Charlton fans react as Jonny Williams faces two months on the sidelines

Some Charlton fans have taken to Twitter to react after they heard that Jonny Williams will miss at least two months of action, after undergoing an operation on his knee.

The 19-cap Wales international was withdrawn midway through the first half of Saturday’s 3-0 win over Derby after hurting his knee, and Lee Bowyer revealed that the attacking midfielder has been operated on.

It comes as a disappointing blow for the south Londoners and Williams himself, who is having a fine season at The Valley having registered five assists in nine Championship starts so far this term.

Bowyer is really struggling to keep his players fit right now. Following Williams’ withdrawal against the Rams, Sam Field left the field on a stretcher during Wednesday’s loss to Bristol City, while Jake Forster-Caskey also limped off the pitch with what seems to be a hamstring issue.

It is certainly a testing time for what was already a thin squad.

Let’s take a look at how the Charlton fans on Twitter reacted to the news…

Man United need to stick with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claims pop idol Rick Astley

Rick Astley, yes, Rick Astley, believes Manchester United should hold onto Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and give him time.It’s a known fact by now that United made their worst start to a season in 30 years under Solskjaer.Their summer signings have done little to help to sleep-inducing football he seems to command, with his preference to play quick counterattacking football unwavering in the face of an average of 0.75 goals per game since the last time his tactics really worked successfully – Chelsea on the opening day of the season.However, with the Old Trafford faithful being the loyal souls that they are, especially to a club hero like Solskjaer, the Norwegian has been afforded the time to try and turn things around as the Blues, Manchester City and Liverpool all race ahead.But why?Astley has had his say on talkSPORT and believes the club have tried and failed going down the alternative route of big-name managers like Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal. He’s far more fond of the ‘one of our own’ approach, even if it is leading to some short-term heartache.Check out what Astley said below…

West Ham vs Newcastle predicted XI: Angelo Ogbonna and Ryan Fredericks to return

West Ham will look to end a run of five games without a win when they welcome Newcastle to the London Stadium on Saturday, and it is likely Manuel Pellegrini will look to improve on last week’s 1-1 draw rather than trying to reinvent the wheel.

That means his formation is unlikely to change and he will stick with the players who have served him well so far, so Robert Snodgrass should retain his place in the team after scoring last week.

The Hammers struggled to break down Sheffield United for large periods on Saturday – achieving only four shots on target – but they did have chances to win the match and should take confidence from that.

Find out why it’s not the football that has Newcastle fans dreading Saturday’s trip to the London Stadium in the video below…

While scoring has been somewhat of a problem for them with just 12 goals in 10 league games, they shouldn’t have to worry about the visitors’ attack – the Magpies have scored only six goals in the Premier League.

Regardless, Pellergini could still make changes to his backline by bringing in more regular names after adding Pablo Zabaleta, Fabian Balbuena and Aaron Cresswell to the occasion last time out, with Ryan Fredericks particularly important.

Here’s how West Ham will likely line-up against Steve Bruce’s side.

A settled back four is important for Roberto, but we are anticipating changes from last time out, with Angelo Ogbonna and Fredericks returning to the fold. In Fredericks and Aaron Cresswell, the Hammers have two full-backs who should be able to deal with the opposition’s threat, having averaged 2.8 and 1.8 tackles per game respectively this term.

Fredericks’ pace means he is better suited to dealing with Allan Saint-Maximin than Pablo Zabaleta, too, and if West Ham can keep him quiet then it boosts their chances of winning.

Speaking of the flanks, we are predicting Andriy Yarmolenko and Felipe Anderson will keep their places. The latter is out of form having failed to score or assist in October but remains West Ham’s best option from the left, while Yarmolenko provided the assist last time out.

Breaking down the opposition will ultimately rely on the front four. Snodgrass twice got into good goalscoring positions last week, finishing one of them, and showed more determination in that area than Lanzini has this season, having averaged just 1.2 shots per game so far.

As a result, the Scot is likely to be trusted once again, and if he can support Sebastien Haller and supply him with crosses, then Pellegrini’s side should take all three points.

Liverpool fans react to Michael Owen observation about Mo Salah

Some Liverpool fans have been reacting on social media after Michael Owen slated Mohamed Salah for becoming obsessed with being the goalscorer in Jurgen Klopp’s team.

Owen was speaking while serving as a pundit for BT Sport’s coverage of Liverpool’s Champions League Group Stage win over KRC Genk on Tuesday night, after the Egyptian laid on the assist for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s match-winning strike.

It was Salah’s second assist in the UEFA competition this season, after creating his side’s third against Genk in October, to add to his three penned in the Premier League after ten appearances.

No player for either side attempted more shots than Salah on Tuesday night, though, with the 67-cap star trying his luck on six occasions and only seeing one of those force Gaetan Coucke into action, per WhoScored data.

Watch the moment Adam Lallana broke United hearts at Old Trafford in the video below…

Salah’s desire to see his name written in the goalscorer’s list for the ninth time this season across all competitions has seen Owen suggest he has become obsessed with scoring, having previously been contempt with being the creative force instead.

“The way I read his game is that you can tell that it has changed over the years,” Owen told BT Sport, via the Liverpool Echo. “Five years ago watching him play, he would be beating players out wide and be laying balls on.

“He got the assist [for Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal], but he is now a really hungry player for goals. It’s almost in the state where he is obsessed by goals. That has definitely developed over the years. He never used to be obsessed with goals.

“Now he has got a taste of it, [after he] won Golden Boots and been the main man. It’s almost like he feels a huge pressure to score all the time. That’s how I read it when I watch him play. I never, ever think he is going to pass when he goes in front of goal.”

Salah has averaged a shot in the Champions League every 22.5 minutes and every 23.2 minutes in the Premier League this season, compared to playing a key ball every 60 minutes in Europe and 50.5 minutes in the English top-flight.

The £135million-rated forward also left teammate Sadio Mane irate earlier in the season, when he didn’t play a simple pass to the Senegal winger to score against Burnley.

Mane has also revealed there have been disagreements between the pair, who shared the Premier League Golden Boot award with Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang last season after each hit 22 goals.

Here are some of the reactions shared to Owen’s claim that Salah has become obsessed with scoring…

Sheffield Wednesday are still feeling the affects of Carlos Carvalhal

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Sheffield Wednesday head into this month’s international break on a downer, even though they still remain on the cusp of a playoff position.

Garry Monk’s men sit eighth just three points behind Bristol City in fifth, but over their last two matches, the Owls have seen a potential victory snatched from their grasp.

First, it was against Blackburn Rovers, where Wednesday bagged a late goal to take the lead, but it wasn’t enough to stop the home side mounting a comeback in the game’s dying stages.

And then at the weekend, left-back Morgan Fox’s 91st-minute strike looked to be enough to secure all three points before Ben Wilmot scrambled in a corner just moments later for Swansea City.

Game management is quickly becoming a significant issue for Monk.

But it’s not entirely a problem caused by the 40-year-old as it has been something that has sat deep-rooted amongst the playing squad for a while now.

The core group of this side was either built or introduced by former manager Carlos Carvalhal.

You’ve got Keiren Westwood in goal, Liam Palmer, Tom Lees, Kieran Lee, Sam Hutchinson, Barry Bannan, Adam Reach, Fernando Forestieri, Steven Fletcher and Atdhe Nuhiu all still here.

In this day and age, it’s quite rare to see a squad last so long together, not that it is a bad thing, but it is clear to see that previous traits are still prone to creeping in.

All of the players above barring Lees, who has missed games through injury, and Forestieri, who has missed matches through suspension, have played a considerable part in this campaign.

Watch Sheffield Wednesday Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

The others have made 12 or more appearances in the league and have been here for a good three to four years, if not more.

Maybe the effect of losing in the playoffs back-to-back is still having some sort of mental impact as the club have now been through three managers since then, yet the same mistakes are continuing to happen.

It might be time to break up that core so that a fresh mindset can sweep amongst the squad, starting in January.

Everton’s Cenk Tosun has ‘clearly worked very, very hard’, says Danny Mills

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Everton’s forgotten man Cenk Tosun has earned the plaudits from former England international Danny Mills with his efforts in recent times. The striker has forced his way back into Marco Silva’s plans lately and Mills has put down to his incredible work ethic.

What did he say?

Tosun has struggled since he left Besiktas for Merseyside for £27m, scoring just 10 goals in 48 appearances with the Toffees. Plus, his late equaliser against Tottenham Hotspur a few weeks back was his first goal since May.

However, Tosun has seemingly worked exceptionally hard to fight back for his spot in the side just months after speculation emerged linking him with a move away from the club. The reports over the summer stated that a return to Besiktas was on the cards, whilst strong interest from Qatar has also been documented.

Mills told Football Insider: “He was out the door, wasn’t he? He was about to leave but it goes to show it can happen, players come back in, they’re part of your squad and you have to use them.”

“He’s clearly worked very, very hard in training, he’s deserved his start, he got his goal (v Spurs), he’s put the effort in, that is decent management.

“All credit to the player who hasn’t sulked, who hasn’t gone and sat on his laurels and thought: ‘You know what? They didn’t want me, I’ll just take my money and sit in the reserves. No, I’ll do the best I possibly can and see where that takes me.'”

Time to ignite the old flame

Prior to his move to Goodison Park, Tosun was in great form back in his homeland.

The striker bagged 20 goals in the Super Lig season of 2016/17 and then scored eight league goals in 16 the season after. Now, with Everton still struggling, it’s time for Silva to ignite this old flame.

Also, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, despite scoring five goals so far, has largely struggled in Everton colours. The Englishman has just 22 goals in 106 appearances and has not been able to consistently hit the back of the net.

Now, it’s time for Tosun to get back to his old ways and really kick on for Everton.

QPR’s playing personnel must improve in quality to meet Mark Warburton’s demands

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Mark Warburton arrived at QPR with a clear philosophy in mind and wasted little time implementing the style of football that he wanted to be played.

It has led to an improvement in results and the performances of certain players, and his team rank fifth in the league for average possession, with 54%.

His entertaining brand of football has been recognised by Eberechi Eze, too, who suggested it was the biggest difference between Warburton and Steve McClaren, as well as revealing his joy at playing in such a way.

In the main performances and results have improved since the last campaign, so far, but it has come at a cost to the defence, and last time out it was the passing style which ended up with Nahki Wells gifting Middlesbrough an equaliser.

Watch Queens Park Rangers Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

Despite the mistakes, Warburton is adamant that his style is the way to go, but his confidence is a little misplaced when one considers the quality of the players at his disposal.

Eze’s pass accuracy of 87% makes him the only player worthy of praise in that area, with the vast majority of players achieving a success rate of 80% or below.

That is concerning for a team which bases their game on passing, so it is little surprise that individual mistakes have cost goals recently, and therefore Warburton ought to consider mixing things up a little – at least until players with more quality are brought in.

The weakness in the side is particularly prevalent in defence, with wing-backs Ryan Manning and Todd Kane manging 71% and 66% pass accuracy respectively, with the two goalkeepers achieving a similar level also.

QPR could benefit from more direct play out of the back, while still maintaining a passing style in safer areas of the pitch, though if Warburton is correct that mistakes lead to improvement, his team could put the lapses in concentration behind them.

Wolves fans hail Matt Doherty for showing against Bournemouth

A number of Wolverhampton Wanderers fans have taken to social media to praise Matt Doherty for his performance in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Bournemouth.

The defender has only missed one Premier League match for Wolves this season and played the full 90 at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Joao Moutinho and Raul Jimenez scored the goals for the visitors, who have now won their last three matches in all competitions.

Watch Wolverhampton Wanderers Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

However, the statistics show that Doherty also played an important role.

Indeed, according to WhoScored, the 27-year-old completed 42 of his 49 passes, whilst he also won three aerial duels and made one tackle against the Cherries.

Doherty took to social media on Sunday morning to comment on the result.

[ad_pod ]

And that led to a number of the Wolves supporters praising the Republic of Ireland international for another impressive outing in England’s top flight.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Spurs fans react to Lucas Moura’s position claim

[ad_pod ]

Tottenham Hotspur fans have reacted to Lucas Moura’s claim that he is being played in his proper position under new boss Jose Mourinho.

Per The Times, the Brazil international has suggested that former manager Mauricio Pochettino, who was sacked last week, wasted his talents by deploying him in the role of a central striker and that he is much happier playing out wide.

He said: “Every player wants to play, it doesn’t matter the position — but everyone knows I am not a No 9.

“It is not my best position. Now, I feel very good in this position [out wide]. I always played in this position, I am happy.”

Thus far under Mourinho, having been deployed on the right flank, Lucas has scored against West Ham United in a pulsating 3-2 London derby victory and also provided an assist for Harry Kane to score in the 4-2 win over Olympiacos in the Champions League.

And fans believe that the Portuguese’s tactical tweak is paying dividends already, with Mourinho’s reign well underway.

Spurs face Bournemouth this weekend before an away trip to play the manager’s former club Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Take a look at the best of the reaction on Twitter below!

Meanwhile, Spurs fans have been reacting to the news of a contract extension for a summer target.

Newcastle United: Fans remember David Ginola volley against Ferencvaros

Plenty of Newcastle United fans have been remembering David Ginola’s ‘unbelievable’ volley against Hungarian side Ferencvaros in Europe back in 1996 after a poll emerged about the club’s greatest goals from each of the last three decades.

The Athletic journalists Chris Waugh and George Caulkin picked their best strike from the 1990’s, 2000’s and 2010’s and asked members of the Toon Army to vote for their favourite.

Papiss Cisse’s banana shot away at Chelsea in the Premier League was the nominee for the latest decade and won 31% of the vote, whilst Alan Shearer’s volley against Everton in the top flight in the 00’s got 32%. The winner with 35% was Philippe Albert’s chip against Peter Schmeichel in the 90’s.

2% was dedicated to other nominations, and many supporters thought Ginola’s goal should have been mentioned. The Frenchman controlled the ball before unleashing some superb skill to take it away from the defender and then firing into the top corner. Magpies can replay the strike over and over again here.

These supporters remembered the finish well, with one fan branding it ‘unbelievable’:

Missing football!? There’s still plenty of Villa discussion going on in the Vital Villa Forum! Click here to get involved!

Game
Register
Service
Bonus