Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl reveals Southampton players do not know team selection until the final moments #SAINTSFC

April 29, 2022
SAINTS manager Ralph Hasenhuttl admits he sometimes leaves his players without knowing the team selection until up to two hours before kick-off. For last weekend’s trip to Brighton, the Austrian revealed that he made a late call on starting Shane Long over Adam Armstrong – who then did not feature at all – with no training sessions to base the decision off. Following the Thursday night visit to Burnley, resulting in a 2-0 defeat at Turf Moor, it was a quick turnaround to be at the Amex Stadium for Sunday 2PM. However, Hasenhuttl admits this is not the only occasion he has done this, explaining that it is “good” for some players as it takes the pressure off in the build-up to the match. Read more “Not always but there are some games where the finding of the starting XI is a journey through the whole week,” he explained. “And we have a lot of opportunities that can be sometimes an advantage. “Sometimes it is structured a little bit because you have so many options and you think what is the best to take and if you don't have any options, it's easier if you pick the XI you have. “But we have more than this and it's sometimes a very hard decision to take for me, but also for the players. But in the end I have to take it and I'm responsible for the result. I'm responsible for this, for the 11 and this is the job you have to do. “Sometimes we, in the final session, don't show them exactly who's playing on the next day so they don't know it and then they know it two hours before the game. It's enough.” Asked if that would not drive him mad as a player himself, Hasenhuttl responded: “Sometimes it's good for you - it depends on the player. “Some players are good when they don't know it because they put themselves under so much pressure. Others maybe need to know it. But most of them know - it is more about one or two positions.” 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
Chris Wood Burnley
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Burnley interim boss Mike Jackson looks ahead to Watford clash in relegation battle do or die #BURNLEYFC #WATFORDFC

April 29, 2022
BURNLEY interim boss Mike Jackson insists he hasn’t thought about his own managerial ambitions despite an impressive start to life in the hotseat at Turf Moor. The Clarets have picked up seven points from their last three matches since Jackson stepped up from the Under-23 side. But the former Tranmere boss insists he is only focused on the short term and helping Burnley maintain their top-flight status. “I’ve not had a chance to think about that," he said. "It’s not in the front of my mind at this moment in time. “The total focus has been can we get this team ready and making sure we keep trying to improve them. “I've had regular contact (with Alan Pace). We spoke about a couple of things, he’s given us his backing and we’re just going to go one game at a time. "He’s happy with where we are and we think the best for everybody is the way we’ve been doing it so everyone’s on the same page.” Burnley face another huge game on Saturday when they take on 19th-placed Watford, and victory at Vicarage Road would not just be a big leap towards safety but would also effectively relegate both Watford and Norwich. “I wouldn’t be disrespectful to the two teams like that,” he added. “I didn’t even know that. For me it’s just us focusing on us. “They’re fighting for their lives, two really good managers. A Roy Hodgson team’s not going to think about that. “There are loads of permutations. I can’t read into the future. We stay in the now. That’s the best way to play football.” Burnley can pile more pressure on Everton below them and Leeds ahead of them, with both teams playing after the Clarets and facing what appear significantly more difficult fixtures. A third of Burnley’s Premier League victories this campaign have come under Jackson, and he is determined to keep things simple. The former defender said: “It has been good but it’s just been about focusing on this next game, learning what we’ve done from the last game, what went well in the previous games. “The biggest thing I keep saying to them is, ‘Can we improve?’ There are certain things that we know we need to get right. “This group, with what has happened, have really rallied round each other and we’ve got to keep that - the players, the fans and the staff right at the heart of it, nothing comes inside that.” Jackson could have Maxwel Cornet and Jay Rodriguez available, but Erik Pieters, Ben Mee, Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Ashley Westwood remain sidelined.
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl credits Southampton academy after Tyler Dibling hattrick and reveals young age is not a barrier #SAINTSFC

April 29, 2022
RALPH Hasenhuttl is very clear in his insistence that everyone involved in the academy should take equal measures of credit and pride for the talented under-18 team Saints currently boast. Much of the external focus goes to the B team – the last step between academy and the Premier League – but bubbling under the surface, just out of the limelight, is a force in youth football. Saints, led by Carl Martin and Mikey Harris, are two wins in their last three matches away from winning the Under-18 Premier League South title. They have done that despite a number of their best players becoming regulars for the step above – Kamari Doyle, Luke Pearce and Dom Ballard, despite being 16 and 17, are key for the 23s. Read more And then a just-about 16-year-old – namely Tyler Dibling – set social media alight with a fantastic hattrick at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park this week, playing against players as old as six years his senior. 6: ⚽️33: ⚽️40: ⚽️Take it away, Tyler Dibling 👏 pic.twitter.com/aZDhWNbk56 — Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) April 25, 2022 If they complete the task ahead of them, the under-18s will face the widely accepted best youth team in the country – Manchester City – for the Under-18 Premier League National title. “The whole academy and all the people working there get the credit,” Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo. “It seems all the changes we have made in the past are now coming slowly but surely to shine in the light. “This is good for the guys, we invested a lot and I don’t want to speak about the things we have done to help them, in the end they do the job, they work with the players, scouting, managers, coaches – everybody.” Like the B team, the under-18s operate with the playbook administered by Hasenhuttl upon his arrival at St Mary’s. But the changes and investment now bearing fruits are much wider than that. England under-16 international, Dibling, is just the next schoolboy who everybody involved with Saints knows – or should know. Incredibly, he made a Premier League 2 debut at just 15-years-old back in January. “Yes, age is not the issue I think,” Hasenhuttl added. Tyler Dibling made an U23 debut at 15-years-old (Pic: Southampton FC) “When you look today on the debut from top Premier League players, how early they have done their Premier League debuts in their ages, some not older than 16 or 17, I think it is getting younger and younger for the really good ones. “It is not key that you need to bring 10 or 11 players from the under-16 team to the Premier League, you only need to bring one or two there. This chance is always there.” The youngster scored three carbon copy goals as he helped fire Saints B to a 4-2 win on Tyneside, in their penultimate game of the season. Coach Dave Horseman had insinuated he would be using the final matches of the campaign to look ahead to what the B team group could look like in August, and no doubt found one he will be very keen on. “(They were) very similar goals. We know his qualities and we are not jumping on this, we try to keep it calm,” Hasenhuttl continued, reflecting on Dibling’s hattrick. Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl (Pic: PA) “He is one of the shining players in our youth, we know that, meanwhile, it is always very difficult to keep them in our club. “The good thing is that we see how good he is, the bad thing is other clubs are seeing it, but you can be sure we will try to push him and to support him. I think he represents one of the good ones.” “It is always good to see such a young player shows this talent. We don't want to hang it too high, when you score three goals for the B team, but we know this is not normal. “We know this player and we have a high opinion, he can definitely be a player for the future for Southampton. I am sure he can score other goals too.” 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
Pascal Gross
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton’s Pascal Gross reveals his season challenges with double Covid setback and frequent position changes #BHAFC

April 28, 2022
Pascal Gross's footballing story in England is also Albion's Premier League story – to a large extent. And he gave us a little reminder of that as he thought he had secured a piece of history on Sunday. The German midfielder advanced into a dangerous area as in days of old, found space, took the ball on the half turn and saw he had a decent passing option to his right. Using that runner as a decoy, he took the more daring option, backed his technique and sent the most crisp of low, right-foot shots across the dive of an England goalkeeper and unerringly into the bottom left corner in front of the North Stand. It should have been the moment which secured Albion’s best ever points tally in the Prem. Or at least gave them a 3-2 lead over Southampton going into the final minutes. Instead, an old-fashioned offside flag went up. Then VAR, something which did not exist when Gross first came our way, confirmed a very tight – did someone say incorrect? - offside decision. Had it stood, Albion’s latest Prem win could have been secured with a goal just like one we saw in their first. On that occasion, it was the second goal of the match to open a 2-0 lead in the 3-1 win over West Brom. (Gross, of course, had scored the opening goal after Chris Hughton’s men had to wait almost three-and-a-half games to get off the mark). Back then, he drilled the ball past Ben Foster, this time it was Fraser Forster. The similarity of the strikes did not go unnoticed. Lewis Dunk remarked on it as he and Gross headed out of the changing rooms and towards the player interview area after Sunday’s game. The Albion No.13 told The Argus: “Dunky just said the same – he remembered West Brom. “I saw it for a couple of seconds. “That was why I celebrated. It would have been nice but it’s ups and downs. “Great for a second or two, then after disappointed obviously.” Gross came in as Albion’s goalscoring No.10, playing just off Glenn Murray or Tomer Hemed in Hughton’s 4-4-1-1 set-up. He has added versatility since then as reflected of late, working out wide or a long way forward helping lead the press. Against Southampton, he went on at right wing-back as Albion changed shape having seen a 2-0 lead slip away but that did not last long. He said: “I came on as a right wing-back, then the gaffer made a slight adjustment so I went into midfield. “I don’t mind. I play where I am needed. ”I think we played really well in the first half. “Just before half-time we conceded a goal and that is always not a great moment. “After half-time we struggled a little bit. “Solly (March) and me came on and as subs you just try to help your team. “There are always different types of game and different stages. “You just try to have an impact and help the team.” Around the time of Albion’s entry into the FA Cup in January, there were questions in Graham Potter’s press conferences as to how much of a part Gross still had in the league. He had played just a minor role in the previous two months or so. But he has stepped up a level since then. Been out there in most of the best moments. Very often (though not always) these days, a curious, unexplained absence or dip in form can be for a reason which did not exist until two years ago and information about which is not readily divulged. PASCAL GROSS SAYS BRIGHTON HAVE BIG FUTURE Gross revealed: “I had Covid twice this season, in the first half and it didn’t help, obviously. “But I am always a part of the team and I try to play as much as I can. “Try to play as well as I can so that the gaffer has to pick me. “I try to make it hard for him like every player does.” Asked how Covid affected him, he said: “It’s just you are out for ten days at least and then you need to rebuild a little bit. “It’s not great during a season, like other players have little injuries. That doesn’t help. “I’m fit and I just try to help the team when I am needed. “It’s not that big a deal but many players have it. “That’s just the times we live in.”
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl refutes Saints team is playing on the beach after fighting draw against Brighton #SAINTSFC #BHAFC

April 26, 2022
RALPH Hasenhuttl has refuted suggestions of his Saints players being “on the beach” following the 2-2 draw at Brighton, insisting “we have shown they are not”. The St Mary’s side had come under fire following the depressing two-goal defeat at relegation-threatened Burnley on Thursday – where they were outfought from first to last. Saints had ended a run of five Premier League matches without victory with a 1-0 win over Arsenal the previous Saturday, but slipped back into prior form in Lancashire. The claims of players mentally being on their holidays with survival all wrapped up were only fuelled when Brighton took a 2-0 lead at Amex Stadium, inside the first-half on Sunday. Brighton took the lead inside two minutes on Sunday (Pic: PA) However, thanks to a James Ward-Prowse free-kick and long-range strike, Saints went on to rescue a point in Sussex – and put in a performance which could have harboured more. Read more “It was said last week that the guys on the pitch seemed to be on the beach,” Hasenhuttl recalled. “But we have shown today that they are not. “They want to achieve more than 40 points and today we showed a very, very good reaction. It is not the first time this season we have shown it, we have shown it very often.” He continued: “Also now where some people think the season is gone for us because we have now 40 points and you can be sure that we want to get more. We have four games to go and still have plenty of points to take and we will keep on going.” Brighton’s early opener, scored by Danny Welbeck inside 90 seconds, was the first goal the Seagulls had scored at home since January – blanking in five fixtures since. They have won just three home matches all season, and would be relegated on home form alone so far. Hasenhuttl insisted his side could sense the fragility and were urged to keep pushing. “We kept the pressure high on them and we knew about the history they had in their own ground where they haven’t won a lot of games this season,” he added. “It was clear they are a little bit struggling mentally and we tried to use this fact and absolutely deserved the equaliser.” 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
Matej Vydra
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Matej Vydra believes experience will help Burnley in Premier League relegation battle #BURNLEYFC

April 26, 2022
MATEJ Vydra believes Burnley’s experience of fighting the drop can help them stave off relegation from the Premier League once again. The Clarets have flourished following long-serving Sean Dyche’s shock sacking on April 16, with impressive caretaker boss Mike Jackson securing seven points from three games in a whirlwind week. Burnley followed last weekend’s hard-fought 1-1 draw at West Ham by impressively beating Southampton 2-0 on Thursday at Turf Moor, which witnessed another key victory on Sunday afternoon. The Clarets recovered from a nervy start to run out 1-0 victors against European hopefuls Wolves, with Vydra – in for the injured Maxwel Cornet – scoring the second-half winner. “I think the last three results were important for us,” the Czech Republic international said. “It wasn’t the best game to watch but the most important thing is three points on the board. “I think we get more confidence because of the last three results – seven points and finally out of the bottom three but Everton have got a game in hand. “It’s a nice feeling but we have five more steps.” Vydra joked his back was stiff from all the pats on the back he got following a winner made all the sweeter having undergone hernia surgery and dislocated an elbow during a frustrating start to 2022. “It was a great pass from Dwighty (Dwight McNeil) to Wout (Weghorst), and then I was only ‘please find the pass’ between the legs,” he added. “Then it was on me and that’s why I’m the striker. Most of the time strikers are scoring goals but I think it doesn’t matter right now who is going to score. “Just the important thing is if we get points on the board or not. “After you could hear how the fans are buzzing. I’m glad we get three points on the board.” 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
James Ward Prowse
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- James Ward-Prowse on Tino Livramento injury and free-kick wizardry #SAINTSFC

April 26, 2022
JAMES Ward-Prowse admitted it was “stressful for everyone to see” Tino Livramento’s horrible injury at Brighton, but insisted it “spurred us on”. The Saints captain struck twice to see his side come from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Amex Stadium, but Livramento’s exit overshadowed the occasion. The 19-year-old was replaced by substitute Romain Perraud with a nasty knee injury after 36 minutes of the first-half, with manager Ralph Hasenhuttl admitting it looks "very, very serious". Livramento had recovered from a knee meniscus injury already this year, missing five Premier League matches over six weeks and managing swelling ever since. Read more He could now be set to miss the rest of the season, if hospital scans confirm what is suspected. Ward-Prowse, who paid tribute to Livramento with a T gesture in celebration of his equaliser, tells how the youngster made a final impact even from the sidelines. Tino Livramento required serious medical treatment during the draw at Burnley (Pic: PA) “It was disappointing and stressful for everyone to see,” Ward-Prowse told the Daily Echo, speaking after the match in Sussex. “It’s not nice to see anyone go down injured like that. He’s obviously in our thoughts at the minute. I saw him post-game in the changing room, he’s upbeat now. “It’s going to take him a little while to come around to it but it’s up to us now as a team and a club to get behind him and give him all the support he needs.” @EddySFC re: your Tino Livramento question, been told that Thursday is likely earliest club will say anything as they like to let the injury settle before conclusive scans. That would leave press conference as likely route 👍 something could always come sooner though, ofc — Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) April 25, 2022 He continued: “The rivalries between all the teams are high but when someone’s injured it’s great to see all the players and the fans from Brighton giving him the respect and applause he deserves. A nice moment in a way and hopefully now we can all get behind him. “I think it kind of spurred us on in a way, he was in our minds from that moment on and it gave us a kick that we needed. Obviously it’s an unfortunate injury for him and we wish him all the best. It was a tough moment that put a dampener on the first half and spurred us on.” Ward-Prowse took himself to within four of David Beckham’s free-kick record (18) with his special effort in added time of the first-half, after Livramento’s substitution. James Ward-Prowse scores his fourth free-kick of the season (Pic: PA) It was a different strike to ones he had converted at Crystal Palace, Wolves and Leeds United earlier this campaign. This deft stroke went low and off goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s far post to evade detection. “The more you score, the more predictable it becomes,” he admitted. “You have to make sure you’re able to show some variation and do something surprising and thankfully I caught him off guard today.” Ward-Prowse reached a personal best total of nine goals in a single Premier League season with his second, converting an Oriol Romeu backheel from the edge of the area. “I think I had 10 goals at the start of the season as my sort of benchmark so one more to go in the league but more importantly it’s contributing to some good results and that’s the main thing.” Saints had to show a reaction from their dismal 2-0 defeat at Burnley on Thursday, which left travelling fans as bemused as they were frustrated. “That’s the basic thing you need as a player and as a team: to show that you can compete and fight for every ball,” Ward-Prowse explained. “I think the lads we had on the pitch today showed that. A real positive step considering the result we had in midweek. “I think it was important in to not lose the game. The game was stretched, we wanted to go for a winner but away at Brighton I think it’s a good point.” 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 Tarkowsi Burnley
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Mike Jackson pleased after Burnley ‘dig deep’ to topple Wolves #BURNLEYFC

April 25, 2022
Burnley moved out of the relegation zone with a battling 1-0 win over Wolves that delighted caretaker boss Mike Jackson, who joked he would like to celebrate the successful end to a whirlwind week by sinking eight pints. Having been thrust into the Turf Moor hotseat following the surprise sacking of long-serving Sean Dyche on April 16, the under-23 coach has flourished and on Sunday secured a second victory from three unbeaten games in charge. The impressive 1-1 draw at West Ham was followed by Thursday’s 2-0 home triumph over Southampton, before Matej Vydra sealed three more crucial points against Wolves. The result propelled the Clarets out of the relegation zone – temporarily at least – and the run has injected new life into their survival bid. “It’s a great result, really strong performance again,” Jackson said. “It’s the third game in a week so we’ve had to dig deep in areas of that game. “We didn’t start the game great but we grew into it as the game went on and later in the first half we started to come into it more. “We just tweaked a couple of things at half-time that we needed to get better and then we started second half well. “We get the goal and then obviously it’s just about managing the game out a little bit, because there were a couple of lads carrying little knocks and niggles. “I think it’ll be a big lift to the group (getting out of the relegation zone) if, fingers crossed, it can stay that way. “But just from getting these results, I think psychologically for the group, what they’ve achieved this week will help them, will bring them together even more.” Jackson does not believe complacency will be an issue for his group, nor will the Burnley coach be getting ahead of himself despite acknowledging the need to celebrate the Wolves win. “My plan? I’d like to say eight pints but, no, I’ll be going home, sitting on the couch, see my family, and then go to see my dad (on Monday),” the Burnley caretaker said. “When you win a game, enjoy that day. Next day, you’ll start thinking about everything else that goes with it but for now just the lads deserve to enjoy that day. “They’ve had a really tough week and come out of it with some really good things.” Jackson has done a sterling job since stepping in following Dyche’s exit but is unsure whether he will still be in charge for next weekend’s trip to relegation rivals Watford. “It’s literally day to day,” he added. “We’ve come off the back of this week here and now it’s just about just enjoying that little bit of it, because there’s still a hell of a lot more football to come. “It’s about us trying to improve, trying to get better in everything that we’re doing.”
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton boss explains decision to make six changes for Brighton #BHAFC #SAINTSFC

April 25, 2022
RALPH Hasenhuttl explained making six changes from the defeat to Burnley was not a message to his players but “a response to the shape we wanted to play”, following a 2-2 draw at Brighton. The Austrian boss switched from the five-back defence to his usual shape after a dismal showing at Turf Moor on Thursday night, which saw Saints battered in a 2-0 defeat. Saints were lucky to not lose by more, despite the Clarets’ status as a relegation-threatened struggler in the Premier League. Hasenhuttl then named six changes dropping Armando Broja, Romain Perraud, Lyanco, Stuart Armstrong, Moi Elyounoussi and Yan Valery at the Amex Stadium. However, he denied it being in response to poor performances and instead suggested it was to facilitate his change in formation. “It was a response to the shape we wanted to play today and the shape,” Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo. “Very often the players I take is based on tactical things, what I try to change and we know what hurts them. “They (Brighton) also changed their shape today, they also played a back four and tactically it was interesting for the whole game. In the end, I’m happy we took a point.” Saints found themselves down to a Danny Welbeck opener inside 90 seconds, after just two days of preparation for the visit to Brighton. It looked like a continuation of the Thursday night horror when Mohammed Salisu put through his own net before half-time, and would have been but for James Ward-Prowse heroics. Having had so little time to prepare, Hasenhuttl admitted the early goal “definitely” made it even more frustrating. “But even there I was full of belief that we can achieve something here,” he added. “We knew it was a tough game but we have had a very good history in this stadium, since I was here we have never lost and always won here. Today we also had full belief.”