Roberto De Zerbi
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Roberto De Zerbi sends Moises Caicedo message to Brighton fans after transfer saga #BHAFC

February 4, 2023
The midfielder will play against Bournemouth tomorrow after offers from Arsenal were rejected. Caicedo put out a social media statement, for which his agent has claimed at least some of the responsibility, saying he wished to leave the club. But De Zerbi has spoken to the player and says they are ready to put events of January behind them. The head coach said: “I want to speak to our fans because I want them to support him. “I don't want them to criticise him. “I love Moises. The people who work at Brighton love Moises. “He is a good guy. I don't know if he made a mistake or not but the transfer market is closed and the fans must follow me because I take responsibility for him and if, I say something clear about Moises, they have to believe me." De Zerbi is delighted to have Caicedo on board for the result of the season. “I don’t know,” replied the Italian boss when asked if Caicedo will depart Sussex before next season. “I want to be responsible about him because I believe in Moises. I don’t know the situation in the future but he’s a good guy and I want to defend him now. “In other times I spoke a different way for the other players but for Moises it’s different. “We need the performance of Moises and he’s a fantastic guy and so I don’t want to hear criticism or anything more.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil comments on working with latest recruits #AFCB

February 4, 2023
CHERRIES boss Gary O’Neil commented how he was “excited to get to work” with the younger new recruits at the Vitality Stadium. There seemed to be a clear profile for the majority of Cherries’ business in January, with four signings boasting serious potential whilst being able to help Cherries immediately, according to O’Neil. The Dorset club made a total of six signings during the transfer window, with all but one under the age of 25. Depth issues were addressed as veteran Darren Randolph was added to the goalkeeping department, whilst the left-back spot received much needed competition with the addition of Matías Viña from Roma. Fellow defender Illia Vabarnyi has previously been described as a wonderkid, with the 20-year-old already playing in the Champions League and at the last Euros with Ukraine. Cherries’ lack of goals was also addressed, with three new attackers added to O’Neil’s arsenal. Antoine Semenyo, Dango Ouattara and Hamed Traore are all capable of playing in a myriad of positions, with O’Neil sharing where they will fit into the team. He told the Daily Echo: “There's a lot of work that goes into signing players, so you have a clear idea as to where you think they fit and what they can do. “But then there's always when they arrive, you improve that understanding. “Watching somebody play for somebody else is never the same as seeing them in your own sessions or tactical set up. “So once they arrive, you get a closer look and as you can say, a few of them can do sort of multiple positions, which is which is helpful. “Based on that, I see them in quite a variety of positions.” Despite their tender years, the outfield additions will be expected to contribute from the off, although O’Neil pointed out there was plenty of room for them to improve as players. He restarted: “The age of them as well, Illia (Zabarnyi), 20, (Hamed) Traore, 22. I think Dango (Ouattara) is still only 20. “Antoine (Semenyo), still young and has played in the Championship, so working with him to get him understanding the Premier League and what he can do to make the step up, of course. “So, yeah, it's exciting. I think when you look at the month we had, they can help us here and now. “As I've said, they're exciting here and now, but still all have fantastic years ahead of them because of their age and the potential development that we have with them. So we’re excited to get to work with them.
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil hopes for big impact from Joe Rothwell #AFCB

February 3, 2023
GARY O’Neil hopes Joe Rothwell can show “what a good player he can be” in the second half of the season, after a frustrating start to life on the south coast. Cherries pursued Rothwell for some time before finally snapping him up as a free agent last summer, after his contract at Blackburn Rovers expired. The midfielder impressed during pre-season, only to be struck down by a quad injury on the eve of the Premier League campaign. Rothwell had to wait until October to finally make his Cherries bow, with further substitute appearances following either side of the World Cup break. With Lewis Cook and Philip Billing both ruled out through injury, O’Neil turned to Rothwell, handing the 28-year-old his first Premier League start last time out. He played 75 minutes of the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest and will hope to keep his place when Cherries head to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday (3pm). Discussing Rothwell’s time at Cherries so far and what he has made of his behind the scenes since his arrival, boss O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “Joe’s got quality, of course. “He’s been unfortunate, because he suffered a fairly significant injury early when he arrived and Lewis Cook and Jefferson Lerma have done well as a pairing in midfield. “So it’s been hard for Joe to get minutes. “It’s sometimes the way it goes. You suffer an injury at the wrong time, the two that end up playing do well and you have to wait your time. “But he’s trained well, he still shows his quality, he’s a good lad, I get on really well with him. “Hopefully Joe starts to get more minutes and shows everyone what a good player he can be.” Reflecting on Rothwell’s performance against Forest, O’Neil added: “I thought he brought us some quality with the ball, at times. “I thought he made some nice passes, tried to get on it, worked his socks off. “So I’m pleased for Joe, because obviously he’s had to be patient. “I thought he did well, against a good Nottingham Forest side. “A lot of the boys put in a real, good performance that they should be proud of.” Rothwell, who began his career at Manchester United, dropped down the leagues to get game-time, featuring in League One with Oxford United before four seasons in the second tier at Blackburn. His dribbling and the ability to carry the ball up the pitch were a big reason in Cherries bringing him to the club, something Marcus Tavernier excelled at, albeit in a different position, prior to his recent injury. The former Middlesbrough man is unlikely to return in time for face Brighton, as he continues with individual training work following his hamstring problem. Asked if Rothwell can provide some of what Cherries miss in Tavernier’s absence, O’Neil said: “He’s very different to Tav. But Joe Rothwell has strengths, he can carry the ball. “He plays in a very different position, but we will obviously use Joe Rothwell and his strengths the best we can. “Of the boys that are fit, they’re all very, very important. They all know they have a huge part to play moving forward. Joe Rothwell will be important to us.”
Eddie Howe Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Eddie Howe admires tough games against Southampton in league cup and praises Nathan Jones for doing a brilliant job’ #NUFC #SaintsFC

February 2, 2023
NEWCASTLE United manager Eddie Howe insisted Saints boss Nathan Jones is "doing a brilliant job" after two tough EFL Cup semi-final ties.  Howe masterminded his side to a 3-1 aggregate victory over Jones’s charges, with Sean Longstaff scoring twice to settle the tie at St James’ Park. Saints had scored to end goalkeeper Nick Pope’s 10-match clean sheet run through Che Adams, but could not find a second to level on the night after Adam Armstrong saw an effort saved. Howe inherited this Newcastle side in a relegation battle in November 2021, but new owners have allowed him to propel them to new heights with a cup final and potential Champions League qualification. Jones must lift his side, also backed by new owners who have spent in the January transfer window, off the bottom of the Premier League table and to safety by the end of May. Assessing his opposition, Howe told the Daily Echo: “Two really tough games. I think Nathan is doing a brilliant job. “We knew it was going to be a tough game today, we knew they would have a plan. They changed systems a couple of times in the game and that makes it awkward for you as a team to control the flow and momentum of the game.” The former AFC Bournemouth man added: “They’ve got some dangerous players, Che Adams’ goal was an excellent strike, and they were in the match right until the end. That was no surprise, we knew it was going to be a difficult game.” After all three of Newcastle’s goals came from midfielders drifting into space inside the Saints penalty area, the Daily Echo probed Howe on whether this was a deliberate part of his plan. “It’s an important part of our game with our system and how we set up,” he responded. “We need goals from midfield areas, I’m really pleased with the way we created the goals. “I’m sure I’m going to enjoy watching the second goal back. But it was a really well-constructed move, the type of goal we’d love to score on a consistent basis. So yeah, that’s part of our game.” Tuesday night’s victory over Saints at a packed St James’ Park kept alive the Magpies’ hopes of landing a first piece of major silverware since 1969 and a first domestic prize since the 1955 FA Cup. However, with Manchester United awaiting them at Wembley on February 26, head coach Howe insists they cannot be done yet. He said: “You always want something. We’ve achieved what we wanted to achieve, which was getting to the final, but then you say, ‘Well, I’m not happy with that, we want to win it’. “We really want to embrace our past and be very proud of what’s happened here before, but we also want to create new history for ourselves so that’s what we’re determined to do.” 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.
Shane Duffy
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton’s Tony Bloom praises Shane Duffy as he joins Fulham #BHAFC

February 1, 2023
The commanding centre-back is parting company with the Seagulls. His loan at Fulham has become a permanent deal. Duffy was Albion’s record signing when he joined from Blackburn early in the 2016-17 promotion season. Albion chairman Bloom said: “Shane has played such an important role during his time at the club. He was a key character in our promotion to the Premier League in his first season here. “He was equally key in helping to establish the club in the Premier League and has always been extremely popular in the dressing room and with Albion fans. “I’d like to thank him for everything and to wish him and his family all the best for the future from everyone associated with the club. “His contribution to our recent history won’t be forgotten and Shane will always be assured a warm welcome at the Amex.”
Alan Connell
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Alan Connell comments after getting knocked out in FA Cup #AFCB

January 29, 2023
ALAN Connell believes he received “everything we asked” from his young charges as they were knocked out of the Premier League Cup by QPR, losing 3-1. Cherries’ development squad travelled to Hanwell Town to face the Hoops knowing that victory was required to advance into the knockouts from the group stage. Kian Tydeman’s second-half strike was scant consolation following three QPR goals from Hamzad Kargbo, Joesph Ajose and Elijah Dixon-Bonner. Reflecting on the encounter, Connell told afcb.co.uk: “I was disappointed to lose but what we saw from the players was everything we asked – a desire, a spirit and a togetherness along with some really good moments in the game. “We had six under-18s starting against a strong, probably more experienced and physically capable QPR side and I was really proud of our performance. “I thought we started well in the first half and had two big moments. We could have gone 1-0 up but didn’t take those chances and got done with their first effort on goal. “But we stayed in the game for the rest of the half and had another decent opportunity and could have equalised before half-time. “The message at the break was to try to make sure the players believed as much as the staff because we were really pleased with the first-half performance. “We tried to be even more front foot, which suited the attacking players we had on the pitch. “We had no recognised centre-halves available to us across the age groups so the challenge for us as staff was to get as many attacking players on the pitch in a balanced way. “Conceding the second goal so early in the second half quickly followed by the third was a decisive blow but the response from everyone was admirable. “We knew we had to win to progress and I thought the attitude to keep going was outstanding along with some real moments of quality. “As the game wore on, we started to get in their final third more and caused them more problems. That was helped by the impact of the substitutions and I thought they all had a positive impact on the game. “It was a great experience for Ollie Morgan, at 16, to come on and perform how he did and I was delighted for Kian to carry on his recent good form with a really well-taken goal. “Overall, I was disappointed to lose but my main feeling is pride in what is I feel is going to be a great night for their development.” Cherries: Terrell, Genesini, Greenwood, Winterburn (Williams, 75), Tonks, Trialist (Popoola, 58), Johnson (Morgan, 80), Brown, Pollock (Tydeman, 75), Dacosta Gonzalez, Adu-Adjei. Unused sub: Allan (g/k).
Adam Armstrong
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton FC forward Adam Armstrong wants to change Newcastle semi-final atmosphere in league cup #SAINTSFC

January 27, 2023
NEWCASTLE-lad Adam Armstrong insisted Saints will need to “turn the St James’ Park crowd right away” on Tuesday if he is to fulfil a childhood dream of playing in a cup final at Wembley. The 25-year-old boyhood Magpies fan thought he had scored against his former side during the eventual 1-0 defeat to Eddie Howe’s men at St Mary’s on Tuesday. READ MORE: Jones hints at potential Saints departures - but wants incoming signings first His goal was ruled out by VAR for accidental handball just minutes after Joelinton had opened the scoring in the EFL Cup semi-final’s first leg. Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope went on to keep a 10th consecutive clean sheet while his team have not lost at home during the entirety of the 2022-23 campaign so far. But despite the odds being stacked against them ahead of the trip to the North East on Tuesday, January 31 – also transfer deadline day – Armstrong retains “100 per cent” confidence. “We’re looking forward to the next leg because it will be a massive game and we’re only 1-0 down, we’re still right in it,” he told the Daily Echo. “100 per cent, we’re going there with confidence again and we’ve got nothing to lose. It will be a really good atmosphere, I’ve seen it first-hand myself and it’s an unbelievable stadium. “We’re going to have to turn the crowd right away. We do have to start taking our chances because we’re getting a lot now in the second-half of games.” He added: “We’re staying in games at half-time now so we just have to put them away and we’ve stopped giving away sloppy goals, but I know they scored on the counter. “They’ve put a ball across and had a tap in from a few yards, that can’t happen, the gaffer (Nathan Jones) is mad on that. We can’t give goals away but it’s something that we will work on. “It’s nothing to lose, we’ve got to put on a good performance because it’s a chance to get to Wembley. “It’s every kid’s dream to get to Wembley. It’s certainly mine and something I’m looking forward to trying to achieve. “We have to take confidence in everything we can at this point, the lads are upset they’ve been beaten but we’ve got to dust down and prepare for the weekend.” The former England under-21 international’s ruled out goal would have been only his third in all competitions this season and a fifth in a Saints shirt since a £15million move from Blackburn Rovers. VAR overturned the decision after a tussle in the six-yard box between the imperious Dan Burn and Armstrong saw legs locked and the ball bounce into his arm. “That’s football and we’ve seen decisions like that all year, I know it’s handball even though it’s accidental but that’s the rules nowadays,” Armstrong admitted. “It’s harsh but we have to just take it and move onto the next leg. I looked on the big screen after it and it’s hit my arm but you just have to get on with it, it’s one of those things.” 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.
Darren Randolph
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth announce signing of Darren Randolph from West Ham #AFCB

January 27, 2023
The goalkeeper becomes the second new face since Bill Foley led a takeover of Cherries. Born in Bray, the custodian joins on an 18 month deal. The 35-year-old arrives at the Vitality Stadium as back-up to first-choice Neto and his understudy Mark Travers. Youngster Cameron Plain acted as deputy goalkeeper to Travers during the absence of Neto due to injury, highlighting the need to add an experienced third-choice. Randolph last played a competitive game at the end of the 2020/21 campaign, against West Brom in the Premier League. A popular character in the dressing room, Travers and Randolph have worked together before, with the pair involved in numerous international squads for Ireland together. Capped 50 times by Ireland, Randolph played all four games of his countries’ Euro 2016 campaign, their last appearance at a major finals. Since making his Premier League debut for Charlton in the 2006/07 season, Randolph has made 34 appearances in the top-flight, with 200 further games in the Championship. Speaking following the move, Randolph told afcb.co.uk: “I’m very happy to be here and I’m ready to get started. I know three lads here and that’s helped. “They have told me good things about the club and the area, as have other people who’ve been here in the past, so that definitely helped in my decision. “I’ve had to fight for a place with other goalkeepers at most clubs I’ve been at and that’s the nature of the business. “It’s our own little group within the group and I’ve always been close in every goalkeepers’ union I’ve been in. “Ultimately, we’re here to push each other and whoever has the shirt then hopefully it’s going to work in their favour and make everybody else perform to the best of their ability.” AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake added: “We are delighted to add to our team of goalkeepers with a player of Darren’s quality and pedigree. “His wealth of experience, both with his previous clubs and his country, will be a great benefit to our squad and especially to our younger goalkeepers. “Darren has played in the top flight in England and Scotland, he has Champions League experience and he has won numerous caps for Republic of Ireland. We are looking forward to working with him.”
Jordan Zemura
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Jordan Zemura says I know what I bring to AFC Bournemouth #AFCB

January 26, 2023
JORDAN Zemura was pleased with how he recovered from a slow start to be named man-of-the-match in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest. The Zimbabwe international struggled at times defensively early on against the pace of Serge Aurier and Brennan Johnson. But the 23-year-old improved as the contest wore on, having a big impact at the other end of the field. His cross for Kieffer Moore should have registered an assist, but the striker headed over the bar. Zemura then himself went close, having a shot blocked on the line by Joe Worrall. Reflecting on his afternoon’s display, Zemura told the Daily Echo: “I think that’s football. The first action, I think Serge Aurier nutmegged me and I was like oh gosh, here we go! “But that’s just football, you’ve got to dust yourself down. “I think I just said to myself before the game, just be counted for, stand up and be ready. “There’s going to be moments you get beaten or moments where you give away a pass, but I think the main thing for me was I know what I bring on the field, energy-wise and stuff like that. “So I thought, if I lose the ball or give the ball away, it doesn’t matter, it happens. “But what are my next actions? That’s what they were screaming on the side and I had Jack Stephens in the centre just telling me to keep on going, next action. “That just helped me keep going throughout the whole game. I’ve got a lot of energy, so I just wanted to exert that all.” Discussing the draw, in which Sam Surridge popped up to cancel out Jaidon Anthony’s opener, Zemura added: “Obviously it’s a bit tough to take because we worked really hard. “You could see the desire from the whole team and everyone was just at it. “The points were literally there for the taking and a team like Forest, they’ve got good players, talented young players, they just managed to get the goal around the 84th minute.”