All posts by z3u9t.icu

Swansea will be looking to move into the automatic promotion spots when they take on Luton Town in Saturday’s early kick-off in the Championship.

Steve Cooper’s side were held to a 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers in midweek, with Andre Ayew finding the net from the penalty spot once again, with the Swans having struggled to score from open play in recent fixtures.

Swansea are currently level on points with second-placed Watford in the table, although they have a game in hand on the Hornets.

With Norwich City running away with it at the top of the league, it is imperative that Cooper’s side pick up three points against a Luton side who are well in the bottom half of the Championship.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Cooper to set his side up against Luton on Saturday, with three changes from the team which started against Blackburn…

Despite the lack of clean sheets in recent fixtures, Freddie Woodman keeps his place in goal, and he should perhaps be confident of a shut-out against a side who have just 28 goals in the Championship so far this season.

There are two changes in defence, as after returning to the bench in recent fixtures, Ryan Bennett comes back into the side in place of Ben Cabango, with Cooper perhaps taking the opportunity for rotation amid the glut of fixtures.

Meanwhile, Ryan Manning comes in for Jake Bidwell at left wing-back, having impressed there in the 2-1 win against Stoke City recently.

There is one change in midfield as Korey Smith replaces Jay Fulton, whose ineffective display against Blackburn was characterised by a team-low 14 passes, and he features alongside the more attack-minded Matt Grimes and Conor Hourihane.

Ayew keeps his place up front but the Swans will have to start sharing the goals around more if they want to go up automatically, so Jamal Lowe will be hoping to end his rotten streak with a goal against the Hatters.

Many Wolves fans found themselves agreeing with Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson after he commented on Nuno Espirito Santo’s team selection during his side’s 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Southampton.

Speaking on Soccer Saturday (via Football Daily), the former Arsenal striker believed that the Black Country club had nothing to lose by going full strength in the FA Cup fifth round.

Nuno opted to go with a makeshift back three of Leander Dendoncker, Romain Saiss and Max Kilman in front of John Ruddy, resting goalkeeper Rui Patricio and captain Conor Coady in the process.

Wolves were comfortably beaten on the night and they only created one big chance during the 90 minutes and only had one shot on target (Fotmob).

Unsurprisingly, supporters overwhelmingly agreed with Merson, who believed that it was a wasted opportunity and that Nuno’s decision took away the chance of a solid FA Cup run.

Fans agree with Merson

“Stating the bleedin’ obvious! 100% agree. So disappointed in Nuno.”

Credit: @MattBunn78

“Cannot argue with the logic.”

Credit: @GAJC119

“Merson sums up what every Wolves fan was thinking in the week, tomorrow Nuno must win the game to justify resting those players”

Credit: @juranceb01

“I’m not the biggest fan of Paul Merson but I completely agree with him”

Credit: @Gavalar97

“Got to agree with him for once about us”

Credit: @Parton90716803

“If Paul Merson is calling you out, you know it’s time to pack your bags”

Credit: @robbowwfc

In other news, Wolves loanee admits time at Molineux is coming to an end.

West Bromwich Albion fans were far from happy with the performance of Matheus Pereira during their 1-0 defeat to Everton on Thursday.

The Baggies were beaten 1-0 at the Hawthorns by the Toffees, with Richarlison scoring the only goal of the game. It was a close affair, with both sides having three shots on target (SofaScore), but Sam Allardyce’s side were unable to get anything from the match after a late equaliser was disallowed for offside.

The defeat leaves them nine points from safety with just 11 games left to play (Sky Sports).

Pereira was far from at this best against Carlo Ancelotti’s side. He won just two of his seven duels and lost possession a whopping 24 times throughout the game, the joint-most of any Baggies player.

Despite being one of West Brom’s most creative players, he has too often been a passenger this term.

The Baggies supporters were not scared to share their thoughts on the 24-year-old, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Pereira below

“Pereira has been absolutely awful he’s only still on the pitch because we don’t have anyone good enough to replace him”

Credit: @DexWBA_

“How did pereira play 90 mins today he was awful”

Credit: @liamopatel_

“He’s not been the same since Krov left, just got gradually worse. I would drop him, till he gets his head right.”

Credit: @DannyJTurner2

“Decent performance that can’t be to disheartened but if there’s one negative it’s pereira been shocking lately and we as albion fans massively over hype him #wba”

Credit: @chr1s_williamsc

“what? pereira was by far the worst player on the pitch”

Credit: @ftblEthann

Token point but in games like this where you need a bit of directness and goal threat at the death, can’t fathom why Robinson didn’t get minutes over HRK and Pereira who needed to be hooked #wba”

Credit: @sjpatel212

In other news, West Brom fans love news on this defender.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Celtic look set to miss out on centre-back target Mark McKenzie.

What’s the story?

Reports over the summer had suggested that Neil Lennon’s side were very much interested in signing the USA international, and now, The Philadelphia Inquirer have revealed that the Hoops had a bid rejected for the 21-year-old.

It’s added that McKenzie’s side, Philadelphia Union, have agreed a fee with Belgian top-flight outfit Genk, and a move could be on the cards for next month.

The report states the transfer fee isn’t known yet “but since the Union turned down Celtic’s bid, it’s a safe bet that they’re going to make more money from Genk.”

Lawwell has to intervene

Despite only being 21, McKenzie is already earning rave reviews for his performances, and appears set to enjoy a fine career.

Speaking on The Athletic’s Total Soccer Show, Daryl Grove said: “I love the idea of Mark McKenzie going to Celtic. If you’re not familiar with Mark McKenzie, he really is a great centre-back.

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“He is so good at getting around the other side of you and just getting to the ball first. He’s also really good with the ball, some really nice passing out of the back, and I think, maybe most importantly, he appears to be one of those natural leader-types.”

Described as a “Rolls-Royce of a player”, McKenzie could come straight into Lennon’s starting eleven at Celtic Park and nail down a spot.

Make no mistake about it, Lawwell just has to come back in with an improved bid and pip Genk at the finishing post.

Newcastle United may have missed the boat on an all-round defender after Norwich City secured the services of PAOK Thessaloniki left-back Dimitris Giannoulis on loan.

What’s the word?

According to Sky Sports (Transfer Centre, 19/1, 17:13), Newcastle were one of an array of top sides, including Serie A big-hitters SSC Napoli, to have tracked Giannoulis over the past 18-months.

The 25-year-old has moved to Carrow Road on a half-season deal, which carries a £6m option to buy at the end the season should Daniel Farke secure the Canaries an immediate return to the Premier League.

Norwich are said to have monitored Giannoulis’ situation since they were in the top-flight last term, and now have a highly-rated talent with Premier League quality on their hands.

Giannoulis had started 11 of his 12 Super League appearances in the 2020/21 season before securing a move to England, while featuring in PAOK’s Champions League qualifying campaign and Europa League Group Stage efforts.

Farke considers the 11-cap Greece international to be a player not only for the now at Norwich but for the mid-to-long-term future, as the defender still has plenty of scope for development.

“In Dimitris, we’ve found the piece we were searching for. He’s a good age with lots of room for improvement,” he said, via quotes by The Pink Un. “He totally fits to the way we want to play, with attacking full-backs and lots of pace.”

Missed the boat

Giannoulis earned an array of admirers for his efforts in Greece after proving himself to be an all-round option at left-back, with two goals and 10 assists in 78 games for PAOK across all competitions.

Giannoulis is described by Sky Sports as a very creative full-back for his endless stream of crosses delivered into the box and, while citing Wyscout data, add that he had won an impressive 60 per cent of his defensive duels and made four interceptions per game on average this season.

Liverpool’s £75m defensive titan Virgil van Dijk similarly won 63% of his duels in the Premier League this season before sustaining anterior cruciate ligament damage, while Manchester United’s £80m Harry Maguire wins 52% of his total ground duels, per SofaScore.

But no Premier League defender offers as many interceptions a game as Giannoulis offered PAOK, with the 5 ft 10 ace’s performances far eclipsing the English top-flight’s best offering of Leicester City’s Wesley Fofana (2.64), among those who have featured more than five times this term.

Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson, considered to be one of the best left-backs in the world, also offers 2.22 accurate crosses a game for the most by a Premier League defender, to help toward the second-most key passes (1.89) by a backline member.

Newcastle singing Giannoulis this month, then, may have seen the Toon land a far better option than rumoured target Brandon Williams, who Sky Sports (Transfer Centre, 19/1, 13:42) claim the Magpies face competition from Southampton and Bayer Leverkusen to land on loan this month.

Williams has been an outcast at Manchester United this season with only eight appearances across all competitions, including just six minutes of Premier League football, after breaking through under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last term.

The Red Devils prospect started 11 of his 17 top-flight outings in 2019/20, but rarely created any chances in the box with just 0.2 accurate crosses a game and barely broke up opposition play compared to Giannoulis with a mere 0.9 interceptions on average, per SofaScore.

AND in other news, Newcastle face heightened competition for a £2.7m target…

According to The Daily Record, Bongani Zungu is set to start when Glasgow Rangers travel to take on Lech Poznan in the Europa League on Thursday night, but Steven Gerrard should think about deploying him in the No. 10 role instead.

Despite arriving at Ibrox from Amiens on an initial loan deal on transfer deadline day, the 28-year-old has started just once so far this season in the 4-0 win over Falkirk in the Betfred Cup, and Gerrard confirmed he was impressed with what he saw from the South Africa international in a deep-lying midfield role.

However, the Ibrox boss may be better served starting the Bafana-Bafana midfielder as an advanced playmaker instead. Steven Davis would be the favourite to start in that position, but he will most likely be rested for the game against Lech Poznan, which means there will be big boots left to fill.

Ianis Hagi may be pushing for a recall, with Gerrard deploying the 22-year-old as an attacking midfielder against Falkirk, but Zungu could arguably do a better job against Dariusz Żuraw’s side.

Whilst Hagi tried his best to impress during the game against the Scottish League One leaders, he doesn’t necessarily have the guile nor the experience to impose himself as the first-choice No. 10 for Rangers quite just yet.

On the other hand, despite primarily playing as a defensive central midfielder, Zungu has shown that he is fully capable of playing in an offensive role too on a handful of occasions.

WhoScored lists some of his key strengths as his ability to shoot from distance and his high levels of concentration, which is more than can be said for Hagi, who has often been accused of crumbling under pressure.

The Ibrox boss recently described Zungu as a “dominant” midfielder, telling the club’s website: “Bongani fits the profile of player that adds further strength and depth to our midfield.”

He added “we wanted a dominant midfielder with the right profile who can enhance the team and compliment other players we have.”

Gerrard is hardly short of options in the midfield, which means that he should be in contention to start behind either Alfredo Morelos or Kemar Roofe, whilst there is little doubt he may be better suited to sitting in a a free role between the midfield and the forwards.

With Ryan Jack ruled out as he works his way back to fitness, his versatility could be an added bonus.

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers must cash in on Brandon Barker in January…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Sheffield Wednesday loanee Dean Windass has reacted to Dominic Iorfa’s devastating injury blow.

Earlier this week, Owls boss Tony Pulis confirmed to reporters that the 25-year-old colossus had “done his Achilles” and will subsequently miss the remainder of the current season.

It’s the latest in a long list of setbacks for the 62-year-old and the club.

The Yorkshiremen started the season with a points deduction and now still find themselves bottom of the table, some seven points from safety.

Wednesday are also yet to win under Pulis, and the players have reportedly not been paid for the month of November, according to The Sheffield Star.

Iorfa now joins fellow central defender Aden Flint on the treatment table, whilst summer signing Chey Dunkley has appeared just twice for the club since his arrival.

Speaking to FFC, Windass said:

“He’s out for the full season now. Josh said he’s an experienced player, very comfortable on the ball at the back.

“It’s the last thing you need when you’re struggling in a dogfight, that your best players get injured. It’s just the way it is, really.

“Unfortunately, it’s a massive blow because Tony’s come out and said to Sky that it’s a bad injury for the kid. Achilles tendon snapped, so he’ll probably be out for a year.”

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers academy graduate had emerged as a regular in defence for both Pulis and the sacked Garry Monk, having started nine of ten matches in the Championship.

He has been out injured for the other nine fixtures.

Going into this weekend’s crucial encounter with Coventry at Hillsborough, Pulis is left with only two fit and senior centre-backs in the form of Dunkley and Tom Lees.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Carlton Palmer comments on Barry Bannan’s Sheffield Wednesday future…

Manuel Lanzini stole the show against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend when the West Ham United midfielder’s stoppage-time screamer found a way into the top corner of Hugo Lloris’ net.

It was a strike that reminded everyone of the skill the Argentine once showed on a regular basis in east London, but Lanzini’s first Premier League goal since May 2019 also served as a stark wake-up call for how long it has been since the 27-year-old’s finest hours in claret and blue.

Only a few years ago, Lanzini’s talents secured his seat on the plane to the 2018 World Cup only for a serious knee injury sustained in training to rule the midfielder out of the competition without a ball being kicked.

The blow put a major dent into his West Ham career, while a fractured collarbone in November 2019 sent Lanzini back to the physio’s room for a further two months and his place in the side has never been a guarantee since.

Following David Moyes’ return to the London Stadium in December 2019, Lanzini saw out the league campaign with just six further starts from 11 appearances whilst failing to offer a single goal or assist and be left on the bench on eight occasions.

The new season came around, but new opportunities did not, with last weekend’s 3-3 thriller in north London serving as Lanzini’s first taste of top-flight action after four outings as an unused substitute.

Lanzini made good use of his brief cameo to steal the headlines in the dying seconds, and clearly left a positive impression on Moyes who has since come out in support of the 27-year-old.

“No doubt the injury has had an impact on where he is, but I don’t see a reason why he can’t get back to that level,” Moyes stated at his press conference on Friday, via quotes by the official West Ham website.

“I can see the improvement in training, he’s got competition and when you have competition the best thing you can do is what he did the other night.

“We’ve got really good competition for places at the moment and we want Manu to be a part of that because he has talent and we want talented players.”

Yet while Moyes is seemingly in support of Lanzini rediscovering his past form, it will take far more than just the Irons boss’ trust to see the five-cap Argentina international return to his best and once again display the talent that left Slaven Bilic stunned at how well he took to the Premier League. It was under the Croatian’s leadership that he played his best football, scoring 15 times and providing eight assists.

And speaking in November 2015, four months on from Lanzini’s initial arrival on loan from Al-Jazira, Bilic said via quotes by The Guardian: “I am only surprised that he hit it off straight away.

“I thought he was going to need more time because he played with al-Jazira. It is a good level, but you can’t compare that with the Premier League.

“He is a phenomenal player, who is very comfortable on the ball, no matter where he is and gives everything in every training session.”

Moyes will need to see that same determination in training to warrant starting Lanzini once more, as while his stunning strike at Spurs was special, it will only paper over the cracks seen in the midfielder’s game.

Lanzini only managed to create two big chances to score in the Premier League last season, while also spurning each of his three big chances to find the back of the net. Additionally, he only averaged 0.6 shots, 1.3 key balls, 18.5 accurate passes in the opponent’s half, 0.6 crosses and 1.4 successful dribbles a game, per SofaScore.

Now with Jarrod Bowen, Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma for competition in the attacking midfield line, Moyes will need more than the odd screamer to truly trust Lanzini.

AND in other news, West Ham are at risk of a tense future with the departure of a popular backroom figure.

Marcel Brands faces a fraught challenge to sign Carlo Ancelotti’s “very talented” transfer target, SSC Napoli’s highly sought-after Fabian Ruiz.

What’s the word?

According to reports in Spain, Ancelotti intends to rediscover Everton’s early season form with a January raid on Napoli in hopes of reuniting with another of his former players in Fabian, after witnessing the successful adaptations of Allan and James Rodriguez to the Premier League.

Ancelotti was awash with praise for Fabian during his time at the San Paolo Stadium and has even contacted the Spaniard to discuss a potential move to Goodison Park, which the 24-year-old is not thought to have been opposed to.

Fabian is considered an untouchable aspect of Gennaro Gattuso’s plans in Naples yet remains a winter target for Everton after rejecting offers to renew his contract, as the 8-cap international considers exploring a new challenge just two-and-a-half-years on from leaving Real Betis.

Everton could face a strong line of competition, however, as La Liga giants FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid all hold a strong interest in Fabian, who the Express claimed was also an option for Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich this summer but they all faced a staggering £74million asking price.

Jurgen Klopp had been keen to pip the growing swarm of interested parties before ultimately signing Thiago Alcantara, with Fabian’s Napoli future becoming increasingly uncertain after his agent Alvaro Torres confirmed the Betis product was reluctant to discuss a new contract after a muddled campaign which saw Gattuso replace Ancelotti at the helm.

Fabian enjoyed the best days of his career so far under Ancelotti, scoring eight goals and penning five assists in 59 appearances across all competitions. He has since netted three and assisted five in 36 games under Gattuso, who has relied on the 6 ft 2 maestro to start all six possible Serie A fixtures thus far this term.

Brands’ fraught challenge

The level of interest in Fabian’s services and Napoli’s expected asking price would make any move by Everton this January a fraught challenge for their Director of Football Brands to overcome, especially as his Italian outfit have no urgent need to sell.

Fabian is under contract at the San Paolo through to the summer of 2023 and Napoli will be well-aware that the clutch of clubs keen on his services will ensure their valuation remains high far into his current terms.

But in a boost for Everton, reports in Spain claim that the Toffees are the most likely destination for the 24-year-old, as the Merseyside outfit can improve his current salary and present an ambitious sporting project as they strive to secure European football.

Ancelotti’s past relationship with the central midfielder can also play a key role in advancing the Blues’ standing, with the Italian a keen admirer having noted in 2019 via Napoli’s official website: “Fabian can play various roles and must certainly grow in many aspects. He is young and very talented.

“He must have fewer breaks and must gradually be inserted into the heart of the team. Compared to Marek [Hamsik], he has a different vision of the game but certainly greater penetration.”

Fabian responded to Ancelotti’s comments by recording his most creative Serie A campaign last season with six assists in 33 games and he is currently averaging 1.5 key balls and 1.5 shots per match this term as he registers 86.2 touches, 67.2 accurate passes, 4.5 duels won and 0.8 successful dribbles (83%), per SofaScore.

With Ancelotti keen and Fabian seemingly open to a move to Goodison Park, it only remains to be seen if Brands can unearth the funds needed to complete a raid on Napoli this winter.

AND in other news, Carlo Ancelotti is urging Everton to sign a “magnificent player” this winter.

According to an update by TuttoJuve, Tottenham Hotspur have lodged a bid to sign Juventus defender Merih Demiral with a fee of around £27.3 million – but the Serie A giants reportedly turned down a huge offer from both Daniel Levy and fellow Premier League side Everton. 

Demiral, who started just five league games for the Old Lady last season due to injury, still managed to impress in that time – averaging a 92% pass accuracy and making 2.5 clearances per match (WhoScored).

These glimpses of quality have arguably swayed Spurs into Demiral’s direction despite a lengthy spell on the sidelines over 19/20 due to a cruciate ligament rupture, with Everton also displaying a firm interest as per this report.

Indeed, both clubs have submitted £27.3 million offers to Juve in their search for defenders, but it appears Tottenham may have to look elsewhere for a Milan Skriniar alternative after their proposal was rejected.

The 6ft 4 star, deemed ‘brimming with confidence’ at one stage before his injury by Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri, was preferred over fellow elite centre-half Matthijs de Ligt last year in flashes.

Now, with his market value hovering around the £24.3 million mark (Transfermarkt), Tottenham may need a much larger sum given Juve’s stance on their latest bid.

A 13-cap international for his native Turkey, it’s clear that Demiral does possess enough quality to succeed in England’s top flight based off his past plaudits – with Skriniar negotiations still a work of progress and the 22-year-old now emerging as a potential secondary choice.

Whether or not Spurs come back with a new and improved offer remains to be seen, but landing the colossus would arguably be a good bit of business.

Should Spurs go for Demiral over Skriniar? Have your say in the comments down below…