Jordan Zemura
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories – Jordan Zemura backing Bournemouth to ‘kick on’ after Newcastle draw #AFCB

February 15, 2023
JORDAN Zemura is backing Cherries to “kick on” after an improved performance against Newcastle. Left-back Zemura played the full 90 minutes as Cherries shared a point with Newcastle, Marcos Senesi’s opener cancelled out by Miguel Almiron just before the break. Whilst Cherries are still without a win in seven Premier League games, performances in recent weeks have improved. However, late goals conceded at home to Nottingham Forest and Brighton meant hardly any points were produced for the efforts Cherries put into the games. Discussing the Newcastle game, Zemura told the Daily Echo: “I feel like you can see that our performances have been improving. “Obviously, last week was quite tough to take, a 1-0 defeat to Brighton, especially at the last bits of the game. “(Against Newcastle) you could see that from the lads we were switched on from minute one and then just working for each other, giving it our all. “It’s annoying to concede the goal right before half time, but definitely something to build on. “But we need to start turning these performances into wins because at the end of the day, they’re what’s needed most.” The Zimbabwean international then went on to explain his confidence in the side improving further, pointing to returnees from injury and new signings bedding in. Dominic Solanke and Marcus Tavernier both made their return from injury, the attacking talents noticeable absences in recent weeks. “I think you can see it from that Nottingham Forest game at home. Our squad was quite bare, a few players were injured and now people are coming back in. “The likes of Junior (Hamed Traore) coming in, Tavs (Marcus Tavernier) coming back from injury, Dango coming in. “It makes a big difference. “Players like that can affect the game. “And I think you could just see the squad start to start to really kick on a little bit now.” “It’s only a matter of time. “I think you could see from all of the boys, the players from injury coming back in, it’s a very strong unit, a very good dressing room. “Fredo (Ryan Fredericks) coming in, hasn’t played the last couple of weeks, out with injuries, he just comes in, fits in nicely. “It's nice to have those players coming back in and affecting the game. “To the players starting, you have to be on your A game because people are there to come in and take your place. It’s a good environment. Solanke almost made a goal scoring return to the side, the striker’s flicked effort cleared off the line by England international Kieran Trippier. Zemura added: “It’s fine margins. They clear the ball off the line in the 95th minute, inches before it goes in. “We could be here celebrating three points against one of the best teams in the league.”
Eddie Howe Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Eddie Howe admits Cherries Dean Court stadium has a special place in his heart after Bournemouth draw with Newcastle #AFCB

February 14, 2023
Howe returned to Dean Court on Saturday for the first time since leaving the club more than two years ago, with his Newcastle United team. The game ended level, with Miguel Almiron cancelling out Marcos Senesi’s opener in a 1-1 draw. Cherries are now winless in nine matches across league and cup since Gary O’Neil went from interim to permanent head coach. Despite that, Howe believes his former club have what it takes to avoid the drop, following a busy January transfer window. Asked if he thinks Cherries’ new-look squad will get the points required in the second half of the season to avoid the drop, Howe told the Daily Echo: “Yes, without a doubt I do. “Coming here, the power of the home ground and what this ground can do, I’ve been the beneficiary of that, many, many times. “I think home form will probably be absolutely crucial. “But definitely I think they’ve got the players and the manager to stay up.” Dorset-raised Howe came through the academy at Cherries, before going on to make more than 300 appearances for the club across two spells. Having retired early due to injury, he was then thrust into the managerial hotseat aged just 31, masterminding the ‘Greatest Escape’, keeping the club afloat despite starting the 2008-09 campaign on minus 17 points. Howe then piloted the club all the way up from League Two to the Premier League, returning after a brief spell away at Burnley, keeping them in the top flight for five seasons. He left Cherries by mutual consent in August 2020, following relegation from the Premier League, taking a sabbatical before returning to management with Newcastle in November 2021. Since moving to Tyneside, Cherries legend Howe is already a fans’ favourite with his new club, guiding them away from relegation trouble last season before taking them through to a first cup final since 1999 this year. They will face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup showpiece later this month. On top of that, Newcastle currently sit fourth in the Premier League. “My heart will always have a place here, because of my history,” Howe said, reflecting on his return to Cherries. “Not just mine, but my family’s. My brother played here and I’ve got a long association. “So an element of my heart will always be here, but I’m very much focused on my challenge now at Newcastle and enjoying that immensely.” Discussing seeing some of his former players having such a key role in Cherries’ current side, Howe added: “I’m really pleased for those players. I think they’re all top players. “They’re all very different, of course. I won’t sit here and talk about each and every one of them. “But I’m very pleased to see the club doing well and back in the Premier League. “I hope it continues to go from strength to strength.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil hoping to welcome back more key players from injury ‘ahead of schedule’ #AFCB

February 13, 2023
Cherries welcomed back both Dominic Solanke and Jack Stephens to the starting XI for Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle United. Marcus Tavernier and Ryan Fredericks were also introduced from the bench for their first appearances since November. In recent weeks, Cherries’ list of substitutes have included a handful of inexperienced players from the under-18s side. But at the weekend, O’Neil had nine first-team players to choose from, with a number of players still yet to return from injury. “We still have key players to come back, of course,” O’Neil told the Daily Echo. “Still Brooksy (David Brooks), Lew (Cook), Lloyd (Kelly) and Illia (Zabarnyi). “So still four massive players for us that are missing. But the group is in a good place. “And when they start to tire on 78 minutes and you have the full backing of the fans and even from the first minute to be honest, the fans were excellent. “So I’m pleased for the lads because I’ve spoken about it since I took over.” He added: “It’s important for the players. You can see we have a group that are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure they’re performing at their maximum. “It’s been tough for them at times, because we’ve been a bit short with injuries, so they’ve had to suffer some tough results. We have a group that is a lot, lot stronger now.” Asked if the four players he mentioned are close to returning, O’Neil added: “They’re slightly different and a couple we’re hoping to get back ahead of schedule. “A couple are doing really well. Obviously I’m hopeful to get them back as soon as possible.” Cherries go to Wolves on Saturday.
Eddie Howe Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Eddie Howe on ‘special moment’ with Bournemouth fans after fighting draw against ex team #NUFC

February 12, 2023
Howe was making his first return to the club he made his name, both as a player and manager, before leaving in August 2020. The 45-year-old is enjoying a brilliant campaign in charge of Newcastle United, the Magpies sitting fourth in the Premier League after Miguel Almiron’s strike cancelled out Marcos Senesi’s opener. Touching moment for Eddie Howe as he leaves the Vitality Stadium to a standing ovation! 👏🍒 pic.twitter.com/K2xuPd0Ju6 — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 11, 2023 Following the game, all four sides of the ground stood to applaud Howe and sing his name, with the Newcastle boss taking in the adulation and showing his thanks. Asked about that moment with the Cherries fans, Howe said: “It was emotional. I’m not going to hide that fact. “I think with how long I’d been at this football club without the chance to say goodbye to people who had given me so much in my life. “And not just for me, for my family as well. That was difficult. “I thought the Bournemouth supporters were amazing with me today. “I can’t thank them enough for that and it’s just a chance really for me to thank them. It was a very special moment. “To have that reception from two sets of supporters means the world to me. I’m just very, very grateful for it.” He added: “The long association, coming here as a 12 year old with my mum driving me to training. “All of those sort of memories come back.” Discussing what it was like entering the stadium as an away manager, Howe said: “That part was fine. “The walk through the stadium and so many familiar faces and surroundings. But anyone who knows me, I was just very much focused on the game. “The game was the only thing that mattered. Trying to win the game, trying to produce a team that gives a good performance. “Those thoughts never change. So I was really focused on that. It only really struck me on the final whistle when I knew what was about to happen really and I knew I had to thank both sets of supporters obviously. “Firstly my set of supporters, Newcastle, for travelling this journey, the length of the country, to support their team. And they did brilliantly for us again today. “And then the long wait to thank the Bournemouth fans for everything they gave me in my time here. That’s as a player and a manager. I really felt the need to do that.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil on draw with Newcastle United #AFCB

February 12, 2023
Marcos Senesi’s first goal for the club was ruled out by Miguel Almiron’s strike on the stroke of half-time, and in the second half, returnee Dominic Solanke must have thought he had sealed the points late on when Kieran Trippier cleared his backheel off the line. O’Neil shared how he thought the performance was a further improvement despite not earning his side all three points. He began: “There were some improvements. “I thought we built on a decent performance against Brighton last week with another one. “I thought the longer the game went on, we looked more likely to win it. “Slightly disappointed that we didn’t take all three. “The boys’ performance and the chances we created deserved three, but against a very good side that have not lost a game in a long time, it was probably as close as they’ve come to losing one.” Cherries’ head coach went on to expound on his belief that his side deserved all three points, pointing to chances spurned by Solanke and Marcus Tavernier in the second period. “Obviously the Solanke chance, the Tavernier chance, two big chances,” he restarted. “I thought we were very threatening. It will be interesting to see the sort of numbers and stuff on it, but I would suggest we were unlucky not to go on and win it.” O’Neil also commented how he had been “desperate” to get into the break unscathed, with Almiron’s equaliser Newcastle’s only clear-cut chance of the first half. He explained: “I was worried about the last ten minutes because they were forced into a change of shape when Gordon came on. It took our lads a bit of a while to (adapt) to the tactical change. “I was desperate to get to half time so we could fix a couple of things. “We didn't quite get there. Disappointing with the goal, obviously some errors in it, as there always are. “I think if you look at the performance, at the atmosphere, the connection between the lads and the fans today. “It was a good afternoon, but disappointed for the lads that they didn't get all three.”  
Nathan Jones
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton manager Nathan Jones refuted claim of training ground bust-up #SAINTSFC

February 11, 2023
Staplewood Campus has been host to brawls and arguments between players and staff members, according to now said to be untrue whispers. Jones came under increased pressure following a sixth league defeat in his seven games as boss at St Mary’s and Monday saw the biggest media flashpoint so far. Some supporters claiming to have training ground sources reported suggestions of disputes and altercations but when they were put to Jones, he denies the sort. “That’s a non-story. There’s nothing like that,” he insisted, speaking ahead of the visit from Wolves. “I mean, to be fair, I've been in groups, very successful groups, where they are and there’s aggression on the training ground, but here is a good group. “It's a group that gets on, it's a group that's honest and that's one of the positive. They're working hard, our running stats and our aggression stats are up. So they're working hard and it's a good group. “Everyone looks in when you're not winning games and stuff but it's not that, we just haven't been good enough in games, and I take full responsibility for that.” Jones added: “And that's the only thing. If we were getting results this would be a more wonderful place because it already has a good atmosphere. There is a good spirit in the changing room, around the camp and there's good competition and there's no issues like that.” One of the players said to be involved in such arguments was Duje Caleta-Car, who became an easy suggestion after he was involved with the B team last Friday the day before a Premier League match. Saints CEO Martin Semmens, at Tuesday's fans' forum, revealed the Croatian international was removed at half-time of the under-21s victory due to a minor injury. Asked to clarify Caleta-Car’s situation for supporters, Jones told the Daily Echo: “It was a precaution. Some changes we make are precautionary to look after players and that’s first team or B team. Duje has trained fully since. “We felt because of the suspension he was deconditioned, so did we want him to travel to Brentford and sit in the hotel? There’s only so much you can do there, or do I say to him he gets match minutes so he is better equipped and ready for if selected to play against Wolves. “We had a conversation and he made that choice, I didn’t have to coerce him in any way and as it was he felt his hamstring because certain conditions might not have been exactly the same and so on. That’s why we brought him off.” Don't miss a moment with our Saints morning briefing email. A message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article on the Daily Echo. Your support means we can bring you the latest breaking news, exclusive Saints features and coverage - and much more. Digital subscribers get unrestricted access to all of our stories, our dedicated app including e-version of the newspaper, and an advertising-light website. If you want all the latest articles delivered straight to your inbox you can join the thousands of subscribers who are signed up to our newsletters. They include our popular daily morning news briefing, breaking news, crime and court, and Southampton FC bulletins - plus business, heritage and our what's on newsletters.
Nathan Jones
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Nathan Jones does not feel he has given reason for burned bridges with fans #SAINTSFC

February 11, 2023
The Welshman concedes it is a results business and again implores that picking up wins will be the only way fans will be fully behind him as boss. Saints welcome relegation rivals Wolves to St Mary’s on Saturday, February 11 (3PM) with ground to make up on the rest of the teams in the fight. Wolves, Everton and Leeds United have all picked up points in the last matchday and Saints risk being cut further adrift without a result at home this weekend. Jones, who has come under fire almost unanimously from supporters following his post-match press conference after a 3-0 defeat to Brentford last weekend, was asked if he must repair relations with fans. Some enjoyable quotes from Nathan Jones today, as a few more were ticked off the bingo card. #SaintsFC💬 "I could have stayed in a mining community, been a PE teacher and had a nice life, married a nice Welsh girl. Beautiful. I didn’t. And that’s nothing against Welsh women." — Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) February 9, 2023 “I don't think I've done anything personally against anyone so I don't know if I've got to build any bridges,” he responded. “It is about wins, it is about them seeing a team out there that can win football games because that is what they can get behind. It has been a tough start, then we turned a corner and have had some tricky results now. “Results will always change it, it doesn't matter who you are if you don't get results then you're under pressure. There are other PL managers who are more experienced in the PL than me who are having tough times as well.” Jones added: “It is part and parcel of the game, others who have been very successful have only got to have one or two defeats to be under pressure. I understand the pressures. “I believe categorically I am the right man for the job and I am enjoying my job here. It is tough in terms of the situation but tough situations call for tough people.” This week also saw the latest fans’ forum held at St Mary’s, ahead of the FA Youth Cup match on Tuesday evening, and the talk was dominated by manager talk. Sport Republic CEO Rasmus Ankersen, joined on a panel by Saints CEO Martin Semmens, chairman Henrik Kraft and managing director Toby Steele, defended the decision to give Jones more time. "I accept these things,” Jones said, asked about the forum and its response. “I was very happy my board backed me in terms of certain stuff. “They would see a lot more that is going on in the recruitment process, in the positivity in any area I have, they see the work on the training pitches and how I've dealt with situations that have occurred and they're happy. “The big thing is results and that's what we have to change. We're not shying away from it and I've accepted full responsibility. Not once have I passed the buck, dug anyone out or passed the blame onto any individual ever in my career." Don't miss a moment with our Saints morning briefing email. A message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article on the Daily Echo. Your support means we can bring you the latest breaking news, exclusive Saints features and coverage - and much more. Digital subscribers get unrestricted access to all of our stories, our dedicated app including e-version of the newspaper, and an advertising-light website. If you want all the latest articles delivered straight to your inbox you can join the thousands of subscribers who are signed up to our newsletters. They include our popular daily morning news briefing, breaking news, crime and court, and Southampton FC bulletins - plus business, heritage and our what's on newsletters.
Jaidon Anthony
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Jaidon Anthony on new deal with Cherries #AFCB

February 11, 2023
Cherries announced that the 23-year-old had extended his stay at the Vitality Stadium until the summer of 2027, signing a four-and-half-year new contract. The rise of Anthony has been near-meteoric, with the winger arriving on the south coast following his release by Arsenal at 16. When Cherries were last involved in a relegation battle during lockdown in the summer of 2020, Anthony was getting his first taste of senior football on loan at National League South Weymouth. Two seasons after helping the Terras to promotion from the sixth tier via the play-offs, Anthony was celebrating reaching the Premier League as an established first teamer with Cherries. Asked if he expected to be a Premier League regular at this stage of his career, Anthony told the Daily Echo: “Probably not so soon. “I thought I would have had to go do some loans through the leagues, and try and work my way up in that way. “But I always knew I had some talent, and I knew I wanted to play at the highest level that I could. “And I'm just grateful for the opportunities that I got, obviously, last year and this year, to be able to be in this position and be a Premier League player, that's fighting week in, week out to try and get some results.” Discussing negotiations, Anthony shared: “It’s been a long time, but I'm just buzzing it’s finally done. “It’s felt like ages, but I can just focus, get my head down and get back to work and try and have a successful rest of the season.” In a bid to strengthen their squad for the survival battle, Cherries added six new signings in the January window. Three of those arrivals play in a similar position to Anthony, with the winger keen to battle for his spot in the team. He added: “The club just did the best they could to try and keep us in the league. “Obviously we knew we needed to strengthen. It wasn't really my focus because if I'm being honest, I just focus on how I could help and that will always be the same, really. “I think everywhere you go, you're going to have to fight to get in the team. It was the same last year. Obviously, we signed a lot of players last year and a lot in my position as well. And it was always a fight to try and play. “The level goes up and we've got an exciting squad, a lot of talented players in my position and whatever the manager decides, I'm there to try and help wherever I can. “And obviously every player wants to play and be in the starting eleven, but I understand that it won't be like that throughout my career. “There'll be some times where I have to bide my time and work to get in the team.”
Nathan Jones
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Nathan Jones believes he is the right man for Southampton job #SAINTSFC

February 10, 2023
Asked a two-pronged question on whether he is up to the task and whether he thinks bridges have been burnt with supporters, he responded first with: “I’m not sure.” Later in the press conference, in a second section embargoed for print publications, Jones was asked to clarify exactly which part of the question he was referring to. With Saints bottom of the Premier League after 21 matches, seven of those under his stewardship (six defeats), and a bizarre string of comments after Saturday’s heavy defeat – anything was possible. Jones moved swiftly to confirm: “I categorically think I am the right man for the job because I know the work I do. “If others, outside influences or anything, feel that I don't know. But if you ask me I categorically think I am the right man for the job. I know what I can do and what I do on a daily basis and I know what we need.” Jones’s demeanour during the media conference, previewing the visit of relegation rivals to St Mary’s on Saturday, was noticeably different. Although many of the core messages were the same – a belief in God helping him through, a desire to be an aggressive, front-footed team and a smattering of both defiance and insecurity in one’s own decisions – Jones seemed more reflective. “I think every situation is unique but look, I went to Luton. I was homesick when I went to Luton when I was a player,” Jones’s anecdote began.   “The manager left, David Pleat left, my next move was then to go to Spain. No logic in that because I’m homesick in Luton and then I decide to go to Spain.” He added: “I enjoy a challenge, I want to be the best version of me. I could have stayed in a mining community, been a PE teacher and had a nice life, married a nice Welsh girl. Beautiful. I didn’t. “I want to test myself on every level. And that’s nothing against Welsh women,” he joked. “I want to test myself, I have always wanted to test myself. I wanted to test myself and be a player and survive. “I knew I wasn't brilliant as a player but I was the fittest human being in history. I thought ‘I’m going to cling onto this dream and get as high as I can’. While I was doing that I then took coaching badges and learnt of people, and I wanted to be the best coach in the world. “That’s what I wanted to be. I learned to develop, then it came to a point where I thought I could be a manager. I didn't set out to be a manager but then I loved it. Love the pressure, loved it when the team won, got more enjoyment out of my team playing well than me playing well when I did. “Now I’m hurting like anyone else, like any Southampton fan. I'm not saying I’m a bigger Southampton fan but my life depends on it now. So I don't go to the pub after and stuff like that but my life depends on this, and I love the pressure, I love the challenge.” Don't miss a moment with our Saints morning briefing email. A message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article on the Daily Echo. Your support means we can bring you the latest breaking news, exclusive Saints features and coverage - and much more. Digital subscribers get unrestricted access to all of our stories, our dedicated app including e-version of the newspaper, and an advertising-light website. If you want all the latest articles delivered straight to your inbox you can join the thousands of subscribers who are signed up to our newsletters. They include our popular daily morning news briefing, breaking news, crime and court, and Southampton FC bulletins - plus business, heritage and our what's on newsletters.