The majority of Leeds fans that answered our recent poll want the club to make a move for former Sheffield Wednesday youngster George Hirst in January.

Journalist Phil Hay recently told the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Inside Elland Road podcast that the club could sign Hirst fairly cheaply in the January transfer window.

The 19-year-old joined Belgian second division club OH Leuven, who are managed by Nigel Pearson, in the summer. However, Hay also claimed that Leeds were interested in the highly-rated striker during the summer, but buying from abroad now will be cheaper than a direct Championship rival.

The 6ft 3in front-man signed his first professional contract with Wedensday in March 2016 and made his first-team debut in the EFL Cup against Cambridge United later that same year.

He has also represented England at every youth level since U17 and was in the victorious squads for the 2017 U20 Toulon Tournament and the 2018 UEFA European U19 Championships. Check out the full results of our poll below.

It’s fair to say that Marcos Alonso is a divisive player at Chelsea. Whilst most fans would recognise his importance going forward, owing to his tremendous goalscoring record, his defensive work has long split the Stamford Bridge fanbase.

Occasionally found out of position and undoubtedly enjoying himself more in the enemy half that in his own penalty area, there is no denying that the defensive side of his game is the weaker facet of Alonso’s skill set.

However, that doesn’t mean that he’s poor at the back. To the contrary, in fact, and Chelsea appear to recognise that, as they seem to rate him very highly. Alonso recently confirmed that he’s close to signing a new contract at Stamford Bridge – despite the fact that he still has a few years left on his current deal.

Clearly, given Chelsea’s plan and eagerness to give Alonso a new deal, that indicates just how highly they rate him, and that’s in stark contrast to how most fans would rate him.

When you think of Chelsea’s most important players, you generally think of individuals like Eden Hazard, N’Golo Kante, and even Cesar Azpilicueta. However, Marcos Alonso rarely comes up in the conversation, and that makes little sense. He’s started practically every game this season, and he’s impressed unanimously. Defensively, he’s been far from the worst of Chelsea’s defenders, and with 1 goal and 2 assists, he’s already been able to make a significant impact going forward.

The Spaniard’s ability to pop up with an important goal is also hugely underrated. He was Chelsea’s hero when they beat Arsenal earlier in the season, and that wasn’t for the first time. He’s a match-winner, and Chelsea don’t have many of those.

It’s time for Alonso to start being talked about as one of Chelsea’s players. Indeed, it’s time for him to be in the conversation when discussing Europe’s best left-backs, because the form he’s showing at the moment indicates that he is. Chelsea clearly recognise that, given their contract plans, and it’s about time fans did too.

Dejan Lovren raised plenty of eyebrows when he declared himself as one of the world’s best defenders ahead of Croatia’s World Cup final, which they lost to France.

The Liverpool centre-back has divided opinion during his time at Anfield, which has spanned four years and counting.

Injury and the form of Joe Gomez has kept Lovren on the sidelines for the majority of the season so far.

There is no doubt that the Croatian has improved at the back following the arrival of Virgil van Dijk in January, but he will have to fight his way back into the first team.

Interestingly, it seems that Spanish giants Barcelona have taken a liking to Lovren as Mundo Deportivo reports that he is one on a list of candidates for the January transfer window.

The news has unsurprisingly sparked a reaction from Liverpool fans, with some making light of the reports and others urging the club to reject Barca due to their previous dealings with the Catalans.

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The La Liga outfit have swiped two of Liverpool’s key players in recent history – Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho.

Comment from discussion Dejan Lovren is a target for Barcelona this January as they look for a Central Defender (Aguilar, Mundodeportivo).Comment from discussion Dejan Lovren is a target for Barcelona this January as they look for a Central Defender (Aguilar, Mundodeportivo).Comment from discussion Dejan Lovren is a target for Barcelona this January as they look for a Central Defender (Aguilar, Mundodeportivo).Comment from discussion Dejan Lovren is a target for Barcelona this January as they look for a Central Defender (Aguilar, Mundodeportivo).Comment from discussion Dejan Lovren is a target for Barcelona this January as they look for a Central Defender (Aguilar, Mundodeportivo).Comment from discussion Dejan Lovren is a target for Barcelona this January as they look for a Central Defender (Aguilar, Mundodeportivo).Comment from discussion Dejan Lovren is a target for Barcelona this January as they look for a Central Defender (Aguilar, Mundodeportivo).Comment from discussion Dejan Lovren is a target for Barcelona this January as they look for a Central Defender (Aguilar, Mundodeportivo).Comment from discussion Dejan Lovren is a target for Barcelona this January as they look for a Central Defender (Aguilar, Mundodeportivo).Comment from discussion Dejan Lovren is a target for Barcelona this January as they look for a Central Defender (Aguilar, Mundodeportivo).Comment from discussion Dejan Lovren is a target for Barcelona this January as they look for a Central Defender (Aguilar, Mundodeportivo).Comment from discussion Dejan Lovren is a target for Barcelona this January as they look for a Central Defender (Aguilar, Mundodeportivo).

Wolves were seen off by a strong Brighton and Hove Albion performance this weekend to put a dent in their excellent start to the season.

Nuno Santo’s men on the whole have been hugely impressive, and given the way some of the other promoted teams are performing, the Molineux outfit deserve all the praise they have been getting in the opening months of the season.

However, there does seem to still be some gaps in quality in the Wolves squad, and with January just around the corner, there could well be chance for Santo to make moves in the market and strengthen his Wolves squad.

And one player we at the Tavern have identified as someone who can take the club to the next level is Swedish star Emil Forsberg, who has been a mainstay of the successful RB Leipzig team of the last few seasons.

Valued at some £22.5m by Transfermarkt, Forsberg is by no means out of the price range that Wolves can look to afford, and he would bring with him a wealth of experience and quality from the highest of levels.

A classy operator with the ball and someoe who Leipzig fans have come to count on in their XI, Forsberg would no doubt bring plenty of improvement to a Wolves squad which is not too far off being able to compete in the upper echelons of the Premier League.

Wolves fans, what do you think? Would Forsberg be a good signing? Let us know in the comments!

Stuart Dallas has not had the easiest ride as a Leeds United player in recent seasons.

The 27-year-old has been at Elland Road since 2015, but he has been in and out of the team under various managers.

This season, the Northern Ireland international has only started four of his 11 Championship appearances.

On Sunday, Marcelo Bielsa chose to switch Dallas from his natural position as a winger and play him at right-back due to a handful of injury problems.

The Irishman played the full 90 minutes against Wigan Athletic, who took the lead in the sixth minute via a free kick from Chelsea loanee Reece James.

The Whites bounced back instantly through Pablo Hernandez, who struck the equaliser three minutes later.

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Kemar Roofe found the winner for Leeds, who moved to the top of the Championship table as a result.

On Twitter, plenty of Leeds fans posted their thoughts on Dallas’s performance and there was praise galore.

According to Sky Sports, Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson believes his side were not rewarded for their efforts against Premier League high-flyers Chelsea on Sunday. 

The Eagles fell 3-1 to Maurizio Sarri’s men, but the former England boss believed his team had some chances of their own. This, unfortunately for Palace fans, has been the story of the club’s season so far.

Palace haven’t made the greatest start to their Premier League season, and are currently sitting in 14th place with only two wins. However, they have been unlucky in a number of their losses.

Only recently did Hodgson’s men slip up in the final minutes against Everton at Goodison Park after a superb defensive effort. The club deserved a draw but came away empty handed. Likewise, they can feel equally aggrieved with their 1-0 loss to Wolves at home earlier this season, whereby they dominated every stat except for the scoreboard.

This goes to show that this Palace team are perhaps better than their position in the table is suggesting, and that fans should not be particularly nervous about being dragged into a relegation battle. However, what may be a concern is the club’s inability to take their chances and salvage points.

The club’s travails may be down to their strikers being severely out of form. Hodgson fielded Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend up front against The Blues, neither of which are strikers. With Christian Benteke out of touch, and injured, as well as Jordan Ayew and Alexander Sørloth also struggling, the Palace boss may have no other options than to start his wingers as strikers.

Therefore, whilst Palace can feel upset with how some fixtures have gone this season, they can point their fingers at their struggling strikers.

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With the January transfer window fast approaching, managers will already be assessing their current squads and laying plans to put into action during the market. 

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will already be considering what work needs to be done in January. Although the Bhoys have been in impressive form of late – notably beating RB Leipzig 2-1 in the Europa League last time out – their poor start to the campaign will have concerned the former Liverpool boss.

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Having failed to reach the Champions League group stages for the first time in his tenure, Rodgers will know that his playing staff are due some upgrades. 

We asked Celtic fans which area of the squad they thought to be in most desperate need of reinforcements and 68% stated that the defensive contingent ought to be addressed as a priority.

Despite the summer arrivals of Filip Benkovic and Emilio Izaguirre, Hoops fans clearly believe that the back line still needs work. See the full results below.

According to The Express, West Ham striker Javier Hernández has been linked with a move away from the London Stadium. 

Apparently, the striker, who signed for The Hammers in 2017, is unhappy with his current role under Manuel Pellegrini, and wants to move to Europe for more playing time, with Besiktas showing an interest in the Mexican. This is dependent on whether his manager approves of this move or not.

The former Man United striker has primarily been used from the bench this season, as he has struggled behind in-form Marko Arnautović. The Austrian has largely been the sole striker under the Chilean and Hernández has done little to usurp him.

While it is clear that the 30-year-old wants to start as much as possible, the rumoured arrival of 22-year-old Brazilian Gabigol may have been the final nail in the coffin for Hernández. The youngster is in fantastic form for Santos this season, scoring 16 gaols in 31 games, and is a prime target for The Irons. Pellegrini may have already outlined his plans for the club with Gabigol, and Hernández may not play a significant role.

However, that does not mean that the striker would not be a great addition to many clubs in Europe, but it is just clear that he does not necessarily fit it with Pellegrini. Arnautović and Gabigol may well be the combination for many years to come at the London Stadium, and there may be very little the Mexican can do about that.

If Hernández wants to stay at West Ham, he has two months to convince his manager why he should start. While he may be one of the most effective substitutes in the Premier League, that clearly does not suffice.

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Loads of Leeds fans have been reacting to yet another injury concern, as Pontus Jansson is not expected to feature against Bristol City on Saturday.

If Leeds fans thought they were unlucky with injuries last season, then this campaign has taken it to a whole new level.

Patrick Bamford, Luke Ayling and Gaetano Berardi are all out until the New Year, and Jamal Blackman joined the long-term injury list over the international break.

Bailey Peacock Farrell is not expected to play this weekend due to a knee injury, and Jansson looks almost certain to be ruled out as well.

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The towering Swede has become a fan favourite at Elland Road, but he has yet to return to full training.

“Until yesterday we thought he would be available but now the game is getting closer I don’t have the same optimism. He didn’t train with the group,” Marcelo Bielsa said on Thursday.

The boss went on to say he may use Kalvin Phillips in defence, something he has already done this season, or even hand a first team debut to Aapo Halme.

Either way, the Whites will certainly have their work cut out for them on Saturday, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

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Loads of Tottenham fans have been reacting to some comments from Mauricio Pochettino, as the boss had his say on Christian Eriksen’s contract situation.

Tottenham fans have been growing increasingly worried over the lack of news on a new deal for Eriksen, and the boss’ recent comments aren’t exactly convincing.

The Danish international, who has scored 57 times and added 73 assists during his time in North London, will be out of contract in the summer of 2020.

Check out the video below to see Playmaker FC’s American Soccer Fan give his take on all six ‘field goals’ in West Ham v Burnley…

This means that the club will be in a very dangerous position next season, as Europe’s big boys will definitely come calling as his deal ticks down.

“We are working so hard. The club is trying to take the best decision,” Pochettino said when asked about the situation on Thursday.

Needless to say, fans aren’t exactly convinced by the “we are trying” line, especially when title rivals Liverpool have now locked their entire front three down with long-term deals.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…