Category Uncategorized

League One’s fascinating race for automatic promotion saw yet another dramatic twist occur on Saturday which would have delighted Barnsley’s supporters.

With fellow top-two contenders Sunderland and Portsmouth facing each other, the Tykes knew that by securing a victory over Blackpool at Oakwell, they would be able to gain on at least one of their rivals.

However, after making a slow start to proceedings, Daniel Stendel’s side fell behind as Tangerines midfielder Harry Pritchard saw his deflected effort wrong foot Adam Davies. Having overcome the shock of conceding, Barnsley levelled just before half-time as Cauley Woodrow fired in his 16th goal of the season.

Despite dominating vast sways of possession, the Tykes had to wait until the 60th minute to land the all-important killer blow as Liam Lindsay headed home from a corner to clinch a fourth consecutive victory in the third tier.

In what turned out to be a perfect weekend for the Yorkshire-based outfit, Pompey’s draw with the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light saw the gap between second and third extend to four points.

Although it cannot be understated how important these results are for the club’s hopes of securing automatic promotion, the fact that Luton Town lost again means that Barnsley should now be focusing on winning the League One title in May.

Now level on points with the Hatters, the Tykes can usurp Mick Harford’s side if they better their result next Saturday. Whereas Barnsley will be full of confidence heading into their clash at Bristol Rovers, Luton will have to overcome an Oxford United side who have been experiencing somewhat of a renaissance under Karl Robinson in recent months.

If they finish first in May, Stendel’s men will end a 64-year wait for a third tier triumph having last been victorious at this particular level in 1955.

What do you think Tykes fans? Should Stendel be targeting the League One triumph following Luton’s recent slip-ups? How impressed have you been with the German since he joined the club last summer? Let us know below.

[ad_pod ]

Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to laugh at Manchester United’s flag display prior to kick-off in their Champions League quarter-final tie against Barcelona.

As we all know, the Reds supporters often hold their flags and scarves aloft before kick-off at Anfield for every home game, creating a visually aesthetic array of support across the entirety of the Kop.

Are the media letting Jurgen Klopp off lightly for his lack of silverware? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

So, when the Merseysiders’ arch-rivals United decided to hold aloft a few flags of their own in a bid to raise the atmosphere around Old Trafford, Liverpool fans wasted no time in mocking them for just how inferior it looked compared to their own home displays.

United fans’ efforts consisted of just one corner of the ground holding up signs of support, whereas almost everyone in the Kop holds something up, hence Liverpool supporters feeling the need to laugh at the Red Devils’ display.

Let’s see what the Reds fans on Twitter have been saying about the whole thing…

[ad_pod ]

Manchester City fans on Twitter have been ripping into Pep Guardiola after his latest batch of post-match comments.

The Spaniard was speaking in his press conference following Tuesday evening’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg loss to Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur in north London, and he proclaimed that City controlled the game.

However, sections of unhappy supporters disagreed profusely with one even questioning what match the legendary gaffer was watching.

The Citizens were bested fairly on the night by Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs, going down to a 78th-minute winner from Heung-min Son at the hosts’ new stadium.

Now the Cityzens are staring a second consecutive Champions League last-eight exit in the face and will have to overturn a one-goal deficit in the return leg.

Other fans focussed their criticism on Guardiola himself rather than his odd comments, accusing him of having “the worst tactical plan ever” and even going as far as sensationally calling for his sack.

Watch “Jurgen Klopp’s” hilarious masterplan for winning the title in the video below…

Those and the rest of the best angry Man City replies to the presser quotes can be found down below…

قررت شرطة ميرسيسايد في إنجلترا، فتح تحقيقًا واتخاذ إجراءات صارمة، بشأن ما حدث في أعقاب مباراة الديربي بين فريقي ليفربول وإيفرتون يوم السبت الماضي في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

واستضاف جوديسون بارك مباراة الفريقين في الجولة الخامسة من البطولة، حيث تعادلا بهدفين لمثليهما.

وشهدت المباراة إصابة اثنين من لاعبي ليفربول وهما فيرجيل فان دايك وتياجو ألكانتارا، نتيجة تدخل عنيف من الثنائي جوردان بيكفورد وريتشارليسون.

وقال متحدث باسم شرطة ميرسيسايد، في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ديلي ميل” الإنجليزية: “نحن نحقق حاليًا في عدد من التغريدات المسيئة ضد اثنين من لاعبي إيفرتون وهما بيكفورد وريتشارليسون”.

وأضاف: “اللغة المستخدمة في التغريدات غير مقبولة على الإطلاق، ونحن نأخذ الأمر على محمل الجد”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. سكاي تكشف قرار الاتحاد الإنجليزي بشأن واقعة فان دايك وبيكفورد

وواصل: “أولئك الذين يستخدمون الإنترنت في استهداف الآخرين، والذين يرتكبون جرائم جنائية عن طريقه مثل التهديد أو أفعال الكراهية، سيقعون تحت طائلة القانون”.

وتابع: “الشرطة تجري تحقيقات موسعة للبحث عن الأفراد الذين نشروا التغريدات المذكورة، وبمجرد تحديد المخالفات سنتخذ إجراءات لتقديم المسؤولين عنها إلى العدالة”.

[ad_pod ]

Newcastle are reportedly eyeing a move for Sassuolo midfielder Stefano Sensi.

What’s the story?

According to The Northern Echo, Newcastle face “enormous competition” from Europe’s best in the race for Sensi.

The report claims the Magpies have been scouting Sensi for more than a year, but several clubs in Italy, Spain and England are also tracking the 23 year-old.

It states that Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden are both likely to leave this summer, with Huddersfield’s Aaron Mooy and Fulham’s Tom Cairney also on the radar as possible replacements.

The report adds that Sensi’s price initially stood at £21.4m, but that could rise now with several clubs vying for his signature.

Is he worth it?

With £21.4m now looking like the opening bid rather than the actual price, the Magpies will be forced to think long and hard about pursuing Sensi more seriously.

If they pull the trigger though, they would be getting a technically supreme midfielder who combines penetrative passing with defensive solidity like few others.

At just 23, the young Italian has wowed spectators in Serie A with his maturity and composure on the ball, completing 91 per cent of his passes while averaging 1.7 key passes per game, per Whoscored. To complete such a high percentage of his overall passes despite clearly being keen to look forward and cut through the lines is extremely impressive.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….

Aforementioned, he also chips in at the other end, averaging 1.5 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game.

He has also recently earned two Italy caps, and it takes some doing to get into a midfield consisting of Chelsea’s Jorginho and PSG’s Marco Verratti.

With Shelvey nearing the exit door, the Magpies cannot rely on 21 year-old Sean Longstaff as their only technician in the middle, and if Sensi can form a long-term pairing with the local lad then he would be worth every single penny.

History is set to repeat itself as Newcastle United are rumoured to be selling their star player far too soon.

Results may have improved for the Magpies in recent times, and the immediate threat of relegation has all but disappeared for another season, but there are still major threats to the clubs future stability.

Rafael Benitez is yet to pledge his long-term future to the club surely due to doubts over Mike Ashley’s future financial commitment, whilst the latter is unwilling to release funds unless the Spaniard signs an extension.

It is a vicious cycle that the Newcastle faithful unfortunately find themselves in the midst of – and they are understandably unhappy.

And the situation will likely descend further into chaos if reports from Chronicle Live are true, who have suggested that Jonjo Shelvey could be on the way out of St James’ Park if the club receive a “significant offer” this summer – West Ham have previously been linked.

The English midfielder played a key role in hoisting Newcastle out of the Champions a couple of seasons ago and has since excelled as one of the club’s most consistent players – so why are the club trying to cash in now?

Understandably, the atomic rise of Sean Longstaff has injected a healthy bit of competition into the starting line-up, which Shelvey is currently absent from due to injury – but that surely is not enough to validate a sale.

The club should take inspiration from the Florian Thauvin mistake, who has since dominated in Ligue 1 for Marseille scoring 13 goals in 26 appearances this season alone, winning the World Cup along the way.

Newcastle United fans, would selling Shelvey this summer be a calamitous mistake? Let us know in the comments below…

[ad_pod ]

Tottenham Hotspur are lining up a summer move for PSG left-back Layvin Kurzawa, according to Calciomercato.

Kurzawa has struggled with injury thus far this season and has played just seven times in Ligue 1.

What’s the word?

The defender’s current contract expires in 2020, and the aforementioned report claims that he has an offer on the table to extend his deal.

However, Spurs, along with Manchester United and Atletico Madrid, are monitoring developments as they continue to formulate their plans for the summer.

Spurs, of course, have good business relations with PSG and have signed both Serge Aurier and Lucas Moura from the French club in recent years.

Kurzawa moved to PSG in 2015 from AS Monaco and has won Ligue 1 twice, along with three Coupe de France titles, three Coupe de la Ligue titles and three Trophee des Champions’.

He has made a total of 87 appearances at Parc des Princes, scoring 12 goals and laying on 19 assists in total; he has won 11 caps for France.

A return to the well

Spurs’ previous business with PSG has not appeared to bear much fruit.

Aurier is a yellow card machine at right-back, while Lucas has struggled to make much of an impact on the right of midfield.

Spurs are looking at bolstering the correct area; they have been lacking at left-back for a while and need reinforcements.

Kurzawa, though, is perhaps not the man to fix the issues.

Ligue 1 is a remarkably softer division than the Premier League and it remains to be seen if the Frenchman would merely become another Aurier in north London.

[ad_pod ]

Newcastle fans have taken to Twitter after The Telegraph revealed that Rafa Benitez will leave the club in the summer unless new signings are brought in this month, as the Spaniard reaches breaking point at St. James’ Park.

The former Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid boss is ready to depart the Tyneside club if he does not get the two players he demanded in the January transfer window, with Atlanta’s Miguel Almiron, Juventus’ Moise Kean, Iranian full-back Milad Mohammadi and Lyon’s Martin Terrier mentioned as targets in the aforementioned report.

Benitez would prefer to stay on Tyneside, but feels like his position is becoming untenable having constantly been ignored by Mike Ashley in his pleas for new arrivals.

Which Man Utd star got fed by Salt Bae this week? Check out the video below to find out…

The relegation-threatened Magpies are set to have another £55million in the bank before the end of the month thanks to television money, but it does not appear that will land in the hands of Benitez to spend on new arrivals.

Understandably, having seen their club constantly neglected by Ashley as they struggle to maintain their Premier League status, Newcastle supporters have grown tired of the situation…

In what was an impressive victory for RB Leipzig in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 clash against Tottenham, they did so without having one of their main men on the pitch: Dayot Upamecano.

The France international was suspended for the game, but is likely to return as Spurs travel to Germany looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the home leg.

The 21-year-old has proven himself to be an integral part of Julian Nagelsmann’s side this season, making 28 appearances across all competition. It is unsurprising therefore that the likes of Spurs and Arsenal are said to be interested in luring him away from Leipzig.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

Upamecano signed for the German outfit back in January 2017, arriving for a fee of £9m, as per Transfermarkt. It’s a rather significant date in hindsight, as just a a couple of weeks later, Spurs appointed their new chief scout, Steve Hitchen.

If the north London side are intent on bringing Upamecano in the summer, then it is now likely going to cost an extortionate amount of money to prise him away.

According to L’Equipe (via The Daily Mirror), though Upamecano’s release clause will be slashed if he does not sign a new deal at Leipzig, the figure will still be at a hefty £53m – significantly more than what the German team paid to sign him for in the first place.

And it could perhaps even be more devastating for Spurs if the centre-back puts in a superb performance in the second leg of their Champions League clash on Tuesday night.

The world will no doubt be watching, and the biggest sides will surely have their scouts in attendance, poring their eyes over the Frenchman. The better he plays, the more likely the demand for his signature will increase.

Upamecano could leave Hitchen ruing the fact Leipzig snapped up an absolute bargain, mere weeks before he arrived on the scene at Spurs.

There’s no guarantee that Hitchen would have spotted the star-in-the-making had he been appointed by Spurs before the defender moved to the Bundesliga outfit. However, the fact Hitchen’s arrival was confirmed so shortly after RB Salzburg’s sale naturally leaves a feeling of what might have been.

And a domineering display from the Frenchman could leave the Lilywhites backroom man wondering if he arrived in the right place at just the wrong time when the two sides go head-to-head tonight.

For any chief scout, there’s little glory in advising a club to sign a player who has already made a name for himself on the European stage and commanded interest from some of the world’s most prestigious outfits.

True achievement arrives when they identify an unproven talent available at a bargain price before watching them blossom into a world beater.

The recruitment team at Leipzig can boast that achievement having brought Upamecano to the club for a measly fee in 2017, and that feeling may well be reinforced by the time Tuesday’s last-sixteen encounter reaches its conclusion.

Meanwhile, Tottenham should worry about this RB Leipzig ace rather than Timo Werner.

West Bromwich Albion missed the opportunity to extend their lead at the summit of the Championship table on Boxing Day as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Barnsley.

Slaven Bilic’s side took an early lead when Filip Krovinovic capitalised on a goalkeeping error with a long range effort, but the hosts scored a deserved late equaliser through former Leeds United defender Aapo Halme.

Barnsley had been knocking on the door for some time and recorded 22 shots in all.

Indeed, the result could have swung in the relegation threatened side’s favour if it weren’t for the heroics of Sam Johnstone in West Brom’s goal.

And the quality of Johnstone’s display was acknowledged on social media in the aftermath of proceedings, with fans lavishing praise in their numbers…

Amidst the pool of adjectives and gushing praise, one fan suggested that their goalkeeper was the undisputed choice for the man of the match award.

But it hasn’t always been a unanimous love-in for Johnstone.

The goalkeeper has been scrutinised for his performances in the past, and two fans suggested he has done enough to silence those doubters once and for all following another outstanding individual display.

Finally, one fan has labelled the 26-year-old as a Premier League standard stopper.

The true test of that particular claim could well be looming on the imminent horizon in 2020…