Adam Armstrong
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton FC forward Adam Armstrong opens up on ‘tough couple of weeks’ #SAINTSFC

January 10, 2023
SAINTS striker Adam Armstrong has insisted that he and his teammates must take responsibility for their struggling season after a raft of criticism aimed at manager Nathan Jones. Armstrong’s goal fired Saints to a much-needed win against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round, giving Jones just his second victory since arriving at the club. Despite the eventual win, Saints supporters voiced their frustration with multiple chants ‘Nathan Jones, your football is s***’. But speaking after his winning goal, Armstrong took responsibility for the recent poor form saying 'it’s us on the pitch at the end of the day.' “It’s just football and it happens everywhere, and when things aren’t going well it’s only right – I was a fan once and I still am,” Armstrong said of the criticism following the cup success. “It happens in football but it’s how you react and I thought we reacted well, did everything we had to do and got the win. “It’s us on the pitch at the end of the day, we have to get results and we had to get a win to give the fans a little bit of a boost, as well as for ourselves. “We’ve been down and we have to go again, we have to get the winning feeling back and especially in the league as well. It’s something we’re working hard on but we have to put our chances away.” Armstrong has routinely found himself playing on the wing this season and regardless of position, the 25-year-old now has added competition in the form of Croatian international Mislav Orsic - something he’s hoping will provide everyone at the club with a lift. “We need a boost, we’re not stupid. Hopefully, the additions we get can be excellent and really help us. “I think a win lifts everyone for the whole weekend, I’ve been a fan myself and when you win it makes the whole weekend better. We have to take confidence, work hard and do a job on Manchester City.  “We knew that we had to put on a performance for the fans and give everyone a boost, it’s been a tough couple of weeks. “I thought we were excellent in the second half to see the game out and showed a bit of grittiness that we’ve got in the team, but it’s a massive win.” Armstrong’s goal came from impressive perseverance as he chased down a back-pass and stole the ball from Crystal Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita before tapping into the empty net. “I think it’s risk and reward,” the Newcastle native said of his winner. “Sometimes it goes for you and sometimes it doesn’t but I pressed the goalkeeper and lucky enough it’s come straight to my feet to put into the net.” The 68th-minute strike marked Armstrong’s first goal since becoming a father earlier this season - joining Moussa Djenepo and Che Adams as fresh first-time fathers during the 2022/23 campaign. “It’s been good yeah, I’m feeling good and I’ve been trying to get as much sleep as I can,” the forward said. “First one and the team has been in a tough position so it’s about we react. “We can take a bit of confidence from this and I know we’ve got Manchester City next which is going to be tough, but we have to take every bit of confidence we can.” 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.
Dominic Solanke Bournemouth
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Dominic Solanke on AFC Bournemouth’s poor run of form #AFCB

January 10, 2023
DOMINIC Solanke insists “we’re all in it together” as Cherries look to find a way out of their recent rut, admitting: “We’re not in the best of spots right now.” Since the World Cup break, Cherries have been in wretched form, losing all five of their fixtures. That has seen them slip to 16th in the Premier League table, just one point above the relegation zone, as well as being knocked out of both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. The latest loss was perhaps the most concerning, falling 4-2 at home to Championship Burnley at Vitality Stadium to exit the FA Cup at the third round stage. The results and performances have seen some fans questioning if Gary O’Neil is the right man for the job, despite having only been installed as permanent boss in November. Prior to that, he had 12 games as interim head coach following the sacking of Scott Parker in August, presiding over four wins, four draws and four defeats. Discussing the idea of O’Neil likely taking the brunt of the spotlight for the recent results, Solanke told the Daily Echo: “As a collective we’re a team, we’re a club. “Manager or players, we’re all in it together. “There’s no blame on either side. “We just all need look what we need to do better and use that to improve.” Solanke was one of two scorers for Cherries in the loss to Burnley, heading in his fourth goal of the campaign shortly after half-time. But the hosts continually shot themselves in the foot whenever they looked like getting back into the cup tie, with individual errors leading to three of the Clarets’ four goals. Reflecting on the latest loss, Solanke said: “Another difficult one to take. “We’re not in the best of spots right now. “Obviously (on Saturday) we made a few errors which resulted in goals, which can happen in football. “We know, especially the position we’re in right now, we need to cut those out as soon as possible. “It’s another game that we’re going to have to just look back and work towards next weekend. “We know they (Burnley) are flying at the moment, so they were always going to come here with great confidence. “They capitalised on our mistakes.” Asked if a lack of confidence among the team was a factor in the individual defensive errors, Solanke added: “Maybe, but these things happen in football. Anyone can make mistakes. “We know that we need to cut the mistakes out. “It’s not where we want to be. “Especially in the Premier League, we know that we can’t be doing that. We’ll look at it back and work to cut them out.” He continued: “We know Burnley are in the Championship, but like I said, they’re flying. When you win a lot of games, you’re always confident. “We see this stuff happening in the cup all the time, lower league teams beating higher division teams. That’s just part of football. “But the cup is the cup. We need to focus on the Premier League now. “We know that in the next game we need to get some points and that’s what we’ll be looking forward to do.” Cherries head to Brentford on Saturday (5.30pm).
Nathan Jones
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton boss really pleased to get good reception from supporters #SAINTSFC

January 9, 2023
NATHAN Jones admitted he was very pleased to get a “good reception” from Saints supporters at full-time on Saturday. The 2-1 win at Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round win followed his side going behind inside the first 15 minutes and increased fan frustrations. On two occasions, they sang ‘Nathan Jones, your football is s***’ in almost complete unison with all of Selhurst Park hearing it clearly. James Ward-Prowse and Adam Armstrong goals eventually secured progression to the fourth round of the tournament and ended a three-match losing run. READ MORE: Jones details transfer plans with hopes for 'three or four real quality' signings And with Saints still bottom of the Premier League, Jones was still warmly received by the travelling contingent in the capital. “If I'm honest, I don't know what type of reception I’m going to get when I go over there,” Jones said.   “So I went over there to make sure. The other night (vs Nottingham Forest at St Mary’) I went round clapping everyone because I put myself out there, I take full responsibility for everything. I don't shy away from challenges or anything. “So when I went over there (Saturday), got a good reception, I was very pleased with that. But then it was the player's turn and I wanted to make sure that I didn't over-celebrate because it's one win,” he added. “If we get 10 wins, then I'd be a little bit more zealous in terms of what I do. That will come in time, but right now it's just pleasing to get a win and I'm pleased for the players. “The manager is paid to be there and be the focal point and to be the brand and to take the accolades, but also take the pain, and that's what I've done.” A WIN! Take them however they come, Crystal Palace fans boo the officials off.Delighted for Adam Armstrong, and a much-needed lift for the whole club.Now need to take it into what matters. Jones has claimed a win could change momentum. #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/Fh3rC5c1ud — Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) January 7, 2023 When Jones was asked if he believes he just needs time to make this Saints project work, having been appointed in November as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s successor, the Welshman appeared reflective. “I’d like time. We all need time to build and implement stuff but results will determine my future at any level,” Jones admitted.   “I’m a manager and anyone will tell you that results is where it is. So I can say I want time but what I really want is results and I want to get them as quick as possible. “So look, we know that we have to change the direction of certain things today. We were a real aggressive football side and I like that because that's what my sides are associated with at times. “It takes time to build that but we have to do that and take the steps and we have to take them a little bit quicker than we are at the minute.” 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.
Jaidon Anthony
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Jaidon Anthony and Jordan Zemura call for Cherries fan support #AFCB

January 9, 2023
STARLETS Jaidon Anthony and Jordan Zemura took to social media last night in a plea to fans. Cherries’ 4-2 defeat to Championship leaders Burnley in the FA Cup led to an array of boos and jeers from supporters at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday. As fans voiced their displeasure at a fifth straight loss, Anthony was the only player to lap the stadium and applaud fans for their efforts. Posting on Twitter, Anthony started: “Trust me, I get your frustrations. “We as players are as frustrated with the way we are playing too, but we do know there’s a long, long way to go in the season and there’s enough talent in this group to turn our fortunes around. “But we can only do it together. We need you more when it’s not going well. “You have every right to voice your opinions but whilst the game’s still going and we still have a chance, why not give us all the help you can, and be loud and proud. “Long way to go and many highs to come, I promise!” Defender Zemura took a similar view, also calling for fans to cut out the boos directed solely towards captain Lloyd Kelly. He posted: “Times like this (are) never easy, when everything feels sticky and things are not falling how you want. “But that’s football, more or less, that’s life. All you can do is stand up, chest out and go again, and keep fighting. “More than enough within this team, and (we) will continue to fight and be counter for. “All in this together, from the team to the staff, to you, the fans. “However disappointed you are with the performance, booing individual players is not on, especially the captain of the team – for that, I cannot stand with! “As a collective that’s fair because it has not been good enough, and we know that! We will continue to work and push each other to be better. “However, we’re in this together and that’s all! “Plenty of games to put things right and enjoy the highs!”           
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil speaks after losing to Burnley in FA Cup #AFCB

January 8, 2023
GARY O’Neil understood fans’ frustration following Cherries’ FA Cup 4-2 defeat to Burnley – sharing: “I feel the same." An error-strewn performance saw Cherries gift goals to their guests for three of the four strikes they scored at the Vitality Stadium. Braces from Manuel Benson and Anass Zaroury more than than cancelled out Ryan Christie and Dominic Solanke efforts in each half. Cherries conspired to repeatedly give the ball away in their own half three times, leaving O’Neil perplexed – and according to the head coach, also ensuring that it was “impossible” for Cherries to win the tie. A smattering of boos followed the half-time and full-time whistles, with captain Lloyd Kelly also receiving jeers from the crowd throughout the encounter. Asked if he understood the frustration from fans, O’Neil responded: “Yeah. I feel the same. “The three huge errors for the goals make it impossible to win the football match. That is the story of the game, really. “You give away three ridiculous goals and you have no chance.” Whilst Cherries stopped the rot of conceding from set-pieces, systematic errors became individual, with Marcos Senesi, Lewis Cook, and Ryan Christie losing the ball for three of the goals. Vincent Kompany’s Clarets have received praise for their passing prowess, but Burnley only had to turn on the style for their third, Zaroury showing nice footwork and a curling finish. The nature of the other three goals came out of nowhere according to O’Neil, who restarted: “They’re basic errors. I haven't seen loads of them in our time working with the team. “So to see three in one afternoon was surprising.” Despite the numerous errors, O’Neil believes his side would not repeat them in similar situations moving forward. “I probably wouldn't group them,” O’Neil told the Daily Echo. “I think every error has its reasons and it's difficult to explain them. “I think if you put those boys in that situation again, there's almost a zero per cent chance that they'd make the same error. “It doesn't help us, like I say, because the Crystal Palace and Burnley game are winnable games for us and we manage to beat ourselves in them both.  “So Crystal Palace and Burnley didn't really do a lot to beat us.”
Philip Billing
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Philip Billing unhappy with Bournemouth fans for booing Lloyd Kelly #AFCB

January 8, 2023
PHILIP Billing slammed Cherries fans for what he described as “unacceptable” booing of captain Lloyd Kelly during Cherries' defeat to Burnley. Early in the second half of Cherries’ 4-2 FA Cup defeat to lower-league Burnley, a section of home supporters aimed their ire at Kelly as he looked for a pass from centre-back. Kelly was one of three players to drop out of the starting XI, but was introduced at half-time with Cherries 3-1 behind. The 24-year-old, who was making his 101st appearance for Cherries, took the armband from Adam Smith when coming on as a substitute, but could not help mastermind a comeback. Speaking to BBC Radio Solent after the defeat, midfielder Billing said: “We are Premier League players and some of the mistakes are just simple details, passing out of play a few times myself as well. “But that is something we have to do better. We just invited pressure on ourselves when we didn’t need to. “We play like this against Burnley, we all know it’s unacceptable.” He added: “We’ve got ears, we can hear the booing and I don’t mind that, we can take criticism, all of us, that’s a part of being a footballer and doing what we do. “But today especially, I think it was unacceptable the way they were booing Lloydy, our captain, when he was on the ball. “Some fans will maybe say they didn’t hear it, but we all heard it. For me, I can take it, I don’t mind them booing us, because we know we have to play better. “But we are halfway through the season and when you hear our captain when he is on the ball getting booed by a lot of people, I don’t think that’s acceptable. “If you’re backing the team, we know it can be frustrating as a spectator, but at the end of the day we’re on the pitch and we have to score goals, we have to create, that will come. “But they have to understand when it becomes like that, it’s a domino effect, it translates onto the pitch. “If they want the best for us, we know we have to create a noise, we have to create an atmosphere, we have to create an energy in the stadium. That’s what we’re trying to do. “Sometimes we’re on a dip, like we are right now. But I believe in this squad, because we have good players. We’ve shown that, we’ve beaten good teams already. “We just have to keep positive and keep going. It doesn’t rain forever. At one point we are going to get points, get a win. “If it was the whole team after the game and they’re booing, I don’t mind. But when they’re just booing one player during the game when he’s on the ball, as a teammate, I don’t like to see that. It’s not fair. “We need the fans to be our 12th man throughout the whole season. I’m probably going to get a bit of stick for this, but I can take it. “Listening when I was on the pitch and I heard our captain be booed when he was on the ball, that I don’t think is acceptable. I always back my teammates, no matter what.” Cherries have now lost five games in succession across league and cup competition.
Kyle Walker Peters
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Kyle Walker-Peters admits ‘To be honest, I don’t blame the fans for booing’ #SaintsFC

January 7, 2023
KYLE Walker-Peters admitted he does not blame the fans for booing in a toxic St Mary’s atmosphere following his side’s 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest. Supporters made their frustrations known as Saints slipped to a sixth successive Premier League defeat and a fourth under new manager Nathan Jones. Saints are rooted to the bottom of the table with three massive points going to Steve Cooper’s relegation rivals, while Jones commented after the match how individual mistakes have cost them. It was an assessment Walker-Peters agreed with, as Lyanco gifted Brennan Johnson possession on the halfway line for the youngster to square for Taiwo Awoniyi’s first-half winner. READ MORE: Southampton defender to link up with teammate on new loan The noise inside St Mary’s was deafening on the referee’s final whistle, despite many fans having already filtered out in added time, and well overpowered the travelling supporters celebrating their first away win of the campaign. “To be honest, I don’t blame the fans for booing,” Walker-Peters told the Daily Echo, when asked about the reception Jones and the players received. “I don’t think we deserve much more, of course it’s nice to have their support but they come to see us win and at the moment we aren’t doing that. “We’re conceding sloppy goals and it’s part and parcel of football, so we have to stick together in the dressing room and focus on trying to get a win.” He added: “It’s really disappointing, we keep making the same mistakes in terms of gifting the opposition goals and when you keep doing that, especially with the teams in and around you don’t give yourselves a chance.” Many supporters have already decided they have seen enough of Jones and his management of the Saints squad, despite only arriving in November and overseeing four Premier League games. Despite dominating over 60 per cent of the ball versus Forest, Saints stuck to their long-ball tactics versus a defence with six-foot three-inch Joe Worrall and six-foot four-inch Willy Boly marshalling Che Adams. Walker-Peters, however, has spoken in defence of his new manager and hopes he can help them turn their fortunes around. “Any manager that took the job would have known it was going to be a tough task but he’s up for it and that’s why he has come here,” he insisted. “He is trying to give everything he can to improve us so it’s up to us to stick to his plan and stick to what he wants us to do, and hopefully it improves. “I believe in the squad. We have got a good squad and we have shown that a few times at the start of the season and last season so it’s about getting that winning feeling back and hopefully then we can go on a run of games. “Mathematically it’s not impossible (to stay up), it’s about getting that first win and from there taking it game by game to get some confidence in the squad, and then we can go on a run.” Walker-Peters added: “I don’t think we were terrible (versus Forest), we didn’t have a shot on target but we were in and around their box controlling the ball. The problem was gifting goals, the manager can’t stop that – that’s down to us on the pitch.” 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 explains his role in Bournemouth transfer policy #AFCB

January 7, 2023
GARY O’Neil says he will have an input on who Cherries sign this month, but stressed transfer policy was not his main role as head coach. O’Neil is in charge of a club in a transfer window for the first time as a head coach, having been promoted up from his previous role as interim in November. Cherries are keen to add players to their squad this month, with new owner Bill Foley recently quoted as saying the club would like to make four or five new additions. Asked how much say he has on who Cherries sign this month, O’Neil said: “January can be tricky, but what is also important is I am the head coach. "My main job is to improve the players that we have. "I know the club are keen to have new arrivals, we’re keen to help the group that are still here. "But my main job as head coach is to make sure the ones we’ve got performing, perform to the best of their ability, so full focus on that at the moment. "We have a way it works at the football club. I’m the head coach and there will be a transfer policy in place. “I will have a say on how it goes and who comes through the door. “But as the role says, my main job is to make sure whoever does come in and the players who are already playing are performing at the top of their ability. “Of course the head coach of the club will have conversations around who comes in. “But obviously my main focus is making sure the lads who are here are ready to go because we’ve had a game every three days for the last couple of weeks.” He added: “There’s conversations around what I think we need, what positions, what type. “Of course there’s conversations so I will have a say on who comes in.” Quizzed on if he feels Cherries need to add a striker this month, given the club have failed to find the net in six hours of football since the resumption after the World Cup break, O’Neil said: “There are a few positions in the squad that I would like to strengthen. “I think attacking threat is definitely one of them.” Chairman Foley attended last weekend’s disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace, one of four games in succession Cherries have failed to find the net in. They also lost without scoring against Newcastle United, Chelsea and Manchester United in recent weeks. Asked if those results have made Foley stress the need for signings even more, O’Neil said: “The results won’t have changed it, no. “There’s been a policy in place and there’s been discussions since that moment that Bill took over. “Between Bill and the board and the board and myself, so constant dialogue. “We are hopeful we can start to add people to the group. But we’ll have to see how it goes.”
Nathan Jones
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Nathan Jones not concerned by Southampton fan jeers but a ‘little surprised’ #SAINTSFC

January 5, 2023
NATHAN Jones insisted he is not concerned by fan reaction to him at the end of the 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, but admitted he is a little bit “surprised”. The Saints boss said supporters pay their hard-earned money and have the right to react however they want, after loud boos at both half-time and full-time on Wednesday. The final whistle of the Forest defeat, a fourth Premier League loss under Jones and a sixth successive for the club, was met with one of the most toxic St Mary’s atmospheres of the season. While Mohammed Salisu sprinted down the tunnel despite James Ward-Prowse bellowing for him to come back, Jones did go around the stadium bowl clapping the fans. And asked if he is concerned by the reaction so early into his managerial tenure, Jones responded: “I can't pre-empt what fans are going to do and so on, that's entirely up to them. “All I can do is try to prepare a team that goes out there and changes results. It doesn't concern me, it surprises me a little bit but that's their prerogative,” he said. “The thing about a football manager, especially where I've come from and getting an opportunity here, I understand the scepticism. Fans have paid their money, they have the prerogative and they can do whatever they want. For me as a manager, you have to be thick-skinned. “You know, it's not the first time that I've been booed, it’s not the first time I've taken stick as a player, manager, coach or anything and you have to show real characteristics that bring you through this because when we come through it, there’ll be proud moments.” Saints failed to record a single shot on target during the defeat, while Taiwo Awoniyi’s winner was the only one from the visitors.  That was gifted by a Lyanco misplaced pass on the halfway line, just days after Saints conceded two set-pieces including an 87th-minute sickener to lose 2-1 at Fulham. Asked if he believes he can change supporters’ confidence, Jones replied: “Results are the only way to change it. You're not going to change their mind without it, but it was a front-foot performance tonight and they worked hard. “We just didn't show enough quality but you had a side out there tonight that worked hard and grafted, that had more situations than Forest and we just didn't show enough quality and then gifted them a goal. “When you give them a goal they can sit in for 20 minutes because they haven't got to chase anything. And that's the problem at the minute because the other day (at Fulham) we were excellent, excellent structure performance. “But gifted two goals from set-pieces, and against Brighton we had loads of possession, gifted Brighton two goals and then there was a strike from distance. So there are lots we can do better and we have to.” 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 reveals Confidence is fine, we knew there’d be tough spells #AFCB

January 5, 2023
BOSS Gary O’Neil praised the response of his players since Saturday’s abject home display against Crystal Palace, insisting confidence levels among the squad remain high. Following the World Cup break, Cherries have lost all four of their matches, without scoring. The latest defeat came on Tuesday night, going down 3-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford. The poor run of form stretches back to October, with four defeats on the spin prior to back-to-back victories over Everton. Asked how the players had reacted to what O’Neil had described as the worst performance of his tenure on Saturday, ahead of the quick turnaround to face Man Utd, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “The boys were excellent straightaway. “Training (on Monday) I had to actually get them to back off a little bit, the intensity was really good. “The boys, you never have to question them. As I said after the Palace game, I knew I would get that response. “My only disappointment comes in that when you arrive in those situations that many times as you do, we have to score a goal (against Man Utd). At this level, you have to score. “When you play through the shape the way we did, arrive in front of their goal, a header from Philip Billing seven yards out unchallenged, Jaidon Anthony arrives a few times, even the ones we don’t get a shot off from Jack Stacey flashing things across the goal. “We needed to score a goal. At 2-1 it could have been different.” Asked if he was concerned by the recent lack of goals, O’Neil added: “Not on Tuesday’s performance, no.” Cherries’ head coach was later asked about confidence levels within the squad, after another convincing defeat. “Confidence is fine, that won’t be a problem," said O'Neil. “We need to win football matches. I use the phrase a lot ‘newly-promoted team’ in a big boy league and it’s ruthless. “So if anyone came into this thinking there wouldn’t be tough spells, then they’re not thinking clearly. “There’s been tough spells and the boys have responded to every single one and we will again.”