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Many Derby County fans have been left to slam the display of Lee Gregory in their 0-0 draw at Barnsley in the EFL Championship on Wednesday evening.

The striker, currently on loan from Stoke City, was guilty of missing a big chance to win the match, but instead the Pride Park faithful had to settle for a point to edge them ever closer to safety.

Gregory did not have the best of games by his standards, losing out on five of his duels, while also failing to record a single successful dribble and losing possession of the ball 11 times (Sofascore).

Aside from that one great chance, the 32-year-old struggled to make any sort of real impact on the fixture, recording fewer touches than his own goalkeeper Kelle Roos and a mere 25 in total, the fewest out of any Rams player to have started the clash (Sofascore).

Derby fan reaction to Gregory display

These DCFC supporters slammed his performance on Twitter, with one fan even going as far as to claim that the Englishman was ‘rubbish’:

“Gregory was rubbish send him back !!! #dcfc #dcfcfans”

Credit: @JillianW123

“Roos and Mengi really good today. Edmundson worked very well in midfield but lacks control with the ball at his feet. Gregory had an absolute stinker with an awful touch when he was through in the first half and missing the 1v1 in the second. Lucky not to give away a pen #dcfc”

Credit: @Joe43534774

“Must admit Lee Gregory is worse than I thought #dcfc”

Credit: @rooybears

“We let Marriott go on loan and we sign Lee Gregory no wonder we are in trouble #dcfc”

Credit: @Rammie007

“It’s the reason why Gregory allowed out on loan. Not good enough, doesn’t score enough. We need Derby players in the summer not loan players”Credit: @ijclarke72″Gregory has had the chance to win 3 games now, and fluffed them all. Not impressed.”Credit: @RamInSwedenIn other news, find out who was hammered for their display versus Cardiff City here!

Southampton’s Premier League form may have fallen off a cliff in recent months but the Saints are still going in the FA Cup and have a great chance of reaching the last four as they face Championship side Bournemouth in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

In order to give his side the best chance of success at the Vitality Stadium, Ralph Hasenhuttl should consider unleashing Mohammed Salisu at the weekend.

After a difficult first few months with Southampton, the centre-back finally made his debut for the club in the 2-0 win against Wolves in the last round and he has gone on to make a further five appearances for the Saints since then. However, he was left out of the line-up against Brighton last weekend.

The 21-year-old also showed his versatility in the recent 5-2 defeat against Manchester City, with Hasenhuttl selecting him at left-back and Ryan Bertrand moving to right-back as a result.

The former Chelsea man has been Saints’ first choice at left-back for the whole season despite a poor run of recent form, with his 6.42 average rating comfortably the worst of Southampton’s regulars in defence.

Therefore, it is perhaps time that he was dropped, with Salisu the natural replacement for the Englishman at left-back, especially after youngster Jake Vokins was sent on loan to Sunderland in January.

Earlier in the season, Jannik Vestergaard dubbed the former Real Valladolid man a “big talent” despite his lack of appearances, and his debut at Wolves certainly showed what he is capable of, as he earned an impressive 7.02 WhoScored rating for his performance, helping Hasenhuttl’s side to a rare clean sheet.

Bournemouth’s main threat on Saturday will arguably come down the wings, with both Junior Stanislas and Arnaut Danjuma having impressed for the Cherries this season. Hasenhuttl should arguably select his two most in-form full-backs to deal with them, and that should see Salisu start ahead of Bertrand on the left.

Playing the young centre-back out wide also allows Southampton to shift into a back three with Walker-Peters pushing forward on the right, so having a natural centre-back in that position could well prove to be a game-changer for Hasenhuttl, not just against Bournemouth but maybe for the rest of the season.

And, in other news… Forget Ings: Saints should hand new deal to £13.5m-rated beast who Ralph loves

If you cast your minds all the way back to the extended summer transfer window, you will remember Ross Wilson embarked on a big spending spree in a bid to stop Celtic’s ten in a row.

Rangers recorded a £10.35m net spend in the last window, per Transfermarkt, as Wilson brought in the likes of Cedric Itten and Kemar Roofe on four-year deals.

They also secured the signing of Bafana-Bafana midfielder Bongani Zungu on an initial loan deal with the option to buy. But it hasn’t quite worked out for him at Ibrox, as he has been limited to mostly substitute appearances from the bench.

Just because a player is a fully-fledged international, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will succeed in the Scottish Premiership; a league that has become known for its physicality.

Rangers also stumbled across former Brighton centre-back Leon Balogun, who has turned out to be a rare gem of a find.

Now, however, they have missed out on the chance to sign a player who was once considered to be the ‘New Gazza’ – 34-cap England international Jack Wilshere.

Rangers had a legitimate interest in signing the free agent after his £100,000-per-week contract was terminated by West Ham on transfer deadline day but a move didn’t materialise and he recently re-joined Bournemouth instead.

There’s no two ways of saying this – this has to be one of Wilson’s biggest regrets in recent memory. Steven Gerrard was on the hunt for a new central midfielder in the summer and he ultimately brought in Zungu as backup for Steven Davis.

However, it’s fair to say that they still arguably lack a technical operator in the midfield who can play second fiddle to Davis, as Zungu has failed to register a single goal or assist so far this season.

Able to play at the centre, on the left or on the right, Wilshere could’ve been exactly that. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola once said: “He’s quality, he’s smart and has the quality on the ball. He has a special quality with the ball, dribbling as a holding-midfielder to attack central defenders — it’s not easy to do that.”

In his last season at Arsenal alone, he took 1.2 shots and made 1.8 key passes per game, via WhoScored, – successfully completing 3.2 dribbles on average.

For context, this would have put him top of the Rangers squad ahead of the likes of Joe Aribo (1.7) and Ryan Kent (1.9). In comparison, Zungu has shockingly only managed 0.1 dribbles per game this season, as per WhoScored.

This sort of attacking threat would’ve been most welcome in the Govan side of Glasgow, as he has shown a willingness to bring the ball out from the back to put his team on the front foot.

AND in other news, Rangers loanee Kai Kennedy showed his class against Hearts…

The Athletic’s Gregg Evans has delivered a major update on Aston Villa’s transfer plans for the summer.

What’s the story?

Dean Smith’s side have enjoyed a superb campaign thus far in the Premier League and are still very much in the hunt for a shock European place for next season.

One of the shining lights of Villa’s year has been Ollie Watkins’ performances since his arrival from Brentford last summer, with the 25-year-old having scored 12 goals in all competitions.

But with Wesley only recently working his way back to fitness after more than a year out with a knee injury, and Keinan Davis clearly not in favour, Villa’s striking options are on thing ground.

And now, Evans has delivered a slightly concerning update, suggesting that Wesley will first be given an opportunity to impress before the club “will consider recruiting again in that area come the summer”.

He added: “Talks over the way forward will take place in the weeks and months ahead. Villa have potential targets drawn up already but will assess the situation closer to the end of the season.

“Much will depend on where they finish in the table (they are currently eighth on 36 points with two games in hand on, for example, fifth-placed Chelsea on 43) and whether it’s felt they will need extra resources immediately next season.”

Smith may be fuming

After taking a major gamble in choosing to not sign a striker back in the January transfer window, Villa are in danger of being overly cautious once again.

An injury to Watkins anytime soon would leave the Villa boss with a half-fit Wesley, and Davis, whose record at the club is nothing to write home about – he’s managed a measly five goals in 75 games.

While giving Wesley the chance to get back to full fitness is admirable, that doesn’t detract from the fact Villa could really do with another front-line centre-forward to compete with both the Brazilian and Watkins.

And, the notion that Villa will assess the situation depending on where they finish in the table, is a slap in the face for the manager. Smith has worked wonders in getting this side who narrowly avoided relegation last season into a team challenging for a European spot.

The least he deserves is to be backed 100% in the transfer market, and be given the funds to make the signings and reinforcements that he wants, irrespective of whether they achieve European football or not. The Villa boss won’t be happy at all that the club’s transfer plans are still up in the air.

Sunderland booked their place in the last 16 of the EFL Trophy on Tuesday evening as Lee Johnson secured his first win as the Black Cats’ new boss, defeating League Two Oldham Athletic 2-1 on their own patch.

The home side did take the lead inside 13 minutes with Bobby Grant rifling past academy shot-stopper Anthony Patterson before Chris Maguire levelled things on the half-hour mark.

Fellow first-team regular Josh Scowen then secured the victory in the second half, heading home from a ball in from Grant Leadbitter.

Although despite the victory, not all of Johnson’s senior stars were at the races at Boundary Park – none more so than Conor McLaughlin, who was especially poor.

Value at £360k by Transfermarkt and capped 38 times for Northern Ireland at international level, the 29-year-old really should be carving up opposition that are struggling in the division below.

Per SofaScore, McLaughlin failed to win a single duel from three attempts, lost possession nine times, and also didn’t register a single tackle or block either, meaning he was lightweight and wasteful.

The former Fleetwood and Millwall defender even failed to deliver an accurate cross throughout the 90 minutes, proving to be ineffective in attack. It’s no wonder Will Grigg and then Charlie Wyke had very little to feed off, and as such, neither got themselves on the scoresheet.

RokerReport graded Bailey Wright a five out of ten, one rating below that of McLaughlin, but it was the right-back who looked more suspect at times.

Johnson isn’t blessed with options in the full-back position and the late injury to Dion Sanderson will have hardly helped either, so the 39-year-old should quite rightly be furious with what he saw.

Whilst it is still early days, the veteran badly let his new manager down and will need to improve when the Black Cats face second-placed Lincoln City at Sincil Bank on Saturday afternoon.

AND in other news, Lee Johnson dealt first blow as Sunderland boss as key man faces month out…

Steven Gerrard has been dealt a huge blow ahead of the Old Firm clash with Celtic after Glasgow Rangers ace Scott Arfield was ruled out of action due to injury.

The attack-minded midfielder had barely missed a beat since the start of the season before he suffered an ankle injury during the 1-0 victory over Hibernian on Boxing Day.

Speaking to reporters prior to the highly-anticipated clash at the top of the Scottish Premiership, the Light Blues boss provided an injury update to Arfield after he hobbled off the pitch in the win at home to Hibs.

Gerrard said, as quoted by The Scotsman: “The scan came back and we are just waiting on a few more opinions on it.

“We’ve had one opinion on it and he will obviously be missing in the short term. He will definitely be missing for a few weeks, that’s for sure.

“But in terms of the exact date or time, it’s very difficult to say right now. He will certainly miss the next two or three fixtures.”

Arfield has been an integral part of Gerrard’s side since he first arrived at Ibrox, starting five out of his six appearances and playing the full 90′ minutes on three occasions in the Europa League this season, via Transfermarkt.

The Rangers manager revealed the club are still waiting the results of a second scan to show the full extent of the injury, but expects him to be out of action for several weeks.

Rangers will also be without Ryan Jack for the second Old Firm derby of the season, as Gerrard previously confirmed he will be forced to sit and watch from the sidelines as he works his way back to fitness.

“It has taken a little bit longer than we thought, so that is just not clear at the moment. I don’t really want to rush that, so he won’t be available for the next game,” the Ibrox boss previously stated.

There’s no doubt that losing Arfield for the foreseeable future will be a devastating blow for Gerrard as the Gers seek to juggle both domestic and European competitions whilst trying to prevent Celtic from winning an unprecedented ten titles in a row, with the 32-year-old central midfielder proving to be a key cog in the engine room.

No midfielder has scored more goals than the former Canada international with Arfield accounting for seven goals across all competitions so far this season, via Transfermarkt. Only three other players in the entirety of the Premiership have provided more assists than Arfield (5) has achieved in 20 appearances in the top flight, though it’s worth pointing out at least half of those appearances have come off the bench.

He will be sorely missed by Gerrard at Ibrox as the Gers look to kick-off the New Year in style, having scored the second goal against Celtic to secure a victory over the eventual champions last season.

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers defender Filip Helander badly let Gerrard down vs St. Mirren…

MatériaMais Notícias

Sonho antigo de Paulo Nobre, Cleiton Xavier ainda tem um voto de confiança do presidente do Palmeiras. Sem jogar desde agosto, o meia agora sofreu uma lesão grave na panturrilha direita e pode ficar mais dois meses sem jogar. Ainda assim, o dirigente avisou que o clube não irá ao mercado para esta vaga. Segundo ele, o atual grupo, diferentemente do de 2015, está mais preparado para não cair tanto de rendimento com lesões.

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-Não é a ideia (voltar ao mercado). A gente montou um elenco para não passar pelos problemas de 2015. O time era muito bom, o elenco não era pequeno, mas tivemos umas certas dificuldades de encontrar substitutos para jogadores específicos que se lesionaram. Montamos um elenco com peças de reposição, para quando acontecessem problemas durante a temporada. A gente imaginava que algumas contusões aconteceriam, aconteceu agora na pré-temporada e nós temos peças de reposição e o Cleiton pode ter tempo para se recuperar – disse o dirigente, em entrevista ao Fox Sports.

Fã e próximo do jogador, Paulo Nobre queria repatriar Cleiton Xavier desde que chegou à presidência do clube, em 2013. A meta foi atingida em 2015, mas o jogador também teve muitos problemas físicos e ficou devendo: foram apenas 17 partidas na temporada passada, quatro como titular.

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-O Cleiton é um jogador que se deu muito bem no Palmeiras no fim da década passada. Foi negociado, coisa natural, e o palmeirense, inclusive eu, sempre sonhou com a volta dele. Ele se dedicou muito durante as férias e a gente imaginava que agora ele tivesse a deslanchada que todos esperam. Eu tenho muita esperança no Cleiton ainda, mas ele se machucou agora – lamentou.

Para reforçar sua confiança em Cleiton Xavier, Paulo Nobre citou Barrios. O atacante paraguaio chegou sem empolgar após a Copa América e recebeu até críticas, mas foi um dos destaques na final da Copa do Brasil, contra o Santos.

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– É natural o torcedor se decepcionar. Mas o dirigente tem que entender que o Cleiton é um ativo da casa e se está no Palmeiras é porque a gente acredita que ele possa render bons frutos. No ano passado, ele participou do primeiro gol do Gabriel Jesus, fez gol contra o Cruzeiro. Um jogador dessa qualidade quando tem uma sequência dá retorno. Muita gente falou do Barrios, mas ele já está mostrando. É jogador bom, que acaba dando retorno uma hora ou outra. O Cleiton, tenho certeza absoluta, que quando estiver em campo, será um jogador que dá retorno – acrescentou.

For Sunderland supporters, they must be incredibly sick and tired now.

Their 1-1 draw against Fleetwood on Friday night just about summed up everything that’s gone wrong over the last few years.

Typically, they failed to hold onto their lead and thus, by the end of the weekend, they could slip ten points off top spot.

For Phil Parkinson, time is running out. He has already missed one bite at promotion and the Black Cats simply cannot afford to fall even further back.

One positive on Friday, however, was Charlie Wyke. The striker has been a rejuvenated figure this season and now has six goals in his last 11 outings for the Mackems.

He was again impressive in the draw against Fleetwood but arguably, there was a more vital component in Sunderland’s team.

That was midfielder Josh Scowen, someone who has been one of their most consistent figures in 2020/21.

He didn’t score or assist the goal but it was an influential all-action display from the middle of the park.

The ex-QPR man worked his way into the channels nicely and over the course of his time on the field, performed ten crosses and eight long balls forward.

Furthermore, Scowen completed 66% of his duels – 3 ground and 3 aerial – while he made two blocks and one tackle. The 27-year-old was a calm and assured player for the Black Cats, completing 100% of his dribbles too.

This was a measured display that went under the radar, one that certainly won’t draw too many plaudits. Yet, Scowen was the one to dictate the play from central areas, proving successful with 74% of his passes.

Of course, a game is not all about stats, but he was dependable and secure with the ball at his feet. That’s something you can’t say about a lot of the players that take to the field for Sunderland – for instance, Danny Graham made just seven passes all game on Friday.

Scowen, on the other hand, plays with dedication and is proving exactly why he’s one of the first names on Parkinson’s team sheet.

He is a rare shining light at the moment.

In other news, check out who could benefit from Lynden Gooch’s injury blow…

MatériaMais Notícias

Faz tempo que Antônio Carlos Nunes de Lima incorporou a patente ao nome. Ele é o Coronel Nunes. Dirigente de 77 anos e com carreira na Polícia Militar, o presidente da Federação Paraense é a figura mais provável para assumir a cadeira de vice-presidente da CBF deixada pelo detido José Maria Marin. Apesar de ser de uma entidade pouco representativa nacionalmente, estado que sequer conseguiu convencer CBF e COL a receber a Copa do Mundo-2014, Nunes, o Coronel, diz que está preparado para assumir uma função na esfera nacional do futebol.

– Tem pessoas que nascem para comandar. E outras que nascem para serem comandadas. Eu nasci para comandar – disse ele, nesta entrevista ao LANCE!.

Coronel Nunes diz que torce pela volta de Marco Polo Del Nero ao poder na CBF. Só que ao mesmo tempo em que garante estar apenas se candidatando à função de vice da CBF, ele diz que não fugirá da obrigação de comandar a entidade, caso seja necessário no futuro, já que tem tudo para se tornar o primeiro na linha de sucessão por causa da idade, deixando Delfim Peixoto (da Federação Catarinense e 74 anos) para trás.

A eleição está marcada para o dia 16 de dezembro.

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“Vários clubes já manifestaram apoio. Registro da chapa é um ponto pacífico”.

O senhor vai assumir a CBF assim que for eleito para vice?
Estou sendo lançado à vice-presidência para a lacuna do Marin, conforme estabelece o estatuto (licença maior que 180 dias). Vários clubes já manifestaram apoio. Registro da chapa é um ponto pacífico.

Mas não projeta assumir?
Se estamos preenchendo uma vacância, e a qualquer momento formos chamados, temos que assumir. Mas eu te garanto o seguinte. Começou o processo nesses 15 dias, temos ainda que avaliar o que virá pela frente.

Conversou com o Marco Polo antes dele se despedir?
Conversei muito com ele, na própria sexta-feira (quando houve reunião dos presidentes de federação na CBF, e o nome de Nunes foi definido). Ele confia no meu trabalho. Mas é o seguinte: não vou dizer que vou substituir de imediato. Quero que ele continue, que saia bem na investigação, e continue à frente do futebol brasileiro.

Pediu dica quando o Marco Polo saiu?
Marco Polo não foi embora. Ele está aí, po… Não é momento de chegar, pedir dica. Mas falei para os outros: “Não quero que vocês me abandonem.

Qual a avaliação sobre o relatório do FBI?
Sou bacharel em direito. É preciso ver os autos. E eu não vi.

Como encara as ressalvas feitas pelo fato de o senhor ser de uma Federação do Norte, sem representatividade na Série A?
Todos somos brasileiros, capazes. Não é porque sou do Norte que não tenha condição de administrar o futebol. Mas não posso fazer nada sozinho e tenho que ter a persistência de comandar. Tem pessoas que nascem para comandar. E outras que nascem para serem comandadas. Eu nasci para comandar.

Como foi a negociação com os presidentes do Sudeste, já que, por convenção política, a cadeira era deles?
O prazo do Marin venceu dia 27 de novembro. E já tinha manifestação que eu seria o escolhido. Conversei com o Rubinho (Rubens Lopes, presidente da Ferj), Reinaldo (Carneiro Bastos, presidente da Federação Paulista)… Os colegas estavam com a tendência de me apresentar como candidato. O estatuto da CBF não diz de onde a pessoa tem que ser escolhida. Pode ser uma pessoa de fora. Não há referência.

Pediram algo em troca dessa “permissão”?
Ninguém chegou para mim pedindo nada.

O senhor cogita deixar a Federação Paraense?
Tenho dois vices na minha federação. O estatuto, tanto o nosso quanto o da CBF, não obriga ninguém a renunciar cargo. Cada federação é um braço da CBF. Ela trata tudo, como uma grande família. Mas se houver necessidade, iria (sair) também pela idade. Tenho dois vices, não tem problema. Posso passar a função.

Como vê o comportamento do Delfim, dizendo que essa eleição é um golpe?
O Delfim não foi alijado, ele continua no cargo, foi eleito na última assembleia geral eleitoral. Sou amigo dele de longa data. Ele era candidato e votamos nele. Eu esperava que a recíproca fosse verdadeira. Eu não considero um golpe. É um direito dele reclamar, mas ele não foi destituído de nenhum cargo. Considero ele meu amigo.

Que plano o senhor tem para melhorar a imagem da CBF, que está manchada?
Se fala muito disso ai. Temos que trabalhar, nos unir. Se a imagem não está boa, todos nós somos os responsáveis, somos um grupo. Vamos ver qual a alternativa, no mundo tudo se transforma. Não vamos tapar o sol com a peneira. Vamos colocar no papel as coisas. Muita gente fala do lado de fora, mas não coloca em ação.

Como sua visão sobre a Seleção Brasileira? Se tivesse que assumir, demitiria o Dunga?
A Seleção está com um projeto em andamento. Marco Polo montou essa comissão, eles têm liberdade para trabalhar, isso eu acompanho. Digo como torcedor: tem vezes que não dá para levar à frente. Dunga é meu conhecido, fui chefe da delegação na Copa das Confederações da África do Sul (2009). Sempre achei ele um rapaz trabalhador, correto, aplicado. Vi o Dunga ser capitão, que é uma prova que sabe liderar. Muita gente me pergunta isso ai. Estamos numa classificação, não viramos o turno das Eliminatórias. O trabalho não é para ser primeiro. Tem quatro vagas para a Copa e o Brasil está ali. Acredito que o trabalho tem que ser continuado, com seriedade.

E sua opinião sobre o presidente em exercício?
O Marcus Vicente é o presidente. Nosso entendimento é o melhor possível. Ele é sério, atencioso, um cara simples, amigo. Acredito que são pessoas assim que devem atuar no futebol.

Como vê a atuação do Bom Senso, que inclusive planeja lançar candidato à presidência da CBF em 2018?
Eu tenho acompanhado só através da imprensa. Talvez eu veja mais de perto isso aí. Todos os que querem, quem quer trabalhar pelo bem do futebol, tem que chegar e não falar. Às vezes vai falar e não tem como agir. Às vezes, joga muito para mídia, mas não joga para o lado prático. Se todos querem trabalhar pelo bem do futebol, qualquer voz é bem-vinda.

Como o senhor enxerga a questão das ligas?
Já teve a Liga do Norte, tem a Liga do Nordeste e todas elas trabalham em conjunto com a CBF e federações de cada estado. Tem que ser assim. Pela legislação brasileira, quem é responsável por administrar o futebol, a CBF. Quem é o cartório da Fifa para registro de jogadores? CBF. E assim vai.

Whilst the international break is not always ideal for club managers, such as Glasgow Rangers’ Steven Gerrard, it gives them the opportunity to see how their players adapt to a different situation.

There are plenty of Gers players who are currently away with their countries, such as Glen Kamara, who represents Finland. The 24-year-old has 21 caps, the latest of which came against the Republic of Ireland. His performance in that game could be a big one not only for Finland, but also at Ibrox.

For Gerrard, Kamara generally sits in a defensive midfield role, shielding the back four, but against the Irish he was far more of a threat going in the other direction. For example, he completed all three of the dribbles he attempted, had a passing accuracy of 93%, and also contributed with two key passes – he has averaged 0.6 dribbles and 1.2 key passes in the Premiership so far this term.

The likes of Brian Laudrup have demanded more creativity in the Gers midfield, and Kamara could be the man to solve that Gerrard problem. Whilst he may not be the most prolific – he has just one strike in those 21 caps – he still has the ability to provide going forward rather than just sitting in a defensive role. It is time Gerrard took the shackles off the £1.08m-valued man (as per Transfermarkt).

Let us know what you think below!