Newcastle fans will have massively enjoyed the events of Sunday afternoon. As their squad was touching down in the capital ahead of yesterday’s trip to Arsenal, their Tyne-Wear rivals, Sunderland, were playing the Checkatrade Trophy final where they lost to Pompey on penalties.

Whilst the Magpies may have been a day early for April Fools day, they still managed to successfully mug off their rivals with their very well timed tweet. As Sunderland fans would have been in tears over their Wembley loss, the Geordies were arriving in London on what was described by their Twitter admin as a ‘glorious afternoon’ and none of the travelling Newcastle fans would disagree with that.

In recent years, Sunderland have been able to boast a superior record over Newcastle when it comes to clashes between the two sides, yet now that the Black Cats are rotting in League One it’s hard to see a way that the two sides will be meeting anytime soon, unless of course, they find themselves clashing in a domestic cup game. That won’t bother the Geordies one bit, though as they’ve loved seeing Sunderland flailing.

You can read the Magpies’ reaction to their club’s cracking tweet here:

The Geordies love content like their club’s tweet from Sunday, and anything to troll their bitter rivals will always go down well with the St James Park faithful.

With all this contract speculation circulating around Rafa Benitez, Newcastle fans are desperately hoping it ends with the Spaniard agreeing to extend his stay at St James’ Park in order to progress the team over the next few years.

That much is obvious, right? Well, considering the state of play on Tyneside right now, nothing else is.

Indeed, the least Mike Ashley can do is get him to sign a new contract, after all he’s done over the last few seasons. Not only is a great manager but he also acts as a lure for the better players for Newcastle to try and sign.

Everybody knows that. Why don’t you seem to grasp it, Mike?

After all, Newcastle’s side still most definitely needs improving and the summer promises to be the perfect opportunity to do just that. Clearly, a number of positions can be improved upon from a Newcastle perspective and with Antonio Barreca’s loan spell proving to be ineffective, interest they have previously held in a left-back – Stanley N’Soki – should be taken up again.

N’Soki, (who is valued at £7.6 million on Transfermarkt) was a target (as per the Chronicle) for Newcastle over the course of the January window but for whatever reason, a deal failed to materialise.

The 19-year-old has since been involved with the PSG first team a lot more than he and many others probably would have predicted. With 11 Ligue 1 appearances to his name and a further three in cup competitions, N’Soki has proven to be not just any youngster but one ready to play right now.

Able to play in centre-back as well as his usual position of left-back, N’Soki can provide helpful versatility to a side like Newcastle and undoubtedly would be a top addition. How nice would that be, Toon fans? Another left-back of note at long, long last.

Newcastle fans, how highly do you rate the PSG youngster? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

[ad_pod ]

Reports of Paul Pogba’s possible departure from Manchester United are heating up, so how could the Red Devils work his departure to their advantage?

What’s the story?

According to The Daily Star, Pogba has already told Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that he is leaving for Real Madrid this summer.

The report cites Spanish journalist Eduardo Inda as saying: “He has let Solskjaer know that he wants to go, he has been offered £500,000 pounds, but he wants to go and the signing is almost done.”

Meanwhile, The Mirror claim that James Rodriguez will be left looking for a new club this summer, as Bayern Munich will not make his loan move into a permanent one and Real Madrid do not want him back.

So, should the Red Devils ask for Rodriguez as part of any potential Pogba deal?

Who is your club’s worst ever January signing? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have picked theirs in the video below and they didn’t disappoint…

A long-running problem solved?

It goes without saying that the two players are completely different, and in no way, shape or form will Rodriguez replace the role Pogba played in Solskjaer’s team.

However, a switch to a 4-2-3-1 could accommodate the Colombian, while also solving a problem that multiple managers have had at Old Trafford in recent years – the lack of a dynamic, do-it-all midfielder.

Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho both suffered for a lack of midfield quality, but if the Red Devils play their cards right they may become more balanced without signing that box-to-box presence Solskjaer’s predecessors were crying out for.

By placing James in the number ten position, surrounded by the electric skill and pace of the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and potentially Jadon Sancho, Solskjaer could focus his two holding players more on the defensive side of the game.

This would in effect end the incessant and unsuccessful hunt for a true box-to-box midfielder, of which a world class one is extremely hard to find, because the 4-2-3-1 formation does not require one.

Defensive midfielders who read the game well and spray the ball about are a lot easier to find and cheaper to purchase, and they would of course allow James to do what he does best – score and assist goals.

If Pogba does leave this summer, getting some cash and a new number ten as part of the deal would surely soften the blow, and Solskjaer’s team may actually become more balanced as a result.

[ad_pod ]

Arsenal fans have wasted no time in jumping onto Twitter to criticise Matteo Guendouzi for his awful performance against Everton.

The 6 foot 1 youngster continuously gave the ball away and never looked positive with his passing, always choosing to play the safe option and losing it when he did try to be more adventurous.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

Of course, the 19-year-old Frenchman is still learning his trade, but most Arsenal fans will be able to tell you that he can play a lot, lot better than he did at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Barely anyone in an Arsenal shirt played well, but Guendouzi made mistake after mistake to receive the majority of the backlash from the Gunners fanbase – perhaps it is the aforementioned fact that they know he can do far better.

As a result of the loss, Unai Emery’s men face a difficult battle to finish in the top four, but for now, let’s see what the Arsenal supporters have been saying about Guendouzi on Twitter after his awful showing…

[ad_pod ]

Wolves have been a joy to watch in their first season back in the Premier League and they only emphasised that with a phenomenal 3-1 win over Arsenal last Wednesday night.

And it was a landmark win for the club as they beat the Gunners for the first time in 40 years, ending a run of 20 games without a victory against the north London side.

Supporters of Nuno Santo’s team were obviously delighted with the win but they are also ecstatic at finally ending their run of games without defeating their opposition on the night.

One fan claimed it was revenge for ‘that’ cup semi-final, making reference to when Arsenal beat them in the 1997/98 season in the FA Cup by a goal to nil.

Two supporters said they were just a year old the last time Wolves beat the Gunners whilst another recalled watching it with their dad.

Amazingly, the club’s elder fans have had to wait since 1979 for a win over Arsenal when on the 29th September, Wolves triumphed 3-2 in the old Division One.

A Wolves fan shares his most gutting moment of the last 10 years supporting the club in the video below…

Their win this time came courtesy of goals from Ruben Neves, Matt Doherty and Diogo Jota who were all phenomenal as the club reaffirmed their top seven hopes.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

A goal-scoring crisis looms at large for Manchester United.

They might’ve scored a ton of goals in the initial dream run under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but everything dried up after reality set in. Indeed, since the inspired Paris-Saint Germain game, Romelu Lukaku’s goal-scoring boots have also vanished.

The 25-year-old Belgian’s yet to score a goal since that eventful night in Paris and is getting frustrated with his situation at United. He’s voiced his ambitions to possibly move to play in the Serie A, as Solskjaer won’t really be hesitant at letting him leave.

United are looking towards striking options for the summer and might’ve found an apt replacement for Lukaku.

According to reports (via the Mirror), the Red Devils have their eyes on Olympique Lyonnais’ marvellous Moussa Dembele. Lyon’s £19.8 million signing had a breakthrough season in Ligue 1, scoring 13 goals from 29 appearances so far. He’s complimented Lyon’s terrific attackers perfectly, producing some special moments throughout.

Dembele’s excellent work in the final third’s allowed him to come under the radar. He’s now only mobile and clinical in front of goal, his overall work is also sound. The 22-year-old’s hold-up play is excellent, while his excellent link-up play, as well as deft finishing ability, makes him a much more complete striker than others.

The Frenchman’s never static, always looking to get in among goals. Dembele’s more energetic, agile and decisive than the erratic Lukaku. He’s the perfect fit for Solskjaer’s fast-paced style perfectly to act as the ruthless striker’s he’s been craving for.

United fans, do you think Dembele can solve the goal-scoring problems? Join the discussion by commenting below…

[ad_pod ]

Loads of Rangers fans have been reacting to some positive news from the club, as the reserve side came from two goals down to beat a strong Hibernian XI on Monday.

Rangers have fallen behind in the title race since the beginning of March, as Steven Gerrard’s side have struggled to turn dominance of the ball into goals and wins.

Still though, there is a real feeling that Gerrard’s reign is a work in progress, a work that is going to bring success eventually.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

The gaffer will look to trim and reshape his squad again this summer after a busy transfer window last year, but could he have some gems in the youth set-up that will save him some money?

The young Gers played a Hibs side with several first team players in it on Monday, and Glenn Middleton’s first half brace levelled things up after Hibs had shot out to an early 2-0 lead.

Stephen Kelly then decided the game with an inch-perfect free kick, and fans are heaping praise on their youngsters.

Could the likes of Middleton, Kelly and Cameron Palmer, who captained the side, make an impact in the first team next year? The Twitter reactions down below are impressed…

[ad_pod ]

BBC pundit Garth Crooks has, as always, written his ‘Team of the Week’ column, and he has thrown up some interesting points yet again.

Crooks discussed all things from the title race down to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s impact at Southampton, but one statement on Jordan Henderson’s current situation at Liverpool hit home harder than any other points.

The Reds beat Chelsea 2-0, returning to the top of the table in doing so, with Henderson putting in a ‘Man of the Match’ performance to help his side earn all three points.

What did Crooks say?

Henderson has only recently been reinstated into the starting line-up on a more regular basis after a chat with Klopp over his position in the team, and he has put his money where his mouth is with some inspirational displays.

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…

After his showing against the Blues, in which he set up Sadio Mane’s opener, Crooks wrote: “If Liverpool do happen to win the title, the return to form of Jordan Henderson will have had a lot to do with it.

“How much credit Jurgen Klopp will take for that remains to be seen. It was Klopp who dropped Henderson – harshly in my view – but the reaction of the Liverpool captain has been quite remarkable.”

How much credit does Klopp deserve?

None. It was Henderson who walked into the German’s office, told Klopp that he felt he performs better as a No.8 – pointing to his recent displays with England as proof – and forced his boss’ hand.

Now Henderson has put in three excellent performances in the role against Southampton, Porto and Chelsea, meaning there is no way that Klopp can have even a shred of the acclaim for the England international’s upturn in form.

The former Borussia Dortmund manager even apologised for playing Henderson as a No.6 for the past couple of years, but revealed that he ‘had to’ as no other player could.

Fabinho has been at the club for nearly a year however, so if Klopp was waiting for a No.6 to arrive before restoring Henderson to his favoured role why has he delayed such a switch until the final month of the campaign?

Henderson deserves 100% of the credit for speaking up, and even more credit for delivering the performances to match his belief in his own ability.

تحدث بيدرو مارتينيز مدرب أولمبياكوس عن هزيمتهم مساء أمس أمام مانشستر سيتي في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

واستضاف ملعب الاتحاد مباراة الفريقين في الجولة الثالثة من دور المجموعات، حيث خسر أولمبياكوس بثلاثة أهداف دون رد. أهداف مانشستر سيتي وأولمبياكوس

وقال بيدرو مارتينيز في تصريحات نشرها الموقع الرسمي لليويفا: “شعرت بخيبة أمل كبيرة من ما قدمناه في الشوط الأول، لقد ظهرنا خائفين، لم نلاحق الكرة، احترمنا منافسينا كثيرًا”.

وأضاف: “لكن في الشوط الثاني كنا نلعب بطريقتنا المعهودة، كنا أفضل، واستحوذنا بشكل أكبر، ووجدنا أنفسنا”.

وواصل: “في غضون ثلاثة أسابيع في بيرايوس (معقل أولمبياكوس) إذا استطعنا اللعب كما فعلنا اليوم في الشوط الثاني، فسنكون قادرين على تحقيق شيء أكثر في المباراة”.

وتابع: “عندما نلعب حسب قدراتنا، يمكننا تحقيق نتائج جيدة، ولكن ليس إذا لعبنا كما فعلنا في الشوط الأول”.

Aston Villa fans must feel like they’re dreaming right now as their side are currently on an unbelievable run in the Championship. Although, their recent rise in form won’t mean anything if they fail to go one better than last season. 

The Villans have relished having Jack Grealish back in the side as he’s spearheaded the Midlands club’s push for a play-off place and they now look like achieving it.

However, fans will be rather anxious in the summer transfer window, especially if they fail to secure promotion, as according to The Mirror, Spurs, West Ham and Bournemouth are all interested in Jack Grealish.

Indeed, losing the midfielder really would be the end of the world as he’s the heart and soul of the club and fans have grown to adore him at Villa Park. It’s safe to say that Grealish is a once in a lifetime player in the eyes of many Aston Villa fans and he’s not even reached his full potential yet.

It would take something special to replace him.

Interestingly, Dean Smith may already have Villa’s next Jack Grealish at his fingertips.

Callum O’Hare is from the same town as Grealish and they share many of the same traits. Both players love to get forward and make things happen, as well as being able to chip in with a goal every now and again. Also, the 20-year-old loves to keep the ball close to his body to commit players and he uses his turn of pace to get past them.

Of course, the youngster is a long way off becoming the player Grealish is but he certainly has the potential to follow in his footsteps and he’s shown he can score and create this season by producing four goals and three assists in all competitions for both Carlisle and Aston Villa’s Under-23 side.

Aston Villa fans, do you think O’Hare has what it takes to become the next Jack Grealish? Join the discussion by commenting down below!