Alan Shearer slammed the Swiss national side regarding their handling of the incident regarding Newcastle’s Fabian Schar today, amid growing concerns that failure to change the concussion rules in football is putting players’ lives at risk.

Speaking in his column for The Sun, he called for a complete change in how head injuries are dealt with, and suggested football authorities should copy the protocols used in rugby, and other sports, on allowing medical teams to treat players immediately.

He also called for independent medical staff to be on hand to make the decisions regarding a player’s ability to return, taking any decision away from parties with a vested interest.

Fans have taken to Twitter to applaud the former England star, and there seems to be almost universal agreement that something needs to be done as soon as possible to prevent a repeat of the events in Georgia on Saturday.

Here are some of the comments:

Certainly, it is a very important issue, and one that should benefit from the amount of exposure it has received this week.

The authorities need to act now, and surely will, as there will be no hiding place if next time it happens, a player suffers severe brain damage, or even dies.

What are your thoughts about Shearer’s comments? Are his ideas for change the right thing to do? Let us know your opinion…

[ad_pod ]

Leeds United left-back Ezgjan Alioski produced one of his finest performances of the season last time out against West Brom at Elland Road. The 27-year-old contributed a relentless, aggressive and determined display, and was rewarded for his efforts with a late goal.

Marcelo Bielsa will certainly be delighted by what he saw from the Macedonian. Alioski’s stamina, commitment and pressing ability were so good in fact that former Leeds and England defender Danny Mills has compared the Whites man with a Premier League star.

What he said

Speaking on the LS11 podcast, as quoted by HITC, Mills said of Alioski’s defensive contribution: “I think the way that Leeds play, on the front foot, especially at Elland Road, you can get away with it to a certain extent. If you get promoted, I’d be a little concerned with him in that position. Defensively, you probably need a bit more nous to deal with higher quality players week-in, week-out.”

Are fans being priced out of the Championship as well as the Premier League? The angry Bolton fan in the video below certainly believes so…

Mills continued, comparing Alioski’s situation with that of versatile veteran James Milner at Liverpool: “I think he’s done a great job at the moment. I think it has a shelf-life, a little bit like James Milner at Liverpool. He did brilliantly at left-back for a while, but it’s not really his position.”

Defending as required

Whilst Mills is congratulating Alioski on his efforts so far, he is warning Bielsa that playing the 25-cap Macedonia international at full-back will not be a long-term solution.

Alioski’s original position is in a more advanced role, and he certainly makes for an extremely attack-minded left-back. However, he should be given credit for only attacking when he can get away with it. He rarely commits beyond what he can recover should Leeds lose the ball. Fortunately, Alioski can recover his defensive position very quickly due to his pace and tireless engine.

It seems harsh from Mills to decide that Alioski couldn’t cope defensively at a higher level. All the Macedonian has demonstrated so far is that he is capable of defending just as much as he needs to, and that this doesn’t impede his ability to contribute in the final third.

[ad_pod ]Christian Eriksen’s future at Tottenham Hotspur is far from secure.Indeed, the Denmark international will see his current deal with Spurs expire at the end of next season and it is understood that contract talks have stalled.Eriksen has contributed seven goals and 12 assists in 38 appearances for his London club this term, but has struggled for consistency in recent weeks.Mauricio Pochettino’s side have lost three of their last four in the Premier League against Burnley, Chelsea and Southampton, meaning that they are now in a serious battle for a top-four position this season.The Spurs fans are a frustrated bunch at the moment and many have taken the opportunity to have a pop at Eriksen on social media.

Indeed, Tottenham tweeted on Monday afternoon that the 27-year-old had been named in the latest Denmark squad, which led to a reaction from the supporters.

If previous reports are to be believed, both Real Madrid and Barcelona are considering moves for the playmaker this summer.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

أوضح الدولي الفرنسي، حسام عوار، صانع ألعاب فريق أولمبيك ليون، سبب بقائه مع ناديه، وعدم رحيله لنادٍ آخر في نافذة الانتقالات الصيفية الماضية.

عوار خلال الصيف الماضي، تواجد على رادار أكثر من نادٍ، وهي يوفنتوس وباريس سان جيرمان، إلى جانب ريال مدريد وآرسنال، والثنائي الأخير كان الأقرب لضمه.

وقال عوار في تصريحات لـ “TF1” الفرنسية: “أنا سعيد للبقاء في ليون، إنها مدينتي، وأنا في فريقي، إنه لمن دواعي سروري وفخر بالنسبة لي أنّ أمثل نادٍ مثل ليون”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. باريس سان جيرمان عن اهتمامه بـ حسام عوار: حلم لنا.. ولكن!

وأضاف: “لم يكن بالضرورة يتعين عليّ أنّ أنضم إلى آرسنال أو نادٍ آخر، رغم أنّ في النهاية كنت قريبًا من ذلك، ولكن كان لابد لي الاختيار، وأنا سعيد بالبقاء هُنا في ليون”.

وواصل: “لقد تحدثت كثيرًا مع جونينيو (المدير الرياضي)، لقد أظهر لي الثقة كل يوم، ومن دواعي سروري حقًا العمل معه، والبقاء هُنا لموسم آخر أو أكثر، العمل معه فخر كبير”.

وأتم تصريحاته قائلًا: “إنهاء الموسم بين الثلاثة الكبار، هو هدفنا هذا الموسم، ليون أحد أكبر الأندية الفرنسية، لذا يجب أنّ نكون على أعلى مستوى مُمكن”.

[ad_pod ]

Ayoze Perez has revealed all on his Newcastle form and future in an interview with the Spanish press, and it looks the 25 year-old won’t be on Tyneside for long.

Much like last season, Newcastle have atoned for a woeful beginning to the campaign with a string of sensational home performances, racking up five league wins on the bounce at St. James’ Park.

Perez has been instrumental in that turnaround, just like he was last season, but in an interview published in Spanish outlet Marca, translated by Chronicle Live, he has revealed that he would like to return to La Liga.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….

What’s the word?

“Yes. I am very grateful to Newcastle – I have grown and matured here, but it is obvious that some day I would like to come back and play in La Liga,” he said.

“To this day, I do not know (what the futures holds). I hope something very good. I believe that I have shown my merit during these five years so that a good opportunity presents itself.”

A crushing blow for Rondon

Perez has been on fire recently, scoring five times in his last ten games in all competitions.

More importantly, he has unearthed a brilliant understanding with Salomon Rondon, as the Venezuelan international may finally have ended Rafael Benitez’s hunt for a proper number nine.

Rondon is of course only on Tyneside on temporary basis at the moment, though all signs are pointing towards him penning a permanent deal.

However, it sounds like Perez has his eyes set on greater heights, perhaps disillusioned by the lack of investment since his arrival on Tyneside.

The 25 year-old is inconsistent in the final third and far from perfect, but considering how unlikely it is that the club will re-invest any money raised from a sale, losing him would be a crushing blow for both Benitez and Rondon.

The Magpies have finally found a strike partnership capable of putting the ball in the back of the net, and they must do everything in their power to convince the now-crucial Perez that his future belongs at St. James’ Park. If they allow the Spaniard to leave, it will be Rondon that suffers.

[ad_pod ]

If you told a Wolves fan at the start of the season they’d be in with a realistic chance of securing European football in their first season back in the Premier League they would have probably laughed in your face.

However, that is the now a realistic aim for the club, who can qualify for the Europa League if they win the FA Cup. Another route into Europe would be by finishing seventh and hoping Manchester City win the FA Cup instead.

Reacting to what the permutations are on Twitter, supporters shared mixed opinions, as some sceptics are not overly enthused by the prospect of a season in Europe.

One individual claimed three summer qualifying rounds could wreck their season whilst another said they’d rather have a few more years in the Premier League to establish themselves before securing qualification.

But one fan was excited by the pulling power the club could have if they were competing in Europe.

At the moment, Nuno Santo’s men are flying high in the table, sitting seventh after being promoted last term.

It has been a magnificent season which has seen them earn plaudits aplenty and, of course, reach the semi-finals of a major domestic trophy.

Here’s the best of the discussion concerning the prospect of qualifying for Europe…

[ad_pod ]

Bournemouth visit Huddersfield this weekend in a clash that represents a brilliant opportunity to get back on track having had a miserable month of results. Unfortunately, the Cherries will have to get the win without one of their senior players, who will be out for a while.

What’s the news?

Well, speaking ahead of Saturday’s game, Eddie Howe said:

“Unfortunately, Steve Cook will be out. He had a long-standing groin problem and had an injection that has become infected. He’ll be out for between five and six weeks.”

Ouch. It certainly doesn’t sound pleasant for the 27-year-old and, while some fans were surely more concerned with the positive news that Callum Wilson has returned to training, it will surely prove to be a massive blow for Bournemouth in the coming weeks.

Rotten Cherries

A woeful run of form has seen the south coast outfit concede 11 goals in their four matches in February and they showed no semblance of defensive organisation – Cook’s absence will hurt them more as he is a leader in the backline.

Watch the best fails from the world of indoor football in the video below…

If there was ever a bad time for Bournemouth to start falling off, having had a fantastic start to the season, it’s now. Their remaining run of fixtures looks relatively easy but we all know that even the teams at the bottom of the pile can hurt you.

The Terriers are surely sunk now but that doesn’t mean they won’t pose a challenge to the Cherries, particularly in the absence of an important defender.

The Vitality Stadium would have surely been hoping for a resurrection of form starting this weekend, although Cook’s ruling out makes the task of fixing their awful defensive record of late much harder.

[ad_pod ]

Leeds United confirmed via their official Twitter account on Tuesday that BBC Radio Leeds had signed a new two-year deal to cover the club, and Whites fans were quick to respond to the post and rejoice.

The duo of Adam Pope and former player Noel Whelan have become popular through their mainstream coverage of the Yorkshire outfit in recent years, and the pair will now get to continue doing it for at least another 24 months until the end of the 2020/2021 season.

They may well be providing their commentary in the Premier League next term should Marcelo Bielsa’s men secure promotion from the Championship in the remaining eight matches or via the play-offs, which would obviously be a huge boost for all parties involved.

One Leeds supporter went as far as saying the announcement was “like a new signing”, while many reacted by saying “get in” – the famous phrase and reaction Whelan has become known for when on the microphone.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

أفادت تقارير صحفية إنجليزية، أن هناك شكوك كبيرة حول جاهزية الدولي البلجيكي كيفين دي بروين، لاعب وسط مانشستر سيتي، لمواجهة آرسنال المقبلة.

دي بروين خرج من مواجهة منتخب بلده بلجيكا أمام إنجلترا، وأثار مدربه روبرتو مارتينيز الشكوك حول إصابته في المباراة. “طالع التفاصيل”

صحيفة “مانشستر إيفنينج” الإنجليزية، قالت إن هناك شكوك كبيرة حول جاهزية اللاعب، ولا يزال لديه آلام في عضلات القدم، وسيتم تقييمه مجددًا بنهاية الأسبوع الجاري.

اللاعب يمكن أن يشارك من خلال الحقن المسكنة، لكنه لا يرغب في استخدام المُسكنات، حتى لا يتأثر بها مستقبلًا، ويرفض المجازفة.

مانشستر سيتي فاز في مباراة من أصل 3 خاضها في الدوري الإنجليزي كانت أمام بورنموث، وخسر أمام ليستر سيتي، وتعادل مع ليدز يونايتد.

Leeds United got an important away win on Saturday when they beat a spirited Bristol City outfit 1-0 at Ashton Gate to increase the pressure on Norwich City at the top of the Championship table.

The victory saw the Whites remain two points behind the league leaders in a weekend where Leeds couldn’t afford to drop any points with Sheffield United also winning their match with Rotherham.

Indeed, it was one of those matches where any type of victory would be seen as good enough for the team and where getting the three points was the only priority on the day, no matter how bad you play.

But, the actual manner in which Leeds remained calm through their match against the Robins would definitely have pleased manager Marcelo Bielsa. It also was an indication that Leeds might have gotten their rhythm and ability back of grinding out results under very difficult circumstances.

Many teams have found it tough to get a result at Ashton Gate this season and there were a number of chances on offer for the home team to find the back of the net on Saturday.

Good defending, though, prevented that from happening, while in attack Leeds looked quite effective with the likes of Pablo Hernandez and Jack Harrison brilliant in running at the Bristol City defence.

Harrison, in particular, had a very lively afternoon and had a lot good darts at the opposition, while his all-round passing game was also superb.

Having struggled with consistency at times since the start of the new year, Leeds currently look like the team they were earlier on in the season when they were leading the Championship race.

If they can get back to that form and grind out victories like they did on Saturday then automatic promotion to the Premier League will definitely be secured for the Yorkshire outfit.

Leeds United fans, do you back your side to finally win promotion back to the Premier League? Join the discussion by commenting below…