Nathan Jones
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Nathan Jones reveals Southampton midfielder Moi Elyounoussi has been playing through pain #SAINTSFC

January 16, 2023
NATHAN Jones revealed Saints midfielder Moi Elyounoussi has been playing through pain to make himself available for selection. The Norwegian international has started each of the last 10 Premier League games for the club, and has only been rested twice in all competitions under Jones’s stewardship. Elyounoussi’s versatility sees him deployed wherever the manager needs him, while his attitude and demeanour have been positively noted by multiple members of the club. His latest start came in the 2-1 victory at Everton’s Goodison Park, in which Elyounoussi played as many as three positions before making way in the 85th minute. READ MORE: Luton manager admits Saints target Bree could make move And asked just how useful it is to have a player like the 28-year-old, Jones responded: “It’s always good to have a versatile player. “He played wide left for Norway, he has played for me as a six, he has played as a wide man and he even played as wing-back against Liverpool. “It’s important to have someone you can trust and trust to do a certain job. They might not be as fluent as someone else, but while we’re finding our way, he’s been vital.” Jones added: “He’s been playing through pain in his knee and he had strapping on it today but he shows real character because not everybody does that. I don’t mean at Southampton, in the world. Moi has been fantastic for me.” Elyounoussi’s Saints contract is due to expire at the end of the season but the manager has already revealed he wants him to stay. “That will be dealt with internally, but I would like him to be here at the club for a lot longer,” Jones said. Elyounoussi has played 74 times for Saints, scoring eight goals and providing eight assists, while he also spent two seasons on loan at Celtic before a 2021 return. 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.
Ryan Christie
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie reveals squad is backing Gary O’Neil #AFCB

January 16, 2023
RYAN Christie insisted the Cherries squad were 100 per cent behind Gary O’Neil, sharing how the head coach gives the team “full belief” heading into games. Cherries have tasted defeat in six successive fixtures since O’Neil was appointed as manager on a permanent basis, the Dorset club’s most recent result a 2-0 loss at the hands of Brentford. There was controversy over the penalty incident that led to the Bees’ opener, Ivan Toney appearing to foul Marcos Senesi in the build-up, but Cherries were again unable to truly test their opponents in an attacking sense. Asked whether O’Neil still had the backing of the squad despite the downturn in recent form, Christie responded: “100 per cent. “I think he’s showed since even when he was interim, when we put our run of results together under him, the full belief we have in terms of going into the games, the game plan he sets out. “To come here, if anything, kind of dominate the first half in most parts proves that we're kind of on the right track. We just need to then get the results to follow that. “Supporters, first thing they look at the score sheet, so we understand frustration, but again, we believe we can put a run together, that we can get them back on side.” Discussing the penalty incident that undid all of Cherries’ hard work in the first half, Christie told the Daily Echo: “It's obviously frustrating, the penalty, I don't really want to say too much. “I'm sure everyone else will have a verdict on it as well. “I'd like to see what the guys on the TV think, but it's frustrating when you keep getting these decisions (against you). “We played Brentford at home and in the first fixture, I think there's two handballs that we don't get. “So, yeah, that's been frustrating, but hopefully the decisions start going our way soon.”Christie and co. return to action next Saturday, when they host Nottingham Forest in what could prove to be a decisive fixture in the relegation battle.
Nathan Jones
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Nathan Jones admits First Premier League win was ‘a long time coming’ #SAINTSFC

January 15, 2023
NATHAN Jones admitted his first Premier League win was a “long time coming” and says Saints are in a “categorically” different position to a week ago. His side recorded a first win at Goodison Park since 1997 when James Ward-Prowse scored from open play and a direct free-kick to come from behind and win 2-1. Saints remain bottom of the Premier League on goal difference but have now won three in three in eight days, including FA Cup and EFL Cup ties. They could be as few as just one point away from safety by the end of the matchday, which marks halfway through the league season exactly. READ MORE: Stunning Ward-Prowse double secures first Premier League win of Jones era And asked how his first win at top-flight level feels, Jones responded: “Very good, it’s been a long time coming. “I felt it’s been coming with performance levels, even in the (Nottingham) Forest game (1-0 loss) we didn’t play well but we weren’t under pressure. “The Fulham game (2-1 loss) we should have gotten something but for a little bit of defensive naivety. We deserved it today. I thought we were tactically excellent today. “We weren’t really physical so we had to change and go to a back five to curtail the pressure and we went back out there to take the game,” he added. “We had to keep real pace and aggression and make tactical subs late on. Ibra (Diallo) got booked, so we had to sure things up. With the greatest respect, they went land of the giants at the end so we just had to see it through. “I don’t think there’s a question over the spirit of the squad, with what we’ve been through. From where we were after the Forest game, to go bang, bang, bang in three games, it shows the character in the staff and players is there. “We are in a categorically different position to a week ago, but it’s only a small step and we have to build on that. “We’ve got some exciting games coming up, Aston Villa at home which is a tough, tough game, and then back into cup action with three games in just over a week in which the magnitude is massive.” With Jones’s side trailing at the break to Amadou Onana’s header, the staff made a few tactical changes including moving Mohammed Salisu to left-back. “We had to be calculated at half-time, it wasn’t a rant and a rave. We made a few changed and said let’s go after the game,” Jones said. “Getting a goal back so early really helped us and then we did go after the game, but we had to really defend a bombardment today, we really did. “They’re massive and Jordan Pickford kicks it miles. I can’t remember many Premier League sides being bigger than them.” 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.
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil on AFC Bournemouth’s David Brooks #AFCB

January 13, 2023
GARY O’Neil insisted Cherries will not rush back David Brooks – with the head coach stressing: “My only thought on that is what’s best for David Brooks.” Highly-rated Brooks has been sidelined for over a year since a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s’ Lymphoma in October 2021. After being given the all clear in May 2022, Brooks has been on the long road to full match fitness, with a hamstring injury setting back the Welsh international earlier this season. Pictured training with the first team this week, there is hopes that a return to action is not far away for the 25-year-old. Asked for the latest on Brooks, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “Yeah, he's done some stuff with us. “Trained really well, looks good. “Obviously still a lot of progression still to do to get him match ready, but yeah, he's trained really well. “Looks bright, looks sharp, still see the real quality that he has. “So it would be a lovely bonus to get Brooksy back in and around it.” With Cherries out of form and looking threadbare due to outgoings and injuries, there might be the temptation to rush Brooks back. However, O’Neil reiterated that Cherries will look after Brooks, ensuring that he returns when he is “ready to go.” “My only thought on that is what's best for David Brooks,” restarted O’Neil. “I think that the journey he’s been on, there'll be no rushing David Brooks for what we need. “It will be around what he needs and what's best for him, until we can get him back to fully 100 per cent and ready to go.” Trio Junior Stanislas, Ryan Fredericks, and Marcus Tavernier were all pictured training together as they step up their returns from injury. Speaking on veterans Fredericks and Stanislas, O’Neil shared: “They're both working hard to get themselves up to speed. “I'm not sure on the exact time frames on either of them, but they're both at a similar point in their recovery. “They’ve been doing a little bit of work on the grass together. “It'd be good to get them back because obviously we've had a couple go out on loan, we've had a few injuries, a few illnesses, so numbers aren't as big as they were before the break.” Discussing star Tarvernier, O’Neil added: “Tavs, the time frame now - they're probably at a similar level (Tavernier, Fredericks, and Stanislas.) “It changes. Obviously some progress faster than others. There's no set date for a return on any of them, but obviously we're pushing them. “We have some big games coming up, so to get as many involved as possible will be big for us.” O’Neil also confirmed goalkeeper Neto was back in training following a hamstring injury.
Nathan Jones
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton’s manager Nathan Jones responds to criticism #SAINTSFC

January 12, 2023
NATHAN Jones lauded a Saints squad who “want to play for me” and bit back at recent criticism from local non-league manager Paul Doswell after victory over Manchester City. Saints knocked the English champions out of the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup to book a date in the last four with Newcastle United later this month. Goals from Sekou Mara and Moussa Djenepo were enough to record back-to-back wins for Jones for the first time since his appointment. Speaking after the match, Jones took the time to address comments from Havant & Waterlooville manager, Doswell, made on BBC Radio Solent. The former Sutton United and Eastleigh boss said Jones was “out of his depth” and that everyone has their “level” in football. And asked if Jones feels he has responded to similar criticisms from supporters, he responded: “I don't know if I changed perceptions or not. Within 10 minutes of the Brighton game, I was inept. I have worked hard to get to the level where I have got and people can have their opinions. "The non-league manager who criticised me the other day. It baffled me, absolutely baffled me. I don't speak about Havant & Waterlooville or anyone down there. I don't have the disrespect to speak about levels I don't know about. “I have worked hard to get here and everyone needs time, not a manager in the world has a magic wand. There are clubs with unlimited resources that need time to grow. “It’s a tough job but I absolutely love it, and the players responded tonight. From the inside, I can absolutely tell that I’ve got a group of players who want to play for me, and as a manager nothing else matters.” Jones has lost his first four Premier League games since replacing former manager Ralph Hasenhuttl in November, with Saints rock bottom of the Premier League. But they have now won successive games in cup competitions, following progression to the FA Cup fourth round over Crystal Palace on Saturday. They face a huge trip to Everton this weekend to bounce back from a loss to Nottingham Forest last Wednesday, with the Toffees also embroiled in the relegation battle. The Welshman added: “I don’t know what people expect in four weeks, I am not David Blaine who can perform magic. “I need time and if I am given that I can create a team they can be proud of. I can’t remember many times Southampton have been as dominant versus Man City. “We’re creating an environment and a culture at the football club where, when you make changes, they know exactly what to do. We’re creating a culture where they train because they’re going to get opportunities in a squad game.” 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.
chris mepham Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Former Brentford player Chris Mepham on his improvement at Cherries since last Brentford trip #AFCB

January 12, 2023
A TRIP to Brentford is always likely to evoke memories for Chris Mepham. The 25-year-old got his break in professional football with the Bees, making 48 appearances before exiting to join Cherries in 2019. But his last visit to the west London club added a new, unwanted chapter in his association with Brentford. With Cherries 2-1 up on aggregate and on course to reach the Championship play-off final, Mepham slipped and hauled down Bryan Mbeumo as he bore down on goal. The Wales international was duly sent off, leaving the Bees with an extra man for the last hour of the contest. They took full advantage, progressing 3-2 over the two legs, before going on to win the Wembley play-off final. Mepham has since spoken openly about how tough mentally that day in May 2021 was to deal with. Now, 20 months on, the centre-back prepares to return to the Gtech Community Stadium as a Premier League player again with Cherries. Asked in an interview with the Daily Echo if Saturday offers an opportunity to fully put to bed that play-off game, or if it is already a long way from his mind, Mepham said: “Obviously we haven’t been back there since, so naturally going back for the first time since that happened, I wouldn’t say it’s 100 per cent gone. “But I feel like I’m a very different person and a very different player now than I was when that mistake happened. “I feel like since then, I’ve had some big, important games I’ve been involved in with the World Cup and I’ve fortunately had a very good run of games here and I feel like I’ve been putting in good performances. “I’d say with that, I’m in a very different place now than back then when that mistake happened. “But I think I’m very much going into the game wanting to put that right and make sure I give a good performance. To me, I’m going into that game no different to any other Premier League game.” Asked if he is proud of the way he has responded since that setback, to become first choice for both club and country, Mepham added: “Of course I’m not happy that happened on that day, because just mentally and emotionally, you don’t come away from that situation feeling good about yourself. It did take a fair few days to come back around. “But at the same time, when a situation like that happens, it’s important that you don’t go the other way and go into your shell and I think when stuff like that happens it’s a real test of character. “I think it was important I responded in the right way. I think since then, last season was difficult for me with limited opportunities. “But I like to think, when I did come on and Scott Parker brought me on to have a positive impact, I’d like to think I did do that. “I’m really pleased with the way I responded to that particular day, because as you can imagine, it takes a big dent out of you. Since that moment, I feel like it’s been really positive for me.” It has been a tough few weeks for Cherries. Since the World Cup break, they have lost all five of their matches, culminating in a 4-2 defeat to Championship Burnley in the FA Cup on Saturday. Reflecting on the defeat to the Clarets, Mepham, who was an unused substitute, said: “It was obviously a difficult one to take. “I felt like in the second half against United we had a really good performance. We obviously conceded a couple of goals, but there was lots of positives to take from that game into the Burnley one. “I think Burnley was an opportunity for us to get back to winning ways and get confidence back in the team and take that momentum then back into the league. “It was difficult, the performance wasn’t good enough. I think the nature of the goals really. I don’t think we got cut open by Burnley at all, three goals come from our mistakes. “I think at any level, if you make mistakes like that, you’re going to get punished. I think that was the real disappointing thing." He continued: “Marcos (Senesi) for the first goal, he’s probably one of our most technical players in the team. He’s the guy that sometimes we give the ball to to start our attacks, because we know he’s got a huge amount of quality on the ball. “I think it’s just very unlike him for that goal, unlike Lewis Cook to receive the ball on the half turn and lose it. “They’re the players that all season haven’t done mistakes like that. Everyone is going to make mistakes, I think it was just a case of it all seemed to happen in the same game, which is obviously a real negative for us. “But you could argue that’s behind us now and hopefully we don’t make mistakes like that, because over the course of the season it will kill you.” One player who received criticism at the weekend was captain Lloyd Kelly. After coming on at half-time, Kelly’s dallying on the ball led to some frustrations from the fans, with a section of the supporters booing the 24-year-old when he was in possession. Quizzed on how Kelly has responded to that this week, Mepham said: “Naturally, as a leader of the team, as the captain of the team, normally it’s his responsibility to get us going. “On Monday morning when we come in, try to get everyone going and have a chat and be positive. “But I think certainly after the game on Saturday and the abuse or the comments he suffered, I think it was important we were there for him. “He’s been top drawer since he came into the team last season. He plays week in, week out at a very high level and he’s been a big part of why we’re now back in the Premier League. “I think if we, as players, see one of our teammates hurt in a situation or suffering, it’s important for us to get behind him. “We’ve certainly done that this week and I’m in no doubt he’ll put all those critics behind him because he’s a top, top player and has been for us since he’s come in.” With the game against Brentford being a 5.30pm kick-off, there is a realistic chance Cherries could be in the bottom three by that time. Asked what his message is to the fans ahead of the weekend, Mepham said: “I think we need that support. “We need to head down there knowing exactly where we’re at in terms of that everyone is in it together. Whether we go 1-0 down, 1-0 up, we’ve got everyone behind each other. “The players are there, the staff are there, the fans are there backing us as they have done for many years. But I think that is really important, it’s not panic stations. “We’re currently outside the relegation zone and one or two wins can change everything – suddenly we’re top 10. “Of course it can go the other way and a couple of bad results, like we’ve experienced, suddenly brings you closer to the drop zone. “But I think we need to believe that we’ve got enough in this squad to produce wins in this league and hopefully that can start on Saturday.”