Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil slams Premier League referees after season-ending loss against Everton #AFCB

May 29, 2023
Cherries went through the entire campaign without being awarded a penalty, finishing 15th in the table following the 1-0 loss at Goodison Park. O’Neil claims Cherries could have been awarded a spot-kick for a challenge by Yerry Mina on Dominic Solanke on Sunday, and has previously said how the Premier League’s refereeing chief Howard Webb has regularly apologised to him personally for errors made by officials. O’Neil received a yellow card from referee Stuart Attwell during Sunday’s at Everton, during a frantic spell in the contest which also saw Solanke, Jordan Pickford and Adam Smith cautioned. Asked why he had received his booking, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “The fact we’ve got 39 points this season with the level of officiating against us is a miracle. “The fact that it’s taken me that long to get booked is also a miracle. I thought the refereeing was terrible. “We’re the first team ever since VAR has been introduced not to receive a penalty. I just thought any time there was a decision that could go either way, it went to them, which is what I feel we’ve suffered this season. “I’ve spoken to Howard Webb a lot on Sundays. Generally it’s ‘yes, we should’ve got that one right, apologies’, but it can’t be us that always suffers on the day and then retrospectively are told we should’ve had something. “Hopefully next season it improves for us. I think it’s been really, really poor for us.” He added: “Apart from some of the stuff we’ve done and that I’m responsible for and look to improve, I think one of my biggest disappointments this year is the level of officiating that we’ve suffered. “I just think over the course of the season, the ones that can go against us have. So I’m disappointed.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil believes Bournemouth were the ‘better side’ at Everton despite losing #AFCB

May 29, 2023
Abdoulaye Doucoure’s fierce half-volley proved the difference early in the second half as the Toffees ran out 1-0 victors at Goodison Park. The game was played in a ferocious atmosphere, with the home crowd whipping up a frenzy to push their side over the line to secure the victory they needed to secure their Premier League status. Asked for his assessment of Cherries’ performance, boss O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I thought we were the better side. I thought we had control for the most part. “There’s still lots there that we need to progress on, but we knew what we were coming in to. “A tough atmosphere, a direct team and we’ve struggled with playing against direct teams this season. I thought the lads stood up to it very, very well. “We maybe didn’t create enough from the situations that we had, although we created a couple of really good ones. “I’m excited that we’ve got to a point where we can come here and perform like that, under tough conditions, tough pressure. “Have loads of the ball, controlled with it. We maybe got a little bit too desperate towards the end, we started chucking things forward slightly early and suffered a couple of counter-attacks. “There was a lot there that I like, a team that I feel represented what I stand for - stood up to the physical battle, showed bravery and calmness with the ball. “I was disappointed that we couldn’t score a goal. I always thought we’d get one. I thought we looked dangerous enough to score.” Despite their 62 per cent possession, Cherries recorded just two shots on target, coming closest to scoring when substitute Matias Vina saw his shot parried away by Jordan Pickford in second-half stoppage time. Discussing the atmosphere at Goodison Park, O’Neil said: “It was enjoyable. I thought the lads handled it very well. “I thought we stood up to Everton’s direct play, showed real good control and calmness and quality with the ball. “It was what I expected it to be and I thought the lads coped with it very well.” Cherries finish the season in 15th place in the Premier League, with 39 points from their 38 matches. They netted 37 goals and conceded 71, with only Leeds United (78) and Southampton (73) seeing more goals go in against them. O’Neil’s men suffered defeat in each of their final four fixtures of the season.
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton manager Ruben Selles outlines his personal aims after leaving Southampton #SAINTSFC

May 28, 2023
Arriving last summer to work under Ralph Hasenhuttl, Selles was given the managerial role on an interim basis following the sacking of Nathan Jones in February. And after Selles oversaw a shock 1-0 win at Chelsea, he was handed the full-time job until the end of the season. But only one more victory has followed that success at Stamford Bridge and Saints have now failed to win any of their last 12, leading to relegation to the Championship for the first time since 2012. READ MORE: ‘Such a talented squad’ - Liverpool boss Klopp full of praise for relegated Saints Selles has previously stated that he is only interested in staying at Saints as manager and earlier this week the club confirmed that his contract would not be renewed. Speaking on Friday about his ambitions ahead of departing Saints this summer, Selles remained bullish about his own future. "I would like to stay here (England) and the top level we can stay, if it’s not the Premier League it’s very close to that,” Selles said.  “My target has always been to compete against the best and with the best, that’s what I’ve done the last three months and I want to be back and I want to fight to be back as quick as possible." Swansea boss Russell Martin is widely expected to take over at Saints and while Selles refused to be drawn into any speculation about his successor, he explained what he has told the club ahead of a crucial summer. "I just gave my opinion on all of the individual players,” Selles explained. “I don’t know who is the next coach, you probably know better than me, it’s not for me. "I just told the club what I think, I said before what we need to do to rebuild the squad for the Championship or for the Premier League. They know my opinion but they can do with that what they want."
Roberto De Zerbi
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Roberto De Zerbi wants to see Jason Steele earn England call and considers him top goalkeeper #BHAFC

May 28, 2023
Albion’s head coach rates the achievement in restoring Lewis Dunk to the Three Lions on a par with taking the club into the Europa League. Now he would love to see Steele, the man he has propelled into the Premier League spotlight, earn similar recognition from Gareth Southgate. Steele returns to the scene of his Premier League debut as Albion face Aston Villa. That outing last season was as a stand-in for the suspended Robert Sanchez. Steele has been very much the No.1 in recent weeks and has impressed De Zerbi with all aspects of his game, including his passing from the back. The Seagulls boss said: “We will work in the next season to help Jason Steele to achieve the same target as Lewis Dunk “He has the quality to achieve a target so important. “I don’t want to speak about other keepers in other teams. “In my vision, my idea, Jason Steele is a top keeper. “It is difficult to find another keeper at the level. “I study football 24 hours per day but it’s very hard to find another keeper with these qualities, this courage, this knowledge to play.” Steele was seen as Albion’s back-up keeper, both to Maty Ryan and then Sanchez. But De Zerbi saw enough in training and cup ties to change that. He said: “I have to analyse the present and sometimes the potential and the future. “The past is not important for me. “You can change your life in one day if you believe in yourself and you believe in work. “I told him the same – ‘I give you the possibility to change your life, to change your career, and you have to believe in yourself because I help you and you help me’.”
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton’s Ruben Selles provides insight into discussions with club about new manager for next season #SAINTSFC

May 27, 2023
Selles became Saints’ third permanent manager this season when he was given the full-time job until the end of the campaign following a shock 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge in February. But just one more victory followed the Chelsea result - a 1-0 home win against Leicester City - and Saints have now failed to win any of their last 12 Premier League matches. That run has helped lead Saints to relegation, confirmed a fortnight ago when they were beaten 2-0 by Fulham. READ MORE: Saints reveal reduced season ticket pricing for 2023-24 Championship campaign And earlier this week following Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Brighton, Saints confirmed that the Spaniard’s contract would not be renewed this summer meaning he will depart St Mary’s with Russell Martin widely expected to take over. “The club wants to place on record its thanks to Rubén for taking on the managerial position at a difficult time for the club and for giving his all as we attempted to stay in the Premier League," the statement read. Speaking about how the club’s decision was relayed to him, Selles said on Friday: "After the Brighton game, they (the club’s owners) communicated there was a meeting with me on Monday morning.  “It was a very simple talk. We had a meeting for an hour and a half and they communicated that my contract would not be renewed. "Two months ago, I had a talk with them and they knew my thoughts. It was that, two months ago, they have their own process and they communicate with me on Monday. "I did as much as I can. I show that I make the team competitive. We didn't get the results we wanted. We had an identity. "I did my best and that's the reality. I still think I am ready, but that is not my call. My focus is to try and get us in the best way possible for Sunday against Liverpool." It’s no surprise to see Selles uninterested in staying at the club as a coach after the 39 year old repeated on multiple occasions that he feels prepared to be a manager at this stage in his career. Speaking last week ahead of Saints’ 3-1 defeat to Brighton, Selles explained: “First question is if I want to stay as a coach if I’m not the manager, absolutely not. If somebody has a doubt or if they don’t know it through me they can read it through the media. “That’s very direct and yes I will try to make my career as a manager. Here if it is possible but if it is not I hope it will be another place.”
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton manager explains lack of success for transfers made by the club #SAINTSFC

May 27, 2023
While there were reports of a potential move for Goncalo Ramos or Cody Gakpo in the summer, only Sekou Mara arrived to bolster Ralph Hasenhuttl’s forward line. And in January once again Saints struggled to sign a truly elite number nine until deadline day when they brought in Paul Onuachu from Genk for a fee in the region of £18m. READ MORE: 'I did my best' - Saints boss reveals how club decision was relayed in bullish review The towering striker had scored 70 league goals in the previous two-and-a-half seasons in the Belgian top flight but he has failed to find the net since moving to St Mary’s. Meanwhile, his opportunities have almost completely dried up under Ruben Selles, starting just one of his side’s last 13 league matches. Asked by the Daily Echo why it hasn’t worked out for Onuachu, Selles conceded that the change in manager following Nathan Jones’s sacking ‘probably’ hasn’t helped the Nigerian. “I think sometimes it’s difficult to come straight to the Premier League and it’s hard to score goals especially in that position,” the 39 year old said on Friday afternoon.  “There are some key positions where you need to be more exposed than the others and that’s the number nine position. Probably the change in manager didn’t benefit him, we went some places that we didn’t go before. That’s mainly it.  “Usually when you get a player from the Belgian league or the French league, unless the team is very structured then they need time to adapt. And that’s what happened. He probably has a different opinion but that’s my opinion.” Selles also admitted that if he would have 'absolutely' approached the January transfer window differently had he been manager at the time. Asked to clarify what that could have looked like, Selles told the Daily Echo: "We are just going to speculate about that. If you ask me would I do it in a different way, definitely I would do it in a different way. "To speculate about what we would do, what kind of player, I don’t think we’d go anywhere with that question.” Saints dismal season will finally come to an end on Sunday when they host Liverpool at St Mary’s. Both their relegation and last-place finish have already been confirmed.
Roberto De Zerbi
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Roberto De Zerbi’s message for Brighton owners about the transfers for next season’s European rounds #BHAFC

May 27, 2023
Then comes the bit he least likes – several weeks with no matches. Albion aim for their first ever win before fans at villa Park as they take on a home side who need three points to guarantee a European place. The Seagulls’ only success at the venue came two seasons ago behind closed doors, thanks to goals from Danny Welbeck and Solly March. Albion boss De Zerbi said: “In every game, in every training session we have to play seriously all the time. “We will prepare our best for the next game. “We leave to Birmingham to win, to play in our way. “Monday starts the toughest period in my season because without football it is difficult. “I am looking forward to starting the next pre-season. “I think we have to work in this holiday because we have to build a new squad. “I think we don’t need so many players. “We ae to understand if Caicedo, Mac Allister or I don’t know which players can leave. “And then we have to bring very good players because next season will be tougher than this one. “For sure I can tell you we have to have a stronger squad, bigger squad because we will play four competitions and we have to be ready to compete in our way in these competitions.”
Pep Guardiola
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- What Pep Guardiola said about Roberto De Zerbi and Brighton after 1-1 draw #BHAFC

May 26, 2023
The champions fought out a 1-1 draw with Albion. Guardiola admitted being a De Zerbi fan, following his career all the way back to when the Brighton manager was at Sassuolo. He said: “I started to see his football in Sassuolo, Italy, with a middle team and I remember they went to Napoli, Milan, Inter and I remember saying, 'Oh my God, these players play really good'. "With Shakhtar he did the same, with exceptional football in a short time before the war and then he got an opportunity to come here and show who they are. They played really good.” The Manchester City manager had more to say as he gave praise to the Seagulls for their season. He added: “They are a fantastic team in all departments, that’s why they are in the Europa League, well deserved.” “They have an incredible team, we tried to have the ball and we did it. They have the quality.” Guardiola was aware of Albion's strengths. Despite being crowned champions, the starting XI was a strong team. “Today I felt we needed a proper team otherwise Brighton can play 90 in your box. “The way they play there is only one, that’s why it’s unique. "I saw the game against United, in the FA Cup semi-final, against Liverpool many times, Arsenal. "They are really good, they have quality, the young players, the experienced players. They are exceptional. “Brighton is one of the tops. Dunk, Caicedo, Gross, Mac Allister, Mitoma. I admire them, I enjoy watching them.”
Roberto De Zerbi
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Roberto De Zerbi praises Brighton display against Man City after a thrilling 1-1 draw #BHAFC

May 25, 2023
A brilliant goal by Julio Enciso secured the 1-1 draw which made sure of sixth place. Head coach De Zerbi said: “I am happy because first of all we have to respect our club, our fans, ourselves. “We have to show courage, we have to show we believe in ourselves. “We believe to win if possible against the best team in the world. “We needed one point. We didn’t receive gifts, we deserved to get a point today. “We deserved to play Europa League next year. “I am really proud because I think today has been one of the best games this season. “Very tough but we played with incredible courage, incredible quality, incredible first XI. “Dunk couldn’t play, Mac Allister couldn’t play 90 minutes. “Webster couldn’t play, Veltman after 70 minutes on Sunday couldn’t play. “JP (Van Hecke), Bill Gilmour, Enciso. “Buonanotte was fantastic. I think one of the best players on the pitch. “The improvement of the players has been fantastic and for me is a big satisfaction. “I don’t work with 11 players but I have to work for all the players.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil on player of the year Jefferson Lerma #AFCB

May 25, 2023
Now approaching the end of his fifth season at the club, Lerma was last week crowned winner of the annual vote by supporters, pipping teammates Neto and Philip Billing to the prestigious award. It is the first time the midfielder has won the gong, after another impressive season on the pitch, which has seen him feature more than any other player in the squad. Lerma, the club’s record signing at £25million, has had his most prolific season in front of goal, scoring five times in 36 appearances. Those strikes helped earn points against Aston Villa, Fulham and Leeds United along the way to Cherries securing their Premier League safety. The 28-year-old has played under five different managers at Cherries in Eddie Howe, Jason Tindall, Jonathan Woodgate, Scott Parker and now O’Neil, all of them regularly selecting the Colombia international. Asked what it is that makes Lerma such a permanent fixture in the team, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I think his drive, his tenacity, his commitment to the cause. They are the obvious ones. “But he has quality as well obviously, you’ve seen he’s scored some important goals for us. Some real quality in them as well, the finish away at Fulham was a fantastic finish. “He’s just a guy that you know you can rely on. Especially if you’re going to be in and around the scrap, he’s someone that you want on your team. “You know what you’re going to get from him. He brings some quality, athletically still very good and has had another successful season. “Over the last five years, he’s been one of the first names on the team sheet fairly consistently.” While still not quite mastering the language, Spanish speaking Lerma has settled into life on the south coast and has made 183 appearances for the club. That included two seasons in the Championship, and could see him reach the milestone of 100 Premier League appearances at Everton this weekend. Asked what Lerma is like off the pitch, O’Neil explained: “He trains at 100 per cent, every day. “No matter what we’re doing, if you say ‘light session today, lads’, Jeff generally doesn’t take too much notice of that! “He’s still flying into people, sliding tackles. He trains with a purpose, always, which is great for the young lads to see. “It’s great as a coach as well, when you have those days where things are maybe feeling a bit flat if we’ve been on a tough run, Jeff brings a real life and determination and always grabs the day by the scruff of the neck. “He’s been key in what we’ve achieved again this year. I’m not surprised that he’s managed to pick up the player of the year.”
Tino Livramento
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Tino Livramento wants to repay Southampton supporters and staff after return from injury #SAINTSFC

May 24, 2023
The 20 year old made his long-awaited return from an ACL injury and subsequent setbacks 392 days later during Sunday’s defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. Saints were already down 3-1 at the time he replaced James Bree, with the club’s relegation also confirmed the weekend before. Livramento was one of Southampton’s top performers in his debut season at Premier League level last season and could be a star in the Championship. But the focus for the former Chelsea man is to keep fit and try to repay the club’s staff for the effort they have put in to reach this point. “Everyone will look at it from the outside and think returning was another mental block but for me, it’s just about coming back and playing football,” he told club media. “No matter where I’m going to be, if the manager wants me to come in and play then I’m going to come in and play. It just happened to be Brighton, the first game back that I’m available for. I’m happy that I’m back and hopefully, my fitness continues. “It’s been very difficult. I’ve had a few setbacks with the main injury I had. It’s not nice but when you’ve got a strong team and great physios, I can’t speak highly enough of them.” Livramento added: “Without them, I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am now. I’m happy that I can now repay them by showing their hard work has paid off. I’m a footballer again! “I’m as confident as I can be. I haven’t played a lot but I think you saw when I came on I had a few actions where I was mostly defending. "It’s always nice to show you can do that stuff first before doing stuff on the ball. Hopefully, I can show the fans what I have been doing before and more. So I’m looking forward to it.”
Pep Guardiola
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Pep Guardiola likens Roberto De Zerbi to top chef Ferran Adria in Catalunya restaurant #BHAFC

May 24, 2023
The Manchester City boss believes his side’s trip to the Amex whets the appetite for their Champions League final against Inter and the FA Cup final versus Manchester United. Guardiola said today: “It’s like a Michelin star restaurant, it’s unique. “In Catalunya it was (top restaurant) El Bulli – (head chef) Ferran Adria the best cook for many, many years. “He changed completely, completely, the cuisine. “I think Brighton is playing with something unique, special. “The way they move, the way they do. “It’s a good, incredible challenge for us to prepare the two finals.” El Bulli, on the Costa Brava, had three Michelin stars and Adria was hailed as “the most imaginative generator of haute cuisine on the planet” by John Carlin in The Guardian. Guardiola said: "I congratulate Brighton on their incredible achievement to get into the Europa League. "Pay attention to what I'm going to say because I'm pretty convinced I'm right - Roberto de Zerbi is one of the most influential managers in the last 20 years. "There is no team playing in the way they play - it is unique. I had the feeling when he arrived in the Premier League that the impact would be great but I couldn't expect he would do this in this short a time. "He creates 20-25 chances on average a game. He's better by far than all the opponents, he monopolises the ball in a way I haven't seen for a long. long time. "Everyone is involved, the keeper is like a holding midfielder. "They deserve completely the compliments and the success they have."