All posts by Spoughts

Leeds Handed Huge Boost With Crucial Star Available For Crunch Games – Analysis

Leeds have been handed a significant boost in their promotion chase with the news Kemar Roofe could be fit before the end of the season.

The 14-goal striker suffered an injury in the match against Swansea City last week, rupturing one of the ligaments in his legs.

It seemed as though the striker could miss the rest of the season, although Leeds were always optimistic that he could return before the campaign was out.

And Roofe has now confirmed that he is hopeful of playing in the last six or seven games of the season.

Speaking to Radio X on Thursday morning, the striker said: ‘I suffered damage to my lateral ligament and I will be out for six to eight weeks.

When asked if he’d play again this season, Roofe added, ‘Yes, I will be back for the final six or seven games, maybe a bit sooner.

‘Every game is like a final now, each three points is massive.’

Analysis

It was always going to be a lot to ask Patrick Bamford to play every game between now and the end of the season, especially given his own record with injuries this campaign. He has suffered two ligament issues himself.

He is also not entirely fit after coming straight back into the first-team rather than spending any time with the Under 23s.

Now he will know that Roofe will be able to take some of the pressure off him, presumably starting with the game against Sheffield Wednesday on April 13.

That said, Leeds need to get to that point still in the promotion race. They face crucial clashes against Bolton on Saturday and then an away trip to QPR over the next week. They still have a game in-hand over their closest promotion rivals and can go back top with a win in both games.

Tottenham Star Reveals How Manager Helped Fix Career By Limiting Drinking – Analysis

Kieran Trippier has revealed the role Sean Dyche had in improving his career.

The 28-year-old right-back played under Dyche at Turf Moor, where Spurs play this weekend.

Trippier then moved onto Spurs, where he has become one of the most consistent defenders in the country. He also starred at the World Cup, helping England to a semi-final against Croatia.

They lost that game despite Trippier scoring the opening goal of the game from a free-kick.

And Trippier has now admitted that the Burnley boss helped him limit his drinking — to the benefit of his career.

He told the Burnley Express: ‘He helped me a lot. I was still going out when I was younger – drinking – and I wasn’t looking after myself properly. He came in and sorted it all out.

‘We were close when I was at Burnley and I would love to play for him again one day. We usually talk once every two weeks, just to keep each other updated on things.

‘We’ve always stayed in contact, we’ve always had that kind of relationship. We’ve probably become even closer since I left.’

Analysis

Dyche is a highly regarded manager within the game and his work with players like Trippier has been clear. So many have come through the door at Turf Moor and left as better players.

This is just another example of his man-management ability and why Burnley are lucky to have the gravel-voiced manager in situ.

The example also stretches to the likes of Tom Heaton, Nick Pope and other players at Burnley, who have gone from Premier League also-rans to full internationals under Dyche’s watch.

Liverpool And Spurs Plot Stunning Swoop For 10-Goal Ace – reports

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are thought to be putting together a shocking move for Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, according to ESPN.

Vardy has been comfortably the best forward in the Premier League since the start of the season, and already has 10 goals to his name.

Even more impressively, Vardy has scored in seven consecutive Premier League games, which puts him in a category alongside a very select group of players.

Would it work?

At first, it seems ridiculous that either club would come calling for a player who was only playing for Fleetwood Town in 2012.

However, Vardy has been in incredible form since the start of the season.

He also seems to fit into both Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino’s preferred systems.

Klopp would be delighted to have a striker with such incredible pressing and running ability to spearhead his forward line.

Pochettino could use him to alternate with Harry Kane, given the lack of options currently available to him.

However, it remains to be seen if Vardy is the real deal or whether this is just a sudden run of form.

Liverpool have been burned before, signing Rickie Lambert last season before quickly realising he was not good enough for a club the size of the Anfield side.

It’s hard to see Vardy carrying this on much longer, and even if he does, he currently has a perfect foil behind him in Riyad Mahrez.

Both clubs might do better looking at the playmaking midfielder, who was an underrated part of the run that kept Leicester in the Premier League last season.

Furthermore, considering the massive premium they will both pay for Vardy at this point, it might be worth considering finding the next Vardy rather than taking a punt on a 28-year-old.

Klopp said as much when introduced as Liverpool manager – that he prefers to find players like Robert Lewandowski, who he signed for less than £1 million while at Borussia Dortmund, than signing players for big money.

Rumour rater

Vardy is under contract at Leicester for another three years.

However, there is no way he’ll be earning as much at the King Power Stadium as he would at either Anfield or White Hart Lane.

To an extent, this could just be an attempt by Vardy or his representatives to increase his wages ahead of a January window in which the Foxes will be incredibly worried about losing him.

Vardy is in a more powerful position for negotiation than at any other point in his career, and could secure a contract to set him up for the rest of his life.

On the other hand, it is really not surprising to hear that top sides are chasing Vardy, who has been exceptional over the calendar year.

Neither club would be particularly foolish to sign him, so this might be one that brews as we approach January.

Rumour rated: 3/5