All posts by h716a5.icu

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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?

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The West Ham United fans have been on social media discussing a potential summer move for Lyon attacker Memphis Depay.

Memphis has previous experience of the Premier League, having turned out for Manchester United between 2015 and 2017.

It would be fair to say that it did not quite happen for the 25-year-old at Old Trafford, but he has been impressive since arriving in France.

Indeed, the Netherlands international has netted 35 times and registered 39 assists in 106 appearances for Lyon in all competitions.

There have been no suggestions of actual interest from West Ham, but when ExWHUemployee drew attention to the fact that the attacker had starred for his country, a number of the club’s supporters called for a summer deal.

Memphis might well feel that he has some unfinished business in England, and it would be a statement signing by the Hammers, that is for sure.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Form has definitely been temporary this season but Everton have really started to turn up the performance levels in recent weeks, something that is very pleasing for their fans.

Marco Silva has finally seen his team deliver some performances that he can be proud of, just as fans were perhaps beginning to lose hope in the Portuguese boss. It hasn’t been a season to remember for you lot, but a big summer could change everything ahead of next season.

No one needs telling that this summer remains a very important period for the club to strengthen and the Toffees will be one side most definitely getting straight down to business in order to make improvements to their team. With huge backing available, it’s time Everton started being taken seriously as one of the most upwardly mobile outfits in Europe.

Clearly, a clinical striker will surely again be at the top of their shopping list, much most clubs, and a good option for them could be Fiorentina’s Giovanni Simeone, previously mentioned as a potential option by former Everton man Don Hutchinson on Twitter, via HITC.

Simeone, (who is valued at £20.7 million on Transfermarkt) is a player who has been capped by Argentina six times, a demonstration of how far he’s come in the last few seasons.

His club form could definitely be described as eye-catching, with Simeone bagging 15 goals last season, whilst laying on seven goals and six assists in all competitions this season. Despite reported target Salomon Rondon obviously having the history of playing in the Premier League, long-term Everton may find a far better striker option in Simeone, due to the fact he is only 23.

The Argentinian forward is more of a team player and by interlinking with the likes of Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson, more chances could be created for the whole team, not just Simeone.

It could take a large fee to acquire him but with long-term in mind, Simeone may excel and then possess a far bigger value in the market. Ultimately, that’s what Everton need.

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

The play-off race is coming onto the final straight, but Middlesbrough are still trying to round the bend, as they look winded, limp and beaten as the pack swarm past them left, right and centre.

Fans are rightly wanting action, and the only have two areas to look at when apportioning blame — the players, and the manager.

There is no way to change the players, at least until a new transfer window, so as much as they share the angst of the supporters, most of their fingers are pointing towards Tony Pulis.

But the Teesside Gazette report today that Steve Gibson is set to stand behind his beleaguered boss, and hope for a second-wind that will see them dip over the line ahead of their rivals.

But that is unlikely to appease the fans inside who were chanting for “Pulis out” last night, in what the Gazette called a “toxic” atmosphere.

Many neutral observers will say it is good to see a chairman or owner not hastily sack the manager on the back of a poor run. But they are not paying good money to witness a team going through the motions, but achieving little… or nothing, to be more exact.

They see a brand of football on display that is not attractive to watch when your team is winning. It is downright ugly when they are not.

But what is worse, even, than that, is seeing the players appearing to lack motivation, or an apparent inability to change the set-up effectively during a game when things are not working.

Gibson wants to stand by his man, but at what cost? Promotion seems a very long way off, suddenly, and where the club go after another campaign of failure, is anyone’s guess.

Debate rages on via social media. Woodgate is the name mentioned in the press, but fans are not enamoured at that prospect, but even he may be able to give the players an end of season boost, that Pulis does not seem capable of.

If they stick with the former Stoke and West Brom manager, the season looks to be effectively over anyway. So give someone a chance until the end of the season. What is the worst that can happen?

Whether it is Woodgate, or someone else, something needs to be done — if only to give the loyal supporters a tiny shred of hope and belief.

If something is not done, and things do not improve, fans may look towards the director’s box for the next target of their fury.

What are your thoughts about Gibson’s apparent decision to keep Pulis in place, at least until the end of the season? Let us know what you think about it… 

[ad_pod ]Everton fans have taken to Twitter to praise Andre Gomes after his wonderful performance in the 1-0 win over Arsenal.The on-loan Barcelona midfielder has impressed throughout his temporary spell at Goodison Park, but he has really stepped it up a notch in recent weeks.Gomes, a Portugal international, dominated the midfield against Matteo Guendouzi and Mohamed Elneny, oozing class and composure alongside the more combative Idrissa Gueye.In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…The 25-year-old is deceptively strong and dependable in possession, whilst he is proving to be a real difference maker for Marco Silva and for Everton.

Barcelona are reportedly chasing a sum of around £40m for his signature, but on the basis of his performance against the Gunners he definitely looked worth such a figure.

The Toffees have now won their last three league games without conceding a goal, and Everton supporters have singled out Gomes for praise on Twitter after his hugely influential performance against Unai Emery’s men…

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Ian Wright has savaged Arsenal flop Henrikh Mkhitaryan, per Premier League Productions via the Daily Express.

The ex-Manchester United star has struggled at the Emirates Stadium and was again in poor form as the Gunners laboured to a 1-0 win over 10-man Watford on Monday evening.

What’s he said?

Mkhitaryan has scored nine goals and laid on 12 assists in a total of 49 appearances for Arsenal, having netted 13 and provided 11 assists in 63 United games.

Wright believes that the Armenia international, such a hit at Borussia Dortmund, has simply struggled to adjust to life in England.

And he insists that both he and Alexis Sanchez, with whom he was involved in a swap deal that saw the Chile international move the other way, have each struggled immensely since their transfers.

Speaking to Premier League Productions, via the Express, he said: “He’s come in and we know he’s a quality operator but it’s just not happened.

“Between these two [Mkhitaryan and Sanchez], they’ve both had an absolute nightmare. Honestly, they’ve had an absolute nightmare.

“Even if that’s the case, then you’d have to say with the assists, it’s not enough.

“I think Man United will be looking at Sanchez and would’ve thought they’d have got more than that.

“The people who got the best deal out of this was the agents, really, to be totally honest. Them two, they’re nowhere near what they should be.”

An easy target

Wright has picked on two easy targets here.

Every United fan knows Alexis has struggled just as every Arsenal fan knows that Mkhitaryan has endured a genuinely difficult spell in north London.

The former Gunners striker is merely picking on the easiest target he can find and Mkhitaryan’s contribution this season, in fact, has not been as terrible as Wright is claiming.

Against Southampton earlier this season, Mkhitaryan scored one and provided the other in a 2-0 win, while he netted twice in the 3-2 reverse at St Mary’s and scored Arsenal’s only goal in a 1-1 draw with Wolves.

Mkhitaryan may not have played all that well against Watford but this is lowest common denominator punditry and Wright should do better.

Bournemouth thought they sorted out their dilemma between the sticks when they signed Asmir Begovic from Chelsea back in the summer of 2017.

However, the 31-year-old has since fallen out of favour under Eddie Howe, and the Englishman now appears to be on the lookout for a new goalkeeper.

The Breakdown

According to Football Insider, Bournemouth recently sent scouts to go and watch Stoke City’s Jack Butland with Howe making the signing of a new shot-stopper a priority for the upcoming transfer window.

And looking at some of Begovic’s performances this season, especially of late, it is not hard to see why.

For as good as Begovic can be on his day, the former Chelsea man simply has too many errors in his game.

Bearing that in mind, ditching him for his ex-Stoke City team-mate could be a smart move.

Butland can also be guilty of making the odd mistake but, at 26, he still has plenty of time to eradicate those errors in contrast to the ageing Begovic.

While, overall, the England international remains a talented goalkeeper who has just been unlucky with injuries down the years.

He is a solid shot-stopper and a No.1 who has has the confidence to marshal his defence and take responsibility.

Had it not been for a serious ankle injury he suffered, the Birmingham City academy graduate could have so easily been England’s first-choice between the sticks ahead of Jordan Pickford.

All is not lost, however, and a move to a Premier League outfit like Bournemouth could just be thing to help him increase his standing in the England squad.

Bournemouth fans, would you like to see Butland replace Begovic in the summer? Join the discussion by commenting below.

Five years after signing with Newcastle United, Ayoze Perez is finally fulfilling his potential in being a quality striker.

The Spaniard hit double digits in a season for the first time, after a stunning hat-trick against Southampton, looking like the club’s best goalscoring outlet since the days of Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba and potentially even Loic Remy if we’re feeling generous.

While it’s far too early to compare him with the Newcastle legends yet – despite the goalscoring company he finds himself in – even Alan Shearer would be impressed with his work up front. Despite basically operating from a right-wing role, in a 5-4-1 formation, the Spaniard proved his clinical ability down the middle to his manager. Indeed, he scored three different quality strikes, showcasing trickery, pace and finishing skills all in one packed performance.

Perez – somehow only valued at £9m by Transfermarkt – proved to be the complete package to light up St. James’ Park once again. However, the stunning performance proved he shouldn’t be retained to a wide role anymore. He just isn’t effective working through the wings, proved by his meagre two assists all season long.

The Spaniard is a cunning goal-scorer who has finally come off age at Tyneside. He should be working down the middle from now on, not being restricted to creating chances, putting in crosses or working to Salmon Rondon’s benefit.

Even if the Venezuelan leaves, Perez’s clinical work down the middle means he won’t be missed much. It can actually work in the Magpies’ favour, as the Spaniard can prove his goal-scoring prowess by getting more exposure leading their line and becoming the goal-machine Newcastle fans have craved for long.

Newcastle fans, are you impressed by Perez’s coming off age this season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

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Charlton ensured that their 2-1 defeat to Oxford United last week remained just a blip as they put four past Scunthorpe United on Monday, with the Addicks showing ruthlessness in front of their opponents’ goal and resoluteness in front of their own on the way to another important win.

Lyle Taylor scored his customary goal – albeit in not-so-customary style – while Joe Aribo and Igor Vetokele also netted. The fourth goalscorer, Anfernee Dijksteel, got himself on the scoresheet for the first time as an Addick, the right-back finishing like a striker having been teed up by number 9 Taylor.

The Dutchman’s chance in the starting XI comes in the wake of Chris Solly’s red card away at Kassam Stadium and he made sure to grab it with both hands, something Lee Bowyer was keen to praise him for later on:

“That’s his first goal. Probably the last person you’d have thought (to score) being in that position. I thought Lyle (Taylor) did well. Great pass, good vision. And Anfernee’s a machine. He’s up and down all day.

“I’m really pleased for him because he works hard. It’s his opportunity now, he’s got at least four games to stamp a claim. (Chris) Solly’s out and one door opens and another one closes, that’s the reality of football.”

Check out what happened when two of Charlton’s best players faced-off in a game of ‘Splat’ in the video below…

The 6 ft player has already made 28 league appearances for The Valley outfit this campaign but has a real opportunity, as Bowyer says, to finish the season strongly and give the Charlton boss a selection headache ahead of the next term. Will he oust Solly from the starting line-up? Let us know in the comments below…

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Tottenham Hotspur suffered a severe blow in their bid to finish in the top-four this season on Saturday and many fans have pinned the blame on hot-head Son Heung-Min.

Spurs lost 1-0 to AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, meaning they must beat Everton on the final day at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to be guaranteed qualification to the Champions League.

The 26-year-old South Korea international was sent off in the first half after pushing Jefferson Lerma to the ground, leaving Spurs with 10 men at half-time.

Juan Foyth was then dismissed in the second half just minutes after coming on as a substitute, and Nathan Ake took advantage in injury time, heading home a Ryan Fraser corner to give his side all three points.

Spurs face Ajax in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday before their final day clash with Everton and many fans believe that Son was to blame for the dismal collapse on the south coast.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!