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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…

Keeping feet on the ground and heads out of the clouds.

That was the message that Pep Clotet presumably wanted to get across after getting back to winning ways.

Speaking after the victory over Blackburn Rovers, Clotet was asked about whether or not it was possible that the Blues could reach the top six in the Championship:

“I don’t know if we are what is required to be in the play-offs but what I know is if something can be done better, we recognise, we grow it and improve it. We go game by game.”

So it looks as if he is relatively cautious when it comes to their chances, which is somewhat admirable.

You don’t want to set expectations too high only to end up disappointed. Plus, given that Birmingham doesn’t exactly have the resources to compete with the big boys in the division, at least he’s being realistic and not getting delusions of grandeur.

However, it does come into direct opposition with some of his players, and that’s where things might get tricky.

As we have discussed previously on FFC, both Ivan Sunjic and Fran Villalba both have ambitions to play in the Premier League and that Birmingham need to get there at some stage or risk losing out on two of their bigger-name players, preferably sooner rather than later.

Whilst Birmingham may not have had the highest of expectations from outsiders at the beginning of the campaign, they are exceeding them for the time being.

However, there has to come a time where eventually he is going to have to meet the ambitions of the players and to a lesser extent the board.

It just speaks that although things might be going well off the pitch, there is still a little bit of disharmony off of it.

If not everyone is on the same page then it will just sow the seeds for problems down the road.

Eventually there is going to have to come to a point where Clotet admits that he wants the club to take a step forward. After all, some of his players are showing huge signs of ambition. He must match them.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…Â

Liverpool face one of their toughest tests of the season so far against a high-flying Leicester side on Saturday, so what changes should Jurgen Klopp make from the win in midweek?

The Champions League scare against Red Bull Salzburg may have been the final confirmation to Klopp that Jordan Henderson is just not cutting it at the moment.

There is no doubt the former Sunderland man silenced all his doubters by lifting the greatest club trophy of them all last term, but he has now been taken off around the hour mark in each of his last two appearances.

Watch Liverpool Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Fans slammed his performance on Wednesday as he completed no key passes, dribbles, tackles, interceptions or clearances (Whoscored), and we suspect he could drop to the bench as one of three changes on Saturday.

The back four pretty much picks itself after Klopp confirmed Joel Matip is still not ready to return during his pre-match press conference. And while Alisson is close to returning, it seems foolish to rush him back with a two-week break after this game.

Moving into midfield, Fabinho’s stunning consistency since breaking into the XI makes him pretty much un-droppable – the Brazil international has started six league games and both Champions League fixtures this term, forcing even rival fans to sit up and take notice.

And that’s where things get interesting. James Milner’s introduction during the week steadied the ship for Klopp’s side, and the 33 year-old’s experience could be perfect against an in-form team like Leicester.

The other spot is then up for grabs, but Naby Keita’s return to action over the last couple of weeks seems perfectly timed with Henderson’s loss of form, and the Guinea international’s quick feet and eye for a forward pass could be useful here.

Finally, with Roberto Firmino set to travel to Brazil for international friendlies against Senegal and Nigeria over the break, we suspect Klopp will rest his mercurial number nine, rewarding Divock Origi for his game-changing impact at Bramall Lane last week.

This would see Sadio Mane shift into a central position, a role he has grabbed seven goals in nine appearances in as a Red, with Mohamed Salah keeping his place on the right flank.

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Fulham fell to another disappointing defeat on Saturday, as they were thumped 3-0 by Manchester United at Craven Cottage.

The result has left the club 19th in the Premier League table, seven points adrift of 17th-placed Newcastle United and eight behind 16th-placed Cardiff City.

Fulham have won just four times this season – beating Brighton and Hove Albion in January, Huddersfield in December, Southampton in November and Burnley in August.

Their season has been characterised by inconsistency, however. Their first win over Burnley was followed by a run of nine games without victory, including a thumping 5-1 loss to Arsenal, a 3-0 loss to Manchester City and a 4-2 beating by Cardiff City.

Check out Neymar’s controversial new haircut for 2019 and Xherdan Shaqiri as you’ve never seen him before in the video below…

Hopes of a run of form were raised at the end of January, when the Cottagers fought back from 2-0 down to beat Brighton 4-2, but two successive losses, to Crystal Palace and United at an aggregate score of 5-0, have seen many consign the club to the drop.

And Fulham fans want manager Claudio Ranieri – appointed in November – sacked after another uninspiring performance.

Tottenham Hotspur academy graduate Oliver Skipp is in line for a new contract after his impressive breakthrough into Nuno Santo’s first-team this season…

What’s the word?

That’s according to football.london’s Alasdair Gold, who dropped an intriguing claim during a recent online Q&A with supporters.

When asked about the 21-year-old’s long-term future amid speculation he was in line to receive a bumper new deal, the ever-reliable reporter seemingly confirmed such news.

The Sun reported last month that Spurs were preparing to hand the young midfielder a new deal worth £40k-per-week, an increase from around £25k-per-week.

Gold said: “I think it’s just a matter of time.

“He’s a key starter now and he’s only going to get better. He loves it at the club and is a far more developed player than the one who signed a four-year deal 15 months ago, so I think that will be sorted sooner rather than later.”

Fans will be delighted

This would be just desserts for his fine form and emergence in the starting XI in 2021/22.

He has started six of their eight league games, as well as both their UEFA Europa Conference League group matches and the win over Wolves in the Carabao Cup, via Transfermarkt.

In that time, he has seen his value soar to £13.5m, having been £9m less than two-and-a-half years ago, just a few months after making his first-ever start in the Premier League in a 1-0 win over Burnley.

His presence at the base of midfield has been crucial in recent weeks.

He has averaged 2.4 tackles per game, a feat only bettered by the more senior Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Emerson Royal, whilst no player who has started two games or more has done better with the ball at his feet, having averaged a 90.5% passing accuracy, as per WhoScored.

Skipp is widely thought to be a leader in the making after former manager Jose Mourinho tipped him to one day become the team’s captain. He told reporters, via the Evening Standard: “I think he’s genuinely Tottenham’s future”, before later adding: “I see this kid being one day a future captain here by his character, by his personality.”

More recently, England U21 head coach Lee Carsley dubbed him “underrated”, also claiming:

“He’s one of those players that when they are not in the team you notice them. He goes about his business really well. Works on his game. I think he’s still got a lot of development to do.

“He’s going to get better, he’s going to get stronger. Physically he’ll improve the older he gets. He has outstanding ability and I’m sure Tottenham see that as we have as well over the years.”

Much of the Lilywhites faithful have also been left impressed by the young midfield terrier, as seen by their reactions in games against Newcastle United this weekend and during the aforementioned Carabao Cup clash.

They will therefore be absolutely delighted by this exciting development.

AND in other news, Alasdair Gold has also dropped an exciting Spurs transfer claim ahead of January…

Everton are set to receive a big injury boost ahead of their Premier League encounter with West Ham United following the international break.

What’s the word?

Toffees manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed he’s hopeful that multiple players will be available to return from injury after the current pause in Premier League action.

Although Everton have made a fast start under their new boss, the Spanish tactician was unable to call upon the services of Seamus Coleman, Andre Gomes, Fabian Delph, Alex Iwobi, Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the draw against Manchester United last time out.

And while Benitez hasn’t given any specific information about when his injured stars will be ready to return, he does expect to have a stronger squad for his side’s game against the Hammers at Goodison Park a week on Sunday.

“Hopefully, we can rest some players (during the international break). We can recover some players who are a little bit tired – and then the others, if we have one or two coming back, we will be grateful, because we need legs,” the 61-year-old said (as relayed by the Liverpool ECHO).

“I am really pleased with the players we have at the moment, but if you have two or three players that will come back and help the others, then hopefully, it will be very useful for the team.”

Benitez will be delighted

Benitez’s arrival at Everton over the summer was a controversial one given his previous history with local rivals Liverpool, but the Champions League-winning manager is quickly winning over the fanbase.

A healthy total of 14 points from their opening seven top-flight fixtures has left the Toffees in fifth position at this moment in time, sparking genuine hope of a European push.

The fact they’ve managed to achieve that despite having a number of their star players on the treatment table, therefore, is quite incredible. They haven’t missed the goals of Calvert-Lewin who had netted three times in his opening three outings with Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray hitting the ground running so well in Merseyside.

Gray has four goal involvements to his name while Townsend has five strikes and three assists in ten outings.

Therefore, if you combine that sort of form with returning players like Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, the Toffees should become even better in the weeks to come.

Benitez will no doubt be delighted that several of his injured players are nearing a return to full fitness as the visit of West Ham will be a tough test for his threadbare charges.

And, in other news…Bought for £26m, left for £0: Everton endured transfer nightmare over 32 y/o flop 

Rangers’ Joe Aribo is on Crystal Palace’s radar for 2022, according to a report from Football Insider.

Aribo’s situation at Ibrox will be ‘closely monitored’ as the Eagles weigh up a possible move.

The 25-year-old is into the final two years of his contract in Glasgow and is valued at £5.85million by Transfermarkt.

He moved to Rangers in 2019 from Palace’s London rivals, Charlton Athletic, and has gone on to make 106 appearances for the Gers, scoring 19 goals and providing 17 assists.

What would Aribo bring to Palace?

Aribo is a versatile player, having been used as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder and a right winger so far this season.

According to WhoScored, his main strength is dribbling, while he also excels at creating chances, passing and tackling.

On the other hand, he apparently needs to work on his crossing and holding onto the ball.

Fan feed CPFC Transfers HQ relayed the rumour, and here’s what Palace fans made of it, as one supporter labelled it ‘interesting’…

These Palace fans keen on Aribo move

“South London baller FC incoming”

Credit: @crudfather

“This is interesting if true. I like this guy, even if he’s playing for Rangers.”

Credit: @Hibernaculum23

“This would be insane but he would have a very high price”

Credit: @JCSpitfire

“Haha purely for the Charlton tears in the quote tweets I’m begging for this to happen”

Credit: @erictwigs

“Masterclass move”

Credit: @TtimeSTL

“Yes please”

Credit: @cpfc_sean

In other news, fans flocked to this Eberechi Eze post.

Sunderland are set to sanction the temporary departure of Anthony Patterson from the Stadium of Light.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Alan Nixon, with The Sun journalist revealing in a post on Twitter that Notts County are closing in on a move for the 21-year-old goalkeeper, who looks set to join the National League side on a season-long loan deal.

In his tweet, Nixon said: “Notts County. Signing keeper Patterson from Sunderland on loan.”

Good news for Sunderland

It is undeniable that Patterson is a goalkeeper who boasts plenty of potential, but with Lee Johnson signing Bayern Munich’s Ron-Thorben Hoffmann in the summer transfer window, as well as already having Lee Burge in his ranks, loaning out the 21-year-old would appear to be a smart move by the Black Cats.

Indeed, Patterson impressed over his two League One appearances so far this season, with the youngster keeping one clean sheet, conceding one goal and making four saves.

These returns saw the £600-per-week ‘keeper average a SofaScore match rating of 6.95, ranking the 21-year-old as the Black Cats’ eighth-best performer in the third tier of English football – albeit with a limited sample size of fixtures.

The player who Johnson himself dubbed an “excellent” talent also turned in impressive displays in each of his two appearances in the Carabao Cup, averaging a SofaScore match rating of 7.05 in the competition.

As such, it is clear that Patterson is a goalkeeper who has the ability to one day become the Mackems’ first choice in the position. However, with both Hoffmann and Burge ahead of the 21-year-old in the pecking order, a loan move to a club where he will more than likely receive ample game-time this season is certainly the most beneficial decision for his development as a player, and should duly be good news for the future of the club.

In other news: Johnson drops injury update on “outstanding” 20 y/o, Sunderland fans will be buzzing

Liverpool have received a huge double injury boost ahead of the Champions League clash with Porto after both Naby Keita and Neco Williams were declared fit enough to fly out with the rest of the first-team squad.

What’s the word?

The pair weren’t part of Jurgen Klopp’s matchday squad over the weekend for the entertaining 3-3 draw with newly-promoted Brentford due to fitness concerns, but the German manager has confirmed they’re both available for this evening’s clash in Portugal.

“A big squad will travel. Twenty-three are with us, and apart from the longer-term injuries, they are all in. No, Thiago, Harvey (Elliott) and the rest available. No new concerns at the moment,” Klopp revealed in Monday’s press conference.

Jurgen Klopp will be buzzing

News that both Keita and Williams are available for selection will surely have Klopp buzzing ahead of a tricky encounter in Group B.

With Thiago and Elliott unavailable, Keita’s absence would have left the former Borussia Dortmund boss light on numbers in the midfield, while concerns over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence means Williams could be required to feature from the off at the Estadio do Dragao.

Porto will be tough opponents for the Reds, illustrated by their draw against Atletico Madrid last time out and Klopp was keen to stress that point when facing the press.

“We don’t count on points we don’t have already, it’s a tough group, so we should not waste time to get points,” the enigmatic 54-year-old said. “Atletico v Porto was a tough one, and if someone deserved to win it, it was Porto, so that says a lot. The team we face tomorrow.”

Liverpool have won on their previous two outings in Porto’s backyard and their chances of making it three successive victories have significantly increased following the return of Keita and Williams, both of whom could start tonight’s big clash.

And, in other news…Bought for £4.4m, now worth £27m: Liverpool sealed masterclass over “sensational” gem 

Celtic midfielder James McCarthy is ‘ready to go’ against Livingston on Sunday afternoon, John McGinley reports.

The Lowdown: McCarthy’s struggles

The 30-year-old, who penned a four-year deal at Parkhead in the summer, hasn’t featured heavily under Ange Postecoglou this season. He has made just four appearances in green and white, all of which have come from the bench.

He has reportedly ‘struggled’ with the ‘with the pace and intensity’ of Postecoglou’s training sessions, but it appears as if he is good to go against Livingston today.

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The Latest: McGinley’s tweet

McGinley took to Twitter on Saturday evening to share updates on McCarthy and Celtic team-mate Giorgos Giakoumakis.

He claimed that the Irish midfielder is ‘ready to go’, while the Greece striker also has a chance of making his first appearance as a Celtic player, tweeting: “Postecoglou says Giorgos Giakoumakis has a chance of featuring tomorrow against Livingston, if he doesn’t, he will definitely be involved against Raith Rovers. James McCarthy is ready to go.”

The Verdict: Boost

With Callum McGregor missing the game with Real Betis through injury on Thursday, McCarthy’s availability from the off today is a welcome boost for Postecoglou.

Postecoglou is optimistic that the captain may make a swift return, but having McCarthy as another option is good news.

The Irishman has reportedly been sidelined through a viral infection, but hopefully he can begin to find his feet in the Hoops midfield – possibly starting from today.

In other news: ‘I’m sure’ – Sky Sports pundit says Desmond will take big Celtic action before January. 

With West Ham in Europe this season, we could see plenty of fringe and youth talent get an opportunity at the London Stadium, particularly in competitions like the Carabao Cup which gets underway next week.

And since David Moyes has returned to the club for a second stint, he has put his faith in several of the club’s promising youngsters – perhaps a sign of a new approach this time around.

For example, back in January, the 58-year-old boss handed first-team debuts to several academy starlets, including Jamal Baptiste, in their FA Cup fourth-round victory over Doncaster Rovers.

That day made it eight graduates to have been given a senior bow by the Scotsman since he was appointed for a second time.

Baptiste is a player that many in east London are eager to see more of – he impressed during pre-season, has been capped at youth level for England and can play right across the backline, making him a very interesting option for the long term.

‘Tall, strong and comfortable in possession’ is how the club’s official website describes the 17-year-old sensation, whilst he cites both Virgil van Dijk and West Ham’s former defender and his academy mentor Matthew Upson as players he bases his game on.

This summer, Baptiste scored the opening goal of the Hammers’ pre-season with a nicely-timed side-footed volley against Dundee and whilst it’s not a competitive encounter, it is certainly a promising sign that being around the first-team does not phase him one bit.

Back in November, the emerging teen sensation signed his first professional contract with his boyhood club and football.london’s Sam Inkersole went onto describe him as “very highly-rated.”

Meanwhile, the Hammers’ former academy director Terry Westley told Claret & Hugh that Baptiste is “one of the finest young prospects at the club without a doubt.”

He then added: “Believe me [he] is going to be a monster player in the Issa Diop mould. I see him as exactly that – the new Issa Diop. He’s got everything, height, power, pace and is already, at such a young age, making a serious impact on the under 23s.”

If Baptiste is looking up to the former Irons star, then Moyes could well unearth their next Upson in the 17-year-old gem. As there are plenty of fixtures on the horizon, the West Ham boss must look to hand valuable minutes to players like Baptiste.

AND in other news, “I have been told”: Journalist drops major West Ham claim, fans will surely be buzzing…