West Ham United have been going through a bad patch on and off the pitch.
The East London outfit have had to deal with numerous injury problems, which has depleted their squad.
Andy Carroll, who has been in and out of the team due to injuries, is on the sidelines, while Manuel Lanzini and Marko Arnautovic have also been out of action with hamstring problems.
On the pitch, things have not been much better as the club were recently knock out of the FA Cup by Wigan Athletic.
The team also had to settle for draws with Bournemouth and Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Last weekend, the Hammers were humiliated by Brighton in a 3-1 loss at the Amex Stadium.
This afternoon, David Moyes’s men will return to the London Stadium, but they face a Watford side that are fresh off a 4-1 thumping over title holders Chelsea.
Pundit Paul Merson, though, thinks that West Ham will manage to keep the Hornets at bay in a 2-0 victory.
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The ex-Arsenal man told Sky Sports:
“West Ham had a bad result against Brighton but David Moyes has done well overall, and I don’t think the speculation about him this week will hurt them. They’ve got to get back and win, and I think they will.”
Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes that although the Red Devils’ performances have been underwhelming this season, the club should still give manager David Moyes more time.
The former United captain spoke during Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football show after widespread speculation that Moyes was to be sacked in the next few days.
Neville played 18 years as a defender for United under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson and insists that even with under-par performances on the field, the club should not ‘quick-fire’ managers when things don’t immediately go their way.
“I’ve been associated with the club for 30 years and that’s what I’ve always believed,” he told Sky Sports.
“From Dave Sexton to Ron Atkinson – people will say those are different times – and Sir Alex Ferguson himself got time in his early years when it was difficult for him.
“I genuinely believe that when you give a man a six-year contract that he deserves an opportunity and the time.
“The reason we are sat [in a TV studio] is because we look at football management and think of it as being a world of madness, an absolute world of madness where the average manager gets sacked every 12 months.
“I’ve always felt that Manchester United should be different and hold itself up as a club that basically stands against what is happening in the game.
“We used to laugh at Italy 20 years ago and say it was ridiculous what’s happening there, but now we have almost become accustomed to it.
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“I think fans are well within their rights, but I don’t like it when professional people – people inside the game – come out with statements that suggest a manager should be sacked.
“It’s not something you’ll ever hear from me because it’s a difficult job, something that I’ve never done.”
Manchester United’s 2-0 loss to Everton seemed to be the final straw for Moyes, as they are now mathematically unable to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Andre Villas-Boas has admitted that the hip injury that sidelined former Fulham player Moussa Dembele last season has returned.
The Tottenham boss says the club are waiting for the results of a recent scan over the injury.
Dembele had to miss three matches for the Cottagers in January after injuring his hip. However, his injury returned while on international duty, playing for Belgium in Tuesday’s victory against Scotland, which saw him substituted at half-time.
The injury stopped Dembele from taking part in Tottenham’s Premier League fixture against Chelsea this Saturday, which Spurs lost 4-2 after having previously won four games in a row.
Villas-Boas has said that it is hard to work out what is actually going on with Dembele’s injury, and that he is a player Spurs will miss.
“Top players are missed. He had a scan, but we haven’t seen the results yet. He suffers discomfort and pain on his hip which is not something that shows on the scan so it’s difficult to assess.
“Fulham took him off for a period of two weeks. He had a chance to play (on Saturday) and had a late fitness test but the pain didn’t go away. It’s something that comes back to him. He fell awkwardly in the Scotland game against Belgium and felt the pain,” the Spurs Head Coach said.
The loss of Dembele to Saturday’s squad, as well as the absence of star Gareth Bale, who did not take part in the game as his partner was in labour, weakened Spurs’ midfield.
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Moussa Dembele signed for Spurs on the transfer deadline day for £15 million this summer.
According to The Telegraph, Aston Villa have rejected a bid from Brighton & Hove Albion for in-demand centre-back James Chester.
Chester, 29, was outstanding for Villa during the 2017-18 campaign.
Even the defender’s brilliance could not inspire Steve Bruce’s side to Premier League promotion, however, with the club losing out to Fulham in the Championship playoff final.
Villa’s issues off the field mean that they will have to slash their wage bill this summer, and it is understood that Chester collects in the region of £40,000 a week at Villa Park.
It is not a surprise that a number of Premier League clubs are believed to be interested in Chester when considering that he is really a top-flight defender playing in the Championship.
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Villa will find it very difficult to keep hold of him this summer, and the same can be said for Jack Grealish as interest in the impressive midfielder gathers pace.
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The Villa supporters have been reacting to news of the bid from Brighton, and it would be fair to say that they are absolutely desperate to keep hold of Chester.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
Everton produced a fine performance on Wednesday night to defeat Leicester City at home in the English Premier League.
After failing to win a single match in January, it was the perfect end to January for the Toffees and gives supporters hope they can finish the season strongly.
Theo Walcott was the hero of the evening, scoring a first half double to put the game beyond the Foxes, who clawed one back in the second half through a Jamie Vardy penalty.
He was aided by the return of Seamus Coleman, who started his first match since last March after suffering a broken leg. The right-back produced a remarkable performance considering his lack of football and completed the full 90 minutes.
Fans now believe the Coleman-Walcott partnership on the Toffees’ right flank could be something special in the weeks and months to come and can’t wait to see how it develops.
They took to Twitter to share their thoughts on Coleman’s return…
Over the last few days, British tabloids have been flooded with reports that star striker Robin van Persie could be ousted from Manchester United at the end of the season – some even speculating a return to former club Arsenal, whom the Dutchman left on rather frosty terms for the Premier League champions in summer 2012. The latest instalments from the press claim the 30 year-old has an exit clause in his contract if United finish outside of the top four.
On the face of it, it seems absurd – the Netherlands forward has only been at Old Trafford for 18 months and in that time affirmed himself as one of the first team’s most influential players. He’s racked up a lethal return of 44 goals in 68 Red Devils appearances, and last term recorded a 26-goal haul to fire United to their 13th Premiership title.
Furthermore, of all the Carrington club’s failings this season, Van Persie’s strike-rate has not been one of them. Despite the torrid inaugural campaign David Moyes has endured in Manchester, the Dutchman is one of a few players that hasn’t decisively let him down, claiming 14 goals in 20 appearances, including eleven in the Premier League.
But rumours of a potential departure first circulated at the turn of 2014, and evidence to support that theory has been mounting ever since. First came the £37million arrival of Juan Mata, and the inevitable question of how to fit the Spaniard, the Dutchman and Wayne Rooney into the same starting line-up.
Then, and perhaps most tellingly, Van Persie was excluded from the club’s shortlist of replacements for Nemanja Vidic as skipper next season, despite wearing the armband for a number of seasons at Arsenal and regularly for the Netherlands national team.
The list is just a formality; after his £300k per-week contract, I’d be willing to place my mortgage on Wazza Roo getting the nod. But 22 year-old Phil Jones, a player yet to make a centenary of Premier League appearances, was included whilst an international captain was not – that’s an incredibly bold statement, especially considering the list was publicised on Manchester United’s official website.
Somewhere in between, Louis Van Gaal and Ronald De Boer have both claimed that Van Persie has grown disillusioned with his surroundings at Old Trafford, apparently due to the rather unattractive brand of football the Red Devils have adopted under David Moyes.
Scratch a little deeper and you can begin to understand it from United’s point of view. No one can doubt Van Persie is still one of the best finishers in world football, all the more so for proving it in the Premier League.
But the striker is now 30 years of age – a concern exacerbated by his hair greying around the edges at a furious rate – and heading towards the twilight of what has been an incredibly injury-stricken career. The fact is that Van Persie has managed just two full campaigns in his entire senior career to date, and the curse of the sidelines will undoubtedly plague him again in his later years – he’s already missed a significant portion of the current season.
And revisiting that tactical conundrum; how can David Moyes fit Van Persie, Rooney and Mata in the same starting line-up? Baring a change in formation that essentially goes against every philosophical tradition at Old Trafford, the answer is that he can’t – at least, not without compromising each individual’s ultimate utility.
United aren’t interested in make-shift starting XIs, they’ve been enduring them for too long as it is, and despite David Moyes insisting otherwise, they aren’t going to let the club’s record signing spend his entire Red Devils career squandering on the wing.
So with Mata arriving a matter (excuse the pun) of weeks ago, and Rooney now anointed via his £300k per-week deal – making him the Premier League’s most lucratively paid player of all time and the direct recipient of 3% of United’s overall revenue – as the poster boy of a new era at Old Trafford, by default and age, Van Persie becomes the Red Devils’ only realistically expendable star.
The only other option is that he’s bumped down the pecking order, but £200k per-week, according to the International Business Times, is a lot to pay a substitute – especially when Javier Hernandez is capable of doing the same job for significantly less – and you can’t imagine the 30 year-old being too happy about that situation either.
From the Dutch international’s perspective also, the summer represents the best time to move on. He joined Manchester United under the presumption that Sir Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils career would likely outlast his, and most importantly that he’d be given the opportunity to make up for lost time in regards to silverware – Van Persie left Arsenal with a solitary FA Cup on his CV, and through the emptiness of his transfer cabinet alone will probably not be represented as he should be in the Premier League’s history books.
Now however, the 30 year-old is working under David Moyes at a club that’s looking to go back to the drawing board. The likelihood is that this process of reinvention at Carrington will result in United being out of the Premier League title race for at least another season.
Resultantly, Van Persie has looked incredibly uncomfortable in recent weeks, particularly following the club’s decision to exclude him from the public shortlist of candidates for the captaincy.
After United’s 2-0 defeat to Olympiakos in the Champions League, the Dutchman complained; “Our fellow players are sometimes occupying the spaces I want to play in. And unfortunately, they’re often playing in my zones. I think that’s a shame.” He also spanked the Red Devils’ best chance of the match over the bar, in uncharacteristic wastefulness.
Against West Bromwich Albion at the weekend too, despite United coming away with a 3-0 win, the former Arsenal striker failed to turn up to the party. His frustrations almost resulted in a red card, after a splatter of ill-disciplined, and in some instances dangerous, fouls.
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I’m not suggesting Van Persie has become by any means a worse player in just a handful of matches, but it’s quite clear that either his head, heart or both have been absent in recent weeks.
But perhaps the most deciding factor is that the coming summer window represents an incredibly unique crossroads for the Old Trafford side. Culls will take place – we already know Nemanja Vidic, and most likely Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand too, will be leaving on bosman moves at the end of the season – and new blood is expected to be brought in, with the view to progressively build a United side that can rival the quality of its predecessors.
Many would argue that Van Persie is a world-class striker capable of contributing to that, but at 30 years of age and his current contract set to expire in 2016, it’s unlikely the Oranje international will ever see the Red Devils’ next generation in its most finite form. With that in mind, United may as well begin investing in the future of their strike-force with immediate effect, in addition to the defence and midfield.
Therefore, the looming window seems like an ideal opportunity for both parties to move on – Van Persie to move onto one of the countless European clubs willing to take him where he can continue winning silverware, and the club to move onto rebuilding for the future without footballing and financial obligations to an ageing star.
When Czechoslovakia dissolved into two states in 1993, through a lack of bloodshed, violence or foul taste, it was labelled the Velvet divorce. For similar reasons, I would coin this a velvet departure – both parties benefit, with little need for resentment.
West Bromwich Albion chairman Jeremy Peace has received a ringing endorsement from outgoing sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth.
The London based financial guru has been a controversial figure at the Hawthorns, with Peace now a majority shareholder at the club. However, he is now being praised for his role in reviving the West Midlands outfit.
Despite being under fire from some of Albion’s fans during his 10 year tenure for his shrewd approach to the transfer market, the club now look to have a working business model.
There has been a balance in acquiring quality signings such as Romelu Lukaku and Claudio Yacob but also ensuring that the price is right for the club too.
Ashworth believes the key to the West Brom’s success over the last few seasons is down to the owner’s foresight to correctly employ a sporting director, his position at the club, to oversee transfer policy.
He accepted that the role usually referred to at most clubs as a director of football is not one which would work at all 92 football league clubs, and it takes a brave man to carry it through properly.
The director who is set to move to the FA full time at the end of the season went on to tell the Birmingham Mail “He had the foresight and courage to create this role when a lot of people wanted to run it down and run him down by saying it couldn’t work.”
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The Baggies chairman will now be looking for a new sporting director who can mould the club ensuring each cog in the club’s machine works as successfully as they have under Ashworth.
It’s been something of an annus horribilis for Christian Benteke.
Following a torrid time up front in which he only netted three times for the Eagles, the Belgian striker – who Transfermarkt value at £19.8million – was then not selected for his country’s 23-man World Cup squad.
Roberto Martinez instead opted to take Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens and Michy Batshuayi as his striking options to Russia.
To make things worse, the Evening Standard are now reporting that Crystal Palace are prepared to sell their misfiring striker this summer.
After having spent £27million to bring him from Liverpool to Selhurst Park, the club are hoping to recoup some of the funds, with a move to the Chinese Super League most likely.
Beijing Guoan made a bid for the forward last year and there is still interest in China despite his poor form.
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Crystal Palace fans have been reacting to the news that one of their star players could be out the door this summer, with opinion split on whether it’s time for the striker to move on.
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Everton manager Sam Allardyce has admitted that the club are in talks to sign Arsenal winger Theo Walcott, reports The Independent.
What’s the word?
Walcott’s career at the Emirates has always stuttered, and some have questioned whether he ever reached his potential.
This season in particular, the England international has had to spend most of it watching from the sidelines.
In total, Walcott has started nine games in all competitions and has featured in a further five Premier League matches, but was not in the first XI for a single one.
With that in mind, it seems that Arsenal are prepared to let their long-time member leave.
During Friday morning’s press conference, Allardyce confirmed to reporters that talks have begun over a permanent switch to Everton.
The Independent quotes the Toffees boss as saying:
“I think you are all aware of our interest in Theo If that is possible to get over the line I’d be delighted. Obviously there are negotiations that are happening at the moment and if that can all be sorted out one of the most difficult things to do today – then that would be a great addition in my opinion to come and join us from an attacking point of view.
“Two or three reasons really – goalscoring threat, pace, experience and he’s good on assists from wide areas in terms of his crossing ability. If that is at all possible it would be very nice. It is not imminent at the moment but some negotiations are going on. I don’t think there’s any chance of a loan so I think it is a permanent deal we’re hoping to negotiate.”
Is Walcott a good option for Everton?
The one thing that might have Everton fans nervous is the fact that the winger has suffered numerous injury problems throughout his career.
Walcott has been part of the Arsenal fold since 2006, but there have only been a few seasons since then when he has been a consistent standout player for the Gunners.
Given that the Englishman is edging closer to 30, he may become even more injury-prone, but that is a risk that Everton will have to take.
Many positives come with signing Walcott, particularly his ability to speed down the field.
The Toffees have been lacking pace in wide areas, which is something that the Arsenal man can certainly provide.
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In addition, Walcott also enjoys playing up front, so he can give Allardyce various options in attack.
Having scored more than 100 goals in his 12-year career in North London, the former Southampton star could potentially be the answer to Everton’s attacking woes.
Keep in mind, though, that the club will have to spend big to match Walcott’s wages at Arsenal.
Arsenal are currently in the thick of their most trying sequence of games thus far into the season.
Two losses against Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea were instantly cancelled out following the win at home to Liverpool, but many will be expecting another slip up this evening away to the Bundesliga club and on the weekend against Manchester United.
But Dortmund are not a stick that should be used to beat Arsenal with – or any Premier League side, for that matter. Why? Because the Bundesliga club are comfortably better than any English side, and because Arsenal’s ability or inability to take points from Jurgen Klopp’s side won’t have a direct effect on how well they do in the Premier League.
Dortmund are currently one of the top three or four sides in Europe and Champions League finalists of earlier this year. Manchester United’s credentials as Premier League champions were not hacked away following those two Champions League final losses against Barcelona, just as Arsenal were not guaranteed of making the top four last season following their win at Bayern Munich. The point: domestic and European form is to be held completely separate.
Dortmund were once again irresistible and unstoppable in their last Bundesliga game, putting six past Stuttgart. Robert Lewandowski, one of the most in-demand forwards in the game – and with the ability to back up his reputation – scored a brace within two minutes and rounded out his hat-trick not long after on Friday night. Combined with players like Marco Reus, Jakub Blazsczykowski, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and the yet to return Ilkay Gundongan, there aren’t too many club sides who can match the quality of personnel and style on display at Signal Iduna Park.
But Arsenal don’t need excuses made for them. Instead, it’s necessary to weigh up the logical and legitimate criticisms of Arsene Wenger’s side and their apparent inability to win domestic silverware. Arsenal are not a match for Dortmund, despite holding them for much of the ninety in the first meeting between the two sides this season. Yet regardless of the loss, it shouldn’t take away from the clear steps forward Wenger’s team have taken.
If Wenger chooses to add one or two more in January, this Arsenal side will wipe out the only yawning drawback in their fight for silverware.
Arsenal are not top of the Premier League table by accident. Others haven’t been as consistent, both in results and quality of football. But above all, this is the Premier League, Arsenal’s priority for the campaign. There’s little point in using a foreign club to measure another’s domestic credentials. No one was as good as Barcelona during Pep Guardiola’s reign. Just as it is in this case, it would have been illogical to say that the countless teams they beat on the way to lifting two European Cups were not worthy of domestic titles.
Chelsea’s win over Arsenal in the League Cup displayed one gulf: depth. Yet even with the fact that Juan Mata, David Luiz and Willian alone amounted to a transfer total of around £100 million, the line was continuously trotted out that Chelsea’s second string were on display against Arsenal’s first. Another idiotic and pointless swipe at Wenger’s team.
You have to beat the best in Europe, eventually, to win the Champions League. There is no shame in Arsenal if they fail to come through a group consisting of two very, very good sides in Dortmund and Napoli. In fact, not a whole lot was said of Manchester City’s Premier League pedigree when they finished bottom of their Champions League group in the season they won the league title.
It’s unfortunate, for the sake of Arsenal’s squad size – one which is still feeling the effects of widespread injuries – that Dortmund away falls between Liverpool and Manchester United. But it’s secondary; far more important than the pointless League Cup, but not an indicator of what Arsenal can do in the league.
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Should Dortmund measure how far Arsenal have come this season?