All posts by n8rngtd.top

Lots of Everton fans have welcomed an update from the club on Jean-Philippe Gbamin.

The Toffees’ official Twitter page announced that the former Mainz ace is back in training with the first team squad after a lengthy spell out with injury.

Gbamin has not been able to play for the Toffees since August 2019, and so it has come as a much welcome relief to all associated with Everton that he is back in training and may well play a part for Carlo Ancelotti’s team for the rest of the season.

The midfielder will also be a relieved man himself, as he may have been questioning whether he would ever be able to play football again following such a long spell out of action

Everton fans on Gbamin update

These Everton supporters hailed the update on Twitter, with one fan claiming that they were ‘delighted’ while others went as far as to call it ‘amazing’ and a bigger boost to the club than the recently-approved new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock:

“Amazing to see JPG back with the @Everton squad, hard work and determination will get deserved rewards and here’s hoping we can see him grace the Goodison pitch sooner rather than later, can’t wait to see what he can achieve under Ancelotti #EFC”

Credit: @efcbigdunc

“Such wholesome content, let’s go JPG”

Credit: @SmoothieJD

“Gbamin do his leg stretches leaning against the imaginary wall! Brilliant to see him training he gets some games in the run up to summer then ready and raring for next season show us what he can do! Been such a hard time for him! Made up for him!”

Credit: @toptoffeegirl

“Absolutely delighted for him”

Credit: @Richlloyd1984

“Bigger than Bramley Moore this”

Credit: @Vicaz22

“Absolutely buzzing for this lad, hope he kicks on now and stays injury free. Could be a big player for us in the run in.”

Credit: @ItsOnlyJk

In other news, find out what Alisher Usmanov news has been lauded by numerous Everton fans!

Former West Brom midfielder Carlton Palmer has identified Chris Wilder as a potential successor to Sam Allardyce at the Midlands club, in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

With West Brom facing relegation, Allardyce’s long-term future at the Hawthorns is uncertain. The 66-year-old is reported to have a break-clause in his contract that becomes active at the end of the season if the Baggies fail to avoid the drop, casting much doubt.

If Allardyce does end up departing, Wilder is one name that the West Brom board could consider following his recent exit from Sheffield United, and Palmer believes it is an opportunity that could interest the ex-Blades boss.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, the retired England international said:

“I mean, they’ve got a good squad of players now that Sam has got together. I think Chris will go back into football, for sure. He’s a footballing man, he loves football.

“Wherever he goes to work, he will want control of footballing matters, so I would say West Brom may interest him. Obviously you want to stay in the Premier League if you can, but there’s only so many jobs in the Premier League. So the next thing is in the Championship, can you take over a club and get promoted? He’s proven he can do that.”

Given Allardyce has experience managing in the Championship, winning promotion with West Ham back in the 2011/12 season, it may be worth sticking with the former England manager.

However, if action is taken and West Brom do find themselves on the lookout for a new coach, then Wilder is surely one name that they would have to consider. While things certainly did not go to plan for the 53-year-old in the current campaign, he did a great job overall at Bramall Lane, taking Sheffield United all the way from League 1 to the Premier League.

Having been allowed to leave Aston Villa on loan in the January transfer window, it’s fair to say Conor Hourihane is doing his best to remind those at his parent club why he should have been kept.

The Republic of Ireland international had struggled to get much game-time at Villa Park in the first half of the season in the Premier League, playing just 228 minutes of top-flight football before his departure for Swansea.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of a game against West Ham earlier this season, Villa manager Dean Smith was quick to acknowledge that it was difficult for Hourihane. He said: “Conversations can be difficult but if you’re just speaking to the players with honesty then you usually find a way through that.

“We’d played two, won two and Conor had come off in both games. We signed Ross and I felt we needed to go a different way against Liverpool given who we were playing against. I explained that to Conor and, yes, he was disappointed because he had been involved in the first two games but we felt we’d brought in a real, high-calibre, different type of player.”

Now on loan at the Liberty Stadium, Hourihane is underlining just what a talented player he is on his day, already racking up five goals in just 12 games in the Championship.

It’s no surprise that Steve Cooper, his manager at Swansea, has raved about the Irishman, saying: “He’s been so impressive from the day he’s come through the door, which wasn’t that long ago. I thought his composure and quality on the ball is what we want it to be. If that’s the start of things to come then happy days.”

Last summer, Villa journalist Dan Bardell waxed lyrical about the midfielder’s ability following an impressive performance in a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace towards the end of the 2019/20 season.

He said: “Whether you rate Conor (Hourihane) or whether you don’t, and obviously we’re two people that rate him highly, you can’t deny that when he’s on the pitch, we’ve looked better this season. And he’s a weapon from set pieces.

“The way he looks after the ball is very underrated as well. I think a lot of people take that for granted.”

Given how well he has performed for Swansea in the short time he has been there, and the troubles which Villa themselves have faced in recent weeks (they’ve managed just three goals in their past five games), Smith must surely be ruing letting the 1.81m-tall (5 foot 11) Hourihane leave in January.

Meanwhile, Villa are making a big mistake over signing this midfielder…

Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has hailed Illan Meslier, tipping him to play in the biggest games in club football in the future.

The 21-year-old is proving to be a hugely successful signing for the Whites, having joined permanently from Lorient last summer, initially shining on loan during 2019/20.

Meslier played his part in Marcelo Bielsa’s side being promoted to the Premier League last season and has started 30 of his team’s 31 top-flight matches this time around.

[freshpress-quiz id=“351040″]

Kenny heaps praise on Meslier

Someone who knows a thing or two about what makes a good ‘keeper is Kenny, who enjoyed a long and successful career, having spells with Leeds and Sheffield United, among numerous others.

Speaking to Football Insider, the ex-Whites man hailed Meslier’s quality, claiming he will end up playing in the latter stages of the Champions League one day:

“I remember watching him against Sheffield United and he made some of the best saves I’ve seen all season at 0-0. The potential is there.

“He’s one who could get to that level of playing Champions League semi-finals and finals in the future.

“To be playing Premier League standard at that age is impressive. I didn’t turn pro until I was 20 and they’re playing Premier League standard at that age. I didn’t even have a goalie coach until I was 25.

“I got to where I got through natural ability. I wouldn’t have been linked with PSG though. More likely GHD now my hair’s gone curly.”

Transfer Tavern take

For Meslier to already be such a key man in the Premier League at 21, especially for a ‘keeper, says so much about his long-term potential.

He has been a vital player ever since becoming first-choice between the sticks under Bielsa – he is second in the top flight in saves behind only Sam Johnstone – and he should only get better as he matures with age.

The hope is of course that Leeds continue to build so much as a team that Meslier is playing for them in the Champions League in the future, not a giant like PSG as Kenny suggests.

In other news, Leeds have been linked with a move for one Premier League star – find out who it is here.

Many Everton fans have been left in agreement with Jamie Carragher after he did some analysis on the Goodison Park faithful on Monday Night Football.

The Liverpool legend said (via Toffee TV) that it would be a ‘disappointment’ if the Merseyside club do not qualify for European competition for the start of the 2021/22 term due to the quality of manager they have in Carlo Ancelotti, but thinks that the Toffees will fall short of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.

The Blues are currently sitting in seventh spot in the Premier League table at the moment on 43 points, just two off of fourth-placed West Ham United with a game in hand (BBC Sport).

While qualifying for Europe’s elite competition is of course a possibility for Ancelotti and his side, they still have the likes of reigning champions Liverpool and big spenders Chelsea to compete with, while also potentially looking over their shoulder for more challengers.

Everton fan reaction to Carragher analysis

These EFC supporters agreed on Carragher’s analysis on Twitter:

“No he’s absolutely right there. Let’s not forget this is Carlo’s first full season, what he’s done already is lay the foundations for the future.”

Credit: @IanG1878

“Completely agree!”

Credit: @james_page26

“Spot on for me, after this season I’ll be disappointed if we don’t get Europe.”

Credit: @PfftSwifti

“Think he has a point to be fair. Our priority is Europa, anything else is a bonus.”

Credit: @nickgartland

“He’s spot on tbh”

Credit: @Yaboiholo

“Think he’s right tbf, but you never know”

Credit: @scousemouse56

In other news, find out what Fabrizio Romano transfer update has been lauded by Everton fans here!

Noel Whelan has slammed Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf and the Scottish government after they threatened to postpone Glasgow Rangers’ Old Firm derby this weekend should they fail to receive safety assurances.

Whelan slams Yousaf’s Rangers threat

Last Sunday, the Gers were confirmed as Premiership champions after Celtic could only draw 0-0 with Dundee United. That led to thousands of the Ibrox outfit’s supporters taking to the streets of Glasgow to celebrate – not only did they break coronavirus regulations to do so, but a number of arrests were made after damage was done to public property (Sky News).

Yousaf has since claimed the Old Firm derby between the Gers and Celtic could be postponed if certain assurances are not made (Twitter). Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan has hammered this threat. He said:

“They’re the ones, the government, giving the guidelines.

“Make sure you’re there then, Make sure you’ve got everything in place to stop this from happening. It’s simple.

“They’re the ones that have to put things in place to make it safe, to keep fans away. It doesn’t take too much for that to happen. It’s like they want it to fail so they can whinge about something.

“Everybody knows how important the Old Firm is. Not just to the two sets of fans but football in general. Everyone wants to watch it, it’s a spectacle and one everybody looks forward to whether you support the clubs or not.

“It’d be shocking. It’d be a disgrace if it didn’t go ahead just because they feel that fans might breach certain Covid guidelines.”

Nuance

On the one hand, you can understand Yousaf’s point of view. Given the current pandemic we are currently living through, it is hardly good news to see thousands take to the streets regardless of the reason.

However, now the Gers have won the league, there is little reason for fans to go out in large numbers. The threat, therefore, comes across as scaremongering and shows little understanding of the situation. Any Rangers fans who do take to the streets are only jeopardising their club’s reputation.

In other news, Rangers fans react to this Sky Sports news.

As West Brom’s struggles continue, they will surely live to regret one of their summer decisions…

What was the word?

Back in June, the Express & Star revealed that American left-back Antonee Robinson was one of the Baggies’ top transfer targets and it was claimed that they were willing to pay his £2m release clause.

Two months later, the 23-year-old opted to join Premier League and relegation rivals Fulham in a move that appears to be costing Albion by the week.

One that got away?

West Brom not only have the worst defensive record in the top-flight but also across Europe’s five elite leagues too. Sam Allardyce’s side have leaked a whopping 52 goals from their 22 outings, some 16 more than any other Premier League side.

He’s yet to settle on his first-choice backline, which has been evident in his constant chopping and changing of the full-backs.

Dara O’Shea and Darnell Furlong keep swapping in and out on the right, whilst Big Sam clearly doesn’t trust Gibbs as Conor Townsend has come straight back in on his return from a pretty lengthy layoff.

The story may have been so much different had they landed the bargain signature of Robinson.

Fulham have also struggled, but they haven’t conceded so many goals.

Indeed since December, they have only once conceded more than two goals in one game – by comparison, under Allardyce, the Baggies have leaked five twice, four and three in four of their last five home outings.

The USMNT international has played a key part as he ranks third for overall WhoScored rating (6.97) in Scott Parker’s squad. West Brom’s best full-back has been Townsend (6.81) and then O’Shea (6.42).

Robinson contributes positively at either end of the pitch, which is why he would have been a perfect addition at the Hawthorns as they struggle to score on top of being easily bypassed.

Per WhoScored, the young left-back manages 2.2 tackles per 90 at a success rate of 72.3% as well as 1.7 interceptions per 90, proving to be a hardworking beast off the ball.

Neither Townsend (1.7 tackles, 1.5 interceptions per 90) nor Gibbs (1.7 tackles per 90) can match such returns.

Similarly, Robinson’s 1.4 key passes per 90 is over double what the Baggies duo have achieved thus far in creativity up the pitch.

Indeed, his manager at Fulham, Parker, has already been left impressed by what his new signing has offered this season, saying: “He’s done incredibly well. (He’s) a boy with a big, big heart and a boy with a fearless attitude that embraces and takes things on a daily basis, same as in the games.

“He’s got quality and ability which I think we’re all seeing. (There’s) still loads to improve and loads to learn, but he has a real work ethic about him and a mentality about him that he’s willing to do that.”

The Baggies’ fortunes wouldn’t have been instantly changed had they secured the American in the summer, but certainly, the decision from sporting director Luke Dowling to not bring him in for just £2m is looking worse and worse as each game passes by.

They should have given him everything he was after.

AND in other news, 89% duels lost: West Brom ace drops disasterclass vs Sheff Utd…

Such has been the meteoric rise that Emile Smith Rowe has enjoyed over the past month or so at Arsenal, that Mikel Arteta decided he was one of the players who needed to be rested ahead of his side’s Premier League clash against Southampton.

The Gunners boss rested him completely from the squad that faced the Saints in the FA Cup at the weekend, and it was perhaps of little surprise that the north Londoners looked a shadow of their recent selves without their creative hub – they had 62% of possession but only had two shots on target in the entire game.

So when Arsenal head back to the south coast on Tuesday night to take on Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, this time in the Premier League, Smith Rowe surely has to be one of the first names on the teamsheet.

The England youth international has been a welcome breath of fresh air for a Gunners side that were in desperation mode before he was thrust into the spotlight.

Since then, the £20k-a-week earning Smith Rowe has led the way as Arsenal rattled off four wins and a draw in the five consecutive league games that he started.

He’s picked up three assists in those games, and also scored the opener in the FA Cup third clash against Newcastle in extra-time, when Arteta brought him on to act as his game-changer.

It’s certainly a massive burden to place on someone so young – Smith Rowe doesn’t turn 21 until late July – but he’s already shown that he can handle that pressure.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand spoke glowingly about the Arsenal prodigy, saying on Monday: “He’s come in and done unreal things. The way he’s played, he’s been a breath of fresh air at Arsenal, I’m sure the fans, if they were there, would be going crazy about him.

“He brings assists, he brings a calmness to the way Arsenal play. He’s the type of player who could have played over a number of generations at Arsenal in the way he plays football.”

And when you consider how poorly Willian has been performing for this entire season – he’s yet to score for his new club – and the fact that he failed to take his chance against Southampton when playing in the number ten role, it makes it all the more important for Smith Rowe’s immediate return to the starting line-up tonight.

Meanwhile, Arsenal can sign their next Ashley Cole in this Premier League starlet…

Steven Gerrard has said that Glasgow Rangers cannot defend Alfredo Morelos after his latest show of indiscipline.

Morelos cannot be defended

Colombia international Morelos will be missing for three Premiership games following his stamp on Hibernian’s Ryan Porteous during the Gers’ 1-0 victory (BBC).

Speaking ahead of the Ibrox outfit’s clash with St. Johnstone, Gerrard confirmed that he could not defend the actions of the 24-year-old. He said (via SportsMole):

“I have looked at the incident a lot of times and I don’t think there is a case for us to defend in this situation.

“Having said that, it doesn’t mean we are pleased with everything that happened in that game or has happened during this season or previous seasons.

“So it is something behind the scenes that myself and the board are working very hard on in terms of trying to find better solutions in terms of the disciplinary and the processes that go on.

“It is something we will continue to try to be a support to in terms of the authorities to try and make things better and more consistent.

“It is obviously disappointing from my point of view not to have Alfredo available, it is what it is and my focus is on the players that are available.”

No-one to blame but himself

You would forgive Gerrard for running out of patience with Morelos. The former Liverpool captain has already seen the striker receive his marching orders seven times under his tutelage (Transfermarkt), and he has sailed close to the wind on a number of occasions already this term – he slapped the back of Scott Brown’s head in the first Old Firm derby of the season, while he avoided a red card after elbowing Dundee United’s Mark Connolly (he was retrospectively given a two-match suspension for that incident).

He has popped up with some important goals this season – for example, he bagged a brace as the Gers defeated Aberdeen 2-1, and he netted the only goal of the game in that victory over Hibs – but he remains a player Gerrard cannot fully rely on, and you feel he may never mature enough to eradicate these moments of madness from his game.

With Kemar Roofe, Cedric Itten and Jermain Defoe all at the boss’ disposal, the absence of Morelos is no longer a huge problem.

In other news, Rangers fans were delighted with a clip of this broadcaster.

Crystal Palace slumped to a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road in a result which has left Roy Hodgson’s side outside the top half of the Premier League table.

Palace allowed Leeds to take an early lead through Jack Harrison, and struggled to earn a foothold in the game thereafter once Patrick Bamford put the game beyond the Eagles shortly after the break, leaving them level on points with Southampton and two adrift of Arsenal.

Unfortunately it was one of those nights for Luka Milivojevic as slack passing and poor positioning cut a bad night in the office for the club captain.

As per SofaScore ratings, the 29-year-old was graded as the worst player on the pitch with a miserable 6.0 rating – the only starter other than Nathaniel Clyne from either team to receive such a low score.

Milivojevic’s midfield pivot with Jairo Riedewald backfired as both were closed down far too easily in the first half, as evidenced by the fact he lost seven of his nine duels overall (78%).

We can’t quite get our heads around why he stayed on the pitch for as long as he did because the way he was playing wasn’t going to help them salvage a point at the very least. Despite his tall frame, the 6 ft colossus failed to win either of his two duels in the air.

Not only was he lightweight, he was badly caught out with poor passing, particularly in the first 45 minutes, as he could only provide two accurate long balls from four attempts and also lost possession ten times, the same amount as Nathaniel Clyne, which was far below his season’s average of 7.9 per 90.

This is a clear indication of just how much of a passenger Milivojevic was for Palace which could spell trouble for Hodgson given the fact the ever-reliable James McArthur was nowhere to be seen.

Milivojevic also conceded two fouls, which was more than Clyne and the most of any player on the pitch other than Jordan Ayew and Kalvin Phillips, whilst he also committed an error leading to a shot as well to sum up his frustrations on the night.

With Burnley next on the agenda, Hodgson will have to consider his midfield options carefully indeed if he wishes to avoid further embarrassment.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace suffer Wilfried Zaha injury blow before Leeds clash…