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On Friday Birmingham’s worst fears became reality with confirmation arriving that the club is set for a nine-point deduction for a breach of spending rules.

It’s news that is set to plummet the club into relegation trouble, moving them from 13th in the Championship to 18th. As a result, they will now sit just five points off the drop zone. The Blues had initially been in with an outside bet of making the playoffs but any chance of that has now been swiftly eradicated.

As expected, supporters of the club have been busy reacting to the news on Twitter as some noted that it wouldn’t be a normal campaign for the Midlands club if they weren’t embroiled in a relegation battle.

There were split opinions though as some shared frustration and were shocked, calling it garbage and that financial fair play was flawed. Others demanded to know what the deduction was actually for.

However, with it originally thought to be in the region of 12 points, some fans feel as though the outcome isn’t so bad.

The club were put under a transfer embargo last summer whilst the EFL looked into their breach of profitability and sustainability rules so it’s a case that has dragged on for an extensive period of time.

During the embargo, Birmingham signed Kristian Pedersen which is something that is unlikely to have helped their cause either.

Although they are set to be nine points worse off, supporters will take comfort in the fact that matters have finally come to a conclusion.

Here’s how some segments of the St Andrew’s faithful have reacted.

واصل الدولي الإنجليزي، جوردان هندرسون، متوسط ميدان فريق ليفربول، انتقاد التحكيم بعد هدفه الملغي في شباك إيفرتون بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وسقط ليفربول في فخ التعادل الإيجابي 2-2 أمام إيفرتون في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما على ملعب “جوديسون بارك”، وكاد الريدز أن يخطف نقاط المباراة الثلاث في النهاية بهدف من هندرسون قبل أن يتم إلغاؤه من حكم المباراة بداعي التسلل على ساديو ماني، ممرر الهدف من خلال تقنية الفيديو. شاهد هدف ليفربول الملغي أمام إيفرتون

وكتب هندرسون عبر يومياته بموقع التواصل الاجتماعي “إنستجرام”: “من الصعب إيجاد الكلمات لشرح ما حدث الآن”.

وأضاف: “سأترك الآخرين يشرحون الأمر.. أداء رائع من اللاعبين!”.

هندرسون خرج بالأمس في تصريحات صحفية أيضًا، وانتقد الحكام بشكل علني، وقال: ” إنهم يقومون بلوي الخطوط ورسمها كما يريدون في بعض الأحيان!” (طالع تصريحاته كاملة).

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Marcelo Bielsa will be lacking a vital defensive lynchpin when Leeds United host Millwall at Elland Road after the international break, with Pontus Jansson set to be sidelined.

Dicussion over who exactly will replace the Sweden international is running rife in Yorkshire. The obvious solution is to restore Gaetano Berardi into the team, but he has spent a considerable length of time on the sideline through injury this season.

Kalvin Phillips, who enjoyed a decent spell in central defence during the winter months, also represents a viable option.

However, a handful of the Whites faithful have taken to Twitter to call for 6ft 4 colossus Aapo Halme to make only his second Championship start of the season.

Millwall are a side renowned for their added physicality, so it’s easy to understand why the fans have identified the Finnish defender as the man who is best equipped to replace Jansson.

The inexperienced 20-year-old has offered much more than just a commanding aerial presence when he has been called upon this season, and it’s his ability to combine his commanding aerial presence with a composed approach to possession-based football which has really caught the eye.

Here’s what the Leeds fans have had to say about Halme:

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Celtic loanee Timothy Weah has been speaking about his time at the club, and it certainly sounds like he is open to extending his stay in Glasgow.

Celtic fans have been largely underwhelmed by their club’s transfer business in recent windows, but the Bhoys secured two excellent loan signings in January.

Oliver Burke has scored four times in 14 games for the club while Weah has grabbed three goals in 12 appearances.

Now, Weah has spoken out about his happiness with the move to Parkhead and in doing so has opened the door for Peter Lawwell to make his move.

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What has he said?

“The players and the coach accepted me very quickly,” the 19 year-old said.

“The integration was easy, because I speak English although I continue to speak French with Odsonne Edouard, Dedryck Boyata and Olivier Ntcham.

“The people are really very nice. It’s easy for me there. I live incredible things through football right now.”

And the wonderkid even admitted there is something special about Paradise that he can’t get in Paris: “There is an amazing atmosphere at the stadium. In Paris it’s similar, but there’s something different at Celtic Park, which is an old stadium.

“I have never seen this. The team are playing well. I’m happy to be there, it’s a very good choice.”

In reference to his father, George Weah, he added: “In Glasgow, it’s not the same with my father. I am known as Tim Weah, the player. My dad did not play here, so people do not talk about that much.”

He’s fallen in love

Indeed, it can’t be easy following in the footsteps of the 1995 Ballon d’Or winner, so it’s fantastic to hear the teenager say he can forget about such ridiculous expectations and just focus on his football for the Hoops.

He has also clearly fallen head over heels in love with the atmosphere at Parkhead, something the customers that occupy most of PSG’s Parc des Princes on a weekly basis could only dream of matching.

While Weah made no direct reference to extending his staying green and white, this is about as close to a come-and-get-me plea as it possibly could be.

The American international is an immense talent, even if it is mainly down to his father that he is so well-known internationally, and was included on GOAL.com’s NxGn list of teenage talents, coming in at number 17 on their top 50.

Whether it be another loan move, which is the likely option, or a pricey permanent deal, Lawwell and the club must use Weah’s infatuation with Paradise to their advantage and secure at least another year of his services, because players like this don’t come around too often.

أكد مرتضى منصور رئيس نادي الزمالك، رغبته في تأهل فريقه لمواجهة الأهلي في نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ويستعد فريقي الأهلي والزمالك لمواحهة الوداد والرجاء في إياب نصف نهائي البطولة القارية يومي الجمعة والسبت المقبلين.

وقال مرتضى منصور في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “الحدث اليوم”: “أتمنى أن يعبر الزمالك الرجاء، وتقام مباراة نهائية بين الأهلي والزمالك بحضور جماهيري، ويذهب دخلها بالكامل لأي مشروع خيري في مصر”.

وأوضح: “أتمنى لأول مرة جلوس جماهير الأهلي والزمالك جنبًا إلى جنب في المدرجات، وليسوا منفصلين كما كنا نرى في الماضي، وهذه مبادرة سنقول من خلالها للجماهير إن هناك من يصنع فتنة في مصر، حاولوا أن يفعلوها بين المسلمين والمسيحين فلم تفلح فاتجهوا إلى أن يصنعوها بين الأهلي والزمالك لإشعال البلد”.

طالع | مرتضى منصور يعلن موافقته على تأجيل مباراة الزمالك والرجاء في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

وأردف: “جماهير الزمالك هي من أتحدث معها، وجماهير الأهلي تنبهوا أنا أريد أن أفوز على فريقكم في الملعب بكل الألعاب ولا أريد أن أفوز عليه بالسب، التحفيل والسباب يأججان الفتنة، ولا أكون سعيدًا بأي تجاوز يأتي لي ضد الأهلي، وأشعر بأن من يفعل ذلك (دمه تقيل)”.

واختتم: “الأهلي والزمالك شرفا مصر، وأنا توجهت بالتهنئة على قناة الزمالك للأحمر، وقلت إن لاعبيه رجالًا وأثبتوا لكل من شككوا فيهم أن هناك أندية كبيرة لا يمكن التشكيك فيهم بأنهم يبيعون المباريات”.

يُذكر أن الزمالك قد فاز على حساب الرجاء بهدف وحيد، بينما استطاع الأهلي الفوز على الوداد بثنائية في ذهاب نصف نهائي أبطال إفريقيا.

D-Day is almost upon Neil Lennon and Celtic.

In his biggest challenge since the change of guard, he aims to prove himself worthy of the job by derailing the Hoops closest title challengers and eternal rivals.

It’s also his biggest opportunity to prove himself to the Bhoys faithful. Since his hurried arrival, Lennon hasn’t really had Celtic dancing to his tunes like Brendan Rodgers did earlier this season, despite a fairly good run of results. Indeed, the Hoops haven’t been anywhere near as dominant as before, only scoring three goals in his three league games in charge, largely flattering to deceive.

Rotating players, benching some important ones, Lennon’s made radical decisions to no end. However, all can change in the Old Firm Derby. Having lost their last one in December, Celtic must be desperate for revenge, with a win all but ending the Gers’ season in March. Obviously, Lennon himself is no newcomer to the game, he knows the magnitude of the fixture and also will fully realise just how much his stock can rise up if Celtic are to put on a special showing.

With Parkhead watching, Lennon could win back the fans’ love and trust with a fiery display against Rangers. While Steven Gerrard’s side are themselves hell-bent on breaking their rivals dominance, they also come into the game, not in the best of form. If Lennon makes a few adjustments to his system and motivates his boys to get revenge, a spectacle could unfold.

A memorable derby win can be solid proof of Lennon being the best man for the job. If he gets goals galore and fans roaring again at Celtic Park, he’ll take a step closer towards making his reign permanent.

Celtic fans, would you accept Lennon as a permanent manager with a dominant derby win? Join the discussion by commenting below. 

Another game, another win for Aston Villa. They’re the in-form team in the Championship at the moment, and John McGinn has the quality to take them all the way to the Premier League.

He’s played 34 times for the Villans this season, playing over two thousand minutes, but he’s still running the show in the centre of the park and the opposition can’t deal with him. This is their fifth win on the bounce, and lots of praise should be heaped on his influence.

Dean Smith’s side have been tearing up the league since Jack Grealish returned to the starting line-up against Derby in early March. He’s had a massive impact going forward, but he wouldn’t have that licence to be creative if McGinn wasn’t doing all the hard work behind him.

There were worries Villa would be stopped in their tracks, with the international break ending their momentum, but it’s done anything but that. It looks like it’s given them the rest from the promotion push they needed.

Keep this up and they’ll make the play-offs, no doubt.

McGinn’s consistency has been incredible. He’s played 90 minutes in 16 of the Villans’ last 20 games, and two of those he missed were through suspension. He’s been the mainstay in this side, and to have his calming influence in the play-offs will benefit the team no end.

The pressure is mounting as the wins keep coming. The victory over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday was anything but relaxed and the players know the expectation from the terraces means things will only get nervier.

With McGinn there though, he can steer the ship back to the Premier League.

Villa fans, where do you think your club will finish this season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

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Raheem Sterling is rapidly developing into a world-class talent, and one who is quickly broadening his tactical horizons under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Having started his footballing career as an out-and-out winger who enjoyed cutting inside, the 24-year-old has now matured into an excellent forward who can comfortably play anywhere across the frontline – Sterling has been deployed as a left forward, a right forward and a centre forward on numerous occasions already this season.

What is particularly telling is that, no matter which position he is deployed in, the former Liverpool man consistently delivers.

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In his 40 appearances this season for the Citizens, the England international has hit a stunning 19 goals and recorded 16 assists. To add to that, his statistics for the Three Lions in the current campaign show a return of six goals in five starts.

Together, that equates to a quite staggering haul of 25 goals and 16 assists, numbers that some of Europe’s most elite players would rightfully be proud of.

His striking compatriot at the Etihad Stadium, Sergio Aguero, is a man heralded by all associated with the club – the Argentine’s tally of 227 goals in 329 appearances makes him Man City’s all-time top goalscorer.

However, Aguero is nearing his 31st birthday and has previously stated his intention to return to former club Independiente when his contract expires.

Although it’s important to recognise that the Argentine has since signed a one-year extension, the fateful day of his departure will inevitably come around in the not too distant future.

City will find it incredibly hard to replace such a prolific forward when that day eventually arrives, but Guardiola’s replacement could already be under his nose.

Looking at Sterling’s record in front of goal this season, as well as last term in which he notched 23 goals and 17 assists, it is evident that he is always improving and is on course to get near, or even break, Aguero’s record tally in a sky blue shirt.

Pep Guardiola and the club’s officials needn’t fret when the former Atletico Madrid packs his bags and leaves Manchester; they have his replacement ready made in the form of their existing No.7.

If Portsmouth are to end the season in an automatic promotion spot, they might have Coventry to thank for it.

Their incredible 5-4 win over Sunderland allowed Portsmouth to climb level on points with the Black Cats after their own 4-1 thumping of Rochdale on the weekend, and with both teams with a game in hand over second place Barnsley and two points off the Tykes, the EFL Trophy finalists both have an opportunity to snatch an automatic promotion spot.

And a lot has happened since that EFL Trophy final between the two teams. Portsmouth have ridden the success winning the cup gave them almost to maximum usage, winning both games since Wembley whereas Sunderland have stumbled, winning just two of their four games after the final.

With the two teams set to meet each other again in two weeks time, it’s likely that the victor of that match will stand the best chance of claiming second place should Barnsley continue to fall behind of Luton Town in the league table, and Portsmouth’s mentality going into that massive game has been nothing but perfect.

The mood around the club is still on a high from the EFL Trophy final that has only grown stronger with each passing league games. The fans and players have the belief that they can go all the way and cause a League One upset by overtaking Barnsley in the table, and with how things are going for Pompey, it’s a possibility.

The EFL Trophy final has caused a domino effect across League One that has seen Sunderland falter and Portsmouth continue to rise, and now there is a genuine chance that Kenny Jackett’s side can do the unthinkable and finish this season in second place.

Portsmouth fans, do Pompey have what it takes to seal second place? Let us know!

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In Manchester United’s last meeting with Wolves, the Red Devils tasted defeat, succumbing to a 2-1 loss at Molineux.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s men were excellent on the night, with Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez causing the United backline all sorts of trouble.

What did Solskjaer get wrong?

It may sound strange, but Solskjaer set his team up too high and too attack minded against Wolves last month, which was the beginning of the 20-time Premier League champions’ downfall in the Midlands.

Obviously, for a club as big as United, they are expected to take the game to any team they face and look to pin them back, deploying their centre-backs close to the halfway line and their full-backs deep in the opponent’s final third.

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This plan would work well against a team such as Burnley for example, a side lacking pace on the break, although against Wolves, it plays perfectly into Nuno’s hands.

With Jota and Adama Traore up top, in addition to Jimenez and his excellent hold-up ability, Wolves are one of the most dangerous counter-attacking teams in the league and have already put a number of the ‘top six’ to the sword this season.

Wolves have beaten Chelsea, Tottenham, United and Liverpool, and have also recorded draws against Arsenal and Manchester City by soaking up the pressure and hitting them on the break – Solskjaer must avoid falling into this trap.

How should he go about it?

Well, as we saw in Wolves’ last game against Burnley, and against a number of other bottom-half sides, they don’t like it when the space in behind is limited.

When teams sit deep, Wolves seem unable to break them down when the ball over the top is completely cut out.

It would be a hugely controversial tactical decision for Solskjaer to set his side up to sit deep and play Wolves at their own game – something they can easily manage with the pace of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Romelu Lukaku – especially if it backfired.

However, that is the trap that most of the Premier League’s top six have fallen into this season when playing Wolves – with a place in the top four yet to be secured, Solskjaer needs to be bold in order to get the three points.