Leeds fans delighted with Kemar Roofe form

Kemar Roofe made it four goals in four Championship appearances for the 2018-19 campaign when he registered in Leeds United’s 2-2 draw with Swansea City on Tuesday night.

Roofe has been with Leeds since 2016, and netted 14 times in all competitions for the Whites last season.

The attacker has not always been in the good books of the Leeds fans, but that is certainly the case at the moment due to his impressive start to the campaign.

Roofe cancelled out Oliver McBurnie’s first goal in the clash with Swansea at the Liberty Stadium, before Pablo Hernandez netted late on to secure a point for Marcelo Bielsa’s team.

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Patrick Bamford was purchased from Middlesbrough with the view to being the starting striker, but Roofe’s form has meant that the former Chelsea youngster has had to come off the bench in the early stages of the season.

The Leeds fans are very happy with what they have seen from their team in recent weeks, and 5ft 10in ace Roofe in particular has made a strong impression.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the club’s supporters can be seen below:

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Arsenal fans divided over Ozil after latest absence

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Mesut Ozil was not included in the Arsenal squad which overcame West Ham United 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

After the match, Gunners boss Unai Emery denied claims of a bust-up and stated that the German playmaker was left out due to illness, as reported by the BBC. However, ESPN journalist Joao Castelo-Branco claimed that the German’s absence was in fact the result of a row.

After an eventful summer, during which Ozil was part of the Germany team which crashed out of the World Cup during the group stages, the Arsenal man then retired from the international game via Instagram, citing racist abuse he suffered whilst representing his country. 

Since his return to England and the start of the new Premier League season, Ozil has failed to rediscover his best form, and Arsenal fans are now divided over his place in their side.

After his exclusion from Emery’s line up this weekend, many Gooners took to Twitter to debate the decision. Whilst many feel the German isn’t reaching the standards required and should be moved on, others retain faith in the creative midfielder and hope to see him back in the famous red and white again soon…

Fixture in Focus Podcast – Episode 4 – West Ham v Wolves

We’re only four weeks in to the new Premier League season and we’ve already witnessed our first major Jose Mourinho meltdown, but that’s not our main focus this week. Instead, we’re taking a closer look at West Ham v Wolves.

James, Christy and Chris are joined by Knees Up Mother Brown’s Graeme Howlett and The Wolves 77 Club Podcast’s Sam Cook as we chat in detail about both clubs’ start to the season and what this game means to either manager as they go in search of their first league wins of the campaign.

Are Wolves on the verge of something special? How long will Manuel Pellegrini get at West Ham? Who will win this clash at London Stadium?

We try to answer all of the above questions and much, much more in Episode 4 of the Fixture in Focus Podcast.

You can listen to Episode 4 below or you can also find us on iTunes, Spotify, aCast, Google Podcasts and several other podcast platforms. Just click here to subscribe. 

Enjoy!

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Despite draw Leeds look like they’re ready for the Premier League

Leeds were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by fellow Championship title contenders Middlesbrough in what was already being heralded as a key clash despite it being so early in the season. 

It was the first time the Whites were unable to score this season as Tony Pulis employed his usual five at the back defence.

Star players, Samu Saiz and Kemar Roofe were stifled and unable to employ their high-press, high energy style of football although Leeds’ cause wasn’t helped by Pablo Hernandez being unfit to play.

Although a win over their promotion rivals would’ve been preferable, Bielsa’s men shouldn’t be deterred as they still remain one of the best teams in the league.

Indeed, following the game, Middlesbrough’s star man, Adam Forshaw labelled Leeds as playing like a potential top-four Premier League side.

The Breakdown

It may be a slight leap to compare Leeds to the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United or Tottenham, but so far this season, Bielsa’s side have certainly played like a Premier League side.

The Argentinian manager has already brought out the best of Samu Saiz and Kemar Roofe, while Barry Douglas is arguably one of the best players in the league and definitely Premier League standard.

It’s still early in the season but what we have seen from Leeds is a team that when it’s at its best, it can smother opponents.

Whether they can keep it up for the rest of the season, remains to be seen but so far Leeds look Premier League ready.

What do you think Leeds fans? 

Everton fans have differing views on Romelu Lukaku

It is always risky when football clubs post messages on their social media relating to players who have previously represented the team in question.

And that is more so the case with individuals who divide opinion.

Romelu Lukaku scored 87 times for Everton between 2014 and 2017, before making the move to Manchester United ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.

Lukaku was a popular figure during his time at Goodison Park, but there are a number of Everton fans who were disappointed with the manner of his exit.

On Wednesday, Everton’s official Twitter account posted a video of an 11-minute hat-trick that the Belgian had scored back in 2016.

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Some of the club’s supporters took to social media to pay tribute to the centre-forward, but there were those who decided to have a pop at him.

Lukaku has gone on to become a regular goalscorer at United, and for all of the criticism surrounding him, there is no question that he is one of the best forwards in Europe.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the Everton fans can be seen below:

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Signing World Cup winning defender would be another superb piece of business for Liverpool

Liverpool have gotten off to the perfect start to the Premier League season, with five wins from five showcasing their title winning credentials.

The Reds have invested well in the squad despite heavy spending, and manager Jurgen Klopp appears confident of success, especially after an excellent win over Spurs this weekend.

However, more quality players would further improve an already talented squad, and there are bound to be a few out there in January who will be dying for a move to England.

One such player we think could be a superb addition and fits that mould is French World Cup winner Benjamin Pavard, who was simply superb over in Russia this summer, seeing his reputation and value rocket thanks to his displays.

Pavard has seen his worth shoot up in the last few months, and his versatility and ability in general make him an excellent signing for any top club in England, with Liverpool’s history no doubt of particular interest to the Frenchman.

The 22-year-old proved himself adept at world level over the summer, and with Liverpool wanting to challenge on all fronts this season, signing players who can play in various positions with ease like Pavard, could well prove to be a shrewd move by the club.

Liverpool  fans, what do you think? Good signing? Let us know in the comments!

Revealed: 80% of Tottenham fans want huge move for Fekir

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Tottenham fans were desperate for a new midfield signing this summer, and a whopping 80 per cent of fans want to sign versatile Lyon captain Nabil Fekir.

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Fekir’s failed move to Liverpool was one of the most confusing stories of the summer, as the Lyon skipper looked all set to join the Reds before the World Cup.

The deal fell through at the last second though, and the Frenchman showed Liverpool exactly what they are missing this week as he dominated Manchester City in the Champions League.

Tottenham meanwhile have lost three games in a row in all competitions for the first time under Mauricio Pochettino, and fans are fuming at the lack of summer investment.

Fekir clearly wants a move to the Premier League, and his ability to play anywhere across the attack or in midfield would make him the perfect Pochettino signing.

The 25 year-old would have been the perfect Coutinho replacement at Anfield, but a huge percentage of Tottenham fans want to hijack the deal, and you can find the full poll results down below…

Paul Lambert’s comments should leave Rangers fans positive for the season ahead

Under a raft of new faces and the introduction of Steven Gerrard, Rangers are beginning a new era in which the fans will hope that they can halt Celtic’s dominance.

Rangers’ arch-rivals are coming off a season where they became the first team to win the historic double treble. This season, however, Rodgers’ side are struggling and despite Rangers losing the Old Firm game, Gerrard’s men currently sit second in the table, five points behind Hearts.

Following Pedro Caixinha’s unsuccessful tenure at the club, Gerrard has come in and has seemingly started to turn Rangers into a side that can compete at the top.

This week, former Celtic man, Paul Lambert has insisted that Gerrard has already improved the side but that Celtic still remain the team to beat in Scotland.

The Breakdown

While Lambert still puts Celtic as the side to beat in the league, to have a former player of your greatest rival praising the team so early in the season, is only good news for the Gers.

Under Gerrard, Rangers already look like a much better team and the likes of Kyle Lafferty, James Tavernier and Joe Worrall have been superb this season. Moreover, with Jordan Rossiter returning and the emergence of Lassana Coulibaly, it looks as though Gerrard has put together a squad with enough talent to seriously challenge for the league.

Moreover, with Celtic losing Moussa Dembele and with Dedryck Boyata’s future uncertain, this Celtic squad could be there for the taking.

Thoughts Rangers fans?

Dream October: Man City

Man City have fallen under the radar somewhat this season, which is a surprise given just how good they were last term.

They haven’t been poor by any means, indeed they’ve only dropped points once, and they’re still up there at the top of the table, but the fine form of Liverpool and the reemergence of Chelsea has drifted talk away from the Citizens.

What better way to get the attention back, then, than by having an excellent October. The month may get Autumn well underway, but it will also give Man City a chance to put down a market for their plans this season – with a number of big games on the horizon.

Pep Guardiola, then, should be planning the rest of the month intently, and when the clock strikes 12:00 on November 1st, perhaps he can look back and say that October was perfect.

But what would constitute the ideal October?

UCL Success

After the success in the Premier League last season, there is no doubting that the Champions League will be the priority for Pep Guardiola.

He’s had a tough time in the tournament since he moved to the Etihad, and his tenure in Manchester can’t go down as a real success unless he is able to land the trophy with the big ears.

With the group stage now well underway, then, October will be a key month in determining just how competitive the English giants will be in the tournament. A good few results at the start of their campaign could be enough to guarantee progression into the final stage, and so the importance of the games in October cannot be understated.

Wins, and wins only, will be good enough.

Liverpool Smashed

Liverpool were the one team that seemed to have Pep Guardiola’s number last season, and this term, they’ll likely be their biggest rivals for the Premier League title.

In October, then, when the two titans meet, anything could happen.

A loss could have a seriously negative impact on Man City, but a win could finally get rid of the curse that appears to be building on the Etihad outfit.

A win over Liverpool would put down a real marker for City, and it would move that they’re gunning for the title once again.

Foden Makes An Impact

Phil Foden is the jewel in the Man City academy, and with the good reason. The young Englishman is simply fantastic on the ball, and he’s the perfect player for the Citizens.

Displaying brilliant technical ability an skill, Foden is up there with Europe’s brightest young talents, and under the managership of Pep Guardiola, there is no telling how good he could become.

He bagged his first goal for the club in the Carabao Cup last week, and with the teenager now coming into his own in the City first team, perhaps he could make more of an impact in the coming weeks.

If Guardiola gives him a few chances and he impresses as he did last week, he could find himself in the team in no time.

Liverpool fans look ahead to Sunday after Champions League defeat

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Liverpool fans seem to have put Wednesday night’s 1-0 loss at Napoli behind them and they are confident their team can bounce back on Sunday when they face Manchester City in the Premier League.

Jurgen Klopp’s men suffered a rare defeat in their Champions League match with the Italian side after a Lorenzo Insigne goal in the final minute of normal time capped off a rather poor performance by the Reds.

The club’s fans however feel the team can turn things around when they host Pep Guardiola’s men at Anfield. Both teams have yet to lose a match in the Premier League this season and, if last year’s fixture is anything to go by, Sunday’s clash should be another cracking one.

Reds fans are hoping for a similar performance to the one on that day when Liverpool brought City’s unbeaten run in the league to an end with a 4-3 victory.

Here are some of the Twitter reactions by Liverpool fans following Wednesday’s match:

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