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.”  
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton boss Ruben Selles has say on possible ‘distraction’ amid ‘gossip month’ and relegation confirmation #SAINTSFC

May 7, 2023
Uncertainty about the division they’ll be competing in next season, uncertainty about who the manager, uncertainty at the top of the club after a raft of staff departures, and uncertainty with the playing squad in terms of who will actually still be at St Mary’s in three months time. Six points adrift with time starting to run out, the first of those uncertainties is strongly learning towards the Championship but with a squad of 30 players, the last of those uncertainties - the future of the playing staff - remains suitably murky. READ MORE: ‘Lost our philosophy and consistency’ Bednarek on issues with Saints manager carousel But in such a time of limbo, Saints boss Ruben Selles insists that his squad isn’t distracted by thoughts of their futures although he admitted that the ‘gossip month’ of May presents its challenges. “I haven’t seen any distraction but it’s true that May is a gossip month,” Selles told the Daily Echo when asked if rumours of potential departures has effected his squad’s concentration. “For everybody. For the club, for the coaches, for the players. Rumours, situations, end of contracts, new transfers, where do I play, where could be better for my family, where could be better for my future…It’s something that is in football in the transfer window in general.  “So I haven’t seen any distraction from any players or the technical staff but I know it is there. Not only for Southampton players and coaches but for every single player, coach, or sports director in football, in the Premier League or in any competition. “If you ask in any other club there are players that are not playing that expect to make a move for next season. Teams that are going to be promoted, players that don’t know if they’re going to be there or not, same thing with coaches. Players who don’t want to play for one coach or who want to go play for another coach.  “So there are a lot of different situations and it doesn’t really matter which situation you’re in because it’s always going in one way or another.” Saints will be hoping to keep their comatose season alive when they visit Nottingham Forest on Monday night. While Selles’s side enter the weekend six points adrift of safety, all their relegation rivals are in action prior to the bank holiday kick-off. Selles and his team could cut the gap to safety to just three points should results go their way and they successfully beat Nottingham Forest and the Saints boss insisted on Friday afternoon that his players still believe they can stay up. “Players know they can do it and it's not a game where we feel we're completely out of it,” the Spaniard said.  “We compete against every team and it's our belief we have been competitive but for some reason or another we haven't got the points. If there is a time to do it then it is now."
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on lack of penalty given against Chelsea #AFCB

May 7, 2023
With the scores level at 1-1 following Mati Vina’s stunning equaliser that cancelled out Conor Gallagher’s opener, there was a hearty shout from Cherries for a penalty in the 67th minute. Striker Dominic Solanke appeared to have nipped in ahead of Chelsea defender Thiago Silva, knocking the ball past the Brazilian before being taken out. Late goals from Benoit Badiashile and substitute Joao Felix swung the game in the Blues’ favour for their first win in seven games. Whilst the incident was checked by Video Assistant Referee David Coote, there was not deemed to be a clear and obvious error made by on field ref John Brooks in not deciding to not point to the spot, the key criteria for overturning decisions. Cherries are the only side in the Premier League yet to be awarded a spot-kick, whilst Chelsea have managed to avoid giving a single penalty away this campaign. Asked for his thoughts on the incident, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I thought it was a tight one. “I thought Thiago Silva doesn't get the ball, so Dom manages to take a touch before he gets there. “But Dom does take his touch backwards. So it looks maybe different to some that we're used to seeing, where the forward takes his touch forwards. “Then there is a bit of contact between Silva and Dom. So technically maybe a foul. “Outside the penalty area, maybe a foul, but the fact that it wasn't given on field meant it was obviously never going to be overturned. “So, yeah, we'd have probably needed that one to being given and then it maybe would have been upheld. “But, yeah, no real complaints. I thought it was one that it could it or not (be a penalty).”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil rues missed chances in defeat to Chelsea #AFCB

May 7, 2023
The two sides were level at half-time, after Matias Vina’s impressive strike cancelled out Conor Gallagher’s early opener. Chelsea had lots of possession after the restart, without working Neto, while down the other end Vina was denied a second goal by a fine Kepa Arrizabalaga stop. Dango Ouattara then missed a big chance to put the hosts in front, heading over from close range, before Chelsea got ahead when Benoit Badiashile scored from a Hakim Ziyech free-kick. Substitute Joao Felix then wrapped up victory with four minutes to play. Reflecting on the two sides’ contrasting fortunes in front of goal, O’Neil said: “I thought that was the only difference. I thought it was an even contest. “There were lots of bits in it that I liked. “When we were on top, sort of midway through the second half, we had a flurry of corners. Mati Vina has a one-on-one with Kepa, who makes a good save. “Kepa makes a great block from Dango as well, from four or five yards out and then obviously the massive chance with Dango's free header, four yards out from goal. “I think if we get our noses in front, the game will probably finish very differently. But disappointed that we weren't clinical enough and Chelsea make a couple of mistakes to give us a chance and we don't take it. “Then we get punished at the other end as soon as we make one. “I don't think Neto had a lot to do and then we make a mistake and they managed to punish us and it goes 2-1, and then obviously it's in their favour then. “But we were well in the game. Just really disappointed that we don't take anything.” O’Neil added: “We thought there was not much more performance-wise we could have done, apart from be better in front of their goal at key moments and then maybe not make quite so many errors. “Two errors at the end there for their two goals. “I thought the fans were excellent. I thought that the lads felt the energy in the place. “If there was any concern around the players not being at the same level as they have been because we're on 39 points, I thought there was no danger of that. “They were absolutely bang on again, gave absolutely everything. “But in football matches, especially against teams of world-class players, there is a chance that no matter how well you do, if you don't take your chances, they're going to take theirs. “We got stung with that.”
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton manager shares thoughts on potential relegation disaster #SAINTSFC

May 6, 2023
Selles's team enter the weekend six points adrift of safety and with only four games left to play, it will take a minor miracle for Saints to avoid the drop. Relegation would mean a return to the Championship for the first time since the 2011/12 season, no doubt a disaster for the club and the entire city. READ MORE: Saints team news for Nottingham Forest trip - Onuachu set for return as four remain absent Asked about the possibility of relegation and the impact it would have on the wider community, Selles responded: "Well it's not going to be a nice picture for any of us, I think that's clear.  “The club, city, and fans all deserve to be in the Premier League. When you're a club that gets relegated, it is because of a number of situations and you need to learn from that. If it happens, it happens and we need to learn from that. But we'll be fighting for it not to happen." READ MORE: Selles - 'I always say I want to be here for the next ten years, that is my ambition' Popular statistics company Opta have now given Saints a 98.7% chance of suffering relegation but Selles is refusing to concede until his side’s fate is mathematically decided. “This is the Premier League. We are still there," he added. "We didn't have the best April as you know. But it's not only difficult for us, it is difficult for everybody.  “And the difference between us and the others has not been that they have been better than us in some moments. It has been like a moment when they got the three points when they should not get it. So I think we are still there and we are going to be there."
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton manager Ruben Selles has his say on problems with huge squad #SAINTSFC

May 6, 2023
Only Nottingham Forest have used more players in the Premier League this season than Saints’ 32 - level with Chelsea - as all three clubs toil through challenging and underwhelming campaigns. And speaking ahead of Monday night’s trip to Nottingham Forest, Selles provided insight into the challenges of managing such a large squad while admitting that it has likely played a role in Saints’ disastrous season. READ MORE: Selles - 'I always say I want to be here for the next ten years, that is my ambition' “You don’t need to be a genius in football to know that when you have a bigger squad, it’s more difficult to manage internally and also in the rotation of the games,” the 39-year-old told the Daily Echo.  “Because the relations are difficult between the players, not only for the coach but for the players as well it is difficult. It doesn’t matter which kind of players you have because I think the Nottingham Forest squad is very different to our squad in terms of the pattern of the players.  “And even for Chelsea - who is number three on that list - it is difficult because there are a lot of personal situations that tend to be more individual than a team issue. And when you don’t have those kinds of relations, it’s more difficult to compete.  “So definitely when you have a big squad either it's a big big reason for that (the problems building relationships between players) or the preference would be to have smaller squads.”   The size of Saints’ squad has proven to be a problem for all three managers this season and it was only made more difficult by the January transfer window which saw five senior players signed - as well as the recall of Jan Bednarek - while there were no notable departures. Consistent opportunities have been tough to come by for a number of players since Selles took over from Nathan Jones with Mislav Orsic almost immediately frozen out following his winter transfer. Paul Onuachu, also signed in the January window, has seen his opportunities dry up as well, starting none of Saints’ last ten Premier League matches.  After missing last weekend’s trip to St James’ Park due to feeling discomfort in his knee, the striker should be fit to return to the squad on Monday, if selected by Selles, no guarantee considering he was left out entirely for the previous 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth. Monday’s opponents Nottingham Forest have faced similar challenges this season after heavy recruitment in the last two windows saw them sign a total of 30 new players. Steve Cooper’s side enter the weekend in the bottom three on goal difference, six points clear of Saints.  Defeat for Saints would leave them on the brink of officially being relegated to the Championship and while Selles has insisted the he and his players still believe that they can overturn the deficit to safety in the final four games, he admitted that another loss on Monday - which would be their seventh in the last nine matches - would make things significantly more difficult. “There are moments when you're up and you're down but that is normal for all of us,” Selles added.  “Players know they can do it and it's not a case where we feel we're completely out of it, we compete against every team and it's our belief we have been competitive but for some reason or another we haven't got the points. If there is a time to do it then it is now."
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on Jefferson Lerma #AFCB

May 6, 2023
The Colombian’s current deal expires this summer, with Lerma open to a return to Spain. He first joined Cherries in 2018 from then La Liga outfit Levante for a club record £25 million, signing a five-year contract at the time. Despite being regarded as one of Cherries’ best players, he remained loyal to the club following their relegation from the Premier League in 2020, helping the side to a top-flight return after two years in the Championship. Now 28, Cherries will not be entitled to any compensation if he decides to depart for pastures new. Whilst a final decision has yet to been made by Lerma, O’Neil pointed out that at no point could it be doubted the midfielder had not given his all to Cherries this campaign. Lerma has missed just one Premier League game this season, playing a total of 2,895 minutes out of a possible 3,060. In his five seasons at Dean Court, the Colombian international has made 180 appearances for Cherries, and if he plays in the remaining four league fixtures, he will reach a century of Premier League games. Asked about Lerma’s future, O’Neil replied: “No decision made at the moment, as far as I'm aware, so hopefully he'll be here. “Jeff's a great guy, so incredible around the place, incredible around the group, especially if you're in a relegation battle when you need to get in the trenches. “And me, Jeff, the club, have been fully focused on that up until this moment. “I think you've seen in Jeff's performances that there was just no doubt that he was fully committed to the cause. “So, yeah, now that the relegation stuff is all but beyond us, then hopefully we can start to put something in place where he stays, but no confirmation either way.” With contract talks paused during Cherries’ survival bid, there is optimism the 28-year-old could sign a new deal to remain at Vitality Stadium.” “I'm hopeful,” responded Cherries’ head coach when he was asked if he was confident a deal could be agreed. “I think there's a lot of things that go on in individual decisions. “If Jeff was to leave, he'd have huge respect from absolutely everybody. “Fans absolutely love him and rightly so. “He's been an incredible, and still is an incredible player for the football team, for a very long time. “I'm hopeful that we will have him next season.”
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Everything Southampton’s Ruben Selles said on his future, Forest and more #SAINTSFC

May 5, 2023
Saints are bottom of the Premier League and facing relegation after recording zero wins in their last nine games under manager Selles. The Spaniard – who was hired over the summer to be assistant to Ralph Hasenhuttl – replaced sacked Nathan Jones in February, after his own run of one win in eight league matches. Saints were already well bottom when Selles was appointed but despite two wins in his first three he has so far failed to improve their immediate prospects. Selles was asked if he would like to remain at Saints for the future when chatting with talkSPORT, admitting: “Yeah, absolutely, I said that I want to be here for the next 10 years. “At the level it is Southampton and the people have given me too much love and confidence in my job that I want to give all of these things back, I want to be here long term and if it’s in the Premier League next year that is better than if it is not. “What I am not doing right now is winning enough football matches, but sometimes the result is a consequence of a few things – a crossbar and out or an offside by two inches that takes one point.” He added: “I am showing what I am and what I can do, managing a team in the best league in the world. We are showing for moments the football we practice and in some games how competitive can be. “The mindset is it doesn’t matter who is in front of us, we can beat them. If it is enough or not it is not for me to decide, that is for the owners to evaluate.” With relegation to the Championship likely, Selles accepts that dropping to the second division would likely spark a club rebuild undertaken by owners Sport Republic. “When a club gets relegated the rebuild is always going to be there, I think the club should do it in the best way possible,” he said. “They need to start a project where everything needs to show fresh, direct and very honest so the rebuild will be there. That is for the club to decide how big it is but of course, it is not like keeping the project as it is now.” Selles also accepted that his team have lost in must-win games over the last week, after a 1-0 defeat at home to AFC Bournemouth and a 3-1 loss despite taking the lead at Newcastle United. “We have been in the win-at-all-costs situation right now with Bournemouth and Newcastle but of course now there is less games to play in front of us,” Selles said. “The situation is starting to be critical in those terms, so of course we are going to go there and try to win the game. We have shown how competitive we can be but need to be more robust for 95 minutes. It is a game that we must win. “We had some momentum at the beginning and there were a couple of times that we were competing to get the momentum back but we didn’t get it and it went straight to the other side.” However, Selles insists his focus is on nothing but the game ahead of them – a Bank Holiday Monday trip to relegation rivals Nottingham Forest. The Spaniard said: “I’m very forward-oriented so we have 12 points to play for and we have the chance against Nottingham Forest to be straight back into the race to be in the Premier League. “That is all my focus is on, I’m not focused on more than one thing at a time. I know the situation, it has been the situation from the very beginning. “I need to have a team that works well every day and prepare for Nottingham Forest, I can’t say more than that because we still have possibilities to do it and we are going to fight for it with everything.”
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.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil wants PL Fans to remember role of entire coaching staff to help club #AFCB

May 3, 2023
While O’Neil and the players have taken the plaudits in recent weeks for a run of four wins from five, Cherries’ head coach was keen to praise other members of staff for their role. Victory over Leeds United on Sunday, a resounding 4-1 success, moved Cherries up to 13th in the Premier League table, nine points clear of the relegation zone with just four games to play. That win came just three days on from a 1-0 triumph away at Southampton. Asked if he feels some of the behind the scenes work can go unnoticed from people on the outside when there is such a quick turnaround between fixtures, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I don’t think it gets overlooked on purpose, or I don’t expect people not to overlook it because it’s just part and parcel of what we do. “If you’re not in it, you wouldn’t know. “There’s an awful lot of work that goes into prepping a team for a Premier League game, because the game has moved to a point where there are huge tactical changes all the time. “You need to be extremely well-prepped. The guys that I work with are dedicating their lives to trying to keep the club in the Premier League at this moment, every single one of them. “There’s an incredible amount of work that goes in from so many members of staff.” LONG READ: Bill Foley promised survival, but Gary O'Neil delivered it He added: “The amount of work that goes into prepping for an opposition - I think Southampton changed shape four times in the first 30 minutes. “We’d prepped for every single one and we managed to move people around in every single scenario to help the lads cope with that. “So the amount of prep that went into that Southampton game in such a short time to cover all the tactical aspects was huge. “To have to repeat that again, for the coaching staff and the analysts and the boys that work on it to make sure we’re as well prepared for Leeds as we were for Southampton, obviously takes a lot of effort.”
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton manager admits his triple-substitution ‘didn’t work’ during Newcastle defeat #SAINTSFC

May 1, 2023
The Spaniard opted to make three changes at once with his side level at 1-1 in the 70th minute of the Premier League clash at St James’ Park. He called for Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Moi Elyounoussi and Adam Armstrong to replace Charly Alcaraz, Lyanco and goalscorer Stuart Armstrong. Newcastle took a two-goal lead through a Theo Walcott own goal and Callum Wilson’s second of the afternoon 10 minutes later – while number nine Armstrong touched the ball once, taking a restart. Asked about the change after the match, Selles told the Daily Echo: “The aim was to win the game, that is always the aim. “We knew that our boys up front had a hard task during the game and we needed to take them off because they ran out of energy. “We had a plan and thought that with refreshment in the front, we can continue finding spaces and continue with our game plan. “It didn’t work and we need to accept that, sometimes this happens in the game.” Reflecting on the contest, Selles said: “We were doing well, we had the plan to apply pressure when we can and keep the ball. “When you play against a top-four team it's more difficult to keep it. They became more aggressive and put Isak on the side, we were too late to react to it and we let it go "Sometimes it is difficult. In the first half, we knew what to do but in the second we didn’t find that connection and that is for all of us to work out. We need to be stronger in those moments."
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil admits relegation relief after Leeds win #AFCB

May 1, 2023
Having lost 4-0 at home to West Ham United last Sunday, Cherries went to Southampton on Thursday night, coming away 1-0 victors. Cherries’ head coach then held a press conference a few hours later, on Friday morning, to preview the visit of Leeds United. Following a comfortable 4-1 victory over the Whites, O’Neil revealed he had also spent Saturday night in hospital, with his six-year-old daughter Mila Bleu. Asked how he would be celebrating the win over Leeds, which he feels secures Cherries’ place in the Premier League next season on 39 points from 34 matches, O’Neil said: “I was in A&E last night with my youngest daughter. “She had an accident, nothing too serious. So I’ll get home, see how she is. “I’ll probably just spend the evening in the lounge. Maybe a beer, maybe a tea and some chocolate. There’s some Easter eggs left. I’m just going to enjoy it with them. “I just want to spend some time with the people that have supported me. “They’ve seen some dark evenings in the O’Neil house! Let’s enjoy this one with them.” Asked how he feels himself about the job he has done as boss at Cherries, O’Neil said: “The main thing is relief first. “Even when you’re on 36 points and Leeds are coming and Leicester and Everton play each other tomorrow, you still think because of our goal difference, we don’t want to go to Everton three points in front on the last day. It could still have easily gone the other way. “So today is relief that we put in a big performance and we achieve what I think will be Premier League safety. “I’m just going to enjoy this evening with the family. There’s been a lot of late ones this week – a few 11 o’clockers in there. I haven’t seen much of them. “So looking forward to this evening, celebrating with them and looking forward to getting onto Chelsea.”
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.”  
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton manager accepts some things are not right at club but players want to give a fight #SAINTSFC

April 30, 2023
The St Mary’s side faces potential relegation from the Premier League for the first time since promotion to the top flight in 2012. They are six points adrift of safety after the recent home defeat to AFC Bournemouth and are facing a major playing overhaul in the summer. However, Sport Republic and the incoming director of football, Jason Wilcox, already have their hands full with appointments needed for outgoing directors. Head of recruitment Joe Shields, managing director Toby Steele (already replaced) and academy manager Matt Hale are all among those who have left or are leaving this season. However, Selles was not keen to suggest the turmoil could be linked to on-pitch performance. Speaking on Thursday night, he said: “No, of course. “When you are in a club in our situation, you have some issues and the daily routines but it's nothing that we can extrapolate into the pitch. “I think we are where we are and then we need to fight to show that we are good enough to compete in this league and then we can beat anybody so it's not any issues outside that are making the difference or disturbing us.” The Spaniard added: “Well, that's the problem that we didn't find any consistency in any of the moments and in the beginning with the team we thought we can make it. “We were considering what we do. I think we have had some good performances. “But in the last week, we combined some of the good moments with the bad moments so that lack of consistency is in that situation and we are trying to find it back and that we are trying to make it better. “And that's one of the things that we need to look at it and then say we need to do it better and then we need to be more robust in the things that we do.”
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).
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.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil believes 36 points may not be enough to avoid relegation as Bournemouth move further clear after Southampton win #AFCB

April 29, 2023
Cherries moved up to that mark with a 1-0 win at Southampton on Thursday night, a fifth win in eight matches, which has seen them leap from bottom of the Premier League up to 14th. With five games to go, Cherries are seven points clear of the relegation zone. But boss O’Neil is not convinced the job is yet done, urging his side to be ready to “turn up right from the start” when they host relegation-threatened Leeds United on Sunday (2pm). Put to him that finishing higher up the table would earn the club more prize money at the end of the year, O’Neil said: “At this moment, it’s not about each place, it’s still about avoiding the bottom three for me. “I still believe 36 points could be relegated. “I think maybe the world felt when we left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (after winning 3-2 on April 15) that we were fine. “And then you get a performance against West Ham (4-0 loss) where we let ourselves down. “I think that’s a real good lesson for the boys around achieving a good result that everyone thinks means that you’re okay and you’re good and everything’s rosy and then you get a real kick up the backside a few days later. “We learnt that lesson last week and hopefully that prepares us for what will be a tough ask against Leeds, to go off the back of such a huge effort on Thursday night, two days’ less recovery (than Leeds) against a very intense team will be a big test for the boys come Sunday.” He added: “I felt everyone in the world felt more comfortable after Tottenham and you see what can happen, you lose a game 4-0 to West Ham. “Nottingham Forest beat Brighton and all of a sudden it’s lose at Southampton and we’re right back in it. Things can change very quickly. We’ve been on a good run, so other teams definitely can as well. “I still think 36 points can be relegated, so a real clear focus from me. Thursday night is done. “We enjoyed the fact that we managed to execute a gameplan against a team that could’ve been dangerous on the evening, fantastic that the fans got to enjoy another away victory, but nothing done yet. We need three points on Sunday.” Discussing the challenge posed by Leeds, O’Neil added: “For us, it’s just making sure we start the game well, because we have conceded some early goals recently. “And we were out of our last home game before it started. So making sure that we’re ready. “There needs to be a lot of work done in a short space of time to make sure that we turn up right from the start of Leeds. “We don’t have time to ease ourselves into this one. They play in an intense way. “They’ll have seen the start against West Ham I’m sure and they’ll be keen to come and impose themselves in front of our crowd, to try and make it an awkward afternoon for us. “Real focus from me on trying to get the boys ready to start off all guns blazing at two o’clock on Sunday.” Asked if his team selection will be influenced by having got some vital points on the board on Thursday, O’Neil said: “I don’t think so. I don’t feel any more comfortable at all. “I still feel like at this moment in time we could be relegated, so let’s approach the game exactly in that way, try and get the best team out there for energy, also for quality. “There will be no rotation that wouldn’t have taken place in any other scenario. It will be business as usual from team selection wise.”
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton’s Ruben Selles insists he remains positive about survival chance #SAINTSFC

April 29, 2023
The St Mary’s side are beginning to get cut adrift after the latest 1-0 defeat at home to AFC Bournemouth, courtesy of Marcus Tavernier’s winner. It means Saints remain six points adrift of safety with five games to go – including Newcastle United, Brighton and Liverpool still to play. The Cherries – promoted from the Championship last campaign and heavy favourites for the drop – have raced to 12 points clear of Saints. After three managers and 14 signings to the first-team squad, an 11-year stay in the top-flight looks to be coming to an end at SO. Selles is not ready to admit that, saying: “Of course, the disappointment is there – but I always keep my positivity as I see them working every day and see what they can do. “I will keep my positivity until the very end, I still think we can do it and I still think everybody in the club is able to do it. We need to keep that belief. “It will be very early in the morning that I start to work on the things we need, analysing video etcetera.” Ahead of facing Newcastle for a fourth time this season – the previous three were all losses – Selles added: “I think we have been talking about must-wins for the last five or six games. "Of course, it is one we must win – more now than ever – but we are trying to go for it. “In the last game (at St James’ Park in the League Cup semi-final), we started a little bit slow and conceded two quick goals to put us out of the game. “We cannot make those mistakes again as it is very difficult to make a comeback if you are down in the Premier League. “We have to be brave from the very beginning, we have shown that we can cause damage in certain situations. We need to go for it.”
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.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil to ‘seek clarity’ on penalty controversy at St Mary’s against Bournemouth #SaintsFC

April 29, 2023
With his side 1-0 up against Southampton, Ryan Christie flashed in a right-footed cross, which struck the outstretched arm of Saints defender Jan Bednarek, from close range. After a brief check from video assistant Andy Madley, the referee in the ground Darren England was not recommended to check the incident and play resumed. Cherries went on to win 1-0, but O’Neil admits he was left baffled by the decision not to award his side a spot-kick. Asked why no penalty was awarded, O’Neil said: “No idea. I don’t see any difference between that and some of the ones we’ve had given against us this year. “His arm is a long way from his body. The ball is going into a dangerous area. I can’t see why. “To have it dismissed so quickly – I remember sitting in our dugout when they go against us for ages waiting, they’re watching eight different camera angles and it’s being played in slow motion. “This one we get maybe an eight-second check and we’re told it’s clear. And then I see the replay and I cannot believe that has not been given as a penalty.” He added: “I was shown the handball quite a lot after the game and I was very surprised. “Not that I think that should be handball, just that it seems so similar to so many we’ve had go against us that I am just struggling to understand it a little bit. “I will seek some clarity on that as well, this week or next week, whenever the guys are available to catch up, try and figure out the differences and also why the check seemed so short on it. “There’s a few things that I need clearing up on that.”
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ruben Selles admits loss to Bournemouth was a ‘hard night’ for Saints #SAINTSFC

April 29, 2023
Marcus Tavernier’s second-half winner at St Mary’s left the the division’s bottom club six points from safety with five games to go. Beleaguered Saints thought they had snatched a dramatic draw but Che Adams’ 89th-minute effort was disallowed for offside following VAR intervention. A painful defeat to their south-coast rivals inflicted a club-record 11th home league loss of the season on Southampton, with lingering hopes of survival fading fast. “We are going to go and try to put a performance in every game to try to win, and we are going to do it until the very end,” said Selles. “I know it’s only five games to play. But we are professionals and we will fight until the very last point. “I know now it’s hard, I know the table is looking like it’s a difficult one but we are going to give it a try.” He added: "It was a disappointing night. "We came with the intention to put in a good performance and we obviously didn’t. “Some of the things that can go against us, they went against us. “Even the offside goal, it’s a couple of centimetres but it is offside. It was a hard night.”
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton manager Ruben Selles says they will keep trying to get out of relegation #SAINTSFC

April 28, 2023
Che Adams had a late leveller ruled out for offside but Marcus Tavernier’s deflected strike was enough for the Cherries to pick up a deserved three points. It means the St Mary’s side remain six points adrift of safety with five games to play, including Newcastle United, Brighton and Liverpool. Relegation now seems an almost certainty but Selles has insisted his team will not lie down and accept their fate in the run-in. Speaking after the match, he said: “We just need to keep fighting and trying to perform every game and trying to give a win. “We’ve shown that we can perform against any team, we just need to be more constant and more robust in the things that we do. “When we play against Arsenal or Manchester United it was working but with the performance today, it was not working.” Selles added: “There is a habit we need to create and consistency we didn’t find, especially after the last international break we lost Che and were not able to make the result against West Ham – everything went a little bit to the other side. “Sometimes we are getting it but others we are not, today everything went against us – but that is not an excuse. We had the (Romain) Perraud injury, (James) Ward-Prowse illness and offside at the end. We know where we are but need to find consistency.” Under Selles, Saints have been beaten by Leeds United, Brentford, West Ham United, Crystal Palace and now Bournemouth. It has been a season-long problem that the side perform against the ‘bigger’ clubs – beating Chelsea twice and taking points from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur – but bottle the games that really matter. Asked to explain this phenomenon, Selles told the Daily Echo: “Sometimes it is about the level of pressure on the matches, sometimes it is about the type of football the other team is playing and sometimes it is about ourselves not being on point. “Those are the facts we are trying to change to be more competitive.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil reacts to win over Southampton #AFCB

April 28, 2023
Cherries took the lead early on through the first-half from a deflected Marcus Tavernier strike, the effort enough to separate the two sides at the final whistle 1-0. Che Adams thought he had rescued a precious point for the division’s bottom outfit late on, only for the equaliser to be chalked off by VAR for offside. Whilst overall he was pleased with his side’s performance, O’Neil did reiterate that his side need to be more clinical to finish contests off sooner. He began: “Big win for us. Performance was pleasing as well. “Sort of had everything we asked, apart from being clinical enough to put the game to bed. “Because I thought we were by far the better side today. “We spoke a lot this afternoon about showing a calmness in what would be probably a frantic football match, where obviously the other side are in a tough situation and there may be some desperation attached. “So, firstly, can we show a calmness in what is a big pressure situation? And then beneath that, can we show a real grit and steel, and a refusal to leave here without what we came for? “And I thought the performance showed both. “Credit to the players, I thought they were excellent.” Cherries recorded 16 shots and enjoyed consistent spells with the ball, but were unable to truly test Alex McCarthy beyond Tavernier’s winner. “Away from home, I thought it was impressive with the ball,” continued O’Neil. “I thought we played through our shape, lovely. “The things that we thought would be on were on. “It's been a bit of a story recently where we haven't quite been clinical enough, so I think back to Brighton at home where we missed some big chances. “So, yeah, it was a good performance, but the good news is that there is still room for improvement. Definitely.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil recalls Francis Benali incident as teenager before game against Southampton #AFCB

April 27, 2023
O’Neil came through the ranks at Pompey, featuring in three south coast derbies, winning one and losing two during the 2004-05 campaign. Now as boss of AFC Bournemouth, he takes his side to St Mary’s tomorrow for a key contest in the Premier League relegation battle. Reflecting on his memories of matches against Saints as a Pompey player, O’Neil said: “They were fierce. They still are fierce, I guess. “My first ever reserve game was against Southampton for Portsmouth at Havant & Waterlooville and there was about 3,000 fans in. “I was only 15, playing right-midfield against Francis Benali. And as soon as I tried to run in behind him from kick-off, he smashed me in the face with a cast on his arm. “I’d come straight from maths, gone to play for Portsmouth’s reserves and got a cast smashed in my face. I was like ‘this is what senior football is going to be like’. “And that was just a reserve game! “There was some fierce games between Portsmouth and Southampton. Obviously a real memorable one where we won when (Lomano) LuaLua scored two at home. “That was sort of a relegation battle as well, Portsmouth and Southampton were both involved in it. So some good fixtures. “We’ve had some good games with them as well since I’ve been at Bournemouth. “We’ve not managed to come out on top since I’ve been here yet, but we will try to change that on Thursday.” Asked if he will have a word with Benali should he see him at St Mary’s tomorrow night, O’Neil added: “I’ve spoken to him before. I think we did some TV stuff together and he doesn’t actually remember it. “But it definitely happened! If I bump into him, I’ll mention it again.” Given his allegiance to Pompey, O’Neil could be on the receiving end of a hostile reception from the home fans. Asked if he would welcome that ire to take some pressure off his players, Cherries’ boss said: “If the source of everyone’s focus could be on me and let my players go and perform then that would be a benefit, but I don’t see it like that. “We’ve had two away games at Tottenham and Leicester recently. Leicester were fired up for it, home fans knew it was a big game for them and the lads managed to put in a performance. “And a huge crowd at Tottenham, going 1-0 down and the place bouncing at that point and the lads managed to put in another real good performance. “I don’t know what sort of reception I’ll get. It doesn’t bother me too much either way.” Victory for Cherries tomorrow would push rock-bottom Saints closer towards relegation with just a month of the season remaining. But O’Neil insists that is not on his mind. “No feeling towards what it does to them at all,” he said. “Just purely us and what it means to us. I wouldn’t get any more pleasure out of beating Southampton than I would out of beating anybody else. “Hopefully we can go there and put another big result on the board for ourselves, the club, the players, the fans and if we do that, we’ll be in a really good place.”
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton boss happy with Bedanrek stand-ins after Arsenal draw #SAINTSFC

April 27, 2023
The central defensive duo have found opportunities limited under Selles thus far with Caleta-Car starting once in the Premier League under the Spaniard while Lyanco is yet to earn a starting berth. But both defenders were called upon from the bench at Arsenal last Friday, Caleta-Car replacing Jan Bednarek after he suffered a concussion before Lyanco came on for Charly Alcaraz when Selles switched to a back five during the interval. And despite Saints conceding twice late on to draw 3-3 with the Gunners, Selles feels the two defenders have now proven they are able to step in when necessary. “Duje and Lyanco proved the centre-backs that they are and that they've been working hard for their opportunity,” Selles told the Daily Echo.  “They got it. If some of them need to start tomorrow or both of them if we change to a back five, then they are ready.  “I talk about players being able to make an impact on the game and it's not just words. You can see immediately, especially in the Arsenal game, how players like Lyanco who have not been used enough this season, he stepped in and does a fantastic job.  “Duje in the West Ham game and on Friday. I have no doubt any of them can play from the beginning.” After keeping three clean sheets in their first four league matches under Selles, Saints are without such a defensive rearguard in their last six.  The status of Bednarek remains up in the air ahead of Saints’ meeting with Bournemouth as the Polish international gets set to clear concussion protocols Wednesday night before he’s assessed on Thursday ahead of the game.
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on facing Southampton which could be relegation decider #AFCB

April 27, 2023
O’Neil side visit St Mary’s tomorrow (7.45pm kick-off) in a key clash in the battle for survival. Saints currently sit at the foot of the Premier League table, nine points below Cherries in 15th. Cherries are five points above the bottom three, with Saints’ gap to safety the same margin. Since Selles took charge of Saints, initially on a caretaker basis before being appointed permanent boss, Southampton have taken nine points from 10 Premier League fixtures. Asked about facing Saints, O’Neil replied: “It'll be a big challenge. They've made big improvements since the new head coach took over. “They've improved. They're not really in relegation form since he's taken the job. “I think they have nine points from nine games, so a decent return. “High energy, front-foot, aggressive, had some good results, fantastic performance at Arsenal and result. “So, yeah, it's not like we're going to a team that are losing every week and have been rooted to the bottom of the table because they're in terrible form. “They're putting in some real good performances, picking up some good results. “So, it'll be a real tough test. If anyone is in any doubt then I can assure them it'll be a really tough game for us on Thursday.”
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton boss Ruben Selles says return of Che Adams ‘absolutely helps’ rest of team #SAINTSFC

April 26, 2023
Adams has missed Saints’ last four Premier League matches after picking up a calf injury while away with Scotland on international duty but he has been deemed ready to return after joining first team training this week. The 26-year-old is Saints leading scorer in all competitions this season with ten goals but it’s his general work both on and off the ball that has made him such a vital absence over the past month. READ MORE: Failure to build has destroyed Saints - how will they fare in potential final chance? Now though, Adams is fit once again Selles says he has stayed in match-shape ‘surprisingly well’ while insisting that ‘it absolutely helps’ his Saints teammates having their focal point back available.  “Che has been working really hard in the last month since he's been out from the national team injury,” Selles told the Daily Echo.  “He has done really well in keeping his shape and keeping himself fit enough so when he joined partially in training in the last few days, he looked like a player ready to play.  “We'll look at whether he can start or come in from the bench. It's surprisingly well the way he has adjusted and kept himself ready for the games.” Saints celebrate victory at Bournemouth in October. (Image: Richard Crease) While Adams himself would admit that he should have scored many more Premier League goals than the five he’s mustered, the lack of alternatives at the club and the striker’s all-round game have made him a crucial component of the side. In Adams’ absence and with Paul Onuachu deemed an afterthought, Selles has experimented with Sekou Mara up front before shifting to a formation without a natural striker.  It remains to be seen whether Adams will slot straight back into the team as Saints prepare to face the side they beat 1-0 in October - courtesy of Adams’ early header. “Che is a player that knows the Premier League,” Selles added when asked by the Daily Echo as to how Adams’ return helps the rest of his team.  “He's played a lot of games, he scored against these opponents in the last game. It gives the team some kind of security when you have him around the team or even starting.  “That bit of familiarity or knowledge about the opponent and knowing the man on your right and left, it absolutely helps the other players to understand than with some other cases. So yes, to have Che is absolutely an advantage for us.” Saints enter the midweek round of Premier League fixtures bottom of the table, four points adrift of safety while they find themselves nine points adrift of Thursday’s opponents Bournemouth. With just six games remaining to save their top-flight status - three of those pitting Selles’s side against Newcastle United, Brighton, and Liverpool - the South Coast clash presents Saints with one of their final opportunities to close the gap on those ahead of them and spark a great escape.
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.