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West Brom’s survival bid was dealt a bitter blow on Saturday afternoon as they slumped to a disappointing defeat at the hands of former Baggies boss Roy Hodgson, but it was an all too familiar story.

Albion just cannot find the back of the net.

Their defensive fortunes have drastically changed for the better in recent weeks, going from the Premier League’s leakiest backline to conceding just three goals in their last six outings.

But in that run, they have scored just twice – Big Sam will not pick up many points if his team cannot stick it in the goal. Only one side – rock-bottom Sheffield United – have found the net fewer times.

And with the Baggies now eight points adrift, something has to change otherwise it’s an instant return to the second flight.

On the Chalkboard

In simple terms, Allardyce must provide new target man striker Mbaye Diagne sufficient service, something that has been lacking big time.

During that aforementioned run of matches, Albion have delivered over six accurate crosses on one occasion, whilst no player is managing more than one attempt per game (Matheus Pereira), as per WhoScored.

At 6 foot 4, Diagne has the capability to mix it with any top-flight central defender, especially as he’s averaging 4.3 aerial duels won per outing, which is more than any other Albion player.

Considering Big Sam deploys two wingers, his service should be far better, though it’s a simple fix and one that could see the creative Pereira (1.7 key passes per game) move back into the middle, where he is most effective.

It would mean that one of Ainsley Maitland-Niles or Conor Gallagher is sacrificed as all these central options cannot fit into the same side, but it’s a risk worth taking given the desperate need to score goals.

Allardyce’s best crosser of the ball is arguably Robert Snodgrass, who joined from West Ham in January yet finds himself out of the starting XI. Putting him back in out wide, with Pereira in the middle, could be exactly what is required to unlock Diagne’s true potential.

You’ve got the Brazilian playmaker feeding balls and dictating play in the no.10 role, and a proven veteran out wide to deliver the service the big target man needs.

Indeed, the 33-year-old has averaged 1.8 crosses per game throughout his long career, including two successive seasons in the top-flight managing 1.6 attempts or better, which is evidently an instant upgrade on the one per game that sits top of West Brom’s charts right now.

The £20k-per-week “whole package” was, at one point, the heartbeat of David Moyes’ Hammers side, according to The Athletic, with Roshane Thomas describing his crossing ability as ‘excellent.’

Similarly, Colin Calderwood told The Athletic: “He’s got crossing ability and is good at either creating or scoring goals,” before dubbing him a “team player.”

Just imagine how good Diagne could be with Pereira and Snodgrass pinging in balls left, right and centre – the Scotsman must start going forward.

AND in other news, West Brom’s Conor Gallagher let Sam Allardyce down vs Crystal Palace

Plenty of Southampton fans have been reacting to the news that Wesley Hoedt is set to return to the club at the end of the season.

Hoedt has spent this campaign out on loan at Italian side Lazio. Not so long ago, it seemed the Serie A outfit were eager to sign him permanently (lalaziosiamonoi.it). However, according to Radiosei (via lalaziosiamonoi.it), it appears the Rome-based outfit are no longer interested in pursuing such a deal.

The change in heart is reportedly down to a number of poor performances. He has actually started just four of the last 11 Serie A matches (Transfermarkt), which shows that Simone Inzaghi does not quite have faith in the £5.4m-valued defender.

The news was relayed by Twitter account @SouthamptonPage, and it is fair to say that some Saints supporters are not best pleased with the update as they took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Hoedt news below

“Stealing a living”

Credit: @stevebr27075195

“His arrogance gets in the way of everything”

Credit: @griffryan

“We’ll have to release him and lose a lot of money.. not being funny but no one is going to want him”

Credit: @WillsfcMitchell

“Probably one of the worse signings we’ve ever made. We signed him after he had a fight in training at Lazio with Felipe Anderson, was awful for us and now we can’t even give him away”

Credit: @Extr3me_Matrix

“Loan him out to Acrington Stanley for a year for a packet of hob-nobs and 241 vouchers at Chesington World Of Adventure.”

Credit: @bfgfox

“Such a failure for what we paid for him. The frustrating thing is there is a player in him, it’s his own ego and concentration that lets him down”

Credit: @HebbesAlex

In other news, Southampton enquire about this Premier League striker.

Carlo Ancelotti can say goodbye to the linked-away Yerry Mina at the end of the season if Everton are able to win the emerging race to sign Torino FC defender Gleison Bremer.

What’s the word?

According to Toro News, several Premier League clubs have made a note of Bremer’s ever-improving performances in the Serie A and could look to make a move this summer.

Bremer has started all 19 of his Italian top-flight appearances this term and added a fourth goal for the campaign, when the centre-half headed home a late winner away to relegation-rivals Cagliari Calcio last Friday.

His efforts have Everton, West Ham United and Fulham on alert, while Liverpool are also keen on the Brazilian’s situation as one of several options who could feature in Jurgen Klopp’s backline next season.

Fulham are only expected to pursue the 23-year-old should Scott Parker secure the Craven Cottage outfit’s Premier League status for another year, after previous efforts to sign the £18,000-per-week beast failed to materialise.

Torino are aware of the heightening interest in Bremer’s services and will look to hedge the risk of losing him by awarding the centre-back a new contract, with President Urbano Cairo and Sporting Director Davide Vagnati already in contact with the player’s agent.

But the priority remains Serie A safety, with the side of newly-appointed head coach Davide Nicola just five points clear of the bottom three after beating 18th-placed Cagliari for a first win in eight league games.

Hello Bremer, goodbye Mina?

Reports of Everton’s interest in Bremer follow claims by the Daily Mail that Ancelotti could look to move Mina on in the summer, with the Italian still facing question marks over his best defensive partnership.

Mina has made 19 appearances in the Premier League this term, starting each, having bounced back from a blunt early-season assessment from Ancelotti when the £18m-rated titan delivered a shaky first-half performance at home to West Bromwich Albion.

“Yerry had an average game, I think he could be more aggressive and do more with the ball,” Ancelotti said in September, via quotes by the Liverpool Echo.

“The only aspect we have to look at is him being more aggressive when he can press the opening. But he did really well against Tottenham [in the season-opener].”

Yet as doubt still appears to linger over Mina’s future, Everton could look to move on from the £120,000-per-week defender – notably their joint-highest earner – by pursuing Bremer.

The Torino ace is seen as a defence-first type with a great read of the game and an aggressive approach to breaking up opposition play, helping toward an average 2.1 interceptions per game in the Serie A this term, per SofaScore.

He also offers 1.4 successful tackles and 4.3 clearances on average to help his side claim five clean sheets – roughly one in every four appearances. Mina, meanwhile, has averaged 1.1 interceptions, 1.0 tackles and 4.5 clearances to help Everton claim four clean sheets in the Premier League – close to a one in every five games.

Mina and Bremer are also comparable for duels won with the Colombian successful in 1.6 ground contests (55%) and 3.1 aerial challenges (68%) a game, while the Brazilian wins 1.9 (55%) on the ground and 2.9 (63%) in the air.

So, if Everton are looking to move Mina on and are open to signing Bremer, the Toffees would seemingly not be taking a step back by signing a player consistently improving in Italy, and potentially one that ticks more of Ancelotti’s boxes than the Italian’s current option.

AND in other news, Everton eye free transfer of £113k-p/w maestro who “always gives everything”…

One of West Brom’s out-of-contract stars is being eyed up ahead of the summer transfer window…

What’s the word?

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Baggies stalwart Kieran Gibbs is attracting interest from David Beckham’s Inter Miami side as well as other MLS teams, rivals from the Premier League and clubs in Turkey too.

It’s claimed that the Midlands outfit were willing to let the 31-year-old leave the Hawthorns last month as he’s among their highest earners and has recently been usurped by Conor Townsend.

But an initial offer from Miami did not suit Albion or Gibbs himself. As he’s out of contract at the end of the season, this is something that may well be revisited.

Let him go, let him go

Indeed, West Brom shouldn’t think twice about allowing the former Arsenal man leave as he’s been a complete waste of money since arriving for £7m under Tony Pulis in 2017.

In that time, he’s racked up 100 appearances in a Baggies shirt, but the fact that Townsend, who had never played above League One before joining the Baggies, has taken control at left-back speaks volumes.

Earlier this season, his disappointing time on the pitch was epitomised in a silly sending off against Everton, a game where Albion embarrassingly went onto lose 5-2. The majority of goals came in the second half with ten men.

Then-boss Slaven Bilic slammed him as “stupid” while Danny Mills told Football Insider that it was a “daft decision” and claimed it was “idiotic.”

Unfortunately for Gibbs, he’s not been in Sam Allardyce’s good books either, and that’s outside of the obvious point that he’s now the back-up option.

The Athletic’s Steve Madeley revealed at the start of January that the club were looking to seal an exit for him as an injury withdrawal prior to their game against Leeds ‘is understood to have angered Allardyce.’

Not that he’s been performing well either. In terms of average WhoScored rating for the season, he ranks 15th, but when factoring in nine or more league starts, that makes him fourth-worst.

With Charlie Austin out on loan, it’s thought that Gibbs is Albion’s top earner on £55k-per-week as per Spotrac, meaning he has cost the club around a total of £16.9m since arriving from the Gunners when factoring in fees and wages.

That would certainly put him among the most expensive flops the Hawthorns has ever seen, especially when you consider the fact that Oliver Burke cost £15m and Nacer Chadli around £13m too.

The Baggies must let Gibbs loose in the summer, even if they are to lose out on a fee. He simply has no future at the club.

AND in other news, West Brom could unearth a perfect Pereira heir in 20 y/o prodigy who’s a “real talent”…

After avenging their defeat to St. Mirren last time out, Glasgow Rangers play host to Celtic at Ibrox Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Premiership league leaders wasted no time at all to exact their revenge over Saints, and find themselves in a hot streak heading into the clash with Celtic.

Steven Gerrard faces some tough decisions before the second Old Firm derby of the season, namely whether to recall Ryan Kent, while Scott Arfield and Ryan Jack have been ruled out due to injury. Kent’s struggles have been well-documented in recent weeks, with the 24-year-old failing to find the back of the net in each of his past five appearances.

The Light Blues boss opted to snub Kent against St. Mirren after his recent run of form to give him some brief respite and allow him to recharge his batteries.

But if he is fully fit and firing on all cylinders, he simply has to be one of the first names on the team sheet to face Celtic.

There’s no denying the fact that Kent is still one of the biggest creative influences on the flanks – only James Tavernier has contributed to more goals across all competitions than the left winger this season.

He’s levels above the rest in terms of his passing ability – since the start of the season, the former Liverpool academy player has averaged 2.3 key passes per game in the Scottish Premiership, via WhoScored.

It would be a heinous mistake from Gerrard to leave him out from the off, as he underlined his credentials after opening the scoring in the 2-0 victory over their arch rivals in the Old Firm derby in 2019.

The Ibrox boss reserved special praise for Kent after he claimed the Scottish Premiership Player of the Month earlier this season, saying: “Ryan Kent has been top class and hasn’t let any noise affect him, he is scoring goals and looking very dangerous. He is really taking it to opposition teams and he’s settled and enjoying his football.

“Kent deserves to be Player of the Month and has been in sensational form. He has been fantastic to work with.”

Similarly, his former manager Tony Mowbray was equally effusive in his praise for his young charge, adding he has a “fantastic ability to pick the ball up and run our team 60 yards up the pitch.”

If Gerrard does decide to bring Kent back into the fold, he simply has to start against Celtic.

AND in other news, Steven Gerrard dealt huge blow as Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield ruled out of Old Firm clash…

Lee Johnson and Kristjaan Speakman have a big job on their hands in January.

It will be up to the duo to negotiate Sunderland through a transfer window which could make or break their promotion bid. So, who should they target?

What’s the word?

Johnson has made it clear that the Mackems need players capable of stretching the play in January.

As a result, we can assume that he will be in the market to sign either some strikers or wingers who can beat their man and score goals.

Where will they target? Well, if William Storey manages to secure a takeover and buy Sunderland from Stewart Donald then he’s already admitted he’ll look at Premier League clubs for loans.

Consequently, The Sunderland Echo have pieced together a list of targets the Black Cats could sign. One player is Liverpool attacker Liam Millar.

In their report, they stated that he may represent an attractive option for the Black Cats and it’s certainly a viable move.

After all, the 21-year-old was linked with the north-east side in 2018 when Jack Ross was in charge at the Stadium of Light. Phil Parkinson also reportedly wanted to bring Millar to Sunderland last summer (Goal, via the 72) so he’s clearly someone the club have been keeping a close eye on.

Bye-bye Grigg

If Sunderland want to sign rapid players in January then Millar certainly fits that definition to perfection.

The youngster has scored five goals in just 14 outings for Liverpool U23s this season through a mixture of playing up top and on the left-wing.

Speaking about the forward in 2018, This is Anfield writer Jack Lusby said: “His finishing is stellar, and his movement on and off the ball make him an excellent option up front or out wide. He can beat a man with ease and has a variety of finishes in his armoury.”

Lusby added: “He’s clearly a big talent.”

That, in a nutshell, is exactly what Johnson requires in January. He’s suggested that he wants a forward capable of getting in behind but that’s a rather damning assessment on Will Grigg.

As far as Sunderland’s current strikers go, he is probably the most nimble. However, he’s failed to score this season and has just eight goals to his name since signing in January 2019.

If Millar does indeed sign on the dotted line next month, it would only be detrimental for Grigg. It doesn’t feel like he’ll ever make it at Sunderland.

Millar, on the other hand, could easily make a difference to Johnson’s team.

AND in other news, Sunderland can fix Johnson’s big issue with swoop for “really lively” beast compared to Andy Cole…

If you had told Aston Villa fans before the start of the new Premier League season that they would have beaten both Liverpool and Arsenal at an aggregate of 10-2, then they surely would have thought you were crazy.

But such has been the incredible start that Dean Smith’s side have enjoyed, that they find themselves in sixth place in the table, and only three points behind current leaders Leicester – that too, with a game in hand on the Foxes.

On Saturday, Villa return to top-flight action after the two-week international break, with Graham Potter’s Brighton standing in their way. Smith has largely gone for a settled side this season, and who can blame him, but he might want to freshen things up against the Seagulls.

And with that in mind, below is a look at how the Midlands club line up for the visit of Brighton.

After helping to keep a clean sheet against his former side last time out, Emiliano Martinez will hope to continue his impressive start to life at Villa.

In front of him, a back four of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Matt Targett have played a crucial role in ensuring high-scoring Villa have also been one of the meanest teams in the league too. Their tally of just nine goals conceded from their opening seven league games is the joint-best in the division.

The first big call Smith must surely consider making, is the dropping of John McGinn. The Scotland international has looked nothing like his old self, and with Marvelous Nakamba waiting in the wings to make his mark, this could be the perfect time for that change to happen.

Douglas Luiz on the other hand continues to see his star grow, but has played an incredible number of minutes this season for both club and country, and Smith may wonder if a rest against Brighton could do the £24.3m-rated star the world of good when it comes to the crunch winter schedule in the Premier League.

If that’s the case, Conor Hourihane may fancy his chances of making a rare start after playing in mid-week for the Republic of Ireland.

In attack, there’s no reason to make any changes for Smith, with the likes of Jack Grealish, Ross Barkley, Trezeguet and Ollie Watkins all in fine fettle this season.

Predicted XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Nakamba, Hourihane; Trezeguet, Barkley, Grealish; Watkins.

Johan Lange can redefine his vision for Aston Villa by ensuring Dean Smith utilises the “immense potential” of Lamare Bogarde, after a successful summer fighting off premier competition for the Netherlands Under 16 international.

What’s the word?

According to The Athletic, Villa were aggressive in the summer market striving to lock up the services of a string of 16-year-olds ahead of the impact Brexit will have on signing youth players.

Premier League clubs will no longer be able to sign players under the age of 18 from overseas clubs as of January 1, while only able to add three aged under 21 this winter and six per season after that.

The new framework has been introduced to help ensure the future competitiveness of the England national side post-Brexit, as the Football Association believe now presents a chance to boost the selection hopes of homegrown players.

Villa sought to get ahead of the restrictions by spending vast time scouting youth talents this year, leading to the eventual additions of Vitesse Arnhem defender Sil Swinkels, St. Patrick’s Aaron O’Reilly and Bogarde from Feyenoord.

Landing Bogarde’s signature was a considerable coop for the Birmingham-based outfit, as the defensive midfielder is now said to have been a target for top-six Premier League duo Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

Redefine Lange’s vision for AVFC

Beating Arsenal and Tottenham to Bogarde’s signature has offered Lange the chance to redefine his vision for Aston Villa by turning the claret and blue side into one future stars look positively on, knowing homegrown talents will soon carry even more importance and value.

Lange has got off to a strong start by edging premier competition for Bogarde this summer but will need to see first-team boss Smith utilise those in the academy for his vision to take place

Smith has so far only awarded 14 minutes of Premier League football to 19-year-old Jacob Ramsey, who is the only player aged under 21 to feature for the Villans in the top-flight thus far this term.

Bogarde is a player academy manager Mark Harrison lauds for his “immense potential”, and has already displayed his emerging brilliance in claret and blue with two goals and an assist in four Premier League U18 appearances before stepping up to the Under 23s.

If he can establish himself in Mark Delaney’s young side, which sits just three points off table-toppers Middlesbrough after nine PL2 fixtures, it will not be long before Bogarde is banging on Smith’s door demanding his senior debut.

AND in other news, Johan Lange and Aston Villa must bite the bullet on one-time £40k-p/w Dean Smith favourite.

Noel Whelan thinks that Richarlison will be a big miss for Everton versus Newcastle United in the Premier League.

Speaking to Football Insider, the former Leeds United striker believes that the Brazil international may have been a key player for the Goodison Park faithful in getting all three points at St. James’ Park and also tipped Bernard to come in as his replacement instead of Alex Iwobi:

“Richarlison for me is one that is a massive loss. Iwobi didn’t take his opportunity so Bernard might come in, I think, on that side, linking up play.

“Iwobi, for me, has done nothing since he’s come to Everton and he’s not pushed Richarlison or any of the front three, to be honest with you. If he starts the game, I’ll be very, very surprised, I think it might be an opportunity for somebody else.

“Richarlison is going to be a massive miss.” 

Richarlison is a ‘standout’ player for Everton

Indeed, Richarlison has been and still is a ‘standout’ player for the Merseyside club, and thus could be greatly missed by Carlo Ancelotti’s team against the Magpies as Whelan suggests.

The 23-year old has scored no fewer than 33 goals and made a further eight assists in 86 games in all competitions for the Toffees over the last three consecutive terms (Transfermarkt).

His eye for a goal could have been vital in a tough away game in the top flight, but he will miss the match versus the Toon through suspension following his straight red card against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.

Richarlison has been great so far this season

Indeed, Richarlison has been brilliant so far this season, winning a quite staggering 9.6 of his duels per game in England’s highest division, as well as averaging 3.2 successful dribbles and 2.2 shots per game (Sofascore).

However, he will not be able to carry on his fine form in the versus Newcastle tomorrow afternoon, and as Whelan has claimed, the striker may well turn out to be a huge loss for the Blues.

In other news, find out which EFC transfer target may leave in January here!

Leeds United are in a bit of a dire situation at the back.

The Whites have to deal with three injuries to key defensive players with Diego Llorente, Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips all sidelined at the moment.

This has left Marcelo Bielsa with a sizeable selection headache and a defensive rejig is in order at Elland Road.

We already know that Pascal Struijk is set to move into Kalvin Phillips’ spot at the base of the midfield, while Robin Koch is likely to fill one of the centre-back spots, but the other centre-half position is up for grabs.

One option that the Argentine may want to explore is using Luke Ayling in that role.

Ayling has played centre-back before and he is more experienced than someone like Oliver Casey who would be one of Bielsa’s only other options in that position.

Of course, this leaves another issue at right-back, but that is a problem that can easily be fixed by Jamie Shackleton.

We’ve not seen much of Shackleton this season, with the 21-year-old playing just nine Premier League minutes so far, but he certainly has what it takes to fill in at right-back against Aston Villa.

The youngster has all the physical attributes needed to be a success in the modern full-back role, with Noel Whelan giving him a glowing review after he returned from an injury last year, saying:

“He is very quick, tenacious, really energetic, good on the ball, a real athlete, so his return at such a key point in the season is very welcome.”

He’s a midfielder by trade, but Leeds don’t have another senior right-back behind Ayling and Shackleton has deputised in that role previously.

It may be time for Bielsa to unleash Shackleton and give him a shot at starting in the Premier League. If he shines against a Villa side that have won every game so far this season, it may not be long before he’s a regular starter in the top-flight.