Duncan Watmore took a huge step towards recovery following a career defining anterior cruciate ligament injury by completing 90 minutes of football on Tuesday evening, but he will be unable to back up that performance with any further action on Friday evening.
What’s the word?
Jack Ross will have been delighted to welcome Watmore into Sunderland’s starting lineup against Blackpool – a fixture which saw him complete 90 minutes for the first time in more than two years.
However, the visit of Accrington Stanley has come too soon for the 24-year-old, as Ross revealed he will be absent at the Stadium of Light on Friday evening, per Sunderland’s official website.
“He won’t be involved tomorrow night, which is a blow for us because obviously his performance was so positive,” Ross said.
“The reality of his recovery is that it’s not possible for him to play two games in as quick succession as that – not that it will be the case for him indefinitely.
Long road to recovery
It’s hardly surprising that the attacker is unable to take part in the Black Cats’ clash with Accrington.
Players who are in prime physical condition are rarely at their best when they are forced to play two games in the space of three days, so the Sunderland man was always going to struggle to feature.
The road to recovery is long and arduous, but it’s important that the supporters stand by him during his recovery as it will naturally take plenty of time for him to rediscover his best form.
It’s unlikely that Watmore will discover anything close to top form until the 2019/20 campaign, but the fact Ross regards his absence as a “blow” suggests he believes he could still play a key role at the business end of the season.
According to The Mirror, Bayern Munich and Lazio are reportedly interested in signing Liverpool prospect Marko Grujic, with the young midfielder’s stunning performances whilst on loan to Hertha Berlin earning rave reviews.
What’s the word, then?
Well, since joining the Bundesliga side on a temporary deal back in the summer, the young Serb has caught the eye with some swashbuckling performances in the middle of the park.
Grujic has scored three goals and recorded one assist in 14 appearances for Hertha, helping them to their current position of eighth in the Bundesliga table. The 22-year-old’s performances have seen him nominated for the ‘Rookie of the Year’ award in Germany’s top flight, and have received a glowing analysis from the club’s coach, Pal Dardai.
Are fan nerves to blame for Liverpool’s recent form? Pl>ymaker FC’s Tom Skinner discusses in the video below…
“I’ve been at Hertha for 22 years. This isn’t meant as an insult to anyone else, but Marko is by far the best midfielder I’ve seen in my time at the club.”
The answer to Liverpool’s lack of goals from midfielder?
Grujic is a powerful presence in the middle of the park and has certainly impressed on loan this season, providing a healthy dose of goals.
Liverpool’s midfielders, namely Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Gini Wijnaldum and Fabinho have mustered up just six goals between them this term, which simply isn’t good enough for a team going for the title – the Reds rely far too much on Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
Grujic has always had excellent technical ability, and has already proved to the Reds’ fanbase that he has the attacking nous to find the back of the net; most fans will remember his expertly executed looped header against Barcelona at Wembley.
Jurgen Klopp attempted to amend the problem with the signing of Nabil Fekir back in the summer, but for a failed medical putting an end to the deal – the Frenchman was meant to be a replacement for Philippe Coutinho, but the Reds could have had the ideal man right under their nose all along.
Of course, Grujic and Coutinho’s games differ, in that the former is a box-to-box midfielder and the latter has played more as a secondary forward at times, but if the Serb can come close to replicating the Brazilian’s steady supply of goals, he’ll go a long way to addressing an issue that has persisted since the Barcelona move.
With three strikes in 14 Bundesliga outings this season, he’s certainly got a better strike rate than any of Klopp’s current midfield options.
Wolves are into the FA Cup quarter-finals. A hard-fought victory over Bristol City last time out earned the Midlands outfit safe passage into the last eight of the competition. From this point on, Nuno Espirito Santo and his squad ought to be eyeing up the potential glory that a successful cup run would bring.
Wolves’ return to the top flight has gone spectacularly well so far. The club currently find themselves in 7th place in the Premier League, with 26 games played. Survival is, of course, assured. Breaking into the top six is a distinct impossibility though, as Chelsea still hold an eleven point advantage in that regard.
At this stage of the season, other than the pride of securing the highest possible position at the end of the season, Wolves have little left to play for in the Premier League. Nuno’s side have come to the top flight, proved their quality and silenced their doubters. Now, the manager’s focus should be on making this campaign one that the Molineux faithful will never forget.
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…
Wolves have won four FA Cups in their history, their last triumph coming in 1960. To repeat that feat this season would be a truly historic moment for the club. It will be a huge challenge to pull this off, but this season represents as good a chance as they’ll likely ever get.
After tonight’s clash between Manchester United and Chelsea, four of the so-called ‘big six’ will have already been eliminated. Championship clubs Millwall and Swansea City are still in the competition, whilst Brighton, Watford and Crystal Palace are all below Wolves in the Premier League table. If Wolves were to draw any of these sides, then they’d be the favourites to reach the semi-finals – and from there they’ll be desperate to make it to the big day at Wembley itself.
Wolves are an outfit with lofty ambitions. In the summer of 2018, The Times reported that the club have set themselves the goal of winning the Premier League title within seven years. Their spending in recent transfer windows suggests that they’re serious about achieving that goal. An FA Cup triumph this time around would be a huge statement, and perhaps would convince everyone else that Wolves mean business with their seven-year plan too.
Nuno doesn’t have a huge squad to call upon. According to Transfermarkt’s stats, only 18 players have featured for Wolves in the Premier League so far this season – comfortably the least of any side in the division. With his ranks already spread so thin, Nuno’s decision to prioritise the FA Cup could come at the cost of their league form.
However, that would be a trade-off worth making. For any manager, especially a newly-promoted one, to sacrifice the Premier League in favour of chasing a domestic trophy is a bold move. It is testament to the good work done by Wolves so far this season though that Nuno is able to make that call with relatively little risk.
The courage to take that step, and to put everything they have left to give this season into the pursuit of FA Cup glory, could be what takes Wolves’ season from being impressive to incredible and cement their place in the history books. After all, aside from Wigan and Portsmouth, they’d be the FA Cup’s first non-Big-Six winners since Everton in 1995.
Birmingham City might be enjoying the rewards from Che Adams’ brilliance, but are nervously looking over their shoulders because of the mounting interest on him.
Indeed, Adams’ goal-scoring run in the Championship hasn’t gone unnoticed, with many Premier League clubs shown eagerness into signing him up.
According to reports (via the Mirror), Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester United are the latest to show interest in Adams. The 22-year-old striker, who’s scored 19 goals in 32 appearances (stats via WhoScored), must be salivating at the prospect of attracting such attention. However, Adams should know how greed can be the undoing of his talents.
While he might be ripping apart the Championship oppositions currently, a move to either giant could be a poor decision for his career. Adams is still quite inexperienced to tussle with the big guns in England’s top flight and joining the competitive environment of Arsenal or United can have a ripple effect on his development.
There’s unbelievable competition for a starting spot on either team, who have top-level strikers who are well above the pecking order than him. Not only will Adams find it difficult to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Alexander Lacazette, Romelu Lukaku and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, he’ll also have to do well to keep Mason Greenwood and Bukaya Sako from getting over him.
The pressure from being at such a cut-throat environment could destroy his potential. Adams needs to take baby-steps to potential superstardom and avoid letting greed derail his career so soon
David De Gea made a terrible mistake as Arsenal beat Manchester United 2-0 at the Emirates on Sunday.
The Spain international, usually so reliable for the Red Devils, was at fault for his side conceding a strange goal from midfielder Granit Xhaka.
The Gunners star took aim from distance and launched a speculative effort at goal.
The ball appeared to dip in the air and, with De Gea committing his weight to one side, the ball merely floated into the bottom corner. There was no deflection and nor was the goalkeeper unsighted, with the shot giving Unai Emery’s side the lead in north London.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wrapped up the victory in the second half as he scored from the penalty spot after Fred fouled Alexandre Lacazette in the area.
Per Squawka, De Gea last saved a penalty in October of 2014, seeing 13 spot-kicks ripple the net in that time.
And United fans have agreed with Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville’s assertion, via Daily Mirror, that the goalkeeper has been distracted by contract talks in recent months.
United triggered a one-year extension in De Gea’s contract in November, but the London Evening Standard report that he is holding out for a bumper deal that will make him the club’s highest-paid player on over £400,000-per-week.
Take a look at the best of the reaction on Twitter below!
Nottingham Forest manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed, via The Nottingham Post, that he has spoken to owner Evangelos Marinakis about the club’s future plans on the pitch, and the first thing he should have asked the Greek tycoon about is tying Ryan Yates down to a new contract.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Marinakis has been in England for the last week or so because of the redevelopment plans for The City Ground, and he remained in the country to watch the 3-0 victory against Hull City on Saturday.
O’Neill has since confirmed, via The Nottingham Post, that the duo spoke to each other about a number of different subjects including potential summer transfers, but the priority should have been discussing the ever-improving Yates.
The 21-year-old has only become a regular fixture in the starting XI since the 66-year-old replaced Aitor Karanka at the helm, and he has more than taken his opportunity with six consecutive league starts.
Long-term contract needed
The impressive midfielder only signed a new three-year deal with the Reds last summer following successful loan spells with Notts County and Scunthorpe United, but now he is establishing himself as a key player for the Championship club.
Yates has many impressive aspects to his game and if he continues at the rate he is, he could be a huge asset for Forest in the future – both in terms of his quality and his price tag.
If the east Midlands outfit want to progress and get better then they need to be tying down players like the 21-year-old down to new long-term contracts, and that should be one of Marinakis’ main priorities over the next few months.
The Premier League has witnessed so many world class goalscorers in its time. This season there will be several superstars vying for the 2019/20 Golden Boot, as the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah and Sergio Aguero battle it out for the crown.
But who is the most clinical goalscorer ever in the Premier League, in terms of minute per goal?
The leaderboard of most clinical scorers in the history of England’s top-flight is comprised of players whose knack for not only finding the back of the net, but doing so frequently, made them international superstars.
Yet for all the superstars on the list, you might be surprised to find out where some of the game’s most prolific scorers, such as all-time leading goal scorer Alan Shearer with his 260 career goals, ultimately find themselves.
Here’s how the top-25 most clinical goal scorers in Premier League history stack up, correct as of the last round of fixtures on August 31, 2019…
25. Anthony Yeboah – 162 minutes per goal
Leeds fans will certianly remember the name Yeboah, and he just squeezes in the top 25 of the most prolific goalscorers in the Premier League.
The former Ghana striker averaged a goal every 162 minutes of league action, scoring 24 goals in 47 appearances.
24. Branko Strupar, 161 minutes per goal
Strupar may be a vacant figure in your memory of the most prolific strikers the Premier League has witnessed, but with a goal every 161 minutes, he ranks in the top 25.
The former Derby County striker scored 15 goals in 36 Premier League appearances and is deserved of his place in the rankings.
23. Divock Origi, 161 minutes per goal
The Belgium forward may not start under Jurgen Klopp, but he still remains one of the most clinical strikers in the top-tier of English football.
Origi has made 65 appearances in the Premier League for Liverpool, scoring 16 goals in the process.
22. Loic Remy, 160 minutes per goal
Remy played for four different Premier League clubs but that did not stop his goalscoring antics, netting everywhere he went.
The France striker scored 28 goals in the top-tier of English football, netting every 160 minutes.
21. Demba Ba, 160 minutes per goal
The Senegalese striker picked up his 43 Premier League goals for West Ham, Newcastle and Chelsea in just five seasons spent in England, finding the back of the net once every 160 minutes.
20. Ian Wright, 157 minutes per goal
While a vast majority of Ian Wright’s 113 Premier League goals came for Arsenal, the former England international closed out his career in 1998-99 with nine goals in 22 appearances with West Ham United.
Arsenal’s second-leading Premier League scorer of all time finished his career with 157 minutes per goal.
19. Michael Owen, 153 minutes per goal
The 2001 Ballon d’Or winner tallied 150 career goals in the Premier League in 15 seasons playing for Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City.
When his storied career came to an end, Owen had scored once every 153 minutes.
18. Ole Gunnar Solskjær, 151 minutes per goal
Manchester United’s current interim manager was himself an accomplished scorer during his playing days and had amassed 92 Premier League goals when his career came to a close following the 2006-07 season.
The Norwegian striker scored once every 151 minutes over his 234 top-flight appearances for the Red Devils.
17. Ivan Klasnic – 150 minutes per goal
Remember Klasnic? He may not be notoriously known as one of the best strikers in Premier League record, but his strike rate speaks for itself.
The former Bolton Wanderers forward scored 20 goals for the club, netting every 150 minutes of league action.
16. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 149 minutes per goal
Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Man United
Zlatan certainly comes with his controversy, but there is no denying his goalscoring nature.
The former Sweden international made his mark at Old Trafford, scoring 17 goals in 33 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils.
BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson has revealed in his latest set of Premier League predictions that he expects Tottenham Hotspur to finish in the top four despite two disappointing results that has left their spot in jeopardy.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Spurs were talked about as outside title contenders as recently as a week ago, but successive defeats away at Burnley and Chelsea have dented those hopes and ultimately left them sweating a little.
Even though they lie in third position ahead of their north London derby against arch-rivals Arsenal at Wembley on Saturday, they are now only four points ahead of the Gunners and five above fifth-placed Manchester United, who host a struggling Southampton side.
However, despite the fact that they are now looking over their shoulder and with star striker Harry Kane seemingly not 100% fully fit after injury, Lawrenson isn’t concerned.
He told BBC Sport: “I don’t see Spurs dropping out of the top four, though, because I think their results will pick up. Dele Alli will be fit again soon too and it will not take long for Kane to get his match sharpness back.”
Is he right?
You wouldn’t bet against it.
As they have shown in the past, Tottenham are a completely different animal when Kane and Alli are on song, and a positive result against Unai Emery’s men on Saturday would instantly restore any confidence that may have been lost from their previous two fixtures.
You can never write the north London club off as they always seem to be there or thereabouts, and while they may be a little more nervous than they were seven days ago they still hold an advantage and it is still all in their own hands with 10 matches remaining.
Life at Manchester United threatens to be a short-lived one for Alexis Sanchez.
The Chilean has lost his position in the starting XI, only starting from the bench under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Even the Norwegian manager has admitted at not being able to help Sanchez, who according to him, needs to sort out his own problems.
Solskjaer is correct. The former Barcelona man has never looked comfortable playing for United, always trying to go for the extraordinary to win over the fans. In turn, he ends up making mistakes and incurred their wrath.
Indeed, with Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard recovering from injuries, the game against Liverpool could be key towards saving his career.
After being benched on Monday night, Alexis could be handed a rare start against Liverpool. He possesses the pedigree to cause big problems for Trent Alexander-Arnold but needs to prove it on Super Sunday. The Chilean gave a decent effort against Chelsea after coming on, showing lots of energy, though there wasn’t enough end product.
However, one stark moment showed everything wrong with him. In a late counter-attack, rather than trying to beat his man and take a shot, Sanchez tried to lay the ball to Andreas Perreira, frustrating fans. He needs to find back his confidence and try to run at defences to score goals, rather than setting them up.
The Red Devils have much creativity in others and need Sanchez to plough in goals. Scoring to dent Liverpool’s title hopes can be the best way to win over United fans and reaffirm his status at United.