Rob Edwards
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Rob Edwards happy with pre season but counts the injuries #LUTONTOWNFC

August 7, 2023
Luton boss Rob Edwards is hopeful that the injuries picked up by Jordan Clark and Dan Potts during yesterday’s pre-season double-header out in Germany aren’t too serious ahead of this weekend’s Premier League opener at Brighton & Hove Albion.Midfielder Clark, who scored Town’s goal in their Championship play-off final victory over Coventry City back in May, was stretched off in the Hatters’ first game against their Bundesliga opponents, which saw them beaten 2-1.Meanwhile, Potts then only lasted 26 minutes of the second match, Luton running out 3-1 winners thanks to Luke Berry’s double, as giving an update on the pair after the match, Edwards said: “It was a really good exercise, we've been able to get everyone minutes.Dan Potts picked up an injury against Vfl Bochum on Saturday - pic: David Rogers/Getty Images“Hopefully Pottsy and Clicker are not too bad, initial examinations show hopefully they’ll be okay fairly quickly, but we’ll be able to assess them in more detail when we get back home.“I felt like the first game we probably looked a little bit tired, the majority of those lads played the majority of the minutes against Wolves.“It’s been a quick turnaround from that game and I thought we lacked a little bit of intensity."It was a good moment as we finished the first half well, started the second half well and then looked a little bit more jaded.“We need to push some of them to get through the minutes there, so some positives there."Second game I thought we had a bit more life and I was really pleased with one or two.“I was really pleased with younger players, they’ve come out here and acquitted themselves really well."So overall, a really good worthwhile practice, bits to keep working on as always, but sets us up nicely going into the final week of preparations.”
Tom Lockyer
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Luton defender Tom Lockyer happy to get 90 minutes after a ‘weird’ pre-season #LUTONTOWNFC

July 29, 2023
Luton defender Tom Lockyer was overjoyed to get a first 90 minutes under his belt since the play-off semi-final second leg win over Sunderland back in May after what he described as a ‘weird’ pre-season.The 28-year-old started training later than the rest of his team-mates after undergoing extensive medical checks following his on-field collapse inside the opening 10 minutes of the play-off final at Wembley, which eventually required an operation to correct an atrial fibrillation in June.Following his new contract, Lockyer was back at the Brache with Town’s squad, but was held back to begin with when the physical activities started to ensure he had made a full recovery.He didn’t play as Town beat Peterborough United 3-1 in a behind-closed-doors at St George’s Park, before heading out to Slovenia for a warm weather training camp.Lockyer then played an hour in the 1-1 draw against Ipswich on Tuesday night, going on to start at Hillsborough for the Hatters’ second match, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Carlton Morris on target in the victory.The Welsh international lasted the entire match, along with James Shea, Alfie Doughty and Mads Andersen, as speaking to the club’s official website on how he found it and the training so far, he said: “Tough, really tough, it's been a different pre-season for myself.“It's been a weird one if I'm being honest, I’ve always been told I’m a couple of weeks behind, but it doesn’t sit right with me.Tom Lockyer applauds the Hatters after a 2-1 pre-season friendly win at Sheffield Wednesday - pic: Ashley Allen/Getty Images“I want to be up with the lads, so to finally get 90 is a good feeling and I know it's in the locker now."When the lads start running in the off season ready for the pre-season, obviously I wasn't allowed to do too much."I was only allowed to do a couple of 5ks just to see where I was at and obviously when the lads are doing their own stuff, they’re sprinting box to boxes and very S&C (strength and conditioning) specific, which I wasn't able to do, which meant when I came in, they were very conscious of me not breaking down as that would set me back further.“So it’s been a different pre-season, but hopefully now with 90 in the tank I can look forward.”With Town heading to Wolves on Wednesday and then travelling to Germany to take on Vfl Bochum in two matches next weekend, on what he expects to do before the Premier League season starts in full at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, August 12, Lockyer continued: “Who knows? It's the S&C who run everything with their numbers and data, whatever I'm asked to play, I’ll play."Obviously I’ll always be pushing for more, but the main thing is to try and be as fit as possible going into that first game.”On the prospect of facing the Seagulls in what will be Town’s first top flight encounter for over 30 years, Lockyer added: “You don't really want to look too far ahead, you can get carried away with the season that is coming up."We have to focus on getting our principles right on the pitch, doing everything we can in training for the first game, so we’re well drilled for that first game."You want to win the pre-season friendlies, but there’s a deeper meaning for us at the minute."Shape, how we want to play, how we want to move the ball, getting to know new players who’ve come in and them getting used to our style of play."So you’ve got to see preseason for what it is, but I’m delighted to get 90 minutes under my belt and I know a few of the lads have as well.”
Roberto De Zerbi
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi delighted to beat Brentford in pre season friendly #BHAFC

July 28, 2023
Simon Adingra netted both goals in the Premier League Summer Series encounter at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, as the Seagulls bounced back from a 4-3 loss to Chelsea in Philadelphia at the weekend. And the head coach admitted it was just what his players needed ahead of the 2023-24 domestic campaign. "I'm really happy, really delighted for the performances, for the result, for the quality of play," De Zerbi told the club website. "It was a very tough game but we knew before the game Brentford is a very good team. "And we need this game to prepare the start of the Premier League." Albion took the lead when Ivorian winger Adingra brought down Jason Steele's long pass with a superb touch before beating Bees keeper Mark Flekken. And after Frank Onyeka and Keane Lewis-Potter missed good chances to level, Adingra doubled Albion's tally just before the hour, curling home a shot from Steven Alzate's pass. De Zerbi praised the 21-year-old, adding: "I know the quality of Adingra, he's another big player for us. "I think we are building a very strong team, with many players in every position of the pitch for competition. "We have to be ready to change many players every three days.Adingra, Ferguson, Enciso they are very young. We have other attackers, Lallana, Welbeck, Mitoma but we have to be many players because the season will be very tough." Chelsea transfer target Moises Caicedo made his first appearance of pre-season as a 65th-minute replacement for Alzate and De Zerbi reiterated his position on the Ecuadorian midfielder. "I'm still happy when I watch the big player playing in my team and Moises is one of these big players, and I will like to keep him with me," he said. Albion face Newcastle at the Red Bull Arena in Hamilton, New Jersey in the third and final match of their USA tour in the early hours of Saturday morning, before returning to the UK and hosting Rayo Vallecano at the Amex on August 6. They begin the new Premier League season with a visit from top-flight new boys Luton Town six days later.
Mohamed Elyounoussi
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Moi Elyounoussi reveals excitement to play tough friendly against teams like RB Leipzig #SAINTSFC

July 17, 2022
MOI Elyounoussi insisted Saints performed well “against a good team” but will have learned “things we can do better” in a 3-1 defeat to RB Leipzig. The Norwegian international started and played the first 60 minutes for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, before the Austrian made 10 changes to his outfield setup. It was not until the 10 substitutions had been made that Saints made their breakthrough, through Adam Armstrong, but it was important minutes for Elyounoussi alongside Nathan Tella and new signing Joe Aribo. Giving his verdict to the club website after the match, Elyounoussi said: “It was good from the boys, for everyone to get some minutes. “We’ve been working on some patterns offensively, defensively as well and it was a good test against a good team who definitely tested some of the things we’re working on, so in the end, a good 60 minutes in the tank. “I think we did a good game, against a good team, and for sure some tips we’re going to look at, things we can do better, things we can improve on and things we did well but can improve on as well. In the end, the boys liked it, a good challenge, and for the boys who came on it was a good 45-60 minutes.” After defeat to the Champions League regulars, Saints are set to face Austrian Bundesliga side SKA Klagenfurt to end their trip abroad on Monday, July 18. “You can train as much as you want but you need to get it on the pitch against an opposition that can challenge you with the things you’ve been working on so that’s a good thing,” Elyounoussi added. “We have a lot of good opponents we’re going to play against that will challenge the things we’re working on. We’re looking forward to the next one, so far, so good.” A message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo. Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website. You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more. Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself. Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #RalphHasenhuttl gives his views after Saints Pre season defeat #SAINTSFC

August 8, 2021
SAINTS manager Ralph Hasenhuttl says difficult Athletic Bilbao test was “what we wanted to have.” The Spanish Super Cup holders ran out 3-1 winners despite a strike from substitute Theo Walcott immediately after the break, with goals from Mikel Vesga, Asier Villalibre and an own goal from Jan Bednarek. The first half was a flat performance from Saints but the likes of Moussa Djenepo, who seemed to have a free role operating on the left, right and often through the centre, did create some sparks. Athletic Bilbao finished 10th in La Liga last season and defeated Barcelona for that aforementioned trophy, so do represent strong opposition against a rotated Saints side. Speaking after the game, Hasenhuttl said: “Yeah it was an expected tough test in the end, what we wanted to have. “They’re a good opponent who shows us exactly what is working well and problems I think, I like a test where you see what issues you have and we can work on this for next week. “It was a good test, yeah, the first two goals we gave away a little two easy I think, the third was fantastic play. But we had some good chances to score I think.” The first goal Hasenhuttl references was conceded from a corner that barely eclipsed the front post, with Vesga rising highest to nod home, while the second goal saw right-back Yan Valery well out of position. Austrian boss Hasenhuttl will be hoping for a return to action of some of his squad for the Premier League opener next Saturday (August 14), with a trip to Goodison Park to face Everton – although the Toffees did lose 4-0 to Manchester United in a friendly today.  
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #RalphHasenhuttl happy with ‘good test’ against Levante #SAINTSFC

August 6, 2021
BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl described Wednesday night's victory over Levante as a "good test" after his side triumphed 1-0 at St Mary's. Kyle Walker-Peters scored a brilliant winner, drilling a shot across into the bottom corner for his first goal in Saints colours. It maintained Saints' unbeaten run of results in pre-season, after a behind-closed-doors draw against Fulham and comfortable victories over both Cardiff and Swansea last week. And while the main talking point of the evening was Danny Ings's £30million departure to join Aston Villa, Hasenhuttl was pleased with what he saw on the pitch against the Spanish opposition. Hasenhuttl said: "I must say it was a good test against a side that forces a little bit more than the other two (Cardiff and Swansea) we’ve had so far. "What I wanted to see was that we are still fighting for having the clean sheet. "I think our transition game was not that clinical like in the last games where we scored a little bit more often, because it was sometimes not quick. "It was a little bit too sloppy sometimes, the passes in the final third. But overall it was a good test for us. "We tried to give the players 90 minutes and on Saturday (against Athletic Bilbao) the second group comes with the 90-minute chance to show up, so that everybody has the chance to play 90 minutes in the pre-season and they should know how it feels. "For this I think it was a very good evening. We scored one goal, could score a little bit more often I think, but in the end a good test." Asked if he feels this win will help breed confidence ahead of the Premier League opener against Everton on August 14, Hasenhuttl added: "The Premier League is always something different. "You never know how good you are or how far you are. But we are really working hard to get better. "But I think getting more clean sheets is the key of getting better in the league table. I think this is what we need to do."