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Magpies head coach Eddie Howe is expected to rest many of his key men for this Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie with League Two Bromley, but will not be taking the game too lightly. However, with two Premier League games next week, Howe will not take any risks on players carrying knocks. Those include goal…
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He slept soundly before the game.
But he could hardly have dreamt of what was to follow at Ewood Park.
The Albion winger on loan to Blackburn was handed his first start as they hosted Luton Town.
A first senior goal soon followed as he held off an opponent and drilled a low shot between the keeper and the near post.
Cozier-Duberry caused excitement among Seagulls fans in the summer after his move from boyhood club Arsenal.
But, if there was some disappointment that he would go on loan, there will be delight at him now making an impact with one of the second-tier’s form teams.
Rovers boss John Eustace said Cozier-Duberry was “virtually unplayable” in the first half of a 2-0 win and also praised his defensive efforts.
Although the line-up was not confirmed until the day of the game, Cozier-Duberry knew his big day was looming.
He said: “I found out the day before in training because of the shape work we were doing.
“I found out officially in the meeting before the game and I was buzzing.
“I couldn’t wait to get out there. I slept alright but I was nervous but it was a great feeling.
“It was important to go out there and be myself, that is what the coaches told me to do.
“They wanted me to go out and show what I could do.
“They give me a lot of confidence, they have been so welcoming since I’ve come in.
“They want me to get on the ball and show what I’m about and work off the ball.
“I think there’s loads more to come, this is the start and the beginning. I won’t be complacent, I’ll keep pushing for more.”
Cozier-Duberry scored twice for Albion against Kashima Antlers as he came in off the right.
This one was different, picking up possession in the middle.
He said: “My first professional goal, it will stay in the memory.
“The ball came to me and I chopped back and luckily found the corner with my right foot,” he added.
“I got goosebumps straight away and the crowd were roaring. The fans were brilliant again and I couldn’t believe that feeling when it hit the back of the net. I went knee-sliding.
“I haven’t felt a moment like that before, not as big. Credit to everyone for this terrific run and we want to keep pushing to make sure it continues.
“The supporters have shown a lot of faith in me and it means a lot. It gives me confidence and I really appreciate that from them.”
When Cozier-Duberry scored his double in Tokyo, it felt like there was a chance he could be part of the Albion squad this season.
But chances to shine would have been limited.
His opportunities at Blackburn have been hindered by an ankle injury which proved more troublesome than initially expected.
He had made substitute appearances beforehand having come into the squad when the team were winning and found it impossible to break into the XI.
He was going to start against Swansea after the October international break but picked up the ankle injury on the Friday in training.
That ruled him out for a month and he again returned to find Rovers kept winning.
But he seized his chance against Luton and offered the pace out wide Blackburn have been missing for some time.
Cozier-Duberry, 19, follows Reda Khadra, Jan Paul van Hecke, Yasin Ayari and Andrew Moran as Albion players who have gone on loan to Ewood.
The former was probably the first player about whom Fabian Hurzeler said he judged attacking players on what they do against the ball more than on goals and assists.
That was in a packed, sweltering press room in Tokyo after the Kashima game when asked by The Argus whether Cozier-Duberry would be ready to play a part in the Premier League.
He wasn’t then and still isn’t. But he is part of a succession plan and goals, assists and performances will mean more playing time.
And that can only be good the player himself, Rovers and the Seagulls.
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Wood has been limited to two Carabao Cup appearances and one game with the under-21s so far since joining from Swansea City in the summer.
The 22 year old has a long-standing relationship with Martin, who signed him at Swansea having failed to capture him previously at MK Dons.
Signed with the future in mind, the England youth international is currently behind Jack Stephens, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jan Bednarek in the pecking order.
Wood has travelled with the squad for Premier League fixtures this season; he was named as a substitute on the opening day at Newcastle and at home against Ipswich.
Nathan Wood joined Southampton from Swansea this summer (Image: Stuart Martin) READ MORE: ‘He’s outstanding’ – Saints loanee receives high praise from Accrington Stanley boss
The Boro academy graduate was also a late addition to the bench at Wolves last Saturday, coming in for Joe Aribo after he replaced the injured Flynn Downes in the starting line-up.
Asked by the Daily Echo how Wood has dealt with not playing, Martin said: “He’s had to be more than patient and he’s not happy with not playing.
“Woody and I have a good relationship. We have worked together for quite a while now. It has not always been easy for him.
“He trains hard, he trains like a beast. That’s all you can ask of them. I always say to the players (who aren’t playing) if you have frustration, come and speak to me in the office about it.
“On the pitch, in training, you need to be 100 per cent on it. He’s not far away. He is a really talented young player and we have a lot of them. He deserved to be the next one on the bench against Wolves.”
Several senior Southampton players have turned out for Simon Rusk’s under-21s this season in a bid to maintain match sharpness.
Joe Lumley, Ronnie Edwards, Nathan Wood, Jack Stephens, Ryan Manning, Charlie Taylor and Ben Brereton Díaz have all received minutes at Staplewood.
Youngsters Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Juan Larios have also dropped down to play in the Premier League 2.
Saints have a big squad and Martin explained the importance of giving players an opportunity to impress when minutes in the Premier League are hard to come by.
Full-back Manning has benefitted the most from turning out for the under-21s. The Irishman had not featured in any competition prior to a PL2 fixture against Norwich in September.
Ten days later, Manning was a surprise inclusion in the starting lineup against Arsenal at the Emirates and has kept his spot ever since.
Southampton’s Ryan Manning has started the last five games (Image: Adam Davy/PA) “I think that’s the point,” Martin told the Daily Echo. “I think that’s the evidence. Even when you’re out of the squad, no one’s ever far away.
“We’re going to need everyone and I mean that. I think we’ve used pretty much everyone so far this season in various competitions.
“I think I can only tell them that they’re really not far away and the evidence will show them that. There will be some weeks when the bench changes for reasons we feel are best for the team.
“Maybe someone’s on the bench, they’re not the week after and then maybe they go back into the starting XI.
“It’s our job to keep everyone ready and it’s their job to make sure they stay ready really and don’t let disappointment take over. I’m always honest with them. Sometimes it’s not an easy conversation.”
Rusk’s under-21s currently sit 18th in the Premier League 2 having suffered back-to-back defeats league defeats to Brighton and Crystal Palace.
They lost 3-1 to Wealdstone on Tuesday evening in the National League Cup – Will Merry scoring a late consolation goal.
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The 18 year old has played 444 minutes for Saints since the September international break, in which he also featured twice for England’s under-19s.
His total Premier League minutes (495) are nearly four times as many as the next most involved under-18, Aston Villa defender Kosta Nedeljković.
Saints fans will be wary of burnout when it comes to Dibling, after seeing the long-term injuries suffered by Tino Livramento and Romeo Lavia at St Mary’s.
Livramento lost a year to a meniscus and cruciate ligament tear while Lavia has only just bounced back from persistent hamstring concerns.
“I think whilst he’s performing and looks good it will be dictated by him and his performances and how he feels,” said Martin when asked about Dibling.
“He’s a very good athlete, physically very good so he’s robust and has been up until now in his career – and very resilient, so hopefully we won’t have those issues.
“Hopefully, he can keep performing for us – but there may be a time when he comes out of the team because he gets fatigued.”
Dibling was handed the October international break as rest, withdrawing from the England youth squad and taking a personal trip to Paris.
The academy graduate had never started a senior league match before this season but has now begun five in succession, ahead of the trip to Man City.
Martin reassured supporters of his condition and added: “It’s a big difference and a big jump for him but at the minute he seems fine.”
Dibling looks set to keep his place in the starting lineup for the visit to Etihad Stadium, as winless Saints take on Pep Guardiola’s title challenger.
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Roberto De Zerbi hit out at Aston Villa time-wasting as Albion went down at the Amex.
The head coach was booked for his complaints as Villa protected a precious 2-1 lead.
He offered more veiled criticism of two penalty decisions.
Danny Ing scored from the spot to cancel out Alexis Mac Allister’s first-minute opener.
Villa were protecting a lead given them by a deflected Ings shot when Lucas Digne appeared to foul Solly March.
De Zerbi said: “If the games are 90 minutes, during the 90 minutes you have to play, you can’t play 45 or 44 minutes.
“To lose is not a big problem. It is not a big problem to lose one game like with Villa we lost, but I would like to play normal time.
“Not 90 minutes because it is not normal to play for 90 minutes but maybe 60 minutes no?
“Yes, a lot of wasting time. Too much wasting time. I thought before I came to work in the Premier League. I thought in the Premier League the people were correct, also in Italy, also in Latin countries, but it is not like this.
“I think the referee had to control the game. This work is his work. Not my work, not my players’ work, not our fans work. For this situation I was angry and frustrated.”
VAR Jarred Gillet reviewed the incident involving March.
De Zerbi said: “About this particular situation, I don’t like to speak or like to focus, but you have to watch again.
“Both penalties. First for Villa and second for us, because also, the first penalty it is not so clear.”
EMI Marcondes described his spell outside of the first team picture at Cherries as “important as starting games” after again scoring for the development squad this week.
The Dane grabbed two goals as Cherries romped to an 8-2 win over Newport County at Canford Arena Tuesday afternoon, with Dominic Sadi leading the way with four goals as Noa Boutin and Marcus Daws rounded off the scoring.
Former Brentford man Marcondes has not been involved in the last four Premier League matchday squads for Cherries, with his only start this campaign coming in the League Cup win over Norwich in August.
A summer arrival at the Vitality Stadium last season, the majority of his 17 Championship appearances under Scott Parker came in the first six months of the campaign.
Marcondes was then left out of 10 matchday squads in a row to end the season, before being drafted back into the side for the final game at home to Millwall.
His eight-minute cameo off the bench during the 9-0 defeat at Anfield against Liverpool remains the 27-year-old’s only taste of Premier League football, with his last inclusion in the 20-man team sheet coming in Cherries’ 2-1 win over Leicester City.
Interim boss Gary O’Neil previously commented how the attacking midfielder was “keen” to keep things ticking over by playing with the development squad, with Marcondes playing in the youngsters’ last three games, scoring four times.
Taking to social media to share his views on playing with Bruce Suraci’s development squad, Marcondes posted on his Instagram: “Part of a footballer’s career is going through periods when you don’t play as much as you’d like to.
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“You need to think of time as your ally and have a growth mindset. Soon you will find the opportunities in a situation that at first seemed frustrating and unfavourable.”
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BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl challenged fit-again Stuart Armstrong to show he can be the influential player he was for Saints last season again this time around.
The Scotland international this week returned to training, following a troublesome calf injury.
Armstrong has not featured for Saints since pre-season due to the issue.
But he may be involved this weekend, when Saints head to Chelsea, seeking a first Premier League win of the season.
This campaign has seen the likes of Mohamed Elyounoussi, Moussa Djenepo, Nathan Redmond and Theo Walcott fill the attacking roles in which Armstrong will look to force his way in to.
And despite providing five goals and six assists, as well as filling in in a deeper midfield role last season, Hasenhuttl has hinted Armstrong will not walk straight back into the side.
Asked how much Saints have missed the Scot in recent months, boss Hasenhuttl said: “It is always good when you have everybody on board and can select what qualities you need.
“I think Stuey had a tough pre-season and then with the injury it took much longer than we all expected.
“It was a big setback for him personally also. In football, when you are not part of the sessions and you cannot develop yourself, then it’s tough to come back.
“I think it’s important now for him that he sees he has to work hard to come back in the team.”
Hasenhuttl added: “Yes, I know that he can score goals. Yes, I know that on the 10 position he is a player that was important for us in the past.
“On this level he has to come back. There is a lot of work to do for him I think.
“Hopefully he sees this and he invests everything so that he comes back to the level he has been.”
THE answer to Nathan Tella’s lack of gametime may lie in how Ralph Hasenhuttl views his best position, although the boss assures: “He will get his chance, even in the Premier League.”
The former Arsenal academy man looked like he’d made his name in Saints’ first team squad a brief prolific spell in the B team, going on to feature 18 times in the Premier League.
He got his first top flight goal against Fulham, and went from strength to strength in a good pre-season campaign.
great win and a good team performance today. Delighted to get my first PL goal and assist #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/uPqhyD7nLE
— tella (@NathanTella_11) May 15, 2021
But now the 22-year-old has been limited to just one substitute appearance in the Premier League of just ten minutes, scoring and assisting in two EFL Cup matches too.
Read more
Hasenhuttl has persisted with the likes of Nathan Redmond and Moussa Djenepo on the wings in injured Stuart Armstrong’s absence, and he may have given away the answer as to why it hasn’t been Tella.
Speaking in an earlier press conference, the Austrian said: “I must say that, in the ten positions, he has a lot of good qualities to play there.
“He is very energetic and he has a really good ability against the ball, running back and sprinting back.
Nathan Tella’s only appearances since the opening day of the campaign have been in the EFL Cup (Pic: PA)
“In this position though, you need to keep the ball a little bit more and to be a little bit cooler. He is like a young horse who wants to run, he wants to run at defenders and he wants to get behind the last line.
“It will help him if he can get a little closer to the goal,” before adding crucially: “I see him as a striker.
“But he can play as a ten, yes.
“We have a lot of alternatives up front, so it will not be easy but he is still on my list. He is an alternative for Adam Armstrong, who does a very good job up front. He will get his chances to play.”
👉🏾😃👈🏾 pic.twitter.com/NMEzDwgeGd
— tella (@NathanTella_11) August 25, 2021
Stevenage-born Tella is highly thought of both internally and externally at Saints, touted as the best academy product they’ve produced in the last few years.
But with the preferred options of Adam Armstrong, Che Adams and even loanee Armando Broja – is that why he has seen so little action?
Hasenhuttl added: “We saw last season that Nathan was a young player who was by far the most developed of the younger group and he had a really good pre-season, also.
This despite the youngster having an impressive pre-season (Pic: Stuart Martin)
“I am actually a little bit disappointed at the moment that I cannot give him more chances to play. The games that we are playing at the moment are not perfect for him, I think.
“As always with young players, he must consistently work hard and show up to get those chances to play.
“He will get his chances to play, even in the Premier League.”
Up until April 2017, Tella was playing for Arsenal in the Under-18 Premier League, before he was told that he wouldn’t receive a professional deal at the end of his scholarship and he signed for Saints.
