After 46 games in which the club’s supporters have experienced a roller-coaster of emotions, Sheffield Wednesday’s season finally reached a crescendo on Sunday following a 2-1 defeat to Queens Park Rangers at Hillsborough.

Having started the campaign with Jos Luhukay in charge, any hopes of launching a bid for automatic promotion were decimated by December as a myriad of underwhelming performances threatened to drop the Owls into a relegation battle.

Following a 2-1 defeat to Swansea City, the Portuguese boss was given his marching orders by chairman Dejphon Chansiri who replaced him with Steve Bruce.

Tasked with steadying the ship at Wednesday, the 58-year-old has managed to exceed all expectations during his first four months at the club as a positive run of results saw the club finish in the top-half of the Championship table.

Whereas the likes of Michael Hector and Barry Bannan have clearly improved during Bruce’s tenureship, if the Owls are to launch a sustained bid for promotion next season, it is clear that they must convince Adam Reach to extend his stay in South Yorkshire.

Having enjoyed a superb year in the Championship in which he scored eight goals and provided seven assists for his team-mates, it would not be at all surprising if the 26-year-old attracts interest from elsewhere in the summer.

A tricky winger who possesses the skill needed to turn a game on its head in an instant, Reach has provided some stunning moments for the Owls since moving to the club in 2016 and is more than capable of driving them forwards over the coming years.

If Bruce does indeed receive offers for the former Middlesbrough ace, he must resist the temptation to sell him as by doing so, he will be giving his side the best opportunity of securing a return to the Premier League in 2020.

What do you think Owls fans? Should Bruce do everything he possibly can to keep Reach at the club next season? How impressed have you been with the midfielder’s development this year? Let us know below.

It’s been a hot second since Arsenal were in action, but Thursday night might just be one of the most important days this season for the club.

The Europa League has drifted away from the minds fans of Arsenal following a lengthy international break and a damming loss away to Everton on the weekend, but with top four now looking like a challenge in the league, Europa League glory could be the Gunners ideal opportunity for Champions League qualification.

That is, of course, if they can get past Italian side Napoli, who are one of the favourites for the competition and arguably the hardest team Arsenal could draw in this stage of the Europa League.

The Gunners have the advantage with the first leg taking place at home at the Emirates Stadium, and if Unai Emery can lead his side to a memorable win without conceding a goal against Carlo Ancelotti’s team, something Arsenal have done in the past, the north London side will be in a healthy position going into the dreaded away leg at the Sao Paulo.

Arsenal’s form away from home has been well documented this season, and their woes on the road have bled into the European games as well with the Gunners losing both their away legs in the knockout stage of the Europa League this season.

If the Gunners are to return to the Champions League this season, it will be ideal for Emery to focus on both the league and Europa League with the same importance.

Arsenal’s away form has made them unpredictable this season, and a big home win against Napoli is what will be needed should the club aim to succeed in every competition if it means qualification to Europe’s elite competition.

Arsenal fans, can the Gunners go all the way in the Europa League? Let us know!

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According to The Mirror, Tottenham Hotspur could move for Leicester City’s James Maddison in this summer’s transfer window.

Christian Eriksen will see his contract at Tottenham expire in June 2020 and the Denmark international has been strongly linked with a move away from the club.

According to The Mirror, should Eriksen depart, Spurs will consider making a bid to sign Maddison from Leicester.

The 22-year-old joined the Foxes from Norwich City last summer.

He has scored seven times and registered six assists in 32 Premier League appearances during the 2018-19 campaign.

There is absolutely no question that the attacker is a talent, but the Tottenham fans are split when it comes to his potential arrival.

Indeed, whilst some want Maddison to arrive this summer, others are not convinced that he would be the right replacement for Eriksen.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

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James Shan hasn’t done too much wrong since becoming manager of West Brom but after the club were able to seal their play-off spot on Monday with a 0-0 draw against Reading, supporters took issue with one major fault – Shan’s team selection.

The 40-year-old chose to play a number of fringe players, including the likes of Hal Robson-Kanu, Jacob Murphy and Conor Townsend but it didn’t go down well.

Reacting after the game on Twitter, the starting XI Shan chose to go with was berated as one fan said that he had to take the full blame for the game’s result. Another supporter simply said that they needed a proper manager.

Two fans claimed that there was a lack of ambition from the club, hinting that they didn’t care about what position they finished in the table after clinching a play-off place.

West Brom currently sit in fourth and as things stand would be facing a play-off semi-final against Midlands rivals Aston Villa, who are in red-hot form.

Had the Baggies won on Monday, then they’d have been three points off Leeds in third with two games to go.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

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West Brom’s game with Reading was far from a classic. However, in drawing 0-0 it was a result that was enough to seal both sides’ fate. For the Royals it was a point that ensured they’d be playing in the Championship against next season, and for the Baggies it meant they secured a play-off spot.

Naturally, the defenders will take the plaudits when both sides keep a clean sheet but from a West Brom point of view, this will come as a much-needed boost going into the remaining games.

Under James Shan, there have been some questionable defensive contributions, no less so than at Ashton Gate when the club found themselves 3-0 down in the first half against Bristol City.

But this was a much improved defensive display as West Brom secured their first shutout in six games.

One of the men to make a difference was captain for the day Kyle Bartley. The former Arsenal man was absolutely tremendous for Leeds in the Championship in 2016/17, but this term he hasn’t been able to replicate that.

His performances have largely been disappointing, and as such he’s taken a barrage of criticism from West Brom fans on social media.

However, against Reading, the club looked a lot better for Bartley starting and he was able to prove his doubters wrong with a busy and industrious display at left centre-back.

The 27-year-old was solid at the back and since Shan has moved to a three-man defence following that defeat against Bristol City, the defence and team as a whole have looked much better.

The 40-year-old made plenty of changes for the draw with Reading, and as a result they lacked their attacking potency which was in evidence against Preston.

But defensively there was a renewed purpose and Bartley has the new system to thank for his improved displays in the past two matches he’s played.

His passing accuracy was bettered only by Rekeem Harper in the West Brom side whilst the fact he won 100% of his aerial duels shows the force he can be when the ball isn’t on the ground, too.

Without Ahmed Hegazi, Albion have looked confused in defence but the performance of Bartley in particular on Monday will give their supporters extra confidence going into the play-offs.

For Shan, his most impressive feat yet is perhaps getting players like him in form.

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Manuel Pellegrini wants to use his experience at Villarreal to help take West Ham United to the next level, per the club’s official website.

The Hammers lost 2-1 to Manchester United at the weekend but turned in a spirited performance at Old Trafford, with the Chilean clearly hoping to build on that display.

What’s the word?

During his spell at Villarreal, between 2004 and 2009, Pellegrini achieved qualification for European football in every single season.

The Hammers have performed admirably against a number of the top-six this term, beating Arsenal and United at home and drawing with Liverpool.

After their latest display, Pellegrini has revealed his hope that he can emulate his success in Spain in east London.

Speaking to the club’s official website, he said: “It’s my intention, at least. Maybe when I arrived [at Villarreal], I arrived to something different. It was 2004 and they were a very small team, but we were growing with a complete project with the club and, fortunately for us, we drew nil-nil four times with Manchester United [in the Champions League].

“We did very good work in that club and arrived in the semi-finals of the Champions League [in 2005/06].

“My intention is just to try to repeat here in West Ham what we did there and when we played like we did on Saturday, I think we can do it.

“Now, we must be consistent. When I started in Villarreal 15 years ago maybe the amount of money [paid for] big players was not so high, so now the big teams in this period have more advantage. In that moment we bought big players but now teams like Villarreal are not able to do it.

“Finally, the project and the style of football, I will try to do the same.”

Nowhere near

West Ham aren’t anywhere near Villarreal’s achievements.

The club qualified for the Champions League numerous times and, as Pellegrini said, reached the semi-finals.

West Ham cannot even qualify for the Europa League.

This is a club that simply cannot string wins together and these words are being said after yet another defeat.

Yes, West Ham played well, but if they are to take the step up, they need to be taking points from such encounters.

As it is, Pellegrini’s dream will remain just that.

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According to The Sun (May 2, page 56) Sheffield United have been told to cough up £7 million if they want to make the signing of Dean Henderson from Manchester United a permanent one.

Henderson has been incredible for the Blades this season. He has been a key contributor to his team having the best defence in the league, keeping more clean sheets than any other keeper in the Championship.

Price has been set

The Sun has reported that Man United have set a £7 million price tag on the stopper.

With David De Gea’s recent dip in form and rumours of a departure to Real Madrid constantly circulating, Henderson may opt to stay and fight for a spot at Old Trafford as he has proven himself to be a top class goalkeeper in the Championship.

He will most likely choose to return to Bramall Lane though if given the chance, due to the affinity he has with the club and their supporters. The 6 ft 2 stopper has become a fan favourite at the club very quickly due to his excellent performances and his presence on social media.

It didn’t take long for Henderson to fall in love with Sheffield United and it was evident on the pitch. The club’s YouTube channel started a series called ‘Deano cam’ where they captured the eccentric goalie’s passionate celebrations whenever the Blades scored.

Worth every penny

The £7 million price tag isn’t much for a top keeper in this day and age, but it would almost double Sheffield United’s current transfer record.

Chris Wilder may well have to break that record multiple times in the upcoming window if he is to stand a chance at keeping his team up.

There isn’t a better player to splurge the cash on than Henderson though. He is a reliable figure between the posts who has a great relationship with both the team and the fans.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he often received racist abuse after North London Derbies – Check out the video below…

He’s great at playing the ball out from the back and has incredible reflexes. A goalkeeper can make or break a season for a newly promoted club, and the Blades would be foolish to make anyone other than the 22-year-old their number one next year.

أكد باهر المحمدي لاعب فريق الكرة بالإسماعيلي على رغبته في البقاء ضمن صفوف الدراويش خلال الفترة المقبلة.

ويستعد فرق الإسماعيلي لاستئناف البطولة العربية للأندية والتي من المقرر أن يواجه نظيره الرجاء المغربي ضمن لقاءات نصف نهائي المسابقة.

وقال باهر المحمدي في تصريحات للموقع الرسمي لـ الإسماعيلي: “أنا أسابق الزمن من أجل أن أصبح جاهزًا قبل استنئاف منافسات البطولة العربية”، مطمئنا الجماهير بأنه يواصل التدريبات الاستشفائية بشكل مستمر قبل الانتظام بالتدريبات.

وتابع: “تعجبت من البعض، لإثارة موضوع تغيير صورتي عبر حسابي على مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي”.

وأردف: “أقُدر حب الجماهير لي التي أعتبرها سندي الأول وأرى أن النادي الإسماعيلى هو صاحب الفضل الأكبر بعد الله عز وجل فيما وصلت إليه حتى الآن وانضمامى لصفوف منتخب مصر، وأؤكد اعتزازي وفخري باستمراري صفوف فريقي الذي أشجعه، قبل أن أدافع عن قميصه”.

طالع | الإسماعيلي يكشف موقفه من ضم صالح جمعة.. وصفقة أوشكت على الانتهاء

وأكمل: “الفريق سيظهر بشكل مميز ومختلف بعد إبرام صفقات من العيار الثقيل”.

واختتم: “أثق فى جميع اللاعبين على القتال فى الملعب من أجل إسعاد الجماهير وأرجو من الجماهير مساندة ودعم الفريق وعدم الالتفات لما يثار حول رحيلى عن الفريق الذي أتطلع أن أكون أحد المساهمين في حصده لبطولة بعد غياب طويل”.

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Manchester United meet with old foes Barcelona for the first time since the 2011 UEFA Champions League final on Wednesday night, at the quarter-final stage of this year’s competition.

What was the key to defeat on that night?

United won’t want to remember that May evening at Wembley but the reason they were defeated eight years ago holds the key to how they can avoid lightning striking twice this time around.

On that night a much younger Lionel Messi absolutely ripped apart Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, like he had done in the same final two years earlier.

The Argentine may have only come away from the huge match with one goal to show for his efforts in a 3-1 win, but everyone knew he had pulled the strings of the whole Barca team throughout.

Nearly a decade later and not much has changed in the Catalan capital as the man considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time is still doing it week-in-week-out at the Camp Nou.

So, similar to how he had been in 2011, Messi is the one the Red Devils have to stop and if they can they will severely cripple their opponent’s capabilities. Though there’s one obstacle, how that’s much easier said than done.

Learning and stopping Ernesto Valverde’s men

Man United may not have been able to stop Messi’s Barca freight train eight years ago, but they can now if they learn lessons from Ferguson’s failure and taking another step towards lifting the famous trophy for the fourth time.

In the 2011 final, the Manchester side failed to recognise the importance of going back to the basics of man-marking to drown “The Magician” out from the defence, lining up with a back four.

The United of today have it in their power to switch to a formation of three centre-backs within a back-five without disturbing any defensive harmony.

Who is your club’s worst ever January signing? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have picked theirs in the video below and they didn’t disappoint…

If United single out Messi, of course Barca do have other key players, they can keep a lid on him with a trio of centre-backs and worry about the others after.

He creates as well as scoring goals with most of Valverde’s men’s play often flowing through the Argentina legend, so if Solskjaer fields Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelof and Phil Jones in defence together he can severely weaken Barcelona’s supply line.

It has been a great year to be a Barnsley supporter, hasn’t it?

Following the disappointment of relegation last season, the Tykes have bounced back admirably under the guidance of Daniel Stendel who has completely transformed the club’s fortunes since being appointed manager in 2018.

The German’s faith in possession-based football has paid off massively as his side finally fought off the intense competition demonstrated by Portsmouth and Sunderland to secure automatic promotion in midweek.

Although Stendel will be focusing entirely on trying to secure a first third tier title for Barnsley in 64 years on Saturday, it would not be at all surprising if he is already making plans for the summer transfer window.

Despite the vast majority of his squad being more than good enough to make the step up to the Championship next season, it may be time for the Tykes to cut ties with Lloyd Isgrove.

Having initially impressed on loan for the Yorkshire-based outfit, the winger has failed to make any sort of impact since making a permanent move to Oakwell in 2017.

With the likes of Mamodou Thiam and Jacob Brown offering intense competition in Isgrove’s position this season, he only managed to make two appearances for Barnsley before joining Portsmouth on loan in January.

Whereas his time with the Tykes could be described as frustrating, his spell on the south-coast has been utterly disastrous. Despite Kenny Jackett’s side playing an expansive style of football, Isgrove has not made any impression at all for Pompey as he has been consigned to the substitutes bench at Fratton Park.

With it being overwhelmingly clear that the £225k-rated ace (via Transfermarkt) is nowhere near good enough to play in the second tier next season, Stendel should put the 26-year-old up for sale when the transfer window opens in July.

What do you think Barnsley fans? Should Stendel cut ties with Isgrove in the summer? Or is it worth giving the midfielder another chance to impress? Let us know below.