Sheffield United haven’t been halted in their tracks too many times this season but on Wednesday night Birmingham found a way to nullify them almost in perfect fashion.
Had it not been for Dean Henderson then the Blues may have claimed victory, rather than settling for a 1-1 draw.
But their approach to the game meant that United struggled, particularly in midfield. Oliver Norwood still showed positive signs but his midfield partner in John Fleck was almost a passenger as Birmingham overran them in that area of the pitch.
Their willingness to sit deep meant that the vast majority of passing lanes and routes to goal was blocked off. As such, the Blades’ three top assisters in the middle of the park; Norwood, Mark Duffy and Fleck were stifled.
The latter in particular found himself coming deep to get the ball and therefore couldn’t get into the pockets of space Chris Wilder would have liked him too.
John Fleck (Birmingham vs Sheffield United)
59 touches
81% pass accuracy
0 key passes
1 dribble
1 dispossession
(Stats courtesy of WhoScored)
Evidence of how Birmingham prevented him from getting into the game can be seen with the stats he finished the match with.
The number of touches Fleck had was the fourth-worst amount of any United outfield player, emphasising just how little impact he had. The same goes for his pass success percentage. He wasn’t terrible by any means, but it will have been concerning how easily he was stopped.
A lack of key passes and dribbles for the player shows how compact the Birmingham system was too, as the 27-year-old failed to provide his side with the impetus they needed. In a game where the Blades could have regained their advantage in the race for automatic promotion, it was not timely.
Who would make a combined Sheffield XI? Ingood Nick makes his picks in the video below…
Uncharacteristically he also lost the ball once. If any further evidence was needed of his below average display, that was it.
Fleck is still vital to this Sheffield United side but with every game between now and the end of the season proving vital, Wilder will have to ensure one of his key men isn’t marked out of the game again as he was this week.
It seems almost too obvious to say that time is running out for Alexis Sanchez at Manchester United.
However, if his somewhat impressive cameo in a sombre return to Camp Nou proved anything, there still might be a bit of fuel remaining in his career at Old Trafford.
After recovering from another injury, the Chilean returned with a different look to himself. Now he sports a fancy moustache making him look like someone from the ’80s. However, what he aims to do is roll back the years to prove why United were right in throwing so much resource to him.
Granted that Sanchez hasn’t had the most prolific season with United. He’s scored two goals in all competitions, frustrating fans with his shocking inefficiency in the final third, considering his quite frankly obscene weekly wage. However, a different incarnation of Sanchez was on show after receiving big applause on his return to his former hunting ground.
The Chilean looked much more agile and much fitter than before, moving around the final third like a bee. Just a stupidly paid one. Indeed, he created one decent chance with a clever lobbed ball which was eventually determined offside and almost scored a consolation when Diogo Dalot’s cross was briskly headed onto goal, only for Marc Andre ter-Stegen to expertly save Barcelona’s clean-sheet.
However, his overall contribution was quite impressive, as he looked to have more urgency to score than multiple inefficient teammates on the day.
Baby steps, of course, but Sanchez needs to gain confidence from his bright showing and quickly get his scoring boots on to make a big impact in the remaining games and redeem his failures at United.
United fans, do you think Sanchez can redeem his failures now? Join the discussion by commenting below…
Leeds United’s left-back woes just continue to spiral, don’t they Whites fans?
Marcelo Bielsa’s side lost Ezgjan Alioski to injury during the club’s 2-0 defeat at Griffin Park to Brentford with his replacement Stuart Dallas having to play in a position that he is extremely unfamiliar with.
The Macedonian international had been covering in the absence of Barry Douglas who was ruled out for the rest of the campaign earlier this month after suffering knee ligament damage during the Whites’ 3-2 over Millwall (via the Yorkshire Evening Post).
Although Alioski is primarily a winger, he has delivered several impressive performances for Leeds at full-back and so the news that he will no longer be able to play a role for the club this season (via BBC Sport) will have been greeted with immense disappointment at Elland Road.
Losing any player at this stage of the year is far from ideal but in this particular situation, the consequences could be disastrous. With the Whites already facing an uphill task to overcome Sheffield United in the race for the top-two in the Championship, Alioski’s setback could all-but kill off any hopes that they had of a miraculous turn-around in May.
With the play-offs now looking like the most likely destination for the Yorkshire-based side to secure promotion this season, they will need to find a replacement for their stricken defender as soon as possible. Whereas Dallas has featured there on occasion, Bielsa may turn to Gaetano Berardi or Jamie Shackleton who have both appeared in numerous positions for the Whites this year.
In what has been a dramatic switch of fortunes for Leeds over the past week, the problems for their Argentine manager continue to pile up and if he cannot find the right solutions, all of their hard-work this season could be thrown away in an instant.
What do you think Leeds fans? How big of a blow is it to lose Alioski at this stage of the season? Who do you think should be brought in to replace the Macedonian? Let us know below.
Mauricio Pochettino wants Tottenham Hotspur to spend £150million this summer, according to the Daily Mail.
Spurs are seemingly set to invest in the playing squad when the transfer window reopens, having gone the past two without signing a single player.
What’s the word?
The Mail report that Pochettino will be given an initial kitty of £60m to spend before player sales are considered, but the report states that the majority of transfer revenue will be retained and spent on the playing staff.
Doubts persist over the futures of both Toby Alderweireld and Christian Eriksen.
The defender, of course, has a £25m release clause embedded into his contract, while the report states that Spurs could cash in on Eriksen, with his deal set to expire at the end of next season.
Full-back Danny Rose, midfielder Victor Wanyama, winger Georges-Kevin N’Koudou will all reportedly be sold if bids come in, while Kieran Trippier and Fernando Llorente could also depart.
The Mail believe that could raise upwards of £100m to boost Pochettino’s spending power, with the club hoping to sign two central midfielders as well as an attacking player who can inject some creativity into the forward line.
Back him
Daniel Levy is absolutely right to throw some cash behind Pochettino.
The Argentine has worked miracles this season, with Spurs in the Champions League semi-finals and also fighting to finish in the Premier League top four.
Quite frankly, Pochettino deserves to be backed to the absolute hilt.
And while he may not have a say in the future of Alderweireld, his targets have to be brought in this summer.
Spurs stand on the precipice of something massive; major investment, then, is absolutely key if they are to take the next step.
So, the official PFA Team of the Year has been announced, and it has caused a bit of a stir from some fans.
Supporters have questioned Paul Pogba’s inclusion, asked why Alisson hasn’t been picked over Ederson, called for Aaron Wan-Bissaka over Trent Alexander-Arnold. Oh, and also, where’s Eden Hazard?
Anyway, it is what it is. But who are the worst performing players this season, based on general awfulness as well as those who have been well below the standard expected of them?
Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…
Let’s take a look…
Asmir Begovic
The Bosnian stopper used to be one of the most impressive keepers in the Premier League, and when Bournemouth managed to sign him, it looked like a real steal.
However, this season, the former Stoke man has been awful. Begovic has let in goal after goal, and was even dropped by Eddie Howe for Artur Boruc for a few games, such was his dreadful form.
Kieran Trippier
Soccer Football – FA Cup Fourth Round – Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur – Selhurst Park, London, Britain – January 27, 2019 Tottenham’s Kieran Trippier reacts REUTERS/David Klein
After such a phenomenal World Cup campaign with England, many would’ve expected Kieran Trippier to have waltzed into this season full of confidence and be one of the leading right-backs.
Instead, the former Burnley man has been a laughing stock, letting numerous wingers have their way with him whilst making some woeful individual errors – his own goal away to Chelsea summed up his season.
Maxime Le Marchand
Soccer Football – Premier League – Crystal Palace v Fulham – Selhurst Park, London, Britain – February 2, 2019 Fulham’s Maxime Le Marchand reacts after a decision by referee Michael Oliver REUTERS/Hannah McKay EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representa
The Frenchman, quite frankly, has been abysmal in his first season at Craven Cottage.
Signed in the summer, for whatever reason, Le Marchand has been part of the top flight’s worst defence, with Fulham conceding a league-high 76 goals before this weekend.
Shkodran Mustafi
Soccer Football – FA Cup Fourth Round – Arsenal v Manchester United – Emirates Stadium, London, Britain – January 25, 2019 Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi reacts REUTERS/Hannah McKay
Do I even need to write anything?
The German international is practically hated by Arsenal fans for his powder-puff displays at the back, and his numerous individual errors may still cost the Gunners a place in the top four.
Gaetan Bong
The 31-year-old had somehow made 21 Premier League appearances this season heading into the weekend, despite being challenged by the impressive summer signing Bernardo.
Bong, as always, has offered very little going forward, and is not a standout player from a defensive aspect – just how Chris Hughton keeps deeming him suitable for selection is beyond rationality.
Jorginho
Heralded as the key cog in Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli team, big things were expected of Jorginho after his £57m arrival at Chelsea.
However, the so-called pass master was yet to record an assist with just three league games to play, and has even been booed by his own supporters for his flimsy performances.
Fred
Wow. What an awful signing.
£52m man Fred had made just 17 league appearances since signing from Shakhtar Donetsk prior to Sunday’s clash, and at this late stage in the season, United fans will struggle to tell you one thing that he is particularly good at.
The Brazilian was a shoe-in for the worst team of the season.
Alexis Sanchez
Another Manchester United misfit, flop, whatever you want to call it.
Still picking up his reported £500,000-a-week wages, Sanchez had scored just one goal in 18 league appearances this term before this weekend’s action, and just two goals across all competitions.
What a waste of money.
Theo Walcott
The former Arsenal man, signed for a huge £20m back in January 2018, has been one of the flops of the season and one of Everton’s worst players without a doubt.
Walcott had managed to muster up just four goals across his first 34 league appearances this season, and has found himself out of the side recently as a result of his ineffective displays.
Marko Arnautovic
West Ham should’ve bitten unnamed Chinese club’s hand off when they tabled £35m for the Austrian back in January.
Arnautovic had produced seven goals in 25 appearances before this weekend, but for a player of his class he has been largely disappointing and has definitely checked out mentally since the winter transfer window.
Steve Mounie
Arguably one of the worst strikers in the division, Steve Mounie has been incredibly ineffective for the Terriers this season – they look set to finish the season as the league’s lowest scorers.
The Benin forward had just three goals in 29 league appearances going into the weekend, and it is no surprise that Huddersfield have already been relegated with Mounie leading the line.
Tottenham Hotspur defender Kieran Trippier has attempted to raise the spirits of the club’s supporters ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Ajax in Amsterdam.
However, Trippier’s words have seemingly fallen on deaf ears, with Spurs fans instead taking to social media to have a pop at the England international.
It would be fair to say that the defender has struggled for consistency this season, and there is certainly a chance that he could be on the move this summer.
Tottenham head into the second leg of their semi-final trailing 1-0 from the reverse fixture against a brilliant Ajax last week.
Trippier, who is valued at £31.5 million by Transfermarkt, has insisted that Spurs can secure the result that they need to progress to the final, but the fans seemingly do not want the former Manchester City youngster to play any part in Amsterdam.
A selection of the latest Twitter reaction to his comments can be viewed below:
Rangers fans have complete faith in Steven Gerrard to fire them back to their past glories sooner or later, and to do so work needs to be done in the summer transfer window. Goals have come freely for the Gers, but adding Lawrence Shankland, the Ayr United man with a combined 42 goals and assists, is an absolute must as they aim for title number 55.
Shankland is just 23-years-old and is local to Glasgow having been born in the famous footballing city. This season in the Scottish Championship, the Scottish U21 international has bagged an unprecedented 34 goals and has eight assists to match too, and now with Ayr United not prepared to stand in his way as his contract expires this summer the Ibrox faithful could benefit and sign him up on a free.
It looks like Shankland (linked with the Light Blues by the Daily Star in March) will be plying his trade in the Scottish Premier League next season even if Ayr United aren’t. The Honest Men finished 4th in their first season back in the second tier of Scottish football setting up a play-off clash with Inverness, of which they lost the first-leg 3-1 at home last night. It won’t have been pleasant for Shankland to lose that clash, but with a summer move ahead he shouldn’t worry too much.
The hard graft and work has already been done by the 23-year-old and it would be no surprise if finds himself starring for Rangers in Europe and in the biggest domestic clashes next season. Ibrox would welcome a young Glaswegian goalscoring with open arms, and if he can continue his hot run of form that he’s found over the last two seasons, scoring a combined 50 league goals for Ayr, then he’ll be a hit.
It could force a couple of Steven Gerrard’s options that he has now out of the side, but with Alfredo Morelos’ discipline proving to be a tricky issue and Kyle Lafferty’s lack of game time and goals, having the partnership of Shankland and Defoe next season could be key.
That duo could also work wonders for the youngster as working with the prolific Defoe could be so beneficial in his development.
Rangers fans, do you want to see Lawrence Shankland at Ibrox? Comment below!
Everton centre-back Michael Keane was awarded the Chairman’s ‘Blueblood’ award at the end-of-season ceremony on Tuesday night.
Indeed, Bill Kenwright was keen to pay tribute to the England international, who showed huge signs of improvement for the Toffees during the 2018-19 campaign.
There was a time – not so long ago – that a number of Everton fans were critical of the former Manchester United youngster.
However, judging by the reaction of the supporters to Keane winning the ‘Blueblood’ award, they have completely changed their views.
Keane ended the 2018-19 season with one goal and two assists in 33 Premier League appearances.
In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…
The 26-year-old has had his issues at Goodison Park, but will certainly be feeling pretty good about himself heading into this summer.
Some Everton fans claimed that Keane could be a future captain of the Merseyside giants, whilst others were just keen to praise the Englishman.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
As we come to the conclusion of a title race that was defined by perfection, Manchester City and Liverpool dropping just a handful of points between them, the Fixture In Focus team have this week decided to look back on what we’ve learned from an incredible 2018/19 campaign in the Premier League.
Indeed, a real treat is in store for the Fixture In Focus audience as host James Jones and regulars Christy Malyan and Chris McMullan put not just two clubs but every side in the top ten under the microscope – while also sparing a few words for this week’s FA Cup final.
With that in mind this week’s agenda includes why the rest of the Premier League should fear Man City being banned from the Champions League, why the #EmeryOut brigade need to put a sock in it, whether Chelsea could benefit from parting with Eden Hazard, how recruitment has constantly let Manchester United down and looking at which side is the likeliest to break into the top six next season.
If you love what we do and don’t want to miss another episode, don’t forget to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform by clicking here. Check out the latest episode below!
Crystal Palace supporters must really be panicking right now, and you can hardly blame them.
The team’s talisman Wilfried Zaha seemingly wants out, with Sky Sports reporting last week that the 26-year-old has expressed his desire to move to a Champions League outfit to the south London club.
Zaha has single-handedly dragged the Eagles to Premier League safety in the last couple of seasons. Should he depart, the Selhurst Park faithful will undoubtedly be fearing the worst.
Looking at the big picture, though, perhaps selling Zaha would not be the worst idea after all.
While it is unlikely that Crystal Palace will get anything close to the £100m they are demanding (Telegraph), they should still be able to bring in a hefty sum for the Ivorian, which Steve Parish and Roy Hodgson could use to strengthen more than one area of the squad.
£60m, for example, could easily get the Eagles a top-class centre-forward like Michy Batshuayi and a quality wide man to replace Zaha.
They could also opt to keep Batshuayi on loan for another campaign — if Chelsea approve — and then buy a winger and midfielder or central defender, who will drastically improve the starting XI.
If Crystal Palace want to evolve as a team and become an outfit less reliant on a single individual and his brilliance, then giving Zaha his dream move may be necessary in order to move forward.
Crystal Palace fans, should the club consider selling Zaha in the summer? Join the discussion by commenting below.