Pascal Gross
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton’s Pascal Gross reveals his season challenges with double Covid setback and frequent position changes #BHAFC

April 28, 2022
Pascal Gross's footballing story in England is also Albion's Premier League story – to a large extent. And he gave us a little reminder of that as he thought he had secured a piece of history on Sunday. The German midfielder advanced into a dangerous area as in days of old, found space, took the ball on the half turn and saw he had a decent passing option to his right. Using that runner as a decoy, he took the more daring option, backed his technique and sent the most crisp of low, right-foot shots across the dive of an England goalkeeper and unerringly into the bottom left corner in front of the North Stand. It should have been the moment which secured Albion’s best ever points tally in the Prem. Or at least gave them a 3-2 lead over Southampton going into the final minutes. Instead, an old-fashioned offside flag went up. Then VAR, something which did not exist when Gross first came our way, confirmed a very tight – did someone say incorrect? - offside decision. Had it stood, Albion’s latest Prem win could have been secured with a goal just like one we saw in their first. On that occasion, it was the second goal of the match to open a 2-0 lead in the 3-1 win over West Brom. (Gross, of course, had scored the opening goal after Chris Hughton’s men had to wait almost three-and-a-half games to get off the mark). Back then, he drilled the ball past Ben Foster, this time it was Fraser Forster. The similarity of the strikes did not go unnoticed. Lewis Dunk remarked on it as he and Gross headed out of the changing rooms and towards the player interview area after Sunday’s game. The Albion No.13 told The Argus: “Dunky just said the same – he remembered West Brom. “I saw it for a couple of seconds. “That was why I celebrated. It would have been nice but it’s ups and downs. “Great for a second or two, then after disappointed obviously.” Gross came in as Albion’s goalscoring No.10, playing just off Glenn Murray or Tomer Hemed in Hughton’s 4-4-1-1 set-up. He has added versatility since then as reflected of late, working out wide or a long way forward helping lead the press. Against Southampton, he went on at right wing-back as Albion changed shape having seen a 2-0 lead slip away but that did not last long. He said: “I came on as a right wing-back, then the gaffer made a slight adjustment so I went into midfield. “I don’t mind. I play where I am needed. ”I think we played really well in the first half. “Just before half-time we conceded a goal and that is always not a great moment. “After half-time we struggled a little bit. “Solly (March) and me came on and as subs you just try to help your team. “There are always different types of game and different stages. “You just try to have an impact and help the team.” Around the time of Albion’s entry into the FA Cup in January, there were questions in Graham Potter’s press conferences as to how much of a part Gross still had in the league. He had played just a minor role in the previous two months or so. But he has stepped up a level since then. Been out there in most of the best moments. Very often (though not always) these days, a curious, unexplained absence or dip in form can be for a reason which did not exist until two years ago and information about which is not readily divulged. PASCAL GROSS SAYS BRIGHTON HAVE BIG FUTURE Gross revealed: “I had Covid twice this season, in the first half and it didn’t help, obviously. “But I am always a part of the team and I try to play as much as I can. “Try to play as well as I can so that the gaffer has to pick me. “I try to make it hard for him like every player does.” Asked how Covid affected him, he said: “It’s just you are out for ten days at least and then you need to rebuild a little bit. “It’s not great during a season, like other players have little injuries. That doesn’t help. “I’m fit and I just try to help the team when I am needed. “It’s not that big a deal but many players have it. “That’s just the times we live in.”
Sean Dyche Burnley
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Sean Dyche admits Covid-19 postponements gave Burnley players time to reset #BURNLEYFC

February 12, 2022
SEAN Dyche believes the postponement of games due to Covid-19 last month offered his Burnley players a chance to reset as they try to dig themselves out of trouble at the bottom of the Premier League. Burnley saw games against Leicester and Watford called off in mid-January due to an outbreak of the virus within Dyche’s squad. It came at a time when Burnley had lost three matches on the bounce, losing to Manchester United and Leeds in the league while being knocked out of the FA Cup by Huddersfield – a match Dyche himself missed while in isolation – but they are unbeaten since returning to action at Arsenal on January 23. That match at the Emirates finished goalless, while they have since drawn at home with fellow strugglers Watford and, on Tuesday, Manchester United – a result which lifted spirits ahead of Sunday’s visit of Liverpool. “I think we had to re-check ourselves after the game against Leeds (a 3-1 defeat on January 2),” Dyche said. “We had a period with injuries and Covid and there was a period of realignment of players’ thoughts. We got back to basics against Arsenal with our defensive performance and on another day it could have been more than a draw. “We took that into the next game and did pretty well, didn’t take our chances, then against Man United it was a soft first half and a strong second half. The mentality is there. I never think we’re far away, but we have to start making things happen.” Burnley may be rooted to the foot of the table but remain a tough nut to crack. Though still with only one league win all season, Dyche’s side have drawn seven of their last 11 and their tally of eight defeats is the lowest of any side in the bottom seven. “It shows consistency but obviously the winning mentality is key,” Dyche said. “We want that mentality and the only way to get it is to earn it, to win games, but I think there’s been an edge to our performance. “We didn’t feel like we’d been in the right place but we got back to what the team should be against Arsenal. "I like the consistency of getting points and delivering clean sheets but we know we can’t keep drawing games. We’ve got to go and win so it’s about finding that winning edge.” Few may back Burnley to pick up only their second win of the campaign against a Liverpool side trying to chase down Manchester City in the title race, but then few had money on them taking points from Manchester United and Arsenal either. “All games are winnable,” Dyche said. “That has to be the mentality. Ours is firm and it’s got to be on Sunday against another top outfit. But we look at ourselves and what we’re looking to build.” Burnley were second best in the first half on Tuesday and fortunate not to be trailing by more – United had two goals disallowed either side of Paul Pogba’s strike – but the second half performance pointed the way to safety as they had chances to win after Jay Rodriguez’s equaliser. But though fans left Turf Moor buoyed by what they had seen, the gap to safety grew on the night as Newcastle beat Everton before Norwich took a point against Crystal Palace on Wednesday. “There’s a reality to where we are and we accept that reality,” Dyche said. “We could have changed it earlier in the season and we haven’t done so there’s a responsibility from the staff and the players, and we accept that.”
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl happy to see Premier League COVID rules changed #SAINTSFC

February 4, 2022
RALPH Hasenhuttl admitted he is "definitely happier" following the Premier League's updated guidelines on matches being postponed due to COVID-19 cases. Previously, clubs could request for a game to be called off if at least one player had tested positive for coronavirus, meaning they fell below a threshold of 13 outfield players plus a goalkeeper available, whether that be through COVID, injuries, suspensions, or international call-ups. Following a swathe of games being called off despite limited COVID cases, many clubs expressed their dissatisfaction at the rules with Saints boss Hasenhuttl in particular one of the more vocal advocates of change. Now the rules have altered, meaning from this weekend Premier League clubs will have to show four positive cases of COVID-19 in order to apply for a match to be postponed, as well as having fewer than 14 available players. Saints saw their scheduled game against Newcastle United on January 2 postponed upon request of the Magpies. Brentford's visit to St Mary's was also rearranged in December due to a coronavirus outbreak among the Bees' squad. Asked for his thoughts on new rules being implemented mid-season by the Premier League, Hasenhuttl said: "I think I am definitely happier because it was absolutely necessary to change things. Because we have seen what situation it was leading to, games were called off because of injuries or whatever. "The transparency was not there. It is a little bit more now. It is clearer now, and this is definitely helpful for everything." He added: "We have not so many days where we can play the games and we have to be careful, because there will be some clubs in the end who will maybe be playing five or six games in the last two weeks or something like that. This cannot be the goal to be honest. It is good, it is much better now, hopefully." "The best thing would be we have no cases anymore, but I think this will take a little bit (of time)." From the Premier League's latest round of testing, figures revealed there were 11 positive coronavirus tests recorded last week, from 1,947 samples at clubs. Brentford boss Thomas Frank has since tested positive.
Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Bjorn Hamberg reveals how absent Graham Potter helped Brighton during the match #BHAFC

January 25, 2022
This is how the technical area looked for Albion yesterday as they picked up an away draw. Bjorn Hamberg took charge of the team at Leicester City. Head coach Graham Potter was ruled out after testing positive for Covid. His assistant Billy Reid, who was due to step in, himself tested positive on Saturday. Hamberg was assisted by Bruno while Potter supervised from home. Under-23s coach Andrew Crofts joined the analysis team at the King Power. Hamberg told The Argus: “Graham had a direct feed from the game to his house. “He felt well enough to be a part of it and obviously it was really good for us. “He was always in touch with a couple of the coaches here, not myself. “Anything Graham wanted changed, anything Graham thought, I had that information in ten seconds. “He wasn’t here but be played his part and you know what he’s like, he’s a top manager. I thought it worked well. “We had a great support staff around so it worked smoothly, no problem.”
Sean Dyche Burnley
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Sean Dyche reveals his faith in Premier League when postpone applications are submitted #BURNLEYFC

January 18, 2022
Burnley’s game against Watford has been postponed after the Premier League accepted the Clarets’ application that they had fewer than the required number of players available. Manager Sean Dyche, speaking at a press conference to preview Tuesday's match, revealed only 10 first-team players took part in training on Monday before the club applied for the postponement. Dyche said the relegation-threatened club were in a worse position than they had been before the Premier League agreed to call off Saturday’s match against Leicester, with Charlie Taylor having taken a knock in training to add to the list of absentees. “We’re at such a stretched moment in time that it’s very difficult all round,” Dyche said. “At training today there were 10 recognised first-team players. That’s where we’re at.” A statement released by the Clarets and the Premier League on Monday evening read: “The Premier League board accepted Burnley’s application with the club having fewer than the required number of players available for the match (13 outfield players and one goalkeeper), due to ongoing Covid-19 cases, injuries, and representation at the Africa Cup of Nations.” Burnley sent their apologies to both sets of supporters, with the Premier League also apologising for the “inconvenience and disruption” caused by the match “regrettably” being called off. Premier League guidance says clubs should have a minimum of 13 outfield players and one goalkeeper available for a match to go ahead, though applications for postponements can also be accepted under other circumstances. Dyche had spoken on Monday afternoon about the decision to put in the application to postpone the game. He said: “We know over the last few weeks how clear the Premier League has been on the whys and wherefores and the level it needs to get to. We’ve put the application in in good faith. It’s only three days on from a game that was called off… “We’ve worked really hard to get games on when we’ve been stretched but it’s just too far below the threshold.” Asked if the postponement request could have been lodged earlier, Dyche said the club had waited for the results of Monday morning’s tests before making a call. In a statement, Burnley had said their application for postponement was made due to a “high number of injuries and Covid-19 cases within the squad”. Some managers have questioned whether clubs were taking advantage of the current rules to avoid playing while dealing with lengthy injury lists. Dyche did not reveal how many of his players have Covid-19, but said the situation can be more complicated than raw numbers indicate. “There’s a mix of all of that,” he said. “There are some double bubbles as well. Johann (Berg Gudmundsson) is injured and has Covid. “In the Premier League you need two clear days of training but players might have only been back for one day. That’s no use when you’ve had seven or 10 days in isolation doing very little. “There’s a mix of what’s going on and it stretches you to the limit.” Saturday was the fourth time this season Burnley had a matched called off due to cases of Covid-19, but the first time the request had come from the Turf Moor club. Tuesday’s fixture against Watford had already been rearranged – it was originally due to be played on December 15 but was postponed due to positive cases within the Hornets camp. Burnley last played on January 8, when they were without seven players for the 2-1 FA Cup loss to Championship side Huddersfield – a match which was also missed by Dyche and coach Steve Stone following positive tests. Since then, the Clarets have lost Chris Wood in a surprise transfer to Newcastle – forced on Burnley due to a release clause in the New Zealand striker’s contract – while Ivory Coast international Maxwel Cornet is at the Africa Cup of Nations. Dyche’s side have played only 17 Premier League games, the fewest of any team, and sit bottom of the table after Saturday’s results, three points shy of 17th-placed Watford. In addition to the Watford match, Burnley’s fixtures against Everton and Aston Villa were postponed last month, while they must still reschedule November’s match against Tottenham, which was called off at short notice due to heavy snow. A total of 21 Premier League games have been postponed this term due to coronavirus cases. On Monday, the Premier League said that, of 13,625 Covid-19 tests administered on players and staff last week, 33 came back positive, down from 72 for the week of January 3-9, and 94 for the week of December 27 to January 2.
Sean Dyche Burnley
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Sean Dyche assistant Ian Woan on Burnley’s Covid problems and FA Cup clash #BURNLEYFC

January 8, 2022
BURNLEY assistant manager Ian Woan has revealed there are new coronavirus cases among the players in addition to boss Sean Dyche’s positive test ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Huddersfield. Woan says he believes there are “four new ones” in terms of positive cases within the playing staff. Goalkeeper Nick Pope and midfielder Josh Brownhill missed the last two games after positive tests. Woan said Pope had not yet returned to training, while Brownhill was described as a “possibility” for Saturday. Johann Berg Gudmundsson is a doubt due to an injury sustained in Sunday’s 3-1 Premier League loss at Leeds. Ashley Barnes and Connor Roberts are not yet ready for first-team involvement again, and Maxwel Cornet is now away with the Ivory Coast ahead of the African Cup of Nations. Woan said he had overseen a training session with 16 players on Thursday, including Roberts, and stressed Burnley was a “no-excuse environment”. The 54-year-old, who also revealed first-team coach Steve Stone was another among the backroom team to test positive, said: “The prep will be a little bit different. I’ve trained today with 16 of the players, and (Under-23s boss) Michael Jackson’s come over to help me out. “We do what Burnley do – we get it done, and we don’t make excuses. “We have got a number of cases. We’ll have another round of testing (on Friday), so the team won’t be kind of confirmed until one, two o’clock maybe when we get all the cases back in and we know what we’re playing with and the numbers we have. It’s really difficult to plan.” When then asked about Burnley’s determination to play, Woan said: “We’re a no-excuse environment and that stems right from the gaffer. “We want to play every game, we’re not going to pull out of any games. If we can play, if we’ve got the numbers to do it, we’ll play, there’s no discussion there whatsoever. “I’m sure, as long as we’ve got the numbers on Saturday, the game’s going to go ahead.” Regarding Dyche, Woan said: “You can imagine how he is at being a patient – he’ll be bouncing off the walls I would have thought. “I’ve been in constant dialogue with him. He’ll have a big impact on the team selection obviously. “I don’t know what sort of involvement he can have on Saturday, whether he can stream the game, but I’ll be surprised if there’s not a phonecall at half-time shall we say.” Woan was also asked about reports linking Burnley with Juventus’ Aaron Ramsey, and said: “Our financial parameters are well known. “Obviously Aaron Ramsey would be a really good asset for us, he’s a very talented player – but as I sit here now, it was the first I heard of it walking over the bridge to the training ground. “A player of his talent, you’d always be interested, absolutely. But it’s the first I’ve heard of it.”
James Ward Prowse
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- James Ward-Prowse reveals difficulty in playing before empty stands #SAINTSFC

January 8, 2022
JAMES Ward-Prowse admitted he found behind-closed-doors games “difficult to get used to with the lack of atmosphere” as Saints prepare for a first return to empty stadia this campaign. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side travel to Swansea City in the FA Cup third round tomorrow (5.30pm) and, under Welsh Government guidelines, no tickets are being sold for the Premier League versus Championship clash. Football fans and players alike rejoiced a mass return to the terraces when Brentford packed out their stadium and hosted Arsenal on a Friday night back in August. However, swift and more extreme action taken on the spread of coronavirus by Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has meant Welsh sides will again play their games behind closed doors. James Ward-Prowse has scored in each of his last two away matches (Pic: PA) And asked if it will be disappointing to again step out onto the pitch to relative silence, the Saints captain told the Daily Echo: “Yeah, maybe. “I think that was the one thing that was difficult to get used to at the start was the lack of atmosphere.” He continued: “But once you’re in the game and in the moment you soon forget about it and have to concentrate on your job so we will see, it’s an ever changing time and at the minute we don’t know.” Russell Martin’s second division outfit have not played a competitive fixture for almost a month due to COVID postponements. Swansea manager Russell Martin (Pic: PA) The last time they ran out was a 4-1 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest on December 11 – a result that made it three successive defeats for the south Wales side. Martin has admitted since that he will have to manage his squad accordingly for the FA Cup match, with most having been decimated by positive tests or isolations that will have struck their fitness levels. Meanwhile, Saints also saw disruption with winnable St Mary’s fixtures against Brentford and Newcastle both postponed due to cases in the opposition camp. “The situation with COVID is very difficult,” Ward-Prowse added. “It’s changing all the time, day-to-day. Saints will be without defender Kyle Walker-Peters following a positive COVID test (Pic: Stuart Martin) “We don’t know what restrictions are going to be in place or what’s coming next. “All we can do is control what we know we can control and that’s adhering to the protocols and making sure that everybody is safe within our bubble, and to ensure that we have as many fit players ready and available to play. “Fans or no fans, we are used to it both ways.”
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl gives Southampton COVID/injury updates on Che Adams, Livramento and more #SAINTSFC

December 29, 2021
RALPH Hasenhuttl revealed that he only found out Che Adams would be ruled out through a positive COVID test at 10PM the night before facing Tottenham Hotspur. The Scottish international made his return from injury with a late cameo at West Ham and was likely set to start in the 1-1 draw with Antonio Conte’s side. Shane Long lead the line for Saints with Adam Armstrong and Stuart Armstrong flanking him, following Hasenhuttl having to make late changes to his planned XI. “Yesterday at 10pm I heard about Che Adams,” he revealed. “Made a few phone calls, late in the night to change a few things.” Tino Livramento was also ruled out with a knee injury concern, as Hasenhuttl revealed the youngster has fluid in his knee. Jannik Vestergaard had what sounded like a similar issue and never came back the same player, after playing on through the concern for Denmark. Asked if Livramento’s concern is reminiscent of that, Hasenhuttl responded: “I’m not so sure, I don’t think so. It’s so tough the injury.” Finally, Lyanco and Jack Stephens missed out again through COVID isolation periods and the boss added that they haven’t tested negative yet but he hopes they’ll be back Sunday. “Not yet, but hopefully until Sunday.”
Thomas Tuchel
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Thomas Tuchel concerned about players health ahead of clash against Brighton #CHELSEAFC #BHAFC

December 28, 2021
Thomas Tuchel says he is “super concerned” for the health of his Chelsea players as they plan to face Albion. The Blues boss conceded after a 3-1 win at Aston Villa yesterday he does not know the repercussions of pressing the likes of goalscorer Romelu Lukaku and Hudson-Odoi back into service just days after completing coronavirus isolation will be. “Romelu had a very good performance today, but it’s not fair and he’s not ready for that,” Tuchel told Sky Sports. “We have all been in bed for two weeks with the flu but we did not play two days later at Villa Park. So we don’t know what comes from that. “I am very impressed with my players but super concerned. “We let Callum Hudson-Odoi play for 90 minutes because we needed to change other players. Who decides that? “And maybe we made a big mistake here letting players play after corona and one or two training sessions. “But obviously they (the Premier League) made us play and so we play. “And we play one or two more cup games, and we play against teams who prepare with games postponed, and who prepare with one week for these matches. BRIGHTON TO MAKE LATE CALL ON LEANDRO TROSSARD AT CHELSEA “OK, so it’s like it is – but this cannot be the right way. “People at the green table and people in offices take these decisions. This is how it is.”
Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Graham Potter reveals Danny Welbeck among Brighton stars set to return to playing squad #BHAFC

December 23, 2021
Albion have received a major boost ahead of their Boxing Day clash with Brentford. Danny Welbeck, Neal Maupay and Pascal Gross will all be available to face the Bees. Welbeck has been missing since the draw at Crystal Palace in September. Maupay and Gross were absent when the Seagulls lost to Wolves last week. Adam Webster could also return from injury depending on how he trains for the rest of the week. Head coach Graham Potter said: “There are a couple still Covid-related issues. “Joel Veltman is not too bad, he is more fatigue. GRAHAM POTTER'S BRIGHTON V BRENTFORD PRESS CONFERENCE “We need to just monitor him. We will probably make a decision with him later in the week. “We have got a lot of people returning.” Webster has trained so far this week so is currently on course for the Brentford game.