All posts by h79snht.top

During his Anfield days, Martin Skrtel was something of a cult hero. The Slovakian defender spent eight and a half seasons on Merseyside and scored plenty of goals, at both ends, during his time at the club. The 33-year-old will be remembered for his aggressive style and his ability to score big goals when needed.

Skrtel’s obviously no mug. To rack up over 100 caps for your country is always an impressive feat and that’s exactly what the Slovakian did, pulling on the shirt 102 times in the career that saw him play for AS Trencin, Zenit, Liverpool and now Fenerbahce. It looks like his career is starting to wind down, as he’s currently 33-years-old and plies his trade in the Turkish Super Lig, as he has since leaving Anfield in summer 2016.

When the Slovakian defender retires, a lot of Liverpool fans wouldn’t be against seeing him return to the club in some capacity, although Skrtel doesn’t exactly strike you like the coaching type. In his days as a Kopite, Skrtel found himself racking up an incredible 320 appearances, scoring 18 goals and winning the League Cup, the last trophy that The Reds actually won. With a bit of luck, the wait for another trophy won’t be too long and it could come after Skrtel returns to the club where he’s most remembered for playing.

You can read The Reds’ memories of Skrtel here:

The Kopites love Skrtel and will be hoping he comes back to Anfield one day.

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Marko Arnautovic has become a key player at West Ham United, but there are uncertainties over his long-term future at the club.

The attacker’s knee injury appears to be an ongoing problem, and now there have been murmurs in the press that he could be looking to move to a new club.

Arnautovic’s brother and agent Daniel recently spoke to gianlucadimarzio.com, telling the website that his client is ready to take the next step forward in his career.

If playing at a higher level is what the striker desires, then West Ham could find themselves in a situation where they need to recruit a new attacker.

According to a recent report in the Daily Mail, the East London outfit are one of a handful of clubs keeping a close eye on Nantes striker Emiliano Sala.

The 28-year-old has been in fine form, scoring 13 goals in 14 appearances in all competitions.

The Playmaker FC squad decided to wind-up some unsuspecting Brazil fans at the Emirates on Saturday night. Watch the hilarious results in the video below…

Do you think Sala would be an adequate replacement for Arnautovic if the Austrian moved on?

Let us know by voting below.

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Glenn Murray took his tally of Premier League goals for the season to seven with his strike in Brighton’s 1-1 draw with Leicester City on Saturday afternoon. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, have scored just eight league goals as a team all season.

Murray last represented the Eagles in 2015, before then-manager at Selhurst Park, Alan Pardew, sold the striker to Bournemouth. Since then, the 35-year-old forward has racked up a century of goals for his current club, Brighton.

Playmaker FC’s Matchday with Max caught up with Jamaica’s women’s team. See what happened when he met the history makers in the video below…

Now under Roy Hodgson, Palace are desperate for a goalscorer to arrive at Selhurst Park to kick their campaign into life. Their top scorer so far this season is their talismanic winger, Wilfried Zaha, but they are far too reliant upon the 26-year-old to supply end product.

Palace fans are crying out for a striker. Many wish Murray had never been allowed to leave the club. Plenty of supporters have recently taken to Twitter, in light of Murray’s recent goalscoring exploits, to berate Pardew for his poor decision and to wish the forward was back amongst their ranks…

Newcastle United supporters have been starved of hope and expectation for longer than most would care to remember but a conclusion to the nightmarish Mike Ashley chapter appears to be looming on the imminent horizon.

A report from Sky Sports this morning has revealed that as many as four separate consortiums have tabled bids surpassing £300 million to complete a takeover at Newcastle.

It’s the type of report which has only existed in a fantasy world for the Magpies faithful in recent years, but it now appears that there is sufficient interest to suggest it’s a case of when and not if Ashley will sign on the dotted line and give the fans their club back.

With less than a month until the January window reopens for business, supporters may well be hoping that a deal will be concluded in time to utilise their newfound financial investment this season, but BBC journalist, Richard Conway, has suggested that the consortium headed by Peter Kenyon could face complications ahead of the January window.

‘Kenyon’s group are short on time if the purchase is to be made prior to the start of the January transfer window.

‘Premier League checks and processes when clubs change hands take around 14 days to complete.

‘The Christmas break and Richard Scudamore’s departure as executive chairman of the league later this month could also be complicating factors regarding that timeframe.

‘Those regulatory checks can only take place after extensive due diligence of the club’s financial position, and any final negotiations and legal work has concluded between the two sides.

‘That makes a December purchase date optimistic – even if a deal was to be agreed in the coming days.’

Well, if Scudamore hadn’t caused enough controversy already over his ludicrous parting gift then his reputation will certainly culminate amongst the Newcastle supporters if his departure significantly delays the completion of a takeover.

Evidently, Scudamore’s departure aside, there remain a handful of complications which are all threatening to delay the completion of a stunning takeover, and that will leave Newcastle supporters feeling impatient and anxious in the coming weeks.

Naturally, the fans would love the new owners to announce themselves to the Premier League with a January splurge and a lucrative new deal for Benitez, but they may have to wait until the 2019 summer transfer window to see either of those dreams turn into reality.

Either way it’s an exciting time for Newcastle fans and the Premier League; could the sleeping giant finally be set to wake up from an extended snooze?

Newcastle fans – thoughts? Let us know below!

[ad_pod ]Rafa Benitez was in attendance – along with 185 fans – for Florian Lejeune’s shock return to action in black and white as the Frenchman played 45 minutes with the Under 23’s versus Norwich on a cold Monday night.

What’s the word?

Having got his first half of football this season under his belt, the 27-year-old took to Twitter to express his own relief at being back on the pitch…

The former Eibar man suffered a cruciate ligament injury during training in July and it was presumed that he wouldn’t kick a ball again this year – prompting the signing of Federico Fernandez from Swansea – however his remarkable recovery should come as a huge boost for the Magpies and Benitez will be hoping he can return to full fitness as soon as possible.

Is Lascelles’ time up?

The inspired form of Fabian Schar, Federico Fernandez and Ciaran Clark at the heart of the Toon defence has meant that former captain Jamaal Lascelles has dropped to the bench – the return of Lejeune could mean that the England international’s career at St James Park may well be over.

Benitez now has five quality, senior centre-backs at his disposal – far too many to rotate between as the likes of Fulham show that constant chopping and changing is detrimental to success – and the Spaniard seems to have made his mind up as to who his best options are

Therefore, with financial backing from Mike Ashley never guaranteed, a wise move would be to sell the most valuable of the five: Lascelles.

There would undoubtedly be no shortage of suitors for the former Nottingham Forest man and cashing in on the 25-year-old could be huge in Benitez’s quest to find a new number 10 – Miguel Almiron has been linked with the Magpies and such a signing would surely command a pretty sizeable fee.

What do you think, Newcastle fans? Should the club cash in on the out-of-favour Lascelles as Lejeune’s return nears? Let us know by voting in the poll below…

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”338209″ player=”12034″ title=”Rafa’s Pub Facts Aubameyang Emulates West Ham Flop”]

[ad_pod ]Southampton midfielder Jake Hesketh scored the winning goal for Burton Albion in their 1-0 Carabao Cup quarter-final win against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday night, and Saints fans were quick to react.The 22-year-old joined the League One outfit on a loan deal until the beginning of January during the summer transfer window and has made a positive impression, scoring three goals and providing one assist in 20 appearances to date.The latest of those saw him produce a brilliant swivel and low finish from the edge of the penalty area to take the Brewers to the last four of the Carabao Cup, and he will be keen to impress his parent club’s new manager Ralph Hasenhuttl with the Austrian already showing his faith in other young players like Jan Bednarek, Yan Valery and Tyreke Johnson since taking the helm.Southampton supporters took to social media to have their say on Hesketh’s latest display, and while one said “bring him home”, another labelled him “the next Lallana”.Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Check out the video below for Emma Conybeare’s rundown of which clubs need what in the January transfer window…

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Defender Joe Worrall came under fire from some Rangers fans this week after he posted a message of support for his parent club, Nottingham Forest, on Twitter. 

He sent the message ahead of the Reds’ Championship clash with Frank Lampard’s Derby County.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below...

The 21-year-old is currently at Ibrox Stadium on loan, and has featured regularly for Steven Gerrard’s title-chasing Gers. However, on occasion, his inexperience at the back has been evident.

The 6’4” ace provides good depth to Rangers’ squad though and certainly has the potential to become a fine defender. However, certain Rangers fans are concerned about his inconsistency and have questioned his commitment to their cause following his aforementioned tweet.

These Gers supporters would happily see the England under-21 international return to the City Ground if that’s where his heart still lies. After he posted his tweet, many responded in frustration with Worrall’s focus upon his hometown club…

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Loads of Newcastle fans have been reacting to their 0-0 draw against Fulham, and they’re absolutely fuming at the performance of Christian Atsu.

Newcastle fans are understandably unhappy with a point from Saturday’s clash, even though it keeps the Magpies well clear of the relegation zone.

Fulham held the worst defensive record in the league when they arrived at St. James’ Park, but if truth be told they were far the better side and Newcastle never looked like scoring.

Rafael Benitez has often been criticised for his negative approach to certain games, and this was a huge opportunity missed to get the fans on side with a rip-roaring performance.

The right side of the team was particularly poor, as both Atsu and Javier Manquillo showed exactly why they were making just their fifth and sixth starts of the season respectively.

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

Atsu has improved in recent weeks, but the diminutive winger failed to make any attacking impact whatsoever, completing no key passes, no dribbles and no crosses.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, look away now Christian…

According to The Daily Star, Scottish giants Rangers are favourites to sign out of favour veteran Jermain Defoe from Premier League outfit Bournemouth. 

The 36-year-old has struggled for game time this season behind the in-form Callum Wilson and Joshua King, and would be willing to take a pay cut for regular playing time during the twilight days of his career. This could see him link up with Steven Gerrard, with whom he played alongside for England.

From Rangers’ perspective, this is a brilliant short-term signing for the club, who are nipping at the heels of bitter rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership. If The Gers want to mount a legitimate title bid this season, they may need someone with the goalscoring prowess of Defoe. Outside of Alfredo Morelos, Rangers do not pose a great goalscoring threat. Defoe would not only share the burden of goalscoring with Morelos, but could improve the ‘El Buffalo’.

Despite scoring 20 goals in all competitions this season, the Colombian Morelos still comes under scrutiny for his finishing. He is renowned to spurn a lot of chances, and that worries some fans. On the other hand, Defoe is one of the most natural goal scorers in Premier League history, with 162 goals in the division.

However, Defoe would clearly be a short-term option for Rangers, and only really for this season. If they want greater longevity and future success, they need to look for younger players- the choice is theirs- but there is little doubt that he would be a success at Ibrox.

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Tottenham are in the running to sign Donny van de Beek from Ajax, according to L’Equipe.

The midfielder is set to become one of a number of young stars to leave the Dutch giants in the coming months, including defender Matthijs De Ligt and Frenkie De Jong.

What’s the word?

Van de Beek is under contract with Ajax until 2022, and has a number of potential suitors.

PSG Sporting Director Antero Henrique has reportedly identified Van de Beek as a potential acquisition, while Manchester United and AS Roma are also interested.

Spurs are said to be monitoring Van de Beek’s situation, with the Dutch giants ready to discuss a deal at €20m (£18.04m).

CheekySport’s Joel claims Spurs badly need to invest in January after not having “the balls” to beat Arsenal. Check out his uncensored opinion in the video below…

The 21-year-old has been ever-present for Ajax thus far this season, making 31 appearances in all competitions and also contributing seven goals and six assists.

Van de Beek can play as a central midfielder and an attacking midfielder, and has regularly featured alongside De Jong and Lasse Schone in midfield this season.

With Van de Beek seemingly wanted by a clutch of European clubs, it remains to be seen whether De Ligt and De Jong will also be allowed to leave, amid reported interest from the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City.

Ajax’s talent factory

Ajax have unearthed yet another gem in the Van de Beek.

A metronomic midfielder with an eye for goal, the youngster has already made over 110 appearances for the Dutch giants, and has also won five caps for the Netherlands.

Along with De Ligt and De Jong, the midfielder is a part of yet another Ajax golden generation.

It is surprising that the Dutch giants would be prepared to discuss a deal at such a low price, and it is an opportunity that no club should pass up.

Spurs offer a fantastic opportunity for Van de Beek, where he could blossom under the tutelage of Mauricio Pochettino, while it is of little surprise that PSG would want to scoop up one of the finest young midfielders in European football.

Away from those two, United offer the prestige, while Roma have a talented crop of youngsters that Van de Beek could link up with.

His future is in his own hands, but Ajax are guaranteed to end next summer with a fair few million in the bank.