Kaoru Mitoma
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Roberto De Zerbi and Kaoru Mitoma give insight on their ambitions #BHAFC

May 12, 2023
The Japan winger aims to return to match-winning form on Sunday at Arsenal, where he has already scored this season in the Carabao Cup. De Zerbi have a somewhat cryptic message at a recent junior press conference about Mitoma having plenty of time to work within the Albion set-up. READ MORE: BRIGHTON DUO HEAD TO WORLD CUP WITH ENGLAND The head coach has since told reporters: “Mitoma is one of the best players in Brighton. “He can improve because he has started to be an important player this year, especially when I started to work here because before he wasn’t in the first XI. “He needs to stay here one more year for him and for us.” READ MORE: QPR CONFIRM TAYLOR RICHARDS' MOVE FROM BRIGHTON Speculation over summer transfer activity has already kicked off but everything points at this stage to Mitoma staying with the Seagulls into next season. He has been a huge hit this term although his end product has dipped below peak levels in recent games. Mitoma is delighted De Zerbi sees him as big part of his plans, as will be his large Japanese following within the Albion fanbase. He told an in-house interview: “That is something you always want to hear as a player, to be wanted by the club. “It’s proof that I have grown as a player but it’s still my first year playing at Brighton. “I need to keep improving so I can carry on playing in the Premier League. “While I have high ambitions, I have to stay grounded too.”
Dominic Solanke Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke on finding form at right time #AFCB

May 12, 2023
A return of 15 points from seven games in April has seen Cherries all but confirm their place in next season's Premier League, with an nine-point gap over the bottom three with three games remaining. Solanke himself was in fine form during last month, scoring three goals and assisting three more as he was nominated for the Premier League player of the month award. Appearing on Match of the Day X, Solanke shared: “The main goal was to stay in the Premier League. “We’re pretty much there now, which is good, but when you get to that point of the season, you just know that it's like now or never. “So I think everyone's done their work, the players, the management staff, the staff behind the scenes, everyone's just come together. “We hit form at the right time. Towards the end is where you want to be on form. And we found that.” After a heart-breaking late loss at then league leaders Arsenal, Cherries returned to Vitality Stadium and defeated one of Solanke’s former clubs, Liverpool. “That Liverpool win was a massive one for us,” restarted the former Liverpool and Chelsea man. “Obviously, beating a team of that stature just gives us ultimate confidence, really.” Joint leading goalscorer with Phil Billing on seven goals, Solanke has also turned into a key provider for his teammates, setting up a further seven. “I think my game has always been like that,” he continued. “Obviously, being a striker, everyone always looks at the goals, but not many people really look at the other side of the game. “I think my game is a lot more than just goals. I think I bring a lot to the team, and especially this season, that shows that in the amount of assists I've managed to rack up.”
James Ward Prowse
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- James Ward-Prowse accepts responsibility but points to Southampton mistake at start of season #SAINTSFC

May 11, 2023
The 28 year old cut a frustrated figure as he chatted through Monday’s 4-3 defeat at a sodden City Ground, Nottingham Forest. Ward-Prowse converted an added-time penalty after having set up Lyanco with a corner-kick delivery at the start of the second half but Saints could not salvage a result. The defeat leaves them eight points adrift of safety with only nine more to play for – relegation could be confirmed as early as this weekend. READ MORE: Orsic nearing exit to bring to end puzzling Southampton transfer saga Ward-Prowse, who admitted he does not know where his future lies next season as he told the Daily Echo his focus is on the remaining games, assessed how the club have reached rock bottom. Obviously, a disappointed captain as James Ward-Prowse insists his focus is on "giving my all for the club – which I always have done".But he says "what happens beyond, who knows? I don’t know." A side note sadly but very good performance from him at City Ground. #SaintsFC — Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) May 9, 2023 “Ultimately it is players on the pitch that reflect where the club is,” he said. “But we all know the changes that happened at the start of the season have had an impact. “They have had an impact going into the season in terms of where we are as a group with the players we lost and the players we brought in.” Saints doubled down on their policy of signing talented young players to replace experienced leavers such as Fraser Forster, Oriol Romeu and Nathan Redmond. The St Mary’s side have been beaten by one goal in all but one of their meetings versus relegation rivals in 2023, just not exhibiting enough to get over the line in key moments. They have also suffered definitive physical breakdowns in young players such as Romeo Lavia, Armel  Bella-Kotchap, Juan Larios and Tino Livramento over the last 13 months. “Of course, the young players we have brought in are going to have fantastic futures and we are all hoping that they will do,” Ward-Prowse added. “But equally the players that we lost and the experience that we lost in the dressing room, and not just on the pitch, did take an effect and has led us to where we are now. “We gave away two sloppy goals, pulled a goal back and to concede four goals says a lot about where we are as a team. “We know the situation we find ourselves in. It is not over until it is over. I don’t think it is any different to the previous weeks. “We know we have to take maximum points now and hope results go the right way. That is our focus going forwards now.” Ward-Prowse also addressed some interesting full-time scenes at City Ground after the defeat, which saw Saints players standing rooted to the spot staring blankly back at their supporters. Many of the travelling contingent applauded their players while others made their feelings known with a season in the Championship next campaign almost a guarantee. “There was a lot of frustration. As players you feel the responsibility of why the club is where it is,” Ward-Prowse explained. “Decisions can be made off the pitch about personnel or managers but ultimately it is you as players going out to deliver on the pitch in those fine moments. “We all know the fine margins of the Premier League. Right from day one of pre-season we have not done that as a club. Not just the players, but as a club and that is why we are where we are.”
Jan Bednarek
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Jan Bednarek admits losing a lot of games that Southampton could have won #SAINTSFC

May 8, 2023
Saints enter the weekend six points adrift of safety with just four games remaining in their Premier League season, making them firm favourites for the drop.  Yet, despite the disastrous nature of their campaign, they could end the round of bank holiday fixtures just three points away from a survival spot. READ MORE: Saints predicted XI for Nottingham Forest trip as time ticks on Premier League status Granted, results would have to fall their way and they would have to beat Nottingham Forest and that is no certainty considering Ruben Selles’s men have failed to emerge victorious in any of their last nine league matches. But speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Saints defender Bednarek insisted that they have a chance of getting back into the survival fight as long as they put in a ‘perfect’ performance at the City Ground. “In my life, I’m used to noisy stadiums. I played in Poland in derby games, that’s really noisy,” Bednarek said of the atmosphere that will greet his team.  “So yeah, there will be pressure but we have pressure every day. For us, it should be a normal game, we can only win three points and we have to focus on the task.  “We have to focus on the things we have to do on the pitch, what the manager asks us to do, and that’s the most important thing: not to focus on what surrounds us, what sort of game it is, we just need to go and enjoy it.  “The game is 90 minutes, you can’t start the game in the 10th minute and you can’t finish the game in the 70th minute. The most important thing for us is to go there and from the first minute to be consistent, to be dangerous, to keep the ball well. I think we need to have a perfect game to win it and I think we can do it.” Saints have struggled desperately for consistency this season, both in individual games and across the campaign as a whole. They are yet to win back-to-back Premier League matches while last weekend’s Jekyll and Hyde performance at St James’ Park yet again showcased how good they can be in individual moments before crumbling. Honest in his verdict of Saints’ disastrous season, Bednarek admitted that they just haven’t been good enough - even if the margins are incredibly tight at times. “We’re in a tough situation,” the 27 year old added. “I think a lot of things were against us, a lot of games we should have won we lost. It’s tough, it’s a really difficult situation for the club, for each player, because we all care and all we want to do is win.  “But I think we’re just not good enough and not consistent enough in the games. I think - like against Newcastle or Arsenal - that we can perform at the highest level for the majority of the game but there is a little bit missing and that is the decider.  “In the Premier League, the quality of the opposition, the intensity of the game is so demanding, so we are missing those things. But also I think we are learning. We have a really young group and it’s not easy.  “I think from the outside, some people don’t realise how demanding and how tough the Premier League is. And for the younger players who came here in the beginning of the season or the winter, now they understand how demanding and how tough this league is.” READ MORE: Saints squad exodus could be blessing in disguise - Sport Republic must make that true Bednarek has been something of a revelation since returning to St Mary’s from his failed Aston Villa loan in January.  The Polish international has now started each of his side’s last 14 Premier League matches and while he would no doubt be a valuable asset to keep regardless of Saints’ fate this season, Bednarek refused to be drawn into a discussion about his personal future. “It’s still four more games to go and I’m not thinking about it. It would be really unprofessional and disrespectful to the teammates, to the staff, to the club.  “We have four more chances and it’s not done yet. We are aware of the situation, I’m aware of the situation but the most important thing is to win the next game.  “I have my agents who take care of my future, they will see what the situation is like but for me, this is the club that gave me a lot. I learned here, I grew up as a player, so I just try to give my best on the pitch, I try to learn and listen, and give my best for the club.”
Dominic Solanke Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke on defeat to Chelsea #AFCB

May 8, 2023
Frank Lampard picked up his first win as interim boss at the seventh attempt at the Vitality on Saturday, Conor Gallagher’s opener for the away side cancelled out by Matias Vina’s sublime effort in the first half before Chelsea snatched the points late on with goals from Benoit Badiashille and Joao Felix. Solanke started his career with the Blues, coming through their Cobham academy to make one first team appearance for the club, a cameo off the bench against Maribor in the Champions League. Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Solanke shared: “It was a good game. “A top club, a lot of great players and we knew that they would change their fortunes and get a win at some point. “Obviously we didn't want it to be (against us), but I think we gave them a good game and just conceded two late goals which killed us a bit, but we could have definitely got something from the game. “We're not going to score every chance. “We had some good chances today that we didn't take, and they managed to take a couple late on. “But that's just football. There's still a lot of positives we can take, but it's never nice to lose in a game. “So we'll look back and try to get a win next week.” With Cherries all but safe, there might be the suggestion that Cherries have nothing to play for with three games remaining. However, Solanke reiterated that the side were just as disappointed at losing a dead-rubber as they were earlier on in the campaign, with confidence remaining high. He continued: “I think how we've been playing recently and the results we've been picking up, we're full of confidence. “Even after the game, even though we've had such a great spell and pretty much safe, there's still disappointment in there. “But I think that shows the character of our team that we believe we can go out there and win against anyone at the moment. “So, it was an unfortunate defeat, but we'll dust down and go again next week.”  
Nathan Tella
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton’s Nathan Tella reveals Thierry Henry and Walcott inspiration #SAINTSFC

May 7, 2023
Tella began his career in the Arsenal academy before joining Saints in 2017 where he went on to make his Premier League debut three years later.  But he struggled to nail down a consistent starting role in the two seasons following his breakthrough and was allowed to depart on loan to Burnley last summer. Moving down to the Championship Tella has flourished, scoring 17 league goals and earning a place in the division’s Team of the Year as his side coasted to the title. READ MORE: ‘Lost our philosophy and consistency’ Bednarek on issues with Saints manager carousel Capable of playing up front or out on the wing, Tella has finally started to showcase the talent that caused Saints to give him a new three-and-a-half year contract last January and speaking to Football Daily he offered some insight into his journey. “I’ve always been an Arsenal fan and at that time I’d look at Thierry Henry and say he was my biggest inspiration in football,” the 23 year old explained.  “He’s someone I tried to model my game after. Of course, at seven years old you can’t really say you play like someone but the stuff he was doing in games I would try to do with my local team.  “Sometimes it worked, sometimes it wouldn’t but just having the confidence to try it, I feel like that’s what made me stand out a bit at an early age. “And then as I was growing up a bit and getting older I started to look at Theo Walcott who moved from Southampton to Arsenal.  🗣️ "Always been an Arsenal fan, Thierry Henry was my biggest inspiration. Growing up I started to look at Theo Walcott who moved from Southampton to Arsenal." 🔴Nathan Tella reveals the footballers he looked up to from an early age pic.twitter.com/9riEcDb8Ir — Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 6, 2023 "For me, being young and being at Arsenal at the time, I wanted to envision myself having that sort of exposure at such a young age. He was someone I looked at and I wanted to play my game like, especially because I moved to the right wing where he played.” It remains to be seen what the future has in store for Tella who no doubt has admirers at both St Mary’s and Turf Moor.  With Burnley going up to the Premier League and Saints almost certainly headed for the Championship it would be no surprise if Vincent Kompany’s side pursued a permanent move but Sport Republic hold the cards and will be able to demand a major fee for the attacking sensation.
Moises Caicedo
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Moises Caicedo explains his right-back role for Brighton #BHAFC

May 6, 2023
The Ecuador midfield star went head-to-head with Marcus Rashford last night. He helped Albion beat Manchester United 1-0 and keep a fifth clean sheet in their last six home games. Albion were without specialists Joel Veltman and Tariq Lamptey as well as Pascal Gross. Caicedo told The Argus: “I’ve never played right-back. “It was my first time at right-back and I tried to do my best. “It was good. It was difficult because Rashford is a really hard winger to mark but I think I did it the best I could. “Veltman, Tariq, Pascal are injured so he (Roberto De Zerbi) called me here, we had a meeting and he asked if I’d like to play in this position. “I said, ‘If you want me to play there, I’d be delighted. I’ll try and do it the best I can’. “It’s not my position that I usually play but I’ll try. “He told me only three hours before the game. “But you have to ready for anything on the pitch.” Caicedo said beating United was special after the disappointment suffered at Wembley. He said: “We’re very happy for the result and I think we deserved it. “I think at Wembley we also deserved to win as well but that’s football. “We really wanted to win this game. “Of course we want to win. “Brighton is a very big club. “We have lots of talented players, lots of youngsters so we want to be in lots of competitions.” Caicedo returned to the XI having been rested from kick-off against Wolves, when Billy Gilmour started. He was happy to see the former Chelsea make an impression. Caicedo said: “My colleague Billy came in I was really happy because he hasn’t had many minutes. I’m also happy for my colleagues who play and I hope they do as well as they can, “That means we have good players and we have a second team, if we can call it like that.”
Adam Armstrong
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton midfielder Adam Armstrong defends Ruben Selles on two key questions #SAINTSFC

May 3, 2023
The Scottish international defended manager Ruben Selles, though, even refusing to answer a question on instances of on-pitch frustration between players and the manager. Selles was an animated figure on the touchline during Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Newcastle United and his nervous energy transcended onto the pitch. There were a number of visible instances where players would turn to listen to the Spaniard’s screeched instructions before gesturing as if to say ‘we know’ or even ‘calm down’. READ MORE: On-loan Smallbone targeting a 'dream' return to Southampton squad  However, when Armstrong – who scored the opener from Kamaldeen Sulemana’s assist for his second Premier League goal of the campaign – was asked about them, he could not find words. “I don’t think it’s fair to say that,” he responded, after pondering quietly for a few moments. “It’s tough. “A few years ago that was a statistic that we did very well in the first 45 to 60 minutes but in that last third we couldn’t quite hang onto it and gave points away so there’s definitely a case of that today.” “It’s a tough job for Ruben to come into, it’s been an unusual season with a lot of change in the club,” Armstrong added. “But bringing it back to the weekend, the first 45 minutes were very good and we tried to hang on but Newcastle are a quality side chasing Champions League football and we didn’t quite have enough at a very important time of the season.” Armstrong was one of a trio of players to come off for substitutes after around 70 minutes with Saints still level at 1-1 in the match. The Scot, Kamaldeen and Lyanco were replaced by Adam Armstrong, Moi Elyounoussi and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. No Armstrong touches from open play, one Maitland-Niles error leading to a goal and 10 minutes later and Saints found themselves two goals down and heading for a fourth defeat against the Magpies this season. Armstrong defends the changes, though, saying: “The team needed fresh energy of course and that dynamism to get forward once we do get possession. “We had a couple of instances but not enough. Throughout the game, the team, including myself, could have been better with the ball and controlled it more. If you have possession, they can’t score.” There is typically no shame in a defeat to Newcastle, who have gone from relegation candidates to nine points clear in the top four in two seasons under manager Eddie Howe. However, Saints have not afforded themselves the luxury of only beating the teams around them – now there are only four games left of the Premier League season and they sit six points adrift. “It’s a very difficult result, I thought we were very good in the first half but they have a lot of quality and had a few chances,” Armstrong reflected, on the game itself. “When you’ve got something to hold onto you get deeper and the pressure builds. We need to have more resolve in those situations, a tough result to take and a tough situation. “You need to find solutions and we didn’t, the more they have possession in your half the pressure naturally builds. It’s a very tough afternoon.”
Dominic Solanke Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke speaks after Leeds win #AFCB

May 1, 2023
Cherries’ comfortable 4-1 win over Leeds United moved them to the brink of safety, with a 10-point cushion above the relegation spots with four games remaining. Solanke played a part in Cherries’ opener, teeing up Phil Billing for the initial shot that led to Jefferson Lerma curling home. The Colombian doubled the lead four minutes later, before Patrick Bamford pulled one back before the end of the first half. Talismanic striker Solanke restored the two-goal margin shortly after the hour mark, before watching on from the bench as Antoine Semenyo added further gloss with a fourth. “We knew it was going to be a huge game for us,” Solanke told the Daily Echo: “After coming off the last win, we wanted to make sure that we followed up with another win. “And to get back-to-back wins at this point in this stage of the season, just shows the position we’re in.” Promoted as Championship runners-up last term, many had expected Cherries to finish in the bottom three. Whilst not yet mathematically confirmed, it would take some effort from sides below them to overhaul their current position of 13th. “I think a lot of people, especially at the start of season, didn't really give us a chance,” Solanke continued. “But we always believed and we know the quality that we have in the squad. So for us to do what we've done, just shows our quality.” Solanke’s goal was well taken, the forward ghosting into the area before being forced out wide. Unfazed by the acute angle, he steered his effort towards the far corner, the ball bouncing off the inside of the post. “I went for that corner,” explained the 26-year-old. “Obviously not the post, but knew it was quite a tight angle. “But yeah, I wanted to slide it in and, it was a good finish.”  
Marcus Tavernier
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Marcus Tavernier reveals family support for premier league clubs and goal celebration during Southampton win #AFCB

April 30, 2023
Tavernier is hoping to shake off a hamstring complaint to feature at Vitality Stadium tomorrow afternoon, having netted the winning goal at Southampton on Thursday night. Born in Leeds, Tavernier spent much of his early life growing up in the north east, but most of his family remain staunch Leeds United supporters. The Whites head to the south coast today, with both sides scrapping for the points they need to ensure Premier League safety. After netting at St Mary’s, Tavernier ran towards the away fans, flapping his arms like a bird. Asked what was behind the celebration, the 24-year-old told the Daily Echo: “My uncle is down and before the game I like to have turkey sandwiches which my auntie makes. “I had one before the game. And they said ‘if you score today, you’ve got to promise me that you’ll do that celebration’. “I always keep my promises and that’s what I did! It went to the turkey sandwiches!” Asked if he will now be eating them before every game, Tavernier said: “It might have to be! “I might have to get my uncle down a bit more often so he can make me those turkey sandwiches.” Tavernier found the net for Cherries against Leeds earlier in the season, in a 4-3 defeat at Elland Road. Discussing his Yorkshire background, the winger explained: “Pretty much my whole family are Leeds fans. “So obviously it’s a big game in the household, but they’re all cheering me on. “My brother and my family are looking at the Leeds results and they’re not wanting them to win at the moment, because they’re supporting me!” He added: “I grew up in Newcastle. But all of a sudden I became an Arsenal fan, that’s Thierry Henry for you! “So I’m a bit of a loose one in the family for supporting teams. “But everyone in the family is a Leeds fan, so I’m going to keep them quiet this weekend hopefully!” Cherries moved seven points clear of the relegation zone with victory over Saints. With just five games to play, Gary O’Neil’s men are on the brink of securing a second consecutive season in the top flight. Reflecting on the win at St Mary’s, Tavernier said: “The manager said before the game we have to make sure we come here and come out with what we want. That’s exactly what we did. “We played the football we wanted and it showed in the performance again. “Everyone can be happy right now, but it’s not over yet, which we know. We have to go into Leeds fully focused and put on the same performance. “If we’re being critical, we could’ve put more chances away and made it easier. But the end result is we got what we wanted and that’s the main thing. “It’s a derby game and I’ve played in a few in my career. There’s no better feeling than to get a win over your rivals. “They played us at our patch and we got beat. I remember seeing the celebrations after from their fans and it hurts, because you know you’re leaving your fans a bit deflated. “But I’m sure they’re going to be happy with that performance.” Put to him that one more point against Leeds this weekend could well be enough to keep Cherries up, Tavernier said: “We’re not thinking like that. We’re taking it each game at a time. “We want to finish the season strong and get as many points as we possibly can. “That starts against Leeds. We have no intention of getting one point. “We go in there fully wanting three, and the following games after that, we keep the same mentality.” Asked if he will have many relatives at the game to watch him this weekend, Tavernier said: “No, unfortunately not. “I’ve got my uncle there again, so maybe some more turkey sandwiches before the game! “They’ll be supporting me to full effect and that’s all I can ask for.”
chris mepham Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Chris Mepham says win at Saints was for Cherries ‘fans who have stuck with us’ #AFCB

April 30, 2023
Historically, Cherries have a wretched record away to their south coast rivals. This week’s win marked just a second time Cherries have won away at Saints, the first coming on their last trip their in September 2019. Since that day, Saints had racked up three successive wins over Cherries, all at Vitality Stadium, the hosts failing to find the net. Mepham has now visited St Mary’s three times since joining Cherries from Brentford four years ago. He started, only to be withdrawn early on during a 3-3 draw there in April 2019, before remaining as an unused substitute for the 3-1 win in September that year. The centre-back played a key role in the 1-0 win on Thursday night, which came four years to the day since he was hooked at the same stadium. Defeat left Saints rooted to the foot of the table, six points from safety. 🍒 Celebrations in full swing #afcb pic.twitter.com/cyuSQwsonz — Tom Crocker (@TomCrockerEcho) April 27, 2023 Discussing this week’s win and being part of some good days for Cherries at St Mary’s, Mepham told the Daily Echo: “I remember getting dragged after 30 minutes away from home, so other than that day! “For the fans, there’s always a little bit more on this game. “For us as players, we approach it the same as any other game, but in the background we know there is obviously that local rivalry, so I think it was important to get the win for the fans that obviously have stuck with us all this season.” While Marcus Tavernier’s goal was all that separated the sides, Cherries were the better side for the majority of the contest on Thursday. However, having failed to put the game to bed, they had a nervy wait at the death when substitute Che Adams slammed home, only for the strike to eventually be ruled offside. “I think that’s the thing we need to get better at,” Mepham explained. “For all our dominance in the first half and the way we controlled the first half, we probably didn’t create enough clear-cut opportunities. “We seemed to arrive in the final third a lot, but then it was a case of second half, just finding a moment out of something to go and get us a goal. “Then it was down to us to see how well we can hang on. “Obviously other than that moment where Che Adams scores, I thought we limited them to very few chances. It probably felt like it was more pressure than they probably put us under.” Cherries return to action against Leeds United at Vitality Stadium tomorrow (2pm).
chris mepham Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Chris Mepham thinks win over Leeds could get Bournemouth over the line #AFCB

April 29, 2023
A Marcus Tavernier goal earned Cherries a 1-0 victory at Southampton on Thursday night, a result which moved Gary O’Neil’s men seven points clear of the relegation zone with just five games to play. Many pundits believe the 36 points Cherries have already amassed will be enough to avoid the drop, with O’Neil’s charges now sitting 14th in the table. But the head coach and squad and eyeing victory over another side battling to avoid the drop in Leeds at Vitality Stadium this weekend, to all but rubber-stamp a second consecutive top-flight campaign for Cherries. Discussing the win over Saints being a huge step in Cherries achieving their goal, Mepham told the Daily Echo: “That’s exactly what the manager said at the end of the game. “We are so close now. Credit to us, we’ve put ourselves in an unbelievable position. I think that’s our third away win in a row now. “We’ve done our bit. We just need to keep pressing, get us over the line on Sunday hopefully. “I think the last thing we would want now is complacency. There are still lots of points up for grabs. “We want to finish as high as possible and the relegation fight isn’t done yet. We go into Sunday wanting to win and hopefully we can get over the line then.” He added: “It’s not done yet. Until it’s mathematically impossible for us to go down, we will still be fighting for every point. “Sunday is no different. We will approach it like we do every game, which is wanting to win and hopefully we can get a result on Sunday.” Reflecting on the victory at St Mary’s, Mepham said: “Massive win. Especially the way the drama was at the end (Che Adams disallowed goal). Obviously panic stations at the end when you think you’ve lost two points. “I think we thoroughly deserved the points. First half, complete control. Second half, I think they were always going to come out and put a lot more pressure on us and play higher up the pitch. “Sometimes you need a bit of luck, like we got at the end and I felt like we deserved that with the way we applied ourselves in the first half.” Asked how impressive the win was given Cherries had just suffered a 4-0 home defeat to West Ham United a few days earlier, Mepham said: “To be honest, Sunday felt like a bit of an anomaly for us. “I think the way we’ve performed the last couple of months, that performance on Sunday was very unlike us. “We knew we had so much more to offer. Then again (on Thursday) it was a case of bounce back and I thought we did that really well. We started the game well. “I think the first 10 minutes they came out quite quick, but once we settled into the game, we had control and it’s a perfect response.”
Jaidon Anthony
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Jaidon Anthony calls on team to ‘get back to basics’ after west ham loss #AFCB

April 26, 2023
Gary O’Neil’s charges were reminded they are not safe from the threat of relegation by fellow strugglers West Ham on Sunday, the Hammers easing to a 4-0 win at Vitality Stadium. Once again Cherries were undone by set-pieces, West Ham opening the scores from a corner headed home by Michail Antonio. The Cherries defence did not cover itself in any glory for the second on 12 minutes, Lucas Paqueta ghosting in at the far post to score another header. Declan Rice caught the hosts out at another corner before the break, with substitute Pablo Fornals finishing the scoring midway through the second half. Speaking after the game, Anthony shared: “We're very disappointed with ourselves, first and foremost. “The way we executed the game plan. We weren't good enough in both boxes and we were punished for that. “Frustrated, but we got another game coming very fast and we’re looking to put it right. “Hopefully we can do that. “We know we have to turn up. There's no game that's going to be given to you in this league. We were punished for mistakes and for not being in the right position and stuff like that. We’ve got to learn from it, and bounce back on Thursday. “This league, it does that to you. You can never really predict what's going to happen. Obviously we're disappointed with how we performed. We didn't really get the basics right. We were punished for that.” Not first the first time this season, Cherries struggled to create clear cut chances despite enjoying a majority of possession. “I think every team will say so it's a lot harder to break a team down when they get bodies behind the ball, but we know we have the players to break it down,” Anthony explained to the Daily Echo.  “(Against West Ham) it didn't quite work out, but it's never easy when you have that many bodies in front of a goal to try and try and find gaps that they don't let you create.” Cherries face another six-pointer with a rival for survival in the form of Southampton on Thursday evening, with Anthony hoping his team can put right their wrongs from the weekend. He restarted: “You see in this league, there's always surprises in there and Thursday, I'm sure there'll be no difference. Another tough game that we're going to try and try and win and hopefully we will do that there. “We’ve had some good results recently and showed what a good side we are. We’ve just to get back to basics. Try and pick ourselves up, and getting going again Thursday. “We got another chance to try and put it right and be on the right side of a result, of a performance on Thursday.    
Gavin Bazunu
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton’s Gavin Bazunu reveals being level headed in tough premier league moments #SAINTSFC

April 25, 2023
The Republic of Ireland international briefly reflects on his own performances in the mixed zone at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, during his debut Premier League season. Bazunu is only 21 years old but he has played every single minute of the league campaign following his summer move to St Mary’s from Manchester City. It is less than an hour since his side had shipped two goals in the last three minutes of regulation time to give up two valuable points in a 3-3 draw with the league leaders. READ MORE: The three big things to take away from Southampton's draw at Arsenal Bukayo Saka’s equaliser was tapped in from Bazunu’s initial parry into a central area – not the first time that has happened this season but the most forgivable given the speed of the initial shot. “It’s obviously the top league in the world and I’m a young goalkeeper but I relish every moment of it,” Bazunu told the Daily Echo. “I keep a level head about everything because It’s the only way you can get through it, you have to keep confidence in yourself. “I can’t speak on behalf of the other players but for myself, with all the minutes I’ve had and experiences good and bad, I’m taking every bit of it for these last few games.” All goalkeeping metrics point to the fact Saints could have done with a more viable number two option to offer competition to young Bazunu throughout this season. But the hope remains that the Irishman will be an improved product year-on-year, having never played above League One before the start of this term. What league the team will play in is still yet to be decided. Following Saturday’s Leicester City victory, even a win at Emirates Stadium would have kept Saints bottom. They remain four points from safety with six games to play and a visit from AFC Bournemouth - the team Bazunu's first clean sheet came against - is up next. “I think the immediate feeling is disappointment at not picking up all three points but going into Thursday there are so many positives we can take,” Bazunu admitted. “We have come to the league leaders and scored three goals, been ruthless and shown the fighting spirit that we did.” He added: “We scored some great goals and showed fight and desire but we need to be as ruthless in the remaining games. “We’ve now got to look at the performance we put in and take the positives into Thursday, we’ve got to be confident with our ruthlessness and spirit.” Much of that ruthlessness looks like it could be coming through 20 year old January signing Charly Alcaraz – who has already scored three in the Premier League. It was the Argentine who opened the scoring beyond Aaron Ramsdale and assisted with a splitting pass for Theo Walcott and the side’s second. “It’s great, all season we’ve been a great team in the attacking phase but we’ve just not taken our chances,” Bazunu said, when prompted on the youngster, who still does not speak English. “In other games, we have not had the luck fall our way. With the quality we have up front, we’ve been able to be more ruthless. “I think if we can gain this confidence and our attacking players can find that clinical edge we’ll have no problem in the remaining games this season."
Joel Veltman
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Joel Veltman verdict after FA Cup defeat to ten Hag’s Manchester Utd #BHAFC

April 25, 2023
But he accepts a challenge still lies ahead to secure a top-seven spot. Veltman knows the ins and outs of European competition from his days with Ajax. READ MORE: SOLLY MARCH'S MESSAGE AFTER WEMBLEY PENALTY MISS He went on as sub in the semi-final against Manchester United. Asked whether the tie can benefit the Seagulls squad, Veltman said: “Yes, 100% it can be a good prep for next season if we make it to the European places. “The environment, everything is good experience for the younger lads. “We have the qualities to end in the top seven. I think we deserve it but we need to work hard for that. “It’s a good thing, I would say, that we have a game quite quickly. It’s another big game. “We’re doing well in the Premier League so we need to focus on that, we have to focus on that because we’re out of the FA Cup. “But I think we’re in a good place in the Premier League, we’re doing well, so time to focus for European places now.”   Get more Albion stories delivered to your inbox every day by signing up to our Albion newsletter Veltman’s former boss was impressed by Albion in the 120-minute stalemate. The defender said: “Erik ten Hag, I spoke to him, he gave a lot of compliments – how we played, where we are now in the Premier League and how far we came in the FA Cup, so lots of compliments. “For now, I don’t care because I wanted to be in the final. “But I think we’re in a good place.” Veltman left the recent win at Chelsea holding his thigh but was a surprise inclusion in the Seagulls’ 20 at Wembley. He went on during the second half in a bid to keep Marcus Rashford at bay. The former Holland international said: “It was kind of a surprise for me as well. “We did some scans and it was not too bad so I was always thinking maybe I could make it. “I trained (on Saturday), which was all good and I said to the gaffer ‘I’m ready to not start but, when you need, I’ll be ready’. “So I’m happy. I was not happy with the extra-time, to be honest! But that’s fine.”
chris mepham Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham admits surprise after defeat to West Ham #AFCB

April 25, 2023
Hammers opened scores after five minutes, Michail Antonio heading home unopposed at a corner, before the away side made it 2-0 on 12 minutes through Lucas Paqueta. Declan Rice crashed home a third from another corner minutes before the break, substitute Pablo Fornals adding a fourth in the second period. Talking to Sky Sports, Mepham shared: “Weird game really. “I felt like we probably felt in complete control, had a lot of the ball, started the game well and then just set pieces killed us. “It’s something we’ve put a lot of work into and we’ve been aware we’re not good enough dealing with them set pieces and today showed again – two balls in the box and two goals and you’ve got a mountain to climb against a very stubborn West Ham team. “We need to do more to make sure we’re not in that position but I felt like that was the difference today. I don’t think in general play there was much in it either way. Just shows the importance of set pieces at this level.”  
Ryan Christie
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie cannot hide his frustration after defeat to West Ham #AFCB

April 24, 2023
Michail Antonio was left unmarked to nod home at a corner five minutes in, with the away side doubling their lead with another header seven minutes later, Lucas Paqueta the scorer. Declan Rice powered home a third after Cherries survived the initial cross at a corner, before Pablo Fornals added a fourth in the second period. Conceding from dead-balls has been a common theme from this campaign. Rice’s 43rd minute strike was the 20th goal let in from either a corner or a free-kick, with Cherries also conceding from six penalties. “It's not a good stat,” Christie replied when it was put to him by the Daily Echo. “At the same time, especially against the bigger teams, we've conceded a lot of corners as well. It probably accumulates to that. “Obviously frustrating to concede a goal anyway, but especially set-pieces, when we work on them every week and we worked them especially on Friday. “So West Ham again, probably a team that were focusing on that stuff like that coming into today's game. “And first one is really cheap. Second one, obviously, just kind of drops and it is a good strike. “Another day, somebody blocks that. “Frustrating, I think just because of the manner we concede in terms of how well we played in the first half.” Asked what the mood in the dressing room was like,  Christie responded: “It's alright, obviously frustrated. “Going into the game, we wanted to get a positive result, especially on the run of form we're on and after last week as well. “Sounds maybe a bit ridiculous, but we played all right first half. It was just two set-plays and an aimless ball in the box that killed us. “Probably makes it a little bit more frustrating. Half time I was going in thinking I couldn't believe we were 3-0 down. “But that's sometimes what the Premier League is, it comes down to each box. “And today obviously not our day, but still a massive week ahead, so can't be too down. We go on to Thursday.”  
Ryan Christie
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie on proving doubters wrong as relegation battle is almost over for Cherries #AFCB

April 23, 2023
Heavily unfancied by most, Cherries have hit form at the right time, 15 points from their last eight games bringing them six points clear of the bottom three with seven games remaining. As a newly promoted side from the Championship, Cherries were viewed as likely candidates for the drop in pre-season by sections of the national media. Discussing proving people wrong, Christie shared: “Personally, I’ve kind of felt it since the very start of the season. On pre-season, the first media, everyone was talking about relegation for us. I was thinking ‘we’ve not even kicked a ball yet’. “So that’s nice. It gives us the feeling to keep everything in house and do it for ourselves and the travelling fans. “It kind of builds that feeling of us against the world almost. I think that plays into our hands. “A good run of form right now. Hopefully we can continue it into a big game Sunday and keep building on that.” Asked how Cherries were dealing with the congested lower portion of the table, Christie replied: “Probably just trying to do what we’re doing, which is putting a run of games together. “Three big games coming up, West Ham being huge. “If you can get another positive result in two or all three of them, I think that’s when we’ll probably notice the difference. “I don’t think many teams would have thought we were going to come (to Spurs) and pick up a result like we did. “It’s nice, hopefully other teams looking at that and cursing us a little bit. Hopefully a good win to push us on and get another few wins and get us safe.” Playing other teams in the relegation scrap not only gives Cherries the opportunity to add points to their own tally, but also to deprive positional rivals of picking up key results. “I think it plays into the fact more of how the league looks, just because there are so many teams in and around it,” continued the Scot. “When you can get a result against teams (near you), obviously we felt how big the Leicester win was, just to kind of create a gap between you and others. Obviously a big game coming up. “The West Ham game marks the start of a run of fixtures against fellow sides in the relegation battle. Cherries visit Southampton next Thursday, before welcoming the division’s most out-of-form team, Leeds United, to Vitality Stadium next Sunday.”
James Ward Prowse
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- James Ward-Prowse tells Southampton what they must do after surprise Arsenal draw #SAINTSFC

April 22, 2023
The St Mary’s outfit missed a chance to climb off the bottom of the Premier League table after Arsenal scored two late goals to draw 3-3 on Friday evening. The result follows points taken against Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal already this campaign – with south coast rivals AFC Bournemouth up next. With the teams also fighting relegation still to play this weekend, Saints are not just three points adrift of safety with Thursday’s clash with Cherries looking huge. Speaking to Sky Sports after the Arsenal game, Ward-Prowse said: “A great game to play and incredible atmosphere and you can definitely feel a positive feeling here. “We took our chances really well and we knew they'd come on in the second half. It's a good point to come here, but we are disappointed not to take all three. "It's a massive blow, but we have to take a lot of positives from it and I was surprised to see eight minutes at the end, a strange amount to be added on. But we have to defend better.” He added: "We lost our identity a bit and Ruben has definitely got that back on track with the high aggressive press. I think we tired towards the end and we came up against a world-class side. "We need to follow it up with good performance and good results. We always get good points against the so-called good teams but need to follow it up in following games." Saints have been beaten by Nottingham Forest, Wolves, Leeds United and West Ham United already in 2023 - while the opposition were in 19th.  "There is still a lot of football. We've got to keep believing," Ward-Prowse concluded, however.  Saints host AFC Bournemouth at St Mary’s on Thursday night with the Cherries already nine points clear of their counterparts ahead of playing this weekend. Ward-Prowse and the squad then visit Champions League-chasing Newcastle United on Sunday and face relegation rivals Nottingham Forest following that.
christian eriksen
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Christian Eriksen gives Manchester United setback warning to Brighton before FA Cup SemiFinal #MUFC

April 21, 2023
The Red Devils were reeling after their 3-0 defeat by Sevilla in the Europa League on Thursday. They go into their FA Cup date with Albion missing defenders Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire. But they pride themselves on responding to setbacks this season and expect a big reaction against the Seagulls. Eriksen said: “We had a few of the bigger setbacks this season but in the end, we can see where we are. “I mean, we were in a quarter-final in the Europa League after everything else and now in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. “So we can still be proud of where we are but obviously we want to achieve more. Sunday’s now where we can prove our point.” Asked if playing such a huge game is the best thing to get over Thursday’s humbling, Eriksen said: “Yeah, I think so. “I mean, it’s definitely going to change our feelings towards the next game. “Whoever we’re going to play after this, we want to show that we’re better than what we did today, want to give something back to the fans, and to the club. “It’s a big disappointment but there’s a new focus in three days’ time, and that’s another very big game so I’m sure we’ll be up for that as well.” United’s hammering in Spain ranks alongside the 4-0 defeat at Brentford and 7-0 hammering at Liverpool as lowpoints of the campaign. They followed the defeat by Bees, which itself came after losing at home to Albion, by beating Liverpool 2-1. United have not lost consecutive matches since then, a trend Albion must halt if they are to get to the final. The seven-goal Anfield nightmare was followed by a 4-1 win over Real Betis. There was also a bad experience this term at Manchester City, where the 6-3 margin of defeat flattered them. They bounced back from that game by winning at Omonia Nicosia and Everton in quick succession. United will look to those results to boost them for Sunday, as well as the return in Seville of Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw as half-time substitutes. United boss Erik ten Hag said: “I think we showed in the past we can quickly bounce back. “We did it between games many times this season but what we have to learn is to start games better, with more desire, more composure on the ball and when you get the setback you have to deal with it and carry on.” United’s Europa League exit will be compounded if they put in a similar performance on Sunday. Ten Hag’s side lost at home to the Seagulls in his first game in charge and knows he has a big job to lift them for Wembley. He said: “I already started. We lift them and we have to pick them up. “But also we have to face that we let ourselves down, we let the fans down and if you want to win trophies, if you want to be successful, you need other character.”