All posts by n8rngtd.top

Southampton can get their season back on track with a win against Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday, with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side having struggled immensely in the league since the turn of the year.

The Saints have won just one of their last 12 Premier League fixtures but have triumphed in FA Cup ties against Shrewsbury Town, Arsenal and Wolves in that time.

Last weekend’s 2-1 defeat against Brighton dragged Hasenhuttl’s side back into a relegation battle in the top flight but the Austrian will be hoping that his side put their league form behind them when they travel to the Vitality Stadium to face the Cherries, who are challenging for a play-off position in the second tier.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Hasenhuttl to line his side up in the FA Cup, with three changes from the side which started against Brighton last time out…

Fraser Forster continues as first choice after Alex McCarthy’s poor recent form for the Saints, with the former Celtic loanee having kept clean sheets in all three of his appearances in the competition this season.

There’s one change in defence as Ryan Bertrand drops to the bench after some disappointing displays of late, with Mohammed Salisu replacing him at left-back, which should allow Kyle Walker-Peters to push further forward on the right.

Takumi Minamino is unfortunately cup-tied having featured in the competition for Liverpool earlier in the season, so Moussa Djenepo is likely to replace him on the left-hand side.

Finally, Nathan Redmond comes in for Nathan Tella in the attack, with the youngster ineffectual against Brighton following some strong performances, so the Austrian should go for the experience of the £16.2m-valued 27-year-old to partner Che Adams if he wants his side to go all-out for the FA Cup this season.

In other news… Southampton signing 11-goal beast could be bad news for 22 y/o gem Ralph loves

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who made 280 Premier League appearances, believes Anthony Martial has a problem with himself if he can’t get motivated to play for Manchester United.

It has been reported by EuroSport that Man United are ready to sell Martial, who reportedly earns £250,000-a-week, as they eye up a squad reshuffle ready to challenge Manchester City next season.

Since he arrived as the most expensive teenager in history, Martial has featured 258 times for Manchester United, scoring 78 goals and registering 49 assists in that time, however Lee believes Martial may have an attitude problem as he never seems bothered when playing.

Speaking on Martial’s future at Man United and why the Red Devils should look to cash in on the 25-year old, Lee told FFC exclusively:

“Martial has just been an enigma. He’s got all the talent in the world but he just looks like he can’t be bothered.

“If he can’t be bothered playing for Man United, then I think you’ve got something wrong with you.”

It’s been a difficult season for Martial who has found himself playing all across the front line with very limited success in each position.

The French international has found the net just seven times in 36 games and has only scored four goals in the Premier League this campaign.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former West Ham striker Marlon Harewood has hailed Tomas Soucek as the “best signing” the Premier League has seen in the last two years.

Soucek, who originally joined West Ham on loan from Slavia Prague last January, signed permanently in the summer of 2020 and has not looked back, playing an instrumental role in his side’s Champions League push.

Despite being a holding midfielder, the 26-year-old has managed to score an impressive eight goals in English football’s top flight this season, though that is not the only thing to have caught the eye of Harewood.

Discussing the impact £27m-rated Soucek has had since arriving at the London Stadium, the ex-West Ham player told FFC:

“Hands down the best signing in the Premier League in the last two years, I would say. He has been absolutely phenomenal. I was watching the game [West Ham v Leeds United] last night and his stats, you really overlook stuff like that because obviously you got the elite players that you look at week in, week out, but his stats and how he’s performed this year has been absolutely fantastic. 

“He is an absolute pleasure to watch. His passion, his dedication… I love football and I’ve missed that.”

On the topic of recent Premier League signings, Bruno Fernandes’ impact at Manchester United since joining the club has been massive; the Portuguese attacking midfielder is the Red Devils’ top scorer in the Premier League this term with 16 goals. Understandably, not as prolific being a more defensive player, but Soucek has arguably become just as essential to West Ham.

As well as the goals he has been providing from midfield, the Czech Republic international has also done a great job sweeping up for the Hammers. Averaging 1.9 successful tackles per league game, the second-highest average in David Moyes’ squad (via WhoScored), Soucek is proving to be the complete package.

Speaking exclusively with Football FanCast, former England international Steve Howey has claimed that Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hamstring injury will be a “huge blow” for Everton.

Carlo Ancelotti has ruled Calvert-Lewin out for this Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Fulham, after being forced to withdraw the striker during the second-half of Wednesday night’s 5-4 FA Cup win over Tottenham Hotspur.

The 23-year-old had scored the Toffees’ first of the game to draw his side level and mark his 18th goal in all competitions, before recording his third and fourth assists of the season.

Ancelotti has stated that he and the club believe the England international will be available for Everton’s next game, at home to title-chasers Manchester City, on Wednesday night.

But Howey says that the Blues must manage his return carefully, as losing Calvert-Lewin for a lengthy period of time will be devastating for the club’s hopes of a top-four finish.

“It will be a huge blow [losing Calvert-Lewin]. You have to be so careful with these injuries,” he told FFC. “He’s had a ridiculously good season. Started off on fire, kind of just quietened a tiny, tiny little bit and then he’s come [on form] again.

“I was at the game when Everton played Leeds and Calvert-Lewin scored the winner in that. [I’ve been] so impressed with his hold up play, every aspect of his game has improved. So, it will be a blow but Everton have just got to be careful on the management of that.

“Obviously, as a player, you want to be back as soon as possible. But I think sometimes you, well all the time, especially with these injuries, you’ve got to make sure that you’re right. Because it will just go again, it’ll go again, and it’ll go again.

“But Everton are doing really well under Ancelotti. Obviously, they’ve got Richarlison there, they’ve got [Alex] Iwobi, they’ve got [James] Rodriguez, [Gylfi] Sigurdsson’s doing quite well [but they’re not the same as Calvert-Lewin].”

Calvert-Lewin’s hamstring injury is his second of the season so far, after missing last month’s FA Cup tie with Rotherham and Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Cenk Tosun led the line in Calvert-Lewin’s place against Rotherham and scored the opening goal, but has since returned to Besiktas on loan and been replaced at Goodison Park by Joshua King who is yet to score a league goal this season.

Ancelotti opted against fielding an out-and-out striker against Wolves with Rodriguez and Sigurdsson instead tasked with playing as two false nines, in a decision that did not pan out perfectly with Iwobi relied on to provide much of his side’s attacking threat from the right-wing.

Meanwhile Richarlison, who only played the final quarter of an hour at Molineux having also missed the Rotherham tie, is Everton’s current second-best scorer with eight goals across all competitions after a brace against Spurs but is without a league strike in seven games.

AND in other news, Everton are monitoring an “exciting” teen prospect Carlo Ancelotti could sign for free…

According to the Express & Star’s Joseph Masi, new West Brom loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles is in line to make an instant impact at the Premier League strugglers when they head to Spurs this lunchtime.

The Baggies are sitting precariously in 19th position, some 11 points adrift of safety and now will have to face a side who will be looking for a reaction after a run of three straight league defeats.

And starting the versatile 23-year-old midfielder is a good way to go about business as he’s going to provide the much-needed quality that’s currently lacking from their engine room.

On the Chalkboard

Indeed, both Romaine Sawyers (6.13) and Jake Livermore (6.19), who have started the most games of any central midfield options, currently rank as Albion’s two worst players as per WhoScored ratings.

Maitland-Niles arrives at the Hawthorns with bags of experience having played 121 times for the Gunners across the likes of the Premier League, Europa League and the FA Cup.

Allardyce has also revealed that he was only able to secure the coveted three-time England international because he’ll be playing in his favoured central position, which means there’s a high chance that one of Sawyers or Livermore isn’t going to start in north London.

The £16.2m-rated maestro will offer an industrious presence in the heart of the pitch and one that is capable of influencing the game at either end of the pitch.

Throughout his career, as per WhoScored statistics, the Hale End youth product has averaged 2.5 tackles per 90 at a success rate just shy of 70%, proving his defensive capability and off-the-ball work rate whilst he has also averaged 1.5 dribbles and one key pass per 90, meaning he isn’t shy of breaking into the final third to deliver some creativity too.

By comparison, only Conor Gallagher and Grady Diangana have pulled off more successful tackles per 90 for Albion with Maitland-Niles tying the enigmatic Matheus Pereira for dribbles too, also via WhoScored.

Interestingly, the Englishman has had success against Spurs before – even though Arsenal came from behind to draw 2-2 with their rivals last season, Maitland-Niles haunted Heung-min Son all afternoon at right-back.

And in doing so, managed to stop him from having any major influence on the game. Per SofaScore, he made a match-high three interceptions, won 75% of his ground duels and made two tackles.

Son was hooked after 79 minutes by Mauricio Pochettino. He won only 40% of his ground duels and failed to provide an accurate cross past Maitland-Niles, so despite it being all-square, the new Albion loanee enjoyed a very good game.

If Big Sam needs to change it up at all, then his versatility could prove crucial too as he’s played in five different roles this season alone.

Maitland-Niles, who is thought to only be on around £35k-per-week at the Emirates, was dubbed a “Rolls-Royce of a player at times” by Martin Keown just two months ago when Arsenal defeated Rapid Wien 4-1 (BT Sport via football.london).

You can’t not start these sorts of players, his addition could well be a game-changer of a signing.

AND in other news, 20 y/o “real talent” could be Albion’s perfect Pereira heir…

Matt Targett emerged a surprise hero for Dean Smith as Aston Villa beat Wolverhampton Wanderers in the West Midlands derby on Saturday.

The ex-Southampton full-back had his work cut out keeping Nuno Espirito Santo’s talismanic forward Adama Traore quiet, but excelled at the task to force the Spaniard into switching flanks with Pedro Neto after the hour mark.

Wolves had a clear gameplan of working the ball to Traore in the opening stages yet rarely enjoyed much success, with his only true break resulting in a tame effort on Emiliano Martinez’s goal early in the second half.

Martinez was inspired between the sticks to produce an array of pivotal saves as the game edged toward a draw, but a late mistake from Nelson Semedo gifted the Villans a penalty which substitute Anwar El Ghazi buried.

The win moved Aston Villa up to eighth and above their West Midlands rivals, while holding two games in hand, despite claiming just one win in five Premier League fixtures before travelling to Molineux.

Targett upstaged Traore magnificently to ensure his performance could not go unnoticed, as the £17million signing from 2019 earned his 10th-straight start of the top-flight season.

Looking for that special Aston Villa Gift? Take a look at the amazing Villa Fan Gift site for the latest reviews, shopping advice and links to the best products in the market. With new items are added daily, reviews are helpful and informative this should be your #1 destination. They have everything from the latest and classic Shirt as well as memorabilia, toys and gifts.

The 25-year-old’s performance was not perfect, having recorded just a 56% pass success rate and was cautioned in the closing stages, yet excelled with a joint-team high 61 touches and the third-most total passes by a Villans player, per WhoScored.

Targett completed just 19 of his 34 total pass, one of which being deemed a key ball, while delivering four attempted but unsuccessful crosses and attempting nine long passes, of which only three found teammates.

He also lost possession 20 times – only John McGinn (21) turned the ball over more often, per SofaScore – but stood out with his back to Martinez’s goal with five clearances, three interceptions, three successful tackles and blocked one shot.

Smith never saw Targett try his luck on Wolves’ goal or attempt a dribble, but would have left Molineux mightily impressed by the former England U19 international’s efforts in behind youngster Jacob Ramsey, who was making his first-ever Premier League start.

Meanwhile, this Aston Villa ace badly let Dean Smith down against Wolves.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are already plotting their moves ahead of the January transfer window, even if it’s still two months away…

What’s the word?

According to TEAMtalk, the Midlands outfit are one of several top-flight teams pursuing a move for Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence.

It’s claimed that the Championship outfit face an uphill battle to keep the 20-year-old with Everton, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United also interested in his signature.

After breaking into the first-team under Jonathan Woodgate last season, Spence signed a new long-term contract in February this year.

Future talent?

The young English sensation has continued to cement his place as Boro’s right wing-back this season, playing in eight of their nine Championship outings thus far.

Spence has scored one goal and has also averaged 1.3 dribbles, 1.1 tackles and 0.7 key passes per 90 minutes, via WhoScored.

During the summer, his manager Neil Warnock played down chances of his top talent leaving the Riverside Stadium, though evidently, it’s a saga that’s set to rumble on throughout the winter.

He’s handed him a glowing endorsement in the process too, comparing him to two current Premier League stars, he said: “If you look at one or two of the full-backs that are around now – the lad at Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and the lad at Manchester United from Palace [Aaron Wan-Bissaka] – they are all the same type as Djed.”

Warnock went on to claim that Spence had “enormous ability” and how it would be “criminal” if he didn’t make it to the very top.

He has also been noted as having ‘blistering pace’ whilst at 6-foot-and-a-half, he offers intriguing physical attributes too.

As per ESPN, it’s believed that Boro value the promising right wing-back at just £10m whilst Spurs have previously been mooted with interest.

Nuno Santo brought in two players in the role during the summer window – Nelson Semedo, who is already making his presence felt and less so, Ki Jana-Hoever.

You’d imagine the latter is in most danger if Jeff Shi sanctions a move for Spence – a swoop in which he should absolutely follow through with as it not only meets Fosun’s long-term ambitions but hands the Wolf Pack a genuine talent ahead of their rivals.

Perhaps he can be Nuno’s next project – à la Adama Traore.

AND in other news, Wolves must rue not signing £30m monster better than Dendoncker…

Everton and Carlo Ancelotti can look to exploit one key weakness of Jack Butland should Liverpool sign the Stoke City goalkeeper ahead of this month’s Merseyside Derby.

Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League champions have been linked with a late move to sign the former England international during the final week of the EFL transfer window by the Mirror, having lost first-choice Alisson Becker for six weeks through injury and harbouring concerns of Adrian’s talents after shipping seven goals to Aston Villa.

Liverpool have held talks with the Potters over the potential of a deal to sign Butland before travelling to Goodison Park on October 17, and could call on the £35,000-per-week shot-stopper against Everton should a move occur.

Butland has fallen further from his glory days of being an England international Stoke valued at £30million following their relegation, with the ‘keeper no longer first-choice and said to be desperate to leave the bet365 Stadium to rekindle his career having not featured since a 5-0 thrashing at Leeds United in July.

The 27-year-old is also in the final year of his contract and is noted to be one of Stoke’s top-earners, making a late deal for Butland to join Liverpool one that suits all parties involved.

Stoke have previously been claimed to now value Butland between £8m and £10m per Sky Sports, having received enquires but no firm offers earlier this summer.

Should Liverpool land the ‘keeper, Everton should not fear Butland’s involvement in the Merseyside Derby in place of Adrian as Ancelotti can look to exploit one key weakness in his game.

Over Butland’s 35 appearances in last season’s Championship campaign, the nine-cap ‘keeper managed to keep nine clean sheets to the generous 56 goals he conceded.

Of those goals fired past Butland, SofaScore data shows 45 were netted from strikes taken inside the Stoke penalty area compared to 11 hit home from outside the box.

Butland also only managed to record 43 saves from shots taken inside the Potters’ penalty area, showing he allowed more goals against him than he managed to prevent when opponents were able to get within the box.

That was not the same occurrence with shots taken outside of the penalty area, as Butland was able to turn away 31 of the 42 efforts struck from range in the second-tier last term.

Ancelotti and Everton, therefore, should not fret Butland’s potential involvement in the Merseyside Derby as they can look to work the ball into the box knowing their chance of scoring will drastically improve even if Klopp sees the 27-year-old as a better option to Adrian.

Everton have been able to fashion plenty of efforts on goal in the Premier League this season, with Ancelotti’s men boasting all but one of their joint-division-high 12 goals from efforts recorded inside the penalty area to date.

AND in other news, Everton were shown what they missed this summer as a £10m former target thrived on the international stage.

Leeds United could be about to break their club-record fee for a second time this transfer window…

What’s the word?

According to Onda Cero radio, Marcelo Bielsa is considering a move for Levante midfielder Jose Campana who was once on the books at Crystal Palace.

The La Liga outfit won’t let the 27-year-old leave for less than €30m (£27.5m), though the player would love another crack in the Premier League.

Leeds have already failed in their attempts to sign Udinese star Rodrigo De Paul so it remains to be seen if Victor Orta will crack at this sort of fee.

Midfield reinforcement

Campana only played six times in the top-flight last time he was here, costing Palace just £1.75m back in 2013 but evidently his career has come on leaps and bounds since.

Last season, the former Spain U21 international was a key cog in Paco Lopez’s system – in 37 appearances, Campana provided two goals and seven assists whilst averaging two key passes, 1.7 dribbles and 1.2 shots per game, via WhoScored.

With Bielsa still lacking a Samuel Saiz type player to provide an alternative option to Pablo Hernandez, perhaps the 27-year-old maestro can fill that void at long last.

Spanish football expert Graham Hunter has described Campana as an “immense talent” in the past whilst BleacherReport claim he’s a “creative, flamboyant and incisive passer.”

Ex-Eagles boss Ian Holloway has also waxed lyrical about his credentials, upon signing him he said: “I think he’s a fantastic player, his maturity is unbelievable, and the way he plays the game is the way I believe it should be played. He’s going to be a great star of the future and the present.”

Campana is certainly more attacking than defensive and he could be the missing link to unlock fellow Spaniard Rodrigo at Elland Road.

AND in other news, Leeds handed boost over £13.5m colossus who Bielsa has wanted for TWO years…

According to a report by reliable football.london journalist Alasdair Gold, Tottenham are intent on signing a new striker this summer to provide back up for star hitman Harry Kane – with the journalist detailing a plethora of options and potential names to watch out for ‘on the agenda’. 

Since Fernando Llorente’s departure in the summer of 2019, with the Spaniard securing a move to Napoli, Tottenham have failed to bring in an alternative centre-forward who can support Kane whilst providing an extra dimension.

As a result, ahead of a looming and busy 2020/2021 Premier League calendar, chairman Daniel Levy and co have reportedly made it their priority to search for another attacker.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Matt Doherty and ex-free agent Joe Hart have so far been added to the Spurs roster, shoring up Jose Mourinho’s defence as he prepares for his first full campaign in charge, but Kane remains his only natural striker.

Gold, writing for football.london, has claimed that Spurs could swoop for a number of striking additions – with Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson seemingly topping the list.

Wilson, who has previous caps for England at international level, would cost the Lilywhites around £17 million but has bagged 41 top flight goals over the last five seasons (WhoScored).

Meanwhile, his teammate Josh King is less of a priority target but nevertheless someone to keep an eye on as the transfer window unfolds – with the ex-Man United prodigy also capable of providing support in the wide positions.

Chris Wood, Ollie Watkins and Darwin Nunez were also mentioned in the piece as targets – although the trio appear less likely by comparison to the Cherries forwards.

Whoever Tottenham manage to land, Gold has at least shed some light on Spurs’ hunt for a striker – potential reason for Lilywhites to get excited.

Spurs fans, which striker would you like to see in north London the most? Have your say in the comments below…