Southampton’s winless run in the English Premier League was extended to 11 matches on Sunday at home to Tottenham Hotspur, but they can be pleased with a point against what is one of the division’s best sides.Saints haven’t picked up all three points in the top flight since November and find themselves in the relegation zone with just 14 games remaining before the end of the season.However, it was a big point against Spurs that they battled hard to win, with supporters recognising in the context of their season it could be an important one.Saints found the opener after Ryan Bertrand’s cross was diverted into the net by Spurs defender Davinson Sanchez and the away side could only muster a Harry Kane equaliser in response.Bertrand was superb throughout, providing Mauricio Pellegrino’s with an attacking outlet on the left flank while also helping keep Kane quieter than usual.Fans were delighted with his performance with many awarding him the man of the match accolade.They took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his role in earning the point…
Stoke City manager Paul Lambert took part in a candid interview with the Daily Telegraph this week and his time at Aston Villa was a topic of conversation.
During his time at Villa Park, the Scotsman managed just 34 wins from his 115 games in charge, equating to a win rate of 29.57%. These damning statistics combined with his number of years outside of the top flight meant that his appointment at the Britannia Stadium at the start of this year came as a surprise to many fans.
During his interview this week, Lambert was asked specifically about his time at Aston Villa and stated;
“I look back at some of the photos of me from my time at Aston Villa and I don’t recognise myself. I don’t look healthy and had put on a lot of weight. The actual pressure of it was incredible, so, in the end, it was a big relief to leave.”
Following his comments, a number of Villa fans took to Twitter…and it’s safe to say they weren’t happy at all…
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Danny Welbeck has a decent chance of starting for Arsenal in Sweden on Thursday night.
Indeed, record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is ineligible due to Borussia Dortmund’s presence in the Europa League, whilst Alexandre Lacazette will miss the next six weeks following knee surgery, which has opened up a spot in the final third of the field.
Welbeck, who is valued at £13.5m by transfermarkt.co.uk, has had another frustrating season at Arsenal – managing just three goals in 17 Premier League appearances.
The former Manchester United youngster has appeared twice in the Europa League this season, but failed to find the back of the net.
The 27-year-old should be given the chance to lead the line against Swedish side Ostersund, and the Englishman will be looking to make an impression in an attempt to earn a regular spot in Arsene Wenger’s first XI.
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The Arsenal fans, however, are very much split when it comes to the forward. A selection of the Twitter reaction can be found below:
Manuel Lanzini has compared current West Ham United teammate Marko Arnautovic to former Hammers star Dimitri Payet.
Payet left West Ham under a cloud in January 2017 after refusing to train or play for the London club as he forced a move to Marseille.
The attacker was outstanding for the Hammers during the 2015-16 season, however, scoring 12 times in 38 appearances in all competitions.
Lanzini has claimed that Arnautovic, who has found his feet at the London Stadium following a slow start to the season, is very much like Payet due to the incredible ability that the Austria international is able to call upon.
Lanzini told West Ham’s official website:
“We make each other better, of course. We want the same things and we think the same way.
“It’s similar to the feeling I had with Dimi before, because they are similar players. If you have a player who plays like you, it’s easy.
“You need to connect and that’s it. You touch the ball one way, and he touches the ball the same way.”
Arnautovic has scored seven times in 21 Premier League appearances for West Ham this season, with his form particularly impressive since David Moyes took charge.
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Lanzini, meanwhile, has recently returned to action following a month on the sidelines with a hamstring problem, and is in line to start against Swansea City this weekend.
With just one win in their last eight matches, times are tough for Sheffield Wednesday right now and they didn’t get any easier on Tuesday night after they were dumped out of the FA Cup by Swansea City.
The Owls have failed to score an away goal from open play in 2018 so far and bringing that kind of form to Premier League outfit was always going to end badly.
Carlos Carvalhal’s outfit eventually won 2-0 against his former side to reach the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since 1964.
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The big priority for Wednesday of course is surviving relegation from the English Championship, but fans were left disappointed with the result and performance, slating a number of first team stars.
One player who received more criticism than most was Jordan Rhodes, who was completely ineffective in the final third.
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Supporters have completely lost patience with the out-of-form striker and his six goal return this season, with many now calling for him to be sold this summer.
Adam Armstrong continues to impress during his loan spell at Blackburn Rovers, and Newcastle fans can’t decide on the youngster’s future.Blackburn Rovers are absolutely flying at the top of League One, thanks in no small part to the sensational form of Adam Armstrong. The 21 year-old Geordie scored twice in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Blackpool, keeping Rovers five points clear at the top of League One.Armstrong has made 17 league appearances for Newcastle, but never been able to cement his place as a first team regular. The youngster loved his last loan spell in League One with Coventry, but didn’t have the same success with both Barnsley and Bolton, prompting some fans to suggest he has “found his level†in League One.[ad_pod ]Still, there are plenty who want the striker to get another shot. Armstrong won the League One player of the month in February, and has continued his fine form with three goals in two matches in March.If Blackburn do get promoted, Armstrong could look to extend the loan deal or even make it permanent, but the allure of playing for his home town team on Tyneside may be too good to pass up.Newcastle fans have been reacting to the striker’s form on Twitter, and the jury is still out…
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is not renowned for his ability to develop youth and he hasn’t yet introduced a new youngster into the first team setup at Old Trafford on a full-time basis.
The Red Devils have been struggling slightly in recent weeks and the mood around the club is deflated after Jose Mourinho took swipes at his players and the club’s history.
Any of the club’s fans hoping that the former Real Madrid manager might turn to the youth ranks to lift the club looks set for a long wait.
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Not only does Mourinho typically prefer the experienced players, the club’s youngsters are now coming off the back of a poor result, against Brentford B. Are too many youngsters spending their time on www.esports.net?
The Bees have disbanded their academy, and now take their second string, made up of academy outcasts around the country for friendlies. It is clearly working but the 3-1 victory over United’s prospects didn’t go down well with the club’s fans.
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We’ve taken a closer look at the best of the angry reaction…
Jonjo Shelvey has added one more pundit to his fan club this weekend, after Danny Murphy backed the Newcastle midfielder for a World Cup spot.
Newcastle fans were outraged last month when the likes of Jake Livermore and Lewis Cook were picked in Gareth Southgate’s England squad over Jonjo Shelvey.
Shelvey has been in fabulous form this season, particularly since Christmas, and fans have often felt their players don’t get the respect they deserve from the mainstream media.
Murphy has praised Shelvey’s influence for the Magpies though, telling Match of the Day viewers Shelvey is “the best England have got” when it comes to breaking down packed defences.
“In terms of opening up a packed defence, Shelvey is the best England have got. I understand the issues with the other side of his game, discipline and defensive responsibility, but I would be taking him to the World Cup,” the 41 year-old said.
Murphy played nine times for England, but never at a major tournament.
Shelvey has gone from strength to strength in recent months, dominating Manchester United’s expensive midfield in the recent win at St. James’ and showcasing his quick thinking on Saturday with one incredible free kick pass to Dwight Gayle.
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If the 26 year-old continues his fine form, he could even be in with a shout of starting in England’s relatively weak midfield.
Newcastle fans, do you think Shelvey should start at the World Cup? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…
For the fourth time this season, Liverpool forward and Premier League top scorer Mohamed Salah has won the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award, this time for March after clinching an incredible six goals and two assists in four Premier League appearances.
Four of those goals and one of those assists were claimed in a sensational display against Watford at Anfield. And when combined with the rest of the Egyptian international’s performances throughout March, it was enough to see him claim a huge 80% of the vote in a poll run by fan engagement experts Snack Media, with his five rivals for last month’s award – Heung-min Son, Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham alongside Manchester City duo David Silva and Leroy Sane – all failing to reach double figures.
In the first of four divisional votes carried out over seven days via Snack Media’s digital and social networks, Salah recorded yet another landslide victory as Premier League fans recognised his devastating form during the last month. The final shortlist of March nominees polled as follows:
– Mohamed Salah (80%)
– Dele Alli (5%)
– Leroy Sane (4%)
– Heung-min Son (4%)
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Sports Interactive and SEGA Europe have announced the immediate release of Football Manager Touch 2018 on the Nintendo Switch as a digital download from the Nintendo eShop.
Football Manager is the most realistic, in-depth and immersive football management simulation in the world. Putting you in the hot seat of any club in more than 50 countries across the world, Football Manager allows you to take on the role of a real-life gaffer: you decide who plays and who sits on the bench, and you’re in total control of tactics, team talks, substitutions and pitch-side instructions.
FM Touch has been fully optimised for the Switch with a bespoke user interface and a customised control system that takes full advantage of the system’s various controller input options, including support for both the touchscreen and Joy-Con controllers. This gives fans a unique Football Manager experience that can be played on the move or docked at home and enjoyed on the big screen.
In addition, FM Touch on Switch will offer a fully-fledged single-player experience including the series’ acclaimed 3D Match Engine – the first time that the 3D engine has been playable on a home console.
“This is a milestone release for Football Manager,” said Sports Interactive’s Studio Director, Miles Jacobson. “This is our first console release in a number of years but it is also our most innovative release of Football Manager Touch to date thanks to the various control methods we’ve included that gives everyone a way of playing Football Manager that suits them.”
“It’s been a huge technical achievement to bring Football Manager to the Switch but, as a studio, we’ve embraced the unique design opportunities that the console offers,” Jacobson added.
FM Touch on Switch includes the same feature set as the tablet version of the game. Some of the highlights include:
MANY WAYS TO PLAY
Start your managerial career at one of the world’s top teams, create your own club or tackle one of several management scenarios in Challenge Mode.
3D MATCH ENGINE
Football Manager’s acclaimed match engine and modernised match presentation help to bring your fixtures to life.
REAL WORLD SCOUTING
Play the transfer market like never before with a realistic and immersive approach to scouting.
TACTICAL INNOVATION
Developing your footballing philosophy is easy with tactical analysis steering you towards your strengths by highlighting your weaknesses.
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BARGAINING POWER
A wealth of clauses and transfer options arm you with more ways than ever to finalise that blockbuster deal.
Football Manager Touch 2018 for Nintendo Switch™ is published by SEGA and is available as a digital download from the Nintendo Switch eShop.