Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton striker #FlorinAndone joins Cadiz on loan #BHAFC

August 24, 2021
Florin Andone has joined Cadiz on loan for the rest of the season. The striker tied up details, including a medical, today. Head coach Graham Potter said: “This represents a good move for all parties, with the potential for Florin to play regular football, something he hasn’t had the chance to do in the last year or so due to injury. “He has worked really hard on his rehabilitation, is ready to play and now wants to be playing regularly. GRAHAM POTTER'S CARDIFF V BRIGHTON PRESS CONFERENCE "We wish him well for the loan spell and the season ahead in La Liga.” The loan could lead to a more permanent deal for the former Deportivo La Coruna frontman.  
Adam Armstrong
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #AdamArmstrong reflects on his Manchester United performance #MUFC #SAINTSFC

August 24, 2021
ADAM Armstrong has impressed his new fans within two Premier League games at the club thanks to a high-intensity pressing game, but has admitted “you’re not always going to put chances away.” The 24-year-old forward netted with a brilliant finish during Saints’ opening weekend defeat to Everton, however he could have added more to his total during the Manchester United contest. The former Newcastle man had two golden chances in as many minutes, directing a one-on-one strike at David De Gea before heading into the ground with a tight-angled open goal moments later, after a corner had been nodded on in his direction. But regardless, Armstrong’s ability has shown and he had laid off Che Adams to strike from the edge of the area in the first-half – only being denied the assist officially after the goal was instead awarded to Red Devils midfielder Fred. Read more Ralph Hasenhuttl claims depth in Southampton squad is vital Saints' Hasenhuttl warns against Tino Livramento expectation Southampton will sign transfer but Hasenhuttl tight-lipped The speedy striker has played a pivotal role and looks raring to go on his return to the English top-flight. Speaking to the Daily Echo about the missed opportunities, he gave an honest reflection, saying: “Yeah, you know as a striker you’re always going to get chances, but you’re not always going to put them away. Adam Armstrong had opened his Premier League account at Everton “It’s just how you react, it’s something that I’m going to have them things in game. “But it means that when I put them away it’ll be a nice feeling and I can’t wait to get going.” The ex-Toon attacker will be looking forward to another St James’ Park return at the weekend, in Saints’ next Premier League fixture. Up next is a midweek (Wednesday 25) trip to League Two outfit Newport County in the EFL Cup and after he and Adams both just played a full ninety, it’s almost certain Armstrong will be rested for the first time. With a long season ahead, Armstrong isn't worried about setting targets for himself, saying: "Like I said before, I don’t really set goals or objectives of where I want to get to. "I just take every game as it comes, try and perform on the day and see where it takes me."
Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #GrahamPotter warns Brighton it is just the start after back-to-back wins #BHAFC

August 23, 2021
Graham Potter was glad to see his side pick up back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time this season, but warned them it is only a start. Albion beat Watford 2-0 at the Amex yesterday evening, which meant it was the first time in the Premier League that they have won their opening two games of the campaign. Prior to today’s match the Seagulls are just one of two sides to have a 100% record along with Liverpool, which sees them sit second in the table. However, Potter has warned his players that it is only a start with a tough Carabao Cup second round tie at Championship Cardiff on Tuesday, before they then face Everton at the Amex on Saturday. He said: “It is a nice start there is no denying that because back-to-back wins are so hard to come by in this league away at Burnley and then at home here is really good for us. But it is only a start and six points. “As we know you can go a long time before you get six points, but it gives us a start. “We play the EFL Cup on Tuesday, which will be important for the group and then we have to get ready for another tough game here against Everton.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #OleGunnarSolskjaer thinks Saints’ goal was a foul and should have been chalked off #MUFC

August 23, 2021
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer claimed Saints’ opener should have been ruled out for a foul during the press, saying: “We can’t go from one extreme from volleyball or basketball last year to rugby now.” Jack Stephens stole the ball off United’s Portuguese dynamo Bruno Fernandes with a forceful challenge that then saw Moussa Djenepo, Adam Armstrong and Che Adams link up for the opener. Although Mason Greenwood would eventually peg back the home side and see the points shared evenly, the Norwegian boss insists he was left disappointed by the lack of decision and his side’s reaction. Speaking after the match, he said: ”We should do better, if you don’t get a foul you should make sure you block the shots, put your body on the line and make sure they don’t get a strike on target. Read more Greenwood grabs leveller for United as Saints take a point Ralph Hasenhuttl pleased with changed Southampton formation Southampton FC to give fans refunds after ticket and turnstile issues “That being said it’s a foul, he’s gone straight though his hip with his own hip and his arm across him. “I’m a bit, not worried, but we have to look at it and we can’t go from one extreme from volleyball or basketball last year to rugby now. “I like the lenient way it’s more men’s football but that is a clear foul. “That being said, early on with the fans as well it gets the crowd going when you fly into tackles and that was part of the thinking early on.” The refereeing in the Premier League so far this season has allowed for more leniency and a better flowing game, while also introducing new rules to keep refs on the lookout for players ‘buying’ fouls. As such, you won’t see as many fouls awarded when a player has left a deliberate trailing leg, for example. Saints’ boss Ralph Hasenhuttl thinks it goes both ways though, saying: “I actually seen a lot of other things where we didn’t get given a foul so if you want to hang it up on this one situation I don’t see this. “I was always fan of let things run and yeah, this is the Premier League. “It’s not for me to say, but in this moment we have been the team getting the benefit for an aggressive attack. Because we play an active passing style I am always happy when not every single touch is immediately a foul. “This is what the Premier League was famous for, for a long time.”
Sean Dyche Burnley
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #SeanDyche admits that Clarets failed to find killer moment after Liverpool defeat #BURNLEYFC

August 23, 2021
Sean Dyche believes Burnley have to 'tidy up the details' after slipping to a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool. While the Clarets boss was happy with his side's overall performance - and thought Burnley should have had a penalty - it is now two defeats out of two for Burnley. Burnley enjoyed a famous 1-0 win on their last visit to Anfield but a goal in each half from Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane sealed victory for Jurgen Klopp's men. “I thought overall it was a decent performance," said Dyche whose side return to action in the EFL Cup at Newcastle on Wednesday. “Tough place to come, it is generally, but obviously with the crowd back in, the noise and feel of it. I thought the players handled that really well. “I thought we should have had a penalty on Dwight McNeil, but we know our record for them. “We have to tidy up the details, at both ends, because we had chances again today and didn’t quite find that killer moment, but there’s certainly the right energy and feel about the group at the minute.” The Clarets, who were beaten 2-1 at home by Brighton on the opening weekend of the season, caused the hosts some problems but could not prevent another defeat. Early in the first half, Jota sent a third-minute header wide and Burnley – wearing numbers one to 11 on their shirts in a throwback to the past – appeared to go close as Dwight McNeil drilled a shot against the post, only for the flag to go up for offside. Alisson Becker saved a header from Chris Wood in the 17th minute, and McNeil then went down in the Liverpool box under pressure from Trent Alexander-Arnold, with referee Mike Dean saying no penalty. Moments later the Reds were in front as Jota connected with Kostas Tsimikas’ delivery from the left and headed home. Alisson was called into action again soon after, getting down to push away a McNeil strike, before Mohamed Salah saw an effort turned behind by Pope and Virgil Van Dijk headed over from the resulting corner. Salah then thought he had doubled the advantage in the 26th minute, being fed by Harvey Elliott – the 18-year-old making his first Premier League start – and stroking a shot into the corner of the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside following a VAR check. Mane and Naby Keita saw efforts go off-target as the hosts continued to search for a second goal, before Alisson was beaten to the ball at the other end by James Tarkowski, whose header bounced wide. Burnley had the ball in the Liverpool net shortly after the break via Ashley Barnes’ finish, but again an assistant referee’s flag was raised to signal offside. As Liverpool continued to pressurise, Salah saw his low strike kept out by a fine block from McNeil on the hour mark. Mane was then twice denied by Pope before beating the England goalkeeper to put Liverpool 2-0 up, firing home after the ball had been worked from Elliott to Alexander-Arnold and on to him. Burnley: Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Gudmundsson (Pieters 79), Brownhill, Cork, McNeil; Wood (Rodriguez 75), Barnes. Substitutes: Hennessey, Norris, Collins, Bardsley, Thomas, Richardson, Dodgson. Liverpool: Becker; Alexander-Arnold; Matip, van Dijk, Tsmikas (Gomez 90) Elliott, Henderson, Keita (Thiago 81); Salah, Jota (Firmino 81), Mane. Substitutes: Adrian, Kelleher, Konate, Jones, Minamino, Robertson.
Gao Jisheng Southampton Owner
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Saints apologise to fans after entry and ticket chaos #SAINTSFC

August 23, 2021
SOUTHAMPTON Football Club has issued an apology to fans after “unacceptable” delays caused some fans to miss kick-off on Sunday. A statement posted on the club’s website said it will start work “immediately” with its access partner to “fully understand the reason for this delayed entry and the solutions to avoid a repetition.” Fans also experienced issues with collecting tickets on Saturday with some queuing for hours outside St Mary’s stadium. Here’s the statement issued by managing director Toby Steele in full: “Further to our communications during the game against Manchester United this afternoon, the club would like to once again apologise for the ticketing and entry issues which many fans experienced. "The club has already started a full investigation into today’s turnstile entry issue, where our initial assessment is that the scanning of tickets took significantly longer per person than we experienced in our recent pre-season matches and our own behind-closed-doors testing. "We will start work immediately with our access partner to fully understand the reasons for this delayed entry and the solutions to avoid a repetition. "Please rest assured that the club views these stadium entry delays as unacceptable. "Regarding the delayed receipt of Season Tickets by certain purchasers, once again please accept our apologies. Although many fans did receive their Season Tickets in time, we accept that the delay or non-arrival caused an unnecessary anxious wait for some fans. "Again, the club does not view this as acceptable and the delays we experienced with our supplier of the physical card is, whilst not something we could ultimately influence, a matter we take responsibility for and must ensure does not happen again. "Today’s ticketing and entry issues were not the start we wanted to the 2021/22 season from a fan experience point of view. We know you have waited 16 months to be at a full stadium of Saints fans getting behind the team and today’s issues will have tainted that experience for a large number of you. "Consequently, we will be giving all general admission ticket holders (both Season Ticket holders and individual match purchasers) a refund for today’s game (a credit will be given to Season Ticket holders’ accounts). "Due to the volume of refunds, please bear with us while we process all transactions. "Once again, on behalf of the club, please accept our apologies if your matchday was affected by today’s ticketing and entry issues. "Thank you for your amazing backing of the team today and continued support at St Mary’s."
Sean Dyche Burnley
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories-Burnley boss #SeanDyche reveals approach for Liverpool game #LFC #BurnleyFC

August 21, 2021
Burnley boss Sean Dyche thinks his side’s best form of defence against Liverpool at Anfield is to attack. The Clarets’ recent record on Merseyside reads better than most, with a victory and two draws from their last five visits – including last season’s 1-0 win which ended the Reds’ 68-game unbeaten home run. Dyche admits it is a big ask for his team to repeat the success they had in January – but not impossible. “I don’t think our win there last time will make us more optimistic, we caught them at a very good time and we played very well,” he said. “Last season they had some injuries, lost (Virgil) Van Dijk who is a Rolls-Royce player, and we maybe caught them at a slower period and earned the right to win a game. That is the equation you need. We will have to have the same equation, but there is no guarantee of doing that again. “It is about how many attacking options you can find and how many different ways you can attack, or attack enough, to put doubt in the opposition. It is not an easy task but that is certainly part of our intention on Saturday.” Burnley have won away at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United over the last two seasons. “Often in these types of games the best form of defence is attack, but we have to get the mixture right to give ourselves a chance,” said Dyche, whose side began the campaign with a home defeat to Brighton last weekend. “We’ve just got to concentrate on what we do, focus on what we do, work very, very hard – as you always have to at these clubs – and once again, try to turn around the kind of thinking from most in football that you’re going to get beat.” “We’ve done that before, but it comes with hard work, it comes with organisation, it comes with discipline, and it comes with talent as well. He added: “It is very tough going to these places and winning games. You have to work hard. When you have the ball you have to optimise and maximise the chances.” Dyche will have an unchanged squad for the trip to Anfield. Midfielder Dale Stephens and defender Kevin Long both missed the opening-day defeat to Brighton and they will remain absent as they continue their recoveries following surgery. Phil Bardsley is fit again after his hernia operation and the full-back will hope to play, having been a substitute last weekend.
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #RalphHasenhuttl reveals his confidence that #JamesWardProwse will stay with Southampton #SAINTSFC

August 21, 2021
MANAGER Ralph Hasenhuttl insisted he never thought James Ward-Prowse could leave Saints – and believes he is on the path to become a legend at the club. Ward-Prowse on Thursday committed his future to the south coast side by signing a fresh five-year contract to remain at St Mary’s. It put an end to speculation over his future, with the Daily Echo understanding Saints turned down a £25million bid from Aston Villa for him last month. Hasenhuttl saw the likes of Danny Ings and Jannik Vestergaard exit St Mary’s to Villa and Leicester respectively. But the Austrian boss explained how Ward-Prowse, who also signed a long-term contract in 2020, was a different scenario. Quizzed about his captain’s new deal, the manager said: “I have never had the thought he could leave us to be honest. “It is the completely different situation to Ings and Vestergaard where we knew that the power was moving to the player.” Asked whether getting Ward-Prowse to sign fresh terms also sent a statement that Saints could keep their best players, Hasenhuttl replied: “Definitely, yes. “As we said, we are a club that develops players and we will always be a club that also sells players at some point and we always will be in the future. “But this also happens to the very big clubs, so it is not about that we are at the other end of this level. “This is okay, sometimes it is hard for the fans to see players leave. For me also, I would like to have Danny here for the next five years here. “But sometimes players decide to make the next step and not to decide to be a legend for the club and when you have to accept that as a manager then you must keep on going. “There are new players coming in and hopefully you have the right choice and then you bring a new one in and he is a new hero for the fans.” Ward-Prowse has already made 323 first-team appearances for Saints, becoming only the 28th player in club history, and the 19th of the post-war era, to surpass 300 games. Earlier this year he became the first midfielder in Premier League history to complete successive seasons without missing a minute of action. Quizzed on whether Ward-Prowse is, or could be, a Saints legend, the manager said: “Yes, he decided to go this way. “That doesn't mean that he stays here forever but when you are that long at a club you get a special position in the club and in the heart of the fans. “I think this is sometimes what players don't see, you can earn a lot of money anywhere but you have seldom chance to become a legend I think. “When you have this chance, it is too often not important enough for the players anymore, maybe this was a little bit different in the past.” Ward-Prowse is expected to feature when the St Mary’s side face Manchester United on Sunday (2pm).