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Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has reiterated how vital it is that he and his squad focus on themselves in the run-in of the Championship campaign.

The Blades are currently in the thick of the Championship title race, along with Norwich City and Leeds United. Wilder believes that his side must concentrate on what they have to do themselves, without getting distracted by what’s going on around them.

What he said

As quoted by The Star, the Bramall Lane boss said “I’m not interested in what Leeds do or what Norwich City do…All I want to do is focus on ourselves and make sure we get results because that’s something we can influence. We can’t influence what other clubs do so it’s a waste of time worrying about that.”

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

Wilder will know that these external issues, if they’re allowed to distract his squad, could see his own side’s title ambitions crumble as the Blades take their eye off the ball.

Wilder’s words will reassure fans that the team are focused, but the manager’s comments should also be taken heed of by his players.

What he meant

Wilder’s address was likely aimed at his own squad as much as anyone else. By publicly stating the importance of keeping their concentration, he adds extra weight to his message. 

The Blades are in for a nervy couple of months, as the title fight is likely to go down to the wire. Wilder must do all he can to keep his squad calm and attentive to their own jobs. Relaying this message via the media is a smart way of reinforcing its importance.

كشف محمد صلاح المدير الفني الأسبق لنادي طنطا عن مميزات وعيوب البرتغالي جايمي باتشيكو المدير الفني الجديد للزمالك.

وكان محمد صلاح قد عمل مدربًا مساعدًا مع باتشيكو أثناء قيادته للزمالك في الولاية الأولى عام 2014.

وقال محمد صلاح خلال مداخلة هاتفية ببرنامج “جمهور التالتة” المذاع على قناة “اون تايم سبورت”: “من الناحية الفنية وإدارة الفريق باتشيكو كان أفضل المعروضين على الزمالك.. هو هرب قبل ذلك ولم يرحل مُقالا كما ادعى، ولكنه مؤدب ومبتسم دائمًا ومن الناحية الفنية يستطيع قيادة الفريق”.

وأضاف: “هو رجل يحب عمله ولا يترك شيئا للصدفة، كان يدرس كل شيء قبل التمرين وكان يتدرب مع اللاعبين وكان (حبوب) يقترب منهم، ويجيد التعامل الفني والنفسي معهم”.

وعن العمل كمدرب مساعد في الجهاز المعاون لـ باتشيكو أجاب: ” أتشرف بالتأكيد بالعمل معه مرة أخرى، وقلت إنه هرب من قبل حتى لا أكون منافقًا ولكن هذا لا يمنع أنه جيد على المستوى الفني”.

وواصل: “هو كان يلعب بطريقة 4-2-3-1، وهو عاد الآن لقيادة الزمالك بلاعبين أفضل ممن كانوا معه في الولاية الأولى”.

طالع أيضًا.. مرتضى منصور يعلن قيمة التعاقد مع باتشيكو مدرب الزمالك الجديد

وتابع: “هو مدرب لا يخون المساعدين المصريين معه ويستمع لهم ويوزع المهام بشكل جيد وله مواقف معي جيدة ويتمتع بشخصية جيدة”.

وأردف: “أتمنى أن يساعده الناس وألا يذكرونه بهروبه ونبدأ معه صفحة جديدة، هو عنده علم بنوعية اللاعبين، وأعتقد أنه كان يتابع الفترة الأخيرة الفريق منذ أن طرح اسمه”.

واختتم موضحًا عيوبه: “أنه هرب من قبل، وانا أتمنى ألا يسأله أحد هذا السؤال”.

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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.

Check out the below above to see football played as you’ve never seen it before… in a maze!

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.

Chelsea’s striker issues are still persistent and evident from the EFL Cup final loss to Manchester City, Maurizio Sarri doesn’t entirely believe in Gonzalo Higuain’s ability. While the Italian striker was signed to be their missing goal-scoring link, he’s been unconvincing so far.

This is obviously an issue that needs to be solved – and fortunately they already have a dangerous striker on loan. Michy Batshuayi is with Crystal Palace only until May. Following some loan deals, it’s finally time for Batshuayi to come good at Chelsea.

If his recent form at Palace proves anything, the Batsman is ready to roll in the Premier League. He’s been an asset for Roy Hodgson’s side since arriving last month, already proving to be a more proficient striker than Christian Benteke. Batshuayi’s made three appearances for the Eagles, scoring one goal from only four shots on target (via the Premier League).

The Belgian striker’s first goal arrived in their 4-1 demolition of Leicester City, where he was fortunate to get a touch on James McArthur’s powerful shot to deflected onto goal. However, that wasn’t his only contribution. Batshuayi’s movement in the final third was really threatening, diverting the defenders’ attention and dragging them out of position.

He’s allowed Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend more freedom to create and score, showcasing how well he could fit in at Chelsea. Not only can the Belgian be a consistent goal-scorer for them, but also elevate those around him to help Chelsea start playing efficient, attractive football again.

This is all, of course, without also considering his brilliant form at Borussia Dortmund last year. Sure, he’s inconsistent – but Batshuayi’s talent is evident. He just needs a stable home from which to build.

Thoughts?

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Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter to react after it was revealed that Connor Wickham has been struck by yet another injury problem, as revealed by Roy Hodgson in his pre-match press conference before the visit of West Ham.

The English forward only recently made his long-awaited return to first-team action, earning a start in the 2-0 win over Tottenham in the FA Cup at Selhurst Park – a game in which he scored the opener and celebrated passionately.

Sadly for the 25-year-old, however, he has suffered a setback having worked so hard to get fit, and his chances of game time this season with the south London side are now looking bleak after yet another issue, coupled with the arrival of Michy Batshuayi.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

Palace fans, who are still yet to see Wickham’s fellow striker Christian Benteke score for them this season, have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts on the former Sunderland man’s dire situation…

Harry Kane might’ve become Spurs’ all-time European scorer on Tuesday night as Tottenham valiantly stood against the relentless yellow tide of Borussia Dortmund but he wasn’t the man who stuck out in our eyes.

The onus to attack was quite visible on the hosts who had to overturn a deficit of three goals having been embarrassed on Tottenham’s turf two weeks ago and they certainly looked the most likely in the opening exchanges dominating 70 per cent of possession.

Marco Reus missed an excellent opportunity to open the scoring for the hosts, having been denied by a valiant challenge from Jan Vertonghen the German managed to release a shot forcing Hugo Lloris into a save.

Spurs had an opportunity of their own to close things off early on when Son was released into a one-on-one, but the forward failed to make the chance pay.

Lloris was called back into action soon after, first stopping Julian Weigl’s headed off the line, before preventing World Cup hero Mario Gotze’s placed effort from inside the area.

There is a reason Harry Kane is Spurs’ all-time top European scorer and he showed that a few minutes into the second-half, latching onto engine-turned-playmaker Sissoko’s through ball to finish delightfully around Roman Burki.

Lloris would provide one more class save before time, saving low to prevent Spanish marksman Paco Alcacer from scoring Dortmund’s only goal of the tie.

For his heroics, Huge Lloris was quite rightly rewarded Man of the Match, but we think Moussa Sissoko deserves extra credit.

The former bumbling midfielder has come on leaps and bounds this season and has really stepped up when it matters.

Of course, his technical shortcomings are there for all to see, but he has really focused on his strongest assets to compensate and that was evident on Tuesday night.

He was tireless in midfield, shielded his defence well and provided a rare assist for Harry Kane.

Really turned a corner.

Tottenham fans, who do you think deserves the most credit if not Moussa Sissoko?

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Pablo Hernandez has been struggling to discover his magic touch in recent weeks and it’s no coincidence that his dip in form has coincided with Leeds United’s biggest blip of the season.

What’s the word?

Things haven’t quite been clicking for Hernandez with the same fluidity that they were before the turn of the year. His confidence has taken a small hit as a consequence, but his performance against Swansea City will have given him a huge mental boost as the club move towards the business end of the season.

There were plenty of positive performances from the home side, with the likes of Pontus Jansson and Kalvin Phillips coming in for esteemed praise.

However, Phil Hay was also eager to laud Hernandez for his performance, with the Yorkshire Evening Post reporter awarding him an 8/10 in his player ratings column and hinting that he was close to returning to his brilliant best.

‘Orchestrated so much again, with lovely deliveries and clever passes. Tough to play against when he’s in this mood. 8/10’.

Hernandez’s return to form arrives at a perfect time

A return to top form for the Spaniard is always good news for everybody associated with the Whites, but it could be particularly vital when you place Leeds’ run of fixtures into context.

On paper, Leeds are strong favourites to win their next two games. First, they welcome a Bolton Wanderers side to Elland Road who have only won twice on the road all season, and then they travel to QPR to go head-to-head with a side who have been leaking goals of late.

Of course, there are no easy games in the Championship, but both of the two upcoming fixtures should offer Leeds’ attacking players the chance to strut their stuff and continue to build momentum ahead of the huge clashes which follow thereafter against fellow promotion contenders West Bromich Albion and Bristol City.

If the 33-year-old can continue to build on his glowing performance against Swansea with excellent displays against Bolton and QPR, Leeds’ chief playmaker should be full of confidence and ready to offer a decisive creative threat in the defining moments of the season.

نشبت مشادة كلامية بين حسام غالي مدير الكرة بنادي الجونة، وأحمد الغندور حكم مباراة فريقه أمام الزمالك اليوم الأحد، في بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وانتصر الزمالك على الجونة بنتيجة 4-3 في مباراة مثيرة شهدت احتساب ركلة جزاء في الدقيقة الثالثة بالوقت بدلا من الضائع سجلها محمود علاء.

واعترض حسام غالي على الحكم بسبب ركلة الجزاء التي احتسبها في الوقت القاتل من المباراة، بعد احتكامه لتقنية الفار، التي أظهرت عرقلة أكرم توفيق لاعب الجونة لـ عبد الله جمعة الظهير الأيسر للزمالك.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ترتيب الدوري المصري بعد فوز الزمالك المثير على الجونة اليوم

يُذكر أن الزمالك عزز مركزه في وصافة الدوري بالوصول لـ61 نقطة، بينما تجمد الجونة في المرتبة الثالثة عشر برصيد 31 نقطة.

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Tottenham Hotspur fans have been going into a meltdown on Twitter, as their club heads to Spain for a warm-weather training camp.

Many Spurs supporters learnt of what many of them are branding as a “holiday” less than two days after the shock Premier League defeat to Southampton on Saturday afternoon, one that left them 13 points off league leaders Manchester City and effectively ended their title challenge.

Clearly some fans are visibly aggrieved at the players getting some time away to train in better weather conditions – perhaps due to what happened after the last time Spurs went away on a warm-weather training camp, prior to the loss to Burnley.

Since then, Tottenham have gone winless in four league games, losing three and drawing one, leading many supporters to lose faith in the art of the training camp.

However, given that warm-weather training is such a huge part of the modern game with some clubs taking several trips every year and proving its effectiveness, some of the opinions from Spurs fans after the club confirmed the players arriving in Spain on Twitter are nothing short of ridiculous.

Check them out below…

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According to Italian media outlet Calciomercato, West Ham United are interested in signing Ajax striker Kasper Dolberg, and he would be everything they hoped Javier Hernandez would be when they brought him to the London Stadium, and more.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Calciomercato report that the Irons, along with Premier League rivals Southampton, are keen on the highly-rated 21-year-old.

Dolberg has enjoyed something of an up-and-down couple of years having enjoyed an outstanding 2016/17 campaign with the Amsterdam giants which saw him score 23 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions, before missing a chunk of the previous campaign with a foot injury.

However, the Denmark international has been back to his best this term for the Eredivisie team – scoring 10 goals in 27 outings in all competitions – even if he has had to share centre-forward duties with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

Would he be a good addition?

He would be what Hernandez hasn’t been for West Ham.

The east London outfit would have been full of expectation and excitement when they brought the experienced Mexican poacher in during the summer of 2017, but it just hasn’t worked out for either party.

It was hoped that the 30-year-old would be the regular goalscorer the Irons had long been searching for, but instead to date he has netted just 13 times in 54 appearances in all competitions.

Dolberg has shown with his 42 goals in 104 games for Ajax that he is a clinical finisher and at just 21 years of age he has the quality and potential to get even better.

You would assume that he would have more of a will to succeed than it appears Hernandez has should he come to the Premier League, while he also has the height that the Mexican doesn’t possess to be a real threat in the air in English football.