Adam Lallana
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Adam Lallana’s verdict on De Zerbi’s Brighton impact #BHAFC

November 8, 2022
Adam Lallana says he was blown away by Roberto De Zerbi’s tactical ideas. The Albion midfielder has been hailed as his teacher on the pitch by the head coach. But Lallana says he is learning a lot himself from the Italian on the training ground. Speaking to TalkSPORT he said: “He is very tactical on the training pitch. “There’s lot of phases of play in deep build-up, mid build-up and in the attacking third. Very structured “You’ve got to be disciplined in where he wants you and he gives you all the options. “It’s nothing that I’ve experienced before in my career in how he coaches. “He is very, very hands-on. “Before he came in, I thought I’d had a great experience with the managers I’ve worked for. “Then he enters the building and I’m blown away by his ideas and how he sees the game. “It’s another string to my bow in terms of experience and just keep learning. “It’s incredible to be 34 and still think you know nothing in the game.” Albion failed to win in De Zerbi’s first five games in charge but have now put together successive victories. Lallana said: “It was a tough first three or four weeks. “We didn’t win in the first five and I could just see it in his face. “It wasn’t his choice that Graham left. “It took a bit of time probably to get buy-in from every player because there were players who were used to doing things a bit differently under Graham and we were getting huge success doing it that way. “There was a bit of a transition period and we suffered with not winning in five games. “That can’t have been easy for Roberto coming to a new league, new language and not getting a win in five games. “I was extremely made up for him we got back-to-back wins because it took a little bit of pressure off.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil admits big jump up for goalkeeper Cameron Plain #AFCB

November 5, 2022
GARY O’Neil insists he has “no concerns” over Cherries’ current goalkeeping situation, but admitted Cameron Plain taking his spot in the squad for Premier League matches is “a big jump up from where he’s been”. Following an injury to one-time Brazil international Neto at West Ham last month, young Irishman Mark Travers was recalled to the starting XI. But, with third choice Will Dennis being left out of Cherries’ 25-man Premier League squad, teenager Plain is suddenly next in line, having been named on the bench for last week’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur. Neto is set to be missing until after the World Cup break due to his hamstring problem, meaning Plain will again take a place on the bench when Cherries head to Leeds United this weekend. Plain, who does not need to be registered in the top flight as he is under the age of 21, joined Cherries from Winchester City under-16s. His highest level of competitive experience came during a loan spell with Wimborne Town in the Southern League Premier, having previously spent time cutting his teeth at Ringwood Town and Bashley. Asked how Plain has reacted to his extra responsibility in the past couple of weeks, now being next in line should anything happen to Travers, interim head coach O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “He’s training really well. He’s on the bench in Premier League fixtures now, so it is a big jump up from where he’s been. “He’s trained really well, he’s a good lad, always works his socks off, so a good experience for him to be in and around it.” O’Neil also insisted he is not overly concerned with having such an inexperienced goalkeeper on the bench for the next few matches. “We’ll deal with situations like that as and when they come around,” he said, when quizzed on how he would feel about having to throw Plain into a Premier League contest. “I think all we can do is work hard with Cam to make sure that he’s in the best place possible. “He always gives everything. He has a real good goalie in Travs ahead of him at the moment, so no concerns.”
Joel Veltman
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton’s player Joel Veltman reveals he is looking forward to games before World Cup #BHAFC

October 28, 2022
Albion defender Joel Veltman believes they are facing a crucial period of the season in the coming two weeks. Saturday's home game against Chelsea is the first of four fixtures, before a six-week break for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. And they go into this weekend's meeting with former boss Graham Potter at the Amex sitting in ninth place in the Premier League. “We are looking forward to the rest of the games before the World Cup,” Veltman told the club website.  “We need to focus on Chelsea first. We know there will be a lot of noise around Saturday but Wolves, Aston Villa and Arsenal in the League Cup are just as important.” Albion are still to celebrate a win under new head coach Roberto De Zerbi, whose first full month in charge has included games with Liverpool, Tottenham and defending champions Manchester City. But Veltman, 30, feels the wins will soon come as players get more used to the Italian's style of playing, having produced arguably their best performance of the season in a 3-1 loss at the Etihad last weekend. “There is still things to work on, but we are making progress all the time and we will get there,” added Veltman. “Last Saturday we could have done more in ball possession, which is one of our strengths, but against one of the best sides in Europe we showed a lot of courage to play through their lines and we created chances.  "We did well out of possession, were compact and created chances." Erling Haaland struck twice in the first half to put Pep Guardiola's side on top, taking his tally to 17 in 11 games. But Leandro Trossard hit back with a superb effort early in the second half, taking his tally for the season to six, including four goals managed by the team under De Zerbi. And Dutchman Veltman praised his Belgian clubmate, adding: "He is so confident at the moment and he is scoring out of nowhere like shots from outside the box which is one of his strengths. "But a lot of our players are in good form." Chelsea will arrive at the Amex unbeaten in nine matches under ex-Albion boss Potter, having booked a place in the last 16 of the Champions League in midweek. The past three Premier League meetings between the two clubs have ended in draws, but Brighton have yet to beat the Blues in 10 league matches and have not led their rivals in any of those fixtures.
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl outlines what Saints need, to be successful #SAINTSFC

October 23, 2022
RALPH Hasenhuttl insists he has not once considered his position as Saints boss being under threat in recent weeks as he outlined what he feels is required for the club to be successful. Multiple media reports suggested the Austrian's time on the south coast could be nearing an end, as Saints recently endured a four-match losing streak. They have since snapped that run, with four points from two games against West Ham United and Bournemouth. Saints welcome Premier League leaders Arsenal to St Mary's tomorrow (2pm). Asked how much easier the past two results have made his job, Hasenhuttl said: "Not really easier, because my job is never easy! "I also never had the feeling that we don't believe in what we are doing here. "I think, for me, the only response I really want to see is the response from the players. "For me, when I see them doing what we ask them to do on the pitch, you know that this relationship is there. This is the only thing interesting me. "The view from outside on the work from managers is a strange one sometimes. I think they don't really know what it is about and what are the key facts that you are really concentrating on. "This is definitely not about thinking about being sacked or the last game or whatever. Never one time have I thought about my future. "I have been here now nearly four years. There aren't a lot of managers longer serving than I do at the moment. I knew in the summer, with all the changes we made in the team and in the staff that the pressure will be higher this season. "This can be a problem for a very young group, because we need to have to time to develop them. But the issue meanwhile is in this league you don't get a lot of time anymore and this is a fact." Hasenhuttl added: "You have to have short-term results and for this, it helps to calm things a little bit down. But the key factor is when you want to have a successful time as a club, that you have a plan where you want to go and you have a philosophy you want to follow. "When this philosophy is to go with the young kids, then you have to know what it is about. "We have potential and we have to turn it into excellence. This takes a little bit (of time). But you need results consistently. "You cannot say 'in two years they are a great team'. Because maybe in two years you are not in the Premier League any more." Asked if it is mission impossible to expect an inexperienced, young side to instantly produce results in the Premier League, Hasenhuttl replied: "It's the mission we need to do, because it is without alternative. "As we have seen in the summer, players who have just reached high levels are not so easy for us to get. "This is the fact. You can complain about it, why we don't get them or why they don't come to us, or you can say we trust the guys we have and make them into big stars. "I think we did it in the past very often and that is the reason why we always lost our best players after a season and they are going somewhere else." A message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo. Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website. You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more. Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today. Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook
Ryan Frederick West Ham
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories – Ryan Fredericks reveals Cherries goal for the season ’40 points as quickly as possible’ #AFCB

October 10, 2022
RYAN Fredericks shared Cherries are “looking to get to 40 points as quickly as possible” this campaign. Former West Ham man Fredericks marked his first start for the Dorset club with a win on Saturday, as Cherries battled back to win 2-1 against Leicester City thanks to goals from Phil Billing and Ryan Christie. Victory for Cherries put them on 12 points from their first nine games, meaning they are over a quarter of the way towards their target. The 40-point mark is often used as shorthand for the tally required to stay up in the Premier League, with only three sides in the 20-team Premier League era relegated after reaching 40 points (West Ham 2002/03, Sunderland 1996/97, Bolton 1997/98). Since Gary O’Neil was installed as interim head coach following Scott Parker’s dismissal at the end of August, Cherries are unbeaten in five, picking up nine points in the process. When asked if the streak boosted confidence in the Cherries’ dressing room, Fredericks told the Daily Echo: “Of course. “We're a confident bunch anyway. “I don't know, everyone else outside had written us off at the start of the season but there was no talk of that in the dressing room. “We're looking to get to 40 points as quickly as possible and then kick on from there. “We’re confident to go and beat anyone. “I think every team we've played this season bar probably the best three teams in the league, we've had chances to win, over all of the games. “Another good victory, and it shows that we haven’t come into this league to just make up the numbers. “We are not going to be an easy game, we want to win every game we're involved in.” The home dressing room at the Vitality Stadium had a visitor after the game on Saturday, with prospective owner Bill Foley popping in to offer his congratulations. When asked what the American businessman had to say, Fredericks shared: “Just well done, really. “Proud of the lads, and that we'll see more of him in the coming future. That was about it.” With plenty of speculation regarding the takeover, Fredericks revealed the side were full focused on their football, no matter how close any potential takeover was. He added: “We're going to give it our all, no matter who's in charge. “We really can't afford to let outside noise affect how we play. The league is too ruthless. “If you take your eye off the ball and focus on other things in the league, you're going to get smashed. “Obviously great news, wherever he is going to invest in us is yet to be seen, but we're looking forward to it.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil reveals he is a ‘big fan’ of Chris Mepham #AFCB

October 8, 2022
INTERIM boss Gary O'Neil heaped praise on in-form Chris Mepham, admitting: "I've liked him since the moment I got here." O'Neil joined Cherries as a first-team coach, working under Jonathan Woodgate, in February 2021. Since August 30, O'Neil has been working as interim head coach, after Scott Parker was sacked. During O'Neil's tenure, Mepham has not missed a minute of action. He has played a key role in clean sheets against Brentford and Wolves, as well as helping Cherries pick up points on the road at both Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The 24-year-old has also seen his centre-back partner change in that time, with new recruit Marcos Senesi stepping in for the past two fixtures, due to an injury to captain Lloyd Kelly. Asked if he has seen a change or boost in confidence around the place from Mepham in recent weeks during his fine run of form, O'Neil told the Daily Echo: "I’ve always liked him. I’ve liked him since the moment I got here. "Of course he suffered tough moments a while back, that you do as footballers. I spoke to Meps again (last Saturday) before the (Brentford) game around how important he was for me, how good he’s been, having to play next to a new signing now who hasn’t played in England in Marcos Senesi and Meps’s role in helping him. "To be fair to Marcos he’s stepped up as well. "So I’m a big fan of Meps. I loved him again (against Brentford). I thought he was really, really good defensively against a tough centre-forward (Ivan Toney)." Asked if he feels Mepham is developing into a leader at the back, O'Neil added: "I think I’m just really keen for Meps to show what he is. "When I speak with him, it’s like ‘yeah mate, I have full trust in you. I love how you defend, I love how you are with the ball, let’s go again mate’. "We’re going to have bad moments, of course. "When I played I had probably more bad games than I did good. But they come, you brush them off, you go again. "So really pleased with Meps, pleased with Marcos. Pleased with them all really." Discussing Senesi and Mepham's blossoming partnership, O'Neil added: "To go into a Premier League season and to lose someone as good as Lloyd Kelly and then to play Newcastle and Brentford, two real sides that look to test you defensively for Meps and Marcos, and all the boys to be honest, not just them, to produce two real solid defensive displays. "We were unlucky to concede at Newcastle, we didn't concede against Brentford. "So from that standpoint I’m pleased." Cherries host Leicester City on Saturday (3pm).
chris mepham Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Cherries player Chris Mepham wants to ‘stay professional’ when facing international teammates #AFCB

October 8, 2022
CHRIS Mepham is all business when it comes to Cherries taking on Leicester on Saturday, with the defender fully focused on the task at hand despite coming up against international teammate Danny Ward. Leicester goalkeeper Ward and Mepham have shared a pitch 17 times for Wales, with both players frequent members of international squads since 2018. After the departure of captain Kasper Schmeichel this summer, Ward has stepped up to become first choice goalkeeper, paving the way for the first time the pair will have faced each other as opponents. When asked if he would be making conversation prior to the game, the centre-back shared: “I think you're constantly playing teams where there's players that you know. “An example, there were lads that I played with at Brentford, and you kind of need to put that to one side and speak to them after the game. “But in the build up to it, and whilst you're out there it’s business, and that’s that. “I’m sure we’ll have a laugh and a joke after the game, but up until then it’s staying professional.” One reason why Mepham might be in contact with Welsh teammates is the prospect of swapping stickers to complete the official World Cup album by Panini. When asked if he was taking part in the cult tradition surrounding international tournaments, Mepham responded: “No, it's too time consuming for me, to be honest. “I know a few of the lads are keen, but I'm not one that's massively into it. “Hopefully I'm on that flight to Qatar and when I'm on that flight, I'll really be looking forward to it. “There's a lot of games between now and then, and that needs to be the focus for me. "Keep fit, keep putting in performances and hopefully it puts me in a really good position coming into the World Cup.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories – Gary O’Neil reveals how ‘brilliant’ Adam Smith has helped the Cherries and his importance #AFCB

October 8, 2022
GARY O'Neil says stand-in captain Adam Smith has been "brilliant" for him in the past few weeks, adding: "He always wants to set standards." Full-back Smith has played every minute so far in O'Neil's four games as interim boss. The Cherries stalwart has also taken on further responsibility in recent weeks, wearing the captain's armband in the absence of injured skipper Lloyd Kelly. With Kelly continuing to struggle with his ankle complaint, it is likely Smith will again lead the team out this weekend, when Leicester City visit Vitality Stadium. Asked how much 31-year-old Smith's experience has helped him in recent weeks, since stepping up into the role as interim head coach following the departure of Scott Parker, O'Neil told the Daily Echo: "He’s been brilliant for me around the place. "As a leader and as a senior pro, he’s always good. He always wants to set standards in training a certain way, but also on the pitch his performances have been really good for me as well. "So I’m pleased to have him in the squad." London-born Smith, who first joined Cherries more than a decade ago, before arriving permanently from Tottenham Hotspur in 2014, has played more than 300 games for the club. This season, he has impressed on both the right and centre of defence. "He is a good athlete," said O'Neil. "He’s a good defender. He’s intelligent with his positioning. "Being 31 has made no difference to him." Speaking last month, O'Neil explained how key he felt the role of captain was on the pitch. He said: "There is an importance to it, definitely. I think everyone does it in their own way. "But also, everyone needs to play their part in making sure the group is in the right place. "Although the captain sort of sets that off for you, we’re fortunate here that the lads all drive each other really well. "Whether that be in game, whether we have to respond to difficult moments, whether we need to manage ourselves in good moments. "They’re really good at that as a group. Captaincy is important, but the mentality and intensity of the group is the key driver really."
Dominic Solanke Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories – Dominic Solanke reflects on goals against Leicester City in previous Premier League meeting #LCFC #AFCB

October 8, 2022
CHERRIES star Dominic Solanke highlighted the side’s last meeting with Leicester City as a “turning point in his career”, with his brace against the Foxes in 2020 helping to kick-start his stint on the south coast. Arriving at the Vitality Stadium in January of 2019 with one goal in 21 Premier League appearances for Liverpool, Solanke drew a blank for 38 top-flight fixtures at Cherries before breaking his duck in a 4-1 victory over Leicester City. Whilst the win did not lead to a late revival in Cherries’ survival hopes, with Eddie Howe’s men relegated at Goodison Park two weeks later, it marked a turn in fortunes for the one-time England international. Solanke notched in the 3-1 victory away at Everton, before knocking in 44 goals in 86 Championship appearances across the last two campaigns. Reflecting on his side’s previous encounter with Brendan Rodgers’s charges, Solanke commented: “Yeah, that game of course was special. “My first two goals in the Premier League for Bournemouth. It was definitely a special game. “I probably say after that game I found my feet and confidence a bit and from then I've scored a lot of goals. “It was probably a turning point in my career.” Leicester became the last side in this year’s Premier League to record a win this campaign, emphatically firing past east Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest 4-0 on Monday evening. Prior to the drubbing of Steve Cooper’s Tricky Trees, the Foxes had sat bottom of the pile, with just one point from their opening seven fixtures. Speaking before Leicester’s win on Monday night, Solanke shared: “Of course there's no easy game in the Premier League and obviously they’re not in the best of spells right now, but we know they're top side. “A lot of top players in that team.”