All is forgiven: Leeds fans change their stance on former boss Garry Monk

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Leeds fans have taken to Twitter to thank Garry Monk after Birmingham City drew with Sheffield United to aid the Whites’ promotion chances.

Monk has been a hated figure at Elland Road since he resigned as manager of Leeds after the conclusion of the 2016/17 season having guided the Yorkshire club to seventh place in the league.

The Birmingham City boss has finally won over the United fanbase by giving them a helping hand towards a top two finish.

The Blues took points off of Sheffield United to put Leeds back in the driving seat in the race for automatic promotion.

Leeds fans have taken to Twitter to sing the praises of Monk after disparaging their former manager on social media for the past couple of years.

It seems that the supporters’ hatred for Monk has come to an end after Wednesday’s result at St Andrew’s has put Leeds’ destiny back in their own hands.

Here’s what Leeds fans had to say on Twitter…

Portsmouth star backed to be Premier League hit

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Jamal Lowe has been backed to become a Premier League star after some dazzling performances for Portsmouth this season, per Portsmouth.co.uk.

The 24-year-old has been in excellent form and turned in another superb display at the weekend, as Pompey beat Rochdale 4-1.

What’s the word?

Oli Hawkins, the Portsmouth striker, has backed Lowe to soon click through the gears and start playing in the highest tier English football has to offer.

Lowe has scored 16 goals and laid on nine assists thus far this season and scored in the win over Rochdale while creating two of the club’s strikes.

And Hawkins believes that he has all the raw materials needed to become a top-flight player.

Speaking to Portsmouth’s official site, he said: “Jamal got two assists and a goal, it was a brilliant performance from him.

“He can go on as high as he possibly can.

“This is a step for him in the right direction and this season he is showing what he can do. I think he could get to the Premier League if he puts the work in.

“Anything can happen in football and you never know.”

Too good for this level

Lowe is clearly ready to make the step up.

Whether that means that he is ready to play in the Premier League or the Championship remains to be seen but he is definitely too good for League One.

He has been in electric form this season as Pompey attempt to win promotion to the second-tier, and deserves all his plaudits.

He may well be best served to stay at Fratton Park if they do win promotion but failure to do so could well see the club scrambling to keep the jewel in their crown, at least if Hawkins is right about his teammate anyway.

Chris Mepham is spot on about Bournemouth team-mate David Brooks and his massive potential

This season, recent weeks in particular, Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser have been winning most of the plaudits at Bournemouth — and deservedly so.

But as well as the duo, David Brooks has also come in for a lot of recognition, with the 21-year-old having just been nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

And team-mate Chris Mepham is now tipping the midfielder to make it to the very top after an impressive debut campaign at the Vitality Stadium.

The Breakdown

“He’s been very good. I speak very highly of David as a player and as a person,” Mepham told the Bournemouth Echo.

“He works hard every day on the training pitch, wants to learn, wants to improve and I think that’s got him to where he is at the minute. If he keeps that attitude, then the sky is the limit and he could play anywhere.”

Up against the likes of Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling for the award, it is hard to see Brooks winning the prestigious accolade.

But with this being the Wales international’s first season in the Premier League, he has done well to get his name in the conversation, regardless.

And if he can maintain the level he is currently playing at, as Mepham suggests, his future is set to be a bright one.

The former Sheffield United man has been directly involved in over 10 Premier League goals for the Cherries this term, showing the sort of productivity in the final third that could attract some serious interest in the future.

Until then, though, Brooks must continue to improve, with Bournemouth being an environment where he can do just that.

Bournemouth fans, just how far do you think Brooks can go? Join the discussion by commenting below.

Deserves to stay: Ben Davies hailed by Tottenham fans

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It might come as a surprise to learn that Ben Davies has actually made more than 160 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur in all competitions.

That number is 163 to be precise, with 35 of those coming this season.

The 26-year-old has faced his fair share of criticism, but has been a key contributor to Tottenham since arriving from Swansea City in the summer of 2014.

It was actually Davies’ birthday on Wednesday, which led to a post from Tottenham’s official Twitter account.

As expected, the club’s supporters were on hand to comment on the Wales international and it would be fair to say that there was a hugely positive reaction.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he would have snubbed Tottenham for Arsenal if they’d come knocking in 2005…

Social media is usually a good gauge when it comes to determining how the supporters feel about a particular player.

And Davies – despite facing previous criticism – certainly appears to be in the good books of the fans at the moment.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Rangers fans want Docherty in the first team next season

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Rangers fans are very impressed by Greg Docherty, after the loaned out midfielder cleaned up at Shrewsbury’s end of season awards.

The Gers have some great young talent coming through the ranks at the moment, with Glenn Middleton surely the one fans are most excited about.

Docherty meanwhile has perhaps flown under the radar due to his departure last summer, joining the Shrews on a one-year loan, but the 22 year-old has been nothing short of phenomenal in League One.

He has scored ten times and added 11 assists in all competitions this season, and has shown fantastic fitness and durability by playing a whopping 49 games.

Not only is 21 goal involvements a superb return for a young central midfielder, he clearly has the respect of his teammates and the fans too, as he scooped the Family Stand Player of The Year, the Away Travel Club Player of The Year and the OSC Player of The Year at Tuesday’s awards ceremony, per The Scottish Sun.

Steven Gerrard has been on the hunt for players who can inject goals from midfield, taking pressure off Alfredo Morelos, and the Twitter reactions down below hope Docherty is the perfect fit…

Sunderland fans split on season-changing transfer

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Loads of Sunderland fans have been reacting to an article on popular fan site Roker Report, discussing the impact of Josh Maja’s departure.

Maja was the most crucial part of Sunderland’s campaign until January, bagging an incredible 15 goals in 25 League One appearances.

The 20 year-old used his contract situation to force a move away from the club though, and swapped Wearside for Bordeaux for an undisclosed fee, per BBC.

The Black Cats weren’t slack in replacing the youngster either, bringing Will Grigg to the Stadium of Light in the hopes his incredible lower-league scoring record would carry them through to automatic promotion.

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Of course, that hasn’t happened, as Grigg has mustered just four League One strikes since January, and fellow front man Charlie Wyke just cannot seem to find any sort of consistent form.

With the daunting play-off gauntlet looming, fans appear to be split on Maja’s departure, with some saying good riddance to a player who didn’t want to stay, while others wonder what could have been.

Either way, take a look at the best Twitter reactions down below…

Cracking news: Everton fans reveal their delight as Simms signs professional deal

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Ellis Simms has signed his first professional contract for Everton, the club’s Under-23 boss David Unsworth has confirmed.

Simms, who has made three appearances for Everton’s Under-23 side this term, has scored a staggering 37 times in 25 games at youth level this season.

The 18-year-old’s previous deal was due to expire this summer.

However, Unsworth has confirmed that Simms has penned fresh terms.

The Everton fans have been on social media reacting to the news, and as expected, a large number have revealed their delight.

Simms is seemingly some distance from being involved with the first team, but a strong run of performances for the Under-23s next season will surely put him in the thinking of head coach Marco Silva sooner rather than later.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

A record of 32 goals in 21 games in the Under-18 Premier League this term really is something very special indeed.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

West Brom: Dwight Gayle would be worth the money

Obviously, West Bromwich Albion built a fairly luxurious squad going by the thinking that Premier League promotion would be guaranteed.

Well, now that the dream has come to a crashing halt, Luke Dowling finds himself in a difficult predicament.

Even after investing highly in the squad during the summer and winter transfer window, inability to even make the play-off finals has left them red-faced. The Baggies are going through an uncomfortable summer overhaul, being without a proper manager and releasing players and the latest victim to face the consequences is star striker Dwight Gayle.

Indeed, the Baggies announced (as per BBC Sport) recently that he won’t be signed permanently over the summer. Gayle’s contract is an expensive one with parent club Newcastle United, making it difficult for them to balance the finances. However, the club should also realise they wouldn’t find a clinical, hounding striker like him anytime soon.

Not pushing the boat out here could be a major mistake.

The excellent work he produced for the Baggies definitely called him to be rewarded with a permanent deal, or at least an attempt to keep him for another campaign, despite the coast. The 28-year-old bagged 24 goals in the Championship, two more than the experienced Jay Rodriguez. Moreover, his persistence and foxy nature in and around the penalty area added a cutting edge to West Brom’s attacking style.

Look at what Aston Villa did. They rolled the dice and brought in Tammy Abraham on loan after missing out last season and the 1-cap England man has led the club to a play-off final, at West Brom’s expense.

To find a striker capable of inspiring his side as Gayle did will be a tough ask. After releasing so many players, West Brom should’ve kept their marquee striker. Now they find themselves with an ageing Rodriguez and his dejected partners, which could lead to potentially dark times which lay ahead for management and the new manager.

West Brom fans, are you disappointed to see Gayle leave? Join the discussion by commenting below…

"Start him in Baku" – Arsenal fans want Danny Welbeck in Europa League final squad

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Arsenal fans are surprisingly pushing for the inclusion of Danny Welbeck in the Europa League final squad as the England international looks to return from injury in time for the Baku showpiece.

Welbeck has not appeared for the Gunners since seriously injuring his right ankle against Sporting Lisbon in November, but according to BBC reporter David Ornstein, the striker not only participated but scored a hat-trick in a friendly at Arsenal’s training ground last week.

With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette firmly entrenched as Unai Emery’s first-choice attacking options Welbeck is set to depart the Emirates Stadium this summer.

A five-year spell in north London has seen Welbeck struggle with injuries and profligate finishing, leading to a poor goalscoring return of 32 goals in 126 appearances for the Gunners.

However, with the former Manchester United forward nearing full fitness and an expanded bench allowance of 12 players in the Europa League final, there could be a surprise place for the 28-year old, at least amongst the substitutes.

Check out an Arsenal fan vow to “move to another planet” if Spurs win the UCL in the video below…

A popular figure for his work rate and determination, Arsenal fans on Twitter have been clamouring for Welbeck’s participation against Chelsea after hearing of his impending health.

Check out the best of the reaction below!

Liverpool: Club should allow Ryan Kent to leave for Aston Villa this summer

Trying to make your name at a Premier League club is one of the hardest tasks in football, even more so when that team is Liverpool.

The club have one of the best reputations in the country for bringing through academy prospects, with Trent Alexander-Arnold being the latest in a long list of stars to make it at the Merseyside club, but for every success story there are a dozen other tales of players not being given a sniff in despite an obvious talent, and one such player is Ryan Kent.

The 22-year-old winger has been a fan favourite at Liverpool for some time and was tipped for great things but has yet to find a way into Jurgen Klopp’s first-team plans, and after a successful season out on loan at Rangers the attacker has firmly put himself in the shop window for the summer transfer window, and Aston Villa have come calling.

According to the Scottish Sun, the Villains are interested in the Liverpool academy product and are willing to put up £10 million for Kent, with Rangers also interested in retaining the services of the attacker, and for the Reds, they should allow the winger to walk this summer to the newly promoted Premier League side.

Aston Villa over the past two seasons have shown to be a team on the rise after regaining top-flight status in their second successive Championship play-off match, and under Dean Smith, Kent will flourish as a player in the English top-flight compared to another season in Scotland with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.

Kent has shown he is more than capable of playing first-team football at the highest level, and now the youngster has the chance to impress in the Premier League with a team on the rise, and Liverpool should allow the winger to leave.

Liverpool fans, should the club sell Kent this summer? Let us know!

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