Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Graham Potter breaks down changes in Brighton’s tactical plan to win games #BHAFC

May 22, 2022
Graham Potter has – and it something he has enjoyed. The Seagulls have had a new look ever since going to Arsenal six weeks ago. They had just lost six in a row and drawn at home to Norwich, scoring one goal in those seven matches, as they arrived at the Emirates. Potter confused a few people that day when the team sheets were published. But a line-up packed with midfielders, with three defenders and allowing Danny Welbeck to stretch play in attack has worked well. Wins at Arsenal and Tottenham on successive Saturdays revived what had been a flagging season. Potter actually changed again and went for a false No.9, in Alexis Mac Allister, at Spurs. But he reverted to the Arsenal masterplan when Welbeck went on at half-time. Since then, the Seagulls have outclassed Wolves and Manchester United, with six different players sharing seven goals. They should have also been out of sight at Leeds before being pegged back to a 1-1 draw and there was some good stuff at home to Southampton, only to let a 2-0 lead slip. Potter broke down the new look to his side for The Argus and offered some thoughts as to why it has worked. The run has come ever since Moises Caicedo was added to the midfield collective. Welbeck has been a key man at the sharp end. Potter said: “Danny’s attributes threaten the back line of defenders and also give you the chance to go long if they are putting pressure on you because of his aerial ability. “That is one consideration. “I suppose it started with Moises and Enock (Mwepu) and Yves (Bissouma) in midfield just for a bit of physicality against Arsenal and against Tottenham. “Marc Cucurella has grown and grown in terms of he is really good when he comes on to the game. “Even though he is a left centre-back, he can step in and attack from there. “But then you need to be solid in the midfield area because you are short of a defending player if he has gone forward. “So it’s just about finding the right balance. “Inverted wing-backs allow you to play sometimes centrally from the wide area rather than crossing positions so that gives you a few more possibilities. “All the concepts we have been working on throughout the season, I think, have stayed the same. It’s just finding the right balance for the right game. “Recently we have done that. “We have been a little more vertical, I would say, when we have won the ball back. A bit more positive. “Too often we were probably a bit too safe and not looking for that pass. “I think that is something we have done better. “That has knock-ons for how you defend as well in terms of how you press and the mentality of your forwards. “So lots of things and then results just make it a little nicer because it gives everyone a bit of belief and you can carry on with your work.” Albion have 14 points from seven games since making the switch and would love to finish in style against West Ham. GRAHAM POTTER CAN LEAD BRIGHTON TO BEST-EVER FINISH Potter said: “It’s better to be that than the other way. “We will have to assess the season as a whole rather than what happens on Sunday, but it would be nice if we could win and I am sure David Moyes will say the same thing. “Then, if we can manage to do it, it’s a points tally to be proud of, with the work behind it something we can be happy of. “But until then it’s just a case of preparing for the game as we have done, deciding what’s the right thing to do for the game.”
Ashley Barnes Burnley
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Mike Jackson demands more of the same from squad and Ashley Barnes calls out refree decisions #BURNLEYFC

May 21, 2022
BURNLEY caretaker manager Mike Jackson wants no change in mentality going into Sunday’s relegation decider against Newcastle but admitted his players must manage the emotions of the game. After Thursday’s 1-1 draw at Aston Villa, Burnley go into the final day of the season outside the bottom three on goal difference, knowing if they can match Leeds’ result away to Brentford they can look forward to another season in the top flight. That would complete a remarkable turnaround with Jackson having won three and drawn two of his seven games since replacing Sean Dyche, but the pressure has been on at Turf Moor for some time given the predicament they were in, and Jackson said Sunday would be no different. “I think every game we’ve had since I’ve been here, they’ve said it’s a must,” he said. “We must get something out of this game or that game, and the lads have been delivering. The performances have been strong. “In the Villa game at home we made some errors, we made an error for the goal last night, but the players have had that around them now for the last six or seven games, they’re used to living in that and that will stand them in good stead. “We know Sunday is going to be emotional. We’ll try and take that out of it, use some of it, take a bit of fire from it and go and attack the moment again.” Jackson called Burnley’s performance at Villa Park an “absolute masterclass in defending” as they battled to take a point, going ahead through an Ashley Barnes penalty before Emi Buendia brought Villa level after a move that began with an apparent foul throw from Matty Cash. But it was another display that told Jackson his players are handling the pressure. “I think that’s where they’re at their best,” he said. “When I watch that game back, some of the work put in, the details we’ve worked on and been focusing on. “If you take all the noise out of it, we’ve come away with a point. We still have to get some sort of result so it’s not really changed anything. “We’re in a little bit of a better position and we’re just looking forward now.” Burnley conceded a contentious penalty in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat by Tottenham for a Barnes handball, but were denied a spot-kick of their own at Villa Park for a similar incident involving Lucas Digne. Barnes pointed to both that, and Cash’s foul throw, in calling for greater consistency from officials. “The consistency of the VAR situation and the referees, the decisions, they have to improve,” the forward said. “We were waiting five minutes at Spurs for a decision and the same yesterday. They were exactly the same, his probably more clear than mine, but because my arm was stretched out they gave it. The decisions are vital. “You’ve seen the throw-in as well that leads to their goal. It’s a hard one to take, he’s on the pitch when he threw it.” Barnes was in the Burnley squad when they suffered their last relegation eight years ago. The 32-year-old was also part of the side that earned European football in 2018, but said avoiding the drop this weekend would be a high point in his Clarets career. “It would be a huge achievement from where we were,” he said. “To win three games in 20-odd, that’s not good enough, that’s relegation staring at you. The lads have done well to turn it around and hopefully now we can get this final win at the weekend, get out of there and be safe.”
Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Graham Potter can lead Brighton to best-ever league finish #BHAFC

May 21, 2022
But Graham Potter, who celebrated his third anniversary in charge on his 47th birthday today, says it is already his best season with the club. The Seagulls, currently tenth, would claim their highest-ever finishing position with a point at home to West Ham on Sunday (4pm). They are looking to better the 13th place secured under Mike Bailey in 1981-82. A draw against the Hammers will actually ensure a top-ten finish unless Brentford win heavily at home to Leeds. Victory could take the Seagulls as high as eighth, although ninth, behind Leicester and ahead of Wolves, looks more likely based on the last-day fixtures. Potter said: “I’ve only been here three years. “It has been the best year that we’ve had in my three years. “I wouldn’t want to disrespect anybody’s memories or anybody’s efforts past that time. “The points tally, where we finished in the league, we’ll obviously see after the game. “We’ve been competitive in a lot of the games, taking some really impressive results. “Performances, I think, have improved. Young players have taken steps. “So there’s lots of positives, I think. “But this club has got a history as well. I don’t want to disrespect that.”
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl believes there is ‘A lot of work to do’ to survive next season #SAINTSFC

May 21, 2022
RALPH Hasenhuttl admitted there is “a lot of work to do” this summer, anticipating it will be difficult to stay in the Premier League again next season. Saints are heading into their first summer transfer window under new owners Sport Republic next month, knowing supporters expect to see ambition. The poor run of form to end the current campaign has exposed areas that need improvement, and contract situations including the goalkeepers’ are coming to a head. Hasenhuttl expects to be busy, one way or another, in order to keep this side in the top-flight again by next summer. “When you want to change the team you have to bring in players who are better than the ones you have, I don’t have to tell you how this looks like on the market,” he said, looking ahead to summer. “Otherwise you don’t have to change the team. When you want to get better you need to have players who are better, or have more potential to get better when they with us.” He added: “Both ways are doable. The fact is, like every season, we have a lot of work to do and it doesn't get easier. “We are in the Premier League and it will be again a very tough job to stay there.” Saints have one game left of the current season, when they visit Leicester City on Sunday at 4PM.  "It’s true that it wont be the most watched game on the weekend but for us it is important, like everyone’s," Hasenhuttl added.   "We want to end up in a good way and get a little bit of good feeling for the summer break. As you know, the last results haven’t been that good so it’s another chance for showing up and for getting a better result. "It is a team that is in good form and we are struggling a little bit, we see how tough it is and it will be an interesting weekend. We have our game to play and we want to do it in a good way." 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- Southampton boss demanded ‘a very passionate performance’ against Leicester City in the final game #SAINTSFC #LCFC

May 21, 2022
RALPH Hasenhuttl revealed he has demanded “a very passionate performance for the supporters going with us” as his Saints side finish their season on the road. The St Mary’s outfit visit Leicester City’s King Power Stadium on Sunday, May 22 (4PM), knowing they need to produce something to inspire frustrated fans. It has been a difficult year away from home, with Saints only winning three of their 18 trips so far – Watford, West Ham and Tottenham – drawing six and losing a further nine. If Everton pick up a point versus a faltering Arsenal and Saints do not, Hasenhuttl’s once top-10 targeting side will drop again from 15th to 16th in the Premier League. Everton finally secured Premier League survival with victory last night (Pic: PA) Asked what he expects of his players on Sunday, the Austrian responded: “A very passionate performance for the supporters that are going with us. “That you know what you have to deliver on the pitch. We have had some real tough games so we want to go there and show our best.” But the boss insists wherever they finish in the table will have been their own making, adding: “It's what you deserve to get when you have a season with a long run of good form but in the end lose games you don't have to lose. “The mid-table is very tight, you can see when we played all of the teams around us, and it often breaks down to those decisive games, to the six-point games. “This season again we failed in that moment and this is very disappointing, the minimum target we have reached very early but also the next step we cannot manage so far – this is not what we wanted.” With just one win in the last 11 Premier League matches, Hasenhuttl lamented another poor run-in – a second in succession for Saints, after finishing 15th last campaign. Liverpool came from behind to defeat Saints last time out (Pic: Stuart Martin) “The final part of the season we could definitely do better,” he admitted. “I think when you look at our results we had a time where we had three losses in two months and then several losses in one month, so it is a bit up and down. “I must say we are not the only team like this in the Premier League. It’s a little bit strange that it is always coming at the end of the season, we had one year where we didn’t do it when we had the COVID break in March. “We ended up really strong there after resetting and refreshing up. It’s exhausting for us, a long season, it costs the guys a lot of energy, us also. “It seems we cannot hold this level high up into the end of the season, this is the goal for the future.” 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
James Ward Prowse
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLSTORIES- James Ward-Prowse addresses fan concern, form and Premier League award #SAINTSFC

May 20, 2022
WHILE the end to the season may have been anything but, Saints can proudly lay claim to having an aspect truly elite within their ranks. Marshalling by example, their captain, leader and legend-in-waiting is among the select of the Premier League’s best players, and recognised by the league as such. James Ward-Prowse, England international and revered dead ball specialist, is one of eight aces at the top of the pack, nominated for the league’s coveted player of the season award. The 27-year-old, listed alongside Mohamed Salah, Heung-min Son, Kevin De Bruyne and more is the only star to not come from a top-seven club – testament to the season he has had. “(It’s) a massive honour, it was a little bit strange reading it at first,” Ward-Prowse admitted to the Daily Echo. “I thought ‘really?’ James Ward-Prowse and son at full-time on Tuesday (Pic: Stuart Martin) “I’m always trying to keep myself grounded and to have that nomination is crazy, something to be proud of. It’s great to be recognised in that respect, very, very special. “At the start of the season you always sit down and look at what you want to achieve, try and improve on your stats from last year, concentrate and try to improve as many facets of your game. “I think I have definitely done that this year so yeah, but I’m always looking at the team and the club’s perspective instead of personal ones – but it’s extremely special, for sure.” Trying to improve on his stats from last year, the skipper says he targeted. He has done exactly that and in emphatic fashion. Assisted by no fewer than four from direct free-kicks, Ward-Prowse has amassed a personal best nine Premier League goals this season. That total playing a big part in a clean sweep of three awards at the Saints presentation earlier this month. James Ward-Prowse's last goal came in a brace during the 2-2 draw at Brighton (Pic: PA) “Everybody has those personal targets and I would love to reach 10,” the skipper beamed. “I would rather win the game Sunday to make sure we finish on a high, but I’ll be after that 10th goal for sure.” Saints’ supporters will hope to enjoy Ward-Prowse’s impact on their team for some time still to come, and despite interest from top clubs across England the four years left on his current deal will aid that. But the club will need to take the next steps to persuade players like Ward-Prowse to continue their career at St Mary’s, despite the obvious commitment the academy graduate has. A run of just one win in the last 11 matches has seen a second consecutive season fizzle out from the promising to the frustrating – and likely a back-to-back 15th-place finish. “There is a lot of frustration for sure, we have not fulfilled what we could have fulfilled,” Ward-Prowse admitted. Saints fans want to see improvement next season (Pic: Stuart Martin) “And if you look at the Aston Villa game earlier in the season where we lost away (4-0), it was a bad day at the office and we have never really recovered from that.” He continued: “We went from a position of looking up the table to making sure we stayed in the league. That is a really disappointing feeling to have.” That disappointment was evident following the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday night, in the final home contest of the campaign. For the players’ customary lap of appreciation, St Mary’s emptied to well under less than half full – although those that remained clap the group round. #SaintsFC begin their lap of appreciation but there is not too many here to receive them. pic.twitter.com/MmML6ePr1q — Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) May 17, 2022 “We know there is a lot of disappointment that we have not fulfilled the potential that we believe we could have,” he said. “The main thing is that we learn from this as a club and as a team, and that we don’t sit here in a year and have the same conversation. That’s the frustrating thing, when you keep making the same mistakes. “Now it’s about finding the level of consistency which separates the top teams from the lower teams, you might lose a game but then it’s about not picking up no points in the next three or four.” As captain, and the shining example in a confidence-shot squad, Ward-Prowse has his role to play picking his teammates up and giving Saints’ impressive away support something positive to end on. “I have to remind everybody of the good moments we have had this season, remind them that we can do it,” Ward-Prowse insisted. James Ward-Prowse's message to #SaintsFC's U18s. 🏆💬 "I think it is a fantastic achievement from them. I have been close to winning the league when I was with the U18s and it is an incredible achievement. Hopefully they can go one step further tonight. pic.twitter.com/AGIm40QRkb — Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) May 19, 2022 “We can play at a really good level and when we play well, not many teams can live with us. It’s making sure that everybody has got that motivation to finish the season as well as we can.” 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 boss Mike Jackson’s verdict on Aston Villa draw #AVFC #BURNLEYFC

May 20, 2022
INTERIM boss Mike Jackson insists Burnley’s plight was never helpless after they edged to the brink of safety. The Clarets’ 1-1 draw at Aston Villa lifted them out of the Premier League’s relegation zone ahead of Sunday’s final games. They are 17th, above Leeds on goal difference, with Newcastle visiting Turf Moor and their drop rivals going to Brentford. Ashley Barnes’ penalty gave the Clarets the lead before Emi Buendia levelled but Nick Pope’s saves from John McGinn, Ollie Watkins, Danny Ings and Bertrand Traore kept Burnley’s survival hopes alive. Jackson, who had Matt Lowton sent off in stoppage time, said: “I never looked at it as helpless, I looked at it as we needed to get something from this game. You can’t hide away from it. “For what the group went through tonight, the spirit and fight they put into it was amazing. The game wasn’t a silky football match but we knew what we needed to do. “It was the least we wanted to come away with, so we’re pleased with that. “Nick was amazing. He has been doing that continuously, look at his quality and the way he has been progressing. He is in great form.” Pope saved well from McGinn after 20 minutes but Burnley took the lead a minute before the break when Buendia chopped down Maxwel Cornet in the box and Barnes buried the penalty. Villa levelled three minutes into the second half when Buendia ran from deep to meet McGinn’s cross and his volley squeezed past Pope. John Brownhill tested Emi Martinez and Pope continued his one-man wall to keep out Watkins’ sharp drive. Lucas Digne then survived a VAR check for handball with Jackson questioning the decision. He added: “With VAR, there shouldn’t be an issue. It’s very clear. That’s why it was brought in. It’s gone, although we’ll rant about it on the way home and I’ll kick the dog when I get in.” Pope saved his best until 10 minutes from time, keeping out Traore’s glancing header with a brilliant low one-handed stop. There was still time for an excellent Tyrone Mings block to deny Wout Weghorst a late winner after Martinez saved from Connor Roberts. Former Villa defender Lowton was also dismissed in stoppage time for a foul on Calum Chambers. The point kept Villa 14th ahead of Sunday’s final-day trip to title favourites Manchester City but boss Steven Gerrard was unhappy Barnes stayed on the pitch after clattering Mings early on. He said: “We should have been playing against 10 men from a very early stage. It’s a clear red card. “The PGMOL said there wasn’t enough force for it to be a red card. I heard it and I was 60 yards away. Have you got to break someone’s cheek or make someone go off the pitch for it to be a red card? “We lacked that little bit of quality to score, in general play we were miles better than the opposition. We made an individual error to make a challenging task a lot more complicated for ourselves. “The league doesn’t lie over 37 games, it won’t lie after 38 and 14th isn’t good enough for this club and we need to address that.”
Brighton & Hove Albion
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Promising Brighton attacker believes loan move has helped him progress #BHAFC

May 20, 2022
REDA KHADRA believes the support he received from Blackburn fans during his loan spell from Albion allowed him to play his best football. The attacker impressed at Ewood Park, scoring four goals and assisting three more in 27 appearances before injury cut his season short. Khadra was joined at the Lancashire club by fellow Albion loanee Jan Paul van Hecke, who would go on to win the player of the season award at the club. Hecke was the first loan player to win the award and proves the relationship that the players built with the fans. Reda Khadra in action for Brighton and Hove Albion Khadra said: “I think our connection with the fans came because JP and I gave 100 per cent on the pitch every game, we never acted like we were only loan players who didn’t care about the club. We would really care if we didn’t win. “The bond between me and the fans was great. They pushed me and gave me confidence. I knew if I tried something and it didn’t come off they would still back me. “As a team we would go out for meals together, the group was really tight. I really enjoyed it, you could speak to anyone in the dressing room, there weren’t any cliques and they were like a family to me. “We were disappointed to not finish in the play-offs but in football you need to keep going and hopefully next season they will do it. Let’s hope we see each other in the Premier League one day.” Reda Khadra Khadra's best moment of the season was winning the goal of the season award for his brilliant free-kick against QPR, as Blackburn won the game 1-0. The German under 21 international believes the faith put in him by manager Tony Mowbray has helped him develop as a player. He said: “It was a pretty good season for me and the award was a great feeling. To have the trust from the manager was really important for my progress. “I was on the bench for the first few games but then I got into the team and did well from that point on. “You understand the game better the more you experience it. If someone gives you the chance when you’re out on loan, I feel you do become a better player.” Khadra joined Albion as a free transfer after he was released from Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.He made his first team debut for the club in January 2021 as he came on as a late substitute against Manchester City.