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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…

DeAndre Yedlin was a surprise name on the scoresheet for Newcastle on Saturday, and that has led to praise from Paul Robinson.

What did he say?

Newcastle’s wing-backs are becoming key to the way Steve Bruce has set-up, and Yedlin showed against Bournemouth that he could be of use in the opposition final third, even though he had only scored twice before for the club in 100 appearances.

Robinson wasn’t just impressed by his goal, though, and believes the pace he has makes him very effective down Newcastle’s right flank, and an option which could be used more.

Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “He came from nowhere [for the goal]. He gives Newcastle another attacking option when he is allowed to be one, when his reins are off.

“He showed great athletic ability with his goal, he has good defensive capabilities as well.

“His engine to get up and down that right-hand side is phenomenal.”

Jetro Willems has proved similar effective down Newcastle’s left, also scoring this season, and he could have added to that on Saturday with four shots in total.

If Bruce can continue to get both contributing in both boxes then Newcastle will have the ideal balance from their wide players, and Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron should benefit from more space and more chances too.

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More freedom

Bruce has begun his career at Newcastle in a rather conservative fashion, but given he lost the top two scorers from a team which managed just 42 league goals, that is somewhat understandable.

His set-up has proved effective and a return of 15 points from the games he has played is quite respectable, but with signs of improvement and confidence being shown, it may be time for him to grant the likes of Yedlin and Willems more freedom.

It could have multiple positive effects, allowing them to pose a danger in the box as well as a threat from out wide, meaning Saint-Maximin and Almiron can play closer to Joelinton – thus increasing his chances of scoring.

The Magpies boss may be concerned that giving them more license to roam forward will weaken the team defensively, but both wingbacks have shown sensibility in when to sit back and when to attack, as evidenced by the fact Yedlin and Willems made three and five tackles respectively on Saturday.

The international break allows time for Bruce to experiment with the slight changes and assess how they could advanatge his side, but with Yedlin currently proving to be of great use, as Robinson suggests, then he may be left to flourish as he is.

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…

So after looking like they had staged a mini revival, Manchester United were firmly brought back down to Earth with a bump after slipping to a 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.

The Red Devils came into the game full of confidence following a run of three successive away wins, and coming up against a side that had not scored in their previous three Premier League outings, this was surely seen as a quite comfortable three points.

Instead, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men showcased the kind of problems that have characterised their entire season – a lack of creativity and goals. The Manchester side could only register four shots on target in the entire game, and in truth, never looked like scoring.

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So when the attention turns towards Thursday night’s Europa League encounter against Partizan Belgrade, the United boss must simply throw caution to the wind and play the kind of attacking line-up that gives the team the best chance of scoring.

As has been the theme this season in the cup competitions, Sergio Romero will likely replace David de Gea in between the sticks for United. In front of him, Marcos Rojo could replace Victor Lindelof, but Solskjaer may be tempted to stick to a strong starting eleven. The Red Devils desperately need a feel-good performance and result, and a clash at home to Partizan is exactly the kind of game they should be ear-marking to do just that.

Whilst Aaron Wan-Bissaka has already earned rave reviews for his defensive prowess, he is not the most adventurous of full-backs – certainly not by modern standards. Against Bournemouth at the weekend, the former Crystal Palace man attempted no crosses whatsoever, whilst only two of his his attempted eight long balls found their mark. Teenage prospect Brandon Williams – who had United fans drooling over a mazy run in a game earlier this season – could be the man to provide some attacking thrust.

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

In midfield, James Garner could come in for Scott McTominay to help dictate the tempo, whilst Andreas Pereira’s woeful showing in the number ten role against the Cherries surely means he should be out of the team on Thursday. The Brazilian provided just one key pass, failed to complete any of his six crosses and lost possession 23 times. Solskjaer should therefore think about turning back to Juan Mata to provide some creativity – after all, the ex-Chelsea man has an impressive career average of two key passes per game.

And finally, whilst the Red Devils boss may want to give his forwards a rest, they could really do with another boost in confidence. As such, the likes of Marcus Rashford, Daniel James and Anthony Martial may be given the chance to start again – and it’s exactly the kind of attacking line-up Solskjaer needs to put out to quickly erase their painful Bournemouth memories.

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…

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could have a very important role for Liverpool this season, if the words of Pepijn Lijnders are to be believed.

What did he say?

The Reds’ midfielder has made a steady comeback from his ACL injury which he sustained in April 2018, but he has already shown glimpses of the form he was in shortly before his injury.

His importance for Klopp was growing with key goals against Manchester City in both the league and the Champions League, and he also managed eight assists – something the German is lacking from his current midfield three, with a combined total of two assists managed by Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been given a chance to start on occasion this term, but really impressed against Genk last week with two goals, the second of which was top drawer, and Lijnders acknowledged that the attacking aspect to his play offers the team something different.

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As reported by the Mirror, he said: “Ox of course is a very sad story, with the injury I mean.

“But everyone knows he was very important for us just before the injury – he is really important for us because he gives a completely different dynamic to create.

“We want to give him time and we know it will come if he keeps his aggression offensively and defensively. We saw already glimpses, we saw already really good phases and he said it himself already he wants to do it now (consistently) – that will be the next step.”

His comments suggest the 26-year-old will get his chance to impress at some point, and if he continues his goalscoring form then the likes of Wijnaldum and Henderson could find their place in the starting line-up under significant pressure.

Squad management

Some Liverpool fans are keen to see the former Arsenal man back playing regularly, but Klopp has managed his return very well, and the team is still benefiting from his part-time contribution.

The German has granted him opportunities without making the player exert himself too much, and as a result has mitigated the risk of his injury recurring.

That has allowed him to be fresh for the games he has been selected for, and since the Reds are competing on a number of fronts this term, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s importance cannot be underestimated.

Should he continue to impress in the EFL Cup and the Champions League then he will establish himself in Klopp’s plans, and that means he could prove crucial later in the season.

The Reds lacked depth in their midfield last year, relying on the aforementioned favoured three to start the majority of their games, whilst James Milner has seen his game time reduced since then.

Considering that and the fact that Lijnders is impressed with Oxlade-Chamberlain’s attacking attributes, it is likely he will be significant this term.

His attacking intent could allow him to make a difference from the bench, too. Against Man United his introduction coincided with an increase of the intensity, and it wasn’t surprising when they found the equaliser, with the midfielder almost grabbing the winner also.

Kevin De Bruyne, who has played a starring role in Manchester City’s side this season after coming back from an injury-ridden campaign, recently blasted the Euro 2020 format in a post-match interview after his native Belgium beat Cyprus 6-1. 

The Belgians qualified for Euro 2020 through finishing top of their qualifying group, beating the likes of Russia and Scotland to cement their place at the Championships next summer in a bid to take advantage of their golden generation and win a coveted international prize.

However, according to De Bruyne, the competition is already sucking the tension out of its group stage draw given the fact 12 cities throughout Europe will host games – with Wembley hosting the semi-final and final.

Judging by the format rules, Belgium already know who they are going to get – with Denmark and Russia looking like their Group B opponents due to the fact Ukraine and the Russians cannot play each other for geopolitical reasons.

Meanwhile, Belgium’s opponents will also have home advantage due to the fact they are both part of the 12 host nations.

De Bruyne, speaking to HLN Sport (via Daily Mail), labelled the competition a ‘disgrace’, stating:

“It’s a disgrace. For me this feels like competition distortion. Football has become more and more a business.”

As a result, City supporters had mixed reactions on social media, with a few confused about the format itself – and let’s face it, they aren’t the only ones:

City fans, do you agree with De Bruyne? Let us know in the comments below!

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s In The Pipeline series, which takes a look at some of the most promising young talent either linked with clubs or emerging from their academies…

New Liverpool signing Sepp van den Berg has settled into the club well and is showing signs of the promise he offers as a young centre-back.

The 17-year-old arrived on Merseyside this summer after the Reds agreed an initial fee of £1.3m with PEC Zwolle, having come through their academy.

Despite his youth, he featured 15 times in the Eredivisie last season, helping his side keep five clean sheets, but he hasn’t been as fortunate with the Reds yet, conceding 12 goals in four games.

Nevertheless, Liverpool U23s manager Neil Critchley is impressed with what he has seen, describing him as a calming influence on the team, and such a temperament could serve him well if he is to transition into the first-team – where composure under pressure is part of Jurgen Klopp’s style.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Critchley said:

“He has an assurance about his play and gives off an air of calmness at the back. What he has to do now, which is the same for a lot of the young players, is show real resilience and character.”

As well as that, he also possesses good stature standing at 6 foot 2, and if he can add to his physical game and improve on the 62% of duels he won last season then he could work his way into senior contention.

His inclusion in Liverpool’s Champions League squad should be a great learning experience for him. Training alongside the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip will be a big learning curve but he will be able to pick up tips to make him a better defender.

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Whilst he has a lot to improve on, mainly in terms of giving the ball away – with an average 5.4 losses per game in his own half last term – Klopp is already impressed by what he has seen, and told The Liverpool Echo that he is glad the Dutchman joined.

“With Sepp, he’s just an outstanding talent. He’s a wonderful boy and he decided to join us, which is good.

“It’s a not a long-term project where the boy has to think he has to wait five years to play for us, but it’s not for this moment.”

The German’s comments suggest the centre-back is not too far off becoming integrated into the first-team, and if he can build a solid partnership with compatriot Ki-Jana Hoever the pair could have a successful future at the club, with Hoever having already made his debut.

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It may not have ended in the result they would have wanted, but Sheffield United can take a lot of encouragement from their narrow 1-0 defeat to Champions League holders Liverpool.

Chris Wilder’s side were more than a match for the Reds, and looked on course for a famous point before Dean Henderson’s moment to forget cost them dearly.

Coming up against the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, the Blades’ back-line had to be at the top of their game. One man who stood out in particular however, was Enda Stevens.

The 29-year-old was immense at the back, winning four duels and making three clearances and interceptions – a performance that led to him getting a 7.2 match rating on Sofascore (the joint-second highest of any Sheffield United player).

After seeing the defender’s display, many Blades fans took to Twitter to hail the Republic of Ireland international.

A whole host of supporters praised Stevens’ work, and one in particular labelled him as an “absolute baller”.

Another fan even revealed he thinks the 29-year-old is the best left-back he has seen in all his time of supporting the club.

Check out some of the reaction of Sheffield United fans below:

Everton are currently sat in the Premier League’s relegation zone on just seven points from eight games, having scored just six times along the way under Marco Silva this season.

As a result of such a dreadful start, the ‘Silva out’ brigade continues to increase in numbers and those fans are making their voices heard all over Twitter. However, despite many fans wanting him gone, it seems that most are far from content with the potential return of David Moyes.

The Scot was in charge of the Toffees for 11 years and The Mirror reports the 56-year-old has set his sights on reuniting with the club, should Silva leave Merseyside.

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If the former boss were to return, it would understandably cause some upset amongst the fans as Moyes’ record isn’t exactly glamorous. Over the period of his rule, the former Manchester United man failed to win a trophy, getting to just one FA Cup final in 2009, and could not bring Champions League group stage football, despite reaching the qualifying rounds in 2005.

He did, however, average a respectable points per match of 1.53 in his 516 matches as Everton boss and winning 219 games in charge, as told by Transfermarkt.

Here’s what the fans have had to say about his potential return…

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…

West Brom are living the high life under Slaven Bilic in the Championship this season.

At one stage they were the division’s only unbeaten side, they are on track to surpass the goal-laden exploits of last season’s squad while individual accolades also carry through the team as seen with Matty Phillips, who is on for a career-best year, and Sam Johnstone, who earlier this week had made the most saves of anyone in the top two divisions.

Their impressive start to the season does come at a cost, though.

Naturally, this level of performance will attract the interest of teams in a better position; after all, it is only England’s second tier.

Albion’s Nathan Ferguson has been one of the standouts amongst the squad after the Croatian promoted him to the first-team during the off-season.

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The 19-year-old primarily played as a centre-back for the U23 squad but made his senior debut at right-back, and he performed so well in front of the Sky Sports cameras that he picked up the Man of the Match award.

Since then, he has displayed his versatile ability even more by filling in on the left side of the defence in Kieran Gibbs’ absence, a position where he picked up his maiden goal in the Baggies’ 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers.

Ferguson has done so well in the role that he’s still kept the former Arsenal man out of the starting line up.

Although, all of this has attracted the interest from the Premier League and even on Europe’s elite stage.

At first, it was only Crystal Palace looking to fill their Aaron Wan-Bissaka shaped void at right-back, but now Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus, and Atletico Madrid have been mooted with moves for the starlet.

West Brom are certainly trying to learn from previous mistakes, namely letting Louie Barry and Morgan Rogers depart in the summer, as they have reportedly offered Ferguson a new five-year deal.

But most crucially, what they must ensure is that a situation like the one with Saido Berahino doesn’t take over.

That will come down on whether the player truly wants to move to any of the aforementioned clubs, and of course, if the links hold any truth.

Across a two-season time period, Albion rejected bids for Berahino from Tottenham, Newcastle, and Crystal Palace, and to say that caused his downfall would be a major understatement as he’s now plying his trade in Belgium for Zulte Waregem.

Speaking about his wellbeing at the time, the 26-year-old (yes, he’s only 26) said via Birmingham Live:

Now it is quite extreme to suggest that Ferguson would follow down the same pathway as Berahino, but it only puts an emphasis on the power a club can hold on one’s career.

Sporting and technical director Luke Dowling and his manager must ensure that a similar situation does not occur.

If the 19-year-old wants to test his ability at the highest level, then don’t hold him back, if he wants to repay Bilic’s faith, then that’s even better. Signing a new deal would only emphasise that his mind is in the right place.

Either way, they have options in wait if he does make a switch in January – though keeping him would undoubtedly aid their promotion hopes substantially.

Let’s hope he stays and helps guide the side towards the promised land, that way he’ll be mixing loyalty alongside his dreams.

[ad_pod ]Michail Antonio was forced to watch his team take on Aston Villa from the sidelines on Monday night, as his recovery from injury continues.In the end, the London club laboured to a 0-0 draw with the Villans after being reduced to ten men – Arthur Masuaku was sent off in the second half.While the game may not have been the most entertaining of fixtures, the injured star was seemingly happy with what he saw from his side.

Despite the fact that Aston Villa are 17th in the Premier League, Antonio called it a great point and sent well wishes to his teammates for their performance.

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This result leaves the Hammers eighth in the table, and barring their opening day defeat at the hands of Manchester City they’ve had quite a good start to this new campaign.

It’s great to see Antonio still wanting the best for his team while he’s out injured, as it shows the commitment and desire he has to get West Ham as high up the table as possible this term.

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Lots of Leeds fans have taken to Twitter to react after The Athletic’s Phil Hay confirmed that Kalvin Phillips has agreed a new five-year contract at Elland Road.

The 23-year-old will reportedly earn a weekly wage of £20k-a-week with his new terms, making him one of the highest earners in Marcelo Bielsa’s squad.

Leeds rebuffed all advances for their star midfielder this summer, including an approach from Aston Villa – the Villans made a verbal offer of £15m, which fell short of the club’s £20m valuation.

The academy graduate had a contract until 2021 but his wage failed to reflect his status in the squad – Phillips earned a place in the EFL Championship Team of the Year for his efforts last term.

Is the Emirates home to the worst limbs in football? Decide for yourself by watching the video below…

One fan below said that Hay’s update cheered her right up, whilst another said that Phillips could go on to be a club legend if he keeps ‘behaving like this’.

Let’s take a look at some more of the Twitter reaction…

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