All posts by h79snht.top

So Conte thinks Spurs are the best team in the Premier League, does he? Wily old Antonio, cleverly trying to distract us all from the fact Chelsea are wobbling.

Things have suddenly got a little interesting with that gap at the top shrinking to a mere four points. Harry Kane reckons beating them in the Cup will give Spurs something called a psychological edge. I’m sorry but, the thought of Tottenham having the mental strength to do anything psychological still gives me the schoolgirl giggles.

It was a bit of a shock at Old Trafford. No, not just the fact that Chelsea lost but the fact United managed to win a game at home. It turned out United were decent without Zlatan and Chelsea fell apart without Alonso. Who would have thought it would be that way around?

Spurs are showing no signs of letting up yet. Of course, they will run it a little closer before collapsing and finishing third. Poch is still bitter at “the world trying to kill Spurs” after they managed to finish third in a two-horse race last season. No Poch, we didn’t try to kill you. But, we have been here quite a few times with Spurs over the years and still continue to be amazed at the new ways conjured up of being complete bottle jobs.

I am still trying to mathematically work out how Arsenal are going to finish above Spurs, though. Admittedly, it would appear that ship has sailed. Even Dembele scored with his right peg at the weekend, which suggest all is rosy in the White Hart Lane garden. This title chase is doing wonders for avoiding all that “only ten matches left at WHL” rubbish that West Ham subjected us to last season.

Ross Barkley probably didn’t make The S*n’s Team of the Weekend. Fair play to the lad for making his response to that racist poison on the pitch. Everton have joined Liverpool in banning that rag from having anything to do with them, finally, and followed it up with a 3-1 win over Burnley. They are 6th now. Sixth! That’s going on Koeman’s CV for the summer move to wherever he can get a job.

City cruised past a Southampton side mentally anywhere but in the Premier League currently. Vincent Kompany scored, which surprised me for two reasons. Firstly, I presumed he was still injured because, well, he is always injured and secondly, the goal was scored in the second half which meant by default he had managed 45 minutes of football without going off injured. Well done, Vincent.

He let himself down after the game though, saying City were playing well at a crucial moment. Er, no Vinny, no. A crucial moment would have been earlier in the season when you couldn’t buy a win in Primark. You remember, the spell of form that banjaxed your title bid? Another crucial moment might have been against Monaco. Beating Southampton, who have barely turned up since Wembley, does not count as playing well at a crucial moment when even Liverpool are above you in the table.

Speaking of Liverpool, how many people had a little bet on West Brom scoring from a set-piece? Typical coupon buster that one. Incredibly, the Reds kept a clean sheet and managed to score. That’s a huge win and keeps them very much in the Champions League driving seat.

Leicester were strolling around at 2-0 before someone reminded them they were playing in a Champions League quarter-final second leg in a few days time. Understandably they immediately downed tools and went for a mid-afternoon siesta to get into the Madrid mindset. Palace realised this and managed to sneak a 2-2 draw, which saw Big Sam chewing gum like it has never been chewed before.

We will miss Crouchy when he’s gone, and the big man headed yet another goal. We saw a brief glimpse of the Stoke-a-lona cliche as Shakira reminded her husband Pique that she can score from distance, too.

David Moyes finds a new way to make me pick on him every week, and after a whole season of it I have to applaud him for keeping it original. When the fans are slating you for taking their club down, David, might I suggest you don’t remind them that you have the 3rd or 4th best win percentage in the Premier League? They don’t give a rats how good you were at Everton. They are slightly more concerned that you are absolute tosh today. Lee Cattermole has never struck me as the brightest of players, so his assertion that the point against West Ham gives the side hope kind of makes sense to me.

Paul Clement must be bricking it now. He’s already shown the world he isn’t cut out for managing in the Championship and that looks like exactly where he will be managing for at least the first ten games next season, before Swansea set him free to be reunited, yet again, with Carlo.

So that was the weekend, and before we go, let’s all join hands and remember that, at the time of writing, Arsenal sit 7th in the Premier League. Good work Arsene, you sign that new deal big guy.

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The coming Premier League weekend could well be what makes and breaks the two sides involved in this season’s title race. Whilst second-place Tottenham Hotspur face a difficult trip to West Ham this evening, knowing they’ll need to win to keep pressure on the Blues by reducing the four-point deficit, Chelsea will face a relegation-threatened Middlesbrough side fighting for their lives on Monday night.

Two huge games, then, which could swing momentum either way. And rather worryingly for Chelsea fans, their team could be without two key players in the form of David Luiz and N’Golo Kante, with Antonio Conte revealing both are injury concerns.

The duo have been nothing short of integral to Chelsea’s title charge this season, Kante providing almost superhuman energy in midfield and Luiz proving the perfect centre-back for the central role in a three-man defence, so the Blues could struggle to maintain their usual standard of performance without them on Monday night.

Here’s a look at how Blues fans have reacted to the news on Twitter…

Rangers have announced via their website that they will be withdrawing from the SPFL Development League next season.

What’s the story?

The Light Blues have found it difficult to have players transition from their development and academy squads into the first team in recent years and have not taken a bold step forward in order to try and address that issue head on.

They’ve obtained permission from the SPFL to be excused from the Development League in 2017/18 and they’ll be putting together a schedule of matches they will serve the young players coming through their ranks better.

As quoted by Rangers.co.uk, Head of Academy Craig Mulholland said:

Our observations and research suggests that young Scottish players between the ages of 15 and 17 are every bit as talented as their peers in other European nations and we believe we must expose them to a challenge and fixtures programme which, not only matches, but exceeds, the quality of provision experienced by their peers in these countries.

The club say they will mix cross-border matches with fixtures against the senior sides of SPFL League One and League Two teams in order to challenge their youths in a new, fresh way.

Will it work?

Time will tell whether such a strategy will work but what’s certain is that it’s at least a sign the club are taking youth development seriously, which will greatly please fans.

Supporters have long been promised that players would be able to make the grade in the first team from their academy but have often scratched their heads at the lack of talent coming through.

It could perhaps be perceived as a risk to withdraw from week-to-week competition that allows the young Rangers stars to learn about consistency and a desire to win regularly, but it could be one worth taking in the long run if it genuinely improves the skills and prepares them better for senior action.

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The coming summer transfer window looks set to be one of huge change at Ibrox, with recent reports from The Daily Record claiming a whopping nine players have already been put on the market.

That includes winger Barrie McKay, arguably the most exciting talent currently in the Rangers squad. Indeed, the 22-year-old finished the season with six goals across all competitions and is already reportedly attracting interest from the Championship, with former Gers boss Mark Warburton keen to bring him to Nottingham Forest.

Rangers’ willingness to sell for a meagre £2million, surely a bargain for any suitor, seemingly stems from the fact McKay’s contract is due to expire at the end of next season. So we asked Gers fans earlier this week whether their club should look to cash in this summer.

And according to our poll, the majority of Rangers fans – 69% – would sell the one-cap international before the end of the coming transfer window.

According to reports in The Telegraph, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is lining up moves for three France internationals with continued doubts over the futures of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Lucas Perez and Olivier Giroud.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the report says Wenger could be ready for a huge overhaul of his frontline this summer following a fifth-place finish last season, and he is eyeing moves for Monaco duo Kylian Mbappe and Thomas Lemar, as well as Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette.

They are additions that may need to be made with Sanchez looking unlikely to sign the new contract he has been offered by the north London club – with the story saying he is continuing to be linked with Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus – while Ozil is in a similar situation, although there have been no offers for him yet.

Lastly, Perez and Giroud could leave the Emirates unless they are given assurances of more playing time next term following disappointing personal campaigns.

Would Mbappe and Lemar be good signings?

If they can reproduce the form they showed for Monaco last season as the French outfit won the Ligue 1 title and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, they certainly would be.

Despite being just 18 years of age, Mbappe scored 26 goals and provided a further 14 assists in 44 appearances in all competitions, also picking up his first cap for France.

Lemar was equally impressive from the left wing, with the 21-year-old netting 14 goals and assisting 17 others in 55 outings in all competitions.

What about Lacazette?

If Sanchez does go, there is no doubt that Arsenal will need a proven goalscorer to replace him and the Lyon striker fits the bill.

The 26-year-old has scored 91 goals in all competitions in his last three seasons with the French side, and is approaching the age where he should be in his prime.

Can they actually get them?

It will be difficult.

The fact that they aren’t in the Champions League could mean it is a problem to attract all three players, while Kylian Mbappe could command a world-record fee and is a target for Real Madrid.

One thing that could stand the Gunners in good stead is the fact that they would be able to promise the trio that they would be guaranteed starters, if the exodus of current Arsenal stars does occur.

According SkyItalia (via talkSPORT), Liverpool transfer target Stefan De Vrij is set to snub a move to Anfield in favour of a new contract at Lazio.

What’s the Word?

Jurgen Klopp is keen to bolster his defensive options ahead of the new season. With a proposed move for Virgil Van Dijk breaking down two weeks ago, rumours circulated suggesting that the German manager could turn his attentions to Lazio centre-half Stefan De Vrij, who is valued at £22.95million according to transfermarkt.

The Reds had an initial £17.3 million bid for the Dutch international rejected. To deter any further bids, Lazio have offered the 25-year-old a new lucrative contract, according to Sky Italia, which may be impossible to turn down.

Who will Liverpool turn to next?

With Klopp set to miss out on his two first choice defensive signings this summer, Liverpool will need to look elsewhere to bolster their ranks at the back.

Burnley centre-back Michael Keane has been linked with Liverpool for a number of weeks and could be a potential target. However, recent reports are suggesting that the Reds’ Merseyside rivals Everton are now leading the race for the England international.

Middlesbrough star Ben Gibson is also a reported target for Jurgen Klopp. However, following Garry Monk’s arrival at the Riverside, ‘Boro are determined to keep hold of their man for next season.

With so many defensive targets having slipped through the clubs grasp Klopp will want to act quickly to bring in a player of genuine quality who can improve the team moving forward. However, options are looking increasingly short as we move ever closer to the new Premier League season.

According to reports in The Sun, Southampton are keen to sign £25m-rated Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho this summer and left-back Ryan Bertrand could be part of any potential deal.The England international is a target for City manager Pep Guardiola as he looks to find a replacement for Gael Clichy, after the Frenchman was released this summer.Meanwhile, The Sun says that new Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino is keen to bring in a new forward before the start of next season in order to ensure that his team don’t repeat the disappointing tally of 41 goals in 38 Premier League games they recorded last term.Southampton supporters were quick to have their say on the rumour via social media, and while many don’t want to see Bertrand leave St Mary’s, they acknowledge that if Iheanacho joined the south coast outfit as a result it would be a good deal.However, others believe that he wouldn’t get in the starting line-up ahead of the likes of Manolo Gabbiadini and Charlie Austin.Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

As reported by The Sun, Arsenal have agreed personal terms with exciting Monaco winger Thomas Lemar, but still face a fight to finalise his transfer from Monaco.

What’s the story?

After securing the signature of Alexandre Lacazette last week, Arsenal are apparently far from finished in the transfer market this summer and appear to be looking for the perfect attacking talent to complement their new striker.

The Sun say that the Gunners have even agreed personal terms with Thomas Lemar, despite Monaco holding out for a big transfer fee.

The paper reckon that a £90,000-a-week deal has been given the thumbs up from the player’s representatives but that the French club could hold out for up to £80m for the young Frenchman.

How good is he?

Lemar has all the potential in the world and after a stunning season at Monaco is one of the most sought-after wingers in European football. While the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Falcao have gained most of the plaudits thrown Monaco’s way over the last 12 months, Lemar has been just as vital to their attack.

The 21-year-old scored 14 goals over the course of the season in all competitions, also providing 14 assists for his teammates. That’s a fantastic return for a player at such a young age and his form hasn’t gone unnoticed by France, who handed him his debut cap in November. The youngster has gone on to make four more appearances for Les Bleus.

That kind of talent and potential will always cost a massive amount of money but if Arsenal can do the deal then they may have the creative outlet that Alexandre Lacazette will need to be a success next season.

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Manchester United beat arch-rivals Manchester City 2-0 in a pre-season friendly in Houston on Thursday, but Red Devils fans were not impressed with one of their stars.

Goals from Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford gave Jose Mourinho’s side the win in America as United continue to impress during their tour, but Chris Smalling endured a couple of hairy moments at the back.

At one stage, the England international attempted to head a long ball over the top back to David De Gea but missed it and fell on the floor.

The 27-year-old fell out of favour last season because of injury issues and the Portuguese boss criticised his mentality in April, with the centre-back looking to have fallen even further down the pecking order following the summer addition of Victor Lindelof.

Man United supporters were quick to have their say on the showing of Smalling via social media, with some describing him as a “liability”, while others believe it is time for him to be sold.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Aston Villa’s poor start to the Championship season continued as they were beaten 2-1 by Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday night, and the Villa fans singled out two players in particular for criticism.

Steve Bruce’s side had taken just one point from their opening two league games – including a 3-0 defeat to Cardiff City at the weekend – but they couldn’t pick up a positive result against the Royals either.

An own goal from Glenn Whelan in the 49th minute was followed up by a second from Modou Barrow shortly after, before Conor Hourihane gave them brief hope with a goal three minutes from time.

Whelan and Birkir Bjarnason both started in midfield and put in disappointing performances, which Aston Villa supporters were quick to have their say on.

They slammed the duo, with some even saying that Bjarnason is one of the worst players they’ve seen in the shirt.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…