All posts by n8rngtd.top

January has been a worrying month for Leeds United supporters mostly for reasons off the pitch.

The whole spygate saga has had some feeling uneasy as they wait to see if the club are punished in any way, while Jack Clarke has constantly been linked with a move away from Elland Road this month.

According to Sky Sports, Southampton, among other teams in the Premier League, are keen on signing the 18-year-old winger in this transfer window. However, with deadline day fast approaching and a big player having seemingly cooled their interest, things are now looking good for Leeds.

The Breakdown

The Evening Standard reports Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is not fully convinced with Clarke, which will come as a huge relief to Leeds.

The Yorkshire club will undoubtedly fancy their chances of fighting off a side like Southampton but, with Tottenham, it becomes a different ball game.

Given how well the developments of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Harry Winks among others have gone, joining the north London club, who now find themselves among the Premier League elite, will sound like an attractive proposition to another young, talented English footballer such as Clarke.

With a transfer to Tottenham now seemingly unlikely, though, Leeds supporters should be able to rest easy, or at least until the summer.

Whatever the case, Clarke looks set to remain at Elland Road for the time being and, at 18, there is no need for him to rush and force a move, especially when you are already getting a good football education from an astute coach like Marcelo Bielsa.

Many Glasgow Rangers fans are livid over an article from newspaper columnist Helen Martin following the celebrations which took place at George Square at the weekend.

The last few days have been special for the Ibrox club. For the first time in 10 years, they lifted the Premiership title on Saturday after beating Aberdeen 4-0 at home – that also meant they went the entire league campaign unbeaten (BBC). As such, thousands of Rangers supporters took to the streets to celebrate. While there was some trouble – 20 fans were arrested (firstpost.com) – the scenes were generally peaceful and well-natured.

However, Martin clearly had another agenda on her mind. She concentrated solely on the few supporters who caused trouble and suggested that there is a widespread sectarian issue amongst the club’s fanbase – she even floated the idea of Rangers being put out of business (The Edinburgh News).

She shared the article on her Twitter page, and it attracted outrage from many Gers supporters. These fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on her “disturbing” remarks.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Martin below

“Utterly disgusting and truly offensive article.”

Credit: @sisi_michael

“See you in court”

Credit: @mitchduncan6

“Vile beyond belief”

Credit: @jamesmcguire191

“Downright disturbing take.”

Credit: @Shodan47

“This is a staggeringly appalling article, it’s not just the content itself it’s all terribly written”

Credit: @leadbetterMaz

“That is vile and dangerous. Very very dangerous Helen Martin.”

Credit: @Tilthedayisdone

In other news, Rangers fans love this Burj Khalifa tribute.

Glasgow Rangers fans love a video shared on the club’s Twitter page as they urge fans to renew their season tickets ahead of the new campaign.

This season has been a wonderful one for the Gers so far. They have already sewn up the Scottish Premiership title – they lead the table by 20 points (BBC) – and are just three matches away from going the whole league term unbeaten. Not only that, they are also into the Scottish Cup quarter-finals after knocking out Celtic in the previous round, meaning they are in with a chance of a domestic double.

Unfortunately, supporters have been unable to attend matches throughout the term due to the coronavirus pandemic – however, that didn’t stop the club selling out their season tickets (via The Daily Record). To convince fans to do the same ahead of the new season, the club released a rather emotional video.

It was shared on their official Twitter account, and it delighted the fans. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the Rangers fans had to say below

“Ooh Mr. Rangers. That is filthy.”

Credit: @Richard56830486

“Wow!! Talk about tugging on your heart strings!!!”

Credit: @ECMcElhatton

“Goosebumps watching that”

Credit: @papatam57

“Mr @RangersFC, that put a massive lump in my throat! Love this club!”

Credit: @EnsomVargr

“This is absolutely brilliant, well done to all involved”

Credit: @charliearchibal

“Oh hwg 10 in a row”

Credit: @sagahansenOF

In other news, Rangers fans react to this man’s comments.

According to a report by football.london, Tottenham Hotspur are considering making a move for Lyon colossus Joachim Andersen along with other centre-back targets as the 24-year-old excels on loan at Fulham.

Daniel Levy is clearly keen to strengthen in the heart of defence after more rumours surfaced that Jose Mourinho is not keen on Davinson Sanchez.

Andersen, who has been a crucial player for the Cottagers in their battle to avoid Premier League relegation, has attracted big praise this season for his performances.

Tottenham and Levy eye Andersen move

Martin Keown, writing for the Daily Mail recently, even compared him to star Man City defender Ruben Dias – calling him Scott Parker’s equivalent of the Portuguese colossus.

Now, football.london report that Andersen is enticing interest from Spurs as a result of his consistent showings as Levy considers making a move for him this summer.

The 6 foot 4 centre-back is reportedly on his radar as the Lilywhites seek to sign a leader at the back for 2021/2022 – and it’s safe to say Andersen fits the bill.

Speaking to Optus Sports (via The Boot Room), pundit and former Scotland international Don Hutchison raved about the defender – hailing him as a ‘real leader’ whilst urging Liverpool to make a move.

He has also attracted praise from the English press, with Daily Mirror journalist John Cross calling Andersen ‘magnificent’ (Twitter).

Transfer Tavern take

However, while he appears to have the quality, Levy must first reach a practical agreement with alleged stern negotiator and Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas.

The Lilywhites chairman had to break the club’s transfer record to sign Tanguy Ndombele two years ago after talks with Aulas, and football.london say it will not be straight forward to get a deal done.

Time will tell whether Spurs can sign him in the summer, but the upcoming transfer window looks set to be an interesting one amid unprecedented circumstances caused by the global pandemic.

In other news: Tottenham are apparently ‘really trying’ to sign this £225,000-per-week star, find out more here.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Peterborough’s director of football Barry Fry has urged West Ham to keep hold of manager David Moyes beyond this season, believing he can make the Hammers London’s “leading club”.

Moyes, who joined the club at the end of 2019 for a second spell in east London, is out of contract in the summer and has yet to put pen to paper on a new deal.

It is a situation that may come as a surprise to some given how well the 57-year-old and West Ham have done in the Premier League this term. Under Moyes’ guidance, the Hammers have ascended all the way to fifth in the table and remain just two points behind London rivals Chelsea, who currently occupy that last Champions League spot.

Overall, Moyes has done a good job in the London Stadium dugout, and Fry believes David Gold and David Sullivan must do all they can to tie the Scotsman down to a new long-term contract.

In an exclusive interview with FFC, Fry said:

“The signings haven’t always come off, but if you’re the owner and you give the manager the money what he wants, it’s probably not your fault. So if they believe in David Moyes, which I think they do, then they should back him and West Ham will be the leading club in London, which will be a feat and a half if that happens.”

Under Moyes’ leadership, West Ham look like a stable side and one capable of challenging for European football.

After making such good progress under the former Manchester United and Everton manager, to lose him now would surely be counterproductive for the club.

The Athletic’s Gregg Evans has delivered a major update on Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens’ plans for this summer’s transfer window at Aston Villa.

What’s the story?

Dean Smith’s side have enjoyed a very impressive season in the Premier League thus far, finding themselves well and truly in the race for a surprise European place next term.

Evans has now suggested that Villa’s co-owners are ready to help the Midlands club take that next step, with a big summer spending spree potentially on the cards.

Writing in The Athletic, he said: “Lange, known for assisting in the process of buying and selling players on for a profit at his former club FC Copenhagen, will be expected to find Villa some gems of his own in the upcoming windows. There is a different brief now as it’s not about surviving, but thriving.

“Owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens are expected to back Villa heavily this summer as they look to bolster the squad. But looking for bargains in Belgium seems like a thing of the past as Villa set more ambitious targets.”

Dean Smith surely buzzing

Wherever Villa finish this season, whether that be in a European spot or just in mid-table, there can be no denying that Smith’s side look every inch of the real deal.

Last summer’s acquisitions in the likes of Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins in particular have proven to be revelations at Villa Park, and a similarly fruitful transfer window will surely have Villa really knocking on the door of the Premier League’s proverbial big six.

Villa have already shown they can beat some of the best sides in the country when they’re on song – you only have to look at their double over Arsenal this campaign to see that.

The big question Smith will have had is whether the club’s higher-ups see the potential of the team, and whether they are prepared to back him in the transfer market.

That appears to have been answered emphatically by Evans, with Sawiris and Edens firmly on board to make this another big summer in the history of Aston Villa Football Club.

Meanwhile, Villa must unleash this academy talent after his FA Youth Cup display; it’s not Aaron Ramsey…

Many Sunderland fans are delighted after a report from Football Insider suggested that Jordan Jones is eager to sign for the club permanently in the summer.

The 26-year-old made the move to the Stadium of Light on loan from Rangers in January and has impressed so far on Wearside. In 11 matches for the Black Cats, he has two goals and four assists to his name (Transfermarkt) and has proven to be a breath of fresh for the League One outfit – his arrival has given them the impetus to push for promotion to the Championship.

He is set to return to his parent club at the end of the campaign, but this report suggests that he would be eager to stay upon Wearside rather than return north of the border. The report added that a fee of £600,000 would be enough for Rangers to sanction a permanent sale.

The news was shared on Twitter by @sunderlandafc11, and it attracted plenty of attention from Sunderland supporters. These fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Jones news below

“Just don’t get our hopes up please”

Credit: @LukeeWelshh

“what a Monday morning man”

Credit: @LB01__

“Would be happy with this.”

Credit: @AL_SNR58

“This man has my heart”

Credit: @ow3n__

“That’s good news…”

Credit: @John67684101

“he would be some player for the Championship”

Credit: @WilliamHorrigan

In other news, many Sunderland fans loved these comments from Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer revealed Chris Wilder had a long-term plan, which took relegation into consideration, for Sheffield United prior to his exit.

Wilder’s departure from Bramall Lane after a successful five years at the club was confirmed last week, with the Blades currently sitting bottom of the Premier League.

Disagreements with the board are said to be one reason behind the mutual decision for the 53-year-old to leave in a development that has left a sour taste in the mouth of Palmer.

Palmer, who enjoyed a bright career at Sheffield United’s rivals Sheffield Wednesday, is sad to see Wilder go and revealed to FFC that the former Blades defender had a plan to have the Yorkshire club flying again.

“I think it just got to a breaking point with Chris with the board, that they were trying to dictate,” Palmer said.

“It’s strange because it was only [after 2019] Christmas they gave him a new four-year contract. So, yeah, it’s sad to see Chris go from Sheffield United. I know that Chris had a plan.

“When I spoke to him in pre-season, he already had a plan in place with the players that he brought in, the young players, that if they went down, they would do exactly what Norwich are doing this season and bounce back because they’re not in a position where they’ve got to sell players. So it’s sad to see, it’s sad for Chris because I know how much he loves the club.”

Paul Heckingbottom has since taken over in the Bramall Lane dugout following Wilder’s exit, getting off to a very disappointing start in charge.

Under the former Leeds United and Barnsley manager, Sheffield United were beaten heavily by a Leicester City side who are looking to clinch Champions League qualification. A hat-trick from Kelechi Iheanacho, own goal by Ethan Ampadu and 64th-minute Ayoze Perez strike condemned the Blades to a 5-0 defeat at the King Power.

Patrick Boyland has named three players who he claims would be a good fit for Everton.

Co-writing his latest piece for The Athletic, the journalist has named Max Aarons, Tariq Lamptey and Zeki Celik as three right-backs who the Goodison Park club should be targeting in the summer transfer window.

Aarons, Lamptey and Celik would all be good fits for Everton

Given that Seamus Coleman is 32 years of age, it may well be time for the Merseysiders to go and invest in a younger right-back in the upcoming market.

Aarons, Lamptey and Celik all seem like more than capable replacements, and at 21, 20 and 24 years old respectively, they are all at an ideal age to potentially cement a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s team for the long haul.

All three players have averaged more interceptions and key passes, and have a higher overall average rating on Whoscored, than Coleman, suggesting that they have outperformed the Republic of Ireland international in their respective domestic leagues so far this season.

Lamptey in particular is a talent who would surely be attractive to the Toffees, with Kevin Phillips recently describing the Englishman as a ‘fantastic’ player at his age; and given that he is already playing in the Premier League for Brighton, he should have no problems whatsoever adapting to Everton should he make the move to the northwest.

In other news, find out which Blues player has been slammed after comments emerged!

TalkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan believes Glasgow Rangers are just a “stepping stone” for Steven Gerrard and he would not think twice about leaving Ibrox for Liverpool.

Jordan tips Gerrard departure

As the Reds struggle in the Premier League, there have been reports Jurgen Klopp may be interested in becoming manager of Germany (The Mirror). Gerrard is therefore being linked with a move to Anfield.

Jordan believes the Gers boss would not think twice about making the move back south of the border. He said:

“What would be the point in tying Steven Gerrard down to a longer contract because you’ve already got him for three years,”

“You don’t know what those three years are going to look like. You could go up to five or six years and increase the liability for what you’ve got to pay him if he fails.

“Is it not fair to say, whether Rangers like this or not, it’s universally accepted that perhaps Rangers will be a stepping stone for Steven Gerrard.

“Jurgen Klopp leaves Liverpool next month and Steven Gerrard is offered the job and he is going to turn round and say ‘no, I’m staying at Rangers’?.

“He’ll be out of the door quicker than a quick thing from quick land.”

Not yet

Gerrard seems like a dead cert for the Liverpool job at some point during his career. After all, he is a club legend for the Merseyside outfit, and his success in Scotland will only improve his chances of some day managing the Premier League champions.

However, things are going very well at Ibrox at the moment. The Gers are currently 18 points clear of Celtic at the top of the Premiership (BBC) and are within touching distance of a first major trophy in 10 years, while they are also still in the Europa League and the Scottish Cup. Next term, they could well be competing in the Champions League. Gerrard will surely not want to miss out on that, even if the Liverpool job were to become available. He has plenty of time to return to his former club – there is no need to rush.

In other news, Rangers fans slam this journalist’s article.