Jaidon Anthony
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Jaidon Anthony on league cup victory over Everton #AFCB

November 9, 2022
STARLET Jaidon Anthony revealed how Cherries had worked on being more attacking to see out games after helping his steer past Everton 4-1 in the League Cup. Cherries have slipped to consecutive defeats in the Premier League after taking two-goal leads against Tottenham Hotspur and then Leeds United, with the side perceived by some as sitting deeper and inviting pressure. Once again the Dorset outfit found themselves with a two-goal lead, Jamal Lowe’s deflected opener added to by Junior Stanislas’ poke early in the second-half. When Demarai Gray’s perfect curler found the back of the net to cut the deficit, there were fears of a similar capitulation, but Cherries rallied again, Emi Marcondes tapping home before Anthony made sure of their progression to round four. Asked by the Daily Echo if Cherries had looked to attack further after taking two-goal leads, Anthony responded: “Yes, that's been the focus really, in the week. “Obviously, we've been in good positions in the past few games and we want to keep going and keep pushing. “I think we've been playing well, and it's easy to try and hold on to what you have. “But we didn't want to do that too early and give them a foot in the game. “And what they scored, it was still the same message, to keep attacking. “And we created openings and got the goals that we wanted to finish off the game.” All four of Cherries’ goalscorers have been somewhat bit-part players this season. Youngster Anthony revealed how the lack of gametime amongst the nine changes for the cup tie served as motivation. He continued: “We were all raring to go. “A lot of players that haven't got a lot of minutes this season and in the end, I think it's a top performance from everyone. “We deserved the win. “Everyone wants to be playing at the end of the day. That's what we all want to do. “And this is an opportunity to get some minutes in the legs and show what we can do. “I think everyone gave a good account of themselves. “I'm proud of everyone.”  
Marcus Tavernier
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Marcus Tavernier admits they can’t keep have teams keep coming back against them #AFCB

November 8, 2022
GOALSCORER Marcus Tavernier could not hide his disappointment after his stellar display at Elland Road went unrewarded, insisting: “We can’t let this keep happening.” Tavernier scored his first Cherries goal and also provided two assists as Cherries went 3-1 up against Leeds United on Saturday. But the hosts battled back, eventually completing the turnaround in the 84th minute to win 4-3 and leave Gary O’Neil’s men facing up to a fourth straight loss. It was also the second week in succession Cherries had squandered a two-goal cushion to lose, having also done the same against Tottenham Hotspur. “I’m just devastated,” Tavernier told the Daily Echo after the loss at Elland Road. “We can’t let this keep happening where we feel like we’re in control of the game, we’ve got a two-goal cushion. “It’s happened back-to-back weeks now where we’ve been in that lead and we’ve let ourselves down. We have to really focus on defensive work this week and keeping the ball out the back of the net.” Asked there was a similar feeling on the pitch at Leeds as in the closing stages against Spurs, Tavernier added: “You don’t feel it on the pitch. I still felt like we were in control of the game. “I feel like we conceded sloppy goals and I can only say we weren’t good enough. “That’s all I can say right now. I’m sure the staff will pinpoint the areas that we need to work on and we really do need to fix up on this area of our game, because it’s happened. “Although we’ve played well, it doesn’t mean anything when you don’t get any points on the board.” Cherries impressed for the first hour of the contest, scoring three goals and also creating further chances to add to their tally. “I can’t pin this all on our defensive side of the game,” said Tavernier. “We had some other chances which we could’ve scored and us attackers, we have to put the ball in the back of the net. “That’s our job. I feel like we had a couple of chances where we could’ve done that. “It’s a team one to take and we can all look at ourselves in the mirror and really have a look at ourselves and see where we need to improve.” Having failed to record a goal or assist prior to the game against Tottenham, Tavernier now has three assists to his name as well as a goal in the past two fixtures. “Obviously it’s a bittersweet moment scoring my first goal in the league,” said the versatile midfielder. “At the end of the day, we haven’t got any points on the board and I can’t be happy right now. “All I can do is focus on next week, because we do really need to change the way we’re going into games and our performances on the pitch. “We need to be putting points on the board because we can’t afford to be letting teams get back in the game. Because at this magnitude and in this league, it’s just unacceptable.” Cherries now face two matches against Everton before the six-week World Cup break. The Toffees head to Vitality Stadium tomorrow in the Carabao Cup, before returning in the Premier League on Saturday. “We need to put as many points on the board before that break comes,” said Tavernier, with Cherries now sitting 17th in the table, just one point outside the relegation zone. “That’s what we’re working to do. I’m just disappointed, so, so gutted that we couldn’t do that (on Saturday) when we were so comfortable in the game, then it just slips out of our fingers. “I don’t know what to really say.” He added: “The beauty of it is we have a game with a quick turnaround. “We have to go into that showing a different side to our game. “We really need to prove to everyone that we can stay in this league and it’s a great opposition to do it against as they’re another Premier League team, so we need to be fighting and ready to go for that game.”
Adam Lallana
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Adam Lallana’s verdict on De Zerbi’s Brighton impact #BHAFC

November 8, 2022
Adam Lallana says he was blown away by Roberto De Zerbi’s tactical ideas. The Albion midfielder has been hailed as his teacher on the pitch by the head coach. But Lallana says he is learning a lot himself from the Italian on the training ground. Speaking to TalkSPORT he said: “He is very tactical on the training pitch. “There’s lot of phases of play in deep build-up, mid build-up and in the attacking third. Very structured “You’ve got to be disciplined in where he wants you and he gives you all the options. “It’s nothing that I’ve experienced before in my career in how he coaches. “He is very, very hands-on. “Before he came in, I thought I’d had a great experience with the managers I’ve worked for. “Then he enters the building and I’m blown away by his ideas and how he sees the game. “It’s another string to my bow in terms of experience and just keep learning. “It’s incredible to be 34 and still think you know nothing in the game.” Albion failed to win in De Zerbi’s first five games in charge but have now put together successive victories. Lallana said: “It was a tough first three or four weeks. “We didn’t win in the first five and I could just see it in his face. “It wasn’t his choice that Graham left. “It took a bit of time probably to get buy-in from every player because there were players who were used to doing things a bit differently under Graham and we were getting huge success doing it that way. “There was a bit of a transition period and we suffered with not winning in five games. “That can’t have been easy for Roberto coming to a new league, new language and not getting a win in five games. “I was extremely made up for him we got back-to-back wins because it took a little bit of pressure off.”
Joel Veltman
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton’s player Joel Veltman reveals he is looking forward to games before World Cup #BHAFC

October 28, 2022
Albion defender Joel Veltman believes they are facing a crucial period of the season in the coming two weeks. Saturday's home game against Chelsea is the first of four fixtures, before a six-week break for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. And they go into this weekend's meeting with former boss Graham Potter at the Amex sitting in ninth place in the Premier League. “We are looking forward to the rest of the games before the World Cup,” Veltman told the club website.  “We need to focus on Chelsea first. We know there will be a lot of noise around Saturday but Wolves, Aston Villa and Arsenal in the League Cup are just as important.” Albion are still to celebrate a win under new head coach Roberto De Zerbi, whose first full month in charge has included games with Liverpool, Tottenham and defending champions Manchester City. But Veltman, 30, feels the wins will soon come as players get more used to the Italian's style of playing, having produced arguably their best performance of the season in a 3-1 loss at the Etihad last weekend. “There is still things to work on, but we are making progress all the time and we will get there,” added Veltman. “Last Saturday we could have done more in ball possession, which is one of our strengths, but against one of the best sides in Europe we showed a lot of courage to play through their lines and we created chances.  "We did well out of possession, were compact and created chances." Erling Haaland struck twice in the first half to put Pep Guardiola's side on top, taking his tally to 17 in 11 games. But Leandro Trossard hit back with a superb effort early in the second half, taking his tally for the season to six, including four goals managed by the team under De Zerbi. And Dutchman Veltman praised his Belgian clubmate, adding: "He is so confident at the moment and he is scoring out of nowhere like shots from outside the box which is one of his strengths. "But a lot of our players are in good form." Chelsea will arrive at the Amex unbeaten in nine matches under ex-Albion boss Potter, having booked a place in the last 16 of the Champions League in midweek. The past three Premier League meetings between the two clubs have ended in draws, but Brighton have yet to beat the Blues in 10 league matches and have not led their rivals in any of those fixtures.
Alexis Mac Allister
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Alexis Mac Allister relishes 100-touch target under Brighton’s manager Roberto De Zerbi #BHAFC

October 21, 2022
Alexis Mac Allister has revealed the three-figure target which is keeping him at the heart of the action for Albion. The midfielder has been told to get at least 100 touches of the ball per game in Roberto De Zerbi’s system. His 137 involvements against Tottenham was the second most by any Premier League player this season, Mac Allister’s position has not changed under De Zerbi but the demands have. He told The Argus: “The first week they were here, Roberto’s assistant coach told me, ‘You have to touch the ball 100, 120 times in a match’. “I said, ‘You are crazy, that’s impossible’. And then you can see that I do it. “It’s the way Roberto wants me to play. “I am really happy because I like to be on the ball every time. “But we need to win, that is the most important thing.” Mac Allister says he has been given extra responsibility as he accepts possession in deep areas, often with opponents close by. He added: “We know he wants to build up from the back and then have that superiority at the front. “Try to play between Moises and me and then find whoever is playing as a ten – Pascal, Solly, Leo, Lallana or Danny, “That is the idea. “I think you can see it and we are happy with that way to play football. “But, like every football player, we want to win and we will try it again on Saturday.” Albion face the ultimate test as they go to champions Manchester City. They look to end a run of three blanks and Mac Allister said: “The goals will come. We have to stick with the way we want to play and we are fully behind Roberto.”
chris mepham Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Cherries player Chris Mepham wants to ‘stay professional’ when facing international teammates #AFCB

October 8, 2022
CHRIS Mepham is all business when it comes to Cherries taking on Leicester on Saturday, with the defender fully focused on the task at hand despite coming up against international teammate Danny Ward. Leicester goalkeeper Ward and Mepham have shared a pitch 17 times for Wales, with both players frequent members of international squads since 2018. After the departure of captain Kasper Schmeichel this summer, Ward has stepped up to become first choice goalkeeper, paving the way for the first time the pair will have faced each other as opponents. When asked if he would be making conversation prior to the game, the centre-back shared: “I think you're constantly playing teams where there's players that you know. “An example, there were lads that I played with at Brentford, and you kind of need to put that to one side and speak to them after the game. “But in the build up to it, and whilst you're out there it’s business, and that’s that. “I’m sure we’ll have a laugh and a joke after the game, but up until then it’s staying professional.” One reason why Mepham might be in contact with Welsh teammates is the prospect of swapping stickers to complete the official World Cup album by Panini. When asked if he was taking part in the cult tradition surrounding international tournaments, Mepham responded: “No, it's too time consuming for me, to be honest. “I know a few of the lads are keen, but I'm not one that's massively into it. “Hopefully I'm on that flight to Qatar and when I'm on that flight, I'll really be looking forward to it. “There's a lot of games between now and then, and that needs to be the focus for me. "Keep fit, keep putting in performances and hopefully it puts me in a really good position coming into the World Cup.”
Philip Billing
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Philip Billing highlights changes in his position after Cherries win against Aston Villa #AFCB

August 7, 2022
PHILIP Billing hailed Cherries’ “positive start” to the season, stating that the side were “tactically unbelievable” in their 2-0 win over Aston Villa. The Dane played the full 90 minutes as goals from Jefferson Lerma and Kieffer Moore saw Cherries victorious on the opening day of the season. Scott Parker committed to the three man central defence experimented in pre-season, with Billing sitting in a midfield two with Ben Pearson. Speaking to the Daily Echo after the game, Billing shared: “Obviously a good win against a top side. “We’re only one game in but it's definitely a very positive start. “I think what we showed today is what we're all about and, just back enjoying it. "Three points back home against Aston Villa, a top side to play against, good players. “We were tactically unbelievable today, and aggressive in everything we did. We were unbelievable all over. We have to keep on going.” When asked how his new role in midfield differed to his swashbuckling displays last term, Billing detailed the changes to his duties. “It’s a lot different,” he added. “Last season I was more box to box, obviously got ten goals, ten assists, so this season is a bit different, more of a holding midfielder. "I have to stay back and watch the front three, create chances. “I'm sure the more season the goes forward, the more I get forward as well. But today again, that’s a good team, so you just have to be aware and be consistently good. "And that's what I was just focusing on today.” Billing also stressed how it was key for Cherries to get off to a winning start ahead a tough run of fixtures. “I think it was very important, looking at our next games but like I said it's the Premier League at the end of day,” commented the 26-year-old. “11 v 11, anything can happen. It's our start of the season. It's a tough one but it's one you just got to look at and enjoy. “You come up against the best in the world so we’re going to have to get ready for it and go and enjoy the moment.”
Enock Mwepu Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Enock Mwepu gives insight to his passes and goals for Brighton #BHAFC

January 9, 2022
And it is one which has helped him contribute to three goals since Christmas Day. Mwepu does a few different things in various areas around a football pitch. But, as he starts to grow and express himself, we are seeing more of what he dubbed the ‘Ninkumona’ pass when he developed the skill as a young player in Zambia. Premier League fans have seen it in full effect on two of the recent goals he has helped create for team-mates. Mwepu is suddenly joint top of the Albion assist chart with three in the league. As often in football, ‘assist’ is an imperfect stat. Alexis Mac Allister’s delivery helped Dan Burn score at Everton just as much as Mwepu’s flick. And there was plenty still for Leandro Trossard and Mac Allister to do when they scored against Brentford and Everton respectively. But the disguised passes left them in room – and they knew they would be spotted, even though he was looking the other way. Mwepu told The Argus: “Ninkumona means ‘I’ve seen you’. “In Zambia I used to assist a lot playing in the under-17s, under-20s. “I named it that. If you see the goal against Brentford and also in Cardiff (by Jakub Moder), such passes are the ones that show the Ninkumona. “It’s the sort of pass that comes from nowhere, where people don’t expect it. “Those are the moments when I look at the movement of my teammate and I try to make that pass and it just astonishes everybody. “It was from way back when I was in the under-20s, even younger.” Mwepu delighted fans with his subtle little lay-off of Trossard’s low cross to tee up Mac Allister at Goodison. It looked better the more you watched it. He said: “When I saw Leo have the ball, I got in my position and so many people said I didn’t even look at Alexis. “But before Leo played the ball to me I saw he was in a good position to shoot so when the ball was coming, I just had to lay it off. “I had to think about how to lay it off to him and that was the only way I could do it - and I think it worked!” Mwepu accepts he is flying the flag for his country, along with Leicester striker Patson Daka. The arrival of both – in the run-up to an election - saw the nation’s president and main political rival issue well-wishing tweets. Mwepu says he does not feel additional pressure and responsibility because of it. He added: “I think for me it is just pride. “Even the president wrote me a message, it is pride that I represent the country “I think everyone is happy at what I have achieved and that is something amazing for me.” Predecessors from Zambia have not been such big hits in the Prem so what does Mwepu see as a key reason for his early impact in a tough league? He said: “I think it is the discipline aspect and the mentality. “I am very disciplined in what I do. “I always want to act professional and I always have the right mentality in most of the things that I do. “I try to inspire the Zambians who think they can also achieve great things in football and other aspects. “I jut try to be that icon for them and show them that they can achieve all they want to achieve.” PREMIUM: HOW POTTER AND HUGHTON HAVE RUNG CUP CHANGES Next for Mwepu is the FA Cup. He admits playing in the final – as he watched his favourite team Liverpool do on TV back home - would be a dream. DANNY WELBECK LIKELY TO FACE WEST BROM IN FA CUP (Later he laughs as he says he still watches that goal he scored at Anfield every day.) But cup football has already been important for Mwepu this season, with that performance at Cardiff and a first goal at Leicester. LORENT TOLAJ ON TARGET AGAIN FOR ALBION He said: “For me those games were really important. “We were trying to progress as a team and unfortunately we lost at Leicester. “But for me it gave me more minutes. “I think the confidence was there because of those games.”