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Can anyone really trust Alfredo Morelos to keep his head? It’s time Rangers bought a reliable striker like Lawrence Shankland to rake in the goals instead.

Steven Gerrard mentioned he was being too soft with player discipline after the Old Firm derby, and that he’d toughen up. The ultimate way to keep his players in check is to bring in a player who won’t step out of line but will still produce the goods.

Shankland has scored 23 times and made five assists in 29 games for Ayr United in the Scottish Championship. He’s certainly got an eye for goal, so it’s time he took the step up into the top division, and the bright lights of Ibrox would be perfect. The Daily Star previously reported Rangers and Celtic are both interested.

In 216 career games at clubs including Aberdeen and St Mirren, he’s only ever had one red card. That’s quite a contrast to the five Morelos has racked up, and that’ll be music to Gerrard’s ears, who likes passion but surely prefers his main striker on the pitch rather than down the tunnel.

He’s developing a no-nonsense approach to the media and it seems he wants to do the same with his squad, so why not bring in the 23-year-old to prove he won’t be a pushover. Shankland would also make a great partner for Jermain Defoe if he’s still at Ibrox next season.

He deserves a chance to prove himself at the highest level, and with his contract running out in May, he’ll be available for free. There’d be no risk attached to this signing. The biggest risk is not having a player to compete with Morelos and replace his goals when his head falls off every now and again.

Rangers fans, who do you think Steven Gerrard should bring in to challenge Alfredo Morelos? Join the discussion by commenting below…

Premier League safety might not be confirmed just yet, but it’s safe to say that West Ham’s top-flight status is safe for another season.

With five games to go and teams below them failing to pick up points, Manuel Pellegrini’s side can take it easy going into their final few matches, and maybe even make a surprise result or two along the way. And against Manchester United this weekend, the Hammers could cause an unprecedented shakeup of the race for Champions League football.

Results against the Red Devils have been mixed over the past few seasons. The Hammers dominated United at home earlier in the season in a 3-1 win, as well as beating the Manchester side 3-2 in the final game at Upton Park.

However, the Hammers are yet to win in the league at Old Trafford since 2007, when Carlos Tevez saved the club from relegation to the Championship on the final day of the season with a 1-0 win.

Going into this match with not much to play for, West Ham could capitalise on the pressure United and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are under. After a honeymoon period as caretaker manager, the now full-time boss of the club has stumbled as of late at the wheel.

One win in their last five games has seen United crash out of the FA Cup and slip up in the league for what looked like a guaranteed Champions League spot, and although on paper the Red Devils are the favourites for this weekend’s game against West Ham, Solskjaer should be cautious.

Pellegrini’s side were impressive against Chelsea on Monday night, and West Ham are a team who know how to get results against United.

The Hammers have what it takes to not only secure their safety in the Premier League but to shake up the landscape of the top-four race.

West Ham fans, can the Hammers get a result over United this weekend? Let us know!

Champions League football next season is Arsenal’s one and only current aim and it doesn’t matter how they get there, they just need to make it happen. In fact, do any of you really care about the journey, if that’s your destination? 

Unai Emery would safely say himself that he has had a fairly successful time during his first campaign in charge of the Gunners, with his side well in the mix for top four and Europa League success.

Though all the positive energy surrounding the Emirates will quickly disappear if he fails to deliver Champions League football at the end of the season.

Still, you fans will surely be extremely hopeful they will see some new players arriving over the summer to bring some extra quality in and one player they would like to see brought in, or should I say brought back, is Ismael Bennacer, as was touted by Le 10 Sport via Sport Witness earlier this month.

Bennacer, (who is valued at £9 million on Transfermarkt) was sold by Arsenal in 2017 after he made just one senior appearance for them.

When youngsters move on, you either hear or don’t hear about them after.

And unfortunately for Arsenal, Ismael Bennacer is a player that has emerged on the European radar, alike Serge Gnabry, since his move away from the Emirates. The Empoli man is of tenacious character and is a defensive midfielder that could really improve Arsenal’s general squad options.

Operating in a deep-lying role could allow for a player like Lucas Torreira to roam further forward, whilst Bennacer is then there to sweep away any danger besides Matteo Guendouzi. He would be perfect alongside the current Arsenal pair as he’d help ensure defensive solidity at the back and would allow the Frenchman to push forward, as well as linking defence to attack with his quick passing ability.

What. A. Midfield.

Arsenal have made numerous transfer mistakes over the years and not re-signing Ismael Bennacer is certain to be another mistake waiting to happen.

Do you agree Arsenal should try and bring Bennacer back to the Emirates… Let us know!

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Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Harry Kane will miss the second leg of Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League semi-final against Ajax, per Football.London.

What’s the word?

Kane sustained ankle ligament damage in Spurs’ quarter-final first leg tie against Manchester City and subsequently missed the decisive leg at the Etihad Stadium.

Spurs, of course, progressed thanks to a controversial 4-3 loss on the night, qualifying for the semi-final against Ajax.

Hopes among fans have been high that Kane may return before the end of the season but Pochettino, after some help from assistant Jesus Perez, confirmed on Monday that it is almost impossible for the England captain to play in the Netherlands.

Quoted by Football.London, Pochettino said: “He’s doing well. He’s working, starting to run a little bit inside.

“His rehab is so good but we cannot create any ideas that after we cannot maybe achieve.

“The most important thing is he’s good and in a good place, so focused and we see what happens, we assess him every day. We are happy but we will see.

“Is there chance he could play in the second leg?

“No chance Jesus? Jesus says no chance.”

Saving him for the final

Spurs may well be saving Kane for the unlikely eventuality that they are in the Champions League final.

They have to negotiate a tricky two-legged tie with the Dutch giants first; Ajax have already knocked out both Real Madrid and Juventus in this season’s competition.

Spurs are undoubtedly underdogs but rushing Kane back makes little sense if their eyes are on the bigger prize.

After all, they will surely need him if they take on either Liverpool or Barcelona in Madrid.

Their hopes of completing one of the most dramatic European triumphs may rest on it.

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Leeds United fans on Twitter have been slamming Stuart Attwell after his disaster of a refereeing performance at Elland Road on Sunday.

The clash between the Whites and their fellow playoff contenders Aston Villa was one of the most heated games of the season, and Attwell struggled to deal with the feisty nature of the clash.

Supporters of the Yorkshire club have commented on his lack of ability to control the game and his failure to spot alleged simulation from Jack Grealish.

In all fairness to the referee he didn’t have the easiest job – a brawl broke out after Leeds’ opening goal due to its controversial nature and he had to hand out one red card and five yellows in a game that proved almost impossible to officiate.

Attwell utterly lost control early on and the controversy after the goal didn’t help matters either.

Despite being an established Premier League official the 36-year-old looked out of his depth when officiating at Elland Road.

Here’s what Leeds fans have been saying on Twitter…

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Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn scooped both players’ and supporters player of the year at the Villa awards dinner this week.

/Bw9XUs1nv_4/

McGinn was signed from Hibernian last summer and has proved to be an excellent signing.

He also seems to have made a positive impression on the squad, as James Chester’s comment indicates.

The nickname of meatball shows signs of affection from within the Villa squad and indicates that the Scot has settled well into the team.

McGinn also won supporters player of the year and the 24-year-old has endeared himself to the Villa faithful, especially after a goal of the season contender against Sheffield Wednesday.

The Villa players have clearly been impressed by the Scottish international and he has deservedly taken the award after registering six goals and ten assists.

The Villa man is a a key part of the team and, if The Villains are to go up via the playoffs, they will need him to be at his best in the midfield.

As their biggest test this season lies await against bitter rivals Aston Villa, Jimmy Shan obviously needs to get his combination spot on to move ahead to the play-off final.

Thankfully, he has a variety of options to choose from to win bragging rights in the Midlands derby and take one step closer to the Premier League.

In the next few days, he’ll need his best players to turn up big time to resist the upcoming storm. During this crucial period, lacklustre performances cannot be tolerated. With that in mind, and regardless of how experienced he is, Gareth Barry cannot be played in the crunch games ahead.

The 38-year-old’s been a loyal servant for the Baggies but has declined heavily in the past few months. Despite having made 24 appearances, he’s proven to be a very error-prone midfielder who’s struggled in the fast-paced game.

Barry’s tended to often give away possession, unable to track marauding midfielders or stop attacks in and around his side’s final third. He’s picked up 8 yellow cards in the Championship, itself proving how callous the former Villa star’s become. Indeed, he’s shaky against mobile attacks, making him prone to causing fatal errors for the Baggies.

Up against a side who play in a system such as the vibrant and attacking one Dean Smith has become rather famous for, it’s pretty much a death wish. Experience might be a factor in top-level football but far too much of it can be a bad thing, as it would be in this case.

The Baggies should go with their strongest teams with energetic young players, taking the game to Villa. Barry will probably end up being humiliated Jack Grealish and co, bringing more consequences to sink Jimmy Shan’s aspirations for promotion.

West Brom fans, do you want Barry to be involved against Villa? Join the discussion by commenting below…

It has been a dramatic couple of weeks to be a Middlesbrough supporter, hasn’t it?

After missing out on a play-off spot on the final day of the season to Derby County, the Smoggies were consigned to yet another year in the Championship.

With Tony Pulis mainly to blame for the club’s failures during the 2018/19 campaign, it was hardly surprising when he decided not to extend his stay at the Riverside Stadium on Friday.

Although chairman Steve Gibson is now on the lookout for a new manager, regardless of who he brings in, it is clear that Boro should go all-out this summer to bring in one of the most exciting young talents in Belgium.

According to Football League World last week, the Smoggies are reportedly one of a number of clubs who are thought to be interested in signing Genk forward Mbwana Samatta.

A lethal finisher, the 26-year-old helped De Smurfen secure the Jupiler League title by firing in an impressive total of 23 league goals.

With Samatta’s pace and power seemingly making him the perfect fit for the Championship, the Tanzanian could be the answer to Boro’s attacking woes.

Having been over-reliant on Britt Assombalonga to deliver the goods over the past two years, by bringing in the £8.1m-rated forward (via Transfermarkt), there is no reason why the Smoggies cannot launch a sustained push for promotion to the Premier League next season.

However, with Cardiff City also keeping tabs on Samatta, Boro may have to act quickly if they are to avoid a bidding war this summer.

What do you think Smoggies fans? Should your club splash the clash to sign Samatta when the transfer window opens in July? Or is there another forward you would like to see Boro swoop for this summer? Let us know below.

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Loads of Newcastle fans have been reacting to the latest transfer news, as reports claim the Magpies are eyeing Juan Mata.

According to The Sun, Rafael Benitez will look to bring Mata to Tyneside if he continues as Newcastle manager.

The report claims the Magpies boss is keen on a reunion with Mata, who he coached at Chelsea.

The Manchester United playmaker will be out of contract this summer, and it looks unlikely that he will be offered a new deal at Old Trafford.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….

Of course, Mike Ashley infamously does not sign older players, especially ones with bad injury histories and high wage demands, so a move for the 31 year-old would surely be at the command of Benitez.

Mata scored five goals and added two assists on limited playing time this campaign, and his creativity from the middle of the park would certainly give the Magpies a necessary boost in carving out chances for their front men.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

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Swansea City attacker Jordan Ayew has found himself at the centre of transfer tussle with a report in The Sun suggesting both Crystal Palace and Southampton are eager to sign him up, but the former should move quickly to tie him down despite his disappointing goalscoring record.

What’s the word, then?

Ayew spent the season on loan at Crystal Palace, and although he wasn’t a permanent fixture in the first team, he proved himself an able back-up and may have convinced Roy Hodgson that he could be a worthwhile option off the bench.

However, there could be fierce competition for his signature with Swansea keen to offload him from their wage bill. That would mean Palace would have to act early to have the best chance of making his loan permanent.

So far, the two clubs are yet to reach an agreement, giving encouragement to others that the Ghanaian forward may still be available. The Sun suggests that Palace may instead bide their time and wait until later in the transfer window to secure a better deal, for a player who could cost less than £5m.

What it means for Palace

News of this potential transfer may ring alarm bells for Palace fans, but it would actually be a smart move for that price.

There’s some exciting changes happening at Crystal Palace next summer. Find out what in the video below…

The 27-year-old has proven that he can do a job at this level, can play in a number of different positions and works hard for the club – knowing his teammates well already is obviously another big bonus.

With Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke both linked with moves away from Selhurst Park in recent weeks, the Eagles could do with having a player in those attacking positions in early, and Ayew woud fit the bill.

Signing him for £5m or less would also allow them to spend big on other areas of the squad, such as on the wing or for another new centre-forward.