the curly-haired defensive midfielder has been a remarkable pluck from essentially nowhere.

When he first signed for the club for an undisclosed fee in July of last year, no one really battered an eye-lid. Arsenal claimed he’d be a part of the first team squad but not many would not have imagined the impact he’d have at the highest level so soon.

For a man who doesn’t speak too much English, he’s settled at the elite level in some fashion and his ability to dictate the tempo of Premier League games, renowned for its fast pace, is equally spectacular.

He’s stood out against some of the top sides as well, no less so than against Chelsea a couple of months ago. The fact Emery trusts him in the big games just goes to show how much of an impact he’s made in north London.

It’s easy to go overboard on a young player but the 20-year-old possesses qualities the club hasn’t seen since the Invincibles era and the early days of Arsene Wenger.

In Wenger’s first decade or so at the club, he had players like Martin Keown and Patrick Vieira. They were no-nonsense individuals and stood up to the opposition if something wasn’t going their way.

Amongst the composure and technical ability, Guendouzi also has this. The way he got right in the face of Wilfried Zaha last weekend is all the evidence you need.

It’s probably no surprise, therefore, that he gets fouled as many times a game as he does. He’s a nuisance and that’s what makes him a joy to watch at times.

There aren’t too many comparisons to the 6 ft midfielder in the Premier League but Declan Rice, a nominee for the Young Player of the Year, seems a natural player to pit against him.

Rice has been outstanding this season and is arguably one of the front runners for the award. But in some senses, Guendouzi has been just as impressive.

His pass success is better than Rice’s, hardly surprising given Arsenal enjoy a lot of possession, whilst his wonderful vision is displayed by the 0.6 key passes per game he makes.

Pl>ymaker FC’s Bhav runs down his Arsenal transfer wish list in the video below…

But despite that, the West Ham man’s defensive stats are considerably higher. You can either look at this and say that the Hammers have more work to do in that third of the pitch or you can argue the fact that Rice is simply better in that area.

If you focus on the season as a whole, Rice has been the better player, only just. But, you have to take into account that Guendouzi has come straight into one of the top sides in the country.

The France U21 international still has a long way to get to the level of some of the players on the shortlist, but it certainly wouldn’t be surprising if individual accolades came in the future.