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Middlesbrough are currently on a slippery slope without any brakes, with no sign of their losing streak skidding to a halt and their play-off hopes sliding helplessly by them.

Tony Pulis has lost the confidence of the fans, and it is fast heading towards all out mutiny in the stands.

The one thing that can break the ice between the team and supporters, is wins.

Midfielder, Adam Clayton, is well aware of the frustrated, dissenting voices, and admits it is “not nice to listen to”, but adds that “they have every right” to show their anger.

But he asked for them to stick with the team when he spoke to the Hartlepool Mail before tonight’s crunch game against Bolton.

He said: “I understand that [fans’ unhappiness]. It’s not nice to listen to but supporters love the club and they feel the pain on a poor run like this and they have every right to show that they’re not happy.

“Fans just want to see their club do well. They want to come to the ground as see goals and see the team playing well.

“But there’s not one man in the squad who is not trying. Everyone is giving everything for the cause.

“If we can just get that win and find a spark then Middlesbrough can still be a force in this league and in the play-offs.

“That’s our jobs as players and I know the fans will stay with us if we deliver on that.”

What Boro’ need is a convincing win.

They need to give the fans something to banish memories of the last few weeks, and give them some crumb of hope to take into the final few games of the season.

Despite calls for Pulis to go, tonight is not the time to voice those opinions — not during the game anyway.

But one thing is certain, failure to win tonight — or even worse, a defeat — against a side whose players have not been getting paid and do not even know if they can fulfil all their fixtures through to the end of the season, will take the animosity from the stands to another level.

The fans do their part week after week, tonight, it is time for the manager and players to do their’s.

What are your thoughts ahead of tonight’s game Boro’ fans? Can you still turn your season back around? Let us know your thoughts…

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Speaking to Sky Sports, pundit and former footballer David Prutton has given his assessment of Sheffield Wednesday’s play-off hopes and their chances of getting a result against Leeds this weekend.

What’s he said?

A 3-0 win for Sheffield Wednesday in midweek kept alive the club’s slim hopes of making the Championship play-offs at the end of the season.

After a shambolic start to the season under Jos Luhukay, the club have bounced back in some fashion under Steve Bruce.

However, going into a clash with Leeds on Saturday, it’s becoming more evident that they may have left their charge to the play-offs too late.

Giving his predictions for the key games in the EFL this weekend, Prutton told Sky Sports:

“Sheffield Wednesday have probably left a little bit too much to do to reach the play-offs, but if they keep winning games you never know. I can’t see them getting anything from Elland Road, though.”

Too little too late

Wednesday have been terrific under Bruce since he arrived but sitting six points off Bristol City who occupy the final play-off spot, it would take quite something for them to have any chance of going up.

However, the fact they have even have a slim opportunity is indicative of the sheer turnaround Bruce has been able to achieve.

It makes you wonder what the club might have been able to make of their season had they sacked Luhukay earlier.

Given their position in the table now, a period in the season where they only won one match in ten games has become even more telling.

The Owls were in relegation form before Christmas but had they been able to pick up even just a few more points here and there during that run, it might have seen them in the play-offs now.

As it happens, Bruce still has plenty of work to do but there will be hope for next season providing the 58-year-old can replicate what he’s done this term.

On a night where Arsenal pulled off one of their greatest European results in recent memory, there was one stain on what was a memorable game.

33 minutes in Aaron Ramsey pulled up on the pitch feeling his thigh, and the Welshman was instantly replaced by Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Unai Emery later confirmed after the match that the midfielder had suffered a muscular injury and that the Juventus-bound fan-favourite will be out for a few weeks.

With hamstring injuries taking roughly four to six weeks to fully recover from, last night could have been the last time Arsenal fans have seen the 28-year-old in red and white colours.

No Arsenal fan or football supporter, in general, wanted to see the former Cardiff City man’s last game for the club be one where he is forced off injured, cutting his seasons short but had it not been for the result the occasion would not have been more damming.

This was a game where Arsenal did what many thought was unthinkable, go to Napoli and control the game on their terms. The Gunners were the better team from the first whistle to the last, and in doing so have made themselves the favourite for the Europa League.

With a semi-final series against Valencia just two weeks away, Arsenal can’t mourn the loss of Ramsey, they must regroup and continue to grind out the results they need that can get them back into the Champions League as well as achieve European silverware.

Ramsey’s injury and likely abrupt end to the season is the last thing Arsenal fans wanted to see, but if there was any game, performance or result it was to occur on, last night’s win over Napoli was just the occasion to do it.

Arsenal fans, will Ramsey return in time before the end of the season? Let us know!

It has been a roller-coaster of a season for Sheffield Wednesday, hasn’t it Owls fans?

Following a truly miserable start to the year which saw them drop to 18th in the Championship standings, chairman Dejphon Chansiri decided to sack Jos Luhukay and replace him with Steve Bruce.

Since the former Aston Villa boss arrived at Hillsborough in January, Wednesday’s fortunes have been completely transformed as a run of just two defeats in their last 16 games has given them an outside chance of gatecrashing the play-off positions in May.

However, barring a miraculous run of results, the Owls will almost certainly be playing second-tier football next season and so Bruce will be using the remaining two fixtures of the year to see who he wants to keep at the club next year.

Whereas both Keiren Westwood and Liam Palmer are likely to be offered new deals by the 58-year-old, there is one player in particular who he should let leave in the summer.

Having suffered yet another injury-hit campaign, George Boyd has only managed to make 19 appearances for Wednesday and looks a shadow of the player that he once was.

Now 33 years old, the winger is in the twilight of his career and despite showing glimpses of his undeniable talent in recent weeks, it would be foolish if Bruce was to offer him a new deal.

Indeed, when fully fit, Boyd still plays with his heart on his sleeve and gives 100% for his team but it is clear that he simply cannot go an entire season anymore without spending a considerable amount of time on the sidelines.

Therefore, by releasing the £1.35m-rated ace when his current deal expires in June (via Transfermarkt), the Owls could free up some money to bring in a winger who they can rely on to deliver the goods next season.

What do you think Wednesday fans? Should Bruce let Boyd leave in the summer? Or is it worth extending his deal based on his recent performances? Let us know below.

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Brendan Rodgers has hinted at what Leicester’s summer transfer business could involve, per quotes from The Leicester Mercury, explaining that he’s content with the players he has at his disposal.

What’s the word?

The Scot has had a tremendous start to life at the King Power, losing just two of his first eight games in charge. He’s reinvigorated this Leicester team, bringing back the swagger we so often saw from them during their incredible title victory in 2015/16.

Jamie Vardy is back among the goals whilst James Maddison and Youri Tielemans appear to be thriving under the former Celtic boss’ stewardship.

Plans for the future are now being drawn up, however, with Rodgers hinting that instead of big money signings this summer, he wants to focus on developing young players already at his disposal. In quotes relaid by The Leicester Mercury, he said:

“I just think there’s a few areas within the squad that we can bring in a few players to help the squad. I am really happy with players I’ve got. There’s a lot of potential with players I’ve got for development.”

It was perhaps the biggest hint yet of Rodgers’ plans for the summer.

Development a priority

Given the young players Leicester have they were already well set up for the future, but with Rodgers at the helm, he can help them thrive and as a result, take the club to the next level.

We’ve already seen the impact he’s had on Maddison whilst other young individuals like Ben Chilwell and Harvey Barnes will only improve next season.

This isn’t new to the former Liverpool manager, though, who has a strong history of developing upcoming players wherever he’s been. At Anfield the most notable names he nurtured were Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling whilst he also had a big influence on Jordan Henderson.

It seems to be a key theme in Rodgers’ management, with the 46-year-old achieving similar things at Celtic, where he was able to progress the likes of Moussa Dembele, Kieran Tierney, Odsonne Edouard and Patrick Roberts.

This will be hugely encouraging for Leicester fans who should be willing to let their new manager work with what he already has, rather than spending needlessly in January.

Arsenal have had a decent enough first season under new manager Unai Emery and remain well in contention to land a top four spot at the time of writing.

The Gunners will be hoping for two wins in their final games to give themselves the best chance of landing that top four place, and if they can indeed land a Champions League spot then it would be a fine achievement from Emery.

The summer is bound to once again be a big one for the club though, with new players needed yet again to give Arsenal the missing pieces and tools they need to continually compete.

One man who has been linked with a move to the club is Getafe defender Djene Dakonam, who could be the ideal signing for the Gunners if they can indeed convince the 27-year-old to make the move over to England.

The 27-year-old has been in fine form for the Spanish club this season, putting in some superb performances to build and enhance a reputation which was already on the rise.

Djene could be exactly what Arsenal have needed for quite some time too, with his power, pace, and no nonsense style something which the club have lacked in recent times.

Arsenal have always lacked that strength in the spine of the team ever since the days of the likes of Vieira and Adams, and they are in desperate need of someone who can dominate from the back.

Djene fits the mould of that sort of player perfectly, and he’d be a fine signing for Arsenal if they can get the deal over the line.

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According to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon on Twitter, Fernando Forestieri may be about to commit a cardinal sin in Sheffield by swapping the blue and white of Wednesday for the red and white of United.

The Italian wouldn’t be the first player to do that in recent years, but he must be cautious if he chooses to leave Hillsborough for Bramall Lane.

Togetherness at the Lane

Chris Wilder’s side is built on dressing room atmosphere and togetherness and Forestieri must embrace that if he is to move across the Steel City.

The United boss has always cultivated a strong feeling of brotherhood throughout his squad and with the supporters. It’s hard to pick out a name in the Blades’ team who the fans don’t love, and that’s down to Wilder instilling a positive attitude into the players.

The 51-year-old has a lot of the same tight-knit group who earnt the club promotion from League One, and if the Italian is to go to Bramall Lane, he must fit in with the squad.

Learn from Madine

If there is one man who Forestieri can learn from it is Gary Madine.

The striker was one of the most hated figures for Sheffield United fans for years, due to his comments about their players and his affinity for the Owls.

When the Blades made the shock move to sign him on loan from Cardiff City in January it caused a lot of backlash from United fans, but almost six months on from his arrival at the club he is one of their most adored players.

Performances on the pitch alongside his antics off the pitch have seen Madine become a fan favourite and Forestieri must follow that example, or else United supporters won’t accept him should a deal go through.

It has been quite a year for Kalvin Phillips at Leeds United, hasn’t it?

One of a plethora of players who have benefited from chairman Andrea Radrizzani’s decision to appoint Marcelo Bielsa as the Whites’ manager last summer, the 23-year-old has taken his game to new heights in recent months.

A fantastic midfielder who has an eye for a pass as well as tackle, Phillips was undeniably one of the main reasons for why Leeds were able to secure a third-place finish in the Championship during the 2018/19 campaign.

Yet despite delivering two outstanding individual performances in the play-offs against Derby County, he was ultimately powerless to stop his side from crashing out of the competition last Wednesday.

With Leeds facing another season in the second tier, it is clear that in order to be competitive, they must do everything they can to convince Phillips to stay at Elland Road. Indeed, losing the midfielder could prove to be very costly as his defensive contributions were priceless this season and it would be almost impossible to find a midfielder like the Englishman who has the ability to fit in at the heart of the defence as well.

The middle of midfield is such a key position as everything goes through Phillips, with attacks often being started, opposition attacks being halted and he also chips in with the odd contribution in the final third. It would be almost impossible to replace him at Elland Road, which is why Leeds’ play-off bid could be over before it’s already begun.

According to Football Insider, the midfielder is reportedly on the radar of AFC Bournemouth who are keen to add him to their growing roster of young, exciting British players.

Having already completed the signing of England under-21 international Lloyd Kelly from Bristol City, it would not be at all surprising if Eddie Howe does indeed swoop for Phillips in the coming weeks. Although Bielsa will be reluctant to let the midfielder leave given his influence for the Whites, he may be tempted to sell him if the Cherries come in with a big offer.

However, with the Whites’ future at stake, it is clear that the Argentine should not even consider letting Phillips leave when the transfer window opens in July as if he does, it could lead to disaster.

Without the midfielder’s domineering presence next season, it would not be at all surprising if Leeds end up struggling to compete in the Championship.

What do you think Whites fans? How important is it that Bielsa convinces Phillips to stay this summer? Are you confident that your side can bounce back next season? Let us know below.

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According to a BBC report by David Ornstein, Liverpool are set for a quiet summer in the market.

The Reds will reportedly make just one, or a maximum of two, signings in the window, and neither will surpass the £13m spent on Xherdan Shaqiri last summer.

Liverpool’s owners don’t want to splash out for the sake of it, and the general feeling is that there are few obtainable players that can come in and improve the side.

Luis Suarez certainly had no qualms about celebrating against his former employers in the video below…

With the departures of Alberto Moreno and Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool may move for a ‘versatile’ attacker, although Jurgen Klopp’s faith in Rhian Brewster will mean a like-for-like replacement for Sturridge won’t be signed.

So, are Liverpool right to opt for a quiet summer, given the huge depth of title rivals Manchester City? Football FanCast’s writers have their say…

James Beavis

“Given they accumulated 97 points in the Premier League and are in a Champions League final, Klopp is absolutely doing the right thing. It’s clear to see that not too many changes are needed with this Liverpool squad, with one or two tweaks here and there being enough for the 2019/20 campaign. There is no point going on a spending spree and bringing in lots of new players that would then need time to gel. The Reds have their winning formula, and that continuity and lack of changes will ensure they are elite again next season.”

Matt Dawson 

“Liverpool don’t need much or anything at all in the summer market. However, they must capitalise on their stunning season by boasting their ranks even further when the window opens. The club simply can’t afford to rest on their laurels and if they can bring someone of world class quality to Anfield then it must be done. That could be hard to carry out, but with yet another Champions League final on the horizon, who wouldn’t want to join Liverpool?”

Harry Sherlock

“No. Sir Alex Ferguson established his fearsome legacy at Manchester United by constantly strengthening his team, even when they were on top, and Klopp should be looking to do the same. Bringing in a world-class player should be on the agenda; Liverpool have the money, and they have holes that need patching up within the squad. Going out and splashing the cash on a genuinely elite defender would go a long way to ensuring that they are challenging again next season. The idea that they don’t need to spend could lead to complacency and Liverpool certainly don’t need that.”

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According to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur are preparing to make a move for Leeds United wonderkid Jack Clarke.

The 18-year-old burst onto the scene this season, and he looked like the real deal the instant he stepped onto the pitch at Elland Road.

His undeniable potential has now caught the eye of Premier League teams, and he may well be on the move this summer.

What’s the story?

Football Insider are reporting that a source close to the club has told them that Tottenham want the youngster.

According to the website, the club’s decision to refuse to open contract talks with Clarke during the season has given other teams encouragement that he could be lured away from Elland Road this summer with a bid in the region of £10m.

The article goes on to explain that Spurs were interested in the winger back in January, but United were able to stave off their interest, something which they will hope to do again this summer.

Making a stand

For far too long, Leeds United have allowed their promising youngsters to slip through their fingers.

Fabian Delph, Sam Byram and Lewis Cook have all moved on from Elland Road before they could create a legacy at the club.

If you want to go back even further to the Whites’ initial demise, then you can add James Milner and Aaron Lennon to that list.

If the Yorkshire outfit want to reclaim their place at the top table of English football, it should start with them making a stand against the Premier League vultures who consistently pick at their academy graduates.

Under Marcelo Bielsa, the teenager has the chance to grow in arguably the best environment in the country. He is a part of a squad where he is guaranteed minutes, and he is playing under one of the greatest minds in football.

If Leeds are promoted next season, then they can begin to aim even higher. They may even re-establish themselves as a force in the top flight, and if they can keep hold of Clarke, there is no reason for him to not be at the forefront of that.