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Loads of Newcastle fans have been discussing the form of Matt Ritchie, who has reignited his career in a new role under Rafael Benitez.

Newcastle put themselves four points clear of the relegation zone with a comfortable win over Huddersfield on Saturday, and fans were once again impressed by the form of Ritchie.

The Scottish international made his name as a winger at Bournemouth, using his wand of a left foot to whip in crosses and crack shots from distance, but his work rate and engine was his real asset.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….

He has failed to match the end product he achieved with the Cherries since making the long trip north, but the work rate has never faltered, leading to a change of position for the 29 year-old.

Playing as a left-wing-back in front of three centre halves, the former Cherry has the license to bomb down the wing and whip balls in towards the towering Salomon Rondon, but also has the engine to cover every blade of grass and defend stoutly.

Plenty of fans have been discussing his new role, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

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Everybody loves an underdog. In football, David vs Goliath encounters are typically thrown up on a weekly basis between two sides at opposite ends of the spectrum.

Individually speaking, though, it takes a relentless work-ethic and a touch of unseen natural talent to help underdogs rise to the top level.

For players plying their trade in non-league football, the prospect of playing in the Premier League sits in the realm of fantasy, but there are exceptions who climb to the peak of the ladder.

The centre-forward position is the most niche and difficult to master of all the outfield positions. Get it right, though, and it’s certainly easy to get noticed.

Just look at Jamie Vardy, for example. His well-documented journey from Fleetwood Town goal-machine to Premier League title-winner in 2016 is the ultimate started-from-the-bottom-now-we’re-‘ere story in recent footballing memory.

Callum Wilson may not be donning a Premier League winners’ medal on his mantelpiece just yet but his ability to resurrect his career in non-league football with Tamworth is a comparable story worth noting.

And, while he may not have needed to spend much of his senior career in the depths below League Two, Birmingham City’s Che Adams could yet be the next electric forward to follow in the footsteps of both Wilson and Vardy by making the transition to top-flight football.

The Birmingham City hitman has been in clinical goal scoring form this season, bagging 21 goals from 33 Championship appearances, a return which averages out at a goal for every 125 minutes of football played.

Former Birmingham defender Michael Johnson has already suggested that the 22-year-old is a perfect fit for Mauricio Pochettino’s style of football. As quoted by football.london, he said…

“I could see Adams at Tottenham, with the way they play. He loves the ball in and around the box and I think he has what it takes to play at the very top.”

Tottenham fans should be familiar with Adams from their League Cup semi-final clash against Sheffield United back in 2015. Then 18, Adams came off the bench and scored a brace within six minutes of being introduced into the action, but the teenager’s endeavours were undone by a late Christian Eriksen goal which sent them crashing out of the competition.

Just two months after leaving non-league Ilkeston, Adams’ brimming quality was there for all to see. Pace, power and a clinical eye for the back of the net left Spurs stunned.

It was the type of stunning cameo which will have resonated with everybody involved with Spurs, and four years later they would be wise to consider him as a potential transfer target.

First and foremost, Adams fits the profile of the type of player Pochettino has actively looked to integrate into his squad in recent years: English and bursting with potential. Add in both the powerful forward’s prolific return and the glaring need for a long-term understudy for Harry Kane at Spurs and it’s difficult to argue against his compelling case.

And, for the notoriously tight-fisted Daniel Levy, Adams should be available at a price which will offer the prospect of future profitability.

The Times reported earlier this month that Birmingham have slapped a £22 million asking-price on his head which, in the context of the modern economic climate, is peanuts – even chief pantomime villain and apparently penniless Mike Ashley splashed just shy of that figure on Miguel Almiron.

Tottenham have a multitude of reasons to host the next rags to riches story by signing Adams in the summer window.

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Tottenham Hotspur are lining up a move for FC Copenhagen midfielder Robert Skov, according to Sky Sports News.

Spurs are one of a number of Premier League clubs currently watching the 22-year-old, along with the likes of Wolves, West Ham and Watford.

What’s the word?

Skov, a Denmark Under-21 international, has enjoyed a remarkably prolific campaign in his native country thus far this season.

Playing as a right winger, he has scored 24 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions and has also laid on six assists.

That tally includes the winner in Copenhagen’s only Europa League victory this season, a 2-1 success over Bordeaux.

Sky Sports News report that Spurs are keen to recruit a versatile attacking player who can support Harry Kane from the flank, and have subsequently identified Skov as a potential target.

The 22-year-old, who is yet to make his senior debut for Denmark, has only been with his current club for a season, having cost them just under £1million last summer, per the aforementioned report.

A gamble

Spurs definitely need a right winger this summer but recruiting Skov would be a gamble.

Copenhagen are almost guaranteed to turn a tidy profit on the player, with Premier League clubs circling.

It would mark a significant show of faith, however, if Spurs were to secure a player from the Danish top-flight.

Vincent Janssen is perhaps the example. Having scored 32 goals and laid on seven assists in just 49 appearances for Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, the north London outfit identified him as the perfect man to offer support to Kane.

Instead, he has scored just six times for the club and is almost certain to leave in the summer.

Spurs had better tread carefully around Skov, then.

Steve Bruce claimed last night’s win at struggling Bolton in horrendous conditions has given his side a “squeak” at making the play-offs, and insisted the Owls can “hope” that their unbeaten run of 11 games can see them achieve their dream.

Goals from Steven Fletcher, who overcame an injury he picked up at the weekend to play, and Newcastle loanee Rolando Aarons, were enough to secure the three points form Wednesday, which saw them climb up to ninth in the table, but more significantly, only three points of a play-off spot, ahead of this evening’s games.

Speaking to the Star, Bruce claimed the first goal was pivotal, and was the only highlight in a first half during which the players had to come to terms with the awful weather brough in by Storm Gareth.

He said: “I think the whole game hinged on the first goal and what a bit of quality that was and to be fair in the first half that was the only real bit of quality.

“How often have I said it in this Championship in an awful night where you probably wouldn’t send out a lifeboat with wind and swirling rain, a difficult pitch it’s our worst nightmare.”

Bruce admitted he had not expected goal hero Fletcher to be fit after he was forced to come off at Derby on Saturday, but was not surprised that he managed to get on the score-sheet.

“It was a plus for us that Fletcher was fit, I didn’t expect that, but typical Fletch wanted to get out there and capped it with a great goal.”

But looking at the bigger picture, Bruce — who is yet to taste defeat since taking over at Hillsborough — is hopeful of a play-off charge.

He said: “They’ve [the players] given us everything they have got and we’ve given ourselves a squeak so let’s see how the results go tomorrow night and look forward to the home game on Saturday against Blackburn.

“All we can do is hope and we’ve given ourselves a wonderful six weeks, I couldn’t have wished for a better start.

“But, we’ve got to do it again. We’ve got to replicate it to give ourselves a chance.”

Wednesday are certainly the form team of the Championship right now, and no one will want to have them as their next game. With the momentum they have built up, along with the experience and tactical know-how of Bruce, we think that the Owls will be a force to be reckoned with during the final weeks of the season.

It will be no surprise to us to see them securing a place in the play-offs come May.

What are your thoughts on the play-off chances of your side Owls fans? Has Bruce made all the difference? Comment below to let us know your take…

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Celtic fans have taken to Twitter following the last-gasp win over Dundee on Sunday afternoon to reveal that they don’t want to see Neil Lennon appointed on a permanent basis.

Despite Odsonne Edouard’s 96th-minute winner, the game’s first and only goal, Celtic didn’t play particularly well at Dens Park, although this result does move them ten points clear of second-placed Rangers.

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

Lennon was appointed on a deal until the end of the season after Brendan Rodgers left to join Leicester City, and is yet to taste defeat in his second spell with the Bhoys.

However, some of his substitutions against Dundee and the overall quality of football was questionable to say the least. The former Bolton boss bought on Filip Benkovic for Kristoffer Ajer, a defender for a defender, when his side were chasing a goal, and struggling at that.

They managed to get over the line and are still on course for the treble, but let’s see what the Celtic supporters are saying about Lennon on Twitter…

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Football writer Joe Urquhart posted a link to his Yorkshire Evening Post story, as per an interview with the player on Leeds United’s official website, about Adam Forshaw’s injury return progress on his Twitter account on Friday and Whites fans were quick to react on the thread.

The midfielder has missed the Yorkshire club’s previous eight Championship fixtures with a knee issue, but in a video interview with leedsunited.com the 27-year-old said he is hoping he will be back in contention for the huge clash against Millwall next Saturday.

The former Middlesbrough ban being fit and available would certainly give manager Marcelo Bielsa an extra headache, given he already has to decide who will fill in for the injured Pontus Jansson at the heart of the defence.

Elland Road favourite Gaetano Berardi is surely one of the frontrunners, but Forshaw’s return may convince the Argentine boss to push Kalvin Phillips back into the centre-back role again instead – something one supporter who replied to Urquhart’s tweet thinks could be on the cards after saying “bad news for Berra”.

However, many others feel that he only deserves a spot on the substitutes’ bench at most, which isn’t too surprising given he was the subject of a few costly errors prior to his injury.

Here is just a selection of the reaction…

[ad_pod ]Loads of Newcastle fans have been reacting to some international action, as Salomon Rondon dominated Argentina on Friday night.After years of watching the likes of Joselu, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Emmanuel Riviere, Newcastle fans are really revelling in the presence of Rondon.The big number nine has completely transformed the Magpies, providing exactly the focal point that Rafael Benitez demands from his front man. Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….He has continued his excellent form into the international break too, scoring the opener as Venezuela downed Argentina on Friday.La Vinotinto were expected to roll over for Lionel Messi’s side, but Rondon opened the scoring just six minutes into the match with a delightful chip.

Jhon Murillo and Josef Martinez both chipped in with a goal to help Rondon’s side win 3-1, but it was Tyneside’s new hero that really stole the show.

As well as his goal, he was just as destructive and dominant as he is at St. James’ Park, and the Twitter reactions down below are running out of superlatives for the summer arrival…

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In an exclusive interview with Planet Radio, Gabriel Agbonlahor revealed that he has retired from professional football.

Agbonlahor has been without a club since leaving Aston Villa at the end of the 2017-18 campaign and has now officially hung up his boots, despite suggestions that the attacker could look to continue his career abroad.

The 32-year-old scored 86 times in 391 appearances for Villa in all competitions, including 73 goals in 322 Premier League games.

The former speedster (not anymore, sorry Gabby), who also won three England caps during his career, saw his relationship with Villa sour following their relegation from the Premier League in 2016.

Off-the-field issues and injuries meant that Agbonlahor’s appearances have been limited in recent seasons, but he has still been an excellent servant to the club since making his first-team debut in 2005.

Pl>ymaker FC’s Matchday with Max caught up with Jamaica’s women’s team. See what happened when he met the history makers in the video below…

The Villa fans have been on social media offering their views on the announcement.

And a selection of their reaction can be seen below:

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According to Sky Sports, Lee Bowyer, who is a reported candidate for the vacant QPR role, is keen on stepping into Steve McClaren’s shoes amid ongoing doubts over his future at Charlton, despite the incredible job he has done for the Addicks this season.

The former midfielder might be relatively new to the managerial scene, but he is already making a huge impression in League One and looks like the perfect fit for QPR at the current time.

On the chalkboard

McClaren, who has ironically been nicknamed ‘McClown’, was fittingly given the boot on April Fools Day, with John Eustace stepping in on an interim basis.

Bowyer has been identified as one of the names on the shortlist having guided Charlton into the play-off places this campaign despite a lack of funding and confidence from the club’s controversial owner, Roland Duchatelet, who is inexplicably yet to offer him a new deal.

What would undoubtedly be Charlton’s loss, though, would certainly be QPR’s gain – Bowyer has all the attributes to succeed at Loftus Road, and here’s why.

A perfect fit

Aside from the fact they have both fallen from grace in recent years, something else QPR and Charlton share in common is a dodgy owner who insists on making things as difficult as possible for those who take the gauntlet, with Bowyer and former R’s boss McClaren suffering as a consequence.

The former has been forced to work with stringent funds since being appointed permanent boss in September 2018 and has done a remarkable job. Even the January loss of Karlan Grant hasn’t halted the Addicks’ progress – they are unbeaten in their last eight league games.

QPR and Tony Fernandes are also no strangers to selling their star players – Bowyer would certainly be able to make the best out of a difficult situation and achieve results regardless of a lack of financial backing, that is if his Charlton exploits are anything to go by.

With hefty financial problems to contend with, Fernandes would surely love to have a man as adaptable as Bowyer at Loftus Road.

The indoor football skills in the video below have to be seen to be believed…

The 42-year-old is also willing to use the youngsters where possible – he has brought through the likes of George Lapslie at the Valley – and would be a great man to have in charge from Eberechi Eze’s perspective.

The England Under-21 international fell out of favour under McClaren in his last few weeks as Hoops boss but will undoubtedly be a key player going forward; Bowyer would likely put his trust in the number 10, who is one of QPR’s most influential players on his day, to prove that he’s worth his salt.

Another positive for QPR if they appoint Bowyer is that he would likely bring the diamond midfield approach – a thoroughly successful one at Charlton – to Loftus Road, which would mean that he can accommodate the aforementioned Eze and Freeman down the middle, where they are both at their most effective.

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In 2013, George Boyd’s move to Nottingham Forest collapsed because of an inconclusive eye test. However, as the 33-year-old rolled back the years to crash home a stunning strike from the left against that very team, there was no doubting his eyesight whatsoever.

It’s rather ironic that the Scot chose Forest as the opposition for a mini-career revival and it proved timely for Wednesday as he boosted their play-off hopes and dented the team’s chances he could have been playing for.

The winger was in phenomenal form as the Owls bounced back from defeat last weekend, claiming an assist as well as a goal as he silenced the critics he’d received in recent weeks.

Boyd’s contract is due to expire this summer but recent displays show he may be worth holding on to.

After all, he’s stepped up in place of the injured Rolando Aarons, a man ten years his junior and full of energy on the flank. The Newcastle loanee missed out against Stoke and during that game, Boyd showed no signs of being able to replace him sufficiently.

But against Villa and Forest he’s more than shown he still has what it takes. If he can find consistency in the final part of the season a new deal could well be on the cards.

George Boyd (Sheffield Wednesday vs Nottingham Forest)

1 shot on target

40 touches

30 total passes

2 key passes

3 aerial duels won

(Stats courtesy of WhoScored)

The former Burnley man’s display wasn’t all about his goal and assist though. Although that will encourage supporters it was his work rate for someone in the later stages of his career that was perhaps most impressive.

Boyd had the fewest touches of anyone in his team but still managed to be an influence. He showed strong prowess in the air, winning aerial duels in the defensive half of the pitch as well as in offensive areas as he proved to be a menace for the Forest defence.

Before this match, it’s likely Steve Bruce would have been doubting his options in attack. Gary Hooper had made a return from injury but out wide they seemed stretched.

However, the performance of both Boyd and Marco Matias who scored twice has given the Owls boss a selection dilemma he didn’t think he would have.

This is a season-defining week for the club who still have to play Leeds this weekend. It’ll be refreshing, therefore, for the Hillsborough faithful to know that Bruce can rely on more than just his key players during the run-in.