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Under pressure and out of form Charlton headed in to Tuesday’s clash with table topping Cardiff needing points from somewhere, something that seemed impossible following the trouncing they suffered at the hands of Middlesbrough three days previous.

Sitting 21st in the table has made alarm bells ring for some Charlton fans that seem to at any opportunity jump on the team and more importantly Chris Powell’s back.

That seemed like it was going to be the case again after just 25 minutes against Cardiff where they found themselves 2-0 down courtesy of a Helguson header and a Mason tap in. However in this incredible game Charlton didn’t just flake away like most people would have expected with their current form but found themselves back on level terms at the break following a Johnnie Jackson brace.

With the amazing support well and truly behind the Addicks now they made an assault at the Cardiff goal on numerous occasions and completed their comeback on 54 minutes when a forty yard free kick eluded David Marshall and sent the covered end in to absolute delirium.

The goal scoring did not end there though and with Charlton’s tails well and truly up now, Haynes quickly added a fourth which resulted in numerous amounts of Cardiff fans actually head for the exit with the home fans taunts of “Cheerio cheerio”. The home support carried on in full voice and there chants of “ we want five” was duly met with a thumping header from Rob Hulse on 65 minutes.

A shell-shocked Cardiff did start to react by now and had carved a few openings for themselves keeping this a very entertaining game and one which was about to swing the pendulum the other way as the fourth official rose the board to reveal 6 minutes added time, no idea where this came from but Cardiff made the most of it and almost completed the most unlikeliest of comebacks. Firstly Noone cooly took it round Hamer and slotted home to a sarcastic cheer from all corners of the ground but this lifted the Cardiff team and there was time for Gunnarsson to add a Fourth by now Charlton fans could not watch and Cardiff actually almost nicked an amazing equalizer at the death only for Noone to fire just over to the relief of the Charlton fans.

A great night of football at the Valley and one that will live on for a long time, it’s also taken that little bit of pressure of Powell’s shoulders now they have masterminded a great comeback against the league leaders at the time. Next up for Charlton is a trip to Ashton gate to face the struggling Bristol City already being dubbed as a potential “6 pointer”. Charlton will need to be at their best they will know but a win could actually see them rise as far as joint 14th which just goes to show how even this league is.

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The one thing that really lifted Charlton on Tuesday night was the amazing support even at 2-0 down the crowd did not stop singing including a solid first fifteen minutes of “Chrissy Powell’s red and white army”. I’m sure it inspired this amazing night and it really proved that some games the crowd really is the 12th man so come on Charlton fans every game let’s get behind the boys from now on and leave the stick for at home.

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England’s squad may lack the star names of years gone by but the healthy atmosphere in the squad and competition for places has given Gareth Southgate no shortage of selection headaches.

Ahead of today’s against Tunisia – his side’s first of World Cup 2018 – the former Middlesbrough manager has had a number of marginal calls to make all over the pitch.

However, it is reassuring for both Southgate and the Three Lions fans that the quality of the players in battle for the starting berths is largely comparable, which could also create healthy rivalry should England progress into the later stages of the competition.

One such dilemma is at right wing-back where, with Kyle Walker permanently moved inside to centre half, the choice is between Tottenham’s Kieran Trippier – valued at £18m by Transfermarkt – and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has enjoyed a sensational season to force himself into Southgate’s thinking.

But who should start as England look to capitalise on some slack starts among the traditional big-hitters and get off to a flier? Let us know by voting below and keep your eyes peeled for the results pre-match…

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To say there’s a mistake in him is something of an understatement.

Eliaquim Mangala has been Manchester City’s weak link in the back line pretty much ever since he arrived in England.

Alongside any of City’s current centre-backs, Mangala looks out of place, and a big-money January move for Aymeric Laporte pretty much shows that despite the Blues’ current comfortable position in the league table, there was a clear need for an upgrade.

That move has allowed the French defender to talk to other clubs and find a transfer of his own, even if it’s just a temporary deal. And Sky Sports News are reporting that Everton are the team ‘confident’ of landing him on loan until the end of the season.

You can see, though, why Evertonians would have reservations about the defender. He is, after all, seen not just as a weak link in the City side, but also as a flop of epic proportions, having been signed for over £30m back when that was a significant outlay even for the Etihad Stadium side.

But there’s a reason why Mangala has looked so shaky, and it’s not because he’s a bad defender.

Indeed, the fact he’s big, powerful and good in the air means he’ll usually have something about him when it comes to keeping the ball away from the goal, but some of his underappreciated qualities include his bravery, his ability to get a block in and his reading of the game, which is better than his ability to sort out his feet suggest.

And yet, the reason all of that wasn’t enough at City is quite simply down to the style of play.

He wasn’t great under Manuel Pellegrini, but the gung-ho style under the former boss coupled with the on-again-off-again fitness of Vincent Kompany meant that anyone would have struggled. Since the arrival of Guardiola, he’s been sidelined mostly because of his lack of ability with the ball at his feet.

Mangala has always been seen as something of a rough diamond, but one which certainly can’t be cut into the John Stones or Gerard Pique mould. Instead, he is a hulking stopper more at home in a team playing with a deep line than one looking to take control of the game, passing and pressing their way to victory. City this season have played with a high line and the Frenchman is clearly uncomfortable with that scenario. But under Sam Allardyce at Everton this season, he might find that this is a new system which suits him quite well.

With no space behind him to worry about, defending on the turn will be less of a problem, and when you take that away and put him into a defence which is well-drilled and competent, like you’d hope Everton’s will be under Allardyce by the end of the season, you might see a very different looking player – one who isn’t forced to do the uncomfortable things, and one who now looks like a commanding presence, not one scared of his own four shadows in the floodlights.

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To sweeten the deal, too, Mangala is a left-sided centre back, of which there aren’t too many around. And with left-back proving a problem position for Allardyce, it’s possible that the City defender could provide an unlikely versatility, potentially even filling in for Leighton Baines at certain times, too.

At the moment, there’s always a mistake in Mangala, but put him in a different context and he might well surprise you. Everton under Allardyce looks as good a place as any. And despite the doom and gloom around Goodison Park this season, there is still hope on the horizon, especially with a clever signing like this one.

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Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has called on his side to take emotion out of the equation to ease to a second Premier League title in three seasons.

The Sky Blues top the table going into the final game of 2013/14, with their impressive recent run having moved them ahead of Liverpool – who have dropped four points in their last two games.

City know that a win – and most likely even a draw – at home to West Ham will see them claim the trophy and complete a domestic double that also includes the Capital One Cup.

In 2012 the Citizens entered the final day of the season with the title on the line and almost lost it to local rivals Manchester United before Sergio Aguero netted a vital injury time goal against QPR to complete a 3-2 victory and claim crown on goal difference.

Kompany was one of the stars of that day, but this time he wants his team to do things the easy way:

“We have been in this situation before. That gives you that little bit of time to take a deep breath and keep an overview of the situation.” He is quoted by the Daily Star.

“Two years ago it felt very full on, the whole game. There were a lot of emotions involved – scoring the first goal, going down – there were too much emotions involved.

“I think this year we will hopefully only have to show our emotions at the end of the game.

“There is no guarantee, that is one thing we have learned, but we have won a lot of games at the Etihad.

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“We just need to put ourselves back in the mindset that we can carry on winning games here.

“I am sure Liverpool players and fans will still hope as well, so therefore we just need to do our job.”

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Young Liverpool winger Suso has agreed a new long term deal at Anfield and he claims that it is ‘the best day of his life’, as reported on liverpoolfc.com

Suso has been part of Brendan Rodgers’ redevelopment of the Liverpool squad that has seen youngsters given a chance in the first team and more often than not they have taken it. Although not stating how long the new deal runs for, the youngster is clearly excited by his future on Merseyside.

“I am really happy. Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world and this is the right place for me.

“I am happy Brendan has shown trust in me. I had no questions about signing a new deal and I am really glad to have done so.

“I am comfortable here. I have played some games for the first team and I hope to continue doing that, but I need to work hard every day for that to happen.

“This is one of the best days of my life.”

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According to club insider ExWHUEmployee, as many as nine first-team players could leave West Ham United in this summer’s transfer window.

Indeed, in an exclusive column for TheWestHamWay, ExWHUEmployee provided an update on who would leave the London Stadium ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.

Michail Antonio, Andy Carroll, Aaron Cresswell and Javier Hernandez were among those on the list as new head coach Manuel Pellegrini considers his options in this summer’s transfer window.

It is expected to be a busy transfer market for the Hammers as Pellegrini looks to put his own stamp on the club, and that is only right following the departure of David Moyes at the end of last season.

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The West Ham fans have been reacting to the speculation on social media, and it would be fair to say that they have differing opinions when it comes to the future of a number of first-team stars.

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Indeed, a few supporters have claimed that they would be happy to see every player on the list leave, although many others want the likes of Carroll and Cresswell to remain at the club this summer.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the West Ham fans can be seen below:

As reported by The Daily Mail, Newcastle United are looking to take Everton attacker Sandro Ramirez on loan for the rest of the 2017/18 season.

What’s the story?

The Magpies have struggled for goals in the English Premier League this season, netting just 22 times in 24 matches so far.

If they are to push on in the second half of the season and stay clear of the relegation zone then they need to show more potency in the final third and adding an attacker or two could really freshen things up in Rafa Benitez’s first team.

One man they’re said to be interested in is Everton star Sandro Ramirez.

The Daily Mail reckon they’ve made contact with the Toffees to take him on loan this January with Benitez ready to sanction a move that will cost them a £2m loan fee and £100,000-a-week in wages.

Newcastle do have competition though, with the paper reporting that La Liga sides Sevilla and Real Betis are both interested in the player, who joined Everton in the summer for £5.2m.

Can he make an impact?

While it’s true Ramirez has struggled to impress for Everton this season, it’s worth remembering his stellar form that won him a move to Goodison Park in the first place.

He scored 16 goals and provided five assists for Malaga in the Spanish top flight in 2016/17, the kind of attacking firepower that would go down a treat at Newcastle right now.

The former Spanish U21 international has scored just once for the Toffees but has found opportunities limited at Goodison Park, making just eight Premier League appearances.

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If Rafa Benitez can inspire him to find his La Liga form and he gets a run of regular games in the Spaniard’s system, he could be a real hit in the north east, even if the reported figures seem quite expensive for a short-term loan move.

It’s a risk that could pay off massively for Newcastle.

Pepsi today unveiled details of their superstar 2014 football squad, bringing together an unprecedented wealth of international talent to create one of the most jam packed, multi-talented and iconic lineups ever. 19 of the world’s greatest players, spanning five continents and nearly 20 countries, are uniting with Pepsi to inspire fans the world over to “Live For Now” in 2014.

Record breaking football superstar Leo Messi, Argentinian international striker Sergio Agüero and young British talent Jack Wilshere will be joined by Brazilian defender David Luiz, prolific goal scorer Robin van Persie and Spanish great Sergio Ramos as part of the global Pepsi lineup. These super six will be bolstered by additional footballing greats from across the globe representing their home countries, including: Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (Colombia), Clint Dempsey (USA), Tarik Elyounoussi (Norway), Maynor Figueroa (Honduras), Mario Gomez (Germany), Vincent Kompany (Belgium), Kemar Lawrence (Jamaica), Victor Moses (Nigeria), Peter Osaze Odemwingie (Nigeria), Oribe Peralta (Mexico), Andriy Pyatov (Ukraine), Mohamed Salah (Egypt) and Gylfi Por Sigurðsson (Iceland).

“Football has been my passion since I was a little boy and it’s certainly one of the things I live for now. I am so proud to be partnering with Pepsi again and representing the brand globally as part of this star-studded team,” says four-time player of the year and Argentinian captain Leo Messi.

Earlier today the Pepsi players took to social media to unveil the entire roster in an exciting digital relay that reached fans across the globe.

David Luiz, Premier League player for Chelsea and vice-captain for Brazil’s national team, comments:

“I’m excited to be teaming up with Pepsi and proud to be part of such a great team. For me, playing football is about making the most of every second on the pitch and showing your love and character for the game – and for the fans. I can’t wait to join fans from across the world and celebrate football.”

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The global player announcement also kicked off a series of exciting year-long activities as part of the 2014 Pepsi Football campaign. Not only will the players star in Pepsi’s global television commercial released later in the year, a selection of the players will also be featured on limited edition, eye-catching packaging and point of sale across the globe, designed to bring to life their flair and enthusiasm for the game. Special commemorative packaging featuring the global Pepsi players will start appearing in market in March, while integrations with music, art, digital, interactive experiences and additional special products will be unveiled throughout the year. Throughout the years, football has been a strong driver of growth for PepsiCo, with both its global beverages and snacks brands activating robust programs in 2014.

Kristin Patrick, Pepsi Global Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo Global Beverages Group comments:

“Pepsi has had a tremendous relationship with football, going back nearly 15 years. For this, our latest incarnation, we’ve brought together our most impressive Pepsi football roster yet, comprised of players who truly embody our brand spirit and excite and electrify us every time they step on the pitch. Our players know how to live for the moment, and throughout the year we’ll be collaborating with them to bring our fans exciting and engaging content, products and experiences – bringing fans closer to the game they love.”

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In the UK Pepsi Max will be featuring the global football super team in a full, through the line campaign, including limited edition packaging, point of sale, outdoor and digital support.

Sebastian Micozzi, UK Head of Marketing – Beverages, comments:

“We are thrilled to bring this new football campaign to the UK. Football is such a passion point for our brand and our consumers. It is one of the many ways we celebrate Pepsi’s Live for Now ethos. The line-up of players involved in this new campaign is truly unrivalled and shows how passionate and committed we are to growing our longstanding association with global football. Our consumers in the UK can look forward to lots of exciting activities in the coming months.”

Liverpool are set to reward young Spanish playmaker Suso a new contract as reward for a string of impressive performances.

The 18-year-old has featured in the Reds last 3 matches, starting in the 5-3 win at Young Boys and the 5-2 win at Norwich, whilst appearing as a second half substitute during the 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United.

The fans have really enjoyed what they have seen so far, and it has come as no surprise that Real Madrid were interested in signing him before Liverpool stepped in in 2010.

“He’s in the last year of his contract, and it’s something we will look at,” Rodgers said in the Mirror. “We did have a couple of offers for Suso in the summer, but I always said I didn’t want him to go.

“I felt we had a very good young player so let’s keep him here and we will see where he is in a couple of years. We had offers for him to go abroad but he was keen to stay, he understood he was going to get a chance here.

“He is tactically very good, strong technically with the ball. He makes things happen. I love that type of player. Talent finds space. He is a real talent. He is in the reckoning and he is a good kid as well.

“I have noticed a big progression in him from the pre-season tour of America: I have seen a real difference in the last couple of months and he has got a good appetite for the game. He is on the same page in terms of the tactical idea for the team. If his fight matches his talent we will have a very good player.”

Fellow youngsters Raheem Sterling and Andre Wisdom are also set to be offered new deals. The Liverpool youngsters have been a bright spark in what has been a difficult start to the season for Rodgers, who has been forced to throw them in due to the lack of depth in his squad.

“It’s funny how things work out. Maybe it’s fate,” Rodgers said. “Maybe this is all part of the story. Sometimes things happen by design, others by necessity. Whichever way, the plan between the window closing and January was to see how many of the young, talented players are going to be able to come into our squad – and I’ve been very, very pleased by the impact they’ve made.

“They have played with no fear, but I always say young players will run through a barbed wire fence for you. You have seen that in games. It’s also a great demonstration that with talent and spirit and belief and hard work what you can achieve, not matter how young you are.”

Rodgers was delighted with the performances of the teenage trio during the 5-2 rout of Norwich at the weekend, and admits their work rate and appetite for the game makes it easy for him to pick them over more established players such as Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson.

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“Yes, it makes my job easy. In fact, my job couldn’t be easier because if you are fighting and someone else isn’t, there isn’t even a… it is so easy,” he added. “Lots of others in the team are putting their bodies on the line and the ones that don’t stand out like a sore thumb.

“There is no problem and for me status does not matter. It is what you are like as a player. It doesn’t matter how much money you have come for, that doesn’t matter to me. I will play a 17-year-old if he fights and he has quality.”

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As Gareth Southgate prepares to take perhaps the youngest and least experienced England World Cup squad of all time to Russia 2018, the biggest source of optimism lies in how the Three Lions gaffer has set up his side in the last four friendlies. The utilisation of a system that combines 3-4-3 and 3-5-2 (perhaps best described therefore as 3-1-4-2) has produced respectable performances and decent results against traditional footballing nations in Germany, Brazil, Italy and the Netherlands.

And there’s a logic to Southgate’s setup as well, especially compared to the mentality shared by many of his predecessors – shoving square pegs in round holes and hoping by some miraculous fortune that England suddenly emerge as a well-balanced, cohesive unit.

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Rather, Southgate’s formation seems to get everybody in their natural positions and even the one exception, Kyle Walker, has brought something crucially different to the back three in his pace and quality with the ball.

Much more than that though, it seems to address England’s two long-term problems at World Cups; breaking down teams of lesser ability and being continually pinned back by sides of similar or superior calibre.

Indeed, if England aren’t struggling to beat Algeria or USA in the Group Stages, they’re failing to gain territory as one-or-two-person counter-attacks against top teams amount to incredibly little. Eventually, that pressure and lack of control over the game tells as the attacking traffic moves in only one direction.

But the ball-playing tendencies of the three-man defence lure the opposing forward line and midfield that bit closer to the ball. A few cute passes in tight areas to beat the press and suddenly the key strengths of this England team – it’s dynamism, energy and mobility – really come to the fore.

This England side has the ability to stage counter-attacks from every department, it’s just a question of having the space to do so. That, more than anything else, is what Southgate’s setup creates in the areas where England are usually so congested.

Yet, there is a worrying counterargument which will resonate with anybody who has watched England at major tournaments over the last 20 years; is Southgate bringing something new and fresh to the World Cup with his 3-1-4-2 formation, or are England once again one or two tournaments tactically behind the rest of the world? For how quietly effective Southgate’s system has proved to be in friendlies, it’s not a revolutionary idea. Four years ago in Brazil, however, it very much was.

Coinciding with Antonio Conte’s success at Juventus, where 3-4-3 became a key part of the Old Lady’s armoury, three-man defences took an incredibly unspectacular Netherlands team to the third-place Playoffs and saw Chile emerge as the Group Stage entertainers before a penalty shoot-out exit to Brazil in the Round 16.

Since then, three-man defences have really hit a new wave of popularity, especially in the Premier League where Conte’s utilisation of it at Chelsea has resonated throughout the division.

It’s original impact remains unequivocal; not only Conte’s utilisation of the system but also his ability to implement it so quickly in a team and a top flight with almost no experience of it, at least at the division’s summit, left the rest of the Premier League trailing in Chelsea’s path en route to the 2016/17 title. It’s long-term effects, however, probably haven’t been as deep as you might think.

Two seasons ago, all but four Premier League clubs took Chelsea’s lead and attempted a three-man defence in at least one game. Amongst the top six, meanwhile, it’s success appeared to directly influence team selections at Manchester City, Tottenham and even Arsenal – a club that hadn’t previously used such a setup since the first year of Arsene Wenger’s reign, but embraced it to provide a positive end to an otherwise disappointing season.

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Compare that to last term. Aside from Chelsea, there were just 40 occasions from a possible 190 in which big six clubs used three-man defences in the Premier League. That’s still a massive gain from prior to Conte’s arrival in England, but it’s still less than a quarter of all the games in question. Likewise, Tottenham stopped using the formation in November, while Arsenal reverted back to type in January after a 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth and Chelsea – sticking with it indiscriminate of results – finished in fifth place.

So, what is the top tactical setup across the world right now? Well, it may sound like old hat from a few years ago, but the story of this season has really been the quick revival of 4-3-3 – at least, in the Premier League. That was the most regular formation for the two clubs who finished top of the table, and it also took Liverpool to the final of the Champions League where they lost to a Real Madrid team that only really took control of the match after the introduction of Gareth Bale changed their diamond setup to a 4-3-3.

England too, have all the tools to play in that way. In fact, the World Cup squad includes eleven members who ply their trades with teams that finished the season using 4-3-3, and pretty much every position – perhaps excepting the ever-problematic left flank – has an obvious natural candidate. So, Three Lions fans, should Soutgate make a sudden switch to 4-3-3 for the World Cup? Let us know by voting below…

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