Allardyce, Cooper still believe they can haul Leeds and Forest out of relegation mire

This weekend throws up some intriguing matches at the bottom of the Premier table.

Several clubs are fighting to avoid relegation against formidable opponents.  Sam Allardyce and Steve Cooper still believe they can haul Leeds and Forest out of the relegation zone.

Since this week Monday, Allardyce has arrived at Leeds’ training ground every morning at 7 am and worked until 8.30 pm. He was the first to arrive and last to leave.

Early morning breakfast has been cut short and Big Sam has worked his players hard with practice matches, extensive runs and short passing one on one.

Analyzing videos of recent matches has played a big part as Allardyce picks on player strengths and weaknesses. Leeds host Newcastle with Southampton, facing almost certain relegation, taking on Fulham at St Mary’s Stadium.

Everton’s game against Manchester City will be crucial for the Toffees after their amazing 5-1 thrashing of Brighton at the Amex Stadium and Leicester entertain Liverpool at King Power Stadium. 

These are all matches that the relegation sides must win but Newcastle will be looking to distance themselves from Manchester United and hang onto their top-four place by beating Leeds at Elland Road and Eddie Howe has prepared his team with each player given a specific task which pinpoints Leeds’ recent player performances.

Nottingham Forest, fresh from their 4-3 win over Southampton must travel to Stamford Bridge and try to beat Frank Lampard’s Chelsea.

Villa boss Emery targets Europe

This weekend Aston Villa take on Tottenham who are three points ahead of them in the table. Emery’s explained to us that his focus is on winning a place in the Europa Conference competition next season.

Brighton are just one point above them but have two games in hand and a difficult match away at Arsenal on Sunday. It could all come down to a showdown when the two clubs play each other on May 28.

Villa’s climb up the table has been halted by successive 1-0 defeats and Emery thinks his best chance is to beat Tottenham who visit this weekend.

Emery said this week, “I am now thinking for the next match at home with our supporters and still keeping our chances to get a European Conference League place lies with beating sixth-placed Spurs. They are in the European positions and we have to try and get the last opportunity. We deserve to get it. I am now thinking for the next match at home with our supporters and I am going to prepare something special to beat Spurs.”

Villa have Diego Carlos, Boubacar Kamara, Philippe Coutinho and Matty Cash all available again for the match.

 Arteta is confident of keeping Saliba

Mikel Arteta says he is working hard behind the scenes to keep William Saliba at Arsenal.

The 22-year-old center-back is a very important part of the coach’s plans for next season and is waiting for the “right moment” to reward him with a new improved contract.

His importance is emphasized by the Gunners' performances which have suffered since he was injured in the match against Sporting in the Europa League in March.

Saliba will enter the final year of his contract very shortly and the Gunners are aware that if they do not tie him to a new deal he could leave on a free transfer in 2024. Edu, the sporting director, is key to negotiations.

Arteta said, “Edu and the board are on top of every negotiation regarding new contracts and now we are doing everything we possibly can and the communications and relationship with William are excellent.”

 Kane watching Spurs' coach progress 

Harry Kane has asked club chairman Daniel Levy to keep him informed of the progress the club is making in bringing in a new coach.

Levy is already talking to former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann but I can reveal the shortlist of candidates also includes Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi, Bayer Leverkusen and ex-Real Madrid maestro Xabi Alonso, and Portuguese Sporting CP coach Ruben Almorim.

Kane has one year left on his contract and will then be 30 years of age. He once again pledged his loyalty to the club this week and said he will not speak to the chairman until Spurs have played their final three games and says he remains calm that Levy will hire the best coach.

At present Harry is fully behind his close friend Ryan Mason who stepped in when Antonio Conte left and he said, “We’re all behind him. I spoke about getting the clubs’ values back and I believe Ryan brings those qualities to the club. He’s been through our academy, he knows what it’s like to be a fan, and he knows what it’s like to play here. His attitude and desire bring great enthusiasm to the coaching role.”

Mason has told Daniel Levy that he too wants to be considered for the coaching position.

De Gea's future in the balance 

Once again, the future of David De Gea as Manchester United’s number one is under discussion. Several senior people inside the club think his £375k-a-week salary should be reduced but his contract extended. It is certainly an unusual situation.

United could have already triggered the one-year extension highlighted in his current contract and used him as number two next season and released him the following summer but they are aware that if they qualify for the Champions League next season, his salary will automatically continue at £375k as per his current contract.

Erik Ten Hag keeps giving us the same defence of De Gea every time we ask about his future. He says his keeper is top of the clean-sheet table in the Premier League and has not had a disastrous season.

There have been some notable performances against West Ham in the league and cup and his amazing save against Crystal Palace which was a finger-tip effort save from striker Jean-Phillipe Mateta.

How Everton beat Brighton 5-1

Everton coach Sean Dyche said after the game that the most satisfying aspect of beating Brighton 5-1 was the players sticking to his carefully prepared plan of how to win against the Seagulls.

Dyche said, “There has been a lot of criticism of our away form but I am delighted with the players delivering my pre-match tactics training. If you get it right everybody praises you and if you lose maybe you got the tactics right but you haven’t performed it. They have done very well. That’s really the whole point of managing a team. You give them a format to work from and for them to take it on and go and deliver.Brighton play a very particular way. They play two boxes in the middle of the pitch and they pass the ball inside those boxes and look to play clever ‘round the corners’. I thought we stopped that effectively. You have just got to be patient and once you break their game plan you can go for it. I told the players at half time Brighton were probably going to quicken the pace, play more direct from crossing positions and getting it wide to the box and I knew if they did that we would have more open space. Jordan Pickford also made some excellent saves when they came forward.”

 Alexander -Arnold succeeding midfield 

In case you hadn’t noticed, Liverpool are up to fifth in the table and only one point behind Manchester United who have a game in hand.

Jurgen Klopp’s push for a Champions League place has to be taken seriously and Erik Ten Hag is nervously looking over his shoulder.

On a day when the Liverpool crowd booed the Coronation British national anthem, Mo Salah scored yet another goal which takes his season tally to 30 and Jurgen was busy telling us how well Trent Alexander-Arnold has converted from wing back to playing a starring role in midfield.

The 24-year-old was commanding against Brentford and since the start of April no player has enjoyed more assists as he moves forward threatening in attack and his through ball to Darwin Nunez would have pleased Christian Eriksen, Martin Odegaard and other notable midfield specialists.

Klopp wouldn’t commit himself to Trent remaining in the centre but I think he will be looking for a new defensive back instead of midfielder this summer.

Klopp paid tribute to his goalkeeper Allison, for my money the best goal stopper in the world, as he joined the 100 club after keeping his 100th clean sheet since joining the Reds in 2016.

Gundogan heading for Spain 

Manchester City’s hierarchy are in disagreement with Pep Guardiola regarding Ilkay Gundogan.

The German has been one of Manchester City’s most consistent performers this season and scored two more excellent goals last weekend against Leeds.

Gundogan’s contract ends in the summer and at 33 years of age, the management of the club think the club should be investing in younger players instead of keeping on those stars who are on the wrong side of 30.

If Pep does not succeed it is likely Ilkay will go to Barcelona. He has tremendous versatility which he displayed when Guardiola gave Rodri a rest and he played a deeper role but still managed to score twice.

As Pep pointed out, Ilkay was chosen as the club captain which shows the respect he has and influence in the dressing room.

Kompany sticks with Burnley

Following Burnley’s domination of the Championship, which has seen them promoted to the Premier League next season, ex-Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany could probably have chosen to join either Tottenham or Chelsea as a coach.

He has, however, remained faithful to the northeastern club and will be on the touchline again next season. Burnley offered him a new five-year contract and he had no hesitation in signing on the dotted line.

Next season will present more difficulties than the Championship as he takes on the big boys of Premier League football but his style of attacking football will be exciting.

He said, “Burnley and Turf Moor felt right from the start – so it feels right to sign for the next five years. Together with the fans we have made Turf Moor a fortress again and continue to look forward to the future.”