All posts by z3u9t.icu

Marcelo Bielsa was an absolute revelation in the Championship last season.

The Argentine played some of the most beautiful and exciting football the second-tier had ever seen, and Leeds were absolutely steamrolling teams at the start of last season. A 4-1 win over Derby told the story.

Watch Leeds United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

The Whites’ success has carried through to this campaign as they currently sit in and around the main contenders for promotion, but a number of fans feel that the quality of football on offer at Elland Road has regressed.

It’s hard to disagree with that sentiment either as Leeds have netted six fewer goals than they had at this point in the previous campaign, and they’ve not scored more than one in any of their last six matches.

The football may be less entertaining, but the results are still coming as the Yorkshire outfit are currently one point better off than they were this time last year.

However, after a season of glorious football under Bielsa, some supporters have grown accustomed to being entertained, and they seem far from happy with what they’re seeing this term.

Here’s what Leeds fans have been saying on Twitter…

Real Madrid probably hoped for a better game against Club Brugge at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Even though they managed to salvage a 2-2 draw, having fallen 2-0 behind, Real have just a point to their name after two Champions League matches.

But there are still plenty of games to be played and not all is lost just yet.

Watch Spanish Football Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

One player that got the fans’ blood boiling, though, was, of course, Thibaut Courtois.

The former Chelsea star seemingly can’t catch a break with the Madridistas. They fumed at his performance against PSG and have vented similar anger after this disappointing European result too.

After conceding two goals versus Brugge, the Belgian was subbed off following the first 45 minutes and in came Alphonse Areola.

Zinedine Zidane stated the substitution was due to discomfort but the fans didn’t really care about the reason behind it.

Some of them were simply happy he was off and some even wished him a long recovery, but lots of them just want him either sold or dropped.

You can see some of the reactions and replies from Real Madrid fans on Twitter down below:

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

In recent reports from Football Insider, Everton are set to make a January move for current Lyon striker Moussa Dembele now the club have dropped into the relegation zone after just eight games.

What’s happened this season?

The Toffees have been woeful in front of goal this term, with the club scoring just six times in the Premier League – the third-lowest across the competition. On the forward line, Marco Silva has been left red-faced as Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison, and Bernard remain the only players to hit the back of the net in the Premier League so far.

Other forwards such as Theo Walcott and Cenk Tosun have more than struggled in recent times, whilst summer signing Moise Kean has not even looked like scoring, averaging just 1.1 shots per game in the league for his new side.

Despite Kean scoring six times in 13 Serie A games for Juventus during the previous campaign, expecting a 19-year-old to copy his form from a championship-winning side with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, to Everton, was a long shot. And whilst he may come good, they can no longer wait for this to happen, with an early relegation scrap their main concern now.

Elsewhere, it is important to also remember that whilst Calvert-Lewin may have two goals so far in the league, the 23-year-old has an alarming 21 goals in 102 appearances for the Toffees in total, which translates to a goals per game ratio of just 0.2.

Watch Everton Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Is Dembele the answer?

Everton need a goalscorer, and the 6-foot Frenchman has continued to smash in the goals back in his homeland having left Scotland with 51 goals in 94 appearances for Celtic. This season alone, the former Fulham man has netted six times in eight games in Ligue 1, putting him joint-second in the race for Golden Boot.

In the last campaign, Dembele bagged an impressive 15 league goals over 33 games for Lyon, in what was his debut season at the club. As time goes on and as he continues to grow as a central striker, it seems that the ex-Celtic man is only going to improve.

In today’s transfer climate, a move for a prolific 23-year-old striker would be far from cheap, considering Ayoze Perez joined Leicester City for £30m having only scored 20 league goals in 78 games for Newcastle over two years.

There is also the matter that Dembele is playing Champions League football with Lyon, which may force the Toffees to throw in a little more cash than usual to prize him away. But whatever the price tag, Marcel Brands should seriously consider this French star to bring them out of the drop zone.

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

Garry Monk’s start to life as Sheffield Wednesday boss is already throwing up some interesting dilemmas.

He was appointed last weekend to finally put a permanent name to the vacant managerial job at Hillsborough, replacing caretaker Lee Bullen, who takes a step back into his backroom staff.

The 40-year-old likes to play a 4-4-2 formation, as displayed by his tactics at Birmingham City last season, so there could well be a spot up for grabs next to Steven Fletcher.

More crucially, he comes into the role knowing the Owls’ captain, Tom Lees, is facing time on the injury table after it was reported that he flew to Spain to receive treatment on his hamstring.

This leaves a position open at the back to partner August’s Player of the Month, Julian Borner, as they face local rivals Huddersfield Town on Sunday.

On the Chalkboard

The club aren’t really rife with options at centre-half – right-back Dominic Iorfa played the full 90 there against QPR last time out, and that didn’t exactly go to plan as they were defeated 2-1, while David Bates is yet to start in the Champions League this season.

It could mean that Sam Hutchinson is moved into a deeper position, especially as his passing abilities and previous experience in the role are particularly appealing – the 30-year-old has been averaging a passing success rate of 83.5% this season.

This, in turn, causes a knock-on effect, leaving a potential place for someone in the heart of midfield.

Massimo Luongo could be a player that catches Monk’s eye having been a thorn against him in the past when he was the manager at Leeds United.

Watch Sheffield Wednesday Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

The 25-year-old contributed to a clean sheet at Elland Road and was one of the star performers earning a perfect ’10’ WhoScored rating as well as recording 13 out of 15 successful dribbles and three key passes.

his time in south Yorkshire hasn’t yet gone to plan after joining the club this summer, making just four substitute appearances in the league.

Maybe Monk can be the man to reignite the form which saw him become a very popular figure at QPR, where he contributed directly to 26 goals in 152 appearances, per Transfermarkt.

There’s not a better opportunity to see what Luongo can offer than this weekend.

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

Everton have underperformed this season, particularly away from home, but their fortunes could change if Marco Silva opts for a 3-5-2 formation.

On the chalkboard

There are many concerns with the Everton team currently. They look lacklustre in attack, at times lacking in ideas – as shown by their average of 3.4 shots on target per game – whilst last season’s weakness at defending set-pieces has continued this term, with three in five matches.

Added to that, there is concern over a lack of leadership in the squad. Gary Neville has pointed to a lack of faith amongst the players, and that meant the side capitulated when falling behind for the second time against Bournemouth.

“Still a fragility with them and belief issue. It frustrates me so it must frustrate Everton fans.”

– Gary Neville on Everton’s away form

In fact, Everton have never come from behind to win under Silva in the league, and that is partly due to their inability to apply pressure on the opposition for prolonged periods. Even if they do, they often fail to create an opening, as the Aston Villa match showed.

A change in approach to play with a high press has helped, and it nearly led to a goal on Sunday, so Silva should continue with it.

To make it most effective, however, he needs his attacking players to sit high up the pitch, and that would be most easily achieved by playing two up-front.

The solution to multiple problems

Firstly, playing two strikers would give the opposition more to think about, whilst allowing the Toffees to defend from the front, which is necessary given their recent rate of conceding.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Moise Kean have both looked out of sorts so far, with one goal between them, but the opportunity to play off one another could allow them more space in the final third and from that more chances on goal could open up.

Kean’s pace would be very effective when pressing too, with Richarlison operating just behind him in a role which would grant him the freedom to roam – and that is what gets the best out of the Brazilian, as he had chances to score from the left and the right flank against the Cherries.

Watch Everton Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Silva has rarely played with two strikers since his arrival in England, possibly due to his concerns over the defence after conceding three goals inside 32 minutes against Manchester United whilst at Watford.

However, playing three centre-backs – which would include Mason Holgate – would provide greater protection, making the Toffees more resolute at set-pieces whilst allowing the full-backs to get forward, something they thrive upon.

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Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League credentials are firmly part of the ongoing title race narrative once again in light of a series of surprising results for both Liverpool and Manchester City.

What’s the word?

Football opinions are often destroyed and formed within the blinking of an eye; short-term thinking is at the core of popular opinion. When Harry Kane hobbled off the Wembley turf with only one leg to stand on in the aftermath of Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat against Manchester United, the writing had been plastered on the wall: their title ambitions were in tatters.

Fast-forward little over three weeks and a collection of surprise results later and Spurs are seemingly back in the race.

Question marks remain over Mauricio Pochettino’s pedigree after they crashed out of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup within the space of a few short days, but Jurgen Klopp’s assessment on their credentials suggests otherwise, as per Football.London.

“Tottenham have come from behind and had a very difficult situation until recently when they have done brilliantly winning games late with lots of injury problems,” he said after Liverpool’s 1-1 draw away at West Ham.

“They are 100 per cent in the race.”

Tottenham’s never-say-die attitude is telling

One of the most commonly accepted football truisms goes something like this: if you’re winning in the face of adversity – whether it be during an injury crisis or when performances are mediocre at best – then you are showcasing the mark of champions.

Tottenham have not been completely riddled by injuries of late from a quantitative perspective, but the fact they have been forced to operate without either Harry Kane or Dele Alli has placed them in an incredibly problematic situation.

However, despite the poor hand they have been drawn, Spurs have battled to a hat-trick of league victories in a manner which evokes feelings of genuine candidacy for the Premier League title.

That Pochettino has managed to install a winning mentality into his players and grind out late goals points towards the Argentine’s title-winning pedigree, and Klopp’s admission that they remain in the hunt suggests his peers recognise that as well.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

There are many unusual things about Southampton’s Kevin Danso.

Not least the fact that the confirmation of his capture on loan from Augsburg came a whole 17 hours after the transfer window had closed, but the 20-year-old defender is a real conundrum of a footballer in more ways than one.

A starting point would be to highlight the fact that the defender used to be a midfielder in the MK Dons youth ranks, where he played alongside Tottenham star Dele Alli, whilst Danso was also a striker in Reading’s academy.

He also took the bold decision to go out to Germany as a teenager, making his Bundesliga debut against Ralph Hasenhuttl’s RB Leipzig at the age of 18 years and 165 days.

More to the point – Danso’s latest act on international duty will be sure to raise Southampton eyebrows even more.

The 20-year-old took, and scored, a penalty for Austria’s Under-21 side on Thursday night.

It may presumably come as a shock to some sections of the Southampton fanbase that this young centre-back, who as we already know can play as a striker and as a centre-midfielder, can also efficiently take penalties.

What can’t Danso do?

Having arrived at St Mary’s as a centre-back, you would be forgiven for thinking that’s all he would be.

But no.

Danso has already featured at left-back for the Saints in a 2-0 win over Brighton on what was his Saints debut.

He then appeared at left-back again in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United, popping up on the right flank to grab an assist for Jannik Vestergaard’s goal with a brilliant cross – he then later got sent off for picking up two yellow cards.

It cannot be denied that Danso is an entertaining character to say the least, and the presumably unknown fact prior to now that he could take penalties is sure to be enough to raise Southampton eyebrows yet again.

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A huge Newcastle United transfer claim has been made regarding their pursuit of Diego Carlos…

What’s the talk?

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Magpies will make another move to land the Brazil defender this week as they attempt to bolster Eddie Howe’s squad. Sevilla are said to be working hard to avoid cashing by rejecting the Toon’s interest so far.

Romano tweeted: “Newcastle will push again in the next hours for Diego Carlos. Sevilla are trying to resist in every way as they did for Koundé/Chelsea deal last summer – but Newcastle are willing to insist. Key hours ahead. #NUFC Diego already agreed personal terms days ago. He’s waiting.”

Fans will be delighted

Newcastle fans will be delighted with this update for several reasons. Firstly, the claim that Carlos is ‘waiting’ after agreeing personal terms with the club shows that there is a willingness from the defender to make the switch to St James’ Park.

This shows that he is eager to join the club and is passionate about a transfer to Newcastle, which fans will surely love in comparison to a player who needs to be convinced. The 28-year-old wants the move and the Magpies now need to find an agreement with the Spanish outfit to get it done.

The supporters will also be buzzing with Romano’s tweet as it shows that Nick Hammond, Eddie Howe and PIF are not willing to give up easily. They could have admitted defeat and moved further down their list of targets, potentially lowering the ceiling on the quality of player they can bring to the club, but instead are doing their best to land the man who could be their top target.

Fans will love this as it shows ambition and a desire to sign the best possible players to bolster the squad in the January transfer window. With Newcastle currently sat 19th in the Premier League and on just one win after 20 matches, reinforcements are needed to aid their bid to avoid relegation from the top flight, and this is why working hard to sign a player like Carlos could delight the Toon Army.

The centre-back has averaged a superb SofaScore rating of 7.16 in La Liga this season, showing that he can perform to a high level on a consistent basis in a top European league. The newly-signed Kieran Trippier is the only Newcastle player (7.30) who has averaged a higher rating than Carlos this term, and that is based on a small sample size, which highlights how big of a potential signing the Sevilla defender could be.

AND in other news, “He is set to join Newcastle”: Insider’s early morning update will leave fans buzzing…

A worrying claim has been made regarding the feeling behind the scenes at Newcastle during the January transfer window…

What’s the talk?

The Athletic’s Chris Waugh has provided an insight into how the club have felt their month has gone so far, whilst also revealing that they are far from finished ahead of deadline day.

He tweeted: “‘Frustration’ at business had been building behind the scenes, but progression of Bruno Guimaraes deal is very encouraging (let’s hope it gets done). One of several #NUFC are still looking to conclude, with summits in Saudi.”

Fans will be upset

This news will surely leave Newcastle fans feeling upset with the way PIF have handled their first transfer window at the club. They failed to bring in a full-time sporting director or director of football to come in and execute a well thought-out transfer strategy, instead bringing in Nick Hammond on a short-term deal in December to assist Eddie Howe.

Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood are the only signings of the window so far, with just over three days left to go before the window slams shut. The worry now is that the Magpies are scrambling around to complete “several” deals – according to Waugh – near deadline day, and that is not a situation the fans would have wanted at the start of January.

In an ideal world, Newcastle could have appointed a sporting director at the start of December and given them a month to work on a plan ahead of January to then be ready to go all-in during the first few weeks. It could have given Howe and the supporters a major lift to have the bulk of the club’s business done in the first half of the month, rather than rushing to bring players in during the final few days in January.

PIF are now in a position where they do not have time to negotiate and bargain with clubs, and that could lead to them overpaying for players or signing the wrong player because they do not have the time to carefully decide who they want to bring in if other targets are unavailable.

This is why Newcastle fans will be upset with the news that there is frustration behind the scenes, as it suggests that PIF have got it wrong this month. The board are seemingly not happy with the way they have handled the transfer window, and supporters could be frustrated by this due to how important January could be in the battle against relegation.

AND in other news, Howe can finally axe shocking NUFC “nightmare” with “incredible” £100k-p/w monster…

According to a report by Tuttosport (as shared by Sport Witness), Juventus are now ‘ready to agree’ a loan deal for Aaron Ramsey in the January window, with Newcastle listed as the possible destination.

The Lowdown: Serie A hasn’t worked out for Ramsey

Ramsey has had a disappointing career in the Serie A since joining giants Juventus, having failed to secure himself a spot in the side’s starting eleven. In the league this season, the Wales international has played just 98 minutes of football, spanning over three games, coming off the bench in two of those.

The former Arsenal man has endured some horrendous injuries over the years, and it seems his bad luck has followed him to Italy. Due to an unknown injury sustained in the middle of November, Ramsey has since missed nine games for Massimiliano Allegri’s side, with a return date still unknown.

As a result, Allegri is looking to offload Ramsey, as his monstrous £230,000-a-week salary is taking a heavy hit on Juventus’ finances.

The Latest: Loan deal with Newcastle?

According to a report by Tuttosport (as relayed by Sport Witness), Juventus are now ‘ready to agree’ a loan deal and Tuttosport have singled out the Magpies as the only listed destination for the player.

The situation is considered a ‘work in progress’, as it appears that Ramsey is standing his ground in regard to not taking a wage cut. A loan deal would be preferable for Newcastle in this case, as Juventus would likely pick up part of the wage bill.

The Verdict: Good deal for both parties

Ramsey is contracted to the Turin club until the summer of 2023. Therefore, if Howe’s side do get relegated to the Championship, the 31-year-old will be able to walk-away from the club and return to his big-money deal in Italy.

For Newcastle, Ramsey would be a brilliant signing in the short-term. Having created or score 91 goals in 262 appearances in the Premier League for Arsenal, the Welshman would provide the Magpies with that much-needed experience, which is critical in a relegation battle.

Wales teammate Joe Allen has claimed that Ramsey is still a ‘world-class player’, despite calls over his recent form in the Serie A. This suggests that the signing of the Juventus-man would be a fantastic addition to Howe’s Newcastle side if they can keep him fit for the relegation scrap.