David Moyes
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- David Moyes frustrated after goal ruled out following VAR check in Brighton draw #WHUFC

December 2, 2021
DAVID Moyes was left frustrated by a VAR call after West Ham were pegged back to a 1-1 draw by Albion. The Hammers led through a Tomas Soucek header but had a second goal disallowed for offside against Michail Antonio following a goalmouth scramble. After a lengthy review VAR Jarred Gillett decided the ball had brushed Antonio’s ankle on the goal-line after Craig Dawson bundled it goalwards via the legs of Brighton defender Shane Duffy. Hammers boss Moyes said: “I didn’t think we played well but we made enough chances to probably nick the game, but a draw was a fair result. “It’s nearly impossible to rule that goal out. The ref couldn’t do much, he didn’t see it. The only people who can make the call is the VAR. “Whoever the VAR has to decide why we can chalk that off. I hope someone comes out and tells us. For me the last touch came off Shane Duffy’s legs. “I think it’s so hard to call that not a goal. You have to have something much clearer to identify why that goal can’t stand. “I’m hoping to be showed a real reason why it wasn’t given. And the time it took suggests it was a difficult call.” The decision proved vital as Albion's Neal Maupay's 89th minute overhead kick dragged Albion level and split the points between the two teams.
Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Graham Potter unhappy with boos after Brighton draw with Leeds #BHAFC

November 28, 2021
Graham Potter said he could not understand booing after his side drew 0-0 with Leeds. Albion dominated much of the Premier League contest but had to settle for a point as chances were missed. There was some booing at full-time as disappointed fans saw two points slip away. Head coach Potter initially told BBC Radio Sussex: “You can’t control that, everybody is entitled to their opinion. “I completely disagree. MORE CONTENT, FEWER ADS: OUR BLACK FRIDAY SUBSCRIPTION RATES REMAIN AVAILABLE ALL WEEKEND. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP. “I can only say I am really proud of my team, proud of the players and how they played against a tough opponent, created chances. “You have got Tariq Lamptey, you’ve got Jakub Moder. “Young players who were out there doing their best. LIVE REPORT FROM BRIGHTON V LEEDS “Robert Sanchez in goal, a young player doing his best. “Marc Cucurella I thought was fantastic, Leo Trossard fantastic. “Maybe I need a history lesson. I need to understand were we are at because as far as I can see we are eighth in the Premier League and the boys are giving everything. We’ll carry on.” Potter spoke more on the theme when he faced writers from the Monday newspapers via Zoom soon after. He accepted there were chances which should have been converted but was largely very pleased with the performance. The Seagulls boss added: “If we play like that over the course of the season, we will score and we will win."
Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Graham Potter reveals Robert Sanchez happiness in returning to playing 11 after red card suspension #BHAFC

November 27, 2021
Robert Sanchez is ready to come bouncing back from his first red card. The Albion goalkeeper is expected to return to the XI as they face Leeds tomorrow (5.30pm). That is despite Jason Steele emerging with flying colours from his Premier League debut at Aston Villa. Sanchez has had time on the training ground both with Albion and Spain since his dismissal against Newcastle. Seagulls boss Graham Potter said: “He has reacted really well. “It’s a football action that can happen so there’s no blame for Rob – no negativity for that. “It’s part of his experience and development as a player so we’re all behind him and he will come back stronger for it.” Sanchez recently turned 24 and has so far made 38 Prem appearances, the equivalent of one full season. Potter said: “He’s quite a level-headed guy who keeps things in perspective. “Obviously he’s lucky because Ben Roberts works really well with him and he’s got the support of his team and the support of everybody here. “We know his quality. The sky’s the limit for him but he’s still a young goalkeeper and you can’t short-cut that process. EX-SOUTHWICK PLAYER SET TO TAKE OVER AT MANCHESTER UNITED “That’s the reality of it, regardless of whatever he did. “We also know Jason’s qualities. They are two different goalkeepers at two different stages of their careers, but they are both really important for us.”
Sean Dyche Burnley
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Burnley boss Sean Dyche gives injury update ahead of Tottenham Hotspur clash #BURNLEYFC

November 27, 2021
BURNLEY boss Sean Dyche says Ashley Barnes will be out for “weeks rather than days” due to a thigh injury. The forward missed last weekend’s 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace at Turf Moor and is set for a spell on the sidelines. Dyche also revealed Matej Vydra and Jay Rodriguez have minor problems but says they should be available for Sunday’s clash with Tottenham. “We’ve got a few niggly ones which should calm down,” said the Burnley boss. “Jay Rodriguez, just a bit of tightness. Matej Vydra, a bit of tightness. But they should be fine. “Barnesy is the only one (who is ruled out for) a bit of time now because he’s got a pretty decent tear in his thigh, so that’s going to take a bit of time to calm down I think. “There isn’t a time limit on it but it’s certainly not going to be days - it’s going to be weeks. He’s the only current one that is really out of action so to speak.” Spurs enter the game on the back of a 2-1 defeat against Slovenian side NS Mura in the Europa Conference League. However, Dyche insists they have lots of quality and knows his side have to be prepared for a tough game. He added: “They’ve had to change again – quick changes with managers. There are no two ways about the manager (Antonio Conte) knowing his stuff and the players know their stuff. “It’s just sometimes you need a connection between what you’re trying to achieve tactically – a change of culture, a change of manager – and get the best out of the players. “There’s no doubt in my mind that there are still some highly talented players there – that’s a given for Tottenham sides over the last few years. “The manager getting the best out of them – that’s his job. His record suggests he will over time.  “They don’t lack talent, that’s for sure. We’re going to have to be well aware of the strengths they’ve got. “But equally we’re on a nice little run of performances, we look a threat, we can score goals. So we still focus on ourselves.”
Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton boss Graham Potter supports LGBTQ+ community campaign – Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces #BHAFC

November 27, 2021
Graham Potter says he hopes a Premier League player ‘comes out’ out as gay. The Albion head coach believes the game has made progress in terms of increased inclusivity across the board. He has backed Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, which encourages people to speak up on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. Albion’s match at home to Leeds is their designated Rainbow Laces fixture. Potter said of the campaign: “It’s vital, as a game, we should welcome everybody regardless of who they love. “It’s a fantastic initiative and it’s something football needs to carry on working with because we have to carry on being welcoming for all. “It’s an issue we speak about a lot regardless of sexuality, the colour of skin, religion, it should be a game for everyone. “I am pleased that football is taking a step, there’s things we could do better.” He added: “It’s educational, conversation, honesty, openness around the things that challenge people. “The more that gets out in the open the better.” Potter was asked whether a Premier League player would come out at some point. He replied: “I hope so because that’s a part of the challenge. “We’ve taken some steps but not enough. “Historically and culturally it’s a very masculine, heterosexual environment. “Thankfully the world is changing and people feel freer to be who they are regardless of their sexuality, but it’s not easy. “We’ve had some stories recently where people have taken those steps. “Not in this country but I believe there was a story in Australia. BRIGHTON'S ROBERT SANCHEZ READY TO BOUNCE BACK “A big congratulations to him, the more conversations, initiatives like this, the greater the chance of that happening.”
Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Graham Potter will weigh up Neal Maupay return to face Leeds #BHAFC #LUFC

November 23, 2021
Graham Potter says Albion will look at their attacking work after a blank at Aston Villa. But he has warned the solution is not as simple as just bringing back Neal Maupay. The four-goal top scorer is in contention for a return to the starting line-up for the home game against Leeds. Albion had 63% of possession but struggled to create chances in a 2-0 defeat at Villa Park on Saturday. Maupay has been on the bench for the last three games, including an impressive 2-2 draw at Liverpool in which the side attacked with menace led by Leandro Trossard. There are already calls among some fans for Maupay to be restored as a genuine No.9 after an attractive but relatively toothless display at Villa. WHY BRIGHTON TOOK OFF TARIQ LAMPTEY AT ASTON VILLA Head coach Potter told The Argus: “We have to look at how we attack. “Of course Neal is always in contention. BRIGHTON PLAYER RATINGS IN 2-0 DEFEAT AT ASTON VILLA “He is an important player for us, as are all our players. “We have to be disappointed today (Saturday), be frustrated today. “We have to train this week and push on. “It’s nice to think one person fixes all the problems or provides all the solutions. “But it would be unfair on anybody to put them in that position. “We have to do better as a team.” Albion have played some good football at the Amex this season although their tally of six goals in as many games includes just one from open play. Trossard was again their main striker at Villa but the system was less effective than at Anfield. Potter said: “It wasn’t so effective because we lost. “Whatever you do isn’t so effective if you don’t win.”
Sean Dyche Burnley
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Burnley boss Sean Dyche disappointed not to win Crystal Palace thriller at death #BURNLEYFC #CPFC

November 23, 2021
SEAN Dyche praised his side’s second-half display against Crystal Palace after Maxwel Cornet’s volley earned his team a point in a 3-3 draw at Turf Moor. It could have been even better for the Clarets as well, but Matej Vydra’s late effort was saved. Dyche said: “We didn’t start well, but in the second half it was a different story. We were a lot braver in our performance. “To go in at 3-2 we could be disappointed but we came out in the second half, scored a fantastic goal and Vyds has a golden moment at the end, their keeper makes a fantastic save to be fair.” Patrick Vieira could only chuckle at what he called a “crazy good game” after his Palace side took a point. Palace led, then trailed, then led again a five-goal first half, but Cornet levelled with a stunning volley. It was a result that pleased both managers. Burnley remain in the bottom three but have put their early-season woes behind them to pick up points consistently - the only defeat in their last seven league games coming away to Manchester City - while Palace are unbeaten in seven. Few would have arrived at Turf Moor expecting a goal-fest but that is what they got - Christian Benteke scored twice, either side of headers from Ben Mee and Chris Wood for Burnley, before Marc Guehi gave Palace a half-time lead. “It was a crazy good game,” Vieira said. “Both teams maybe brought a different philosophy to the game but both tried to win it. I think for the neutral it was a good game to watch. “At the end there is a good feeling because of the save, that was the biggest chance they created in the second half and it was an important save from Vince to allow us to go back to London with a point. “I was a little bit disappointed with how we managed the game but that’s just showing the team needs to grow. There is a maturity we didn’t have today to really manage the game better.” Palace led just eight minutes in as Joachim Andersen teed up Benteke for his first, but after Conor Gallagher missed a chance to double the advantage, Burnley hit back. Dyche had identified set-pieces as a potential Palace weakness and Burnley duly exploited them - Mee headed in from Ashley Westwood’s corner to level, then James Tarkowski headed Dwight McNeil’s free-kick across goal for Wood to nod in his 50th Premier League goal. But having taken the lead, Burnley let it slip just as quickly - Gallagher played in Benteke who fired home an equaliser and Guehi lashed home on the rebound just before the break when Nick Pope had denied Andersen. Burnley were much brighter after the break, inspired by Cornet’s volley as they had a number of chances to win it However, Dyche was unhappy with referee Simon Hooper. There was a shout for a Palace red card when Wood, through on goal, went down under a challenge from Andersen in the second half, while Dyche was also unhappy to see Tarkowski booked in a tangle with Wilfried Zaha - ruling him out of next week’s match against Tottenham. “I’m all for allowing some of these soft things, it’s trying to find the balance, but that’s bizarre,” Dyche said of the challenge on Wood. “He’s got two hands around his chest. Whoever’s looking at that, I’ve no clue how they’ve not given it. “The other one is Tarks getting booked when he’s trying to stop the trouble...He had a quiet game today, the referee wasn’t clear-minded. Another day you might get them.”
Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton boss Graham Potter shares his experience of living on the streets #BHAFC

November 20, 2021
Graham Potter accepts he did a sort of sleeping rough light at St Peter’s Church last Friday night. He didn’t get the total depressing experience and the weather was unusually mild for November. But the Albion head coach hopes his outing with Bruno and Billy Reid has done the job that was intended, which is increase awareness of those who brave it every night. Potter and colleagues slept out in support Off the Fence, who run Project Anti-Freeze. He said: “The reality is I spent one night on the streets, packed up my stuff, got in my car and drove home. “I have no idea what it is like to be homeless. “Even after one night there, it doesn’t bear thinking about. “It is the reality for a lot of people with the nights coming in and winter arriving and it is cold. You see how difficult it is. “It might just be toothpaste, or a change of clothes, or a fresh, clean, dry pair of socks. “Something that can make a difference. “It doesn’t cost much but it can erase a need. “If you can raise awareness and make things a little bit better for people, that is the best we can do.” Potter gave some insight into what his night was like. He said: “All the things you can think of. We were lucky it was quite mild so we didn’t experience the cold, which they will experience in the next few weeks. “It rained but not too much. You’re uncomfortable, of course – you’re sleeping in a cardboard box on concrete – and there’s the noise of the city on a Friday night and you have half an eye on who’s coming past. “You can imagine if that’s your reality all the time, you’re a bit scared about what can happen at night so you have lots of things to consider. “It’s not something I would be rushing to do again, as you can imagine, although I will do to support the charity.” Potter recognises that a Premier League manager doing what he did will raise awareness of a cause in a way that most people cannot. ASTON VILLA V BRIGHTON - STEVEN GERRARD'S WARNING He is not totally comfortable about that but said: “That is the reality, I suppose, because of the profile of the Premier League and a head coach in it. All of a sudden it is my name. That is fine. That is why I want to do it. “You want to raise the profile of the charity and the fantastic work those guys do and also homelessness as an issue. BRIGHTON'S JASON STEELE HAS 'EARNED THE RIGHT' TO FACE ASTON VILLA “I always thought you judge a society by how it treats its most vulnerable.” “To see people on the streets is disturbing. “Whilst it is not great, I understand the way the world works. “It generates more attention if I am involved in it. “That’s fine because hopefully it helps the charity and the people it is meant to help.”
Dean Smith Manager
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Dean Smith speaks ahead of taking his Carrow Road bow #NCFC

November 20, 2021
Please share“Analysing everything” will be the key to picking Dean Smith’s first City team, according to the Canaries’ new head coach.Smith’s first Colney training session came on Thursday, and with a crucial match against Southampton coming up tomorrow he’s been left with little time to draft a starting XI. He is comfortable in this scenario, however, having taken the reigns at Brentford and Aston Villa mid-season. So how will Smith go about his first selection? “Just examining them every day on the training ground … watching the little behaviours they’ve got, looking at the quality, the technical abilities. “Over the last week or so the sports science team have been passing me the numbers so I can have a look at their physical output as well. We’re analysing everything all the time to find out what’s our best team.” [embedded content] It’s been a hectic week for the 50-year-old, who only recently flew back to the UK from New York before being introduced to the club’s staff, as well as an unveiling to the press on Wednesday afternoon. The new City boss is focused on the Saints, however, and recognised the tough opposition they’ll provide in his first game in charge. “We know there are big problems,” said Smith. “We need to create more chances. We know how difficult it is at this level, especially against a Southampton team who aren’t conceding many at all. “We want to make Carrow Road a hard place to come for the opposition and we can start that on Saturday, although I’m very respectful of Ralph (Hasenhüttl) and his team; they’re in a good run of form and they’re a tough team to play against. “My abiding memory [of Carrow Road] is that the supporters are very welcoming. I want them to be welcoming to Norwich City on Saturday, but not so much to Southampton.” Please share
Steven Gerrard
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Steven Gerrard calls on fans to back Aston Villa against Brighton #AVFC

November 20, 2021
Steven Gerrard has called on Aston Villa fans to make life as tough for Albion as they did for his old Liverpool team. The new Villa boss says the Anfield outfit were given a torrid time in the second city when he was playing for them. Liverpool at home is the sort of occasion for which supporters might be expected to raise their game. But the first match under a high-profile new boss, after five straight defeats, probably fits the same bill this time. There will be a 42,000 full house packed into Villa Park tomorrow afternoon. Gerrard called on supporters to give the home side “a huge lift” as he takes charge for the first time. He said: “I’ve played here and the atmosphere has been top and I’ve felt that. “It has been tough to play against this support and now it’s with us. “I hope it’s rocking and roaring. There’s a motto at the club to be prepared. We will be and I hope they will be too.” Albion played Gerrard’s Rangers side early in pre-season, drawing 0-0. They will have monitored Villa throughout the current campaign under Dean Smith. What happens when you add Gerrard to Villa will be of interest. Especially when they have enjoyed time to work together. Gerrard had the facts at his fingertips as he faced the media yesterday. He knows Villa rank eighth in the Prem this term for scoring goals but only 18th for stopping them. He only took charge of his full squad for the first time yesterday afternoon as some members returned from international duty. So we will not be seeing anything like his full Villa masterplan for a while as he sets off on a long-term target of European football. But he has promised some immediate changess and they are likely to be aimed at tightening defence. He said: “We will play different to what’s been before, my own stamp on things, my own identity and philosophy. “That will take time so you will see changes at the weekend. “We are very much looking forward to the game. “We have a big 48 hours ahead. In a normal world you have 5-6 weeks in pre-season. “We don’t have that luxury but we can be prepared for the challenge. “It will be tough but we will look forward to the challenge. “It’s a new start, a fresh start. I won’t be digging into any previous games, it’s about tomorrow and going ahead. “We had a meeting in terms of how we want the culture to look and the environment, the expectations, the attitude and mentality so far has been first class. “We will become a possession-based team when we can transition into that. Time will tell.” So probably not by tomorrow, then. There is good news for the hosts with Danny Ings set to return in attack and star goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez back safely from helping Argentina reach the World Cup finals. It looks like Ings will partner Ollie Watkins in attack with Emiliano Buendia among those looking to provide service in a 4-3-3 set-up. BRIGHTON'S JASON STEELE HAS 'EARNED THE RIGHT' TO FACE ASTON VILLA Trezeget, Morgan Sanson and Douglas Luiz are expected to miss out. Gerrard, who looked somewhat nervous in his press conference, said: “For me, the important thing is worrying about the next game, the next three points. “I don’t want to look too far past that, but we should be higher than we are. “The challenge is, can we do that against Brighton?”
Sean Dyche Burnley
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Burnley boss Sean Dyche gives verdict on Chelsea draw #BURNLEYFC

November 8, 2021
SEAN Dyche has dismissed suggestions of touchline clashes with Chelsea as “bizarre” after Burnley’s heated 1-1 Premier League draw at Stamford Bridge. Clarets first-team coach Steve Stone was overheard telling Chelsea’s bench to “show some respect” amid a terse first-half exchange in west London. Both sets of coaches appeared animated and frustrated, but after a cut-and-thrust encounter, both Dyche and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel moved to downplay any incidents. Matej Vydra’s late equaliser denied leaders Chelsea a fifth-straight Premier League win after the hosts had gone ahead through Kai Havertz’s header. And Burnley boss Dyche was left confused as to why the questions after the game were on off-field incidents. “I didn’t see or say anything at all," said Dyche. "I have no clue where these questions are coming from. I have no clue what a flash point is any more. “I’m actually confused. I don’t remember hardly anything happening to be honest. I don’t remember any flash points that’s for sure. “That’s standard stuff, two groups of people trying to win a football game. I actually have no clue where this line of question’s coming from. “It’s just two groups of staff trying to win a football match. “I’m not hard at all! I’m just a normal bloke trying to win a football match, that’s it.” Chelsea boss Tuchel lamented the Blues’ inability to cross the line in a “lucky” draw for the battling Clarets – an assessment that met no quarrel from Dyche. “I can understand him being frustrated,” Dyche added. "Any team that makes that many chances I can understand him being frustrated. "If the shoe’s on the other foot I’d be thinking, how didn’t we win that.”
Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Graham Potter happy with performance against deep defending Newcastle team #BHAFC #NUFC

November 7, 2021
He said there was plenty to work on after a 1-1 draw. The head coach said: “I thought we played well, certainly first half really well. “It’s not easy to play against a team that are defending deep and have the quality attacking players they have that can hurt you on the transition. “I thought we did it really well up to about an hour and they scored. “Then we lost our way a bit and it’s something for us to improve on. “But the guys tried and tried. “It’s hard to control things for 90 minutes in a Premier League game. “In the end it’s a point and we move on. “It keeps the scoreboard ticking over and we have to keep trying to improve.” Potter believed the penalty award for his team and the red card for Robert Sanchez were correct calls though he said he had not seen them back.
Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Graham Potter assesses ‘false nine’ role for Leandro Trossard #BHAFC

November 6, 2021
It was a week which had you pondering an unusual question. Was Leandro Trossard a true ‘false nine’ at Anfield? Or just a nine. There is more tactical talk than ever for and among fans these days. So much so that you end up analysing the analysis. So many stats. Some in context, some not. Like the Crystal Palace analytics account on Twitter which trawled through the numbers before joyfully revealing that Marc Cucurella made an unprecedented zero tackles against Mo Salah. Let’s just forget that the most lethal forward in world football right now barely had a sniff of goal, shall we? Let’s call a pass to a midfielder being closed down around the edge of the box an assist. Which technically it was but it didn’t assist Jordan Henderson all that much much. Analytics are supposed to help us understand the game better, not worse. Put the numbers in context, Or, better still, actually watch the game. The stat about Leandro Trossard is that he is shooting more than ever in Albion shirt. Almost twice as much as two seasons ago and significantly more than last term too. Last Saturday he played at a venue where, it might be argued, many of us first saw what you might call a ‘false nine’ many years ago. That was Kenny Dalglish in the days before Ian Rush emerged. None of us know it was a ‘false nine’ then but we knew the problems Dalglish caused with his skills, low centre of gravity and ability to find his own spaces and create them for others. Without comparing Trossard to the Anfield legend, there was something of the King Kenny in the role Trossard played. So was he a true ‘false nine’ or false ‘false nine’? Albion boss Graham Potter said: “I think the ‘false nine’ has been jumped on a little bit. “I think it is just Leo playing in that position. “Leo’s strengths are he can run in behind the defence and he can drop in and link up, dribble, and play through balls. “When you consider he played against arguably the best centre-back in the world in (Virgil) van Dijk, to play that type of player with that profile can make a bit of sense. “It was also a combination with him, Solly (March) and Adam (Lallana) that made us attack quite well. “We attacked in a similar way against Man City in the second half. “It is an option for us. It doesn’t mean it is set in stone for the rest of the season but it is the same sort of thinking in terms of how the team wants to attack and using the best players for that strategy.” Trossard’s numbers in terms of goal attempts per game have increased season-on-season with the Seagulls. From 1.3 in 2019-20 to 1.7 last term to a current 2.6, albeit over only ten fixtures. Asked whether he has been encouraged to shoot more, Potter said: “I wouldn’t say necessarily explicitly more. He’s maybe in a bit more of a central position. DANNY WELBECK CAN GIVE BRIGHTON SOME GOOD NEWS “He is in a bit more of an advanced position so the opportunities come more. “I think it’s all about decision-making and that, in the final third, is what separates the top players with the good ones. “That decision making and execution in the final third when there is not that much time and space. “Leo has got the quality to execute and to decide and it’s about putting him in those positions as often as we can. GRAHAM POTTER RELISHES CLASH WITH OLD MATE “It is always about the team and the collective, because that is that starting point for everything. How does the team want to attack and defend? “Based on those thoughts you can look at the best players that can fill those positions in the best way. Trossard averaged three shots per game as main man in his final season with Genk. That number reduces to 1.5 (which is surprisingly high, perhaps) in international action with the all stars of Belgium.