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Paul Robinson has lauded Serge Aurier for his ‘unreal’ efforts after he played twice for Tottenham Hotspur following the death of his brother.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Spurs star insisted Aurier showed real courage and determination in the face of such adversity.

His younger brother Christopher was shot dead in the French city of Toulouse, reportedly outside of a nightclub, a day after Tottenham beat Arsenal 2-1 at home.

Nevertheless, the Ivorian played the full 90 minutes against Newcastle United and Leicester City respectively.

Robinson admitted he did not expect to see him back so soon and gave Aurier credit for his mental strength. The player-turned-pundit told football writer Dylan Childs “it is absolutely unreal.

“The mental strength that the lad must have is absolutely sensational.

“People deal with things in different ways but after the tragic news that we heard you did not think for one minute that we would see him in a Tottenham shirt again this season. That would have been completely understandable.

“You cannot comprehend something like that and you cannot understand what he has had to go through. So to play two games of football is absolutely incredible.”

It is hard to argue with Robinson on this one, as Aurier has started twice in a row since the shocking news first broke.

The right-back has recently returned to France to grieve with his family following the death of his brother and promised not to seek revenge. He posted a picture of himself on social media consoling his mother.

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While the Ivory Coast captain was at fault for the error that led to Newcastle’s equaliser, he didn’t allow this to deter him, making 3 clearances, completing 4 tackles, and earning a pass accuracy rating of 85% by the time he had finished (via SofaScore).

The 27-year-old has played 32 games in the Premier League this season, scoring one goal, supplying five assists, providing one key pass per game, averaging 2.8 tackles, and registering 2.6 clearances on average (stats provided by WhoScored).

Jose Mourinho had been prepared to use Gedson Fernandes, Oliver Skipp and Moussa Sissoko as possible replacements in case Aurier couldn’t play, but the ex-Paris Saint-Germain ace showed he is willing to put his personal life aside to push Spurs towards a spot in the Europa League.

The Lilywhites are currently seventh in the table, merely a point behind Wolverhampton Wanderers, with everything left to play for in the last game of the season.

Tottenham fans, has your opinion of Serge Aurier changed in the past couple of weeks? Let us know down below!

Sunderland are interested in making a move for former Rangers defender Jon Flanagan, according to Football Insider.

Black Cats boss Phil Parkinson faces a tough task this summer as he looks to build a squad capable of gaining promotion to the Championship.

Finishing eighth in the League One standings last term, Parkinson is under increasing pressure to deliver and a number of deals have already been completed this summer with Bailey Wright and Aiden O’Brien, whilst also agreeing new terms with Tom Flanagan.

With Parkinson keen to further improve his squad, interest in ex-Rangers defender Flanagan has now emerged.

The defender, who was released by Steven Gerrard’s side earlier this summer, is available on a free transfer and Football Insider have claimed that Sunderland are interested.

That interest is also said to be matched by Fleetwood Town with boss Joey Barton keen to bolster his squad options ahead of next term in League One.

Flanagan, who is valued at £855,000 by Transfermarkt, last played in English football with Bolton Wanderers, whom he left to join Rangers in 2018.

Signing Flanagan on a free transfer this summer would be a good move for Sunderland and would add experience and quality to their defence. Indeed this is a player who not only made 16 appearances in the Scottish Premiership for Rangers, but who also played 46 times in the Premier League for Liverpool whilst also winning the League Cup whilst at Anfield (Transfermarkt).

Fleetwood’s interest will provide stiff competition for Phil Parkinson but you have to feel that if a promotion rival are keen, Sunderland should go all out to make a move.

Do you think Flanagan would be a good signing for Sunderland? Let us know in the comments section below…

Key information about Crabble Athletic Stadium

Crabble Athletic Stadium was built in 1931 and it now houses National League’s Dover Athletic. The ground is located in the northern Dover suburb of River over in Kent, England, and has been the home of various different incarnations of its current tenant over the years.

Its current capacity stands at 5,745 along with a pitch that measures 113 by 73 yards. The surface of the field is covered by grass and there is no running track surrounding it.

The record attendance of just under 7,000 at Crabble Athletic Stadium was set during a clash between Dover FC. and Folkestone on 13 October 1951.

A history of Crabble Athletic Stadium

The Crabble Athletic Stadium, more commonly known as the Crabble, was built way back in 1931 and over the years, it has been the safe haven for Dover Athletic and the club’s very first iterations from back in the day. The original ground that was erected on the Crabble site dates all the way back to 1897 and that’s the year when football was first played there.

However, some years down the line, the first owners, plagued by some financial issues, decided to sell it to the town council in 1902. The pitch continued to be used for sports but mostly for cricket as football somehow faded and the team was even forced to play numerous away games since their stadium was simply unavailable.

And it wouldn’t be until 1931 that the council decided to build another pitch on that same site, only a bit up the hillside and just under the original pitch’s pavilion. A small stand was erected the year later and from then on, the ‘upper pitch’ was used for football whenever the original one was unavailable due to cricket matches.

Back then, of course, the team settled there was actually Dover FC and they were the ones doing the initial redevelopment. In 1950, they extended the small stand and a year later, they made the ‘upper pitch’ their permanent home. The first official game there was played on 6 April 1951 when Dover welcomed Fulham in a friendly clash.

In the following years, the club improved Crabble Athletic Stadium even further, first adding covered terracing and then floodlights in 1961. In 1983, Dover FC folded and in their place, Dover Athletic were born, which also prompted further investment into their home.

Even more so since they were initially refused entry to the Football Conference on account of their stadium not being up to standards. But with new turnstiles built-in, terraces behind the goals erected, new seating installed and a new grandstand on the opposite side of the pitch now constructed, Crabble Athletic Stadium was finally ready and good enough.

Between 2003 and 2004, the ground was known as Hoverspeed Stadium for sponsorship reasons and in 2007, it changed once again, this time to SeaFrance Crabble Stadium. But even that deal could only last for a solitary year before it changed anew, taking the name of Perry’s Crabble Stadium in 2008.

Now, however, it is simply known as the Crabble Athletic Stadium.

Tickets to watch Dover Athletic at Crabble Athletic Stadium

All tickets to watch Dover Athletic at Crabble Athletic Stadium can be found on the club’s official website. The adult ticket can be purchased for £18 and the price will be less expensive for other age groups.

The club also offers a season ticket scheme with a yearly adult ticket costing £315.

Related links

http://www.doverathletic.com/ – Official website of Dover Athletic

After signing from Serie A giants Juventus last summer, it’s fair to say Moise Kean didn’t enjoy the greatest of debut campaigns with Everton.

The Italy international played 33 times across all competitions last season, scoring just two goals and providing only two assists – he also of course suffered the ignominy of being substituted just 18 minutes after first coming on against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Following the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti as manager, some Toffees fans may have thought that the Italian connection between the two might see their talented striker finally shine.

How big of an Everton fan are you? Can you spot Mikel Arteta from Graham Stuart? This quiz will test your knowledge, try it if you’re brave enough…



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But instead, the 20-year-old failed to really kick on, playing just 503 minutes of football under Ancelotti. However, amidst the incredible talk that Real Madrid superstar James Rodriguez could be on his way to Goodison Park this summer, the time is arguably perfect for Kean to be unshackled.

Speaking back in December last year, Ancelotti himself said: “He did really well last year. We were involved, when I was in Napoli, to try to buy him. He signed for Everton. I think he is a really good player with a lot of talent. He showed fantastic talent last year with Juventus, even if he didn’t play a lot.

“But he is 19 years old and for every player that changes country, changes teams, they need adaptation. We have to wait and we have to work on him to improve his quality and be a better professional. But he has top quality.”

The key thing for Everton is whether Kean has finally gone through that period of “adaptation”. He arrived on Merseyside as a teenager, and with a lot of expectation on his shoulders for someone so young – after all, this was someone who was seen as a bright prospect at former side Juventus and playing alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Now that a new season is almost close to arriving, Ancelotti must show his full faith in his Italian compatriot and hand him the keys to Everton’s attack. Bringing him on as a supposed super-sub, or hooking him early into the second-half is going to do no favours for his development.

But taking a risk on him and allowing to play through mistakes and the teething problems that inevitably occurs with a young striker could reap rich rewards for the Toffees in the end.

Steven Gerrard has said that his Glasgow Rangers backline is “complete” with less than a month of the transfer window now left.

The Gers have been busy during the transfer window, and have made two signings in defence with Calvin Bassey and Leon Balogun both making the move to Ibrox. So far, the 54-time Scottish champions have been immaculate at the back, with them yet to concede in the opening six games of the Premiership season.

Discussing the club’s transfer plans over the next few weeks, Gerrard has said that the back four is all sorted. He explained to Rangers TV (via GlasgowLive):

“It’s a good place to be in and when I look at the squad now with four or five weeks left of the window, I’m really content we are complete in those areas and have two really good players in each position.

“The young kid (Nathan Patterson) is pushing Tav, Calvin (Bassey) is pushing Borna and the four centre halves are all good enough to play. I’m really happy with what I have from a back five point of view.”

There hardly seems to be any need to add to the back four, which is good news for Gerrard. However, other areas of the pitch could certainly do with a bit of improvement. Brian Laudrup has called out for a creative midfielder, whilst Ianis Hagi, an attacking midfielder, has been forced to play primarily on the right wing so far this season.

There is still time for Gerrard and Ross Wilson to bring in the players they need, but it is important they move quickly.

Let us know what you think below!

Glasgow Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has said that Galatasaray winger Ryan Babel is a “very dangerous opponent” ahead of the Gers’ clash with the Turkish side in the Europa League on Thursday.

Gerrard played with Babel during his time at Liverpool, where he was inconsistent during his 146 appearances for the club. Since then, he has been somewhat of a nomad, appearing for no less than seven different teams.

Ahead of the clash, Gerrard was asked about his former teammate, and he was quick to praise him. He said:

“I know Ryan very well, he is a good friend of mine. I really enjoyed playing alongside him. I think he is now in a good place in terms of where he is at with his football.“He had a little bit of a mixed time at Liverpool but when he got it right, he was a hell of a player to play alongside because he is powerful, he is quick, he can go past players and he has a cannon in his right foot. So he is a very dangerous opponent. But I know Galatasaray quite well in terms of personnel.”In 25 games for the Turkish side, he has managed six goals and two assists, and he has one of each in five outings so far this campaign. He will be hoping to make a big impact at Ibrox, but Gerrard will aware of the other talents Gala have at their disposal.For example, the likes of Falcao and Sofiane Feghouli are available to the Istanbul-based club. Babel is just one of a number of options that could hurt the 54-time Scottish champions.Let us know what you think below!

Leeds United can have very few complaints about how their transfer window went.

They broke their transfer record, signed a number of international players, and brought in stars from Europe’s top leagues, but one thing that could be a slight issue is their failure to bring in a central midfielder.

It wasn’t for the lack of trying, as United were known to be in for both Rodrigo De Paul and Michael Cuisance, but after the deadline, it emerged that one midfielder United were reportedly in for was open to making a move.

Indeed, Julian Draxler was one player Leeds were linked with throughout the summer, and the German has now admitted that he would have happily left PSG in the window.

We don’t know what lengths Leeds went to in their attempts to sign Draxler, but they should be ruing the fact that they didn’t manage to get that one over the line.

The German international is undoubtedly a better option than someone like Cuisance, he blows him out of the water statistically averaging more key passes, tackles and interceptions per game, while also being spoken about incredibly highly.

Draxler was a young prodigy once upon a time, being described as an “exceptional talent” at a young age, and you don’t get a move to PSG in this day and age if you aren’t a fantastic footballer.

The German could have come in and immediately taken Leeds to that next level, he’s got experience at the very highest level, he’s a World Cup winner, and despite seemingly being around forever, he’s only 27, meaning that the best years of his career may still be ahead of him.

Unfortunately, Leeds didn’t get this deal done, and it’s one that they should be regretting after hearing his recent quotes. Perhaps they could reignite their interest in January.

In other news, have Leeds made an error with one of their loan deals?

Manchester United travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United on Saturday in their first Premier League game since the humiliating 6-1 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

The Red Devils have had two weeks to think about the embarrassing result, which has left them just two places above the relegation zone with only one win from their first three league games of the season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may have missed out on his top transfer target Jadon Sancho this summer but Alex Telles, Facundo Pellistri and former Paris Saint-Germain Edinson Cavani all arrived at Old Trafford on deadline day.

However, none of them are expected to start against Steve Bruce’s side.

Here at Football FanCast, we have worked on a predicted XI which sees Solskjaer make four changes to the side that slumped to the disappointing defeat to Spurs before the international break…

The club legend may decide to ring several changes for the trip to Tyneside later tonight.

It’s safe to say that David de Gea has endured a difficult start to the season, which has been compounded by another disappointing display in a 1-0 defeat to Ukraine in the UEFA Nations League. Therefore, it’s likely that Dean Henderson will get the nod between the sticks, whilst Lee Grant will be on the bench.

Harry Maguire may be given a rest after his poor run of form for club and country so far. The club captain received a red card in the 1-0 defeat by Denmark in the Nations League earlier this week. However, he may be forced to start as Solskjaer might not have much choice, as Eric Bailly hardly did himself any favours at all against Spurs.

And this means that Victor Lindelof should slot into place alongside the club captain, with Bailly dropping to the bench. They will most likely be flanked by Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, which means that there is no place for Alex Telles tonight.

Elsewhere, Nemanja Matic makes way for Scott McTominay, whilst Paul Pogba will resume his partnership with Bruno Fernandes.

The Red Devils have been toying with the idea of starting Mason Greenwood as the lone striker up front. And what better way for him to stake his claim as the club’s first-choice centre-forward with Anthony Martial currently suspended?

Much has been made of United’s failure to sign a new right winger. So, Daniel James will get a rare chance to show what he can do on the right wing.

AND in other news, Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is giving Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a huge headache…

West Ham United must make a late U-turn and submit a transfer offer for Blackburn Rovers forward Adam Armstrong, who Hammers chiefs reportedly admire.

What’s the word?

According to Irons insider ExWHUemployee, Armstrong is a player thought of highly by club chiefs at the London Stadium but an offer is not expected ahead of the EFL transfer window closing on Friday.

West Ham currently have a striker group consisting of Michail Antonio and Sebastien Haller, with boss David Moyes thus far favouring the former to start each Premier League game this term and the latter in the Carabao Cup.

Armstrong, nicknamed the ‘Angel of the North’, was Blackburn’s top-scorer last season with 17 goals across all competitions and has started the 2020/21 campaign strongly with six in six games.

The West Denton-born centre-forward opened his tally for the term with a strike against the recently-relegated AFC Bournemouth, before bagging a hat-trick at home to Wycombe Wanderers.

Armstrong joined Blackburn from Newcastle United’s academy side in 2018 for what Rovers boss Tony Mowbray described as a “bargain” £1.75million (Chronicle), and would set any interested party back an eight-figure fee after Premier League interest earlier in the year.

He left St. James’ Park having played just 565 minutes in the Toon first-team, but has impressed Magpies boss Steve Bruce with how he’s taken his game to another level since leaving Tyneside.

“He’s a great finisher the kid, great with both feet, he can finish,” Bruce said ahead of facing Blackburn in the Carabao Cup last month, via quotes by the Chronicle.

“We have the situation now where sometimes you have to leave the club to progress in your career. That happens up and down the country. What you want is to see people go and have a career and to be fair Adam Armstrong is one.”

GSB must pull a U-turn

With Moyes currently able to call on just two recognised senior strikers, David Gold, David Sullivan and Karren Brady would be wise to pull a late U-turn and approach Blackburn over talks to lure Armstrong to the London Stadium.

The 23-year-old has proven to be a machine in front of the net since his move to Blackburn Rovers, and currently boasts a goal every 72 minutes in the Championship this season after turning home five in four games. He also averages 4.3 shots and plays 0.8 key balls a match, while making one successful dribble, wins 2.5 ground duels and earns one foul, per SofaScore.

His average 35.5 touches per game are also spread out across the opponent’s half, showing how Armstrong could become a versatile member of the Irons offence if signed before the window closes on Friday.

If not, GSB risk Moyes persisting with a limited offence if Antonio or Haller are forced to sit out any fixtures, with Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Fornals the only others to have fired home in a Premier League game this term.

AND in other news, West Ham can sign a “gifted” long-term target before Friday’s deadline after a Premier League rival turned to alternative options.

It’s almost hard to believe but Glasgow Rangers are on a 16-game unbeaten run at the moment after a disjointed display against Lech Poznan in the Europa League on Thursday night. Not that you’d necessarily know it, especially when you consider the fact that Steven Gerrard’s side struggled to break down a side who are currently tenth in the Polish top flight.

A couple of culprits were largely at fault, including Scott Arfield and Ryan Kent, but one player in particularly stood out from the rest for all the wrong reasons – Ianis Hagi.

That’s right, the 14-cap Romania international struggled to make much of an impression, which is exactly why Gerrard must unleash Joe Aribo against Kilmarnock.

According to GlasgowLive, Hagi had ‘a few untidy moments on the ball and struggled to influence the game as he did at the weekend’ before he was replaced by Aribo just after the break.

The 24-year-old only had 21 minutes to work with but still tried to make something happen during his brief cameo, which is more than can be said for his teammate. A look at his heatmap reveals a hub of activity on the right wing, including a short burst inside the box.

Aribo, who earns £8,100-a-week according to Salary Sport, missed the home game against Kilmarnock at the start of the season due to injury but could be in contention to start at Rugby Park. In fact, it’s worth remembering the 4-cap Nigeria international started the game against Livingston last weekend.

Recently described as an “exceptional” powerhouse by Charlton boss Lee Bowyer, on talkSPORT, as quoted by The Daily Record, Aribo has already scored two goals in five games in the Scottish Premiership this season so far, via Transfermarkt. By comparison, Hagi has only managed to score once in 11 appearances in the Scottish top flight, as per Transfermarkt.

The beauty of balancing both domestic and European competitions is that it provides Gerrard with the opportunity to rotate his squad, which is exactly what we think he will do against Killie. Whilst Aribo has only recently returned from injury, the attacking midfielder certainly made up for lost time by scoring against Livingston to help secure the victory. When was the last time that Hagi scored? We can’t really remember, either. It’ll be a big call to make, that’s for sure.

AND in other news, Steven Gerrard’s gamble pays off as Alfredo Morelos spares Glasgow Rangers blushes vs Lech Poznan…