Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Graham Potter on Brighton’s 4-0 win over Manchester United #BHAFC

May 8, 2022
Graham Potter hopes Albion have given their long-suffering home fans some special memories. He saw his side humiliate Manchester United 4-0 on a memorable evening at the Amex. It was only a fourth win of the season at home but will occupy a prime position in the 11-year-old stadium’s hall of fame. Head coach Potter said: “It’s a great performance. Fantastic result. “As much as it is about wins and league tables, it is about creating memories and moments we can share with people. “I always say there are two teams on the pitch and we played well. “I can’t comment on the opponent. “All I can speak about is my team and how well they did and how brave they were, how aggressive they were. “It was a fantastic performance for us. I’m delighted.” Moises Caicedo and Marc Cucurella scored their first goals in the Premier League. Pascal Gross scored the third of his career in wins at home to Manchester United and Leandro Trossard added the eighth of his best season yet. BRIGHTON 4 MANCHESTER UNITED 0: OUR LIVE REPORT Potter said: “I thought we were little bit unfortunate not to add to the four but our play was really good. “Today was nice reward for our supporters who have had to endure a bit of suffering here and I would like to thank them for their support.
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl explains decision to head straight down tunnel at full-time #SAINTSFC

May 8, 2022
RALPH Hasenhuttl has explained he did not head straight down the tunnel at full-time after the 3-0 defeat to Brentford out of frustration, but “to find the right words to speak to my players”. The Austrian boss did not join his team to applaud the impressive travelling Saints support in London, while his coaches watched on from the technical area. Asked by the Daily Echo why he went straight down the tunnel at the conclusion of the Premier League contest, he responded: “I was going inside and trying to find the analysis and the right words to speak to my players. “This game is lost, it doesn’t help when I get emotional or whatever. My job is to build them up and to make them better and hopefully I find the right words.” The result means Saints have won just one in 10 league matches as the season approaches its end, that run starting with a 4-0 hammering at Aston Villa in March. Asked by the Daily Echo if his messages are getting through to the squad, he replied: “I don’t know. “Against some teams we had shown good football I think, if you want to paint everything black now, do it. It is a good moment to do it. “We have 40 points, if you want to say we are not safe then do it, you are absolutely right. You can also say we are a top 10 team, because we have fantastic quality in our team – do it, it’s okay. “You can write whatever you want, it is not interesting to me because I try to work on the things that I need to do. When I set tomorrow up I will start doing that, because this is what I need to.” The Austrian also said: “It shows in some moments that we are not comfortable in the moment, not what we have shown in some parts of the season and this is what we have to find back. “It’s easier with some positive results, we will try to build this up and get some positive results.” 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 responds as Southampton fans chant ‘sacked in the morning’ #SAINTSFC

May 8, 2022
RALPH Hasenhuttl said he “understands completely” Saints supporters chanting against him, during the dismal 3-0 defeat at Brentford. The travelling support, who had been impressive and vocal throughout the contest, turned on their manager in the closing stages. Chants of ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ and ‘sacked in the morning’ were aimed at the Austrian boss, as Saints’ run of just one victory extended to 10 Premier League matches. “At that time they were absolutely frustrated, I understand this completely and I take this no problem,” Hasenhuttl said. “Since I’m here I will always be responsible for every mistake my players make, every shot on goal what is not a goal, I take the responsibility and this is my job. “We can understand the frustration because at the moment we are not playing like a Premier League team, especially not in and around the boxes, ours or their box. “We had a lot of chances today, moments where we can score but we don’t do it and then we concede goals from when we are not exposed. “Two-on-one situations where we cannot clear the ball, running into each other. Then it looks how it looks, the opponents score three times and we do not.” However, Hasenhuttl insisted he did not hear the chants himself during the match. “I do not hear it during the game because I was concentrating, so it is not something that should hurt because this is the business,” he added. “We have had very good moments since I’ve been here, beautiful games away, and at the moment we are lacking what they want to see from us. “It is absolutely understandable that they are not happy when you concede goals that easily and the biggest chances you don’t score. As I said, it is up to me to find solutions and we will do this.” The 54-year-old instead praised the supporters for their voice in the Brentford Community Stadium, and across his three-and-a-half year tenure at the club. "I think they supported the players quite well, I must say. I cannot say they didn’t do it, they were loud even after a not so easy 90 minutes. "This is not the issue for me, if they support the players everything is okay for me. I think they did it and for as long as I have been here they have done it. Especially the away fans, I must say, they are very special." 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
Enock Mwepu Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Enock Mwepu’s message to Man City target Erling Haaland #MCFC

May 7, 2022
Enock Mwepu believes former team-mate Erling Haaland can be a hit in the Premier League. The two played together 16 times for Red Bull Salzburg before Haaland progressed to Borussia Dortmund. He is now set to move on with Real Madrid and Manchester City contenders for his signature. Mwepu said: “It has been a while since I spoke with him. “We used to speak regularly but I think he is a good guy. “Hopefully he makes a move to the Premier League. I think it will be interesting to meet a former team-mate who you used to play with but is now on the opposite side. “I think he is courageous enough to come to the Premier League and still score those goals, especially if he joins Manchester City. He can still continue with his goalscoring form.” Mwepu joked: “Maybe I can tell him to join Brighton! “I would tell him to come over to the Premier League. “It is the toughest league, the best league and every game is exciting. So hopefully he will come.”
Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton boss Graham Potter ‘so impressed’ by Cristiano Ronaldo #BHAFC #MUFC

May 7, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo is officially professional football’s all-time leading goalscorer. He may well be the greatest striker, or player of any role, Albion have ever faced in their 121-year history. True, they have made a few lesser-known strikers look like CR7 at times. Gary Hooper of Scunthorpe United one Saturday afternoon at Withdean, springs to mind. But the real thing might be in Falmer this weekend. And Graham Potter is quite prepared to underline the challenge that will provide his team. United were second best at Old Trafford earlier this season until Ronaldo provided a high quality finish to put them ahead against the Seagulls. Yes, there was some effective pressing too as they won possession attacking the Stretford End. But, once Yves Bissouma had been ambushed just outside his own penalty area, there was still plenty to do before the ball hit Robert Sanchez’s net. Often, when a manager is asked in the run-up to a match about the quality of an individual in the opposing team, he will say there are multiple threats. It is not all about one man. While that is also the case to a degree with United, and Potter certainly was not under-rating any of them, one man stands alone in terms of track record and what he is still doing on the big stage. Potter said: “I have been so impressed with him. “How he has played, how he has helped his team, scoring and assisting goals. “You can see how his game has developed from wide to centrally and how that has helped him. “He’s not getting any younger but you still retain your brain, your standing in football and his finishing is as clinical as you will get. “It’s a great experience for our players. “Hopefully he doesn’t have as good an experience at the Amex this Saturday.” There has some suggestion Ronaldo was feeling his groin or a hamstring late in the win over Brentford on Monday. By that stage, he had proved influential in a game the Bees started well. Just as he turned the game against Albion. Potter said: “It was a strange one. I thought we probably shaded the first half. “We did well and it was quite even. “Then pretty quickly in the second half the game got away from us and you could see the first goal, Ronaldo punished us like Ronaldo can. “That’s the learning experience from that game because regardless of what you say about United’s season, they’ve still got some fantastic players who can hurt you in a second.” Albion have seen off some big names, of course, with recent wins in north London. Asked what those games had given his side, Potter said: “Hopefully just the process and journey we have been on. “You learn all the time, gain belief and trust. “In my experience of coaching, the longer together you are, the better understanding you have of each other. “Winning football matches gives everyone a better feeling. “We are in a good place, as you can imagine after the Wolves performance, which was a strong one. “So train well this week and looking forward to the game but we know we have to start again and it’s a tough team coming to the Amex and we need to play well.” Albion have faced some of the great strikers in their years at the Amex. Sergio Aguero in their first Premier League match. Harry Kane, Luis Suarez, Mo Salah. Back in the previous top-tier era, they were 2-0 up and in command against Liverpool in a midweek game at the Goldstone when Ian Rush pulled a goal back. Everyone knew Liverpool never lost when Rush scored and he duly added the inevitable second to force a 2-2 draw. Rush was the greatest goal-getter of his era in his league. The numbers say Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest goal-getter of any era in any league. That’s the challenge if he walks out at the Amex. It is one for players and fans to embrace.
james tarkowski
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Burnley’s James Tarkowski expects big things for defensive partner Nathan Collins #BURNLEYFC

May 7, 2022
JAMES Tarkowski believes defensive partner Nathan Collins has the talent to go right to the top. Collins, a summer signing from Stoke, has stepped into the Burnley backline over the past two months in the absence of injured captain Ben Mee and really caught the eye at both ends of the pitch, earning a nomination for Premier League player of the month for April. Tarkowski said of the 21-year-old: “Collo’s been exceptional. You forget how young he is because he looks so old but he’s performed to an incredible level considering it’s his first season in this league. “He’s got huge potential. He’s played a fair few games this year, way more than a lot of lads his age, and played really well. It’s still a learning experience for him, he’s still got time to improve and bring his game on, but the level he’s performing at now at such a young age, he can go right to the top for sure.” Mee may not feature in the team again this season after suffering a hairline fracture to his fibula but is still playing a key role in Burnley’s fight against relegation as part of interim boss Mike Jackson’s backroom team. Tarkowski praised his long-time team-mate, saying: “I do like him beside me. He’s dealt well with it because it’s not an easy position to be in. People are calling him ‘skaffer’ because, gaffer or skip, we don’t really know what to call him. “It’s good for him because he’s still around it. You can get left on the side a bit when you’re injured sometimes but obviously he’s still a massive help to the group. Ben’s a bit too young to be talking about his managerial career yet but he’s been great around the place.” Many eyebrows were raised when Sean Dyche was sacked last month and under-23s boss Jackson put in charge but the former defender has overseen an impressive revival, with 10 points from four games lifting Burnley out of the bottom three ahead of a clash with Aston Villa on Saturday. Tarkowski said: “He’s probably not given himself enough praise, I think he’s trying to put it all on us. That’s the kind of person he is. But he’s really just reminded us of who we are, we’ve got a lot of players who’ve been at this level for a long time, a lot of experience and a lot of good players. “Those details were letting us down but he’s reminded us that we are capable of winning games and performing well and I think we’ve proven that in the last few weeks. He’s been great.” Tarkowski has been one of Dyche’s most successful signings, making more than 200 appearances since his move from Brentford in 2016 and earning two caps for England. The 29-year-old said: “We probably got stuck in a bit of a way under the old manager, and it wasn’t the manager’s fault, it was just the way the game sort of went for us. We got very rigid, very predictable, we were easily read. “Sometimes just that new manager boost that everyone talks about, it’s hard to explain what it is but for some reason it does work. When the manager did go it felt strange at first because we were all so used to the environment we were in but it has worked so for now it seems like it was the right decision.” Tarkowski’s future was again off the table as a subject for discussion but it seems certain he will leave Turf Moor when his contract expires this summer. The defender is likely to have no shortage of suitors, and he still hopes to play his way back into the England set-up. “I’ve not given up on it that’s for sure,” he said. “The ambition’s still there. I’m still young enough and feel like I’ve got something to give so we’ll see what the future holds.”
Steven Gerrard Manager
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Burnley do more than just ‘fight and compete’, says Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard #AVFC #BURNLEYFC

May 7, 2022
ASTON Villa boss Steven Gerrard insists Burnley do more than just “fight and compete” ahead of his side’s trip to Turf Moor. The Clarets have won their last three matches as they bid to beat the drop and maintain their Premier League status. Gerrard has been impressed with what he has seen from Mike Jackson’s men in recent weeks and is expecting a tough test in East Lancashire. “Burnley have got their own style and identity, but I think it’s very disrespectful to say that Burnley just fight and compete,” he told the club’s website. “I’ve watched their last three or four games and they’ve got really good technical players. They’ve got a really strong mentality within the group and they’re desperate to stay in the Premier League. “If they achieve that, they’ve probably punched above their weight compared to other teams but that’s none of my business. My business is to take maximum points off Burnley tomorrow. “We’ve analysed a good, strong team that are on a new manager bounce, but my priority is to make sure Aston Villa go there and get the win.” Villa are currently 13th in the league table – six points above the Clarets, who have played an extra game. Gerrard is determined to finish the season strongly and build momentum heading into the summer. He added: “We want to finish in a place where we can be satisfied – I don’t think we’re going to be happy or celebrating anything this season because the team, from the beginning of the season to now, has underachieved. “In the remaining games, it’s about putting ourselves in a place that we can go and build on. “We can try and strengthen in the coming window, have a positive pre-season and reset everything going into a brand new season. Those are the short-term priorities.” 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 ‘understands’ but cannot remember supposed Armstrong frustration #SAINTSFC

May 7, 2022
SAINTS manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said it is “understandable” that Adam Armstrong could knock on his door and ask for increased gametime. A number of Saints supporters claimed they saw the 25-year-old striker head straight down the tunnel following a lengthy warm-up, after being snubbed for Hasenhuttl’s third substitution last Saturday. The Austrian introduced Moi Elyounoussi to the fray with 10 minutes remaining of the eventual defeat to Crystal Palace, while Armstrong has played just 90’ of Premier League football this year. Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo he “cannot remember” whether Armstrong did indeed head down the tunnel during the match in frustration at being left on the bench. Anyone else see Adam Armstrong walk down the tunnel after warming up for ages…only for Ralph to bring on Elyounoussi instead. Something has definitely gone on between the both of them — Terry (@Bennett2Terry) April 30, 2022 “I have a feeling that nobody is happy when you are not playing, this is normal - nobody should be happy when he is not playing,” he added, though. “He should be looking to come into the team as quick as possible because everyone wants to play, and it is up to me to find the right players to do so. “I have conversations with every player and one fact is also that our last striker goal was in the FA Cup versus West Ham. So there is definitely argument for him to say now ‘I have my qualities, I want to show up’ and this is understandable.” However, the Austrian continued: “I think the first year for a Championship striker, coming from there, in the Premier League is always a tough one. Adam Armstrong's last goal came back in November versus Aston Villa (Pic: Stuart Martin) “He has shown the qualities he has and in the end, yeah, at that time of the year two strikers in (Armando) Broja and Che Adams who have six and seven goals so there are some arguments for them. “He has two, against Everton and Aston Villa he scored. Form is sometimes more important than quality and it is okay to ask for more gametime in those moments, he is a different kind of striker.” Hasenhuttl went on to reveal that his selection process is not all about the output at the top end of the pitch, but their usefulness in defence of set-pieces too. Armstrong has the disadvantage, in this area, of standing at just five-foot eight-inches tall. Broja is six-foot three-inches and Adams, a little shorter, is five-foot 10-inches but has more aerial prowess. This will play a role in choosing Hasenhuttl’s XI for the trip to Brentford this weekend. Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl (Pic: Stuart Martin) “We have in the moment a little bit of issues with height, especially against a team like Brentford. They are very strong working with set-pieces,” Hasenhuttl insisted. “To pick then a striker who is not defending like Broja or Che Adams is a tough decision to take. You only see what happens up front on the pitch but you don’t ask Dave Watson what he thinks when I pick two strikers who are not six foot high. “I don’t want to explain my decision making but this nobody sees, you have to take always a balance.” 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’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.”