Adam Armstrong
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #AdamArmstrong reflects on his Manchester United performance #MUFC #SAINTSFC

August 24, 2021
ADAM Armstrong has impressed his new fans within two Premier League games at the club thanks to a high-intensity pressing game, but has admitted “you’re not always going to put chances away.” The 24-year-old forward netted with a brilliant finish during Saints’ opening weekend defeat to Everton, however he could have added more to his total during the Manchester United contest. The former Newcastle man had two golden chances in as many minutes, directing a one-on-one strike at David De Gea before heading into the ground with a tight-angled open goal moments later, after a corner had been nodded on in his direction. But regardless, Armstrong’s ability has shown and he had laid off Che Adams to strike from the edge of the area in the first-half – only being denied the assist officially after the goal was instead awarded to Red Devils midfielder Fred. Read more Ralph Hasenhuttl claims depth in Southampton squad is vital Saints' Hasenhuttl warns against Tino Livramento expectation Southampton will sign transfer but Hasenhuttl tight-lipped The speedy striker has played a pivotal role and looks raring to go on his return to the English top-flight. Speaking to the Daily Echo about the missed opportunities, he gave an honest reflection, saying: “Yeah, you know as a striker you’re always going to get chances, but you’re not always going to put them away. Adam Armstrong had opened his Premier League account at Everton “It’s just how you react, it’s something that I’m going to have them things in game. “But it means that when I put them away it’ll be a nice feeling and I can’t wait to get going.” The ex-Toon attacker will be looking forward to another St James’ Park return at the weekend, in Saints’ next Premier League fixture. Up next is a midweek (Wednesday 25) trip to League Two outfit Newport County in the EFL Cup and after he and Adams both just played a full ninety, it’s almost certain Armstrong will be rested for the first time. With a long season ahead, Armstrong isn't worried about setting targets for himself, saying: "Like I said before, I don’t really set goals or objectives of where I want to get to. "I just take every game as it comes, try and perform on the day and see where it takes me."
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.”
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.”