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After a contrasting week which saw West Ham trade wins with Manchester United across two different competitions, the Irons now return to Premier League action looking to build on their fine form in 2021/22.

David Moyes will want to bounce back from Sunday’s defeat as they head to Yorkshire to face an injury-ravaged Leeds United at Elland Road.

Having rested several of his key players for the win over the Red Devils on Wednesday night, the 58-year-old could well return to his full-strength starting XI today.

Here’s the lineup Football FanCast are predicting this afternoon…

There could be as many as nine changes from the side which won at Old Trafford this week.

Between the sticks, we’re backing Alphonse Areola to keep his place after a very impressive outing. The 6 foot 5 shot-stopper was a commanding presence in goal and it’s believed that he will eventually become Moyes’ permanent no.1 over Lukas Fabianski before the end of the season – perhaps that begins now.

It’s a big call to make but the 28-year-old PSG loanee has to be given a proper run in the team sooner rather than later. He’ll be joined by an entirely new back four this time around, though.

Vladimir Coufal will start, having replaced Ryan Fredericks early in the first half on Wednesday, whilst Aaron Cresswell returns over Ben Johnson on the other flank. Summer signing Kurt Zouma should continue his partnership with Angelo Ogbonna in the heart of defence.

In midfield, both Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek will feel well rested ahead of kick-off as they were not even named in the matchday squad against Manchester United on Wednesday, though they did travel to support the squad.

The only other player to remain from the victory is Jarrod Bowen, but with Michail Antonio available following his one-game suspension, the 24-year-old likely to go back to the right flank, with the Premier League’s joint-leading scorer back up top.

They will be accompanied by Pablo Fornals in the no.10 role and Said Benrahma out wide.

AND in other news, Moyes could find West Ham’s next Tevez in Jan swoop for “magical” £18m-rated marksman…

Pundit Gabby Agbonlahor believes Celtic should stick with Hoops manager Ange Postecoglou despite the pressure piling at Parkhead, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Postecoglou’s comments

The Hoops have now been victorious in just two of their last eight fixtures in all competitions following a 4-0 defeat at Celtic Park to Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday.

Prior to that loss, Postecoglou commented dismissing the ‘narrative’ that his Celtic side were ‘struggling’.

However, on Friday morning, reporter Kieran Devlin dropped a worrying claim regarding Postecoglou, admitting it looks doubtful he will get the extended period needed to really instil his philosophies.

The Latest: Agbonlahor’s comments

Agbonlahor, who now contributes as a pundit for Sky Sports, was asked by Football Insider if Postecoglou’s position should be under threat.

He thinks the Hoops will give the manager some time, especially with players out injured, with Kyogo Furuhashi only recently making his return.

“I don’t think so.

“Rangers have dropped points as well. It was always going to be tough this season for Celtic. They didn’t have much money to spend, they lost Odsonne Edouard and Scott Brown.

“They’ll give him some time. As long as he doesn’t start losing week in, week out. They’ll give him some time, definitely.

“They’ve got players out with injuries as well, like Kyogo Furuhashi.”

The Verdict: Spot on

Celtic chiefs shouldn’t be expecting miracles from Postecoglou in his first season. There’s been plenty of changes off the field, a number of incomings and outgoings in regards to recruitment and he’s had to deal with plenty of injuries.

Time is required with Postecoglou being dealt a rough hand to start with, and hopefully, things will get better over the coming months.

If they don’t, then Celtic may decide to seriously consider Postecoglou’s position, but for now, they’ll have to remain patient.

In other news: Another Celtic injury blow confirmed with ace who Ange called ‘quality’ added to list.

Leeds United winger Raphinha may have become even more crucial for the Whites than Kalvin Phillips, according to journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Raphinha excels on Brazil debut

The 24-year-old has been superb for Leeds since arriving from Rennes in 2020 and he has taken his form with him to the international stage.

Raphinha registered two assists on his Brazil debut on Thursday evening, helping them to a 3-1 victory away to Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier.

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The Latest: Hay hails winger

It was a performance that summed up Raphinha’s brilliance, and taking to Twitter on Friday morning, The Athletic‘s Hay admitted that he could be the first name on Leeds’ team-sheet, ahead of even Phillips:

“One of the questions in the mailbag was ‘Is Raphinha Leeds’ most important player?’ and even though Phillips is the player Leeds really miss, you could easily make an argument for Raphinha.”

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The Verdict: Phillips still the key man

Raphinha is a wonderful footballer who is unquestionably one of Leeds’ star men, but Phillips is still the player they miss the most when he isn’t there, losing seven out of the nine fixtures he was absent for in the top flight last term.

That was highlighted in the 5-1 defeat at Manchester United on the opening weekend of the season when the Whites’ midfield fell apart without him in the team.

Phillips has averaged 2.3 tackles per game in the Premier League this season – only Liam Cooper (2.7) has more – as well as an 84.6 percent pass completion rate.

The England international brings so much energy, quality and all-round influence in the middle of the park that he has the edge over Raphinha, which isn’t to diminish his own class as a footballer.

In other news, one Leeds player has been tipped to make a ‘breakthrough’. Find out who it is here.

Some Liverpool supporters have reacted negatively to a report claiming the Reds are interested in signing Reading youngster Femi Azeez.

It has been a quiet summer on the transfer front at Anfield, with rivals bringing in huge names but Jurgen Klopp appearing content with his squad.

Ibrahima Konate remains Liverpool’s only signing in this window and it looks unlikely that any major reinforcements will be made before deadline day on Tuesday.

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The Reds have still been tipped to do some business in the coming days, however, with Caught Offside [via @DaveOCKOP on Twitter] claiming that Azeez could make the move to Merseyside and that they have ‘opened talks’ with the player.

He is currently plying his trade at Reading, with the 20-year-old scoring twice in five appearances for the Championship club.

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Liverpool fans fume at Azeez claim

It isn’t a transfer story that has gone down well with these Liverpool fans on Twitter, with many hoping bigger names come in.

“This club is a joke”

Credit: @Fawziyaaaaa

“Liverpool’s banter era has begun”

Credit: @MichaelK_92

“I’m crying”

Credit: @tsrbys

“I’m throwing myself head first into the harbour”

Credit: @NateGuildea

“Cancel the window”

Credit: @DiogoJotaFC20

“Our biggest rivals just signed Cristiano Ronaldo”

Credit: @ChrissyL_LFC

In other news, some Liverpool fans are also unhappy at another transfer rumour. Read more here.

MatériaMais Notícias

Está cada vez mais difícil para o Botafogo conseguir mais uma opção de velocidade para o ataque. A última tentativa foi Erick, do Náutico, mas o negócio não se concretizou e o jogador deve ir para o futebol europeu. A transação envolveria R$ 500 mil pelo empréstimo com valor de R$ 2 milhões fixado para compra, mais a troca de Renan Fonseca, Octávio e Vinícius Tanque para o Timbu. O zagueiro recusou, e assim a transferência não se consumou.

Renan Fonseca é, atualmente, a última opção para a zaga alvinegra, apesar de ter sido titular no início deste ano, frequente em 2016 e titular na disputa da Série B, em 2015. Na equipe pernambucana, no entanto, ele teria que liderar a defesa do lanterna da competição, que levou 19 gols em nove partidas e marcou apenas dois pontos. O clube atravessa terrível situação financeira.

Aos 19 anos, Erick é considerado a chance de o Náutico sanear as dívidas que assolam o clube. O Botafogo segue em busca de reforços para o ataque e corre contra o tempo, uma vez que as inscrições para a Copa Libertadores terminam em 11 dias.

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When Slavisa Jokanovic took over the reins at Sheffield United earlier this summer, it was clear that the Blades board had appointed the 53-year-old with the sole aim of securing an immediate return to the Premier League.

However, after three games in charge of the club, the Serbian manager finds his United side in the Championship relegation zone, with the club’s most recent defeat, a 4-0 hammering by Valerien Ismael’s West Bromwich Albion side, being an extremely worrying result for everyone involved with the club.

Indeed, over the course of the 90 minutes, it never truly looked as if the Blades were going to get something out of the game, with Jack Robinson’s 26th-minute own goal giving the hosts the lead, which Albion stretched further with three quickfire second-half strikes from Dara O’Shea, Alex Mowatt and former Sheffield United forward Callum Robinson.

In terms of individual performances, perhaps unsurprisingly, none of the Blades players had what could be deemed as a good game, with only Chris Basham and Ben Osborn receiving a SofaScore match rating of 7.00.

On the other hand, there were a number of disastrous displays, with stand-in goalkeeper Michael Verrips earning a 5.1 SofaScore rating and Jack Robinson receiving a 5.8, however, it was arguably David McGoldrick’s performance that was the most disappointing of the evening.

Indeed, over the 33-year-old’s 57 minutes on the pitch, the £1.35m-rated centre-forward missed both of United’s two big chances, mustered no shots on target, completed a grand total of five passes and touched the ball just 19 times.

The £27k-per-week man also won just two of his 12 duels – a win rate of 16% – lost possession of the ball eight times and conceded one foul – for which he received a yellow card.

These returns saw McGoldrick earn an extremely disappointing SofaScore match rating of 5.5, which, if it were not for Verrips shipping four goals, would have seen the striker rank as Jokanovic’s worst player in the fixture.

As such, it would be a difficult argument to make that the veteran forward did not let his manager and teammates down on Wednesday evening, with the 33-year-old certainly having to up his level of performance going forwards if he and his side are to have any hope of securing promotion this season.

In other news: Bye Ramsdale: Jokanovic must sanction Sheff Utd swoop for “incredible” £14k-p/w beast

Ray Jennings, the former South Africa coach, has cracked the whip within days of joining the Bangalore Royal Challengers and said that “if the top guys don’t perform, it’s time to move on”. Jennings is also worried about the fitness and motivation levels

Sriram Veera04-Nov-2008
Ray Jennings blamed the senior players in the side for the failure of the Bangalore team in the inaugural IPL © Getty Images
Ray Jennings, the former South Africa coach, has warned of sweeping changes in his new side, the Bangalore Royal Challengers, and voiced concern over the fitness and motivation levels of the “older guys” in the team. “If the top guys don’t perform, it’s time to move on,” he said.Jennings said he was surprised at the “balance of ages” and composition of the Bangalore team, and said the strategy that went into picking the team early this year was not well-planned. “When you picked, you would have known that Dravid, Kumble and Kallis might retire soon; the whole Challenger side might be retired in three years’ time.”A turnaround, by getting the “right players in the right positions”, Jennings said, would take some time to complete.Bangalore, led by Rahul Dravid, appointed Jennings as coach after finishing seventh out of eight teams in the inaugural IPL this year. Their chief executive was sacked midway through the tournament and Martin Crowe was replaced by Ray Jennings as coach last month.In between, Vijay Mallya, the Indian industrialist who owns the Bangalore franchise, openly criticised the composition of the team, tagged as a Test side, comprising players such as Dravid, Wasim Jaffer, Jacques Kallis, and Anil Kumble, who quit international cricket on Sunday.”The older guys worry me,” Jennings told Cricinfo. “IPL is quick and intense for six weeks. They worry me from the point of injury and motivation levels. I am not surprised at the quality of the Test players (selected last year) but the balance of the ages. In three years, many could be retired. To me, that doesn’t make sense.”Jennings said he would not be awed by the star players in the side and would focus on getting the best performances from them. “If I am not going to replace, then I am going to be replaced,” he said. “I don’t look at the names but the performances on the field. Name is one thing but I need a guy who needs to make the owner proud on the field. If the top guys can’t do it, then it’s time to move on.”Asked why the side failed last time, Jennings blamed it on the senior players. “The team lacked energy, commitment and skills. If you don’t enjoy each other’s company it must be a long six weeks. I will point the fingers at the senior players. They are the one who must have run that type of the culture in the side.”Meeting DravidRay Jennings is planning to meet Rahul Dravid to discuss the future of his captaincy and role in the side.”If Dravid is not the best captain, between us we will have to work itout,” Jennings said. “If he is the best guy to open the batting, that’s where he must bat. I met him for a day in May. We will sit together again and see the best role he can play. I want the best for the team.”I am going to ask the players one question: are they a Test team or are they cricketers?” he said. “If they are cricketers, let’s go out and whip a few backsides. The old guys have to understand the challenges. All the guys have taken a hiding and the owner is upset.”Jennings expressed concern over the availability of players from South Africa and Australia for the entire duration of the 2009 edition of IPL, and said he was not yet sure about his team’s budget for the one-month players’ transfer window that starts on December 15. “You can’t keep spending the money. You have a three-year contract in place. I see myself working with the majority of the existing set-up for some time,” he said.Jennings also spoke about the intensity of South African players, following comments from Dale Steyn, the fast bowler, that the IPL was a paid vacation for some cricketers. “The players have to understand that they can’t relax else they shouldn’t take their salary. Kallis and Boucher have worked with me before and they know I won’t take nonsense in that area.”I am not coming here to see the Indian guys and the foreigners going separate ways. They have to work together. I am going to make sure that I am in charge of a single unit. It’s not just about hitting balls, it about mixing with people; it’s about how they conduct themselves off the field.”Jennings was firm about his intolerance for any indiscipline in the team. “The same rules apply as they play in Test cricket. In some ways, more so. The salary per ball is higher here than in any other cricket. I can’t have a cricketer getting drunk before a game or any thing of that sort. I am going to challenge players if I feel a lack of intensity.”Despite the poor performances last year, Jennings was confident of turning things around. “Throughout my whole life I have taken sides from nothing to something. I wouldn’t want to be in for a six-week period. I want to be part of the Challengers for some period of time. It’s going to be the biggest challenge in my life.”

Joe Wainman of All Leeds TV believes that Jack Harrison has grown into a top player during his time at Elland Road.

The club confirmed earlier this summer that they had struck a deal to bring him into the club from Manchester City on a permanent basis. Leeds have paid around £11m for his signature.

Harrison had actually spent the last three seasons on loan at Elland Road but the deal has now been confirmed to keep him at the club on a full-time basis.

Harrison’s output has increased throughout his time at Leeds, as he scored four goals and registered three assists in 2018/19 in the Championship and scored six goals and laid on eight assists in 2019/20. In 2020/21, his first season in the Premier League, he scored eight and assisted eight more.

Wainman insists that Harrison was not at such a high level when he first moved to Leeds, and has improved season upon season at the club.

He said: “I go back to Jack Harrison as a great comparison. When he initially came in, in the Championship, genuinely he was half the player he is now and some Leeds fans just didn’t get it.

“Now look at Jack Harrison, we’ve signed him on a permanent basis and he’s perfect for what we do.”

Ireland have named a strong squad for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers which will be held in Belfast between August 2 to 4

Cricinfo staff03-Jul-2008Ireland have named a strong squad for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers which will be held in Belfast between August 2 to 4.The inclusion of the county players who missed this week’s tri-series in Scotland will be a major boost. A weakened team were thrashed by New Zealand, losing by a record 290 runs, and then suffered a second defeat to the hosts.William Porterfield, who opted to remain with Gloucestershire, returns to captain the squad, while former skipper Trent Johnston, who stood down last season, also makes a comeback.Phil Eaglestone’s inclusion is dependent on the results of his visit to a specialist this weekend, with Reinhardt Strydom placed on standby should he be declared unfit.Ireland squad William Porterfield (capt), Niall O’Brien, Eoin Morgan, Kevin O’Brien, Andre Botha, Andrew White, Kyle McCallan, Alex Cusack, Gary Wilson, Trent Johnston, Thinus Fourie, Peter Connell, Phil Eaglestone, Gary Kidd.

Manchester United appear to be prioritising their pursuit of Raphael Varane this summer, but another Madrid-based star could also be on his way to Old Trafford.

What’s the story?

According to Spanish outlet AS (as reported by the Manchester Evening News), Saul Niguez is a wanted man, with rumours of a swap deal between the Atletico Madrid midfielder and Barcelona’s Antoine Griezmann continuing to rumble on.

However, the report claims that the swap deal hasn’t progressed much in recent days, leading to Saul’s agent contacting both United and their fierce rivals Liverpool to sound out a potential move to the Premier League.

Atletico are thought to be calm about the situation and are set to demand  €40m (£34.2m) for the highly-rated Spain international.

Solskjaer would love him

With the likes of Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, Donny van de Beek, Fred and Scott McTominay to call upon, United are well-stocked in the centre of the pitch at this moment in time.

Having said that, speculation over Pogba’s future continues to grow, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be forced into the transfer market to strengthen his engine room over the coming months.

Therefore, a move for Saul may be an extremely appealing prospect for the Norwegian tactician.

The technically gifted dynamo has established himself as a world-class operator in recent years, scoring 43 goals and providing 19 assists in 337 appearances for Atleti, winning one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey and two Europe League crowns along the way.

His impressive performances saw Saul linked with a move to Old Trafford as recently as 12 months ago when he was also outlined as a potential replacement for Pogba.

Former United defender and BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand lauded the Spaniard following the transfer talk, praising his ability on the ball and tactical awareness.

“I don’t want Pogba to go, but if he does go, I’d take Saul Niguez all day long. Not like-for-like but still a top player,” Ferdinand said.

“What a player. I’ve been harping on about Saul Niguez for a few years now. I think he’s a major player. He’s composed, calm, great left foot, lovely conductor, he can score goals, tactically he’s very aware.

“You can see (Diego) Simeone, he gets his teams really well set up, and he’s in the middle orchestrating and dictating things.”

It remains to be seen whether United make a move for Saul this summer, but with only a year remaining on his current contract, he could be a real bargain for whoever takes an interest.

And, in other news…Imagine him & Fernandes: Ole must unleash “perfect” £27m-rated Man Utd star next term