All posts by z3u9t.icu

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A number of Liverpool fans have called on Trent Alexander-Arnold to improve after watching the Englishman in action against Fulham on Sunday afternoon.

The 20-year-old helped the Reds collect a huge three points at Craven Cottage.

However, it would be fair to say that a lot of the club’s supporters were not too pleased with the performance of Alexander-Arnold.

There were a number of occasions when the right-back struggled to find a teammate from a crossing position and that has been a criticism aimed at the defender in recent weeks.

It is difficult to be too critical of Alexander-Arnold when considering that he is only just out of his teens and is currently first choice for one of the best sides in Europe.

The Liverpool fans certainly want more from the 5ft 9in ace, however, having watched him fail to have one of his better games against relegation-threatened Fulham.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

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According to Colombia media outlet Marca Claro, via Sport Witness, Everton defender Yerry Mina looks set to be out for three weeks after suffering a hamstring injury during his country’s clash with South Korea this week, and Toffees fans have been quick to react to the soul-destroying blow.

Having seen his performances at the 2018 World Cup and considering the fact the tall centre-back was joining from Barcelona, there would have been plenty of excitement and anticipation following the arrival of Mina at Goodison Park last summer.

However, it has turned out to be something of a nightmare spell in England for the 24-year-old to date, as he has been continually hampered by injuries and lack of form.

The South American finally made his first Premier League start since December against Chelsea before the international break, but now the latest setback looks set to consign him to another spell on the sidelines.

The update has unsurprisingly been met with a disgruntled response by Toffees supporters, with many suggesting it is typical of the Merseyside club’s luck, while one says his injury record is “concerning” and another believes the club have “signed a dud”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Marcelo Bielsa has established himself as a hero at Elland Road this season having taken Leeds from a mid-table side to automatic promotion challengers. Of course, there’s still a long way to go from here on in until the end of the season, but the Whites are certainly on the right track.

Leeds managed to climb above Sheffield United earlier on today by securing a convincing victory over Millwall in front of home support, with Norwich now firmly in their sights.

Although, it looks as if Bielsa has turned his attention towards a possible summer transfer move, as according to Football Insider, Leeds are plotting a swoop to sign Fulham’s Stefan Johansen, who is set to be available on a free.

The Norway international has struggled to adjust to life at the Hawthorns after joining on loan back in the January transfer window. But, that shouldn’t scare the Whites away as he was simply sensational in the Championship with his parent club Fulham as he produced eight goals and eight assists.

Johansen is very different to a normal central midfielder as he operates in more of a playmaker role by making use of his creativity and finishing ability. So, the attack-minded midfielder could be the man to replace Samu Saiz in the summer, as according to a report from El Gol, Valencia are interested in the Spaniard.

Of course, Tyler Roberts has impressed in the No.10 role in recent times at Elland Road, but Johansen would be a great alternative. He also has plenty of experience from his time in England having made over 100 appearances for the Cottagers, so he could be a real asset for Leeds, regardless of whether they secure promotion.

Leeds United fans, do you think that Johansen could replace Samu Saiz in the summer? Join the discussion by commenting down below! 

Tony Pulis presided over a feisty press conference today as he launched a blistering attack on Martin Braithwaite, following public comments made by the player earlier this week.

The Danish player insisted he did not want to return to the Riverside when his loan deal ends this summer, and described Pulis’s “strange” defensive tactics, calling them “kick and rush”.

Pulis told the gathered media the player has shown “disrespect” to the club, describing him as an “ungrateful person” and claimed Steve Gibson “bent over backwards” to give him the things he was asking for.

According to the Teesside Gazette, he said: “The biggest disappointment for me is he’s the highest paid player I’ve ever worked with in the Championship.

“As a matter of fact, the last club I worked at, which was a Premier League club, he’d be in the top five earners at the club without a question of a doubt.

“Steve Gibson bent over backwards, backwards, to give that lad everything he wanted to bring him to this club.

“To show the disrespect he’s shown to this club by saying he’s not coming back, to Steve Gibson, who’s made him a multi millionaire, let’s make no bones about it, the wages and what he’s earning are astonishing.

“For him to show Steve Gibson that disrespect, and the supporters and his fellow players, it’s just amazing.

“I’ve dealt with players all my life, some can make your hair curl — not mine. But for him to come out and say that, it just puts him up there as such an ungrateful person.”

They are strong words from the Boro’ manager, and he is clearly irked by the player, and there will not be many fans who will not agree with him.

Disagreements between players and clubs are commonplace in football, but they are usually kept ‘in-house’ and not splashed all over the press.

Players are pandered to in ways that fans can only dream of. They earn weekly amounts that take most people multiple years to match. So when they complain, moan and feel sorry for themselves over petty issues, fans will have no sympathy for them, and rightly so.

In any other mode of work, speaking about your employers and bosses in such a way would result in you being sacked immediately.

Of course, due to the money in football, whether contract clauses or transfer fees, it rarely happens — who is going to forego a multi-million pound fee to show a player who’s in charge?

Footballers are in a privileged position, and the envy of every fan that helps to pay their wages through ticket sales. To metaphorically slap them in the face in such a way is an utter disgrace.

What do you think of the behaviour of Braithwaite, Boro’ fans? Does he have a point about the tactics? Or do you agree with your manager? Let us know below…

Tony Pulis faced the media today, ahead of their massive game against Swansea tomorrow, and was defiant in the face of mounting criticism from Boro’s fans.

He acknowledged fans’ feelings, and agreed that, as paying customers, they have every right to criticise, insisting “they can say what they want”.

But he also pleaded for unity, expressing a need for “everyone to be together”, in a bid to end their horrible run of form, and regain their footing in the play-off race.

The Hartlepool Mail report Pulis said: “I don’t have a problem with it. If people want to criticise I understand that. I understand the job. I understand my responsibilities.

“People pay their money and they have a right to criticise. They can say what they want.. “But we need everyone to be together right now. And the most important people in that are the players. They have to stay together and they have that belief.

Boro’s loyal fans have a dilemma on their hands. While they are fed up with how things have gone recently, they do need to be behind their side in the remaining games — starting at Swansea tomorrow.

That said, they cannot be expected to watch a team go six games without a win — which has seen them lose their last five in succession — without venting their frustrations.

To say nothing, is to send a message that they are accepting what they are being served up, and that is simply not right.

It is a balancing act.

The fans will, as ever, be 100 per cent behind their team when they walk onto the pitch at the Liberty Stadium tomorrow, but for how long, is up to the manager an players.

If they start well, and get their noses in front, then Pulis’s rallying call will be followed.

But should they continue to struggle to find the net, and see their manager seemingly unable to switch to an effective plan B, then the fans will hold him, and the players, to account.

The supporters can definitely do their part to help tomorrow, but it is certainly not their job to motivate the players before a game — they should not have to.

That is the manager’s job, and if he cannot get every one of his players up for a game, in which nothing other than a win will suffice, then the only outcome is for him to leave his post.

Pulis, apparently, has support in the boardroom — at least publicly anyway — but how long that lasts, only time will tell.

What are your thoughts and predictions before tomorrow’s game? Will you listen to Pulis’s calls for unity? Let us know your thoughts…

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Tottenham Hotspur fans have trolled right-back Kyle Walker after Spurs beat Manchester City 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men were roared on by a raucous home crowd and downed the Premier League champions thanks to Son Heung-Min’s excellent second-half strike.

The two teams will meet again in Europe next week at the Etihad Stadium before playing each other in domestic action.

City, of course, will need to win by a two-goal margin if they are to progress to the semi-finals in regulation time.

And Spurs fans have taken to Twitter to remind Walker, their former right-back, of his reaction to the Champions League draw when it was made.

Indeed, he tweeted “this will be fun” after the two sides were paired together, having spent a total of eight years in north London.

And a number of fans were quick to dig out the old tweet on Tuesday evening after the final whistle blew at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Clearly, the supporters were revelling in Walker’s misery after a poor night for the full-back and his City teammates.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

For Bradford City’s younger generation of fans, it must be hard to fathom that just 18 years ago, their club was fighting it out with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United in the Premier League.

After two seasons in the top flight, the Bantams were relegated to the Championship where they narrowly avoided the drop for the next two years as financial ruin saw them go into administration. In desperate need to cut costs, the club had to let their best players leave which had a disastrous impact on their fortunes as they failed to secure survival in 2004.

A failure to secure an immediate return to the second tier during the following season was followed by another underwhelming campaign at Valley Parade before they hit rock bottom in 2007. Despite the efforts of Dean Windass, who fired in 12 goals in all competitions, Bradford were relegated for the third time in seven seasons, completing what was a spectacular fall from grace by having their fate sealed by a Chesterfield side who were also consigned to the drop.

Competing in their first campaign in England’s fourth tier for 25 years, the club’s decision to slash season ticket prices to £138 was welcomed by their supporters yet it was the choice to hire Stuart McCall that really got their hopes up (via the Guardian). However, the 54-year-old’s appointment ultimately proved to be a false dawn as an over-reliance on unproven youngsters and short-term loan signings saw Bradford finish in 10th place and a whopping 16 points behind the play-offs.

The choices made throughout the 2007/08 campaign should provide a warning to Gary Bowyer ahead of the next season as it is imperative that they do not make the same mistakes when they make their return to League Two. Although they are not mathematically relegated yet, a nine point gap for a side who have won just 10 games all year is clearly insurmountable and so the club’s fans wouldn’t blame them if they already have one eye on how to secure an immediate return to the third tier.

Although they will undoubtedly be one of the favourites to secure promotion, if they do not recruit well in the transfer window, it wouldn’t be surprising if they face their second prolonged period of the 21st century in the basement division.

What do you think Bradford fans? Does Bowyer need to completely overhaul his squad in the summer? Are you confident that the club can make an immediate return to League One? Let us know below.

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A number of furious Manchester City fans have taken to Twitter to slam James Milner, after the Liverpool midfielder said he’d be cheering on Manchester United in the derby on Wednesday.

Milner spent five years at the Etihad Stadium, winning the Premier League title twice, the FA Cup and the League Cup, but has angered the Citizens fanbase with his comments.

442oons have charted the entire career of Man City’s main man Sergio Aguero through song in the hilarious video below…

The 33-year-old said: “First time in my life,” when asked if he’d be supporting the Red Devils in the Manchester derby, as City sit two points behind the Reds albeit with a game in hand.

Obviously, the former England international wants to see his former side drop points as it would massively help his current employers in their bid for the Premier League title, although despite that logic, City fans aren’t happy that their former player has openly said he’ll be cheering against them.

Let’s take a look at how the infuriated City supporters on Twitter reacted after hearing what their former No.7 said…

If Leeds are promoted (yes, we know), they’ll need firepower to keep them up, and if they’re not, they’ll need the same to keep excitement high. To that end, Reece Brown can replace Samu Saiz and keep the Marcelo Bielsa project alive.

Football Insider believe Samu Saiz will be rejected by his loan club Getafe this summer, so Leeds are looking elsewhere to make sure they get some money for the attacking midfielder. Indeed, the same outlet also believe Reece Brown could move in to replace him.

The 23-year-old has scored 10 goals and made 14 assists from 41 appearances for League Two outfit Forest Green this season. That’s a very impressive tally at the 5th-placed side, and it proves he can add more killer instinct to the Whites’ line-up next season.

He can play in attacking midfield or down the left or right flanks, and Bielsa will be excited about his flexibility. In his fluid system, players able to cover different positions allows for quicker, more successful attacks, so he seems like a perfect fit.

He’ll be available on a free this summer, so there’s little risk to the transfer at all. That means the club can spend more of their money on buying defenders, which is certainly an area they’ll need to improve in if they do go up or even if they are forced to try for promotion again next season.

If the report is right, and Leeds have made an approach for Brown, it’ll be a decision they won’t regret. Getting rid of dead wood and replacing it with young talent will stand them in good stead for next season.

Leeds fans, who do you think should start in Leeds’ midfield next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

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Aston Villa have been doing superbly well under Dean Smith this season, with the 48-year-old having completely turned their fortunes around after the departure of Steve Bruce.

And he and the club have now received a rousing message from none other than Smith’s mum, Hilary. The mother of the Villa manager was interviewed by Birmingham TV, with the subsequent video being posted on Twitter.

In the footage, she wishes the team good luck for the play-offs, hoping they get promoted.

Having watched the interview, Villa fans responded in their dozens. One supporter claimed they were nearly in tears whilst another called it beautiful.

Another fan responded by claiming it was brilliant that both the manager and the club captain were Villa fans.

Smith has been an instant hit at Villa Park, guiding his team to fourth in the Championship. As such, the team have a fantastic chance of gaining promotion back to the Premier League.

The club are currently 12 games unbeaten, having previously won ten on the bounce before drawing 1-1 with Leeds last weekend.

Here’s the best of the reaction.