[ad_pod ]Leeds could be handed a big fitness boost in the next couple of weeks, as Phil Hay has delivered an update on the condition of Jack Clarke.Leeds have had horrific luck with injuries this season, made even worse by the fact that Marcelo Bielsa’s squad was relatively thin to begin with.Clarke became the latest man on the injury list at Middlesbrough, as the youngster was stretchered from the Leeds sideline during the 1-1 draw at the Riverside.Clarke was taken to hospital for tests, and it is now understood that he was suffering from a virus.According to The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Phil Hay, the teenager will do indoor gym work this week and return to outdoor training next week, though not yet with the first team.
A boost before the Baggies
While Clarke still has plenty of recovery time in front of him, the fact that he is looking to shake it off and return as quickly as possible is fantastic news for Bielsa.
Kemar Roofe is out with a knee injury and Pablo Hernandez will turn 34 in April and has played a lot of games this season, so depth is absolutely crucial as the Whites look to keep pace with the teams around them.
Clarke’s ability to beat a defender and whip in a dangerous cross is matched by very few wingers in the Championship, and while next Tuesday’s clash against QPR may come too soon, he is surely eyeing the hugely important fixtue at the start of next month.
Leeds welcome West Brom to Elland Road on March 1 in a match that could ultimately decide who goes up automatically and who endures the play-off gauntlet, and Clarke’s potential return will be giving the Baggies’ full-backs nightmares.
Crystal Palace fell to a gutting 2-1 defeat at the hands of their bitter rivals Brighton on Saturday, with the result meaning that both clubs are now level on points with eight games to go.
The Seagulls had one real opportunity to score – Anthony Knockaert’s winner simply cannot be called a chance – and took advantage, with former Eagle Glenn Murray capitalising on a combination of swirling wind and poor judgement on James Tomkins’ part to get in behind and fire clinically beyond a helpless Vicente Guaita.
The aforementioned clinching goal scored by Knockaert was a result of a breakdown of Palace possession in the final third and an excellently picked out pass out to the wing from Dale Stephens, who then watched his French teammate beat Patrick van Aanholt far too easily and offload a postage-stamp strike into the top corner from outside the box.
Roy Hodgson’s side took their time to build up and create chances while Brighton won the ball back and had it in their opposition’s net merely seconds later.
Chris Hughton’s men soaked up pressure excellently and looked to hit their hosts on the counter wherever possible – it worked, and the Seagulls beat Palace at their own game.
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Prior to the loss, the Eagles had torn Burnley apart at Turf Moor in a stellar away performance where the Clarets were the aggressors – as the home side often are – and Palace were dangerous every time they got the ball forward with speed.
The impressive victory was far from a fluke, though, as Palace’s form away from Selhurst Park is up there with the top teams in 2019, whereas their record at SE25 this season if woeful.
The defeat to Brighton was their eighth of the campaign at home and the loss will surely serve as an indicator to everyone at and involved with Palace that there is a clear need for a classic number 10 in the ranks when they aren’t afforded space for counter-attacks.
Now, Max Meyer may seem to be a ready-made solution but the young German often doesn’t get his head up quick enough to find the killer pass and, by the time he does, the opposition midfield or defence is on him like a pack of wolves – at 5-foot-7, the former Schalke man doesn’t have the physical attributes to keep the ball.
Meyer has wasted his opportunities when deployed in his preferred central role this season and looks far more effective in a wider position, where he is allowed to drift in – he isn’t the player to resolve Palace’s struggles in breaking down deep-sat opposition.
Hodgson currently seems to prefer Luka Milivojevic as his playmaker in chief, with the two central midfielders ahead of the Palace captain expected to make runs into the box off of Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha – really, they should be teeing up the aforementioned duo instead.
This approach was extremely ineffective against the Seagulls, whose banks of four and five swamped the Palace runners and made the lives of Jeffrey Schlupp and James McArthur very difficult – the midfield pair took half as many touches as Milivojevic, who sat back and struggled to pick them out with regularity.
Palace have to ease the burden on the Serb by signing a proper number 10 ahead of the 19/20 season – it may require a change of system but the Eagles need a player who can split a compact defence otherwise they risk allowing their terrible record at Selhurst Park to carry on into next season.
It’s all well and good getting plenty of players forward but if you can’t provide that pin-point pass into their feet then they are useless and you leave yourself exposed on the counter.
Prior to Michy Batshuayi’s arrival at SE25 in January, the primary concern was the lack of a proven goalscorer but even Christian Benteke would have been more effective than his far superior compatriot in this game as Palace’s midfielders were incapable of spotting his runs.
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Perhaps they are still adjusting to the forward’s play style and learning when they should look up for him but, regardless, the quality of pass was rarely there – McArthur, in particular, was guilty of sloppy distribution.
There is no point having a top striker like Batshuayi, who took just 34 touches on Saturday, in the ranks if you don’t have the players who can see the runs in behind he makes – the priority in the summer, then, is to sign a top playmaker first, then worry about getting that goalscorer.
أشاد هانزي فليك، المدير الفني لفريق بايرن ميونخ، بلاعبه جوشوا كيميتش، بعد الفوز بكأس السوبر الألماني على حساب بوروسيا دورتموند.
وأحرز كيميتش هدف فوز بايرن ميونخ على دورتموند، في المباراة التي انتهت بنتيجة 3-2 لصالح الفريق البافاري (طالع تفاصيل اللقاء).
وقال فليك في تصريحات للصحفيين عقب المباراة: “كيميتش لاعب كبير، كان هدفه رائعًا، وبمثابة تتويجًا لجهوده خلال المباراة، فهو لم يستسلم حتى أسكن الكرة الشباك”.
وأضاف: “لوكاس هيرنانديز؟ أنه مقاتل كبير ويفيدنا بشكل جيد في مباريات كهذه، ولديه أيضًا بعض الصلابة المطلوبة في هذه المواجهات”.
وأردف المدرب الألماني: “لم يكن لديه وقت سهل، أعتقد أنه تخطى هذه الأوقات الآن”.
وبسؤاله عن أندربه كراماريتش، مهاجم هوفنهايم، أجاب: “أعرفه جيدًا وقلت بالفعل إنه أحد أفضل المهاجمين في البوندسليجا”.
وأتم: “أنه يملك صفات هائلة، لكن لا أعرف شيئًا عن تعاقد بايرن ميونخ معه”.
Kalvin Phillips is having a wonderful season. The Leeds United midfielder is flourishing under Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road. The Whites are currently chasing the Championship title and Phillips is playing a key role in the side.
The 23-year-old defensive midfielder provides a reliable, solid base for Leeds’ attacking contingent to build upon. Not only does he possess an excellent instinct for reading the game, his work rate, stamina and mobility make him a relentless nightmare to play against.
On the ball, the locally-born academy graduate impresses even more. Once he has won possession back for his side by breaking up an opposition attack, Phillips consistently looks to play the ball forwards. His vision and range of passing often go unaccredited as the focus is invariably on his defensive work and aggressive pressing style, but those distribution skills are just as worthy of note.
He’s certainly an easy player to love. Phillips’ dynamic, all-action, blood and thunder style never fails to invigorate the Elland Road faithful. Certainly, the midfielder is a favourite amongst the fans these days.
However, it has not been an easy journey for Phillips to get to this point. It’s never straightforward for any academy player to break into the first team at any club and force their way into the starting XI. Even though he has managed that laudable feat, Phillips has still had his critics.
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Prior to the appointment of Bielsa, who looks to have brought the best out of Phillips, the youngster was an inconsistent and often frustrating player. It wouldn’t be surprising if there were some who were ready to give up on him at Leeds. Now, though, they’ll be desperate to cling onto him.
Premier League clubs will have taken note of Phillips’ form this season. The midfielder’s application, attitude and industry may well garner some interest. In this regard, Everton must seriously consider making a swoop for the Leeds man in the upcoming summer transfer window.
If the Whites fail to seal promotion this season, then Everton should be able to prise their man away from Elland Road with a minimum of fuss. Even if Leeds do come up, the Toffees still ought to possess the financial clout to force a deal through. Marco Silva should certainly throw whatever resources he can into getting a deal done.
The Portuguese coach has suffered at Goodison Park this season thanks, in part, to his midfield. In the middle of the park, Everton lack steel and bite. The likes of Tom Davies, Andre Gomes and Morgan Schneiderlin don’t have the defensive discipline and fighting spirit that Phillips would bring.
Of the midfield contingent currently at Silva’s disposal, only Idrissa Gueye has these qualities. However, the Merseyside club will likely have to seek a replacement for the 29-year-old this summer anyway.
As reported by L’Equipe, Gueye was devastated to see a January move to PSG collapse, and hopes that the Ligue 1 giants will return for him. Either way, he has made it clear that he intends to make a step up in his career soon.
Whilst he remains untested at Premier League level, Phillips looks like he could be the perfect replacement for Gueye. Not only that, but given he is English he would also help the Toffees achieve their homegrown player quota.
Launching a bid for the Leeds midfielder this summer is something of a gamble, but it’s certainly a risk well worth taking for Everton.
Dean Ashton has disagreed with Martin O’Neill’s opinion that Nottingham Forest deserved to take all three points from their 0-0 draw with Preston North End.
Joe Lolley thought that he had scored the winner for Forest in the second half but the referee ruled the goal out due to an alleged foul on goalkeeper Declan Rudd by Ryan Yates.
What’s the word
Forest’s second draw in a week left O’Neill fuming.
The manager, per Lancashire Live, said after the game that “we have been robbed of all three points again”.
However, Ashton, who played over 50 games in the Championship between spells with Norwich City and West Brom, disagreed with O’Neill.
“My first instinct is that it’s a foul by Ryan Yates,” he said, again per Lancashire Live, on Quest’s Football League highlights show.
“I think it’s a free-kick because he doesn’t get any of the ball.
“I think Martin O’Neill just feels a bit sorry for himself.”
Ashton gets it wrong
Ashton, famed as a physical striker during his playing days, has got this one wrong.
Lewis Grabban twisted and turned in the box before shooting low at Rudd, who failed to collect the ball. Yates ran in as the goalkeeper flapped and Lolley, naturally, rolled the ball into the back of the net.
One can see why the referee made his decision but football, at the end of the day, is a contact sport.
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This is not to mention that Rudd appeared set to stand up before seeing that Lolley was poised to score, and hit the deck once again.
O’Neill is never one to mince his words, of course, and Forest can indeed count themselves unlucky to have dropped two points.
All attention will be on the referee when they are next in action, against Derby County next week.
Newcastle fans can’t quite believe what Everton boss Marco Silva has said after the two sides played out a thrilling encounter on Saturday.
Everton rocked up to St. James’ Park on Saturday afternoon full of confidence and verve, and it showed.
Coming off the back of one of their most impressive, professional and resilient performances of the season against Liverpool, the Toffees raced out to an early lead against the Magpies.
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Of course, an epic comeback including goals from Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez turned the match on its head, and ex-Sunderland ace Jordan Pickford had an absolute nightmare in the second half.
The English international was lucky not to be sent off in the first half, then saved a penalty and spent the next 20 minutes winding up the home support, only to let the first Newcastle goal go straight through him and make a complete mess of the second.
Silva doesn’t think the 25 year-old was affected by the crowd though, saying: “Jordan is an expressive player.
“Two seasons ago he made a big step in his career coming to us and, then, playing at the level he played for the national team in the World Cup and he is able to cope with all atmospheres in all stadiums around the world.
“I’m not thinking that the good and not so good things he did in the game were because of the crowd.”
It was clear for all to see that Pickford let the occasion get the best of him though, and Newcastle fans are crucifying Silva’s verdict on what has become a key talking point from Saturday’s clash.
[ad_pod ]West Brom truly announced themselves in the Championship title race with a sensational 3-2 win over QPR on Tuesday, with Jake Livermore scoring his first goal of the season in the fourth minute of injury time to take all three points back to The Hawthorns.The victory puts the Baggies just one point behind former league leaders Leeds, who will have the opportunity to regain their seat at the top on Saturday against Bolton.While Livermore stole the headlines, debutant Jefferson Montero, on loan from Swansea, scored five minutes in to give his side the lead but, other than that early show of promise, cut a disappointing figure.Watch the best fails from the world of indoor football in the video below…Eventually replaced by Rekeem Harper just before the hour, the Ecuadorian winger looked unfit and will surely be used more as an impact sub later in games from now on, especially considering Dwight Gayle appears likely to be back in contention for the crucial clash with Sheffield United this weekend.Here’s how Baggies fans reacted to the 5 foot 7 speedster’s performance on Twitter…
Premier League strugglers Southampton face a tough task on Sunday as they travel to the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal.
A win would see the Saints escape the relegation zone, and given they beat the Gunners at St Mary’s Stadium earlier in the campaign Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side will know that they have what it takes to get a result.
However, the threat that Unai Emery’s side pose cannot be underestimated.
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On the chalkboard
The north London club have plenty of star quality to call upon in the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Mesut Ozil, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey. However, Alex Iwobi is another danger man who Hasenhuttl can’t afford to forget about.
The 22-year-old winger has been a regular starter this season, forming a key part of Emery’s plans for his team. The 21-cap Nigeria international may not have the individual talent of some of Arsenal’s other aforementioned stars, but he serves a vital function in the Gunner’s team.
Emery generally takes a fairly conservative tactical approach, preferring not to overload his side with attacking players. As such, a small forward contingent generally sits ahead of a bulkier defensive unit. Iwobi is often tasked with linking these two separate elements of the Arsenal team. The academy product’s power, dribbling ability, pace and ability to drive forward with the ball make him well-suited to this role.
The man to target
By targeting Iwobi, Southampton can aim to limit his ability to influence the match. As a result of this, Arsenal’s attacking aces could struggle to get into the game themselves.
Hasenhuttl must charge Mario Lemina, or someone else with the diligence and mobility to consistently track Iwobi, with upsetting the Arsenal man’s rhythm throughout the game. Failure to make Iwobi toil could see the likes of Lacazette and Aubameyang thrive.
أعلن المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي أستون فيلا، دين سميث، عن تشكيل اللاعبين الذين سيخوضون مباراة ستوك سيتي في دور الـ16 من بطولة كأس الرابطة الأندية الإنجليزية.
وتنطلق المباراة بين الفريقين في تمام الساعة الثامنة مساءً بتوقيت “القاهرة” على ملعب “فيلا بارك” بقيادة الحكم، روبرت جونز.
وشهد تشكيل أستون فيلا تواجد أحمد المحمدي كأساسي بحسب ما أعلن الحساب الرسمي للنادي على موقع “تويتر”، ولكن استبعد سميث تريزيجيه من قائمة المباراة.
اقرأ أيضًا | شوبير: نجلي يتعرض للهجوم بسببي.. الشناوي رفض المشاركة من أجله وتريزيجيه دعمه
تشكيل أستون فيلا أمام ستوك سيتي
حراسة المرمى: ستير.
الدفاع: تايلور، هاوس، المحمدي، جولبر.
الوسط: ناكامبا، رامسي، لانسبري.
الهجوم: تراوري، الغازي، ديفيز.
وعلى مقاعد البدلاء: كالينتش، كاش، كونسا، هورايهاني، لويز، جوتا، ويتكنز.
Morgan Schneiderlin’s resurgence at Everton could potentially alter Marco Silva’s summer transfer plans, but should save the Toffees a whole load of cash.
What’s the word, then?
Well, since signing from Manchester United in a deal potentially rising to £24m, the Frenchman has failed to convince the Goodison Park faithful that he has been worth the money.
He has been booed by the club’s supporters following an alleged training ground row, and has seen his confidence become shot under both Ronald Koeman and Silva, the latter of whom is convinced by his quality and is keen to help him rediscover his mojo.
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Recently, however, the former Southampton man has two successive starts against both Cardiff and Liverpool – the fact that he was trusted to start the Merseyside derby speaks volumes of how his fortunes with the Toffees are starting to change.
Transfer plans ripped up
Everton were reportedly in for Lyon midfielder Lucas Tousart back in the summer, and again in January, but were rejected twice by the defensive midfielder who they are obviously intent on landing – one would assume that they will make another move for him in the summer.
However, what Silva and the Toffees perhaps weren’t banking on is Schneiderlin to turn his Toffees career around impressively in such a short space of time, a factor which could potentially see the club bin their plans to sign Tousart or in fact another defensive midfield option.
Idrissa Gueye has also performed admirably since his attempts to force a move to Paris Saint-Germain in January failed.
So, with the pair bang in form and in the prime years of their career, Silva should perhaps focus on recruiting in another area which needs some investment, such as the right-back position, and trust his current options to do the job in the defensive midfield areas.