All posts by h79snht.top

Whether you are Bayern Munich or Barnet, there is no disgrace in losing at the Nou Camp. During Luis Enrique’s 111 games in charge, Barcelona have failed to win on their home patch just three times.

Nonetheless, as Arsenal crashed out of the Champions League at the hands of the Catalans yesterday evening, providing the closing chapter in a seven-game story that has left the Gunners with nothing to play for this season except another top four finish, the 3-1 defeat epitomised the club’s increasing limitations under Arsene Wenger.

Since the two sides met in the 2006 Champions League final, they have moved in polarised directions. Barcelona have become the dominant force in world football, going on to win a further three European titles, whilst the Gunners have spent a decade in dormancy, settling simply for sustained inclusion in the tournament by ever-filling the role of also-rans in the Premier League title race.

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Perhaps a comparison with Barcelona isn’t so beneficial, considering they have now constructed two sides that will be remembered as amongst the greatest ever produced. But even when lined up against more realistic contemporaries, Arsenal simply aren’t delivering.

They haven’t reached the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup in three years, have been eliminated from the Champions League at the Round of 16 for six consecutive seasons and haven’t finished higher than third in the Premier League for over a decade.

The only respite has come in the FA Cup – but even that has proved beyond them this season.

The club that once produced the ‘Invincibles’ looked little more than plucky relegation candidates amid Barcelona’s 5-1 destruction over two legs and that steady decline from amongst the best to best of the rest has happened under Le Professeur’s watch.

In some ways, that is perhaps unfortunate; Wenger’s twenty-year tenure is unique in its longevity throughout football’s increasingly short-termist era, as is his control over all sectors of the club. Other managers can blame predecessors, technical directors and so on but every Arsenal shortcoming inevitably traces back to Wenger. Whether justified or not, however, the club has been moulded completely around his own ideals and the fact of the matter is that those ideals are no longer providing adequate results.

Similarly, there is no doubt the financial constraints of moving to the Emirates stadium have suffocated Arsenal’s potential for success. But the weight of that argument has disintegrated more with every season and in the context of the current campaign has no relevance at all; if Leicester City can lead the title charge with a squad that took just £21million to assemble, why are Arsenal lagging behind with talents like Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez – who cost a combined £77million – at Wenger’s disposal?

Some might argue Arsenal’s title bid isn’t over just yet – they’re currently eleven points behind the Foxes with a game in hand – but if their recent form is anything to go by, winning just one of their last eight games, the Gunners are almost certain to miss out again this year. It’s been said countless times already yet remains impossible to dispute; if Wenger can’t guide the Gunners to the title with Chelsea stuck in the bottom half, Manchester United shifting from crisis to crisis, Liverpool lost in soul searching and Manchester City twiddling their thumbs, then he never, ever will.

Indeed, the case for Wenger to resign is a progressively damning one. Nobody can dispute his prior achievements, his willingness to play open football, his love for Arsenal and his tremendous service over the last twenty years, but loyalty and the successes of yesteryear are the only arguments still in his corner. Unfortunately, football is a results-based business that has increasingly less time for its nostalgic past – and Arsenal have been living in theirs for far too long already.

Many pejorative adjectives can be attributed to Wenger – particularly arrogance and stubbornness, which are essentially two ends of the same horse shoe – but the Arsenal boss is clearly not a stupid man. He knows the Gunners are stagnating, he knows this side should be achieving more, and he knows the fans are the most restless they’ve ever been under his leadership. Deep in his heart of hearts, he probably knows it’s time to resign.

It’s the only logical outcome of the current campaign, another which has somehow passed the north Londoners by, if Wenger wants the club he loves to ever return to their prior glories. Likewise, as Alan Curbishley of my beloved Charlton Athletic once graciously said, “it’s better to be clapped out of the front door than booed out the back.” Wenger has a real legacy to leave behind at Arsenal; a new stadium, an incredible academy, a distinctive philosophy and an incredibly talented side; but the longer he resists the inevitable, the more that will be forgotten.

For his own sake, for Arsenal’s sake, for the fans’ sake and for his legacy’s sake, Wenger must do the honourable thing at the end of this season – resign.

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Harry Kane’s continued emergence this season has been a little unfortunate.

Because of the fairytale season for Leicester City, very little else appears to receive much in the way of media attention.

True – it is a wonderful story and it will be seen as even more fantastic in the eyes of the footballing world if, as they should, they win the league. Other stories have been circulating, but one player seems to have gone under the radar this season and it’s time to right a fundamental injustice.

At 22, Harry Kane has surpassed all expectations and gone on to have yet another superbly consistent season for his club and country.

He is the Premier League’s current top scorer with 24, two ahead of Leicester’s Jamie Vardy and with the Foxes ace missing for a game (maybe more), Kane can extend the lead and win the award that he certainly deserves to collect. This season, Kane is on his way to achieving 30 goals in all competitions and in this era, that is incredible. It’s worth noting that the England man has scored more goals than the entire Aston Villa team in the league this term.

Certainly one of the first scribblings on Roy Hodgson’s list of players going to France this summer should be the four letters that spell KANE. His four goals in 10 games in the white shirt illustrate the emergence of a top class striker who has many years ahead of him. Watch out Wayne Rooney, he’ll be after your record!

It seems obvious that the one season wonder tag that was pinned onto the young striker has really irritated him, because he has come back firing on all cylinders for the current year. Sometimes, that’s all you need to fire you up. Strangely enough, it’s now Leicester City that are wearing the tag, as Kane proves his doubters wrong.

“There was a lot of talk at the start of the season,” Kane said. “It fuelled the fire in my belly to want to prove them wrong and I’ve gone and done that. It doesn’t stop here for me. It’s not a case of: ‘OK, I’m happy where I am’. I want to go and get more goals, create my chances for the team and do my best for Tottenham Hotspur.”

He is also the first Englishman to break the 20-goal mark in two consecutive seasons since Alan Shearer, nearly 20 years ago. Others have achieved this feat on occasions in the past, but Kane also looks likely to be the first Englishman to win the Golden Boot since Kevin Phillips in 2000.

Perhaps making his achievements all the more impressive, Kane didn’t look anywhere near his best at the start of the campaign. He was off the pace, clumsy and mis-firing, but whilst his mojo took some time to turn, Tottenham are certainly reaping the benefits of the class and skill to match many on the continent now.

It’s still early days mind you. The Spurs ace has a long way to go, but he does have time on his side. For Vardy, it has been a meteoric rise and one feels next season will tell us more about whether he is a part of Leicester’s ‘one season wonders’, or whether he’s more than that as a player.

Leicester’s rise to prominence has meant that Kane’s abilities have not hit the headlines as often as they otherwise might. Maybe that’s worked in his favour, but credit to the lad because he’s just got on with his job, quietly, efficiently and with devastating impact – just ask Stoke City.

Kane, Erik Lamela, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen: is there a better attacking force in the Premier League? The way they play, with Kane happy to drop deep to collect the ball rather than just hang around the box waiting for a half chance, is lethal. The way they knit together, sublime passes, movement and pace gives opponents headaches. But the deciding factor in all of this luxurious play is that Kane buries the ball each time, clinically and decisively.

Leicester City could very well take the label of ‘one season wonders’ and keep it, and it would be no bad thing. But Kane is a joy to behold and is certainly much more then initially expected.

Tottenham will do well to hold onto him this summer.

The last word goes to his manager, Mauricio Pochettino: “Harry is one of the best. ‘I’ve told you before.”

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Although Manuel Pellegrini’s current outfit somehow saw fit to spend over £100million on a succession of big-named over-priced stars throughout the course of last summer, Manchester City have underperformed rather dramatically in 2015/16, leaving the in-coming Pep Guardiola with a great deal of work to carry out immediately after taking over as the new boss down at the Etihad.

The upcoming summer transfer window will therefore take on massive precedence for the determined Citizens, for despite including several of the most exciting attacking talents across the entire Premier League spectrum itself, the City back-line has still looked unmistakably vulnerable across large portions of the current league campaign.

So, with Pep Guardiola reportedly highlighting Juventus’ Leonardo Bonucci as one of his ‘favourite-ever players’ in recent weeks, have Manchester City finally sourced the right man to tighten things up at the Etihad next season, or should the wealthy Premier League club ultimately look to point their seemingly endless stream of resources elsewhere this summer?

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In light of City’s obvious frailties at the back this season, Guardiola’s subsequent interest in Leonardo Bonucci hardly arrives as much of a surprise. This is one of the most established centre-backs currently operating in Europe after all.

The 28-year-old defender has excelled alongside the likes of both Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli in the heart of the Juventus back-line for several consecutive seasons now. Although Bonucci wouldn’t exactly represent the most cultured ball-playing centre-back the Premier League has ever seen, his no-nonsense nature and defensive reading of the game are certainly up there with some of the very best defenders the modern game has to offer.

When it comes to maintaining the highest levels of concentration throughout the entire 90 minutes, displaying clear prowess when reading the game and cutting out possession effectively – as well as simply giving everything he has to offer in the tackle and every subsequent 50/50 challenge that may come his way – Leonardo Bonucci is most definitely worthy of the relevant attention to greet his name this season.

Put in no uncertain terms whatsoever, Manchester City have been a complete disappointment from a defensive point of view in 2015/16. The likes of Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi may have set their current employers back a small fortune each in recent transfer windows, but neither defender has ultimately served to impress all that much in the Premier League thus far.

The usually dependent and reliable Vincent Kompany is seemingly coming to the latter stages of his top-flight career of course, so if Manchester City genuinely want to reassert their dominance back in the English game next season, a signing of Leonardo Bonucci’s undisputed calibre would certainly point the Citizens in the right direction.

Yet whilst Manchester City remain seriously interested in the potential capture of the Italian international this summer however, they may have to fend off some equally significant attention from Chelsea if they really want to bring Leonardo Bonucci to the Premier League next term.

The Blues have been suffering an equally concerning fate at the back in 2015/16 it must be said – and with the long-term Chelsea skipper, John Terry, looking increasingly likely to depart the realms of Stamford Bridge at the end of the current campaign – Jose Mourinho’s permanent successor could certainly do with some much needed defensive recruits on board in the not too distant future.

So then, whilst Manchester City seem well placed to sign the £25million rated man at the final culmination of the domestic season, Pep Guardiola will seemingly have a great deal of persuading to do in order to fend off the potentially dangerous interest from his ambitious counter-parts down at Stamford Bridge this summer.

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With Liverpool just 90 minutes against Sevilla away from a potential Champions League berth, it’s been noticed by both the Reds faithful, and football supporters as a whole, that Jurgen Klopp has some job to do this summer if he wants his squad to be competing with the best in the Premier League.

A player they’ve been hotly linked with in recent weeks has been PSG’s Javier Pastore, who has been one of the Parisians’ big names for some time. But with the Argentine international expected to cost an arm and a leg, there could be some other players that could help Klopp turn his side into potential Premier League winners.

So who could be the players to help turn Liverpool into Premier League giants once again?

Here are FIVE options…

Kevin Volland

Volland is a man that has flown under the radar in the national press this season, but his performances for Hoffenheim haven’t gone unnoticed in his native homeland.

Operating from the wing, the Germany international has been in fine form, scoring eight goals this season despite suffering from a couple of niggling injuries. He’d be a cheaper option than some others mentioned in this list, and at 23-years-old he’s got his best years ahead.

Andriy Yarmolenko

Yarmolenko’s name will be no mystery to Reds fans, as he has been linked with Anfield for a few seasons now.

Whilst he’s remained in his native Ukraine, the pacey winger has continued to impress, this year scoring 18 goals from the wing. Kiev sit top of the league by four points, so could this be his final season in his homeland?

Riyad Mahrez

Whilst this option is a little more predictable than the rest, it’s easy to see why Mahrez could be linked with a move to Anfield.

He’s been arguably the most important member of a Leicester’s title-winning side that wouldn’t have achieved the success they have without him. Leicester will be keen to hold on to their Algerian wing wizard, but could a move to Liverpool be tempting?

Anwar El Ghazi

The Ajax winger has only just broken onto the scene in the Netherlands, with this only being his second senior season.

But during this campaign, the Dutch winger has scored 11 goals in 36 appearances. He’s being closely monitored by a number of Europe’s top sides and it’s clear to see why – he’s one for the future and a move to Jurgen Klopp’s side could be extremely beneficial for both parties.

Jese

This Real Madrid winger has fully made his mark on the first team this campaign, breaking into Zinedine Zidane’s side and staying there.

Six goals in 36 appearances have showed why he deserves his place in one of Europe’s best sides and he is thought to be one of the most promising young players in Europe. A move to Liverpool would be fantastic for the club and their supporters, with the 23-year-old still having many years ahead of him in his career.

As Dimitri Payet’s incredible rise to stardom continues on account of his fine form at EURO 2016, so does Europe’s elite clubs interest in the superstar Frenchman.

Having enjoyed a fantastic first Premier League season – in which he was nominated for PFA Player of the Year and made the PFA Team of the Season – the West Ham midfielder has continued to demonstrate his ability further in France, having scored two goals in his country’s first two games of the European Championship.

The first will be a contender for the goal of the tournament – an injury time winner slammed into the top corner to secure a vital three points against Romania – while the second was another last minute solo effort to give France an hard fought 2-0 victory over resilient Albania.

The former Lille man stole the show on both occasions, displaying the silky skills, terrific touches and fine finishes that have made him a hero in east London over the past year.

Interest is beginning to step-up in the West Ham playmaker – with Chelsea allegedly leading the chase for his signature. Despite the Hammers insisting Payet is not for sale, a mega money offer for their talisman may be too much to turn down.

‘But how do you replace a player of that calibre?’ many Irons fans will be crying. Although it would be a big task, their are alternatives out there, so FootballFanCast have investigated FIVE potential replacements for Dimitri Payetdoes leave this summer…

Sofiane Feghouli

West Ham’s securement of the Valencia midfielder on a free transfer this week has gone completely under the radar amid the excitement of EURO 2016, but it certainly isn’t a transfer that should be snubbed.

A winger by trade, the Algerian has been a stand-out player for the La Liga club over the past few seasons, and was linked with a move to Chelsea as recently as January. He may have been free, but don’t be surprised if he raises eyebrows.

Roberto Pereyra

The Juventus and Argentina playmaker has fallen down the pecking order at his current club, and seems destined for a move away more than ever following the Turin giants’ signing of Miralem Pjanic.

Pereyra demonstrated his undoubted ability in a fine first season with The Old Lady in which he made a huge 52 appearances, scoring six goals while grabbing four assists. If he can get back to that kind of form and fitness – he’d be a terrific bargain buy for the Hammers.

James Rodriguez

While it may be an audacious move, the want away Colombian is a big transfer target for a number Premier League and European clubs having had a frustrating season at Real Madrid.

The star of the 2014 World Cup, Rodriguez remains one of Europe’s most highly rated young players, and is a potent attacking threat through the middle of the park.

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Mathieu Valbuena

How do you replace a French playmaker? Find another. And no, that wasn’t a terribly poor attempt at a joke, but a genuine solution to the Hammers’ problem.

Although not in the France squad, and having had his fair share of controversy over the past season, Valbuena is an exciting and skilful attacking midfielder who creates plenty of chances for those around him.

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Matt Ritchie

The name may not sound as sweet as James Rodriguez or Mathieu Valbuena, but the Scotsman’s ability should not be under-estimated.

His first season in the Premier League may not have been as dreamlike as Payet’s, but Richie nevertheless impressed with his brilliant technical ability and delivery of the ball. Having already had a bid rejected, the Hammer’s are set to swoop again for the Cherries star.

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There’s a big season on the horizon at White Hart Lane. Tottenham go into 2016/17 looking to build on their third place finish from last season as well as challenging in the Champions League.

The young side impressed last year under Mauricio Pochettino with their togetherness and work rate as well as how well they both attacked and defended. All this combined led the men from north London to push Leicester City all the way for title before crumbling in the very last stages of the season.

This experience though, if used correctly, will benefit the squad. Spurs will now know what it takes to win the Premier League title and their players will go into every game knowing they are good enough to grab a win, even in Europe. The last time Spurs played in the Champions League a certain Gareth Bale was on their books and whilst they do not have someone like the Welshman they still have very good players.

It could be a season to remember for the club if they get it right and we at Football Fan Cast think that if this FIVE join the club, Spurs will be ready to compete on all fronts…

Jonas Hector

Danny Rose did well at left back last season as he highlighted his potential and willingness to work on his game under Mauricio Pochettino.

There is a feeling though, that if Spurs want to compete in Europe too, they need another good left back. Ben Davies is currently the back up on the left side for Spurs but they should be aiming to sign someone like Hector. He was eye-catching at EURO 2016 for Germany and would be a great signing.

Ante Coric

Mauricio Pochettino clearly trusts in youth. The Argentine has given the likes of Dele Alli and Eric Dier big chances for Spurs and they have duly repaid him while Harry Kane’s rise is well documented.

‘Poch’ then, must be looking at other youngsters he can improve and the Croatian Coric fits the bill. He’s a bright young attacking midfielder and would excel with Spurs’ playing style.

Juan Cuadrado

Cuadrado joined Chelsea but within a matter of weeks it was clear Jose Mourinho didn’t really fancy him.

The South American was promptly shipped out on loan to Juventus where he showed what he can do as the Turin club won Serie A last season and so now it remains to be seen what his future holds.

If Spurs fans can get over his Chelsea ties he could be a key player for them offering an extra player that can play out wide.

Moussa Sissoko

Moussa Sissoko on form is real force to be reckoned with.

In the EURO 2016 final for France he looked unplayable at times with his marauding runs forward and although his country transpired to lose the tournament showpiece, his performance didn’t go unnoticed.

The Newcastle man would be a real boost to the Spurs squad as they look for stronger options from deep in central midfield than they currently have behind Mousa Dembele and Eric Dier.

Alexandre Lacazette

Lacazette would arguably the marquee signing of Spurs’ Summer and would really make a statement.

The men from White Hart Lane need to target players of the Lyon forward’s calibre to really leave their mark in Europe and the potential striking options they’d have with Lacazette, Harry Kane and Vincent Janssen would give Mauricio Pochettino plenty of opportunity to win games.

Arsenal are very gradually getting going this season in the Premier League.

A slow start that saw the Gunners manage only one point from their opening two games has been succeeded by two wins from two against Watford and Southampton respectively and so it could be time now for FanDuel players to start getting men from the Emirates into their teams.

FanDuel is a new kind of fantasy football that allows you to play when you want. If you miss a week, unlike with other fantasy football games, you still have a chance the following week to win the cash prizes on offer.

It’s about much more than just goals though. FanDuel looks at things like how many interceptions a player makes to earn you FanDuel points and ultimately take home the money. Throw into the bargain that FanDuel will match your first deposit all the way up to £400 now really is a good time to start playing and getting Gunners players in that side.

Much was made during the transfer window of their lack of signing a proven world class forward and you might expect that FanDuel players themselves would avoid putting in any current Arsenal attackers because of this but in fact, Arsene Wenger seems to have pulled off a masterstroke, as the stats suggest:

The Gunners local rivals Spurs have the likes of Harry Kane up front, last season’s top scorer as well as having signed Vincent Janssen, the Eredivisie’s top scorer fro last year yet the Lilywhites have a worse chance conversion rate according to FanDuel.

This may come as a surprise but with FanDuel looking at all the aspects of a game, not at just who scored and got a clean sheet, you need to act now and put some Arsenal players in your side.

Wenger didn’t sign a world class striker clearly because he had faith in what he had and it looks as though that faith is being rewarded. It’s time then to show some yourself in the Gunners front line and the reward? The cash prizes, you can’t go wrong.

Think you know football? Prove it and win big money: http://po.st/signup_ed

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It often gets overlooked that goalkeepers are a vital cog in any FIFA side. Just because players are limited in terms of what they can actually do with their No.1 the men between the sticks get very little credit for their skills.

But in FIFA 17 the stoppers are set to be useful, especially in the opening few months while we all get used to the new game!

So which goalies should we look out for? Well EA Sports have released the top TEN for this year’s instalment, with the Premier League the home of the finest glovesmen…

10 – Keylor Navas

Real Madrid’s Costa Rican stopper is agile, as reflected by his ‘acrobatic’ style and come in with a handy 85.

9 – Bernd Leno

Often overlooked on the Manuel Neuer-dominated Bundesliga scene, Leno is a top goalie and his 86 rating is deserved.

8 – Jan Oblak

The man that replaced Thibaut Courtois at Atletico Madrid has been a revelation and will certainly be heavily used on FIFA 17.

7 – Samir Handanovic

The Slovenian is a towering presence between the sticks for Inter Milan.

6 – Petr Cech

Arsenal’s Czech Republic shot-stopper is once again one of the names to get hold of.

5 – Gianluigi Buffon

A FIFA legend and a player most gamers have been using for the best part of two decades, Buffon is once again one of the top goalkeepers.

4 – Hugo Lloris

Matching Buffon’s 88 rating, Lloris is the bedrock of what will be a strong virtual representation of Spurs’ XI.

3 – Thibaut Courtois

Despite Chelsea’s woes last season, Courtois remains a great stopper and makes the top three…

2 – David de Gea

By far the best goalkeeper in English football, Man United’s De Gea is often as good as having a wall in front of the goal!

1 – Manuel Neuer

Could it be any other player? Neuer is a goalkeeper of no weaknesses and will make Bayern Munich a popular choice on FIFA 17.

Neither West Ham nor Sunderland have enjoyed the starts to the season many anticipated at the end of last term.

Indeed, the move to the London Stadium was meant to usher in a new era for the Hammers, whilst Sam Allardyce was seen as the perfect candidate to rescue the Black Cats from their endless cycle of last-minute aversion from relegation to the Championship.

But eight games in, with a new stadium and new manager respectively, West Ham and Sunderland find themselves in 15th place and bottom place – separated by just five points.

Perhaps it’s a little too early in the season to call it, but Saturday’s 3pm meet in East London is on the border of being a relegation clash – neither side can afford to lose.

With that in mind, this weekend’s game looks set to be a close-knit affair that could well be decided by which team dominates the key individual battles.

Physio vs Physio

Sunderland and West Ham both enter Saturday’s match with epic injury lists. Indeed, they currently rank first and second respectively throughout the Premier League in terms of injuries, with the Black Cats missing eight players and the Hammers seven.

That creates a few selection dilemmas for David Moyes and Slaven Bilic, who may have to accept square pegs in round holes just to put half-decent XIs out. But there will be equal pressure on the rival physios; if someone goes down with a complaint, they’ll be pulling out all the stops to get them back on their feet simply due to the lack of fit replacements.

Michail Antonio vs Duncan Watmore

Unlike the rest of the key battles in this gallery, Michail Antonio and Duncan Watmore won’t be directly facing each other on Saturday. However, both right wingers are confronted by the same situation – namely, the opposition being without their first-choice left-back. Patrick van Aanholt is stuck in the physio room, whilst Arthur Masuaku is amid a lengthy injury-layoff and Aaron Cresswell’s suspended after picking up two yellow cards against Crystal Palace last week.

Therefore, this battle comes down to who can take advantage most to help their side to victory. Logic suggests Antonio; he’s scored five goals in eight appearances this season and will likely be up against right-footed stand-in Billy Jones. That being said, the ageing legs of Cresswell’s likeliest replacement Alvaro Arebloa might struggle to keep up with a young, energetic and incredibly enthusiastic Duncan Watmore.

Simone Zaza vs Papy Djilbodji

It’s safe to say, Simone Zaza’s endured a troubled start to his West Ham career, failing to find the net in five Premier League appearances and producing just one shot on target in that time period. But there has been some improvement to his abject displays in recent weeks and against an injury-stricken Sunderland defence, he really should find his first Premier League goal on Saturday.

Especially considering he’ll be up against Papy Djilbodji and John O’Shea in the absence of Lamine Kone. Without meaning to sound disrespectful, it’s quite clear the former Chelsea defender just isn’t of the standard to keep Sunderland in the top flight. But maybe he’ll prove us wrong against the Hammers.

Cheikhou Kouyate vs Didier N’Dong

Two central midfielders with similar box-to-box roles for their respective sides. Indeed, Didier N’Dong was acquired during the summer to add some physicality and energy to Sunderland’s midfield and Cheikhou Kouyate provides a similar kind of service for West Ham, offering athletic intimidation alongside Mark Noble.

Neither midfielder have exactly enjoyed the best of form this season but on paper at least, Kouyate is the much stronger candidate to come out on top in this battle. He was fantastic for the Hammers during his first two seasons and it seems inevitable he’ll return to that level of form in the coming weeks.

Jermain Defoe vs Winston Reid

Jermain Defoe always enjoys scoring against his former employers. In fact, there are only seven clubs the Sunderland striker has netted against more than West Ham, with six goals (and two assists) in 15 outings. And the veteran poacher has been in decent form once again this season, bagging four goals in eight Premier League appearances despite Sunderland’s overall inability to create consistently in the final third.

As West Ham’s most reliable defender, the task of keeping a leash on Defoe will predominately fall to Winston Reid, one of the Irons’ few decent performers in the opening weeks of the season. But Defoe’s such a natural goalscorer he only needs a quarter of a yard inside the box, so it’s equally important West Ham stop the supply lines to the 34-year-old.

Dimitri Payet vs Sunderland

To call West Ham a one-man team would be unfair but there’s no doubt attacking midfield talisman Dimitri Payet is their likeliest source of a win on Saturday. Indeed, despite the Hammers’ struggles this season, he’s still amassed one goal and three assists in five Premier League starts – claiming two Man of the Match awards in the process.

Facing a Sunderland side that’s already conceded 15 goals this season and is now further weakened by injury, the Frenchman should have a field day at the London Stadium this weekend.

That’s by no means a guarantee but the real problem for the Black Cats is working out how to stop the midfield maestro; he takes up a free role just behind the striker and will float around continuously throughout the ninety minutes. The task of nullifying his threat can’t fall to one man – it has to be a joint effort from the whole team.

Manchester City’s draw with Middlesbrough on Saturday further highlighted the club’s inability to see games out. The dismal 1-1 really will be looked at in the future as two points dropped rather than a point gained after City dominated Boro over 90 minutes before subsequently conceding a last minute equaliser.

A game that was typical of Pep Guardiola, the Citizens dominated possession, created clear-cut chances and showed solidity in defence. However, his side still managed to let slip a valuable two points in the title race with just seconds remaining.

If City are to challenge for the title, as is widely anticipated, there are some questions they must answer and recertify over the coming weeks. Their frailties are starting to become more striking than ever and unless Guardiola changes another Premier League title will slip through City’s fingers.

With all this in mind, here are FIVE things Guardiola must change over the international break…

Discover the long-term centre-back pairing

Far too many times this season Guardiola has swapped and changed his defenders and defensive systems and, in all honesty, it has cost his team some valuable points.

The Sky Blues have only kept two clean sheets in the league all season, and this is something that needs rectifying over the international break.

At Barcelona, Pique and Puyol were instrumental to his success and should he wish to achieve similar things at City he must swiftly identify which defensive duo will guide him to success.

Aleks Kolarov playing at centre-back and resting Nicolas Otamendi were kamikaze moves by the Spaniard, with no successful side ever being built on a weak defensive unit.

Be more clinical in front of goal

There’s no denying City’s improvement under Guardiola in comparison to Manuel Pellegrini. However, one thing City are lacking is the ability to convert chances into goals at a rapid rate.

Saturday’s draw was the perfect example of a team trying to pass the ball into the goal – exactly like Arsenal did for many years.

If City are to mount a challenge at the summit of the Premier League, those guilt edge chances must be converted by the City front-three. Liverpool are not missing opportunities, and City should be aiming to emulate their North West rivals.

Give youth the opportunity to impress

In the full-back areas, City are too regularly decimated by teams with a fast-paced counter attacking style. Their ageing defenders are a strain on the side, and it’s becoming more apparent to the opposition just where to exploit the Citizens’ weaknesses.

Pablo Maffeo and Angelino are the club’s two most worthy contenders to join the first-team and be given their opportunity to shine.

Maffeo was City’s best player during their EFL Cup defeat to Manchester United almost a fortnight ago, so why has he not be given his chance in the Premier League?

Play De Bruyne centrally, not out wide

There’s no denying Kevin De Bruyne is one of (if not the) the best players in the Premier League, however, the Belgian has consistently found himself playing in a left wing role since the emergence of Ilkay Gundogan.

It’s a nice complaint to have when you’re struggling to accommodate world-class players, but when a player is as instrumental to City’s success as De Bruyne is, then he must be played in a position that he will hurt the opposition more frequently.

David Silva has regularly produced great performances from the left, so Guardiola should be moving Silva to accommodate De Bruyne centrally.

Restore the ‘Fortress Etihad’ tag

For the past few weeks, the fortress that was once the Etihad Stadium has now turned into a sandcastle for teams to come and destroy.

City have drawn their last three home games in the Premier League. Unforgiven on their home turf.

Guardiola’s teams have historically been impossible to defeat at home, and he must ensure his City side restore that infamous tag once again.