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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

According to Sky Sports, West Brom remain in talks to sign Romaine Sawyers after having an initial bid rejected.

What’s the word?

West Brom’s transfer window is gathering some real momentum now after the arrivals of Kenneth Zohore and Semi Ajayi.

This week has already seen a host of targets lined up according to reports, with defenders Darnell Furlong and Mason Holgate in the pipeline per Express & Star.

Yet, in the midfield department, they’re hoping to add another body to their ranks.

Sky Sports claimed on Monday that the Baggies were still in talks to sign Sawyers from Brentford despite having an initial £2.2m bid rejected.

It’s suggested that the Bees are looking for a fee closer to £3m for the 27-year-old.

Watch West Bromwich Albion Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Brunt finally dislodged?

Chris Brunt has been a loyal servant down the years for Albion, making 410 appearances for the club in his time at the Hawthorns.

Last term the Northern Irishman was a big presence once again, playing 34 times in the Championship whilst scoring twice and claiming six assists.

However, if Sawyers arrived, it could finally be the start of the 34-year-old being phased out.

It was always going to be interesting to see how Slaven Bilic moulded the squad but this could be one of his first major plays.

Sawyers, who has played at number ten in the past, is an extremely competent central midfielder and played the majority of his football slightly further back in 2018/19.

Watch fans explain why the Football League is better than the Premier League in the video below…

He played 24 times in the middle of the park, laying on six assists as he showed his excellent creativity.

It was a tally that equalled Brunt but Sawyers was far better in terms of his overall passing, finishing the campaign with a success rate of 86.2% compared to the former’s 77.2%.

Albion already have Ajayi in their ranks now whilst they also have the rising talents of Sam Field and Rekeem Harper.

With that in mind, there is a case to be made that Brunt could be about to be dislodged.

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Celtic’s Nir Bitton has spoken of his pride at playing for the club and the fans have responded by showing their appreciation for the versatile star.

Bitton impressed during the 5-2 aggregate win over FK Sarajevo in the Champions League qualifiers first-round. The Israeli has deputised well as a make-shift centre-back, covering for the lack of defenders at Neil Lennon’s disposal.

Bitton has come back from a knee injury that kept him out of action for the best part of a year. The Israeli returned to the Celtic side in January – having spent 346 days out – against Airdrie in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup, and will be hoping the worst of his injury issues are behind him as he aims to reestablish himself at Parkhead this season.

The orthodox defensive midfielder has fit seamlessly into Celtic’s defence and could well see his long-term future in a similar role. Yet it’s the player’s attitude that’s impressed the Celtic faithful on Twitter.

Bitton has spoken to the club’s website: “My aims coming into this season are to play as many games as I can for Celtic.

“I want to win trophies and try to help the team win. Every single minute I get the chance to play, I’ll try to do my best for the team, the fans and my family. Celtic is a massive club and this club has given me a lot, so I want to repay that in any way I can.”

Here’s what the Celtic supporters had to say about the player and his comments on Twitter:

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

With Olivier Ntcham making his first start of the season against Nomme Kalju and impressing, Neil Lennon will have to figure how to get the Frenchman into his starting XI more often this season.

On the chalkboard

Ntcham is back at the club after a tumultuous summer and it looks like he might be back to the form we saw in his debut season at Parkhead. The 23-year-old had asked to leave earlier in the summer, per L’Equipe, after earning some game time as part of the French side that reached the semi-finals of the U21 European Championship.

Yet, despite interest from Lyon, Porto and Marseille, the issue over his future seems to have been resolved after talks with Lennon.

Ntcham’s return in the comfortable 2-0 victory over Kalju was described as “sharp, direct and more than a bit too classy for his opponents” by The Daily Record. But while his return to grace is certainly a good thing, it does present a selection headache.

Who drops out?

Lennon’s options for Ntcham are limited with Callum McGregor and Scott Brown having a duopoly over the two central midfield roles. McGregor barely missed a minute for Celtic last season, asserting himself as a key figure in his 59 games for the club.

Despite being 34, Brown is club captain and would expect to play in every game that he’s needed, only allowing for rest in the less important matches. This doesn’t leave any room, barring injuries and suspensions, for the ex-Man City man in those spots.

Further forward, where he excelled in the Kalju tie, the outlook isn’t much brighter for Ntcham.

Ryan Christie has started the season like a man possessed and has contributed to a goal every 51 minutes so far in the number ten role.

Tom Rogic is also due back and despite links to Zenit the Australian is simply too talented not to get some minutes if he stays in Glasgow.

While a fit and firing Ntcham competing for places alongside strong teammates is a nice problem to have, the Frenchman may once again grow frustrated if he struggles for playing time.

Whether it be as a long-term replacement for Brown or as an upgrade on the unreliable Rogic, the gaffer simply has to find room for the man who racked up nine goals and six assists in his debut campaign at Parkhead.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Steve Bruce has confirmed that he wants to keep striker Dwight Gayle at Newcastle United this summer, per Chronicle Live.

What’s he said?

The Daily Star had claimed that Leeds United were eyeing a loan move for the striker as they look to strengthen their squad for another promotion push in 2019/20.

But Bruce, who has been active in the transfer market since his appointment as manager, with the signings of Joelinton, Allen Saint-Maximin and Jetro Willems all confirmed under his tenure, says he would like Gayle to stay at the club.

He said: “As I keep saying, you’re only as good as your strikers.

“In that area, we need a threat and Gayle has always been part of my plans. We hoped he’d be ready after China but he’s gone backwards.

“It’s a disappointment because I like him.

“I’ve tried to buy him before but not been able to afford him!”

Watch Newcastle United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Second chance

Gayle has been on the books at Newcastle since 2016 but his time at the club has been rather stop-start.

Signed after the club slipped into the Championship, he scored 23 goals in 32 Championship outings in his debut season but struggled in 2017/18, scoring just six times in the Premier League and completing the 90 minutes on a mere eight occasions.

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A loan spell at West Bromwich Albion last season saw him net 24 goals in the second-tier but now it appears he is set to get another chance under Bruce’s management.

Clearly a talented striker, there is a suspicion that perhaps he is too good for the Championship but not quite good enough for the top-flight.

That theory will certainly be tested this season but it seems that, at last, he is set to get a second chance at the Magpies.

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

Speaking to Sky Sports, former England boss Steve McClaren has claimed Manchester United’s chances of keeping Paul Pogba this summer have been boosted in recent weeks.

What did he say?

Reports have suggested Pogba could be on his way out of Old Trafford following comments he wanted a “new challenge”.

The transfer window in other major European leagues remains open, and so a potential exit for the France World Cup winner is still on the cards, but the former England boss suspects recent events may force a U-turn in Pogba’s intentions.

Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

McClaren believes United’s work in the transfer window, and their emphatic result against Chelsea, may have significantly raised their chances of keeping hold of the 26-year-old.

He said: “When Ole first came in, he got the best out of Pogba for the first 15 games and the way he turned the game around against Manchester City, that’s what he’s capable of doing. Ole believes he can get the best out of him and especially with Maguire and the way they have started, Pogba might think ‘yeah, I could be the king of this team’.

“These players want top players around them, to be challenging for the trophies. Manchester United demonstrated that with the summer signings (and) the first game. Pogba might be thinking ‘they really want me and this is a good team, I could win things here’.”

Early days

When the Frenchman was spotted in a verbal altercation with a section of the United support last season, it felt like a point of no return. The midfielder hadn’t exactly lived up to the hype since making his return to the club from Juventus, and his comments earlier this summer certainly made a departure feel inevitable.

Whilst McClaren is right to suggest United have done themselves no harm with the way they’ve started proceedings in the Premier League, Pogba’s words after the Chelsea game once again raised the possibility of an exit. A move may not materialise for the 26-year-old this year, but it’s hard to imagine he doesn’t dump the Red Devils eventually, finally ending this tiring ‘will-he-or-won’t-he’ charade.

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

In the aftermath of the whole Manchester United penalty fiasco against Wolves on Monday night, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s attempt to clear up the situation arguably raised more questions than it answered. The Norwegian insisted both Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford were designated spot-kick takers and it would be up to the players to sort it out amongst themselves on the pitch.

Understandably, many were left unconvinced the Red Devils boss had the right approach, with Gary Neville declaring: “This is a Manchester United penalty – this isn’t a tombola. This is not under-fives football on the playground.”

The whole debacle seemed to expose a lack of leadership and control at the club, and Solskjaer’s post-match assessment in front of the cameras did little to dispute that.

Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

But according to The Sun, the Norwegian “tore into” Pogba and Rashford in the dressing room and “blasted” the pair for failing to agree on who was the penalty-taker before the game. The report adds Solskjaer then made it clear to the squad Rashford would now be the man to take on spot-kick duties for the club.

If the claim that the United manager had looked to keep things in-house and away from the prying eyes of the media is true, then Solskjaer must be applauded. The Norwegian was put in an incredibly difficult situation by the duo, but rather than blaming them publicly, as a certain Jose Mourinho may have done, he backed them. Then, when he had the chance to make his feelings clear back in the confines of the dressing room, he reportedly took decisive action.

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week…

What could he have gained by simply throwing his players under the bus? Indeed, in Pogba’s situation, it could have been the final straw in helping the Frenchman decide that his career was better off elsewhere.

At a time when United are beginning their rebuild following last season’s disappointment, Solskjaer’s willingness to protect his players in public, but deal with them in private, is a welcome sign of leadership.

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West Ham United have endured a poor start to the season.

Following an embarrassing 5-0 thumping at the hands of Manchester City, the Hammers struggled against Brighton & Hove Albion last time out.

Leandro Trossard scored for the Seagulls and also saw a goal ruled out by VAR, as the Hammers held on to a 1-1 draw. Javier Hernandez’s goal earned them a point.

Watford have not fared much better, though, ahead of this weekend’s encounter, losing 3-0 to Brighton on the opening weekend before a 1-0 defeat to Everton.

It remains to be seen how manager Manuel Pellegrini will set his side up this weekend, then, as two sides who are out of form meet at Vicarage Road.

Lukasz Fabianski is likely to play in goal despite conceding six goals in two outings.

Ryan Fredericks and Arthur Masuaku are likely to keep their places at full-back, while Angelo Ogbonna should keep his place alongside Issa Diop; Fabian Balbuena’s only outing came in the 5-0 defeat to City.

Watch West Ham United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Declan Rice will surely play in midfield, while Mark Noble is fit, per the club’s official Twitter account, as are Felipe Anderson and Sebastian Haller.

Manuel Lanzini and Pablo Fornals have yet to truly sparkle this season but they each need time; Pellegrini is likely to play them both.

A win for West Ham could potentially see the Hammers move back into the top 10 if other results go their way; Pellegrini will be hopeful of achieving exactly that.

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Some West Brom fans have taken to Twitter to slam Kieran Gibbs, after the left-back turned in an awful 20-minute performance vs Derby before going off with an injury.

In just 20 minutes on the pitch, the former Arsenal man managed to commit two fouls – one of which led to a penalty that was converted by Martyn Waghorn.

The 29-year-old then went off injured, but his short stay on the Hawthorns turf was so bad that a number of fans took to Twitter to let their feelings be known.

The Baggies did managed to grab an equaliser with a penalty of their own when Kenneth Zohore slotted home, but Gibbs’ early moment of madness will presumably leave most supporters thinking the result could’ve been different.

The Englishman may potentially have gone into the match carrying the issue which eventually forced him off, but whilst that is unconfirmed, his poor showing can only be blamed on him as of now.

Let’s see what the clearly unhappy West Brom fans on Twitter have been saying about Gibbs’ performance…

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The Sun are reporting that Sheffield Wednesday could chase Tony Pulis as their new manager if results do not improve under Lee Bullen.

The Owls are 11th in the table but have lost three of their last four matches in the Championship which has meant the caretaker boss has come under fire, even despite being privately backed if reports are to be believed.

Earlier in the summer when Steve Bruce left for Newcastle United, the hierarchy at Hillsborough pursued Pulis as his replacement, but a deal couldn’t be reached.

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It is believed that the 61-year-old wasn’t interested in managing the club, but after further time out of the game, he could be swayed.

We’re going to take a look at how Wednesday could line up under Pulis if he arrived in Yorkshire any time soon:

The Welshman’s preferred formation is a 4-2-3-1 but with a defensive twist.

At Middlesborough last season, Pulis mainly used this formation, but towards the back end of the campaign, it reverted to a regular three at the back formation, which isn’t out of the realms of possibility here – but for now, we’ll go with what has historically been preferred.

Keiren Westwood would only keep his place despite averaging one of the worst ratings in the squad at 6.07, as the Owls’ backups aren’t really suitable for Championship football.

In front of him, the defence is likely to remain much the same with that looking like a much stronger area of the pitch for Wednesday currently – both Julian Borner and Tom Lees have ratings over 7.0 at centre-back whilst there isn’t much competition for places on either side.

The defensive twist lies with the two central midfielders, who would sit deeper, which may suit Sam Hutchinson having also played centre-back.

Kadeem Harris and Jacob Murphy add pace out wide and have been Wednesday’s best options on the flanks whilst Fernando Forestieri could sit behind Steven Fletcher in attack to add some flair in the number ten role – something they are currently lacking.

The Italian is the second-most fouled player on the team, so he should be able to garner some set-pieces, which would only suit Pulis’ notoriously negative brand of football.

The Yorkshire club have the players to deploy a 3-5-2 if need be too.

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Paul Glatzel’s signing of a new long-term Liverpool contract has led many fans to think of what could have been for Bobby Duncan.

The Reds U18 captain has been rewarded for his fine form last season, in which he scored 28 goals, and several fans have used the opportunity to compare his trajectory to that of Duncan, who also impressed last season.

However, instead of building on his first year at the club the 18-year-old voiced his discontent through a surprising attack on the club, which ultimately ended in him departing to Fiorentina in a £1.8m move.

Fans have praised the attitude shown by the German whilst praising the ability and potential of the young goalscorer, with others suggesting the club has made the move due to the Duncan debacle.

Liverpool do seem more concentrated on their youth, and may be aiming to avoid the risk of losing their academy players for low fees. The arrivals of Sepp van den Berg and Harvey Elliot this summer show they have an eye on the future, and Glatzel seems to be a part of those plans.

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Here is some of the reaction from Liverpool fans, with many considering him a better player than his former striker partner.

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