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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

He might need more convincing than this.

It’s the topic that’s caused much debate around the City Ground in recent times, who are Forest going to bring in to help Lewis Grabban?

Well according to the local press, the club aren’t exactly short of options when it comes to that department.

What’s been said?

Nottinghamshire Live journalist Matt Davies has put together an article in which he lists several players that Sabri Lamouchi and his board should be looking at.

However, there is one name that has been causing a bit of a stir at his current club that stood out among the other names, and that was Leeds United’s Arsenal loanee Eddie Nketiah:

“The 20-year-old is currently on loan at Leeds, but it has been reported Arsenal are ready to recall him over a lack of game time at Elland Road. Nketiah scored four goals in his first six appearances for Leeds, but is yet to start a league game.

“Lamouchi might well be able to give him more opportunities, if Arsenal look to send the England Under-21 international elsewhere in the new year to gain experience.”

Watch Nottingham Forest Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Can they offer him the time though?

The biggest issue that can be raised from that paragraph is the phrase ‘more opportunities’.

Forest need some cover for Grabban to give him rest throughout the season, and they also need someone that they can rely on so that they don’t get a repeat of the result against Wigan Athletic.

But if Lamouchi’s men did make a move for someone like Nketiah, you fear that it would simply be a case of repeating the problem just at a different location.

Whilst Nketiah may have a relatively decent scoring record for Leeds United so far this season, with five goals and an assist in 12 appearances (via Transfermarkt), he has yet to prove that he can do that over the course of ninety minutes on a regular basis – his only starts have come against Salford City and Stoke City in the Carabao Cup.

Check out Matchday with Max’s latest Nottingham Forest vlog in the video below…

So with this in mind, Nketiah could just find himself riding the bench at the City Ground, with the occasional 90 minutes perhaps once a month.

Would that be enough of a change in his circumstances to convince Unai Emery to send him to Forest? You wouldn’t think so.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

12 minutes and a solitary goal tells the story of Lucas Joao’s season at Sheffield Wednesday.

The forward managed a mere appearance from the bench before being shipped on for what was an undisclosed fee to Reading. Despite that, he is still remarkably their joint-third top goal scorer.

In fact, he now has two in total this season, a tally that puts him just three behind Steven Fletcher.

That in itself paints a picture of not only Sheffield Wednesday’s struggles in front of goal, but also their over-reliance on one man in particular.

Atdhe Nuhui has done his best to provide support for the Scotland international and Fernando Forestieri might well give added cover, but considering the one flaw under Garry Monk, letting Joao leave was an error.

Whatever the fee was, there were far more expendable options at Hillsborough this season, not least in Jordan Rhodes who doesn’t appear to be anywhere near the first-team picture at present.

Wednesday still aren’t doing badly this term and sit just outside the playoffs in what is an incredibly tight top half. However, come the end of the season, letting Joao go is something they may live to regret.

The Portuguese has never set the world alight in English football but he did net ten times last term. Based on the fact only two players have scored more than once in the current side for the time being, it would be amazing if anyone other than Fletcher bagged double figures.

Last season the 26-year-old was their second-best marksman behind Fletcher so why did they let him leave? It can only be put down to an error of judgement considering they then failed to bring in a replacement.

Joao was never a regular in the team and only started 18 times in 2018/19 but he was still a valuable option, one you imagine would now suit Monk’s team down to the ground.

Possessing the ability to play upfront or on the flanks, it’s a position of the pitch the new boss could do with more quality in, especially with Fletcher the only potent member of the squad.

He’s lacking a second striker capable of finding the back of the net while the performances of Adam Reach on the right hasn’t done much to please supporters either.

Perhaps the £2.25m-rated forward could have been the man to fill in for both roles as he did at times last season.

For the time being, the thing holding the Owls back is their ability to fashion chances and score goals. Via WhoScored, they’ve netted 16 times but from only 12.2 shots per game – the 14th worst tally in the entire division.

What they could do with another man capable of actually finding the back of the net.

Tottenham have failed to name an unchanged line-up in consecutive matches this season and that looks set to continue tonight as they host Red Star Belgrade.

Many players continued to underperform against Watford at the weekend, including the likes of Toby Alderweireld and Danny Rose, who received ratings of five and three respectively from Football London.

With Spurs fortunate not to fall 2-0 behind to the Hornets as a result of a penalty which wasn’t given to the away side, Mauricio Pochettino still has worries in defence, and that could lead to personnel changes.

Juan Foyth has steadily built up his minutes on the pitch over the course of the international break and his return would be welcomed by some.

Another who splits opinion is Ben Davies, but with Danny Rose playing far from his best this is the perfect opportunity for him to show his boss that he should return to being first-pick, and his link-up play with Son Heung-min on the left-flank could prove vital.

There could be other notable changes too, and here’s how we think Pochettino should line his team up tonight.

With Christian Eriksen’s availability still in question, the Argentine would be wise to operate with the same front four that finished the match on Saturday.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

They provide pace and intensity up-front and should be crucial on and off the ball, with Dele Alli in particular showing signs that he is on his way back to his confident best against Watford, with two key passes and three successful dribbles to add to his goal.

Another bonus for Tottenham is that Giovani Lo Celso is likely to be involved, though considering he hasn’t played for almost two months he will probably start on the bench, but his creativity – with six assists last season – could come in handy if Spurs need a goal, and he should be expected to come on in order to build his fitness.

Another player who could return is Eric Dier. He should provide some protection to the back four and Red Star Belgrade could be a chance for him to rebuild some confidence, having struggled for both game time and form so far this term.

He has a pass accuracy of just 71% in the league but has averaged two tackles a game, and that could prove very useful tonight.

[ad_pod ]Jamie Carragher’s Sky Sports career has brought us some great analysis, banter and commentary, but one thing that we’re all incredibly grateful for is the unintentionally hilarious moments he’s provided over the years.Whether he’s reacting to Thierry Henry’s inappropriate leg touching after learning of Brendan Rodgers’ sacking or walking away from a presenter alongside Gary Neville, the Liverpool legend is the source of some hilarious images that are still used on social media to this day.This weekend saw another of these moments arise, as Roy Keane kindly reminded Carragher that Liverpool have never won a Premier League title.

Just look at Carragher’s little face.

Much like that classic episode of The Simpsons when Lisa dumps Ralph live on TV, you can pinpoint the exact moment his heart breaks in half.

Watch Liverpool Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

It’s clear that the former centre-back still harbours bad memories of the 2013/14 season, as the slightest mention of that campaign’s failure left Carragher looking as if his soul had just left his body.

It almost makes you feel bad for him… almost.

Leeds suffered a big blow to their ambitions over the next month and a half on Wednesday as the club confirmed that Liam Cooper would be out for up to six weeks.It was also said that Jamie Shackleton would be out of action for a month as well. The pair both went off injured during Leeds’ 1-0 win over West Brom on Tuesday as the positive of winning was slightly lessened.For Cooper, it’s a groin problem while Shackleton is to be kept out with a hamstring issue.It was news that left some Leeds fans seriously concerned as they took to Twitter to reveal their displeasure.One fan claimed it was really bad news as a further individual stated the squad was now under serious pressure due to its small size.Another supporter suggested it was a big worry for defending set-pieces now Cooper was out. Leeds’ training regime was also questioned.

Cooper has been an important figure under Marcelo Bielsa and was named in the PFA Team of the Year last season. Shackleton, meanwhile, had started the last four games and was slowly finding his feet.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

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Mike Dean has been removed as the fourth official for Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League clash with Chelsea on Wednesday night.

Dean had been selected as an official for the clash at Stamford Bridge, but has been removed following his confrontation with Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino in the aftermath of Saturday’s clash with Burnley.

Indeed, Pochettino angrily approached Dean after the final whistle at Turf Moor, with the Spurs manager unhappy with a number of decisions.

Indeed, the corner which led to Burnley’s opening goal should have been a goal kick, while Pochettino also appeared to be unhappy with a number of challenges from the home side in what was a 2-1 Tottenham defeat.

Pochettino has since been charged by the Football Association and has until February 28 to respond.

Pl>ymaker FC’s Matchday with Max caught up with Jamaica’s women’s team. See what happened when he met the history makers in the video below…

The Tottenham fans, though, are at least pleased that Dean has been switched from their match to the clash between Manchester City and West Ham United.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

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Tottenham Hotspur will hope to get their Champions League campaign off to a bang when they face Olympiacos in Athens on Wednesday evening.

Spurs went all the way to the final last season where they were beaten by Premier League rivals Liverpool, and having got a taste for it then they will surely be determined to make it back to the last two again this time around – potentially even going that crucial step further.

They warmed up for the trip to Greece perfectly with a comprehensive 4-0 win against Crystal Palace at the weekend, but what XI will manger Mauricio Pochettino select in midweek considering he has openly talked about rotating his team?

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Here is our prediction…

Football London correspondent Alasdair Gold tweeted on Tuesday that Danny Rose and Serge Aurier have remained back home in London, which suggests Ben Davies and Kyle Walker-Peters are all-but certain to take up the full-back roles against Olympiacos.

Inside of them will be Hugo Lloris between the sticks, with Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld continuing their recent partnership at the heart of the backline.

Midfield is where it gets interesting, with two ever-present starters this season in Erik Lamela and Moussa Sissoko dropping down to the substitutes’ bench, with club-record buy Tanguy Ndombele returning to the XI alongside Harry Winks, and Dele Alli and Lucas Moura given their opportunity to impress – of course the latter netted a brilliant hat-trick against Ajax back in May to take Spurs to Madrid.

Christian Eriksen features alongside them as two-goal weekend goalscorer Son Heung-min also misses out, with Harry Kane once again leading the line up top.

Newcastle United are reportedly now moving to sign Issa Diop before the January transfer window shuts.

The Lowdown: Centre-back still needed

Despite the good business that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium have done so far this window, a central defender has still not been signed.

They have been strongly linked with moves for Brighton and Hove Albion duo Adam Webster and Dan Burn, and with just a few more days left in the month, expect the new owners to be very busy on their phones as the clock ticks down.

And now, according to reports from the player’s homeland, it is another Premier League club that the Magpies are plotting to raid.

The Latest: Diop move

As per L’Equipe (via Sport Witness), the North East club are now ‘making moves’ to sign Diop, and there have been ‘discussions in recent hours’ with the player’s camp over a potential switch.

They ‘considered’ signing the West Ham United centre-back at the start of the window before moving on to other targets, but now it looks as if they have gone back in for him.

The Verdict: Get it done

With the clock ticking by, the Tyneside outfit just need to get this deal done as soon as possible.

Diop would be an upgrade on what Eddie Howe currently has at his disposal, as he is currently averaging more tackles and passes at a higher success than Ciaran Clark, Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles in the Premier League so far this season (WhoScored), and is at a good age at 25.

With his six-foot-four frame, the Frenchman is a bit of a beast, and Jose Mourinho even went as far as to dub him a ‘monster‘ back in 2018, after dominating duels against his Manchester United team.

Nonetheless, with his added experience of playing in the top flight, Diop would be a very smart signing.

In other news, find out what exciting transfer update Keith Downie has dropped here!

It’s time for Leeds United to move on from Tyler Roberts this summer.

Even in the absence of leading talisman Patrick Bamford, the Wales international has struggled for minutes – even academy duo Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood appear to sit ahead of him in the pecking order under American boss Jesse Marsch.

But that should hardly come as a surprise, given the form of the 23-year-old since the Yorkshire giants returned to the promised land of the Premier League.

Although, overall, a record of nine goals and ten assists across 108 appearances is not good reading for a forward.

Just two of those direct contributions have come this season, where he has featured in 23 top-flight games, as per Transfermarkt. Roberts has not started a game for the Whites since the 3-1 win over Burnley back in January – a game in which he failed to score.

Leeds actually looked the better side and found the net twice after his early bath on the hour mark, which is rather telling.

He has now been absent from Marsch’s matchday squad in three straight games due to injury and has made only four substitute appearances in 2022.

According to talkSPORT and Football Insider pundit Gabby Agbonlahor, Roberts will “be in the Championship” next season as “he’s not a Premier League player.”

Also slammed by the former Villa frontman for being “shocking” and “not good enough”, the former West Bromwich Albion youth product is surely nearing the exit door in this new era at Elland Road.

Thought to be earning wages in the region of £45k-per-week, Roberts has been absolutely stealing a living from the club.

When you factor in the initial £2.5m it cost to prise him away from the Baggies in January 2018, the Welshman has cost chairman Andrea Radrizzani and the club’s coffers in excess of £12m – and that’s only going to rise as he’s under contract until the summer of 2024.

Signed a year after the Italian’s arrival at Leeds, it’s fair to suggest that Roberts has been one of the worst signings under his leadership. He’s certainly not someone that Marsch should persist with past the summer.

Amid links to RB Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson, it could only be a matter of time before the 23-year-old is moved on, justifiably so, too.

AND in other news, Forget Joffy: Leeds must seal bargain swoop for teen prodigy with 40 goals this season…

Pete Graves has now dropped a Newcastle United transfer claim from the new owners.

The Lowdown: Wood confirmed

The St. James’ Park faithful confirmed the signing of Chris Wood from Burnley for an undisclosed fee on Thursday morning, and he has signed a two-and-a-half year deal.

He has been registered in time for their crucial game at home against Watford in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, and joins Kieran Trippier to be their second signing in the January transfer window so far.

Nonetheless, there promises to be more on the way, with the likes of Marcos Senesi and Benoit Badiashile recently being linked with a move to the North East and a desperate need for additions in the heart of defence – the Magpies have the second-most goals conceded in the league.

The Latest: Transfer claim from owners

As per Graves, the new owners feel as if Premier League experience will be ‘key’ in their battle to avoid relegation down to the Championship, and so following the signing of Wood, they may go down that route again for their other targets:

“There’s a feeling amongst key members of the ownership that Premier League experience will be key in survival battle.”

The Verdict: Ideal, but not vital

Of course, signing players that have past experience in the top flight is ideal, as they know what to expect and some, like Wood, may have even faced a relegation battle before.

However, you can find unknown gems from outside of the division, and they would often come cheaper, given that you would not be buying directly from one of your rivals – Feyenoord’s Senesi is a prime example, valued at £10.8m by Transfermarkt.

Nonetheless, whatever strategy the new owners use, it has to be perfect if they are to give Eddie Howe a chance of keeping them up, and signing Trippier and Wood, who both have experience in the top flight, is certainly a good start.

In other news, find out who NUFC are in ‘advanced talks’ to sign here!