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After all the drama that came out of the training ground bust-up between Matt Ritchie and Steve Bruce a few weeks ago, it’s fair to say that things have worked out fairly well since then for Newcastle.

Reports back in early March suggested that the two were involved in a heated confrontation, with the Scotland international even going as far as calling the Magpies manager a “coward”.

Fast forward a couple of months later, and things on the pitch are going far more swimmingly, with Ritchie instrumental in a superb 4-2 win over Leicester in the Premier League on Friday night.

The left wing-back was his usual snarling self, bombing up and down the flank and not being afraid to dish it out either to his teammates or the opposition.

As per Sofascore, Ritchie completed two of his three attempted dribbles on the night, which was a number only bettered by Allan Saint-Maximin (five). He also had the most touches and crosses of any Newcastle player – that’s not to mention the absolutely superb delivery from the corner which Paul Dummett headed the visitors’ second goal.

The vocal leadership was also something which was clear to see, with the Magpie 24/7 fan channel tweeting that he “didn’t stop shouting all night” and that “the difference he’s made to this team since that Brighton defeat isn’t commended enough.”

Writing in his post-match player ratings for the Shields Gazette, Liam Kennedy gave him an eight, saying: “A typical all-action display down the left. And, for a change, didn’t look open defensively. Two more assists to add to his tally for the campaign.”

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While many of the plaudits will naturally go towards the goalscorers on the night, Ritchie deserves plenty of credit for the way he set the tone with his intensity and energy.

He may not have been wearing the captain’s armband, but the £45,000-a-week machine was the leader the Magpies needed, and arguably Bruce’s real hero on the night.

According to an update by reliable club source ExWHUemployee, via West Ham News, the Hammers could look to overhaul their goalkeeping department either this summer or next summer, with main options Lukasz Fabianksi and Darren Randolph at the centre of growing injury concerns coupled with age.

Fabianski, who has made 89 appearances in all competitions for the Irons since signing from Swansea City in the summer of 2018 (Transfermarkt), is David Moyes’ number one choice between the sticks.

However, at 35 years old and with injury concerns mounting, ExWHUemployee claims the Poland veteran could make way for new blood either in this summer’s transfer window or next year.

The same goes for his deputy Randolph, who isn’t getting any younger himself at the age of 33.

Reacting to this update, dropping a wide array of opinions, some Hammers fans believe the change is long overdue, with others disclosing who they think West Ham should try to sign.

Find some of the best verdicts below.

West Ham fans flock to ExWHUemployee claim

“Yes it needs to happen. Randolph is liability now and we get scared when Fab gets injured”

Credit: @tonyclarke1

“Needs to be this summer we need decent back up to Fab”

Credit: @paulturner358

“I’ve said this before, can’t go at their age without consistent injuries like we’re seeing now… need a good keeper in their twenties”

Credit: @BillySullivan27

“Let’s hope this gets done properly this time, I’m sure it will. Was strange when we signed the 2 keepers in the same window. A backup keeper has to be good enough to be the number 1. Ours aren’t and we need to get it right. 2 top keepers to fight for a place”

Credit: @Deanoseabrook

“yessssss”

Credit: @brushheadd

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“Pope should be our top summer target after a striker. If we get European football we should be his best option to move his career forward.”

Credit: @slayburn

“I never understood why we gave Randy three and a half year deal. We will do well to move him on. But Sam Johnstone would be my pic if WBA go down.”

Credit: @IanDeakin16

In other news: West Ham fans also responded to this club update, find out more here.

Predicting Fulham’s starting XI in any of their games so far this season has been a tough task.

Scott Parker has been known to throw a few curveballs this season, whether that’s been dropping Aleksandar Mitrovic for the opening game of the season, switching to a back five against Wolves or continuing to select Dennis Odoi after numerous defensive errors.

Fulham’s squad looks a little different from the last time we saw them with the additions of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Terence Kongolo, Tosin Adarabioyo and Joachim Andersen adding some much-needed reinforcement in key areas.

However, we aren’t expecting many of those new signings to start, Andersen picked up a bad injury in training that will seemingly keep him out for some time, while Kongolo’s signing announcement hinted that he still isn’t 100% after picking up a problem in January.

We’ve had a go at predicting how Fulham will look against Wolves.

We expect Scott Parker to make three changes on Sunday.

The first interesting thing to note is that we expect the Whites to continue with the back five we saw against Wolves a fortnight ago, in order to counteract Chris Wilder’s preferred five at the back formation.

The defence looks largely the same, but there is one change as Tosin Adarabioyo comes in for Maxime Le Marchand.

The exciting Antonee Robinson again starts at the back, but his centre-back berth in this side may be somewhat misleading as we expect him to join in the attacks and even act as more of a left-back at times when Joe Bryan gets further forward.

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Ruben Loftus-Cheek will have to wait for his first start as we predict Tom Carney and Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa to continue in the midfield, while there are changes on the wings as Ademola Lookman and Aboubakar Kamara come in for Bobby Decordova-Reid and Ivan Cavaleiro after their lively cameos against Wolves.

There are no prizes for guessing who starts up front as Aleksandar Mitrovic again spearheads the attack.

It has now been almost two weeks since Sunderland last played a game of football, and though they have to wait to respond to a 2-0 defeat to Bristol Rovers captain Max Power is remaining optimistic.

The midfielder took to social media to share how he is missing the game, and perhaps the fact that he would ordinarily have been anticipating an upcoming match fed his feeling of anguish.

Possibly thinking that supporters were feeling the same, he attempted to lift spirits by telling fans to focus on what is most importantly currently, and suggested that everyone will get through this tough period if they remain positive.

The likes of Jordan Willis have also been active on social media but there have been few messages such as this for Black Cats’ to heed, though such action from senior club figures can be valuable.

It is important that role models such as Power do their bit to inform the public of the necessary steps to take, and he has certainly had an impact as his message has received thousands of likes on Twitter.

Watch Sunderland Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

It would be encouraging to see his teammates use the power of social media for good, too, whether it is sharing necessary information like above or keeping fans entertained as Luke O’Nien did with his variation of the toilet paper challenge.

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Meanwhile, the season of one less than impressive Sunderland star has been summed up with one poignant image…

Despite Manchester United’s resurgence in recent weeks, it appears the club are intent on making some reinforcements. The Red Devils enjoyed a relatively impressive month of December, which saw them pick up fine victories over the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City.

Watch Manchester United Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

A slip-up to Watford was promptly brushed aside with morale-boosting wins over Newcastle and Burnley to round off the month, and they are now looking to add to their triumphs off-the-pitch too. And according to The Sun, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have lined up Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin to help boost their attacking options after they saw Erling Braut Haaland move to Borussia Dortmund.

No clues: Can you name the Man Utd result purely based on these images? Give it a go now…

The report claims that Calvert-Lewin has “risen to the top” of United’s wish-list for the summer, and that he would potentially cost the club £50m. After hearing their club’s links to the forward, fans of the Manchester side took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the possible swoop.

A couple of fans felt the interest in Calvert-Lewin is far too reactionary, and that his good form in recent weeks – he has netted five in his last five – has contributed to the rumours, and urged the club not to make a move for him.

Some fans were quick to insist the Red Devils would simply be better off placing their faith in their abundance of youth talents, with one supporter in particular suggesting they would prefer it if they promoted 18-year-old Largie Ramazani.

With the form that he is in, it is understandable to see why Calvert-Lewin may be of major interest to United. And after all, being only 22 and British, he fits into what the Red Devils are seemingly looking for in the transfer market based on their business last summer. If the striker can keep delivering over the coming weeks and months, then a move may not be as bad as these fans of the Manchester side initially think it might be.

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Meanwhile, Manchester United may have proven one thing after grinding out a victory over Burnley.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Everton returned to winning ways for the first time since early September when they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers after the 2-0 win over West Ham United. It means the Blues have moved into 15th and eased the pressure on Marco Silva ever so slightly.

Many players put in fantastic displays in the game, but it seems that Silva left Goodison Park praising Alex Iwobi more than most.

The former Watford manager said: “Alex Iwobi understood where the space was and did everything we planned.”

Following a promising opening to his career at Everton, he played in the number 10 role behind Richarlison for the first time in the Premier League, dethroning Gylfi Sigurdsson and giving his manager plenty to ponder over ahead of the trip to Brighton this weekend.

As well as making two key passes in the game, Iwobi registered two shots on goal as well, whilst he made one tackle and completed three out of four long balls for his team, per Whoscored.

Sigurdsson was Everton’s joint top scorer in the Premier League during the last campaign (13), and he finally got his first of the season with a typical Sigurdsson-esque screamer into the top corner.

However, moving forward, the Iceland international may be forced to vacate his space in the starting lineup for Iwobi.

The two offer very different abilities in the role. The former Arsenal man may not have the natural ability to rifle home a beauty like Sigurdsson did, but what he does offer is a blend of creativity and speed to create opportunities in the final third.

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Iwobi’s most recent outing will most likely force Sigurdsson to improve and create a healthy dynamic between two players vying for the number ten position.

The playmaker’s goals over the years have proven he is tough to replace in the role, but the versatile Nigerian is beginning to suggest he will provide a stark threat to his place in the XI.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

So after a summer transfer window in which Manchester United were linked to what quite possibly could have been every player on planet Earth, the Red Devils failed to end up signing someone in arguably the most crucial of positions. The number ten.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were linked with late moves for the likes of Christian Eriksen, Paulo Dybala and Bruno Fernandes, amongst others, but failed to see a deal materialise before the window shut. The club still have a few options to play in that all-important role just behind the striker, but there are certainly caveats with a number of them.

Paul Pogba – arguably United’s best man for the job – could still yet leave due to the transfer deadlines in other European leagues closing later, Jesse Lingard remains a picture of inconsistency, and Juan Mata is well past his best.

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Reports in recent weeks have claimed that Solskjaer is keen to implement a high-intensity approach and a desire to press from the front. The number ten often plays a crucial role in how that system potentially takes effect; when the ball is there to be won, the midfielder can push on alongside the striker to pressure the centre-backs, whilst when possession is too difficult to regain immediately, they can drop back and help form a more compact shape.

Landing someone like Eriksen – who averaged an impressive 1.2 tackles per game in the Premier League last season – would have gone some way to helping United’s new approach.

Forgetting the defensive aspect, creativity is in rather short supply given United’s current make-up in midfield. Not one player managed ten assists in the Premier League last season, with Pogba managing nine and both Lingard and Mata recording a measly two. On the other hand, Eriksen registered an impressive 12. Having a playmaker who can dictate the tempo and have the ingenuity to unlock packed defences is something United simply struggled with last season.

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In those tight, high-pressure games where a moment of magic is needed, Solskjaer may regret not dipping into the transfer market and buying a bona-fide star in that heavily influential number ten role.

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Liverpool fans are in a strange position ahead of this summer. The Reds did a lot of their much-needed business last summer, bringing in a top goalkeeper and a reliable defensive midfielder as well as cover for the front three in Alisson, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri. However, this summer what they need is a lot less clear.

There have been far fewer rumours linking players with an Anfield switch this summer, although there have been a few talks of a left-back coming in deputise for Andrew Robertson, and this report from The Daily Mirror is looking at the possibility of bringing in Ryan Sessegnon from Fulham. The youngster is a boyhood Kopite and whilst the Cottagers want £40 million for him, he shouldn’t cost that much.

When Fulham went down a lot of clubs will have turned their heads to have a look at Ryan Sessegnon’s situation, and The Mirror have reported that alongside Liverpool the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham and Juventus are all looking at throwing their names into the hat to sign the versatile left-sided ace. He may not be as good as Andrew Robertson, but he can provide cover for the Scot and is certainly better than Alberto Moreno.

You can read the Reds’ verdict on Sessegnon here:

The Reds seem keen on swooping for Sessegnon and who can blame them given his age and his incredible potential.

Chelsea have a lot on their plate at present, and that’s likely to leave fans dreaming of better times. Unfortunately for them, though, there’s still no end in sight for the Blues’ struggles, and it seems as though one of their arch rivals is enjoying exactly what most Chelsea fans would love. 

Since the departure of Jose Mourinho, Man Utd have exploded into life, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer impressing at the helm at Old Trafford. That, on its own, is enough to frustrate fans. The Red Devils and Chelsea have been rivals for years, yet the Blues have, as of late, not been very competitive.

For Chelsea fans, however, the latest comments from Solskjaer are going to only make the mood at Stamford Bridge worse.

Discussing the Red Devils’ youth contingent, the Man Utd boss said: “Angel has been in that successful England U17 team, with (Jadon) Sancho and (Callum) Hudson-Odoi and (Phil) Foden, so he’s been a big part of that. I’m definitely sure that if he gets a chance he’ll do well. Jimmy Garner, he’s a Michael Carrick but 20 years younger, so I’m sure he’ll do well, and Chong, he’ll definitely be taking people on if he comes on.”

He added: “They’re ready, they’re kids”.

Chelsea have become infamous for their lack of focus on young talent in recent years, and that’s only worsened under Maurizio Sarri. Callum Hudson-Odoi is arguably one of the best young players in Europe, yet he’s not made a single Premier League start so far this season.

Meanwhile, Solskjaer is talking up the chances of three youngsters; and that just shows how different the two managers are. Sure, Man Utd have a few injury problems at present, but Chelsea’s form has been so poor lately that the manager has had more than enough chances to include a few youngsters. But he hasn’t.

He just doesn’t trust them, and Solskjaer clearly does.

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Chelsea fans want to see young players make it at Chelsea, make no mistake, and if Sarri isn’t going to give them chances, that will only increase their desire to see change.

Thoughts?

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Arsenal extended their incredible unbeaten run to 17 games with a 2-1 in away at Bournemouth on Sunday and the match was not without talking points.

Mesut Ozil was dropped to the bench and did not feature despite the Gunners’ difficulty unpicking the Cherries defence for much of the game, but Unai Emery has come out with a pretty decent explanation for why the former Real Madrid playmaker was left out.

An unexpected change in formation to a 3-4-3 meant that the inclusion of a number 10 was never going to be easy – albeit Ozil is capable of playing on the right of a front three – and the former Sevilla boss put it this way to Arsenal media:

“We thought how we can be better in the match today, which is very demanding with the physicality and the intensity, but every player is important.”

“(Bringing Ozil on) depended on how the match was going”.

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In light of Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s poor showing in the 30-year-old’s stead, the Emirates faithful had some pretty strong words for Emery as they lamented the bold move.

Playmaker FC’s Matchday with Max caught up with Jamaica’s women’s team. See what happened when he met the history makers in the video below…