All posts by n8rngtd.top

Sunderland fans were far from happy with the performance of Josh Scowen as they only managed a 2-2 draw with Crewe on Saturday.

In fact, the Black Cats were arguably lucky to even come away with a point. They found themselves 2-0 down going in to the last 15 minutes, but fortunately Jordan Jones pulled one back before Charlie Wyke equalised in the seventh minute of injury time. Sunderland are now fifth in the table and in the play-off spots, but they will need better results than this one if they are to remain there.

The display of Scowen was disappointing. In the middle of the park, he won just six of his 12 duels and gave away four fouls (SofaScore). As the Stadium of Light outfit chase promotion, he must do better.

The club’s supporters were far from happy with his showing, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Scowen below

“Scowen’s such a nothing player.”

Credit: @BurntTurnip

“I want Scowen out of this football club would rather bring cookie back as CM never mind kitman”

Credit: @jakeyholyoak

“Callum Macfadzean and Josh Scowen should never wear a Sunderland shirt again mind, both are embarrassing. Never thought I’d say it but we’ll take a point against Crewe Alexandra”

Credit: @AlexT7949

“Macfadzean should never play for us again after that. Get LON at LB & anyone at RB. Midfield starters is anyones guess if GL is now out for a spell, but Scowen was very poor IMO again today. Maybe a chance for Dan Neil to step up, but we’ve options there”

Credit: @Hag_SAFC

“Scowen ruins things”

Credit: @jbaldridge81

“Credit to Lee Johnson for getting us back in the game with his changes. Gutted for Grant Leadbitter hope he has a speedy recovery. One negative for me is Josh Scowen! He does nothing for the team! No assists no goals, can’t tackle, midfield looks weaker with him in the team”

Credit: @blackcathodge86

In other news, Sunderland fans love this club announcement.

Southampton confirmed earlier this week that Josh Sims has rejoined League One side Doncaster Rovers on loan until the end of the season, in what was a baffling transfer decision for a number of reasons.

The 24-year-old spent time with Darren Moore’s side earlier in the season and impressed, contributing three goals and seven assists in just 14 appearances for the club, before returning to Southampton in January.

As a result of his excellent performances, QPR were reportedly interested in signing the 23-year-old on a permanent deal earlier this month, but instead he has been sent back on loan to the League One club.

Sims’ contract with Southampton is set to expire at the end of the season, which makes it surprising that he was loaned out, as you would now expect him to depart the South Coast club on a free transfer at the end of the season when they perhaps could have collected some sort of fee for the £1.44 million-rated winger this month.

It is even more surprising that Sims was allowed to depart on loan when you consider the injury problems that have beset Ralph Hasenhuttl this season, especially on the wing.

Nathan Redmond has only just returned to the first-team after spending time on the sidelines, whilst Moussa Djenepo has been out injured, meaning that the Austrian manager has been extremely short of wing options.

Youngster Will Smallbone featured there against Leicester City before picking up a long-term injury of his own, so it was confusing why Sims didn’t even feature on the bench for Southampton in recent fixtures when we have seen a plethora of much less-experienced academy talents.

Considering his strong form with Doncaster this season, he surely would’ve been a useful option for Hasenhuttl to have, at least while Djenepo and Redmond get back to full fitness.

Therefore it could definitely be considered something of a disaster by Martin Semmens to allow Sims to leave on loan, from both a footballing and financial perspective.

And, in other news, Southampton must make £9.9m-rated beast January priority after Arsenal disaster…

Thiago Alcantara continues to improve for Liverpool despite enduring a difficult first season on English shores.

The 30-year-old midfielder signed from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich last summer, arriving at Anfield after picking up seven consecutive league titles during his time in Germany.

However, coronavirus and a serious knee injury hampered the Spain international’s start to life with the Reds, meaning he’d only made one Premier League start by January.

The last couple of months have represented quite the turnaround for the diminutive maestro, though. A string of impressive performances have seen Thiago earn an average WhoScored rating of 7.5 over his last five outings, outlining his importance to Liverpool’s eight-game unbeaten run in the league.

His display against West Bromwich Albion was arguably his best since arriving on Merseyside, with SofaScore grading him an 8.1, the highest-rated player on the pitch, despite Alisson’s remarkable, headed winner in injury time.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Jurgen Klopp’s men for large periods at the Hawthorns as Sam Allardyce’s side set out to frustrate their opponents, but Thiago’s vision and passing ability stood out amongst the exasperation of the former Premier League champions.

The ex-Barcelona academy graduate was the game’s key creating alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold, as the pair notched up five key passes apiece, more than anyone else on either side.

Compared to his season average of 1.3 key passes per game, Sunday’s exhibition further illustrated the improvements and dominance that has now started to become normal for the two-time Champions League winner.

A game-high 120 touches against the Baggies highlights how the playmaker was pulling all of Liverpool’s strings over the weekend, and with a 91% pass accuracy, it’s clear Thiago has mastered the perfect combination of risky penetrative passes and precise ball retention.

A severe injury crisis to Liverpool’s centre-back options forced holding midfielder Fabinho to fill in at the heart of the defence in the early stages of the season, often leaving Thiago exposed in the No.6 role.

But Ozan Kabak’s arrival in late January allowed the Spaniard to move forward as Fabinho returned to his natural role, and Klopp addressed how this change of position has brought the best out of his £25m purchase.

“So we decided to adapt his position a little bit – that worked out pretty well, it gives us stability, gives him stability, we can use his football skills which are obviously outstanding. Really good,” Klopp said.

The fight for the Champions League qualification places is set to go right down to the wire, and if Liverpool want to return to Europe’s elite cup competition next season, they’ll need Thiago to maintain this outstanding run of recent form.

And, in other news…Lost possession 17x: £34m LFC star proved Klopp right with another shocking display – opinion

Simone Inzaghi remains a managerial target for Tottenham Hotspur, according to reports…

What’s the word?

Wednesday’s print edition of Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness) claimed that the interest from North London is genuine but they are yet to make a move for the Lazio boss.

It’s also suggested that the 47-year-old ‘wouldn’t say no’ to Spurs as they continue to look for a successor to Jose Mourinho, who will take charge of Lazio’s arch-rivals AS Roma from next season.

Inzaghi appears to be unhappy at a lack of a contract offer from the Serie A outfit, with his current deal set to expire in the summer having managed them since 2016.

Shades of Klopp?

A move for Inzaghi shouldn’t come too much as a surprise as Daniel Levy has been “desperate” to sign him before. He was among the top targets before Mourinho was appointed in November 2019.

Interestingly, the former striker has been compared to Liverpool chief Jurgen Klopp for his motivational skills – something Spurs could do with right now.

“Klopp is a great expert in football and I always said that I’d have liked to work with him when I was in my best form,” claimed Lazio forward Ciro Immobile, via Football Italia. “He is a complete coach, he has everything. Having said that, he really reminds me of Simone Inzaghi, as they are very similar in their motivational skills, albeit in slightly different ways.”

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The Athletic claimed that Mourinho “sucked the culture out of the club” whilst his reign unravelled so quickly as his players were left bored and untested by his training sessions, feeling that his defensively obsessive tactics meant they didn’t know how to attack anymore.

Inzaghi would certainly help both those problems as, in addition to his personal skills, he has proven to be a success with his attacking tactics. For example, Immobile has bagged 149 goals in just 215 appearances since his appointment.

Furthermore, the Eagles average 1.9 goals per game under his stewardship, providing further encouragement that he could well get even more out of that Harry Kane and Heung-min Son partnership.

Lauded by BT commentator Adam Summerton for his “outstanding” work at the Stadio Olimpico and dubbed “pound for pound the best coach in Serie A over last 5 years,” Inzaghi could certainly be the solution to fixing morale at Tottenham.

AND in other news, Levy could sign Spurs’ next Dembele in £30m monster who Lineker dubbed “exceptional”…

Newcastle United are reportedly in a race with other clubs in the Premier League to sign Tammy Abraham, according to ESPN.

As per the news outlet, West Ham United and Aston Villa are also interested in signing the Chelsea striker, with Thomas Tuchel’s team prepared to offload him in the summer transfer window.

Abraham will only have two years remaining on his current deal at Stamford Bridge, and the Blues are willing to sell him in order to maximise his value.

Chelsea could be prepared to sell the England international for £40m, but there is apparently confidence among those interested that a deal could well be done for a lower sum.

Newcastle must capitalise on Abraham opportunity

There will not be many opportunities that come around for the St. James’ Park faithful to sign a player of the quality of Abraham.

Described as ‘phenomenal’ by former top-flight boss Alex McLeish back in March, it is hard to disagree when you look at his record in front of goal.

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For a man that has not always started for Chelsea in the 2020/21 term, Abraham has still managed a total of 18 goal contributions in 31 games over all competitions so far (Transfermarkt), which is certainly not to be sniffed at.

Given that he is English and still only 23 years of age, £40m or less could turn out to be a bargain for the striker in the near future.

In other news, find out what arbitration insight Mark Douglas has dropped from takeover sources here!

Celtic don’t currently have a manager in place but that hasn’t stopped their recruitment team from considering new signings.

The Hoops are in danger of losing fearsome striker Odsonne Edouard and thus, the first topic on their agenda is finding a replacement.

What’s the word?

Dominic McKay has had a busy start to life behind the scenes at Parkhead. Not only is he trying to find a new manager but he’s already addressing the playing squad.

One player that’s emerged on their radar is Young Boys forward Jean-Pierre Nsame. With 25 goals to his name this term, he certainly knows where the back of the net is.

However, the Bhoys are targeting an even more prolific forward, one that may not cost them a penny.

That’s because they’re considering a move for Sunderland forward Charlie Wyke. He has netted 30 times in 2020/21 and is out of contract in the summer so could be lured to Glasgow on a free transfer.

The news was revealed by Mark Wilson on the Celtic Huddle podcast (27/04/21). He said: “It is understood that Sunderland striker Charlie Wyke is on a list of potential summer signings.”

Celtic’s new Sutton?

When you think of former Celtic striker Chris Sutton, what do you think of?

The footballer turned pundit is an outspoken voice on the television but on the field of play, he was equally as brutal and ruthless.

A powerful and robust forward, he would frighten the life out of centre-backs with his immense strength and ability to out jump nearly every defender that dared to challenge him in the air.

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In an article in the Independent by Ryan Baldi, he described Sutton’s greatest weapon; “Throughout spells with Norwich City, Chelsea, Celtic and a Premier League triumph with Blackburn Rovers, the 6ft 3ins centre-forward was renowned for the power and accuracy of his heading,” Baldi began.

“With a strong leap, well-developed neck muscles and precise timing, Sutton’s aerial abilities made him a constant threat in the opposition’s penalty area. And the remarkable range from which he could land powerful headers on target brought him solace in one of the most difficult periods of his career,” the writer concluded.

Indeed, those are the type of qualities that Wyke could bring to Celtic if he was signed this summer.

A powerful and tall force, the Sunderland forward has netted 40 times in his Mackems career, 30 of which have come this term. 12 of them, meanwhile, have been scored with his head in League One this season.

After scoring a hat-trick against Wimbledon earlier this term, the Sunderland manager Lee Johnson said: “I’m delighted for Charlie (Wyke), like any striker he’s had to work his socks off, battered from pillar to post by the two centre-halves and he’s dealt with it, and he earned his opportunities, I thought he could have scored five.”

Sutton regularly found himself battered about by centre-halves, but very much like Wyke, he got the better of defenders with absolute ease.

“A top striker can slow down his mind’s eye in the box, be like ice in the box, and Charlie certainly finished with that look,” Johnson added after a 2-0 win over Rochdale.

Wyke has really come into his own this season and if Celtic are looking for a different route to goal, he’d certainly provide them with that next season.

AND in other news, Move over Howe: Desmond could revive Celtic by hiring “kamikaze” 52 y/o boss instead…

According to recent reports, Tottenham Hotspur could look to bring in Gareth Southgate as the club’s new manager following the sacking of Jose Mourinho on Monday.

The report by The Guardian claimed that Daniel Levy would like to appoint an attack-minded coach as the next permanent manager of Tottenham, with the chairman thought to also be looking for a candidate with a modern outlook on the game as well as having “strong credentials” in the development of younger players.

The Guardian continued by claiming that England manager Southgate could emerge as a target for the north London club, as the 50-year-old has an “excellent relationship” with Harry Kane, before stating that the former Middlesbrough boss would be open to a return to club football.

Transfer Tavern Take

Considering that Southgate’s only previous experience as a manager in club football came during a three-and-a-half-year spell at Middlesbrough, in which he oversaw the club’s relegation to the Championship before being sacked in 2009, the argument could certainly be made that the 50-year-old may not be qualified to take over at Tottenham this summer despite coaching the national team and taking them to the World Cup semi-finals.

However, as The Guardian pointed out, perhaps the manager’s relationship with Kane could be of rather large importance to Levy, who will likely do all he can to keep the Spurs star at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer, with the England captain being heavily linked with a move away from the club. That could count in Southgate’s favour if he is interested in replacing Mourinho at N17.

In other news: Insider information on Spurs’ Mourinho sacking emerges; sources rubbish ‘absolutely false’ claim – find out more here!

Many West Ham United fans have been left to laud a transfer update from ExWHUemployee on Tammy Abraham.

Writing on Patreon, the East London club insider has claimed that the Chelsea ace is now the Hammers’ number one striker target in the summer transfer window.

David Moyes’ team are in desperate need of some cover up top for Michail Antonio, and the England international could well fit the bill at the London Stadium.

Abraham has scored no fewer than 12 goals and made a further six assists in 30 games in total over all competitions across the 2020/21 term so far (Transfermarkt), and at just 23 years of age, will only get better.

They would also of course be weakening one of their rivals in the Premier League – based on this year’s top four battle – and strengthening their own squad in the process.

West Ham fans on Abraham transfer update

These Irons lauded the transfer update on Abraham on Twitter (via West Ham Central), with one WHUFC supporter even going as far as to claim that it was ‘unreal’:

“Happily have Tammy at the club. I’d be super happy with him, Lingard and a CB for signings in the summer”

Credit: @RamdogUK

“@Callum_Tyrie YESSSS!!!”
Credit: @craigtyrie

“Would be more than happy with that.”

Credit: @uptonspark17

“This excites me”

Credit: @westham_bubble

“That would be unreal”

Credit: @JimmyMundee

“I’d take him all day long”

Credit: @TommyBUpdates

“No brainer. Young, Hungry, Eager to play. Moyes making the right move here”

Credit: @whu_sam13

In other news, find out who Hammers want as a potential ‘Noble replacement’ here!

Tottenham Hotspur are a long way off competing for silverware, let alone the Premier League title, on a regular basis, under Jose Mourinho.

The north Londoners do have a Carabao Cup final on the horizon, the very trophy of their last true success in 2008, but this fails to compare to that of the top-flight, the FA Cup or European success.

One of Spurs’ biggest problems lies in defence, where the ‘Special One’ simply cannot find a backline suited to his defensive nature.

In 2004/05, Mourinho’s title-winning Chelsea side conceded only 15 goals throughout the season – a Premier League record that still stands to this day. Given the way football is played now, it may never be beaten.

The Blues were incredible, even unbeatable, at the back. Arsenal’s Invincibles side conceded 11 more goals than that, even Liverpool with Virgil van Dijk spearheading the defence leaked 33 goals.

It was the colossal presence of Peter Cech between the sticks, with natural leaders in John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho in the middle, though one name was certainly an unsung hero – William Gallas.

The French defender was already at Stamford Bridge courtesy of a £6.2m deal conducted by Claudio Ranieri.

Then, 28 years old, Gallas slotted in anywhere he could in that backline. A serious injury to Wayne Bridge meant that he primarily played at left-back, but was a central option by trade.

That versatility was crucial for Mourinho that season and interestingly, the Spurs boss could take inspiration from that masterstroke now.

In academy product Japhet Tanganga, he has the perfect prototype to replicate that stroke of genius, as the 21-year-old has already played in all three positions at the back since making his debut against the Reds in January 2020.

His performance that day, at right-back, drew glowing praise from Jurgen Klopp, who dubbed him “very impressive” (via football.london).

Former Spurs striker Darren Bent was soon talking about him, too. He told Football Insider: “He’s a very, very exciting prospect and he’s not let them down.”

The £7.2m-rated gem has only featured ten times this campaign, but again, has shown immense versatility to play through the middle – keeping clean sheets against Lugogorets and Antwerp in the Europa League – and on the right, where he most recently stood out against Aston Villa in the absence of both Serge Aurier and Matt Doherty.

Dan Kilpatrick of the Evening Standard graded his performance an 8/10, whilst similarly, football.london reporter Alasdair Gold claimed the youngster was ‘very assured’ and made some ‘big blocks.’

At 6 foot in height, the “multi-functional” Tanganga is perhaps best suited at full-back, a position that Mourinho believes is his best, though the fact he can play centrally could prove to be a hugely valuable asset over the coming years.

Earning just £25k-per-week in north London, the young prodigy should thrive under the tutelage of assistant coach and club legend Ledley King.

Mourinho could certainly unearth his new Gallas in Tanganga if he hands over the reins to the emerging prospect.

AND in other news, Spurs’ next midfield gem: Jamie Bowden…

In a recent interview, the former Premier League centre-forward, Gabby Agbonlahor, discussed the interest in Glasgow Rangers centre-back, Filip Helander, ahead of the summer transfer window.

So far this season, Helander has been one of Steven Gerrard’s stand out performers in the Scottish Premiership, with the 27-year-old making an average of 1.6 tackles, 0.7 interceptions and 2.1 clearances per match over his 21 league appearances, culminating in an averaging a WhoScored match rating of 7.11 – ranking him as Gers’ seventh-best performer in the Scottish top flight.

As a result of these impressive displays, it has been reported that a number of Premier League clubs, including teams such as Leicester City and Aston Villa, are keeping a very close eye on the £14,000-per-week defender ahead of the upcoming transfer window, with Rangers thought to be demanding a fee of around £6 million in order to part with the Sweden international.

And, speaking recently to Football Insider, Agbonlahor suggested that there will almost certainly be bids submitted for Helander this summer, particularly if he is available for as little as £6 million.

He said: “100 per cent – for that sort of fee, there will be a lot of Premier League clubs looking at him. It’s only £6 million, but money’s tight because of the pandemic. Teams will only go for him if they need him.”

Transfer Tavern Take

Considering the fact that Gers signed Helander from Bologna for £3.02 million just under two years ago, should Gerrard’s side indeed go on to sell the centre-back for the £6 million figure quoted, it would appear to represent a great piece of business from the Ibrox side.

However, despite the financial gain, losing a player whom Gerrard has previously dubbed a “leader” in the Rangers dressing room will undoubtedly be a blow for the Gers boss, who will have to ensure he reinvests the money wisely in his search for a potential replacement for Helander this summer.

In other news: this ‘superb’ £6.2k-p/w star lifted the lid on talks with the Rangers hierarchy – find out more here!