Category Uncategorized

Travelling to Nottingham Forest games, walking along Trent Bridge, you can see people with earphones fixed into their ears; they could be listening to music – or they could be listening to Robin Chipperfield, Colin Fray and John McGovern on the radio airwaves.

They play a key role in the lives of a Forest fan, home and abroad.

Since Billy Davies returned in February, he’s been a noticeable absentee in the post-match interview sector on BBC Radio Nottingham. Many believe he holds grudges, but why, supporters can only speculate.

Under the stewardship of the previous board, Billy Davies often complained he wasn’t given enough funds to fulfil his job requirements at the club. He made it clear to the board and fans alike, via the platform of the radio and newspapers. Nothing twisted by those who questioned, but simply taking the passionate words he spoke, and discussing to great length.

Because Fawaz Al-Hasawi was in a position of vulnerability when re-appointing Billy Davies, it seems the fiery Scotsman has all the power he craved. With backing from the board, he’s now able to fulfil his job requirements. But rather than brush the past under the carpet, it’s apparent Billy seeks revenge.

Billy, once the man who complained about not being given the tools to complete his job, is now halting others around him from doing their job to an acceptable level. In an era where great levels of communication were promised, the club could be cutting off a vital weekly source for fans across the world.

With Fawaz openly admitting he’s attempting to agree a deal with Al Jazeera to broadcast all of Forest’s home games, it looks as if the club are targeting a new bulk of fans in the Middle East. Whilst this may be important in terms of profit, Forest can’t be allowed to lose sight of the most integral part of a football club – the real fans.

The ones that have ploughed money into the club for many years, and may still be attending. Or alternatively due to financial reasons, aren’t able to attend.

Following months of positive headlines surrounding the club, the decision to avoid the local media may come back to bite them. When the national headlines quieten down, and the Wayne Rooney saga comes to an end, there will be a point when those in high authority at the national newspapers are seeking stories. With this move, Forest could make themselves an easy target.

Billy Davies may thrive on the attention of his enemies, driving him to success. Fawaz Al-Hasawi however, in the dark January month that saw him wave goodbye to two managers, gave the impression that the headlines were tough for him to take. Fawaz is often quoted discussing the “pride and honour” he has being in charge of such a great club. That must take a dent you would imagine, if a cloud of negative headlines surrounded the club again.

It could be the case that Forest are slow getting around to signing a contract with Radio Nottingham. Whatever the situation, it needs to be resolved very soon.

Nottingham Forest need to ensure they don’t become the North Korea of football, or the lottery winner that’s forgotten their roots. Billy Davies needs to learn that the spontaneity in his answers are what connects him to the fans, not the scripted and predictable nature currently being served up.

Listening to the radio is often the first stage to becoming a weekly supporter. The connection through the airwaves soon becomes an addiction, and before they know it, they’re walking over Trent Bridge going to their first game. If that disappears, so could a new generation of fans.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/nffcbbcradionottingham/ – Sign the petition to keep Radio Nottingham

@will_forest to get in touch via Twitter.

[ad_pod id=’writer-1′ align=’right’]

According to reports in the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds United attacker midfielder Pablo Hernandez, rated at £1.8m by Transfermarkt, is set to sign a new two-year deal with the club, ending speculation over his future.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Spaniard’s contract with the Yorkshire outfit was due to expire this summer and there had been much talk about whether he was going to stay at Elland Road or not in recent weeks.

However, now the Yorkshire Evening Post is reporting that the 33-year-old is set to commit his future to the Whites for another two years until 2020, which should be a huge boost for manager Paul Heckingbottom and the passionate supporters, who pleaded with the club on Twitter earlier this month to ensure he stayed.

The Yorkshire Evening Post adds that the popular attacking midfielder is set to win the club’s Player of the Year award after their last Championship game of the season against Queens Park Rangers next month.

How has Hernandez done this season?

He has been one of the few bright sparks in what has been a largely disappointing campaign in which Leeds have once again fallen short in the race for promotion to the Premier League.

The Spaniard has scored seven goals in 40 Championship appearances – and nine in 42 outings in all competitions – while he has shown his creative ability by assisting 10 more.

While he is coming to the latter stages of his career, Hernandez’s stats continue to prove what a huge impact he is making – and can still make – at this level.

[ad_pod ]

How good is this news for Leeds?

It is really brilliant news.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The fans of the Yorkshire outfit would have been worried that they could be set to lose one of their most influential players in the final third, and they will certainly need him as they look to be involved in the promotion race against next season.

Hernandez’s experience will continue to prove to be vital both on and off the pitch, while the fact that they have moved to tie him down shows the club’s ambition for the future.

They will just be hoping age doesn’t catch up with him and that he continues to be a regular fixture in the XI next term.

A ‘money-grabbing 20 year-old’ is exactly how Raheem Sterling doesn’t want to be seen and a ‘money-grabbing 20 year-old’ is exactly how Raheem Sterling is currently perceived to be.

It’s a big summer for the youngster and a big summer for the clubs around him. After a disappointing season, Sterling is being thrown ceaselessly around the rumour mill. Manchester City are serious bidders it seems, offering Liverpool £40m and may have to raise it to £50m to obtain the England winger’s services.

It’s a big summer for both of those clubs, too. Liverpool need to have a team that will hit the ground running next season. They’re opening fixtures are almost unfairly tough and without Champions League football, they can’t bring in the quality they might require for an assault on the title or even 4th place. They’re a young team and if the pressure of defeats and media speculation gets to them early they might crumble. Manager Brendan Rodgers could pay the price for that.

City are in something of a similar position. They need a good start too, because of disappointment last year. It’s for the feel-good factor around the club, but also because losing a few games could put pressure on  manager Manuel Pellegrini. Add that to the fact City are trying to buy only homegrown talent and they will need to answer some sceptics early on if they’re to keep the press and the boo boys off their backs.

And then there’s Sterling. An epic tug-of-war between Manchester and Liverpool for the services of a Londoner. And we can’t forget that Sterling is a Londoner, with no links to Liverpool other than the fact that he now plays there. Surely we can’t make him play the loyalty card at a club where he’s spent only three years.

Why can’t we all calm down about Raheem Sterling? The ‘this is what has become of our modern game’ line is wearing dangerously thin – Sterling has told us that he’s not turning down £100k per week because it’s too low, but because he wants to win trophies. Whether you believe him or not is up to you, but before you call him a liar, look at why he’s saying it.

Sterling is now part of Liverpool’s history, he played in the team that so nearly won its first Premier League title, he gained his first England caps playing for the Reds. In 20 years, once his career is done and dusted there’ll still be that link to Liverpool, and perhaps a multitude of Liverpool fans will never forgive him. He certainly won’t feel the love Steven Gerrard felt as he left Anfield.

[ffc-gal cat=”arsenal” no=”5″]

But then Gerrard is Liverpool through and through – he’s the ghost of Christmas future for Sterling.

Gerrard’s career has been a stellar one, he’s won two FA Cups, three League Cups, a UEFA Cup and lifted the Champions League trophy in Istanbul. He’s been one of the best players of the Premier League era and he’s captained his country at a World Cup.

If that’s what you have to look forward to, it’s not awful. Except the great thing about being 20 is that you don’t have to be anything. Sterling looks at the club he’s playing for and wonders when the trophies will arrive. And when they do, will he win what Gerrard did, or will he win more?

Why shouldn’t Sterling have a different English role model? Frank Lampard: three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, a Europa League and a Champions League. Paul Scholes: 11 (eleven) Premier League titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups, two Champions Leagues. Equally you could say John Terry, Ashley Cole, Ryan Giggs (not English of course, but you get the point) – all of those players have won so much more than Gerrard and it’s not because they were better players. It’s because they played for teams that won things.

And that wasn’t Gerrard’s mission in football. His mission was to captain his boyhood team, and he did that. He captained his country. But the trophy haul just isn’t what it could have been. It isn’t what a player as gifted as Gerrard deserved.

And that spooks Sterling.

What if, in 15 or 20 years of giving his all at Liverpool, without a Premier League winners medal to show for it, Raheem gets an emotional send-off from the Kop? Will those FA Cups and century of England caps be enough? Or will the young Jamaican-born England international think that’s disappointing? Fans of other clubs gleefully mock Gerrard’s slip, his trophy haul and the fact that his final few games at Liverpool were an unmitigated disaster. Is that what Sterling wants?

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Any marriage has hopes and dreams for the future, any relationship needs to be entered into with both partners looking to strive for the same life goals – or at least to help the other person along the way to theirs. What does he see when he sees his future with Liverpool? No Champions League, probably no chance of winning the Premier League next season, manager’s job uncertain?

Sterling has a choice to make, and Liverpool fans might not like it, but that’s the direction the club has taken over the last 20 years. It’s still one of the biggest clubs in England and indeed in Europe, but until it can deliver the trophies that a club like that should then players are always going to be attracted by the bright lights elsewhere.

You can’t expect loyalty from a youngster who just wants to win trophies, and you certainly can’t expect it from someone who’s only been at your club for three years. If Liverpool want to keep him they should get started on building a team that’s going to challenge for the Premier League and the Champions League year after year.

Until then, the ghost of Gerrard will haunt the new batches of young players walking through the door.

[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping to bring Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan to Old Trafford this summer, according to the Express.

Gundogan has been an unsung hero for the German side this season as they reach to Champions League final at Wembley where they will face fellow Bundesliga club Bayern Munich.

The £17million rated central midfield man would be the second Dortmund ace to leave the club this summer after Mario Gotze confirmed his move to Bayern Munich last week.

United are keen to add quality to their central midfield role to partner the impressive Michael Carrick after the likes of Tom Cleverley, Paul Scholes and Phil Jones have failed to hit form leaving Wayne Rooney to be the deepest of the four midfielders on numerous occasions this term.

“It is not reprehensible to answer such questions (of a future career in England or Spain) with ‘yes’,” Gundogan told Sport Bild.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“Everyone has a childhood dream on what he would like to achieve one day and my dream always was to play in England or Spain.”

[cat_link cat=”manchester-united” type=”grid”]

After Loris Karius was promoted as Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper at the start of 2018, questions were raised about whether or not the club will strengthen in that area in the summer.

Simon Mignolet has failed to convince every fan that he is worthy of the position, and it seems that manager Jurgen Klopp feels the same way as he opted to demote the Belgian earlier in the season.

Numerous names have been banded about in the media about potential new goalkeepers that could arrive at Anfield this summer, and Atletico Madrid stopper Jan Oblak has been one of them.

At the start of the month, a report in Mi Otra Liga claimed that Liverpool and Arsenal are both interested in signing the 25-year-old, who is valued at £63m by Transfermarkt.

After witnessing Oblak’s impressive performance for Atletico in Thursday night’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals, Liverpool fans are even more convinced that their club should swoop for the Slovenien.

Interestingly, our recent poll showed that a large number of Liverpool supporters want to keep faith with Karius next season.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod ]

Amid a purple end to a promising campaign in which Arsenal could finish second in the Premier League and retain the FA Cup for another year, Gunners fans are full of optimism in anticipation for next season.

If the north Londoners start it in the same manner they’ve finished the current one, they could well launch their first real title bid for the best part of a decade.

Summer signings are still required to strengthen both the starting Xi and the squad – but the prevailing concern is that Arsene Wenger won’t end up making them.

After all, we’re talking about a manager who let the £13million acquisition of Sylvain Wiltord in 2000 remain the club’s record transfer fee for the next eight and a half years, who prefers youthful signings to proven ones and who has spent the last few summers adding to Arsenal’s attacking options, despite their troubles at the back.

So with that in mind, here’s FIVE signings Wenger should be making this summer to transform his side into genuine title contenders, but probably won’t…

[interaction id=“none”]

PETR CECH

Although David Ospina has performed well since taking the No.1 mantle from Wojceich Szczesny to claim seven clean sheets in 14 Premier League appearances, Arsenal still need an upgrade between the sticks.

And there will be no superior option available to them this summer than Chelsea’s Petr Cech; a goalkeeper boasting four Premier League titles, the 2012 Champions League title and 332 appearances as Chelsea’s No.1.

At 32 years of age, the Czech international is firmly within his prime with arguably another decade left ahead of him, as a ‘keeper whose world-class positioning has always taken priority over his agility.

He’d add a much-needed sense of calmness to Arsenal’s defence and he’s easily one of the most experienced goalkeepers in the Premier League – only truly surpassed by golden oldies Tim Howard, Shay Given, Steve Harper and Brad Friedel.

But Arsene Wenger has already ruled the Gunners out of the race for the £10million-rated goalkeeper’s signature. “I believe in the goalkeepers I have,” said the Arsenal boss earlier this month – as reported by Sky Sports News.

“I believe that Wojciech Szczesny is a very good goalkeeper and David Ospina has come in and done a fantastic job. You look at the numbers in the Premier League and who is top of all the goalkeepers and you will see it is Ospina.”

MATS HUMMELS

Since winning the World Cup with Germany last summer, Per Mertesacker’s performance levels have undoubtedly dropped. Now 30 years of age and always plagued by his lack of pace, the centre-back’s limited recovery speed will only become an increasing problem for the Gunners over the next few years.

A long-term replacement is in order and in terms of readily available centre-backs in the coming window, Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels stands head and shoulders above the rest.

He blends the aerial dominance of a 6 foot 4 frame and exceptional reading of the game with the Franz Beckenbauer-esque ability to join or instigate attacks from deep positions – making him a perfect addition to the Gunners’ brand of attacking build-from-the-back football.

And the 26 year-old is almost certain to leave Westfalen this summer, following a campaign in which Dortmund have failed to qualify for the Champions League and resultantly parted with iconic manager Jurgen Klopp.

But once again, Wenger has dismissed the notion of signing the German international this summer.

“Four is enough,” said Wenger in regards to centre-backs Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Calum Chambers and Gabirel Paulista, as reported by The Express. “Debuchy can play there, Monreal can play there, so you can say we are not out to buy a central defender.”

Javi Martinez

An optimistic suggestion perhaps, but Bayern Munich battering ram Javi Martinez represents everything the Gunners currently lack in the middle of the park.

The Spain international measures in at 6 foot 3 and is so reliable defensively he’s often filled in at centre-back for both club and country. He’d be the perfect signing to contest the physical dominance of Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic and Manchester City’s Yaya Toure on a bi-seasonal basis.

The 26 year-old is also blessed with all the technical quality you’d expect from a Spain international playing for a tiki-taka-inspired Pep Guardiola side.

And despite not receiving too many inches in the tabloids’ transfer rumour columns recently, he could be interested in leaving the Allianz Arena this summer, having slumped down the pecking order somewhat since Guardiola’s arrival.

He’d likely cost a figure upwards of £30million, but if there’s one signing that can singlehandedly make the Gunners title contenders once again, it’s probably Martinez.

Unfortunately, however, something tells me Wenger won’t even test the waters this summer.

MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN

A Martinez alternative Arsenal have been relentlessly linked with in the tabloids, the Gunners need more mettle in midfield and Morgan Schneiderlin is one of the most formidable enforcers in the Premier League.

This season, for example, the Frenchman has averaged the second-most tackles per-match of any Premier League player, and his double-screening alongside Victor Wanyama has undoubtedly contributed to Southampton boasting the division’s second-healthiest goals conceded column.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Manager Ronald Koeman has even admitted the 25 year-old could force a move away from St. Mary’s this summer but the recent rise of Francis Coquelin could stand in the way.

The young Frenchman has been in fantastic form since his loan spell at Charlton Athletic in the first half of the season. Arsene Wenger has never been fond of ousting young players for the sake of more costly, experienced personnel.

KARIM BENZEMA

According to reports from Mirror Football this morning, Real Madrid could cash in on front-man Karim Benzema this summer.

The France international would be perfect for Arsenal and especially their lone striker role; he’s a big-and-burley, old fashioned centre-forward, measuring in at 6 foot 2, and has made a career out of scoring goals whilst bringing Real Madrid’s other talents – particularly Cristiano Ronaldo – into the game as much as possible.

Furthermore, now 27 years of age and having spent the last six years in Ronaldo’s shadow, Benzema still has a point to prove if he wants to be remembered as one of the top strikers of his generation – rather than just a sideshow to Los Blancos’ more coveted names.

His £40million price-tag should be within Arsenal’s financial reach. But Arsene Wenger has always maintained his faith in Olivier Giroud, which has been further justified by the Frenchman’s return of 14 goals in just 23 Premier League appearances this season.

Rather than considering an upgrade in the final third, the Gunners boss has instead insisted Theo Walcott is ready to play regularly at centre-forward and reminded fans Lukas Podolski, Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell will be returning to the Emirates from loan spells this summer.

After watching Newcastle narrowly overcome Stoke at St James’ Park in the early days of March manager Alan Pardew remarked, somewhat presumptuously, that his side were ‘done’ in the battle to avoid the drop. Less than a month and three games later the Magpies are still deeply embroiled in a fight for their Premier League existence. Defeats at Wigan and Manchester City left them just three points above the drop zone with seven games left to save their skin. Thursday’s demoralising Europa League quarter-final defeat at the hands of Benfica was the last thing Pardew and his squad needed with individual errors costing them dear in Lisbon. Now it’s down to 51-year-old and his backroom staff to galvanise a mentally and physically fatigued squad to obtain a much needed victory at home to resurgent Fulham. Thankfully for the Newcastle boss they’ve been unbeatable at St James’ Park lately, winning four out of the last five, and with several key players returning from injury it points to another successful afternoon on Tyneside.

The Cottagers will head to the North East in buoyant mood after beating QPR on Monday to rubber stamp their Premier League ticket for next term. Martin Jol’s men are on a five-match unbeaten run and currently sit comfortably in 10th – a position Pardew will undoubtedly look up at with envy. With the mental pressure of relegation all but eradicated it will give Fulham a chance to express themselves against a Newcastle side suffering from another European hangover. One man who won’t pass up an opportunity to let his hair down is self-confessed Toon Army fan Dimitar Berbatov, who is seeking a seventh goal in as many games. And he’s not the type to let sentiment get in the way of personal accolades meaning the West London side and their resident Bulgarian will be tricky customers for their anxious hosts.

Team News

Yoann Gouffran returns for Newcastle after being cup-tied for the Europa League quarter-final clash with Benfica on Thursday. Full-back Mathieu Debuchy has an outside chance of playing as does midfielder Cheick Tiote with both recovering from hamstring injuries. Massadio Haidara and Fabricio Coloccini remain sidelined.

Steve Sidwell starts a three-match ban after his red card against QPR on Monday. Emmanuel Frimpong is likely to step in to fill the midfield breach left by Sidwell. Ashkan Dejagah is a doubt for Fulham.

What the managers said…

“We’ve done so much right tonight and got ourselves into a great position with Papiss’ goal. The away goal could come into it if we get the first goal at St James’ Park because if we can get that first goal, we are only going to need one more. In terms of the performance and the players, I can’t fault them. We came here to have a go at them and we did that. They caused some problems to us just before half-time for ten to 15 minutes, but other than that we were in control of the game. If it was 2-1, you would think we would have a good chance at home, but it is an uphill chance for us now. We can be proud of the performance, but disappointed with the result.” Alan Pardew insists Newcastle can still make it to the Europa League semi-final’s (ITV Sport)

“Everyone tells me that in England 39/40 points will do and I have worked here for five or six seasons and in one or two seasons 37/38 points was enough and we have got 39 points now and hopefully we will be fine, but in this league you never know. We have got 39 points now so hopefully we can look up now and get as high as possible.” We lost [Clint] Dempsey, [Mousa] Dembele, Danny Murphy and I thought it could be a difficult season for us but in the first week in April to be on 39 points I think is fantastic.” Martin Jol wants Fulham to continue their strong end to the season (Sky Sports)

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Pre-Match Statistic: Newcastle have conceded 17 goals in nine games and haven’t kept a clean sheet in the Premier League since January.

Prediction: Newcastle United 3-1 Fulham

Make your bets ahead of the showdown at St James’ Park by clicking on the banner below

[ad_pod id=’hititbet’ align=’center’]

Vicent Janssen arrived at Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2016 with a big reputation after scoring 31 times for Dutch outfit AZ during the 2015-16 campaign.The centre-forward struggled to make his mark in the Premier League, however, managing just two league goals for Spurs before joining Fenerbahce on loan last summer.Janssen, who is valued at £9m by transfermarkt.co.uk, made a decent start to life in Turkey, but has actually been on the sidelines for the entirety of 2018 after picking up an ankle injury.[ad_pod ]As it stands, the 23-year-old will return to Tottenham this summer, and it is unclear whether he will be used by Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino or sold on.Fernando Llorente is currently Harry Kane’s back-up at Tottenham, but it seems that a number of the club’s supporters would rather have Janssen despite his struggles at the club last season.A selection of the Twitter reaction from the Spurs fans, who have also been commenting on the loan spell of another of their players, can be seen below:

According to the Daily Mail, under pressure Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker has had some pretty sombre words for his team in wake of their recent Champions League exit to Monaco this week.

The Gunners were eventually knocked out of the last 16 of European football’s most illustrious club tournament, despite winning 0-2 on the night at the Stade Louis II Arena.

Monaco proved the winners of the overall tie in the end, leaving Arsene Wenger and co. to sit back and wonder why their team seem so inept at progressing through the ranks of the Champions League.

Per Mertesacker, however, has reportedly been quick to respond to the issue of Arsenal in Europe. He said: “We were missing some good fortune but we didn’t deserve it because we played so poorly in the first leg.

“It’s difficult after such a good performance to look back and think that in the first game we missed that mental level you need to compete at the highest level.

“You can see how good we are as a team and how well organised we can be. We need to consider that every single day in training and in games. That’s why we are so far away.”

The German centre-back has received vast amounts of criticism this season for his apparent lack of pace costing Arsenal in their most important games. Despite wearing the captain’s armband on many an occasion this term for Wenger, the former Werder Bremem man has seemingly been made into somewhat of a scape-goat down at the Emirates.

Arsenal’s French boss nevertheless remains resolute that Mertesacker is in-fact worthy of his place in his starting XI – which has been displayed in his recent preference for the German in each of the Gunners’ last matches.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod id=’ffc-video’ align=’center’]

[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]

Pepe Reina has urged the Liverpool board to back Brendan Rodgers in the transfer window this summer, the Telegraph report.The 30-year-old Spanish goalkeeper has been encouraged by the Reds form this season that has taken them to seventh in the Premier League table and five points shy of a European qualification.And Reina has called on the board to provide manager Rodgers with the funds to improve the squad and build upon on successful foundations laid down this term.“This year has been important for us in terms of getting to know what the manager wants and develop the ideas,” he said.“Then we have to be ready for the very first game of next season to challenge.”Obviously we will need some help from the board but I think the basis is well settled. We know the ideas and philosophies of the manager.”It is getting better and better so hopefully we will be ready to compete.

Reina also reiterated the importance of holding onto top scorer Luis Suarez with Bayern Munich amongst a host of top European clubs hoping to prise the Uruguayan away from Anfield.

“Liverpool is very lucky to have Luis,” he added.

“Every day I am proud to say that I share a dressing room with such a big player. He is 100 per cent all the time. Obviously we will see what happens in the future. Everybody wants him to stay with the team.

“He can create the chances himself from nothing. He can be a killer in the box. But he can also provide assistance to the team and be involved all the time. He is not just a proper striker in the box. He looks to create but it is very important for any team to have that 25-plus goals-per-season striker.”

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[cat_link cat=”liverpool” type=”grid”]