All posts by hc12369.com

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

As told by Football Insider, Everton attacker Bernard is fearful he may be frozen out of the team if Marco Silva departs and David Moyes takes his spot.

What’s the word?

Bernard was signed by Silva on a free transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk last summer and joined the club on a four-year deal after winning three league titles in five years in Ukraine.

The Brazilian is reportedly worried that should Moyes make a sensational return to Goodison Park, he will be pushed out the team. Bernard fears the Scot’s tough-tackling and defensive approach as a manager would subsequently mean a lack of game time under a Moyes rule.

The 54-year-old, who spent 11 years on Merseyside before moving to Manchester United, was reported by The Mirror to be interested in a return to the club should Silva face the axe.

During his tenure at Everton, the Blues were renowned for their aggressive nature and during his final year at the club, Moyes boasted the fourth-best defensive league record, conceding three fewer than champions Manchester United.

Watch Everton Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

A right to be fearful

Bernard was signed for The Toffees because of his speed and ability up top, rather than his ability in defence, as his 5 foot 5 stature is hardly a concern for opposing players.

During his time in Ukraine, the 27-year-old registered 28 goals and 35 assists in 128 appearances and has bagged three goals and four assists so far for the Blues.

In Moyes’ final few seasons on Merseyside, the former Sunderland boss put faith in the likes of Steven Pienaar, Marouane Fellaini, and Nikica Jelavic, players who are known and put in the team for the tenacious, aggressive nature.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The likes of Fellaini would be a thorn in almost any side with his physical abilities, and attackers like Victor Anichebe would be a worry for almost any defender with his strength and stature up top. Unfortunately, despite his blistering pace, these are all attributes that Bernard lacks.

From a defensive standpoint, the South American has actually made 1.3 tackles per game this season. However, at the same time, he has averaged a foul per match and just 0.2 interceptions.

Regardless of his creativity, should Moyes retake the helm, the forward should be very fearful of being frozen out of the side and he may need to add this to his game for future managers to look at.

It was just written in the stars, wasn’t it? The moment Gareth Southgate took the decision to drop the forever young Jesse Lingard from his England squad, the writing was on the wall for the Three Lions.

The Manchester United man has been in shocking form for a number of months now, and has produced just one assist in nine appearances across all competitions this season.

It was therefore no surprise to see Southgate leave the 26-year-old out from his latest England squad, but on Friday night against the Czech Republic, that decision rather back-fired somewhat.

The Three Lions slipped to a surprising 2-1 loss in their EURO 2020 qualifying clash, and United fans subsequently flooded to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the matter.

Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Many Red Devils supporters insisted the result wasn’t a coincidence, and that they knew that was exactly what was going to happen.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Some fans of the Manchester side had a comical reaction to the whole situation, and one fan in particular remarked “no Lingard, no party”.

Check out some of the reaction of United fans below:

Arsenal are reported to be monitoring the progress of Feyenoord midfielder Orkun Kokcu, according to the Daily Mail.

What’s the word?

The 18-year-old has been in the Gunners’ eyesight as the creative midfielder is establishing himself in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Mesut Ozil has found himself ostracised by Unai Emery and looks increasingly like a disenchanted, peripheral and ultimately disposable asset.

The Daily Mail suggest an offer around £20m may be enough to secure the Turkey U21 international’s services, with the club aware of the challenge that lies ahead in keeping him.

Creativity is key

With two goals in 13 games in all competitions so far this season, the youngster has plenty of attacking characteristics that can push Arsenal towards qualifying for the Champions League.

The Gunners have been guilty of fielding three defensive midfielders at times this season, particularly against Manchester United during a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

A lack of creativity has been a notable criticism from the Arsenal supporters towards Emery, but Kokcu could change that as he aims to develop into a high quality creative player.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Emery’s strange deployment of his middle trio has cost his side points at critical moments, despite the Gunners sitting third in the Premier League.

The lack of offensive-minded midfielders could see Arsenal miss out on the Champions League, which would do no favours to Emery’s position as manager.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, John Hartson said that Tony Adams is “one of the greatest leaders of men” he has ever worked with.

Former Wales international Hartson played with the former Arsenal leader between 1995 and 1997. That period of time also coincided with Arsene Wenger’s arrival in north London too. Whilst the Gunners were trophyless during those two years the striker was at the club, the 44-year-old has lauded the influence of the 66-time England player.

He said, “Tony Adams is one of the greatest leaders of men I’ve ever worked with. Captain of England, captain of Arsenal at 25 years of age, they (great leaders) don’t come around too often.”

There is little wonder why there is a statue of Adams that now stands outside the Emirates Stadium. Quite frankly, few have ever had an impact on the Gunners quite like the now 52-year-old.

Watch Arsenal Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Appointed captain at Highbury aged 21, he led the team to the title in his maiden season in the role, and he would go on to wear the armband for another 14 years. During that time, he would win 10 major trophies, which included four league titles, three F.A Cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.

Overall, he made 669 appearances for the Gunners, and has now gone down in folklore. Even with the arrival of Frenchman Wenger, who revolutionised not only Arsenal but also English football, Adams remained a constant and was continually trusted to be the leader of the dressing room.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

He had his problems, of course – who hasn’t? – and he has struggled to convert his playing prowess into the managerial world, but Arsenal fans won’t care.

The word legend gets thrown about an awful lot these days. Adams, though, embodies everything that it means. In north London, he will never be forgotten.

[ad_pod ]

Rangers progressed into the Scottish League Cup semi-finals with a gritty win against Livingston on Wednesday night and they will now face Hearts at Hampden Park in just over a month from now for a place in the final.

The Gers are certainly looking their strongest for a long time with good league form and a solid start in Europe under their belts, as they look to relieve Celtic of their stranglehold on the domestic scene in Scotland.

It was by no means the Gers’ best performance of the season against Livingston, but the main thing is that they won and if you can record victories whilst not at your best and up against it, that is a very good sign.

Indeed, Steven Gerrard referred to that fact in his post-match comments – taken by the Gers’ official Twitter account:

Gerrard knows from his playing days that trophies are won simply by winning games – you don’t always need the performance with it, and flowing football isn’t always possible.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Indeed, Livingston looked to ruffle the Gers’ feathers at times on Wednesday night but the Light Blues came through.

Plenty has been said on Twitter in reaction to these comments, meanwhile, so let’s see what Rangers fans have said about them on the social media site…

[ad_pod ]

Leeds United succumbed to defeat in south-east London at the hands of Charlton Athletic, who moved into a playoff position as a result.

Despite all of the visitors’ dominance – recording a total of 19 shots to the Addicks’ three, per WhoScored – they couldn’t even salvage at least a point.

Macauley Bonne netted his first goal for the club despite his lack of intention behind it – United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla parried a Tom Lockyer volley onto the back of the striker as the ball then trickled into the net.

It’s only Leeds’ second defeat of the season and first away from home, yet a number of the Elland Road faithful have been questioning their manager Marcelo Bielsa following the match.

Reacting to Bielsa’s analysis of the game, one supporter called his tactics ‘one dimensional’ whilst another said the team were too predictable without a ‘Plan B.’

The Whites would have regained control of first place with a victory at The Valley, but this loss now sees them two points off the new league leaders West Brom, who they play on Tuesday night.

A further member of the United crowd also questioned whether Bielsa was as good as everyone made him out to be.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Here’s the best of the reaction:

[ad_pod ]

Having arrived with the moniker of being the ‘Alpine Klopp’, Ralph Hasenhuttl sufficiently turned things around at Southampton last season to ensure their Premier League safety.

Their start to the current campaign has been slightly mixed in terms of their results, picking up seven points ahead of their clash against Bournemouth on Friday night.

Hasenhuttl raised some eyebrows before kick-off with his team selection and tactics, playing Cedric Soares at left-back, and Kevin Danso at right-back – both of them playing in unfamiliar roles.

The square pegs in round holes approach back-fired and the Saints slipped to a 3-1 defeat to Eddie Howe’s side. After seeing the tactical disaster at St Mary’s, Southampton fans flooded to Twitter to vent their frustrations with their manager.

Watch Southampton Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Many fans of the south coast club pointed fingers at the Austrian’s “absolutely bizarre” decision to use players out of position, with one fan in particular also urging him to “stop messing around”.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Check out some of the reaction of Southampton fans below:

The snap shows the Spaniard celebrating after putting Napoli 2-0 up against Jurgen Klopp’s side on Tuesday night.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

It may not be much, but for some Tottenham supporters, this will act as a bit of justice for the Champions League final back in May, especially after he specifically said pre-match that he was seeking “revenge” for the heartbreak in Madrid.

Llorente was one of the most important players in Spurs’ Champions League run. After Harry Kane picked up an injury against Man City he became their first-choice striker, and in the second-leg of that tie he netted the decisive goal.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

His Champions League goalscoring antics have continued after moving to Napoli, and although Spurs fans won’t care too much about his career in Serie A, this one will definitely give them a bit of satisfaction.

[ad_pod ]

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…

Following a report in The Telegraph during the summer that suggested West Ham United centre-back Issa Diop was on the verge of a call-up to the senior France squad, the 22-year-old would surely have been hoping his chance was imminent with Aymeric Laporte missing through injury for the latest round of international fixtures.

The call never came though, with Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti the man drafted in by Didier Deschamps instead despite only being a bit-part player for the La Liga outfit in recent times – he hasn’t played a single minute this term, which suggests he was selected because of his name and reputation, rather than for his form.

That first snub may have been disappointing given the former Toulouse man continues to be a consistent starter at the heart of the Irons’ backline, but he would have been buoyed again when it was confirmed that Umtiti himself was pulling out having picked up a foot injury.

Even then, Deschamps decided against calling another centre-back up, which meant that Diop remained in London training with the club who employs him instead.

That surely would have been a bitter blow for the 6 foot 4 defender, given those reports over the summer.

Watch West Ham United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Of course, it is often said that those players featuring for the bigger clubs in Europe are more likely to get attention and receive international honours, and the call-up for Umtiti only backs up that theory.

The problem West Ham have is that they don’t want a player on their hands who will feel that his best opportunity at representing his country is to leave the London Stadium.

As per The Telegraph report previously quoted, Manchester United have shown some potential interest previously, and they are clearly a club that can easily turn a player’s head.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Given the centre-backs in this previous France squad represent Chelsea, Real Madrid, Lyon and Barcelona, Diop already faces a difficult task to displace players playing regularly for those clubs.

West Ham must hope that the 22-year-old isn’t in a rush to make his name for Les Bleus, because if he is then an exit could become increasingly tempting for him, and the interest is clearly there from bigger clubs.

[ad_pod ]

[ad_pod ]How does one describe Granit Xhaka? An absolute calamity? An accident waiting to happen? A holding midfielder who doesn’t know how to tackle? Or our personal favourite, “an experienced player who has never played with experience?” You choose, they all apply.Xhaka’s mistake in last weekend’s north London derby to hand Tottenham Hotspur the chance to extend their lead was petulant – there are no two ways about it. And what makes it worse is that it was so utterly avoidable.Watch Arsenal Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Why did he feel the need to slide into Heung-Min Son? Should he seek medical attention? Is it some form of tic, to do immeasurably stupid things? What was the thought process that led him to the point where he completely abandoned rationality and basic defensive principals in favour of moronic impulsiveness? Like the ‘chicken or the egg’ causality dilemma, we doubt we’ll ever truly know.

One thing’s for certain, however: talkSPORT’s Ian Holloway isn’t particularly fond of the 26-year-old…

[ad_pod ]