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.
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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.
[ad_pod ]Tottenham Hotspur ensured they stay within touching distance of Liverpool and Manchester City in the title race as they ran out 3-1 victors over Leicester City on Sunday and, while their victory wasn’t as emphatic as the other that day – City battered Chelsea 6-0 – there were plenty of positives to take from the game.Having come under fire in recent weeks for some dodgy showings, captain Hugo Lloris put in a fine performance between the sticks and was deservedly named man of the match. The defenders in front of the World Cup winner were excellent too, namely Davinson Sanchez who also scored his first goal for Spurs – an emphatic diving header.Since completing a £42m move to White Hart Lane from Ajax in summer 2017, the Colombian has never looked out of place in a defence where he competes for a starting spot with Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen – the Belgian duo are regarded by many as the best centre-back partnership in the Premier League.Harry Kane gets his hands on the Super Bowl and Dele Alli gets his hands on a superb owl in the latest episode After 90 below…Staking his claim in the starting XI this season, the 22-year-old has started 14 games this season, with one appearance coming off the bench and looks capable of walking into most defences in the league, if not Europe.Here’s how Spurs fans reacted to his performance on Twitter, with many keen to congratulate the number 6 on his brilliant goal…
West Bromwich Albion took a big step forward in their quest for Premier League promotion, moving three points behind league leaders Norwich City in the Championship title race.
While it’s getting difficult to predict who will clinch the Championship trophy, West Brom’s bigger target is automatic promotion back to the top-flight.
The Baggies have played some lethal attacking football this season and continued their impressive run with a 3-2 win over Queens Park Rangers. Despite going behind multiple times, Darren Moore’s side showed impressive spirit to come back and clinch three crucial points from Loftus Road.
What was even better is that new signings Jefferson Montero and Jacob Murphy both scored to contribute in the victory. It seems like West Brom’s fighting spirit has been quickly etched into their system. The Baggies now boast a dangerous attack, with the new signings complimenting Jay Rodriguez and Dwight Gayle, who’ve scored 18 and 16 goals respectively.
Moore is allowing his side freedom and has instilled a sense of urgency to win over the past few months. West Brom do not let up from a challenge and their ability to peg back from despair is admirable. They’ve been revitalized this season and are displaying admirable resiliency towards the end of the season.
If their comeback win against QPR proved anything, the Baggies have inherited a never-say-die attitude from Moore. The gaffer’s implemented an unrelenting fighting spirit, which can boost West Brom into finishing the season strongly and attaining automatic promotion.
Liverpool’s big FA Cup victory over Shrewsbury Town in the fourth round of the competition has been a major talking point across the footballing world this week.
Even though the Reds were without any first-team players or Jurgen Klopp, the youngsters still managed to record a narrow but extremely impressive 1-0 victory and secure the club’s place in the next round of the competition.
But not everyone has been impressed by the German manager’s decision to miss the FA Cup tie, with many perceiving his actions as a gesture of disrespect towards the historic competition.
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Sky Sports pundit, Matthew Upson, believes it would’ve been nice to see Liverpool punished for it and he said as much on while appearing on Sky Sports’ The Debate show following the clash:
“I think it would’ve been good to see them pay a price for it [fielding a young side]. I don’t think that would’ve been a bad thing for the FA Cup.”
Of course, many members of the Anfield faithful didn’t take those comments too kindly as some of them seem to think Upson was either eager for publicity or straight up just hates Liverpool.
One fan even called him a bad footballer and a bad pundit…
But some of their supporters believe this standpoint derives from the jealousy of Liverpool’s success.
Besides, the Reds now have bigger fish to fry and one fan even stated smaller clubs can’t possibly understand their logic…
Meanwhile, many Liverpool fans were full of praise for one of the senior players after a huge revelation…
Wolves have taken to life in the Premier League very well, and continue to look a threat to most teams in the top flight.
Nuno Santo’s men have made their system work after romping home in the Championship last time out, and they are looking like being ready to make a fist at being a regular Premier League outfit for years to come.
Of course with becoming a top team comes expense, and Wolves will need to make sure they keep adding to their squad over time to continually improve the squad and show the fans they do indeed mean business when it comes to competing at the top level.
And one man we here in the Tavern feel would be a superb addition is Belgian midfielder Thorgan Hazard, who has quietly gone about his business over in Germany while brother Eden takes the main spotlight.
Hazard has been superb this term, knocking in 12 goals in all competitions while also adding some seven assists, and the £38m-rated star could fit in nicely at Wolves.
An attacking midfielder by trade, Hazard has developed his career well, and the time could be right to see him move back to England and prove himself at the highest level possible.
Wolves are a good fit, where expectation would not be too high, and he would no doubt be given the freedom to play under manager Santo, who is keen to encourage his players to do what they do best and express themselves.
While he will cost a fair amount, he still has his prime years ahead of him, and for Wolves, the signing of Hazard would send a big statement to the rest of the league.
Wolves fans, what do you think? Good signing? Let us know in the comments!
Tottenham fans have been discussing their need for a new central midfielder, and a whopping 90 per cent of fans want to sign Lyon’s Tanguy Ndombele.
Tottenham are expected to undergo a bit of a midfield overhaul next summer, as both Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama could leave the club.
Dembele is almost certain to leave when the Belgian’s contract expires at the end of the season, as his performances have just dropped off a little this season.
Wanyama could depart in search of regular playing time, meaning Daniel Levy will have no choice but to get his wallet out next summer.
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Lyon starlet Ndombele was heavily linked with a summer move to North London, and fans are extremely impressed by what they’ve seen of him this season.
The 21 year-old was superb when Lyon won at the Etihad in their first Champions League game of the season, and he was at his very best in their 3-3 draw against Hoffenheim last week.
The wiry midfielder is excellent on the ball, always looking for a forward pass, and best of all he loves a feisty tackle.
A huge 90 per cent of fans are backing a move, and you can view the full poll results down below…
Ashley Williams is believed to be on the verge of leaving Everton for Stoke City – as covered by BBC Sport on Thursday afternoon.
Williams, 33, struggled at Everton in the second half of last season, and it is understood that he has been made surplus to requirements at Goodison Park.
A number of clubs have been linked with a move for the Wales international, but Championship outfit Stoke appear to have won the race.
Williams was outstanding during his time at Swansea, but it has never really happened for the central defender at Everton, who will open their 2018-19 Premier League campaign against Wolverhampton Wanderers next weekend.
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The Merseyside club’s supporters have been reacting to the speculation surrounding Williams’ future, and it would be fair to say that they are pleased with the reports.
Indeed, the majority are keen for their club to move on from the 6ft Welshman as soon as possible.
A selection of the best Twitter reaction can be seen below:
Arsenal face a difficult trip to Anfield this Sunday, a ground where they haven’t won in the Premier League since 2012.
Liverpool’s venomous attack has certainly been on show this season, netting ten times from their four competitive fixtures and scoring more than twice in two of them (versus Watford and Hoffenheim).
At the other end, however, Jurgen Klopp’s side aren’t quite so convincing, with one obvious weakness – set pieces. Watford punished the Reds twice on the opening weekend and a lack of height and organisation in the box appears to still be a real problem for them.
With that in mind, it makes sense for super-sub Olivier Giroud to feature from kickoff on Sunday, whether that’s partnering or instead of summer signing Alexandre Lacazette.
He’s got the aerial threat to exploit the Reds’ weaknesses and after losing to Stoke City last weekend, Arsenal need to make up the points as quickly as possible.
On the other hand, the 64-cap France international always seems to be at his most effective from the bench and Arsenal rarely employ two up front.
So, Gunners fans, would you start Giroud against Liverpool? Let us know by voting below!
Much like the Ryder Cup, the diverse nature of the Premier League affords us the luxury of dreaming of pitting England’s best athletes against those from further ashore.
Though the Three Lions have not won an International trophy since the infamous 1966, there’s little doubt we have had the privilege of watching some of the best English talent ply their trade in front of our eyes and screens over the last few years, with many of us able to watch living legends of the game on a weekly basis.
In fact, many of them are teaming up for the Icons of Football series later in June and it will certainly be a pleasure to watch some of the best England have to offer reunite, even if it is away from the football pitch and now on the golf course.
The likes of Alan Shearer, Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes (all of whom make our legend eleven) will team up with former colleagues Andy Cole, Robbie Fowler, Paul Ince, Kevin Phillips and Teddy Sheringham to take on the Rest of World this summer.
Between them, they have a raft of international experience and will be no strangers to handling the pressure of playing for England, having amassed so many appearances between the lot.
Elsewhere, Premier League star James Milner and Phil Jagielka – both of whom have represented their nation at the last few international tournaments – will also be major parts of Lee Westwood’s team.
With so many domestic and international trophies between those lining up for Westwood, he’ll no doubt be hoping they bring their winning expertise to the Belfry in June.
With Leicester City’s place in next season’s Champions League confirmed and the Foxes being one game away from the Premier League title, it’s common knowledge that Claudio Ranieri will need to improve his squad if his side even have a chance in Europe.
Although the Italian’s squad have acquitted themselves brilliantly this term, with the added games and travelling European football brings, it’s hard to see King Power Stadium boss being able to rely on the same core of 14 players he has largely used for the current campaign in 2016/17.
But who should the Foxes be chasing – and who could even bring them Champions League glory?
Well, here are FIVE summer deals we at FFC Towers think would be wise…
Tonny Vilhena
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This Feyenoord winger has been on the radar of many top teams for a number of years now, and the 21-year-old winger has been hotly linked with the Premier League for some time. Whilst he’s not had the strongest season this year, he’s still contributed five goals and four assists in 22 outings.
But does the signing of Demarai Gray mean Ranieri already has an option in this department for the future? Southampton have also been strongly linked with the winger so it could be a battle to get him.
N’Golo Kante
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Whilst he’s already on Leicester’s books, tying down the French midfielder on a longer-term deal would be like a new signing in itself. He’s been absolutely superb for the Foxes this season and has already been linked with moves to a host of truly elite sides, but with Leicester’s place in the Champions League confirmed, is there a need for the midfielder to move on after just one good season?
Ashley Williams
The centre-back has flirted with a move up from Swansea for a number of seasons now, but it still seems no team are willing to take a gamble on the Welsh international. Whilst Robert Huth and Wes Morgan have been excellent for Leicester City this season, this could be Ashley Williams’ chance to grab Champions League football. He’s in his prime and may only have a handful of years left at the top, so Leicester could do with moving quickly if they want to secure his services.
Martin Odegaard
Slightly controversial this one, but this Real Madrid gem could be a real diamond in the rough. The Norwegian wonderkid has struggled since his high-profile move from home-town club Stromsgodset and still hasn’t broken into the Real Madrid first team. Although he’s impressed for Castilla, Real’s ‘B’ side it is thought that Odegaard could be growing frustrated with his lack of opportunities in Zinedine Zidane’s first team. And with the Foxes able to offer Champions League football, could this slightly different option be one Ranieri should consider?
Antonio Valencia
The Manchester United winger has struggled to truly cement his place in the first team this year, but his wealth of Premier League experience could be a huge asset to Leicester City next year. He can play on the wing or at right-back and on his day, he’s as good as any Premier League winger. That gives the Foxes ample opportunity to use him in a number of roles, while he knows the Champions League well. Is he a solid option Ranieri should be considering? Perhaps.