All posts by z3u9t.icu

Lukasz Fabianski was one of West Ham’s better performers in their 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday night.

The Polish international made four saves on the night, including two fine stops to deny Mason Greenwood and Bruno Fernandes. There was nothing he could do to prevent the home side’s winning goal, however, as the ball struck Craig Dawson at the near post following a corner and rolled into the net.

SofaScore awarded him a rating of 7.3, bettered only by Declan Rice (7.6) in the Hammers’ ranks. The ‘keeper’s display was a positive on a night where West Ham carried little attacking threat, ending the game without a shot on target.

They remain in fifth place, but they have allowed Chelsea to gain a point over the weekend in the race for the top four. The tricky run of fixtures continues next Sunday when they meet Arsenal.

After the game, Fabianski tweeted ‘United take all three points’, accompanied by an image of a fist-bump with Fernandes.

The mood in the replies was split, with some praising the goalkeeper’s performance and others unimpressed with his relatively upbeat reflection on a defeat for West Ham.

How West Ham fans reacted to Fabianski tweet

“Well played LF, shame the manager let the team down tonight with his negative tactics”

Credit: @ScottVenn

“Great from you today mate. Shame we weren’t allowed to play our football until after they scored”

Credit: @jack_lipscombe

“You were brilliant again. Moyes team selection and tactics were very poor”

Credit: @artblockmusic

“Our MOTM”

Credit: @TiggerWHU

“Well played Fab, but we have to get rid of the small team mentality and giving the so called big teams too much respect they don’t deserve with a negative set up. We are better than last night.”

Credit: @darrell210474

“No, we lost Fabs.”

Credit: @Mozzer2015

“Awful team selection. Players let down by Moyes”

Credit: @Irons85858585

In other news, many Hammers weren’t happy with this journalist’s post-match transfer claim.

As Celtic’s Albian Ajeti claimed a ball from Scott Brown, turned his man and then buried an opportunity last Tuesday, he looked every bit a £4.5m player.

Truth be told, that’s very rarely been the case for the striker since he signed from West Ham last summer.

Though, just as he finds his shooting boots again, he’s been ruled out of this weekend’s clash by the dreaded Scottish FA.

Ajeti felt contact from Kilmarnock goalkeeper Colin Doyle and went down inside the area. Odsonne Edouard stepped up and slammed home the resulting spot-kick. However, the Scottish FA have now retrospectively banned the Swiss striker after a panel watched back the footage.

They believe that the forward conned referee Kevin Clancy in the way he fell to the ground. Celtic sources are reportedly astonished by the turn of events and for Neil Lennon, he is also aggrieved.

He reacted to the news by saying: “The keeper has made contact, he has gone down, the referee has given a penalty. I don’t see any simulation. Simulation is where there is no contact. There is obvious contact, you can see that quite clearly.”

The Hoops have appealed against the ban and will fight his cause in a hearing next Monday. However, he will miss their clash with Motherwell this afternoon.

It leaves Lennon with quite the dilemma. Ajeti earned a rare start on Tuesday and took it with hands. He was particularly lively and not only did he win the penalty, but he scored a tremendous fourth for Celtic.

Thus, it will represent a hefty blow for the Bhoys as they strive to bridge the gap to Rangers. The manager will now have to decide whether to bring Leigh Griffiths back into the fray or play Edouard up top on his own.

Lennon has fluttered between both systems in recent weeks. Griffiths and Edouard struck up a solid partnership in the 2-0 win over Hamilton – both scoring – but the former played just 45 minutes when they suffered defeat to St Mirren.

The Scot was on the bench when Celtic beat Killie but didn’t play any part in the game. Whether he returns to the starting XI is firmly in Lennon’s hands. He now has a big decision to make.

AND in other news, £7m Celtic brute could become a real star if Desmond hires “very demanding” 62 y/o…

The season of 2020/21 has been desperately unkind to Celtic. Their form has gone out the window with any hope of winning ten in a row eradicated before it could even become a reality.

They are 18 points off top spot and are now searching for a new manager following Neil Lennon’s resignation.

One man who reportedly wants the job is former Huddersfield boss David Wagner. He is a free agent after being sacked by Schalke towards the beginning of the season but would surely offer plenty to the Hoops.

For starters, he favours a pressing style of football, something that sees his players attempt to win the ball back within a matter of seconds of losing it. Wagner also prefers to play on the offensive which will no doubt be eye-catching to the Celtic hierarchy.

We’ve already looked at how his methods could benefit the Bhoys but he could also be a positive for Jonjoe Kenny.

The 5 foot 9 right-back was signed on loan from Everton in the January transfer window but his asking price is now plummeting due the amount of time left on his contract at Goodison Park. Thus, there is a possibility that he returns to Glasgow next season.

By hiring Wagner they could enhance the chances of bringing him back to Parkhead and thus, forge a menacing partnership.

After all, the duo rustled up quite the enterprise when Kenny spent the 2019/20 campaign in the Bundesliga with Schalke.

The full-back enjoyed a very good campaign under Wagner where he featured 34 times, scoring two goals and assisting a further three.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-manager-hunt-stories-wagner-marsch-martinez-lennon-news” title=”The last stories on Celtic’s hunt for a new manager!”]

The 49-year-old only had praise for the Englishman at the start of his loan spell. Speaking in September 2019, Wagner commented: “I had a good picture of Jonjoe and, after I joined Schalke, we all together agreed that we had to sign a right-back.

“As soon as I found that we were not able to afford someone to buy because of our financial restrictions, Jonjoe was one of the first names I put on the table when I discussed [targets] with our board. Luckily, they agreed to try to sign him and luckily he decided to join our football club.”

Wagner concluded: “I can tell you what, he is already close to becoming a fan favourite here in our stadium. He has done an amazing job so far and scored a wonderful goal against [Hertha] Berlin. He is, for sure, one of the best signings which we have made this summer.”

Fine words indeed. Kenny is yet to see his Celtic career take off but under Wagner, that could change.

The pair seemed to really understand each other during their season together as the German made him one of the most impressive young defenders in the Bundesliga.

The youngster won the Bundesliga Rookie of the Month for August and was subsequently among the nominees for the Rookie of the Year award.

It was a stellar campaign that unfortunately, he’s not been able to build upon. Wagner already rates him highly so it could be a flourishing dynamic if he’s signed permanently and the aforementioned manager walks through the door.

Dermot Desmond needs to consider it; there are surely only benefits to putting the two together.

AND in other news, Desmond may sway Edouard’s Celtic future by hiring 43 y/o with “a science to football”…

If there was one guarantee about how Leeds United’s first season back in the Premier League would be like, then it would have been about how entertaining life would be.

And boy have the Whites served up some real treats this season. The last two games in the top-flight alone have seen 15 goals in total, with Marcelo Bielsa’s side thrashing Newcastle 5-2, before receiving a taste of their own medicine with a 6-2 drubbing at the hands of Manchester United.

That heavy defeat at Old Trafford may have left Bielsa pondering about making some changes to his starting eleven for the clash against Burnley, and below is a look at just how Leeds might line up.

In front of regular number one Illan Meslier, the likes of Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas (the latter two of course being Leeds’ goal-scorers against United), should all keep their place, whilst Liam Cooper’s injury might finally see Diego Llorente get his chance.

One change Bielsa might consider making to his back-line is unleashing Leif Davis – the 20-year-old came off the bench at Old Trafford, and could bring some energy and drive in his more usual left-back slot.

Further forward, the Leeds boss may also be tempted to start Pablo Hernandez from the off. The Spaniard rather unsurprisingly has only been sparingly used, what with him now being 35, but with Rodrigo not really hitting the ground running at Elland Road, could give the Whites that extra bit of creativity and cutting edge.

Predicted XI: Meslier; Dallas, Ayling, Llorente, Davis; Phillips, Hernandez, Klich; Raphinha, Bamford, Harrison.

West Brom will be looking to make it back-to-back victories on the road when they head to east London to face West Ham United this evening.

Sam Allardyce recorded his first win as Baggies boss on Saturday afternoon as Albion defeated arch-rivals Wolves 3-2 at Molineux, and now he heads to a former stomping ground with the aim of steering his side to safety in the Premier League.

The Irons are unbeaten in five matches in all competitions, so will pose a tricky test for the 66-year-old and his squad at the London Stadium.

But what sort of lineup could we see tonight? Will Big Sam stick or twist with a winning XI?

Here’s what we are predicting, along with the latest team and injury news…

There could be as many as three changes to the side that conquered the Old Gold at the weekend.

First-choice shot-stopper Sam Johnstone is likely to still be out after testing positive for the virus and while he’s now back in training, this game could be too early for an instant return, so David Button continues between the sticks.

The first alteration could be to the backline as Darnell Furlong comes in for Dara O’Shea at right-back.

He’s the natural option in the role. The young Irishman may have been deployed to counter the threat posed by Pedro Neto but the former QPR man offers more of an attacking option, having contributed to three goals this term.

He’ll join Kieran Gibbs, Kyle Bartley and Semi Ajayi in a traditional back four.

In midfield, Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher is available after serving a one-match suspension and we think he’ll come straight back in, meaning Romaine Sawyers faces the chop.

The arguable Player of the Season so far will surely partner skipper Jake Livermore with Saturday’s goalscoring hero Matheus Pereira continuing in the no.10 role.

Callum Robinson was deployed as a striker up at Molineux, but we may see him revert back to a natural left-wing position with Robert Snodgrass starting his second-ever Albion game.

It’ll be his first return to the Hammers since leaving them at the start of the month.

As the 25-year-old goes back to the flank, we could see Hal Robson-Kanu in the forward position to start his first match since September. The £30k-per-week ace had been out with a fractured arm until his 21-minute cameo on Saturday.

He’s surely in line to start tonight.

Allardyce will still be without Conor Townsend and Karlan Grant, who are more long-term absentees, whilst Grady Diangana and Matty Phillips have been ruled out too, as per BirminghamLive.

AND in other news, prolific 11-goal marksman could bring shades of Salomon Rondon back to the Hawthorns

Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for Schalke centre-back Ozan Kabak in recent months, and whilst the Reds opted against bringing in him during the summer, a recent update on the Turkish international could lead them to sign him in next month’s window.

What’s the word?

According to Tuttosport newspaper (via Milan Live), the Bundesliga side are in dire straits this season and have therefore lowered their asking price for Kabak to just €15 million (£13.77 million).

The Reds are, of course, without the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez for the foreseeable future, so whilst Fabinho and Joel Matip have done a superb job at centre-back in recent weeks, surely the club wouldn’t turn down this opportunity to sign Kabak at such a cut-price fee?

The 20-year-old has earned a lot of plaudits for his performances in the Bundesliga in recent seasons, having already made 46 appearances in the German top-flight in his career.

Worldly-wise…

During his time with Stuggart, the defender earned the praise of sporting director Thomas Hitzlsperger, who said:

“It’s incredible how worldly-wise he is for his age. It’s astonishing. I see him every day and am amazed at how mature he is. He wants to know everything; he wants to learn German right away and understand everything. That’s the kind of attitude we need. He’s already a role model, despite his age.”

The Bundesliga website also compared the youngster’s style of play and ability to read the game to Real Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos, so it seems as if the Reds would be getting a very talented player should they sign Kabak in January.

Considering he is currently valued at £22.5 million by Transfermarkt, to sign him for around £14 million in January would surely represent good business from the Merseyside club, especially if he can go some way towards easing the current defensive injury crisis at the club.

Even more so when he has a release clause of €45m (£40m), as per Bild (via BuliNews).

At 20-years-old, there’s no reason why Kabak couldn’t go on to have a long successful career at Liverpool, and perhaps he could be the man to replace Van Dijk in the long-term.

And, in other news… Liverpool handed huge transfer blow on “unbelievable talent”

Liam Kennedy has given an update on the proposed £300m takeover of Newcastle United by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group.

Replying to a fan of the Tyneside club on Twitter, The Shields Gazette journalist was asked about the possible arbitration hearing involving the Magpies and the Premier League to settle their legal disputes over the failed deal between Mike Ashley and the consortium.

The Magpies supporter asked him if a chair has been agreed or if the top flight are stalling for time, to which Kennedy said: “Things aren’t quite that black and white”.

He also went on to say that any thaw in terms of relations between the Saudis and Qatar may well have implications in terms of a legitimate reason for rejecting any form of bid.

What next for the Newcastle takeover?

Mark Douglas believes that the summit in the Kingdom on January 5th may well be the next point of hope for the takeover to possibly be revived, where the first meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) of the new year will take place, when it is expected that steps will be taken to end the political disputes between Qatar and the KSA.

It could well be something to come back on to if and when the arbitration hearing does takes place, which could give more hope to fans in the North East that the takeover can be resurrected.

In other news, find out who has been put under pressure to give takeover answers here!

Glasgow Rangers cruised to a comfortable 2-0 win over Livingston at Ibrox to move six points clear of their arch-rivals Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership on Sunday afternoon.

Joe Aribo opened the scoring before Jermain Defoe scored his first league goal of the season to secure the victory. The 38-year-old has now scored 300 goals in club football so far, having hit the ball past helpless Livingston goalkeeper Max Stryjek into the back of the net from the edge of the box.

Rangers took the lead almost immediately after Defoe’s initial shot was blocked, but Aribo was left unmarked, and the midfielder struck home from six yards out. However, the best was yet to come, as the former England international combined with club captain James Tavernier for a cool first-time finish.

Livingston looked lively throughout, as they came close to scoring themselves when Connor Goldson nearly scored an own goal, but Steven Gerrard’s side ground out the result to record their seventh consecutive win in a row.

Defoe, who is one of the highest paid players at the club and was once described as a “predator” by Gerrard, has now scored two goals in four games for the Gers in all competitions this season so far, with the majority of his appearances coming from the bench, via Transfermarkt.

SofaScore gave him a high grade of 7.4 – the £1.26m-rated ace took two shots on target, won three out of four ground duels, and took 14 touches of the ball, whilst he completed six out of eight passes at a pass accuracy rating of 75%.

GlasgowLive graded Defoe’s performance at 7/10, claiming he “still has incredible goalscoring instincts, and despite not being involved a great deal, he’s always such a threat in the box.”

Meanwhile, Alfredo Morelos, who is arguably his main competition, is in the middle of a goal drought, as he last scored against Hibernian FC in the league before the international break. However, Kemar Roofe scored a sensational screamer in the Europa League on Thursday night, leading to some calls for him to start against Livingston. Although the Jamaican didn’t start, Roofe came off the bench to replace Defoe in the second half.

Let’s face it, Gerrard is hardly short of options at the top of the pitch, but the Rangers boss faces a huge selection headache as he will have to choose between the three strikers at some stage – and that’s without even mentioning Cedric Itten. We don’t envy him the decision, that’s for sure.

AND in other news, Better than Kranjcar: Glasgow Rangers must secure deal for Lovro Majer…

Crystal Palace cruised to a comfortable 4-1 win over Leeds United at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Roy Hodgson’s side took the lead when Scott Dann headed a corner from Eberechi Eze into the back of the net, with Eze scoring his first goal for the club in sensational style with a sublime free-kick shortly after Leeds striker Patrick Bamford was denied an equaliser after his effort was ruled out by VAR due to the fact that his outstretched arm was offside.

Bamford pulled one back by finding the bottom corner, but his efforts were ultimately in vain as an own goal from his teammate Helder Costa and a goal from Palace striker Jordan Ayew secured the victory.

Patrick van Aanholt put in an impressive performance, Ayew was magnificent, but Scott Dann sent Hodgson a timely reminder with his defensive masterclass.

Reports in recent times revealed that several Premier League clubs are keen to make a cut-price move for the defender in the winter transfer market.

SofaScore gave Dann a high grade of 7.7 for his efforts (only Eze scored higher) – the centre-back completed 19 out of 21 passes at a pass completion rate of 90%, blocked one shot, made one interception and a staggering eight clearances, whilst he also won four out of five duels overall (80%), took 33 touches of the ball and wasn’t dribbled past once, which suggests that he managed to keep Bamford at bay for most of the game.

Similarly, the 33-year-old received a higher rating of 8/10 from Sky Sports, whilst football.london went one below, claiming he scored “a great header to open the scoring” and “maintained control for much of the game”, although he “lost Bamford for Leeds’ opening goal, however”, which is perhaps a little unfair. 90Min awarded him with the same score, saying he “led the line excellent and scored an outrageous header to give his side the lead as well.”

Palace have often been accused of lacking leadership in the past but Dann showed that he is both comfortable on the ball and confident without possession as he marshalled the defence in the absence of Gary Cahill and James Tomkins.

It’s worth pointing out that Leeds enjoyed a whopping 65% possession of the ball but they couldn’t make their overwhelming majority of possession count where it mattered the most. Once again, the wily veteran has shown that he is more than capable of delivering the goods, having started three wins out of four so far this season. So, Hodgson must keep the £2.5m-rated beast at all costs, that’s for sure.

AND in other news, Tyrick Mitchell’s injury is a timely boost for Patrick van Aanholt’s Crystal Palace career…

Arsenal look to have found their replacement very quickly for Emiliano Martinez, who departed to pursue more consistent first team football at Aston Villa.

According to Sky Sports, Dijon goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson is having a medical ahead of a move to Arsenal. The personal terms are very close to being finalised and the Gunners want the deal done as soon as possible.

Icelandic international Runarsson has made five appearances for his country, per Transfermarkt, and at club level he has racked up 116 appearances, keeping 19 clean sheets and conceding 196 goals. He is nothing special but it is a signing that makes sense as the club need cover for Leno and he should come cheap, so Arsenal could use the rest of the Martinez money to spend on a player who will have more of an influence elsewhere on the pitch.

It is good that the club have acted quickly for a replacement, so it doesn’t become a problem if Leno becomes injured again like he did last year, and now Mikel Arteta can focus on bigger targets and ensuring a good start to the season.

Gunners fans, what are your thoughts on this news? Comment below!