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You West Brom fans have been left feeling uninspired by the fact that Jimmy Shan is remaining their boss until the end of the season, with the all-important play-offs to fight for.

Having been very inconsistent during the last few games, fans don’t quite know how to measure their chances but what they do know is that they’re desperate for a top flight return. It must be hugely frustrating. Indeed, the Championship has once again shown why many consider it to be the hardest league in the world to get out of because of consistent failure to pick up three points on a regular basis.

Nevertheless, that is all in the past now and West Brom must put all their attention into trying to get back into the Premier League.

Achieving that will mean they have to improve their squad significantly, for example signing a capable striker like Middlesbrough’s Britt Assombalonga to add to their firepower.

Assombalonga, (who is valued at £9 million on Transfermarkt) is an experienced figure in the Championship by now and whether he is required in that same division or the Premier League, there is no reason to suggest he would be a poor signing for West Brom.

The 26-year-old has again enjoyed a prolific season in-front of goal for Middlesbrough, with 13 goals in 42 appearances.

Meanwhile West Brom (who were credited with an interest by TEAMtalk in the summer) have been extremely happy with the partnership and form Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez have provided but that threatens to be sabotaged next season.

With interest reportedly hotting up in Dwight Gayle, West Brom are facing the real possibility of losing their loan star, hence why buying Britt Assombalonga instead would be a good move. It’d be hugely difficult to replace Gayle in the Championship – nigh on impossible – but Assombalonga would go some way to keeping goals throughout the side.

Do you agree the 26-year-old would make a good Gayle alternative… Join the discussion and let us know!

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It would be fair to say that the Leeds United fans are seriously missing Kemar Roofe.

The 26-year-old has 14 Championship goals to his name this season, but has now missed Leeds’ last six league fixtures with a knee problem.

In that time, the Whites have recorded four wins, but following Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Sheffield United, the club’s fans brought up Roofe.

The forward had actually only managed one goal in his eight league appearances before being injured, but there is no question that the team are missing him.

Patrick Bamford has been in decent form in recent weeks, but the striker is guilty of missing opportunities.

Roofe is reportedly not too far away from being available once again, which will be music to the ears of the Leeds supporters.

Indeed, many have taken to social media to comment on the 5ft 10in ace and a selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

Celtic have been thrown into disarray following the premature departure of Brendan Rodgers, and with their next manager the hottest topic, fans will surely be relieved to hear that Alex Neil is not in the running.

Former Celtic man Chris Sutton has blown a fuse since Rodgers exit, and probably for good reason.

The Hoops were on course for their eighth domestic title when Rodgers made the hurried decision to make his way back over to the Premier League, leaving his former team well and truly in the lurch.

We do not doubt that at some point he was going to leave: commentators have been discussing the move for some time, after all.

Former Scotland forward Kris Boyd, for example, told Talksport: “There is potential to create something there with Leicester,” (via Leicester Mercury).

“Brendan likes a project there is no doubt about that – you can see what he’s done at other clubs,

“It might be the start of something again for Leicester to stay at the top end of English football.

“In terms of the size of the club, the history then it’s a step down,

“but if you ask any manager where they want to manage then it’s the English Premier League.

“I think Brendan Rodgers would want to finish the season up here and finish it on a high as Celtic manager.”

Unfortunately Boyd and the majority of us were wrong, Rodgers has left, and with that he has created a mammoth void to be filled.

David Moyes was the first nightmare Hoops fans had to overcome, with the ex-Celtic player reportedly interested in returning to the club where his footballing career began (via Express). Considering how rotten his record has become since being sacked by Manchester United, his appointment would be most unwelcome.

Current Preston North End coach Alex Neil was the next man to be briefly linked, but, according to The Scottish Sun, the former Hamilton boss has recently ruled himself out. To the relief of many, we are sure.

Interim boss Neil Lennon is surely the preference now. Lennon has been at the club before and done great things, winning three Scottish titles and two Scottish Cups.  To consider anyone else during this vital point of transition would be negligent on the club’s part. They need someone who knows Celtic inside and out, and their current man is the best candidate for the job.

Every failed link with be music to the ears of fans.

Celtic fans, who do you want as your club’s next manager? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

[ad_pod ]BBC Radio Solent journalist Adam Blackmore has reported via his official Twitter account that Ralph Hasenhuttl expects Southampton striker Danny Ings to be out of action until the clash against Tottenham Hotspur, meaning he will miss the club’s next three Premier League fixtures.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the 26-year-old has suffered from his fair share of injury issues over the last few years, and it has been no difference since he arrived at St Mary’s from Liverpool last summer.

He picked up his latest hamstring issue during the 1-1 draw against Burnley at Turf Moor at the start of the month, which saw him miss the 2-1 defeat at home to Cardiff City last time out.

Blackmore now reports that the Austrian manager believes he will be without the centre-forward until the clash against Spurs on March 9, meaning he will be sidelined against Arsenal this weekend, Fulham and Manchester United.

Bad news?

It certainly is.

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…

Southampton need their best players on the pitch in their battle against relegation, and it is a bitter blow that they won’t have Ings available over the course of the next couple of weeks – and especially in the monumental game with the Cottagers on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old is the south coast outfit’s top scorer in the Premier League this term with seven goals, and his absence could potentially move them a step closer to the Championship with Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse the only other players looking like scoring on a semi-regular basis right now.

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Harvey Elliott has already made headlines due to his exploits at Fulham.

Aged just 15, the right winger holds the prestigious honour of being the club’s youngest ever player, as he made his debut as a second-half substitute in the 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Millwall earlier this season.

Elliott had an exam at school that same day, such are his tender years.

Indeed, Elliott was born in 2003, the same year that Wayne Rooney made his breakthrough for England.

And he appears to be something of a prodigious talent.

Colin Omogbehin, the club’s Under-18 head coach, has been impressed with the growth and maturity shown by a player who still cannot legally drink in this country.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

Speaking to BBC, he said: “From an early age Harvey’s always managed to make good decisions at the right time.

“Whether that’s rolling someone in with the perfectly weighted pass or scoring himself. He’s real top end.”

He added: “When he was 14 he played in the Under 16s against top quality opposition and he stood out. He was the best player on the pitch.”

Elliott has played 13 times for Fulham’s Under-18 team and has scored three goals, while laying on three assists, and has also played twice for the Under-23s.

One of those games came against Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Trophy, playing 45 minutes in a 2-1 defeat, and he has also been capped at Under-15 and Under-16 level by England. He has scored two goals for the former.

Elliott has yet to commit himself to Fulham, however, due to FA rules. He cannot sign a professional contract until the age of 17.

The London Evening Standard, perhaps unsurprisingly, report that there is subsequently interest in his services.

Barcelona, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea are all said to be keeping an eye on the teenager, who is regarded as one of the finest young talents in English football currently.

Fulham face a battle to keep hold of him but, such is his precociousness, he should thrive wherever he goes.

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Defender Danny Batth has had his loan spell at Middlesbrough cut short to complete a permanent move from Wolves to Stoke City, per the club’s official website, and Boro fans have been quick to react on Twitter.

Boro took Batth on loan in the summer after Wolves’ promotion and the centre-back made 13 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

Indeed, he has never played in the Premier League, though he has made a total of 160 appearances in the second tier, once again according to Transfermarkt.

Batth played 90 minutes in Boro’s last three Championship games, in draws with Derby County and Millwall as well as the win over Birmingham City.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

BBC report that Stoke have paid £3million to sign the former Wolves captain and he has signed a three-and-a-half year contract.

Boro are currently fifth in the Championship, 10 points behind leaders Leeds United and seven behind second-placed Norwich City in the automatic promotion spots.

Stoke, by comparison, are 15th, and Boro fans have been left frustrated by the defender heading down the table.

The 33-year-old striker has made a strong impact at Santiago Bernabeu despite the pressure on him to step into Karim Benzema's shoes

Prior to the second half of Real Madrid's eventual 3-1 loss to Atletico Madrid on Sunday, Carlo Ancelotti surveyed his bench. He peered over an admittedly thin unit, but an elite one nonetheless. He could call on midfielder Aurelian Tchouameni, No.10 Brahmin Díaz, or the dynamic Dani Ceballos.

Instead, with his team trailing, and the need to change the game, Ancelotti introduced a gangly, 6’3, 33-year-old striker: Joselu. He is not the archetype of human, never mind elite footballer, to change a contest of such magnitude. But it wasn’t exactly a poor selection from Ancelotti, either. Madrid were markedly better with the big striker in the second half, creating more chances, registering more shots, and enjoying a larger percentage of possession in the Atletico defensive third. Joselu did little to change the result, but Madrid’s performance undoubtedly improved.

The presence of this anti-Galactico has bolstered Madrid on a number of occasions already this season. Joselu is not a big-money signing who will break any records, or sell many shirts. But he is, undoubtedly, a presence, a player who will at the very least make things awkward for the opposition. And for a Madrid side lacking an attacking focal point, it's an invaluable attribute, as well as a fulfilment of a lifelong dream for a former Madridista whose career threatened to careen off course along the way.

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  Fitting in at the top level

  Strikers like Joselu don't exist for big clubs anymore. All centre-forwards — regardless of size — have to bring more to their game than just finishing. Harry Kane, for example, is big, but passes like a No.10. Romelu Lukaku is lethal when rolling his defender. And Erling Haaland is some sort of hyper-athletic, deadly Nordic alien. There isn't usually room for the slow, gangly tall guy who likes to run.

  But Madrid have found it for Joselu. Ancelotti's systems are more tactically intricate than he gets credit for, but the legendary Italian manager has won a lot at Madrid because he puts 11 very good players on the pitch, who can all play together. It is, after all, inherently limiting to ask Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Vinicius Jr or Jude Bellingham to modify their role, or curb their footballing instincts.

  In the past, this all worked through the feet of Karim Benzema. The Ballon d'Or-winning striker was equal parts roaming forward and deadly finisher. He could both score in bunches and link play for others — sort of floating around as a false nine. His departure has left a hole — one that Bellingham has surprisingly filled this year with goals of his own. But the England midfielder does not offer the striker's presence that Benzema did.

  And that is where Joselu comes in. With Vinicius having missed a month of action through injury, the Spaniard has largely played alongside Rodrygo up front for Los Blancos, and generally lived in the box, taking on the opposing defence's biggest centre-back. He battles so Rodrygo can roam and Bellingham can ghost into the box. Joselu is effectively an elite facilitator — all without touching the ball.

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  Putting the ball in the net

  Joselu's signing was met by confusion for a lot of those outside Spain — and for good reason.

  But it's a largely unfair criticism. There are many elite footballers — especially Spanish ones — who simply do not make it in England. Iago Aspas, now a modern La Liga stalwart, flopped at Liverpool. Fernando Morientes, considered Spanish goalscoring royalty when he arrived in England in 2005, scored only eight times in 41 appearances. Alvaro Morata is remembered with chagrin by Chelsea fans, but has been a solid centre-forward for Atletico Madrid.

  Joselu fell victim to the same issue, and perhaps it was his stint in England that helped revive his career when he returned to Spain. Since arriving at Alaves in 2019, aged 29, he has scored double-digit goals every season, most recently bagging 16 for an Espanyol side that won just four games last campaign. This is a player who was handed his Spain debut at 32, and scored the winner in the Nations League semi-final to mark his second cap.

  At Madrid, on his return to his boyhood club, he has found the net on a couple of occasions. Two in six games doesn't jump off the page, but both have been in one-goal wins, and he assisted the winner against Celta Vigo, too. Madrid have won six games from seven in all competitions so far, and Joselu's contributions have been crucial in three of them.

• Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images
  

  Love of the club

  The smile on Joselu's face after scoring his first Madrid goal was one of those rare heartwarming things in football. It was May 21, 2011, and Madrid were thrashing Almeria. In the 86th minute, Joselu, introduced as a substitute, ghosted off the far shoulder of the last defender and met Cristiano Ronaldo's cross in stride, right as the ball pinged off the turf, striking it on the rise to make a very tricky finish look markedly easy. It was Madrid's eighth goal of the evening, but Joselu celebrated it like he had scored a last-minute winner.

  It took 12 years for him to bag his second for club, and that one was met with equal delight. This time, it was a rebound that fell kindly to the big Spaniard, who thrashed it home to equalise against Getafe. He needed a few seconds of an excited sprint towards the fans before realising that his team-mates were all returning to the centre-circle in the hunt for a winner.

  And perhaps those reactions are most emblematic of what Joselu brings. There are a lot of Madrid players who want to play for Madrid because of the name, the badge, the status. Bellingham, Madrid's other summer signing, said it himself: "Real Madrid is the greatest club in history and there aren't many players who get to play for such a magnificent and historic club. I'm very grateful to those who brought me here."

  Joselu, though, has a real connection. Although he came up through the Celta Vigo youth system, he was bought by Madrid as an 18-year-old, and impressed for Madrid's Castilla side, before being offered a chance at the first team two years later. And the energy of a 20-year-old trying to earn his spot at one of the world's biggest clubs still remains. The statistics tell some of the story — Joselu's numbers on clearances and interceptions are among the best in the world among strikers, per .

  But the eye test offers more. Joselu never stops moving. He presses the defensive line when Madrid push up. He drops into a deeper position when they soak up pressure. He makes the runs to the back post that don't matter. He offers himself in space for quick interchanges. These are all things that his predecessor was better at — of course Benzema was. But those gangly legs are always in motion, always for the badge of the club he loves.

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• Real Madrid
  

  Keeping Mbappe's seat warm?

  Real Madrid agreed to bring Joselu in on a loan deal with Espanyol, with a potential option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season. So far, it has seemed like a surprisingly shrewd signing for a team that didn't sign Kylian Mbappe — as many perhaps expected they would.

  But that will likely all change next summer. Mbappe has reportedly agreed on a deal to amicably exit Paris Saint-Germain in 2024. Madrid, by then, will presumably be able to pay whatever fees — to PSG or otherwise — are needed to make the deal happen. It's a presumptive move that will push Joselu further down the pecking order.

  For now, the Spaniard is a reliable fill-in for a side that is still growing into a new 4-4-2 formation. When Mbappe arrives, the system will likely change for him. It's hard to see Madrid needing a true No.9 in their squad as anything but an occasional cup option, or late sub to relieve one of their front three.

  So, Joselu effectively has his one season to make an impact. And maybe he hasn't picked the year made for the most success. Barcelona appear well poised to challenge Madrid for the title and there are undoubtedly more well-rounded teams in the Champions League. That this is likely Ancelotti's final season in club management won't help, either.

  Still, for Madrid's anti-Galactico, a player who has waited for his Bernabeu dream to come true, he might just have the kind of impact necessary to keep Madrid challenging on all fronts.

They may have struggled this season, but Southampton, Leicester and Leeds have plenty of talented players to sell this summer

The Premier League relegation battle is done and dusted, then, and boy did it get nervy. Southampton went early, and Leeds' fate was sealed early enough on the final day too, as they were battered by Tottenham.

For Leicester, though, there was hope and there was despair. There was light at the end of the tunnel, and then darkness when the final whistle came. Everton's win over Bournemouth condemned the Foxes, who become only the second Premier League winning club, after Blackburn in 1999, to drop into the Championship.

For all three relegated clubs, the consequences of falling into the second tier are huge. Managers will lose their jobs, fan will ask questions, there will be staff cuts and, in the case of Leicester in particular, serious financial issues will loom large.

Players, too, face uncertain futures. Relegation may be an occupational hazard for professionals, but it is still a stain on the CV, one which can and will impact their career thereafter.

There are, though, some extremely talented footballers who could now find themselves available this summer. And if any of these players are on the market, expect there to be plenty of clubs queuing up to sign them…

GettyJames Maddison

There is a case to say that Leicester possess the best collection of players ever relegated from the Premier League. Maddison, undoubtedly, is the jewel in their crown, and it is inconceivable that the England midfielder could be playing in the Championship next season.

With 10 goals and nine assists this season, the 26-year-old will surely have his eye on a summer move, even if the Foxes beat the drop.

Would suit: Anyone looking for more attacking output from midfield/the No.10 position. Tottenham could do a lot worse, and Newcastle are long-time admirers. Arsenal have been in the past, but do they really need him now?

AdvertisementGetty ImagesJames Ward-Prowse

Another England international who has carried the creative and goalscoring burden for his side, Ward-Prowse probably should have moved on a couple of years back, but at 28 the time has surely come for a change of scenery.

His set-piece prowess alone would garner interest, but he is also a solid all-round performer, a consistent presence, a good passer and a terrific professional. After over 400 games, he will leave St Mary's a hero, despite relegation.

Would suit: A team in need of consistent performers and solid characters. Tottenham perhaps, or West Ham when Declan Rice leaves?

GettyWilly Gnonto

Quite how the Italy international has found himself in and out of a Leeds side that has spent most of the season in the mire is anyone's guess, but one thing's for sure; Gnonto won't be at Elland Road next season.

At 19, this is a seriously-gifted young wide player, one capable of playing at the very highest level. He might not have consistency in his game yet, but it only needs a bit of careful coaching to bring that out, surely? Gnonto would improve just about every squad in the Premier League, and plenty of starting XIs.

Would suit: Assuming he were to stay in England, then Newcastle, Brighton and Aston Villa would be strong options. Plenty of Serie A clubs would love him, too.

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GettyRomeo Lavia

Lavia's first full season in professional football may have ended in disappointment, but there is no doubt that the 19-year-old has furthered his reputation in a big way since his move to Southampton from Manchester City last summer.

Sharp, technically excellent and smart tactically, the Belgian teenager is destined for bigger and better things, with a host of clubs already very enamoured.

Would suit: Just about any top club looking to add quality. Liverpool and Chelsea could do far worse, and City have a buy-back clause which comes into operation next year.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em entrevista após o clássico onde o Bahia venceu no Barradão o Vitória por 1 a 0 pelo Campeonato Baiano no último domingo (1), o vice-presidente do Tricolor, Vitor Ferraz, mostrou que o clube estava bastante insatisfeito com a atuação da arbitragem do BaVi. Em especial, com o assistenteAlessandro Matos.

Para ele, não havia motivo para a não marcação de penalidade no lance envolvendo o atacante Gustavo e o goleiro do rival, Lucas Arcanjo, ainda na primeira etapa. A sua avaliação foi, inclusive, em tom de questionamento sobre o porque Alessandro voltou a trabalhar em um clássico após longo tempo de “inatividade” nesse tipo de confronto:

-Queria reforçar o nosso aborrecimento com o nível da arbitragem. Um clássico dessa envergadura não pode ser apitado por alguém que não reúne condições técnicas. O pênalti foi grosseiro e assusta como um bandeirinha Fifa como Alessandro Matos não tenha dado. Foi na frente dele e ele se omitiu. Alessandro Matos ficou dez anos sem apitar um Ba-Vi. Por que ele voltou?

Amenizando um pouco o tom de suas palavras, o vice-presidente garante que não entende como ato de “ma-fé” por parte do assistente, mas reforçou que houve a apresentação de uma reclamação ao mandatário da Federação Baiana de Futebol, Ednaldo Rodrigues.

-Não estou dizendo que foi ma fé, mas quando se é flagrante que não se reúne condições para atuar, é necessário agir preventivamente. Já relatei a insatisfação ao presidente da Federação Bahiana de Futebol e vamos fazer uma representação oficial. É bom fazer isso quando a gente ganha, porque a arbitragem está deixando a desejar – ratificou Vitor.

A round-up of the Dhaka Premier League matches played on May 6, 2016

Mohammad Isam06-May-2016

Mohammedan Sporting Club leapfrogged Gazi Group Cricketers on the points table by beating them in Mirpur by seven wickets, thereby putting themselves in second place behind Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club.The win was set up through four-wicket hauls from left-arm spinners Enamul Haque jnr and Naeem Islam jnr. After being inserted, Gazi Group made a decent start but from 63 for two, they collapsed to 110 for 8. Only captain Alok Kapali hung around to make a 67-ball 48; he was the last man out in the 38th over, as Gazi Group were bowled out for 141. The two other wickets went to Habibur Rahman.Mohammedan lost Ezaz Ahmed early but Upul Tharanga and Shykat Ali added 76 for the second wicket to keep the chase on track, before Naeem Islam and Ariful Haque took them home in 31.5 overs.Kalabagan Krira Chakra secured their first win of the tournament by beating Cricket Coaching School by 49 runs in Fatullah. The win was set up by Hamilton Masakadza’s 104-ball 115, which included ten fours and two sixes. Opener Shadman Islam chipped in with 47 off 63 balls as Kalabagan made 270 for 9. The bowlers then, led by Abdur Razzak kept CCS to 221 for 8.Having been sent in, Kalabagan lost Jashimuddin early, but Islam and Masakadza laid a strong base with a 74-run partnership for the second wicket. After Islam offered a return catch to Rajin Saleh in the 18th over, Masakadza combined well with Tasamul Haque for a 77-run stand. Masakadza pressed on to score his seventh List-A century, also his second in the Dhaka Premier League, having made one in 2013. Nasum Ahmed took three wickets while Salman Hossain and Uttam Sarkar claimed two each.CCS began positively in the chase, with opener Pinak Ghosh and Saif Hasan taking their side to 89 for 1 by the 22nd over. Razzak then had Ghosh caught by captain Mashrafe Mortaza and a ball later, the left-arm spinner pinned Salman Hossain lbw for a duck. When Nasum Ahmed holed out for 5 in the 27th over, CSS were reduced to 106 for 5. Uttam Sarkar mounted late resistance, with 63 off 74 balls, but his team eventually came up short. Mashrafe complemented Razzak by picking up two wickets.Legends of Rupganj picked up their second victory in the competition by thumping Kalabagan Cricket Academy by 29 runs (D/L method) in a rain-affected match at the BKSP-3 ground.Batting first, Rupganj posted 239 for 9 in 50 overs with Asif Ahmed top-scoring with 82 and Sajjadul Haque making 70. Asif and Sajjadul revived their side’s innings with a131-run sixth-wicket after Rupganj had slipped to 81 for 5 in the 24th over. Seamer Abu Jayed took four wickets while Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Rifat Pradhan took two each.Rain reduced KCA’s chase to a 25-over innings, and their revised target was 171. KCA slipped to 85 for 7 inside 15 overs before Taposh Ghosh and Bishawnath Halder added 56 runs for the unbroken eighth-wicket stand. The Taposh-Halder stand, however, was not enough as KCA restricted to 141. Mosharraf Hossain and Nahidul Islam led Rupganj’s charge by picking two wickets each.