Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Mark Travers wants more game-time after losing AFC Bournemouth spot #AFCB

June 10, 2023
Goalkeeper Travers enjoyed a memorable 2021-22 campaign, winning a host of individual awards, including the Daily Echo/Micky Cave player of the year, after playing a key role in the club clinching promotion from the Championship. That form saw him rewarded with a new five-year contract last summer, and he began 2022-23 as the club’s first-choice stopper. However, after keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Aston Villa on the opening day, Travers was powerless to prevent Cherries shipping 16 goals across the next three fixtures, including the 9-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield. Scott Parker then left the club, with one of the first acts of Gary O’Neil as interim boss being to drop Travers to the bench and install the experienced Neto between the sticks. The Brazilian started eight games on the spin, before Travers got another chance due to an injury to Neto. However, when he returned to fitness, Neto took the gloves again, before going on to be named as the new club captain, with Travers not featuring between January and the final game of the season at Everton. Republic of Ireland international Travers impressed at Goodison Park, stepping in at late notice after Neto returned to Brazil following a family bereavement. Reflecting on his season on a personal level, having made 15 appearances, the 24-year-old told the Daily Echo: “It’s very tough. You want to be playing every week. “Getting that buzz again (at Everton) was great and you want to replicate that every week. “But it’s been a massive learning curve, I suppose. A difficult time, the first time sitting on the bench. “I’ve been third choice, played last year and then second choice this year. “It’s been tough coming in and out, but hopefully I can build on it and go again next year.” Asked if there is a decision to be made over the summer regarding his future, and whether he may need to go elsewhere for more game-time, Travers said: “I don’t know, it’s obviously up to the club. “But I know I want to play every week and at my age, I don’t want to be not playing. “It’s up to them. We’ll see what happens in pre-season and whatever happens, happens. “But I’ll come back to Bournemouth fighting, giving 100 per cent and then whatever the decision is, it is.” Asked last month if there was an argument Travers could do with a loan move next season, boss Gary O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “We haven’t gone into that yet. There’s a lot of thinking and decisions that will need to be made around a lot of players. “No decisions made yet on ins and outs and loans and who needs what. “As soon as the season is done, we can start to put some real clear focus into the detail of what’s best for everybody and, firstly, the football club.”
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton boss Ruben Selles addresses James Ward-Prowse’s substitution amid uncertainty #SAINTSFC

May 29, 2023
The 28 year old was substituted for 16 year old academy starlet Sam Amo-Ameyaw after 87 minutes in front of his supporters at St Mary’s. Ward-Prowse, on his 409th club appearance, had scored the first of his side’s four goals on the evening, seemingly wiping tears from his eyes as he left the pitch. Selles, asked if the substitution was a goodbye, explained: “It wasn't a goodbye. Prowsey has been here for 20 years and is the captain. “He deserved that moment with the crowd to end the season that hasn't been easy. We didn't think about what happens next." Theo Walcott confirmed ahead of the match that it would be his final appearance for the club, coming to the end of a contract in his second spell at the club. Walcott has made 82 appearances for Saints after emerging from the academy in 2005 and making a transfer to Arsenal the next year. Selles added: "I have no bad words to speak about Theo Walcott, his performance and him as a person. “He's been an amazing professional for the club. Every time he plays he gives 100 per cent and he tries to make the other players better." "He has been a threat for the opposition every time and he has been trying to do the very best for himself, for the club and for his teammates. “So for me, it has been a blessing to coach a player like him and I personally wish him all the best."
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton manager Ruben Selles explains why Kamaldeen has not played bigger role #SAINTSFC

May 29, 2023
The Ghanaian international netted his first and second goals for the club in a crazy 4-4 draw with fifth-placed Liverpool on the final day of the Premier League season. Other than assisting in the defeat at Newcastle United last month, it was club-record signing Kamaldeen’s first contributions in a Saints shirt. Kamaldeen had started on the substitutes bench in five of the last six league matches before Liverpool, although he has totalled 17 Premier League appearances since deadline day. Asked about why Kamaldeen had not been playing more, Selles, speaking at St Mary’s after the match, responded: “As I told you, and I know you sometimes wear on me because I say it’s a process. “It’s not easy to bring a player in Ligue 1 that has not been playing many minutes straight into making an impact in the Premier League. “He didn’t put all the robust and constant effort we needed because he is like that and needed to learn the Premier League way.” Selles added: “The game today was beneficial for him because Liverpool’s structure is not exactly there, (Virgil) van Dijk didn’t play, (Andrew) Robertson didn’t play, so they brought players in they do not usually play. “So we knew we can have possibilities to give him some freedom in the number nine position, on the counterattack with penetration and also come a little bit deeper to get the ball. “He did this today in a game that was not a brilliant structure from both teams, but he has learned the competition and learned the level and yes sometimes you need a little bit of time to get that level of performance.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil slams Premier League referees after season-ending loss against Everton #AFCB

May 29, 2023
Cherries went through the entire campaign without being awarded a penalty, finishing 15th in the table following the 1-0 loss at Goodison Park. O’Neil claims Cherries could have been awarded a spot-kick for a challenge by Yerry Mina on Dominic Solanke on Sunday, and has previously said how the Premier League’s refereeing chief Howard Webb has regularly apologised to him personally for errors made by officials. O’Neil received a yellow card from referee Stuart Attwell during Sunday’s at Everton, during a frantic spell in the contest which also saw Solanke, Jordan Pickford and Adam Smith cautioned. Asked why he had received his booking, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “The fact we’ve got 39 points this season with the level of officiating against us is a miracle. “The fact that it’s taken me that long to get booked is also a miracle. I thought the refereeing was terrible. “We’re the first team ever since VAR has been introduced not to receive a penalty. I just thought any time there was a decision that could go either way, it went to them, which is what I feel we’ve suffered this season. “I’ve spoken to Howard Webb a lot on Sundays. Generally it’s ‘yes, we should’ve got that one right, apologies’, but it can’t be us that always suffers on the day and then retrospectively are told we should’ve had something. “Hopefully next season it improves for us. I think it’s been really, really poor for us.” He added: “Apart from some of the stuff we’ve done and that I’m responsible for and look to improve, I think one of my biggest disappointments this year is the level of officiating that we’ve suffered. “I just think over the course of the season, the ones that can go against us have. So I’m disappointed.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil believes Bournemouth were the ‘better side’ at Everton despite losing #AFCB

May 29, 2023
Abdoulaye Doucoure’s fierce half-volley proved the difference early in the second half as the Toffees ran out 1-0 victors at Goodison Park. The game was played in a ferocious atmosphere, with the home crowd whipping up a frenzy to push their side over the line to secure the victory they needed to secure their Premier League status. Asked for his assessment of Cherries’ performance, boss O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I thought we were the better side. I thought we had control for the most part. “There’s still lots there that we need to progress on, but we knew what we were coming in to. “A tough atmosphere, a direct team and we’ve struggled with playing against direct teams this season. I thought the lads stood up to it very, very well. “We maybe didn’t create enough from the situations that we had, although we created a couple of really good ones. “I’m excited that we’ve got to a point where we can come here and perform like that, under tough conditions, tough pressure. “Have loads of the ball, controlled with it. We maybe got a little bit too desperate towards the end, we started chucking things forward slightly early and suffered a couple of counter-attacks. “There was a lot there that I like, a team that I feel represented what I stand for - stood up to the physical battle, showed bravery and calmness with the ball. “I was disappointed that we couldn’t score a goal. I always thought we’d get one. I thought we looked dangerous enough to score.” Despite their 62 per cent possession, Cherries recorded just two shots on target, coming closest to scoring when substitute Matias Vina saw his shot parried away by Jordan Pickford in second-half stoppage time. Discussing the atmosphere at Goodison Park, O’Neil said: “It was enjoyable. I thought the lads handled it very well. “I thought we stood up to Everton’s direct play, showed real good control and calmness and quality with the ball. “It was what I expected it to be and I thought the lads coped with it very well.” Cherries finish the season in 15th place in the Premier League, with 39 points from their 38 matches. They netted 37 goals and conceded 71, with only Leeds United (78) and Southampton (73) seeing more goals go in against them. O’Neil’s men suffered defeat in each of their final four fixtures of the season.
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton manager Ruben Selles outlines his personal aims after leaving Southampton #SAINTSFC

May 28, 2023
Arriving last summer to work under Ralph Hasenhuttl, Selles was given the managerial role on an interim basis following the sacking of Nathan Jones in February. And after Selles oversaw a shock 1-0 win at Chelsea, he was handed the full-time job until the end of the season. But only one more victory has followed that success at Stamford Bridge and Saints have now failed to win any of their last 12, leading to relegation to the Championship for the first time since 2012. READ MORE: ‘Such a talented squad’ - Liverpool boss Klopp full of praise for relegated Saints Selles has previously stated that he is only interested in staying at Saints as manager and earlier this week the club confirmed that his contract would not be renewed. Speaking on Friday about his ambitions ahead of departing Saints this summer, Selles remained bullish about his own future. "I would like to stay here (England) and the top level we can stay, if it’s not the Premier League it’s very close to that,” Selles said.  “My target has always been to compete against the best and with the best, that’s what I’ve done the last three months and I want to be back and I want to fight to be back as quick as possible." Swansea boss Russell Martin is widely expected to take over at Saints and while Selles refused to be drawn into any speculation about his successor, he explained what he has told the club ahead of a crucial summer. "I just gave my opinion on all of the individual players,” Selles explained. “I don’t know who is the next coach, you probably know better than me, it’s not for me. "I just told the club what I think, I said before what we need to do to rebuild the squad for the Championship or for the Premier League. They know my opinion but they can do with that what they want."
Roberto De Zerbi
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Roberto De Zerbi wants to see Jason Steele earn England call and considers him top goalkeeper #BHAFC

May 28, 2023
Albion’s head coach rates the achievement in restoring Lewis Dunk to the Three Lions on a par with taking the club into the Europa League. Now he would love to see Steele, the man he has propelled into the Premier League spotlight, earn similar recognition from Gareth Southgate. Steele returns to the scene of his Premier League debut as Albion face Aston Villa. That outing last season was as a stand-in for the suspended Robert Sanchez. Steele has been very much the No.1 in recent weeks and has impressed De Zerbi with all aspects of his game, including his passing from the back. The Seagulls boss said: “We will work in the next season to help Jason Steele to achieve the same target as Lewis Dunk “He has the quality to achieve a target so important. “I don’t want to speak about other keepers in other teams. “In my vision, my idea, Jason Steele is a top keeper. “It is difficult to find another keeper at the level. “I study football 24 hours per day but it’s very hard to find another keeper with these qualities, this courage, this knowledge to play.” Steele was seen as Albion’s back-up keeper, both to Maty Ryan and then Sanchez. But De Zerbi saw enough in training and cup ties to change that. He said: “I have to analyse the present and sometimes the potential and the future. “The past is not important for me. “You can change your life in one day if you believe in yourself and you believe in work. “I told him the same – ‘I give you the possibility to change your life, to change your career, and you have to believe in yourself because I help you and you help me’.”
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton’s Ruben Selles provides insight into discussions with club about new manager for next season #SAINTSFC

May 27, 2023
Selles became Saints’ third permanent manager this season when he was given the full-time job until the end of the campaign following a shock 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge in February. But just one more victory followed the Chelsea result - a 1-0 home win against Leicester City - and Saints have now failed to win any of their last 12 Premier League matches. That run has helped lead Saints to relegation, confirmed a fortnight ago when they were beaten 2-0 by Fulham. READ MORE: Saints reveal reduced season ticket pricing for 2023-24 Championship campaign And earlier this week following Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Brighton, Saints confirmed that the Spaniard’s contract would not be renewed this summer meaning he will depart St Mary’s with Russell Martin widely expected to take over. “The club wants to place on record its thanks to Rubén for taking on the managerial position at a difficult time for the club and for giving his all as we attempted to stay in the Premier League," the statement read. Speaking about how the club’s decision was relayed to him, Selles said on Friday: "After the Brighton game, they (the club’s owners) communicated there was a meeting with me on Monday morning.  “It was a very simple talk. We had a meeting for an hour and a half and they communicated that my contract would not be renewed. "Two months ago, I had a talk with them and they knew my thoughts. It was that, two months ago, they have their own process and they communicate with me on Monday. "I did as much as I can. I show that I make the team competitive. We didn't get the results we wanted. We had an identity. "I did my best and that's the reality. I still think I am ready, but that is not my call. My focus is to try and get us in the best way possible for Sunday against Liverpool." It’s no surprise to see Selles uninterested in staying at the club as a coach after the 39 year old repeated on multiple occasions that he feels prepared to be a manager at this stage in his career. Speaking last week ahead of Saints’ 3-1 defeat to Brighton, Selles explained: “First question is if I want to stay as a coach if I’m not the manager, absolutely not. If somebody has a doubt or if they don’t know it through me they can read it through the media. “That’s very direct and yes I will try to make my career as a manager. Here if it is possible but if it is not I hope it will be another place.”
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton manager explains lack of success for transfers made by the club #SAINTSFC

May 27, 2023
While there were reports of a potential move for Goncalo Ramos or Cody Gakpo in the summer, only Sekou Mara arrived to bolster Ralph Hasenhuttl’s forward line. And in January once again Saints struggled to sign a truly elite number nine until deadline day when they brought in Paul Onuachu from Genk for a fee in the region of £18m. READ MORE: 'I did my best' - Saints boss reveals how club decision was relayed in bullish review The towering striker had scored 70 league goals in the previous two-and-a-half seasons in the Belgian top flight but he has failed to find the net since moving to St Mary’s. Meanwhile, his opportunities have almost completely dried up under Ruben Selles, starting just one of his side’s last 13 league matches. Asked by the Daily Echo why it hasn’t worked out for Onuachu, Selles conceded that the change in manager following Nathan Jones’s sacking ‘probably’ hasn’t helped the Nigerian. “I think sometimes it’s difficult to come straight to the Premier League and it’s hard to score goals especially in that position,” the 39 year old said on Friday afternoon.  “There are some key positions where you need to be more exposed than the others and that’s the number nine position. Probably the change in manager didn’t benefit him, we went some places that we didn’t go before. That’s mainly it.  “Usually when you get a player from the Belgian league or the French league, unless the team is very structured then they need time to adapt. And that’s what happened. He probably has a different opinion but that’s my opinion.” Selles also admitted that if he would have 'absolutely' approached the January transfer window differently had he been manager at the time. Asked to clarify what that could have looked like, Selles told the Daily Echo: "We are just going to speculate about that. If you ask me would I do it in a different way, definitely I would do it in a different way. "To speculate about what we would do, what kind of player, I don’t think we’d go anywhere with that question.” Saints dismal season will finally come to an end on Sunday when they host Liverpool at St Mary’s. Both their relegation and last-place finish have already been confirmed.
Roberto De Zerbi
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Roberto De Zerbi’s message for Brighton owners about the transfers for next season’s European rounds #BHAFC

May 27, 2023
Then comes the bit he least likes – several weeks with no matches. Albion aim for their first ever win before fans at villa Park as they take on a home side who need three points to guarantee a European place. The Seagulls’ only success at the venue came two seasons ago behind closed doors, thanks to goals from Danny Welbeck and Solly March. Albion boss De Zerbi said: “In every game, in every training session we have to play seriously all the time. “We will prepare our best for the next game. “We leave to Birmingham to win, to play in our way. “Monday starts the toughest period in my season because without football it is difficult. “I am looking forward to starting the next pre-season. “I think we have to work in this holiday because we have to build a new squad. “I think we don’t need so many players. “We ae to understand if Caicedo, Mac Allister or I don’t know which players can leave. “And then we have to bring very good players because next season will be tougher than this one. “For sure I can tell you we have to have a stronger squad, bigger squad because we will play four competitions and we have to be ready to compete in our way in these competitions.”