Wayne Hennessey
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Burnley goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey aims to prolong Wales career after reaching 100 caps #BURNLEYFC

March 30, 2022
WAYNE Hennessey is aiming to prolong his Wales career for as long as possible ahead of his 100th cap tonight. Hennessey, who will wear the captain’s armband for the Cardiff friendly with the Czech Republic, becomes the third Welshman after Gareth Bale and record caps holder Chris Gunter to reach the three-figure milestone. Former Wales goalkeeper Neville Southall has urged the Burnley man to set his sights on winning 150 caps for his country. “I’m not sure about 150 but that’s nice coming from Nev,” Hennessey said. “Everyone knows what I think about Nev. He’s my hero. “I’m just going to keep going for as long as I can and represent my country for as long as I can.” It has been a long road for Hennessey, who was released from the Manchester City academy at the age of 16 before joining Wolves. The Anglesey-product has played over 320 senior games for Wolves, Stockport, Yeovil, Crystal Palace and now the Clarets. But being part of Wales’ success and qualifying for two major tournaments – Euro 2016 and Euro 2020 – is what Hennessey will always be associated with. “Every cap is special,” said Hennessey, who made his Wales debut against New Zealand in a May 2007 friendly. “Whenever I step over that white line, it’s a special occasion. “You want to give your best, you’re representing your nation and hopefully I can do it as much as possible. Whenever I’m selected, I’ll do that. “I’ve had so many special moments, qualifying for major tournaments. “Through the years for Wales it never really happened. As a kid growing up it never happened. “But 2016 was special (when Wales reached the semi-finals of the European Championship) and it’s come on leaps and bounds.” Hennessey will lead a much-changed Wales side from the one that beat Austria on Thursday to move within one win of reaching the World Cup in Qatar later this year. Manager Robert Page has promised to make changes with the likes of Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen set to be rested. Page wants to give younger members of his squad an opportunity against opponents reeling from their World Cup play-off defeat to Sweden. On handing Hennessey the captaincy, Page said: “Wayne deserves that. “To lead the boys out is a great honour and I would love to give him the armband to do that. “He’s an absolute legend of this football team. For what he’s given to the country over the years, he deserves all of the plaudits he’s going to get.” Clarets on social, plus take out a subscription... Keep up to date with our Burnley coverage on social media by joining us on Facebook and Twitter Gain unlimited access to the Lancashire Telegraph website with a premium digital subscription Or if you want the Telegraph newspaper delivered to your door, get in touch with our home delivery team or call us on 0800 953 0227
Gareth Southgate Manager
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gareth Southgate on giving Saints keeper Fraser Foster a chance #SAINTSFC

March 29, 2022
ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate insisted all of his goalkeepers “have slightly different attributes” but refused to hint whether we would see any rotation in his net. Saints stopper Fraser Forster received a late call-up last week to bring him back into the Three Lions squad for the first time in nearly six years. The last of the 34-year-old’s six England caps came in an international friendly versus Australia, back in May 2016 – ahead of the European Championships in France, where he travelled but did not feature. Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is yet to let Southgate down across any of his 43 caps for his country, and performed well across 90 minutes in the 2-1 win over Switzerland on Saturday. England number one Jordan Pickford helped take Gareth Southgate's side to a World Cup semi-final and EURO final (Pic: PA) However, Burnley’s Nick Pope and Forster will both be hoping to get a chance to don the England shirt again, when Ivory Coast visit Wembley on Tuesday, March 29. Asked if it is more difficult to rotate your goalkeeper than the rest of the XI, Southgate responded: “Well, it’s no different to any other position really, because the profiles of the players do alter. “If we start with Harry Kane as a centre-forward he has certain attributes of coming to link the game, coming short to feet. “If we play Ollie (Watkins), he is a player that is better running in behind defences and our players have to recognise those differences.” England manager Gareth Southgate (Pic: PA) He continued: “It’s the same with all the goalkeepers, they all have slightly different attributes that the more you know about your teammates will help you to have an understanding. “The profile of the goalkeeper does change certain aspects of how you would like to play, but that is really the same on every position on the pitch.” Forster, who has played the last 12 Premier League matches for manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, had a stroke of fortune to get back into the England reckoning. Fraser Forster in England training (Pic: PA) Both Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale and West Brom’s Sam Johnstone withdrew from the squad, to open up a place for the former Celtic giant. Southgate could opt to give both Pope and Forster 45 minutes versus the African nation tomorrow, or allow Pickford to retain the shirt altogether.
Wilfried Zaha Crystal Palace
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- James Ward-Prowse set to re-ignite Zaha ‘rivalry’ and wants best mate Forster with him #SAINTSFC #CRYFC

March 29, 2022
JAMES Ward-Prowse is set to face long-time footballing foe, Wilfried Zaha, if named to start by Gareth Southgate tomorrow, joking: “It’s a great rivalry.” The Saints skipper and Crystal Palace forward have had a number of run-ins on the pitch during their Premier League battles – including helping Zaha get himself sent off at St Mary’s. The 29-year-old former England international, who switched allegiances to Ivory Coast in 2017, played 85 minutes of their last-minute defeat in France on Friday. Zaha has 21 caps for his country, scoring five goals, and could make a return to the Wembley Stadium pitch in the international friendly on Tuesday March, 29. Ivorian international Wilfried Zaha (Pic: PA) Ward-Prowse, who was England under-21s captain under Southgate, is set to win his 10th senior cap in the Three Lions’ first match against non-European opposition since November 2018. “I think it’s a good way of helping us prepare for the tournament and, yeah, of course, I mean, it’s a great rivalry, I suppose,” Ward-Prowse said with a laugh. “But I have the utmost respect for him. He’s a fantastic player and he’s somebody that we have to be wary of. I think it’ll be an exciting game. To be playing a different nation is definitely exciting.” Southgate is planning changes against the Ivorians, which could mean goalkeeper Fraser Forster makes his first England appearance since May 2016. Fraser Forster in England training (Pic: PA) Injuries to stoppers Aaron Ramsdale and Sam Johnstone led to the 34-year-old’s surprise return to the international set-up. Ward-Prowse is delighted for his close friend after coming through adversity to impress between the sticks for Saints this season. “He’s obviously been on a difficult journey in the last few years,” the 27-year-old added. "He’s my best mate and I’m absolutely delighted for him. "He’s worked incredibly hard as well. He’s had some difficult moments along his footballing journey but he’s shown a lot of persistence, and his quality as well. “You can see the presence that he holds on the pitch and he gives everybody that confidence. I’m absolutely delighted for him and hopefully he can make the most of his opportunity this week.”
Tino Livramento
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Tino Livramento tries to force Gareth Southgate’s hand with Stellar performances #SAINTSFC

March 29, 2022
TINO Livramento admitted “there’s plenty of things I need to work on” but targets a good run of games with England’s under-21s to force Gareth Southgate to take notice. The Saints youngster insisted that playing with the Young Lions is “the main thing” for him now, after impressing in EURO qualifying for Lee Carsley’s side last week. Livramento, 19, made his fourth cap for the highest level of England’s youth setup in the 4-1 win over Andorra on Friday, providing two strong assists for Folarin Balogun and Anthony Gordon’s goals. A number of the under-21’s previous stars have received the call from senior manager Southgate, including the likes of Conor Gallagher and captain Marc Guehi – who both excel for Crystal Palace in the Premier League, and started at Wembley on Saturday. Young Lions captain Marc Guehi was promoted to the senior squad last week (Pic: PA) Livramento himself has made 23 league appearances in his debut senior season, for Saints, and good performances could have propelled him into consideration. However, England are currently blessed with full-backs and Livramento likely finds himself behind some of the country’s best talent – including teammate Kyle Walker-Peters, who marked his Three Lions debut with a win over Switzerland “There’s plenty of things that I need to work on,” Livramento admitted, when asked how he views the competition ahead of him. “If I have a really good run of games, hopefully the gaffer (Gareth Southgate) will have a look at me and think he wants to give me a chance.” England manager Gareth Southgate (Pic: PA) He continued: “I’m always going to give my all 100 per cent going forward, trying to get assists, or defensively being solid, winning my headers, staying focused all the time. “In the first camp we had a few boys who are now with the seniors. But I feel like when the time’s due, the time’s due. I’m not going to rush anything. “As long as I’m getting called up to the Under-21s, that’s the main thing for me right now. Tino Livramento has been called up to four successive England under-21 squads, but missed November's through injury (Pic: PA) “To be at an international level where I’m playing with all these different players and gaining experience at this level, that’s a major thing for me.” At under-21 level, Livramento is playing with, testing himself against and learning from some of England's biggest prodigies. Alongside him in the starting XI on Friday were Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey and exciting PSV starlet Noni Madueke. Winger Noni Madueke, 20, has garnered a cult following through his potential (Pic: PA) Among the bench included Gordon, who has been Everton’s shining light in a disastrous season, Manchester United loanee James Garner and previously Saints-linked Djed Spence. “When you’re playing with these type of players all you have to do is put it in certain areas and you know they’re going to be there,” the 19-year-old added. “For the first goal, there was a good bit of link-up on the side with me, Morgan (Gibbs-White) and Harvey. For the second one, I just fed it into the area where I thought the winger was going to be and it was a great finish.” Harvey Elliott, 18, made his England under-21 debut on Friday (Pic: PA) Livramento continued: “It’s been good. We have the boys who are younger coming through, the 2002s, and obviously Levi (Colwill) and Harvey who are 2003s. “I feel like a lot of boys have been in the set-up from early ages so we understand the identity of what it’s like to play with England. “I think the main thing is when everyone is getting on the ball and enjoying themselves, then we’re going to see a complete team performance. We know our levels and we know we can achieve so much more.”
James Ward Prowse
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- James Ward-Prowse to use England experience for Southampton benefit #SAINTSFC

March 26, 2022
JAMES Ward-Prowse insists he learns a lot just by being around the England international stars and it is an opportunity he must “not let pass by”, ahead of a potential 10th cap. The 27-year-old Saints captain has been praised this season by manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, who says the midfielder is always trying to improve his game and willing to learn. His mental and physical strength have seen Ward-Prowse bounce back on an international stage after missing last year’s history-making European Championship run. Ward-Prowse, who has scored 14 Premier League goals since the start of the 2020-21 campaign, is equally trying to impress boss Gareth Southgate – and book a flight to the 2022 Qatar World Cup in November. James Ward-Prowse scores his second goal for England (Pic: PA) The England squad is full of serial winners and regular European qualifiers – something he wants to bring back to Saints. “I always come away from the England squad with a lot of respect for those in it and always feel like I’ve gained a lot being around those players,” he told the Daily Echo. “It’s extremely special. I want to make the most of that opportunity, not let it pass me by, make the most of it and come back a more experienced player.” Ward-Prowse has already been handed nine appearances for the Three Lions by Southgate, and has now been selected in each of his last three international squads. England manager Gareth Southgate (Pic: PA) He has registered two goals for his country, coming versus San Marino and Andorra in 2021. “To be in and around that squad is extremely special,” the Saints academy graduate added. “And I’m looking to make sure I can maximise as much of the opportunity as I can and take every ounce of the experience I can to develop my game.” Ward-Prowse was the sole Saints star in the England squad at the time it was initially announced – but not any more. Club ✔️Country ✔️#threelions pic.twitter.com/5tiTsOZx98 — England (@England) March 23, 2022 Kyle Walker-Peters was given a first ever call-up when defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James pulled out of the squad through injury. The 24-year-old learned of this ahead of the FA Cup defeat to Manchester City. Kyle Walker-Peters is the only right-back in the squad and could be set for a full England debut (Pic: Stuart Martin) A further late switch was made with Sam Johnstone next to depart the squad, leaving a space for 34-year-old Fraser Forster to return to the international stage for the first time in nearly six years. Ward-Prowse and his St Mary’s teammates could be involved at Wembley Stadium tomorrow, during the international friendly match with Switzerland (5:30PM). Southgate’s side will then welcome Ivory Coast to the home of English football on Tuesday, March 29 for a nighttime (7:45PM) kick-off.
Ben White Leeds
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Arsenal star defender Ben White eyes England success after returning to national team #ARSENALFC

March 26, 2022
A FORMER Albion star says pre-match curries and half-time fights have prepared him for another stint of international football. Ben White, who left Brighton and Hove Albion last year, has worked his way back into Gareth Southgate’s squad having not been involved since reaching the final of Euro 2020. The Arsenal defender didn’t play a minute of football in the tournament after replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold, winning his only caps to date in two warm-up games. White, who signed for Arsenal for £50 million in July 2021, is now back in the squad ahead of the upcoming World Cup, discussing his loan spell at Newport. “I don’t think I ever thought about playing for England then. I was just thinking I need to be good enough to play in League Two,” he said. “It was one of the best years of my life. I’d gone from an academy where everything is nice, and you have everything you want. And then you go there, and everything is completely different. You’re having a curry for your pre-match meal. “In my first game there was a punch-up at half-time between our own players in our own dressing room. It was a bit scary to be fair. I didn’t want to make any mistakes, that’s for sure.” After being released by Southampton at the age of 16, White said his career could have been derailed completely before joining Brighton. Former Albion star Ben White (right) and Manchester City forward Phil Foden “I didn’t know if I wanted to carry on. It was obviously tough not being wanted,” he said. “I wasn’t good enough when I was younger. I was a late developer. I was probably as tall as I am now but really skinny, gangly, couldn’t really run. “I went to Bristol Rovers on trial for three days. I only did two because we were literally just running up hills. Didn’t get a football out at all and it absolutely killed me, I couldn’t do it. “Then I got a trial at Leicester, they didn’t offer me anything.” After further loans at Peterborough and Leeds, White broke into the Brighton side last season. White played in Arsenal’s season-opening loss at newly-promoted Brentford before missing further defeats to Chelsea and Manchester City having tested positive for Covid-19. “The start of the season was tough,” he said. “The first game wasn’t ideal for me, I didn’t play very well and then I got Covid, so I was out for another two games. “It wasn’t the start I wanted but coming through the season now, I’m playing every week, the team is doing really well and it’s very positive.” White was criticised by pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher following his debut at Brentford. “I saw it, I think it was the first time I’ve actually been singled out. It’s never a nice feeling but it just gives me more incentive to go out there and do well,” he said. “You look at those two players and what they’ve achieved, particularly Jamie as a centre-half. “Some of it obviously you have to look at it and see what they’ve said and some of the stuff they said was true that game. “It wasn’t my best – obviously they’ve had amazing careers and hopefully one day I could have something like that.”
Shane Duffy
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton star Shane Duffy eyes Euro finals on English soil in 2028 #BHAFC #England

March 26, 2022
AN ALBION star has not given up hope of playing for the Republic of Ireland at a European Championship finals on home soil. An official bid to host Euro 2028 by the United Kingdom and Ireland means that Shane Duffy may yet have a chance of playing at a major tournament in his home nation after missing out on doing so at the 2020 finals, when Ireland failed to qualify. The Brighton and Hove Albion defender will be 36 when 2028 comes around, and while he admits he doesn’t know what will happen between now and then, he is hoping he is still on the scene. “In football we’re not naive, especially with the younger ones coming through,” he said. “I don’t know how it will go. Age is just a number – if I am feeling fit - I saw John O’Shea and Robbie Keane play at the ages they were. “Every chance is big to play for your country at major tournaments. It would be daft to say, ‘No, I wouldn’t want to be a part of it.’ It’s about me keeping myself right – but I don’t know where I’ll be when I am 36. You just made me feel old, cheers for that. “But you never say never. I’ve seen players play until they are 36, 37, 38, 40. If I am still at a good level and playing well, you never know. But I don’t have a crystal ball.” In the shorter term, Ireland concentrate on their forthcoming Nations League and Euro 2024 campaigns, preparations for which start this week with Saturday’s friendly against Belgium. Stephen Kenny’s side missed out on qualification for this winter’s World Cup finals, but with a team based on a mix of youth and experience, Duffy is confident better fortunes lie ahead. Asked what would represent success, he said: “I think we can go well in the Nations League. I think we can win the group – and that’s not me speaking ahead of ourselves. “The way we are going and the belief that we have, I think we can go win it. I think that would be a successful start, and go on from there. “For me, that is what we have to start believing and aiming for as a country – that we can win groups and qualify for tournaments. “And why not? You can see the progression we are making now. When we had a difficult start, we always said the young players would benefit from that and we are seeing that now. We are picking up results. “Hopefully we can win the Nations League and have a good qualification campaign and set the standard for ourselves and give the whole nation a buzz.”
Shane Duffy
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton defender Shane Duffy reveals strong team unity under Graham Potter #BHAFC

March 25, 2022
ALBION defender Shane Duffy reported for Republic of Ireland duty with a smile on his face after putting a difficult spell behind him. The 30-year-old Brighton defender is back in favour at his club having emerged from ankle surgery and a bout of Covid-19, and met up with his international team-mates happy to be back playing and regaining the form which has made him a stalwart for his country in recent years. Duffy has endured tough times in his career – he almost died after suffering a ruptured artery in a freak training ground accident as an 18-year-old and endured a difficult loan spell at Celtic last season, and he also lost his father Brian in May 2020 – but is now back in business. Shane Duffy Asked how he had dealt with those testing times and in particular his spell in Scotland, he said: “Good family, good friends, good people around you who pick you up when you’re down. “I think if you speak to the majority of footballers, there are low points in your career, and that was mine. You’ve just got to have the mental strength to come out of it and bounce back and believe in your ability, and that’s what I’ve done. “I’ve knuckled down and I’ve got a smile back on my face, I’m enjoying it again, so that’s it. There’s no secret there, I’m just back being happy.” Duffy is one of the senior members of a new-look Ireland team which is gradually starting to take shape under manager Stephen Kenny, a development which will be put to the test by world number one side Belgium on Saturday evening. He said: “The squad the manager has built over the last year, anyone can come in and produce and play – that’s the trust we have among the group. “In the last few games, we’ve had a bit of continuity in the team and it’s worked. The trust is there – we had a camp last summer in Spain and from that moment on, it’s been similar squads and the same players. “When you play together for longer, it gets better and that’s how it’s been over the year. Every time I come in, it’s the same faces and it’s exciting every time you come in.”
Kyle Walker Peters
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton boss reveals conversation with England assistant coach helped Walker-Peters national team call-up #SAINTSFC

March 22, 2022
RALPH Hasenhuttl revealed he had a recent conversation with England’s assistant coach about Kyle Walker-Peters, insisting: “They know my opinion on him.” Gareth Southgate, who is supported by assistants Steve Holland and Chris Powell, has called 24-year-old Walker-Peters to the England squad for a first time. The Saints star benefitted from a squad shake-up with full-backs Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold among those who have not joined up with the camp this month. The Three Lions are set to face Switzerland and Ivory Coast in friendlies at Wembley Stadium, with versatile Walker-Peters the only recognised right-back in the squad. England manager Gareth Southgate (Pic: PA) Speaking before the decision to give under-20 World Cup-winner Walker-Peters his first senior England experience was made, Hasenhuttl revealed a conversation which could have worked in the former Tottenham man’s favour. “We had somebody, the assistant coach with the national team was here two or three weeks ago and they know my opinion on Kyle Walker-Peters,” the Austrian said. “Everyone has seen what a fantastic job he has done on both sides, he did it fantastic. “(He is) absolutely a guy to look at and it would be great for him, definitely.” Walker-Peters could now make his England debut on Saturday, March 26, versus Switzerland, before facing the African nation on Tuesday, March 29. Kyle Walker-Peters on England youth duty (Pic: PA) He will join Saints captain James Ward-Prowse in the Three Lions squad. Earlier this month, Walker-Peters told the Daily Echo that he had ambitions of playing for England, but that his focus was solely on Saints. “You know, I’m really happy with my performances this season," he said. “I think I’ve done a good job and it’s being recognised which is nice. Of course, I’d love to represent England, but that’s down to the manager. “My main focus is performing as well as I can for Southampton and hopefully that will give me the opportunity to go with England.”
Charlie Taylor
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Forward-thinking Charlie Taylor looks to boost attack stats of Burnley #BURNLEYFC

December 1, 2021
Burnley left-back Charlie Taylor is targeting an improvement in his attacking stats. The 28-year-old has yet to score since arriving at Turf Moor in the summer of 2017 and his one assist this season mirrors solitary contributions in the previous three campaigns. “I think I need to contribute more to our goals, either assists or even scoring myself,” he said ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Wolves. “I’ve been here four-and-a-half years now and I’ve yet to score. “It is something I’m definitely trying to do more, getting involved in goals and assists. “The manager is always on at me on the sidelines to get forward as much as possible.” Taylor knows the benchmark for left-backs is being set by the likes of Liverpool’s Andy Robertson, who has four goals and 41 assists in the same time frame as the Burnley defender. And while the Scotland captain is playing a different role with a different quality of team-mate, Taylor accepts his personal contribution has to get better. “I think the position of a full-back has definitely changed over the last few years, it has become the popular position to be now because of players like Andy Robertson and the world-class full-backs we have in this league now. “It’s a position where you are hugely involved in the game in attack and you have all your defensive responsibilities as well. “Obviously our style is slightly different to teams in the ‘Big Six’ so I have to accept that is how it is going to be, but the manager is always on at me on the sidelines to get forward as much as possible.” Manager Sean Dyche has talked up Taylor’s England chances in recent weeks but the defender is not yet considering any potential call-up by Gareth Southgate. “It is what everyone dreams of as a kid and that’s the aim growing up but to be honest it is not something I’ve thought about personally,” he added. “I know it’s a cliche but I’m just concentrating on Burnley and playing every week and staying in the team and if I do as well as I can, who knows where it will take me?”
James Ward Prowse
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- James Ward-Prowse reflects on missed opportunity to play for national team England #SAINTSFC

November 25, 2021
SAINTS skipper James Ward-Prowse admits his regret at missing out on another international break with England, adding: “Any opportunity to represent your country has to be taken with the utmost respect.” The 27-year-old midfielder was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the final two World Cup qualifiers, after he scored his second international goal against Andorra last time out. Despite missing three games in October through suspension, Southgate still showed faith to select him and the Three Lions went on to win 10-0 against San Marino – the match Ward-Prowse would likely have started. But the Saints man wasn’t there after he was ruled out before the fixtures began through illness, which manager Ralph Hasenhuttl later confirmed just to be a "bug". It meant Ward-Prowse missed a certain chance to add to his international goals account, as well keep himself at the forefront of Southgate’s mind ahead of the World Cup in Qatar next winter. “Yeah I was disappointed,” Ward-Prowse told the Daily Echo. “You know when you get any opportunity to represent your country in your career it’s got to be taken with the utmost respect and speciality. “It was unfortunate to miss out on it but it gave me a chance and a week to recover and get myself ready for this game (Norwich).” Ward-Prowse reassured supporters: “I came through the game (at Norwich), I’m feeling well, I just need to find that consistency at the moment and that will come.” It’s been a difficult, stop-start few months for the Three Lions international, after he made the preliminary squad for this year’s European Championship – with the final held at Wembley. However, he was cut from the squad that took part and missed out on the historic run, before suffering a knee injury which disrupted his pre-season schedule. He played through the start of the season still recovering from that, added to by also having "stomach issues" which impacted his fitness. But Ward-Prowse still played every minute of the Premier League up until his sending off at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge – although he’s found it difficult to hit top gear that Saints’ supporters became accustomed to from his form last campaign. With the latest setback coming during the November break, Ward-Prowse reflected on a difficult start to the campaign: “Yeah it has been, I’ve been very lucky in recent years to have consistency with no injuries or health issues and being available for every game. To start the season with a knee injury and the stomach issues, it’s hard to find the level of consistency, but these things happen. It’s about being adaptable in this game. Hopefully I can knuckle down and help the team.”
Che Adams
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Che Adams speaks on scoring crucial Scotland goal vs Denmark #SAINTSFC

November 17, 2021
CHE Adams reflected on his cool finish at Hampden Park on Monday and admitted: “I’ve been in a couple situations before and I have snatched at it – I took my time this time.” The 25-year-old Leicester-born forward has been adopted with love by the Tartan Army and has repaid them with crucial goals in their World Cup qualifying. His most recent effort in the 2-0 win over Denmark helped secure them a home playoff tie to come in 2022, and it was his third in the qualifying campaign for them. Before signing for Saints, he hit an impressive 22 in 46 Championship matches for Birmingham – earning him the Premier League move – but that level of scoring is yet to materialise at the next step up. Read more Most of his Saints strikes have been superb hits and solo efforts, like his winner at Watford two weeks ago, while he has failed to put away the simpler opportunities. Che Adams scores the winner at Watford (Pic: PA) With 15 goals in 87 competitive matches for Saints, it looks like the pressure being lifted on him at the club level by the arrival of Armando Broja and Adam Armstrong but ramped on him on north of the border could be helping him develop his own finishing expertise. "I've been in a couple of situations like that before,” Adams reflected at full-time on Monday, “and I have snatched at things. I took my time this time and it hit the back of the net. "It's always nice to score, I said that after the last game. The most important thing was to win and we did that.” If Saints get a calmer, cooler Adams in front of goal then his regular industry will soon turn into notches at the Premier League level. Che Adams finishes Denmark at Hampden Park (Pic: PA) A trip to Scotland could prove to be the hidden key that helps take Saints forward. He continued: “You can’t put it into words with how many times I’ve been capped, the performances we’ve played in. “It’s a good bunch of lads here, tight-knit and that’s what the manager has made us do. He’s brought everyone together and you can see that on the pitch.”