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There is ‘no doubt’ that Steve Bruce will be relieved of his duties at Newcastle United in the wake of Sunday’s defeat against Tottenham Hotspur, according to The Daily Mail’s Craig Hope on Twitter.

The lowdown

Newcastle were beaten 3-2 in their first game under the club’s new ownership, leaving them second from bottom in the Premier League table. Furthermore, their tally of 15.47 expected goals against ranks as the worst in the division (via Understat).

The expectation had been that Bruce would be sacked in the build-up to the game, a move which would have pleased many on Tyneside. In a recent survey conducted by The Athletic, 97% of Newcastle fans interviewed called for his dismissal.

The latest

In a tweet shortly after the final whistle of the Spurs game, Hope did not hold back in outlining how poorly Newcastle had played, insisting that the players must take their share of the blame, and added that he thinks it won’t be long before Bruce’s managerial tenure comes to an end.

The journalist said: “For 10 minutes NUFC looked like a team re-energised. For the remainder they reverted back to what we’ve seen for so long under Bruce. Players also need to look at themselves after that. No doubt change of boss will happen quickly. It all felt a bit ugly towards Bruce at end.”

The verdict

You could argue that Newcastle ought to have made the change already, as it certainly felt as if Bruce was on borrowed time.

On the other hand, perhaps the club are waiting until they have a successor ready to step in before they pull the trigger, as otherwise they could be left with an inexperienced caretaker in the midst of a season where their Premier League future already appears to be on the line.

The longer they wait to act, the more they may need to fork out in January to build a relegation-proof squad. As Hope has said, it’s hard to escape the sense that Bruce is merely seeing out time at St James’ Park before he is replaced.

In other news, Newcastle have received a ‘massive’ boost over one player

Some Wolves fans have been left fuming at Gabby Agbonlahor after his prediction involving them emerged on talkSPORT.

Speaking on talkSPORT’s Sunday show, the former Aston Villa and England international striker has now predicted that the Midlands club will be in a relegation battle this season after their 2-0 home loss at the hands of Brentford in the Premier League at Saturday lunchtime.

As Agbonlahor put it, the performance was ‘shocking’, but some members of the Molineux faithful believe that he is being too reactionary as it is still very early on in the campaign.

There are also his past connections with AVFC to contend with as well, and so it is not a surprise at all to see so many WWFC supporters disagree with his opinion despite the poor result and disappointing performance.

Wolves fans on Agbonlahor prediction

These Wanderers were left fuming as the prediction made by Agbonlahor was shared by talkSPORT on their official Twitter page:

“What a surprise a former Villa player and Villa fan saying his team’s rivals are going to be in a relegation battle after 1 bad performance”

Credit: @JaysonGibbons2

“…and last week you said wolves would be fine this season. You just go with the flow Gabby”

Credit: @dave_golding

“Shock, Villa fan says Wolves are in trouble. Every team in the league has off days. Villa gave taken 1 point out of a possible 6 against newly promoted teams so far.”

Credit: @charlie_bish93

“Bore off”

Credit: @salopwolf

“As bad as we were yesterday one game doesn’t make a season. First 4 games we could have easily had 12 points! On to the next one”

Credit: @Leicesterwolf

“Gabby giving his opinion that nobody asked for again”

Credit: @DanWWFC89

In other news, find out what John Percy update has Wanderers buzzing here!

As West Ham exact revenge on Manchester United for their Premier League defeat at the weekend, coming away from Old Trafford as victors in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, supporters have slammed one of the few negatives of a fine evening’s work in Andriy Yarmolenko’s display.

David Moyes’ men took a difficult 2-1 loss against the Red Devils on Sunday as former favourite Jesse Lingard buried a late winner against them at the London Stadium.

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Not only this, but club legend Mark Noble also missed the chance to draw level in the dying stages with his missed spot kick.

Alas, putting that result well and truly bed, West Ham ran out 1-0 winners against United in midweek as they edged past Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side and into the Carabao Cup Last 16.

Manuel Lanzini scored the only goal of the game, burying a neat finish past Dean Henderson, with there being many standout performers to choose from.

However, on a night to remember, many Irons supporters were also quick to point out the lacklustre display of Yarmolenko – who earned the lowest SofaScore match rating (6.3) of any West Ham or Man United player.

Indeed, the Ukraine international completed just a single take-on throughout the 90 minutes, won only two of his eight ground duels and missed one gaping chance (SofaScore).

As a result, it’s safe to say supporters weren’t impressed – find all of their verdicts from Twitter down below.

West Ham fans slam Yarmolenko…

“Yarmo you donkeyyyyyy”

Credit: @baphap01

“yarmo is painful”

Credit: @omz_yy

“Yarmo has got to go”

Credit: @EllYouSeeAyeEss

“Watching yarmo is very frustrating”

Credit: @ironworks68

“Get rid of yarmolenko doing my head in!!!!”

Credit: @chrissm36645365

“Nobes did fine imo Yarmolenko is a liability”

Credit: @WHUMatt_

“Nobes and Yarmo were shocking”

Credit: @isaacwt2004

“Yarmo was the only part of that performance that was bad”

Credit: @Con5Sim

In other news: ‘What a bargain’…Sky pundit reacts as West Ham eye ‘great signing’ for Moyes, find out more here.

Many Everton fans have been left buzzing as a transfer update emerged on Jesse Lingard.

As per a report from earlier on in the week from The Birmingham Mail, which has since been shared by Toffee TV on their Twitter page, the Goodison Park faithful have entered the race to try and sign the Manchester United ace, who could be on the move before the summer window shuts.

Lingard made a lasting impression while on loan at West Ham United in the 2020/21 season, scoring no fewer than nine goals and making a further five assists in 16 games in total in the Premier League (Transfermarkt).

He would certainly help ease the burden off of the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison in terms of goals and assists, and being English, would also help fill the homegrown quota.

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Everton fans on Lingard transfer update

These supporters of the Merseyside club buzzed as the transfer update was shared on Twitter, with one Toffee even going as far as to claim that Lingard is a ‘dangerous’ player:

“If we can fit this within the PLS rules then would be a good addition. Pace and knows where the goal is. Proved at West Ham he’s still dangerous.”

Credit: @BramleyToffee

“I’d have him for the right price, will add pace and goals something we need”

Credit: @PhilRoberts222

“All day!”

Credit: @glennryanefc

“I’m all for this”

Credit: @smythy2

“I would be up for that”

Credit: @JackBrokenshir2

“Take him”

Credit: @jackn2307

In other news, find out what transfer update has Blues talking here!

Sunderland are closing in on a deal to bring Ron-Thorben Hoffmann to the Stadium of Light.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by German publication Kicker (via Bundesliga News), who claim that the goalkeeper looks set to sign a contract extension with Bayern Munich, and, once completed, the Bundesliga champions will then sanction the departure of the 22-year-old.

The report continues to state that the former Germany U18 international will join the Black Cats on what will initially be a season-long loan deal, which will be made a permeant move if Lee Johnson’s side go on to secure promotion to the Championship come the end of the season.

Johnson will be buzzing

Having targeted a number of goalkeepers in recent weeks, including the former Sunderland shot-stopper Vito Mannone, the fact that the club look close to securing the last-minute addition of Hoffmann is sure to have left the Black Cats manager buzzing.

Indeed, while the youngster is yet to make a senior appearance for the Bundesliga side, he has nevertheless impressed over the various youth and reserve sides at the club, conceding 60 goals and keeping 21 clean sheets over 54 appearances for Bayern’s U19 side, as well as conceding 69 goals and keeping 11 clean sheets over 51 appearances for Bayern Munich II.

As such, should Johnson go on to land the services of the German youth international on Tuesday evening, the £540k-rated man would certainly appear to be something of a coup for the League One side, who could certainly do with adding greater depth to his current options in the position.

However, while a deal does appear close for the 6ft 4 shot-stopper, it would be wise for the 40-year-old to tie up the signing of the ‘keeper as efficiently as possible, as there are now only a matter of hours remaining on the summer transfer window.

In other news: Nixon drops fresh SAFC update on “desperate” £1.08m-rated dud, fans will be gutted

Wolves manager Bruno Lage wants to sign up to four more players before the transfer window closes, journalist Luke Hatfield has told Football FanCast.

The new Wolves boss has so far brought in the likes of Yerson Mosquera and Jose Sa, with the latter’s arrival particularly an important piece of business.

The 28-year-old, who joined from Olympiakos on a five-year deal, steps in for Rui Patricio following his move to Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma.

As for Mosquera, he joins to give Lage more defensive options. And if Lage gets his way, it seems more new signings could follow the Colombian youngster to Molineux.

“Lage definitely wants to strengthen Wolves,” the Express & Star’s Hatfield said. “He definitely wants three or four more signings. 

“But I think it will very much be a case of you’ll see a report and then two or three days down the line, it will be done and dusted. Wolves do tend to keep their transfer targets pretty quiet.”

As for outgoings, it will be interesting to see what happens with both Adama Traore and Ruben Neves.

Traore has been linked with a host of clubs this summer, including Leeds United, while Arsenal and Manchester United are said to be interested in Neves, but nothing is yet to materialise.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has dropped an update on Leeds United’s transfer pursuit of Huddersfield Town midfielder Lewis O’Brien.

What’s the story?

Journalist Alan Nixon had previously revealed via Twitter that O’Brien was “very near” to the top of the shortlist for Marcelo Bielsa’s side this summer as they look to strengthen their midfield options ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

And now, Hay has revealed where things currently stand right now with regards to a move for the 22-year-old.

He said: “A left-back was essential in this window but having addressed that with Junior Firpo, they could do with an extra midfielder materialising — not least to try to answer the question, posed again in the heavy loss at Old Trafford on Saturday, of how this side manage on the days when Kalvin Phillips is out.

“If Leeds manage to agree a price with Yorkshire neighbours Huddersfield Town for Lewis O’Brien, then it’s going to be him. O’Brien has been the choice since Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher rejected Leeds and went to Crystal Palace on loan instead. But here and now, there’s no deal in place.”

Fans will be buzzing

In O’Brien, Leeds could find someone who is the ideal cover for midfield talisman Kalvin Phillips, with Huddersfield Town writer Steven Chicken raving about the 22-year-old’s industry and work ethic in the engine room.

He said: “O’Brien is a left-footed, tough-tackling central midfielder. Former Huddersfield boss Danny Cowley often praised O’Brien as being ‘like having two players’, with the midfielder receiving particular praise from his manager and fans alike for his ability and willingness to rush back and win the ball with a clean sliding tackle whenever his side were caught on the counter-attack.

“He certainly has the potential to be (a Premier League player), if he’s not already.”

As per WhoScored, O’Brien averaged two tackles and one interception per game in the Championship last season, which is only slightly less than the 2.6 tackles and 1.6 interceptions that Phillips managed in the top-flight.

The fact Hay has now confirmed that O’Brien appears to be the number one target for Bielsa’s side, and that if they can agree a fee with Huddersfield, he will be the man to arrive, should have fans buzzing.

Whites supporters saw exactly the kind of impact not having Phillips in the team can have, not least because Bielsa feels he needs to play a centre-back in Robin Koch in that holding role – something that back-fired spectacularly at Elland Road.

Hay’s latest update is sure to have fans delighted and relieved in equal measure.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has dropped an update on Leeds target Ryan Kent…

Aston Villa journalist Luke Hatfield insists that there is no shame in the club missing out on the signing of Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal as they continue their aggressive recruitment this summer.

The Gunners rejected a £30m bid for Smith Rowe from Villa, having previously seen a £25m offer knocked back.

He has subsequently signed a new contract at the Emirates, penning a long-term deal that will tie him to his boyhood club for the foreseeable future.

Smith Rowe can play in a variety of positions and has been deployed as an attacking midfield, on both wings, or in central midfield.

The 21-year-old has made a total of 45 appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side, scoring seven goals and registering seven assists.

He is also a former England U21 international, winning two caps for his country, and Hatfield insists that Villa should feel no shame in failing to extricate him from north London.

They have already signed Emiliano Buendia from Norwich City this summer and are on the verge of completing a deal for Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen too, per reports.

He said: “For now, I think it’s one where they’ve kind of admitted defeat there. There’s no shame in that, Smith Rowe is an Arsenal boy, it’s been his boyhood club, so there’s no shame in missing out on that one but for them, it’s just now focusing on other targets.”

La Liga expert Euan McTear believes that Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti would drop down a level and sign for Tottenham.

Umtiti has made just 49 appearances across the previous three seasons for Barcelona following several different injuries since winning the World Cup with France back in 2018.

Having missed more than 50 matches with various knee problems, the centre-back, who wasn’t included in the French squad for Euro 2020, is now surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp and is now open to leaving Barcelona.

With Umtiti not in Ronald Koeman’s plans moving forward, reports believe that Barcelona are prepared to go to extreme lengths to get rid of the former Lyon centre-back and let him leave for nothing despite having two years left on his deal.

£208,000-a-week man Umtiti has played in the Champions League for most of his career, but Spurs will be in the UEFA Conference League next season following their seventh-place finish.

However, after a wretched three seasons in which he’s played very little football, McTear told Football FanCast that playing regularly will be top of Umtiti’s wish-list:

“To go to Tottenham is a step down from Barcelona but it’s a step up from sitting on the bench and even in the stands.

“There’s a World Cup next year, so I’m sure he wants to get back playing, so I’m sure Tottenham could be an option.”

Rangers target Danilho Doekhi will need to develop a nasty streak if he completes a move to Ibrox, according to Michael Ball.

Doekhi, the nephew of former Chelsea and Barcelona defender Winston Bogarde, has been linked by De Telegraaf with a move to the reigning Scottish Premiership champions this summer.

The 23-year-old made 37 appearances for Eredivisie outfit Vitesse Arnhem last season, with him scoring his first-ever senior goal in the January win over Utrecht.

Vitesse are keen to keep the central defender on their books amid summer interest from the likes of Rangers, Newcastle United, Norwich City, Fulham and Atalanta.

However, the Dutch club have suffered a blow as Doekhi has confirmed he would be open to moving to Ibrox if Steven Gerrard’s side follow up their interest with a bid.

Ball has warned Rangers fans would need to be patient if Doekhi joins the club, with the Dutchman needing to adapt his game if he is to enjoy success in Scotland.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, the former Rangers left-back said: “He is young and the Dutch style of centre-half in that he is good on the ball.

“But he needs to add nastiness to his game and it would be perfect playing for Rangers. When you’re against lower opposition in Scotland, they give everything because they want to sign for Rangers and Celtic.

“Because of that, you’ve got to be on your toes and aggressive at the right times. He’s a young kid and got the opportunity to sign for a huge team like Rangers. I’m all for it.”