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West Bromwich Albion fans were far from happy with the performance of Matt Phillips during their clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Baggies dropped yet more points to the Eagles in what was another blow to the Midlands outfit’s chances of survival, after Luka Milivojevic scored the opening goal of the game from the penalty spot. West Brom will now likely need at least three wins from their remaining nine matches to even have a chance of reaching safety (Sky Sports) – they are running out of opportunities to pick up points.

On the right side of the midfield, Phillips was particularly disappointing. He prevailed in just four of his ten duels (SofaScore) and was generally far too wasteful throughout the game. Sam Allardyce will have a decision to make in regards to keeping him in the side between now and the rest of the term.

The fans were livid at his showing, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Phillips below

“I have said for years, i don’t see what he offers at all.”

Credit: @htimsAJ

“How does he keep getting picked?”

Credit: @JohnTheBagtist

“Awful from Phillips no quality when it counts.”

Credit: @BiffyBoy1982

“Phillips’ lack of quality is painfully obvious these days. Needs to come off for Snodgrass.”

Credit: @thejonreeve

“Two guilt edged chances in two weeks for Phillips that he scuffed. Been a poor player for us for a long time. Work hard merchant”

Credit: @TheRainbowStand

“Sam there’s a Matt Phillips on the pitch that needs to come off”

Credit: @LJAFinn

In other news, this man discusses his move the Hawthorns.

Tottenham Hotspur take a break from league action as they look to continue their quest towards silverware under Jose Mourinho with an FA Cup fifth-round tie at Everton.

The north London outfit finally ended a run of three straight defeats by beating troubled West Brom 2-0 over the weekend, thanks to the returning Harry Kane and Heung-min Son reigniting their prolific partnership.

But Mourinho is left with plenty to ponder as games are coming thick and fast once more…

On the Chalkboard

One decision facing the Special One is in the attack.

Yes, we’re likely to see Kane and Son both start, but the other places are surely up for grabs.

Against the Baggies, Mourinho handed rare Premier League starts to both Lucas Moura, who played in the no.10 role, and Erik Lamela, who was deployed out on the right.

Earlier this week, we outlined why the Brazilian still has a big part to play at the club, but for the fellow South American, the same cannot be said as he underwhelmed – it was all energy with little product.

Indeed, the 28-year-old recorded the lowest SofaScore rating (6.7) of any of Spurs’ attacking players on the afternoon and that’s ultimately poor considering Albion had the worst defensive record in the top-flight by a considerable margin – their 54 goals conceded is 15 more than any other team.

Before Lamela was hooked in the 74th minute, he managed just one accurate cross from seven attempts (14%), which meant Kane had very little to feed off whilst the winger also failed to win the majority of his duels, losing five of 15 (33%), meaning the West Brom left-back had the better of him consistently.

He was even the second-most wasteful Spurs player on the pitch as he lost possession 17 times – once every four minutes.

If Spurs have serious ambitions of progressing tonight, then Mourinho ought to play Moura, Steven Bergwijn or Gareth Bale over Lamela.

As one of the final survivors from the Andre Villas-Boas era, it’s quite a surprise to see the former Roma star still standing in N17, especially as he’s among the high earners at the club on a reported £85k-per-week, which is more than Matt Doherty, Giovani Lo Celso and Bergwijn.

Teammate Eric Dier revealed earlier in this season that Lamela “is a nightmare” because “offensively he’s so good” and “when you have the ball, he kicks lumps out of you.”

But we’ve not seen that sort of claim come to fruition in a competitive encounter in a very long time.

A series of injuries and no goal in the Premier League since September 2019 tells the full story – he has missed more games (108) than goal contributions (81) since joining Spurs in 2013, and in failing to deliver against the weak and faltering West Brom, he should not be given another start this evening.

Ruthless it may be, but a wise decision.

AND in other news, Forget Vinicius: Spurs must get £36m-rated beast with an “instinct for goals”…

Southampton fans are delighted after journalist Adam Blackmore revealed Ibrahima Diallo, Kyle Walker-Peters and Takumi Minamino all have a chance of playing this weekend.

The Saints face Sheffield United on Saturday as they look to get back to winning ways – they have won just one of their last 14 games in the Premier League (Sky Sports). After a positive start to the season, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men have struggled to deal with a huge number of injuries.

However, there appears to be some positive news ahead of the clash with the Blades. Blackmore has revealed on Twitter that the aforementioned trio are all back in training and should be available this weekend. Minamino could provide a spark up front while Diallo and Walker-Peters would look to bring some much-needed stability at the back.

The St. Mary’s Stadium outfit’s fans were delighted with this update, and they took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the update from Blackmore below

“Finally. #SaintsFC”

Credit: @AdamAzor

“lovely stuff adam”

Credit: @sfcbilly_

“Great news.”

Credit: @Jan92539644

“FINALLY some positive news! #SaintsFC”

Credit: @C0AKESY

“Lovely”

Credit: @RitchieM03

“Finally some positive news”

Credit: @RhysTheSaint

In other news, Southampton enquire about this top Premier League striker.

This has been a rather unsavoury festive period for Sunderland and Lee Johnson.

He’d only been in the Stadium of Light hot seat a matter of weeks before the club came to a grinding halt following a bout of Covid.

Fortunately, that is now over and done with.

On the chalkboard

Sunderland have seen their last four games postponed because of the ongoing pandemic but thankfully, we’ll finally get to see them back on the pitch this Saturday.

What’s more is that Johnson nearly has a full squad of players to pick from. Josh Scowen is set to return in a few weeks after a scan revealed that he hadn’t actually fractured his shin. Meanwhile, Luke O’Nien and Denver Hume are the only other players missing.

Therefore, the new boss has a wealth of individuals he could choose from. He’ll have plenty of dilemmas too, particularly in defence. Left-back Callum McFadzean gave away a penalty against Wimbledon and they were also without Tom Flanagan.

The Mackems conceded in the process and as a result, only walked away with a solitary point.

The solution

We’ve already suggested that young full-back Cieran Dunne should get a run out at left-back, but Johnson needs to stick by his centre-back pairing of Bailey Wright and Dion Sanderson. Thus, there should be no room for the fit-again Flanagan.

Although the pairing shipped a goal, they looked comfortable throughout and should remain together for the Northampton clash.

Wright came up with Sunderland’s equaliser and Sanderson looked particularly assured, doing everything to near perfection. The Wolves loanee won 75% of his duels and completed an eye-catching 93% of his passes against Wimbledon.

On top of that, he used his tricky frame to draw two fouls from the opposition. Clearly, he is a player that’s a handful to play against.

Sanderson’s usual position is at full-back but he did a stellar job filling in centrally last time out and if he plays on Saturday, he could frighten the life out of Keith Curle and his players.

Alex Dicken, Wolves correspondent for Birmingham Live, once described Sanderson as a player with “lots of pace”, so it’s clear to see why he can bully attackers.

The 21-year-old has only made five appearances in League One this term but deserves more game time. That starts this weekend.

AND in other news, Johnson must unleash rapid SAFC prodigy who Sam Greenwood destroyed…

They might not have come away with anything on Wednesday night, but Aston Villa showed once again why they are no flash in the pan this Premier League campaign.Dean Smith’s side have arguably been the stand-out performers this season, picking up some big results against big teams, and but for an incredibly controversial VAR call against Manchester City, may have earned a huge point at the Etihad Stadium.The Villans were desperately unlucky to be on the wrong side of a 2-0 score-line, but a number of their players produced superb performances as they more than held their own against the former Premier League champions, none more so perhaps than Matt Targett.The left-back was given the tough task of trying to deal with the pacey Raheem Sterling, and he more than held his own against the England international.His five tackles and four interceptions were both game-highs, and a testament of the kind of intensity he brought to the table out on the left-hand side – The Athletic’s Gregg Evans hailed his “immense” performance, and said that he’s been that way all season.

And writing in his post-match ratings, The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece said: “Like those next to him at the back, Targett enjoyed a spirited first half and kept Raheem Sterling at bay. Targett was cool in possession amid pressure on him as well and won his fair share of tackles and headers.

“Villa were far weaker after he went off for Taylor, even though Targett wanted to stay on. Targett was understated this evening and got the better out of Sterling, hence City taking off the England man.”

Dean Smith will desperately be hoping that his left-back’s injury is nothing too serious.

Meanwhile, this Villa man let Dean Smith down just as much as VAR…

According to TEAMtalk, Aston Villa transfer target Jesse Lingard is ready to leave Manchester United in the upcoming January window.

What’s the story?

The England international has been a peripheral figure at Old Trafford this season, with the signing of Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek further dropping him down the pecking order – in fact, he’s made just two appearances in total, and both of them came in the Carabao Cup.

Now, TEAMtalk claim that Lingard – who has been touted as a potential option for Villa recently – is ready to ask United to let him leave the club in January unless they exercise their option on him before the end of the year.

The 27-year-old’s current contract comes to an end in the summer, and would thus be able to leave on a free transfer, but it appears he is ready to cut ties with United much sooner than that.

Shades of Barkley

Whilst Lingard’s wretched form over the past couple of seasons in particular has seen his career take a nosedive – he’s managed just five Premier League goals since the start of the 2018/2019 campaign – it doesn’t detract from the fact Villa could potentially revive a player who’s made 24 appearances for England.

Dean Smith has already shown he has the Midas touch with the way he has revitalised Ross Barkley, another promising England talent who seemed to be floundering at Chelsea.

Sometimes, all it takes is a change of scenery and a fresh start for a player to get back to their best, and current United coach Michael Carrick has gone on record to reveal his admiration of the kind of “unique” abilities Lingard has.

He said: “I think his movement is excellent. It’s something that sounds quite simple, but it’s difficult to defend against. He senses where the space is and how to use it. I wouldn’t necessarily say he’s a dribbler with skills and tricks but he’s dynamic.

“How he plays, he is unique in some ways. You don’t see so much of that now as everyone wants to get on the ball. Off the ball, he’s very effective.”He may be a £100k-a-week outcast at Old Trafford, but Villa could land a shock bargain by getting Lingard on the cheap.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Hull City striker Dean Windass has tipped Sean Dyche to replace Roy Hodgson in charge of Crystal Palace.

It’s safe to say Palace had an afternoon to forget on Saturday as they were overwhelmed by Premier League leaders Liverpool at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles have struggled for consistency so far this season, having only won one of their past five games in the top flight, with Hodgson’s side lying 13th in the table, a point ahead of Leeds United, who have a game in-hand.

If that wasn’t bad enough, Palace have shipped a total of 25 goals from just 14 outings. Only newly-promoted Premier League strugglers West Bromwich Albion have conceded more goals this season.

This won’t be anything new to Palace fans, as they got off to a bad start after Sheffield United beat them at the beginning of last season, but the comparisons stop there.

The Eagles conceded seven goals against Liverpool in a home game for the first time in the club’s history, which is frankly shocking. While there hasn’t been much talk about Hodgson’s future in the media, there have been repeated calls from some quarters to see him depart Selhurst Park.

Windass believes Dyche’s level of Premier League experience managing Burnley means he should be appointed Palace’s tenth manager since Parish saved the club from liquidation in 2010.

He told FFC editor James Beavis:

“I think that’d be a good move, for sure, not so much expectations, keep them in the Premier League like he has done with Burnley for seven or eight years.

“That’s a good fit. I think that if you said right now, would Sean Dyche get the Everton job? No. You know, teams like Villa, where there’s not too much expectation, you’re not expected to win trophies.

“These clubs like Palace and Leeds, for example, they’ll look at the start of the season and say can we stay in the Premier League, unlike Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool – can we win the FA Cup? Can we win the Premier League? Can we win the Champions League?

“So yeah, he’d be a good fit for Palace.”

Palace were heavily linked with a move for the Burnley boss after the Premier League restart in the summer, but it seems unlikely that it will come before the Christmas break.

With a tough trip to Aston Villa next on the agenda, followed by a home game against Leicester City, Hodgson will be under no illusion of the gravity of the situation. He cannot afford to slip up again, that’s for sure.

AND in other news, Worse than Cahill: Crystal Palace right-back Nathaniel Clyne badly let Hodgson down vs Liverpool…

West Brom are still winless in the Premier League this season but a more pressing saga has developed off the pitch.

The Baggies’ hierarchy sanctioned the sale of Ahmed Hegazi to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ittihad over the weekend, in the process saving on his mega £70k-per-week wages.

The Express & Star claim the deal is worth around £10m in total to Albion.

However, it’s a decision that has angered Slaven Bilic as he wanted the Egyptian international to stay at the Hawthorns, especially outside of the English transfer window.

He said: “It definitely wasn’t my decision. It wasn’t a football decision to be fair. I am very disappointed. We are a team that needs all our good players. He is the player that has know-how in the Premier League, that has vast experience, a national team player, a great professional and played last week against Burnley.”

Indeed, West Brom picked up their first clean sheet of the season versus the Clarets, where Branislav Ivanovic and Hegazi played together for the first time.

Yet just days later, he’s sold and the Baggies go onto draw 1-1 with Brighton.

Nothing can be done until January – if chairman Lai Guochuan is even prepared to back his manager. According to reports, the Chinese businessman has been unwilling to invest in the playing squad, even despite the desperation to get Grant through the door.

Eventually, he got his man, but you can’t help but feel the sale of Hegazi was some sort of financial consequence with Grant costing in excess of £15m.

It’s time for Dara O’Shea to step up to the plate and playing alongside Premier League-winning veteran Ivanovic could be perfect for the club and his own career.

Bilic is a huge fan of his, previously claiming he is “the future” at the Midlands club, so it’s time to hand him a regular starting berth going forward.

Whilst O’Shea’s former boss Matt Taylor at Exeter City, lauded him as an “exceptional” talent who’s got a “chance of making it all the way in the game.”

The 21-year-old has started four Premier League games, where he has averaged a whopping 3.5 clearances and 3.3 tackles each match, via WhoScored.

No other Baggies defender has managed more tackles per appearance than O’Shea, and after picking up his first senior cap for Ireland, he ought to be playing week-in, week-out.

AND in other news, £18m signing’s current West Brom form must be a major worry for Bilic…

What are the options for the Reds now that Van Dijk’s chances of returning this season have vanished? The Dutch centre-back suffered a Grade 3 cruciate ligament tear at the end of October.  He underwent knee surgery and is looking at a long rehabilitation period. The earliest he can make an appearance is next season.

Van Dijk played a big role in landing Liverpool’s Premier League title and the Champions League last year. Football pundits are wondering how Liverpool will fare this season. With one of their best players out, will that affect their chances of doing the double? Bookies seem to think so! Take a look at the newest betting sites to find the best odds for Liverpool winning the league.

Fans and rivals are also watching keenly to see whom the Reds will pick to replace Van Dijk. There have been strong rumours lingering: Alaba, Kobak, Upamecano, Konate, and Diego Carlos. Who is most likely to step into Van Dijk’s big shoes?

Ozan Kobak

The 20-year old Turkish international is a strong candidate for Van Dijk’s position. He has made a big impression in his short career. As the current center-back for German club Schalke, he has shown very promising talent and solid defending skills.

Kobak has a solid footballing background, joining Galatasaray’s youth academy at the tender age of 11 years.  He spent seven years with the top Turkish club before the German club Stuttgart came for him.  He spent only six months there before Schalke made a bid for him.

Kobak has shown confidence on the ball and quick reading of the field with efficient tackles.  Schalke was demanding £31m (€35m) for him, but have dropped the price to £22m (€25m) making him a more valuable pick for Liverpool.

Perr Schuurs

There have also been strong rumors that fellow dutchman Perr Schuurs is a desired replacement for Van Dijk. The 20-year old CB is currently with the top-flight Dutch club Ajax.  His role in keeping rivals away from Ajax’s goalposts this season has been impressive.

Schuur has started in Keuken Kampioen Divisie with Jong Ajax.  He later moved to Fortuna Sittard in the KNVB Beker, and finally to Ajax Amsterdam.

Schuur is not a stranger to Liverpool. He was at Merseyside on trial in 2018 before he signed up with Ajax. He also impressed Klopp in the tangle against Liverpool in October’s UEFA Champions game.

Dayot Upamecano

The 22-year old Frenchman has attracted top clubs’ attention, including Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, and Manchester United.  Liverpool fans are also rumored to be rooting strongly for him as a replacement for Van Dijk.

Upamecano is currently with Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg.  He started with VS Angers at the age of 14 years. He then moved to FC Prey and Evreux FC 27. He moved up to French Ligue 2 with Valenciennes FC from 2013-2015.  He moved to the Austrian Bundesliga club FC Red Bull Salzburg from 2015-2017, before joining RB Leipzig in 2017.

However, it seems that Upamecano is content to stay where he is. He signed a new contract with RB Leipzig, running up to 2023.

Diego Carlos

The 27-year old Brazilian CB has allegedly caught Klopp’s eye because of his physicality and bullying tactics that intimidate opponents.  He was part of Sevilla’s squad that won the UEFA Europa League in 2019/2020.

Carlos started playing at 19 years with Desportivo Brasil. He was on loan to Sao Paulo, Paulista, and Madureira, before he transferred to Estoril, who loaned him to Porto B. He later moved to Nantes and finally Sevilla.

Some critics say that he has not mastered the aerial game despite his intimidating stature on the field. His game has also been described as a bit loose for his penchant to give away penalties.

Ibrahim Konate

This 21-year old Frenchman style of play has been likened to that of Van Dijk. He is dominant in the air, winning over 70% of aerial duels. He is dominant on the ground as well, with a liking to dribble a lot. He is on a 5-year contract with RB Leipzig.

Konate started playing as a 10-year old in the junior team of Paris FC. He later played for both junior and senior Sochaux teams before transferring to RB Leipzig in 2017. But Konate has not been very lucky on the field, picking up injuries that have cost him many games since the 2018/2019 season.

Jurgen Klopp has to fill Van Dijk’s position ASAP if he intends to claim the top position again.  The good thing is that he does not lack for choice.

With just a couple of weeks to go in the transfer window, Leeds United still have work to do.

The Whites may have won two of their opening three Premier League games, but there are areas the club still want reinforcements in, with one of those being a new winger.

The Yorkshire outfit have been linked with a number of wide players this window, with their pursuit of Ryan Kent being highly publicised, but the most recent player they’ve reportedly been tailing is an old target, Daniel James.

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Leeds famously failed to sign the winger in January 2019, but The Sun claimed last week that they were planning to go back in for him.

However, it seems as though that deal won’t come off as Sky Sports are now stating that the youngster has told Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that he wants to stay and fight for his spot in the team.

The report also states that Leeds have made a loan offer for the former Swansea City man, and while a move doesn’t look likely at the moment, Sky state that the situation could change depending on whether or not Man United make any more signings in the coming weeks.

With United apparently still chasing Jadon Sancho, the situation may end up changing on that front, but as of right now, James wants to stay at Old Trafford.