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West Ham United left wing-back Emerson Palmieri has been praised by Roshane Thomas following his recent performances.

The Lowdown: Emerson proving himself

After only featuring sporadically earlier this season, the Italy international has been given an extended run in the team recently, starting the last three Premier League matches, and he has really started to find his form.

The 28-year-old scored the equalising goal against former club Chelsea on Saturday, and he was ranked by Sofascore as West Ham’s best performer, leading to praise from Thomas for his recent displays.

The Latest: Thomas gives ‘special mention’ to Emerson

Speaking on Twitter after the 1-1 draw against the Blues, the journalist was full of praise for West Ham’s overall performance, singling out Emerson in his assessment.

The Atheltic reporter tweeted: “West Ham unbeaten in their last four games. Performances have been encouraging since win over Everton. Wing-back system is working again. Also special mention to Emerson – he’s caught the eye in recent weeks.”

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The Verdict: Fantastic performances

Not only has the Italian proven himself going forward, he was also very solid defensively against Chelsea as he won five duels and four tackles, with the latter being the most recorded by any Irons player on Saturday.

The 28-year-old also exhibited both his attacking and defensive abilities against Newcastle United a week ago, completing two dribbles and winning six ground duels in showcasing that he is perfectly suited to a wing-back role.

David Moyes will be delighted that Emerson is finally displaying the ‘unbelievable qualities’ that Thomas Tuchel recognised during their time working together at Chelsea, and the West Ham boss will be hoping that such form continues into the tough away trip to Tottenham Hotspur next weekend.

The Rangers Review journalist Jonny McFarlane praised the performance of John Lundstram as Glasgow Rangers won 3-0 on Wednesday night.

The Lowdown: Convincing win

Rangers ran out convincing winners in the end, as they were 2-0 up by half-time through Alfredo Morelos and Malik Tillman, before Morelos grabbed his second in the second half to make sure all three points came back to Ibrox.

Lundstram has been criticised for some of his performances lately, but impressed against Hearts in the middle of the park.

The Latest: Lundstram impressive

Taking to Twitter during the game, McFarlane hinted at Lundstram’s recent criticism, but claimed that he was ‘bang at it’:

“John Lundstram must have been reading a few tweets this week. He’s been BANG at it so far.”

The Verdict: Inspired performance

There is no doubt that Lundstram will be aware of the criticism that he has been receiving lately, and so his performance was an inspired one.

The central midfielder recorded a team-high three interceptions, and was accurate in all three of his long ball attempts (SofaScore).

He also made one clearance and tackle, and achieved an impressive 87% pass accuracy.

Nonetheless, Michael Beale will be hoping that Lundstram can now kick on after this performance, as the Gers continue to try to chase down their bitter rivals Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, who remain nine points clear after a convincing 3-0 win themselves against Livingston.

Liverpool could look to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Matheus Nunes this month, according to Daily Express  journalist Ryan Taylor.

The Lowdown: Liverpool targeting a midfielder

It is no secret that Jurgen Klopp is trying to bolster his squad with a new midfielder, with Jude Bellingham being linked with a move to Anfield, while Mason Mount has also emerged as a potential option in recent days.

The Reds are in need of some new signings in that area of the pitch, with both Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain seeing their contracts expire at the end of the campaign, while Fabinho has been the subject of criticism from Scott Minto for his performances this season.

The Latest: Nunes the likeliest option

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Taylor claimed that reported target Nunes could be Klopp’s midfielder of choice if the Liverpool manager chooses to bring in another midfielder this month.

The journalist said in relation to prospective January signings for the Reds: “I think Matheus Nunes is the likely one if they were to move for a midfielder [this month].

“That’s not to say they’d be able to strike a deal. With Wolves likely to sign João Gomes after the arrival of Mario Lemina, if you look at their midfield roster, it’s now very overinflated.”

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The Verdict: Get it done?

Lauded as ‘unbelievable’ by former team-mate Goncalo Santos, the 24-year-old has really started to find his form in recent weeks. He was especially impressive in Wolves’ recent Carabao Cup clash at Nottingham Forest, receiving the joint-highest SofaScore rating of any outfield player on the pitch (7.5) and winning eight of the 10 ground duels that he contested.

The Portugal international is not renowned for his attacking contributions, weighing in with just three goals and two assists for Sporting Lisbon in the league last season. However, his recent exploits indicate that he is quite combative defensively, making 29 tackles in the Premier League this term.

Liverpool have previous in signing gems from Wolves, with Diogo Jota arriving at Anfield for £41m in September 2020 and going on to score 34 goals in 93 Reds appearances so far.

Klopp could pull off another masterclass by bringing in Nunes from Molineux for a similar fee, with The Telegraph reporting that £44m could be enough to tempt his current club into a sale.

Everton defender Mason Holgate is being monitored by Nottingham Forest ahead of a potential move, according to Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett.

The Lowdown: Out of favour

Forest are currently hovering above the relegation zone after a mixed start to the season with the need for reinforcements clear, and it sounds like they have identified Holgate as a target.

The Toffees centre-back’s contract at Goodison Park isn’t set to expire until 2025, but after significantly falling down the pecking order under Frank Lampard, an exit could now be on the cards.

The Latest: Dorsett’s update

Taking to Twitter, Dorsett revealed that Holgate is being closely watched by Forest, with Steve Cooper’s side contemplating making an approach before the end of the window. He wrote:

“#nffc considering #efc Mason Holgate as one of a number of options to strengthen their defence.

“Holgate hasn’t played a Premier League game under manager Frank Lampard since August.

“Forest have been approached about numerous players, but may have to offload fringe players first.”

The Verdict: Sell alongside Keane…

Michael Keane has also been heavily linked with a departure and Holgate could be about to follow in his footsteps to be the next to leave Merseyside.

Sam Carroll previously dubbed the defender ‘Mr Dependable’, but after making just three starts this term, it’s clear that he’s recently failed to make the impact he once did.

Everton letting Holgate go would be completely the right decision, and sanctioning this move is certainly the best option for both parties.

An update has emerged on Glasgow Rangers and attempts to secure the future of one of their young academy talents…

What’s the talk?

According to Football Scotland, the Light Blues are preparing to offer a contract to B team striker Robbie Ure to avoid him leaving at the end of the season.

The report claims that the Gers view him as a ‘rising star’ and want to keep him at Ibrox on a new deal, as his current one is due to expire next summer.

However, it remains to be seen whether or not the player is willing to extend his stay in Glasgow and how many years the club are willing to commit to fresh terms.

Could save Ross Wilson millions

Alfredo Morelos is out of contract at the end of the campaign and it remains to be seen whether or not the club will be offering him an extension.

The striker, who has scored 14 goals and provided eight assists in 38 Premiership outings since the start of last season, has proven that he can make a big impact at the top end of the pitch and his departure would leave a gap in the squad.

Morelos has plundered 115 goals and 52 assists in 243 matches in all competitions for the Light Blues and it would be ambitious to expect Ure to make the step up and have a similar impact.

However, Rangers now have Antonio Colak, who has scored 11 times in 14 top-flight games for the club, and this means that the youngster could jump up to the first-team and provide competition for the Croatian, rather than being needed to immediately be the first choice.

Ure, who was hailed as “magic” by Scott Arfield in an interview after a win over Queen of the South earlier this season, could, therefore, save the Gers millions by taking up Morelos’ place in the squad after putting pen to paper on a new deal.

The 18-year-old emerging as a senior option would alleviate the need for Wilson to dip into the market to sign a replacement for the Colombian and the teen’s statistics at youth level suggest that the dynamo has the potential to make the step up.

He has scored 13 goals and produced eight assists in 22 games across the Lowland League and UEFA Youth League, whilst he has also scored once in two first-team outings after finding the back of the net against Queen of the South in the League Cup.

Ure has been on fire in front of goal, scoring and assisting goals on a regular basis, and this indicates that he could be ready to make the leap to regular action in Michael Beale’s squad.

Therefore, pinning him down to a contract extension could save Wilson millions as it would keep him around as a first-team striker and provide the head coach with an in-house Morelos heir.

Celtic signing Alistair Johnston ‘will need to get better’ on the defensive side of things before playing in the Scottish Premiership, according to former Hoops star Frank McAvennie.

The Lowdown: Johnston signs

The Hoops confirmed the signing of the right-back from CF Montreal last weekend after putting pen to paper on a five-year deal, which will see him make the move to Parkhead in January.

Josip Juranovic, Ange Postecoglou’s first-choice in that position, has rejected a new contract and is open to listening to offers from other clubs, so the boss had no option but to act quickly and secure a probable replacement.

The Latest: McAvennie’s comments

Speaking to Football Insider, Hoops ‘expert’ McAvennie admitted that he watched Johnston representing Canada at the World Cup, believing he needs to develop his defensive attributes more.

“He will need to get better because Canada got absolutely battered down that side.

“He is a decent player, he did very well especially when they were on the attack in the first game. He just went for it.

“That is where he was different class and that is the kind of game Celtic play.

“I am looking forward to anyone who comes in because Ange has the Midas touch.“

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The Verdict: Bags of potential

Johnston has been praised for putting in a ‘blood and thunder’ performance in Qatar by Chris Smith, and whilst his national squad struggled, he’s had an impressive personal season in the MLS.

The Vancouver native has clocked up four goals and the same number of assists this term and is a versatile player with the ability to operate at centre-back and even right midfield when playing in an attacking system (Transfermarkt).

The Canadian also already has 32 international caps to his name, making him an extremely exciting addition when he makes the transition to Glasgow in the New Year.

Transfer insider Dean Jones has said that Leeds United will allow Adam Forshaw to move on in January.

The Lowdown: Forshaw’s injury issues

The 31-year-old has had a number of off-field struggles in recent years, most notably a hip problem which ruled him out of 71 consecutive games.

Hailed as ‘fantastic’ by former Leeds manager Simon Grayson, Forshaw has made just three appearances in the Premier League during the current campaign and is out of contract next summer.

It looks as if Whites officials are now ready to call time on his Elland Road stay earlier than expected, with preparations being made ahead of the January transfer window.

The Latest: Jones’ comments

Speaking to GiveMeSport regarding Forshaw, Jones said that he has been told Leeds will make the midfielder available for transfer and believes that clubs in the Championship will be interested.

The journalist said of the 31-year-old: “It probably is and he is available in January. I’m told that it is true. There will be interest in him, particularly at the top of the Championship.”

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The Verdict: Right decision

Forshaw has hit double figures for league appearances just once in the last three seasons, so it does appear to be the right decision to offload him in the New Year.

The midfielder showed glimpses of Premier League quality last season, lining out 22 times, but his injury problems have since returned and unfortunately he can’t be relied on due to his fitness history.

Hopefully he will find a new club and play regular first-team football, and he should depart with the best wishes from all associated with Leeds.

QPR will be looking to get back to winning ways when they take on Huddersfield Town at Loftus Road on Tuesday evening.

Michael Beale’s side have faltered in their automatic promotion push in recent weeks, with just one point and no goals from their last three games, with a disappointing defeat at home to West Brom last time out.

However, the Hoops still sit fifth in the Championship and have the ideal opportunity to get back on track tonight, as they face bottom-of-the-league Huddersfield in West London.

Here is how Football FanCast expects QPR to line up against the Terriers, with two changes from the side that lost to West Brom at the weekend.

Seny Dieng has started every game for the Hoops so far this season so looks unlikely to lose his place in between the sticks.

Beale’s defence has not been the problem in recent games and he seems likely to stick with a defence that has started the vast majority of games so far this season, with just 20 goals conceded so far this season.

Therefore, Manchester United loanee Ethan Laird starts at right-back, with summer signing Kenneth Paal on the opposite flank and Leon Balogun and Rob Dickie continuing their partnership in the heart of the defence.

The lack of recent goals should see Beale opt for a more attacking set-up against Huddersfield, considering how much they have struggled so far this season, so Andre Dozzell replaces the “intelligent” Sam Field in the middle of the park, starting alongside the industrious Tim Iroegbunam.

This frees up room for another attacking player, with Olamide Shodipo earning a rare start on the wing ahead of Luke Amos, with Chris Willock moving more centrally.

Ilias Chair has been one of the stars of the season so far with three goals and six assists, so he keeps his place on the left wing, supporting the hard-working Lyndon Dykes in attack, in the hope that they can rediscover their goalscoring touch against the Terriers on Tuesday.

West Bromwich Albion have appointed Jorge Alarcon and Jaime Monroy to join Carlos Corberan’s backroom team, according to reports in the last 48 hours.

The Lowdown: Corberan unveiled

The Spaniard made his return to the Championship when he was unveiled as the new Baggies boss on Tuesday night, taking over the reins from Steve Bruce following his sacking earlier in the month.

The Midlands outfit revealed upon his arrival that existing coaches James Morrison and Gary Walsh would be staying in their roles, though the 39-year-old would be bringing some of his own staff to the Hawthorns.

The Latest: Alarcon and Monroy appointed

According to Football League World, Alarcon and Monroy have ‘joined the club’ to complete Corberan’s behind-the-scenes team.

It’s stated that they are both ‘known and trusted’ by the new manager, with Alarcon having worked alongside him during his time at Huddersfield Town and Olympiacos, whilst Monroy was part of Leeds’ U23s setup.

The Verdict: Welcome additions

West Brom’s latest duo are very welcome additions, and will be able to implement alternative coaching styles whilst communicating with Morrison and Walsh to find the perfect balance of old and new.

The Baggies are currently sitting second from bottom having won just two of their opening 16 games this season, so are desperately in need of some different tactics to get them performing again.

Corberan and his team’s first game in charge will come against Sheffield United this Saturday, and supporters will no doubt be hoping that they are able to make an instant impact.

Newcastle United were in trouble in the Premier League when PIF completed their takeover of the club from Mike Ashley in October 2021.

The new owners opted to sack Steve Bruce and appointed Eddie Howe as his successor in November with the Magpies sitting 19th in the table and five points adrift of safety.

PIF decided to back their first appointment by splashing the cash in the transfer market during their first window in January 2022; bringing in Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn, Matt Targett, and Chris Wood.

These signings and Howe’s management fired the side up the table and to safety as Newcastle ended the season in 11th place, well clear of the bottom three.

Guimaraes, in particular, has been a phenomenal signing for the Magpies so far as he has taken to Premier League football like a duck to water.

The Brazilian joined the club from Ligue 1 side Lyon and Transfermarkt valued him at £27m at the time of the move, after he had scored three goals in 71 appearances for the French outfit.

It did not take him long to settle into life in England as he quickly became a key player for Howe in the middle of the park during Newcastle’s resurgence up the table.

He played 17 times in the second half of the season and chipped in with five goals and one assist, whilst averaging a SofaScore rating of 7.25 – the highest of any Toon player with at least ten appearances.

This term, he has taken his game to the next level and is currently averaging a SofaScore rating of 7.57 in the top flight, a score that only Kieran Trippier (7.58) is ahead of. The exciting dynamo has scored two goals and provided one assist in six outings and has made a big impact at the other end of the pitch, making 4.3 tackles and interceptions per game.

No player in the Newcastle squad has made more defensive actions per match than Guimaraes and this, along with his consistently brilliant ratings, shows how important he is to Howe’s team.

At the time of writing, Transfermarkt value the Brazilian at a whopping £45m. This means that his value has rocketed by £18m (67%) in just ten months at the club, with his price soaring in line with his superb performances on the pitch.

Statman Dave described him as a “sensational” signing for Newcastle and the statistics, both in terms of what he has produced in the Premier League and how his value has soared, back that up.

PIF struck gold by signing him from Lyon back in January and, at the age of 24, he still has plenty left to give. He could grow and improve as he gains more experience in the Premier League and, hopefully, he will be a special player for the Magpies for many more years to come.