Theo Walcott
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton ace Theo Walcott makes ’emotional’ Arsenal admission ahead of must-win #ArsenalFC #SAINTSFC

April 20, 2023
Ex-England international Walcott made 397 appearances and scored 108 goals for the Gunners following a move from St Mary’s in 2006. The 34 year old has already scored against Arsenal for Saints back in December 2020, while initially on loan before making a permanent return to his boyhood side. Now, Walcott is likely to line up against Arsenal again but this time with the Gunners chasing the Premier League title and Saints facing relegation to the Championship. There is no time for sentimentality in the forward, as Ruben Selles’s charges sit four points adrift of safety with seven matches to play. “Every game is a win, it’s as simple as that. We need points, points. It will be an emotional game for myself, personally,” Walcott admitted. “But I’ve got to go out there and do a job and that’s to try and play as well and as hard as I can for this club and see where that takes us. “Arsenal are top of the league for a reason, we get that. We’re realists, I am particularly, so we’re not stupid, we know it will be a tough game.” Walcott added: “But a Friday night game, you never know. Hopefully, we’ll catch them in a doze but we’ll see. It’s going to be a very interesting battle.” The experienced forward has been called on by Selles to help lead a young dressing room out of potential disaster, with two managers sacked already this campaign. Walcott and the senior leadership group have been unable to shake off a mental scourge that has followed conceding the first goal in Premier League matches. In all competitions, Saints have lost 14 games by just one goal this season – including a number of six-pointers versus relegation rivals. “I don’t know what you want me to say about that,” Walcott said. “In the Premier League you need to get the first goal, it’s so important. “The level, we’re playing a team who has a lot of confidence at this time with Roy (Hodgson), they’ve had a complete change and it’s working for them and everything we’re doing at the moment…it’s just not quite going our way. “We need to just essentially forget about this game, we can’t change anything now. I know it’s such a cliche but we’re looking at the next game now. “But you’re looking at other results now too, it’s as simple as that, you do. You look at results and make sure we don’t get too cut adrift now.”
Ryan Christie
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ryan Christie believes Dango Ouattara will be a big player for Bournemouth #AFCB

April 19, 2023
Ouattara made an eye-catching start to his Cherries career, providing an assist in a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest just days after his £20million arrival from FC Lorient. The 21-year-old also set up goals in games against Newcastle United and Liverpool, named in the starting XI for 11 games in succession. However, the Burkina Faso international had struggled to replicate that form in recent weeks, substituted at half-time against Fulham, before then being taken off during the first half at Leicester City earlier this month. A week later, Ouattara began a Cherries game on the bench for the first time, only to be introduced with 11 minutes to play to devastating effect. The winger scored the dramatic winner, deep into stoppage time as Cherries secured a 3-2 win over Spurs to massively boost their survival bid. That goal, his first for the club, came shortly after Arnaut Danjuma looked to have rescued a point for the hosts. Asked what it was like watching the final minutes unfold whilst watching on from the bench having been substituted, Christie told the Daily Echo: “A big day, a big win. Honestly, I genuinely think we deserved to win. “Obviously frustrated with the first goal and then we dominated the whole first half. The second half was a bit different, it was a bit sticky. “But I think we did well, they didn’t really create too much, although they obviously dominated possession second half. “Their second goal I think is offside, but we don’t get it. And then Dango comes up with a bit of genius, chops inside and goal. Buzzing.” Put to him most people would have thought Ouattara would take the shot on on his favoured left foot, rather than cut back inside past Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and slot in right-footed, Christie added: “So did I and I think everybody did! “He chops inside and what a finish as well, especially so late in the game. I’m buzzing for him. “What a way for you to get your first goal. I’m delighted for him, delighted for all the boys. “I thought the defenders – Chris Mepham was ridiculous, so good. Same with Jack Stephens. Because that’s their main threat obviously, (Heung-min) Son and (Harry) Kane. And we dealt with them pretty well.” Asked how big a boost that goal will give Ouattara going forwards, the Scotland international said: “Absolutely. What a time, especially with the run-in as well coming up now. “With the attributes he’s got, he’s going to be a big player for us. “Hopefully he can kick on now as well between now and the end of the season.” Jaidon Anthony, who replaced Christie during the second half, said of Ouattara: “I think it (his quality) has been clear to see from the moment he came in really. “Obviously last week (at Leicester) it probably wasn’t his best game, I think he’d be the first to say that. “But he’s been top for us and I’m very happy he managed to get the goal that he deserves, because he’s helped us so much already.”
Theo Walcott
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton attacker Theo Walcott says players must take responsibility as relegation is just about confirmed #SAINTSFC

April 18, 2023
Despite a decent opening half an hour, Saints folded after the break as Eberechi Eze struck twice in the second half to condemn Ruben Selles’s side to their third-straight defeat. The result leaves Saints bottom of the Premier League table but the gap to safety remains at four points though following Everton’s 3-1 defeat to Fulham. READ MORE: Three young players Saints should build around next season And as Saints move closer and closer to the Championship for the first time since 2012, Walcott has pleaded for the squad to remain positive and ignore outside noise while taking responsibility for their own personal performances. “Of course, it’s disappointing,” the 34-year-old said on Saturday afternoon. “I had a really good chance and should have done a lot better so I take responsibility for that.  “But you need to get the first goal in the Premier League otherwise it’s an uphill battle. We’re a team who don’t score many goals anyway. I think we actually were playing pretty good football in the first half, we just needed that goal.  “Then when they scored I think it took the stuffing out of us a little bit, especially the way we started the second half, a bit disappointing from all of us. We never really recovered from it for whatever reason.  “But essentially we need to try and stay as positive as we can. It’s a really difficult situation obviously, there’s rumbles going on in the background as well which is frustration and I get it. "As players we understand the frustration, we see it, but we need to stay positive and not start pointing fingers cause that won’t get us anywhere.” The full-time whistle on Saturday was met with boos by those who stayed at St Mary’s for the conclusion of another disappointing afternoon while there were smatterings of chants including ‘You’re not fit to wear the shirt’ during the team’s meek surrender. Asked further by the Daily Echo about the ‘rumblings’ he mentioned, Walcott responded: “It just is what it is. When you’re at the bottom of the table there’s going to be a lot of disappointment, a lot of frustration, a lot of anger. Which is fine, I get it, we understand. “We don’t go in wanting to lose games, we want to win. We want to do it for our fans, for each other, for our families and it’s not working at the moment. Theo Walcott reacts after missing a chance to make it 1-0 against Crystal Palace. (Image: Richard Crease) “We will all stick together as a group and that’s all we can do. We can’t let the outside world affect us. "We have to stay in our bubble essentially and look after each other. Don’t start pointing fingers, that will get us nowhere, there would be little cliques and we would just hit a wall. And we don’t want that. "Because we still have points to play for. I want to stay really positive in a difficult situation. Because if you stay negative then it’s just a downward spiral.” Saints now have seven games to save their Premier League status and with fixtures still to play against Arsenal, Newcastle United, Brighton, and Liverpool - the first three of those away from home - it will be a mammoth challenge to get out of the hole they find themselves in. “There will be a big group of us that will try to build morale,” Walcott said of what comes next as Saints attempt to regroup from a damaging defeat.  “The manager is the main part of that, of course. The older guys and experienced players will try and do their best in a difficult time. But you have to take a little bit of responsibility for yourself as players and build yourself up. It’s not just down to the older players and the manager.  “You need to be able to work and we can’t be holding each other’s hands all the time. We’re there to help but you have to help yourself as well.  “Essentially we’re at that stage now and players will realise that and if they haven’t realised it already, then we’re finished. It’s a very interesting journey we’ve been on this season, there’s been a lot of change, a lot of disruption, a lot of discomfort for people.”
Jaidon Anthony
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Jaidon Anthony and Ryan Christie think arriving late may be good for Cherries to win games #AFCB

April 18, 2023
Due to a traffic incident on the A406, Cherries’ team coach got stuck as they travelled from their hotel to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. They finally arrived at 2.15pm, an hour later than planned. Kick-off was pushed back from 3pm to 3.15pm, with boss Gary O’Neil keen for it to be delayed even further to reduce the risk of his players picking up injuries. Cherries fell behind, but eventually emerged 3-2 victors. Discussing the pre-match delay, Christie told the Daily Echo: “I felt fine. There was a bit of traffic or an accident or something on the way. “I was happy enough with the delayed kick-off. I didn’t want to wait too much longer than that. “I actually prefer having less time going into a game. “I think it happened at QPR last season and we played well as well. So no problems. “Maybe we should be later to games more often!” Jaidon Anthony, who replaced Christie during the second half, added: “It was madness before the game. “We were sat there still for a very long time and sort of didn’t feel like we were going to get there. “It was obviously a quick warm-up and I think the boys did well to regain focus and switch on to the job we had at hand.”
Neto
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Neto on teams ‘spirit and fight’ as relegation looms for the club #AFCB

April 14, 2023
Gary O’Neil’s charges leapt out of the bottom three last weekend following a 1-0 victory over their relegation rivals Leicester. They face Champions League-chasing Tottenham Hotspur in north London on Saturday (kick-off 3pm). Asked what he was expecting ahead of the clash, the shot stopper told the Daily Echo: “I expect to keep the mentality, the spirit and fight until the end for the points. “I think we have to keep the mentality, the spirit and fight, because if you believe in yourselves and we fight until the end then we can play with all teams. So we have to keep this mentality.”A summer signing from Barcelona, Neto was named as club captain in February, boss O’Neil hailing his keeper’s influence amongst the squad. “To become a captain,” began Neto. “I think doesn’t depend about the player, but depends about the environment, the people who have to make the choice. “Really proud about it. And not just because I'm the captain, but I will always give 100 per cent for this team, for my teammates and try to find the victories in all our games.” Cherries’ transfer business this season has seen a host of new players from a wide array of cultures and countries arrive, with multiple different languages spoken in the dressing room. Having played in Italy and Spain, Neto can speak four languages – another reason why he was named skipper. He shared: “It’s just Portuguese, Italian, Spanish and English. “I'm fighting with English, but I can survive! “I think I can help. I can transmit the message for the players.” In one of his first acts as captain, Neto organised for the players to have a barbecue after a day of clay pigeon shooting. He explained: “From South America, our culture is when we are to be close, we always use the barbecue, to bring people close. “So we try to keep the people close. We try to organise this barbecue, this moment together because I think it was the right moment. And it was very nice. “We enjoyed the guys, enjoyed the moment.” Not only popular in his own dressing room, Neto has friends all over the Premier League. After making his Premier League debut against Wolves in August, former Barcelona teammate Adama Traore searched out for the goalkeeper in order to have a proper catch-up. There will be further familiar faces and reunions on Saturday at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, with Neto having briefly played with countrymen Emerson Royal (Barcelona) and Lucas Moura (Brazil), as well as French centre-back Clement Lenglet. “I have some friends there,” commented the Brazilian. “Very close with Clement Lenglet. But now we have a good week, I think, to relax and prepare for this game because it's another final for us.”
Jan Bednarek
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Jan Bednarek says’Difficult when you see the gap getting bigger’ as relegation looms for Southampton #SaintsFC

April 13, 2023
Hardly the greatest surprise, Saints were swept aside by Man City despite a promising opening half, and while the distance to safety remains at four points, Bednarek and his side are on the brink of being cut adrift in the relegation battle. Following victories over the weekend for Crystal Palace, Wolves, West Ham, and Bournemouth, there are now only three other teams within four points of Saints - Leicester in 19th, Nottingham Forest in 18th, and Everton in 17th. With fixtures still to play against Arsenal, Newcastle, Brighton, and Liverpool - the first of those three all away from home - failure to beat Crystal Palace on Saturday could spell the end of Saints’ realistic survival chances.  READ MORE: 'No conviction' - Bednarek laments Saints scoring struggles after Man City chance “It’s difficult when you see the gap is getting bigger,” Bednarek admitted after the 4-1 loss to Man City.  “But I think we just have to stay positive. We are a very young team, we are learning a lot, we have a very good coach. We just have to learn and live with it. It’s tough for everyone, we want to get results, and hopefully, next week we can do it.” Saints made life difficult for Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions in the first half at St Mary’s, in particular keeping Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland quiet as the Norwegian racked up the fewest touches of any player on the pitch through 44 minutes. But on the stroke of half-time, Haaland latched onto Kevin De Bruyne’s cross to head City in front before Jack Grealish doubled their advantage after the interval. Haaland then added a third with an acrobatic finish to finish the contest in earnest. “Every Premier League team has a lot of quality, every team has very good strikers,” Bednarek said of the challenge of coming up against Haaland who now has 30 Premier League goals in his maiden campaign in England.  “We can’t be too concerned about the opposition. Of course, we have to analyse them, have to know their strengths and weaknesses and this is what we try to do.  “We have to go into the game with a game plan and focus on what we can do. I think in the first half we did our plan very well, we knew what to do, I think we were very good but 45 minutes is not enough.” Crystal Palace will arrive at St Mary's with renewed momentum of their own under Roy Hodgson following last weekend's 5-1 win at Elland Road.
Jan Bednarek
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton defender Jan Bednarek on attacking issues after Man City defeat #SAINTSFC

April 12, 2023
Facing the reigning champions, Saints gave themselves a real chance with a diligent and spirited first half display but they failed to take the chances they created before Haaland headed the visitors in front just before the interval. From that point City cruised to victory as Jack Grealish doubled the advantage before Haaland made it 3-0 with his 30th league goal of the season. Sekou Mara got one back for Saints but the renaissance proved short-lived as Julian Alvaraz almost immediately responded from the penalty spot. READ MORE: 'Brilliant' - Man City boss Guardiola has say on Saints approach in eventual defeat The result leaves Saints bottom of the Premier League table, four points adrift of safety and despite any positive moments, it’s concrete results that they need. “Yes, it’s difficult for us,” Bednarek told the Daily Echo when asked if Saints are running out of time to save their Premier League status.  “We have a good game, we have moments when we play very well but I think we’re just not consistent enough. For the first 45 minutes we were very good but I think that’s not enough against top teams in the world. 45 minutes is not enough, 44 minutes is not enough. So this is what we have to learn as a team.  “We need to find a way to play like that for 90 minutes and to do that we need to keep the ball more, we have to have more possession. Because I feel like against those teams, we need to get them tired as well. "Because when they lose the ball they’re sharp enough and fresh enough to take it back and create chances. It’s a big lesson for us and we need to learn. We need to learn, improve, and stay positive. Jan Bednarek watches on as Julian Alvarez makes it 4-1 from the penalty spot. (Image: Stuart Martin) “I think we had a few really good chances that we could turn into a goal but it wasn’t enough because there was no conviction, we were not ruthless enough. And against top top teams, if you have one or two chances, you have to score a goal.” Only Everton have scored fewer Premier League goals than Saints this season while they have averaged less than a goal per game under Ruben Selles. Amongst a number of potential openings, Saints best chance of the first half fell to the feet of Kamaldeen Sulemana who only had Ederson to beat after bursting past Nathan Ake on a one-man counter-attack. But the Saints winger miscontrolled his touch at the crucial moment and City were able to clear. Saints were then brutally punished for their profligacy by Haaland and Guardiola’s expensively-assembled attack. “It’s tough, of course, it’s tough to play against Man City, they are one of the best teams in the world,” Bednarek added. “But I think you have to play with no fear and no respect and just do what you can do and have a good plan.  “I think that’s what we did in the first half. We played really well, we were brave with our high-pressing, I think we were too surprised with the chances we had. "If we were convinced and ready for the chances we had then I think we could have scored a few goals. So that was the main issue in the first half - the quality.  “At the end of the first half, the goal was the issue. In the second half, they had more chances, more space and managed the game really well. We have to keep on going and learn from it - that’s it.”
James Ward Prowse
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton captain James Ward Prowse reflects on ‘terrific’ support despite Man City loss #SAINTSFC

April 10, 2023
Their latest defeat leaves Saints rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, four points adrift of safety with eight games to go. And despite the increasingly darkening situation, Saints fans once again turned out en-masse for their team, something that didn’t go unnoticed by Ward-Prowse. “I think they’ve been terrific all season,” the Saints captain told club media after Man City’s 4-1 win.  “We’ve not given them a lot to shout about and that’s down to us but we’ve still got a chance to put it right and we’ll make sure that we, regardless of the result, will give ourselves an opportunity and a chance to stay in the Premier League.” READ MORE: 'Works for Guardiola' - Selles has say on De Bruyne's Saints striker claim Saints held their own for much of the first half against the reigning champions before Erling Haaland headed the visitors in front shortly before the break. Jack Grealish then doubled the advantage before Haaland notched his 30th league goal of the season. Sekou Mara made it 3-1 with just under 20 minutes left to play but any Saints hope was short-lived as Julian Alvarez wrapped things up from the penalty spot moments later. James Ward-Prowse in action against Man City. (Image: PA) “Of course, it was a difficult game,” Ward-Prowse said. “We’re playing up against a world class side. You need everything in the game. You need a bit of luck. You need good defending, and you have to take your chances. “I think that was the only thing that was missing for us in the first half was just that killer instinct. I think we had a few good opportunities, but we have to take them, and the timing of their goal was crucial for them and took the wind out of our sails. “The game got away from us in the second half. It’s a disappointing day. “I think we always enjoy playing City because it’s a team that wants to play. It gives us an opportunity to press and be aggressive. I think we did that at times today and we put them on the back foot but in those crucial moments we need to take our chances and we failed to do that today.” Saints now have a week to prepare for another huge game in their battle to avoid the drop as Crystal Palace visit St Mary’s next weekend. With Saints still set to play Arsenal, Brighton, Liverpool, and Newcastle, there is immense pressure on Selles’s side to beat Palace and ignite their safety bid. “I think every game we debrief. We have a look at what went well and what we can improve so we’ll do that tomorrow and look forward to next week,” Ward-Prowse added. “Every game is crucial for us now. It’s important for us not to get too down today. Of course, you’re up against a world class side, you have to take the lessons and the learnings from it but get back together tomorrow and look forward to next weekend.”
chris mepham Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham on win over Leicester City in relegation battle #AFCB

April 10, 2023
Restored to the starting XI following the injury to Marcos Senesi, Welsh international Mepham put in an assured performance at centre-half to help Cherries defeat the Foxes at the King Power on Saturday. After being omitted from the squad for the fixtures directly preceding the trip to Leicester, a win over  Fulham and defeat to Brighton, the former Brentford man seamlessly slotted back into the side. Discussing the result with BBC Radio Solent, Mepham began: “It's a massive win. Although we lost last game, I think we're in a good place at the minute. “I think even against Brighton, we caused them some problems, probably not as much as what we would have wanted. “Coming here today, we know it's a massive game and it was important that we were at our 100 per cent best to get anything from the game. “And I thought from minute one, we stamped our authority. “I thought first half especially, we controlled the game, I thought it was in complete control. “And then second half, we knew they were going to come out with a reaction and it was just a case of, could we sustain that pressure and limit them to a few chances. “And I thought we'd done that very well. “I think any game’s obviously important, but when you're playing teams around you, there's a lot of people that see them as six pointers. “It is important and like I said, I think we can enjoy this week. I thought we worked really hard (against Leicester) and now we just need to make sure we keep our foot on the pedal and go again next Saturday.”A peripheral figure under Scott Parker in the Championship last term, Mepham re-established himself as a first-team regular before again losing his spot to Jack Stephens following the break for the World Cup in November. Asked about the challenges of being thrown straight back into the thick of it following a spell out of the team, Mepham replied: “It’s tough. It's a rollercoaster of emotions, and mentally, it's tough to go from sat in the stands to starting a game. “But I think one thing I've learned from this when I've been here before is that it's so important just to stay ready. “ I think you drop your standards in training, it will show in the match when you do get called upon. “So I think the way I've gone about it and the way I've trained since being left out of squads, I think it's given me an opportunity to, one, be in the squad and two, do well when I'm called upon. “And I think it's important that everyone sees it like that, however frustrating it is.”
Jan Bednarek
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton’s Jan Bednarek admits loss to West Ham still hurts #SAINTSFC

April 8, 2023
Despite missing City’s last game against Liverpool with a groin injury, Haaland has since trained and is set to travel to St Mary’s to try to add to his 28 Premier League goals this season. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Bednarek said: “I think every week we have to face a very good and strong striker, so I’m not really trying to think about it or focus on Haaland. “I’m trying to focus on the opposition (as a whole). I need to focus on what I do in the game, but more importantly on how we perform and how we’re going to make it tough for them.” The Norwegian talisman will look to pile on the misery for a Saints side who are winless in four and sitting bottom of the Premier League with just nine games still to play. Bednarek reflected on last weekend's narrow 1-0 loss to West Ham, saying: “It’s a bit frustrating because fine margins decided the game. "I think we controlled the game and possession, but we were not creative in the final third. We missed some vision in the last third, but again, set-pieces decided it. "So we have to work on it, but the spirit is there - we believe we can get the result against City.” Despite only being 26 years old, Bednarek is one of the most experienced players in young Saints dressing room, and the Polish centre-back now has six seasons of Premier League experience after debuting under Mark Hughes in 2018. When asked about his senior duties behind closed doors, Bednarek called upon the younger players to show leadership too, saying: “I think every player needs to take their responsibilities. "Not only the older players but the younger players as well. We are in the Premier League and the standards that we demand from each other are very high. "We need to understand that just because someone is young, it doesn’t mean that they can’t do everything and play the best that they can. The older players try to help the younger ones, but we need the leadership and support from all of the players.” Only five home games remain for Saints in the Premier League run-in, with St Mary’s playing host to Crystal Palace, AFC Bournemouth, Fulham and Liverpool after the City fixture. Bednarek stressed the impact that the fans can have and called upon them to back the team through these tough fixtures, saying: “They are important for every game. “We need backup from the fans, there will be tough moments, especially against a team like City, so we need our fans on our side and hopefully together we can win this game.”
Lloyd Kelly
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Lloyd Kelly reveals Bournemouth squad were angry after Brighton loss #AFCB

April 6, 2023
Following back-to-back home wins over Liverpool and Fulham, Cherries could not repeat the trick against Roberto De Zerbi’s in-form Seagulls. Brighton have now lost just one of 15 games in 2023, moving to within four points of the Premier League’s top four and booking their spot in the FA Cup semi-finals along the way. Goals from teenagers Evan Ferguson and Julio Enciso were enough to defeat Gary O’Neil’s men on Tuesday night, the loss plunging Cherries back into the relegation zone with nine games to play. Reflecting on the defeat at Vitality Stadium, Kelly said: “It was a tough game. We knew coming into the game it was going to be tough. “We know how they play, the philosophy that their manager wants to play. “I think it was a difficult first half, but saying that, we applied pressure second half and when you’re chasing the game like we were, you’re going to open yourself up to them maybe scoring a second. “But of course we’re angry at ourselves for the result and we’ve got to turn it around.” Asked if there was frustration over missed chances, with Hamed Traore squandering the clearest opening and Dominic Solanke also going close on multiple occasions, Kelly added: “For sure. When you look at the xG (expected goals) throughout the game, I think we were able to get in the final third and maybe it was just the last pass or picking someone out in the final area, the final third. “I think we got into those areas, but it’s just that final decision.” Of Cherries’ final nine games this season, six will come against clubs they are directly battling against to avoid the drop. That starts this Saturday, when O’Neil takes his side to King Power Stadium to face Leicester City. Asked if belief remains high among the squad of staying in the Premier League, Kelly insisted: “Yes, of course. “We’re disappointed with the result now, but it doesn’t waver our minds at all to be honest. “We know we have the quality to stay up this year and we’re going to give it our all until the very last game, if it comes to that.” After a spell out of the side due to injury, Kelly has started the last four matches at left-back. In February, boss Gary O’Neil opted to replace the 24-year-old as captain of the club, with experienced goalkeeper Neto instead taking the armband.
Neto
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Neto believes Brighton’s Evan Ferguson goal at Bournemouth was ‘really strange’ after defeat against them #AFCB

April 6, 2023
Cherries fell back into the relegation zone after a 2-0 defeat to Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls on Tuesday night. Brighton took the lead on 28 minutes, in-form striker Evan Ferguson improvising to turn home Kaoru Mitoma’s low cross. Julio Enciso then made sure of the victory in second-half stoppage-time, after both sides squandered earlier opportunities. Reflecting on the defeat, goalkeeper Neto told BBC Radio Solent: “Of course a little bit disappointed because we created many chances and had many opportunities. “I think until the end they (Brighton) didn’t create a lot. Of course, they always had the ball because that is their style. “But the three or four opportunities that we created, if we score, the game could be completely different. “We have to look forward, we have to keep going, we can’t stop here. We know what we are fighting for. It was difficult, they are a good team.” On Republic of Ireland international Ferguson’s opener, Neto said: “They scored a really strange goal, their first goal. “Then we start from 1-0 and create one or two and didn’t score. That feeling of the situation that we are living is not the best, but we have to keep going. “We created many chances. If we create these chances in another game, 100 per cent we will have the possibility to win. We depend just on ourselves. “The performance I think was very good. Our team ran and gave it 100 per cent, so we are frustrated about it. “Brighton are a good team. Not all teams play like them, they keep the ball. It is not good to play against them. We spent a lot physically and we had to run too much. “Saturday is a different game. It is a big final for us.” Cherries head to another side in the relegation zone in Leicester City on Saturday (3pm).
Joe Rothwell
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Joe Rothwell on competition for starting spot #AFCB

April 4, 2023
After arriving on a free transfer in the summer following his departure from Blackburn Rovers, Rothwell is currently enjoying his longest spell in the Cherries team, featuring in all but one of the previous 12 fixtures and starting the last four games. Considering it took until October for the former Oxford United man to make his Cherries debut following a quad injury, it seemed like Rothwell would be a bit-part player this campaign. The arrival of further players in January seemingly reduced his chances further, but since the end of the window, Rothwell has earnt the bulk of his minutes this campaign. Asked if he took personal pride in earning a starting spot despite the influx of January signings, Rothwell told the Daily Echo: “Definitely. “It was a tough start to the season for myself, especially picking up the injury and then coming back with a break and then it was basically starting all over again. “But I always have I believe in myself. “I knew if I got in, I could give the manager a headache and try and force my way into the side and stay there. “Thankfully, at the moment, I've done that, but we’ve got some quality coming back now and the bench (against Fulham) was probably the strongest it’s been all season. “It's a fight for us to even get into the 20 now. “So I just go out there, give everything I've got every game and give the manager a headache.” With all but two players returning from injury, head coach Gary O’Neil has the unenviable task of leaving out at least five members of the 27-strong first team squad for a Premier League game. Rothwell continued: “Everyone's role fighting for the same goal at the end of the day, but internally, players coming back, it gives you a bit of a kick up the backside to perform every week. “You know if you don't, there's someone there to come take that shirt and it drives everyone on. “We've got a massive 10 games now to achieve what we want to achieve.” Cherries are in action again on Tuesday evening, hosting Brighton at the Vitality Stadium. “A brilliant team, fantastic with the ball,” began Rothwell. “We went there earlier on in the season. We were unlucky, I thought. “I felt we definitely deserved something out of the game and they just nicked it with one goal. “We'll sit down, we'll look at what their strengths and weaknesses are and hopefully put a game plan together that can end in a positive result for ourselves.”
Kyle Walker Peters
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton star Kyle Walker-Peters delivers ‘bluntly honest’ verdict after West Ham loss #SAINTSFC

April 3, 2023
Walker-Peters is referring to the match-winner, headed by Nayef Aguerd in the first half after Duje Caleta-Car had fouled Jarrod Bowen near the halfway line. Thilo Kehrer’s cross went over Jan Bednarek and fell before Moi Elyounoussi and Sekou Mara to land on the Moroccan international’s head for a 13th set-piece goal conceded in the league this season.   Saints remain bottom of the Premier League for another weekend and are now three points adrift of safety with nine matches to play, while other teams have a game in hand. “It's a game that you look at and think it’s probably one of the most important games, so you know, really devastated,” Walker-Peters told the club website. “I thought we played well and controlled the game but it’s just that final end product that we need to improve on." On the goal, Walker-Peters continued: "It was a good delivery, good header, and we have to just defend it better, to be bluntly honest. "Disappointed to concede from a set-piece when they had nothing. Every game in the Premier League is (about fine margins), every game is so tough. “The fine margins are the margins that count and unfortunately they didn’t go in our favour today. We’ve got to take our chances when we get them and turn things around.”
Dominic Solanke Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke’s reaction to Fulham win #AFCB

April 3, 2023
On a goal drought of 10 Premier League games without scoring, Solanke helped bundle the ball over the line in the 79th minute. Although Fulham defender Antonee Robinson seemed to get the final touch, as of the time of writing, Cherries’ talismanic striker has been credited with the goal, his fourth in the league this term. Cherries had trailed at the break thanks to Andrea Pereira’s 16th minute opener, before the hosts restored parity via a long-range Marcus Tavernier curler. Asked if he was claiming the winning goal, Solanke told the Daily Echo: “For sure - I need to take it! “So, yeah, I'm happy to get that goal, especially as it turned out to be the winner. “I think we deserved to win today. So, yes, it's a really good result for us.”In his last four starts against Fulham, Solanke has scored on each occasion, his goals effectively earning his team six points. He has only drawn a blank once against the Cottagers, in his first meeting with the London side, a 29 minute cameo appearance during the 2018/19 season. Asked if he felt more confident going into matchups with the Cottagers, Solanke replied: “I think so. “It just shows that, I've done it before so I can do it again. “But I think every game, obviously I look to try and score, but obviously my record against Fulham is decent, so I'm happy to add to that.”After a sub-par first 45 minutes, Cherries required significant changes at the break to spark the comeback, Gary O'Neil introducing Marcus Tavernier and Ryan Christie to the fray. “I think the second half we came out on top, started really fast,” continued Solanke. “Tavs (Marcus Tavernier) scored a screamer, got us back into the game and we built on it from there. “We're not in a position to sulk if we go 1-0 down, we need to make sure that we react. As soon as we came into the second half, we was on the front foot and we showed it.” When probed for head coach O’Neil’s approach to the half-time team talk, Solanke revealed: “Not too heated. I think it's important that we need to look at what we need to do better. “Obviously, we tell each other what we need to do better, but it's never a bad vibe in there. “But like I said, we're not in a position to be nice and take a step back right now, so, we need to carry on like that.”
Alexis Mac Allister
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Alexis Mac Allister on his penalty for Brighton against Brentford #BHAFC

April 2, 2023
But he was disappointed with a 3-3 draw at home to Brentford. Mac Allister buried a late penalty to drag his side level for a THIRD time. But they had the possession and chances to win the game. Mac Allister has now converted five spot kicks this season. He told The Final Whistle on BBC Sussex: “I always get nervous but at the same time I am very confident in myself and I knew I was going to score. “It is really nice to score but as a team we wanted to win and we couldn’t. “I have a routine and I take some seconds to relax and focus on the ball. “I think it is the best way to tale a penalty or a free-kick.” Mac Allister was disappointed with the draw. He said: I think for the neutral it was a good game. “For us it wasn’t because we wanted to win. “We deserved to win but at the same time we made many mistakes and it is not nice that they scored three goals. “We have to keep working on these details because it is what is going to get us in Europe.”
Marcus Tavernier
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier on goal against Fulham #AFCB

April 2, 2023
Brought on at the break with Cherries trailing to Andreas Pereira’s opener, Tavernier restored parity with a beautiful curling effort five minutes into the second period. Dominic Solanke bundled home with what proved to be the winner 11 minutes from time, lifting Cherries to 15th in the Premier League table. A summer signing from Middlesbrough, Leeds-born Tavernier has now scored four goals in his debut Premier League season. In an interview with BBC Radio Solent, he shared: “I knew as soon as the ball came to me that my first thought was to shoot. “I know my touch wasn't the best to start off with, but that was my first intention. “As soon as the ball left my foot and watching it go into the back of the net, that was an unbelievable feeling.” The goal marked the winger’s return from injury, with Tavernier having missed the last four with a hamstring complaint. He had scored in his last appearance, grabbing the only goal in Cherries’ 1-0 win at Wolves, his first start since the World Cup break after recovering from a different hamstring injury. He continued: “I've had a tough few months recently, being injured, coming back and getting back on the pitch there, so it's great. I've got to thank the medical team for getting me back again and now I've just got to stay fit and help the team stay in this league.” Hailed as a gamechanger for his goal-scoring appearance off the bench, Tavernier insisted that it had been a team performance that changed Cherries’ fortunes. “It’s about the team,” he restarted. “Some players have good individual games, but at the end of the day, it's about the team. “And the team performance in the second half was amazing. I think you've seen that with the reaction we gave and the way we pressed and played football. “It was great. We got the two goals and then we defended for our lives at the end.” Asked what was discussed at half-time, Tavernier responded: “It was just more of a calmness to us. “We know that it wasn't going in the way we thought it was, but the manager spoke to us about pressing and getting in the faces and I think we did a real good job of that in the second half. “We got up against them and caused them to make mistakes and played on the front foot.”