Alexis Mac Allister
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Alexis Mac Allister admits changes in fans affection after winning World Cup with Argentina #BHAFC

March 24, 2023
The Seagulls midfielder is with his national squad as they celebrate global glory with a friendly against effectively Panama’s second string at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, scene of the nation's 1978 triumph. Mac Allister was a key man in Argentina’s Qatar success and was given a hero’s welcome back to the training ground in Lancing when he returned to club duty. It is still spoken about in Argentina. Speaking ahead of tonight's match, he said: “People saw the affection that I have for the club and the affection that the club has for me. “Since then there is stronger support. “That people get up early in the morning to watch Brighton is a source of pride. "There is an Argentine community that is very supportive of me and the club. And they are happy.” Players and non-playing staff welcomed Mac Allister back to training after the World Cup, cheering and clapping as he walked into the reception area and then setting off confetti as he lifted a replica trophy. Asked if he was expecting such scenes, he said: “Not really. That's when you start to realise what it means to win a World Cup. “They came to pick me up at the airport, they took me directly and I anticipated that there was something, but not that much! “I was embarrassed to hold up the trophy after greeting everyone but they insisted on it because there was ‘something else’. “I picked it up and the pieces of paper exploded.” Mac Allister told readers of Ole.com in Argentina that the reception was special. But he added: “For me it was not a turning point. “I have always had the love and support of the club since I arrived. “It was very strong the first year because I didn't get to play much. “I knew they were expecting more because I came from Boca, an Argentine player. “It was a big moment for the Argentine people with Brighton, how they welcomed me back.” Mac Allister said Albion colleagues – and a notable midfield adversary in the Premier League – had been impressed by the reaction of Argentina fans to success in Qatar. He said: “When I got here, they had everything in mind and they told me, 'It's crazy, what it's like to live that? I don't want to imagine'. “They laugh a lot about the Argentina fans who, when we sing, do like a little hand (makes a gesture). “They drive me crazy with it. Every time they sing, they look at me and do it. They really enjoy Argentine people. “The other day, against West Ham, the game was stopped for a few minutes and we got to talk to an opponent, Declan Rice. “He congratulated me and we started talking about the five million people on the street. “He said, ‘I play for England, but what you went through is crazy’. “He is right. We are very grateful and privileged for that.” Mac Allister is expected to start against Panama while Facundo Buonanotte is part of the squad and has been getting to know senior colleagues, including Lionel Messi. The match kicks off at 11.30pm our time.
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil believes it is ‘Interesting to see’ how World Cup absentees will impact teams #AFCB #WorldCup2022

December 26, 2022
GARY O’Neil believes it will be “interesting to see" how teams with more players returning from the World Cup will fare, believing there to be pros and cons to having players missing during the break. Chelsea had 12 players away at the World Cup, including England trio Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling, and Conor Gallagher, whilst Moroccan Hakim Ziyech and Croatian Mateo Kovacic have been ruled out of the game with Cherries, owing to the fact they returned late as their countries reached the third/fourth-place play-off. The only Cherries to be selected for the World Cup were Wales duo Kieffer Moore and Chris Mepham, allowing O’Neil the opportunity to work with the vast majority of his squad during the break. However, the former England under-21 international was quick to point out that competitive football over the past six weeks had been hard to come by, with those in Qatar potentially remaining in better condition than those who stayed at home. Asked if that would make a difference in the fixture, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I'm not sure. “I think there's a couple of ways of looking at it. I think the boys that have been at the World Cup will still have rhythm, that they're used to playing through November and December, and they come back in now having been playing competitive football, whereas the boys that have been here have had to go through sort of a mid-season pre-season, basically. “So, yeah, it'd be interesting to see who is sharper, the boys that have been at the World Cup and have kept going, or the ones that have had a little break, and then I’ve had to do training to keep up to speed. “Obviously the more players that you have at the World Cup, shows that you have good players. “So, yes, I mean, regardless of who's in better condition, it will still be a tough game for us. Moore and Mepham’s World Cups ended in relative disappointment as Cymru pulled no trees in Group B, exiting after three games. Asked if the pair would use the disappointment to spur themselves on at club level, O’Neil responded: “Yeah, I think they're keen to get going. I thought they both did well the other night. “Kieffer was excellent in his work rate and still managed to cause Newcastle some problems. “Meps had suffered with the virus and he was one of the real late calls we had to make, and to get through the game the way he did, I thought he did really well considering the World Cup, on top of the illness. “He hadn't had too much work put into him before. So yeah, I was pleased he came through okay and did well and they'll both be better for another week's work before the Chelsea game.”
Jack Wilshere West Ham
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Jack Wilshere backs Eddie Howe for England job if Southgate leaves #AFCB #WorldCup2022 #NUFC

December 15, 2022
FORMER Cherries midfielder Jack Wilshere believes his old boss Eddie Howe should succeed Gareth Southgate if the England manager decides to leave his post. Southgate is reportedly considering his future after England’s World Cup dream came to an end following a 2-1 defeat to reigning champions France at the Quarter-final stage. With Southgate’s future in doubt, Howe has instantly been mentioned in discussions regarding potential replacement. Wilshere, who played under Howe at Cherries on loan from Arsenal, was capped 34 times by the Three Lions. In a column for the Sun, the 30-year-old gave a glowing reference for the current Newcastle United boss. He said: “If Gareth Southgate does leave the England job, I’d love the FA to try and get Eddie Howe. “I know how good Eddie is from my time at Bournemouth but people wondered whether he could make that step up to a bigger club. “Well, now he has shown at Newcastle how skilled he is at developing players and he’s turning them into title challengers. “The problem for the FA would be persuading him to swap his club for his country — and I’m not sure they’ll be able to do that. “He might feel it’s too early for him and that he wants more time to build success in the North East. “If he delivered silverware for Newcastle he’d be a god. “But the England job is the pinnacle for any English coach and it might be hard to turn down if there is a proper offer on the table.” Wilshere then went on to discuss Howe’s strengths, stressing how his attention to detail made players want to work hard for him. He restarted: “Eddie is so thorough in everything he does — from the way he organises the season, to his well-thought-out training sessions, to the one-to-one attention he gives players. “He’s a top man-manager. I’d only had Arsene Wenger as a club boss before I went to Bournemouth and he was a great man-manager, too — but in a different way to Eddie. “Arsene would give you a lot of trust and confidence and left you to get on with it.  Eddie was more detailed, probably because the level of player he had was not as good as Arsenal’s. “Eddie had to coach more. Arsene didn’t really have to tell Samir Nasri or Tomas Rosicky how to play between the lines. “Eddie would tell you how to do it and give you feedback — not always positive — but the way he did it made you really want to play for him. “I couldn’t recommend him highly enough.”
Nathan Jones
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- New Southampton boss Nathan Jones happy with returns of ‘important’ stars #SAINTSFC #WorldCup2022

December 14, 2022
NEW Saints manager Nathan Jones has expressed his excitement at finally working with something of a full squad as Tino Livramento and Kyle Walker-Peters prepare for their respective returns while Armel Bella-Kotchap and Mohammed Salisu rejoin the group following their World Cup participation. While there were a number of factors that led to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s dismissal, the Austrian wasn’t helped by the spate of injuries his side suffered with Livramento sidelined since April before Walker-Peters tore his hamstring in the 1-0 win at Bournemouth. Bella-Kotchap missed time with a shoulder dislocation while revelation Romeo Lavia was also forced out of action for two months with a hamstring problem of his own.  "There's been a real buy-in" 🤝#SaintsFC boss Nathan Jones reflects on the week in Spain: — Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) December 12, 2022 Now though, as Jones and his side prepare for the return of the Premier League with a training camp in Spain, the squad is looking far healthier than at any other point this season.  “They’re really important for us and seeing Romeo Lavia playing and back at it is really good,” Jones told the club’s media team of the previously injured contingent.  “We’ve welcomed back the World Cup boys on Monday so the group is looking a lot stronger and we’re excited to work with it. It’s a really talented group, it is, so we have to make sure we improve certain levels that really need improving and try to get as much as out of them as they can.  “These lads can play he want to play, they can play how most managers want because they’re really athletic and have technical ability, so we have to harness that.”
Alexis Mac Allister
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister admits relishing Argentina role in Qatar #BHAFC #WorldCup2022 #Argentina

December 9, 2022
Alexis Mac Allister says there is no time to reflect on his progress at the World Cup. But he is relishing life as a regular in the Argentina midfield. The Albion man is expected to start for the fourth successive game as his nation face the Netherlands tomorrow. He was brought into the side after the shock opening defeat by Saudi Arabia and caught the eye with busy midfield performances – and a vital goal against Poland. Speaking ahead of the quarter-finals, Mac Allister told media: “Have I had time to think about what is happening? Not really. “In the future, I will reflect a little more. “It is difficult right now with so much going on and so much that is being played at the moment, but obviously I am very excited and I am very happy. “I try to do things in the best way to help my team-mates. “I have been feeling very good and I hope to continue like this. “When I was abroad, I always worked to be here. “I am very grateful because Lionel (Scaloni, head coach) gave me the chance to play, to participate in this World Cup.” There were suggestions in the Argentinean media Mac Allister was affected by fatigue in the 2-1 win over Australia in the last 16. He played his part without scaling the heights of performance against Poland which saw Lionel Messi hand over his man of the match award to the Albion star. Mac Allister himself believes the Aussies made life tough but can see the benefits of almost a clear week between matches this time. He said: “It was a very difficult game. “They pressed very well, they closed the spaces for us. “In the first half, it was perhaps a bit difficult for us, although in general terms we managed well, and we won. “These moments of rest are very important. “Against Australia, we played with a few days’ rest. “These four or five days will serve for us to rest and focus on the next game.” Mac Allister is being supported by his family and girlfriend in Qatar He said: “We are very excited to be able to continue advancing in the World Cup. “We know we have a good team but all the games are difficult. “We have a team with personality and the peace of mind to move the ball to play how we want.”
Alex McCarthy Southampton
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy reveals surprise at Ward-Prowse World Cup snub #SAINTSFC #WorldCup2022

December 2, 2022
SAINTS goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has expressed his surprise that ‘ridiculous’ James Ward-Prowse failed to make Gareth Southgate’s England World Cup squad. Ward-Prowse earned his 11th cap in June’s 0-0 Nations League draw with Italy but for the second successive major tournament, the Saints captain missed the cut for Southgate’s final squad. While his form has nosedived alongside his entire team, Ward-Prowse still leads the Premier League in distance covered this season, something McCarthy pointed to recently on The Yours, Mine, Away! Podcast. 1️⃣7️⃣4️⃣km 🤯@Prowsey16 has covered more ground than any other #PL player so far this season 🏃‍♂️💨 pic.twitter.com/nYQwPokNDp — Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) November 22, 2022 "He regularly covers more than 12 kilometres in a game, which is just ridiculous,” the back-up Saints keeper said. “To be fair, I was surprised he didn't go to the World Cup." "He is just unbelievable. You just expect him to score or at least hit the target, when he takes a free-kick. "You know he is going there with the whip he can get on the ball, and you try to go early, but he can just go the other side. I wind him up in training because I do go early, but his technique is just unbelievable and he is so professional with the work he does on and off the pitch, he deserves it.” 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.
Jordan Zemura
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Jordan Zemura reveals his one big wish from the World Cup #AFCB

November 30, 2022
CHERRIES full-back Jordan Zemura revealed his one big wish from this year's World Cup - to see Lionel Messi finally get his hands on the trophy. Widely considered as the greatest player to have ever played the game, Messi is looking to fire Argentina to glory in Qatar. This will likely be the final chance for the 35-year-old to win the World Cup, having come so close in 2014, when Argentina lost to Germany in the final. PSG superstar Messi, a seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, has scored a remarkable 93 goals in 167 appearances for his country. Two of those have come during this World Cup, against Saudi Arabia and Mexico. However, Messi could exit the tournament on Wednesday. Following a shock defeat to the Saudis, Argentina kept their hopes of progressing out of Group C alive by defeating Mexico. They need a result against Poland, to move through to the last 16. Asked who he would like to see win the Wold Cup, Zimbabwe international Zemura told the Daily Echo: "I want him to do it. "I’d love an African team to do it, obviously for Africa, so I’m team Senegal, even team Morocco and team Africa. "But I want him to do it, the little GOAT. I want Messi to win it. "Hopefully, it’s his fifth World Cup. I’d love him to win it." Discussing the hopes of the African nations, with Cameroon, Tunisia and Ghana having also qualified, Zemura added: "They’re getting really close. Hopefully one day Zimbabwe, my team, my country, my nation can hopefully join the elite forces up top. "2026, you might be reporting on me going to the World Cup, who knows!?"
Marcus Tavernier
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier on World Cup dreams #AFCB

November 29, 2022
CHERRIES star Marcus Tavernier’s dreams of one day going to the World Cup seem that little bit more real by watching his teammates on the biggest stage. Tavernier’s fellow Cherries Kieffer Moore and Chris Mepham are gearing up to salvage their World Cup campaign when they face England tomorrow evening (kick-off 7pm), with Wales knowing an unlikely victory over their rivals may not be enough to secure passage to the knockout stages. By swapping Championship Middlesbrough for Premier League football at Cherries this summer, Tavernier is frequently rubbing shoulders with world-class internationals, as well as sharing a dressing room with those that have experienced a World Cup, such as Jefferson Lerma. The 23-year-old has eased into life in the top-flight, recently adding goals and assists to his game after a bright start to his Premier League career. In the three league games prior to the break, the Leeds-born midfielder grabbed two goals and set-up four goals, opening his account for the club in the 4-3 defeat to Leeds United. Asked if seeing his teammates playing on the biggest stage in Qatar made his dreams of playing at a World Cup feel more like a possibility, Tavernier told the Daily Echo: “Yeah, definitely. “I congratulated them when they got announced, and I'm looking forward to seeing them out there. “It's every kids’ dream to play at the World Cup and I'm no different. “It’s something that I want to do in my life, but I know that I have to keep working hard and putting the right performances in on the pitch. “Hopefully I can do that, and one day I can get a call up to the national team.” Members of the squad who were not called up for international duty, either for friendlies or the World Cup returned to training this morning, with Gary O’Neil leading his first session since being confirmed as permanent head coach. Cherries will shortly fly out to Dubai later this week for a warm weather camp, where they will also play a friendly with Belgian top-flight outfit Royal Antwerp on December 4. Speaking about the job O’Neil had done prior to the announcement that he was Cherries’ solution to their head coach vacancy, Tavernier commented: “Give him all the credit in the world because he’s been nothing but great for us. “It was a tough ask when he first came in and you see straight away the performances and the way that we're playing, it's been great and we can't thank him enough for what he's done so far.”  
Deniz Undav
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton’s Deniz Undav determined to make mark at the club after season resumes post World Cup #BHAFC

November 29, 2022
Deniz Undav is determined to make his mark at Brighton & Hove Albion when the Premier League restarts following the World Cup. The break from domestic action has given the 26-year-old a chance to consider his position at the club, having made just eight substitute appearances in the top flight so far. And the German striker says he is ready to fight and show exactly what he can do for the Seagulls. "It's an opportunity for me to be even more ready than before and, if I get the chance, to play," he told the club website. "It's not the farmer's league, it's the best league in the world. I have to give everything now I know the league and maybe be even more ready than I was. "In training, everyone is aggressive, really, really good. There's no time to relax in training or take the foot off the gas, so that's hard. The intensity is really, really hard. "You have to get used to it at some point. Even when I've come on for a few minutes, it's always hard against the defenders. When you come on you think you are ready, but they don't care. "They are 100 per cent ready. I may have to change my head, to work even harder. I think so far I'm disappointed, but I don't give up just because I'm not playing that much.  "I'll try to give everything for the team, so that if the coach picks me, I'll be ready.”  Undav, who signed from Belgian side Royal Union Saint-Gilloise in January, has just 93 minutes of playing time under his belt in the Premier League so far, but started against Forest Green Rovers in the Carabao Cup second round and netted in a 3-0 win. And he says he is trying to remain positive as he seeks more chances for Roberto De Zerbi's side. "It's hard for me, especially when you come from a season in Belgium playing every game," he added.  "But it's life, that's football. I'm a little bit disappointed, but I just try to be positive, to work hard, to be there for my team-mates and when I maybe get the chance to start again to be ready. "It's now my third season as a professional really. I thought it would be hard [moving to the Premier League], but it's even harder than that.  "If I'm not playing from the start in the first six months or year it's nothing to be ashamed of. I'm trying to do something that's really hard. From Belgium to the Premier League is like five, six levels higher."
Kaoru Mitoma
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma ready for next World Cup challenge #BHAFC #Worldcup2022 #Worldcup2026

November 27, 2022
Kaoru Mitoma says his feet are back on the ground as he goes for more World Cup success. The Albion wideman helped Japan to a famous comeback win over Germany. He now waits to see what part he will play against Costa Rica on Sunday. The Central American outfit are reeling from a 7-0 mauling by Spain and Japan can prepare for the last 16 if they win. Mitoma was widely praised for his contribution to the comeback against Germany and had a big part in the equalising goal. He said: “Lots of messages were sent, and it made me very happy, and it is difficult to transition (from that feeling). “But we are professionals, a professional team, and we have a lot of experienced players. This experience helps us a lot.” Mitoma has made it clear he is targeting a first ever quarter-final place for Japan as a minimum from this tournament. Which means there is a long way to go yet. He added: “Everyone has calmed down now. “Of course, I am calmed down now. “We made history, but it is done. We have to be quick to focus on the next game. “The next opponent is a different team, the detail and defence, the quality and the different style of football. “So we have to be ready for another type of preparation and another mentality.” Mitoma’s chances of a start against Germany were hindered by recent illness. Japan could opt to go with a wing-back system, which would open a berth for the Albion man to play down the left from kick-off this time.
Mark Travers Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Mark Travers ‘buzzing’ for Chris Mepham display at World Cup after ‘tough’ Cherries spell #AFCB #Worldcup2022

November 25, 2022
MARK Travers is “buzzing” to see Chris Mepham get a chance to showcase his talents on the world stage, after a “tough” spell out of the Cherries side. While Travers was playing week in, week out as Cherries clinched promotion from the Championship last season, Mepham was often forced to watch on and play a bit-part role. Having been sent off for a costly error in the play-offs the previous season, Mepham began the following campaign in the starting XI under new boss Scott Parker. But he slowly drifted out of the side, utilised as a late substitute to see out games, as Gary Cahill and Lloyd Kelly forged a strong centre-back partnership, before the arrival of Nat Phillips. Mepham made 22 league appearances last season, playing just over 1,000 minutes. He has already eclipsed that tally in his 14 Premier League outings this term. After Phillips and Cahill departed the club and Kelly picked up an injury, it gave the 25-year-old a run in the team. The former Brentford man’s future at the club looked uncertain as he entered the final year of his contract, but his early season form was rewarded with a new deal to extend his stay until 2025. Now, Mepham is in Qatar, competing in the World Cup with Wales. He played the full 90 minutes of Monday’s 1-1 draw with USA and will be hoping to keep his spot for Friday’s crunch clash against Iran (10am). “Massive credit to Meps,” goalkeeper Travers told the Daily Echo. “He has come in this year and been a massive, massive player for us in the centre of defence. “He’s been class. It was obviously tough, he didn’t play much last season, but it just shows you the type of person he is to come in this season and claim his spot in the team and do brilliantly. “So I’m buzzing for the two lads away with Wales. “I’ll be rooting for them, because it will be a tough group but I think they’ll do really well and they’re excited for it.” Travers himself has been on the international stage, making three senior appearances for Republic of Ireland. They failed to qualify for Qatar, finishing third in their group behind Serbia and Portugal. “It would’ve been nice to get to a World Cup, obviously, but hopefully in the future that can happen,” said Travers. “But of course I’m rooting for all the lads really. “We work day in, day out together. “It’s a dream for them (Mepham and Kieffer Moore) to go to a World Cup, so of course you want to see them do well and win games. “It’s really exciting for them.”