Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl’s admits current PL season may need 40 points to survive #SAINTSFC

May 6, 2022
RALPH Hasenhuttl admitted Premier League teams may need “40 or more points” to be safe from relegation this season, while Saints have 40 with just three matches to go. A survival dogfight is happening in the division right below 15th-placed Saints, involving Burnley, Leeds United and Everton. The former two sides are six points behind Hasenhuttl’s Saints, but each have one game in hand on the St Mary’s outfit. The Toffees are eight points below and currently occupy the relegation slot, with two games spare. Although Saints’ points total seems all-but unassailable, all three are in better form – Burnley have won each of their last three, including defeating Saints at Turf Moor. The 1-0 win over Arsenal last month could prove to be enormous (Pic: Stuart Martin) After just one win in nine Premier League matches, Hasenhuttl was asked if they are safe from the drop. He responded: “I think it definitely can be this season that you need 40 or more points (to be safe) for the first time maybe in Premier League history, this is possible. “I don’t know if all three teams at the bottom will pick up more points than we have or will make by the end of the season, I don’t know.” Hasenhuttl added: “It’s not about having the feeling of being safe, we have a chance for getting into the top 10 positions. That’s where we are looking. “We want to have a game against Brentford where we do it better than in the last game against Crystal Palace. Especially in the finish. This gives us then a chance to end up maybe higher in the table.” Saints Foundation raised a record-breaking £130,000 at this year’s charity dinner, including "generous" donations from #SaintsFC and its new owner Dragan Šolak. 👏Guests included Ralph Hasenhuttl, James Ward-Prowse, and Šolak, who flew in from Serbia to attend. pic.twitter.com/DXBHcqyyN0 — Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) May 5, 2022 Up next, Saints travel to Brentford – who are 14th in the table and are level with Hasenhuttl’s charges on 40 points with three matches to go. A win for either side ends all speculation, drags them out of the bottom quarter and potentially sets up a run to finish higher in the table. A loss, depending on results elsewhere, could leave a nervous finish. “Sure, because we then have one and a half weeks break without a game,” Hasenhuttl said. Saints will then welcome Liverpool to St Mary’s, on Tuesday, May 17, before visiting Leicester City for the finale that weekend. “Then we know that we face momentarily the best team in the world and it is not so easy to win against them, but we have no gifts to give so we will look in every game to take as many points as possible.” A message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo. Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website. You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more. Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself. Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News
Manchester-United
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton defender Joel Veltman backs new Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag to succeed #MUFC

May 5, 2022
DEFENDER Joel Veltman believes that new Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag has the qualities to succeed in England when he takes over at Old Trafford. The Dutchman worked with Ten Hag during his time at Ajax over a two-and-a-half year period before he joined Albion in 2020. Veltman said: “You could see Ten Hag’s qualities in the first couple of training sessions. “He had a vision and he wanted to put that into our team and did a great job. “We were playing really well. Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag “Of course, every gaffer needs his time, but he did well in the end. “His strength was bringing everyone together, but also tactically and building a team who were all pulling in the same direction. “He came in halfway during the 2017/18 season and he did a great job, especially in Europe, because that was our next step. “In the league we were doing well – we were champions or second sometimes, but European competition was tough for Ajax. “We made it to a semi-final of the Champions League, so that says how good a job he did.” Veltman believes that there are similar traits between the new boss at Old Trafford to Albion boss Graham Potter. “On the training pitch he was more like a gaffer – the same as Graham Potter to be honest. “The assistant coaches would do more of the exercises and he’s more like looking all over like analysing more than saying, ‘you have to do this or do this.’ “Every gaffer needs to bring through the youth – to bring somebody up and I think that's what he did as well with Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Lijt.”
Lewis Dunk Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton captain Lewis Dunk aiming for strong end to season and get all of 9 remaining points #BHAFC

May 4, 2022
LEWIS DUNK believes that his teammates are aiming for a strong end to the season. The 3-0 thrashing of Wolves on Saturday saw Albion set their new record for Premier League points collected in a single season (44) and it could get even better for the club as there are still three more games to be played. Dunk thinks that the players are keen to make the most of their position which has been made possible after winning 11 points out of 18 in April. The captain told BHAFC: “We’re in a good place at the moment and we want to keep it going right up until the last game – a top-ten finish is definitely something to aim for. “We’ve got some tough games left but there are nine points to play for and we're looking for nine points. “We enjoyed the win over Wolves but it’s back to preparing for Manchester United at the Amex on Saturday. “Let’s take each game on its own and see where we finish up.” The defender was also full of praise for one of the club's “best performances” of the season against Wolves. He said: “We really controlled the game and it was one of our best performances of the season. “We’ve done that quite a few times this season but this time we got the goals as well, so it was a lot less stressful at the end. “But as a defender I also wanted a clean sheet, so it was nice at the end when their shot hit the post. “We set high standards in games and in training and we’ll continue to do so for the last three games.” After Saturday’s Amex date with United, Albion face two sides that they have never lost Premier League games to. The first is an away fixture against relegation threatened Leeds before the season finale at the Amex against West Ham on May 22.
Jay Rodriguez Burnley
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Burnley forward Jay Rodriguez signs new two-year deal at Turf Moor #BURNLEYFC

May 4, 2022
Rodriguez came through the Clarets' youth ranks and rejoined the club in the summer of 2019. The 32-year-old has scored seven goals this season including an important equaliser against Manchester United. “A big thing that’s stood out for me since I’ve been here is the togetherness of the group and how we work for each other," he told the club's website. "We’re all humble and down to earth. You look at the squad and you know you’re going to work extremely hard. “Togetherness is definitely something you notice with the Burnley fans - they are always with you. "They can see you working hard on the pitch, and they’ll be behind you no matter what. “I’ve made many memories so far and hopefully I can make some more soon. "You’ve always got to keep improving in football and make as many memories as you can.” Rodriguez says signing a new deal was "a no brainer" and is excited for the future.  He added: “The club means a lot to me. Having grown up in the area, it is always a pleasure and a privilege to represent Burnley. "So when the club offered the contract, it was a no brainer for me. I couldn’t wait to sign it. “To play for Burnley being a Burnley lad is extra special. To see where the club has come and where it’s at now, I just wanted to be a part of that and I can’t wait for the next chapter at the club.” Clarets on social, plus take out a subscription... Keep up to date with our Burnley coverage on social media by joining us on Facebook and Twitter Gain unlimited access to the Lancashire Telegraph website with a premium digital subscription Or if you want the Telegraph newspaper delivered to your door, get in touch with our home delivery team or call us on 0800 953 0227
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl says English schedule ‘a little strange’ after midweek fixture reschedule due to FA Cup #SAINTSFC

May 3, 2022
RALPH Hasenhuttl admitted the English football schedule “is a little strange” as Saints will now play their final home game of the season midweek due to the FA Cup final. They had been due to host title-challengers Liverpool on Saturday, May 14, but that match has been moved due to the Reds’ qualification for the domestic cup final that same weekend. They will face Chelsea at Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup, and will now visit St Mary’s for Saints’ final home match of the season on a rearranged date of Tuesday, May 17. It is a disappointment for some supporters, who may not be able to make the match due to work or travel commitments but would have otherwise attended on the weekend. “As long as you have the FA Cup blocking game weekends from the Premier League, it will always end up like this that you have an end of season game during the week,” Hasenhuttl said. “It is unique from European leagues, I have not known it before like this. The Premier League sometimes also struggle finding dates for the games so it is not so easy. “I have heard in the past that teams end up with four games in the last week so this is a little bit strange. But if you want to have two cup competitions then it will end up like this, English football wants to see us more often.” The Austrian continued: “It is amazing, I must say, what teams like Liverpool and Man City are doing, you see the games where players are being substituted in the 70th minute when the game is decided and they look like they don’t understand it. “It shows how much they want to play every game and how fit they must be. This is amazing for me, but you as a manager have to take care of them because nobody else does it. “It is amazing what they do, they perform on the highest level and this challenge is one of the characteristics of English football what everybody loves.” Saints have just three matches left of the 2021-22 season, with Premier League visits to Brentford and Leicester City sandwiching the Kop clash. A message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo. Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website. You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more. Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself. Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News
Burnley
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Interim boss Mike Jackson ‘a little embarrassed’ at praise for Burnley revival #BURNLEYFC

May 3, 2022
BURNLEY interim boss Mike Jackson said he felt “a little embarrassed” at being thrust into the spotlight as the Clarets’ revival continued with a 2-1 comeback win at Watford. Saturday’s triumph at Vicarage Road lifted the north-west club five points clear of the Premier League’s bottom three and all but relegated the Hornets, who sit 12 points from safety with four games to go. An early own-goal from James Tarkowski had provided a glimmer of hope for the hosts but Burnley equalised through Jack Cork in the 83rd minute and Josh Brownhill’s strike completed the turnaround three minutes later. The result meant the Clarets have now picked up 10 points from four games since sacking Sean Dyche on April 15, leading to much praise for interim boss Jackson, but he insisted he was not in the job for the plaudits. “I’m not one for the limelight,” he said. “I try to keep low key and just do what I’m doing – stick with the group, keep them honest. I don’t look at it like that (getting plaudits).” “I know that’s what’s happening but sometimes it probably makes me feel a little embarrassed for myself.” Jackson explained that Tarkowski, who captained the side in the absence of Ben Mee, had only joined up with the squad on the morning of the match for family reasons. “We were down in the hotel (on Friday night). He got picked up, got driven straight down, put on the bus and straight in the game,” Jackson said. “That’s his character – what he’s done to get himself here and ready to play. That typifies what he is, what sort of leader he is. For the lads to see him, they knew what had happened, credit to him.” Clarets on social, plus take out a subscription... Keep up to date with our Burnley coverage on social media by joining us on Facebook and Twitter Gain unlimited access to the Lancashire Telegraph website with a premium digital subscription Or if you want the Telegraph newspaper delivered to your door, get in touch with our home delivery team or call us on 0800 953 0227
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl’s gives scathing Southampton assessment after loss against Crystal Palace #SAINTSFC #CPFC

May 1, 2022
RALPH Hasenhuttl declared “maybe we are not good enough” after Saints all-but buried their top-half ambitions with a late 2-1 defeat to mid-table challengers Crystal Palace. Substitute Wilfried Zaha struck in added time after Oriol Romeu and Eberechi Eze goals had cancelled each other out earlier in each half. The result sees Saints drop to 15th in the Premier League with just three matches to go – three points behind the top 10, but with others boasting games in hand. Hasenhuttl delivered a scathing assessment of his side after a dull and disappointing display in the penultimate home contest of the season. “You can see how we conceded the first goal, how easy we give it away,” Hasenhuttl said. “We are in some positions at the moment lacking quality, this is not only for the players who have started but also for the players that are coming on. “They are far away from the level they have shown and this is the reason why we are not good enough to play what we have shown.” He continued: “It’s not bad if you have something like that (Zaha as a substitute), I must say I expect more from my guys coming on. "This is what we are lacking at the moment, Broja is not the same like he has been a few months ago. This is the difference at the moment. "It is very hard to take but this is the realistic thing that we are always coming into this situation that we can make this up and we fail. Maybe there is a reason for that, and maybe because we are not good enough.” The Ivorian international snatched three points from St Mary’s with time running out in the contest, despite receiving the ball with back to goal and a defensive line behind him. A slight touch off Mohammed Salisu helped guide the ball low beyond Fraser Forster, but Hasenhuttl lamented how the situation became a threat in the first place. “We haven’t been exposed, we had fresh players on the pitch and we had a situation where a guy gets the ball around the box with four players around him and can still turn and shoot into the corner,” Hasenhuttl said. “For me, this is not really a goal situation. Not something where I think, ‘this is getting dangerous’, and we concede a goal. “I can speak about everything, the shape – the key is that we hardly win games when you concede two goals and that is a fact, and what is different from other home wins this season.” A message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo. Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website. You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more. Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself. Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl insists Crystal Palace were ‘not really that good’ after winning against Southampton #SAINTSFC #CPFC

May 1, 2022
RALPH Hasenhuttl admitted frustration that “the opponent was not really that good today” yet Saints still slipped to a 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace. Oriol Romeu headed Saints into an early lead but a second-half goal by Eberechi Eze presented substitute Wilfried Zaha with the chance to net the winner in added time. It was a flat contest but Palace were the team that looked like threatening following the interval, with Stuart Armstrong the only Saints player who had an opportunity to score – blazing over in the final 10 minutes. The visitors registered 61 per cent possession, six more shots and an additional corner to Saints. However, Hasenhuttl felt the match was there for the taking. “I think we didn’t see a very good game today,” he said, speaking after the match. “Two teams who haven’t played on their highest level. “The little better one, if you want the team with a little better subs today, made the difference. For us, a very disappointing day because we had a big chance after a good start but couldn’t hold the level. “The level is a bit much to say, there wasn’t much of a level to this game, but by the end you can still win it and this is the most disappointing part.” Hasenhuttl continued: “We have full knowledge that we can play much better football than we are doing at the moment, we have shown that this season. “Also the opponent was not really that good today but at the moment all teams are looking for results and we couldn’t manage it today, it’s not nice to watch and this is the disappointing thing for me.” A message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo. Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website. You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more. Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself. Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News
Burnley
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Burnley interim boss Mike Jackson credits confidence for Watford victory #BURNLEYFC

May 1, 2022
INTERIM Burnley boss Mike Jackson insisted there has been “no magic wand” after his side’s impressive climb up the table continued with a 2-1 comeback victory at Watford. The Clarets’ fightback lifted the club five points clear of the bottom three and all-but relegated their opponents, who sit 12 points from safety with four games to go. The result confirmed Norwich’s relegation. An own goal from James Tarkowski had provided a glimmer of hope for the Hornets but Burnley found a late leveller, with Jack Cork heading in an 83rd-minute equaliser before Josh Brownhill’s strike completed the turnaround for the visitors. Burnley have now won three games in a row and Jackson insisted he has not done anything special to secure those victories. “I would say that (it’s just about confidence),” Jackson said. “I’d say you get those results, you get that more belief, a bit more feeling about yourself and the group starts to come together, they know what’s at stake and obviously everything builds with that. “There’s been no magic wand whatsoever, it’s just reminding the players who they are and making sure they stick together as a group, stay honest, look after each other and that’s the way we try to do it.” Since parting company with Sean Dyche Burnley’s turnaround has been remarkable, with the Clarets taking 10 points from four games. Jackson credits his side’s togetherness for their fight from 1-0 down to winning 2-1. He added: “I think you can see obviously you get the first goal and the second goal as well and it’s just mayhem, but that’s this group, that’s what they do – people give them criticism for other things but what you can never criticise them for is that team spirit and that togetherness which means a lot.”