All posts by h716a5.icu

The idea that Northampton Town would be within six points of the play-offs places would not have even been considered a possibility two months ago.

During the January transfer window the club sold their top-scorer in Kevin Van Veen to Scunthorpe United before letting one of their most prized assets in Matt Crooks join Rotherham United, much to the fury of their supporters.

Yet by removing both players from the club’s dressing room, Keith Curle has been able to develop a great spirit amongst his team which has paid off in recent weeks.

The Cobblers have embarked on their best run in League Two this season, winning their last four games against Stevenage, Crewe Alexandra, Exeter City and most recently Newport County.

It is no coincidence however that this form has coincided with the return of central midfielder Sam Foley.

The 32 year-old had missed the previous six games before returning against Stevenage due to a back injury picked up in January and was sorely missed by his side who picked up just five points from a possible eighteen in his absence.

Foley’s influence this season can be dated back to when Curle took over at the start of October from Dean Austin as with him in the side, the Cobblers have lost just three of their 18 games whilst during the eight games that he has missed, they have only been victorious on three occasions.

What the former Yeovil Town midfielder brings to the Northampton side which separates him from the rest of the squad is a willingness to offer a bit of bite in midfield via his tough tackling as well as a recognition for when he needs to break up the play and press the opposition.

Although it could be argued that are more creative options for Curle to choose from at the club such as Timi Elsnik and Jack Bridge, the traditional way of which he likes his sides to operate suits Foley who is championed by the club’s supporters for his contribution to the team.

With a favourable run-in in their last nine fixtures which features seven games against sides in the bottom half of the league, Northampton will be confident that they can at the very least finish in the top ten this season.

Yet any late push will have to coincide with the presence of Foley who will undoubtedly be one of the main contenders for the player of the season awards at the end of the campaign.

If the Cobblers do reach the play-offs, they could get the opportunity at redemption having been soundly defeat 3-0 by Bradford City during their last trip to Wembley Stadium in 2013.

What do you think Northampton fans? Is Foley key to the club’s late push for the play-offs? Or is there another player who is equally as influential for the side? Let us know below.

Birmingham City announced which members of their development squad have been offered contracts, and there was one notable omission from the list.

Kyle McFarlane has scored 11 goals for the City Richard Beale’s under-23 side this term, following up his top-scoring season last year.

Considered one of the best prospects in the youth’s development squad, it is difficult to understand why he is being allowed to leave.

Adding the fact that City are under a transfer embargo, and in the process of waiting to hear about probable further punishment for breaching the Financial Fair Play rules, and the decision seems even more baffling.

The club’s announcement had fans immediately wondering why he is being released, and it seems a legitimate question.

McFarlane had a short spell on loan at Barrow in the National League, but only managed one game for the Cumbrian side, returning to St Andrews in February.

One fan shared our surprise, with a Tweet minutes after the announcement was made:

Aside from McFarlane’s release, a number of youngsters were handed deals, with defensive trio Geraldo Bajrami, Joe Redmond and Remeao Hutton, along with attacker Odin Bailey, being handed two year contracts.

While goalkeepers Adam Siviter and Jake Weaver, as well as winger Olly McCoy all given one year deals.

But McFarlane not being among them is the main talking point, and could be a decision the club will live to regret.

What do you think City fans? Are you surprised that the promising youn forward is being let go? Let us know your thoughts…

[ad_pod ]

If rumours linking Abdoulaye Doucoure with a switch to Spurs, as per The Mirror, are to be believed, then you would be forgiven for thinking that the Frenchman has been the standout performer for the Hornets this campaign.

The statistics, though, show that someone is close to the former Granada man – right next to him in fact – and his numbers this campaign are far better.

Who is the unsung hero? Doucoure’s partner in crime, Etienne Capoue.

On the chalkboard

Doucoure has established himself as one of the top enforcers in the league in the past couple of seasons and is certainly of a top-six standard, or at least worthy of a move to a top side in order to prove himself as such.

The midfielder is renowned for his powerful runs from deep and his ability to break up of play at the base of Watford’s midfield quartet, where he and Capoue make the lives of Roberto Pereyra and Will Hughes far less complicated.

The numbers behind the duo’s game, though, prove that the latter number 4 is perhaps more influential than his highly-rated partner. Of course, age plays a factor in all transfers and Capoue is 30, but the fact remains that he is outperforming Doucoure by some way – is he not receiving the credit he deserves?

The numbers

As previously mentioned, Doucoure’s marauding runs through the middle of the pitch are seen as one of his biggest strengths but, in fact, Capoue is better at them – the former completes 0.9 dribbles per match to the latter’s 1.

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

While there isn’t much in that, former Spurs man Capoue’s defensive output blows his teammate’s out of the water – he completes 2.7 tackles and 2.9 interceptions per game to Doucoure’s 2.1 and 0.9 respectively.

Of course 1-cap international Doucoure scores and assists far more frequently but perhaps this is exactly why Capoue’s exploits fly under the radar. If the 6 foot 2 tough-tackler can add either to his game, he may finally get the appreciation he deserves.

[ad_pod ]

Leeds fans have been appreciative on Twitter after Barry Douglas posted an update revealing his operation was a success.

Douglas has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a medial ligament injury in his knee and he has now undergone an operation which will help him on his road to recovery.

The 29-year-old played through the pain barrier after picking up his injury on Saturday to assist a goal which could swing the promotion race in Leeds’ favour.

The victory over Millwall saw Leeds move back into second place above Sheffield United and put their fate in their own hands.

Leeds now have a one-point gap between them and the Blades with seven games left to play in the league and if they end up getting promoted fans will look back on Douglas’ assist against Millwall as one of the contributing factors.

Fans have been showing their gratitude on Twitter after Douglas posted his injury update…

Manchester United will be looking ahead to what is set to be a big summer at Old Trafford, with various faces set to leave the club.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, now in the permanent role as manager at the club, has some big calls to make on certain players, and it will no doubt shape who he goes looking to bring into the club in terms of new signings for United.

There are bound to be plenty of rumours and stories circling around the summer months, and we here in the Tavern expect there to be some significant action in the marke for the Red Devils this time around.

And with rumours this weekend coming to light that Real Madrid could be willing to part ways with both Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos, we feel United need to make their move now to seal the world class duo before other clubs begin to get involved.

Both Bale and Kroos are players who are at the top of the game in terms of quality, and United would also be getting ready made players, not players who are going to need time to adjust to life at such a club.

Integral players to the Madrid cause in their three successive Champions League campaigns, it would appear their time with the club is now coming now to an end.

Their careers however, are not, and United would be silly not to try and entice the duo to the Premier League.

With United playing catch up to the likes of City and Liverpool these days, world class players are the ones who are going to make a difference for the club, and both Bale and Kroos fall right into that mould.

Rangers’ main focus from here on in until the end of the season will be to secure a European spot after failing to keep the pressure on Celtic who sit at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

The Light Blues haven’t exactly been perfect this season as a number of things have let them down, but when Steven Gerrard has got the best out of his side they’ve been almost unstoppable.

Indeed, one big void that needs to be filled in the summer is in the No.10 role, as Josh Windass’ departure has left a hole which has let Rangers down at times in the current campaign.

However, Steven Gerrard has already found the perfect playmaker but he just hasn’t realised it yet, as Greg Docherty is set to rock up at Ibrox in the summer once his loan spell expires at English League One side Shrewsbury Town.

The Scotsman has produced nine goals and 11 assists in all competitions in England. He usually operates as a central midfielder but he’s managed to score five goals and has provided two assists in 12 appearances in the No.10 role.

He’s developed massively at Meadow Lane with his passing game and finishing ability coming on leaps and bounds, so he could be the man to fill Rangers’ current creativity void in the final third.

Rangers fans will be absolutely delighted with Docherty’s displays at his loan club this season and they’ll be extremely delighted to see him in action next season. Indeed, supporters have been crying out for a playmaker and Gerrard is too (as per Scottish Sun), after failing to get the job done back in the January transfer window.

Of course, using him in the No.10 role next season would also save the club millions as they won’t have to splash out on bringing someone in. This would allow the club to invest in other areas as they look to dethrone Celtic.

Rangers fans, do you think Docherty can fill your side’s No.10 void? Join the discussion by commenting down below! 

[ad_pod ]

Liverpool fans on Twitter have been busy discussing a hypothetical move for Wilfried Zaha, after the question over whether or not the winger would be a good signing was tipped to the fanbase.

The Ivory Coast international has excelled for Crystal Palace over the last few seasons, particularly standing out with his dribbling skills and ability to draw fouls from the opposition.

Mo Salah has been brutally mocked for his recent diving antics in a new video by 442oons. Check it out below…

Zaha, 26, has eight goals and three assists to his name this term, but would be hard to prise away from the Eagles having only recently signed a contract extension.

Liverpool are in need of some depth to their attack, as Divock Origi is the only attacker on the bench who can provide any kind of impact when replacing either Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane.

As a result of this dilemma, the Reds fanbase have been discussing whether or not Zaha would be a good addition.

And plenty of fans touted the merits of a potential deal, labelling him a perfect player and suggesting that he’s exactly what Jurgen Klopp is missing in attack.

Here’s what the Liverpool fans have had to say about Zaha…

Have always been a fan of him and he would be a great addition to our forward line

— #LFC-Ghana ?? (@FrankYeboahk) April 11, 2019

[ad_pod ]

Loads of Arsenal fans have been reacting to some rather bizarre comments from Dries Mertens, who insisted the Gunners are not better than Napoli.

On the list of stupid things to do, talking down about an opponent who just ended your European dreams and comfortably won 3-0 over two legs is right up there.

And that’s exactly what Mertens has done, attributing his side’s departure from the Europa League to bad luck and poor finishing.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals what Lasagne-Gate was really like for Tottenham’s food-poisoned stars – Check out the video below…

“The first 10-15 minutes, we had a few chances to score and that would’ve changed everything,” Mertens told Sky Sport Italia, as reported by Metro.

“We conceded a goal and our heads dropped. We said in the locker room that we still believed, because Arsenal aren’t that good.

“There isn’t a real gap between us. We got it very wrong at the Emirates and that ruined everything.

“We weren’t well set out, Arsenal took advantage and we tried everything to make up for it, but they defended well.”

In fairness to the diminutive Belgian, he is right about the missed chances, as the Partenopei will certainly rue some of the half-chances they missed over the two legs.

However, never for a moment did they look the better team in either game, and in fact Thursday’s game in Naples was perhaps the most professional and solid Arsenal have looked from a defensive standpoint for a long time.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, where the Emirates faithful are hitting back at Mertens’ rather ill-timed fighting talk…

[ad_pod ]

It might come as a surprise to learn that Ben Davies has actually made more than 160 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur in all competitions.

That number is 163 to be precise, with 35 of those coming this season.

The 26-year-old has faced his fair share of criticism, but has been a key contributor to Tottenham since arriving from Swansea City in the summer of 2014.

It was actually Davies’ birthday on Wednesday, which led to a post from Tottenham’s official Twitter account.

As expected, the club’s supporters were on hand to comment on the Wales international and it would be fair to say that there was a hugely positive reaction.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he would have snubbed Tottenham for Arsenal if they’d come knocking in 2005…

Social media is usually a good gauge when it comes to determining how the supporters feel about a particular player.

And Davies – despite facing previous criticism – certainly appears to be in the good books of the fans at the moment.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

It has been an incredible season to be a Sheffield United fan hasn’t it?

Having exceeded all expectations this year, the Blades are now preparing for a return to the Premier League after sealing automatic promotion last week following Leeds United’s 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.

Whereas it is safe to say that Chris Wilder will be aiming to make improvements to his squad in a number of different areas in the summer, it is imperative that he does everything he can to resolve United’s goalkeeping conundrum between now and August.

With Dean Henderson’s loan deal set to expire at the end of the month, the Blades should go all-out to permanently sign the Manchester United shot-stopper when the transfer window opens in July.

An incredibly talented player, the 22-year-old has been exceptional for the Yorkshire-based outfit throughout the 2018/19 campaign with his 21 clean sheets playing a major role in helping his side clinch a top-two finish in the Championship.

Yet despite his brilliant abilities in between the sticks, the defining reason for why Wilder should splash out on Henderson is his strength of character.

After suffering his first major setback as a professional footballer during a 3-3 draw against Aston Villa in which he was culpable for all of the goals that he conceded, it would have been understandable for the keeper to retreat into his shell.

However, Henderson instead used the situation as a motivating factor to not make the same mistakes and has concede just five goals in 14 games since since this particular clash.

According to the Sun (as quoted by Hitc), the Blades will have to pay the Red Devils £7m for Henderson if they are to guarantee his return to Bramall Lane next season.

Whereas 20 years ago this would seem like an extortionate fee to shelve out on a player who has yet to feature in the top-flight, given the state of the current transfer landscape, it could prove to be a bargain buy for the Blades as the England under-21 international has all the ingredients to become a modern-hero at the club.

What do you think United fans? Should Wilder go all-out to bring in Henderson? How impressed have you been with the 22-year-old this season? Get in touch below.