Slipping up at this stage of the season could be disastrous for Doncaster Rovers as it may see them throw away their chances of reaching the play-offs after such a successful season.

Grant McCann’s side saw their streak of four consecutive victories in League One end last Friday as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of automatic-promotion chasing Sunderland.

Although this particular result was not pounced upon by their nearest challengers Peterborough United who drew against Fleetwood Town, the Cambridgeshire-based side closed within three points of Donny by securing a late equaliser against the Black Cats yesterday.

Despite Rovers currently have a vastly superior goal difference in comparison to Posh, if they do not deliver an immediate response to their defeat at the Stadium of Light, panic may start to set in between now and May.

Therefore, it is extremely important that they are at their very best when they face Accrington Stanley later tonight as a win would allow them to move six points ahead of Peterborough.

Although John Coleman’s men are currently 18th in the league standings and just two points above the drop zone, a victory over Rovers would see them take a massive step to securing survival and so they will be gearing up to cause an upset.

With the likes of John Marquis and Herbie Kane returning to full fitness in recent weeks, there is no reason why the South Yorkshire-based outfit cannot end the season on a high.

However, if they fail to beat Stanley, they may struggle to pick up the points necessary to secure a top-six finish in their final two fixtures as they face tricky match-ups with Oxford United and Coventry City who are both in fine form in the third tier.

What do you think Rovers fans? How important is it to get back to winning ways against Accrington? Are you confident that your side can still secure a play-off position this season? Let us know below.

Tottenham have been remarkably inactive in the previous two transfer windows, but with the stadium finally built, there are surely now funds available to them. 

Wilfred Zaha has been a long-term target for the North London club, but have rather bulked at the astronomical transfer fee demanded by Palace.

The forward has thrived in recent years, taking full responsibility as the Crystal Palace talisman. He has scored an impressive nine goals in 31 goals this campaign, including a crucially important goal away at Arsenal last weekend.

Palace manager Roy Hodgson has claimed Zaha is ‘happy’ at Palace and is to stay for ‘years to come’. But Zaha must surely be looking for Champions League football. The forward is now 26 and approaching the pinnacle of his career. A player of that quality simply must be playing at a higher level.

Indeed, both the Daily Mail and the Daily Express have talked about Spurs’ long-term interest in the Ivorian.

Zaha did make the move to the elite in a £25m transfer to Manchester United in 2012. The move arguably came when he was too young, however. His performances have significantly matured in recent years, adding goals and assists to the natural talent that he possesses.

A team where Zaha would most likely thrive is Tottenham. He would provide a serious injection of quality to the squad. Where Lucas has shone in patches, Lamela has never reached his potential at Tottenham. Arguably the only winger that regularly performs is Heung-min Son – and he’s currently performing best as a striker.

Similarly to Son, Zaha would be able to play either on the wing or as a striker for Tottenham. Essentially, they would be fixing two positions with one purchase. Despite the impressive stats Fernando Llorente has produced this season, the attacker is 34-years-old. Yes, he’s been competent, but no, he cannot be a long-term back up to Harry Kane.

Kane has been out with two separate ankle injuries this season which must be a worry for Tottenham. They cannot rely on Son being able to step up on each occasion in his absence. Zaha would certainly fill this void. The reported £80m needed to acquire his signature makes it unlikely Tottenham will make a move, but it’s certainly something they should consider.

What do you think Tottenham fans? Is Zaha worth £80m?

David de Gea has posted his feelings on Instagram and he expressed his sadness at losing a player of Valencia’s experience.

The Ecuador international responded:

This translates as “Brother, thank you very much, I’m also going to miss you, you’re amazing.”

De Gea and Valencia have been playing together for about eight years and have clearly developed a very close friendship in that time.

Valencia was a great player but his legs have gone in recent years and, though though experienced and determined, wingers had found it increasingly easy to get past him.

The former Wigan man joined as a flying right winger for £16m and played in that position until Louis Van Gaal arrived and signed both Memphis Depay and Angel Di Maria.

Valencia was converted into a right-back as a result, where his physical prowess and speed made him perfect for an overlapping role.

Valencia was then made club captain by Jose Mourinho in 2018 and has won six major trophies with the club. He leaves having made 339 appearances, scoring 25 goals and registering 62assists.

It will be interesting to see how Solskjaer replaces Valencia but surely Diogo Dalot deserves a chance to make the Manchester United right-back spot his own.

كشف خافيير بورداس المدير التنفيذي السابق لـ برشلونة، عن سبب فشل التعاقد مع إيرلينج هالاند مهاجم بوروسيا دورتموند، وعدد من اللاعبين الآخرين.

برشلونة كان ضمن الأندية التي ترغب في ضم هالاند من سالزبورج، قبل أن يختار اللاعب النرويجي بوروسيا دورتموند، كما أن النادي الكتالوني لم يقاتل من أجله.

طالع أيضًا: مدير برشلونة السابق يفجر مفاجآت بشأن رحيل نيمار ورغبته في العودة.. ودور والده

وقال بورداس في تصريحات لصحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية: “هالاند كان ضمن اللاعبين الذين أوصيت الإدارة التعاقد معهم، كما رشحت التعاقد مع مونشي وجوردي كرويف وهنري في الإدارة الفنية، ولكن في النهاية اتى بيب سيجورا”.

وأضاف: “اللجنة الفنية في برشلونة أخبروني أن هالاند غير مناسب للفريق، وقرروا عدم القتال من أجله”.

وأكمل: “تواصلنا مع موراتا، كان يريد اللعب أساسيًا، عندما كان سواريز مصابًا وأجرى جراحة الركبة، كان بالإمكان أن يتناوب الإثنان، لأن الجميع هدفه الفوز، الآن سواريز يدخل في الشوط الثاني مع أتلتيكو مدريد، وهنا يمكنني السؤال.. لماذا لم يفعل ذلك في برشلونة؟”.

وواصل: “لقد تم رفض التعاقد مع موراتا من أجل ضم بواتينج، الإدارة الفنية كانت ترى بأن كيفن برنس بواتيج هو اللاعب المناسب لـ برشلونة”.

وشدد: “اللجنة الفنية هي السبب في كل ما حدث داخل الملعب خلال المواسم الأخيرة”.

 وعن تقنية الـVAR هذا الموسم، قال بورداس: “قبل فترة التوقف بسبب كورونا كانت تسير على ما يرام، ولكن بعد ذلك تضررنا كثيرًا منها، لصالح الخصوم”.

واختتم: “أنظر لركلة جزاء سيرجيو راموس أمامنا في الكلاسيكو الأخير، لقد دفع لينجليه في البداية، وحكم المباراة تجاهل كل شيء لنا، واحتسب ركلة الجزاء”.

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With Michy Batshuayi’s loan spell having expired and a return to Chelsea imminent, Crystal Palace fans will be hoping that Eagles chiefs are lining up a new striker deal in the coming months, with Christian Benteke still not quite back to his best and Alexander Sorloth yet to prove himself in the top flight. On Tuesday morning, they were given exactly that – kind of.

The club announced this week that Connor Wickham had signed a one-year extension to his current deal at Selhurst Park, meaning that he’s on the books until summer 2021.

With just 60 Premier League minutes in 2018/19 and only 42 total appearances since he arrived in summer 2015 under his belt, the big striker’s time at SE25 has been plagued with injuries and he’s struggled to hold down a spot in the first team.

A Crystal Palace fan shares his most gutting moment of the last 10 years supporting the Eagles in the video below…

Fortunately for the 26-year-old, there is a distinct lack of capable, goal-scoring strikers at the club, meaning that he could score once, maybe twice and find himself a first team regular. He will surely be hoping that the next two years are a marked improvement on the previous four.

Here’s what Palace fans had to say about the decision on Twitter…

With safety secure, Newcastle fans can really sit back and enjoy their summer, knowing they will be watching Premier League football again next season. 

Oh wait, no they can’t!

For relaxation to commence, Rafa Benitez needs to sign a new contract with the club, or the same old fears will come flooding right back for those fans. It must be gutting to be a member of the Toon Army under the reign of Mike Ashley, truly miserable.

All the foundations have been laid by Benitez but he needs to be the man to orchestrate the changes at St James’ Park, if he is given a big budget. Everyone knows that. Apart from the Ashley regime, it seems.

Nothing major needs to happen in terms of chopping and changing players but an influx of quality would do no harm. To that end, on a free transfer, the addition of Hull City’s Markus Henriksen (who was linked by the Sun with a move to Tyneside in January) would be one that interests all and it could be very shrewd business for the Magpies.

Henriksen, (who is valued at £3.6 million on Transfermarkt) has without a doubt been one of the shining stars for Nigel Adkins and Hull this season and he would prove to be a steal for a team like Newcastle. His quality is obvious and there is no question that he is good enough to play higher up in the Premier League.

With 37 Championship matches to his name this season, Henriksen has added 3 goals and an assist during those as well.

Newcastle were rightly interested in the Norwegian international during the January transfer window but now he is completely free, the deal makes so much sense and they should look to beat the competition to secure his signature. Surely it makes too much sense not to.

Surely.

Midfield quality is something Rafa Benitez has been vocal about getting so his answer – sign Markus Henriksen.

Newcastle fans, do you agree? If not, why not? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

Oh dear Liverpool: when Divock Origi is your backup for the Champions League you know it is time to invest.

Look away now Liverpool fans: Roberto Firmino is a doubt for the Champions League clash against Barcelona after suffering a small muscle tear in training last week.

The Belgium forward has been tipped to step in if Roberto Firmino misses Liverpool’s huge trip to Camp Nou to face Barcelona on Wednesday.

The Brazilian was rested during last week’s 5-0 battering of Huddersfield Town after suffering what manager Jurgen Klopp called a “small muscle tear”.

Understandably the Liverpool boss is hopeful that the star forward will be available to play in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final in Catalonia, for what might be their best shot at European glory, despite reaching the final last year.

In the disastrous case of Firmino’s absence though, Origi has been nominated as the man to replace him, according to Anfield legend Mark Lawrenson.

“No Roberto Firmino would be a massive miss for Liverpool , he is the common denominator in the front three,” he told the Liverpool Echo.

“He just dovetails brilliantly with the other two [Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah] and he’s such a clever player, too.

“…Origi gives Liverpool something different to what Firmino does. He has great pace does Divock and can play alongside that frontline. He can even drift off to the left if he’s asked too and we’ve seen that this season.

“I wouldn’t say missing Firmino ‘weakens’ Liverpool as Origi just offers something a bit different, but I’d like them to go to Barcelona with Roberto Firmino in the squad.”

Unfortunately, we would have to disagree with this hopeful statement. Missing Firmino seriously weakens the Liverpool attacking line-up, and it brings to light just how necessary it is for Klopp to invest in the summer to bring in a suitable replacement. Someone, maybe, more like-minded and with similar qualities as the Brazilian. Someone that isn’t Divock Origi.

It is not that Origi is a necessarily bad player. He is not particularly good, no – but he does a job off the bench. However, when you are asking him to start in a Champions League semi-final then you are setting yourself up for a fall.

Liverpool fans, do you think you need to sign a new striker in the summer? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

Marcelo Bielsa has caused concern after he appeared coy on his future in the event that Leeds aren’t promoted this season. He’ll surely have some big offers if they don’t, but the Whites must keep him at all costs.

As quoted by Phil Hay from the Yorkshire Evening Post, he said: “It’s not up to me and I don’t have any response to that. It’s not a decision that we have to take now and it’s not the right time to give my opinion.”

That quote seems to suggest the club might not even want him to continue next season, but it certainly shows he’s avoiding the subject, and that should be a major worry for the Elland Road faithful. He’s transformed Leeds since his arrival and all that’s left is gaining Premier League status.

Yes, it’ll be disappointing if they don’t go up considering they looked certain to make it in the first few months. But the Championship season is arduous, as we all know, and perhaps it’ll take another summer to get things right. It certainly doesn’t mean he’s not up to the job.

Teams around the world will be fighting for his signature if he continues to avoid speculation, so Leeds must do everything in their power to make sure he stays. They’ll need to promise him more money to spend and maybe even more money for himself too.

Some might say he shouldn’t have to receive more money to want to stay, but that’s the reality of football now. Unless Leeds are in the Premier League, he’s staying at the club out of goodwill and a belief he can bring them up. Surely that’s worth a pay rise?

The last month or so have been disappointing but the fans and the club mustn’t forget the impact he’s had since arriving at Elland Road. They need to do all they can to keep him, or their style of football and excitement around the club could turn sour.

Leeds fans, would you throw more money at Marcelo Bielsa to convince him to stay if United don’t go up? Join the discussion by commenting below.

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Goal are reporting that Manchester City man and Wolves target Nicolas Otamendi is after a move to Valencia after reduced game time under Pep Guardiola this season.

What’s the word?

Last week, Marca Argentina claimed that Wolves were showing an interest in the Argentine who was seeking a move away from Man City.

But Goal has now suggested that the centre back is favouring a transfer back to Valencia, where he played for a season during 2014/15.

The same publication previously reported that Otamendi was looking to leave Man City in search of more game time and it now appears that he sees his future in Spain.

Rated at £27m by Transfermarkt, he was a pivotal part of City’s title-winning side last season but has been overtaken by Aymeric Laporte in the pecking order.

Even if Otamendi’s desire is to go back to Spain, Wolves must convince him to stay in the Premier League and join Nuno Santo’s exciting project.

European ambitions

Last October, Managing Director of Wolves, Laurie Dalrymple claimed the ultimate aim was to get into Europe, per quotes relaid by Birmingham Live, after an appearance on BBC’s Football Focus. Signing Otamendi would more than help the club realise these ambitions.

Wolves won’t need much in the transfer market. Their main concern will surely be about adding depth to a particularly thin squad.

However, given some of the defensive inconsistencies we’ve seen from Nuno’s team in recent times, Otamendi would be a stellar acquisition.

In attack, Wolves more than have the capability to threaten in Europe but it’s in defence where some questions arguably still lie.

What’s your club’s best chant? Check out the video below for a Wolves epic that surely has to be one of the best in English football…

Willy Boly and Conor Coady have had fantastic seasons but the club are lacking a third defender with real consistency. Both Ryan Bennett and Romain Saiss have only shown glimpses of their true capabilities in defence and as such, Otamendi would significantly improve the team.

Not only could he benefit them domestically, but if they were to qualify for the Europa League, they’d boast a player with international and European pedigree aplenty.

With safety secure, Newcastle fans can really sit back and enjoy their summer, knowing they will be watching Premier League football again next season. 

Oh wait, no they can’t!

For relaxation to commence, Rafa Benitez needs to sign a new contract with the club, or the same old fears will come flooding right back for those fans. It must be gutting to be a member of the Toon Army under the reign of Mike Ashley, truly miserable.

All the foundations have been laid by Benitez but he needs to be the man to orchestrate the changes at St James’ Park, if he is given a big budget. Everyone knows that. Apart from the Ashley regime, it seems.

Nothing major needs to happen in terms of chopping and changing players but an influx of quality would do no harm. To that end, on a free transfer, the addition of Hull City’s Markus Henriksen (who was linked by the Sun with a move to Tyneside in January) would be one that interests all and it could be very shrewd business for the Magpies.

Henriksen, (who is valued at £3.6 million on Transfermarkt) has without a doubt been one of the shining stars for Nigel Adkins and Hull this season and he would prove to be a steal for a team like Newcastle. His quality is obvious and there is no question that he is good enough to play higher up in the Premier League.

With 37 Championship matches to his name this season, Henriksen has added 3 goals and an assist during those as well.

Newcastle were rightly interested in the Norwegian international during the January transfer window but now he is completely free, the deal makes so much sense and they should look to beat the competition to secure his signature. Surely it makes too much sense not to.

Surely.

Midfield quality is something Rafa Benitez has been vocal about getting so his answer – sign Markus Henriksen.

Newcastle fans, do you agree? If not, why not? Join the discussion by commenting below…