Liverpool supporters in the Transfer Tavern are very much looking forward to the 2018/19 Premier League season, what with their side seeking to build upon an impressive fourth place finish last term.
Jurgen Klopp’s men deserve huge credit for securing a second successive top four finish in English football’s top-flight, having also ended up fourth the campaign before to return to Europe’s elite for the first time since 2014. And they made the most of their stint in the Champions League in reaching the final back in May, although went down 3-1 to defending champions Real Madrid to leave Klopp still without a trophy in his two-and-a-half year spell in charge of the Merseyside giants.
Thus, there are many excited and expectant Liverpudlians in the Tavern at present, several of whom have been watching the World Cup intently in a bid to identify possible transfer targets for the summer window.
And one man several of our resident Reds supporters are hoping their club will go after this summer is Leicester City and Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, linked with Chelsea in recent times, as his addition could finally prompt Liverpool into challenging for the Premier League title.
Ultimately, Virgil van Dijk’s arrival at Anfield back in January went some way to addressing their obvious issues at centre back, although it’s clear that the goalkeeping ranks also need strengthening this summer if Klopp’s side are to bridge the gap to Manchester City.
Young German shot-stopper Loris Karius got the nod from the Reds boss back in January to be his number one in the second half of the campaign, and while he performed solidly for the majority of the season, his howlers in the Champions League final in May has called into question his suitability to the number one role.
And with Simon Mignolet also failing to prove his credentials as a title-winning shot-stopper, it’s pretty clear what area of the squad Klopp simply must reinforce over the summer to sustain a challenge to Pep Guardiola’s City this time round.
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And Denmark ace Schmeichel could well be that man, as the 31-year-old has proven to be a hugely adept and accomplished goalkeeper in the Premier League in the last few years, not least in helping Claudio Ranieri’s men to the most unlikely of title triumphs back in 2016.
The former Man City shot-stopper kept 15 clean sheets and shipped just 35 goals that term to help inspire the Foxes to the best defensive record in the league, and while many of his Leicester teammates saw their level drop the season after, Schmeichel maintained his to help the Midlands giants avoid relegation, and indeed reach the last eight of the Champions League.
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Add in his excellent efforts for Denmark during the World Cup, in which he kept two clean sheets in four games and made two saves in their penalty shoot-out loss to Croatia on Sunday, and the 31-year-old is clearly the calibre of goalkeeper Liverpool need to sustain a title challenge.
Thus, with Chelsea thought to be interested in the Leicester ace, Klopp’s men must seek to join and indeed win the race for the £9 million-rated shot-stopper (as per Transfermarkt), in a move which could finally win them the Premier League.
Sam Allardyce was briefly seen as a saviour at Everton when he took over from Ronald Koeman in November.The experienced coach managed to steer the Merseyside outfit away from the relegation zone, but in recent weeks, results have gone downhill.In their last 11 Premier League fixtures, the Toffees have picked up just two victories and at the weekend, it was another miserable result as the club were beaten 2-1 by Burnley at Turf Moor.As well as losing the encounter, Everton defender Ashley Williams was sent off in the 86th minute and the club dropped to 11th in the standings.https://video.footballfancast.com/video-2015/cenk-tosun.mp4A large number of fans have been calling for Allardyce to be sacked, but with just nine top-flight matches left to play before the season comes to an end, former striker Kevin Campbell thinks that no changes will be made to the coaching staff.The retired footballer, who spent six years playing for Everton during his career, made the assumption during a Twitter conversation with a fan, who suggested that the club could move for Marco Silva.
The majority of the Premier League appears to overlook the Championship as a viable recruitment pool, often favouring talents from foreign top flights.Breaking that mould however, Newcastle United snapped up two of the Championship’s hottest prospects last summer, wrapping up deals for Nottingham Forest duo Karl Darlow and Jamaal Lascelles, set to move to St. James’ Park in summer 2015.With that in mind, here’s FIVE more second-tier stars the Magpies should be keeping an eye on after their impressive starts to the current campaign.
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PATRICK BAMFORD
Technically not a Championship player but certainly one worth keeping an eye on, Chelsea’s loanee striker Patrick Bamford has amassed an impressive return of 29 goals in 69 appearances throughout the Football League.
That includes a prolific loan spell at MK Dons, where the 21 year-old produced a one-in-two strike rate amid his 37 League One outings.
He’s yet to reproduce that lethality in the second tier, albeit often reduced to more of a cameo role, netting eight in 21 on loan to Derby County for the second half of last season and three in eleven since moving to Middlesbrough in the summer.
Many of the England U21’s finishes have been noteworthy however, such as this strike against Brighton last season:
Or this diving header against Yeovil Town:
//www.youtube.com/embed/c9_2Y-S7WK8?rel=0
Bearing no outstanding height, strength or power, the former Nottingham Forest product would need some beefing up to be effective in the top flight – something he admitted to last February.
But technically, he’s a real talent and if first team opportunities remain slim at Bamford’s parent club, Newcastle would be wise to take the young poacher off Chelsea’s hands. Here’s a look at the 6 foot 1 striker in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/EZdfvQFwSgM?rel=0
The Blues are infamous for their money-making loan machine and would likely be prepared to sell Bamford for any sum that significantly improves on their original £1.5million investment.
NATHAN REDMOND
Newcastle were linked with Nathan Redmond during the summer and it could be worth reviving their interest after the Norwich City winger’s impressive start to the season.
The 20 year-old’s no goals and three assists in 15 Championship appearances may be rather ordinary output, but statistically, he’s one of the most impressive attackers in the division. Redmond’s not only at the top of the Championship’s dribbling charts:
But his 3.2 chances created per match (represented as key passes) is the third-best return in the league:
A regular for England across the junior levels, amassing nine goals and 54 caps from the U16s to U21s, the former Birmingham youngster’s development has been monitored by top Premier League sides for some time, including Manchester City and Liverpool. Here’s a look at Redmond in action:
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Having shown glimpses of his quality in the top flight last season, amid the Canaries’ relegation campaign, and now excelling in the Championship, if Norwich don’t bounce back to the Premier League this year its likely Redmond will leave.
The Magpies could certainly do with some added quality out wide. But having attracted interest from a variety of clubs over the last few years, Newcastle could quickly find themselves eclipsed in the pursuit for Redmond.
TYRONE MINGS
Football – Ipswich Town v Norwich City – Sky Bet Football League Championship – Portman Road – 14/15 , 23/8/14Ipswich’s Tyrone MingsMandatory Credit: Action Images / Paul ReddingEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
When Ipswich Town lost star full-back Aaron Cresswell to West Ham this summer, many feared the worst. But the Tractor Boys have already found a more than adequate replacement in 21 year-old Tyrone Mings.
A superfluous run of form at the start of the season saw the left-back claim the Championship’s Player of the Month award for September having bagged assists against Brighton and Wigan, but his performances at the other end of the pitch have been equally impressive, as detailed below:
Indeed, it’s the former Chippenham Town youngster’s ability to contribute equally in attack and defence, creating 22 scoring opportunities in 16 appearances, that’s earning him such rave reviews.
Measuring in at a whopping 6 foot 3, Mings already had the physique to handle the rigors of the English top flight. Resultantly, he’s attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton:
There’s still time for the Magpies to weigh in, but having only penned a three-year contract in September, convincing Ipswich to sell will likely take a large fee.
IGOR VETOKELE
There are certainly better-known strikers in the Championship but Igor Vetokele has been like a one-man team since joining Charlton Athletic from FC Copenhagen in the summer.
Indeed, the Angola international has netted 40% of the Addicks’ league goals this season as they sit just a point off the play-off standings, a contribution only matched throughout the Championship by Ipswich’s Daryl Murphy:
The 22 year-old has bagged eight goals in 13 starts, despite continually battling injury problems, and a run of five goals in his inaugural five Championship outings won Vetokele the Player of the Month award for August.
That includes this powerful header against Reading last weekend, securing Charlton a 1-0 win:
Here’s a clip of Velokete in action for Copenhagen, where he amassed 16 goals in 43 appearances in the space of two seasons:
//www.youtube.com/embed/KhamlNPGq_I?rel=0
Charlton are currently enjoying strong form under new manager Bob Peeters, but the chances of promotion remain relatively slim.
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Considering how exceptionally the 5 foot 8 forward has already taken to the English game, Vetokele represents a transfer punt that could pay off dividends for the Magpies.
TOM CAIRNEY
Blackburn Rovers are one of the favourites to go up this season and the performances of midfielder Tom Cairney, who won the Player of the Year award at Ewood Park last season, will be a significant factor in their promotion push.
The 23 year-old playmaker has started the season strongly, bagging two goals and four assists in 16 appearances – including this wonder-strike against Cardiff City:
He’s also amongst the Championship’s best when it comes to creating chances from the middle of the park:
…and boasts an impressive pass completion rate of 87.5%.
Cairney’s been knocking on the Premier League door for some time, having previously gained promotion with Hull City in 2013, before being sent on loan to Ewood Park and subsequently joining Rovers permanently last January. Here’s a look at the former Scotland U21 in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/fAgcMqnLufY?rel=0
If Blackburn don’t make it to the top flight this season, Cairney may feel compelled to seek pastures new. But the Lancashire side are backed by some impressive financial muscle and will feel under no obligation to sell.
Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Brad Friedel has heaped praise on Spurs’ strikers claiming that they thrive when playing alongside each other.
Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor both started in the Europa League victory on Thursday and both scored to help Spurs qualify for the knock-out round at the expense of Panathinaikos.
The pair also started alongside each other in the North London derby at the Emirates last month and combined to give Tottenham the lead before Adebayor foolishly got himself sent off and ruled out for three games with Spurs going on to lose to Arsenal.
Friedel, who also got a rare start on Thursday, has seen many positives from the pair in recent weeks and believes that together they can play on each other’s strengths to bag bundles of goals this season. In particular Friedel believes that Defoe thrives when he plays alongside a player like Adebayor.
When asked if Spurs’ current strikeforce was amongst the best in the league Friedel told The Sun: “Absolutely.”
”When we have played with two up front, Jermain has really thrived on it, as he can save his energy for when he is inside the box.
“Jermain always plays on the shoulder of the defender so if a team want to push high up the pitch, he will always keep them honest.
“The goal he scored against Panathinaikos was just on-side but he is always right on the edge so defenders have to keep an eye on him.”
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West Ham fans are starting to worry over the amount of time the deal for Felipe Anderson is taking, so much so they’ve even started to suggest possible alternatives.
When West Ham looked to be nearing a deal to spend close to £40m on Lazio’s Anderson, it almost felt too good to be true, and if recent reports are to be believed, that’s exactly what it was.
While some reports have suggested the deal is simply being slowed by the Hammers’ interest in Anderson’s teammate, Jordan Lukaku, other reports have claimed the club have turned their attention to free agent Bernard, as Lazio “have proved difficult to negotiate with”.
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Any such reports should be taken with a pinch of salt, and in this case the silence may actually be a good thing, but fans are starting to fear the worst.
Fans have been let down before by their owner’s reluctance to spend big in the transfer market, and they’re absolutely desperate for a creative attacker to replace the injured Manuel Lanzini.
Plenty of fans like the idea of returning for Dimitri Payet, while the likes of Joaquin Correa and Xherdan Shaqiri are also getting plenty of shouts.
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You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…
Sheffield Wednesday’s poor form continued on Tuesday night, defeated by Swansea City in an FA Cup replay at the Liberty Stadium.
The Owls have now won just one match in their last eight in all competitions, leaving fans frustrated and worried they could be drawn into an English Championship relegation battle.
Wednesday will definitely need to improve their results over the next few weeks. Just seven points from the relegation zone, if they continue to fail to pick up wins, it’ll be a nervy end to the season.
Given they were going up against former manager Carlos Carvalhal on their trip to Wales, supporters were also hoping to see a better performance than the one offered in the 2-0 defeat.
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Much of the criticism was aimed at the midfield with David Jones and Jacob Butterfield under-performing throughout and contributing to both goals conceded.
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Fans are now calling for them to be dropped from the side completely by Jos Luhukay, even if it means having to play inexperienced players in their place.
Liverpool and Aston Villa’s meetings in recent seasons have been fascinating affairs, with the Reds often struggling against their Midlands foes despite both clubs having been operating in different areas of the Premier League table.
And this term’s instalment at Anfield looks to be another promising one with both clubs back fresh from the international break. Villa are currently unbeaten on seven points after three games and will travel to Merseyside full of confidence to take on Brendan Rodgers’ side who signed off before the mini hiatus with a thumping 3-0 victory at Tottenham.
Something has to give, right? So here are three players from both XIs who could have a big influence on the result…
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CLICK ON RAHEEM STERLING TO REVEAL THE SIX
Football – Liverpool v Southampton – Barclays Premier League – Anfield – 17/8/14Raheem Sterling celebrates after scoring the first goal for LiverpoolMandatory Credit: Action Images / Carl RecineLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for
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Mario Balotelli
Balotelli may have missed a few clear-cut chances for Liverpool last time out at Spurs, but there’s no doubting that the madcap Italian will find his form in the red shirt. While the majority of his Liverpool team-mates travelled away for the international break, the 24-year-old – dropped from the Azzurri’s squad – stayed on Merseyside and looks to have used the added time to build on his fitness and get match sharp.
With Daniel Sturridge a doubt for the clash, Balotelli could be the focal point of a front three for Brendan Rodgers, which may see him receive decent service from the likes of Raheem Sterlin, Lazar Markovic, Philippe Coutinho or even Adam Lallana.
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Ron Vlaar
With Liverpool a free-flowing attacking force at Anfield, ‘Concrete Ron’ will need to be at his dominant best at the heart of Villa’s defence. The big Dutchman was excellent at the World Cup and has impressed in the Premier League so far, but he will face a big test against the enigmatic Balotelli and the drifting talent that is Raheem Sterling.
Vlaar may not have the ability on his own to nullify Liverpool’s attacking threats, but his never say die attitude could inspire his team-mates to wade in help man the gates.
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Raheem Sterling
The teenage prodigy has emerged as one of the world’s best young footballers in 2014, drifting in from a peripheral figure at Anfield to one of Liverpool and England’s key performers.
A tactical shift enforced by Daniel Sturridge’s injury woes may see Sterling shifted from his new ‘Number 10’ role, but he has shown that he can be just as much of a threat from wide on the left or right flank. The 19-year-old already has two goals in three Premier League games this term and will be determined to add to his tally.
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Andreas Weimann
Another attacker with a two in three ratio so far this term is Weimann. The Austrian ace has summed up all that’s been good about the Villains in recent weeks, with his flea-like darting runs and electric movement having troubled opposition defences.
The 23-year-old has netted twice in his last two league trips to Anfield, making him a threat that Brendan Rodgers must cater for this time around.
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Dejan Lovren
Despite having seen his goalkeeper beaten four times in three games, Lovren has been impressive since his move to Liverpool from Southampton. The big Croatian has been tasked with commanding the Reds’ backline after last season’s horror show in terms of goals conceded, and a promising partnership with Mamadou Sakho looks to have been born following the Merseysiders’ clean sheet at Spurs.
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Lovren will need to be at his best to nullify Villa’s intelligent attacking set-up and he cannot afford any lapses in concentration.
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Charles N’Zogbia
Back in from the cold, N’Zogbia has started all three of Villa’s Premier League clashes so far, and looks to be returning to the sort of form he showed while at Wigan. The Frenchman may blow hot and cold, yet his pace and flair will be a threat to Liverpool’s full-backs on both sides – with the 28-year-old able to drift to either flank.
One problem is N’Zogbia’s fitness – he has not played a full 90 in his three aforementioned outings – but he could damage Liverpool before an almost inevitable second half trip to the bench.
Should they stay or should they go? There are several players in the Premier League who still have so much to offer but are currently finding their chances limited at their current clubs.
There are the players who have signed for big fees but have never justified the money paid for them or the ones that have suffered a nightmare time after they their name had been branded as the next big thing.
Additionally, we regularly watch with amazement when a player who seemed dead and buried at one club suddenly shows everyone how wrong they were by putting in man-of-the-match performances at their new club every week.
So, which players can we expect to be in limbo in the up-coming January transfer window? There were plenty to choose from, but here are my 15 players who I think will be in two minds about a move this winter. Some have already been linked with a move away from their respective clubs. Others are the forgotten ones who were tipped for Premier League glory but are still waiting for an opportunity to shine.
Jesse Lingard’s sudden importance to England’s World Cup hopes, which were perfectly encapsulated by a restlessly offensive performance in the first half of Sunday’s 6-1 win over Panama, hasn’t emerged through some miraculous act of good fortune.
Yes, Gareth Southgate’s roaming No.8 role gets maximum value out of a player who has never quite excelled as a No.10, a winger or a central midfielder, exploiting the incredible energy he possesses to act as part of both the engine room and the forward line, but Lingard’s drastic rise in estimations over months leading into Russia 2018, and his capacity to impress in more central positions, has been meticulously predicted for some time.
It’s exactly why, when Manchester United fans and neutrals were left repeatedly underwhelmed by the 14-cap international’s early club appearances, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho always found room for him in their plans. LVG, Mourinho, Southgate and even Sir Alex Ferguson all saw something they liked in Lingard; only now though, is it truly translating across to the naked eye, to the average supporter who doesn’t get the benefit of witnessing the versatile midfielder’s daily progress on the training pitch.
Perhaps the most well-known prophecy circulated midway through last season, when Lingard’s 2017/18 campaign suddenly exploded to life with a run of seven goals in nine Premier League appearances. Previously, Lingard had done enough to earn just one Premier League start, although his outings in the League Cup – particularly a brace-bagging performance to secure a 2-0 win over Swansea City – suggested that kind of eruption was just around the corner.
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After an irresistible performance at Goodison Park on New Year’s Day, a variety of publications picked up on Ferguson’s prediction from five years prior, labelling Lingard as a late bloomer whose ascendance wouldn’t truly take place until the age of 24. Eerily, Lingard celebrated his 25th Birthday midway through that run of seven in nine.
But Ferguson, whose verdict on any player is difficult to dispute anyway, was by no means alone in anticipating an Indian summer of development, and similar comments from Southgate back in 2014 give an insight into why Lingard is so trusted by a Three Lions manager who has completely capsized the mentality and philosophical approach of this England team, the Warrington-born starlet serving at this World Cup as it’s relentless beating heart.
A year after expressing the need to give Lingard time to develop and issuing him a similar age stamp of 23, the midfielder repaid Southgate’s faith by coming off the bench to score a delicious strike that sealed a European Championship win for the now-England gaffer’s U21 side.
The stunning strike unearthed an underlying trait, one which showed itself yet again on Sunday, that has no doubt helped managers maintain their trust in Lingard during the more difficult moments of his career. While his best position and his ultimate level of ability has always been open to interpretation, at least in public quarters, Lingard’s ability to rise to the occasion has remained undeniable.
In addition to ensuring Southgate’s U21s left the 2015 European Championship with a win to their name, he’s scored in an FA Cup final for van Gaal, a Community Shield final and League Cup final for Mourinho and even in a Champonship Playoff semi-final for Oscar Garcia’s Brighton.
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He’s now played an intrinsic part in England’s most positive World Cup performance for a generation – driving into the penalty box to win Harry Kane’s first penalty, making it 2-0, before surging on from midfield shortly after, this time adding to his collection of goals that combine importance with elegance by curling the ball effortlessly beyond Panama’s rooted goalkeeper.
For a country that has so often become paralysed by the weight of expectation, and for a manager who experienced that himself so painfully from the penalty spot at Euro 96, any player who seems to embrace the biggest of psychological tests automatically becomes an invaluable asset.
That perhaps explains why Southgate was so willingly prepared to hand Lingard his England debut against Malta back in 2016, well over a year before that run of goals for United truly justified the jump up to the international stage.
But the youngster’s emergence as essentially an offensive-minded central midfielder owes more to the manager who gave him his Red Devils debut than the England boss – van Gaal, perhaps the manager who boasts the biggest impact on Lingard’s career.
While he earned an early fan in Ferguson and no attention at all from David Moyes, Lingard instantly won over the Dutchman, starting his first ever Premier League game as Old Trafford boss only to be struck down by injury almost instantly, lasting a mere 24 minutes.
Perhaps if that knee complaint hadn’t kept Lingard out for the next four months, resulting in him ending the season on loan back in the Championship, the exceptional intelligence and ability so many managers have anticipated to surface would have done so much sooner, and Lingard wouldn’t have entered this World Cup surrounded by question marks.
There were plenty who viewed Ruben Loftus-Cheek, another favourite of Southgate’s from the U21s scene, as the more qualified partner for Jordan Henderson and Dele Alli.
The season after, van Gaal would field Lingard in 40 games across all competitions, including the FA Cup final, and along the way came a realisation that has resulted in the Lingard we now see representing England, the lynchpin in Southgate’s quirky 3-1-4-2 setup that no side at the World Cup has managed to comfortably handle so far. Whereas Lingard was utilised as a winger in the Championship, van Gaal believed he was at his most effective in a more central role.
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He’s never quite convinced as an out-and-out No.10, at least not for a club of United’s level, but Southgate’s subtle reinterpretation has really shown what Lingard can do – how he can drive on from midfield, how he can cover such vast areas to join the forward line and pressure the opposition, how he can make runs into the channels or even beyond the striker, how he can score unstoppable goals from range when he finds a few yards of space outside the box.
If we were talking about so many other players within the England team, such a journey wouldn’t perhaps seem so significant – very few England players have entered the tournament with a glistening CV.
But amid the backdrop of the doubts that have continuously circulated around Lingard for much of his senior career because he has always seemed a few stages of development behind contemporaries of similar age, it’s difficult not to take notice of the way in which three prophecies from three different managers have all come together at the perfect time for the Three Lions.
In many ways – in terms of industriousness, mobility and flair – Lingard’s come to embody the identity of Southgate’s young and exciting England cohort.
Southampton slipped back into the relegation zone following another disappointing performance and 2-0 defeat against Liverpool at St Mary’s on Sunday, and they continue to be in real danger of dropping into the Championship six years after they were promoted.
Mauricio Pellegrino and the players gained some temporary respite with the fine 3-2 win against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns the previous weekend that moved them out of the bottom three.
However, while Huddersfield Town and Swansea City won and Stoke City and Brighton and Hove Albion picked up a point, and Newcastle United put in a huge display to beat Manchester United 1-0 at St James’ Park, Saints failed to match their relegation rivals and once they found themselves 1-0 down early on, they never really looked like getting back into the game.
Sofiane Boufal played 85 minutes in the victory against the Baggies and Dusan Tadic featured for 88 minutes, and while the latter kept his place in the starting XI against Jurgen Klopp’s men, the former dropped to the substitutes’ bench as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg came into the side.
While Tadic had an excellent relationship with former Southampton centre-forward Graziano Pelle when he joined the club in 2014 – and has 30 assists in 123 Premier League outings for the south coast outfit – his assists have certainly dried up in the last 18 months or so.
The Serbia international has three assists in 25 top flight appearances so far this season, while he only got six in 33 last term, with just one of those coming in his final 11 outings of the 2016/17 campaign.
That means he has just four assists in his last 36 Premier League appearances, and the St Mary’s faithful are quickly growing frustrated with the 29-year-old who is struggling to deliver even though he is named in the starting XI most weeks.
Meanwhile, hopes were high that Boufal was going to make a big impression for the south coast outfit when he joined them from Lille in the summer of 2016, having provided 10 assists in 51 outings for the Ligue 1 outfit.
The Moroccan international was known for his trickery and ability on the ball, and Saints would have been hopeful that he could go some way to replacing Mane following his move to Liverpool.
The attacker was struggling with injury when he signed and didn’t really have a pre-season, and it meant that he struggled for starts and to find any form in his first campaign in the Premier League, ending it with no assists in 24 top flight games.
The 24-year-old would have been hoping for a more successful 2017/18 under new boss Pellegrino, but it hasn’t really worked out that way as he has once again been in and out of the starting line-up, even if he did produce a moment of magic to score a wonderful solo goal in the 1-0 win against West Brom at St Mary’s in November.
Despite his ability to beat a man and the glimpses of quality he has shown, the Moroccan still only has two assists to his name in 23 Premier League games this term, and two in 47 top flight matches in total for Saints.
That record is clearly not good enough and he was one of the players that was attracting groans from the home support when he entered the field against Liverpool on Sunday, giving the ball away cheaply on more than one occasion.
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While the fans’ frustrations are probably fair enough given the position of their team in the table and the respective records of Boufal and Tadic over the course of the last 12 months, now is the time to get behind the duo rather than vocally criticising them.
Soccer Football – Premier League – West Bromwich Albion vs Southampton – The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, Britain – February 3, 2018 Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse celebrates scoring their third goal Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra 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. Plea
The duo may not be doing well enough right now and not having as much of an impact as they should be, but they are still the club’s two most creative players and if they aren’t on the pitch, then the south coast outfit are left with the likes of Steven Davis, Nathan Redmond and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the attacking midfielder positions, and none of them have the ability to make as many chances as Boufal and Tadic can on their day.
With 11 matches to go and five huge Premier League fixtures in the next six weeks – against Burnley, Stoke City, Newcastle United, Swansea City and West Ham United – Saints need the attacking pair to start making a big impact on the pitch.
They are more likely to do that if they have the support of the crowd, and the fans must get behind them to boost their confidence and to ensure they help keep the team in the top flight.