Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton manager provides injury update ahead of Brighton match #SAINTSFC

December 3, 2021
SOUTHAMPTON manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has hinted that he could have two star players back for the visit of Albion. The Seagulls travel to St Mary's to take on the Saints on Saturday in the Premier League and will be hoping to end their run of ten games without a win. Albion's task will be a bit more difficult as the Saints manager has confirmed that Theo Walcott and Ibrahima Diallo could be back amongst the squad. The duo were left out of the team during their 2-2 draw with Leicester City on Wednesday night, despite training on the day. Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl gives instructions to Tino Livramento from the touchline during the Premier League match between Southampton and Leicester City at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton. Picture date: Wednesday December 1, 2021. The Austrian manager is using the full depth of his squad during the busy festive season, making sure he has his team at top fitness for matches. When asked about the two missing Saints players and whether they were injured, Hasenhuttl said: "No. It is important that we have the players who are not playing having proper sessions for a week, to get them on the highest level. "I do not want the gap between the players who are always playing and the players who are never playing to get too big. "I may need those two on the weekend, so I need them to have a good week. We need to do this in the week." Stuart Armstrong remains the only player in the physio's room at Staplewood as he continued with his calf struggles - but he has now been joined by Jan Bednarek who was forced off the field with a calf problem of his own. Southampton will now assess his issue before Albion's visit and an update is expected on Friday morning. The Saints boss said: "Hopefully he [Bednarek] is okay. I hope that he stepped out just in time so that the problem did not become an injury."
Nathan Redmond
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Nathan Redmond on fatherhood and overcoming COVID-19 #SAINTSFC

December 3, 2021
NATHAN Redmond described a "whirlwind" few weeks away from the pitch, which saw him both overcome COVID-19 and also become a father for the first time. The 27-year-old made his first start in more than a month during Wednesday night's 2-2 draw with Leicester City. Following the win over Watford in October, Redmond contracted coronavirus and missed subsequent matches against Aston Villa and Norwich City. Between those two fixtures, his partner Blaise also gave birth to a son, named Knight. Redmond came off the bench at half-time of Saturday's 4-0 loss at Liverpool, before playing the full 90 minutes against the Foxes at St Mary's, providing an assist for Che Adams to score. Discussing his return to the side, Redmond told the Daily Echo: "Obviously it’s been a little while, out with COVID and then the birth of my son. "So it’s been a whirlwind the last couple of weeks. "But I’ve been itching to get back and try and help my teammates and this club to win some games." Asked how stressful a time it was to have caught COVID just before his son was due to arrive, Redmond added: "It was a bit tough being in the house, but the club were great. "They gave me the tools to stay fit on the bike and the gym sessions and stuff like that. "It was just about trying to maintain as much fitness as I could whilst still being indoors. "I’m back now, feeling good, feeling sharp and ready for this Christmas schedule." As for fatherhood, Redmond said: "It’s true, no sleep, but we’re getting there!" The Birmingham-born ace made an important contribution on his return to the side, as Saints scored two goals from set pieces, having only managed one all season prior to the visit of Leicester. "It was straight off the training ground," said Redmond. "We’ve been working on them, as we always do. Sometimes they come off, sometimes they don’t. (On Wednesday) fortunately they did." Asked if he was happy with the point, the one-time England international said: "After the first half I think we said we wanted all three, but after the second half, they weren’t going to give us the opportunity to press as they did. "So I think we’re happy with the point. Could we have got all three? Probably. "But I think we’ll take a point going into this week." Saints host Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday (3pm).
Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Graham Potter confirms that Adam Lallana will miss Saints return with Brighton #BHAFC

December 3, 2021
GRAHAM Potter confirmed three of his Brighton players who started Wednesday night's draw at West Ham would be unavailable to face Saints due to injury. They include former Saint Adam Lallana. The midfielder came through the youth ranks at Saints before playing 265 times for the club, scoring 60 goals, as well as spending a spell as captain, before leaving to join Liverpool for a fee of £25million in 2014. But the 33-year-old will not return to the St Mary's pitch with the Seagulls for Saturday's Premier League contest (3pm). Lallana, as well as Adam Webster and Jeremy Sarmiento, were all forced off against the Hammers as Brighton battled back to earn a 1-1 draw thanks to Neal Maupay's stunning late equaliser. Boss Potter said: "He and the two Adams (Webster and Lallana) both suffered and they and Jeremy will certainly not be involved against Southampton. "They won't be available for the weekend. "Adam was a slight calf, Lallana his thigh, Jeremy his hamstring. "It was a bit of muscle bingo there, which is disappointing for us, but we've got a group and we've got a squad to adjust and adapt. "Clearly it's not the best to lose players."
David Moyes
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- David Moyes frustrated after goal ruled out following VAR check in Brighton draw #WHUFC

December 2, 2021
DAVID Moyes was left frustrated by a VAR call after West Ham were pegged back to a 1-1 draw by Albion. The Hammers led through a Tomas Soucek header but had a second goal disallowed for offside against Michail Antonio following a goalmouth scramble. After a lengthy review VAR Jarred Gillett decided the ball had brushed Antonio’s ankle on the goal-line after Craig Dawson bundled it goalwards via the legs of Brighton defender Shane Duffy. Hammers boss Moyes said: “I didn’t think we played well but we made enough chances to probably nick the game, but a draw was a fair result. “It’s nearly impossible to rule that goal out. The ref couldn’t do much, he didn’t see it. The only people who can make the call is the VAR. “Whoever the VAR has to decide why we can chalk that off. I hope someone comes out and tells us. For me the last touch came off Shane Duffy’s legs. “I think it’s so hard to call that not a goal. You have to have something much clearer to identify why that goal can’t stand. “I’m hoping to be showed a real reason why it wasn’t given. And the time it took suggests it was a difficult call.” The decision proved vital as Albion's Neal Maupay's 89th minute overhead kick dragged Albion level and split the points between the two teams.
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl believes Point against Leicester was ‘deserved’ #SAINTSFC

December 2, 2021
RALPH Hasenhuttl believes his side's first-half performance merited their point against Leicester City, but admitted: "We could've lost this game." Saints led 2-1 at the break against the Foxes with Jan Bednarek and Che Adams netting either side of a Jonny Evans strike. But the game finished 2-2 with James Maddison bagging the goal of the night with neat footwork in the box before a powerful finish, just after Nathan Tella had headed a good chance wide for the hosts. Harvey Barnes was denied by a brilliant Alex McCarthy save late on, with Jamie Vardy also blazing over the crossbar as the Foxes pushed for a winner, which never came. REPORT: Foxes twice fight back to earn a point against Saints Asked if he feels it was a point gained or two dropped for Saints, boss Hasenhuttl said: "In the second half, they (Leicester) had big chances. "In the first half you can say it was a deserved draw, because we were brilliant in the first half. They had one chance to score, we had very good moments and played fantastic, exactly what we wanted to do. "It wasn’t so easy after the Liverpool game (4-0 defeat) to find a way back to a brave way of playing football, but we tried to push the reset button in this way. I think this is what we did." He continued: "In the second half we had a big chance for the third goal and this is what we have to do in such a moment. "This maybe would’ve made it a bit calmer. "But in every position they have so much quality, make it so hard to defend. The big chances they had in the second half and we could’ve lost this game. "So finally I think it was a deserved point and it was a very good game for everybody to watch. "I would say for the fans it was a very intense game, with a lot of intensity and effort from both teams."
David Moyes
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- West Ham manager David Moyes praises Brighton and Graham Potter ahead of clash #BHAFC #WHUFC

December 1, 2021
WEST Ham manager David Moyes has praised Albion ahead of their visit to the London Stadium. Albion will travel to the capital tomorrow as they look to end their current run of nine games without a win. Graham Potter's side have just drawn against Leeds at the Amex stadium despite heavily dominating the game. Albion are yet to lose to the Hammers in the Premier League, having won three and drawn five of the games between the two. West Ham manager David Moyes knows the threat that Brighton and Hove Albion pose to other teams David Moyes is wary of the threat that Albion can cause other teams in the Premier League. Moyes told the media: "Every team who plays Brighton understands that they can cause you problems, play with a really good style and have made a good start to the season." The Scottish manager has also lauded Potter as a reason behind the club's improvement this season. Moyes said: "I think Graham Potter's done a really good job. They've gone about their work really well. If you asked me last season, who I'd tip to improve, I'd say Brighton. "I think just overall they're a well-run football club, and Graham's a really good manager." The match between the two will kick off at 8pm, and will be televised on Amazon Prime's streaming service.
Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- David Moyes thinks Brighton are very lucky to have Graham Potter #BHAFC #WHUFC

December 1, 2021
WEST Ham boss David Moyes feels Brighton fans should count themselves “really lucky” to have Graham Potter in charge. Following Saturday’s goalless draw with Leeds at the Amex Stadium, there was booing from some of the home support as the Seagulls saw their winless run in the Premier League extended to eight matches. Boss Potter was left “a little bit perplexed” by the negative reaction, later suggesting those fans who did vent their frustrations could have found themselves somewhat caught up in the moment. Brighton and Hove manager Graham Potter Albion head to the London Stadium on Wednesday night sitting ninth in the table. Moyes believes Potter deserves full credit for the way he has continued to move the club forwards. “They are really lucky to have Graham Potter as manager and you shouldn’t forget that,” said Moyes. “He is a top manager, has got a really good team. “We all get booed at times in our career. "You just have to move on and I’m sure Graham knows what he is doing more than the people who booed.”
Charlie Taylor
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Forward-thinking Charlie Taylor looks to boost attack stats of Burnley #BURNLEYFC

December 1, 2021
Burnley left-back Charlie Taylor is targeting an improvement in his attacking stats. The 28-year-old has yet to score since arriving at Turf Moor in the summer of 2017 and his one assist this season mirrors solitary contributions in the previous three campaigns. “I think I need to contribute more to our goals, either assists or even scoring myself,” he said ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Wolves. “I’ve been here four-and-a-half years now and I’ve yet to score. “It is something I’m definitely trying to do more, getting involved in goals and assists. “The manager is always on at me on the sidelines to get forward as much as possible.” Taylor knows the benchmark for left-backs is being set by the likes of Liverpool’s Andy Robertson, who has four goals and 41 assists in the same time frame as the Burnley defender. And while the Scotland captain is playing a different role with a different quality of team-mate, Taylor accepts his personal contribution has to get better. “I think the position of a full-back has definitely changed over the last few years, it has become the popular position to be now because of players like Andy Robertson and the world-class full-backs we have in this league now. “It’s a position where you are hugely involved in the game in attack and you have all your defensive responsibilities as well. “Obviously our style is slightly different to teams in the ‘Big Six’ so I have to accept that is how it is going to be, but the manager is always on at me on the sidelines to get forward as much as possible.” Manager Sean Dyche has talked up Taylor’s England chances in recent weeks but the defender is not yet considering any potential call-up by Gareth Southgate. “It is what everyone dreams of as a kid and that’s the aim growing up but to be honest it is not something I’ve thought about personally,” he added. “I know it’s a cliche but I’m just concentrating on Burnley and playing every week and staying in the team and if I do as well as I can, who knows where it will take me?”
Youri Tielemans Leicester City
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Youri Tielemans set to miss Leicester’s trip to Saints due to Injury concerns #LCFC

December 1, 2021
STAR midfielder Youri Tielemans will not be ready in time to face Saints tomorrow evening, Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed. The Belgian, who scored the winning goal in last season's FA Cup final, is currently out of action with a calf injury. And the midweek trip to St Mary's is set to come too soon for Tielemans to make his return. Discussing the 24-year-old, Foxes boss Rodgers said: “We’ll see where Youri is at the back end of the week. “He’s progressing really well. I saw him out on the pitch with the rehabilitation team and he looked very strong. “We’ll assess that as the week goes through, but it’s probably going to be more towards the end of the week.” Rodgers expects to have the same squad available at Saints as he did for Sunday's 4-2 win over Watford. That includes in-form Jamie Vardy. The striker is second only to Mohamed Salah in the Premier League's golden boot race, notching nine so far. Vardy had previously gone five appearances without a goal, before bagging a brace in the win over the Hornets. Quizzed on the 34-year-old's longevity to keep producing goals in the top flight, Rodgers said: "There’s no sign that it’s stopping soon either because he is looking after himself. “It’s all him. He clearly has the talent, he has the will. All we’ve tried to do is just manage him to maximise what we can get out of him. “He’s a brilliant professional and he’s trying to ensure his career goes on for as long as it can possibly can. “He has everything here to help with his recovery and recuperation after games. “He has also invested a lot of money into some of these items he has at home to help him recover as well. “His running against Watford, his intensity, that’s when he’s at his best. Players with that pace, sometimes it will disappear with age and that’s life. “But his sharpness and finishing will always be there and, certainly at the moment, you see the cleverness of his runs. “It’s great for me and I’m very lucky to have him, that personality in my team. Hopefully that continues for a long time yet.” Vardy scored a hat-trick in Saints' infamous 9-0 humiliation against Leicester two years ago, but has fired a blank in the four meetings of the two clubs since.
Oriol Romeu Danny Ings
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Oriol Romeu on former teammates Ryan Bertrand and Jannik Vestergaard #SAINTSFC

December 1, 2021
MIDFIELDER Oriol Romeu insists "there is no friendship" if he faces two former teammates tomorrow evening. Leicester duo Ryan Bertrand and Jannik Vestergaard have struggled for minutes in recent weeks, but are expected to be in the squad which travels to St Mary's for the Premier League clash. Both joined the Foxes over the summer, Vestergaard for £15million while Bertrand departed on a free transfer, after seven years at Saints. Asked what it will be like to potentially face the pair, Romeu, who has been at Saints since 2015, told the Daily Echo: "I have played with Ryan many years, with Jannik as well. “It’s good that we are going to face them but whatever we are doing – the game starts and there is no friendship, there’s no memories, we want to make sure we get those three points." Discussing if there will have to be changes to counter-act the fact both Bertrand and Vestergaard will know how boss Ralph Hasenhuttl sets up his side, Romeu added: "They have the information but it doesn’t matter, we are still going to give them a good go and hopefully we do a good performance and will have more chances to win that game." Left-back Bertrand has made nine appearances for Leicester this season, but has not featured in the Premier League since October 3, losing his spot to youngster Luke Thomas. Vestergaard has played 12 times for his new club.
Oriol Romeu Danny Ings
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Oriol Romeu admits Saints have to do better against Leicester City #SAINTSFC

December 1, 2021
ORIOL Romeu insists Saints have "got to react" against Leicester City tomorrow, after suffering back-to-back away defeats. Saints return to St Mary's tomorrow evening, hosting Brendan Rodgers's Foxes (7.30pm), before Brighton & Hove Albion visit Hampshire on Saturday. Since beating Aston Villa in their last home fixture, Saints have lost 2-1 at Norwich City and 4-0 at Liverpool. Asked how important it is for Saints to show a response in front of the home fans against Leicester, Romeu told the Daily Echo: "Massive. Losing on Saturday was probably one of those fixtures at the beginning of the season – if you get something it’s a win. “But it’s something that could have happened. Losing against Norwich wasn’t expected, it was a tough result. “So now we’ve got to react, we’ve got to do something else, we’ve got to get points against Leicester and Brighton and we’ve got to do better. That’s our target right now." Saints have lost just once at St Mary's this season, a 1-0 reverse against Wolves in September. Discussing the importance of the home fans getting behind the team against Leicester, Romeu added: "That would be ideal, to create a good atmosphere and to make sure we also make them hear us and make them be loud by putting down a good performance."