Rangers fans react after Alfredo Morelos hits four goals against Kilmarnock

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Rangers fans have taken to Twitter to react after Alfredo Morelos recorded a stunning four-goal haul against Kilmarnock, as the Gers hit them for five in the Scottish Cup.

The Colombian international’s four goals sandwiched an effort by Andy Halliday to give Steven Gerrard’s men a resounding victory, but Morelos will obviously grab all of the headlines after a masterclass in finishing.

‘El Búfalo’ has now hit 25 goals in all competitions this season, as well as picking up four red cards in what has been a true blockbuster of a season for the 22-year-old.

The former HJK Helsinki forward has been the star man for Gerrard this season, and whilst his disciplinary problems look to have cost them the title – they are now eight points behind Celtic – Morelos is worth his weight in gold to the Scottish giants.

Let’s see how the Rangers fans on Twitter reacted after the four-goal haul…

Newcastle fans react to Jonjo Shelvey’s request to play for Under-23’s

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Sean Longstaff’s incredible showings at the base of midfield have meant that Jonjo Shelvey has been relegated to the reserves recently but, rather than sitting back and sulking at his lack of minutes, the former Liverpool man has requested to play for the Under-23’s.

The 27-year-old featured against Fulham’s youth side on Friday and is therefore unlikely to be involved in the Magpies clash against West Ham on Saturday.

Prior to Longstaff’s emergence, 6-cap ace Shelvey’s skill set was unique in the Newcastle ranks but the former has impressed with his passing range, shooting and defensive solidity.

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Shelvey’s season has been wrought by injuries and he has only made 11 appearances, chalking up just one assist – Longstaff, meanwhile, has made eight appearances since his debut at the end of December and has got a goal and an assist to his name.

Former England international Shelvey might not be a fixture in Rafa Benitez’s starting XI anymore, but the St James’ Park faithful were impressed at his willingness to play his way back into the team, as they reacted on Twitter…

West Ham should be trying to raid Millwall all they can

West Ham are preparing to bridge their bitter rivalry with Millwall to poach one of the club’s best talents.

The momentously hostile clash between West Ham and Millwall is a rare occurrence nowadays, but this is not to say relationships have improved – they likely never will, well as the Hammer reading this will certainly think. And this situation certainly will not be improved if Manuel Pellegrini swoops in to steal the services of full-back Mahlon Romeo.

Indeed, the dawn of the summer transfer market means one thing for lower tier clubs: hatch their best players down and hope for the best.

With such a huge disparity in transfer budgets and general wealth, it is a sad reality that those sitting below the top flight can be financially flexed on so easily by those within it.

This is just another case of that chain unfolding.

Romeo is a touted long-term replacement for 34-year-old veteran Pablo Zabaleta, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season. And despite the Argentine being a decent enough servant, this will make a welcome change to proceedings.

Indeed, the Hammers right-back position has become a bit of a retirement spot for those in the twilight years of their career.

The aged and most certainly ‘past it’ Alvaro Arbeloa was handed the honour before Manchester City’s Pablo Zabaleta; and, rather worryingly, reports as recent as February have suggested that departing Red Devil Antonio Valencia could be the next in line (as per Daily Mail).

This is why interest in Romeo is surely welcome and refreshing news.

According to the Express¸ West Ham are readying an offer to take the player from under Millwall’s noses this summer.

He may only be used as competition for Ryan Fredericks but there is a very good player in Romeo. Quick off the mark, solid in his tackles, and tactically astute, the Daily Mail were very positive about the player early last year in an extensive scouting report.

He could be well worth a chance – especially if it means depriving a rival of one of their best players.

West Ham fans, would you feel about potentially signing a player from Millwall? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

Daniel Stendel didn’t get what he expected against Sunderland

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Barnsley hosted fellow League One promotion-chasers Sunderland at Oakwell on Tuesday. 

Despite it being a fiercely contested match, with plenty of quality and creativity on display, it ultimately ended goalless, so both sides earned a single point each. 

This result is a greater disappointment for the Tykes, who will have been desperate to capitalise upon their home advantage in order to pull away from the Black Cats in the race for automatic promotion. However, whilst Daniel Stendel’s side remain above Sunderland in the table, there is just four points between them with the Wearside outfit holding a game in hand.

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Barnsley are still in the driving seat though and Stendel will know that it is vital that his squad retains its composure.

What he said

Following the 0-0 draw, as quoted by ClubCall, the German coach said: “It was a closer game than we expected.

“The goal was to win, but we are satisfied…In the last minutes we tried to win, but we could not score. A draw for both teams is okay.”

Keep calm

There is still plenty of football left to be played in this campaign, and Barnsley still have every chance of securing promotion, so long as they keep their heads.

The failure to win last night was a disappointment and a setback, but by sending this calm message out to the squad and fans, Stendel is seeking to ensure that everyone remains relaxed and focused heading into the all-important run in.

Ryan Fraser says that Callum Wilson makes everyone better

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Bournemouth returned to winning ways on Saturday as they emerged 2-0 victors over Huddersfield, with goals from Ryan Fraser and Callum Wilson enough to sink Jan Siewert’s side.

The former was full of praise for the latter, who was making his long-awaited comeback from injury, even saying that the former Coventry striker makes the rest of the team play better individually.

Here’s what Scotland international Fraser had to say via The Bournemouth Daily Echo:

“When you get your important players back, it makes the team feel a bit better. It gives you a bit of encouragement and spark again.

“Cal didn’t look like he had been out for seven weeks. He makes everyone around him better and that’s the kind of player you want in your team.”

The 27-year-old had been out since January with a knee problem and the Cherries have sorely missed him – February saw Eddie Howe’s side endure a woeful run of form in which they lost three out of four games.

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Wilson has chalked up 11 goals – of which his strike against the Terriers was most recent – and seven assists this season and Fraser is certainly right in that the speedster transforms the side when he’s in it.

The pair, plus David Brooks and Josh King, have the makings of a top-half strike-force and, if the south coast outfit are to finish in single digits this season, Wilson’s fitness will be crucial.

Bradford fans react to potential FA charge

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Bradford City supporters have taken to Twitter to slam the announcement that the club faces the prospect of further action from the FA following an incident in their 3-1 win at home to Peterborough United on March 9.

In Gary Bowyer’s first win as Bantams boss, and the side’s first win in six, it is alleged that a number of fans entered the field of play following Lewis O’Brien’s 86th minute winner.

It has been a season of disappointment for the West Yorkshire side, with the club currently at the foot of the League One table and six points adrift of safety.

The potential charge comes following previous incidents at Walsall and Rochdale this campaign and fans are in complete dismay at what they feel was simply the result of a short moment of joy amidst a miserable period for the club.

Some supporters have criticised the FA, with one fan calling the decision “pathetic”, while others have vented their frustrations at the club for taking the incident so seriously. A certain supporter told the Yorkshire outfit to “get a grip”.

Have a look at some of the responses below…

Look at him now: John Stones and Barnsley

It has been quite a decade for John Stones’ career.

From representing Barnsley in the Championship to starting a World Cup semi-final for his country in 2018, the defender’s rise to prominence has been nothing short of spectacular.

The England international was signed as a child by the Tykes in 2001 and became one of the club’s stand-out players in the youth system as he climbed through the ranks at Oakwell. After signing his first contract at Barnsley, Stones made his first senior appearance aged just 18 in a 4-0 home defeat against Reading before making an instant impact in his full-debut for the club in a League Cup tie the following season. With Barnsley facing Rochdale, he headed in an equaliser for his hometown-club and helped them prevail in extra time, avoiding what would have a shock upset in the competition.

His good performances in the cup competitions for the Tykes allowed Stones to establish himself as a key player for the Tykes during the first-half of the 2012/13 campaign as he made 26 appearances, catching the eye of then-Everton boss David Moyes. Having been impressed by the defender’s performances in the Championship, the Scotsman decided to sign him for the Toffees in January 2013.

After several months spent watching from the sidelines at Goodison Park, Stones was finally given the opportunity to play regularly in the 2013/14 season by Moyes’ replacement Roberto Martinez who encouraged him to develop his ball-playing skills. Three successful years saw the former Barnsley man grow into a promising young central defender at Everton as he made 95 appearances for the club in all competitions.

However, despite the Toffees’ historical stature, Stones knew that in order to achieve modern day success, he needed to move on and so when Manchester City came calling, he made his choice to leave. Thanks to a £47.5m deal being agreed between the two Premier League clubs, Barnsley received a healthy sum of £6.79m (according to the Guardian) due to their agreement to include a 15% sell-on clause when they sold him to Everton.

Since joining City, Stones’ career has gone from strength to strength as he was won three major trophies with the club including a record-breaking Premier League triumph last season. On an individual note, the 24-year-old has developed into one of England’s best defenders under the guidance of the masterful Pep Guardiola.

Now a mainstay for his country when fit, Stones scored twice in last year’s World Cup and played an integral role in helping his country reach the semi-final of the competitions, their best result in a major competition in 22 years.

With City now fighting to complete an historic quadruple, the defender could be on course to be remembered as being a key cog in one of football’s all-time greatest sides.

Get rid: Everton fans react to surprising Sandro Ramirez speculation

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According to Mundo Deportivo, via Sport Witness, Real Sociedad want to keep Sandro Ramirez at the club beyond the 2018-19 campaign.

Sandro has incredibly not found the back of the net for Everton in November 2017.

Since then, the Spaniard has played 18 times on loan at Sevilla, whilst he has made 20 appearances for Sociedad without scoring.

The 23-year-old joined Everton from Malaga in the summer of 2017, but only managed one goal in 16 games for the Toffees before joining Sevilla on loan.

Since netting 14 La Liga goals for Malaga during a very good 2016-17 season, Sandro has really struggled, which is a shock when considering his talent.

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It would certainly be a surprise to see Sociedad sign Sandro on a permanent deal when considering his struggles, but the Everton fans are hoping that will indeed be the case.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the English club’s supporters can be seen below:

The Verdict: Should Rangers replace Alfredo Morelos with Adam Buksa?

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Rangers star Alfredo Morelos simply cannot help himself. Whether he is firing in an emphatic goal or showcasing a rash side of ill-discipline, the striker seems to compel media interest whenever he is on the field of play.

Supporters have become incredibly frustrated with his rash moments of madness, and that feeling culminated when he was given his marching orders in the Old Firm derby last weekend.

And a report from Football Insider this week suggested that the Gers are already planning for life after Morelos, with Polish centre-forward Adam Buska on their radar.

The report claims that the club are braced for offers for the Colombia international this summer and are holding out for an offer of £20 million.

With the recent report in mind, writers at Football FanCast towers have been debating whether Rangers should replace Morelos with Buksa this summer, and it seems that an overwhelming consensus has been reached…

Ben Goodwin

“Absolutely not. Morelos is costing his team every time he does something like he did last Sunday, but he is still the Gers’ best player by a country mile. At 22 he has plenty of room to learn, and the club should give him another season to prove he can keep a lid on things. If worst comes to worst, a desperate Premier League side will still shell out ridiculous money for him next summer regardless of any issues he may have, providing his goal-scoring form continues.”

James Beavis

“It may sound mad, but I actually think they should give him another chance. Rangers don’t look the same without the Colombia international on the pitch, and it is clear that he loves the club – even if he is often costing them because of his ill-discipline. Steven Gerrard has time on his side in helping to turn the 22-year-old into a different man. In truth he has done Gerrard a favour as the interested clubs are surely less likely to take a punt on him in the summer.”

Billy Myers

“They shouldn’t replace him yet. Whilst Morelos is quite clearly a bit of a hothead, so many excellent players have had that fire in their belly, such as Wayne Rooney. Steven Gerrard seems to be quite blunt and bullish towards the Colombian in the media, suggesting that he is in the right place to learn the errors of his ways. Also, he is obviously the only man in the Rangers side capable of netting goals at such a rate, and if anyone deserves the time to turn it around, it should be the 22-year-old.”

Harry Sherlock

“He might just be too good. Steven Gerrard has spoken of the fact that he has run out of excuses but Morelos is a terrific striker and deserves another chance. 29 goals in all-competitions is nothing to be sniffed at. He should be allowed to keep hitting the back of the net.”

In the Pipeline: West Brom starlet Louie Barry

[ad_pod ]It’s becoming a common theme that young English players are linked to clubs abroad and West Brom’s Louie Barry could be the next in line to make the move.Remarkably, the 15-year-old has attracted the interest of some top European sides including Barcelona and unsurprisingly for an English player, teams in the Bundesliga.

Barry was one of the West Brom players to feature in their phenomenal run to the FA Youth Cup semi-finals this season as the club knocked out the likes of Everton and Arsenal en route.

However, the striker isn’t the first and won’t be the last young player to be linked with a possible switch away from the Hawthorns.

West Brom have had a habit of losing rising stars, the main departure coming in the form of Izzy Brown. With Barry, the Baggies can’t afford to follow a trend and lose one of their most promising players.

It would be difficult to stand in the way of a move to Barcelona, but for the club to continue to be taken seriously in regards to their phenomenal youth set up, and indeed get the utmost out of it, they must keep hold of him.

The fact Rekeem Harper and Kyle Edwards have played a part in the first team this season could convince him to stay, however.

It has been a promising 2018/19 campaign for the young ace so far, notching three goals and claiming two assists in nine U18 Premier League matches.

But the interest in the player currently stems from his eye-catching performances for England U16s, demonstrating his terrific prowess in front of goal by claiming the golden boot at the Val-de-Marne tournament in October and November of 2018.

He meanwhile also scored two goals for England’s U16s against Brazil in February. But the player has shone for Republic of Ireland’s youth teams too, being eligible to play for both because of how young he is.

England could, therefore, have another possible Declan Rice situation on their hands in a number of years.

At the age of 15, it’s incredibly difficult to predict how his career will turn out, but West Brom have to ensure they keep players like Barry to get the most from their thriving academy setup.

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