West Ham United earned a creditable draw at home to Manchester United on Thursday night, playing out a 0-0 stalemate.
Jose Mourinho’s side confirmed their status the second best outfit in the country so David Moyes and his squad will see it as a point gained rather than two dropped, even if it means little in the context of their season.
With Moyes’ future as manager of the club uncertain, it was at least a reminder that he has stabilised the situation at the club and has key members of team playing with passion and conviction.
Mark Noble certainly displayed that throughout the 90 minutes, facing up well to the Red Devils’ expensive midfield and going toe-to-toe in a clash with Paul Pogba.
Fans loved his contribution and feel his attitude is a massive positive to the Irons, even when the team isn’t firing on all cylinders.
They took to Twitter to pay tribute to their captain…
According to reports in The Mirror, Everton are one of three Premier League clubs chasing a January deal for £20m-rated Sheffield United attacking midfielder David Brooks.
What’s the word, then?
Soccer Football – Championship – Leeds United vs Sheffield United – Elland Road, Leeds, Britain – October 27, 2017 Sheffield United’s David Brooks celebrates after scoring their second goal Action Images/Craig Brough
Well, The Mirror says that Blades boss Chris Wilder is bracing himself for top flight bids for the 20-year-old, with the Toffees, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool all said to be keen on the Welshman.
While the United manager doesn’t want to sell the twice-capped Wales international, The Mirror says that it may be up to the board rather than him if the club get an offer they can’t refuse, and if that was the case he would likely leave even though he only recently signed a new four-year contract.
How has Brooks done this season?
He has been very impressive for the Championship high-flyers.
The 20-year-old has scored two goals and provided a further four assists in 21 appearances in all competitions, although he has missed their last two league games through illness.
According to WhoScored.com, the attacking midfielder has made 19 key passes in 19 Championship outings this term, while he has successfully completed 24 of the 56 dribbles he has attempted.
The same website also lists Brooks’ strengths as his through balls and his set-piece taking ability.
Would he be a good signing for Everton?
It’s difficult to say.
While he is clearly a player with plenty of potential and quality, the fact that he usually plays in a central attacking midfield role suggests that the Toffees don’t really need him.
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They already have Wayne Rooney, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Davy Klaassen that can play in the No 10 role, while Ross Barkley may still be with the club in the second-half of the campaign.
Everton will be looking to compete for the best young attacking talent in the Football League – as they did when they signed Ademola Lookman during the previous January transfer window – but he probably isn’t what they need right now.
Romelu Lukaku believes that he has made the right choice in joining Everton on loan from Chelsea.
The Burly Belgian was linked with a return to West Brom shortly before the transfer deadline, but instead opted for a move to Goodison Park.
Lukaku spent last season with the Baggies, netting 17 Premier League goals and gaining a reputation as one of the division’s top young players.
Despite having the opportunity to make a return to the Hawthorns, the 20-year-old believes that Everton was the right choice for him:
“It was a crazy evening. I was sitting in my hotel room in Brussels when the phone went to tell me I was going out on loan again. It was 7pm, and that was the first I knew of it,” he told the Daily Mail.
“There had not been a mention of it before then, but after speaking to my parents, I decided to take the plunge.
“Different clubs called me and I had to take the right decision. Roberto Martinez called me for 30 minutes and explained me what he expects from me.
“I decided that Everton was the best choice. They are a more prominent club than West Brom where I had a good time. The important thing, at 20, is to be playing, and while West Brom was an option, Everton was a better one.”
Lukaku will be forced to sit out of Everton’s first game since his arrival due to the conditions of his loan move, as the Merseysiders face Chelsea.
Although he is still a Blues player, the youngster is hoping that his new team-mates can get a positive result.
“Yes, I have to be honest,” he added, when asked if he wants Everton to win this weekend.
Lukaku was expected to stay in London, but Chelsea’s signing of Samuel Eto’o convinced Jose Mourinho to send him out on loan.
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Following on from the ‘Most Hated XI’ is another team but this time made up of some of our favourite cult heroes.
The first question is ‘what is a cult hero?’ Well for starters, here’s what it isn’t- a truly great player that’s admired by everyone both inside and outside his club. Someone like Eric Cantona could never be a ‘cult hero’ because all United fans love him while fans from other clubs may at least have a grudging respect- I stress the word ‘may’ and obviously Crystal Palace fans are not among them.
No, a cult hero is the sort of player that not all fans love but the ones who do, adore with a passion. They’re the players that many of the opposition fans hate, or the strikers who’ve turned out for you team and scored one goal in twenty games which happens to be a winner against your arch-rivals. They’re sometimes the comical figures that we love to hate, the panto villain types that a core of us actually admire.
Then there’s that other type of cult hero, the genuine, decent talented player that for some reason never gets the respect of admiration of the mainstream media, so its left up to us fans to let the world know just how great they are. Cult heroes more often than not play the game we imagine the way we would for our club- what they lack in skill they make up for in effort, never giving up and always leaving the pitch having given 100%.
Most of these players may only play a handful of games for your club, others may be there for their for slightly longer, but they will always be admired for making supporting our team that little bit better. All of the players have played in the Premier League but some made their ‘cult hero’ status assured in Division One.
Click on the late Les Sealey to see the Premier League’s ‘Cult XI’
Liverpool’s players and fans are all on a high at the moment as they are just one win away from securing a sixth European title for the club.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will take on Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 26 in Kiev.
Not many would have backed the Merseyside outfit to go all the way, but their place in the showpiece is deserved.
On top of reaching the final, the Reds managed to finish inside the top four of the Premier League, guaranteeing European football for next season.
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While everything seems to be rosy in the garden at the moment, there are still some problem areas that may need to be addressed this summer.
Liverpool’s defence has improved since the arrival of Virgil van Dijk in the summer, but questions still hang over the goalkeeping position.
Loris Karius replaced Simon Mignolet as number one at the start of 2018, but there are rumblings that Klopp is looking for a new shot-stopper.
Earlier this month, The Express reported that Liverpool were interested in signing Stoke City keeper Jack Butland, who was relegated to the Championship with the Potters this season.
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However, Liverpool Echo journalist James Pearce has labelled rumoured interest in the seven-capped England international as “nonsense”.
It is safe to say that a number of Liverpool fans are relieved.
Comment from discussion James Pearce is doing a Q&A. He has said we have NO INTEREST IN BUTLAND?.Comment from discussion James Pearce is doing a Q&A. He has said we have NO INTEREST IN BUTLAND?.Comment from discussion James Pearce is doing a Q&A. He has said we have NO INTEREST IN BUTLAND?.Comment from discussion James Pearce is doing a Q&A. He has said we have NO INTEREST IN BUTLAND?.Comment from discussion James Pearce is doing a Q&A. He has said we have NO INTEREST IN BUTLAND?.Comment from discussion James Pearce is doing a Q&A. He has said we have NO INTEREST IN BUTLAND?.Comment from discussion James Pearce is doing a Q&A. He has said we have NO INTEREST IN BUTLAND?.Comment from discussion James Pearce is doing a Q&A. He has said we have NO INTEREST IN BUTLAND?.
It is often said that when Man Utd are playing at their best, they are moving the ball back to front quickly, constantly in the attack and pouncing on mistakes. The best United teams have the ability to counter attack at lightening speed, score goals at will and get the ball to their attacking wingers who cross and create chances for their team mates as well as score goals themselves.
Certainly for too long last season United were often slow, laborious and frankly boring. The Red Devils weren’t playing anything like the team of old. The transition to Louis van Gaal’s style wasn’t ever going to be quick, but it felt like it would never happen.
However, as the season went on the improvement was evident in their style of play and the Red Devils were looking more like their old selves again.
But still something was missing and that was top wingers who can put the fear into the opposition with their pace, power and attacking threat. Now with the signing of Memphis Depay surely they will come good next season – it looks as though United have an attacking winger in place to allow them to get on the front foot again and back to their formidable best.
Depay will be the signing to do just that, the Netherlands international has all the qualities needed to succeed at the top level. He is just 21-years-old, already has 17 caps for the Dutch national team and has scored an impressive 39 goals in 80 games for PSV Eindhoven, including a league high of 22 goals last season. All very impressive for a man who is played out on the wing.
He may not achieve those type of figures in the Premier League in his first season, but ten goals is a total Depay will be capable of getting for the North West giants from out wide. Ten goals may not seem like a great deal, but it will make a real difference if your midfielders can contribute, too.
He is also a fantastic free-kick specialist, has lightening speed across the turf and along with his incredibly quick feet combined with his immense skill it is clear that Depay will be a handful for any defence.
The former PSV man has an abundance of quality and is the sort of player that United need in their team – he will add a dynamism to the United attack that was missing last season.
Van Gaal’s attack was a bit one-paced at times, and they struggled in the final third in a number of matches. Home defeats at the hands of Swansea and Southampton come to mind, but with Depay in the team there is little chance of a dimensional attack. He will be the difference in such matches, and he will make a huge difference to Van Gaal’s team and push the team towards that next level.
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The next level will be challenging for the league and winning trophies, something the Dutchman will help the Red Devils achieve. He will contribute along with the other United signings to get back to their best and give them the injection of quality in the final third to create chances, score goals, win games and win trophies.
Manchester City are reportedly eyeing Sevilla’s Jesus Navas – though doubts remain as to whether he would be willing to make the move, according to ESPN.
Reports in the English press suggest that the recently deposed Premier League champions are ready to activate a £27million release clause in the player’s contract.
Though the club are currently without a manager following the sacking of Roberto Mancini earlier this week, director of football Txiki Begiristain and chief executive Ferran Soriano are believed to be spearheading their recruitment drive.
Their extensive knowledge of the Spanish leagues is a key reason behind the club’s moves to sign Navas, though there is no guarantee the 27-year-old would be willing to move to England.
The Spain international has suffered from chronic homesickness in the past, to the extent that he often refused to go on pre-season tours with Sevilla and briefly retired from international football.
The condition also caused him to turn down a move to Chelsea in 2006 and is believed to have put off Arsenal from making a move to sign him last summer.
Navas has been receiving treatment and was able to return to the international scene, playing for Spain at last summer’s European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.
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However, it remains to be seen whether it has improved sufficiently for him to make a long-term move to another country.
Robin van Persie says that he has joined Manchester United to ‘achieve greatness’ and believes he can fulfil all his personal ambitions at Old Trafford. The Dutch striker wants to win titles and Champions Leagues, something he was unable to achieve during his years at Arsenal. Van Persie said he listened to the boy inside him that was screaming Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson hailed the signing and believes his arrival will bring some much needed maturity to his United team. The Dutchman marks a change in transfer policy in recent years, where Fergie has moved for proven quality, rather than just potential.
Elsewhere in the news Arsene Wenger suggests that new signings maybe forthcoming at the Emirates; Di Matteo says he will use Juan Mata sparingly, while Roberto Mancini brushes off a frustrating week at Manchester City.
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Headlines
Chelsea say they will use Juan Mata sparingly after the forward played in both Euro 2012 and the Olympics – [Guardian]
Paul Lambert has asked the Aston Villa supporters for patience as he seeks to end two years of misery by rebuilding the club from top to bottom – [Guardian]
Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Rio Ferdinand to be careful when tweeting in future after the defender was fined £45,000 by the Football Association – [Guardian]
Clint Dempsey has told Fulham he does not want to play for them again – [Independent]
RobertoMancini believes Robin van Persie has ensured United will the side to beat in race for the title – [Daily Telegraph]
Brendan Rodgers will use legacy of the past to forge a brighter future for an underachieving club – [Daily Telegraph]
Nigel Adkins believes Gaston Ramirez’s proposed move to Southampton highlights the club’s ambition – [Sky Sports]
Toulouse defender Cheikh M’Bengue has revealed he is wanted by Arsenal – [Daily Star]
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is considering making a fourth bid for Wolves winger Matt Jarvis – [Daily Telegraph]
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AVB wants a single newcomer to compete with Defoe and young Harry Kane to be his lone frontman ahead of three attacking midfielders – [Mirror]
PLEASE NOTE – click on the sources to view the original article
West Ham United manager David Moyes has made two changes to the side that was beaten 4-1 by Manchester City at the London Stadium last weekend for the crucial trip to West Ham United on Saturday, and Irons fans have been quick to react.
Arthur Masuaku and Joao Mario come into the XI in place of Patrice Evra – Moyes was slated on Twitter for praising the Frenchman this week– and Edimilson Fernandes respectively, with Adrian keeping his place between the sticks as Joe Hart misses out through injury having been ineligible against his parent club previously.
The east London outfit, who have Pedro Obiang back on the substitutes’ bench after three months out with a knee injury, looked to be cruising to safety after they beat Southampton and drew with Chelsea at the end of March and into April, but they have since taken just one point from a possible nine to leave them just two points above the relegation zone.
West Ham supporters took to social media to give their thoughts on Moyes’ selection, and while one said “#MoyesOut”, another simply said “depression”.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has praised the signing of Burnley striker Danny Ings, according to reports from the Daily Star.
Ings will join the Merseyside club when his contract with the Clarets expire on July 1 after agreeing to terms earlier this month, however the transfer still awaits the agreement of a fee that will be set by a tribunal.
And Reds idol Steven Gerrard, who has joined LA Galaxy, is looking forward to watching the striker play for his former club, but has warned fans that they have to be patient with the 22-year-old.
Liverpool Transfer News | Latest Transfer News
Gerrard said: “The Ings one I’m really excited about because he can be what he wants to be – I know the talent’s there, he’s very young, he’s fresh.
“I think if he carries on learning and developing he can become a top striker and we love top strikers, so it’s there for them, the stage is there and I wish [him] the best of luck and I’m looking forward to watching [him] play.
“He might be the type of player that needs that bigger club, and does thrive on the pressure.
“He’s certainly got the platform there at one of the best clubs in the world to showcase his talents.
“For me, the supporters just need to be patient with him, he’s still very young and I’m sure he’ll get eased in gently. But, as I say, I’m really looking forward to watching him play.
“Hopefully he can get some goals early on which will give him the confidence that’ll make him feel like he belongs there.”
Ings was Burnley’s stand-out performer in their Premier League season, scoring 11 goals but was unable to stop his side from being relegated into the Championship.
Tottenham Hotspur were also heavily linked with a move for the Englishman, but Liverpool acted quickly to finalize the switch.
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Kop manager Brendan Rodgers will hope that Ings eases the pressure on his misfiring strikers, who have struggled to score on a consistent basis all season.