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Tottenham suffered a major dent to their hopes of finishing in the top four in the Premier League this season after falling to a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.

Ryan Mason’s side came into the game off the back of a morale-boosting 4-0 thrashing of Sheffield United last time out, with Gareth Bale netting a hat-trick in the process.

However, the Lilywhites looked completely toothless up in Yorkshire yesterday, managing just three shots on target in the entire 90 minutes and having Hugo Lloris to thank for saving their blushes with a number of top-class saves.

While Sergio Reguilon faced a lot of criticism for his performance, it was arguably Eric Dier who was Spurs’ worst-performing player on the day. The England international looked all at sea with the pace and movement of Leeds’ attack and was caught out by a near-post cross for Patrick Bamford’s goal.

That prompted Spurs journalist Alasdair Gold to remark on Twitter that Dier had fallen “asleep”, and his lack of understanding for when to track runners must have been deeply frustrating for Mason to watch from the technical area.

As per Sofascore, the 27-year-old won just two tackles in the entire game, with even Giovani Lo Celso winning more, and he triumphed in only four of his nine total duels.

It wasn’t just defensively that he struggled however, with the centre-back unable to keep calm when in possession, conceding the ball on 12 separate occasions and being hurried into going long by Leeds’ constant pressing.

Writing in his post-match player ratings for Football.London, Gold gave him a lowly three, saying: “A tough afternoon for the player up against Bamford and was at fault for his goal as he was caught watching the ball as the Leeds ace nipped ahead of him to net. Not a good game at all from the England international in front of Gareth Southgate.”

While Reguilon may shoulder a lot of the blame for his role in a couple of Leeds’ goals, Dier’s overall performance was arguably even worse. Here was an experienced head completely letting his rookie manager down.

Dier was a complete liability with his positioning at the back, and it must raise even more questions as to why Joe Rodon doesn’t start regularly for Spurs.

In other news, this manager could restore shades of Pochettino if Spurs choose him as Mourinho’s successor.

Glasgow Rangers fans are far from happy after their Scottish Cup fourth round clash this weekend was moved from Saturday to Sunday.

With the Premiership already sewn up for the Gers, Steven Gerrard’s men can now concentrate on the Cup as they go in search of a domestic double. This weekend, they face Celtic in what is likely to be their most demanding test in the competition – if they progress, they will be confident of lifting the trophy at Hampden Park.

The match was set to be played on Saturday at 3 pm, but due to the funeral of His Royal Majesty Prince Phillip, the match will now be played on Sunday at the same time. While Rangers are generally staunch supporters of the monarchy (The Athletic), many are frustrated the match has been moved a whole 24 hours rather than just played at a later time on the same day.

The news was shared on Twitter by Rangers’ official account, and the fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the Rangers fans had to say below

“This is farcical. Whats it gettin changed to tmr?”

Credit: @thecollectorpro

“Outrageous man”

Credit: @ZakWinning5

“Ruined my day Mr rangers”

Credit: @Lewis72_

“Missing the game as I agreed to work Sunday disgusting”

Credit: @Seanmcgowan1992

“That’s me sacked on Monday, thanks for ruining my life”

Credit: @Faz_50

“Rediculous could had us saturday at different time”

Credit: @Missyplt38

In other news, Paddy Kenny has urged Rangers to consider the sale of this man.

Many Arsenal fans have been left to fume at some comments made by Bernd Leno before their UEFA Europa League tie away at Slavia Prague.

Speaking in the pre-game press conference ahead of the match, the Germany international said that he is ‘open to everything’, and added ‘maybe for a new adventure’ when asked about his future at the Emirates Stadium.

The fact that he has not ruled out leaving Mikel Arteta’s team has angered several members of the Gunners faithful, with some even going as far as to question whether they sold the wrong goalkeeper in Emi Martinez, who is now thriving at Aston Villa.

Leno could be questioned for not being 100% committed to the North London club at this moment in time after these words, and Gooners will be hoping that that does not translate onto the pitch as they face a crucial second leg in Prague off the back of being held 1-1 at home in the first meeting.

Arsenal fans on Leno comments

These AFC fans fumed upon reading the comments made by Leno on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that the 29-year-old is a ‘fraud’:

“He hasn’t earned the right to talk like this”

Credit: @jamser428

“Pls. Average at best GK!!!”

Credit: @arsenalmad37

“Emi always clear than this fraud”

Credit: @AyZhar_

“What a weird and non-committal thing to say about a club that has shown so much faith to you”

Credit: @thegoonersnews

“Bin him immediately. Another overhyped player not good enough for Arsenal.”

Credit: @Matteo_Olie

“Get rid.. poor attitude”

Credit: @chadfoster_9

In other news, find out what Arteta update from Fabrizio Romano has been slammed by Gunners here!

MatériaMais Notícias

Tem se tornado comum, com o sucesso do trabalho de Jair Ventura, as comparações em relação aos números do seu antecessor, Ricardo Gomes, que trocou o Botafogo pelo São Paulo no meio do Brasileirão. E a evolução com o atual é notória, podendo ser vista também no número de vitórias.

Em 18 jogos sob comando do Glorioso na competição nacional, Ricardo Gomes havia conseguido somente cinco vitórias. O time não apresentava regularidade e se encontrava na zona de rebaixamento. Em apenas oito jogos, Jair Ventura já venceu seis vezes. Ou seja, ultrapassou seu antecessor no número de triunfos. Isso tudo com 10 jogos a menos. Além disso, agora, o Alvinegro aparece na primeira metade da tabela do Brasileirão. O aproveitamento do técnico atual é de 75%, sendo o dobro do técnico que iniciou o Brasileirão (37% no torneio).

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Outro ponto do time alvinegro que mudou muito com o novo comandante foi o sistema defensivo. Com o seu antecessor, o Glorioso sofreu 30 gols em 18 partidas (média de 1,7 por jogo). Com Jair Ventura, o time sofreu apenas três gols nos oito jogos que fez no Brasileiro (média de 0,35 por jogo).

Com quase 40 dias de trabalho, o filho do Jairzinho já consegue dar uma nova cara a sua equipe. E vai fazendo o Botafogo engrenar no Brasileiro. Com 38 pontos somados em 26 partidas – quase metade conquistados com Jair – o Alvinegro ocupa a 9ª posição do Campeonato Brasileiro. E a exibição dos últimos jogos permite ao botafoguense acreditar em um final de ano tranquilo.

For those in the Celtic reserve side, their chances of securing regular first-team action seems difficult to envisage.

That was certainly the case under a stubborn Neil Lennon. Very rarely did the northern Irishman change his methods and it eventually led to his downfall.

An underlying problem at Parkhead has been the lack of opportunities for their young players. Cameron Harper has headed back to America as a result, while the likes of Armstrong Oko-Flex and Karamoko Dembele look set to depart when their contracts expire in the summer.

With that in mind, they have to start handing more minutes out. Adam Montgomery has been on the bench since John Kennedy was put in interim charge but someone who must join him is Luca Connell.

The 19-year-old joined in 2019 from Bolton Wanderers but has, rather bizarrely, never been given a chance in the senior side.

The teenager arrived with 12 appearances for Bolton in the EFL to his name, something which makes his lack of football in Glasgow even stranger.

When he put pen to paper two years ago, he surely wasn’t expecting to sit in the reserves. With the Bhoys signing Liam Shaw in a few months time, another with a similar level of experience under his belt as Connell, he will be hoping his career doesn’t follow in a similar path.

The Hoops have little to play for between now and the end of the season so throwing in players like Connell wouldn’t be a bad idea. By giving him minutes, it could help Kennedy and co. prepare for Scott Brown’s potential exit.

The veteran is out of contract in the summer and thus, there will be a vacancy in the middle of the park to fill. Ismaila Soro will be at the front of the queue but following behind should be Connell.

He is strong in the tackle and assured with his passing, earning numerous positive reviews in his short career to date.

Connell was given a chance to train with Ireland a few years ago and earned the following appraisal from Mick McCarthy, someone linked with the Celtic manager’s seat: “He’s a breath of fresh air around the place,” he began.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-transfer-news-onuachu-edouard-dembele-turnbull” title=”The latest Celtic news and views!”]

“He’s left-footed and he can certainly find a pass. He hits it with a bit of authority and lets people have the ball. He doesn’t mind putting his foot in either so he’s fitted in pretty well,” McCarthy concluded.

That final passage is what should excite Celtic supporters. As Brown and Soro have shown, you can’t play in this Hoops midfield without having a bit of bite about you. Despite his tender age, Connell possesses plenty of that.

With the Hoops skipper potentially on his way out, it is surely now or never in terms of the teenager’s Celtic career. Kennedy needs to give him a chance.

AND in other news, 109 dribbles: Celtic could seal huge Ryan Christie upgrade by signing 18-goal wizard…

Many Wolves fans reacted to reports that Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso has been identified as a possible replacement for Nuno Espirito Santo.

TuttoMercatoWeb revealed that the Italian tactician is now on the Molineux shortlist and the Midlands outfit have been studying his current situation and profile ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

Questions have been asked of Nuno this season after his side have won just nine out of their last 27 league outings, losing 11 and conceding 37 goals in the process (via Fotmob).

Meanwhile, Napoli are sitting just outside of the top four places in Serie A, five points behind Atalanta with a game in hand.

Despite this, supporters were comprehensively against Gattuso taking the reigns of the club as glum memories of former Wolves manager Walter Zenga still loom large in the West Midlands.

Of course, there is also the fact that Nuno has been without star man Raul Jimenez for much of the campaign. Check out the best fan verdicts down below!

Gattuso not wanted by these fans

“Zenga 2.0”

Credit: @mptyler_hwca

“No thanks”

Credit: @danjo_elo

“No no no no he is an appalling manager. How he’s in the Napoli job is beyond me”

Credit: @gricey88

“Rather not”

Credit: @Dalipsss

“Nope!”

Credit: @longliveaze

“I hope not”

Credit: @gazb17

In other news, Many Wolves fans couldn’t fathom ‘ludicrous’ Fosun call.

Writing on Twitter, West Ham United have confirmed a new deal for number one shot stopper Lukasz Fabianski until 2022 – prompting many Irons to flock in excitement to this news as the Poland international decides to extend his stay in east London. 

Fabianski, who is manager David Moyes’ first choice in between the sticks for West Ham, has now opted to remain at the London Stadium until the end of next season.

The 35-year-old’s deal was set to expire upon the conclusion of 2020/2021, but his one-year contract extension means he will remain a Moyes player for the foreseeable future.

West Ham have a real opportunity to clinch European qualification this season, with Fabianski’s new deal meaning he could be along for the ride if Moyes’ men make it.

Flocking to this news, Fabianski’s decision to sign on has prompted much excitement – with one Iron even calling it ‘amazing news’ – the shot-stopper has been superb since joining from Swansea in 2018.

Find all of their best verdicts down below.

West Ham fans erupt at Fabianski new deal

“Amazing news”

Credit: @whuLeo

“Yesssss”

Credit: @whufc_lewis

“Fantastic news just need a quality back up”

Credit: @Ramsgatehammer

“Absolute no brainer. Stability in a position we’ve not had stability in for a long time.”

Credit: @CraigLewis1990

“Big for us, he has been solid”

Credit: @JakeWilliam0502

“Great news, don’t know why people keep discussing bringing in new GKs when he’s performing perfectly fine”

Credit: @henry_hh_95

“Beautiful stuff. Another year of the polish prince”

Credit: @ReganEveringha1

“Great news. Still a fantastic keeper, as we saw against Leeds on Monday. COYI”

Credit: @DJBazMati

In other news: West Ham are eyeing this starlet, find out more here.

كشف عاطف حنفي مدير الكرة بنادي فاركو، عن حقيقة طلب الأهلي ضم محمد صبحي حارس الفريق وموقفه مع الزمالك، مشيرًا إلى أن ناديه لديه حق في مباراة المصري ويبحث عنه.

وقال حنفي في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “Ten”: “محمد صبحي معار من الزمالك لفاركو مقابل 5 ملايين جنيه، وهناك بند أحقية الشراء بـ20 مليون جنيه، هو لاعب في فاركو ولو فعلنا بند الشراء الموضوع سيكون منتهيًا، ولا يوجد بند في عقده أن يعود للزمالك في منتصف الموسم”.

طالع | بعد لفتة محمد الشناوي مع جماهير الأهلي.. من هو سعيد الحظ الذي حصل على ميدالية السوبر الإفريقي؟

وعن حقيقة مفاوضات الأهلي لضم محمد صبحي، قال: “لا توجد مفاوضات من الأحمر، هو حتى الآن لاعب وتفعيل بند الشراء أمر يخص مجلس الإدارة”.

وأكد: “لا توجد مفاوضات من أي نوع، لا من الأهلي أو من أي ناد آخر”.

وبسؤاله عن حقيقة الاتفاق بين فاركو والأهلي على تفعيل الأول بند شراء محمد صبحي من الزمالك ثم إعادة بيعه للأحمر نظير 25 مليون جنيه بجانب انضمام بعض اللاعبين؟ أجاب: “هذا الكلام إلى حد علمي غير صحيح، صعب جدًا أن نكون في هذا الوضع، علاقتنا بالزمالك والأهلي محترمة، وطموحات اللاعب الاحتراف خارج مصر”.

وعن أزمة مباراة المصري، قال: “كل خبراء التحكيم أجمعوا على صحة موقف فاركو وضرورة إعادة المباراة، لا توجد لدينا خصومة مع أحد سواء عصام عبد الفتاح أو محمود البنا، ولنا حق ونبحث عنه”.

طالع أيضًا.. جمال الشريف: البنا لم يخطئ.. ومباراة فاركو والمصري لا تستحق الإعادة

وأوضح: “قدمنا لرابطة الأندية كل ما يفيد بصحة موقف فاركو من مباراة المصري، وفي انتظار قرار رابطة الأندية، ونريد أن يكون القرار عادلًا”.

واختتم: “نخاطب ضمير البنا خريج شريعة وقانون ومأذون شرعي، هو رجل قانون في البداية، ونريد منه أن يكتب سبب طرد أحمد حمودي من الملعب”.

Marcel Brands faces a huge battle to sell Josh Bowler during the January transfer window with the forgotten Everton flop looking to secure a permanent exit this month.

What’s the word?

According to the Liverpool Echo, Bowler is keen to sever his ties with the Goodison Park natives during the mid-season market, rather than wait until the summer when he would become a free agent.

The winger is in the final six-months of his £3,000-per-week contract but has failed to break through into Carlo Ancelotti’s first-team squad after a season on loan with Hull City, while hip surgery in October has kept the 21-year-old sidelined.

Bowler, who won the Premier League 2 title under David Unsworth in 2018/19, is believed to be nearing a return to fitness and hopes to feature against Liverpool later this month when Everton’s Under 23s host their inner-city rivals.

He had scored twice in three PL2 appearances before going under the knife to take his U23s tally to five goals and one assist in 38 appearances, after netting once and creating a goal in 31 outings with the Tigers across all competitions last term.

Hull held a £5m option to purchase Bowler at the end of his temporary spell at the KCOM Stadium but chose against activating the clause following their relegation to League One.

Time to go

Brands must do all he can to facilitate a permanent exit for Bowler in the January transfer window and grant the forgotten 21-year-old his wish, as there is little expectation of the forward suddenly emerging in Ancelotti’s plans and earning his senior Everton debut.

The Toffees agreed a deal worth £1.5m rising to £4.25m with Queens Park Rangers to sign Bowler in 2017 but the decision has not paid off, even though Unsworth once lauded the Chertsey-born forward as being capable of producing magic.

“Josh Bowler was terrific. We need to get the ball to his feet in the final third and that’s where you see his magic,” he told Everton’s club website, via The Boot Room, following a 2-1 win over Sheffield United in February 2019.

Bowler was highly-rated when signed by Everton but often failed to produce any magic for Hull last term, with the forward offering just 0.2 key passes and 0.5 shots a game, making 0.9 successful dribbles and delivering just 0.1 accurate crosses, per SofaScore.

It was no wonder the Tigers passed up on paying big for the youngster following their relegation, which would have solved Everton’s problems well before Brands was left with a huge battle to find a potential suitor and avoid Bowler proving a total financial loss.

AND in other news, Everton can reach a new level by signing a “complete” £31.5m-rated maestro in January…

David Sullivan can deliver David Moyes and West Ham United a physical goal threat by signing rumoured January target Besiktas striker Vincent Aboubakar.

What’s the word?

According to ExWHUemployee, Moyes is keen to bring Aboubakar to the Premier League after West Ham opted to sell Sebastien Haller to AFC Ajax last Friday.

The Ivory Coast international’s departure left Michail Antonio as the only recognised senior striker at the London Stadium, and sparked rumours of interest in a host of names now said to include Aboubakar plus Troy Deeney and Graziano Pelle.

Moyes is claimed to have admired Aboubakar for a while and sees his near-expiring Besiktas contract as a route to bring the Cameroon international, who has scored nine goals and provided two assists in 13 appearances this season, to the Premier League.

Aboubakar had wanted to join the Hammers back in 2017 before joining FC Porto, whom he departed last summer as a free agent and penned a one-year deal with Besiktas that features an option to extend based on his performances over the 2020/21 campaign.

His efforts at Vodafone Park as the third-top scorer in the Super Lig have helped Sergen Yalcin’s side top of the table after 17 games, despite a belief he joined the club out of shape and with no trace of his former self.

Forget Antonio

Aboubakar has overcome his initial issues readjusting to life in Turkey to become one of the division’s top strikers again, and would bring a physical goal threat with him if West Ham do decide to target the £6.5m-rated brute in search of a replacement for Haller.

Aboubakar’s time with Porto took a sour turn over the past few years with the 2018/19 season heavily disrupted by a cruciate ligament rupture, before last term was met with just 10 outings across all competitions allowing for the speculation on his fitness to build.

But his only absences this term have come through tactical decisions and the loss of his mother last month, after which he returned to strike the opener in a 2-2 draw with Hatayspor.

His resilience and goal threat would be enough to rival Antonio at the London Stadium if targeted, and offer Moyes a physical attacker who knows where the goal is at a time the Hammers have only scored twice or more in a game in three of their last 13 fixtures across all competitions.

Antonio looked a shadow of himself on Monday night, too, as he continued his return from a hamstring injury, with a full 90 minutes under his belt the best that could be said for the 30-year-old’s appearance, having often failed to get a shot off at Stockport County.

AND in other news, West Ham risk signing another Sebastien Haller with a £25m January raid for a 6ft potential target…