Smart Saints’ Summer Signings

Since Southampton’s promotion back to the Premier League in the 2012/13 season, they have been a team who convey their transfer business carefully.

There moves in the transfer window have led to some favorable seasons for the Saints, including back-to-back seasons of European Football.

However, in the last few seasons, they haven’t been able to reach those heights, coming 15th in the two previous campaigns.

In January, Southampton received new majority stake holders and it looks like they have reverted to their old ways in the market.

This summer, Ralph Hasenhuttl completed ten signings, the second most in the Premier League behind Nottingham Forest, whilst also keeping hold of their key players.

With many signings looking to make an impact on the team, here are my three signings who I think will make a great impact at St Mary’s.

Gavin Bazunu

After a good loan spell at Portsmouth, the Irish keeper made his way back to the south coast on a permanent to Southampton.

When Fraser Forster moved to Tottenham, Hasenhuttl had to find a adequate replacement, and they have with the 20-year-old.

Bazunu is able to add to the team, being a great shot stopper as well as a keeper able to play out from the back.

He has impressed many Southampton fans already this season with positive displays versus Manchester United and Chelsea

It’s a clear change in direction for Hasenhuttl, with having goalkeeper who is good with his feet gives him an additional player who can contribute to the buildup play.

He combines that well with his range of passing, with the majority of his passes played this season being long range passes.

This offers yet another dynamic to the Saints game, whether they want to play from the back, or if they look to make runs in behind.

Bazunu’s current ability and the potential he possesses makes him a key player in Southampton’s transfer strategy, as they build an exciting team.

Romeo Lavia

Another player who joined the club from Manchester City this summer, and he’s already made an impression at his new team

Lavia may be seen as the long term replacement for former Saint, Oriol Romeu, but with his start to the season, he has come into the side and cemented a place for himself.

The Belgian is a ball winning midfielder, key at collecting the ball in the middle of the pitch and being a force in midfield.

When he picks up the ball, he is then able to disrupt the ball into dangerous areas of the pitch, leading to great chances for his teammates.

He offers security to his side, whilst also delivering the ball in more advanced stages of the pitch. A wise player for his age.

On and off the ball, Lavia is always trying to impose himself and make sure he has an influence on the match.

The presence of his fellow team mates, such as James Ward-Prowse allows the youngster to dictate the tempo from a defensive standpoint.

He recently capped off a great performance against Chelsea with a goal. That performance showed the Saints fans what a special talent he is, and there is plenty more to come from the 18-year-old.

Duje Caleta-Car

The Croatian joined the Saints on deadline day from Marseille and adds to the center backs at the club alongside Mohammed Salisu, Lyanco and fellow summer signing Armel Bella-Kotchap.

He is solid at the back, using his aggressive play style to his advantage, whilst also being a capable carrier and disruptor of the ball.

His height is a key element to his game, winning a number of aerial duels and also combining that with his strength, showcasing his great arsenal of abilities.

A product of the Red Bull academies, Caleta-Car moved from Salzburg to Marseille in 2018, and since his arrival in France, a number of teams of European caliber have been intrigued by the Croatian defender.

He is very much a modern day center back, having quality on the ball and being a powerhouse at the back.

The signing for the Saints shows great intent for their targets this season, and with a player like Caleta-Car, they can push for even further success.

These aren’t the only positive signings they have made this summer, with so many already having played minutes for the club, with others looking to get a taste in the upcoming fixtures.

The current project for Southampton is an interesting one, which could take them back to some of their earlier Premier League success.

One thing is clear, many of the Southampton fans will be excited for what this season has in store.

Brendan’s Kop Time

Here is an article that I wrote that was published in the Late Tackle Magazine (June/July 2022. Issue 81)

Off the back of the 2011-12 season, Liverpool won the Carling Cup by beating Cardiff City at Wembley, but they also faced defeat there later in the campaign, losing 2-1 to Chelsea in the FA Cup Final.

One issue was their Premier League finish. FSG were concerned and unhappy with finishing 8th in the league, their joint-lowest Premier League finish. A change was needed, so FSG sacked Kenny Dalglish and looked for a new manager. There were links to Roberto Martinez and Andre Villas-Boas, but eventually, it was the Swansea manager, Brendan Rodgers who joined the club in the summer of 2012.

He agreed to a deal with FSG, which would see a new dawn at Anfield and would follow a project for the club to reach the heights they were once at, but how long would it take the Northern Irish man to achieve this .

A New Start

The 2012/13 season showed the potential of what might come for the club. In the summer, Liverpool added the likes of Fabio Borini and Joe Allen to their squad, who were both former players under Brendan Rodgers.

The start of the season was extremely poor for the Reds, only picking up two points in the first five matches, and in the League Cup, they were knocked out by Rodgerโ€™s former club Swansea, who would eventually go on to take the crown from Liverpool. 

Up until January, Liverpoolโ€™s form was very inconsistent, with fans wondering what way Liverpool would set up each week. Liverpool would settle a lot of games in draws, which didnโ€™t help the vision that FSG set at the beginning of the campaign.

Liverpool needed extra quality adding to the team, so when the additions of Chelsea striker, Daniel Sturridge, and Inter Milanโ€™s Phillipe Coutinho came to Merseyside, many fans were happy and felt they could see change with better results heading into the tail end of the season, but that wasnโ€™t the immediate case, as they suffered an FA Cup 4th round defeat to Oldham Athletic and a Europa League loss to Russian club, Zenit St Petersburg.

Towards the end of the season, Liverpool began to pick up some good results, which saw them head into the next campaign off the back of some important wins which could carry them into next season. From the outside, Liverpool were a joy to watch from the attacking perspective, with players like Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge scoring plenty of goals for the reds, but there was a major issue defensively. The defense needed improvements, and it was something that needed focus in the transfer window if they were to challenge further up the league.

So Close, Yet So Far

The beginning of the season started with a controversial bid for Luis Suarez from Arsenal, which Liverpool would reject. Liverpool made signings to try and improve their problems at the back. Man City defender Kolo Toure and PSGโ€™s Mamadou Sakho came into the squad to solidify the back four, and Sunderland keeper, Simon Mignolet joined the club to replace Spaniard, Pepe Reina.

Liverpool were without Luis Suarez at the beginning of the season, after picking up a ban against Chelsea at the end of the prior season, but they started the season well as they picked up three wins from the first three games. There were a few defeats and draws, but the majority of the results at the beginning of the season were positive apart from a defeat at Old Trafford in the League Cup.

After January, Liverpool went on a 15 match unbeaten run, which saw results such as a 5-1 win against Arsenal, 4-0 versus Everton and a 3-0 away win against Manchester United. 

It looked like Brendan Rodgers would be the man to end Liverpoolโ€™s league title drought, but a defeat to Chelsea and a draw to Crystal Palace saw Manchester City capitalise on the mistakes of the Reds, as they went on to lift the title in May.

It was tough to take for the Reds, with brilliant individual performances through the campaign like Suarez, who won the PFA Player of The Year and the Golden Boot, and Steven Gerrard who had the most assists in the league. It was similar to the previous year, with Liverpool scoring a lot of goals, but the incomes in the market didnโ€™t make the defense strong, as they still conceded a high amount of goals. It was important for Liverpool to get back in the Champions League, but there was a threat from some of the best players in the squad to depart before the new season began.

Back To Step One

After a phenomenal season, Suarez would join Barcelona in the summer for a fee of around ยฃ65 million. Liverpool would replace their talisman with two forwards. Southamptonโ€™s Rickie Lambert and AC Milanโ€™s Mario Balotelli. There were further big additions including Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren from Southampton, alongside Alberto Moreno from Sevilla. 

Many people didnโ€™t believe that either of the new strikers could live up to the presence Suarez had, and that was correct, as Balotelli and Lambert only scored three goals combined across the Premier League season.

They started the season with a win, but it was downhill from there, suffering a lot of draws and defeats throughout the season. They reached the semi-final in the League Cup and FA Cup but came up short against Chelsea and Aston Villa. They also failed to progress to the Champions League knockouts and failed to get past the Round of 32 in the Europa League after losing to Besiktas.

At the end of the season, Steven Gerrard would leave Liverpool and join MLS side, LA Galaxy. It was no secret that Rodgers and Gerrard had a tough relationship, as the Northern Irish man wanted to bring fresh players into the squad, and move on the more experienced players in the group, and on the final day of the season, Liverpool experienced a 6-1 loss to Stoke City.

Many fans werenโ€™t pleased with the displays through the campaign, with many frustrated with the infrastructure at the club. A rebuild was needed at the club, and it showed the transfers brought in by Rodgers. Many questioned whether or not Rodgers would still be the manager come the new season, but FSG still had faith in him.

Mounting Pressure

Many suspected this would be Rodgersโ€™s last chance to prove himself to the fans, the players, and the owners. Hoffenheimโ€™s Roberto Firmino and Aston Villaโ€™s, Christian Benteke joined the club in the window. Liverpool had Sturridge who could still be called upon to score goals and adding two more might help to fill the void that Suarez left. However, there was another void, after the departure of Gerrard, which wasnโ€™t covered in the window, and left fans scratching their heads.

The opening six games saw Liverpool win two, draw two and lose two. The wins they got were cutting it close against Stoke and Bournemouth, only beating the teams by one goal. After another tricky set of games, fans began to turn on Rodgers, as they believed there were better managers to fulfill the plan set out.

After a draw in the Merseyside Derby, FSG had seen enough and sacked the manager following the match.

The time under Rodgers showed the Liverpool fans what could happen to the club, and the excitement they might have, but Rodgers couldnโ€™t deliver that on a regular basis. There was no real plan for the club, which came with a flawed transfer policy instead of a transfer policy that supported the club in the correct ways.

The lack of achievements and success meant there was no stability at Anfield and Liverpool would become a stepping stone club, for players looking to move to teams in the hunt for trophies. It seems he was a manager who relied heavily on the individual performances from special players to put the team in good positions instead of building a team to compete with others in the league and when those players left, the performances lacked passion and the ability to battle.

He offered the Liverpool fans an attacking style of play, but there was a lack of quality in defense, his position at Liverpool always had one fate.

Nico Schlotterbeck โ€“ Freiburgโ€™s Star

The 22-year-old joined Freiburg in 2019 from 2. Bundesliga side, Karlsruher, while he was still in the U19 squad.

He has been on loan at Union Berlin since arriving, but heโ€™s come back into Christian Streichโ€™s side, becoming an influential figure in the team.

He made his debut for Germany last month against Israel and looks like he will make the World Cup team, after an incredible season so far in the Bundesliga. This season he has played in 26 games, scoring four goals and keeping eight clean sheets.

Here is a look at what makes Schlotterbeck a fantastic, talented center-back.

Transition Of Play

The German tends to play in a back five, where he takes up the position as the left-sided center-back, with him being left-footed.

He makes many progressive passes and progressive runs in this position, which turns him into a deep playmaker in his sides setup.

Switching the play is no issue for him with his passing ability, but he can also play direct balls down the channel into the wing-back and the winger.

He adds an extra element when Freiburg are looking to attack, making well-timed passes and dribbling his way out of dangerous positions. For a team that doesnโ€™t dominate in possession, itโ€™s impressive what he can do with the ball at his feet.

His mastery of picking out the passes to fellow teammates such as Christian Gunter and Vincenzo Grifo, starting quick attacks have shown exactly why heโ€™s highly rated by some of Europeโ€™s elite clubs.

Aggressive Nature

Playing in a back five allows the wider center backs to play a more aggressive style, which Schlotterbeck uses to his strength, similar to that of Antonio Rudiger.

He makes several interceptions and tackles in every game, and with the aggressive style of play, they work well at surprising the opponent.

Winning the ball so high up for his team normally results in a lot of quick and early attacks, as they try to catch the opposition off guard.

His pace allows him to move into positions further up the field quickly, cutting out the space for the attacking side. Due to his pace, he is great at recoveries, meaning he can also drift slightly wider to cover runs on the flank.

The high intensity and pressure he offers force the opponent into turning away from the goal, forcing them into a different strategy.

And with playing in the five back, the high-pressure, aggressive style of play makes it harder for the opponent to make runs in behind the defender.

Positional Awareness

The defender is always in the correct place on the pitch, whether his team is out of position or in position.

He covers the areas where the opponent could strike and create potential attacks which cause threats to Freiburg.

Knowing when to step up and when to hold his line is a big part of his game, as heโ€™s always looking out for potential threats.

He covers the dangerous passing lanes behind the defense, whilst also closing the play further up the field.

This understanding he has is so important to his particular style of play.

Aerial Battles

As well as being a defender who is able to use his feet at the back, he is also strong in the air, clearing away any danger in the air.

Heโ€™s a danger from set-pieces, as he is able to find space in the six-yard box and rise above the rest to test the goalkeeper.

This also makes him good at clearing any chances such as corners and free kicks.

The use of his pace with this allows him to cover the spaces and put his head in places where the strikers can find space and punish Schlotterbeck and Freiburg.

What Next?

His style of play makes him a great player in a back-five formation, used by the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspurs, and Inter Milan.

However, all these teams have other defenders that are currently at the club, or that will be returning from loans who can also be decisive next season.

Itโ€™s believed that Newcastle United and German giants, Bayern Munich are currently monitoring the defenderโ€™s progress, despite both of these teams using a back four, which could be a risk due to his aggressive nature, but there is no doubt that he is a very good center back.

It will be hard for Freiburg to keep hold of him this summer, however, with the German team being in European spots at the moment, any deal involving the defender, wouldnโ€™t come at a cheap price.

Whoever has Schlotterbeck next season, whether thatโ€™s at Freiburg or elsewhere, know they have themselves a great young center back in their team.

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this, you can read more by clicking here

Talents In Liverpoolโ€™s Academy

A few days ago, Liverpool completed the signing of Ben Doak from Celtic for a fee of around ยฃ600,000. The Scotsman recently scored a hat trick for Scotlandโ€™s U17s versus Georgia U17s.

Itโ€™s reported that Liverpool are looking to add at least two more players to join Doak in the academy next season.

Liverpool are battling Manchester City to the signature of Trent Kone-Doherty from Derry City, while also keeping an eye on PSGโ€™s Ismael Gharbi as the Reds look to build for the future.

Liverpool have completed many signings of talented youngsters around the globe, who have moved to the academy. Here is a look at some players who have made the switch to Merseyside.

First Team Action

Harvey Elliott

Elliott joined Liverpool from Fulham, where he made a few appearances for the London-based club before joining the Reds.

He spent a season in the academy before he secured a loan move to Championship club, Blackburn Rovers.

Whilst working under Tony Mowbray, the Englishman made 42 appearances, scoring seven goals and getting 11 assists as he was a key player in their push to return to the Premier League, which eventually didnโ€™t happen.

He came back at the beginning of the season, making a number of appearances before picking up an injury against Leeds United. Since his return, he has made his Champions League debut and scored his first goal for the club in an FA Cup tie against Cardiff City.

His dribbling in tight spaces is a key element to his game, as he tries to unlock opposition defenses. With the faith Jurgen Klopp has in the 18-year-old, it looks like he will have a bright future at the club.

Kaide Gordon

Gordon has made a few appearances for the first team this season, including a Carabao Cup Semi-Final tie against Arsenal and an FA Cup game against Shrewsbury Town, where he got his first professional goal for the club.

He joined the Reds from Derby County for a fee of around ยฃ1.1 million, which could rise to ยฃ3.4 million. Itโ€™s clear since his arrival that many at the club have faith in him to succeed.

He has a great left foot which he can score and make killer passes with. He also showcases good balance and awareness when inside the 18-yard-box.

Gordon and Elliott have both been supported by Trent Alexander-Arnold when they feature in the first team and have both praised Alexander-Arnold for his help.

Sepp Van Den Berg

Van Den Berg joined Liverpool from Dutch club PEC Zwolle after the Reds won the Champions League in 2019, for a fee of around ยฃ2 million. Since then, heโ€™s made a handful of cup appearances for Kloppโ€™s team.

Lately, heโ€™s served two loan spells at Preston North End, and heโ€™s become a fan favourite at Deepdale, adding confidence to his game.

The Dutchman is a versatile defender, who played right-back a lot during his first spell, but recently has moved back into the centre-back position.

The 20-year-old has improved his on-ball ability and makes a number of key interceptions. Ryan Lowe is looking to secure the services of the defender on a permanent deal, but Klopp might have other plans for Van Den Berg this summer.

Current Academy Prospects

Right now, there are plenty of talented individuals in Liverpoolโ€™s academy who are looking to make an impact in the first team over the next couple of seasons.

Marcelo Pitaluga

The goalkeeper joined Liverpool from Fluminense for a fee of around ยฃ700,000. He was scouted when John Achterberg and Alisson Becker both rated the youngster. Alissonโ€™s brother also kept a close eye on him back in Brazil.

Heโ€™s very much like Alisson, with his ability to play with the ball out the back, and clear away any possible danger from long balls. His positioning and shot-stopping are also a brilliant part of his game.

The keeper might experience a loan move in the not-so-distant future, with Caoimhin Kelleher being in excellent form throughout this campaign, helping the Reds lift the Carabao Cup at the end of February.

Mateusz Musialowski

He has many admirers at the club and has been labelled โ€˜The Polish Messiโ€™ by the people of his home country.

Liverpool signed him from the Polish club SMS Lodz. He joined the Reds over the London club, Arsenal where he had a trial.

Both teams were keen on Musialowski due to his ability to play across the front three, where he scored 133 goals in 88 matches.

Heโ€™s a creative player who can play a pitch-perfect pass and has good dribbling which he combines with electric pace.

Injuries have seen him out of any possible first-team football this season, however, next season might be the year that Liverpool fans get a first glimpse of the Polish star in the first team.

James Balagizi

The midfielder played for Manchester City but left the club at the youth level to join the Reds.

He was on the bench earlier this season when Liverpool faced Norwich City in the Carabao Cup, with Liverpool beating the Canaries 3-0.

Normally featuring as a number 10 or as a central midfielder, Balagizi is great a finding space in between the lines due to his impressive vision and passing.

The 18-year-old might see a loan move soon, or spend an extra season in the academy, with chances in the midfield being limited due to the number of players Liverpool have to fill those positions at the moment.

Stefan Bajcetic

Bajcetic only joined the Reds in 2021, signing from Celta Vigo, believing that chances will come for him on Merseyside.

Liverpool had competition for the signing of the 17-year-old which included their rivals, Manchester United.

Heโ€™s a defender who is comfortable on the ball and makes a lot of Joel Matipesque-like runs, which have resulted in goals and assists.

The defender is still working in the U18 squad, so he will more than likely spend at least another season in the academy to develop his game further.

Academy Importance

These players have a great amount of quality, plus there are many more that have recently arrived from other teams that also could have a part in Liverpoolโ€™s future like Bobby Clarke (Newcastle United), Calum Scanlon (Birmingham City), and Melkamu Frauendorf (Hoffenheim).

There are also plenty of prospects who have mainly come through Liverpool youth levels including Tyler Morton, Max Woltman, and Conor Bradley.

Klopp has many exciting young talents within the academy, who could have an impact in the future, whilst earning game time over the next couple of seasons that could make them key players in the squad during the Germanโ€™s remaining years and beyond.

Thanks for reading. If you would like to see more, click HERE

Liverpool Midfield Dilemma

As we head towards the end of yet another campaign, Liverpool are on the hunt for a possible Quadruple, after claiming their first trophy of the season back in February.

However, despite Liverpoolโ€™s success, the Reds may look to make additions to the squad come the summer transfer window, with the most likely incoming being in the midfield.

Some players may have their future at the club in doubt, and adding an extra player into that position gives them an extra key player to their squad.

There are plenty of midfielders across World football who can make an impact in that position for the Reds, whilst also fitting the Liverpool system. Here is a look at just a few midfielders that would be interesting to see in the current Liverpool setup.

Jude Bellingham โ€“ Borussia Dortmund

He moved to Germany two years ago, and heโ€™s had plenty of praise for the job heโ€™s done so far at Dortmund.

Heโ€™s been labeled โ€˜The Next Gerrardโ€™ by many people who watch him weekly, and the comparison is due to Bellinghamโ€™s ability to have an impact across the midfield.

The amount of game time heโ€™s had at both Birmingham City and Dortmund has meant the English International has a maturity to his game, which links in with his positional awareness in the midfield. Whether thatโ€™s in defensive duties or on the front foot.

This can be a key part of someoneโ€™s game at such a young age, and that makes him an attractive signing for the Merseyside club.

So far this season, Bellingham has three goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga, showing the impact he can have from a deeper position on the pitch.

One of the major elements of his game is his technical dribbling. Heโ€™s able to create space for himself and his teammates with some tricky footwork. Combining that with his work ethic makes him similar to someone like Naby Keita in Jurgen Kloppโ€™s squad.

Itโ€™s obvious that Bellingham is one of the best Box-to-Box midfielders in the world right now, and will be for some years, however, a transfer to Liverpool would come with a significant transfer price.

Aurelien Tchouameni โ€“ AS Monaco

The Frenchman has played a pivotal role in the Monaco team over the last two seasons, showcasing his talents on a regular basis.

Tchouameni has taken up a slightly more defensive role for Monaco on more than one occasion, but he can also deliver as a number eight.

Heโ€™s well known for his physical presence and his aggressiveness in midfield means he makes a high number of interceptions and tackles per 90, making him one of the best ball-winners in Europeโ€™s top five leagues.

He wins the ball in deep areas of the pitch and advances with the ball to try to create space and opportunities for his teammates.

Although Liverpool has Fabinho in their ranks, Tchouameni could still play a key part in Liverpoolโ€™s structure.

His ability to play slightly deeper could be really significant, as he would be able to support either of the fullbacks when they progress up the pitch, whilst also being comfortable as a number eight when called upon.

However, just like Bellingham, Tchouameni would be a high-value target, and many top clubs around Europe also have an eye on the French star.

Lucas Paqueta – Olympique Lyonnais

Staying with the French league, the 24-year-old midfielder has been a player thatโ€™s been praised by many this season, after having a good season for Lyon.

The ability to constantly find space is something he does really well, and heโ€™s able to pick it up and progress with the ball into dangerous positions.

He does it well through his ability to dribble in tight spaces and his sense of creativity, especially in the final third.

Normally the Brazilian falls into spaces out wide in an attempt to make the middle of the pitch easier for teammates to work through. When he receives it out wide, he either pulls it back or uses his creativity to generate danger in the box.

Something Klopp might enjoy in Paqueta would be his adaptability, as he can take up multiple positions further up in the attack.

Liverpool havenโ€™t had a midfielder like Paqueta since the departure of Philippe Coutinho. Despite Liverpool playing well since the Brazilian left for Barcelona, Klopp might be attracted to the possibility of having Paqueta at the AXA Training Centre.

However, Paqueta has mainly played as a false nine this season for Lyon, and he may find it tricky to move back to being a Box-to-Box midfielder in a different league and a different formation instead of Lyonโ€™s 4-4-2.

Vitinha โ€“ FC Porto

Finally, the Portuguese youngster has been linked with a move to Anfield recently, with assistant manager, Pep Lijnders being a fan of him.

Vitinha was recently on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers where he played as a number ten, but he had an unsuccessful loan spell. However, since returning to the Portuguese giants, heโ€™s turned his form around playing as a central midfielder.

A key part of his game is breaking the lines of the opposition, whilst also having an impact on the defensive duties.

His eye for a pass is so important for linking the play between the midfield and the attack in a matter of moments, with a variety of passes helping him make the most ideal pass to cause larger problems.

So far, heโ€™s been a great player for Porto, helping them with their title charge.

Heโ€™s a player who has it all, and for an estimated fee of around ยฃ33 million, it seems a real possibility for Liverpool to make the move, but they must be quick as other big clubs are looking to tempt him away from Porto.

What Next

There is a possibility that one of these four midfielders move to Liverpool, there is also a possibility that none of them end up at Anfield at the start of the 2022/23 campaign, but there are also plenty of other top midfielders in Europe who could be linked to Merseyside.

Any one of these could add an extra element to the team, which can help Jurgen Klopp if heโ€™s looking to battle on all fronts once again next year.

Liverpool might have a quiet transfer window and avoid signing any players in the window, keeping the current set of players. However, the decision made by Klopp and Julian Ward will likely be the correct choice for the club.

Tranmere Rovers VS Colchester United: Match Gallery

Here are some images that I took during this Friday night game between Tranmere Rovers and Colchester United on the 8th of October, 2021.

Entering the Johnny King Stand.
Players make their way into the dressing room ahead of the match.
Players make their way onto the pitch.
A Tranmere set piece, which was well saved by Colchester Goalkeeper, Shamal George.
Colchester Substitutes during the half time interval.
Tranmere players making their way onto the pitch for the second half.
Tranmere celebrate, as Josh Hawkes gives the home side the lead.
Action during the second half.
Peter Clarkeโ€™s header puts Tranmere two to the good.
Tranmere fans shining their phones towards the end of the game.
Full Time. Tranmere players and fans celebrate a 2-0 win over Colchester United.
Tranmere manager, Micky Mellon salutes The Kop.
Both sets of fans make their way home after an eventful 90 minutes of football.

If you would like to read more, click here

IN-DEPTH LOOK – Players to look watch at Red Bull Salzburg this season

Earlier this week, RB Salzburg beat Brondby IF 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier, and if they can hold onto their advantage next Wednesday, they will be in the Champions League group draw next week.

RB Salzburg have a reputation of having a great set of young talents in their squad. Recently, they have had talents such as Dominik Szoboszlai, Patson Daka and Erling Haaland.

Once again, they have a bright set of young talents in the squad, which can help Salzburg propel for the league title, and make a great push in European competitions.

Here is a look at some who could have a great impact this season.

Maximilian Wober

Despite only being 23, he is one of the more experienced players in the Salzburg team, as he’s made 73 appearances for the club since his arrival in 2019

He is a left footed center back, who is good with playing the ball out of the back. He’s able to play short passes into the midfielders or to fullbacks. He can also play the long ball over the top which can pick out the wingers and forwards.

In addition, he’s good in the air. He’s won a great amount of air duels since he has arrived at Salzburg, and it’s a key part of his game. He uses his strength and jumping ability to win a number of important battles.

His football brain is so important to his overall play, as his positioning is top class. Since his arrival in Austria, he hasn’t picked up one red card. He does this with clever with his positioning, while also making substantial tackles.

He has been leading the Salzburg defense for the last three seasons, and with his talents, it’s likely many teams will be looking at the young defender this season.

Karim Adeyemi

This season will be a breakout season for the young German, and it’s been the perfect start, as he’s scored 7 and assisted 1 in all competitions already this season.

He has played as a striker and a left winger in the recently, and he’s done that with his remarkable pace. He combines that well with top level dribbling and finishing, which allows him top play in those forward positions.

He is an extremely intense forward, who presses from the front. He presses a lot during the games, and it normally results in the opposition defenders making mistakes, and he punishes them with his killer left foot.

Playing the ball into dangerous positions for his teammates is a fundamental to his craft. Despite having only one assist so far this season, he creates a lot of chances, which help Salzburg burst forward in their games.

His natural finishing ability has helped him pick up many admires. If he can continue with this positive start which he has begun the season with, many teams will have a close eye on the German.

Noah Okafor

He’s a talented young Switzerland playmaker, who can create a lot of problems for the oppositions defense.

Okafor joined Salzburg from Basel in January 2020, for a fee around ยฃ10 million, and he has been a brilliant asset in this squad.

He has great close control, which helps him glide past defenders. It’s one of the most important attributes in his game, due to his great agility and skillfulness.

He’s only started one game this season, but he has scored 1 goal, and he will surely get more starts, more goals and more assists through-out the season.

He is mainly a playmaker out wide, similar to Riyad Mahrez. He plays out wide of the left wing, and whips the ball into the box with his left foot, or makes dangerous runs into the box and strikes it goalward.

However, he doesn’t only use his left foot. Some players on the wing are limited with what they can do with the ball, but not Okafor, as he can also whip the ball into the top corner with his fantastic, slightly weaker foot.

He has great crossing and passing ability, which can pick out teammates making runs into dangerous areas in the box.

He’s a player with a lot of quality, and can be vital in helping Salzburg succeed this season.

What Else?

However, these aren’t the only top quality players at the club, as there are so many more.

Oumar Solet and Kamil Piatkowski are brilliant defenders that Salzburg possess. They are both strong and fast center halves, who can both partner Wober, or even play together.

Mohamed Camara is a solid box-to-box midfielder, with significant qualities, while Luka Sucic is a great attacking midfielder, who is able at picking passes to open up defenses.

Sekou Keita and Mergim Berisha are two quality forwards for Salzburg, who both have different attributes which they add to the team.

They have so many more young jewels in their squad, who can make a difference, as the majority in the squad have the characteristics to become fantastic players.

“File:FC Red Bull Salzburg gegen SC Wiener Neustadt (5. Oktober 2014) 02.JPG” by Werner100359 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

If you would like to read more, click here

Bristol City VS Swansea City: Match Report

7:45pm GMT Kick Off, Ashton Gate, Championship

A First Half Strike From Joel Piroe Gave Swansea Their First Three Points Under Russell Martin

Swansea’s Dutch forward, Joel Piroe got himself the all important goal to give Swansea their first three points of the new season.

Despite late pressure from Bristol City, Swansea held out, and kept hold of their lead.

Bristol City had an early oppurtunity. Steven-Andreas Benda miss kicked his clearance, which appeared at the feet of Matty James. He drove into the box and had a shot, which Benda had to stop.

James had another chance, as he picked the ball of Matt Grimes in the middle of the pitch and had a go from distance, which Benda had to get down to quick, to keep the scores level.

Moments later, the away team took the lead. Joel Piroe found some space and tried to trick the keeper out at his front post. The ball cannoned off the post, back to the Dutchman who put it away at the second time of asking.

Bristol couldn’t really break the Swansea backline immediately after the opener. Alex Scott went close in the 27th minute, but once again, Benda was there to keep it out the net.

Swansea nearly doubled their lead before the break. From a corner, the ball fell to the feet of Piroe, who turned quick and fired a shot goalward. Daniel Bentley made himself big and did well to save it.

The beginning of the second half saw a lack of action in front of either goal. Bristol continued their push for an equaliser, but the Swans defense was doing a perfect job of stopping them.

Bristol increased their intensity as they continued their push. James struck the ball from the edge of the box, and it was flicked on by Andreas Weimann. Benda was there to stop a possible leveler once again.

Bristol did put the ball in the net, after Antoine Semenyo’s effort was blocked and fell in the path of Weimann who poked it home from close range. Luckily for Russell Martin and his team, Weimann was deemed offside.

As the game went into extra time, Swansea had a counter attack to wrap the game up. Jamie Paterson ran into the box and had an attempt, but it was no danger for Bentley as it was well off target. Which was the last chance of the game.

After tonight’s result, Swansea and Bristol are on the same points and goal difference. Ahead of tomorrow’s Championship fixtures, Swansea sit in 16th, while Bristol City are in 13th.

Final Score: Bristol City 0-1 Swansea City

Man Of The Match: Steven-Andreas Benda

The young goalkeeper had an impressive performance in this game, which helped his team claim three points.

He still has to adapt to Martin’s style of play, with playing it out the back. However, he made a number of key saves which were crucial to his teams success this evening.

If you would like to read more, click here