Luke Shaw Manchester United
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- ‘Hurt’ #LukeShaw looking ahead amid England Euro heartbreak #MUFC

July 13, 2021
FORMER Saint and England star Luke Shaw said how the Three Lions “gave everything and it hurts a lot” amid European Championship penalty heartbreak. The left-back opened the scoring within the first two minutes but, despite leading for over an hour and then goalkeeper Jordan Pickford making two spot-kick stops, Italy took home the trophy. Shaw was one of the standouts of the whole tournament after he made six starts, registered three assists and was involved heavily throughout at both ends of the pitch. The Saints academy graduate admits it hurts now but hails the togetherness of England’s most successful tournament side since the World Cup winners of 1966. Speaking after the game, the 26-year-old said: “It’s gutting. It’s of course not what we wanted. We were very confident. “We felt in a good way, we felt like we were going in the right direction of performances and stuff but it’s just devastating. We gave everything we could and we’ve come up short. “But I think it’s a step in the right direction of what we want to achieve – a final, the first time in history that’s happened. But from not just me but from the team, that’s not enough. We wanted to win but we fell short. We’re all really gutted and it hurts a lot. “I think the squad in general, the togetherness is definitely there. I think it was clear you could see that, even after the game. With that huddle, even the lads that missed, we’re all together in this. Proud to be part of this team. One final push! See you all Sunday 🙌🏼❤️ @England pic.twitter.com/aSo3jd9HPT — Luke Shaw (@LukeShaw23) July 7, 2021 “We win as a team, we lose as a team. We all lost (the final). There’s no individuals because of the penalties, it’s us as a team collectively.” He added: “I think we’re going in the right direction, but (losing the final) was a massive, massive disappointment.” That disappointment and anguish of coming so close to etching their names into the footballing history of England forever will take time to subside, but just next December this young squad will have another chance. The 2022 World Cup takes place in Qatar and kicks off on November 21, in Al Khor City. Read more  Why Luke Shaw is sticking 'two fingers up' to doubters  Every Saints players' performance in the history of Euros Luke Shaw: England's star of Euro 2020 After reaching the World Cup semi-final in Russia, Shaw and his Three Lions teammates will be hoping they can go one step further once again. He said: “First and foremost I hope we made the nation proud. That’s always very important to us. Of course it wasn’t what we wanted and I’m sure it wasn’t what they wanted. “But I hope this tournament brought smiles and joy to people. Of course it ended on a low, but I think overall the experience we’ve all had as a team, with the fans being here, it will be memories we won’t forget. “We know as a team we can always keep improving. I think the good thing about the group is the fact that there’s a lot of young players in the squad that are only going to mature and grow up and I think gain experiences from this. “We’re moving forward in the right direction and we’re learning each time that a big blow like this comes to us. It’s going to hurt for I think a while. “But we’re back in camp towards the end of next month and a new adventure is the World Cup and we want to qualify for that. “We know there’s things to improve on as a team, but I’m sure we’ll get there.”
Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton striker #ViktorGyokeres joins Coventry City #BHAFC

July 10, 2021
Albion striker Viktor Gyokeres has left the club to join Championship side Coventry for an undisclosed fee. The 23-year-old joined Albion in January 2018 but only made eight appearances for them during that time, with four coming in the Carabao Cup and the other four in the FA Cup. His only goal for the Seagulls came in September in their 4-0 win over Portsmouth at the Amex in the Carabao Cup second round. He then joined Championship side Swansea on a season-long loan in October. But after scoring just two goals in 13 appearances and only making nine starts, Gyokeres saw his loan cut short in January and he then joined fellow Championship side Coventry. In his 19 appearances for the Sky Blues, he scored three goals and has now made the switch to Mark Robins’ side permanent. Albion techncial dorector Dan Ahworth said: "This represents a good move for Viktor, as well as both clubs. He’s spent the last two years out on loan, but this gives him the chance to really settle in one place and play regularly at a really high standard, which at 23 is paramount for his own development. “Coventry were impressed with the impact he made in his relatively short time there last season and that can be an added confidence boost for Viktor. We wish him all the best for the future.”
Sean Dyche Burnley
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Burnley coaching change as #SteveStone steps up to first team #BURNLEYFC

July 9, 2021
BURNLEY Under-23s boss Steve Stone has been promoted to the club's first-team staff. The former England winger is taking over from Tony Loughlan, who is leaving to undergo a second hip operation. As a result of Stone's promotion, former Tranmere and Shrewsbury manager Michael Jackson has been appointed interim Under-23s coach. Burnley boss Sean Dyche said: “Tony has done a fantastic job here as a key part of the staff but he now feels it’s a good time for him to undergo the further surgery he needs and the extended period of time required to make a full recovery. Replacing him with Steve makes perfect sense for everyone. “We know Steve really well and we’ve worked closely with him over the past few years, anyway. “He knows what it’s all about at the top level of the game, he knows how we work, is familiar with the players and will make it a smooth transition as we build towards another season in the Premier League.”
Raheem Sterling
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #TheoWalcott believes #RaheemSterling will cause Italy ‘havoc’ in Euro 2020 final #SAINTSFC #MCFC

July 9, 2021
SAINTS winger Theo Walcott believes Raheem Sterling will cause Italy “havoc” in the final of Euro 2020 on Sunday. England forward Sterling has lit up the international competition this summer, having scored three times and played an instrumental role in helping Gareth Southgate’s side to the last two. He is expected to start as the Three Lions bid for a first win at a major tournament since 1966 against the Azzurri at Wembley on Sunday. And Saints star Walcott, who played 47 times for England at senior level, told talkSPORT: “With the Italians’ older guys, he is going to cause them havoc so if we can try to isolate Raheem with any of those guys, they are going to have a real difficult evening and I just feel we are so fit. “You could see at the end, the way Raheem just glided past players like it was the first minute. It shows we are doing something right behind the scenes – the fitness guys. “My son goes to the same class as Raheem’s and he is always saying Raheem’s dad scored again. “Honestly it is so nice that he has proved so many people wrong. “He is a fantastic player, a fantastic man and he deserves everything he is getting. “For me, player of the tournament without a shadow of doubt.” Walcott is now a permanent member of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints squad, having signed a two-year deal following a successful loan spell from Everton last season.
Jannik Vestergaard
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #JannikVestergaard left ‘gutted’ by Euro 2020 Wembley exit #SAINTSFC

July 9, 2021
JANNIK Vestergaard admits he was left "gutted" Denmark will not take their place in the Euro 2020 final, adding: "We had a shot at beating England." Saints star Vestergaard featured in all six of Denmark's matches at the tournament. Having began the Group B opener against Finland on the bench, Vestergaard was introduced during the second half and then became a starter for Kasper Hjulmand's men for the remainder of the competition. The 28-year-old lined up in a back three for the Danes at Wembley on Wednesday evening, playing 105 minutes as the tense semi-final went to extra time, before being replaced by attacker Jonas Wind as the visitors chased an equaliser. After Simon Kjaer's own goal cancelled out Mikkel Damsgaard's impressive free-kick, Harry Kane struck the winner for England, who progress into Sunday's final against Italy after a 2-1 triumph against Denmark. And Vestergaard admits it was tough for the tournament to end the way it did for his nation. Asked for his assessment of the England side he faced at Wembley and if he thinks they will beat Italy in the final this weekend, Vestergaard said: "They’re a good team. I don’t know how their chances are against Italy, I haven’t played Italy. Italy look very strong as well. "I thought we gave it everything we had and we had a shot at beating England. I’m not worried about their chances in the final, I’m not really bothered to be honest right now. "I’m just gutted that we aren’t in it." Denmark gained plenty of fans across Europe during the tournament following the harrowing scenes in their opening match against Finland, when Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch. With Eriksen recovering in hospital, the Danes regrouped and beat Russia, Wales and Czech Republic before being edged out by England. And boss Hjulmand says the squad have done the nation proud. He said: "First of all, congratulations to England on (reaching) the final. Primarily I want to congratulate my colleague, Gareth (Southgate). "I followed what the FA has done strategically and especially how Gareth has led this team for a number of years now, how he works with the young players, how he gets involved and how he behaves himself with the values he has and how he represents and communicates is outstanding. "So congratulations Gareth, I think you are doing a great job in a difficult job." Discussing his own side, Hjulmand added: “I can’t describe how much I admire the technical staff behind these players, they have been through so much. We have two people from the staff who saved the life of one of our best players. “We have been fighting like crazy and played good football and I am grateful for Denmark, the entire nation. “We needed the empathy when that happened with Christian, we have been receiving a lot of love and support and it was amazing to feel. Unfortunately we did not get to the final but we will attack again and our future is full of hope and belief. “These guys are outstanding and the whole nation can be proud, they are an amazing squad and they have done an amazing job. They have made Denmark proud. "We have an amazing group and we definitely can do something great again."
Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton assistant coach #MarkBeard joins Stockport County #BHAFC

July 7, 2021
Albion will have a new head coach in charge of their under-18s in the new season. Mark Beard has completed his switch to Stockport County, where he will be assistant to Simon Rusk. Albion technical director Dan Ashworth said: "We are disappointed to see him leave but fully appreciate the opportunity this is for him on a personal level. "On behalf of everyone at the club, I would like to thank him for what he has done for the club and wish Mark the best of luck in his new role." BRIGHTON TO PLAY RANGERS AT IBROX Former Albion boss Mark McGhee is also on the management team at the National League outfit, who lost to Hartlepool in the semi-finals of the recent promotion play-offs.