Barry Bannan put in an outstanding performance against Blackburn Rovers at Hillsborough on Saturday, and Wednesday fans were quick to heap praise on the Scottish midfielder.

The 29-year-old had no less than three assists in the Owls’ 4-2 win, and his form had seen him win a call-up to the Scotland national squad.

The Sheffield Star report that Bannon has subsequently withdrawn from that squad, with a slight injury thought to be the reason, but Wednesday fans will not be too disappointed, as long as it means he will be fit for their next game at Stoke a week on Saturday.

So influential has the midfielder become to the Owls, that fans have been lining up on Twitter to laud the player.

Here are a few of the reactions:

It’s fair to say he is a definite favourite among the Owls faithful, and fans will be hoping he can carry them through to a play-off place come May.

What are your thoughts on Bannon’s performances lately? Has he benefited from the Bruce effect? Let us know your thoughts…

[ad_pod ]Sunderland fans have been heaping praise on Luke O’Nien during the international break.The Black Cats made a rip-roaring start to their League One campaign, losing just once in their first 20 league matches.Jack Ross’ side went off the boil at the turn of the year though, registering score draws in six out of seven games, but they have now won four of their last six with the two failures being draws in difficult away games. Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….And it’s no coincidence that the recent return to form has coincided with O’Nien hitting a purple patch, as the 24 year-old’s energy from right-back has made a huge different to the side.O’Nien, who is capable of playing pretty much anywhere across the midfield or on either defensive flank, has five goals and five assists to his name this campaign.

On top of that, the versatile ace just seems to “get†Sunderland, constantly interacting with fans and showing off his passion for the badge.

Loads of fans have been discussing his form, and judging from the Twitter reactions down below the summer signing is already a fan favourite at the Stadium of Light…

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It is no secret that Marcelo Bielsa is a manager that is stubborn and largely set in his own ways, but the weekend defeat against Sheffield United was probably the clearest sign yet that he has a pecking order of players – especially when it comes to substitutions.

On the chalkboard

Had it not been for a series of injuries and suspensions, the Argentine boss may well have stuck with the same core of 18-20 first-teamers given what he has done at his previous clubs.

Unfortunately since he arrived at Elland Road he hasn’t had that luxury and has had to delve deeper into his squad to use the likes of Leif Davis, Aapo Halme and Jordan Stevens on occasions.

However, while it may be the case that players like Stuart Dallas, Adam Forshaw and Barry Douglas are guaranteed a spot in the 18-man squad if they are available, the same can’t always be said for youngsters like Jack Clarke, Izzy Brown and Jamie Shackleton.

Clear pecking order

It seems that way.

Are Leeds set for another spectacular fall from grace? Ingood Nick believes so in the video below…

Even when Leeds are in need of a goal and a fresh threat in the final third – as they were against the Blades on Saturday – the proof is that Douglas or Dallas seem more likely to enter proceedings first than either Clarke and Shackleton, with the latter ending the game as an unused substitute at the weekend.

The presence of the summer addition from Wolves on the field saw Alioski push forward into a left-wing role – with the Scot replacing Harrison is a change that we have seen time and time again from Bielsa in recent weeks – and you have to wonder whether the manager should change his ways.

Likewise, Dallas came on at the same time as Clarke and replaced Ayling, even though Shackleton filled in excellently for the 27-year-old when he was injured earlier in the season and would arguably provide more of an attacking threat.

All in all, Bielsa needs to ditch his preferred pecking order and give more minutes to talented individuals like Brown and Shackleton rather than keep relying on experienced pros that aren’t delivering.

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The vast majority of Rangers fans will be hoping they can sign Ryan Kent on a permanent deal in the summer, but a recent report from the Daily Record suggests they could be priced out of the deal.

What’s the word?

The Daily Record claim that Steven Gerrard, who is hoping to make Kent’s move permanent in the summer, feels he is already fighting a losing battle to keep the 22-year-old at Ibrox, with clubs at the lower end of the Premier League as well as Championship clubs potentially willing to meet Liverpool’s asking price.

Speaking of the asking price, the same report claims that his parent club will demand a fee between £8m and £10m – a huge sum of money for a club of Rangers’ limited financial power.

And sources have claimed that Liverpool believe this summer represents the perfect opportunity to sell a player who has failed to boost his stock in four previous loan spells.

Is Kent overpriced?

From Liverpool’s perspective, Kent’s season couldn’t have gone much better. He is clearly below the standard required to break into the first-team at Anfield and his loan move was merely a feasible way of placing him in the shop window.

However, for a club of Rangers’ stature and torrid financial history, it’s fair to say that the reported price-tag is extortionate, especially when considered in the context of his past failures.

Sky Sports journalist Charles Paterson has described Kent as a player who “has shown flashes of brilliance when he’s been fit”.

Relatively speaking, that verdict is not one which you would attribute to a player commanding a price-tag of up to £10 million.

Kent has been electric on his day and a devastatingly creative spark when in full flow, but how often does that day come round?

If Rangers are to progress and genuinely challenge the status quo in Scottish football they need more than just sporadic bursts of quality from a £10 million player; they need consistent quality and preferably at a modest price.

The Gers faithful will undoubtedly rue Kent’s departure but, as Paterson has hinted, he is overpriced for a player whose brilliance has been limited to flashes.

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Everton fans have been on social media debating whether Jordan Pickford is good enough to be the club’s long-term number one goalkeeper.

And it would be fair to say that there are a lot of mixed opinions on the subject.

Pickford has made 79 appearances for Everton since a 2017 move from Sunderland.

The 25-year-old, who is very much England’s number one, has conceded 42 times in the Premier League this term, keeping just nine clean sheets in 31 appearances.

The Everton fans have been debating whether the Englishman is quite good enough as there have been some dodgy displays from the stopper this term, including recently against Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

Whilst a number feel that Pickford will only get better in the coming seasons, other believe that he will never be good enough to be the long-term first-choice stopper.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the Everton supporters can be viewed below:

أكد لاعب وسط الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة، فرينكي دي يونج، على ثقته الكاملة في زملائه قبل مباراة الكلاسيكو المرتقبة يوم السبت المقبل، في بطولة الدوري الإسباني.

ويستضيف برشلونة غريمه التقليدي ريال مدريد وبطل النسخة الماضية على ملعبه “كامب نو” في تمام الساعة الرابعة عصرًا بتوقيت “القاهرة”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. جوتي يتوقع صفقتين ناريتين لـ ريال مدريد ويسخر من جريزمان!

وتحدث دي يونج عن المباراة في تصريحات للمركز الإعلامي للدوري الإسباني، وقال: “ستكون مباراة صعبة للغاية بالنسبة لنا، هذا هو الكلاسيكو لأنك تواجه ريال مدريد وهو منافس قوي، لكن لدينا ثقة كبيرة ونمتلك فريقًا رائعًا”.

وتابع: “من الجيد أن تكون قادرًا على المشاركة في مثل هذه المباريات ومواجهة ريال مدريد لمعرفة من هو الأفضل ومن سيتفوق على الآخر”.

وأضاف: “لقد لعبت بالفعل أول مباراة كلاسيكو لي في كامب نو بالموسم الماضي، فهي مختلفة تمامًا عن أي مباراة أخرى، لأنك تعلم أن العالم بأسره يتحدث عن هذه المباراة لأسابيع”.

وعن الموسم الماضي: “عندما تلعب لفريق مثل برشلونة ولا تفوز بلقب واحد في موسم كامل، فهو أمر مخيب للآمال دائمًا”.

واختتم تصريحاته بالحديث عن ميسي: “من الجيد أن يتواجد شخص مثل ليو مع برشلونة لأنه أفضل لاعب في العالم، وأتمنى أن أساهم بما لدي من أجل مساعدة الفريق في الفوز بالألقاب هذا الموسم”.

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Carlos Sanchez has been pictured back in training with West Ham United.

The 33-year-old, who joined the Hammers from Fiorentina last summer, has been on the sidelines since suffering a knee injury against Macclesfield Town on September 26.

Sanchez has now returned to the training field, though, fuelling suggestions that he could play a part before the end of the campaign.

The 88-time Colombia international had looked set to be a vital player for Manuel Pellegrini this season as he played in five of the club’s first six Premier League matches of the 2018-19 campaign.

The West Ham fans have been on social media reacting to the sight of Sanchez, who will see his contract at the London Stadium expire next summer.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

And whilst a number are pleased to see the South American back on the training field, others are not overly enthused.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

After what has seemed like an eternity, it looks like Tottenham stadium might finally be ready! It’s been confirmed on the club’s official website that the first game at the new ground will be held on April 3rd against Crystal Palace and it’s the boost the team need to finish in the top four this season.

Their Premier League form has been dire since the loss away to Burnley effectively ended their title hopes. They’ve since lost another two and drawn one, losing 2-0 against Chelsea and drawing with Arsenal. Bar progression in the Champions League, it’s all looking very gloomy and the club.

The new stadium will act as a fresh start and they’ll be able to put those negative results behind them in favour of a new club mentality. They’ve been chained to the same inferiority complex for years, but now they have a world-class stadium to match their talented squad, and it’ll lead them into next season’s Champions League.

Manchester City held the same issue before their FA Cup win in 2011 and they never turned back. A trophy or a major change like a stadium can be the confidence lift that makes the difference between success and failure. Yes, they can’t go for the title this year, but the Champions League is still up for grabs.

City have the beating of Spurs at Wembley since their move, winning both their meetings there, but a rekindled atmosphere and positivity from the Spurs faithful can be the turning over of a new leaf. The same can be applied to the Premier League, with just Brighton, Huddersfield, West Ham and Everton left to play there.

Those are very winnable games and gaining momentum from them will mean the squad will attack trips to City and Bournemouth with more confidence than they’ve had in the past few weeks. No one needs telling that the stadium move will be a boost, but the manner of it at such a crucial time of the season may make it even better than many might have initially thought.

Spurs fans, how big of an impact do you think moving into the new stadium will have on the success of the club? Join the discussion by commenting below…

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The biggest day of the year is almost here for horse-racing enthusiasts nationwide. No day in the horse-racing calendar attracts the level of hype which Aintree’s Grand National ritually evokes every year, and the 2019 instalment is absolutely no exception to the rule.

Punters will be studying the form guides and the history books ahead of the race, clinging on to every piece of vital information which could help them choose the winner.

However, the Racing Post have created a unique generator to help football fans make their selection.

It’s very simple. You select which football team you support, the celebrity who you would most like to see in charge of your club, and the player you consider the greatest of all time or, to the average social media user, the GOAT.

The generator then throws up your selection for you and details the expected odds.

For example, if you’re a Leicester City fan who wants Donald Trump to manage the club and considers Zinedine Zidane to be the greatest of all time, Folsom Blue at 66/1 is the horse for you.

You can find access to the generator here.

Best of luck!

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Loads of Liverpool fans have been reacting to a legends game that took place at Anfield on Saturday, and they’re full of praise for Istanbul hero Jerzy Dudek.

Dudek gave six years of his career to Liverpool, but there’s only game that fans remember the 60-cap shot-stopper for.

His double save in extra-time of the 2005 Champions League final is perhaps the only thing more memorable than his crazy legs in the penalty shoot-out, and it’s no surprise he was drafted in for Saturday’s legends match.

The Reds took on a team comprised of AC Milan legends, winning 3-2 courtesy of a late winner from Steven Gerrard… sound familiar?

Robbie Fowler and Djibril Cisse had given the Liverpool legends a 2-0 lead but goals from Andrea Pirlo and Giuseppe Pancaro levelled things up.

Gerrard’s late winner would perhaps be the talk of the town if not for something Dudek did earlier in the match.

The 46 year-old forced the other 21 players on the pitch to wait for a moment while he collected a ball from behind the goal, stopping to play catch with members of the crowd.

You can see the wonderful gesture from Dudek here, and check out some of the best Twitter reactions down below…