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Many West Ham United fans have been angered on Twitter, following a disappointing performance from goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski in their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

Enduring a frustrating afternoon between the sticks, the Poland international’s torrid time between the sticks was summarised perfectly in the stats, receiving a measly 5.9/10 match rating from SofaScore – the lowest of any Irons player.

In an entertaining London clash, Fabianski struggled immensely with the first Palace goal of the day, failing to turn Conor Gallagher’s routine effort round the post as it slithered into the bottom corner [Guardian].

Rounding off the scorers, Pablo Fornals and Michail Antonio netted for the Hammers, whilst Gallagher converted another close-range strike to give Palace a share of the points.

In light of their first dropped points of the campaign, no wonder loads of West Ham United fans took to Twitter to protest Fabianski’s display.

West Ham United fans react:

Replying to multiple outlets on Twitter, here is what some supporters had to say about recent developments:

“Only a matter of time before Areola is in goal imo. 6 shots on target faced an 5 goals conceded.”

Credit: @westhamtransfer

“Fabianski really isn’t it anymore unfortunately surely only a matter of time before Areola comes in.”

Credit: @OC02_

“Fabianski isn’t number 1 quality”

Credit: @1bbyWHU

“No way should Fabianski be getting beat at that angle for the first goal, shambles”

Credit: @whujack7

“About time fabianski got the boot. Cost us points last season. And will cost us this season”

Credit: @abush90

“Spot on. Midfield was non existent. Dawson isn’t good enough at all. Find fabianski frustrating, since his injury don’t think he’s been anywhere near the same.”

Credit: @robson1896

In other news, West Ham fans react to Europa League fixture confirmation. Find out who they got here.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could be the surprise solution to Nuno Santo’s creative problems at Tottenham Hotspur this season.

With the transfer window shut until January at the earliest, the Portuguese head coach will have to work with what is currently at his disposal.

The season could not have got off to a better start, with Spurs winning all three of their opening matches, including an impressive win over defending champions Manchester City – all without conceding a goal, too.

However, they are the lowest scorers in the Premier League’s top ten, which suggests that sooner or later things could start to change. As such, Nuno must find a way for his team to start scoring more goals, especially with Harry Kane back in the frame.

The England international is the only Spurs player to average two or more key passes per game, and he’s only played 108 minutes thus far. Steven Bergwijn is next up, averaging 1.3 key chances a match, but Spurs’ attacking midfielders are nowhere to be seen.

Dele Alli, who has started all three games in a more advanced midfield role, is yet to record a single key pass. Meanwhile, Tanguy Ndombele hasn’t featured yet this term amid the speculation over his future, while Giovani Lo Celso’s 36 minutes on the pitch have seen just the one chance created, per WhoScored.

In fact, it is the great Dane in the middle who has created the most of the available options (one per game).

On the Chalkboard

That may come as a bit of a shock to some around N17, but under Nuno, the tough-tackling Hojbjerg could actually be a very solid option further up the pitch.

His recent international displays would certainly suggest so.

At Euro 2020, the 26-year-old was among the top performers at the tournament as Denmark made the semi-finals. He recorded three assists, ten successful dribbles and 11 key passes across six appearances, via SofaScore.

For context, only one player recorded more assists than Hojbjerg, who even notched more than the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Gareth Bale, Jack Grealish and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Again this week, we saw a glimpse of what the £36m-rated beast can do when given more freedom to push forward.

Hojbjerg, who earns a reported £100k-per-week, picked up a further assist during Denmark’s World Cup qualifying clash with Scotland. Per SofaScore, he had a whopping 92 touches of the ball and made 95% of his 83 passing attempts, proving to be a major focal point for his side.

Under Jose Mourinho, who once lauded him as a “phenomenal player”, he was a ball-winning midfielder – having averaged 2.6 tackles per game in 2020/21.

However, on the above evidence, he could well emerge as an intriguing box-to-box option for Nuno.

It’s clear that Spurs’ current creative options are the one negative in this side right now and it’s only a matter of time before that alarming weakness gets exposed. After the international break, the Portuguese boss must consider a change in plan for his star midfielder.

AND in other news, Paratici can seal Nuno’s dream signing in Spurs swoop for “special” £31.5m-rated machine…

Manchester United have suffered a potential injury blow ahead of their Premier League encounter with Newcastle United after Jadon Sancho was forced to withdraw from the England squad.

What’s the word?

The 21-year-old was called up for the Three Lions’ World Cup qualifying tripleheader by Gareth Southgate but played no part in their 4-0 victory over Hungary.

England’s FA then released a statement revealing Sancho had picked up a knock and would play no part in their subsequent fixtures, allowing him to return to United.

“Jadon Sancho will play no part in England’s forthcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Poland. The forward picked up a minor knock in training earlier this week which ruled him out of the 4-0 victory in Hungary,” the statement read.
“Following further assessment, the 21-year-old has returned to his club and is expected to recover in time for Manchester United’s fixture with Newcastle United on Saturday 11 September.”

Solskjaer will be gutted

Although the FA claim that Sancho is expected to be fit enough to play some part against the Magpies over the weekend, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will still be gutted at his summer signing’s setback as it looks unlikely that he’ll be ready to start the game.

The former Borussia Dortmund gem arrived at Old Trafford via a £73 million deal back in July, although he’s struggled to find his best form in the opening weeks of his Red Devils career.

After making two substitute appearances off the bench against Leeds United and Southampton, Sancho got his chance from the off last time out when Solskjaer’s side travelled to Molineux.

However, an underwhelming performance saw the flying winger hooked after just 72 minutes, and he’s still waiting for his first goal and assist in a United shirt.

A home game against a struggling Newcastle United side may have been the ideal encounter for Sancho to get off the mark in, but he may be forced to wait a little while longer depending on how his recovery progresses.

And, in other news…2 key passes, 9 duels won: Man Utd gem sends big message to Ole on international duty 

Noel Whelan has offered his thoughts on what the future holds for Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara… 

What’s the talk?

Former Leeds forward Noel Whelan has suggested that Rangers will refuse to cash in on Glen Kamara in the January transfer window.

He has claimed that the Gers would sell him next summer, with his contract expiring in 2023, and that a contract extension would need to be sorted before the winter market opens.

Whelan told Football Insider:

“Contract talks are never easy, especially when you’re trying to keep big players at the club.

“It’s especially hard when there’s a real possibility of selling him at the end of the season.

“It will be the end of the season if he is sold.

“There’s no way Rangers would sell in January when they’ll still be fighting for Europe and fighting to retain the title.

“If the deal is to be signed, you would expect that all parties would have agreed to it by January.”

Fans will be delighted

Rangers fans will be delighted with these comments from Whelan as it could be a huge boost to the club if his prediction comes to fruition. Having Kamara at Ibrox for the entire campaign could improve their chances of being successful, as he is a crucial member of Steven Gerrard’s squad.

The central midfielder played in 33 of Rangers’ Scottish Premiership matches last season as they won the league title ahead of Celtic. He averaged a superb SofaScore rating of 6.99, winning 59% of his midfield battles against the opposition over the course of the campaign.

Neil McCann, his former manager at Dundee United, claimed that the Finland international was ‘perfect’ for him. He said of Kamara: “He isn’t a big, physical lad but he’s made of iron and really strong. I knew immediately that he could handle the ball under pressure and not give it away, so he was perfect.

McCann added: “He’s a special talent. He’s lightning-quick but he doesn’t show it. He’s a player who takes instruction well.”

His statistics from last season and these quotes from McCann highlight Kamara’s quality and why he is an important player for Rangers. Therefore, fans will be buzzing if he does not depart in January, as it would mean they are able to enjoy his talents for at least five more months than they would otherwise.

Arsenal reportedly made a move for the £6.2k-per-week beast during the last transfer window, which shows the level of club currently looking at Kamara. Rangers may not be able to hold off Premier League interest forever, but ensuring that he remains at their club for the entire season, to help retain the title, would delight supporters.

AND in other news, Gerrard issues update on £27k-p/w “mountain” that’ll leave Rangers fans concerned…

Liverpool’s return to the top end of the table after spending years treading water and enduring the despair of mid-table obscurity has been remarkable.

The transition started by Brendan Rodgers and finished by Jurgen Klopp has seen the Reds claim their maiden Premier League trophy and their sixth European Cup triumph, as well as producing a string of magnificent displays.

However, it’s arguably the club’s work off the field which has really propelled them back to the big time.

While the Liverpool chiefs were splashing out huge sums on countless flops such as Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam in the early 2010s, the Anfield outfit stood no chance of returning to their former glories.

However, the arrival of Michael Edwards as director of football back in 2016 sparked a new chapter in the club’s illustrious history.

Several astute acquisitions such as Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker have transformed Liverpool’s fortunes in recent years, and all without the owners financing a ridiculous spending spree.

That’s because Edwards has managed to acquire some quite astonishing sums for unwanted fringe players who failed to make the cut under Klopp on Merseyside.

The likes of Danny Ward, Christian Benteke and Mamadou Sakho have been offloaded for healthy sums, but perhaps none were as satisfying as Dominic Solanke’s move to Bournemouth.

The England international rose through the ranks at boyhood club Chelsea and was tipped for greatness by his previous manager Jose Mourinho. After playing in the Champions League against Maribor, the Portuguese once said: “For sure, he’s going to play many Champions League matches, because he will be a good player.”

Mourinho also explained that if Solanke – as well as Lewis Baker and Izzy Brown – fail to play for the senior side and England in the future, the 58-year-old would only have himself to blame.

“My conscience tells me that if, for example, Baker, Brown, and Solanke are not national team players in a few years, I should blame myself,” the now-AS Roma manager said (as relayed by Give Me Sport).

Things didn’t go to plan for Solanke at Stamford Bridge, though, and after he failed to make another appearance for the Blues after his debut against Maribor, he moved to Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer of 2017.

Unfortunately, the striker’s fresh start on Merseyside was also unable to spark a run of goalscoring form, with the now 24-year-old bagging just one goal in 27 outings for Klopp’s charges.

Solanke’s struggles didn’t dissuade Bournemouth from splashing out a whopping £19m on his services just 18 months into his Liverpool career, but they may have come to instantly regret that decision.

The former England under-21 international was unable to prevent the Cherries from suffering relegation in his first full season at the Vitality Stadium after finding the back of the net on just three occasions in 32 Premier League appearances, all of those goals coming in the final two weeks of the campaign.

Therefore, Edwards’ ability to sell Solanke for almost £20m now seems like a masterclass, and his potential departure from the Liverpool boardroom could have lasting damage.

In other news… “I expect”: Journalist provides exciting Liverpool update which will have fans buzzing 

Former Tottenham defender Graham Roberts can understand why his old side did not move for Crystal Palace striker Odsonne Edouard during the summer transfer window.

Edouard has made a bright start to life in England following his move from Celtic, scoring twice on his debut against Roberts’ former team.

However, prior to joining Palace, the 23-year-old had been linked with a move to Tottenham.

According to the Daily Record, Spurs had been keeping tabs on Edouard ahead of a potential deadline day move, though nothing obviously materialised in the end. And that comes as no surprise to Roberts, who can see why the Frenchman was not a priority for Nuno Espirito Santo.

“If you want to go to the next level, why are you going to waste… I’m not saying he’s a waste, but why are you going to pay £15m for a striker?” the Tottenham legend started explaining to TT.

“Harry Kane, ok, let’s say he does leave next year. They’ll be looking to bring in a 40, 50, 60 million pound, scores 20 goals a season, 25 goals a season striker.”

With Kane still at the club and Son Heung-min able to play up front, not signing Edouard is hardly a disaster. From a Spurs perspective, hopefully both players remain fit and the former can get back to scoring ways in the Premier League again.

Flocking to Twitter, many fans have flocked to news shared by James Pearce as Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is dealt a hammer injury blow to Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The Reds suffered a wide range of serious injuries to key players last term as they missed out on defending their first Premier League crown in 30 years.

Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez were just some of the players ruled out for extended periods over 2020/2021 (inews) and Klopp will be hoping to avoid a repeat of that worrying trend this campaign.

However, as reporter Pearce shares news on ‘another painful injury blow’ from Klopp, it appears Liverpool’s injury list is growing once again with Harvey Elliott, Naby Keita, Thiago Alcantara also out (The Athletic).

Indeed, Klopp has now told BT Sport (via Pearce) that Alexander-Arnold’s injury is ‘serious’ and he also isn’t likely to feature in their upcoming blockbuster clash at home to rivals Man City.

Flocking to this news, given how important he is to this Liverpool team, it’s little wonder supporters have erupted.

Find all of their verdicts on this news down below.

Liverpool fans erupt over Trent injury blow…

“We can’t catch a break”

Credit: @_Forever_Red_

“Lol and this club owners think that we can win the league without signing. I will pray for my club”

Credit: @Bikkubugsbunny1

“When will it stop?”

Credit: @PAkinmosa

“Way too many injuries already this season. Thiago and Trent out for the City game is huge.”

Credit: @DukeOfHavoc

“Oh no”

Credit: @I_am_Tebzy

“Massive blow mannn

Right flank’s gonna be dead”

Credit: @Usamathejaved

“We are finito. No squad depth just vibes.”

Credit: @LfcSol

In other news: FSG now in pole position to sign ‘serious’ £49.5m-rated star for Liverpool…find out more here.

A number of Wolves supporters were unhappy with Daniel Podence’s performance against Southampton, even though they won the game.

Bruno Lage’s side faced an important Premier League match on Sunday afternoon, having only won once in five outings in the competition before kickoff.

It may not have been the most entertaining game, but Raul Jimenez’s superb solo effort clinched a vital 1-0 victory at St Mary’s, taking Wolves into 14th place in the table.

There were a number of strong performers on the day for the visitors, but one player who never seemed at his best was Podence, who lost possession nine times overall.

The 25-year-old is still looking for his first league goal or assist of the season and Wolves could do with him going up a gear.

Wolves fans unhappy with Podence display

These fans took to Twitter to criticise Podence’s performance after the game.

“Podence. Did he make a successful pass?”

Credit: @Pep30692329

“Imagine my surprise when Podence contributed nothing today”

Credit: @RK13REF

“Great support, fabulous for Raul to score just a shame that Podence and Marcal couldn’t find an away shirt to pass to. Adama and Ayt Nouri please Bruno”

Credit: @andrewhos

“Though we were overall very poor, wing-backs both dreadful, midfield missing, Podence terrible. Hwang meh, didn’t even think the centre-halves were particularly good, some bad positioning at times & gave up passing from back. Bit of magic saved us, but Jimenez poor up to that point”

Credit: @jamiewalters23

“Thought we were by far the better team 1st half but picked wrong option time and time again. Podence had a nightmare, Raul edge of box chose not to shoot. After we scored I thought we were horrific”

Credit: @Thesilencedjuan

“Hwang finding his feet in the league maybe but Podence believes his own hype and Marcel thinks Wolves are his Pension. Totally inept performance from the last two”

Credit: @DingleBal

In other news, one Wolves player’s first-half performance at Southampton was also criticised. Read more here.

Celtic will receive a £2m windfall for the transfer of Ryan Christie if Bournemouth win promotion to the Premier League, according to The Sun, cited by 67 Hail Hail.  

The Lowdown: Deadline Day business

The Hoops had a busy final day of the summer window, with three incomings and three outgoings.

Christie was one of those to leave, with the Cherries paying an initial £2.5m for the attacking midfielder.

Striker Giorgos Giakoumakis was the last permanent addition to Ange Postecoglou’s squad, costing just over £2m, and it appears as if that could be paid for thanks to Christie by next summer.

The Latest: Add-on details emerge

The Sun on Sunday, cited by 67 Hail Hail, claim that Celtic will receive a further £2m if Bournemouth win promotion.

They could then land even more if they stay up in a potential 2022/23 Premier League campaign.

The Verdict: Shrewd move

Christie was out of contract at Celtic Park in January, so bringing in an initial £2.5m in the summer was good business.

It seems as if it could get even better over the next seven months, which could, in theory, mean the Hoops’ move for Giakoumakis is all but paid for due to add-ons in Christie’s transfer.

All in all, it looks like a shrewd move by the Hoops hierarchy, who will more than likely be hoping Bournemouth can stay top of the Championship until May.

In other news: Celtic are considering boss with similar style to Ange; he played golf with Desmond last week. 

With Liverpool adding Ibrahima Konate to their squad during the recent summer transfer window, placing him alongside Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Nat Phillips, it’s safe to say the Merseyside club are pretty stacked for centre-backs at the moment.

However, one other defender they have on their books that played a significant part in their previous campaign is Rhys Williams, who is currently on loan with Championship club Swansea City until the end of the season.

As a product of Liverpool’s youth academy, Williams made his senior debut for the club in September 2020 in the Merseyside club’s 7-2 win over Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup.

Since then, the 20-year-old, who is currently valued at £4.5m according to Transfermarkt, has made 19 senior appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Prior to joining the Welsh club on his current loan deal, Williams, who was once described by Klopp as “exceptional,” put pen to paper on a new contract with Liverpool which will see him stay with the Reds until 2026.

His time on loan with Swansea so far, however, has not been entirely successful with Williams playing in just three of their games across all competitions so far this season, managing to concede five goals in those outings.

In addition to his lack of game time, it seems as though his performances when he has played have not been particularly impressive. WhoScored have given him an overall rating of 6.14/10 for his performances in the Championship so far, making him one of Swansea’s lowest-rated players.

Williams has also failed to win any ground duels in the Championship this season either, which should be worrying for a defender, even at his young age.

Taking this into account, it’s safe to assume that Klopp will be concerned with the way he’s performing at the Liberty Stadium. However, the defender still has enough time to turn his season around and get back on track before it ends.

However, if he doesn’t manage to do this, Williams could find himself even further away from a place in Klopp’s starting XI and Liverpool could well end up regretting offering him a long-term contract in the first place.

In other news: LFC eye swoop for 25 y/o who Klopp dubbed “unplayable”, he dribbles more than Salah – opinion