SAFC: Fans react to footage of Borini goal

Fans of Sunderland have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which relayed footage of Black Cats fans celebrating Fabio Borini’s goal in the Tyne-Wear derby back in 2014.

Borini’s 19th-minute penalty was just the beginning of a magnificent day for Sunderland fans back on February 1 of 2014, as the Italian’s strike was the first of three goals scored by Gus Poyet’s side at St. James’ Park, seeing the Mackems defeat Newcastle United 3-0 on their own turf.

And, while the thought of Premier League football and Tyne-Wear derbies may now seem like the distant past to many involved with Sunderland, after footage of the club’s fans celebrating Borini’s goal was shared by Sunderland Limbs on Twitter, a great number of the Stadium of Light faithful flocked to have their say on the footage, with many sharing their own memories and experiences of the famous victory over their fiercest rivals, while others simply claimed they would never tire of watching the footage back.

Hopefully, with Lee Johnson in the dugout and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus at the helm, the Black Cats can surge up the divisions and create new memories just like this one.

So, what exactly did these Sunderland fans have to say in reaction to the footage of Fabio Borini’s goal?

“Never gets old mate does it?! Incredible witnessing that man!”

@patty1981JN

“Goosebumps.”

@AndrewArmour_

“Will never tire of watching this.”

@RossAdam21

“Unreal day.”

@OfficialDPope

“That noise.”

@safcbigbaz

“Can’t wait to hear this sound again.”

@zoe_louisesafc

In other news: ‘Get it signed’, ‘Please’ – Some SAFC fans beg for deal as star’s ‘brilliant’ comment emerges – find out more here!

LFC must hand Minamino second chance

It has only been just over a year since Liverpool swooped for Takumi Minamino but the Japanese wideman is already being linked with a permanent departure from Anfield.

The 26-year-old, currently on-loan at Premier League rivals Southampton, is interesting Sevilla, with the Spanish giants reportedly willing to pay up to €10m for the player according to reports in Spain..

Despite Minamino not having had the best of times with the Reds since his arrival from Red Bull Salzburg, it would certainly be a mistake to let him go this early.

In his first season with the Reds, he struggled for form, failing to get off the mark for goals. However, he has certainly improved during the 2020/21 campaign, scoring six goals and notching two assists for Liverpool and Southampton combined in all competitions. They are numbers that are certainly not too bad.

They are certainly better statistics than the likes of current Reds’ wide options, Xherdan Shaqiri and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who have just one goal and five assists between them this season.

For a player who appears to be finally getting to grips with life in the Premier League, it seems quite premature for Liverpool to cut Minamino adrift so soon.

It is not like the Anfield outfit would be receiving any considerable financial benefit should he leave having forked out a reported £7.25m to bring the Japanese international to the club. Meanwhile, his wages are not the biggest burden on the club, with Minamino earning £72k per week – less than Shaqiri, Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner, amongst others.

With Jurgen Klopp proclaiming the Japanese as a “wonderful” signing upon his arrival at Anfield, it would seem unlikely that opinion will have changed in the 14 months since.

Minamino has certainly shown enough potential to be kept around so Liverpool should definitely not let him leave so soon.

AND in more news, have a look at which Championship star Liverpool must sign this summer…

Bundesliga expert tips Favre for Celtic job

Bundesliga expert Daniel Pinder has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that Lucien Favre would be a “decent appointment” for Celtic.

The former Borussia Dortmund manager is currently being linked with the Glasgow club as their search for a new man for the dugout goes on.

Eddie Howe quickly became the frontrunner for the vacancy following Neil Lennon’s resignation at the end of February, but Celtic appear to have hit a stumbling block in their pursuit of the ex-Bournemouth boss.

It has left the Bhoys needing to consider other options and, according to Football Insider, Favre is seen as a viable alternative to Howe.

For Pinder, the editor-in-chief at Get German Football News, Celtic could do a lot worse than Favre. Speaking exclusively to FFC about the 63-year-old, he said:

“Obviously he was at Nice in France and then he replaced Thomas Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund, so it wasn’t a big rebuild. But they lost players like Ousmane Dembele, [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang and he had to bring in those other players for, you know, less funds than they had.

“Looking at it, he has done a decent job at rebuilding. Whether he can go into a job that’s already there all set up for him, I think that’s a different matter. But if he goes into a rebuild job, I think it’d be a pretty decent appointment.”

Given how far off the pace Celtic were in the title race this season and the fact that players such as captain Scott Brown are leaving the club in the summer, a rebuild at Celtic Park looks necessary.

With that in mind, perhaps Favre could end up being a shrewd appointment for Celtic.

Mahmoud Dahoud is a player that would massively improve West Ham

West Ham completed just the one signing in January and that may lead to another big spending spree this summer as Manuel Pellegrini aims to take his side to the next level.

The Hammers haven’t been at their best recently and that led to them dropping down to 12th position, a position that doesn’t justify how good they’ve been at times this campaign.

However, West Ham have to maintain those performances at every time in the season and so their aspirations of finishing in 7th place are looking harder with every game that goes by.

To solve that issue, simply put, West Ham need some better players in the summer transfer window, with a number of players not good enough to take the Hammers forward.

Another midfielder will be key to their success and a man who could really help is Borussia Dortmund’s Mahmoud Dahoud.

The Dortmund star, (who is valued at £16.2 million on Transfermarkt) is a player who would bring a great deal to the London Stadium, having proven himself to be a great player in the Bundesliga over the last few seasons.

At just 23-years-old, Dahoud has established himself in the Bundesliga but has struggled to get himself on the team-sheet consistently, having only started five league games this season.

Yet last season and his first with Borussia Dortmund, he was a regular and played in 34 games, where he does his best to provide six assists.

Dahoud has great vision and a solid passing range. Not only that, he has a good amount of pace which means he could be utilised in a more box-to-box role, helping things happen in-front of goal and giving a hand defensively as well.

West Ham would do well to acquire such a player, who could complement the likes of Mark Noble and Declan Rice even more.

Do you agree… Let us know!

Leicester Predicted XI vs West Brom

Leicester City return to Premier League action on Thursday as they host relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion at the King Power Stadium.

The Foxes come into the game on a high having reached the FA Cup final against Southampton last time out at Wembley.

Now, as Brendan Rodgers sets his sights on a UEFA Champions League place once again, how many changes could he make to the team that defeated the Saints?

We are expecting just two alterations from the Northern Irishman for the clash against the Baggies.

Kasper Schmeichel will, of course, continue in goal having not missed a Premier League match since the conclusion of the 2018/19 season.

The defence should also remain unchanged with Jonny Evans, Wesley Fofana and Caglar Soyuncu assembling a formidable back three. The latter came through his return at Wembley unscathed so will have no problem in playing once again.

However, there should be one slight chance further forward. Wing-back Ricardo Pereira could only play an hour of the FA Cup semi-final after “taking a blow” to his calf according to Rodgers. With the Portuguese continuing his comeback from a long-term injury, he might not be risked against West Bromwich Albion, giving Marc Albrighton the opportunity to start.

This would see Timothy Castagne moved over to the left-hand side.

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Rodgers’ midfield should have somewhat of a familiar look to it. Youri Tielemans and Wilfred Ndidi are going to continue their partnership.

However, Ayoze Perez might well drop out for James Maddison with the latter having made a cameo appearance at Wembley on Sunday. He already has ten goals and 11 assists this season so will be hoping to add to that record against the Baggies.

Elsewhere, the Leicester frontline should stay the same. Kelechi Iheanacho continued his hot form with the winning goal against Southampton and is sure to start.

Jamie Vardy, despite being a prime candidate for a place on the bench, is also likely to be included from the off by Rodgers having hit six goals in nine Premier League career appearances against West Brom.

AND in more news, take a look at which striker Leicester must sign in the summer…

Wolves fans slam Boly vs Burnley

Many Wolves fans have been fuming over the performance of Willy Boly in the first half of their Premier League game at home to Burnley at Sunday lunchtime.

The former Porto centre-back was guilty of some very poor defending which led to the opening goal for Sean Dyche’s men at Molineux, finished off by Chris Wood.

Boly almost conceded a penalty just moments earlier when he misjudged the flight of the ball, only to make a last-ditch tackle to amend for his error. The Clarets grew more and more threatening as the half went on, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s defence – including the 30-year-old – struggling to cope with their movement and crosses into the box.

Wolves will have to perform much better in the second half if they are to get anything out of the match going into their final few fixtures of the season.

Wolves fans on Boly display

These Wolves fans slammed Boly’s first half performance on Twitter, with one supporter even going as far as to call the Ivory Coast international a ‘clown’:

“Lord Boly is finished”

Credit: @Lem_WWFC

“Probably worst defending I’ve seen from Boly whole time he’s been here. That was absolutely woeful”

Credit: @calwwfc19

“Boly already on his holidays by the looks of it shocking defending”

Credit: @PaulaAdey

“Boly is having a mare”

Credit: @IaconoSte

“Willy Boly. What a clown. The whole of that was awful awful defending and Chris Wood always scores. #WOLBUR #wwfc”

Credit: @wdt17

“Boly and Coady what a joke that is”

Credit: @adenwwfc_

In other news, find out what transfer update has left Wolves fans buzzing!

Celtic: Fans slam Jonjoe Kenny

A number of Celtic supporters have hit out at Jonjoe Kenny on social media for his first half display against Hibernian on Saturday lunchtime.

Interim boss John Kennedy made two changes from the side which beat St Johnstone 4-0 on Wednesday, with Greg Taylor and Callum McGregor coming in for Adam Montgomery and James Forrest respectively.

It looks set to be Kennedy’s final game in temporary charge, with recent reports suggesting that Eddie Howe is in line to take over as manager for the 2021/22 season.

However, it was Kenny‘s performance in the opening stages at Easter Road which had a number of Celtic fans talking online, and not for the right reasons. The 24-year-old was making his 10th Scottish Premiership start since joining on loan from Everton and 16th appearance in all competitions.

He was coming up against Hibs winger Jamie Murphy in Edinburgh, but some fans clearly think he is struggling on what is his final appearance of his temporary Parkhead stay. He went into the referee’s notebook after just 10 minutes, being yellow-carded for an early foul on Murphy, and failed to win a first half duel.

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Celtic fans react

Here is what these Hoops supporters had to say about Kenny, with one describing his display as ‘so bad’ and another calling him a ‘donkey’, with this not being the first time that he has come under fire from the Parkhead faithful:

“Kenny has got to be one of the worst right-backs I’ve ever seen”

Credit: @NorthKoreaCSC

“JJ Kenny is still the worst player I’ve saw in a Celtic top”

Credit: @BrianMc81

“Man Jonjoe Kenny is a terrible player”

Credit: @paulandrewmart2

“Jonjoe Kenny is so bad”

Credit: @GlasgowFIFA_

“He’s had less impact than Marvin Compper.”

Credit: @KierenLaverty

“Get him out my club”

Credit: @DylanIsOnFire

In other news: Celtic looking at two big-money transfers; presented targets to Howe, find out more here. 

Spurs legend hails Mourinho signing

Tottenham Hotspur legend Gary Mabbutt has told Football FanCast that Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been one of the club’s best signings in recent memory, and thinks he is keeping Harry Winks out of the team.

The Denmark international arrived from Southampton in the summer and has gone on to become a key member of Jose Mourinho’s starting XI.

Hojbjerg has played in every minute of every Premier League game, and that has seen Winks drop out of the team.

That was underlined last week as Gareth Southgate named his England squad and left Winks out.

The 25-year-old has made just seven starts in the Premier League this season, playing in just one of Spurs’ last 11 games, and was not even included in the squad for the win over Aston Villa.

Mabbutt believes that Winks remains an accomplished option in central midfield, but he has hailed Hojbjerg, and thinks that the competition for places is the reason behind the Englishman’s exile.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “I think Harry’s an excellent player. I think he’s an excellent character as well. I think there’s a lot of competition. In that area, you’re talking about Pierre who’s done so well for Spurs this season.

“I think he has been one of our best signings for a long time. You can  see what he’s doing and what he’s bringing to the side, and he’s exactly what the side needed.”

There are numerous options for Mourinho and that will be bolstered this summer when Oliver Skipp returns from his impressive loan spell at Norwich City.

Mabbutt added: “But Pierre has got strong competition from the likes of Harry Winks. Oliver Skipp will return from Norwich, where he’s having an exceedingly good season.

“I’m sure he’s wanting to help them to get promotion back to the Premier League. Sissoko, so there’s a lot of competition.

“You’re talking about maybe one or two places and you’ve got three or four players who are top players fighting for that place. That’s what you want as a manager.”

Robinson wowed by West Ham target Orsic

Speaking to Football Insider, reacting to reports West Ham have made contact over a potential summer deal for Mislav Orsic, Sky Sports regular Paul Robinson has been left wowed by the 19-goal forward and his impressive show reel.

Orsic, primarily played on the left wing but can drive through the middle, has apparently been at the centre of West Ham interest recently – with GSB even making contact over a possible transfer for the 28-year-old according to another report by Football Insider.

Speaking to the outlet, Robinson has been left baffled by Orsic and his ability – with the pundit certainly rating him judging by what he’s seen.

Robinson stunned by Orsic

The Croatian’s stunning Europa League hat-trick dumped London rivals Tottenham Hotspur out of the Europa League, with Jose Mourinho unable to hold a two-goal first leg lead.

“His shooting ability was there for all to see,” Robinson told Football Insider.

“I mean wow, he scored some fantastic goals.

“He is not a player we know a lot about in England given that he’s playing for Dinamo Zagreb but those goals showed you a lot. I watched his showreel after that and I was impressed.

“He is clearly a player with an abundance of talent and with an eye for goal.

“He used that stage to put himself in the thoughts of Premier League teams.”

Transfer Tavern take

Whether or not West Ham end up doing a deal for Orsic this summer remains to be seen, but it seems Robinson would certainly approve of the switch.

Valued at just £6.75 million by Transfermarkt, it’s clear Zagreb may want much more for their star striker.

In other news: West Ham fans flocked to this transfer report, find out more here.

Swansea handed Joel Randall boost

Swansea City were one of several club reportedly interested in signing Exeter City winger Joel Randall earlier this year and Steve Cooper’s side look to have been handed a big boost in their hopes of bringing him to the Liberty Stadium this summer.

The Athletic suggested in January that both Swansea and Celtic were interested in signing the 21-year-old, who has enjoyed a fruitful campaign with the Grecians in League Two this season.

Manager Matt Taylor has recently hinted that the Devon outfit will look to sell some of their brightest prospects – including Randall – this summer as they look to keep the club afloat by cashing in on homegrown talent, as they did with Ollie Watkins, who earned his boyhood club a windfall earlier this week with his debut goal for England against San Marino.

Although Transfermarkt stats that the Exeter winger’s contract expires at the end of this season, the initial report from The Athletic claims that he is contracted until 2022, meaning that Swansea may be forced to stump up a fee if they want to bring him to south Wales this summer.

Randall has been one of Exeter’s standout performers so far this season, having contributed 10 goals and five assists in all competitions, in what has been his breakthrough campaign after a series of loans in non-league.

Taylor was full of praise for him earlier in the season, saying: “He’s exceeded our expectations. He’s had talent and potential in him since a young age. His running stats are phenomenal but he’s added an extra dimension to his game in terms of the end product. He’s been a constant threat down that left side, worked tirelessly for the team and contributed at all times this season. He’s been a standout player.”

[freshpress-quiz id=“532484″]

Therefore, it seems clear that Randall’s future lies away from Exeter, so Swansea chairman Julian Winter should steal a march on Celtic and bring him to the Liberty Stadium this summer, as he could be an excellent addition to Cooper’s squad.

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