The lottery of the play-offs brings both risk and reward for the teams who enter it each year throughout the footballing pyramid in England.

A side can finish twenty points ahead of the other three teams but if they do not perform over a two-legged clash, all their hard-work can be undone in a flash. However, whereas winning a league title to secure promotion brings with it its own joys, fans would argue that there is no better feeling than seeing your side triumph at Wembley Stadium.

In Sheffield United’s case this season, they may have settle for the play-offs despite being just two points behind Leeds United in the Championship standings. The Blades’ defeat to Bristol City saw them drop out of the top two as the Whites secured a stunning comeback at Elland Road, beating Millwall 3-2 to leapfrog their Yorkshire rivals.

Although there is still seven games to go for Chris Wilder’s side to usurp Leeds and claim a top-two finish in May, he will know that any further slip-ups could be terminal for the Blades. With tough fixtures against Preston North End and Nottingham Forest to come in the next few weeks, United will have to be at the top of their game to secure automatic promotion to the Premier League.

However, if they do fall short at the end of the season, it could be argued that they will enter the play-offs as one of the favourites to win the competition with West Bromwich Albion likely to be their biggest challengers. The Blades are currently scheduled to face Derby County in the semi-finals and will take confidence from the fact that they beat the Rams 3-1 in their most recent match-up.

Regardless of who they face in May, Wilder will be confident of beating anyone if his side can produce the form which they have been illustrating throughout the 2018/19 campaign. A promotion via the play-offs would not only give the club’s supporters a day to remember at Wembley Stadium but it would also hugely beneficial financially. Fulham’s 1-0 victory over Aston Villain the final of the competition last season saw them receive £94.7m this season which will eventually rise to a total of £174.8m over the next two campaigns (via the Independent).

On an individual basis, Wilder’s record when reaching the play-offs is a perfect one as he won his one and only final as a manager whilst in charge of Oxford United as the Yellows defeated York City to achieve promotion to League Two in 2010. This experience of triumphing could therefore prove to be vital for the Blades if they are to miss out on a top-two finish in the Championship this year.

What do you think United fans? Would you take guaranteed success in the play-offs over automatic promotion? Or should your club prioritise a top-two finish instead? Let us know below.

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Transfer deadline day is criminally devoid of notable Hollywood stories considering the level of hype it generates. It seems that the entire premise of the day is built upon the fact that Manchester City once signed Robinho and attempted to hijack Manchester United’s bid for Dimitar Berbatov on the same day.

Just as City’s wealth and exponential rise from clinical mediocrity to elite domination is unprecedented, so was their transfer activity on August 31st 2008. Transfer stories further down the leagues seldom generate the same level of interest as those concerning Premier League clubs, but the culmination of Leeds United’s lengthy and well documented pursuit of Daniel James was a deadline-day story for the annals.

The promotion-chasing outfit were deprived of their primary target in dramatic circumstances, leaving Phil Hay and his multitude of loyal followers in a state of bewildered meltdown. Circumstances will surely dictate whether the Whites return for James in the summer: promotion will line Andrea Radrizanni’s pockets with mounds upon mounds of cash and Swansea’s awareness of the financial implications of promotion will naturally give them added power on the negotiating table.

But the pulsating 21-year-old may have already priced Leeds out of a move with his performance against Manchester City in the FA Cup just under ten days ago. A game which was broadcast live on the BBC, Swansea shell-shocked the quadruple-chasing giants in a captivating first-half. James was at the forefront of every incisive move the Swans constructed, leaving Nicolas Otamendi in a pool of treacle as he flicked the jets on his heels before racing forward at Olympian-esque speed.

It was the type of performance which, in-front of a national audience, can launch a player into stardom in one fleeting 90 minute slice of football. Those who had heard tales of the James to Leeds saga finally understood what all the fuss was about, and it’s fair to assume that Premier League clubs will have been watching with legitimate intrigue.

In the aftermath of proceedings, this is what Guardian journalist Ben Fisher had to say about the performance: ‘As for James, who was set to join Leeds in January for a fee rising to £10m only for Swansea to pull the plug at the 11th hour, eye-catching performances such as these could start a bidding war.’

While it would be rash to assume that top-flight clubs will be convinced to table bids for the Wales international based on the evidence of one performance, his ability to stand out in a clash of that magnitude underlined his credentials to grow above and beyond the Championship.

A recent report from the Daily Telegraph revealed that James has previously clocked up a personal best top speed of 36kph, just one kph shy of the official FIFA record set by Arjen Robben in 2014. Pace is one of the rawest and most unteachable virtues in football and it’s a commodity which clubs intensely desire, so there’s no doubt that Fisher’s verdict could turn prophetic in the summer window.

And James’ match-winning display for Wales against Slovakia on Sunday may well have intensified any lingering feelings of ruefulness that were spinning around Bielsa’s head.

At £10million Leeds could have snapped up a cunning acquisition in the winter window with plenty of resale value. That price-tag, however, looks set to be doubled at the very least by the basic supply and demand rule which drives the footballing market just like everything else.

As the acute awareness of a potential missed opportunity begins to dawn upon Leeds fans with a potential bidding war on the horizon, the underwhelming start to life in the top-flight Wolves’ chief pace merchant Adama Traore has experienced may offer some comfort.

That is about the only divergence to offer from the natural feelings of what might have been which emerged in light of James’ breathtaking FA Cup showing.

It is no secret that Arsenal are a club desperate for some summer reinforcements when the transfer window re-opens again. While there have been some promising signs this season, Unai Emery appears to be a man working with one hand tied behind his back, so every fan reading this will be keen to see the Gunners spend.

Despite them now being on course to obtain a top-four finish, the season has proven to be very difficult for Emery during his first year in charge.

On countless occasions, they have been struck back by injuries and it is now confirmed that Aaron Ramsey will be departing this summer on a free transfer. With some sure to follow the Welshman out the door, a particular focus for the Spanish coach needs to be how they will replenish their midfield and Lille’s Thiago Mendes could be the perfect option for them.

Mendes, (who is valued at £19.8 million on Transfermarkt) is a defensive-minded midfielder that differs to Aaron Ramsey but would allow Arsenal to either set-up more defensively in games or then give someone the freedom to push further forward.

Lille’s turnaround from last campaign has been largely to do with Thiago Mendes and how instrumental he’s been in midfield. He’s played 28 times this season and whilst without scoring a goal himself, has laid on two assists for his team-mates, so would look at home at the Emirates.

Graft as well as guile, that’s what the club needs.

Arsenal would undoubtedly be a challenging move for him but with the quality he has shown this season alone, Mendes is built to play for one of the biggest teams.

He has plenty of time on his side to get adjusted at the Emirates and he could become an influential player for the Gunners. Linked (by RMC via Tribal Football) with big moves to England before, he’d be a wonderful addition.

Arsenal fans, would you back a move for Thiago Mendes? If not, why not? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

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In 2013, George Boyd’s move to Nottingham Forest collapsed because of an inconclusive eye test. However, as the 33-year-old rolled back the years to crash home a stunning strike from the left against that very team, there was no doubting his eyesight whatsoever.

It’s rather ironic that the Scot chose Forest as the opposition for a mini-career revival and it proved timely for Wednesday as he boosted their play-off hopes and dented the team’s chances he could have been playing for.

The winger was in phenomenal form as the Owls bounced back from defeat last weekend, claiming an assist as well as a goal as he silenced the critics he’d received in recent weeks.

Boyd’s contract is due to expire this summer but recent displays show he may be worth holding on to.

After all, he’s stepped up in place of the injured Rolando Aarons, a man ten years his junior and full of energy on the flank. The Newcastle loanee missed out against Stoke and during that game, Boyd showed no signs of being able to replace him sufficiently.

But against Villa and Forest he’s more than shown he still has what it takes. If he can find consistency in the final part of the season a new deal could well be on the cards.

George Boyd (Sheffield Wednesday vs Nottingham Forest)

1 shot on target

40 touches

30 total passes

2 key passes

3 aerial duels won

(Stats courtesy of WhoScored)

The former Burnley man’s display wasn’t all about his goal and assist though. Although that will encourage supporters it was his work rate for someone in the later stages of his career that was perhaps most impressive.

Boyd had the fewest touches of anyone in his team but still managed to be an influence. He showed strong prowess in the air, winning aerial duels in the defensive half of the pitch as well as in offensive areas as he proved to be a menace for the Forest defence.

Before this match, it’s likely Steve Bruce would have been doubting his options in attack. Gary Hooper had made a return from injury but out wide they seemed stretched.

However, the performance of both Boyd and Marco Matias who scored twice has given the Owls boss a selection dilemma he didn’t think he would have.

This is a season-defining week for the club who still have to play Leeds this weekend. It’ll be refreshing, therefore, for the Hillsborough faithful to know that Bruce can rely on more than just his key players during the run-in.

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West Ham want to sign Jonjo Shelvey in the summer transfer window, and Newcastle United would be foolish to stand in their way.

What’s the story?

According to The Northern Echo, Shelvey is a target for Manuel Pellegrini this summer.

The report claims the Hammers made “a number of enquiries” during the January window, but their approaches were rejected.

Rafael Benitez was “extremely reluctant” to allow the midfielder to leave, claims the aforementioned report, but Pellegrini will come again for the 6-cap England international.

And Benitez won’t stop the move from happening this time, as the Spaniard has “doubts about his work rate and willingness to buy in to the team ethic” reports The Northern Echo.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….

Boost for Longstaff

It’s not surprising that Benitez was desperate to hang on to Shelvey even despite the 27 year-old making just 14 appearances in all competitions this season.

At the time, Sean Longstaff had not really made the impression that he is going to be a long-term starter, which he now has, and Ki Sung-yueng was away on international duty and struggling with a hamstring injury.

Now though, the gaffer knows he has the full summer to replace Shelvey, and if the midfielder is not buying into his ideology then there is really no point keeping him around.

The Magpies should bleed West Ham dry for the ex-Liverpool midfield and put the money to good use in finding a long-term partner for Longstaff.

In fact, selling Shelvey might just be the best thing to ever happen to Longstaff, as the 21 year-old’s path to the first team was previously blocked by the ex-Liverpool ace, with both attempting to fill the same role in Benitez’s midfield.

If West Ham are so desperate to secure the long-shot master that they overpay the Magpies, providing the money is put to good use, it would pave the way for Longstaff to have an even better career than he already looks destined for.

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Respected Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague has issued an update on Christian Eriksen’s future on his official YouTube channel, insisting that Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is not convinced about the prospect of signing the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder even though the club wants him.

The Spurs playmaker has been heavily linked with a move to the Spanish capital in recent months.

What’s the word?

Eriksen has yet to commit his future to Spurs, with his contract set to expire at the end of next season.

The Independent reported in January that Real had initiated contact over the possibility of a summer move that they hoped would be worth around £100m.

A Guardian report since has claimed that chairman Daniel Levy values the Denmark international at £130m.

And Balague has now stated that, while the player wants to move to Real, Zidane is not sure he possesses the qualities required by Los Blancos.

In a video posted on his official account, Balague said: “Christian Eriksen hasn’t signed a new contract for Spurs. Real Madrid showed interest in Harry Kane and in Eriksen, at least a year and a half ago, and Harry Kane signed a new contract after that and Eriksen hasn’t.

“So Eriksen is waiting for Real Madrid. Real Madrid feel that he will be the perfect replacement for Modric. Not sure I agree with that, but in any case, that is what Real Madrid are thinking, so they want Eriksen, they will try to get him, the problem will always be will Daniel Levy sell? And that conversation hasn’t taken place yet.

“Do Real Madrid want him? Absolutely, despite the fact that Zinedine Zidane is not absolutely impressed with him, but Real Madrid have had long conversations with Eriksen entourage and the club have identified him as a target for sure.”

The grass isn’t always greener

Eriksen should perhaps think twice about the possibility of moving to Real.

It appears inevitable, at this stage, that he will depart Spurs in the summer but there is no guarantee that he will be a key member of Zidane’s squad from next season.

Indeed, he has flattered to deceive for a while at Spurs and has been largely anonymous during their dip in form, in which they have gone five Premier League games without a win.

A major transfer fee would surely see Spurs sell and they are unlikely to put up too much of a fight if the offer exceeds £100m.

Eriksen, though, may be destined to repeat the feats of Gareth Bale, another former Spurs star who is now regularly whistled at in Madrid.

Spurs are going to fall short once again in the race for the Premier League title, as the club once again just miss out on England’s top prize.

Mauricio Pochettino will be keen to see his team keep progressing in the coming seasons, as he looks to build on a solid foundation and take advantage of the club finally moving into their new home at the former site of White Hart Lane.

The Argentinian will be keen to start bringing some trophies to the club to cap off and have something to show for what has been a fine period in charge of the club, but he will also be aware that there has to be some tweaks at the club if they are to bring that success to the fans.

That got us here in the Tavern thinking a bit, and we think that Pochettino will be keen on ensuring he addresses a few issues at the club this summer.

With that, we looked at TWO areas of concern Pochettino might look to sort out at Spurs during pre-season…

The addition of a quality second striker

While Spurs have one of the best in the world in Harry Kane, the same can’t be said about the second choice forward players at his disposal.

It’s tough trying to find someone to play second fiddle to Kane, but this is something Pochettino needs to try and sort out, and signing a quality new striker could well take his side to the next level.

Improving the mentality of this players

Despite their brilliant football, Spurs are in danger of becoming the nearly men of English football, with the club falling short at crucial stages in the last three campaigns now.

Pochettino needs to address this within his squad before falling at the final hurdle almost becomes a bad habit.

Its easier said than done of course, but it’s something the Spurs boss simply has to look at going forward.

What a missed opportunity that was! Manchester United had the chance to reach an FA Cup semi-final where only Manchester City looked a threat, but they blew it and it proves how right United are not give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the job just yet.

The attacking football has been exciting. It’s fast, it’s dynamic and it does what Jose Mourinho failed to do in his tenure, get the most out of their wealth of forward-facing talent. However, when they lose the ball, the whole United side looks at sea and that’s down to Solskjaer’s careless nature.

There’s a reason he didn’t succeed at Cardiff, and that’s because they weren’t organised enough to deal with playing against teams who had more of the ball and were better than them, which was probably every team in the Premier League at the time. This weakness is shown less at United because they’re on the front foot in most games, but it rears its head on occasions.

Wolves are confident on their home turf, and it showed in their ability to retain the ball and attack with intent. That will have been encouraged by their knowledge that Solskjaer’s side are there for the taking if you go at them. PSG at Old Trafford and Arsenal last week proved this.

It’s clear United need investment at the back in the summer. Jose Mourinho obviously knew it, and that seems to be the reason why he didn’t feel he could attack with the freedom the current manager is doing. If he did, then United would struggle to defend the large spaces they leave at the back, just as they did against Wolves.

Mourinho would most probably have won that game on Saturday, and it once again shows that United must be cautious not to make a romantic appointment and bide their time to see if the Norweigan wises up defensively between now and the end of the season.

Man United fans, do you think the Wolves defeat was Solskjaer’s fault or his players’? Join the discussion by commenting below…

سجّل أنتوني لوزانو لاعب قادش، هدف فريقه الأول في مرمى فريق ريال مدريد بالدوري الإسباني.

ريال مدريد يواجه قادش على ملعب “ألفريدو دي ستيفانو”، ضمن لقاءات الجولة السادسة من الليجا.

وجاء الهدف في الدقيقة 16، عبر لوزانو، الذي استغل خطأ دفاعي، وغالط تيبو كورتوا، وسدد الكرة من أعلى الحارس البلجيكي، ليُسجّل الهدف الأول في المباراة. شاهد هدف قادش الاول في مرمي ريال مدريد

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Tottenham fans are fuming at Erik Lamela, as the winger is set to miss out on Tuesday’s epic Champions League showdown against Manchester City.

According to Football.London’s Alasdair Gold, Lamela was one of three players who did not train with the group ahead of Tuesday’s clash.

Serge Aurier is missing for personal reasons, while Eric Dier is struggling with a hip problem.

For Lamela, it is his hamstring this time, as the Argentine international just cannot get fit for any extended period of time.

Already this season, the 27 year-old has missed games due to personal reasons, a lower leg injury and several other knocks and strains, and fans are getting fed up of seeing him on the pitch for one game before going back to the treatment table for the next six.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he would have snubbed Tottenham for Arsenal if they’d come knocking in 2005…

Mauricio Pochettino will need every tool at his disposal to take down Pep Guardiola’s centurions on Tuesday, and while there is no confirmation that Lamela is officially out of the match, fans have pretty much already given up on the Argentine.

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