All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Tottenham Hotspur are stuck in a rut.

Their 2-1 loss to Liverpool was their fourth defeat of the season, while they have also recorded three draws in their opening 10 games of the 2019/20 campaign.

They will play Everton on Merseyside this weekend and one feels that they need to win; already Spurs are eight points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

Football FanCast has taken a look at some suggested solutions as Mauricio Pochettino looks to get his side’s mojo back.

Drop Aurier and Rose

This has to happen.

Both full-backs were labelled “dumb and dumber” by former Manchester United captain Roy Keane on Sky Sports after the defeat to the Reds.

Per WhoScored, Aurier makes two tackles per game in the Premier League but also concedes 1.4 fouls – he conceded a penalty against Liverpool – and is dribbled past once per game. He has been sent off once, while he also averages 2.4 unsuccessful touches across every 90 minutes and a pass completion rate of just 78.6%.

Rose, meanwhile, has collected five yellow cards in nine Premier League appearances, makes 1.8 tackles per game but concedes 1.6 fouls. He is dribbled past on 0.9 occasions per game while averaging 0.9 unsuccessful touches and a pass completion rate of 81.6%.

It isn’t like there aren’t options. Spurs have Ben Davies and Ryan Sessegnon who can replace Rose, while Kyle Walker-Peters is a valid option on the right side of defence, as is Juan Foyth once he returns to fitness.

Pochettino simply can’t keep playing Aurier and Rose, though, as they are too error-prone and too erratic.

Bring back the press

What happened to this?

Speaking in 2016, Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores compared Spurs to “animals” and heralded them as the best team in the Premier League after Kieran Trippier had given Pochettino’s men a 1-0 win over the Hornets at White Hart Lane.

Indeed, come the end of the game, Flores said that his players were merely trying “to survive”, but that animalistic intensity has all but disappeared from Spurs’ gameplan.

Against Liverpool, they all too regularly retreated into their own half instead of trying to win the ball back in the final third and actually recorded a possession statistic of just 32%.

Per WhoScored, Spurs sit 17th in the league for interceptions per game, while they are also dispossessed more regularly than any other team in the league.

That doesn’t speak of a team that are pushing high up the pitch and forcing mistakes.

Spurs, of course, have also played Manchester City and Arsenal away from home this season but in both games – which ended 2-2 – they ceded possession to the hosts and were fortunate to escape with a point.

City had 30 shots to Spurs’ three, while Arsenal had 26 to Spurs’ 13.

There is a passivity here, then, and Pochettino needs to reinstall the confidence that comes with pressing high up the pitch.

Get some help for Kane

Now, obviously, the transfer window isn’t open.

But Pochettino needs to find a way to bring the best out of Harry Kane because, as it stands, he’s feeding off scraps.

He scored against Liverpool, his 10th goal of the season for the club in all competitions, in 13 games, but the statistics make enlightening reading.

In the Premier League, per WhoScored, he averages 2.8 shots per game. Per Understat, he is already massively outperforming his expected goals (xG) rate, which stands at 4.38 in the Premier League.

In 2018/19, Kane averaged 3.77 shots per game, while it was 5.32 in 2017/18.

That fall in numbers is alarming and points to a lack of support.

Pochettino has options, though; he could revert to a two-up-top formation that would allow Son Heung-Min or Lucas Moura to play shoulder-to-shoulder with the England striker or, quite simply, he could restore a proper No.10 into his system.

On Sunday, Christian Eriksen was asked to play on the right, with Dele Alli deeper. One of those two could easily provide Kane with more help, clipping balls over the top or in behind for the striker to run onto.

As it is, he is ploughing something of a lone furrow.

Having signed Daniel James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire in the summer transfer window, Manchester United appear to be heading down a path of signing purely British-based players.

The Red Devils have been burned in the past with moves for high-profile stars like Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, and it is understandable for the club to move in a different direction.

However, one major disadvantage of such an approach is the inevitably high cost of signing players from rival Premier League clubs, whilst there will always be a limited selection of quality available.

The Times claim Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are keen on continuing to sign young, British players, and are looking to recruit those who have a “humble but arrogant” attitude.

After hearing the latest transfer report, United fans flooded to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the situation.

Many Red Devils supporters insisted their club is “finito”, and one fan in particular questioned why they don’t simply sign players who are just talented instead of solely being British.

Some fans suggested their transfer plans will lead them down a “path of destruction”, and revealed their frustrations at the club’s approach.

Check out some of the reaction of United fans below:

Arsenal players have taken some time out from their footballing duties to play everybody’s (not literally everybody’s) favourite retro game, ‘Bop It!’

Bop It, Twist It and Pull It – everybody knows the game that seemed to have a place at just about everybody’s home back in the day, before iPhones and iPads dominated our playroom landscapes and compelled us to reminisce over the “good old days”.

With a trip up north to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United on the horizon, we dare say that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s coordination will have been somewhat sharpened by his Bop It! debut, and of course Calum Chambers and Rob Holding as well. Blades defenders beware.

Who do you think will come out on top?

It’s worth noting that the Gabon international is perhaps one of the happiest individuals we’ve ever come across when taking part in club organised entertainment such as this. Arsenal need to hold onto their man for the simple fact he makes everyone smile.

In our Loan Watch feature series, the Football Transfer Tavern take a look at how a selection of players from a particular club are faring while away from their parent sides on loan, and provide a brief update regarding their form.

[ad_pod ]

Tottenham Hotspur did not enjoy a great weekend in the Premier League as they were beaten away from home by Leicester City, to end matchday eight seventh in the table, and ten points behind early runaway leaders Liverpool.

Things were far better for some of Spurs’ loan contingent, though, as one helped toward his temporary side penning a clean sheet, another earned his second start of the league campaign, but another maintained an unwanted record.

Cameron Carter-Vickers

It has been a long time since Cameron Carter-Vickers last featured for Tottenham’s first-team, with the Southend-born centre-back not lacing up his boots for action in north London since facing Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup back in January 2017 – his fourth senior Spurs game (TransferMarkt).

Since then, the 21-year-old has plied his trade for Sheffield United, Ipswich Town and Swansea City on various loan deals, and now finds himself back in the Championship with Stoke City as the Potters look to improve on last season’s 16th place finish.

Things have not started well for Nathan Jones’ side, however, with the bet365 Stadium natives currently 23rd in the Championship table, and only above last-placed Huddersfield Town by a point after losing six of their opening eight league games.

Carter-Vickers has only featured in three of Stoke’s league games thus far (WhoScored), but helped the struggling Potters to only their second clean sheet of the term last Saturday when they travelled to and drew 0-0 at Brentford.

No centre-back for either side recorded more successful tackles than the Spurs product, who won three of his four attempts, along with recording two interceptions, a 100% aerial success rate, and found a teammate with 86% of his 35 passes – only Badou Ndiaye (38/43) played more accurate passes for Stoke.

George Marsh

George Marsh made his senior Tottenham debut – and only first-team outing to date – in January, coming on as a late substitute as Spurs trounced Tranmere Rovers 7-0 in the FA Cup Third Round (TransferMarkt).

The 20-year-old has not had to wait as long to wrack up more minutes with loan side Leyton Orient, but has also wracked up a rather unwanted record, as the defensive midfielder has been issued a yellow card in each of his three successive appearances in League Two (WhoScored).

Marsh made his fourth-tier bow away to Exeter City on September 14, and retained his starting role against Crewe Alexandra on the 17th and again against Colchester on Saturday 21st.

Despite maintaining his 100 per cent booking record, the Pembury-born midfielder enjoyed arguably his best performance to date against Colchester, as he found a teammate with 65% of his 41 passes – one of which deemed key and four marked as long balls – along with a successful dribble, two tackles, two interceptions, a clearance and won an aerial duel.

Jack Roles

Tottenham product Jack Roles is still waiting for his competitive senior debut in north London (TransferMarkt), having worked his way through the youth grades in recent years to warrant inclusion in Mauricio Pochettino’s pre-season plans before securing a half-season loan move to Cambridge United.

Things began promisingly for the central midfield at his temporary League Two side as he made his debut in the starting XI at home to Scunthorpe (WhoScored), but Colin Calderwood benched the Cyprus U21 international for the U’s following four fourth-tier fixtures.

A maiden goal against Mansfield after coming on with 19 minutes to play preceded Roles returning to the starting line-up at home to Swindon on Saturday, against whom he found a teammate with 71% of his 28 attempted passes – two of which were deemed key and one marked as a cross – along with one dribble and two tackles, but committed one foul and lost possession once through an unsuccessful touch.

Tottenham should be pleased in seeing Carter-Vickers and Roles return to their respective loan side’s starting line-ups over the weekend, while being satisfied with Marsh maintaining his 100 per cent appearance record.

Marsh’s disciplinary record could soon become a concern for Spurs and Leyton Orient, though, but his recent spate of bookings can be put down to the 20-year-old adjusting to a competitive division in what is only his first spell away from the youth grades in north London.

Spurs will be far more satisfied in seeing Carter-Vickers’ impressive defensive display as part of a struggling side, and will hope to see more performances like his against Brentford when the Potters face Nottingham Forest in the Championship on Friday night.

Tottenham fans, what would you like to see the likes of Roles and Marsh add to their games while away from North London? Let us know in the comments below…

[ad_pod ]Mauricio Pochettino might well be on his last legs at Tottenham Hotspur.It’s been a very tough season so far for the Argentinian who hasn’t managed to get his team playing anywhere near the level we’ve come to expect from them.Tuesday night’s defeat to fourth-tier side Colchester United means Spurs have won just seven times in 26 games in all competitions, which includes the devastating Champions League final result against Liverpool.Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

While the dire situation at the club is likely far more complex than we can comprehend, an argument could be made that the cracks in Pochettino’s relationship with the boardroom began to show in the summer when he publicly expressed his dismay at seeing his role reduced. He said in July: “the club needs to change my title and description. Of course, I am the boss deciding the strategic play, but in another area, I don’t know. Today, I feel like I am the coach.”

Should Pochettino decide to leave, or be released of his duties prematurely, The Sun’s Deputy Head of Sport Martin Lipton believes there’s only one man for the job…

Manuel Pellegrini’s decision to substitute Pablo Zabaleta for Ryan Fredericks at half-time on Friday evening could finally be the sign that the manager has more faith in Fredericks than the 34-year-old.

Zabaleta was poor in closing down Fulham starlet Ryan Sessegnon last time out at the London Stadium and the right-back was largely at fault for the Whites opening the scoring as early as the third minute.

The Hammers recovered well to win the match 3-1 in the end but Sessegnon was quite easily able to put a low pass behind Zabaleta, which Ryan Babel calmly pounced on and put away to give Fulham an early lead.

Fredericks, who started West Ham’s previous two league games against Liverpool and Crystal Palace looked much more composed and organised at the back in the second-half, making it difficult for the likes of Sessegnon to find space on the wing.

The 26-year-old showed in the matches against the Reds and the Eagles that he is well and truly capable of handling the pressures of the Premier League and looked very comfortable at right-back.

The victory over Fulham was West Ham’s first in five league matches and it certainly boosted their chances of making a strong finish to the league.

Pellegrini should continue with Fredericks as a regular starter for the remainder of the season and use Zabaleta as a substitute when needed.

The former Manchester City man’s experience can undoubtedly not be questioned but given Frederick’s good showings of late, he might be of higher value when used from the bench in critical times.

Fredericks showed against Crystal Palace that he is a modern day right-back, who is capable of attacking down the flank with pace, while making quick recoveries in defence when needed.

Fredericks, who is valued at £3.6 million (by Transfermarkt), will definitely add to the East London club’s lethal attacking threat.

[ad_pod ]

A number of Leeds United fans were upset with the performance of Jack Harrison in Sunday’s Championship clash with Barnsley at Oakwell.

Harrison struggled to make his mark in the first half of the league match, which led to his withdrawal at the break.

According to WhoScored, the attacker, who struck the post from close range late in the first period, only had a pass success rate of 65%, whilst he managed just one shot during a tough first 45 minutes.

Watch Leeds United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Marcelo Bielsa’s side went on to win the match courtesy of two late goals, but it was a tough afternoon for the Whites.

Helder Costa impressed in the second half after replacing Harrison, and it will be interesting to see which player Bielsa selects for the clash with Derby County next weekend.

Harrison has only scored once for the Whites in all competitions during the early stages of the 2019/20 campaign, and the Leeds fans were not best pleased with his latest display.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

[ad_pod ]

Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side head into tonight’s Old Firm clash knowing that a win against their Glasgow rivals will take them to the top of the Premiership table for the first time this season.

However, with the 56-year-old still having a number of players unavailable due to injury, international duty and suspension, the Greek-Australian coach will once again face a number of tough decisions when putting together his starting XI this evening.

So, how many changes will Postecoglou make to the side that started the 1-0 win over Dundee United last time out? Here’s how we think Celtic could line up against Rangers, along with the latest team and injury news…

With the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Tom Rogic, David Turnbull and Yosuke Ideguchi being unavailable for the Old Firm clash, while Nir Bitton is suspended following his sending off against the Tangerines, we predict that Postecoglou will make three changes to the side that lined up in the 1-0 win at Parkhead last weekend.

The first of these alterations comes in the back four, with Josip Juranovic taking the place of 23-year-old Liam Scales at left-back – as, despite Greg Taylor being a natural choice in the position, the Croatia international who Marko Sapit dubbed an “intelligent” player has easily outperformed the 24-year-old so far this season.

The second change comes in the middle of the park, with the suspended Nir Bitton dropping out of the XI, and being replaced by the £6.75m-rated Callum McGregor – who Postecoglou recently revealed is in contention for a surprise return to first-team action following his speedy recovery from a facial injury.

The third and final change comes in the front three, with the 27-year-old Giorgos Giakoumakis having to make do with a spot on the bench after his stinker against Dundee United – with Liel Abada taking his spot leading the Bhoys attack, James Forrest switching over to the right flank and the “unbelievable” Jota making a return to the starting XI on the left.

In other news: Ange must brutally axe £8.2k-p/w “phenomenon” tonight, he could cost Celtic the title

After what has been a frustrating start to life at Aston Villa, Leon Bailey now deserves the opportunity to receive a run of regular games in Steven Gerrard’s side.

With nine matches left in the Premier League season, the Villans will be looking to finish the campaign as strongly as possible in order to secure their first top-half finish at this level in 11 years.

Furthermore, Gerrard will be keen to see the season draw to a positive close in order to lay down foundations to build upon for next season, with the West Midlands club possibly investing heavily once again.

Having been one of last summer’s big-money transfers when sealing a £25m move from Bayern Leverkusen, Bailey’s place is by no means secure but, amid injury issues, the Jamaican now deserves the chance to improve his status in the pecking order.

Bailey deserves his chance

The 24-year-old has only made 14 appearances in the Premier League, with just four starts, in which time he has scored once and set up two goals. However, during his time at Leverkusen, the Jamaica international scored 39 goals and set up another 26 in 156 appearances, an average of one goal contribution every 2.4 matches.

At 24, the winger has bags of experience, having played in both the Champions League and Europa League, also racking up 119 Bundesliga appearances, so there is no doubt that he can still be a huge asset for Gerrard’s side.

Indeed, after scoring in a 4-1 win over Hoffenheim in January 2018, his then-manager Heiko Herrlich gushed: “Leon Bailey can do anything at the moment.”

Last summer, the Jamaican wasn’t the only winger to join the West Midlands club, as Emi Buendia became the club’s record-signing when joining from Norwich City for a whopping £38m. Unfortunately for the Argentine, there hasn’t yet been much evidence of that fee being justified, with the 25-year-old scoring just twice and supplying four assists in 28 appearances.

The addition of Philippe Coutinho on loan from Barcelona has made a huge difference, with the Brazilian already doubling Buendia’s goal tally, having scored four goals in just ten Premier League appearances for the club thus far.

Coutinho’s place in the team is guaranteed but Bailey could certainly pip Buendia to a regular starting spot for the remainder of the campaign. However, if the 24-year-old is to succeed in doing so, he must prove to his manager that he’s fit and ready to start matches in order to show him and the Villa fans what he can do.

A strong conclusion to the campaign should certainly get Bailey’s spell in the West Midlands back on track.

In other news: Aston Villa open transfer talks over 105-goal machine, Gerrard will be buzzing

Crystal Palace confirmed on Saturday morning that youngster Adler Nascimento has signed professional terms with the club.

As to be expected, a number of Eagles fans have been reacting to the off-field news on social media.

Nascimento arrived at the club’s academy ranks over the summer from Championship side Peterborough United, where he made his professional debut at the age of 16 last May.

The Eagles reportedly forked out an initial £531,000 for his services, with the Portuguese teenager already making nine appearances for Palace’s under-18 side this season.

Nascimento has seemingly done enough to catch the eye in those games, despite starting on only three occasions, and he has penned professional terms at Selhurst Park.

Palace fans react

The Eagles’ official Twitter channel retweeted the club’s academy post regarding Nascimento’s contract on Saturday.

Here is what these Palace supporters had to say in reply, with one labelling it as ‘class news’ and another calling him an ‘absolute beast’.

“Bout time”

Credit: @James_cpfc06

“We must rate him big time”

Credit: @liamb0117

“This guy on Football Manager is an absolute beast”

Credit: @Wheddsta

“Class news but wouldn’t been worried if he didn’t after signing for £500k ”

Credit: @CPFC_Cal

“Well done”

Credit: @keithwhitfieldk

“That’s class”

Credit: @cpfc_sean

In other news: ‘Outrage’ – Many Crystal Palace fans react to club’s ‘pathetic’ update