Southampton fans have had it tough this season. The Saints don’t win many games and with just six wins out of 29 attempts in the Premier League games this season the fans will have been gutted not to have got their 7th against Manchester United yesterday despite the incredible level of performance that they put in.

Southampton fans who made the trip to Manchester would have been in dreamland when they saw Yan Valery step up with a cracking opener. It was a game that had five incredible goals in and the Southampton fans were absolutely gutted not to have been able to get any points from their trip, and after losing narrowly to Manchester United twice now this season, it seems they just have no luck.

If Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side can put in another nine performances in their final nine games of the Premier League season that match the one they managed yesterday then there’s no reason why they can’t be a fair few points clear of the relegation zone. At the moment the Saints are stuck in a real battle near the bottom of the table, yet with games against Brighton, Newcastle and Huddersfield to come, it’s still all in their own hands.

You can read the Saints’ thoughts on their performance here:

The Saints were delighted with their performance despite the result and will be desperate to keep up their level of performance across their last nine games.

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Everton managed to keep hold of Idrissa Gueye in the January transfer window despite relentless speculation linking him with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, but those rumours haven’t ceased to exist since the window slammed shut.

What’s the word?

The combative, diligent and incredibly consistent midfield lynchpin has been one of the stars of the Toffees’ season so far, and interest from the Ligue 1 giants has certainly been well placed.

Gueye handed in a transfer request in January to force a move through and recent quotes from the player prove that he has was bitterly disappointed not to earn a mid-season transfer, per Canal + (via Sky Sports).

“I was disappointed not to join PSG because it’s a big club and all players dream of playing in the Champions League and winning trophies.

“I was ready to go. It did not happen.”

Running out of time for a major challenge

At 29-years-old it’s fair to say that Gueye is something of a late bloomer. The Senegal international has only recently established himself as a player boasting genuine credentials of joining a side of PSG’s stature, and with time running out in his career it’s easy to understand why he’s so desperate to complete a switch.

Despite Gueye’s comments, he has upheld the highest level of professional conduct on the pitch and maintained his excellent form with speculation rumbling on in the media, but when the season reaches its conclusion it’s fair to say that a transfer away from Goodison Park is inevitable.

Silva is, much to the dismay of the supporters, fighting a losing battle to keep a key man at the club. With Everton some way from challenging for a place in the Champions League, Gueye will be drawn towards any potential suitor offering a chance to play on the grand European stage, whether it be PSG or another top club.

Without the promise of genuine challenges for silverware and European evenings to remember turning his head, the Toffees faithful will be forced to say a rueful goodbye this summer.

يُحدد الجنوب إفريقي بيتسو موسيماني، المدير الفني للنادي الأهلي، مصير أحمد عبد القادر، لاعب الأحمر الشاب الذي كان مُحترفًا بنادي سبارتا براج التشيكي، من التصعيد للفريق الأول، بعدما عاد للنادي ووقع على عقود انضمامه لمدة 5 مواسم.

أعلن النادي الأهلي استعادة لاعبه الشاب أحمد عبد القادر، الذي كان مُحترفًا بنادي سبارتا براج التشيكي، بعدما فضل اللاعب العودة إلى ناديه بعد تجربة جيدة في النادي التشيكي. طالع التفاصيل

وعلم بطولات أن الأهلي وعد أحمد عبدالقادر بتصعيده في الفريق الأول خلال الموسم المقبل بعد عودته من سلافيا براج التشيكي.

وفي حالة عدم التمكن من تصعيده قد يتم إعارته لـمدة موسم واحد، إلا أن موسيماني هو من سيتخذ القرار بعد رؤيته على الطبيعة عقب بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا

عبد القادر سيتم قيده عند فتح باب الانتقالات تحت السن، فيما سيشارك بدءًا من الموسم الجديد، حيث إنه من مواليد فريق 99 ويلعب مع فريق الشباب.

Manchester United will be looking ahead to what is set to be a big summer at Old Trafford, with various faces set to leave the club.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, now in the permanent role as manager at the club, has some big calls to make on certain players, and it will no doubt shape who he goes looking to bring into the club in terms of new signings for United.

There are bound to be plenty of rumours and stories circling around the summer months, and we here in the Tavern expect there to be some significant action in the marke for the Red Devils this time around.

And with rumours this weekend coming to light that Real Madrid could be willing to part ways with both Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos, we feel United need to make their move now to seal the world class duo before other clubs begin to get involved.

Both Bale and Kroos are players who are at the top of the game in terms of quality, and United would also be getting ready made players, not players who are going to need time to adjust to life at such a club.

Integral players to the Madrid cause in their three successive Champions League campaigns, it would appear their time with the club is now coming now to an end.

Their careers however, are not, and United would be silly not to try and entice the duo to the Premier League.

With United playing catch up to the likes of City and Liverpool these days, world class players are the ones who are going to make a difference for the club, and both Bale and Kroos fall right into that mould.

Man City’s spending over the last year or so has been about evolution, rather than revolution, under Pep Guardiola. After spending big during his debut season in England, he’s since reigned it in, instead focusing on improving a select few areas at the Etihad.

For example, bringing in Rihad Mahrez has helped to improve the attacking depth without replacing any of the brilliant performers from last season. There’s no need for City to bring in 10 world class players because they’ve already got a great squad, but what they do continue to need is minor improvements.

Particularly, the centre of the midfield is an area needing attention. Fernandinho is 33-years-old, and the Brazilian can’t keep playing every week forever.

Fortunately, this is an area that City are apparently looking to improve, at least according to the Express. The English publication is reporting that Tanguy NDombele of Lyon is a target of the Citizens. A natural central midfielder, he’d certainly fit right into the team in place of Fernandinho, and his arrival could give City’s team a new lease on life heading into next season.

Whilst there’s a lot of football still to play at the Etihad this term, it’s important to think about next year, and what could City’s team look like, especially if Ndombele arrives?

In goal, it’s hard to look past Ederson. The Brazilian has been brilliant since moving to the Etihad, and his skill with the ball at his feet makes him vital to the way that this team works. City would struggle to find better than him, and he’ll keep his place for a long while yet.

In defence, there’s a lot of scope for change, but who could get the nod? Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker seem like obvious choices on the flanks, as whilst both have had their own issues this term – like fitness and form concerns – the reality is that they’re undeniably the best players in their respective roles at the club. In the heart of the defence, there are some decisions to make. Who should start out of Vincent Kompany, Aymeric Laporte, John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi? It’s very tough, but Laporte’s very impressive form would make him a good choice, you’d think. Alongside him, Vincent Kompany makes sense – helping to build the young and old dynamic – but Stones or Otamendi would be good alongside either man too.

In midfield, Ndombele would fit as the number 6 in this time in place of Fernandihno. There’s he’d be charged with ensuring that the Man City defence is protected, whilst it’s also important that he drives forward with the ball and is positive in the midfield. He’ll be the bridge between the defence and the attack, and with his great range of passing, dribbling and tackling, he’d be a great fit. He’s a jack of all trades, and at 22-years-old, he’s only getting better.

Man City’s attack is filled with quality, and nothing that hasn’t already been said can be mentioned. Between Bernardo Silva, David Silva, Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero, City have five of the best and most deadly players in European football, and they’re all at the peak of their powers. There is unlikely to be much change here because there’s simply no need for it.

Ndombele would only be a single addition to this team, but he’d add some much-needed youth to the outfit, and though he’d likely trade places with Fernandinho during his first season, he’d be the long-term option at the Etihad.

Man City fans – is this where Ndombele would fit in? Would Kompany still play? Let us know below!

دخل بيتسو موسيماني المدير الفني للنادي الأهلي قائمة المرشحين لجائزة أفضل مدرب في الدوري الجنوب إفريقي خلال الموسم الماضي.

وكان الأهلي قد أعلن تعيين موسيماني مديرًا فنيًا للفريق الأول لكرة القدم مع بداية الشهر الحالي.

واختار الحساب الرسمي للدوري الجنوب إفريقي عبر موقع “تويتر” قائمة تضم 3 مدربين مرشحين، وهم موسيماني مدرب صن داونز السابق، وإيرنست ميدندورب المدير الفني لكايز تشيفز، وإيريك تنكلر المدير الفني لماريتزبرج يونايتد.

وقاد المدرب الجنوب إفريقي الأهلي للفوز بمباراتين والتعادل في واحدة ببطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ويستعد الأهلي لمواجهة الوداد يوم السبت المُقبل في ذهاب نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

#PSLAwards20 #AbsaPrem Coach of the Season Nominees pic.twitter.com/zGYx8PMSHc

— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) October 15, 2020

It has been an incredible three years to be a Sheffield United supporter hasn’t it?

The Blades’ appointment of Chris Wilder in 2016 turned out to be a masterstroke for the club as they stormed to the League One title at the end of that season before finishing in the top half of the Championship last year.

The 2018/19 campaign has seen them reach new heights as United are now within touching distance of a return to the top flight of English football after 12 years away.

Wilder’s side are currently second in the league standings and hold a one point-lead over Leeds United yet they are by no means guaranteed to achieve automatic promotion with the club facing eight season-defining fixtures.

To achieve their goal of Premier League football next season, they will need their players to avoid becoming complacent against sides who they realistically should be beating giving the nature of their performances this season.

One individual in particular could provide the spark needed for the Blades to get over the finishing line by finally proving his worth at the club. Kieran Dowell joined United on loan from Everton in January and was thought to be the solution to Wilder’s side’s occasional issues with providing creativity for the likes of Billy Sharp and David McGoldrick.

However, the midfielder has yet to show the consistency needed to succeed at Championship level despite clearly being a promising young player. His winning goal against West Bromwich Albion in February outlined just what he is capable of and if he can provide more moments like that in the coming weeks, it could make all the difference between automatic promotion and the lottery of the play-offs.

More importantly for Dowell, by demonstrating Premier League-level qualities in the Championship, he may finally be given a chance to play in the top-flight on a regular basis, whether it be with his parent club Everton or as part of the Blades’ squad next year.

What do you think Blades fans? Does Dowell hold the key to your promotion hopes? Should Wilder make a move for the 21-year-old in the summer? Get in touch below.

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Arsenal host Manchester United on Sunday in what is surely a must-win game for both sides if they want to qualify for the Champions League next season.

The mood at Old Trafford is surely at its highest in recent memory after the Red Devils did the unthinkable in coming back from their first leg loss to PSG to progress to the Champions League last eight; Arsenal, meanwhile, fell to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Rennes on Thursday night.

The clash promises goals and, despite form indicating that United are the favourites, it will be anyone’s game. Speculating ahead of these heavyweight ties is often difficult as both teams are certainly capable of taking all three points – Football Fancast’s Arsenal apologist Will Jones and the TT’s resident Chelsea fan Alex Rigby are going to do their best, though.

Below they offer their predictions ahead of the huge game…

Both sides have been hit with lots of injuries this season but who do you think has had it worse? 

Alex: “Probably not so much about who’s had it worse as who’s dealt with it better. Manchester United have shown these past few weeks that they’ve got the quality and guile to pull through anything, whereas Arsenal have been falling down with a fight. “

Will: “We’re missing some key men in Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin and Danny Welbeck, but when you look at the sheer number of first team stars that Manchester United had to cope without in their clash with PSG it’s hard to argue that injuries aren’t hitting them harder at the minute.

“The problem for Arsenal is that the Red Devils have a squad better equipped to cope with such a crisis, whereas Unai Emery is having to play Shkodran Mustafi at right-back when, of course, he probably shouldn’t be a professional footballer at all.”

Indeed, Bellerin’s non-appearance in particular has surely cost Arsenal in recent weeks – the Spaniard offers crucial width to the Gunners’ attack. Emery’s list of wounded might be few but the absences are still notable, particularly when, as Will says, an error-prone Mustafi is deployed on the right of defence in Bellerin’s stead.

At the other end of the spectrum, United’s injury list stretches into double figures – Solskjaer was without a number of big names on Wednesday, including Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard.

Fortunately for the Red Devils, though, they have unbelievable strength in depth and, with Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford firing on all cylinders, they have been able to get results regardless.

Who should start up front in this game and why? Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Alexandre Lacazette?

Will: “Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is our top scorer and one of the most natural goal-getters in English football. However, he’s not himself at the minute. The late penalty miss against Spurs looks to have battered his confidence.

“The manager now has a tough call to make – does he play Aubameyang through this sticky patch or turn to Alexandre Lacazette? Personally, I’d opt for the Frenchman, and plan to bring on Aubameyang’s pace in the second half to stretch the tired opposition defence “

Alex: “Lacazette. Big game player who’s done tremendously well when he’s needed most.”

Few managers in the Premier League can attest to having two fantastic strikers to choose from – Emery can though. The Spaniard has ummed and ahhed between the two hitmen all season and both offer so much to the Gunners attack.

Aubameyang hit the ground running after signing from Borussia Dortmund and recently broke the record for the fastest Arsenal player to reach 25 Premier League goals, achieving the feat in just 37 games. Lacazette, however, took a little longer to get going but has now proved himself to be, as Alex says, a big game player.

The Gabonese forward’s pace is unrivalled and will cause the United defence plenty of problems while the Frenchman’s ability to operate in tight spaces will also make him a threat wherever he receives the ball. Whichever Emery opts for on Sunday, Chris Smalling and co have a difficult task on their hands.

Where are the key battles going to take place in this game? 

Alex: “Arsenal’s back line surely. Big Romelu Lukaku absolutely bullied the Gunners in the FA Cup – recently enough for them to still be feeling it – and his performances against Southampton and PSG look like he’s not slowing anytime soon.”

Will: “Going forward there’s no doubt that Arsenal have the quality to hurt United. However, the likes of Rashford and the in-form Lukaku ought to be savouring the prospect of facing the Gunners’ rearguard on Sunday.

“They may struggle against Sokratis and Laurent Koscielny, but Emery’s full-backs have to step up. If the Red Devils repeatedly get the better of Arsenal on the flanks then the hosts could be in for a long afternoon.”

Lukaku’s midweek brace took his tally for the last three games to six, with the striker also hitting doubles against Southampton and Crystal Palace; Rashford scored his maiden penalty for United on Wednesday, too, in about as high pressure circumstances possible.

The pair are the epitome of confidence at the moment and have looked like men possessed under Solskjaer – they will certainly cause the Gunners defence all kind of problems and the entire back four will have to be on their best form to deal with them.

Solskjaer has revived the classic striker combination here – Rashford is the lightning to Lukaku’s thunder – and it will be fascinating to see how they contend with the recently impressive Sokratis and Koscielny.

Are Rashford and Lukaku currently the most dangerous duo in the Premier League, then? 

Will: “Certainly, they’re in great form. However, I really do back Sokratis and Koscielny – who did a great job on Harry Kane recently – to make them toil. If Solskjaer’s forwards can get into the channels though, and exploit the space inside the full-backs, then Bernd Leno will have to be at his best to keep them out.”

Alex: “Short one – yes. Not often you see two strikers nowadays, but Solskjaer has channelled his inner Ferguson and made it work. Both look like they’re enjoying each other’s company.”

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week…

Front threes tend to be all the rage in the modern game, with two-striker approaches largely limited to the teams with considerably more stringent budgets and resources.

Such is the form of Lukaku and Rashford that one expects United’s wingers – Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez – will have a tough time earning minutes once they return to fitness and they should have no complaints.

Finally, what’s your score prediction?

Alex: “2-0 United.”

Will: “2-1. A measured prediction based on Arsenal’s home advantage or blind, desperate optimism? Your call.”

Injury: that short, unmistakable word; the heart wrenching ping, snap, twist, pull, tear or break.

It is a harsh reality sportsmen must face when competing at the highest level: that their bodies could, at any point, give in on them.

The tragic event which could befall anyone – the end of their career as they know it, at least.

Louis Saha is one of these people, one of the unfortunate few that were chosen and could do little to battle their way through the trials and tribulations of recovery.

The former Manchester United man made the switch from Craven Cottage to Old Trafford in 2004¸ presumably full of hope and anticipation for his then fledging career at one of the world’s most iconic clubs.

At 25-years-of-age there were no immediate signs of ill-health or physical fatigue – he was in the prime of his career, having already established himself as a talent at his former club Fulham, netting an impressive 26 league goals in 73 appearances.

From January to the end of the season Louis Saha was everything Manchester United could have hoped for.

He released some of the immense pressure which had been piling on Ruud van Nistelrooy in the wake of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s injury, scoring seven times in 12 Premier League appearances.

It truly was very promising stuff.

But fate reared its ugly head and cruelly struck the forward down the following season.

Saha would spend a month out of action after picking up an injury on international duty – a largely unnecessary risk players faced during the period of obsolete ‘friendly’ matches, pre-UEFA Nations League.

He returned but was never the same. Indeed, like with most injuries, players carry scarring; not the kind you can see, but the type that harbours itself inside the players head – those niggling worries that the injury may hit again.

And it did – a savage blow of stark similarity rained upon him – the same infliction under the very same circumstances on international duty.

He would spend two months out.

And again. Three months sidelined at the start of the following season.

In an amazing display of defiance Saha would return and re-establish himself in the first-team scoring 15 goals during the 2005/06 campaign, later replacing the outbound Ruud van Nistelrooy, who joined Real Madrid in summer 2006.

Saha burdened the responsibility well. He had become the player Manchester United initially invested in; the pacey, mercurial, goalscoring talent that belonged in the starting line-up.

There was some consistency about his game until he was hit with more complication – this time affecting his groin and hamstring.

A single, paltry goal would sit solitarily alone on Saha’s record that season – a sad indication that the injuries had taken their toll.

An absence from Manchester United’s famous Champions League victory would be the final nail in the coffin for Saha, and he would agree to be moved on later that year.

Injuries would ultimately hamper his career at Everton, Sunderland and Lazio, where he eventually retired.

When asked by Shortlist who the best forward he played with was Wayne Rooney answered: “That’s so hard. There are so many… [thinks hard] I’m going to say Louis Saha. He’s a fantastic player; a real handful for anyone and I just really enjoyed playing off him. He was so lively and made great runs in behind. Always making space for others.”

This is both a testament to his quality and the catastrophic turn his career took.

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Leeds United maintained their momentum in the Championship title race with a 3-0 win over relegation-threatened Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Whites went ahead via a Mateusz Klich strike before a well-taken Pablo Hernandez brace sealed the points. It would have been a far more emphatic margin of victory, though, had Patrick Bamford managed to convert any of his numerous goal-scoring opportunities. However, the No. 9 failed to be clinical and spurned the chances.

Since signing for the Yorkshire club in the summer, Bamford has endured an injury-hit first campaign at Elland Road. The 25-year-old has only managed fourteen league outings so far. As per Transfermarkt’s stats, the striker has racked up six goals in that time.

Despite his struggles against the Royals, Bamford has certainly been in good form recently. However, he is a striker who often needs a number of chances to present themselves before he is able to take one and score.

This is a luxury he can be afforded in the Championship. In the top flight though, which Leeds are aiming for, such profligacy would not go unpunished. Failure to take chances in the Premier League invariably has negative consequences.

If the Whites do go up this season, they’ll want to be heading into the new campaign with a first choice striker they can rely upon to be clinical. For all the positives in his game, Bamford does not offer that security or sense of comfort. The Englishman is talented, but doubts over his ability to be prolific at the highest level persist. He may well prove to be the man capable of firing Leeds into the Premier League, but he certainly shouldn’t be the man they invest all their faith in to keep them up there.

Who do you want to see promoted this year? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have picked their 3 favoured teams in the video below…

Danny Mills, speaking on the LS11 podcast, as quoted by This is Futbol, recently stated that “the way he plays is probably better suited to Premier League football.” Bamford is yet to prove he can thrive in the Premier League though, and has had a number of opportunities to do so in the past, with the likes of Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Norwich City, Burnley and Middlesbrough. 

Of course, he is older now, more experienced and developed, and perhaps more ready to face the challenge of the top flight. However, for Leeds to expect just him and Kemar Roofe to be able to keep them in the top tier next season would represent a huge gamble. 

Bamford has the chance to make himself a Leeds hero this season. If he is able to do so, the resulting promotion should be the catalyst for the club’s search for a new first choice striker. Manager Marcelo Bielsa must recognise this reality and be prepared to bring in stern competition for his current strikeforce this summer. A failure to do so would see his side struggle to score the goals needed to compete in the Premier League.