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James Shan hasn’t done too much wrong since becoming manager of West Brom but after the club were able to seal their play-off spot on Monday with a 0-0 draw against Reading, supporters took issue with one major fault – Shan’s team selection.

The 40-year-old chose to play a number of fringe players, including the likes of Hal Robson-Kanu, Jacob Murphy and Conor Townsend but it didn’t go down well.

Reacting after the game on Twitter, the starting XI Shan chose to go with was berated as one fan said that he had to take the full blame for the game’s result. Another supporter simply said that they needed a proper manager.

Two fans claimed that there was a lack of ambition from the club, hinting that they didn’t care about what position they finished in the table after clinching a play-off place.

West Brom currently sit in fourth and as things stand would be facing a play-off semi-final against Midlands rivals Aston Villa, who are in red-hot form.

Had the Baggies won on Monday, then they’d have been three points off Leeds in third with two games to go.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

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Liverpool host Tottenham this weekend in what promises to be a tactically rich, engaging encounter and one that is a must-win for both sides – the former will likely be under pressure to regain their place at the top after Manchester City play Fulham while the latter could be fighting to remain in the top four depending on other results.

The form charts show that Mauricio Pochettino’s side have been steadily descending towards this game, while Jurgen Klopp’s have undoubtedly been in ascent – the Reds haven’t lost since 3rd January, whereas Spurs haven’t won in the league since early February.

Both heavyweights, though, have progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals – of which half the clubs are English – and that is a fairer reflection of how they have performing this season. Form goes out the window in these kind of games and anything can happen.

This week’s experts, Football FanCast’s very own Spurs fan Harry Sherlock and Football League World assistant editor and Liverpool apologist George Dagless, offer their predictions ahead of the colossal Sunday clash…

Spurs dominated possession but couldn’t break Liverpool down when the two sides met in September, do you think this game will go the same way?

Harry: “Liverpool are very good at breaking out at speed but so are Spurs. It’d be canny for Pochettino’s team to cede the ball to the Reds and attempt to flip the script. If they don’t, they face running into Virgil van Dijk repeatedly.”

George: “I think it’ll be completely different to be honest. Liverpool are at home, and the onus is on them to go and win the game and get Spurs under pressure. Liverpool have shown they are capable of playing a controlled possession game this year more than ever under Klopp and I think we’ll see patient probing rather than counter-attacking football from the Reds.”

When the Reds travelled south to Wembley Stadium in September, Spurs had 61% of the ball but only registered 3 shots on target while their visitors managed 10 – possession was certainly not nine-tenths of the law in this case.

However, as George says, Klopp has got his team playing well when they do have the share of possession and Spurs should be more wary approaching the fortress that is Anfield. The Lilywhites have shown that they can play on the break, too – the Chelsea win in November is a prime example – so this game could be the reverse of the league clash earlier in the season. Will the result go in Spurs’ favour, then?

Where do you think the key battles will take place?

George: “Van Dijk vs Harry Kane will be fun to watch and Kane may look to play off of the other centre-half rather than go to the Dutchman.

“Meanwhile, I think Spurs’ central midfield area has lost some mobility and the pressing and work rate that the Reds’ midfield will demonstrate could well overwhelm them. How is Kieran Trippier going to deal with Sadio Mane who is on fire too?”

Harry: “The key battle is obviously Kane vs van Dijk. They are both world-class operators in vital positions on the pitch. If Kane can get the better of van Dijk, Spurs have a genuine chance of a first win at Anfield since 2011.

“If it’s the opposite, Liverpool will be confident. At the other end, Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen will have to be at their very best to stop the rampaging threats of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Mane.”

Van Dijk has been colossal at the heart of defence and is surely frontrunner for the PFA Player of the Year Award – he has totally transformed the Liverpool back-four and has more than justified the extraordinary fee he commanded when the Reds prised the Dutchman from Southampton’s clutches last January.

Kane, meanwhile, has long since shaken off that ridiculous ‘one-season wonder’ tag and is one of the best strikers in the world. Given half a yard, the England captain will punish you so it is crucial that both he and van Dijk are on top form if either side are to stand their best chance of emerging victorious.

Of course, Liverpool have their own jewel in the attacking crown and it’s not Mohamed Salah this time around; Mane has been sensational in 2019 and has netted 11 goals in his last 10 games in all competitions. He could cause Trippier all sorts of problems.

What does van Dijk have to do to win the battle with Kane, then? 

Harry: “Cut off the supply lines. If Kane can’t get on the ball, he can’t hurt Liverpool. It really is that simple. But it’s easier said than done. Kane is exceptional at dragging defenders into cul-de-sacs. Van Dijk needs to stay disciplined and ensure he doesn’t shadow Kane’s every step – if he does, he could leave a gap for Spurs to exploit.”

George: “I’m sure Virgil knows exactly what he’s doing without my advice! To be honest, I think he and Joel Matip – who will likely start – will just need to communicate effectively. I’d imagine the Dutchman will almost have to look after Kane by instructing Matip as the striker will likely look to test the former Schalke man more than go for the Reds’ number 4.”

Joe Gomez’s injury has been a huge loss to Liverpool – the centre-back fractured his leg in December and has just returned to training – and it has meant that Matip has had to deputise alongside van Dijk, who, on his best days, could probably do it all by himself in all fairness.

Kane will surely fancy himself much more against the Cameroonian than his centre-back partner and van Dijk, as Harry says, will have to be careful that he isn’t dragged towards the Spurs number 9. If cutting off Kane’s supply is the key, then Fabinho will also be essential – the Brazilian has been exceptional in recent weeks and will be a big presence for the Reds.

If you’re Mauricio Pochettino, do you start Heung-min Son or Lucas Moura this weekend – or both?

George: “I’d start Son but not Lucas. Son is a cracking player and he has the ability to cause real issues with the spaces he finds himself in. Can the Reds pick him up whilst also dealing with Spurs’ other attacking threats?“Moura, meanwhile, is obviously attack-minded and I don’t think Pochettino will want to sacrifice shape and balance by playing too many offensive players.”Harry: “Neither. Son hasn’t played well when paired with Kane since his return from injury while Lucas is something of a streaky player. He hasn’t been in any type of form recently.“Playing Kane up top, with Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Moussa Sissoko behind him would bamboozle Liverpool.”Former PSG man Lucas’s heroics at the start of the season fully compensated for the absence of Kane through injury – the winger netted three goals in the first three league games but hasn’t struck since, epitomising what Harry describes as a ‘streaky player’. The 26-year-old was particularly apathetic against Southampton and it’s likely that Pochettino will feel it necessary to bench him this time around.As George says, the Spurs boss is all about organisation and Son is far more disciplined than his Brazilian opposite number. Even he – the Lilywhites’ clutch player in many games – though, hasn’t been quite up to scratch since recovering from injury and perhaps, as Harry suggests, a completely different approach is required.Finally, what are your score predictions? Harry: “After last season’s dramatic, pulsating 2-2 draw, I’m hoping for a better game this time around. I’ll go 4-4.”George: “Liverpool have to win and I think they’ll edge it. 2-1.”

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According to Football Insider, Everton are lining up a £15million bid for Birmingham City striker Che Adams, who has bagged 22 goals and three assists in the Championship this season.

Everton could certainly do with some added firepower for next season; Cenk Tosun has quite simply failed to convince since being brought in by Sam Allardyce, Richarlison is better out wide and Dominic Calvert-Lewin is still learning his trade.

So, is the 22-year-old the solution to Everton’s striker shortage? Football FanCast’s writers give their verdicts below…

Billy Meyers

“If the chance to sign Adams arises for Everton, they have to take it. The Birmingham striker is bullish, hard-working and a deadly finisher, and is also the same age as Calvert-Lewin. One thing that Calvert-Lewin lacks is the knack of scoring consistently, so Adams’ arrival would help the academy graduate’s game develop and would also provide Marco Silva with an immediate answer to his team’s lack of cutting edge.”

James Beavis

“I really like this kid. It might be early days but he seems to have everything and actually reminds me of Troy Deeney in terms of his style. The power and goalscoring ability he has is impressive, but it is his character that perhaps shines through the most. Able to find the net regularly and cause opposition defences plenty of problems with his work rate and strength, it would be a no-brainer for Everton to bring the talented Championship in. He certainly has all of the makings of a future Goodison Park hero.”

Ben Goodwin

“If Everton want to develop a young, homegrown talent instead of going out and finding their number nine with a big marquee signing, then their focus should be on Calvert-Lewin. The youngster does absolutely everything a number nine should do except score goals, but at 22 he is finally starting to show a knack of getting in the right places at the right times, so those goals will surely come as Silva’s players become more and more familiar with his attacking system.”

Jack Saville

“Adams could be an unlikely replacement for Romelu Lukaku. Everton have failed to sign a player of the calibre needed to fill the Belgian’s goal scoring void, and the Toffees will continue to stagnate until they do so. The 22-year-old ticks all the boxes for Marcel Brands and Silva: he is a prolific finisher, naturally strong and quick, English, bursting with potential and an intelligent link-up player. Fans would need to be patient during the transition period from Championship to top-flight football, but he could light up Goodison Park once he’s settled in.”

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Not many Arsenal fans will go to matches expecting centre-back Shkodran Mustafi to be the best player on the pitch, but that is exactly what happened against Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Monday – according to WhoScored stats anyway as he posted a rating of 8.02.

The 26-year-old has been almost constantly criticised – sometimes justly and sometimes not – throughout his spell with the north London outfit, with costly mistakes and questionable defending being combined with more mature performances like the latest one against the Magpies.

The main brunt of vitriol against the Germany international has come from supporters on Twitter following previous displays, and it was the same again against Rafa Benitez’s men.

Despite those comments, there is no mistaking the fact that he was the top-rated player on the pitch as per WhoScored.

He made more interceptions and clearances than any of his teammates, while he also showed that he can be useful as a full-back on occasions following a couple of impressive runs down the flank, although the less said about his final delivery one particular time the better.

So do Arsenal fans have a point?

The problem is that when you hear a player being turned on by the masses time and time again, you will pick up and subsequently magnify every poor thing they do, and it is no different with Mustafi.

That said the 26-year-old visibly isn’t without his shortcomings, and his decision-making and positioning on and off the ball are two things he seriously needs to improve in the future if he wants to progress and continue being a starter for Arsenal under Unai Emery.

Almost every Newcastle fan is hoping that Rafa Benitez will pledge his future to the club soon, but much will depend on money — but not the amount they are willing to pay the Spaniard, but how much he will be able to spend.

In a saga that seems to have gone on as long as the Brexit negotiations, fans are still largely in the dark about the outcome.

In fact, it would be hard to say what will happen first — A Brexit deal, or a Rafa one!

Benitez has always insisted that wages are not his priority or motivation, and it is, and has always been, about being given the chance to take his Newcastle United vision forward, and having the backing to do so.

A report in the Daily Mirror claims that Benitez will be offered a new three-year deal worth £5 million a year, but that figure is largely irrelevant in his musings over a new deal.

As is always the case with Benitez, it is about football. His one concern is that the club are not prepared to turn the page on annual relegation battles, and start to look ahead with a little more ambition.

He is the one person in a management or boardroom role that actually gets it. He understands supporters’ frustrations. He knows what they want. He also, crucially, know how to deliver it.

Most owners of football clubs, whether actively trying to sell their business or maintain it, would want to share that ambition, and see their investment appreciate in value as they improve.

Why Mike Ashley never seems to see that, is a question only he can answer, but unfortunately, he rarely does interviews, and when he does, they are carefully stage-managed affairs with his preferred media partner.

While salary will always be considered, the club could offer Benitez £20m a year, and without the assurances of a competitive budget to improve the squad, he still would not sign — and good for him.

It was suggested, by a certain radio pundit with an axe to grind over Rafa — who we shall not give unwarranted exposure to by naming him — that he has enough money that he should spend some of his own cash to buy players (I know… ludicrous, right?).

Well, if Ashley offers him a contract of £105m a year, then he might well be able to do that!

Newcastle should never have let it get to this stage, that much we already know, but they have, and it is now time to stop bluffing, and go all-in with Rafa.

Give the man the money to bring success to Tyneside — and by success, we don’t mean winning trophies left, right and centre, we just mean giving the Geordie fans a team to be proud to support.

Once they can go to games to watch and actually enjoy them, instead of every week, wondering if it is going to be another defeat, and potentially, another nail hammered into their Premier League coffin.

What do you think of the Rafa Benitez contract situation? Will he get the tools he needs to take the club onto the next rung of the ladder? Let us know your thoughts…

It has been a frustrating four years for Lucas Joao at Sheffield Wednesday.

The Portuguese forward, who is valued at £1.8 million (by Transfermarkt), joined the club in 2015 from Primeira Liga side Nacional amidst a wave of excitement yet he ultimately failed to deliver in his first season despite making 40 appearances in the Championship. A struggle to adapt to English football saw him score just six times as the Owls were beaten 1-0 in the play-off final by Hull City.

A poor start to the following campaign culminated in Joao being loaned out to Blackburn Rovers in the 2017 January transfer window. Although he would show glimmers of his attacking ability for the Blue and Whites, the 25-year-old was unable to save the club from suffering their first relegation to the third tier in 38 years.

After returning to Hillsborough last season, Joao posted his best total of goals for the club (9) as the Owls finished in an underwhelming position of 15th in the Championship. Despite already matching this haul for the current campaign, it has become clear that the forward may be surplus to requirements in the summer as manager Steve Bruce looks to build his own squad of players.

According to the Sun via HITC, the Owls are looking to offload Joao but will only accept offers in the region of £8m. Whereas some fans would argue that he still has something to offer for the club, when you consider that Bruce has six other strikers to choose from it is clear that he needs to downsize ahead of the 2019/20 season.

With Steven Fletcher top-scoring for Wednesday and Gary Hooper returning to form after a long period spent on the sidelines, it may be time for Joao to leave. A new start for the Portugal international could help revive a career which has unfortunately failed to take-off since he made the move to Yorkshire four years ago.

What do you think Owls fans? Should Bruce sell Joao in the summer? Or does he deserve one final chance to impress at Hillsborough? Get in touch below.

When Kemar Roofe was confirmed to be missing a chunk of Leeds’ fixtures due to injury in February, Patrick Bamford must have known that he had to take his opportunity to impress  Marcelo Bielsa.

The forward made an immediate impact against Bolton Wanderers by scoring a penalty and followed his performance up with a brace against West Bromwich Albion before firing in the winner against Bristol City on March 9th.

However, since this initial burst of form, Bamford has struggled to impose himself as a key player for the Whites and was notably poor in the club’s 1-0 loss to Sheffield United, a result which saw his side drop out of the top two positions in the Championship.

With Roofe expected to return for next Saturday’s clash against Birmingham City (via the Yorkshire Evening Post), the former Chelsea man had to force Bielsa into considering keeping him in the team by producing the goods against Millwall.

Unfortunately for Bamford, he experienced somewhat of a nightmare against the Lions which could have easily cost his side the victory if it wasn’t for the heroics of Pablo Hernandez. With Leeds trailing 1-0, they were given a penalty after Ezgjan Alioski was brought down in the area yet a tame effort from Bamford was saved. Although it would be harsh to judge the 25-year-old on this alone, his all-round play was well below the level that he is capable of delivering and so it wouldn’t be surprising if he is dropped for the Whites’ visit to St. Andrew’s Stadium if Roofe is deemed fit enough to start.

Bamford has scored seven goals in all competitions but Bielsa simply can’t take the risk.

With just seven games standing between Bielsa’s side and a long-awaited return to the Premier League, the last thing that they need is to be carrying any passengers and so Bamford must be dropped after his failed audition up-front for the sake of promotion.

What do you think Leeds fans? Should Bielsa bring Roofe back into the team straight away next week? Or does Bamford deserve another chance after his recent performances? Get in touch below.

عبر رئيس الاتحاد الإسباني لكرة القدم، لويس روبياليس، عن رأيه حول البطولة الجديدة والمقترحة من أكثر من نادٍ وتدعى الدوري السوبر الأوروبي أو البريميرليج الأوروبي.

وتحاول الأندية الأوروبية الكبيرة تكوين بطولة قارية جديدة تضم 18 ناديًا من النخبة، ولكن تلك الفكرة عارضها الاتحاد الدولي والأوروبي والعديد من المؤسسات الرياضية خلال الأيام الماضية.

اقرأ أيضًا.. بعد تأكيده بانضمام برشلونة إلى الدوري الأوروبي الممتاز.. تيباس مهاجمًا بارتوميو: جاهل بصناعة كرة القدم

وينضم روبياليس لهم من خلال تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو”، وقال: “يويفا ينظم منذ سنوات عديدة أفضل مسابقة للأندية في العالم، ونجح في تطويرها والترويج لها وزيادة عائداتها المالية كل عام”.

وتابع: “جميع الاتحاد الأوروبية وكذلك أنديتها ودورياتها تحت مظلة الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم، لذا إذا كان هناك أي اقتراح جديد يجب أن يناقش بمقره في نيون (سويسرا)”.

وأضاف: “دوري أبطال أوروبا بطولة تستمر منذ أكثر من 60 عامًا، تجمع بين التاريخ والحداثة، حققت شهرة واسعة ووضعت نفسها في طليعة البطولات حول العالم”.

وواصل تصريحاته: “الاتحاد الإسباني بالتعاون مع الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم يسعيان دائمًا إلى الحفاظ على وصول الأندية الكبرى ولاعبيها إلى القمة وذلك بفضل وحدة الأندية والاتحادات المحلية معًا”.

وأتم: “الاتحاد الأوروبي يعمل يوميًا على تحقيق الأفضل للجميع، دوري الأبطال سيستمر في التطور حتى الوصول إلى مستويات لم تتحقق من قبل”.

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Sheffield United fans have backed David McGoldrick to win the Player of the Season award after his heroic debut campaign at Bramall Lane.

Certain fans are hoping McGoldrick prevails in what is to be a tightly contested voting process with Billy Sharp, Enda Stevens, Dean Henderson and Oliver Norwood all getting shouts in the replies section on Twitter.

Despite Sheffield United having so many outstanding players this season it was David McGoldrick who got the most love amongst fans on Twitter.

Recency bias may well play a part in the Twitter responses on Monday night as it came just hours after a McGoldrick brace against Hull City all but secured promotion to the Premier League for the Blades.

Chris Wilder’s side have had an incredible season and it is a testament to McGoldrick’s ability that he is the fan’s pick to win the award. The Ireland international has hit 15 Championship goals this season after joining on a free from Ipswich last summer.

Here’s what Sheffield United fans had to say on Twitter…

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According to El Gol Digital, Leeds United are considering a summer move for Real Sociedad midfielder Ruben Pardo.

What’s the word, then?

Leeds are currently second in the Championship table, four points off leaders Norwich City and three points ahead of third-placed Sheffield United.

The Whites are very much in the mix for automatic promotion and will be desperate to secure a return to the Premier League for the 2019-2020 campaign.

If that is the case then it will be very, very busy summer window for the club.

Leeds have a lot of pulling power as it is, but earning promotion to the Premier League would open up a whole new level of players.

According to El Gol Digital, Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa is keen to bring Pardo to Elland Road in this summer’s transfer window.

And the 26-year-old would be a wonderful signing for the club.

What are Pardo’s credentials?

Pardo came through the youth system at Sociedad and has made 187 appearances for the Basque outfit in all competitions.

An incredibly experienced midfielder, Pardo has made 174 La Liga appearances during his time with both Sociedad and Real Betis.

He has not been capped at senior level by Spain, but turned out on seven occasions for the nation’s Under-21 side.

It is unlikely that Leeds would have to break the bank for the midfielder, who would be the perfect summer arrival for the Whites due to his skill set. Pardo is no slouch, but it is his technical quality that would improve Leeds so much.

Bielsa will be aware that signings will be needed if Leeds are to compete in the Premier League next season and Pardo would be a fine summer addition.