Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #OleGunnarSolskjaer thinks Saints’ goal was a foul and should have been chalked off #MUFC

August 23, 2021
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer claimed Saints’ opener should have been ruled out for a foul during the press, saying: “We can’t go from one extreme from volleyball or basketball last year to rugby now.” Jack Stephens stole the ball off United’s Portuguese dynamo Bruno Fernandes with a forceful challenge that then saw Moussa Djenepo, Adam Armstrong and Che Adams link up for the opener. Although Mason Greenwood would eventually peg back the home side and see the points shared evenly, the Norwegian boss insists he was left disappointed by the lack of decision and his side’s reaction. Speaking after the match, he said: ”We should do better, if you don’t get a foul you should make sure you block the shots, put your body on the line and make sure they don’t get a strike on target. Read more Greenwood grabs leveller for United as Saints take a point Ralph Hasenhuttl pleased with changed Southampton formation Southampton FC to give fans refunds after ticket and turnstile issues “That being said it’s a foul, he’s gone straight though his hip with his own hip and his arm across him. “I’m a bit, not worried, but we have to look at it and we can’t go from one extreme from volleyball or basketball last year to rugby now. “I like the lenient way it’s more men’s football but that is a clear foul. “That being said, early on with the fans as well it gets the crowd going when you fly into tackles and that was part of the thinking early on.” The refereeing in the Premier League so far this season has allowed for more leniency and a better flowing game, while also introducing new rules to keep refs on the lookout for players ‘buying’ fouls. As such, you won’t see as many fouls awarded when a player has left a deliberate trailing leg, for example. Saints’ boss Ralph Hasenhuttl thinks it goes both ways though, saying: “I actually seen a lot of other things where we didn’t get given a foul so if you want to hang it up on this one situation I don’t see this. “I was always fan of let things run and yeah, this is the Premier League. “It’s not for me to say, but in this moment we have been the team getting the benefit for an aggressive attack. Because we play an active passing style I am always happy when not every single touch is immediately a foul. “This is what the Premier League was famous for, for a long time.”
Gao Jisheng Southampton Owner
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Saints apologise to fans after entry and ticket chaos #SAINTSFC

August 23, 2021
SOUTHAMPTON Football Club has issued an apology to fans after “unacceptable” delays caused some fans to miss kick-off on Sunday. A statement posted on the club’s website said it will start work “immediately” with its access partner to “fully understand the reason for this delayed entry and the solutions to avoid a repetition.” Fans also experienced issues with collecting tickets on Saturday with some queuing for hours outside St Mary’s stadium. Here’s the statement issued by managing director Toby Steele in full: “Further to our communications during the game against Manchester United this afternoon, the club would like to once again apologise for the ticketing and entry issues which many fans experienced. "The club has already started a full investigation into today’s turnstile entry issue, where our initial assessment is that the scanning of tickets took significantly longer per person than we experienced in our recent pre-season matches and our own behind-closed-doors testing. "We will start work immediately with our access partner to fully understand the reasons for this delayed entry and the solutions to avoid a repetition. "Please rest assured that the club views these stadium entry delays as unacceptable. "Regarding the delayed receipt of Season Tickets by certain purchasers, once again please accept our apologies. Although many fans did receive their Season Tickets in time, we accept that the delay or non-arrival caused an unnecessary anxious wait for some fans. "Again, the club does not view this as acceptable and the delays we experienced with our supplier of the physical card is, whilst not something we could ultimately influence, a matter we take responsibility for and must ensure does not happen again. "Today’s ticketing and entry issues were not the start we wanted to the 2021/22 season from a fan experience point of view. We know you have waited 16 months to be at a full stadium of Saints fans getting behind the team and today’s issues will have tainted that experience for a large number of you. "Consequently, we will be giving all general admission ticket holders (both Season Ticket holders and individual match purchasers) a refund for today’s game (a credit will be given to Season Ticket holders’ accounts). "Due to the volume of refunds, please bear with us while we process all transactions. "Once again, on behalf of the club, please accept our apologies if your matchday was affected by today’s ticketing and entry issues. "Thank you for your amazing backing of the team today and continued support at St Mary’s."
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."
Ashley Barnes Burnley
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Burnley footballer #AshleyBarnes fined and banned after drink drive charge #BURNLEYFC

June 15, 2021
BURNLEY footballer Ashley Barnes has been ordered to pay a £13,000 fine and banned from driving for 12-months, after admitting to drink driving. The Premier League striker was pulled over by police near his Wilmslow home on May 11, having been out celebrating the Clarets' top-flight survival in a victory against Fulham. Barnes, 31, was stopped at 3am on Balmoral Way while driving a black £55,000 Mercedes-Benz V-Class. The footballer pleaded guilty to the charge at Stockport Magistrates Court and was offered the chance to reduce his ban by 12 weeks by taking a drink driving awareness course. At the time of his arrest, Burnley Football Club released the following statement: "Burnley Football Club is aware of a police incident involving one of its players, Ashley Barnes. "As a club with solid values and a strong community ethos, Burnley FC upholds and expects the highest standards of responsible behaviour from all its players and staff. "Therefore, while observing the conclusion of legal proceedings, the club will be treating this matter with the upmost seriousness. "The player will be subject to internal disciplinary procedures as a result. "Burnley Football Club will make no further comment."