Patrick Bamford
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #MarceloBielsa hails the dedication of #PatrickBamford after striking against Saints #SAINTSFC

May 20, 2021
MARCELO Bielsa insisted goalscorer Patrick Bamford will be positive about his season even if it does not end in England selection following Leeds’ 2-0 win at Saints. The game looked to be heading for a draw until Bamford poked the ball through the legs of Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy to give his side a 73rd-minute lead. The striker had only one top-flight goal to his name before this season, despite spells at Crystal Palace, Norwich, Burnley and Middlesbrough, with his solitary strike coming for the latter against Southampton in May 2017. Tuesday’s goal at St Mary’s was Bamford’s 16th of the season and does no harm to his chances of securing a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the Euros. Substitute Tyler Roberts then sealed victory in added time when he tapped the ball into the back of the net. “Patrick had a very generous performance with a lot of effort and he’s had a season in which he’s shone and I’m sure he’ll be very positive about the campaign he’s had, be what may,” Bielsa said. “Everything that he’s achieved this season is because of the dedication and effort that he’s put in to show off his abilities.” Victory on the south coast guarantees a top-10 finish for Leeds following last season’s promotion. On Roberts’ first Premier League goal, the Leeds boss added: “I was happy that he scored because he had played many games and hadn’t managed to do it. “The team in the second half looked a lot more like the team that it is.”
Sean Dyche Burnley
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Burnley boss #SeanDyche on progress and club’s ambitions #BURNLEYFC

May 20, 2021
Sean Dyche has insisted that staying at Burnley would not represent a lack of ambition as he is once again linked with Premier League rivals. The 49-year-old is high on the bookies’ shortlist of candidates to replace Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace following confirmation that the former England boss will step down this summer. Dyche declined to be drawn on the speculation but said he expected to hold talks with the Burnley board on a new contract in the coming weeks as he nears the last 12 months of his existing deal. Having worked under financial restraints at Turf Moor for so long, securing what will be a sixth-consecutive season of Premier League football next term despite a relative lack of resources, Dyche could be forgiven for having his head turned. But he insisted it was not as simple as all that. “It depends how you measure ambition,” he said. “People could say sticking at Burnley is not ambitious but the work that has been done here is enormous. The club is a massively different club to the one I walked in to. “That is not just down to me obviously, it’s down to lots of people. That’s ambition – to build a club – but it’s a different kind of ambition. “People think it’s about just purely trying to go to the top of the game, to win trophies, and of course that’s the name of the game, but there’s more behind that. “The number of jobs created here, the feel-good factor around the town, the recognition that the whole town gets here, that’s all ambition too. That’s meant a lot around these parts and I don’t lose sight of that… “You can have all the ambition you want but you need the opportunity and I’ve got a good opportunity here to continue with these ambitions, to continue growing this club, and to see where this goes.” While the exact ambitions of the ownership group who bought Burnley at the turn of the year are not yet clear, there is certainly hope that the club will soon be setting their sights higher than simple survival. Their place in the Premier League for next season was secured with victory at Fulham last Monday, but results at Turf Moor remain disappointing. The 4-0 defeat to Leeds on Saturday was a club record ninth top-flight home game without a win – and few will back them to end that run when 3,500 fans return for Wednesday night’s match against Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s side have perhaps been feeling the pressure of their Champions League chase, needing Alisson Becker’s dramatic last-minute header to win 2-1 on Sunday. Asked if he had been working on defending against goalkeepers from corners as a result, Dyche laughed. “I’d have seen him off, don’t worry about that,” he said. “It was a great finish though. “It’s not that easy when the keeper comes up last minute. I don’t know if you expect (West Brom manager Sam Allardyce) to get his iPad out, ‘Right, we planned on this’. I don’t think the manager can be blamed for that one.”  
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories – Burnley boss #SeanDyche does not want to think about moving to other clubs and explains his satisfaction at Burnley #BurnleyFC

May 19, 2021
Burnley manager Sean Dyche has indicated he expects to hold talks over a new contract at the club in the coming weeks. With one year left on his existing deal, speculation over Dyche’s future is sure to ramp up following confirmation that Roy Hodgson will leave Crystal Palace this summer, but the Clarets’ owners ALK Capital are keen to keep the 49-year-old. “I made it clear the main focus for me was making sure we were in the Premier League,” said Dyche, who should now find his negotiating position strengthened considerably. “Now that’s achieved, it’s different on that score, so I’m sure over the coming weeks they will be speaking to me. They’ve certainly mentioned that they want to.” In his eight-and-a-half years at Turf Moor, Dyche has twice guided Burnley to promotion to the Premier League, and next season will be a sixth consecutive campaign in the top flight. Dyche guided Burnley into Europe three years ago, and has defied the club’s financial restraints to establish them in the top flight. The attraction of leaving for better-funded employers could potentially lure Dyche, frequently linked with jobs elsewhere, though following the takeover over Burnley by Alan Pace’s investment group earlier this year, the picture appears to be changing for the better. “I’ve always maintained the same thought: Eventually things in football change,” Dyche said when asked if he was happy at Burnley. “I’m always flattered by any links because I respect the whole of football. I played through my career up and down the levels of football, smaller clubs, bigger clubs, etc etc, so my respect has always been there. “My role here is still what it is, I’m working hard, I think that’s been shown this season with myself, my staff and my players and I never lose sight of that. Things can change in the future, who knows? You can’t guarantee things in football. “It’s not easy to plan a future in football – doors open and doors close. At the moment I’m still the Burnley manager. I must have said that down these eight and a half years a number of times.” Dyche has declared this season a success with safety assured despite a lengthy injury list, but the odds will be against them ending what is already a club-record run of nine home top-flight games without a win when they host Champions League-chasing Liverpool tonight. England goalkeeper Nick Pope could again be missing with a knee injury after sitting out Saturday’s 4-0 home defeat to Leeds, with Robbie Brady, Kevin Long, Phil Bardsley and Dale Stephens all ruled out. Injuries have hit Burnley hard this term after a lack of investment across previous transfer windows even as the contracts of several first-team players were allowed to run down. A willingness to address that could be key to the club’s chances of persuading Dyche to extend his stay. “We’ve got to make sure we’re securing the right players, and then looking outside of our group to secure players too,” Dyche said. “I think any work we can that benefits the team is a major plus. It is tricky. We do have open lines of communication here with all our players and their agents, and trying to recruit is a tricky side of the industry – probably the toughest. “That’s part of the challenge. We’ve been down this road before and we’re going to go down this road again.”
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories – #RalphHasenhuttl admits Southampton had no answer to Leeds playing style in 2nd half #LUFC #SaintsFC

May 19, 2021
MANAGER Ralph Hasenhuttl admitted Saints failed to find another gear in the second half as they fell to a 2-0 home defeat to Leeds United The hosts had a good number of chances in the opening period against Marcelo Bielsa’s side – and even hit the woodwork from a James Ward-Prowse free-kick early in the second half. But Hasenhuttl was left to ponder defeat in front of the 8,000 returning Saints fans in attendance. Patrick Bamford put Leeds in front on 73 minutes before Tyler Roberts slotted home a second in stoppage time. Hasenhuttl said: “I think it was a very good first half from us but without the final goal – which was absolutely possible I think. “We cannot play much better than we did for the first half. It was against a physically strong team – we were only dominating. “But in the second half, you can say that very often, it is normal that the opponent had more chances. “I didn’t have the feeling that we gave a lot of chances away in the second half but you could feel they had another gear that we didn’t find. “It was tough, it was tight and finally we hadn’t been the team who scored after a lot of goals we scored in the past here. “We have been a little bit closer to them, like the last game but still not enough.”
Che Adams
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories – #RalphHasenhuttl reveals #CheAdams was taken off at half time due to injury #SaintsFC

May 19, 2021
BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl revealed frontman Che Adams was forced off against Leeds United at St Mary’s due to a slight injury. The Scotland international was replaced by Danny Ings at the interval, despite fashioning a couple of chances against Marcelo Bielsa’s side. The former Birmingham frontman twice worked keeper Kiko Casilla in front of the returning 8,000 Saints supporters before having to be replaced. Saints went on to lose 2-0 with Patrick Bamford and Tyler Roberts on target for the visitors in the second half. Asked about replacing Adams at the break, Hasenhuttl said: “It was a little bit of a groin problem. “He gave us the signal that he could not go on. I think he was also tired. “Saturday-Tuesday and, again, against a team that is physically very strong.” Adams has played 45 times for club and country this season, scoring 10 goals.
Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #GrahamPotter is unsure what to expect as Albion fans return to the Amex #BHAFC

May 18, 2021
Albion head coach Graham Potter is not sure what to expect when fans return to the Amex tomorrow night to see them face the Premier League champions Manchester City (7pm). 8,000 Seagulls supporters will be in attendance as they face Pep Guardiola’s side in their penultimate game of the season. However, Potter knows it is going to be a momentous ocassion. He said: "It is (going to be a good day). "It's going to be strange, emotional I don’t know how it is going to be. "We have been away from the supporters for so long, you don't even get a feel for what they think really but we have just been trying to carry on winning games and we have missed that feedback you usually get with them in the ground “Supporters have made it quite clear when they are not happy and when they are happy and that is the beauty of football. "So we have missed that a lot and I don't think we could have asked for a better game to play to be honest. “Man City, the champions, the best team and hopefully everyone can come down and enjoy live football, which is wonderful." Potter was asked if he has had to remind his players about playing the game and not the occasion? To which he replied: "Well I think they are human beings, that have missed the crowd for a long time and we hope there is that connection between the fans and the players because that is the best thing about football. “You only have to see how the home advantage has disappeared without them a crowd pretty much which does not surprise me at all. “We hope that when we get there we can play well enough to get the crowd into the game. “I’m sure they will be supportive, but it helps them if we play well. So that is what we will try to do. “The emotion of the crowd and the emotion of the game is something we have missed. "So that is going to be interesting to see because both teams will have to adapt to the crowd again because we have been without them for so long and that is going to be interesting to factor that no one knows how it is going to go.
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #RalphHasenhuttl reveals double injury boost for Saints #SAINTSFC

May 18, 2021
BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl revealed Oriol Romeu had a chance to feature when Saints host Leeds United in the Premier League tomorrow (6pm). The Spaniard had been out of action with a fractured ankle, sustained in the reverse fixture between the sides at Elland Road back in February. But despite previously thinking the midfielder’s season was over, Hasenhuttl revealed the former Barcelona and Chelsea ace had been back in training. Asked for an update on Romeu, the manager told the Daily Echo: “He trained yesterday (Sunday) the first time with the team and does it today (Monday) again. “After such a long break, I think there is not a risk with his injury – this is good so far, I think. “It more depends how fit he is. It’s an opportunity for the bench also. We must have a look, yeah.” He added: “We must handle it carefully but I'd like to have him in the squad, even on the bench. We must have a look at how his body reacts after training, then we can make a decision.” The Saints boss also confirmed defender Jan Bednarek was set to return after overcoming a heel injury. Bednarek missed his first game of the season due to the problem and was sitting in the stands for Saturday’s 3-1 win over Fulham. "He has no problems anymore with his heel,” said Hasenhuttl. “He will be in the squad, yes."
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #RalphHasenhuttl believes return of fans will be ‘massive’ for Saints #SAINTSFC

May 18, 2021
BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl insisted tomorrow’s return of fans to St Mary’s will be “an amazing atmosphere” as Saints end their home schedule against Leeds United. The south coast side will welcome back 8,000 of their supporters to the ground following the easing of the government’s coronavirus restrictions. Saints last had fans in attendance back in December when the government’s COVID-19 tier system was in place. But following another national lockdown, Hasenhuttl expressed his emotion when asked what it would be like to have live spectators returning. He said: “There is no question that football is nothing without fans. “I mean it was too long now missing them and we are really absolutely happy that we get 8,000 now. “It will be an amazing atmosphere I think because 8,000 is huge, a huge number, because I think last time we had 2,000 and there was also a very good feeling. “So 8,000 will be massive for us and a good first step, so as not to overload us with emotions, I think. “This is a special moment for every player, I think, and especially when you start it with a home game I think it can definitely push you, yes.” Saints were beaten 3-0 by Leeds when they travelled to Elland Road back in February. Second-half goals from Patrick Bamford, Stuart Dallas and Raphinha paved the way for Marcelo Bielsa’s troops. But Hasenhuttl, whose side overcame Sheffield United in front of their supporters earlier this season, would love to reward the Saints faithful with another success. “It was also against Sheffield when we won at home 3-0, it was an amazing moment for us,” said the Austrian boss. “It’s a completely different situation if you win a game and celebrate together with the fans. “It’s definitely something completely different. “It will be also on the pitch be a different stressing situation because it’s louder, it’s noisier but I hope we get the support from them that helps us to be in the end physically stronger than the opponent. “I think It's important for us to show our better face in the final games of the season. “That helps us definitely for maybe ending up in a position and also having a better pre-season.”
Mateusz Klich
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #MarceloBielsa reveals two Leeds stars that will be left out against Saints #LUFC

May 18, 2021
ROBIN Koch and Mateusz Klich will not feature again for Leeds this season after head coach Marcelo Bielsa revealed the pair have been granted early leave to boost their hopes of being involved in the European Championship. A minor hip complaint meant Koch was absent for Saturday’s 4-0 victory over Burnley and Bielsa is wary of taking an unnecessary risk with the defender and possibly jeopardising his potential participation with Germany this summer. Koch – whose first season at Leeds has been disrupted by knee surgery, sidelining him for several months – is therefore not under consideration for Tuesday’s trip to Saints or the visit of West Brom this weekend. Klich, who opened the scoring at Turf Moor, has no injury concerns but Bielsa insisted he is taking what he feels is the best course of action for the Polish midfielder. “Koch has been given early leave with the potential for him to be called up or not called up to the German national team,” Bielsa said ahead of the visit to St Mary’s. “I don’t know whether he’s going to be called up to the German national team or not. It’s just that he has a small niggle and we didn’t want to run the risk of a small niggle being aggravated into something bigger. “The injury that he has is not important and we didn’t want to take the risk of him playing and making it worse so we anticipated his holidays in the same way we did so for Klich. “(Klich) is not injured. The evaluations that I make over the campaign are for the needs of each player and in the case of Klich, the decision I made was the most favourable one for him.” Bielsa, who revealed Pablo Hernandez could return at St Mary’s, saw his side collect their fifth win in their last eight matches, banishing any notion that their approach could result in burnout towards the end of the season. They are poised for a top-half finish in their first season back in the Premier League ahead of their penultimate game at Saints, whose results took a downward turn at the start of 2021 after a strong start to the campaign. “(Saints) is a team who is in a different position in the table with regards to the performances they have had,” Bielsa said. “They have a group of players who are very capable and they didn’t finish higher up in the table because they had a phase of nine or 10 games that was negative. “But the level of the team is superior to the position they find themselves in the table.”
Fraser Forster
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #FraserFoster and other Saints players excited to see fans return to St Mary’s #SAINTSFC

May 18, 2021
SAINTS players are excited to see supporters finally return to St Mary's tomorrow evening after five long months away. A limited number of fans were permitted for two home matches in December, when Saints beat Sheffield United before losing to Manchester City. But after tighter coronavirus restrictions were subsequently introduced, no supporters have been allowed in to St Mary's since. That will all change tomorrow night, with 8,000 permitted for the visit of Leeds United, Saints' final home game of the season. "Obviously it will be huge to have the fans back in," goalkeeper Fraser Forster told the Daily Echo. "It will be fantastic. It’s been a long season so having the fans back will be great and hopefully we can put in a good performance for them in that game." Nathan Tella notched his first senior Saints goal in front of the empty St Mary's stands on Saturday, in a 3-1 win over Fulham. Looking ahead to the prospect of adding to his tally with supporters in attendance on Tuesday night, Tella said: "If I can get another goal it would be a great feeling. "I’m just happy that the fans are going to be back, because they're massive. Bring on Tuesday!"
Nathan Tella
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #NathanTella dedicates first Premier League strike to his late grandfather #SaintsFC

May 18, 2021
GOALSCORER Nathan Tella dedicated his first Premier League strike to his late grandfather, adding: “That was my first thought once the ball hit the back of the net.” Tella was the star of the show as Saints beat Fulham 3-1 at St Mary’s on Saturday. The 21-year-old came off the bench and just two minutes later slotted home his first Saints goal, on his 21st appearance for the club’s senior side. Asked if there was anybody in particular he would dedicate such a special moment in his career to, Tella told the Daily Echo: “My grandad. He passed away a couple of weeks ago, but him really. “That was my first thought once the ball hit the back of the net. I thought of my family, I thought of him and I know he’s just proud of me and I am dedicating that goal to him.” Tella’s strike came in Saints’ final behind-closed-doors game of the season, with supporters set to return on Tuesday, when Leeds United visit St Mary’s. “Of course I wanted my family here,” said the Stevenage-born ace. “But knowing my mum, she would’ve screamed so loud the whole stadium would’ve known that it was her son that had scored! “Perhaps she did it at home. It’s a great feeling.” Speaking last month, Tella said he had been getting advice off his team-mates, telling him not to worry about the wait for his first Saints goal. But he admits he was relieved to finally break the duck. He said: “Yeah, it’s been a long time! I’ve had chances this season but I’ve known even myself I’ve got to be so much better than that. “But (on Saturday) I’m just thankful that it was able to go in the back of the net, I’m just delighted. It’s just an amazing and unforgettable experience. I’m so happy.” Asked what was going through his mind when the ball came across from Kyle Walker-Peters for him to tap home, Tella added: “Just get the right contact. Che (Adams) put one into me against Leicester and I just completely fluffed my lines when I was thinking too much about the goal and not the contact. “But (on Saturday) as it came in, my first thought was contact and try and get it into the goal. “I just feel happy that I was able put it in the back of the net and just thankful for Kyle for getting the ball into that area.”