There is nothing worse for a passionate football fan when their club lets a star player leave. For Aberdeen fans, that was exactly what happened less than 12 months ago when the news was confirmed to them on the 19th July that Adam Rooney would be leaving Pittodrie to sign for Conference club Salford City.

So far this season the Republic of Ireland striker has scored 16 goals in 30 league games for his new club, but prior to his time with Salford City, the 30-year-old was a goal machine at Aberdeen. His record of 87 goals in 197 games for the Dandies made him a household name north of the border and his departure certainly would have hit the Aberdeen supporters hard.

In the final season that Rooney spent with the club, he only managed ten goals in 44 outings, with eight of those coming in the Scottish Premiership. His influence was obviously dwindling, but that didn’t make his departure any easier to stomach amongst the fans. The highest point of Rooney’s Aberdeen career was his Scottish League Cup success with them in the 2013/14 season, and that will be one of the things that the fans remember him so fondly for, even if he only played two games in the competition.

You can see what those Aberdeen supporters made of Rooney’s departure here:

The Dandies were all gutted, as you can see from the tweets above, that they had to say goodbye to Rooney after four and a half years and will still be missing him now.

Wolves beat fellow Premier League new-boys Cardiff 2-0 on Saturday, and the way they’ve played this season sends a message that newly promoted sides don’t need to adapt to survive in the Premier League.

They currently sit seventh, probably the best any side outside the so-called ‘big six’ can expect nowadays, but they haven’t done it by defending for their lives and scoring scrappy winners. They’ve continued to play the way that earned them promotion from the Championship last season, and they deserve great credit for doing so.

Looking at the other two promoted sides, Cardiff were never the most attacking team in the first place but seemed devoid of an out-and-out philosophy that the top managers and club appear to have in the modern game. Fulham, however, did. They played some great attacking football last season, but in summer it seems they made a conscious effort to toughen up their ranks to be prepared to sit back and defend against existing Premier League sides.

The impact of this is two-fold. In one respect the players who earned the club promotion in the first place will be feeling confident about the way they played last time out and will be relishing the opportunity to show what they’re made of in the Premier League. Changing tactics as Slavisa Jokanovic did just makes the players feel they aren’t good enough to go toe-to-toe with the league’s best.

The other downside to this change is the squad just isn’t used to playing so defensively and their manufactured inferiority complex means they’re susceptible to be broken down too easily. Wolves have gone the opposite way to relegation-bound Fulham in this regard.

They’ve brought in players to improve the squad’s ability to play the way Nuno Espirito Santo wants to play.

Exciting, attacking football. Of course, they have discipline to their performances, but it’s been clear he’s given his squad the belief they’re good enough to beat anyone in this league, and that’s now true.

Clubs who get promoted this season, particularly those who have a clear philosophy, such as Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds, should take note of their success and bare it in mind over the summer months.

Do you think Fulham would have been better equipped to survive if they hadn’t been so cautious until Ranieri’s appointment?

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England manager Gareth Southgate announced on Wednesday his squad for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Montenegro.

West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice wins his first call-up for the country after declaring his international allegiance to England over the Republic of Ireland.

And Southgate has also included a total of five Spurs players in his selection.

Full-backs Danny Rose and Kieran Trippier, the latter of which scored the opening goal in the World Cup semi-final against Croatia in the summer, are both included, along with midfielders Eric Dier and Dele Alli and striker Harry Kane.

Spurs fans, however, are far from delighted with the national team manager’s selections.

Alli only returned from injury against Southampton last weekend, while Kane has rushed his way through his recovery from a ligament problem to make his comeback, but has appeared half-fit in recent games. Dier, too, missed four games prior to the encounter with the Saints.

And supporters are worried that some of the club’s key stars could pick up even more injuries as the club look to qualify for the Champions League by finishing in the top four.

Take a look at some of the best reaction below!

Everton continued their good run of results with a solid 2-0 win at West Ham United this weekend.

The Toffees saw off the Hammers with relative ease to cement their place just outside the main pack in the Premier League, as well easing the pressure on manager Marco Silva, who has come under pressure from numerous media outlets throughout the season.

Silva was expected to challenge higher up in the Premier League table than the current ninth position is suggesting, although a seventh place finish just outside of the top six is still well on for the club.

And while Silva has been under pressure, the last few weeks have shown that the former Watford man could well be the man to take the Goodison Park club forward and finally lead them back to challenging for the top four, as in previous years under David Moyes.

Money has been spent by the powers that be for the Merseysiders, and with that money being spent comes expectation, something that Silva appeared to not be able to handle early on in his tenure at the club.

However, his tactics and way of setting up his team in recent weeks have shown that he can actually get the Toffees playing to their maximum, something which could well yield results in the coming seasons.

With the players in the ranks at Everton at the moment, success should not be too far off at Goodison Park, and stability will be needed.

It might have taken a good amount of time to start looking right, but Silva is showing he is the man to take the club forward, and Toffees fans can have plenty to look forward too in the 19/20 season if they can continue on this current upward trajectory.

يرى عمرو زكي لاعب الزمالك ومنتخب مصر السابق، أن تصريح حسام البدري المدير الفني للفريق القومي عن مصطفى محمد، ذكيًا، كما تحدث عن ثنائي الأهلي عمرو السولية ومروان محسن.

إقرأ أيضًا | ميدو يؤيد تصريحات حسام البدري عن مصطفى محمد: لم يخطئ.. وسأنتقده في حالة واحدة!

وقال عمرو زكي في تصريحات تلفزيونية لفضائية “النهار” عبر برنامج “أوضة اللبس”: “تصريح ذكي جدًا من حسام البدري عن مصطفى محمد لكي يستفزه ويعود لمستواه”.

وأضاف: “عمرو السولية يؤدي أحد أفضل مواسمه على الإطلاق وسيكون إضافة كبيرة لخط وسط منتخب مصر مع طارق حامد”.

واختتم: “مروان محسن من مباراة لأخرى يتطور وعودته للتهديف شيء مهم قبل مواجهة الوداد”.

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Aside from constant accusations of bottling it, it’s hard not to be impressed with Tottenham Hotspur. Here’s a club that has pulled itself up into the Premier League title conversation by placing faith in a young manager and even younger players, who have ceased the opportunity to continuously improve.

But that shouldn’t fool us into thinking every player at Tottenham is a resounding success story, even if they may appear that way. With that in mind, our writers deliver their verdicts below on a controversial question – who is Tottenham’s most overrated player?

Harry Sherlock – Christian Eriksen

“He regularly flits in and out of form and he struggles to maintain his highest level across a season. Indeed, the likes of Real Madrid are said to be interested and, when he is at his best, it is easy to see why. But those occasions come about all too rarely. Eriksen is not capable of performing at his peak for 38 Premier League games. Until he can, he’s going to be Spurs’ most overrated player.”

Will Jones – Lucas Moura or Erik Lamela

“Where to start? Lucas Moura and Erik Lamela are probably the two players in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad most guilty of flattering to deceive. Neither can produce the consistency required to shine at the elite level, but their reputations are spared due to the occasional flashes of inspiration they’re both capable of producing.”

Harry Elnaugh – Kieran Trippier

“The former Burnley man gave us a moment in the summer that none of us will forget as long as we live but he is often a massive liability at right-back. Of course, he is a huge threat when allowed to pick out a cross but, particularly in the 1-0 loss to Manchester City in which his mistake cost his side the game, he can be caught out on the back foot.”

Jack Saville – Christian Eriksen

“The Denmark international is borderline unplayable on his day, but those days are diminishing in regularity. If Tottenham can attract a huge figure for his services in the summer they would be wise to cash in and use the money to invest elsewhere.”

Christy Malyan – Hugo Lloris

“There’s a reason a truly elite club has never snapped up the Tottenham captain and it’s not because he happens to love the Lilywhites. Lloris is capable of making world-class saves but so are most goalkeepers in the Premier League and the fact is, he’s also capable of an absolute clanger.

“After that horrendous mistake in the World Cup final last summer his career should be in tatters – much like Loris Karius after his Champions League howler. It just so happens that Liverpool lost, whereas a France win swept what Lloris did under the rug.” 

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According to Tuttomercatoweb, Tottenham Hotspur have expressed an interest in signing AC Milan forward Patrick Cutrone in this summer’s transfer window.

What’s the word, then?

It is no secret that Tottenham are short in the final third of the field, with Fernando Llorente struggling to step up when Harry Kane was on the sidelines.

Spurs will surely look for a striker capable of challenging Kane for the starting spot next season and according to Tuttomercatoweb, Cutrone is being considered.

The 21-year-old came through the youth system at Milan and has made 79 appearances for the first team, scoring 27 times in the process.

This season, the Italian has a respectable scoring record of nine goals in 32 appearances, although just three of those strikes have come in Serie A.

The arrival of Krzysztof Piatek in January has seen Cutrone’s first-team action limited and according to Tuttomercatoweb, Milan will consider offers of around the £30m mark in this summer’s transfer window.

Is Cutrone what Tottenham need?

Spurs are in a difficult position when it comes to signing a striker.

Indeed, they need to bring someone to the club of sufficient quality, but that individual will need to accept that Kane is the number one forward.

As a result, it will be tough to sign a big name, but a talented youngster in the shape of Cutrone could be the way to go for the capital outfit.

The Italian is a goalscorer, plain and simple. He struck four times in five Europa League games earlier this season and netted an impressive 43 goals in 67 games for Milan Primavera before stepping into the first team.

It would be a bit of a punt from Tottenham, but £30m in the current market is a reasonable price for a player of Cutrone’s ilk.

And chairman Daniel Levy should pull the trigger to bring the 6ft ace to the English capital ahead of the 2019-2020 campaign.

Portsmouth may have lifted themselves back into automatic promotion contention with their win against Scunthorpe United at the weekend, however, there must still be some disappointment about their concerning form in 2019? Kenny Jackett’s side have found wins hard to come by and fans may have been resigned to the fact that they might have to try and make their long-awaited return to the Championship via the playoffs.

But, all is not lost for those at Fratton Park, as although their chance of securing promotion via the automatic route appears to have been given a refreshing lift, they are also within in a shout of lifting a trophy at the end of the month.

A date with former Premier League and current promotion foes Sunderland at Wembley awaits Jackett’s men for the CheckaTrade Trophy as both sides, firstly, look to build momentum ahead of the final run in and also bring their fans some silverware to cheer about.

However, Pompey’s chances of replicating what their arch-rivals Southampton did almost a decade ago have taken what could be a huge blow and something that could potentially turn the day out at the National Stadium from something momentous and glorious to a nightmare and one that they may want to forget about.

Ronan Curtis was unfortunately struck with a freak injury when leaving his home a week or so ago with the weather largely to blame. The influential midfielder required to undergo surgery on his finger after the wind slammed the door on his hand and has ruled him out for between four and six weeks.

The Republic of Ireland international’s freak injury could not have come at a worse time for either himself or Portsmouth as he would have likely played a huge role in the EFL Cup Final in two-Sundays time.

The 22-year-old has registered 12 goals in all competitions for the Fratton Park outfit this season, including one in the semi-final against Bristol Rovers, making him an extremely lethal threat and a difficult prospect for the Black Cats’ defence to have to deal with.

Curtis has been in such good form this season for the south coast outfit that he attracted plenty of interest from clubs higher up in the Football League prior to the January transfer window, whilst his performances saw him scoop the Republic of Ireland’s Under-21’s Player of the Year award recently.

Portsmouth appear to have been able to deal without him recently, with results starting to take a turn in the right direction, however, you cannot help but feel that Curtis’ absence from the EFL Trophy Final could come to haunt Jackett and his side at Wembley.

Portsmouth fans, do you think Curtis’ absence will be a blow to your chances of lifting the trophy? Or do you think the club can still go on and win? Let us know below by joining in with the discussion.

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Leeds United’s U23 side secured the Professional Development League North title following a 2-0 win against Colchester United on Monday, and Clarke Oduor was one of their impressive performers on the night.

The 19-year-old has been with the Yorkshire outfit for many years having progressed through the club’s academy, and he is beginning to make a real impact.

The teenager made his first-team debut as a late substitute against Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup in January, but that is still the only occasion he has been involved in the 18-man squad under Marcelo Bielsa.

Still, he has obviously made an impression having signed a new one-and-a-half year contract last month, with Leeds having the option to extend it by a further 12 months.

Usually a winger the Kenyan started at left-back in Essex, and while he was only on the pitch for the opening 45 minutes he still made a big impression.

Oduor got forward well, didn’t stop running and produced some threatening crosses, and in many ways he is replicating Elland Road favourite Ezgjan Alioski in terms of style.

The Macedonia international has become a real hero among the Leeds faithful after seamlessly making the switch to left-back in recent months despite primarily being a winger, and his African teammate showed that he could follow a similar path on Monday.

With the endurance he has and the end product he showed at times, he could be another versatile option for Bielsa and the Yorkshire outfit for many years to come.

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Charlton signed out for the international break with a 0-0 draw away at Bristol Rovers and, while the scoreline might not be too impressive, the manner in which the Addicks fought to take a point from the game in dreadful conditions was commendable.

It was difficult to pick a man of the match from the game, with each and every man in a much-changed side battling to the final whistle, although London News Online’s Kevin Nolan seems to have a clear favourite in Josh Cullen, who was once again excellent in midfield.

Here’s what Nolan had to say about the West Ham loanee:

“The Addicks were also well-served in midfield, where Josh Cullen, still lacking a goal to seal his growing influence, was superb. Continuing the fine form he showed in the back-to-back Valley victories over Portsmouth and Burton Albion, Cullen was a restless hive of industry.

“Called up to Ireland’s senior squad by manager Mick McCarthy, who caught him in midweek action, the sawn-off dynamo, if given his chance, is likely to remind Dublin’s Aviva of another insatiable midfielder who swapped Charlton’s red for Ireland’s green with great distinction. Kinsella Mark Two to coin an obvious phrase.”

Indeed, the Irishman has been tireless in the middle of the park and has without a doubt earned a break from club competition.

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week…

Deputising at the base of midfield for Krystian Bielik in the win over Burton last week, the 22-year-old built on his excellent showing in the previous victory over Portsmouth, but his display against the Pirates may be the most impressive out of the three considering the dismal weather.

Given the obvious Charlton and Ireland links, Nolan has gone as far as to compare Cullen with ex-Addick Mark Kinsella, who was a key player for the Valley outfit in their Premier League heydays. Will Cullen achieve similar success?