Celtic supporters have been very upbeat throughout the international break after seeing their side record back-to-back Scottish Premiership victories prior to the two-week interruption.

Brendan Rodgers’ men have largely underwhelmed in the early phase of the 2018/19 season, and that was again the case at Parkhead back on September 29 in their narrow 1-0 success over Aberdeen. And while they then lost out to Red Bull Salzburg in the Europa League a few days later, they hit back admirably at St Johnstone on October 7 in firing six past Tommy Wright’s side, with four from James Forrest alongside strikes from Odsonne Edouard and Callum McGregor sealing an emphatic victory for the Bhoys.

Thus, there have been many happy Celtic fans up and down the country in recent times, several of whom have taken to Twitter in recent times to praise the efforts of attacker Lewis Morgan while on international duty with the Scotland Under-21s, with some now calling for the youngster to earn more game time at Celtic Park.

And such have been the 22-year-old’s efforts for his country in recent times, alongside how impressive he was for St Mirren last term, the £675,000-rated sensation (as per Transfermarkt) is a gem that Rodgers need to unleash in the near future.

Ultimately, the Bhoys secured a permanent deal for Morgan back in January of this year after hugely impressing for St Mirren in the Scottish Championship, with the attacker eventually finishing last season with 18 goals in 42 games for the club after being loaned back immediately after his Celtic move.

And in finishing as the club’s top goal-scorer in the league alongside helping Jack Ross’ side win the second division, it’s clear that Morgan has a very bright future ahead of him – there’s a reason he already has two senior Scotland caps to his name.

Yes, he didn’t make Alex McLeish’s senior set-up for the recent internationals, but Morgan shone for the Under-21s in netting in their 3-1 defeat to Ukraine before being a rare shining light in their 2-0 loss to the England Under-21s earlier this week – he is certainly making huge strides.

And that is sure to be of great interest to Celtic boss Rodgers, who has so far afforded the 22-year-old just six appearances in all competitions for the Bhoys this term, albeit the fact that he has appeared in each of their last three league games suggests that he is slowly but surely inching his way up the pecking order.

And given his recent exploits on the international stage, alongside Celtic’s need for a spark to really get them going after a reasonably lethargic start to the season, the Bhoys chief may look at Morgan as the man to come into his side and get them going – he certainly has the talent to do just that.

Thus, those Celtic fans calling for more game time for the 22-year-old are absolutely spot on – he’s a gem Rodgers must seek to unleash in the near future in a bid to help the Bhoys improve upon their sluggish start to the season.

Celtic fans… what do you think? Let us know!

Marcelo Bielsa has transformed Leeds into one of the best attacking teams in the league this season and due to his style of play, the Yorkshire side currently sits atop the Championship table level on points with Sheffield United and Middlesbrough. 

Despite beating Ipswich Town, Bielsa’s side has suffered a drop in form over the last few weeks as his side began to show the wear and tear of Bielsa’s demanding style of play.

Key players Kemar Roofe, Pablo Hernandez and Gaetano Berardi all missed games recently and with that in mind, Leeds have to be looking to the January transfer window in order to freshen up the squad.

According to Goal, Bielsa is considering a reunion with Alaves winger Ibai Gomez whom he coached at Atheltic Bilbao. If he does sign the winger, it would surely put an end to the chances of Stuart Dallas and Izzy Brown playing.

The Breakdown

When fit, Leeds’ attacking front four has been superb but as we’ve seen, it’s highly unlikely that all four of them will be able to play throughout the whole season without picking up injuries.

While Dallas has played nine games in the league this season, at times as a left-back, the midfielder isn’t quite up to standard for Bielsa’s side. Brown on the other hand, was brought in over the summer but arrived with an injury and looks set to be spending a considerable amount of time on the sidelines.

Gomez is a much better player than both the two players and has so far scored three goals in nine games as Alaves have stormed up the table. If he does arrive in January, he’d be a massive upgrade.

Leeds fans, what do you think? 

[ad_pod ]Tony Pulis was not mincing his words on 26-year-old Jordan Hugill.The Boro striker has featured in 12 games in all competitions so far this season, starting in five Championship clashes including the full 90 minutes at the weekend against Stoke.At the Bet365 Stadium Hugill had chances to score and forced a strong stop from former England goalie Jack Butland, but later left himself embarrassed with his antics in search of free-kicks.Speaking after the game, Pulis lambasted his forward vowing his ‘nonsense has got to stop’.The Gazette reported the 60-year-old coach as saying: “I thought Jordan went down far, far too easily a couple of times.“I don’t want that as a manager. That’s not right.“We’ve sorted that out after the game. I think he went down twice dramatically. I don’t like all that nonsense. That’s got to stop and he’ll know that now.â€When these Boro fans got wind of the manager’s criticism of the former Preston hitman, they reacted with joy after being witness to his antics on Saturday and previously as well.

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“In terms of shots on the opposition goal we are up in the top five or six,” Mark Hughes told the press ahead of Southampton’s Premier League clash against Newcastle on Saturday as justification for his side managing just six goals from their first nine top flight games of the new season. “I think I would be more concerned if we were coming out of games looking at chances created and seeing a low number.”

Perhaps it was an attempt to breed optimism into an incredibly underwhelming campaign and confidence into a squad clearly lacking it, especially when they reach the final third, in the buildup to a game that had the inevitable feeling of an early relegation decider. But after 22 failed attempts to beat Martin Dubravka at the weekend that pushed Saints to third in the Premier League’s shots tally, Southampton fans should fear how Hughes analyses that profligacy in front of goal.

After all, statistics are only as reliable as the accuracy in which they’re interpreted and while Hughes may point to efforts at goal as the key headline metric, there’s plenty of evidence to contradict the positivity of that high return. Crucial amongst those, as we saw again on Saturday when a third of Southampton’s shots were from outside the box and none from inside the six-yard box, is the club’s Premier League ranking of third for efforts beyond 18 yards. In contrast, Saints are 14th for shots inside six yards and 16th for efforts inside the penalty area.

Indeed, statistical analysis has reached a point where it can assess the quality of chances created rather than just the ultimate number, and Southampton’s chances have desperately lacked that aspect this season. Admittedly, from what they’ve made so far, their goal tally should be a little higher; they’re eleventh for expected goals and have missed the sixth-most big chances of any Premier League side. If all those expected goals had been converted, Southampton would have more goals than any team outside the top nine.

But the big question here is the validity of expected goals, and whether Southampton’s have been accumulated through volume rather than precision. That’s exactly what Saints are lacking in the final third right now; they’re getting into advantageous positions but making poor decisions. Partly a consequence of a squad clearly lacking confidence, but also quality and direction as well. Tellingly, despite the 22 attempts against Newcastle, Southampton’s expected goal return was just 1.2 – enough to warrant a victory in a disappointingly attritional game, but hardly a return that suggests only poor finishing is costing the south coast side.

Once again though, Hughes was quick to focus on quantity rather than quality after Saturday’s scoreless draw. “We had 22 shots and we haven’t been able to convert one of them. At the top end of the pitch we need to make more of the chances we are creating, in moments we need a killer edge to our play.” Of course, becoming ruthlessly clinical overnight would solve Southampton’s immediate problems, albeit unsustainably, but the fundamental issue isn’t the quality of their finishing, rather the quality of what they’re producing.

Perhaps Hughes’ take on the Newcastle game was another attempt to instil some confidence amongst his players – surely a more logical way to get them firing again than going the other direction with public criticism. But the lingering concern is that the Welshman does have form here, when he seems to be largely oblivious to the issue at hand.

After all, this is the same manager who once claimed he doesn’t “do relegation” because he’s always “too busy trying to get into the top 10” during the same season Stoke relieved him of his duties as the club plummeted to 18th, before ultimately dropping down the the Championship, and he then took over a Southampton side that narrowly avoided the Premier League’s trapdoor by just a single place, decided in a single game against Swansea City that came down to a late, scrappy Manolo Gabbiadini goal. Six years earlier, his QPR side were spared relegation by other results after losing 3-2 on the final day of the season.

As is sometimes the case with born winners of Hughes’ variety, an iconic footballer who even lifted silverware with Blackburn Rovers during his retirement season, sometimes a gap emerges between their perception and the reality, filled with excuses and caveats to cover the shortcomings their own egos can’t stomach to see exposed.

That’s not to suggest Southampton’s problems should be pinned to a manager who has overseen just 22 games in charge after inheriting a relegation-threatened squad from Mauricio Pellegrino, but it does make you wonder if Hughes is looking at the right things, rather than simply trying to justify his own decisions, influence and actions. The more he obsesses over the volume rather than quality of chances, the longer Southampton will struggle to fix their most pivotal and fundamental flaw.

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Leeds returned to the top of the Championship on Sunday with a 2-1 win at Wigan, but Marcelo Bielsa’s post-match comments suggest changes could be on the way.

Leeds grabbed three points at Wigan on Sunday courtesy of a scrappy winner from Kemar Roofe, and the Whites never looked troubled from the moment they went in front.

Despite the great performance though, Bielsa’s side have got four other teams within three points of them, as is so often the case at the top of the Championship.

“What you’re saying indicates that we have many teams at the same level,” the boss responded when asked about the closeness of the teams at the top.

“In order to be first in the Championship we have to create a difference from the other teams and there are few points between the teams. We haven’t done that so far.

“We did it at the beginning but we stopped doing it and if we want to reach what you’re talking about, we have to show regularity in gaining points.”

If Bielsa really wants pull away at the top of the pile, his side will have to be ruthless at both ends of the pitch, and that may require a couple of huge changes.

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Bye bye Bielsa-ball?

The manager has reinforced time and time again that the performance is just as important as the result, but he may have to sacrifice this mentality at times, particularly late in games.

It seems like every goal Leeds concede these days is a simple goal from a set piece, and the boss will need to sacrifice some of the illustrious “Bielsa-ball” to tighten things up at the back.

Something similar can be seen with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, as the German has sacrificed his heavy metal football for a more cautious approach this season. The Reds are scoring less but winning more, and this improved game management can help Leeds pull away at the top.

Take the pressure off Roofe?

Of course, if you’re going to go less gung-ho then you need to be absolutely ruthless in front of goal. Leeds have already been linked with La Liga winger Ibai Gomez, and it would be no surprise to see them dip into the January transfer market to find some more clinical goalscorers.

Samuel Saiz and Ezgjan Alioski are both valued due to their work rates and link-up play, but the pair simply don’t score enough goals. Alioski in particular has taken some stick from fans recently, and the boss may be forced to replace him if he doesn’t find his shooting boots.

Wolves showed last season what happens when you have several attacking players who can score goals rather than just one striker, and while Andrea Radrizzani isn’t going to splash out like the Premier League newcomers, a couple of January moves could go a long way.

So, Leeds fans, do you think Bielsa should copy Klopp and be more conservative? Do you need a couple of attacking signings in January? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below…

Sheffield Wednesday supporters have been slightly more upbeat in recent times after seeing their side end a damaging losing streak in the Championship at the weekend.

Jos Luhukay’s men went into their encounter with bitter rivals Sheffield United at Bramall Lane having lost each of their previous four league games, and thus seeking to bounce back against Chris Wilder’s high-flying Blades. And while the Owls didn’t win the game, they fought hard to earn a 0-0 draw from their trip across the city, a result which kept them 17th in the Championship table, but did at least halt their woeful losing run.

Thus, there have been many satisfied Wednesday fans up and down the country in recent times, although several are growing increasingly frustrated with manager Luhukay, who doesn’t appear to be the man to take the Owls forward.

As such, the club’s hierarchy simply must seek to cut their losses and relieve the Dutchman of his duties, with former Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy the man they have to turn to as soon as possible if they are to climb up the second tier table.

Ultimately, Luhukay was appointed as Carlos Carvalhal’s successor back in January of this year with the club 15th in the Championship table, and that is exactly where they finished after an indifferent second half of the season under the 55-year-old, who won just one of his first ten games in charge before winning five of their last six matches of the campaign.

Yes, the transfer embargo that crippled them for much of the summer certainly didn’t help Luhukay’s cause, and a three-match winning run between August and September underlined his capabilities, but they have been particularly poor lately in winning just one of their last eight games to suggest that he is not the answer to the Owls’ problems.

And while ex-Ipswich boss McCarthy was hounded out of Portman Road at the rear end of last season, he does appear to be the man Sheffield Wednesday need to not only get them out of a rut, but to also move them up the division.

The 59-year-old spent six years in charge of the Tractor Boys and did a marvellous job in not only making sure they stayed up every season on a shoe-string budget, but he even led them to the Championship play-offs back in 2015, which sandwiched two other top ten finishes.

Add in success in leading Sunderland out of the second tier in 2005 and then Wolves four years later, and not only does McCarthy know what it takes to remain in the division, but he also has succeeded at the other end of the table as well – there aren’t many better Championship managers out there at present.

Yes, one of the big concerns Ipswich fans had later on in his reign was the style of football implemented by the former Republic of Ireland manager, but things aren’t much better at Hillsborough under Luhukay now – the only difference being that McCarthy might get results where Luhukay hasn’t.

Thus, with the Owls stuck in a rut and 55-year-old Luhukay seemingly not the man to lead them out of it, the Sheffield Wednesday hierarchy must seek to make a change, with 59-year-old McCarthy the man they simply have to turn to.

Sheffield Wednesday fans… what do you think? Let us know!

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The majority of the Birmingham fans that answered our recent poll felt that a new goalkeeper should be the priority for Garry Monk in the January transfer window.

The Blues are currently sitting 12th in the Championship table after 17 games of the campaign, despite suffering a torrid summer having fallen foul of the EFL’s Financial Fair Play regulations.

Monk’s side were placed under a transfer embargo for much of the summer window. However eventually, after working with the EFL, a deal was struck where they could sign up to five players, but none were to be for any sort of fee.

Watch Playmaker FC’s Thogden react to England’s dramatic second-half comeback against Croatia in the video below…

If the Blues are able to make any signings in January, it is clear where the fans want additions to be made. With David Stockdale shunned, 34-year-old Lee Camp making a number of errors recently and youngster Connal Trueman seemingly not ready, a goalkeeper is top of the wish list for Birmingham fans.

In fact, 60 per cent of those who answered our poll said that is where the club should look over any other position. Check out the full results below.

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West Ham were quite simply swept aside by Manchester City on Saturday, and fans are furious with the performance of Arthur Masuaku.

The Hammers stayed true to form as one of the most confusingly inconsistent teams in the league on Saturday, losing 4-0 to the champions despite putting in a pretty good performance.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side created enough chances to stay in the game, but were woefully inefficient in front of goal.

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Pep Guardiola’s side were the total opposite though, ruthlessly exposing the weaknesses down West Ham’s left flank.

Masuaku, who played his best football last season as a wing-back in a back five, has been woeful this season in a back four.

The 25 year-old was withdrawn at half time after a nightmare 45 minutes, and fans are desperate to see Aaron Cresswell back in the starting line-up.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, look away now Arthur…

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed that Tom Rogic missed out on the squad for the 3-0 victory against Hamilton on Saturday with a knee issue, and depending on how bad it is he could potentially be a doubt for the pivotal Europa League tie away at Rosenborg on Thursday.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Australia international’s participation in the 2018 World Cup meant that he perhaps didn’t have his strongest start to the campaign as the club struggled in the Champions League and domestically, but he has since become one of their most influential performers as they have bounced back and hit form.

In his 11 Scottish Premiership appearances this term he has scored three goals and provided a further four assists, and while some may have assumed that he missed out on the squad against Hamilton because of his travelling during the international break, Rodgers confirmed to BT Sport that this wasn’t the case.

The Northern Irishman said: “Tom would have been a doubt, he’s just had a trip across the world, but he has a slight issue with his knee so we thought it best he rested.”

What happens if he misses out against Rosenborg?

Firstly, it would be a huge blow as Celtic currently sit in third position and six points behind Red Bull Salzburg at the top and behind Red Bull Leipzig on goal difference, they desperately need to take all three points against the rock-bottom Norwegian outfit.

Check out the video below to see how Brazil fans reacted to being asked how Cristiano Ronaldo would perform for them in a hilarious prank by Playmaker FC…

Rogic is a player that would be influential in that match, but his absence on Saturday and then potentially on Thursday is slightly easier to take because of the fine form of the likes of Ryan Christie and Olivier Ntcham in recent weeks.

Three goals in his previous four Scottish top-flight starts for the former proves that, and if Rodgers isn’t willing to risk his Australian star then he knows that he has someone who can do a job for him against a side that are yet to pick up a single point in the group.

Southampton have had a fairly terrible season this year but this week, they finally got rid of Mark Hughes.

Hughes did manage to keep the club in the Premier League last season but this year, the former Stoke manager has guided his side to just one win, while losing seven games this season.

In truth, the appointment of Hughes was one Saints should never have made, however, in what looks like a wise appointment, Southampton have reportedly brought in former RB Leipzig manager, Ralph Hassenhuttl according to Sky Sports News.

The Breakdown

Hassenhuttl is regarded as one of the best young managers in Europe and with him at the helm, Southampton could have a coach who can keep them up and hopefully push them up the table next season if they survive.

With his introduction, Southampton need to give him some viable reinforcements in January.

Up front, Southampton have struggled. New signing, Danny Ings looks like he could be a shrewd piece of business but he has recently missed the last two games due to injury. Aside from him, Shane Long, Manolo Gabbiadini and Charlie Austin have all been horrendously out of form and therefore, Southampton should be looking to improve their attacking options.

One player they should be looking at is Brentford’s star striker Neal Maupay. The Frenchman has been in incredible form this season and has scored 13 goals this season and has been one of the players in the league this season.

With Brentford languishing in 17th, a move to the Premier League might be too tempting for the former Nice man.

Thoughts Southampton fans?