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While Ralph Hasenhuttl has got plenty of things right since arriving at Southampton in December, his use of his goalkeepers perhaps isn’t one of them.

On the chalkboard

When the Austrian replaced Mark Hughes in December he quickly stuck with the man who had been the undoubted first-choice option under the Welshman between the sticks, Alex McCarthy.

However, some patchy form over the festive period and some goals that perhaps the England international could have done better to keep out of the net led to a few question marks over his inclusion in the team – especially with £13.5m summer signing Angus Gunn waiting in the wings.

Hasenhuttl suggested he was ready to change things when he brought the former Manchester City man in for his Premier League debut in the 0-0 draw away at Chelsea, where the 23-year-old impressed and kept the south coast outfit’s only clean sheet under their current manager in the top flight to date.

Despite that, McCarthy proved he is the 51-year-old’s first choice by playing every league fixture up until the match against Arsenal on Sunday, when Gunn once again took his place.

Dilemma against Fulham?

Firstly, from the outside looking in you would have to question Hasenhuttl’s use of an inexperienced goalkeeper at this level in away matches against the Blues and the Gunners, where he is likely to be busier than in other fixtures.

Check out the video below for Groundhopping FC’s excellent matchday vlog from the Emirates as Arsenal beat 2-0 Southampton on Sunday…

It may have been done as Gunn is quicker off of his line than McCarthy and can play a sweeper keeper role, but in terms of affecting him mentally it may not have been a great tactic – especially after he played his part in Arsenal’s second goal on Sunday.

The former RB Leipzig coach now has a big decision to make ahead of the crucial six-pointer against Fulham at St Mary’s on Wednesday, and he should revert back to the more assured 29-year-old in the pressure clash.

Aston Villa are reported to be interested in Barnsley centre-back Liam Lindsay according to The Sun’s Alan Nixon in the Sun (via HITC) and the move could shore up the defence that will see them miss out on promotion this season.

They currently sit in 13th, eight points away from the play-off places, but it’s their goal difference that really tells the story of where they’re falling behind. They’ve conceded 53 goals so far this season and only 22nd placed Rotherham and bottom-of-the-table Ipswich have conceded more. That’s not good enough for a side looking to return to the Premier League.

Barnsley are second in League One and have conceded just 28 goals this season, the least in the league and it’s no secret Liam Lindsay has been key to keeping his side tight at the back. He’s made 31 appearances this campaign and 42 times last season despite The Tykes being relegated. He’s a well-established 23-year-old who now looks ready to make the step up.

Villa’s history and size as a club should be an attractive prospect for the Scotsman, who’ll know that he’s exactly what they need to force a promotion push. He wouldn’t have any trouble breaking into the first team and so this is a rare opportunity for a lad in the third division to join one the biggest clubs in the country.

Although clubs like Villa can get stuck in the Championship (look at Leeds), there’s a major chance they’ll return to the Premier League in the next five seasons and that could be how Lindsey reaches the top rather than having to deal with the pressure of a transfer to a top-flight side. It makes sense for him and it makes sense for Villa.

If they can snatch him from Barnsley in the summer, they could plug their defensive hole and be pushing for promotion next season. That’d make Lindsey one of the best signings in the club’s history.

You do you think Aston Villa needs to sign for begin their push for promotion?

What a disgrace that Birmingham City fan is! The incident on Sunday meant Jack Grealish’s winner meant even more than it already would, and that mentality could drive them into the play-offs.

Not enough focus is placed on the importance on mentality in football. Having the right attitude and desire is just as important as physical ability, and an injustice like the punch thrown on Sunday is something that should give Villa the motivation to earn promotion.

There’s a firm belief at Villa Park that the club doesn’t belong in the Championship because of their historical successes and also the size of the fanbase. A lot of clubs feel this way though, but the incident must make the fans certain they don’t belong in this division.

They’d love nothing better than to see their team back in the top flight while their neighbours struggle to get back up themselves. Of course, it’s better if the two are in the same division for derbies, but bar that they’ll want Birmingham to suffer, particularly after the way the fan and even a steward reacted at the weekend.

Fans of clubs all across the country saw what happened and will now want Villa and Grealish to succeed in spite of that fan. That, along with the support of their own loyal fans, could be the mental difference between accepting they won’t be promoted this season, to really gathering momentum for a play-off push.

The team will have grown stronger as a unit after the win and the issues on the pitch and that will put them in good stead when the going gets tough towards the final few games. The disgusting incident could be the motivation required, if they ever needed it, to break into the play-off spots.

Villa fans, what do you think your club are capable of achieving this season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

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Middlesbrough are enduring a tough period at present. A poor run of form has seen them fall away from the automatic promotion race and now they risk losing their play-off place too.

A 2-1 defeat against Preston North End at the Riverside Stadium last time out only made matters worse, especially as Boro squandered a lead for the second successive game.

Tony Pulis’ toiling side face another tough test on Saturday when they travel to Villa Park to take on fellow play-off hopefuls Aston Villa. Defeat could see Boro drop out of the top six.

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

Middlesbrough will certainly have to be at their best to secure a result against Dean Smith’s talented group, and Pulis has gone to great lengths to highlight the threat that Jack Grealish poses his team.

What he said

Speaking in his recent press conference, as quoted by the club’s official website, the Boro boss said: “Villa’s going to be a tough game, they’ve got an exceptional squad and (Jack) Grealish is an exceptional player for them.”

The man to mark

Grealish is certainly in fine form and the 23-year-old No. 10 will still be on a high having netted the winning goal in the Second City derby recently. It is vital that Boro find a way to stop the attacking midfielder, as he has the capacity to decide the match should they fail to do so.

With these comments, Pulis’ squad can be under no illusions as to who their manager considers their opponents’ best player. Expect to see Boro set up to stop Grealish on Saturday, perhaps even glueing someone to the youngster in an old-fashioned man-marking job.

كشفت تقارير صحفية إنجليزية أن مدرب فريق ليفربول يورجن كلوب كان مقتنعًا بفكرة انتقال لاعب بوروسيا دورتموند جادون سانشو، إلى مانشستر يونايتد في موسم الانتقالات الصيفي لهذا العام.

وكان ليفربول ضمن الأندية الراغبة في الحصول على خدمات اللاعب الإنجليزي، هذا الصيف، ولكنه لم يتمكن من التوصل إلى اتفاق مع دورتموند بسبب الرسوم المالية المرتفعة.

اقرأ أيضًا.. شاكيري عن تكهنات مستقبله مع ليفربول: الإعلام يكتب كثيرًا

وارتبط مانشستر يونايتد ارتباطًا وثيقًا بـ سانشو، وكان أكثر الأندية اهتمامًا به ورغبة في ضمه وقدم أكثر من عرض ولكن إدارة دورتموند رفضته حيث إنه لا يلبي مطالبهم.

وحسب شبكة “ذا أثلتيك” الإنجليزية، فإن كلوب كان على إطلاع دائم بمستقبل سانشو وما يدور بين مانشستر يونايتد وبوروسيا دورتموند في فترة الانتقالات الصيفية.

وأوضحت أن كلوب أخبر أصدقاءه المقربين أنه يعتقد أن سانشو سينتهي به المطاف في الأولد ترافورد، وهي الخطوة التي لم تتم في النهاية.

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Loads of Celtic fans have been reacting to a tweet from the club wishing former star Charlie Mulgrew a happy birthday, and it’s fair to say fans are missing the 32 year-old.

After a slightly up and down start to the season, Celtic are well and truly flying at the moment, winning 11 domestic games in a row since December’s Old Firm defeat.

However, the Bhoys could still be facing a defensive crisis this summer, with Dedryck Boyata yet to show any signs of penning a new contract and the likes of Jozo Simunovic and Jack Hendry still failing to really impress.

Fans are thus hoping the club brings Mulgrew to Glasgow for the third time, after they tweeted their good wishes to the 39-cap Scotland ace on Tuesday.

Mulgrew spent four years at Parkhead to start off his career and returned in 2010 for a six-year spell, racking up 29 goals in 208 total appearances for the club over the two spells. Most of his second stint was of course under the management of Neil Lennon.

Now 32 and plying his trade for Blackburn in the Championship, the versatile defender has scored an impressive ten goals this season, and fans are all calling for his return – a return that would surely only happen if Boyata leaves the club.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

أوضح مدرب فريق روما الإيطالي باولو فونسيكا موقفه من التعاقد الدائم مع اللاعب كريس سمولينج، من صفوف فريق مانشستر يونايتد الإنجليزي في موسم الانتقالات الصيفي الحالي.

ولعب المدافع الإنجليزي على سبيل الإعارة في صفوف روما الموسم الماضي.

ورغب روما في شراء سمولينج بشكل دائم من مانشستر يونايتد هذا الصيف، ولكنه فشل في التوصل إلى إي اتفاق حتى الآن، رغم أن سوق الانتقالات سينتهي بعد غد.

وقال فونسيكا، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “سكاي سبورتس” العالمية: “مازالت صفقة سمولينج مستمرة؟ لدي ثلاثة مدافعين فقط، لذا نعم، أحتاج واحدًا آخر”.

وأضاف: “سنرى في الـ48 ساعة القادمة ماذا سيحدث”.

وواصل: “كما قلت، أريد سمولينج، إنه هدفنا في قلب الدفاع، لذا نعم، أنا واثق (من إتمام الصفقة)”.

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Loads of Liverpool fans have been reflecting on the weekend’s action, and they’re not too happy with the form of James Milner.

Liverpool returned to the summit of the Premier League on Sunday, drawing 0-0 at Old Trafford in a rather drab affair.

The Reds have now drawn four of their last five games in all competitions, and the front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have combined for just two goals across those four draws.

Who has the loudest fans in Europe? PSG certainly state their claim in the video below…

All three were ineffective again on Sunday, but the real problems are further back in the team, where the lack of creativity in midfield is a huge problem.

Milner filled in at right-back at Old Trafford, and the versatile ace had by far the most chances to create dangerous situations for the Reds, yet he couldn’t produce a single good cross. When he plays in midfield, his crosses and forward play are equally ineffective.

The 33 year-old has said in the past that he would like to move back to Leeds United after his time at Anfield ends, and fans are now discussing the prospect of axing him this summer.

Milner is a Jurgen Klopp favourite and for good reason, but the Twitter reactions down below suggest his time at the club is nearing its end…

Of course, fans have their different opinions on Brendan Rodgers’ departure but one thing that supporters can agree on is the fact that Neil Lennon has already done a solid job.

Although, Lennon’s long-term future at Parkhead remains uncertain as the Daily Mail reported that Alex Neil was being considered for the managerial vacancy after Brendan Rodgers’ departure.

But, The Sun have now reported that Alex Neil has ruled out becoming Celtic’s next manager.

Here’s what the Preston North End boss had to say:

“I have no thoughts about moving club or anything like that.

“I am the Preston manager and I am enjoying my time here and we have a lot of scope to improve. Being the boss here has my full focus.”

So, with Celtic already facing rejection in their pursuit of Brendan Rodgers’ long-term successor, here are the potential consequences…

CELTIC FACE MANAGERIAL DILEMMA

Celtic supporters would never have imagined that Alex Neil would reject the chance to take charge at Celtic, but they’ll now have to face the harsh reality as the managerial hunt goes on.

Indeed, the Hoops now face a dilemma as they’ll have to weigh up their options and consider a different target, which isn’t exactly convenient as Alex Neil had everything that Celtic want in a manager, with experience in Scotland, a record of developing players and constant progression at Deepdale.

NEIL LENNON OVER THE MOON

Interim boss Neil Lennon will have his sights set on becoming Celtic’s permanent manager in the summer after enjoying a strong start at Parkhead, so hearing news of Alex Neil’s snub will delight the former Hibernian boss.

Neil’s snub will come as a big boost to Lennon and things could get even better if he continues to secure positive results and silverware in the current campaign, with fans surely calling for him to be appointed if that’s the case.

Celtic fans, do you think the club should appoint Lennon on a permanent basis? Surely there’re better managerial options out there… 

When Rangers think back to the days under Pedro Caixinha, there are very few positive memories compared to their current spell under Steven Gerrard, although things weren’t quite as different as they may think. The Portuguese gaffer was up against it from the start, as opposed to Gerrard who came in as an Ibrox darling, and it makes a good read.

At the moment, Steven Gerrard finds himself in pursuit of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premier League, but much as has been the case over the last few years for the Gers, he’s set to end the season trophyless. Pedro Caixinha suffered similar struggles, but his early blip in Europe ultimately meant his time at the club was over before it even began, even if the pair have similar records in Ibrox.

PEDRO CAIXINHA

Many a manager has fallen under the weight of expectation when taking on a top job, and in reality, it seems that Pedro Caixinha simply didn’t understand the size of the job he was undertaking when he rocked up at Ibrox. The Portuguese gaffer was doomed from pretty much day one, though, as his lacklustre Rangers fell at the first qualifying round of the Europa League.

If there was ever going to be any way back from that embarrassing loss over two legs against Progres Niederkorn then Caixinha would have found it, but in truth, his sacking was always a matter of when and not if after that. Regardless, the now-Cruz Azul gaffer went onto win 14 of his 26 games and boasts a win percentage that actually eclipses that of Steven Gerrard, even though he’s looked at as a resounding flop.

TT GRADE: B

STEVEN GERRARD

Whilst Stevie G has done a good job in winning over the fans, his time at Ibrox could end in the same way as Caixinha’s did if he’s not careful. The fans may be behind the ex-Liverpool and England skipper, but as trophies remain elusive at Ibrox, one decent run in the Europa League won’t save the young manager for too much longer, especially seeing as he only managed to make the group stages.

If anything, that early summer run where Gerrard navigated the qualifiers was only made to look so impressive because of Caixinha’s failures 12 months before, and when it came to the Scottish Premier League the frailties started to show. There is no doubting that Gerrard deserves more time, as did Caixinha, but the Portuguese manager’s time in Glasgow should be a stark warning to the current gaffer as the slightest slip up could see his spell at the club end in the same way as his predecessor.

TT GRADE: B

TT VERDICT

Pedro Caixinha will always be looked at with real scorn by the Gers for his calamity spell in charge, but look at the numbers and his 53.85% win ratio is marginally better than Stevie G’s 52.27%. The stats aren’t everything in football, though, but whilst Gerrard continues to come up short against Scotland’s finest then it really is hard to justify giving him the edge over Caixinha, so this one has to end a draw.