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Hugo Lloris’ knack for the occasional goal line howler has long drawn the ire of Tottenham supporters in North London, and their anger has not come without cause.

In the Premier League, the Spurs captain has gifted goals to the likes of Alvaro Morata and Mame Biram Diouf among others in recent seasons. There, of course, was also Lloris’ near-infamous gaffe this past summer against Croatia in the World Cup Final.

Perhaps though, Lloris’ record of regrettable goals conceded should not be taken at face value, but rather seen as based on the club he plays for and what he’s asked to do for them.

Appearing on this week’s edition of the Fixture in Focus Podcast, former Watford and Brentford goalkeeper Richard Lee touched on the oft-overlooked intricacies regarding the trade and credited Lloris for his vision on the pitch, while providing context on the World Cup winner’s penchant for the occasional blunder.

“[Hugo Lloris] reads the game very well,” Lee said. “He comes for more through balls than any other keeper. He’s come for 37 this season, I think David De Gea has come for four. So the law of averages states that Lloris is going to make more mistakes coming for through balls than David De Gea.

“So when Lloris does come for one and doesn’t get there, he’s then labelled as rash and as a poor decision maker. No, it’s because of the way Tottenham play. They have a high line so he has to play high. He is very good at reading the game.”

Don’t tell the angry Spurs fan pushing for Paulo Gazzaniga to become the first-choice keeper, but maybe, just maybe, Lloris’ recurring errors aren’t as significant as they seem and ultimately come as the product of something much larger – the demands of Tottenham’s style of play.

Want to hear more from Lee on goalkeeping? Check out this week’s episode of the Fixture in Focus Podcast in full below – and if you like what we do, be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform by clicking here.

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Leeds United managed to secure a vital three points earlier on today at Elland Road, which helped keep the pressure on the likes of Sheffield United and Norwich City. 

The Whites are certainly heading in the right direction at this moment in time but they must ensure consistency from here on in, with dropped points possibly damaging their automatic promotion chances.

One thing that has been a worry for some supporters in recent times is Kemar Roofe’s future, as according to The Chronicle, Newcastle United are continuously monitoring the Englishman.

Indeed, it would make perfect sense for Leeds to pack the forward’s bags and send him on his way to St James’ Park if they come calling in the summer transfer window, as he just hasn’t been able to ensure consistency in front of goal in recent times and he could attract quite a hefty fee, which could be used to strengthen in many areas.

Interestingly, the Whites should look to renew their interest in Algerian international Baghdad Bounedjah, who was reportedly (as per Le Buteur) on Leeds’ radar back in the summer transfer window.

Bounedjah is a forward who plays his football for Al-Sadd and it’s safe to say that he’s been simply sensational in the current campaign, having produced an incredible 31 goals in just 17 games in the Qatar Stars League. And, he has been impressive on the international stage with Algeria as he’s scored eight goals in 20 appearances.

He is a tall and physical forward who is aerially dominant and bullies defenders in the opposition’s box. Bounedjah is as well-rounded as strikers get with the ability to pick the final pass and an incredible eye for goal, so he would bring a different dimension to Leeds United’s play in the final third.

What do you think Leeds United fans?

[ad_pod ]Manchester United have undergone a huge transformation since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took the helm in December, with emphatic results changing from a rarity to an expectation at Old Trafford – as it should be – although the stalemate with Liverpool is surely one of their best yet.If not for an Alisson masterclass, the hosts could have stolen all three points from the league leaders – they kept the Reds’ lethal front three, albeit somewhat broken by the injury sustained by Roberto Firmino in the first half, at bay.A huge part of that was the well-rounded performance of Ashley Young, whose showing has gone under the radar due to Luke Shaw’s domination of Mohamed Salah on the opposite flank.The versatile defender was essential to his side’s creation and even outclassed Paul Pogba in that department, completing a team-high three key passes, owing to his roots as a winger. Also completing an interception and a tackle, the number 18 did his bit in defence as well.The 33-year-old may have been subject to criticism on social media for his showing, especially after a shaky opening to the game, but the stats don’t lie and they indicate that there was far more to his game than perceived.

While he may be well into his twilight years now, the former Aston Villa man will remain, at least, a useful squad player for United as they look to develop the likes of Shaw and Diogo Dalot into consistent starters – his experience in the dressing room is almost unrivalled too and that will surely prove invaluable to the 13-time Premier League champions.

Would you rather your club won the Premier League or Champions League? In the video below, Pl>ymaker FC’s Matty believes English clubs have already decided…

Of course, his sloppy distribution could have cost his side – the 39-cap international had a passing success rate of just 66% – and it might have done against more clinical opposition, but mistakes are more than likely when playing against a high-pressing Liverpool team.

Young was an effective presence against Liverpool – some of the criticism has been unjustified.

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Leeds United produced a scintillating display to overcome fellow Championship promotion hopefuls West Brom by a 4-0 scoreline at Elland Road on Friday night.

An early Pablo Hernandez strike from range set the tone, before a Patrick Bamford brace and a late Ezgjan Alioski tap in added some well-deserved gloss to the scoreline. 

Marcelo Bielsa’s side were dominant throughout and barely gave the Baggies an inch. To a man, the hosts were impressive, and showed great application to maintain their intensity, aggression, high pressing and attacking verve from the first whistle to the last.

Who has been the Championship’s best player this season? The Pl>ymaker FC squad discuss in the video below…

One player who failed to get on the scoreline, but shone nonetheless, and embodied the commitment and work rate demanded by Bielsa, was Tyler Roberts.

The 20-year-old attacker has had his critics this season, but produced a performance of the highest calibre against his former club on Friday to prove his worth to the Whites. The four-cap Wales international was absolutely everywhere, bringing grit and determination to his defensive duties, whilst providing creativity and composure when on the offensive. 

Heading into Friday’s clash, Roberts had only registered two Championship assists all season. However, he doubled his tally against the Baggies. In total, Roberts produced four key passes and completed four successful dribbles, as per WhoScored’s stats.

His distribution was also constantly progressive, as he relentlessly sought to invent opportunities for his side. Whilst his pass accuracy rating of 72% wasn’t the highest, this was due to his persistent desire to make things happen in the final third.

Perhaps most impressive, though, was Roberts’ defensive work. The forward made three tackles against West Brom and was always willing to track back to help his team.

All in all, it was the kind of performance that can silence doubters and give the player a platform of confidence to build upon.

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Liverpool surrendered their advantage in the title race over the course of the weekend as they slumped to a 0-0 draw against Everton, and Georginio Wijnaldum has hinted that a lack of experience in title races could explain the club’s recent dip in form.

What’s the word?

The narrative concerning the Premier League title race is beginning to turn once more. The Reds had been leading the charge since December 8th before matchday 29, but their failure to match Manchester City’s result this weekend has put Pep Guardiola’s side back on top.

In the aftermath of Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Everton, Wijnaldum was asked about the shifting dynamics and whether his side would feel more comfortable chasing rather than leading, and his response hinted that their rivals have the advantage due to their success in recent years, per Sky Sports.

“I don’t know (whether we prefer to chase them). We have to see if it suits us better. It’s always difficult to say. I think they are used to the pressure. For us it’s new. We just have to make sure that in the last nine games we give our all, and we’ll see what happens.”

Experience counts

Liverpool have grown into an elite outfit on both the domestic and European stage since Wijanldum joined the club for £25 million in 2016, but they don’t have a trophy to show for their exponential improvement under Jurgen Klopp.

Their failure to clinch the greatest prize in English football or indeed any other trophy is a problem which the Netherlands international has subtly alluded to, especially when considered against the comparative success of their chief title rival.

The last time Liverpool were in a similar situation in 2014, they blew the lead and Manchester City held their nerve to finish in 1st place. Perhaps the Merseyside giant’s biggest test will be to banish the demons of their past which are fuelling the narrative as the Premier League moves towards the most mentally-demanding period of the season.

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Arsenal fans have a tendency to hype up their players more than most, especially those who fall under the young and promising category. Perhaps that’s just the nature of modern football, but it has lead to a divisive question amongst the Football FanCast offices.

With that in mind, our writers give their verdicts below on a simple question – who is currently Arsenal’s most overrated player?

Jack Saville – Mesut Ozil

“While his talent is unquestionable it’s difficult to understand his reputation. An enigma who habitually fades into insignificance in high-magnitude fixtures, Ozil has consistently fallen below the standard set by some of the Premier League’s best playmakers. Arsenal should have cashed in on the Germany international by now.”

Harry Elnaugh – Matteo Guendouzi

“For sure, the 19-year-old has been impressive in some games but I don’t think he’s in the same bracket as other players his age. His application and work-rate are excellent but, for me, he gives the ball away too often and gets a bit carried away – a red card waiting to happen. Of course these are things that will be ironed out of his game in time but, for now, he is way over-hyped.”

Will Jones – Henrikh Mkhitaryan

“It seems harsh considering his recent form, but Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s general output since arriving in England has fallen well short of expectations. Considering the huge wages he is on at the Emirates Stadium, it’s hard to argue that Arsenal themselves aren’t the most guilty party when it comes to overrating the Armenian.”

Harry Sherlock – Mesut Ozil

“Much like at Spurs with Eriksen, no manager has been able to unlock Ozil’s full potential for an entire season. In fact, the Gunners often look better when he isn’t in the team and there can be no more solid evidence of his diminishing stature than that. He is clearly very talented – you don’t play for Real Madrid and Germany if you aren’t – but he is a playmaker and he has two Premier League assists this season. Two. Enough said.”

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Everton fans on Twitter are split over whether or not the club should turn Andre Gomes’ loan move into a permanent deal.

The Portuguese international arrived at Goodison Park on loan from Barcelona back in the summer, and has impressed with his composure on the ball and his passing ability in the blue of Everton.

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One would assume that most Toffees supporters would want to see the 25-year-old sign on a permanent basis, but one factor that has been influencing their thoughts is the huge reported fee that the Spanish champions want for Gomes.

Marca have revealed that Barcelona could ask for more than €40m for the former Valencia man, a figure that would be a hefty one for Marco Silva’s side to splash on just one player.

However, given the uncertainty over Idrissa Gueye’s future, perhaps a permanent deal for Gomes could be seen as a necessary capture come the summer.

Let’s see what the Everton fanbase, who appear to be torn over the matter, are saying on Twitter…

Aston Villa’s Andre Green has looked a changed player ever since returning to Birmingham following his short stint at Portsmouth last year and manager Dean Smith hasn’t hesitated in making him part of the plan to earn promotion to the Premier League.

Green has made an immediate impact since his return, scoring a thrilling stoppage-time equaliser against Sheffield United at the beginning of February. Indeed, as fans reading this will have been hugely frustrated by the amount of money wasted on big-name signings over the years, seeing a youngster flourish is great.

He has since then been in and out of the starting lineup but has been a key contributor to the recent success of the Villans, which have seen them win four games on the bounce, including a famous derby win at St Andrew’s earlier this month.

Green’s versatility and pace have even helped Smith adjust his team on occasions due his ability to play on both flanks, although he might be more threatening on the right-wing.

Nonetheless, it has helped and improved Villa’s attacking ability quite significantly and has made life easier for someone like Tammy Abraham, who at stages this season was forced to do and create everything on his own due to a lack of creativity in the team.

But since the return of Green and captain Jack Grealish, Villa have looked a completely new team and are in a good position to earn a spot in the playoffs. The momentum they have at the moment will certainly inspire them to see the season out on a high note and the comprehensive victories in recent weeks will add as a warning to opposition teams, especially ones that have to visit Villa Park.

Having come through the system at Aston Villa, Green has been in need of a proper mentor in the form of a manager to get properly get his career up and running and Smith appears to be just the guy to take Green’s game to a new level and make him a recognised footballer for Villa.

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Liverpool fans on Twitter have been busy discussing a move for Bayer Leverkusen star Julian Brandt, who has become the topic of conversation amongst Reds supporters once again.

The Merseysiders made Brant one of their top targets two years ago, before his decision not to switch clubs before the World Cup saw the move come to a halt.

Are the media letting Jurgen Klopp off lightly for his lack of silverware? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

Brandt, 22, has recorded seven goals and 10 assists across all competitions for Leverkusen this season, and is said to be available for just £22m this summer which will be sure to pique Jurgen Klopp’s interest.

The Premier League title hopefuls are lacking creativity in the middle of the park right now, especially since the departure of Philippe Coutinho, so the German international would go some way to easing that problem.

However, whilst the positives of the move are strikingly evident, not all Liverpool fans are dead set on a move for Brandt…

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Max Aarons is in the news.

A brilliant young full-back at Norwich City, Aarons has long been linked with a potential move to Tottenham Hotspur and, earlier this week, was nominated for the EFL Young Player of the Season.

The Canaries, of course, are enjoying a superb season in the Championship. They have won all of their last six games, scoring 16 goals along the way, and sit top of the table, four points clear of second-placed Sheffield United.

Aarons, at the age of 19, has been ever-present since making his breakthrough under manager Daniel Farke.

After sitting on the bench as his side lost 2-1 to Sheffield United, Aarons made his debut in a September draw with Ipswich Town. Since then, he has gone on to make 35 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals and laying on five assists.

He has also won four caps for the England Under-19s and, speaking in September, after Aarons’ first call-up to the Young Lions, Farke expressed his admiration for the teen.

Quoted by the Pink Un, he said: “I don’t like to praise the young players so don’t tell him, but I love him a lot. Max is a brilliant lad who really deserves to be in the spotlight at the moment.

“With his attitude and workload from pre-season onwards he deserves this England call up. I am pretty sure it is not the end of his progress. Like I have said before, there is no gifts or presents for young players. He has earned this.”

Aarons is an excellent full-back, both in defence and attack. Blessed with genuine pace and the ability to win the ball and move it on effectively, he is perhaps the archetypal modern right-back and is surely poised to thrive in the Premier League, either for Norwich or Spurs or another big-hitter.

Aarons, per WhoScored, averages 1.4 dribbles per game, along with 1.7 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 1.8 clearances. This is a player who can pretty much do it all, and he hasn’t even turned 20.

Per The Sun, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino holds a keen interest in Aarons, with the potential for both Kieran Trippier and Serge Aurier to leave this summer.

That could be a match made in heaven, with the likes of Luke Shaw, Danny Rose and Kyle Walker all flourishing under Pochettino’s management.

Norwich had better hope that they are able to keep hold of one of the most exciting British talents outside the top-flight.