All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Sheffield Wednesday winger Kadeem Harris has heaped praise on his fellow summer arrival Julian Borner after the impact he has had on their season so far.

What’s he said?

Both players joined the south Yorkshire club on free transfers during the off-season under former boss Steve Bruce, and despite two managerial changes, they have been two of the standout stars for the Owls.

Harris has scored two goals and assisted two more in 12 starts while Borner was handed August’s Player of the Month award after two league clean sheets.

Watch Sheffield Wednesday Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Last Friday, the German netted his first goal for the club in their 1-1 draw at Cardiff City as he volleyed home from Harris’ own strike after just 19 minutes.

Speaking about Borner’s impact, the 26-year-old said:

“Julian has been tremendous this season, every single game, I think it was a brilliant move, but we can both give a lot more than we have so far.

“I am not surprised at his start to the season. I saw him in pre-season and saw his love for the game, how much he wanted to do well here.

“He has had a good start and hopefully he can do even better with the games to come.”

Added threat

Borner’s strike was one you’d expect from Steven Fletcher or another attack-minded player as he struck a sweet volley past the Cardiff goalkeeper.

But based on his career exploits, it is something that Wednesday fans should get used to as he has a knack for finding the net.

In four of his last five seasons in the Bundesliga 2 for Aminia Bielefeld, the 28-year-old has found the net at least three times with his best season earning a goal return of five in 2017/18.

Over the course of his career, Borner has netted 36 goals in 292 appearances, per Transfermarkt, which is quite an excellent return for a central defender.

He should get plenty of opportunities to add to that given that 0.6 of their 1.1 assists come from either a cross or corner each game, via WhoScored.

Tottenham Hotspur fans want Christian Eriksen to be banished from first-team affairs following a major transfer update from The Athletic’s David Ornstein.

The journalist claims that there was not a single bid tabled for the Denmark international in the summer, despite his desire to join either Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Manchester United are said to have made their interest known, though Eriksen was not keen on moving to Old Trafford.

Despite his failure to move, Eriksen is said to have little desire to sign a new contract in north London, because of his desire to move to a foreign club.

Of course, the midfielder struggled throughout the club’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, per WhoScored, registering just 62% passing accuracy and failing to register a single key pass.

And a number of fans are keen for him to be banished to training with the kids and away from the first-team until he actually leaves the club.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

Everton fans on Twitter have been ripping into Alex Iwobi after his lacklustre pass led to Spurs’ opening goal on Sunday.

Indeed, the Nigerian played a very sloppy pass into the middle of the park that was quickly latched upon by Heung-min Son who then played in Dele Alli – who duly put it the ball in the net.

Watch Everton Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

The winger’s mistake cost the Merseyside outfit dearly, and fans were understandably fuming with the former Arsenal man after this incident.

With the Toffees flirting with the relegation zone at this early juncture of the season the last thing they needed was to give away such a soft goal in a game that they could have gotten something from.

Ultimately, Iwobi’s mistake cost his team and perhaps they could’ve won the game if he hadn’t given away such an easy chance.

Everton ended up rescuing a draw late on, but the supporters have every right to be fuming with their player.

Here’s what the fanbase have been saying about the incident on Twitter…

Leeds United returned to the top of the Championship table on Saturday afternoon after they defeated Queens Park Rangers at Elland Road.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side put in a tireless showing with Tyler Roberts and Jack Harrison grabbing both goals to secure all three points.

The Manchester City loanee was first a provider as he fed the 20-year-old with the perfect ball to slot past the visiting goalkeeper and then he got on the scoresheet himself eight minutes from time.

Watch Leeds United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Harrison pounced on a defensive mistake before slamming home the second.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder played the game at left wing-back and has often been a marmite figure in west Yorkshire despite now providing four assists in five matches, per WhoScored.

Although that attitude may be starting to change as several of the Whites faithful have been talking up his performance following Saturday’s victory.

One supporter claimed Harrison was better than Lionel Messi while another labelled him an ‘assist king.’

Others described his showing as a ‘masterclass’ and ‘excellent’ with a further member of the Elland Road crowd believing he is starting to prove his worth to the team.

Here’s the best of the reaction:

November 6th 2019 marked the 17th anniversary of Phil Jagielka’s stunning strike for Sheffield United against Leeds United in the 2002/03 League Cup (via @SheffieldUnited).

The Whites had taken the lead in the game after Steve Yates scored an own goal in the 24th minute, however there was a dramatic finish at Bramall Lane as two stoppage-time goals saw the Blades win the tie and progress to the next round (BBC Sport).

One of those goals for the South Yorkshire side came from the boot of Jagielka, who chested the ball down well outside the penalty area and struck an incredible half-volley past Paul Robinson.

It was one of the most memorable goals in recent history for Sheffield United, who at the time were in the second tier of English football whilst Leeds were in the Premiership.

After the club posted footage on Twitter of the goal to celebrate the 17th anniversary of it happening, several Blades fans have been fondly remembering the superb strike.

Here is what some had to say…

Sheffield United fans, were you at Bramall Lane when Phil Jagielka scored his screamer against Leeds? If so, where does it rank amongst the best goals you have seen live? Let us know in the comments below…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Leeds United have been linked with a move that would see them bolster their midfield.

Indeed, the Whites are apparently targeting a deal to bring in the Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara.

On the surface of it, signing a 24-year-old midfielder who has experience in the Europa League – playing 11 times in Europe this term – would be a great move, but it may have one side-effect that could negatively affect the Whites in the long-term.

Watch Leeds United Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

Leeds’ midfield

If Kamara joined the Whites then their midfield would be absolutely stacked.

The Yorkshire club would be spoilt for choice in the middle of the park as they’d be able to choose between the likes of Kamara, Mateusz Klich, Adam Forshaw, Tyler Roberts and Kalvin Phillips.

While having that much talent in one position is a mouth-watering prospect, it may not be good for the long-term development of some of United’s talented young players.

Could halt youth development

The arrival of Kamara would potentially add a new element of quality to Leeds’ squad, but it could also see youth players handed fewer opportunities.

One of the greatest things about having Marcelo Bielsa as your manager is the fact that he works with a small squad, and that encourages him to look towards younger talent within the ranks, but if another midfielder is added that may not be necessary.

With the Whites having talented youngsters such as Mateusz Bogusz, Robbie Gotts and Jamie Shackleton who are capable of playing in that position, Kamara’s signing may actually have negative side-effects if it halts their development.

It’s a very delicate position to be in, and Leeds must be aware of the trade-off they’ll have to make if they sign Kamara.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Paul Gascoigne has hailed Tottenham Hotspur’s appointment of Jose Mourinho as their new manager, per Sky Sports.

What’s he said?

The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss was handed a three-and-a-half-year contract on Wednesday, less than 12 hours after Mauricio Pochettino was sacked.

Spurs, of course, are currently 14th in the Premier League, 11 points behind the top four.

And Gascoigne, who played for the club between 1988 and 1992, winning the FA Cup in 1991, believes Mourinho is a top appointment as Spurs look to claw that gap back.

He said: “The way Manchester City have put pressure on everybody, people are looking for the best.

“As far as I’m concerned, Jose Mourinho is an unbelievable manager.

“If I was a Tottenham player now and knowing Jose Mourinho was going to be the manager I would be more than happy.

“Have you had a look at what Jose Mourinho has won? Jesus. Alex Ferguson was an unbelievable manager, the best ever in the world, and Jose Mourinho isn’t far from him. You cannot get any better than him.”

Short-term success

Ferguson built a dynasty at Manchester United.

Mourinho has never lasted more than three years at a single club.

To compare the two, at this point, is faintly ridiculous.

Of course, the Portuguese’s trophy haul speaks for itself and he is as decorated a manager as Spurs could have found.

But is he going to outlast even Pochettino, who spent five-and-a-half years at the club?

One has to presume that the answer is no.

Thus, this is an appointment built on short-termism more than anything else, and on a desire to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible.

Don’t expect Mourinho to do for Tottenham what Ferguson did for United, not by a long chalk.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

West Bromwich Albion return to Championship action on Saturday afternoon as they welcome Sheffield Wednesday to the Hawthorns.

The Baggies will be looking to continue their run of fine form which has seen them lose just one game all season, and they will also want to keep the chasing pack at arm’s length with the gap to second place only being a mere two points.

Slaven Bilic faces a significant selection dilemma as both Romaine Sawyers and skipper Jake Livermore will be absent through suspension, but he too may need to start implementing a new approach so that one of his misfiring strikers can genuinely get their season underway.

On the Chalkboard

A fit and firing Charlie Austin is only going to result in Albion reaping the rewards come the end of the season, so it should be a sacrifice that the Croatian is willing to make.

The £4m arrival is bordering on ‘flop’ status in the west Midlands having netted just one goal in 11 matches, but they are hardly playing to his style at all.

A player that has bagged 67 goals in 140 regular season Championship games doesn’t lose that touch mysteriously overnight.

Some of Austin’s best goal returns have been when his physical presence is most utilised.

Per WhoScored, in the 2016/17 season, the 30-year-old bagged six goals in 11 starts while averaging a total of 2.9 aerial duels won per game.

This is a similar theme throughout. The 2015/16 season saw him score ten goals in 12 starts, averaging 3.4 aerial duels won per game, and in the 2013/14 season, Austin managed 19 goals in 31 starts, averaging 2.8 aerial duels won per game.

Currently, the former Southampton striker is averaging 0.8 aerial duels won per match, which is a substantial decrease compared to his most fruitful seasons, and this is because of the system Bilic plays.

West Brom rank second in the league for pass success percentage and third for possession percentage.

Watch West Bromwich Albion Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

An easy solution to this would be to provide Austin with more crosses – Matt Phillips only manages an average of 1.3 per game while Grady Diangana’s numbers are much worse at 0.4 per match, via WhoScored.

Bilic wouldn’t be making a major tweak either.

That last ball in the final third needs to be something that allows Austin to use his predatory strength inside the penalty area, as that is precisely where he has scored the bulk of his goals during his career.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Speaking to Sky Sports, Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has given his complete backing to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

What did he say?

The Red Devils have endured a difficult start to the current campaign, finding themselves in seventh in the Premier League, and with particularly disappointing defeats to the likes of Crystal Palace and Newcastle to their name.

Having put pen to paper on a new long-term deal back in early July, Rashford – who Transfermarkt value at £72m – insisted he had no hesitations over committing his future to the club, and insisted he and Solskjaer share the same vision.

He said: “There was no hesitation from me over signing a new contract. And it was the same for Ole as well – I could see where his head was at, where he wanted the club to be at and for me it was just a no-brainer. We were on the same page and wanted the same things for the club. Ole is a great guy and he has the club’s interests at heart so there’s not a better person for the job in my opinion.”

Vindication

When things were going really wrong for United earlier this season – most notably in the games and weeks up to that dismal 1-0 defeat to Newcastle – Rashford was the man who was arguably dug out for the most criticism. The England international had gone on a run of one goal in seven games in the league, and his struggles provided a snapshot of the mire the Red Devils were in.

[ad_pod ]

Reports had even suggested Solskjaer’s future at the club was in question, and it looked like Old Trafford was heading for dark times. But, a run of five wins in their last six games – including a Rashford revival that has seen him net in three of the previous four top-flight matches – has rejuvenated spirits, and given the United boss some breathing room.

For Rashford now to publicly come out and throw his backing behind the Norwegian, and also insist that his new contract in the summer was a “no-brainer”, is great news for Solskjaer. The striker’s comments are completely unequivocal, leaving no room for misinterpretation about just how highly he thinks of the current manager. It’s a vote of confidence that will strike all the right chords.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Speaking after the club’s 2-1 defeat to FC Astana, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hailed Jesse Lingard’s performance.

What did he say?

The England international was named captain for the Europa League clash on Thursday night, as United fielded their youngest ever starting eleven in major European competition.

Despite being unable to inspire his team to victory, Lingard did manage to break his 28-game goal-scoring duck with a fine strike in the first-half and recorded an impressive 97 touches, with Solskjaer later praising the attacking midfielder’s influence.

He said (as quoted by the club’s official website): “Goalscoring is important for forwards, of course, and Jesse scored a very good goal. But I thought his performance was top class. He led the team by example: energy, drive, he scored a goal, and he was great in the dressing room. So he’s done himself proud today, I think.

“I thought Jesse was excellent. He is nearly 27 and an experienced player, and he’s been very good on the whole trip with the young boys. I’m very pleased with his performance on the pitch as well. It’s good to have Jesse back.”

Confidence

Make no mistake about it, Lingard’s goal is a major confidence booster for a player who has been devoid of it for some time now. The fact he had gone 28 games without scoring one despite playing as an attacking midfielder just under-lined his incredible struggles, culminating in Solskjaer preferring the likes of Juan Mata and Andreas Pereira in the number ten role.

[ad_pod ]

Lingard has played ten times in the Premier League, but that has only amounted to 444 minutes of action, with him either coming off the bench or being hooked before the game has finished. Amid suggestions the club are looking to sign James Maddison from Leicester, the United ace scoring has just come at the right time in respect to his own personal future at the club.

Meanwhile, Manchester United fans have slammed one academy prospect for his performance in the defeat to FC Astana.