Wow: Rio Ferdinand’s comments on Everton from last season have aged terribly

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Everton 0-0 Liverpool. Everton 2-0 Chelsea. Everton 1-0 Arsenal. Everton 4-0 Manchester United.

These are just some of the results that Marco Silva has overseen with the Toffees in recent weeks, where it is finally starting to look as if the Portuguese boss has got his team playing the way he envisaged back in the summer.

The Merseysiders are solid at the back, have arguably one of the best midfielders in the league in Idrissa Gueye setting the tempo, and an attack filled with flair and creativity – it is all starting to click for the Blues, and it is very easy on the eye for those of us watching on.

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However, the change from where Everton were at during this stage of the season last year is almost seismic. Back then, the Toffees had Sam Allardyce in charge, where the football played under the former England boss was the polar opposite to what it is now.

However, whilst the performances back then were tough to watch, Rio Ferdinand’s comments on the Everton fans’ expectations have aged terribly.

What did he say?

The former Manchester United defender said: “I don’t know what these fans here are expecting. What do you want?

“You had Ronald Koeman who came up the Ajax way, played great football with his teams. You had (Roberto) Martinez who played good football but disgruntled fans, not happy, they wanted them out.

“So where do you sit? What do you want? This guy’s getting you results, you’re in the top half of the league.

“What more do you want? I’m baffled, they baffle me if I’m honest.”

They wanted to win in the right way

You can see where Ferdinand is coming from if you add a bit of context to his comments from 13 months ago. Everton were seriously struggling last season, and even spent time in the relegation zone, a position that was way off where the fans wanted to be.

Allardyce was getting results as he is an excellent firefighter for teams associated with relegation battles. But Everton are a top seven side, and one who wants to be in and around the Europa League spots consistently.

That, and the fact that the wins were coming as a result of scrappy defending, fortuitous goals from set-pieces and on the counter-attack after being dominated in possession made Allardyce’s tenure tough for the Goodison Park faithful.

The win over United, in which the Toffees completely run riot over the Red Devils, scoring four goals and limiting their opponents to just one shot on target, is what the fans wanted to see.

What more do they want? That kind of performance is what they wanted, Rio. A philosophy. An easy on the eye style. And success to boot.

Southampton should take up an interest in Marcos Rojo

Thanks to a late flurry of form, Southampton can now be confident of remaining a top-flight side next season.

Indeed, all the thanks should really be going to Ralph Hasenhuttl because without his arrival, who knows what kind of mess Southampton would find themselves in right now?

The truth is, it’s been another poor season and so for Saints, the upcoming summer window holds the utmost importance if they want to get back to being at least, a top-ten side.

Hasenhuttl will be praying that he is given the funds to make significant changes during this period, with his team in major need of big changes. Obviously, the board seriously needs to be pro-active to get the fans back on side, as well as keep their manager happy. So, their first action in the market needs to be eyeing a defender to help stabilise things at the back and who better than Premier League experienced Marcos Rojo.

Rojo, (who is valued at £13.5 million on Transfermarkt) was reportedly (as per Goal) a target for Southampton before moving to Old Trafford instead in 2014 and should remain of interest, considering the lack of defensive solidity since the departure of Virgil van Dijk.

It’s a move that has enjoyed periods of success because Rojo has been far from an ever-present defender at the back.

Though for Southampton, a no-nonsense centre-back should be exactly what they’re after, and that’s exactly what Marcos Rojo is considered to be.

Despite now being 29-years-old, Rojo still has plenty of time left to make a significant impact at St Mary’s and help them improve defensively. Whilst Hasenhuttl has made improvements in defence, the addition of a player that can be used at centre-back as well as left-back is something that should be under consideration, at the very least.

The Argentina international has made just six appearances this season, which shows a move away to a club like Southampton would be best for all involved.

Southampton fans, would you back a move for Rojo? Join the discussion by commenting below…

برونو فرنانديز بعد خسارة مانشستر يونايتد: وضعنا مازال جيدًا.. وعلينا النظر في أخطائنا

يرى برونو فرنانديز لاعب مانشستر يونايتد إنهم مازالوا في وضع جيد رغم هزيمتهم في دوري أبطال أوروبا مساء أمس أمام باشاك شهير التركي.

وتلاقى الفريقان في الجولة الثالثة من دور المجموعات، حيث خسر الشياطين الحمر بهدفين مقابل هدف.

وقال برونو فرنانديز، في تصريحات نشرها الموقع الرسمي لليويفا: “قبل أسبوع قال الجميع إننا لعبنا بشكل جيد ضد نيوكاسل، باريس سان جيرمان ولايبزيج، علينا الفوز الليلة، لكننا ما زلنا في وضع جيد”.

وأضاف البرتغالي: “يمكننا أن نفعل ما هو أفضل بكثير، الجميع يشعر بهذا، لا يمكننا استقبال أهداف مثلما فعلنا”.

وواصل: “حان الوقت الآن للنظر في الأخطاء التي ارتكبناها، والقيام بعمل أفضل في المباراة التالية”.

The Chalkboard: Manuel Pellegrini should play Felipe Anderson on the right wing against Manchester United

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West Ham face one of their toughest challenges of the season against Manchester United on Saturday but they have a great chance of picking up points at Old Trafford if they can take advantage of United’s suspension crisis.

United’s hand forced

Manchester United have seen their two starting full-backs pick up suspensions in recent weeks meaning that neither Ashley Young nor Luke Shaw can line up against the Hammers on Saturday. Young was sent off against Wolves whilst Shaw picked up his 10th yellow card of the season at Molineux.

Shaw and Young are likely to be replaced by Matteo Darmian and Diogo Dalot and West Ham must ensure they make the most of this opportunity by choosing which wingers they will match up against the second string full-backs.

Swap Anderson’s side

Felipe Anderson was the star of the show when these two sides met earlier in the season, the Brazilian scored the opening goal against the Red Devils at the London Stadium.

It remains to be seen who Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will start at left-back, but either way, it should be Anderson who faces them – allowing him to ear down the touchline on his stronger foot to expose his opposite number’s weaker one.

Playing Anderson on the right for the first time this season would be a wise move for this game, the 25-year-old would consistently have the beating of a wrong-footed full-back and be able to deliver crosses from his favoured foot into the aerial threat of Marko Arnautovic.

Of course, playing Anderson out on the right eliminates his ability to cut inside and shoot but the winger hasn’t actually scored since December, so his goalscoring capabilities may not be missed at all in this fixture.

James Benge reveals Arsenal’s expected summer transfer budget, Gunners fans react

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Football.London’s Arsenal correspondent James Benge has revealed what he believes the north London outfit’s budget will be this summer with and without Champions League football, and Gunners fans have been quick to react on Twitter.

Unai Emery’s side are in real danger of missing out on a top-four finish in the Premier League following a dreadful run of recent form that has seen them lose three consecutive top-flight fixtures.

It is getting to a point where winning the Europa League may well be their best chance of appearing in Europe’s elite club competition again next term, considering they are in the semi-finals.

Benge believes that the Spanish manager will have less than £50m to spend should Arsenal miss out, but around £70m should they make their long-awaited Champions League return – all before player sales.

Gunners supporters have been quick to reply to the story via the afcstuff fan account on Twitter, and it’s fair to say that they are fuming.

One fan is happy (but very confused) after Wolves beat Arsenal in the video below…

While one said “with £50m it will be a miracle if we make top 6 next year”, another simply said “Kroenke out” to show how they are feeling right now.

It isn’t an enjoyable time to be a fan of the team from the capital as the moment, but Europa League success may change that.

Here is just a selection of the reaction…

Luka Modric sends one-word message to Tottenham after Champions League win

[ad_pod ]Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Luka Modric took to Twitter to say “Congratulations” to his former employers as they booked their spot in the Champions League final on an astonishing night in Amsterdam.

Spurs looked to be dead and buried as they fell 2-0 behind on the night and 3-0 on aggregate, but from then on it was the Lucas Moura show, with the winner coming five minutes into added time.

The north London club will now face Premier League rivals Liverpool in the final held where Modric is currently playing his football for Real Madrid, although it is being held at Atletico Madrid’s wonderful new home.

Modric is still seen as something of a hero by the Tottenham Hotspur stadium faithful given how well he did for the team before departing for the Spanish capital, scoring 17 goals and providing a further 27 assists in 160 appearances in all competitions.

Having been victorious in the final last year, the Croatia international will surely be willing on the team he once represented to get their own big moment in the spotlight on June 1.

Reigniting interest in Assombalonga would be a smart move by West Brom

You West Brom fans have been left feeling uninspired by the fact that Jimmy Shan is remaining their boss until the end of the season, with the all-important play-offs to fight for.

Having been very inconsistent during the last few games, fans don’t quite know how to measure their chances but what they do know is that they’re desperate for a top flight return. It must be hugely frustrating. Indeed, the Championship has once again shown why many consider it to be the hardest league in the world to get out of because of consistent failure to pick up three points on a regular basis.

Nevertheless, that is all in the past now and West Brom must put all their attention into trying to get back into the Premier League.

Achieving that will mean they have to improve their squad significantly, for example signing a capable striker like Middlesbrough’s Britt Assombalonga to add to their firepower.

Assombalonga, (who is valued at £9 million on Transfermarkt) is an experienced figure in the Championship by now and whether he is required in that same division or the Premier League, there is no reason to suggest he would be a poor signing for West Brom.

The 26-year-old has again enjoyed a prolific season in-front of goal for Middlesbrough, with 13 goals in 42 appearances.

Meanwhile West Brom (who were credited with an interest by TEAMtalk in the summer) have been extremely happy with the partnership and form Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez have provided but that threatens to be sabotaged next season.

With interest reportedly hotting up in Dwight Gayle, West Brom are facing the real possibility of losing their loan star, hence why buying Britt Assombalonga instead would be a good move. It’d be hugely difficult to replace Gayle in the Championship – nigh on impossible – but Assombalonga would go some way to keeping goals throughout the side.

Do you agree the 26-year-old would make a good Gayle alternative… Join the discussion and let us know!

Celtic fans heap praise on Ajer as defender turns 21

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Loads of Celtic fans have been reacting to a tweet from the club, as the Bhoys wished Kristoffer Ajer a happy 21st birthday.

It’s easy to forget Ajer is so young such is the quality and maturity of his recent performances, but not long ago the defender may have been heading towards the scrapheap.

After the Bhoys were knocked out of the Champions League, all of Brendan Rodgers’ centre back options were in fans’ bad books, but they have gradually redeemed themselves throughout the season.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….

Dedryck Boyata was superb until his injury while Jozo Simunovic put in one of his best ever Celtic performances last weekend.

No one has impressed more than Ajer though, who is finally starting to fulfil the potential that convinced the club to sign him as a teenager back in 2016.

The now 21 year-old has made 39 appearances in all competitions this season, adding one goal and one assist, and his composure playing the ball out from defence is a breathe of fresh air.

After the club tweeted a birthday message to the young Norwegian international on Wednesday, fans were quick to heap praise on their rising star.

Take a look at the best of the Twitter reactions down below…

Done so much for us: Man United fans defend David de Gea after yet another error

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Manchester United fans on Twitter have given David de Gea their backing during a difficult time for the keeper, after he made yet another error when he spilled Antonio Rudiger’s shot and allowed Marcos Alonso to prod in.

The former Atletico Madrid man has now made a number of errors over the last month. De Gea started by allowing Lionel Messi’s tame effort to slip under him in the Champions League quarter-final, before allowing four goals to go past him in the 4-0 loss to Everton.

The Flying Pig unleashes fury on Dea Gea, Young, Sanchez and Pogba in the funniest player ratings ever in the video below…

He then could have done better with Leroy Sane’s match-winning strike in the Manchester derby, and his latest mishap has now led to a number of fans criticising him once again.

However, despite these mistakes, which even caused a portion of the United fanbase to demand he be sold earlier in the week, some fans on Twitter have opted to defend the man who has saved them countless points in the past with some unbelievable stops…

West Ham: Aleksandar Mitrovic could be the difference-maker for Hammers

If there’s one area of the pitch West Ham must be focusing on intently over the summer, it’s the striker position.

With Andy Carroll leaving at the end of his contract and both Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez (as per the Daily Star) looking likely to move on from east London, Manuel Pellegrini has a task on his hands on completely changing the personnel of the striker position this summer.

With transfer fees and massive wages likely to be recouped, West Ham find themselves in a good position as to who they can recruit this summer to fill in the positions left by the trio leaving east London, and recent reports have the Hammers linked with an exciting name.

According to the Daily Star, Aleksandar Mitrovic has caught the eye of Pellegrini following the Serbian’s impressive season in the Premier League despite Fulham’s surprising relegation down to the Championship, and the former Newcastle man could be a game-changer for the Hammers.

Mitrovic has shown over the years he is more than capable of playing in the English top-flight, this season alone being a good example with the towering striker scoring 11 goals in 36 matches for the Cottagers, and in a team with genuine creative and attacking quality, the Serb could flourish.

Playing with the likes of Felipe Anderson and Michail Antonio would improve Mitrovic’s game massively and could realistically result in West Ham joining the group of teams that could disrupt the Premier League top-six, and with a valuation of £22.5 million on Transfermarkt, the striker wouldn’t break the bank for Pellegrini.

Mitrovic ticks a lot of boxes that make him an ideal signing for West Ham, and now it is up to Pellegrini to take action and make the deal that might take the Hammers to the promised land of European football.

West Ham fans, would you take Mitrovic as a summer signing? Let us know!

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