O’Neill may be able to create great link between Nottingham Forest and Celtic

According to The Nottingham Post, Forest are in contention to sign Celtic winger Lewis Morgan on loan this month. 

The 22-year-old be was sensational last season with St Mirren, helping secure them promotion from the Scottish Championship with 14 goals and six assists in 35 appearances.

Morgan has struggled to make an impact so far for Celtic this season, however, and while he has featured under Brendan Rodgers, it has largely been from the bench and he is yet to score. However, at the age of 22, he is still in his formative years, and it would make sense if he joins up with with a team that would perhaps give him more playing time than what he has got so far this season. It will only help his development before returning to Parkhead.

With Matt Cash and Joe Lolley already at the City Ground, The Reds already have a good selection of attackers. However, the arrival of Morgan could see Lolley play more centrally, as he has done under new manager Martin O’Neill so far this season.What this transfer does indicate, however, is a new relationship between Celtic and Nottingham Forest. O’Neill managed The Bhoys at the beginning of the century, where he had a huge amount of success. His relationship with the Glasgow club could mean that he could broker deals for their struggling players, which would be an amazing source of talent from Forest’s perspective. With a number of good players struggling for game time at Celtic Park at the moment, this could be the beginning of a great relationship.

Pochettino names Janssen in first team squad, Tottenham fans react

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Loads of Tottenham fans have been reacting to some surprising squad news from Mauricio Pochettino, as the boss has brought Vincent Janssen back into the first team fold.

Janssen looked certain to follow Georges-Kevin N’Koudou out of North London on transfer deadline day, but the Dutch international has now been handed a new lease of life by Pochettino.

“When we now have two free places, with Nkoudou going to Monaco and Dembele to China, he’s (Janssen) going to be on the list. That is my decision, that he’s going to be involved with the first team from today,” Pochettino said as reported by ESPN’s Ben Pearce.

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After the gaffer stripped the striker of the no. 9 shirt earlier this season, his future at the club looked very bleak indeed.

Pochettino, like most top managers, can often be quite stubborn once he makes his mind up about a player’s future, but it seems he has been forced to change his mind about Janssen thanks to the plague of injuries spreading through his attacking ranks.

The 24 year-old, who struck 32 times in 49 games for his former club AZ Alkmaar, has scored just six goals in 39 Tottenham appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, where the boss’ decision is getting a mixed response…

Big Debate: Can Leeds sustain their title charge given Bielsa’s intense use of their small squad?

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Having led the Championship for much of the campaign, Leeds United slipped into second place – albeit on goal difference only – with defeat to new leaders Norwich City last time out.

Of course, the Whites are sill in the thick of the promotion, and title, hunt, but a run that has seen them lose three of their last five league games has had a damaging effect on their chances.

It is perhaps unsurprising that Leeds are experiencing a slump at this stage of the season. According to Transfermarkt, Leeds’ first team squad only amounts to 23 players, with an average age of 25.5. Norwich, meanwhile, have a 24-man squad with an average age of 26.4. Third placed Sheffield United have a 25-man squad with an average age of 27.8.

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa is famed and lauded for his use of young players, but his preference for a small, inexperienced group could be hampering the Elland Road club.

Football FanCast’s Will Jones and Harry Sherlock have debated whether or not Leeds can sustain their title bid given Bielsa’s intense use of such a small squad.

Jones: For

Bielsa has introduced a remarkably intense, fast-paced and high-pressured style of play to Elland Road. His squad have adapted magnificently and run themselves into the ground week in, week out.

The young players under the Argentine coach’s command have blossomed, whilst the Leeds veterans have been reinvigorated by his methods. At the end of the season, they will all be utterly exhausted. Until then, they have what it takes to keep going.

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The recent defeats to Stoke and Norwich have been damaging, but they were not symptomatic of fatigue. Leeds still outran their opponents, they just lacked the final flourish of quality. Good form will return and Leeds will get back on track.

They may have stumbled a little, but Bielsa’s side don’t look as though they’re on the verge of collapse. 

Sherlock: Against

Leeds are going to struggle if they continue in this vein.

Marcelo Bielsa does not like to use a big squad but already his players are showing signs of cracking under the strain he has placed upon them.

They have won just one of their last three games, falling to damaging defeats to both Norwich City and Stoke City.

A slip to second-place has set nerves jangling at Elland Road, and they will continue if Bielsa does not alter his modus operandi.

Sheffield United, in third, are breathing down their necks and have lost just one of their last four outings.

The gap between Leeds and the Blades is now three points; Bielsa should call on his back-up brigade soon or risk the wheels falling clean off.

Liverpool fans want to sign Matthijs de Ligt after heroic performance vs Real Madrid

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Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to call on the club to sign Ajax wonderkid Matthijs de Ligt, after the teenage sensation put in yet another commanding performance on the biggest stage, this time against Real Madrid.

The Netherlands international was unlucky to be on the losing side against the Champions League holders, as the hosts had a goal chalked off by VAR before seeing the Spanish giants score a late winner through Marco Asensio’s strike – two away goals for Los Blancos mean the Eredivisie giants have it all to do at the Santiago Bernabeu in the second leg.

Despite the loss, 19-year-old de Ligt’s performance was eye-catching once again, and Liverpool fans certainly took notice.

The Reds are currently having huge problems in defence, as both Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren are injured whilst Joel Matip is extremely inconsistent.

As a result of that, fans of the Merseyside outfit on Twitter have pleaded with the club to sign the rising Dutch star…

Liverpool fans react as Fabinho set to play centre back vs Bayern Munich

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Loads of Liverpool fans have been reacting to an injury update, as Fabinho is expected to play centre back against Bayern Munich with Dejan Lovren still out injured.

Lovren did not train with the first team ahead of Tuesday night’s clash against Bayern Munich, the club confirmed on Monday.

The Croatian international has been suffering from a hamstring problem that he sustained during the FA Cup defeat to Wolves, and is not expected to take any part on Tuesday night.

With Virgil van Dijk suspended and Joe Gomez still out injured, that leaves Joel Matip as Jurgen Klopp’s only centre back choice, and Fabinho is now expected to fill in alongside the Cameroonian.

According to The Times, the versatile Brazilian international will get the nod in the heart of defence ahead of Jordan Henderson, who was also considered for the makeshift role.

Lots of fans have been giving their verdict on the news, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

Tottenham join the chase for Birmingham hotshot Che Adams

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According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham have joined the hunt for Birmingham’s in-form hotshot Che Adams, along with a number of other clubs who have taken a keen interest in signing the Championship marksman.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Adams is currently enjoying the season of his life right now, and his form has not gone unnoticed.

The 22-year-old has hit 19 goals in 29 Championship starts so far this season, as well as recording three assists, with his form a large reason for Birmingham’s unlikely push for the play-off positions – they are just seven points away right now, with plenty more games still left to play.

Spurs’ north London rivals Arsenal along with Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in signing the English forward, whilst Burnley and Southampton saw bids rebuffed for Adams in the January window and Celtic and Watford have scouted the goal machine recently (as per The Mirror).

Do Spurs really need Adams?

Given the fact that Mauricio Pochettino hasn’t made a single signing over the last two transfer windows, one would only assume that there isn’t too much money to spend at the club – the debts from the construction of the new White Hart Lane may also be a contributing factor.

In that respect, the aforementioned TEAMtalk article states that Birmingham want £20m for Adams, which could be a lot for Spurs right now. Is it really worth splashing that much on a player who will only be used as Harry Kane’s understudy?

You may argue that Pochettino needs another forward, but we have seen by Heung-min Son’s blistering form and Fernando Llorente’s resurgence in the absence of Kane that there are plenty of players at the club who can step up in a time of need.

Perhaps any money afforded to Pochettino by Daniel Levy should be spent on a new right-back, as all three of Kyle Walker-Peters, Kieran Trippier and Serge Aurier have failed to nail down a place in the team on a consistent basis.

Jannik Vestergaard gets news he would have been dreading as Rashford set to start

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Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed in his Southampton pre-match press conference that Marcus Rashford will “probably start” on Saturday, and the news will leave Jannik Vestergaard sweating.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the England international picked up a knock against Liverpool last weekend but given they made three first-half substitutions against the Merseyside outfit, the 21-year-old still stayed on the pitch for the entirety.

He was unable to start against Crystal Palace in midweek but was in the 18-man squad and did feature from the bench for the final 13 minutes of the 3-1 win.

Ahead of the Red Devils’ clash with Saints at Old Trafford, Solskjaer says the explosive attacker is ready to take his place on the team-sheet.

The Norwegian told manutd.com: “Rashford is fully fit now. I’ll probably start him.”

Bad news for Vestergaard?

It certainly might be, as he would have been looking forward to potentially only having to deal with Romelu Lukaku, who he is perfectly suited to given his height and lack of pace.

While the Denmark international has improved significantly since manager Ralph Hasenhuttl arrived at St Mary’s in December, there is no doubt that his lack of speed and agility means he can suffer against players like Rashford.

In the reverse fixture in December which proved to be Mark Hughes’ final one at the helm, the 26-year-old struggled as the young forward ran rings around the south coast outfit’s defence, providing two assists as well as being clattered by the giant centre-back on the right-hand side in the 51st minute.

Given Romelu Lukaku scored twice in the 3-1 win against the Eagles the likelihood is that Rashford will either replace Diogo Dalot on the right of a 4-3-3 system with Alexis Sanchez on the left, or he will partner the Belgium international up top.

Whichever happens Vestergaard will be sweating to come up against an unpredictable and quick player he simply isn’t built to effectively defend against, and he will need help from the likes of left wing-back Ryan Bertrand.

Newcastle fans split on suggested Mooy move

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Loads of Newcastle fans have been reacting to the latest transfer rumour, and they’re completely split on the possibility of signing Huddersfield ace Aaron Mooy.

Mooy should leave Huddersfield if they get relegated, and Newcastle would be a good landing place, claims Australian football pundit Simon Hill.

The Terriers are a whopping 13 points off Premier League safety with just nine games left to play, and they are showing no signs of escaping the drop.

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Mooy is perhaps the one player in their squad that has shown glimpses of genuine Premier League quality, and his compatriot Hill wants to see him stay in the top flight.

Speaking on a Fox Sports podcast, he said: “Maybe somewhere like a Newcastle. Let’s be honest, he’s not going to go to Man United or Man City or Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea etc. but I think that next tier down of club is a possibility.”

As reported by Chronicle Live, the Yorkshire outfit would expect around £20m for the 39-cap Australia international, which is perhaps what is causing many Newcastle fans to turn their noses up at the suggested deal.

Either way, you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

The Chalkboard: Hodgson’s dire decisions vs Brighton should be the last straw

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Brighton beat Crystal Palace for the second time this season on Saturday, and Roy Hodgson’s performance on the day was nothing short of abysmal.

Selhurst Park has seen just three league victories for the Eagles all year, and Saturday’s clash against Brighton didn’t exactly go to plan either.

The Seagulls took the lead in the first half when Glenn Murray capitalised on a mistake from James Tomkins, but Luka Milivojevic levelled from the spot for the hosts.

Anthony Knockaert decided the outcome of the match with a stunning strike though, cutting inside Patrick van Aanholt and curling a wonderful effort into the far top corner.

While the visitors deserve immense credit for taking the few chances that fell their way, the blame for the Eagles should be place entirely on Hodgson, whose team selection and game management were downright absurd.

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The wrong midfield

It didn’t take a genius to work out that Brighton would set up defensively in south London, but Hodgson clearly didn’t figure it out.

His side had 63 per cent of the ball, eight more corners and spent most of the match in the opposition’s half, per Whoscored, yet the boss opted for a midfield three without an ounce of creativity.

With all due respect, Milivojevic, Jeffrey Schlupp and James McArthur wouldn’t break down a deep, organised defence if you gave them all year, but Hodgson waited until the 77th minute to introduce Max Meyer.

A 4-2-3-1 formation, with Milivojevic and Cheikhou Kouyate offering Meyer the freedom to roam around in the number ten role, could have caused absolute havoc between the Brighton lines of defence.

Ridiculous decisions

If the gaffer’s starting XI and system were completely wrong, his in-game decisions were even worse.

Aforementioned, he took way too long to make changes. On top of that, when the change eventually did come, it coincided with a switch to a 4-4-2, a switch that ultimately took Palace’s best player out of the game.

Sticking Zaha out wide in a 4-4-2 formation in the hope of launching crosses in towards two strikers is the sign of a manager going backwards, not forwards.

Change required

With the likes of Michy Batshuayi, Zaha, Milivojevic, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Mamadou Sakho, the Eagles have some of the best players in the league outside of the top six.

As long as Hodgson is at the helm though, they will continue to play uninspiring, rigid football.

The ex-England boss did a superb job rescuing the club from the mess left by Frank de Boer, but providing he does little more than steady the ship until the end of the season, he should be sacked this summer.

West Ham fans on Twitter see the lighter side as youngster gets international call

[ad_pod ]West Ham United fans on Twitter have seen the lighter side after Academy of Football product Conor Coventry received his maiden call-up to the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad.Hammers fans have ripped into the Ireland U21 team that the 18-year-old central midfielder has broken into for a 2021 UEFA European U21 Championship qualifier at home to Luxembourg, taking no prisoners.Unsurprisingly, the bulk of the comments centre around Coventry’s teammate and close friend Declan Rice, who famously progressed through the youth ranks of the ROI team and into the senior side, before switching his international allegiance to England.Rice was included in his first Three Lions squad this week meaning the wound is still very tender for the Irish FA and they will be keen to tie the English-raised Coventry down as soon as possible.

As satirical as the reaction from West Ham fans is, with the Claret & Blue Army not holding anything back in their trolling, there is still the very real possibility that the youngster could follow in his comrade’s footsteps.

Remarks such as “can’t wait till his first England cap” and “he’ll be English before you know it” have been flying around Twitter since the announcement.

Check out the pick of them, below…

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