Portsmouth: Aiming for club record can’t get in the way of promotion goal

A cup final win at Wembley, promotion still on the table, it’s been a brilliant season for Portsmouth, and the numbers are there to show it.

Pompey’s 3-2 win to Wycombe Wanderers last Saturday was the club’s 19th away win away from home in all competitions this season, a club record, and their 12th in the league, their best record equal to three other campaigns in the club’s 98 years of playing in the Football League.

A result on the road to either Burton or Sunderland will see the club break a new record for wins away from home in league football, and although this achievement seems possible, the club must be wary not to make this goal a primary objective.

Whilst it is nice to have a season so good that the club is breaking personal records that have stood for decades, the main goal for Portsmouth this season is to seal promotion to the Championship, with a second place finish the ideal outcome.

Focusing too much on getting wins away from home neglects the importance of other games in the season. Portsmouth have a fantastic opportunity to reach the Championship after dropping out of the English second-tier seven years ago, and if Kenny Jackett’s side are to accomplish that they have the be treating each game as important as the next.

With Barnsley showing cracks under the pressure and Pompey to travel to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland in another must-win match, Portsmouth have the confidence and quality to sneak into the top-two and claim an automatic promotion place, but focusing on a personal record could make the club lose sight on winnable games at home, and Jackett can’t allow that to happen.

Portsmouth fans, can the club beat their away record this season? Let us know!

Portsmouth: Pompey’s dramatic cup win has made the EFL Trophy a must win competition

If there ever was a team to make the EFL Trophy interesting, it would be Portsmouth.

The final had everything. Dramatic late goals, a penalty shootout, a petition asking for the winner to be placed in the Europa League, it was truly the most memorable EFL Trophy final in years, and arguably the most talked in the edition of the final in history.

Even nowadays after the final, fans are still looking back at how good the game was and how this cup win could spur Portsmouth on to gaining promotion back to the Championship, and this final could send a ripple effect across the Football League that makes the EFL Trophy a competition teams actually want to win.

Of course, there will be some critics against this claim, after all a run in the EFL Trophy means more games are played meaning there is a greater risk to players getting injured, and the recent introduction of U-21 Premier League teams has seen fans boycott these games.

But Sunday’s final showed that getting to the final can be a big boost for the club in terms of mentality and lifting the spirits of a team and fans heading into the business end of the season and that winning the cup can act as a springboard for ending the league campaign on a high note.

Portsmouth now finds themselves as a club on a high after their first piece of silverware in over 10 years, and now both the fans and the players are more confident than ever on gaining promotion heading into the final month of the League One season.

The EFL Trophy might be the definition of a ‘Micky Mouse cup’, but the implications of a club winning it can act as a butterfly effect which ends in that team ending the season better than originally thought.

Portsmouth fans, how important will winning the EFL Trophy be in the long run for the club?

West Ham: Aleksandar Mitrovic is too good an option for Manuel Pellegrini to pass on

Who would have expected Fulham to be where there are now at this stage of the season?

April has only just begun, yet Fulham have already been confirmed relegated from the Premier League after just one season back in the top-flight and after a pre-season that saw the west London club spend close to £100 million on new players.

Fulham’s capitulation has been unpleasant viewing for neutrals, but their relegation provides a unique opportunity for Premier League clubs this upcoming transfer window.

With many of the Cottagers’ highest-paid players set to leave this summer, teams could find themselves with new first-team players on the cheap, and West Ham have already been linked with a move for one of Fulham’s prized assets, Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The Serbian striker has been one of the few bright spots for Fulham this season, scoring 10 goals in the league, and according to the Mirror, West Ham have their sights set on the former Newcastle frontman.

With the Hammers in need of a striker this summer, Mitrovic might just be too good an option for Manuel Pellegrini and the West Ham transfer committee to simply ignore.

Valued at £25 million on Transfermarkt, it is likely Fulham will sell the striker for a fee around this range, making Mitrovic a cheap signing for David Gold and David Sullivan, as well as being a player who ticks all the boxes for what the Hammers want from a frontman.

A force in the air, smart to break through defences, a great finisher and young enough to still grow, Mitrovic would be a great signing for West Ham this summer, and now it is up to the club to make it happen before other clubs come in for the Serbian striker.

The London Stadium needs a striking hero and Mitrovic could certainly be that, if used correctly.

West Ham fans, would you back a move for Mitrovic? If not, why not? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

The ultimate pro: Liverpool fans call on their club to offer Milner a new deal

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A number of Liverpool fans have called on their club to offer experienced professional James Milner a new contract at Anfield.

As it stands, Milner will see his deal with the Reds expire in June 2020. At that point, the former Leeds United youngster will be 34 years of age.

However, it seems that the majority of Liverpool supporters want the 61-time England international to pen a new contract due to his excellent form this season.

Milner has not always be in Liverpool’s starting XI, but has filled in at full-back when needed and does not give anything less than 100% when called upon.

It would not be a surprise to see Jurgen Klopp’s side move for a new midfielder in this summer’s transfer window.

Has Alisson been Liverpool’s most important signing of the season? Check out the video below to find out why Jurgen Klopp thinks so…

The club’s fans are clear when it comes to Milner, though, with many calling on the Reds to sort out a fresh deal.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Crystal Palace can surely get more than £33 million for Wilfried Zaha

Crystal Palace are yet to really reach their full potential in the current campaign as they’ve struggled to ensure consistency, with a positive result often being followed by a negative one. 

This season could have been a whole lot better for the Eagles if they had strengthened appropriately back in the summer transfer window, as they had to wait until January to put things right.

One player who’s been influential in helping the Eagles enjoy some success in the second half of the season has been Wilfried Zaha, as he’s taken his tally to eight goals and eight assists.

Interestingly, the Englishman is reportedly valued at £33 million (as per CIES, via Daily Mail), which surely must be some kind of joke as he’s done more than enough to warrant a fee of at least £40 million.

Zaha is arguably one of the best attackers in the Premier League as his pace and skill has caused some of the Premier League’s best defenders problems. And, his eight goals and eight assists show that he can actually produce in the final third, which has helped Palace massively in the current campaign.

The last thing Palace fans would want to see is him depart this summer but if he was to go they’d surely want a bigger fee than £33 million, as he still has his best years ahead of him and his contributions have been priceless.

Crystal Palace fans, how much would you be willing to sell Zaha for this summer? Join the discussion by commenting down below! 

The Chalkboard: Billy Sharp could follow in Glenn Murray and Rickie Lambert’s footsteps

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If any fan wants to write off Billy Sharp ahead of his return to the Premier League, they must look at Glenn Murray and Rickie Lambert’s meteoric rise upon their arrival in the top division.

Sharp will be looking to emulate the two forwards. Both men would go on to hit double figures in the Premier League, with Lambert earning England caps and Murray often being tipped for a call-up.

Chance to step up

Recent years have seen reliable strikers in the Football League continue their goalscoring records after promotion, which begs the question, why has Billy Sharp not been given a proper chance?

He has just two top-flight appearances to his name during his time at Southampton where he didn’t get a fair shake whatsoever.

No player in England has found the back of the net more often than Sharp since the turn of the millennium, and with the recent successes of lower league poachers, the Blades captain could be ready to take the top flight by storm.

Aged 33, the forward has shown no signs of slowing down – he has netted 23 goals in the Championship this season which is the highest return he has gotten in the second tier throughout his whole career.

Natural born goalscorer

Newly promoted teams often struggle to score upon promotion to the Premier League, but if Sheffield United can craft chances, then there is no doubt that Sharp can finish them.

The striker may not be the most creative player, but he is a fantastic goalscorer. He has only taken 73 shots all season with 23 of them finding the back of the net, meaning that he scored with 31.5% of his shots on goal, which is absolutely clinical.

Check out the below above to see football played as you’ve never seen it before… in a maze!

No matter what league you’re in, striking instincts don’t change. Sharp fits the system at Bramall Lane perfectly. He will certainly get chances, so don’t be surprised if the 33-year-old follows in the footsteps of Murray and Lambert and hits at least 10 goals next season.

Rangers: Ibrox would be bouncing with Nick Powell signing

I think we can all agree, more attacking creativity is needed at Rangers. Nick Powell would be a bargain and could be just the man to get Ibrox back on its feet.

The Sun’s Alan Nixon (sourced by Football Insider 247) said the Gers are ‘very’ interested in the Man United academy graduate, so the club could see what we’re seeing in terms of his potential.

He’ll leave Wigan on a free at the end of the season as it stands, and the 25-year-old will be a bargain for whoever picks him up. He’s scored six goals and made seven assists from 26 appearances in midfield this season, all for a team in 19thplace.

Wigan is a rugby league town at heart and we’re sure he’d love to make the step up from the DW Stadium to Ibrox where football is a religion. He’s played under the weight of expectation ever since his days at United, so he’ll be used to the pressure that comes with playing for the Gers.

He’s known for his long-range strikes and exciting creativity, and that’s just what Steven Gerrard’s side needs as they look to challenge Celtic for the title next season. They’ve really lacked a playmaker this term, so this is exactly the signing the fans would love.

They can expect fireworks if Powell makes the switch to Glasgow, with him having the confidence to thrive in front of such a large crowd. The size of which Sir Alex Ferguson predicted he’d play in front of all those years ago. Now’s the time for Rangers to allow him to fulfil that potential.

Rangers fans, how do you think Nick Powell would fit into your team next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

Everton: Danny Welbeck is the number nine the Toffees have been waiting for

Everton have finally found a proven goalscorer! Danny Welbeck would give the Goodison faithful what they’ve been calling for ever since Romelu Lukaku left in 2017.

Cenk Tosun and Sandro Ramirez have simply not been good enough in since arriving in Merseyside and despite Richarlison looking like a world-beater at the start of the season, even he’s mostly quiet nowadays too. Indeed, Welbeck would make the Toffees forget those players existed if he came in during the summer.

The Mirror claimed on Friday Everton, West Ham and Newcastle are all interested in the 28-year-old ahead of the summer and Unai Emery wants to give him a new contract. Everton are right to be sniffing around because he’s a finisher and that’s exactly what they need.

His career has been interrupted by injuries over the last few years, but looking at his international record since 2011 proves he finishes chance better than most. He’s scored 16 goals in 42 appearances for England over that period.

His contract is due to run out in the summer and so he could be available on a free. That’d be ideal for Everton because it’d mean they can spend their money elsewhere and still secure the number nine they’ve desperately needed.

There’s no doubt Everton can reach Europe without a real finisher in their side. Welbeck can be the man to rack up 20 goals a season if he’s finally given that first-choice spot he’s never had since breaking through at Manchester United.

Everton fans, who do you think should start at your number nine next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

فيديو | بيريسيتش يسجل هدف التعادل لـ إنتر ميلان أمام ريال مدريد

أحرز إيفان بريسيتش، هدف التعادل لفريقه إنتر ميلان أمام ريال مدريد في المباراة الجارية الآن.

وجاء هدف بيريسيتش بعد تمريرة من لاوتارو مارتينيز في الدقيقة 68، بتسديدة بقدمه اليسرى.

وتقدم ريال مدريد بهدفين لكريم بنزيما وسيرجيو راموس، ثم سجل لاوتارو، الهدف الأول للإنتر، قبل أن يحرز إيفان بريسيتش التعادل.

ويواجه النيراتزوي نظيره الملكي، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة لدور المجموعات بدوري أبطال أوروبا. هدف بيريسيتش في مرمي ريال مدريد

Need to stop singing: Villa fans are all loving Tuanzebe’s song

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Axel Tuanzebe may only have just returned from injury but he has already made an impression, with fans of Aston Villa taking to a song that’s been created for the player to the tune of S Club 7’s Don’t Stop Movin’.

The song came to prominence after the club beat Rotherham in midweek as the Manchester United loanee stood out in defence.

It’s something that has provoked an amusing reaction from supporters on Twitter, with one fan saying they needed to stop singing the song to their dog.

Another individual took to social media to say 48 hours later they were still dancing to it.

Tuanzebe is currently in his second loan spell with the club after initially arriving in January 2018. He then rejoined the club last summer.

His time at Villa Park has been hampered by injury and before returning against Sheffield Wednesday on 6th April hadn’t featured since December.

In total, the versatile defender has featured 21 times in the league for Dean Smith’s men.

He could also be set for a third spell with the club next term after it was revealed United may be willing to let him develop elsewhere again in a report last month.

Here’s what Villa fans have been saying about the player’s special song.

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