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Phil Hay has admitted that Stuart Dallas is still hopeful of playing a part in Leeds United’s season.

The Lowdown: Leeds need everyone fit to stay up

It’s certainly going to be a relegation battle that goes right down until the final day with the bottom nine clubs being separated by just six points as the games begin to dwindle down.

Leeds currently sit outside of the relegation zone despite losing on the weekend, mainly down to the fact some late goals for the likes of Nottingham Forest and Arsenal boosted their chances of survival.

Someone who they’ve clearly missed this season is the versatile Stuart Dallas who picked up a freak and very serious injury last campaign that’s seen him nowhere even near the first-team picture for almost a year now.

The Latest: Dallas could have a say in this season

Prior to his injury Dallas had missed just one game in three seasons for Leeds and despite his serious setback, Hay has admitted on The Phil Hay Show the Northern Ireland international is on schedule to make a timely return this campaign.

He said: (9:10) “I think if he got games in before the season finished then that would be pretty satisfying and that would be him on target, considering how bad the injury was.

“Gracia is giving nothing very little away about injuries at the moment and I haven’t had an update recently on Dallas [but] he appears to be on schedule and he appears to be doing well.

“You’ll remember Marsch saying he had a little cleanup operation not so long ago but I think that was standard and I think that was part of the process but it was never really the expectation that Dallas was going to play a huge part this year.”

The Verdict: Unexpected boost for Gracia

This is more positive news for Leeds, with Phil Hay saying Rodrigo is hopeful of playing against Brighton.

When Gracia walked into Leeds he may have totally discounted long-term absentee Dallas as even a possibility to play this season but the fact he’s remained on schedule for such a long time now is a statement of his character and what leads means to him, which must be obvious given Marsch labelled him as ‘fantastic’ despite him never training/working under the American during his tenure.

Getting someone such as Dallas back in the first team picture, not necessarily starting, but just to have in and around the dressing room could be a huge boost mentally for Leeds in their fight against the drop.

This is because the versatile player who can play midfield or defence was part of the club’s scrap last term and has been around the game for a long time now, so his experienced head could be invaluable if he can just play a few games.

Racism has been a long-standing issue in football teams. It occurs when people discriminate against someone based on the colour of their skin, ethnicity or nationality. Racism can take many forms from verbal abuse to physical violence and it is not limited to any particular team or country – it happens all around the world.

There are many reasons why racism is still present in football teams, including ignorance and lack of education about diversity. Unfortunately, it is often seen as acceptable behaviour by some people and can be perpetuated by the media, which contributes to an environment where racism is tolerated or even encouraged.

Read about racism examples

Racism in football is an issue that has been around for a long time, and unfortunately it still exists today. Football can be an incredibly powerful platform to speak out against racism and its damaging effects. Essays on this topic can help us better understand why racism exists in football and how we can try to prevent it from occurring. For those interested in learning more about racism in football, reading a racism essay on this subject can provide valuable insight. These essays can help us understand the history of racism in football, how it is manifested today, and what we can do to put an end to it.

Effects of racism on footballers

Racism in football can have far-reaching negative effects on players. It can create a hostile environment in the stadium, leading to decreased performance levels and a lack of concentration. Players may feel isolated and unwelcome, which can lead to anxiety and depression.

The psychological impact of racism is significant and long lasting. Being  the victim of racism can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, anger, fear and anxiety. These feelings can impact a player’s performance on the field and their overall mental health. Racism can also cause players to withdraw from the sport altogether.

Furthermore, racism can be a barrier to entry for certain players who might otherwise have been able to participate in the sport. Racism can also lead to poor decisions on and off the field, as players may be influenced negatively by racist comments or language used to describe them.

Finally, racism can have a lasting impact on players’ careers, as they may not receive the same opportunities for growth or recognition because of their race. It is important  to be aware of the impact racism can have on football players, and to take action to combat it.

Dealing with racism on the football field

Let’s discuss the most effective ways to overcome racism in football teams.

1. Promote Diversity and Inclusion in Team Recruitment

Recruiting a diverse team of players helps create an atmosphere that celebrates differences and prevents racism from taking root. Teams should look to recruit talent from all backgrounds, including those with different ethnicities, genders, religions, economic backgrounds, and more. Coaches should also be mindful of any internal biases they may have when selecting players for their team. It’s important to ensure everyone has the same opportunity to compete for a spot regardless of race or background.

2. Train Players on Racial Sensitivity

Teams should have training sessions where they teach players how to be sensitive to people of different races and how to stop racism on their teams. This can include things like:

understanding privilege learning about different cultural practices encouraging respectful communication recognizing biases.

By giving players ways to learn more about each other, teams can make a place where people from all backgrounds feel more welcome.

3. Create a Zero-Tolerance Policy

Teams should also have clear policies in place that outline the consequences for any racist remarks or behaviour. This should ensure everyone feels safe and respected within the team environment without fear of racial discrimination. It’s important that coaches and staff are held accountable as well to ensure they are not tolerating any form of racism on their team or in their organization.

4. Promote Open Dialogue

Creating an open dialogue between players can help them understand each other better and foster a greater sense of unity. Players should be encouraged to discuss their backgrounds and experiences, as well as any racism they have witnessed or experienced in the past. This will help to create a more empathetic atmosphere and make it easier for players to identify any instances of racial discrimination on their team.

5. Support Anti-Racism Organizations

Teams can show how much they want to stop racism by giving money or other resources to anti-racism groups that work to raise awareness and fight systemic racism. Being involved in the fight against racism not only sends a strong message, but it can also start conversations within the team about why this is important and how everyone can help make football more welcoming for everyone.

6. Hold Team Meetings

Regular team meetings should be held to discuss any incidents of racism that may have occurred, as well as strategies for preventing such behaviour in the future. This can help players become more aware of how their words and actions can affect others and ensure everyone feels heard and respected on the team. Additionally, coaches and staff members should be held accountable during these meetings if they are not actively working to prevent racism.

7. Encourage Positive Role Models

Having positive role models within the team can help inspire other players to stand up against discrimination and promote acceptance of differences among all members. Teams should look for players who embody qualities of respect, inclusivity, understanding, and empathy to be seen as leaders in the sport. These players can help set an example for others and show that all racial backgrounds are welcome and celebrated.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, racism in football teams is a deeply complex issue. With the right education and measures put in place by coaches and team leaders, it is possible to overcome racism in football teams. Creating a safe and respectful team environment is key to eradicating racism in football teams.

Photos by Unsplash

West Bromwich Albion are interested in signing both Lewis O’Brien and Nathaniel Chalobah in the January transfer window, according to reports on Sunday morning.

The Lowdown: West Brom looking good for play-offs

The Baggies have recovered from a disastrous start to the season in the Championship, with Carlos Corberan changing their fortunes after the exit of Steve Bruce in the autumn.

West Brom now sit 10th in the table and are only one point off the play-offs and their recent form suggests that they could rise further up the division in the coming months.

New signings may be required for that to become more likely, though, and an intriguing reports has emerged in the morning hours.

The Latest: O’Brien and Chalobah in talks with West Brom

According to The Mail on Sunday [via West Brom News], Albion are in discussions to sign both O’Brien and Chalobah before the transfer deadline on Tuesday night.

The duo are currently in the Premier League with Nottingham Forest and Fulham respectively, but neither have been regular presences at those clubs and could be allowed to leave this month.

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The Verdict: Could be a great double coup

If the Baggies were able to bring in O’Brien and Chalobah, it would have the potential to be game-changing in their promotion push, considering the quality they both possess at Championship level. They have only made a total of seven starts in the Premier League between them this season (O’Brien six, Chalobah one) and could be itching to feature more prominently elsewhere.

Although things aren’t working out for them in the top flight, the former started 46 Championship games for Huddersfield Town last term, averaging 2.1 tackles per game as they reached the play-off final, while the latter has 142 appearances to his name in the second tier and has been promoted from the division with Watford and Fulham in the past two years.

O’Brien and Chalobah could provide stiff competition in the middle of the park at West Brom for the likes of Okay Yokuslu and John Swift, giving Corberan the depth to rotate his squad and keep players fresh as the game comes thick and fast in the final four months of the campaign.

Manchester United are looking at signing a creative player this month, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: United’s position

Erik ten Hag’s side have turned their early-season form on its head of late, with nine wins coming from their last 10 games in all competitions.

Their form has seen them climb to third in the Premier League table with an outside chance of a title push potentially hinging on their result against Arsenal on Sunday, with an eight-point gap currently keeping United off the top of the table.

Despite their league position, the decision by the Glazers to put the club up for sale means that the club have little to no money available to spend – with the Daily Mail previously reporting the club wouldn’t be buying players in January.

The Latest: Romano’s update

So far, the only arrival at Old Trafford this window has been the loan signing of Wout Weghorst, but Romano claimed on his YouTube channel that United are still in the market for a creative player, saying:

“I don’t think Manchester United will have any kind of conversation with the players rumoured from Real Madrid like [Eduardo] Camavinga.

“Man United look for creative signings in the final days of the window if something will be available; otherwise, they will stay with the current squad.”

The Verdict: Van de Beek replacement?

Any links to Camavinga referred to by Romano have since been shut down by the journalist himself after he shared that the Frenchman will likely be staying at Real Madrid following a conversation with his agent – so it appears that United would have to seek alternative targets.

The potential arrival of a creative player at Old Trafford could be down to the severe injury that Donny van de Beek picked up against Bournemouth, with Ten Hag confirming that the Dutchman will miss the remainder of the season.

Although only holding a fringe role at United since arriving for £37.5m (via The Guardian), the 25-year-old has played just 60 games across two and a half years in Manchester.

But before his injury, he appeared in four out of five of United’s previous league games – even starting two – showing his place in the squad is an important one and an incoming could lessen the impact of his absence.

Tottenham Hotspur are tracking the situation of Leandro Trossard and Fabrizio Romano expects some form of development surrounding his future in the coming days.

What’s the latest?

Spurs are said to be eyeing a possible move for the Brighton & Hove Albion forward, Trossard, this month amid his ongoing situation on the south coast.

The Belgian has had a very public falling out with the Brighton manager and is believed to have left the country as their spat developed over the weekend.

It is also believed Spurs have already had a verbal offer for the Belgian rejected by Brighton with the offer believed to be worth in the region of £12m.

And as the speculation continues to grow over his future with Brighton, Romano has said on the House of Champions YouTube channel that he expects the Belgian to leave this month:

“It is true Tottenham approached Brighton. It was a few days ago; at the moment, not reaching any agreement, but it’s true that Tottenham are very interested in Trossard. He’s one of the options they are considering, he’s a player appreciated, but at the moment, it’s still not at an advanced stage yet.

“I think the player will leave in January. The player wants to go; his relationship with De Zerbi and with Brighton, in general, is broken. So the player asked the club to leave immediately and I think in the next days there will be developments for a player who is really interesting – Premier League-proven.”

Optimism for Spurs?

Given their form over the last few months, it would seem apparent that Spurs need some form of a boost this month to rescue their season from truly capitulating.

And it does appear as if the Belgian is the option they could look to if they are to bring in another forward over the course of this month.

However, there is a belief that the Seagulls are looking for an offer in the region of £25m if they are to allow their seven-goal forward to depart in this January window.

There could also be another issue for the Lilywhites in their reported interest in Trossard and that is possible competition from their north London rivals.

Arsenal have recently missed out on the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk to Chelsea and there have since been suggestions that the Belgian could be on their list as a potential alternative.

And if it does come down to a shootout between the two north London sides this month, there would be major question marks as to why Trossard would choose Spurs over Arsenal at the moment.

But it is yet to be seen how his return to Brighton may pan out with his manager, Roberto De Zerbi, actually saying he would welcome him back and look to strengthen their relationship.

But it seems as if Romano is of the belief this stage has sailed past and the Belgian will still be intent on leaving the club this month following the blunt statement released by his agent.

Arsenal still have Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans ‘on the radar’, according to transfer expert Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Arsenal’s Tielemans interest

In May, it was reported by The Telegraph that Mikel Arteta was pushing for Arsenal to make a bid of £25m for the Belgian, who was considered one of the club’s leading targets. However, the move did not transpire, with the manager deciding not to strengthen in central midfield.

Given the partnership that Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka have formed in the Premier League this season, Football London reported that the Gunners are willing to wait until the 25-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the current season before signing him.

However, it has now been reported that he is still being considered by Edu and co…

The Latest: Jones’ update

According to Jones, Tielemans is still a potential option for Arsenal, with the journalist telling GIVEMESPORT:

“I think that they are still concerned about lacking a certain profile of player within their squad, and that is one of the reasons that these players [Mac Allister and Tielemans] continue to be linked and why Tielemans is still on the radar.”

The Verdict: Get it done?

There is no pressing need for Arsenal to strengthen their central midfield options significantly, with Partey and Xhaka averaging Sofascore ratings of 7.12 and 7.06 respectively in the Premier League (both in Gunners’ top eight), striking up a good relationship in the middle of the park.

The injury suffered by Gabriel Jesus perhaps poses the biggest threat to Arsenal’s title charge, so signing a new striker should undoubtedly be the main priority for Arteta in the January transfer window, although signing Tielemans would be a bonus.

Hailed as ‘magnificent’ by journalist Josh Bunting, the Belgian maestro is just coming into his peak footballing years at 25, and he has weighed in with at least ten combined goals and assists in his last two full league campaigns from central midfield with Leicester.

As such, Arsenal should assess whether the 58-cap Belgium international is available on a cut-price deal in January and duly make a bid for him, as there is currently a risk that he chooses to sign a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club.

Wolves’ hopes of signing Marcos Acuna in January have seemingly taken a blow, with reports suggesting that he will remain with the La Liga side due to injury issues in Jorge Sampaoli’s squad.

What’s the word?

It was originally suggested that the Argentina international was surplus to requirements at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium and would be free to complete a £12 move to Molineux next month, where he would reunite with his former manager, Julen Lopetegui.

The Spaniard openly admitted that he wanted to bring the Argentine to Wolves in a recent press conference, saying:

“We are opening up different options because the reality is that we have to reinforce the team in different positions. (Acuna) is a player that I like. But we will see what happens.”

Despite some impressive performances at the World Cup, where he has helped Argentina reach the final in Qatar, it seemed as if the 31-year-old would be easily available for the Old Gold in January, and he could have added some experience to an otherwise youthful defence.

However, those hopes have now seemingly been scuppered after fellow Sevilla left-back Alex Telles picked up an injury with Brazil in Qatar, with Marca reporting that Acuna will be restored to the starting 11 under Sampaoli and perhaps will not be allowed to depart in the winter transfer window.

Bad news for Lopetegui?

While Lopetegui is well stocked at left-back, with Jonny Otto, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Hugo Bueno all capable in that position, Acuna’s experience could have been vital in helping turn Wolves’ season around.

Jonny’s form has seriously declined this season, as the Spaniard has averaged a shocking 6.55 rating from WhoScored for his Premier League performances, compared to 6.75 last year.

Bueno and Ait-Nouri both have promise but it would be a risk to trust two youngsters with relatively little Premier League experience to be the starting left-back for the rest of the campaign, especially given how poor Wolves have been defensively, conceding 24 league goals already.

Acuna has experience playing at the very top, and could definitely feature in this weekend’s World Cup final, while Lopetegui already knows he can trust him from his time at Sevilla.

During his time with Sporting Lisbon, the versatile defender was described as “one of the best in the world” which suggests that he would have been an eye-catching addition at Molineux, considering Wolves are currently propping up the Premier League table.

Acuna’s 6.90 average rating from WhoScored at the World Cup is better than every player in Wolves’ squad bar Ruben Neves in the Premier League, which shows just how good he can be when playing against some of the best in the world.

Consequently, it is undoubtedly bad news for Lopetegui if he remains with Sevilla in January.

West Ham United might wish for a player such as Enner Valencia right now, with the Ecuadorian’s 2022 World Cup campaign reminding the Irons faithful of his talismanic presence on the pitch, something they could do with at present.

Under the tutelage of David Moyes, who took the reins in 2019, West Ham have reached a Europa League semi-final and now look to climb towards Europa Conference League glory, having assuredly topped their group.

However, on the domestic front, the club’s travails have not been an apt reflection of the progress made across the past few years, and despite the summer acquisitions of the likes of Lucas Paqueta and Gianluca Scamacca, the club occupy the 16th spot in the Premier League, just one point off the relegation zone.  

And with just 12 goals scored, the need to bolster the offensive department at the club has not been greater for several years, and Valencia fits that bill. 

Despite failing to qualify from their group, Ecuador enjoyed a decent group phase, defeating Qatar and holding the Netherlands to a draw, but it is talisman Valencia who has earned the plaudits, scoring three of their four goals. 

Indeed, currently standing as the joint top scorer in the tournament, the 33-year-old’s innate clinical nature is something that could aid the Hammers as they strive to climb the league table and return to winning ways. 

As per Sofascore, Valencia recorded a rating of 7.37 for the South American side, threatening with 3.0 shots per match and out-scoring his expected goal tally of 2.27.

And WhoScored state the veteran ace to have made one key pass per match, knitting the offence with the midfield and contributing with 0.7 crosses. 

While he did ply his trade for West Ham, Valencia did not exactly enjoy the most fruitful spell of his career, scoring ten goals and providing seven assists across 68 appearances, although with a wealth of experience at present, he is certainly a better, more complete player at 33-years-old. 

For his domestic club Fenerbahce, the ace, described a “legend”, has furthered the claim that he could still do a job for Moyes’ men, netting 15 times and providing four assists in just 22 outings, as per Transfermarkt.

Ultimately, with age against the sharpshooter, Valencia’s return to London would be most unlikely at the twilight stage of his career, but his knack for finding the back of the net is something that is certainly sparse at West Ham right now, and they could do with his ability and experience. 

Glasgow Rangers return to Premiership action tomorrow following the conclusion of their Champions League campaign, which ended with a 3-1 defeat last Tuesday.

They make the trip to Perth on Sunday to take on St Johnstone and it is another must-win league clash for the Ibrox side. With just three more matches to play before the hiatus for the World Cup begins, Giovanni van Bronckhorst will only be thinking about getting nine points on the board.

The Dutchman would have liked to rotate his squad ahead of the match tomorrow, but an ongoing injury crisis at Ibrox prevents him from having that luxury, and he might make just one or two changes from the defeat to Ajax in midweek.

One player who must be unleashed is John Lundstram, with the Englishman becoming a key part of the Rangers midfield this season.

Lundstram has an average SofaScore rating of 7.28/10 which ranks him fourth in the Rangers squad this season and he has been pivotal in the Ibrox engine room, especially in league action.

The 28-year-old has chipped in with four goals while also taking a staggering 85.2 touches per game as he always demands the ball and looks to create opportunities whenever possible.

With a 70% dribble success rate, his attacking nous is regularly on show. However, this doesn’t mean he shirks his defensive responsibilities – far from it.

The Englishman makes 1.4 tackles per game while winning 52% of his duels, proving to Van Bronckhorst that he can be relied upon at both ends of the field.

Former Rangers boss Alex McLeish dubbed Lundstram as a “trojan”, while Van Bronckhorst claimed that the midfielder “has so much energy”; and with the midfielder missing just two matches this season (one due to suspension), the Dutchman is spot-on.

It could be a tense affair against the Saints tomorrow, but if Lundstram is in the mood, he could play an important role for the Gers as they aim to secure three valuable points.

Life after Steven Gerrard got off to a superb start for Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon as they thrashed Brentford 4-0 at Villa Park.

Leon Bailey opened the scoring in just the second minute before Danny Ings’ brace had the home side 3-0 up before there were 15 minutes on the clock.

Ollie Watkins made it 4-0 against his former club in the second half to ensure that Villa moved away from the bottom three under the guidance of interim manager Aaron Danks.

Considering Villa had scored just seven goals in the top flight prior to today, it was a hugely impressive performance from Danks’ side and there were plenty of man-of-the-match contenders.

While Ings grabbed an important brace, it was arguably Bailey who stole the show, as he produced arguably his best performance in a Villa shirt.

The Jamaica international kicked things off with a well-taken finish from Douglas Luiz’s pass inside two minutes, before picking up an assist for Ings by cutting the ball back for the former Burnley man to slam past David Raya.

Bailey also played a huge role in Villa’s fourth and final goal of the game, as he went on a storming run from essentially his own corner flag before crossing for Watkins, who was able to find the net on the third attempt after being initially denied by Raya and then the post.

The former Bayer Leverkusen man, who cost a whopping £30m, was very consistent with his passing at Villa Park, completing 14/15 passes to register a 93% success rate, which is a significant increase on the 70.7% he has averaged in the Premier League so far this season.

The Villa winger also contributed two key passes and two dribbles, which again is an increase on the 0.9 key passes and 1.3 dribbles he has averaged in the top flight so far this campaign.

Gerrard hinted at the 25-year-old’s quality earlier in the season but he was never really able to produce Sunday’s level of performance under the Liverpool legend.

He said:

“We’ve signed a talent who has produced at his previous clubs and he’s shown flashes. Leon’s focus has to be on staying fit, getting himself in the best physical condition and allowing his talent to flourish. He’s a fantastic player and we need to see more of it.”

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Therefore, while Ings may dominate the headlines after his double, Bailey’s role in three of the four goals suggests that he should be recognised as Danks’ star performer on Sunday.