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Post by Webster on Sept 4, 2022 7:00:44 GMT
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#1979e6
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Post by Webster on Sept 16, 2022 18:10:06 GMT
(The Guardian) David Moyes backs Jarrod Bowen to hit the giddy heights he managed last season in time for the Qatar World Cup. After 18 goals last season, the forward is yet to score in the league so far this season – his only strikes have come in the Europa Conference League. The West Ham manager said: “I’m just beginning to see Jarrod getting back to it, there are little bits coming back … we’re just beginning to see good signs from Jarrod and hopefully I’m right.” Bowen is in England’s squad along with Declan Rice, about whom Moyes lit up, raised an eyebrow and grinned approvingly. Moyes added: “At the start of last season after the Euros, I thought Declan Rice was fantastic, whereas a lot of the England players didn’t find their levels quite as much, so it can happen. The international football, the little rest time you get during the summer can play a part in that. “The boys who were on international duty in the summer had a really late return, Declan especially – Declan had more time off to recover. I think most of our players played roughly 60 games last year, so our players have had a real busy time. From that point of view, we hope it will improve Declan but, on the other side of it, we’re always trying to look after him as well.”
Erik ten Hag says he will not take his foot off the gas despite an elongated break in the schedule for Manchester United. With their match against Leeds postponed this weekend, immediately followed by the international break, his side suddenly found themselves with a 17-day lull, following Thursday’s Europa League win over Sheriff Tiraspol. No let up for the manager, however, who said: “We have many meetings, we have to improve the structures in and around the club. We will also look to the window in January or next summer already and also to improve our way of playing by making plans.” They return from the break with the Manchester derby on 2 October, the first of what is scheduled to be 13 games in 43 days. “It’s coming, a period with a game every third day and we have to get ready for that,” Ten Hag said. “The players, 90% are away [on international duty], but the others we will train properly. We have to prepare very well. Then I hope that everyone stays fit, returns back healthy and then we have to get in to attack.”
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#1979e6
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Post by Webster on Sept 16, 2022 18:11:01 GMT
(The Guardian) Conor Gallagher’s adjustment back to life as a little fish continues … with word that he has been named as part of England’s Under-21s squad for friendlies against Italy and Germany. The Chelsea player has just 158 minutes to his name in the league this season, having been so pivotal on his loan at Crystal Palace that led to his breakthrough in England’s senior side. Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott also features, along with Spurs’ Ryan Sessegnon and Everton’s Anthony Gordon. Manager Lee Carsley said: “We welcome Conor Gallagher back to the group which is another example of us having a fluid pathway across our national teams. I know Conor will take to the pitch with as much pride in wearing an England shirt for the under-21s as he would for the seniors. “He – like all of our players – can continue to take comfort in the fact that Gareth will always keep one eye on their progress. There is no glass ceiling.”
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#1979e6
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Post by Webster on Sept 16, 2022 18:11:58 GMT
(The Guardian) Steven Gerrard has some calls to make at Aston Villa, before tonight’s match against Southampton. Ollie Watkins has been “a little bit unwell”, while his two main goalkeepers – Emiliano Martínez and Robin Olsen – both missed training on Thursday. Gerrard was hopeful Martínez “will pull through … I think he’ll be available”. Gerrard added: “We’re on the end of a real positive performance against Manchester City, a good strong team performance, and of course you want to back that up as soon as you can.”
Speaking yesterday, Southampton’s Ralph Hasenhüttl said it would have been understandable if this weekend’s Premier League fixtures has also been postponed. “It was, for me, an absolutely clear decision not to play football last weekend and I would also completely understand if we wouldn’t play this weekend because it’s a special moment for this country.” Of their trip to Villa, Hasenhüttl added: “They are full of high individual quality in the team. After a not so easy start, which is normal in the Premier League, they are starting to play better and I think the last game against Man City showed how good they can be at home. “It was maybe the worst away game we had last season and it’s a good chance to show we can do it better.” Tino Livramento and Romeo Lavia remain on the injured list for the Saints.
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#1979e6
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Post by Webster on Sept 16, 2022 18:13:14 GMT
(The Guardian) Interim Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil, you should not be surprised to hear, hasn’t got a huge amount to say about a potential takeover. He said: “Obviously I am not involved in any discussions like that. I have been hard at work over on the other side, on the grass … My wife and kids will tell you, every minute of my day so far [since the postponed Brighton game] is Newcastle, either on a laptop or on the grass with the lads.” And his findings before Saturday’s trip to the north-east? “Newcastle are a very good side. Every game I have watched, they have been on the front foot, aggressive and caused teams problems, so probably should have more points than they have. I would expect them to be high up the league this year.” Midfielder David Brooks, who in May was given the all-clear to resume his playing career after stage-two Hodgkin lymphoma, is yet to feature this season and suffered a setback while playing for the club’s under-21s. O’Neil added: “He had some pain in his hamstring … it’s not unusual for any player who has been off grass long-term. When players come back, there’s always a spell where they need to get their body used to being on the grass. They have to adapt to the stresses of playing football every day. I am not surprised that it’s happened, but I am disappointed for him. We were never going to rush him back, so we’ll see how he is in the coming weeks.”
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#1979e6
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Post by Webster on Sept 16, 2022 18:16:12 GMT
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#1979e6
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Post by Webster on Sept 16, 2022 18:19:55 GMT
(The Guardian) Antonio Conte wants to see more from Yves Bissouma, snapped up from Brighton last season after playing very well against Tottenham. He’s started just one game so far. He will be used more during a seven-week spell from October 1 where they will play 12 times in the Premier League and Champions League. Per PA Media: The only (new) player that is struggling a bit with the tactical aspect is Bissouma, but also he is improving a lot in every aspect, so I am sure when we start again and play 12 games, for sure he is another player I can count on.
When you have the possibility to work, to have more time, especially with new players, you can bring all the players into our idea of football. For sure in this first part of the season I wanted to play with the old players because they knew very well which is our idea of football, but now I think we are doing good steps with Richy, with Clement (Lenglet) and with Ivan Perisic.
With Bissouma, we are trying to accelerate this process, but for sure when you arrive in a team well organised with an idea of football, you need a bit of time to go into this idea of football. But I think that in the next 12 games, I have at least three players that I can count on much more in the way that I did in these seven (sic) games.
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#1979e6
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Post by Webster on Sept 16, 2022 18:20:58 GMT
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#1979e6
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Post by Webster on Sept 16, 2022 18:22:24 GMT
(The Guardian) Brentford’s Thomas Frank on Ivan Toney’s England call-up. -- I’m very, very pleased. A nice little touch to the story: Gareth texted me in the morning and said ‘Thomas: you can bring the news to Ivan.’ I think it’s not often that we as managers or head coaches get to bring the news. It’s a lot of times that [we have to tell players] they are not playing, and it’s hard on them – 90% suffering and 10% joy. That was definitely a very joyful moment. It’s not often Ivan is speechless, but he was laughing and just very, very happy.
He’s a very, very complicated guy – the journey has definitely not been straightforward for him. That is incredible, and for the club.
Frank’s side host Arsenal in the Sunday lunchtime game.
A little more from Bruno Lage on Diego Costa … Let’s see, we have one more day, let’s see if he can be available or not. When Sasa [Kalajdzic] got injured Diego was available, it was a time to talk to him and convince him to come to us, so we are very happy with him. We also know he needs time to be ready. He is fit, there are no problems but he needs to be ready to compete at this level.
Our hope is to get him ready to compete at this level and I think we can bring the work with Costa because that’s what we need. We need a reference in the box, we need a guy to compete with Raúl [Jimenez] and Diego has that profile.”
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#1979e6
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Post by Webster on Sept 16, 2022 18:41:03 GMT
(The Guardian) The Everton manager Frank Lampard insists he is putting no pressure on fit-again Dominic Calvert-Lewin as the striker prepares to return to action. “He knows he has support and advice from me and I try not to give him that pressure on top of that. I just try to talk football with him,” said Lampard. “I know what he can give us because he gave it to us at the back end of last season and he is experienced enough to deal with it. All we want is Dominic fit and firing but it is difficult with injuries as it can easily happen when you get one and then another one comes. “He’s had that period and I just hope to see him playing regular football. He is not under any undue pressure from myself and the staff. We just want to see him in the best condition, so he can help us. Let’s all work in the right direction to get him fit and release some of that pressure by hopefully the team being strong with or without Dominic.” (PA)
“Lamps”, as some of you like to call him, also had a word about the All-Star game idea floated by Todd Boehly the other day. “I think practically it’s very difficult because of our calendar & schedule here ... To go and play a game like that is potentially high-risk with injury,” Lampard said. “[But] I think it’s a fair conversation. When you start thinking of the players that will be involved you go: wow, yeah, that would be interesting.” He also added a caveat about how it’s important to keep the traditions of the domestic game.
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#1979e6
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Post by Webster on Sept 16, 2022 18:43:12 GMT
(The Guardian) Eddie Howe has been having a chat about VAR and the goal that Newcastle had ruled out in the 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace last week: “We’ve had quite a few discussions. It’s always a difficult one ... it’s football, there’ll always be controversy and decisions you disagree with,” Howe said. “It’s good they came out and admitted it was an error. For me it was clear and obvious. “When the ref goes to the monitor they have to go with an open mind ... unfortunately the referee has listened to Lee Mason and the guys in the VAR studio and that’s changed his decision to a negative effect.”
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Post by Webster on Sept 17, 2022 6:09:48 GMT
(BBC Sport) Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard said his side's scrappy win over Southampton at Villa Park was a "big victory". Villa secured only their second Premier League win of the season as Jacob Ramsey scored the only goal of the game, and Gerrard said his side reacted to the criticism they had faced. "It wasn't pretty or stylish but, with where we were in the league, we knew we had to do it in a pragmatic way," said Gerrard. "I'm really proud of the boys' effort, application and commitment. We played better than we did last time. In football, you have to grind and fight and be committed and we worked hard today. We will get better in terms of style and possession and that will come but tonight was about the points." Gerrard's side have made an indifferent start to the campaign but they were able to build on the battling draw against Manchester City with a deserved victory. He added: "We had to back up our performance against Manchester City and there were a lot of eyes on us from the TV but we did it. Maybe we tried to force it a bit tonight but as we move up the table, maybe that's when the pretty stuff will come. It has been a tough period but I've wanted to step forward and protect my players. I've tried to fight and move up this table. We have accepted a lot of criticism and it's about reacting and that is what we have done tonight." Villa made nearly all the running in a game desperately short on quality and Ramsey broke the deadlock four minutes before the break after Southampton keeper Gavin Bazunu turned Ollie Watkins' header on to the bar. Southampton were far too timid and barely offered a threat all night, allowing Villa to close out an important triumph, their first since the second league game of the season against Everton, in comfort. (BBC Sport) Manager Marco Silva said there are still "a lot of fights ahead" despite Fulham producing a thrilling comeback win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Fulham scored three goals in six minutes to pick up their third victory of the Premier League season so far. "[The start of the season] has been really good. As well some games in the beginning of the season we should have got more points because we deserved it," said Silva. "But it is just seven games. It is the start of the season. We go into the international break with confidence then we prepare for the next one. "A lot of fights ahead of us. We are happy with how we started but we have to keep going." Forest had led early on when Taiwo Awoniyi headed in a corner but were stunned by a remarkable Fulham comeback in the second half. Tosin Adarabioyo headed in the equaliser after 54 minutes, before Joao Palhinha's stunning strike made it 2-1. Before Forest could catch their breath, Harrison Reed stroked in a third. Fulham appeared to take control of the match as the second half wore on but a wonderful flick from Forest substitute Jesse Lingard set Brennan Johnson free and he teed up Lewis O'Brien. Momentum switched back to Steve Cooper's side but time ran out to score another as Fulham clung on for a victory which saw them move up to sixth place in the table. "It was a fantastic feeling for us even if we suffered a little in the last few minutes and they had belief they could score again," added Silva. "I have to congratulate the players because it is really tough to do something they have done. It's the way we work and prepare for the game to learn every single day. We are a group and a unit working hard to achieve. We believe in ourselves and always trust in ourselves." Momentum switched back to Steve Cooper's side but time ran out to score another as Fulham clung on for a victory which saw them move up to sixth place in the table. "It was a fantastic feeling for us even if we suffered a little in the last few minutes and they had belief they could score again," added Silva. "I have to congratulate the players because it is really tough to do something they have done. It's the way we work and prepare for the game to learn every single day. We are a group and a unit working hard to achieve. We believe in ourselves and always trust in ourselves."
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#1979e6
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Post by Webster on Sept 18, 2022 7:38:51 GMT
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#1979e6
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Post by Webster on Sept 30, 2022 16:02:36 GMT
(The Guardian) The Everton manager Frank Lampard said some of the criticism directed towards England head coach Gareth Southgate has been harsh and called on fans to throw their support behind the team in the build-up to the World Cup. England were relegated from the Nations League top tier this month after a six-match winless run, with Southgate criticised for their performances. “I think it’s in some parts harsh. And when I say some parts, it’s something that we all sign up to in our own ways, and the England job is right up there for the pressure,” Lampard said before Everton’s league trip to Southampton. “I’m not going to sit here and say that people can’t criticise. I think if things are constructive and people have opinions, great. But once this World Cup comes in and, in the build-up to it, it’ll be great if everyone can really get behind the team and Gareth.” Much of the criticism directed towards Southgate has focused on his “cautious” approach. “I remember the fantastic French team that won the last World Cup without really playing beautiful football,” said Lampard. “[In] modern-day football, there are lots of different styles and little ways to win a game. I think it would be absolutely Gareth’s decision about how to approach an Iran or USA compared to how they approach another type of team further into the competition if we get there.” (Reuters)
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Post by Webster on Sept 30, 2022 16:03:23 GMT
(The Guardian) Watford’s new manager Slaven Bilic has been having a natter with the media and saying all the right things. The 10th-placed Hornets travel to Stoke for a 12pm kick-off in the Championship on Sunday. “I am very optimistic and positive … I put my name on a ‘world map of coaches’ [after taking a break from coaching] and Watford was there. “Stability, of course [is the aim] ... Life is great, but big decisions, they’ve got to be clear ... this club has very clear ambitions and directions and aims and that is to go back to the Premier League ... Of course, I would love it if if this was the first day of the pre-season. But it isn’t. So what? You can’t get everything.”
“North London derbies are always a stressful affair as no other game hurts more than when losing this one,” comments zTom. “Both teams are relatively similar in strength these days too. Even if I’m really enjoying the step up in level we’re seeing this season for the Gunners, this Spurs team excels at exactly the strategy we struggle to handle the most: soaking up pressure when we dominate play for extended periods then hit back with a lightning-fast counterattack.” “It’ll be interesting to see how Conte sets up for Spurs,” says Hardinho10. “I think we know how Arteta will approach the game, with the same system that’s got them to where they currently are, but I suspect Spurs might go to a three in midfield, especially given rumours of Kulusevski being injured, bringing Bissouma in to support Højbjerg and Bentancur with Son and Kane as a front two.”
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