[ad_pod ]The early departure of Yannick Bolasie back to his parent club Everton, as per avfc.co.uk,Âhas left a hole in Aston Villa’s squad.Dean Smith must seek to find a solution to this issue ahead of his side’s clash with Ipswich Town at Villa Park this weekend.

On the chalkboard

Whilst Bolasie wasn’t able to produce his best form consistently in his time with the Villans this season, the 29-year-old’s pace, trickery and directness would have been the ideal weapon to target former manager Paul Lambert’s full-backs with on Saturday.

Thogden has ranked his top 5 sets of Championship away fans for Pl>ymaker FC. Did your club make the list? Find out in the video below…

In Bolasie’s stead, Smith ought to give Andre Green a rare chance in the starting XI, as the 20-year-old has the required attributes to replicate the Everton winger’s effect on the Tractor Boys. The youngster’s pace and confidence when running at opponents with the ball at his feet should make him a dynamic and dangerous presence for the Ipswich defence to have to contend with.

Ready to rise to the challenge

Green spent a chunk of the first half of the campaign on loan with League One high flyers Portsmouth. He is yet to start for Villa after he was recalled, as per the club’s official Twitter account, from Fratton Park though, and has only made two starts so far this season for the Midlands outfit in all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

However, he replaced Bolasie from the bench against Hull City last time out and impressed in his cameo. What’s more, the Villa faithful are sure to get behind Green and give him a chance to grow into a greater role in the team due to the fact he is a product of their club’s academy.

He isn’t the finished article yet, but the potential is clear and he’s ready for this next big test in his career.

تلقى المدرب الفرنسي زين الدين زيدان، المدير الفني لنادي ريال مدريد، نبًأ سارًا في تدريبات اللوس بلانكوس، اليوم الجمعة، استعدادًا لمباراة ريال سوسيداد في الدوري الإسباني.

ريال مدريد يستقبل ريال سوسيداد بالجولة الثانية من الدوري الإسباني على ملعب “أنويتا” مساء الأحد المقبل.

وبحسب صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية، فإن التدريبات الجماعية اليوم شهدت تواجد النجم النرويجي بشكل طبيعي في التدريبات.

اقرأ أيضًا.. كورتوا: نأمل في حفاظ ريال مدريد على لقب الليجا والتتويج بكل البطولات

أوديجارد يُعاني من مشاكل في وتر الرضفة (صابونة الركبة)، وكان من المفترض أن يخضع لعملية جراحية، ولكنه فضل عدم الدخول لغرفة العمليات، ويريد التعافي منها بالعلاج الطبيعي

وأوضحت الصحيفة أنّ أوديجارد تدرب بشكل طبيعي، وكل شيء يُشير لإمكانية تواجده في مباراة الأحد.

واشارت الصحيفة إلى أنّ لوكا يوفيتش، تدرب أيضًا مع المجموعة، بينما لم يتواجد أي من لوكاس فاسكيز أو إيدير ميليتاو، حيث ظلا في صالة الألعاب الرياضية (الجيم) للتعافي من إصابتهما.

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Despite crashing out of both domestic cup competitions, Liverpool’s league form has been utterly phenomenal. The troubles of yesteryear have ceased, as the Reds have only conceded 14 goals in 24 games – the best defensive record in the division. Having won 19 of their 24 games, they have given themselves a favourable position as we embark towards the conclusion of the season.

Given the club’s historical tendencies to fall short when it matters most, any predictions about lifting the title would be ill-timed. Regardless of how this season develops, Jurgen Klopp deserves enormous praise for the way he has transformed this Liverpool team to be a thoroughly competitive outfit in the league and Europe.

A prominent feature of that transformation has been the formation of the Reds’ devastating attack. The signing of Mohammed Salah has been utterly inspired, and it has placed the Egyptian in the elite echelons of world football. Collectively, Salah, Sadio Mane Roberto Firmino and Xherdan Shaqiri have totalled 41 Premier League goals, with almost half a season of football remaining. From next season onward, the Reds should further equip their attacking arsenal, in the form of one of their youth products.

The importance of youth development, specifically, youth integration, has seemingly reached its peak with German clubs looking to acquire the best young talent from British team, and a player of Wilson’s undeniable class will begin to attract interest if the Wales international is overlooked by his parent club.

During his current loan spell at Derby, the 21-year-old has pieced together an impressive catalogue of sensational goals, particularly from dead-ball situations. And, while his goal-scoring prowess is a valued facet of his game, to focus solely on it would be a cruel dismissal of Wilson’s other qualities.

As is customary for most wingers, Wilson is blessed with great technicality, and thanks to his electric turn of pace, quick-thinking, and dizzying skill, he is a difficult player to contain. The winger also exhibits fine passing ability, particularly his valued tendency to play through balls. Resultantly, he is often the source of consistent service from wide positions.

The Welshman played a vital role while on loan at Hull City last season, helping the Tigers to avoid relegation with 10 goal contributions (seven goals, three assists) in 13 Championship games – a demonstration of his ability to make a meaningful, and speedy impact. In the same vein, Wilson has maintained his excellent form this campaign. In 28 appearances in all competitions for Frank Lampard’s Derby, the winger has 16 goal contributions (12 goals, four assists). He has also impressed at international level for Wales, earning eight caps and contributing towards three goals (two goals, one assist).

It seems entirely plausible that Wilson will surpass the 20 goal contributions mark, and at the age of 21, his potential is vast. At both Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, Klopp has developed an ability to maximise the output of his creative talents, giving them the best opportunity to express themselves. Wilson could prove to be the perfect addition to this Liverpool team, that already flaunts a plethora of attacking talent.

While Klopp rightly deserves acclaim for Liverpool’s transformation from top-four hopefuls to a genuinely competitive team, he has done so through exercising the club’s financial power. Most definitely, there is nothing wrong with resorting to the transfer market to strengthen one’s side, but youth integration is a far cheaper method, and often a source of tremendous pride for supporters.

Naturally, not every academy product or young player is of sufficient quality to play for the first-team and make an enduring impression; but Wilson undoubtedly has the talent and the potential to become a crucial component of Liverpool’s side for years to come.

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Everton welcomed Manchester City to Goodison Park on Wednesday evening and with it their former defensive enforcer John Stones.

Plenty of Premier League clubs have been forced to offload their top players to Man City in the past decade and Everton suffered that fate in 2016.

Stones, widely regarded as England’s most promising defender at the time, swapped Merseyside for Manchester as Pep Guardiola began a defensive reshuffle.

His transfer was understandably placed under some scrutiny throughout the British media, but it was difficult for the Toffees faithful to be disappointed over the decision.

While Raheem Sterling has cut something of a satanic figure on the red half of Merseyside, Stones remains a relatively popular one amongst the blue half, and he enhanced his popularity by waving towards the Gwladys Street end at Goodison Park as he left the field of play on Wednesday.

In response to the video, most Everton fans took a pragmatic view on Stones’ decision to leave the club and recognised that he was handed an offer he simply couldn’t refuse.

If the Twitter reaction is anything to go by, it seems that the supporters are willing the 24-year-old defender to succeed at City and always knew he was destined for a huge future in the game.

Here’s what a handful of Everton fans have had to say about Stones after watching the short clip…

Arsenal continued their decent form this season as they held Spurs to a 1-1 draw this weekend.

The Gunners have been impressive enough under new manager Unai Emery, although a quiet January was a bit of a concern as the club failed to make moves in the market.

Another rumbling issue at the Emirates has been the form and future of Germand midfielder Mesut Ozil, who has drifted in and out of the squad this term to differing effects at times.

The summer is going to be a big one for the Gunners, and they simply have to make some moves in the market if they are to keep improving and moving forward as a club.

And one man we here at the Tavern think would be a superb addition is current Monchengladbach midfield ace Thorgan Hazard, who has developed himself into one of the finest attacking midfield players on the continent.

Hazard, who is the brother of current Chelsea superstar Eden, never really got his chance at the Blues, but he has developed over in the Bundesliga into one of the most dangerous attacking midfield players in Europe on his day.

With Ozil potentially seeing his time with the Gunners come to an end, a player like Hazard might well be a suitable replacement both in the short and long-term.

Arsenal will look to playerss Kevin De Bruyne for inspiration too, after seeing the Belgian leave Chelsea with little opportunity and then return to Man City as one of the world’s finest players.

Hazard has bags of ability, and he’d be a superb addition for the Gunners with his technique, ability to play numerous positions, and finishing ability all points to note in his game.

Gunners fans, what do you think? Good signing? Let us know in the comments!

Leeds United now sit third in the Championship behind Norwich and Sheffield United, but they must focus on winning their own games rather than looking around them.

A weekend off from the title race has allowed their rivals to snatch a lead in matchday 33, where Norwich battered Bolton 4-0 away from home and Sheffield United beat Reading by the same scoreline. Points on the board are indeed better than a game in hand, so the pressure is on Leeds to make up for lost ground.

There are 16 games left for the top two and 17 left for Leeds, so although the title race can be declared as on, there’s still so much time left. The issue with Leeds is their inability to finish the chances they create, and the pressure of not being top of the tree won’t help the players to keep calm in front of goal.

If Leeds win all their remaining games, they’d win the league– simple as that. None of these three sides are invincible as we all know, but a vital trait of a champion team is putting in a solid run of wins as May draws nearer.

The style of football Leeds play is what many consider to be the best in the league, and if they can improve on how they play and forget about the teams around them, they won’t have an issue winning the league. Problems arise when a team is more concerned about what the other sides are doing, and how they’re playing to concentrate on their own game.

Look at Liverpool over the last few decades in the Premier League. Similarly to Leeds, they have high expectation from fans to win their division, and that, mixed with the pressure of the team below or on top of them winning, has been their downfall.

Having a game in hand is not easy physiologically because it feels like you’re playing catch-up, so the best thing Leeds can do is focus on winning each game is it comes, because that’s what would make them champions. While that sounds rather obvious, they must avoid an emotional collapse and take each game at a time, rather than imploding.

Forget the others, it must be all about Leeds United.

Which of the top three do you think is in a better position to win the Championship?

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Loads of Leeds fans have been reacting to a rather stunning development in the Daniel James saga, as his agent has publicly chastised Swansea’s handling of the deal.

Leeds looked all set to finally secure the signature fans have been waiting for late on Thursday night, but their deadline day dreams quickly turned to the stuff of nightmares.

James was all set to join the Whites having passed his medical on Thursday afternoon, with the deal expected to be a loan until the end of the season, when Leeds would then make the move permanent if they secure promotion.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

The move was called off at the last second though, and reports have since claimed that there were disagreements over the structure of the deal.

James, 21, is presumably gutted after spending the whole day at Elland Road waiting for the deal to go through, and his agent has spoken out against the Swans.

“Swansea made no attempt to keep the player and at the first sign of money they couldn’t show him the door quickly enough,” David Manasseh told The Telegraph.

“It is very disappointing but the player is philosophical about it.”

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, where fans have plenty to say about what is fast becoming a truly bizarre transfer saga…

Marcelo Bielsa is the man at Leeds United. There is no doubting it, and his presence at one of the world’s most iconic clubs has been felt.

First and foremost, you need to remind yourself what fans have endured since departing the top-flight of English football to understand why Bielsa is considered the messiah in West Yorkshire.

Pure, unadulterated misery has ensued since 2004.

Ranging from poor performances to bitterly close encounters with promotion; to the unthinkable relegation to the third-tier; a management merry-go-round consisting of the likes of Neil Warnock, Darko Milanic, Brian McDermott, Uwe Rosler, Gary Monk, Thomas Christiansen, and Paul Heckingbottom. All underlined by the plague that was Massimo Cellino.

The only constant in this mess: the Leeds United supporters.

They have followed with the same admirable grit and determination throughout all the club’s hardships; average home attendances shaming some of the top teams in English football, and a staunch away following that outmatches the hosts wherever they travel.

So, it probably comes as no surprise then that the club have recently announced that over 6,000 season tickets have already been renewed for the 2019/20 campaign, their largest opening week of sales on record (LUFC Twitter).

A quality haul, even by the standards of Leeds United. And, Times writer Henry Winter has claimed, it is all down to their new man Marcelo Bielsa and the man who introduced him to the club, Radrizanni.

The new owner has made a hugely positive impact since taking over from former embarrassment Cellino, whose name hardly warrants mention. Money has been spent, optimism spread, and the appointment of one of the world’s best made.

Evidently no complaints from the Leeds camp, even without the guarantee of promotion.

West Bromwich Albion are still in with a great chance of securing an automatic promotion place as they currently find themselves just six points off second place with a game in hand. 

The Baggies managed to secure a valuable point against Nottingham Forest last time out, thanks to a controversial penalty which was converted by Jay Rodriguez.

One thing that may be playing on supporters’ minds is Salomon Rondon’s future, as he continues to impress in the Premier League at Newcastle United. Interestingly, Rafa Benitez indicated that the South American is playing his way towards a permanent move back in December, so a permanent summer switch could be in the offing.

Therefore, it’s vital that Darren Moore takes a look at who can potentially replace the forward.

Oliver Burke is a name that springs to mind with his loan deal set to expire in the summer, and Moore has insisted that he will be returning (as per the Express & Star) to the Hawthorns at the end of the season, despite the player being keen (as per the Scotsman) to extend his stay beyond the summer.

So, it’s exciting times for the Baggies as they look set to have him in their ranks for next season.

The youngster has been a joy to watch since moving to Scotland last month as he’s managed to find the back of the net three times and has produced two assists in eight appearances. He was never able to live up to expectations during his time at the Hawthorns, but Moore will definitely be looking to benefit from his progression at Celtic.

Burke has operated at the pinnacle of the attack for the Hoops and it has served him well up until this point, so the Baggies should look to deploy him in that specific role if he stays in the summer. It’s clear to see that he knows how to score and create chances for his teammates, so he could be a real asset for the Baggies in years to come as he has plenty of potential and all the ingredients to develop into a star.

West Bromwich Albion fans – thoughts?

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Harry Winks is the future of Tottenham Hotspur’s midfield.

The England international produced another display oozing with class and patience against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League Round of 16 as Mauricio Pochettino’s men won the first leg 3-0 and placed one foot firmly in the quarter-finals.

On the chalkboard

Of course, the plaudits will all go to Jan Vertonghen for his display on a glory glory night for Spurs.

Deployed at left wing-back, Vertonghen rampaged down the flank, provided a sublime assist for Son Heung-Min’s opening goal and scored the second himself. It was, perhaps, the best performance of his career.

Fernando Llorente added a third from a Christian Eriksen corner but the contribution of Winks should not go unnoticed.

Long heralded as a star of the future, Winks appears to have come of age before our eyes and he is still only 23.

He has been involved in all six of Spurs’ Champions League games so far this season – playing 90 minutes against Barcelona at Wembley and 83 in the Camp Nou – while he has also played 23 times in the Premier League. He has come to embody Pochettino’s ethos of promoting from within and he is a player around which Spurs can build a team.

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

Against Dortmund, he was a study in quiet effectiveness.

Per WhoScored, Winks touched the ball a total of 88 times and played 72 total passes, with a completion rate of 93%. He completed the one dribble he attempted and made four tackles, the joint-most of any player on the pitch along with midfield partner Moussa Sissoko, defender Davinson Sanchez and Dortmund left-back Abdou Diallo.

Winks also made two interceptions and generally kept his side ticking over. There is an art to recycling possession, to take the ball in and keep it moving, and every elite team needs a metronomic presence in the middle of the park.

Against Dortmund, Winks proved he is exactly that.

Only going to get better

Winks has a remarkably high ceiling.

Spurs fans who have watched him all season are well aware of the qualities he possesses. Winks has an exceptional eye for a pass, as well as a superb range of passing. He is clean and efficient in the tackle and, while he sometimes loses the ball, he more often than not wins it back.

There is a tenacious, dogged edge to some of his midfield work but it never compromises his team-mates and he is regularly there at the sharp end, probing, looking to unlock a defence.

There has not been a player like this at Spurs in quite some time. Since the departure of Luka Modric, Spurs have been looking for a player who can make them tick, quietly going about their business in a fashion that would be sorely missed if they were ever withdrawn from the XI.

Winks is that man. He may not be on the level of Modric – the Croatian, after all, inspired his country to the World Cup final and won the Ballon d’Or this year – but the 5 foot 10 midfielder is cut from the same playmaking cloth.

The England international’s future is very bright indeed. So, too, is that of Spurs’ midfield.