All posts by n8rngtd.top

When Raul Jimenez suffered a horrendous fractured skull against Arsenal back in November, there were big fears for Wolves given his impressive contributions up top – he’s scored 47 goals in just 110 games for the club.

And since Jimenez went down, the Old Gold have won just four of their last 14 matches. It’s been a torrid period for Nuno Santo who has watched his side capitulate in recent months.

They have kept a solitary clean sheet in the Premier League since October, but their win over Arsenal on this occasion will have done them wonders.

The confidence was back in full swing and it was hardly a surprise that with a robust striker in Willian Jose to aim for in attack, they improved. Though, despite goals from Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho, it was Pedro Neto who put the Gunners to the sword.

Neto is having a tremendous season and despite Wolves’ struggles, he has taken on the mantle as their chief creator with ease. With Jimenez out, the Portugal international is very quickly becoming their diamond in the rough.

His performances have continued with the same vigour in recent months and his tally of four goals and four assists are bettered by no one in the Wolves squad this season.

The 20-year-old has been quite the force this term and he demonstrated that against Arsenal. Neto gave Hector Bellerin a torrid time and when the Gunners went down to ten and then nine men, he exploited the open spaces ruthlessly.

Neto provided two key passes during the game and such was the space he received on the left that he attempted eight crosses. That was the highest number of balls into the area of anyone on the pitch.

On top of that, the youngster terrorised Bellerin by completing a massive five dribbles. That tally was significantly up on his season average of 2.2 dribbles per game.

He has been a threatening ball of energy for the entire season and ranks among one of the most intense runners in the Premier League – sitting high up on the list of players with the most sprints per 90 minutes.

If anything typified Neto, it would be a piece of descriptive tweeting from Tim Spiers on Tuesday evening. As the winger drove past two Arsenal players in the second half, he said: “Neto twists into the box like a champion slalom skier.”

It was the perfect way to express Neto’s qualities. He is a radiant attacking weapon capable of upsetting even the sternest of defences.

Arsenal had conceded just once in the Premier League since Boxing Day but they found life difficult against the Portuguese this week.

It’s a testament to how much he’s improved and to his overall qualities. He has fast become Nuno’s star man at Molineux.

AND in other news, Drop him: Wolves liability who lost 66% of his duels continues to let Nuno down…

BeIN Sports presenters Richard Keys and Andy Gray have tipped West Ham United to complete the permanent signing of Craig Dawson.

Hammers should sign Dawson permanently

Dawson made the move to the London Stadium on loan from Watford during the summer transfer window. So far this term, he has made eight appearances in the Premier League, scoring two goals (Transfermarkt).

Despite not being a regular starter, both Keys and Gray believe that David Moyes will want to keep him at the club. Keys said (via HITC):

“They bought Benrahma. They haven’t yet turned Dawson into a full-time signing but I’m sure they will.”

Gray added:

“He’s a centre-back. He looks a fit kid so would you give him another 12 months after this? You bet you would. He’s the right sort as well.”

Makes sense

While Dawson has not been one of the first names on the teamsheet throughout the campaign, he has grown into an important player in recent weeks. He has started each of the last eight matches in the top flight – during that run, West Ham have won five matches and lost just one.

Currently valued at £3.6m (Transfermarkt), it should not be too hard for the Hammers to prise him away permanently from Vicarage Road. Whether the board and the directors will be looking at more glamorous options come the end of the term remains to be seen.

In other news, West Ham fans are delighted by this Jesse Lingard update.

Speaking to Sky Sports, as shared by Football Daily and West Ham Central, journalist Kaveh Solhekol dropped a candid message for West Ham United and their supporters – going on to say that the Hammers don’t get ‘the respect they deserve’ considering what they have achieved so far this season.

Solhekol, speaking on The Transfer Show, opened up over how brilliantly the Hammers have performed under Moyes this season – going on to drop a message that West Ham United deserve more respect when it comes to media coverage in general.

West Ham are currently in the mix for a top-four finish and Solhekol thinks that they deserve more recognition.

Solhekol drops West Ham message

“I can’t believe we’re going to talk about Arsenal before talking about West Ham,” explained the journalist (via Twitter).

“Before we get to talk about West Ham, we’re talking about fringe players at Arsenal who may be swapping one loan move for another.

“On this programme, we just don’t give West Ham the respect they deserve.”

Flocking to this candid message from the journalist, as shared by West Ham Central and West Ham Transfers, these supporters loved the comment with some feeling that the Irons have now been justifiably recognised. Find all of their best verdicts down below.

Hammers go wild

“Finally!! What a man he’s highlighted a big issue at sky sports”

Credit: @I96griffiths

“WOW”

Credit: @battey12

“You got to love this.”

Credit: @just_wasik

“Wow!! How about that? Who would have thought it!!”

Credit: @diltondiltond1

“Massive respect”

Credit: @Redjacket98

“Thank youuuuuuu”

Credit: @DBarnard1989

“My respect for Karveh has gone through the roof. What a man. Irons.”

Credit: @AlexLou47257315

“West Ham are massive”

Credit: @Lloydie_A

In other news: West Ham fans praised this ace for his performance against Crystal Palace, find out more here.

Southampton have been dealt a huge blow ahead of their game against Leicester City on Saturday, as Danny Ings has been ruled out after testing positive for the current viral outbreak.

Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed in his pre-match conference on Thursday that the England international would be forced to sit out the game against the Foxes after a positive test, as he will now have to self-isolate due to the government’s guidelines.

This comes as a big blow for the Austrian as he saw his side fail to score in three games over the Christmas period that Ings missed through injury before the former Liverpool man returned to score the winner against his old side in the Saints’ last Premier League fixture.

It is an important game against Brendan Rodgers’ side on Saturday evening, with both sides having enjoyed an impressive start to the season which sees them challenging for a top-four spot, so to have your top scorer missing is obviously a huge blow for the South Coast club.

So far this season, the 28-year-old has managed seven goals and three assists in just 13 top-flight appearances for Southampton, averaging a superb 7.17 rating.

The Englishman is picking up where he left off last season, where he finished as the second joint-top scorer in the Premier League, despite a disjointed season so far where injuries, and now the current viral outbreak, have ruled him out of matches.

Last season, Eddie Howe was full of praise for the striker, saying:

“The most impressive thing about Danny is, of course, he’s an outstanding player.”

“Technically he’s very good, plays with real intelligence and the way he’s come back from his disappointments, the injury setbacks he’s had, the way he’s fought back and kept his mental strength has been hugely impressive.”

Hasenhuttl will surely be frustrated to have his top goalscorer missing for the game against Leicester and he now faces a dilemma on who to select up front alongside Che Adams, who should return after missing the game against Liverpool with a concussion.

And, in other news… Southampton signing England U21 gem would cast doubt over the future of Hasenhuttl favourite

Marcel Brands is finally getting rid of a three-year Everton problem with Matthew Pennington now likely to leave Goodison Park as a free agent in the summer.

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, Toffees chiefs have no intentions of tabling a new contract to Pennington with the defender now within the final six months of his current £19,000-per-week deal.

Pennington has spent most of the past four campaigns away from Merseyside through various loan moves, and secured his latest switch with a half-season deal to join League One side Shrewsbury Town until the end of the 2020/21 term.

Carlo Ancelotti does not envisage Pennington ever forcing his way into the Everton first-team picture with Michael Keane, Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey, Mason Holgate and Jarrad Branthwaite all contesting for minutes.

Pennington has joined third-tier Shrewsbury as he is hungry to taste regular action again, having featured as an over-aged player in David Unsworth’s Under 23s this term after a stinted year with Hull City that returned just 14 Championship appearances last season.

The 26-year-old centre-back has featured just nine times for Everton’s first-team since his debut under Roberto Martinez in 2015, with his last senior Toffees outing coming in April 2017 before spells with Leeds United, Ipswich Town, the Tigers and now Shrewsbury.

End of the road

It has been a long journey to the end of the road for Pennington at Goodison Park, but his final destination is almost in sight with Everton currently against presenting a new contract to a player they have considered parting company with for years.

Toffees chiefs had wanted to sell the defender last summer upon his return from Hull, having failed to do so the year before despite interest from a string of Championship sides, including Wigan Athletic, after a solid season with Ipswich.

Now, the Blues are set to part ways with Pennington without earning any compensation for a defender who has been on the club’s books since the age of 11, and end years of struggles trying to find a better-matched home for him.

Pennington was praised by Hull boss Grant McCann during his time at the KCOM, despite only making 16 appearances, who believed good things would come for the Everton dud.

“He’s a tremendous professional, he really, really is. He’s one of the earliest in every day at quarter past eight. He’s there having his breakfast and he’s a terrific lad,” he said, via quotes by Hull Live. “When he goes out there, he gives everything. He’s a lovely, lovely boy and hopefully good things will come to him.”

Good things were not to be found at Everton, and Brands’ only decision now is to allow him to leave as a free agent.

AND in other news, Everton are showing a determination to sign a £13.5m titan for free.

Former referee Mark Halsey has recently discussed a penalty incident for Southampton in their recent Premier League game.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men were recently held to a 0-0 draw by Fulham at Craven Cottage but after the game, the Saints boss made it clear that he thinks that his side should’ve had a penalty for a handball by Ola Aina. A cross had hit the Torino loanee’s arm but after a VAR check, play continued and no spot-kick was awarded.

When talking about the incident, Hasenhuttl said: “He goes with his hand to the ball and that it is a clear goal chance for us also so we were unlucky not to get a penalty there.”

Halsey gives his opinion about a potential Southampton penalty

Halsey was speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern and he talked about the possibility of whether Southampton should’ve had a penalty for Aina’s potential handball. The former referee believes that it was a subjective call and while Saints fans would want a penalty for that, the Fulham defender Aina had his arms in a natural position and he doesn’t think the call was a clear and obvious error.

He said:

“Looking at that, it’s subjective and if you’re a Southampton fan, you want it but his arms in a natural position in a running motion. I would agree (with the officials) that it wasn’t a penalty. In my own personal opinion, you don’t want to see penalties given for those sort of situations.”

The game saw Southampton have the ball in the back of the net on two occasions, but both goals were correctly ruled out for offside.

Penalty could’ve been a game-changer for Southampton

Hasenhuttl’s men currently find themselves in ninth place in the Premier League table and they have 25 points in the bag so far. Having said that though, they are only three points behind third-placed Leicester City (as per Whoscored).

If Southampton had won the game, they would’ve been in the third spot in the table but the draw means that they have dropped out of the top-four. It shows how important the handball call involving Aina was and it turned out to be vital when it came to determining Southampton’s position in the table.

However, the home side had generated an Expected Goals tally of 0.87 in the game – higher than Southampton’s tally of 0.12. So perhaps, getting a point from the tie wasn’t a bad result at all for the Saints, despite the frustration of Hasenhuttl.

In other news, Southampton fans have slammed Stuart Armstrong for his performance against Fulham – read more about it here.

How do you solve a problem like Celtic’s?

For the first time in the last ten years, they are in real strife. The Hoops have become accustomed to dominating Scottish football but this season they are not having it all their own way.

11 points off the pace in the league and out of Europe, it has been a bitterly frustrating campaign for Neil Lennon and his team.

Equally, it has fuelled a burning worry in the minds of Celtic supporters. They marched to Parkhead after the defeat against Ross County to protest against what was currently happening in Glasgow.

Another bad result against AC Milan, therefore, could mean curtains for Lennon.

Of course, the clash has nothing riding on it given Celtic can’t qualify but if the manager does want to save his job then a victory will win back a fraction of confidence.

Though, he has to start someone he’s previously described as “fantastic” if the Bhoys are to have any chance of snatching all three points – Olivier Ntcham.

The Frenchman has been linked with an exit in recent months but has been his usual battering ram self for Celtic, so much so that he poses a frightening threat to Milan’s defence.

He hasn’t scored in the Europa League this term but his dynamism has been far more effective in that competition.

Ntcham has predominantly been playing in a number 10 position and has looked incredibly lively, performing 2.3 successful dribbles per match. Proving a handful for defenders, he’s also been fouled 1.3 times a game. It’s incredible to think that he didn’t start in Celtic’s 4-1 defeat to Sparta Prague in Glasgow a matter of weeks ago.

When the Hoops last played Milan in October – a 3-1 loss – Ntcham was the star for the Bhoys, registering two key passes and completing three dribbles. On top of that, the 24-year-old won six ground duels.

The Italian giants were evidently troubled by the Celtic midfielder so he simply has to start when they meet again this week.

Similarly, if Lennon wants to bide more time, he needs to play his energetic Frenchman.

In other news, check out how Celtic can FINALLY solve their Scott Brown problem…

Marcel Brands faces a fraught challenge to sign Carlo Ancelotti’s “very talented” transfer target, SSC Napoli’s highly sought-after midfielder Fabian Ruiz.

What’s the word?

According to TodoFichajes, Ancelotti intends to rediscover Everton’s early season form with a January raid on Napoli in hopes of reuniting with another of his former players in Fabian, after witnessing the successful adaptations of Allan and James Rodriguez to the Premier League.

Ancelotti was awash with praise for Fabian during his time at the San Paolo Stadium and has even reportedly contacted the Spaniard to discuss a potential move to Goodison Park, which the 24-year-old is not thought to have been opposed to.

Fabian is considered an untouchable aspect of Gennaro Gattuso’s plans in Naples, yet he remains a winter target for Everton after rejecting offers to renew his contract as the 8-cap international considers exploring a new challenge just two-and-a-half-years on from leaving Real Betis.

Everton could face a strong line of competition for his signature, however, as La Liga giants FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid all hold a strong interest in Fabian, who the Express claimed was also an option for Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich this summer, but they all faced a staggering £74million asking price.

Jurgen Klopp had been keen to pip the growing swarm of interested parties before ultimately signing Thiago Alcantara, with Fabian’s Napoli future becoming increasingly uncertain after his agent Alvaro Torres confirmed that the Betis product was reluctant to discuss a new contract after a muddled campaign which saw Gattuso replace Ancelotti at the helm.

Fabian enjoyed the best days of his career so far under Ancelotti, scoring eight goals and penning five assists in 59 appearances across all competitions. He has since netted three and assisted five in 36 games under Gattuso, who has relied on the 6 ft 2 maestro to start all six possible Serie A fixtures thus far this term.

Brands’ fraught challenge

The level of interest in Fabian’s services and Napoli’s expected asking price would make any move by Everton this January a fraught challenge for their Director of Football Brands to overcome, especially as the Italian outfit have no urgent need to sell.

Fabian is under contract at the San Paolo through to the summer of 2023 and Napoli will be well-aware that the clutch of clubs keen on his services will ensure that their valuation remains high far into his current deal.

But in a boost for Everton, TodoFichajes do claim that the Toffees are the most likely destination for the 24-year-old, as the Merseyside outfit can improve his current salary and present an ambitious sporting project as they strive to secure European football.

Ancelotti’s past relationship with the central midfielder can also play a key role in advancing the Blues’ standing, with the Italian a keen admirer having noted in 2019 via Napoli’s official website: “Fabian can play various roles and must certainly grow in many aspects. He is young and very talented.

“He must have fewer breaks and must gradually be inserted into the heart of the team. Compared to Marek [Hamsik], he has a different vision of the game but certainly greater penetration.”

Fabian responded to Ancelotti’s comments by recording his most creative Serie A campaign last season with six assists in 33 games, and he is currently averaging 1.5 key balls and 1.5 shots per match this term as he registers 86.2 touches, 67.2 accurate passes, 4.5 duels won and 0.8 successful dribbles (83%), per SofaScore.

With Ancelotti keen and Fabian seemingly open to a move to Goodison Park, it only remains to be seen if Brands can unearth the funds needed to complete a raid on Napoli this winter.

AND in other news, Carlo Ancelotti is urging Everton to sign a “magnificent player” this winter.

Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer has heaped praise on Brighton and Hove Albion’s teenage wing-back Tariq Lamptey after his impressive start to the season.

The England under-21 international has burst on to the scene in recent months, starting in the opening day defeat to Chelsea before being included against Newcastle United at the weekend.

The defender originally began his career with Chelsea before moving to Brighton, for whom he signed back in January.

Shearer, who scored a record total of 260 goals in the division for Newcastle and Blackburn, regularly selects his Team of the Week for the Premier League’s official website.

Picking Lamptey in his XI for Premier League matchday 2, Shearer gave a brief comment on the youngster’s performances to justify his inclusion.

“The teenager only played for an hour but that hour was outstanding. He was a constant threat with his pace and nearly scored a deserved goal. A brilliant future lies ahead.”

The 19-year-old impressed as he played a part in Brighton’s 3-0 win over Shearer’s former club Newcastle United at the weekend, winning five duels, making four interceptions and winning the penalty which led to Neal Maupay’s opening goal at St James’ Park.

Brighton were defeated on the opening day of the season but a superb victory over Newcastle United has got them up and running; and in Lamptey they have seemingly found a real gem.

The youngster has bags of potential, and with the benefit of regular first team action with the Seagulls since the restart of football in June, the future could hold something special for him.

Do you think Lamptey can go and become a big player in the Premier League? Let us know your views in the comments section below…

Sunderland are interested in making a move for former Rangers defender Jon Flanagan, according to Football Insider.

Black Cats boss Phil Parkinson faces a tough task this summer as he looks to build a squad capable of gaining promotion to the Championship.

Finishing eighth in the League One standings last term, Parkinson is under increasing pressure to deliver and a number of deals have already been completed this summer with Bailey Wright and Aiden O’Brien, whilst also agreeing new terms with Tom Flanagan.

With Parkinson keen to further improve his squad, interest in ex-Rangers defender Flanagan has now emerged.

The defender, who was released by Steven Gerrard’s side earlier this summer, is available on a free transfer and Football Insider have claimed that Sunderland are interested.

That interest is also said to be matched by Fleetwood Town with boss Joey Barton keen to bolster his squad options ahead of next term in League One.

Flanagan, who is valued at £855,000 by Transfermarkt, last played in English football with Bolton Wanderers, whom he left to join Rangers in 2018.

Signing Flanagan on a free transfer this summer would be a good move for Sunderland and would add experience and quality to their defence. Indeed this is a player who not only made 16 appearances in the Scottish Premiership for Rangers, but who also played 46 times in the Premier League for Liverpool whilst also winning the League Cup whilst at Anfield (Transfermarkt).

Fleetwood’s interest will provide stiff competition for Phil Parkinson but you have to feel that if a promotion rival are keen, Sunderland should go all out to make a move.

Do you think Flanagan would be a good signing for Sunderland? Let us know in the comments section below…