All posts by n8rngtd.top

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Michail Antonio seems to have a personal vendetta against Liverpool, having always proven to be a thorn in their side when he has faced the Reds.

Against the Merseysiders on Monday night, that narrative was no different as the Englishman fired in what was his fifth goal in seven appearances against them, and in doing so put a real dent in their bid to increase their lead at the top of the table.

Whilst the former Nottingham Forest forward took his goal well – it was his only shot throughout the game – it was his work off the ball and an industrial approach from Antonio that made it difficult for Jurgen Klopp’s side to dominate the game.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

The Hammers, on another day, could’ve won the game against a Liverpool side far from their best, largely thanks to some impressive numbers by Antonio in a tireless display.

As aforementioned, the 28-year-old hit his side’s only goal of the game with his only shot of the match, but he also managed to win a whopping four aerial duels, more than any of his teammates, and more than any player on the pitch but for Virgil van Dijk (seven).

Despite starting as more of a striker, Antonio still managed to defend from the front for Manuel Pellegrini, recording two tackles and two interceptions to go alongside his aerial dominance to truly pester the Reds all over the pitch.

The former Reading and Southampton man has helped blow the title race wide open with his heroic display, which has pleased the masses (barring Liverpool fans) greatly as some were fearful of the Merseyside outfit running away with it.

Additionally, after a dismal showing away to Wolves before Monday’s fixture, Antonio ensured that the London Stadium faithful forgot all about that as they witnessed what was a tactical masterclass from Pellegrini, made to work so effectively by Antonio’s excellent performance.

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Despite producing a battling, determined performance, Queens Park Rangers fell to a 1-0 defeat to Premier League side Watford at Loftus Road on Friday night. The defeat saw Steve McClaren’s Championship side eliminated from the FA Cup.

The hosts fought hard, but could find no response to Etienne Capoue’s first half strike. The closest the Rs came was when centre-back and club captain Toni Leistner slid in to meet a fizzing cross at the far post, but from only a few yards out the 28-year-old could not turn the ball into the unguarded net. 

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week…

It was a horrible miss, and one that the German defender won’t forget about in a hurry. The Hoops will feel that they did enough to deserve a goal, and a way back into the game, but Leistner could not apply the finishing touch at the vital moment.

Aside from the miss, Leistner contributed to an impressive and dogged defensive display. After the match, plenty of QPR fans took to Twitter to discuss the captain’s contribution against Watford…

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In his two years in charge at Ewood Park so far, Tony Mowbray has led Blackburn Rovers to promotion back to the Championship and he looks to have seen them clear of relegation trouble this time around too.

However, some pressure may be building on the 55-year-old, as his side are currently in poor form – Rovers have lost each of their last four league outings. Mowbray referenced these struggles, and the associated pressures, ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Birmingham City.

What he said

As quoted by the Lancashire Telegraph, Mowbray has urged his side “to make sure they stay focused, believe in each other, and work hard.”

Who do you want to see promoted this year? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have picked their 3 favoured teams in the video below…

He also referenced the scrutiny he is currently under, stating that “the outside noise, you can’t do anything about, so from my perspective I don’t listen to it.”

He admitted that he puts himself under this kind of pressure too: “I feel an internal noise in myself that we’ve lost four games in a row, and for two years we’ve been used to winning games, and plenty of them.” He still believes he’s the right man to lead Rovers forward though, and has urged everyone at the club to “keep believing in each other, doing what we do.”

External pressures

The reference to ‘outside noise’ is particularly interesting as it highlights the fact that Mowbray may be feeling some external pressure. He could be referring to discontentment amongst the fanbase, the media or even coming from Rovers’ owners – Venky’s Ltd – themselves.

If Mowbray does feel that his position is beginning to come under threat, then he must arrest his side’s slump soon. However, frankly, he ought not to be in any such trouble. He has done a fine job since taking over at Ewood Park, and letting him go at this stage would be a huge error on the part of the club.

Watford’s rise under Javi Garcia continued through the weekend, as they defeated Cardiff City 5-1 away from home to move closer to a European spot.

On a day when Watford produced thrilling counter-attacking football, the one to lead the charge was their talisman Gerard Deulofeu.

Despite missing a chunk of Watford’s campaign through injury, Deulofeu’s thriving under the free role given by Garcia. The former Barcelona man gave his best performance in a Hornets shirt, ruining Cardiff’s momentum with a thumping performance.

He scored a brilliant hat-trick, which involved a superb finish from just outside the penalty area and two electric ones in the second half where he displayed his pace and commendable finishing ability. Deulofeu later turned provider by smartly assisting Troy Deeney rather than going for another himself, proving him to be a team player.

However, the Spaniard’s output can be even better with more talented players around him. Things might not have worked for him at Barcelona, but he’s loving life at the Premier League and could prosper at certain Premier League giants, such is his level of immense quality.

With teams such as Manchester United lacking bite and pace through the right-side, he could be the perfect ingredient to add more spice and creativity to their attack. He would also blend into Unai Emery’s fast-paced style well and thrive with Aubameyang and Lacazette with him.

While Deulofeu’s not going to want to leave Watford anytime soon, his blistering performance against Cardiff proved he’s ready to start thriving at a higher level.

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Tottenham Hotspur fans have rejected the idea of signing Gareth Bale from Real Madrid this summer.

The Wales international became a star at White Hart Lane between 2007 and 2013, earning himself a then world-record move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, things have turned sour in Spain for Bale, despite the former Southampton starlet winning four Champions League trophies as well as La Liga and three UEFA Super Cups.

The forward has been booed by the Santiago Bernabeu crowd on several occasions, leading to his agent calling the Real fans “nothing short of a disgrace”, per Sky Sports News.

There have subsequently been a number of perhaps optimistic suggestions from fans about a return to Spurs this summer, with The Mirror reporting earlier this month that he could be used as bait for Real to sign Christian Eriksen.

However, most supporters appear to be of a more sensible persuasion and have poo-pooed the idea, with many insisting that Spurs – who have not signed a player in the last two transfer windows – would never countenance the idea of signing such a global star.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

Manchester United are well on course to achieving a spot in the top four again this season, when just a few months ago it seemed almost impossible.

The change in scenario, well that’s all been due to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the manager who has made a wonderful difference to everyone at Manchester United.

The players have developed such freedom in their play, something that could be an advertisement for anyone who wants to come and join Old Trafford, with now seemingly the best time to do so.

Whoever may be in charge from this summer onwards, there is still work to be done and the one area that definitely needs improving, as well as their defence, is midfield.

One player who certainly has the star-quality to put an end to their concerns in midfield is Marseille’s Morgan Sanson.

Sanson, (who is valued at £19.8 million on Transfermarkt) has pretty much every window been linked with a big move to England and this summer will probably be no different.

Having provided four goals and four assists this season, he hasn’t quite lived up to the tally he accumulated last season – 12 goals, three assists – yet Sanson still presents himself as a very good option for a club like Manchester United.

He has years of experience playing for one of the top teams in Ligue 1, which could leave him with a relatively high chance of having success at Old Trafford.

Whether its a more attacking or defensive role the manager wants Morgan Sanson to perform, he can do it all and that’s one of his top assets.

The 24-year-old is still young, has plenty of time to adjust and if he can continue his strong performances at Old Trafford, could be a new star.

Do you agree… Let us know!

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Loads of Rangers fans have been reflecting on Tuesday’s defeat, and something the club posted on Twitter after the match has really riled them up.

Rangers fell to defeat at Ibrox for just the second time under Steven Gerrard on Tuesday, and once again it was at the hands of Aberdeen.

The sides were playing their sixth meeting this season, and goals from Niall McGinn and Connor McLennan were enough to send the Dons through to the Scottish Cup semi-final, where they will face Celtic.

McGinn’s goal was particularly poor from the home side’s perspective, as the Reds ace simply nicked a square pass from Glen Kamara on the edge of the Rangers box, skipped past a defender and slammed it home.

While Derek McInnes’ side deserve credit for their performance, the Ibrox faithful are understandably fuming at what was a lifeless display from their side.

They are particularly disappointed by the apparent lack of leadership in the team, as key figures like James Tavernier and Connor Goldson are not leading from the back as expected.

Jermain Defoe, who came on with the score already at 2-0, gave the post-match interview, which is surely the responsibility of players like Tavernier.

The Gers’ official Twitter account posted Defoe’s interview, and judging from the reactions below it has tipped fans over the edge…

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Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter in annoyance after Mohamed Salah spurned a number of glorious opportunities against Fulham, chances that would’ve eased the nerves in the away end at Craven Cottage after a slender win.

The victory against the Cottagers puts Liverpool back to being just a single point behind Manchester City, with the Citizens yet to play their league fixture having been in FA Cup action against Swansea.

Jurgen Klopp has gotten quite inventive with his excuses this season. FFC’s James Jones think he has no one but himself to blame for Liverpol’s poor form in the video below…

The Reds are keeping the pressure on, but a noticeable aspect of their play in recent weeks has been Mohamed Salah’s lack of goals.

Amazingly, the Egyptian hasn’t scored for seven games, and against the Cottagers, the 26-year-old was visibly desperate to get his name on the score-sheet.

However, his personal pursuit failed, and in doing so, he appeared greedy and selfish at times where his teammates were better placed, much to the annoyance of Liverpool fans – his next goal will be his 50th Premier League strike for Liverpool, and he appears desperate for it.

Let’s see what the Reds supporters on Twitter were saying about their talisman’s barren spell and consequential selfishness…

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Leicester City want to replace Ben Chilwell with Kieran Tierney this summer, reports claim, and Celtic should not stand in their way.

What’s the story?

According to Foxes of Leicester, a popular club fan site, Chilwell’s move to Manchester City is already agreed.

The report claims it is “as good as a done deal”, with the 22 year-old sure to command a huge fee from the English champions.

According to the report, Celtic’s Tierney is the man Leicester have identified to replace Chilwell, with Brendan Rodgers keen to work with the youngster who already knows his system.

Fans may not like it, but here’s why the Bhoys should bleed them dry for the 21 year-old.

Watch the best fails from the world of indoor football in the video below…

Blessing in disguise?

Tierney eats, sleeps and breathes Celtic, but as he develops there is only one place the full-back will end up and that is the Premier League.

Quite simply, he is just too good not to attract interest from the English top flight, where the lights are brighter, the cheques are bigger and the chances of success in the Champions League are higher.

It is inevitable that the youngster will leave the club eventually, so by stalling the move the club would only be harming themselves.

If Leicester do indeed sell Chilwell to Pep Guardiola’s centurions, Celtic will be in an extremely strong negotiating position, and selling now while his contract still has four years on it and the Foxes have a huge lump of cash in their back pocket would be the smartest move.

With much of the squad in need of an overhaul this summer, this money could help Celtic increase the gap between them and their domestic competition, and even build a better squad capable of making some noise in Europe.

The good times at Leyton Orient look to have returned after a few seasons of misery.

Sitting pretty at the top of the National League table with two games in hand and with a visit to Wembley in the FA Trophy final on the horizon, fortunes have turned for the better for the historic east London club.

And the performances of the players are catching the eye of some big teams with the Sun reporting that centre-back Dan Happe is subject to interest from Wolves, Brighton and Norwich for the 20-year-old defender despite making just 11 appearances for Orient this season.

Now an England C player, Happe has been a regular starter in the Orient team in place for Josh Coulson, who has been out of the O’s team with a hamstring injury, and his mature performances in the first-team resulted in the defender being nominated for the club’s Player of the Month for both January and February.

With 12-months left on his contract and big clubs sniffing around for his signature, Orient must do everything in their power to keep hold of Happe, even if they are offered the £200,000 the club value him at according to the Sun.

Happe’s rise from bench player to a vital first-team starter this season has been a story that the fans have loved, and his performances at the back in the second half of the season are a huge part as to why Orient are in a good position to return to the Football League.

The towering English defender has come up through the club and will likely want to remain with the club should they win promotion to League Two and see if he can handle the quality and pressure of competing in the Football League, and Orient should act on this ambition by offering the youngster a new contract.

His performances alone this season already warrant a new deal, but with interest from big clubs now added into the mix, Orient have to act quickly to sign up their new hottest prospect as a sign of ambition as they continue their rebuild to the Football League.

Orient fans, should the club keep Happe at the club despite Premier League interest?