This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Marcelo Bielsa has been something of a sideshow attraction for the British media since his arrival at Elland Road in the summer of 2018.

Indeed, the Argentine has been a fascinating character in the English game over the past 18 months or so, but that fascination seems to be calming as of late.

We’re rarely seeing long features about the Argentine’s life and his press conferences are much more straightforward.

Phil Hay believes that this is down to the fact that everyone has become accustomed to the 64-year-old’s presence and that results are now the most important thing at Leeds.

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What’s been said then?

The Athletic journalist was talking on the aptly named The Phil Hay Show (28/11 15:50)

“We’re genuinely down to brass tax now, it’s all about results and promotion.” Hay said.

“That isn’t to say that it wasn’t last season, but there was some sort of magical element of him coming in and doing what he did with the squad that most of us would have taken to the abattoir six months earlier.

“You get used to it, it becomes familiar, so you start to take it slightly for granted, and I think people are now in the habit of expecting his team to do what they do

“Even in his press conferences, last season there was loads of philosophy and loads of fascination about his past career and his life.

“Nowadays it’s down to team news and not a huge amount else and he knows if it doesn’t happen this season he’ll be gone, and if it doesn’t happen this season there’ll be players at the club who will be gone, very good players.”

All or nothing

Hay’s comments seem to indicate that this has to be it for Leeds United.

The Whites may be waiting years to have another opportunity like this if they’re not promoted this season as The Athletic’s Leeds United correspondent has predicted the Whites’ squad to be torn apart if they don’t go up.

Not only will numerous players leave, but he’s stated that Bielsa will go, and that is more damaging than anything.

Promotion is obviously the goal every season, but this year it’s that much more worrying for Leeds if they don’t achieve it.

If you add to that the potential investment of QSI and it wouldn’t be a complete surprise if their takeover plans hinged on Premier League status.

In other news, a Leeds journalist has claimed that one loanee’s Elland Road career is over.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

West Bromwich Albion’s season is going as close to perfect as you can get. They have lost just one match all season. They sit top of the league. And they are showing no signs of letting up any time soon.

In fact, if Slaven Bilic’s men can keep this up into 2020, then they are surely a shoo-in for a return to the promised land of the Premier League. It can’t really be argued considering their current rate sees them average 2.2 points per game, above and beyond Norwich City’s 2.06 which was enough to win them the title last term.

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However, for all of the positives, there has to be negatives, right?

Well, in the summer, one of Slaven Bilic’s first decisions was to tie Rekeem Harper down amongst interest from Champions League winners Liverpool and Serie A champions Juventus. The 19-year-old extended his contract for three years, keeping him at the Hawthorns until 2022.

Given the Croatian’s desperation in trying to keep hold of him, it seems rather absurd not to have seen him feature this season barring a six-minute cameo on the opening day – he’s not even been named in a matchday squad since. Bizarre.

There is an argument to be made that skipper Jake Livermore and Romaine Sawyers have been playing out of their skin so he wouldn’t have received a chance anyway, which is true, but then surely Harper was expendable in the summer?

His absence is firstly going to jeopardise his long-term potential and secondly, it will reduce any future fee they want to make on him later down the line.

Therefore, to justify such a decision, it would be wise for the midfield starlet to pursue a loan move in January. That way, he can garner some much-needed game time, show Bilic why he should be in his matchday squad and also keep his value at some sort of sellable level.

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Meanwhile, this West Brom colossus has excelled despite manager Slaven Bilic tweaking his position…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets… 

Wolverhampton Wanderers kept their unbeaten run ticking on Sunday afternoon, which meant they matched a club-record streak from 1973.

The west Midlanders needed to ride their luck slightly as Sheffield United really should have scored more than just their second-minute opener from Lys Mousset – the visitors recorded more shots on target with four.

Right wing-back Matt Doherty turned out to be the saving grace as he headed home a cross from striker Raul Jimenez halfway through the second period.

It means Wolves are now unbeaten in nine matches in the Premier League.

The recent form of their goalscorer has been imperative to that run continuing, none more so than in the last three games.

The 27-year-old, who is valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, endured a somewhat slow start to his campaign having suffered ongoing knee problems right up until last month.

But Doherty has appeared to elevate his game back to how Wolves fans know him, or even in some circumstances, well past that.

In the build-up to the January transfer window, the club have been linked to Royal Antwerp right-back Aurelio Buta, and while it is no secret that they need some added depth in the role especially with Adama Traore lighting it up further forward, he could be seen as a viable option in his own right.

The Portugal U20 international has progressed through every age group for his nation and was named in the European U19 Championship Team of the Tournament for 2016.

Doherty is now in the form of his life after netting his 20th goal in four seasons, surely he has been spurred on by the prospect of his manager Nuno Santo adding some healthy competition to his position.

Per SofaScore, Irishman amassed 100 touches on the ball on Sunday and three successful dribbles but his performances over the last three games up that onto another notch.

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He has managed two key passes, six tackles, four clearances and has won a total of 15 aerial duels, via WhoScored, proving to be a nuisance at either end of the pitch.

Doherty’s partnership with Traore along the right flank has been imperative to Nuno’s fortunes.

Long may it continue.

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اقترب نجم فريق مانشستر يونايتد برونو فرنانديز من تجديد عقده مع النادي الإنجليزي، حسبما أفادت صحيفة “ميرور”.

وكان برونو فرنانديز قد انتقل إلى مانشستر يونايتد قادمًا من سبورتينج لشبونة في يناير 2020.

وسرعان من أصبح اللاعب البرتغالي جزءًا أساسيًا من كتيبة أولي جونار سولشاير، حيث سجل 40 هدفًا وصنع 25 في 79 مباراة في مختلف المسابقات.

اقرأ أيضًا.. راشفورد بشأن إمكانية رحيله عن مانشستر يونايتد: مُعجب بـ ريال مدريد وبرشلونة

ومن المقرر أن ينتهي العقد الحالي لـ برونو فرنانديز مع مانشستر يونايتد في 2025، مع وجود بند التمديد لعام آخر.

ورغم ذلك، فإن تقارير صحفية سابقة أشارت إلى وجود رغبة قوية لدى مانشستر يونايتد من أجل تمديد عقد برونو فرنانديز.

وحسب صحيفة “ميرور” الإنجليزية، فإن برونو فرنانديز اقترب بالفعل من التوقيع على عقد جديد مع مانشستر يونايتد.

وأوضحت أن راتب برونو فرنانديز سيتضاعف بمقتضى العقد الجديد، حيث سيصل إلى 200 ألف جنيه إسترليني أسبوعيًا، دون تحديد مدته الزمنية.

وأشارت إلى أن وكيل برونو فرنانديز، ميغيل بينتو سافر إلى مانشستر يوم الثلاثاء الماضي لتكثيف محادثاته مع إدارة النادي.

وأفادت أن مسؤولي مانشستر يونايتد يرغبون في حسم تجديد عقد برونو فرنانديز قبل بطولة يورو الصيفية.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Everton have struggled throughout this season and have been desperate for a star to pull them out of their current situation. The likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison have just six goals between them so far and the club have only 13 in the league.

As time goes on, it seems the under-pressure Marco Silva could benefit from a genuine breath of fresh air to push the Toffees on. Now, after another great performance this past week, it seems as if Anthony Gordon could be that man.

Against North Macedonia U19s for England U19s, the Toffees star scored an excellent goal as he cut inside to fire the ball home. It was a fabulous effort and one that puts further pressure on Silva to consider handing an opportunity to the young talent.

The Everton academy star has six goals in 10 games for the U23s this season and has constantly been a useful player for David Unsworth’s men.

Plus, with Everton’s goalscoring options not quite pulling their weight, the former Watford boss may not have a choice but to play him soon.

As this is the Premier League and not the U23s, a start for the 19-year-old might be one step too far right now. However, a substitute appearance could be within Gordon’s grasp after featuring on the bench against Southampton and following that up with a goal on international duty.

Up next for the Toffees is the visit of Norwich City before the hectic Christmas period where Silva is no doubt going to need all the firepower he can get to fire his side to another morale-boosting victory.

Plus, it would be a wise idea to bleed Gordon in just before Everton face off with a selection of the Premier League’s top clubs.

Now is the perfect time for him to come in.

Several Sheffield Wednesday fans have been praising Liam Palmer after footage emerged on social media of the defender helping a mascot prior to Scotland’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Cyprus.

In the video, it shows the right-back tying the youngster’s shoelaces for him as the two sides lined up in the tunnel before the game in Nicosia.

The 28-year-old was starting his third fixture in a row for Scotland and is becoming a regular pick under manager Steve Clarke (Transfermarkt).

He helped the Scots win the game 2-1, with goals from Ryan Christie and John McGinn coming either side of Georgios Efrem’s equaliser to give them all three points (BBC Sport).

It was actually a dead rubber with neither side able to secure automatic qualification for next summer’s tournament, although Scotland can still make it via the play-offs so getting into a winning habit is crucial for them.

After seeing the footage of Palmer being very helpful towards the young mascot, several Sheffield Wednesday fans were quick to praise his act of kindness with many suggesting it shows how good a person he is.

Here is what some had to say…

Sheffield Wednesday fans, what are your thoughts on Liam Palmer’s performances this season? Let us know in the comments below…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

According to The Sun on Sunday (print version, November 17, page 67), Tony Pulis turned down the previously vacant Cardiff job as he has his eye on either the Southampton or West Ham job.

The Bluebirds recently parted ways with Neil Warnock and swiftly appointed former Millwall boss Neil Harris as his replacement, seeing as Pulis – formerly of Crystal Palace and Stoke – rejected the Welsh side’s advances.

Interestingly, the 61-year-old is playing an ambitious waiting game with his eye on the aforementioned Premier League jobs.

In Pulis’ defence, it is entirely feasible that either the Saints or the Hammers part ways with their respective managers Ralph Hasenhuttl and Manuel Pellegrini.

The south coast side have won just two of their 12 Premier League games this season, while also conceding the most goals in the division with 29.

In West Ham’s case, the Irons haven’t won a game in six league outings.

However, back to the point – what is Pulis thinking?

The Welshman hasn’t been in a job since his contract with Middlesbrough expired back in the summer, following a dramatic slip in form which saw the Teesiders drop out of the play-off positions entirely.

Having failed in the Championship, what makes Pulis think he can walk into a Premier League job – and into positions that haven’t even been made vacant yet, we might add.

Additionally, his football is prehistoric.

The St Mary’s faithful didn’t seem too happy with a boring style of play under Claude Puel, which the BBC reference as one of the main reasons for the Frenchman being handed his P45 despite a cup final and an eighth-place finish.

“Southampton struggled to score goals under Puel, with the three Leicester scored inside 38 minutes on Wednesday matching the total for his last seven Premier League matches at St Mary’s, and this stale statistic was cited as one of the main reasons for his dismissal.”

So, if some supporters weren’t happy with Puel in charge, they will presumably hate to see Pulis and his long-ball style rock up on the south coast.

It just doesn’t seem feasible at all that he would even be under consideration for the job even if the Saints part ways with Hasenhuttl, and the 61-year-old must hold himself in pretty high regard if he thinks top-flight clubs will be calling his phone in their time of need any longer.

After their 2-0 victory against RB Salzburg in Austria, Liverpool have now confirmed their place in the next round of the Champions League.

By beating Jesse Marsch’s side – and condemning them to the Europa League in the process – the Reds finished top of their group with 13 points. That means they will now face any one of the following sides in the first knockout round of the competition: Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Lyon, Atalanta or Atletico Madrid.

Can you name the result these iconic Liverpool images belong to? Give it a go now…

The draw for the competition will take place on Monday and, in the build-up, the club’s supporters have been discussing who they would like to face in the next round of the competition.

It seems that a lot of supporters want to see the Reds play Los Merengues.

A two-legged tie against the 13-time European champions would give them the chance to exert revenge on Real. Zinedine Zidane’s side, of course, beat the Anfield outfit 3-1 in the final of this very competition two years ago.

Some fans, though, don’t care who their team faces: they are confident of beating any of them.

That is hopefully the kind of spirit Jurgen Klopp and his team are taking into the draw. Considering they are the champions, it is unlikely they will be thinking any differently.

One fan doesn’t even care about the next round: he already thinks his team have the trophy won!

He certainly isn’t short of confidence. But, given the way the Reds have played so far this campaign – they have lost just one game in all competitions and are still in every tournament they have competed in – that belief is not unfounded.

In other news, this reported Liverpool target has a lot of growing up to do.

Liverpool failed to seal their spot in the knockout stages of the Champions League as they were held to a 1-1 draw in their penultimate group match against Napoli at Anfield on Wednesday night, but that may not be their biggest issue.

The Reds are at the top of Group E but lie three points above third-placed Red Bull Salzburg, who they face in Austria in their final fixture next month knowing that a point will be enough to see them progress.

One player it remains to be seen whether they will be with or without for their crucial clash is midfielder Fabinho,  who went down injured and was replaced in the 19th minute of the match by Georginio Wijnaldum.

The look of anguish in his face on the ground, as seen below, was hardly great, as well as the fact that he wasn’t able to carry on.

The Daily Mail has since reported that he was spotted with Deco post-match with a protective boot on, suggesting the injury is more than just a knock.

Given how much of a key player he has been for Liverpool this season – 2.5 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 1.1 key passes per game in the Premier League according to WhoScored is testament to that.

The Merseyside outfit don’t really have another specialist defensive midfielder like the Brazilian, so it would be a blow to lose him ahead of what looks to be a tough December when it comes to fixture congestion.

With Liverpool currently flying high in the Premier League, both the fans and Jurgen Klopp will be praying for some good news once the scans arrive.

In other Liverpool news, the Reds are interested in signing a pacey attacker who would be perfect for Klopp…

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Graeme Souness believes that Tottenham Hotspur have made an excellent decision following their hire of Jose Mourinho as manager, per Sky Sports.

What’s he said?

Mauricio Pochettino was sacked on Tuesday evening after a run of form that left the club 14th in the Premier League table, 11 points off the top four.

Mourinho was hired on Wednesday morning and has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract in north London.

And Souness believes that the former Manchester United and Chelsea manager is a “perfect fit” at the club.

He said: “I think it was common sense [for Levy to sack Pochettino] and it was common sense again to go for the guy they have gone for.

“Mauricio Pochettino had appeared to be a man who didn’t want to be at Spurs, which I find very strange.

“Jose Mourinho is a perfect fit for them.

“Spurs are genuinely a big football club and they need someone who can turn what is perceived to be attacking attractive football into a slightly more pragmatic approach that will put some silverware in the boardroom.

“He has won trophies wherever he’s been and I would expect him to do the same at Spurs.

“Deep inside, he is an angry and frustrated man with the way it turned out for him at United, so I think Spurs will reap the benefit of that.

“Will they win the league this year? No. But they will be far more difficult to play against.”

Pedigree but not temperament

Mourinho has won trophies at every single club he has managed but Souness is missing one key aspect: he has left clubs under a cloud.

Think of his first exit from Chelsea or his departure from Manchester United.

At both clubs he left a fractured dressing room after very public fallouts with key figures. At United, he clashed with Paul Pogba; at Chelsea, it ended up being a significant chunk of his squad.

It remains to be seen how he will deal with Daniel Levy, a chairman who has repeatedly opted against splashing the cash.

Spurs, after all, became the first club in Premier League history to go through an entire summer without a single signing.

He is an excellent manager and he does have a pedigree, but the temperament has to be called into question.

Mourinho won’t be the “perfect fit” Souness thinks he is, if he stays true to his recent form.