All posts by n8rngtd.top

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Leeds fans have been reacting in a triumphant manner after a full list of injuries suffered by their players was published by the Yorkshire Evening Post on Tuesday morning.

The list came after it was announced that Barry Douglas would miss the rest of the season due to injury, making Leeds fans reflect on their bad fortune in the medical department this campaign.

Leeds have had a staggering 31 injuries totalling in a combined 165 games missed between all players. Yet somehow they still remain second in the Championship.

Leeds fans have reacted in a defiant manner expressing pride in the fact that the team has managed to maintain such a strong league position despite missing key players throughout the campaign.

Marcelo Bielsa has certainly spread optimism throughout the fanbase as fans were able to make light of their misfortune taking solace in the fact they have been able to be promotion contenders even with a packed treatment room.

Here’s what Leeds fans had to say on Twitter…

Adel Taarabt, the man with all the talent in the world, but a temperament that simply could not match. 

It is an unfortunate circumstance that lingers in the footballing world, a player oozing with God-given talent, but desperately lacking the drive to achieve their full potential. Adel Taarabt certainly comes under this category. Once crowned Football League Player of the Year after effectively making the Championship his playground, Taarabt recently made his debut for Benfica, four years after signing for the club.

After a rather difficult start to his life in England, Adel Taarabt found himself permanently signing for Queens Park Rangers in 2010 in a £1m deal. This transpired after two loan spells at Loftus road, the first cut short after injury forced the Moroccan to undergo knee surgery.

It was during the second loan spell that Taarabt starting to show his scintillating brilliance that had earned him the title as the ‘new Zinedine Zidane’. A phenomenal curling effort from 25-yards earned the highest of praise from manager at the time Jim Magilton, who branded the midfielder as a ‘genius’. Alongside praise from both Harry Redknapp and Martin Jol, who branded him a ‘genius’ and a ‘wizard’ respectively (The Independent) – Taarabt has acquired quite the collection of compliments.

QPR fans will primarily remember Taarabt for one season and one season alone, however. The 2010-11 season, in which the midfielder ran rings around his less naturally gifted opponents. He finished the season with an impressive 19 league goals and assists, claiming individual awards and helping QPR to promotion in the process.

The midfield maestro had now reached a critical period in his career, a place in the first team of a Premier League football club. It didn’t quite go to plan, however. The introduction of Joey Barton into the squad saw Taarabt replaced as captain, with speculation of a move to PSG also reportedly turning his head.

Taarabt’s form took a hit, leading to boss at the time Neil Warnock pleading for his star player to replicate his Championship form. It did indeed pick up and the Moroccan was awarded with a fresh three-year contract. Taarabt continued to perform in patches upon the arrival of Harry Redknapp, but never quite emulated his prior form.

Subsequent fallouts with both Redknapp and Barton and arguments regarding his fitness ultimately led to loan departures to both Fulham and AC Milan before he eventually for Benfica.

Taarabt’s time at QPR represents the only period in the midfielder’s career that where he played regular first team football. Incredibly, in a career spanning 12 years, Taarabt has amounted only 266 appearances. To put this into perspective, current fan favourite Luke Freeman has made 375 career appearances – over 100 more appearances despite arguably possessing less talent and being two years his junior.

The opinion-dividing enigma has certainly continued to add to his perhaps unwanted reputation upon departing London for Lisbon. After struggling to break into the first team, Taarabt embarked on an 18-month loan move. Upon his return, Taarabt found himself in the B team, but has now made his first team debut, a substitute cameo in which he touched the ball 16 times.

QPR fans will know more than anyone the talent that the controversial midfielder possesses. They will also be reluctantly aware of the talent that was squandered in his departure.

QPR fans what are your memories of the enigmatic midfielder? Was his talent truly wasted or in truth was he never really good enough? Join the discussion below.

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Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to laugh at Manchester United’s flag display prior to kick-off in their Champions League quarter-final tie against Barcelona.

As we all know, the Reds supporters often hold their flags and scarves aloft before kick-off at Anfield for every home game, creating a visually aesthetic array of support across the entirety of the Kop.

Are the media letting Jurgen Klopp off lightly for his lack of silverware? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

So, when the Merseysiders’ arch-rivals United decided to hold aloft a few flags of their own in a bid to raise the atmosphere around Old Trafford, Liverpool fans wasted no time in mocking them for just how inferior it looked compared to their own home displays.

United fans’ efforts consisted of just one corner of the ground holding up signs of support, whereas almost everyone in the Kop holds something up, hence Liverpool supporters feeling the need to laugh at the Red Devils’ display.

Let’s see what the Reds fans on Twitter have been saying about the whole thing…

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Hugo Lloris is an excellent goalkeeper, but it would be fair to say that the Tottenham Hotspur man has had some poor games for his club this season.

The Spurs supporters have not exactly been shy in letting him know when that has been the case, but Lloris has been widely praised by the fans following Wednesday’s incredible Champions League clash with Manchester City.

The 6 foot 2 shot-stopper conceded four times at the Etihad Stadium, but came up with a couple of crucial saves which proved vital as Tottenham booked their spot in the semi-finals of the Champions League on the away-goals rule.

Defensively, Tottenham had a lot of problems in Manchester, but they were on the right end of what was a crazy game of football.

Lloris spoke to Spurs TV after the match and that led to a number of the London club’s supporters taking to social media to hail the France international.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he would have snubbed Tottenham for Arsenal if they’d come knocking in 2005…

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

[ad_pod ]Steven Gerrard said recently that his squad does not need another overhaul this summer, but is he correct?

What’s the word?

Rangers sit 11 points behind Celtic with the post-split fixtures still to play, and it really is just a matter of time now before the Bhoys lock up their eighth consecutive title.

The Gers are at least coming closer to turning the tides though, so much so that after they signed 14 players last summer Gerrard does not think they require another makeover.

“The only thing I will say is we will try to add more quality which will make our 11 stronger which will naturally make the squad stronger,†he said on April 6, as reported by The Belfast Telegraph.

“There won’t be wholesale changes like there was last season.

“We felt that was needed at the time. We don’t think we are as far away as certain people think we are or maybe the gap in terms of points.

“We don’t think that we are that far away but it is quite clear that we do need to add more quality to make us improve and grow.”

But as links to the likes of Greg Stewart, Jake Hastie and John Souttar show, the Gers are wasting no time searching for new signings, so is Gerrard right about the state of his squad?

Clear-out needed

Quite simply, Gerrard has got it wrong saying he doesn’t need to do loads of work this summer, but it’s not all about bringing players in.

For far too long the Gers have taken a scattergun approach in the market, and because of that the ex-Liverpool ace has arrived to an imbalanced squad in need of not just new arrivals but also trimming and re-shaping.

As noted by Ibrox Chat, if Hastie and Stewart both sign, the club will have a simply ridiculous seven wingers on their books, while only boasting three centre backs and not a single midfield playmaker.

Gerrard needs genuine top quality additions at left-back, right-wing and the number ten position, but he can’t really address that until some of the deadwood eating up all the wage bill is clear.

Brace yourself Rangers fans, another overhaul is on the way this summer whether the gaffer wants it or not.

Eric Bailly hasn’t been that domineering centre-back Manchester United thought they’d bought, but he arrived at completely the wrong time. Indeed, he can prove he’s one of Europe’s best with a new start at Arsenal.

The Sun claimed late last week that the Gunners are interested in taking the United flop to the Emirates, and who can blame them? No centre-back would look good at Old Trafford at the moment. They have two dinosaurs in Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young either side of them.

Yuck.

The report says Unai Emery is hoping to secure him for £20m, according to BBC Sport. Interestingly, the Red Devils signed the 25-year-old for £34.2 million (as per Transfermarkt) back in 2016. He’s made just 11 starts for Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season and neither manager appeared to be keen on the Ivorian.

He needs a new start and the Arsenal project should excite him. He’s still capable of playing the ball out from the back and has the physicality to exceed in the Premier League. Emery must be looking for bargains this summer, and Bailly’s poor form for United could be a blessing for the club.

The 25-year-old is still a few years off his peak, and if the Gunners take the risk and put their belief in him, he could be their main centre-back for years. They’ve lacked discipline in the position for too long, and they need to invest there, so why not take a chance on Bailly.

It’s hard to judge United players individually when, as a unit, they’re so collectively poor. He’s clearly had potential for Mourinho to want him at Old Trafford in the first place. Arsenal could be the team to put his career back on track as they aim for a title challenge.

Arsenal fans, who would you sign in centre-back ahead of next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

The good, the bad and the Roque Junior.

Players often earn themselves big moves after performances in a major tournament, it has become the easiest way and most convenient method of scouting players every two years without needed to send staff off to the far corners of the world.

Roque Junior was one such character.

The Brazilian defender was a member of the World Cup winning Brazil squad in 2002, which is always a good sign, we suppose, and a Champions League winner with AC Milan. Also a good sign.

Understandably former Leeds boss Peter Reid wanted him some of that. How could he fail, after all? This lad was clearly a born winner. It was in his blood. He had to succeed. He had done it before; he was going to be the making of this side and drive them forwards to eternal glory.

We imagine these were the thoughts probably streaming through Reid’s head when he made the call to secure the Brazil international on a season-long spell in 2003. Or, alternatively, maybe those that circled his thoughts as he tried to sleep at night by the time it became increasingly obvious that he may as well have burned the money used in some sort of voodoo ritual.

When we talk about terrible records, they do not get much worse than Roque Junior’s. In his opening seven first-team appearances, he yielded a remarkable four cautions and one dismissal, conceded 24 goals and was on the end of six defeats. Impressive stuff, hey. Junior did manage to bag two goals against Manchester United, though – which is more than enough to book a player in the history books under normal circumstances.

But he was extraordinarily bad, so, unfortunately, this rule did not apply.

Roque Junior left Elland Road as one of the worst signings of the century.

When Samuel Saiz burst onto the scene for Leeds United in 2017, it looked almost certain that he had all the ingredients needed to become a hero at Elland Road.

An outstandingly gifted winger, the Spaniard set the Championship alight last season with a string of stunning performances for the Whites against the likes of Sunderland, Birmingham City and Bristol City.

Yet despite having put his side firmly in contention for a play-off position, Saiz’s form never really recovered following a six-match suspension for spitting in January 2018.

Although the 28-year-old was initially an integral part of Marcelo Bielsa’s plans this season, a number of poor showings for Leeds eventually culminated in him being dropped from the squad altogether by the Argentine.

Having lost all trust in Saiz’s ability, the former Lazio boss agreed to loan him out to Getafe in the January transfer window for the rest of the 2018/19 campaign. Despite featuring on 10 occasions for the Azulones since arriving at the club, a lack of consistency has seen the midfielder record just one goal involvement for his new side.

With Getafe on the verge of qualifying for Champions League football in La Liga, it is looking increasingly unlikely that they will be willing to sign Saiz on a permanent deal in the summer.

However, according to El Gol Digital, fellow Spanish side Valencia are reportedly interested in paying the €6.5m (£5.5m) required to bring the midfielder to the Mestalla ahead of next season.

If Los Murcielagos do indeed offer Leeds this sum of money, the Yorkshire-based outfit will be silly not to accept it as it would be almost double the fee that they spent (£3.15m) to bring Saiz to the club from Huesca two years ago (via Transfermarkt).

Despite having provided 12 assists in 58 appearances for the Whites, the fact that the club have not missed him since his move to Getafe suggests that they will not suffer if they let him leave when the transfer market opens in the summer.

What do you think Leeds fans? Should Bielsa sell Saiz in the summer? Or does he deserve another opportunity to impress? Let us know below.

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Southampton legend and Sky Sports pundit Matthew Le Tissier has suggested that the club needs to sign at least four players during the summer transfer window.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Saints picked up an impressive 30 points from the beginning of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s reign in December until the end of the season, but it was only enough for a 16th-placed finish in the Premier League standings.

It is clear to see that some improvements to the squad are needed if the south coast outfit are to avoid being embroiled in another relegation scrap again in the 2019/20 campaign.

Le Tissier is in no doubt as to where they need to strengthen, advising four new faces minimum are required, which could potentially be five if he feels more than one central defender signing must be made.

The 50-year-old told Sky Sports: “Where do we start? I would say they need to strengthen in the centre-back department and like most teams they need a goalscorer. Perhaps we could do with a couple in the right-back area as we will lose Cedric Soares this summer.”

Remember Fraser Forster? No? Well he’s still a Southampton player on 80k-a-week! How can have revive his career? Check out the video below…

Is he right?

He certainly is, but there is one key position he has missed out.

While he is right to say that Southampton need a striker, potentially two right-backs – assuming Cedric does go – and at least one centre-back, he hasn’t mentioned the need for another wide player.

If Hasenhuttl was able to select another player like Nathan Redmond on the opposite flank to the England international, there is no doubt that Saints would be far more of an attacking threat next term.

A player with pace who has a final product – something Redmond has discovered under the tutelage of the Austrian – is the minimum requirement, and that should be one of the priorities during the window.

Yet another trophy-laden season for the Bhoys this year. But, has it been as perfect as it seems from the outside? With the celebrations well under way it will no doubt take some time for each fan to realise that there are a few things that just don’t fit the future development of the club. 

With Neil Lennon still currently at the helm, and multiple players gearing up to leave back to their parent club, the job at Celtic will become a lot bigger than anyone would think. Here are a couple of mistakes that Celtic have made throughout the season that may harm the club in the future.

Not replacing Moussa Dembele

Despite having players like Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths at the front of the attack this term, there is no doubt that the talent of Moussa Dembele has not quite been replaced by Brendan Rodgers or Neil Lennon.

Of course, players like Edouard can soon become as important as Dembele was, but for the mean time, the Celtic fans may just have to be patient with an inexperienced striker like the Frenchman.

Giving Neil Lennon the job

Was he truly the right choice?

Despite leading Celtic to stay on course and win the league, as well as a possible historic ‘treble Treble’, has Lennon really done anything big?

Before his departure, Rodgers had created an efficient system that allowed the Hoops to gain a remarkable lead in the league before Lennon took over. Since then, Lennon hasn’t really changed much within the club and it really does feel that he isn’t the man to take the club to the next level. The appointment certainly does feel like more sentiment over future development.

With the final day of the season and a Scottish Cup final coming up, it will be interesting to see if Lennon is going to be the man in the Celtic dugout next season.