Category: Football League

The latest football league news and analysis, covering the Championship, League 1, League 2

Championship season review – Brentford, Brighton & HA, Bristol City, Burton

Stephen Donovan

Brentford: 10th Although there were never any seriously realistic hopes of reaching the play-offs, or any concern about possibly being drawn into a relegation scrap, it was far from a dull season from Brentford. The reflection of stability, a young side full of technically gifted individuals proved as entertaining as they were inconsistent, in the process doing enough to suggest that promising times lie ahead. One thing that was fairly constant throughout was their strong home form, only dropping two points from their first five outings at Griffin Park in a…

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Championship season review: Aston Villa, Barnsley, Birmingham, Blackburn

Stephen Donovan

Aston Villa: 13th After sinking from the Premier League without trace in 2015-16, a summer of transition inevitably ensued at Aston Villa as this illustrious club aimed to lift itself off the floor. Taken over by the Chinese businessman Tony Xia, former Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo was appointed the new manager and although a surprisingly high number of the existing squad remained, hefty sums of money were spent on strikers Ross McCormack and Jonathan Kodjia. Expectations were high, but there was clearly a weak mentality within the squad which showed…

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League Two season review

Stephen Donovan

This was a season that, above all, demonstrated powers of recovery. Three clubs that have undergone some extremely testing times in the recent past emerged from the gloom and disappointment to gain automatic promotion to League One as reward for showing by far the greatest degree of consistency in a highly competitive fourth tier. As recently as 2010, Portsmouth were in the Premier League and participating in the FA Cup final, but a series of financial woes and frequent changes of ownership led to the club suffering a demoralising three…

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League One season review

Stephen Donovan

After five years of seeing pre-season optimism fade away into increasing depths of mediocrity, supporters of Sheffield United awaited 2016-17 with bated breath as their side again approached a campaign as favourites for promotion under another highly regarded new manager. This time it was self-confessed Blades fan Chris Wilder who took over the reins following the bitterly disappointing tenure of Nigel Adkins. Fresh from leading Northampton Town to a storming League Two title success, Wilder soon introduced a 3-4-3 formation, which would eventually turn out to be the most effective…

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Keane not keen on UAE

Vyom Chaudhary

Earlier today, former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane was pictured taking part in a training session with UAE club Al-Ahli. The images first appeared on the Twitter account of the UAE side. The speculation was rife that the former Republic of Ireland skipper has chosen his next destination following his five-year stint with MLS side LA Galaxy. النجم الايرلندي روبي كين يشارك في تدريبات الفرسان صباح اليوم pic.twitter.com/0S9P4z2yxM — نادي شباب الأهلي (@Shabab_AlAhliFC) February 6, 2017 However, according to the Irish Times, Keane is not expected to join the Dubai’s side.…

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Deadline Day Confirmed Deals- Ranocchia joins Hull City, Pato moves to China and more

Sanket Kumar

With only few hours left in the January Transfer Window, let us take a look at the confirmed deals from the deadline day. Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia joins Hull City on loan Inter Milan defender Andrea Ranocchia joins @HullCity on loan until the end of the season: https://t.co/dPhyWQE6yr pic.twitter.com/PjMp4hnfPt — Premier League (@premierleague) January 31, 2017 On the face of it, Ranocchia (28) looks like a bit of a coup by the Tigers. Ranocchia replaced Zanetti as Inter captain and was a key figure at Inter before Mancini’s arrival in…

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Chelsea forward seals move, Costa returns and more

Ricci Rox

  Middlesbrough have completed the signing of striker Patrick Bamford in a £5.5m deal from Chelsea. The 23-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half year deal with the Boro. He previously had a very successful loan spell with the Boro during the 2014-15 season. However, that spell was followed by disastrous loan spells at Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Burnley. He had recently cut short his loan spell with the Clarets and returned to Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile, unsettled Chelsea striker Diego Costa has joined training with the first team for the first time…

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Plymouth player charged with rape, set to be dropped for Liverpool’s visit

Sanket Kumar

David Goodwillie, who was an unused substitute when the Pilgrims took away an FA Cup 3rd round replay from Anfield earlier in January, is set to be dropped following a civil court ruling that found him and his former Dundee teammate David Roberton guilty of raping a woman.   Goodwillie, 27 is a former Scotland International who joined Plymouth last year. David Goodwillie and David Roberton have been ordered to pay £100,000 compensation to the mother of one, Denise Clair. The Plymouth forward was accused of serious sexual assault way back in 2011,…

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Top ten clubs with highest net debt, Manchester United still on top?

Sanket Kumar

The European Club Football Landscape report reveals that English giants Manchester United have accrued a debt of £464million courtesy the Glazers’ take over of the club in 2005. It has also been reported that the debt value went up by 25% over the past one year taking their sum of debt to €200million more than any other club in Europe. This has also been the source of widespread anger among the Red Devils fanbase, who have often expressed their outburst publicly over the years. United might lead the pack when it comes…

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Manchester United suffer double injury blow, striker to miss rest of the season

Vyom Chaudhary

Manchester United have suffered a double injury blow within a space of a week. The first casualty of the week was young striker Jamie Wilson, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament while on loan at Derby County. The 20-year-old suffered the injury during training on Monday and subsequently returned to United to receive treatment. Wilson is set to undergo surgery and has been ruled for the rest of the season. ‘It’s a great disappointment for him and for the club as well,’ said United reserves coach Warren Joyce. ‘He’s got…

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Snodgrass continues to shine as Rhodes remains on the side lines

Stuart Campbell

From Middlesbrough’s team in each of their five English Premier League games this season, there has been one notable absentee, Jordan Rhodes. The 25-year-old striker played an important role for Middlesbrough as they were promoted from the Championship last season, whereby after joining the club from Blackburn Rovers in January he scored six goals in 18 appearances. Despite that, so far this campaign Rhodes has yet to make a competitive appearance in any competition, since as well as being unused in the Premier League, he remained an unused substitute in…

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Promising Championship season kicks-off

Vyom Chaudhary

Two Champions League-winning managers plying their trades in the second tier of any football league is unprecedented. However, this will be the reality for the Championship this season as Newcastle United and Aston Villa will be managed by Rafa Benitez and Roberto Di Matteo respectively. Everyone football fan is buzzed about the competitiveness of the Premier League, but the Championship promises to be equally competitive and boosts some big names in football management this season. Leeds United have appointed former Swansea City manager Gary Monk as their new manager while Reading have…

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Real Madrid to sign Newcastle player, former Arsenal target to depart to France

Vyom Chaudhary

Real Madrid are ready to loan out players to Newcastle United in exchange for Moussa Sissoko, according to the Guardian. Los Blancos are keen on signing the France international, who is valued at £35 million by the Magpies, this summer. Real, who have turned attention to Sissoko after missing out on his compatriot Paul Pogba, are prepared to send youngsters Mariano Diaz and Marcos Llorente on season-long loans in the opposite direction. The Magpies, currently managed by former Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez, have already signed Mo Diame, who could…

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La Liga clubs fight over unlikely Euro 2016 hero for Wales

Vyom Chaudhary

Wales international Hal Robson-Kanu is a man-in-demand following his exploits for the Wales national team at Euro 2016. The 27-year-old shot to fame after scoring a goal following a Cruyff turn in the quarter-final victory over Belgium in the summer’s tournament. Robson-Kanu, who is a free agent after his contract with Championship club Reading City expired this summer, has reportedly attracted interests from some of the major clubs in Europe. Sky Sports (via Wales Online) reports that La Liga clubs Atletico Madrid and Sevilla are involved in the pursuit to secure…

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Football fans are split on the FA’s latest rule change

Vincent Van Genechten

Starting from next season, teams will be allowed to use a fourth substitute in extra-time in this season’s FA Cup from the quarter-final stage, according to the BBC. On Twitter, a bunch of football fans opposed the new rule: EFL Trophy with academy sides in it and a fourth sub for ET in latter stages of cup competitions… Destroying English football! — Lorch (@Lorch_tlg) 27 juli 2016 fourth sub allowed in fa cup ? geez what next drop back goalies — darren ferla (@dferla73) 27 juli 2016 Fourth sub in extra…

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Former Real Madrid and Tottenham star to play in the Championship

Vyom Chaudhary

Championship club Reading have been linked with an audacious move for former Real Madrid and Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart. The veteran midfielder, who is currently signed to La Liga side Real Betis, is reportedly available in the transfer market after being told by Betis that he has no future with the club. Get Reading claims that informal discussions have already taken place between the former Dutch international and the Royals, and the player hasn’t ruled out a return to England. Reading’s newly appointed manager Jaap Stam has been…

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Arsenal targeting a quartet of new signings

Stuart Campbell

Arsene Wenger is currently undertaking an intensify effort to strengthen his Arsenal squad ahead of the new season, as the club are being heavily linked with moves for a quartet of new players, according to the Independent. Wenger interested in defensive duo High on the French manager’s list of priorities this summer is to bolster his defensive options, which he is understood to be interested in doing by signing Manchester City’s Jason Denayer and Matthias Ginter of Borussia Dortmund. In order to sign the defensive duo, Wenger’s is willing to…

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Arsenal announced their new signing in an epic manner

Vyom Chaudhary

Arsenal today announced their third signing of the summer transfer window. The Gunners reportedly completed the signing of Bolton Wanderers defender Rob Holding earlier this week, and it was considered only a matter of time before they made their acquisition public. The North London now announced that they have signed the 20-year-old, and the manner they did it in was unprecedented. The Arsenal fans must be aware of the change in the direction club’s official Twitter has taken of late. Arsenal social media team nowadays never leave an opportunity to amuse their…

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Arsenal very close to securing second summer signing

Vyom Chaudhary

Arsenal are very close to secure their second signing of the transfer window – Bolton Wanderers centre-back Rob Holding. The North London club’s interest in the 20-year-old first came to light in May, and since then they have maintained a close watch at the player’s situation at Bolton. Arsenal’s initial bid for the England Under-21 international was deemed too low by Bolton earlier in the transfer window. Now, according to the Bolton News, the Gunners have made an improved bid of around £2 million, which has been accepted by the Trotters.…

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Twitter couldn’t believe one player being on UEFA’s list of Europe’s best players

Vincent Van Genechten

On Monday, the UEFA announced the 10-man shortlist for the Best Player in Europe Award. As expected, some of the biggest names in football made it, but further down the list fans found one big surprise. The award is voted for by journalists from across Europe, who list their five best players of the 2015-2016 season. Lionel Messi won the first UEFA award in 2011 and also collected the trophy last year. The other winners are Andres Iniesta (2012), Franck Ribery (2013) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2014). The ten nominees, in alphabetical order, are:…

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The prolific Jordan Rhodes braced for debut season in the Premier League

Stuart Campbell

Over the course of the last four seasons, one striker has scored far more prolifically in English football than any other. All Rhodes lead to goal From August 2012 until the present day, Jordan Rhodes has established himself as the leading goal-scorer in the top four divisions of English football by scoring 91 goals in 179 league games. The Middlesbrough striker’s career statistics are equally impressive with the 26-year-old averaging a goal every 1.94 league games, as he has scored 172 times in 334 appearances. After beginning his career with…

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Newcastle to demand staggering fee for Euro 2016 star

Vincent Van Genechten

Newcastle have told potentoal suitors will have to come up with a staggering £35 million offer if they are to lure Euro 2016 star Moussa Sissoko away from St James’ Park, according to a report by talkSPORT. The Toon midfielder has gone on holiday after France’s 1-0 loss to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final but will return to the Magpies later this month. Newcastle’s preference is to hold on to Sissoko, as Andros Townsend has already left after Crystal Palace activated the £13 million escape clause in his contract. Therefore,…

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Middlesbrough preparing for return to Premier League after seven year absence

Stuart Campbell

Middlesbrough secured a return to the Premier League, following a seven year absence from the division, by finishing second in the Championship last season. Promotion winning season After drawing their last game of the season 1-1 with Brighton at the Riverside, Aitor Karanka’s side were automatically promoted ahead of their final day opponents on goal difference. The margin by which they were could scarcely have been finer, with Middlesbrough’s goal difference being just two superior to Brighton’s. Nevertheless, after occupying one of the top two spots throughout the season, Middlesbrough thoroughly…

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Gayle and Townsend trade the colour of their stripes

Stuart Campbell

Newcastle United have completed the signing of Dwight Gayle from Crystal Palace on a five year contract, with the Magpies winger Andros Townsend moving in the opposite direction in a different deal. After joining Palace from Peterborough for £6m in July 2013, Gayle scored 26 goals in 74 games for the South London club. However the 25-year-old endured a frustrating 2015-16 season as he was only used sparingly by manager Alan Pardew, whereby Gayle started only 10 games and made the same number of substitute appearances. Nevertheless he still scored…

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Relegated trio progress preparations for Championship challenge

Stuart Campbell

Following their relegation from the Premier League last season, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Norwich City are continuing preparations for a challenging season in the Championship. Whilst both Newcastle and Norwich have previous experience of playing in the division, Aston Villa do not and are set to compete outside the top flight of English football for the first time since 1987. Less lucrative life in the Championship The financial implications of doing so are quite severe due to the Premier League’s new £5 billion TV deal for the 2016-17 season,…

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