All posts by n8rngtd.top

The long-awaited home debut of new signing Miguel Almiron on Saturday would certainly have left Newcastle United fans optimistic and excited about the potential heights the player can achieve under the watchful eye of Rafa Benitez.

Almiron started on the left wing against Huddersfield Town with Christian Atsu dropping to bench as Benitez opted for a four-man midfield, with Salomon Rondon leading the line.

But, the former MLS star soon showed why the Magpies broke the bank for his signature when he almost opened the scoring the 12th minute.

Almiron was put in on goal by a brilliant Isaac Hayden pass, leaving him one-on-one with goalkeeper Jonas Lossl after sprinting away from the Terriers’ defenders. Unfortunately, the 25-year-old hit the woodwork, but it was an early sign to the Newcastle faithful of what he is capable of.

Almiron came close again in the 30th minute of the match after silky footwork left him in space on the left edge of the box before he unleashed a shot which was cleared of the line by the visitors.

Overall, the Paraguayan proved just why he’s the type of player the Magpies have been longing for with his direct style of play and ability to drive forward with pace and skill.

He also showed on Saturday what a hardworking player he is on the field and the distance he covered both in attack and while tracking back should be really pleasing for Benitez.

Despite it being Huddersfield, the whole Newcastle team looked confident from the very first minute to the full-time whistle, because of the energy that Almiron brought to the team.

For the first time in years, Newcastle now have a player who can cause proper problems to opposition teams because of the threat he poses with his pace and acceleration.

Opponents will now constantly have to monitor his movement on the pitch by not giving him space to run into, otherwise he will punish you.

So, it appears as if Ashley’s summer splurge has provided Newcastle United with a potential St James’ Park hero, as the South American is already showing promising signs.

The loss to West Ham United not only had immediate repercussions, but also future ones for Newcastle United. Just when things are seemingly going well, there’s always something. The life of a Toon supporter, right? 

Coming into the game in high-flying form, they left with a bitter loss and another injury added to their tally. Sean Longstaff limped off in the second-half and faces time on the sidelines.

The bright young midfielder’s been a revelation in the Toon’s revival after the New Year, giving some commendable performances to help Newcastle regain their best form. With Benitez’s side lacking bite in midfield and Jonjo Shelvey’s absence, Longstaff provided just that in helping them take control of games.

In his nine appearances so far, Longstaff already has a 76% tackling success on top of having made 10 interceptions and 46 ball recoveries (stats via Premier League). He also displayed his clinical edge with a sublime goal against Burnley and a tough-tackling attitude throughout, which makes him a fan-favourite.

However, his injury now disrupts the rhythm and winning shape Benitez had created after tons of hard work. While Mohamed Diame and Sung-Yeung Ki are there to fill in his void, they don’t seem to fit into Benitez’s system that well. The Spaniard thrived on the youthful exuberance of his midfielders, with Longstaff’s energy and willingness to work proving indispensable.

With Longstaff’s injury, Benitez needs to go back to the drawing board and churn out new plans. As tricky fixtures come thick and fast, only time will tell whether the Magpies can survive without their wily youngster.

Newcastle fans, do you think Longstaff’s absence can be problematic? Join the discussion by commenting below. 

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Newcastle United loanee Rolando Aarons was in action on Monday evening for Sheffield Wednesday.

The Owls welcomed their local-rivals Sheffield United to Hillsborough for an eagerly-anticipated derby, but the game was a cagey affair which failed to entertain in the manner which many had hoped it would.

There were some fleeting moments of creativity and attacking inspiration, though, and Aarons was cited by his manager Steve Bruce as the one player who showed any promise of forcing a breakthrough.

The praise for the 23-year-old’s showing extended well beyond his manager’s verdict as supporters also took to Twitter to offer their compliments.

For Aarons the fixture represented something of a turning point, with Bruce’s decision to play him from the outset handing him a third straight Championship start for the first time in his career.

Injury problems have blighted the former Bristol City trainee’s career so far, but the fact the recently-appointed Wednesday boss had enough faith in his ability to start him in such a high-magnitude fixture suggests that he may have turned a corner in his development.

Here’s how fans reacted to Aarons’ performance in the Steel City derby:

Many Spurs fans may already be wondering about what kind of players Daniel Levy will bring to the club’s new stadium this summer, with a new era possibly bringing about a lot of success. 

However, one player whose future is currently under the spotlight is Christian Eriksen as his contract is set to run out in the summer of 2020, and his agent reportedly told ESPN (via HITC) that he is not interested in entering contract negotiations or discussing a move elsewhere until the summer. And, Sky Sports claim that the Dane is currently earning just £70,000 a week at Spurs, so his future isn’t looking bright in North London.

So, Daniel Levy should already be weighing up potential replacements for the attacking midfielder, with Ajax’s Donny van de Beek being of interest. Indeed, Spurs have reportedly (as per Calciomercato) added the Dutchman to their summer shortlist, with his recent performances in the Champions League justifying their interest.

Indeed, Spurs fans will be well aware of Real Madrid’s exit from the Champions League but they may not be so familiar with the way in which they were dumped out of the competitions. Van Beek played a crucial part in the second leg at the Bernabeu as he found the back of the net and constantly linked play in the final third.

Surprisingly, the attacking midfielder was once dubbed as ‘the next Christian Eriksen’ (as per Calciomercato, via Sky Sports), and it’s safe to say that he’s already showing that he can reach a similar level to the Dane. Also, he has the creative spark and the finishing ability to thrive alongside Spurs’ current stars, with 12 goals and nine assists thus far.

So, with Spurs reportedly set to play their first game at their new stadium next month, it’s safe to say that Van Beek could definitely get Spurs’ new fortress rocking next season as he has all the attributes to succeed in the Premier League and the ability to create a moment of magic out of absolutely nothing.

Tottenham Hotspur fans, do you think Van Beek could replace Eriksen? 

Changes are happening at Parkhead next season, that much is obvious. 

However, why change with something which isn’t broken? Indeed, that’s a mentality which Neil Lennon and those planning upstairs should keep in mind while shaping Celtic’s team. They already have some bright talents capable of taking it up a notch.

Among those blooming talents is star loanee Oliver Burke. After arriving at the winter transfer window, the 21-year-old’s taken Celtic Park by storm and looks to be the kind of player many thought he’d turn into upon leaving Nottingham Forest for RB Leipzig in 2017. In just nine appearances, he’s scored four goals and glittered up their attack with his presence, looking a cut above pretty much everyone else in Scotland.

However, with his tenure set to end next summer, the Bhoys have a decision to make.

According to reports from the Birmingham Mail, Celtic are hopeful of signing him on a permanent basis from the Baggies in the summer. Allegedly after Darren Moore’s departure, Burke’s unsure about returning to West Brom and is rallying for the move north, in what could be a happy marriage.

However, the Hoops will need to shell out a decent fee for his services. Indeed, having failed to splash the cash on John McGinn over the summer, Peter Lawwell and those behind the scenes have to prove they can move on in the transfer market.

It might be costly, but one which almost guarantees big rewards. Burke’s already settled into Celtic Park really well in the last few months, becoming popular with fans while also forming nice chemistry with his attackers. He’s comfortable on the ball, can run past defenders and create chances from far afar.

Burke compliments James Forrest as well as new sensation Odsonne Edouard really nicely in the final third. A creative, sparkling figure who can create and score goals at will, Burke seems primed to get even better and Celtic should definitely want him at his best.

Celtic fans, would you want to retain Burke’s services next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

What a season Joe Worrall’s had at Rangers! He’s been nominated for the club’s Young Player of the Year Award and his manager’s been singing his praises, so the club must get to work on securing him on a permanent basis.

He’s made 19 appearances at centre-back for the Gers this season, and the 22-year-old has settled into life in the Scottish Premiership with ease. It’s not often a young player can adapt so quickly, but his 52 Championship appearances for Nottingham Forest means he’s got experience beyond his years.

If Rangers don’t buck their ideas up and begin negotiations with his parent club soon, other clubs in England will come calling, and that’s a bigger pull factor than the Scottish league. They must act fast to tie him down while they’ve got him under their wing.

After the draw against Aberdeen, Gerrard heaped praise on him, saying: “I thought Joe was outstanding, it was a man-of-the-match performance and he will be a captain of whatever team he plays for” (Quotes sourced from the Scottish Sun). If that’s not enough for the board to take note, we don’t know what is.

Rangers’ progression this season has been promising and they must add to their squad in summer to move closer towards challenging for the title. What they can’t afford to do is lose their standout talents from this season and have to spend vital money replacing them.

They have to buy Worrall – who is valued at £7.2m by Transfermarkt – ahead of next season before he continues his upward trajectory somewhere else. The player has the capabilities of reaching the top, so it’s important the Gers sign him up before he’s head-hunted by clubs they can’t compete with financially.

Rangers fans, Who do you think an alternative to Joe Worrall would be if he doesn’t sign on a permanent basis? Join the discussion by commenting below.

Success has been a lot harder to come by than Steven Gerrard may have first anticipated it would be but the Englishman will hope to be backed in the transfer market to show that everyone has confidence in him to be a hero at Rangers.

Having dipped below Celtic once again, the hope will be that next season, now that Gerrard has become accustomed to management – he and his team will shine.

Surely, a number of players are sure to leave Ibrox in the summer but an influx of new ones will have to greet the fans as well if this project is going to enter its second phase well.

But hold on one second. Instead of immediately splashing the cash, a look at the youngsters available to Rangers could do them no harm.

In fact, giving another first-team opportunity to Glenn Middleton would be a very sensible idea. Middleton, (who is valued at £135k on Transfermarkt) will surely be hoping that he can work his way back into Steven Gerrard’s plans after failing to sustain a place with the first-team squad recently.

Having made 28 appearances in all competitions this season, Middleton had done well to register five goals and five assists, yet it wasn’t enough for him to have a safe spot within the squad.

The 19-year-old knows he has to work hard to stay in the squad and Rangers could benefit massively from having him back in contention.

After all, for a youngster, he does have great quality and looks to be capable of turning a game on its head.

Of course, with Rangers reportedly (as per Liverpool Echo) set to miss out on signing Ryan Kent permanently in the summer transfer window, perhaps Middleton can fill the void having shown he can score and create.

Whether he is cutting in from the left-hand side or the right, Middleton possesses good versatility which means he can be a useful asset for Gerrard’s side, if only they continue to trust him.

Do you agree that Middleton deserves another shot in the first-team… Let us know!

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In a revealing interview with the Sheffield Star, Danny Webber has shared the key things he thinks Sheffield United need to do in order to repeat the promotion heroics the striker was a part of back in 2006.

What’s he said?

In a fascinating interview, Webber had plenty to say about the Blades’ campaign so far and what sort of situation the players are now finding themselves in. He first told the Sheffield Star:

“Everybody outside of the dressing room knows what the situation is. So the lads inside it definitely know.”

He picked up on what he thinks the major attribute is that has led to the Yorkshire club’s success this term, speaking about collectiveness as a team and how he experienced the same feeling during his playing days.

“We had a group of proper blokes who were all good players but down to earth and prepared to roll their sleeves up. That’s what I see at United now as well. That collective is important, together with the desire to do whatever it takes to get what you want.”

“That’s going to be the case at United now, especially with Chris and the skipper Billy (Sharp) being United fans. They’ll be setting the ground rules, making sure everyone knows what United’s identity is all about.

“I don’t think it’s any coincidence, with that mindset and identity, that United are doing so well. It breeds a connection within the group and also one with the terraces.”

The former striker also revealed what the team needed to do going into the final few months of the campaign, and what the current Blades side need to replicate.

“Lazer sharp focus is what’s needed now. That’s what got us up and that’s what can get the lads there now.”

Webber spot on

Webber is absolutely right when it comes to the togetherness of the team, with the likes of Chris Wilder and Billy Sharp helping install a group mentality within the club. It’s something that’s really visible.

Having such good spirit during a promotion campaign is absolutely pivotal and there is no better man to say so than someone who’s already gone and done it.

Who would make a combined Sheffield XI? Ingood Nick makes his picks in the video below…

With eight games left to play of the season, everything is in Sheffield United’s control, sitting a point above Leeds in the automatic promotion places. That’s why focus is needed now more than ever as the club reaches the business end of the season.

They’ve outweighed expectations completely this season but the togetherness and focus within the team has been exceptional. It’s bred a winning mentality and as a consequence rallied the fans.

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Antonio Barreca drew the ire of Newcastle fans with a post on social media on Thursday, but all is not quite as it seems.

Barreca’s loan move to Newcastle has turned out to be a pretty bizarre one, as the Monaco ace has featured in just four minutes of Premier League action.

The 24 year-old joined the club in January for the rest of the season, per BBC, and left-back was a position Rafael Benitez was short of quality in, so it made perfect sense.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….

However, Matt Ritchie is now the clear first choice on the left side of Benitez’s back five, leaving the Italian out in the cold.

And Barreca angered several Newcastle fans on social media on Thursday, posting a training picture asking the club if they had forgotten about him, which you can see here, and take a look at some of the reactions below.

The defender has since edited the post to change the caption, but it appears the original line was misinterpreted anyway.

Barreca appears to have been jokingly asking the club why he wasn’t included in the training pictures they released, rather than complaining about a lack of playing time. He has since been added to the training pictures, so it all adds up.

Fans were well within their rights to be annoyed by the original post, but it was nothing more than a misunderstanding.

Whether or not Benitez actually has forgotten about the Italian is another matter entirely…

Imagine the excitement if Gareth Bale came back to Tottenham! They’ve got a shiny, new stadium and now they need a marquee signing, so who better than a man already close to the fans’ hearts?

Marca have claimed they are one of a number of clubs interested in the Real Madrid superstar after a hit-and-miss time at the Bernabeu over the past few seasons. He’s played 25 times in La Liga this season, scoring eight and assisting two in a disastrous season for the club.

There’s rumours Eden Hazard could be the club’s next major forward signing, according to Sky Sports, and with Bale and returned manager Zinedine Zidane never seeing eye to eye, it could be the time for the Welshman to move.

Cue a Daniel Levy masterclass?

It’s unlikely the Spurs chairman would want to splash the cash, but he could see it as the right opportunity to test Madrid’s resolve. If Bale was to request a move then Spurs could get him for much cheaper than expected and Levy does love a bargain.

It’d be another way of expressing the club’s ambition to reach the top, and this summer could be make or break with regard to this Spurs era.

Signing Bale would keep the fans’ excitement at a peak, prove to the existing squad that the club are going places, and add another explosive element to their attack.

Spurs fans, how much would you pay to see Gareth Bale back at your club? Join the discussion by commenting below…