Julio Enciso
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton’s Julio Enciso makes peace with Miguel Almiron after fiesty encounter against Newcastle United #BHAFC

May 19, 2023
The opposing players sorted out their differences and hugged after full-time as the Seagulls went down 4-1 at Newcastle. Merseyside-based referee Robert Jones had earlier found himself in the middle of a Paraguayan disagreement at St James’s Park. Enciso clumsily fouled Almiron during the second half as Albion tried to force an equaliser. Almiron angrily pursued his opponent to make a point. But Enciso was having none of it and rather dismissively pushed Almiron in the chest. Argentina star Alexis Mac Allister looked to intervene and everything was eventually calmed down. Almiron stood out for Newcastle while Enciso also injected some spark for the visitors when he went on as sub. While a minor incident for English viewers, their disagreement made headlines back home. Enciso posted on social media: “Seeing everything that I’m being mentioned in, first off I want to say that the things that happen on the pitch stay on the pitch, I never want to fight with anyone and especially with Miguel. “Those that know me and the way I am know the respect I have for Miguel. “Still, I apologised, we apologised and now we’re fine. Miguel is an idol of mine, I adore him a lot and we both work hard to put our country at the top. “Today he won and I wish him the best. Thank you, brother for all the advice and the chat we had after the game, I learned a lot from you. “I know I didn’t leave a good image but I would never do anything bad. “I’m young and I’m learning everything every day.”
Romeo Lavia
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton’s Romeo Lavia ‘grateful’ for Premier League chance #SAINTSFC

May 19, 2023
The 19 year old Belgian prodigy is among the favourites to win the Southern Daily Echo’s Player of the Season in what has been a disappointing year for the club. Lavia, who is now a full international, has been a standout performer despite relegation from the Premier League being confirmed with two games still to play. The former Anderlecht youngster joined from Manchester City last summer despite being well-liked by Pep Guardiola and Kevin De Bruyne in order to play men’s football for the first time. READ MORE: How Southampton FC's ideal starting XI should look in the Championship He faces an uncertain future with interest from the big six clubs in England, while Man City have a buy-back clause that only activates next summer – that is the club’s best chance of keeping him. Lavia, speaking to club media for the most recent matchday programme, said: “First of all, I’m really, really grateful that Southampton gave me the chance to have my first step in professional football. “Looking back, I’m really happy to have made this step here. I’ve enjoyed it so far. I’ve learned so much about the club, and honestly, I feel like part of a family. “I know most of the people around the building, and you just want to give back to them for everything they do for you during the week, and the whole year really, so that gives me the motivation to give my all for the rest of the season.” Lavia spoke to the Daily Echo in his first month at St Mary’s and gave good insight into the mentality that has taken him this far. “I don’t feel the pressure, if there is any pressure I think it is always positive as it means people expect something from you. It’s always a positive,” he told us. “It wasn’t a hard decision (to leave Manchester City for Saints), not really, because I felt ready to make the next step and to get experience in men’s football. I feel like it was the right moment. “I think just by training with the first-team at Man City, I was speaking to a lot of the first-team players and had a good connection with them. They were telling me that I was ready to play and it was up to me to move up.”
Roberto De Zerbi
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Roberto De Zerbi reacts to Brighton’s 4-1 defeat at Newcastle #BHAFC

May 19, 2023
The Seagulls face Southampton on Sunday as they chase the first of two wins which would take them into the Europa League. Head coach De Zerbi said his side got things wrong tactically in the first half at St James’s Park, where they went down 4-1. He said: “We have to be strong in a tough period. “I don’t love to make an excuse but we have eight, nine, I don’t know how many injuries we have. “We are playing four games in 12 days. We knew before the game the situation was difficult. “I think we will be able to qualify anyway for Europe. “We have to win two games. We play in our stadium with our fans. “In our stadium we play with 12 players. “It is a difficult period but to qualify for the Europa League we have to be stronger than everything. “If we qualify in the Europa League we reach an historic target. “We have the right motivation, we have the right energy to fight until the end.” Newcastle’s pressing game stifled Albion in the first half. De Zerbi said: “We didn’t understand well the man who could play and the man was Estupinan – and Caicedo, the full-backs. “We didn’t understand the situation. We didn’t find the right player. “We are not used to playing three games in a week and we suffer a lot. “Moises Caicedo, Pervis, Mitoma - in the first half they don’t play well but I love them. “They have to learn to play two games in four days. “We are not used to it yet but next year we will be better, we will be ready to play every day.”
Jefferson Lerma
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Jefferson Lerma talks about his future with Cherries #AFCB

May 17, 2023
A fan favourite since arriving from Spanish side Levante in 2018 for a club-record £25million, Lerma has entered the final months of his contract at Vitality Stadium. Capped 33 times by Colombia, the 28-year-old has a host of suitors, both in Spain and in the Premier League. London clubs Crystal Palace, West Ham and Fulham are rumoured to be interested, with clubs in Europe unable to match the financial pull of top-flight clubs in England. Sources close to the player had told the Daily Echo that he was undecided over a move away due to his strong affection for the club and the Cherries faithful. Reports had suggested that the Colombian international had rejected multiple contract offers from Cherries, only for Lerma himself to insist that this was not the case. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo in his native Spanish, Lerma shared: “Everything is possible. I have never rejected an offer from the club. “We have always been in dialogue and waited to make the best decision for both of us. “I am very grateful to count on the people here, but now it is time to reach an agreement that works out best for both from any point of view. “For me, if there was a breakdown in talks with the club it would be in the news. “We are waiting and taking the best decision for both of us.” Now mathematically safe from relegation, Cherries had an uncharacteristically bad day at the office last time out, failing to register a shot on target as they were defeated 2-0 at Crystal Palace. “It was quite a rare game from us,” Lerma explained. “I think that we couldn’t really settle. But we have to raise our heads and think of what’s to come. “Sadly, it was an out-of-character game (for us) and a good game for them. “But every week we have an opportunity to lift ourselves up.” The major talking point stemming from the encounter from a Cherries perspective was a first-half incident involving Lerma. Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen struck Lerma in the face with a clenched fist at a corner, there being enough force to break the former Levante man’s nose. However, despite a VAR check, Andersen received no punishment. Asked if he had broken his nose, Lerma replied: “Yes -  you can see it a little. “Supposedly (the referees) didn’t see anything wrong. We have to forget it and we recover.” With two games left in their season, Cherries have already achieved their pre-season objective of survival. Asked for his thoughts on the season as a whole, Lerma responded: “Yes, that also has to be seen as a positive. “I think that everything cannot be rosy. We have to not crash after a loss, but recover – the desire is to return to victory. “Like I said before, it’s football and every week you have an opportunity to prove yourself.”
Neto
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Neto on defeat to Crystal Palace #AFCB

May 16, 2023
Two finely taken goals from Eberechi Eze proved the difference, with Neto powerless prevent either effort in the eventual 2-0 defeat at Selhurst Park. It was the first time since March Cherries have lost back-to-back games, with the Brazilian admitting his side were second best. He shared: “We’re frustrated by the result. We wanted to win this game, it was very important for us but I think we didn’t deserve it.“By our interpretation, it wasn’t our right to win the game and we have to keep going. That’s football and we have to move on.” Whilst Everton’s subsequent defeat to champions elect Manchester City on Sunday confirmed Cherries’ place in next season's Premier League, Neto believes his team will give it their all in the final fixtures with Manchester United and the Toffees. “I think 40 points is the number for everybody at the beginning of the season and when the games happen, maybe you don’t need the 40 points,” he continued. “Our goal and objective is 40 points and we have two difficult games in the next weeks and we have to mentalise the right way to keep going and go win those games.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Gary O’Neil hails safety as a ‘big achievement’ despite loss against Crystal Palace #AFCB

May 16, 2023
Everton’s defeat to Manchester City on Sunday means there are now three teams in the Premier League unable to overhaul Cherries’ current points tally of 39. Leeds United can now only finish on 37, Everton’s potential maximum 38, whilst New Forest neighbours Southampton have already been relegated. That means Cherries can finish no lower than 17th, thus are safe from the threat of relegation. Promoted from the Championship last term following a two-year absence from the top-flight, many tipped Cherries to go straight back down. Despite an opening day win over Aston Villa, heavy defeats to the biggest hitters in the league culminated in Scott Parker’s final game in charge, a record-equalling 9-0 defeat at Liverpool. Shortly after O’Neil was installed on a temporary basis, the head coach doing enough as interim to earn the job on a full-time basis. Victory over Leeds United at the end of April ultimately proved enough for Cherries to stay up with four games spare. “It's a big achievement, no doubt,” O’Neil mused. “You saw (against Crystal Palace), if we wouldn't have been at full tilt all season and the players hadn't been given absolutely everything, that is how the Premier League can treat you, ruthless. “Crystal Palace made us look like a team that was struggling. So the boys have given everything for the whole season, suffered some real tough blows, managed to pick themselves up and go again. “A lot of hard work gone in, from players and staff and, yeah, that's how we achieved it, really. “That's how we achieved it. We got everything out of absolutely everybody that we could. “Every last drop of quality, energy, determination, managed to get it out of everyone.” However, despite his delight at staying up against the odds, O’Neil shared his “huge disappointment” at his side’s performance at Selhurst Park. Eberechi Eze was on hand to score in either half and give Crystal Palace a 2-0 win over a Cherries side that failed to muster a shot on target. He continued: “But I don’t want it to finish like (the performance against Palace). At this moment, where we are with 39 points and the fact that we're safe doesn't make me feel any better about what I saw. “Just huge disappointment, really. “At the end of the season when I’ve sat down and we’ve stayed up, and I can obviously reflect on it from a clearer point of view, but (against Palace) what I saw from a team that was put out by me, I didn't like.”  
Che Adams
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Che Adams hints at Southampton stay after relegation is confirmed for the club #SAINTSFC

May 15, 2023
The 26 year old Scotsman has been battling injury since the March international break and has been unable to fully assist the team in their battle. Adams, who has scored five goals in the Premier League and five in cup competitions this season, missed the 2-0 defeat to Fulham after a late fitness test. After scoring in the 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in March, Adams has only played 130 minutes since – starting just once. READ MORE: How Southampton's excitement unwrapped to become relegation disaster Posting his statement on Twitter, Adams said: “Dear Saints, now I've processed everything, I wanted to express just how gutted I am.  pic.twitter.com/9OxWA6GDOn — Ché Adams (@CheAdams_) May 14, 2023 “This season has been the most challenging of my career and I think the same goes for everyone involved in Southampton Football Club. “We have failed and definitely fallen short of everybody's expectations and for that, I can't express how disappointed and also sorry I am.” He added: “I have given my everything for this club since I first walked through Staplewood on 1st July 2019 and St Mary's, but this year wasn't enough. “Myself and everyone at the club will learn from the mistakes we've made this season. “The last few weeks have been especially gutting not being able to help the team, as I've been struggling with an injury. Anyone that knows me, knows I don't give up or quit easily. “I've tried my hardest and pushed through the past few games as I wanted to give my everything, but it's not got better and it wouldn't be fair on the team or the fans if I'm not at 100%. “Just want to say a massive thank you to all the fans that support us each week, we'll bring the club back to where it belongs for you.”
Roberto De Zerbi
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Roberto De Zerbi reveals pride after Brighton’s 3-0 win at Arsenal #BHAFC

May 15, 2023
But he added they still have work to do if they are to secure a European place. The Seagulls roared to a 3-0 win at Arsenal less than a week after their 5-1 defeat by Everton. They move back up to sixth place and effectively ended the Gunners’ title hopes. De Zerbi said: “Very delighted for the performance but I am really happy, really proud because the last five days were very difficult after the defeat on Monday. “It was a very difficult moment. Today we showed our passion, we showed we are serious people. “My players showed they are great people and then we can speak about football, our style, our quality of the players but first of all we won the game because we suffer a lot after the defeat.” “We have 58 points, not enough to qualify for Europe League. We have another four games, tough games. We have to fight because 58 aren’t enough to play (in Europe) next year.” (Additional reporting: Carlos Acosta Juckes)
Lloyd Kelly
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly on loss to Crystal Palace #AFCB

May 15, 2023
Kelly and co. went into their contest at Selhurst Park requiring one more point to make their Premier League survival a mathematical certainty. Whilst they did not find the required point, losing 2-0 to Palace, their place in next season’s Premier League was confirmed by Everton’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon. Asked how he felt about the suggestion of his side losing motivation following all but securing survival, Kelly told BBC Radio Solent: “Of course they can throw accusations at us. It's football, and you're going to get that. “But I think at the end of the day - although you could say we're safe now - every game we go into from now until the end of the season, the two left that we have, we have to put in a performance.” It was the second time Cherries were defeated 2-0 by the Eagles this season, with Gary O’Neil’s charges failing to impress in either game. Kelly mused: “I think coming away from that game is a difficult one, really. “Of course, we set out to come here and get a point, or even three, just put in a good performance and see where that got us. “So coming away from the game with nothing and conceding two goals, which I think in the overall scheme of things, we could have avoided. It’s difficult. “I think it's a difficult one to explain, really. “Of course, you can talk about the tactics and what we can do with the ball and things like that, but I think at the end of the day, it just comes down to if you're willing to run. “And I think we were second best in that today. “They’ve got quality going forward. Coming into the game, everyone knew of that. “We've seen it throughout the season from them. “Their attacking players can create things out of nothing, and we needed to be at our best to avoid conceding those goals. “And I think that's where we slipped up a little bit.”  
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil to speak to PGMOL after Jefferson Lerma broken nose #AFCB

May 15, 2023
During the first half of Cherries’ contest against Crystal Palace, with the game goalless, Eagles defender Joachim Andersen’s hand connected with the face of Lerma, the latter defending from a corner. The Colombian went to the floor and the game was stopped, but video assistant referee Andy Madley did not recommend to on-field official Michael Salisbury to review the footage, after checking for a potential red card for violent conduct. Webb, a former top-flight referee in England and in international competition, became chief refereeing officer of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) earlier this season. Asked for his take on the incident in the 2-0 defeat at Selhurst Park, Cherries’ head coach O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “Jefferson Lerma has broken his nose from it. “It looked like a fairly clear punch in the face to me, on the footage. “I spoke to the on-field ref and I understand them not spotting it. I think it’s from a corner, so there’s a lot of bodies and things moving fast. “The ref needs to be trying to look at everything, so it’s difficult for him to spot it. “But the fact that we got the usual check complete from VAR, as one that’s going against us, was a surprise. “It was a significant blow to Jeff’s face with a closed fist by the look of it. So I’m disappointed something wasn’t done.” Asked if he will speak to PGMOL about the decision, as he has done in recent weeks about various decisions, O’Neil said: “It’s an interesting one. I speak to Howard Webb most Sundays at the moment! “I’ll speak to him tomorrow, because I feel like this one is an important one. “Jeff’s obviously not happy about it. I’ll speak to him, as we have done even with the penalty decision last week (in defeat to Chelsea) on Dom (Solanke). “It didn’t go our way. It’s important we discuss it, because it’s a significant blow to the face and Jeff has injured and broken his nose from it.” Meanwhile, Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson played down the incident. Asked if he was concerned Andersen may be in trouble at the time, Hodgson told the Daily Echo: “I don’t know, I haven’t seen it. “The penalty box is 65 to 70 yards away from me. My eyesight is not bad, but it’s not an eagle eyesight. “All I know is I was watching the corner kick and trying to assess our organisation and suddenly the game was stopped and there’s a player on the ground. “I have no idea what happened or how he landed on the ground, but I have to trust the referee, who at the time did not see any reason to give a free-kick. “And that was backed up by VAR, so that’s perfectly good enough for me.”
James Ward Prowse
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- James Ward-Prowse admits Southampton standards ‘have slipped’ causing relegation #SAINTSFC

May 14, 2023
The St Mary’s side have been condemned to Championship football after a 2-0 defeat to Fulham on Saturday. There are two games remaining of the Premier League campaign but Saints cannot catch up, with eight points separating themselves and safety. READ MORE: 'I take all the responsibility for the last three months' - Selles READ MORE: Live updates as Saints are relegated Ward-Prowse, who has made 407 appearances for the club, addressed the media following the match. He said: "Disappointing. It has been coming. We knew we were in a difficult position. "We need to go away individually and as a club and assess if we've done everything we possibly could. I don't think we have and that is a shame. "I think as a team and a club overall we'll think about the season that has gone by. Have decisions been right? Have we done everything we could on a pitch?" He added: "I think we should perform at a better level than we have done. From the first day of the season until now you can tell the standards have slipped. "I have been here right through from eight years old, for all the ups and downs. I'm sure with the good people at the club it will be back in the Premier League in no time. "Over the last 10 years, we have had that kind of consistency and that has wavered. It will be testing for everybody but these are the times that make you as a player and as a club, we have done it before and we will do it again." Asked again about his future, he responded: "I'm not thinking too far ahead. We've just been relegated from the Premier League. "I'm not looking beyond tomorrow. It's about sticking together and dealing with it in the right way."