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Southampton players’ commitment questioned by Pellegrino
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Mauricio Pellegrino has warned his Southampton players he is ready to ditch anyone that is not fully committed to the club.
Pellegrino was forced to apologise to Saints fans on Wednesday night after his side endured a humiliating 4-1 defeat at home to Leicester.
Southampton were three down at half-time at St Mary’s and their abject display earned them a chorus of boos at the end.
They now face a trip to third-placed Chelsea on Saturday and Pellegrino admits he has had to remind his players of their responsibilities.
‘When I talk about a lack of connection it is when you are not mentally 100 per cent on the pitch,’ Pellegrino said.
'In difficult moments for me obviously you have to come back to the foundations of the team, to the discipline of the team, and get them to think about the possibility they have to be in this club and in the Premier League.
'Not too many players are in this situation. Obviously we have to start to choose the players that want to help the club 100 per cent.
‘They are human beings and sometimes they don’t have a good moment. I understand this. But their behaviour has to be committed with the club 100 per cent.’
Southampton sacked Claude Puel, now in charge at Leicester, after finishing eighth in the table last season but they now sit 11th and only four points above the relegation zone.
After Chelsea, they face Huddersfield, Tottenham and Manchester United before the turn of the year and Pellegrino indicated the club may well look to strengthen in January.
‘We are thinking about it, we have some options,’ Pellegrino said. 'We have enough in the squad but we are thinking about where we can do some movement.
‘I cannot say anything about that. The market offers you not too many possibilities in December. You have to think about players in other leagues or in the Premier League that are not playing too much.’
Pellegrino has a fully fit squad to choose from for the visit to Stamford Bridge. Charlie Austin could be rested after playing three games in 10 days, with Manolo Gabbiadini an option to come in.
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Claude Puel: Pragmatic and successful, how Southampton’s loss is Leicester’s gain
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Claude Puel’s undemonstrative exterior did not allow him to bask excessively in the afterglow of victory - but the French manager Southampton disposed of after only one season will have felt a warm glow of satisfaction as he returned to St Mary’s with Leicester City on Wednesday to outclass his former club.
“Are You Glad You Sacked Puel?” was the taunt aimed at Southampton’s fans from their rain-soaked Leicester counterparts tucked away in the corner of a rapidly deserting stadium as Puel’s rampant Foxes won 4-1.
The 56-year-old was a surprise appointment to succeed Craig Shakespeare as Leicester manager in October, given his perceived “failure” at Southampton.
But a run of only one loss in eight matches playing attractive attacking football is seeing a reputation for a conservative approach - dismissed by those who know Puel best - at Southampton revisited.
So was Puel written off too soon after his season with the Saints?
Puel’s understated personality failed to capture the imagination at Southampton and no tears were shed when his departure was announced.
This was despite a managerial performance that, on the surface, looked highly respectable given an eighth place finish in the Premier League plus a first major final in 14 years in the League Cup - which they were unfortunate to lose to Manchester United at Wembley.
Southampton struggled to score goals under Puel, with the three Leicester scored inside 38 minutes on Wednesday matching the total for his last seven Premier League matches at St Mary’s, and this stale statistic was cited as one of the main reasons for his dismissal.
Leicester, in sharp contrast, have scored scored seven goals in their past two away games at Newcastle United and Southampton, seeing Puel’s stock rise again.
Since his arrival at Leicester City, Puel has overseen a development of his new side based on pace from Jamie Vardy, counter-attacking brilliance led by the revitalised Riyad Mahrez, youth in the shape of Demarai Gray and width as the Foxes’ full-backs Ben Chilwell and Danny Simpson have been unleashed.
It has come as no surprise to those who closely observed his work in France, where he built his reputation on expertly utilising the players available to him, reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2010 with a Lyon side that was pleasing on the eye - a run which included victory at Liverpool in the group stage and eliminating Real Madrid in the last 16 - winning Ligue 1 with Monaco and taking Lille into Europe’s elite tournament twice.
Lille beat AC Milan 2-0 at the San Siro to reach the last 16 of the Champions League in 2006-07. He also took Nice into the top four on two occasions playing expansive attacking football.
Journalist Philippe Auclair told BBC Sport Southampton’s decision to dispose of Puel after one season was regarded as “ludicrous” in France.
He said: "I did not understand how Southampton could do away with him like that - unless they always saw him as a ‘ferryman’ who’d take them safely to the other side of the river, and then bye-bye.
“The idea he promotes ‘negative’ football is utter rubbish. He’s a pragmatist, which is not the same thing at all. He inherited a Southampton side which wasn’t exactly as packed with talent as under Mauricio Pochettino and Ronald Koeman. He saw his job to maximise the material at his disposal. He did that - and then some.”
“He’s not the most demonstrative of characters, almost dour, a Southerner who does not fit any of the stereotypes associated with people who’ve been born south of the Loire,” says Auclair.
"Claude was greatly respected as a player with Monaco and is held in high regard as a manager as well, even if his low-key image hasn’t necessarily served him in his coaching career.
“People would not think of him as one of the ‘greats’ of French management, but, given a chance to reflect, might well come to the conclusion he definitely is one of the better ones. In my opinion, vastly superior to the Laurent Blancs and Didier Deschampses of this world.”
Leicester’s choice of Puel as successor to Shakespeare came as a surprise - but any criticism was tempered by the brilliant success enjoyed by another left-field selection by the club’s Thai owners when, to great indifference, they appointed Claudio Ranieri in July 2015.
The Italian proceeded to write arguably the greatest story in British sport by winning the Premier League so Leicester’s owners had form for the unpredictable.
Former Leicester City defender Matt Elliott told BBC Sport: "It came as a big surprise to everyone because names you would expect were being linked with the job such as Sean Dyche, Sam Allardyce, Alan Pardew and Tony Pulis, even though he was in a job at the time.
"Puel wasn’t a name that was on anyone’s lips but maybe we shouldn’t have been so surprised given how they pulled Claudio Ranieri out of the bag.
"It’s fair to say people were a bit underwhelmed but then, and I did this myself, they went through his pedigree and there is an awful lot there.
“I have had the pleasure of meeting him. He looks you in the eye and you can tell he has great confidence about himself and in his methods and that has proved to be the case.”
Puel has used many of his trademarks to start his time at Leicester City with just one loss in eight games since arriving at the King Power Stadium.
He was renowned for giving youth its head in France, as Auclair says: "At Nice, where he had very limited resources, he gave starts to no less than 23 players in four seasons, including 17 academy products.
“Nice - average age 24 - was Ligue 1’s youngest team for three consecutive years. At one point, there were more of his players in the French youth sides than from any other club. And he made them play. They were a joy to watch.”
The main beneficiaries have been left-back Chilwell and young forward Gray, both trusted since his arrival and responding with outstanding form.
Gray has scored three goals in eight Premier League appearances - the last as a late cameo at Southampton - since Puel took charge, after scoring just once in his first 50 games in the competition.
Auclair added: “Claude is a typical product of the Monaco/Lyon philosophy. He has no hesitation to put his trust in young players. He’s been faithful to this principle throughout the whole of his career, and it is absolutely no surprise whatsoever to see him use Chilwell and, especially, Gray, as he’s done.”
And for a side whose main strength has always been regarded as the quick counter-punch using the skills of Mahrez and the pace of Vardy, Puel is keeping those strengths while also adding a layer of passing patience.
In the win at Newcastle United on Saturday, Leicester attempted 562 passes, their highest total since that category of statistics started to be recorded in 2003-04.
“It was not so long ago Leicester looked a little one-dimensional but now their options look more plentiful and they have a good balance between being attack-minded and retaining that solidarity to make themselves difficult to beat,” added Elliott.
"There seems to be more options, more movement, more goal threat, not just relying on Jamie Vardy. They are more aggressive, want to be in control of the game. They are easier on the eye.
“One of the big differences has been in the full-backs. In the past they were happy just to sit in a back four but now Ben Chilwell and Danny Simpson are encouraged to attack. We even saw Danny trying to get on the end of crosses at the far post for headers at Newcastle, which is a rarity to say the least.”
And arguably the biggest success of Puel’s short reign has been the rejuvenation of 2016’s PFA Player of the Year Mahrez, unsettled by transfer speculation earlier this season but brilliant since the Frenchman’s arrival.
Once again, those who have observed Puel’s work as a coach are not surprised that he has brought the best out of a mercurial talent - Mahrez’s trademark 20-yard strike at Southampton following on from similar moments of magic against Tottenham and Newcastle recently.
“He knows how to deal with mavericks,” says Auclair. “Hatem Ben Arfa’s best season was with Puel. Look at Mahrez - a player re-born.”
Ben Arfa, gifted but wildly erratic at Newcastle and Hull City, scored 17 goals and had six assists in 34 Ligue 1 appearances under Puel at Nice in 2015-16 when they finished fourth and there is already speculation the pair may be reunited at Leicester.
Leicester’s impressive win at Southampton, and the manner in which they achieved it, adds to the sense that Puel may have been judged harshly, and too quickly at Southampton.
“It’s fair to say there was some scepticism and lots of talk about so-called negativity at Southampton,” says Elliott. “But it’s so far so good and you can also see there is room for further improvement. He has made a very impressive start.”
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 14/12/2017 20:44:04
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| Southampton favs to sign Eibar captain but Newcastle interestedNEWSLADBROKES |
| | Chelsea vs Southampton: Mauricio Pellegrino hopes PL champions can galvanise struggling SaintsIBTIMES |
| | Transfer talk: Wolves target £15m Premier League strikerBRISTOLPOST |
|| Mauricio Pellegrino questions commitment of Southampton playersBELFASTTELE |
|| Preview: Chelsea vs. Southampton - prediction, team news, lineupsSPORTSMOLE | ...slipperily fabricated by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!
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Soccer Saturday pundits’ tips for Premier League relegation
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We challenged the Soccer Saturday pundits to pick three sides to face relegation from the Premier League this season.
Just six points separate the bottom 10 ahead of the 18th round of Premier League fixtures, which will see strugglers Crystal Palace, West Brom, Bournemouth and Swansea all in action live on Sky Sports Premier League.
Sky Bet find it difficult to decipher those likely to face the drop, as nine teams are 4/1 or shorter to go down, with Swansea the only side odds-on to face the drop.
Here’s who the Soccer Saturday pundits, Paul Merson, Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas are backing to go down…
I would be worried about Newcastle’s form more than anybody’s at the moment. They are on a terrible run, but their situation might change if they have investment from new owners in January.
Football changes. Who would have said seven weeks ago that Newcastle would be where they are now? If you can get results like West Ham have got recently you would think they will get away from it. Palace will get out of it, they are scoring too many goals.
I think Stoke will just have too much to get out of it with their experience, West Ham will have too much, but I worry for West Brom, who are not scoring enough goals, as well as Huddersfield and Swansea.
Will teams see Sam Allardyce’s impact at Everton and think about change? Big Sam is different to anybody else. You go with him and it’s completely different. He can do that at any club, nobody else could. Paul Clement is a manager and a very good coach as well. That’s what they need. You don’t need just a manager, you need someone to coach the players like he does.
You have to be careful with Swansea. They have a style of playing which they have developed under the likes of Roberto Martinez, Brendan Rodgers and Michael Laudrup. I hope they don’t change and think ‘we have to lump the ball forward to get out of trouble’.
Merse predicts: Swansea, Huddersfield and West Brom to go down (16/1 with Sky Bet)
There are 10 teams in the relegation battle and I include Southampton in that. Anyone outside of the top half is looking over their shoulders.
My first tip would be Swansea. I’ve not seen enough from them to suggest they can stay up and their horrific run of eight losses in 10, even though one was in the cup, is troubling to say the least.
Yes Huddersfield are on the same points as Southampton at the moment but I feel they will just run out of steam. It is difficult to maintain that early-season enthusiasm when you’re losing heavily on a regular basis, although they did beat Manchester United and push Manchester City hard.
My third side are Newcastle, but that is based on the squad they have at the moment. If they get some investment in January and can get a new goalkeeper, somebody who is more of a threat than Joselu and maybe a centre-back then that would change.
Le Tiss predicts: Swansea, Huddersfield and Newcastle to go down (22/1 with Sky Bet)
Things change from month to month and we get asked these questions and managers get the hump, but it should drive them on. You look at Spurs and two weeks ago everyone was writing them off and now they’re back in the top four.
Swansea have been poor and they don’t look as though their forward men are going to give them anything to hold on to.
As the season pans out Huddersfield will come into the equation and I would also think Brighton will get drawn into it because they lack the strength. They’ve got a lot of numbers but they don’t have it in the same quality in numbers as other sides, and you worry their energy levels will drain.
I think Palace and West Ham are on an upward trend so you would assume they will be safe. Newcastle have dropped like a stone, but you imagine they will be okay with Rafael Benitez’s experience.
Thommo predicts: Swansea, Huddersfield and Brighton to go down (20/1 with Sky Bet)
This is tougher than trying to pick the top four right now, or should I say ‘three, plus Manchester City’. From Southampton in 11th to Swansea in 20th they are all in the mix.
Palace are improving, working until the final whistle, and they would be sat closer to mid-table had they got another win last Saturday.
Huddersfield’s goal difference concerns me and Brighton have the same problem, but I’m leaning toward the Terriers to face the drop because Chris Hughton has the experience of a relegation battle.
I think Swansea are going down despite watching them win last week, and if Newcastle don’t get this takeover done and get Benitez some funds in January they are going down because of their lack of goals. We could suggest there’s a few clubs in that bracket, but I do expect West Ham and West Brom to improve.
Charlie predicts: Swansea, Newcastle and Huddersfield to go down (22/1 with Sky Bet)
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Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino questions players’ commitment
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Mauricio Pellegrino has warned his Southampton players he is ready to ditch anyone that is not fully committed to the club.
Pellegrino was forced to apologise to Saints fans on Wednesday night after his side endured a humiliating 4-1 defeat at home to Leicester.
Southampton were three down at half-time at St Mary’s and their abject display earned them a chorus of boos at the end.
They now face a trip to third-placed Chelsea on Saturday and Pellegrino admits he has had to remind his players of their responsibilities.
“When I talk about a lack of connection it is when you are not mentally 100 percent on the pitch,” Pellegrino said.
"In difficult moments for me obviously you have to come back to the foundations of the team, to the discipline of the team, and get them to think about the possibility they have to be in this club and in the Premier League.
"Not too many players are in this situation. Obviously we have to start to choose the players that want to help the club 100 percent.
“They are human beings and sometimes they don’t have a good moment. I understand this. But their behaviour has to be committed with the club 100 percent.”
Southampton sacked Claude Puel, now in charge at Leicester, after finishing eighth in the table last season but they now sit 11th and only four points above the relegation zone.
After Chelsea, they face Huddersfield, Tottenham and Manchester United before the turn of the year and Pellegrino indicated the club may well look to strengthen in January.
“We are thinking about it, we have some options,” Pellegrino said. "We have enough in the squad but we are thinking about where we can do some movement.
“I cannot say anything about that. The market offers you not too many possibilities in December. You have to think about players in other leagues or in the Premier League that are not playing too much.”
Pellegrino has a fully fit squad to choose from for the visit to Stamford Bridge. Charlie Austin could be rested after playing three games in 10 days, with Manolo Gabbiadini an option to come in.
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 14/12/2017 21:44:23
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| Pellegrino demands full commitment from Southampton playersREUTERS || PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Riyad Mahrez – Will Puel stop him from jumping Leicester ship?AFRICANFOOTBALLCOM |
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| | Jones and Hope on making FA Youth Cup historyMILTONKEYNESDONS |
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| Southampton leading race for Dani Garcia21 hours ago |
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Premier League predictions: Lawro v actor & WWE star John Cena
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Tottenham took four points off Manchester City last season - could they be the team to end Pep Guardiola’s long winning run?
BBC Sport football expert Mark Lawrenson says: "Spurs need to come up with a decent display and preferably result against one of the other top six teams from last season.
“Otherwise they are just going to be labelled as flat-track bullies.”
Lawro is going for a 1-1 draw - do you agree? You can make your own predictions now, take on Lawro and other fans, create your own league and try to make it to the top of the table by playing the new-look BBC Sport Predictor game.
Lawro scored 130 points in week 17, which meant he climbed to 2,808th place out of more than 325,000 users.
He will be making a prediction for all 380 top-flight games this season, against a variety of guests.
This week, Lawro takes on actor and WWE star John Cena, who admits he is not exactly a football expert.
Cena told BBC Sport: "If I had to name some famous footballers, I would start and end with Cristiano Ronaldo. That’s it.
"If I were to play myself, I would be on the bench because I have watched a few games, and it is a lot of running - I don’t run very well, or very far.
"I could maybe go in goal but there is a lot of pressure on the goalie, because the net is so big and the goalies are so small, so it is tough to block the shots.
“So, I think being an inspirational coach might be my best role.”
Cena has never been to a Premier League game, but did enjoy a trip to White Hart Lane when he was wrestling in London in 2008.
“Tottenham were playing the same night I had a WWE event in London,” he explained. "But I was able to go and see the stadium and I was lucky enough to actually walk on the pitch.
"I really loved it because it was right in the heart of the city - it reminded me of an old baseball stadium with its nostalgia and tradition.
"I got to hear about the Spurs being the working man’s team, I got to meet the coach and it was beautiful to see the bright green pitch amidst all the city concrete.
“So I was taken aback by the passion of the sport - although I never got to see them play,”
A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.
All kick-offs 15:00 GMT unless otherwise stated.
Crystal Palace are on a decent run, and unbeaten in six games now - but they are still yet to score an away goal this season, and Leicester are one of the form teams in the Premier League right now.
I don’t know what Claude Puel has done, but I think he might have watched some footage from matches from the Foxes’ title-winning season and thought ‘let’s get back to playing that way’.
If you play to your strengths and you have got some very good players then, more often than not, it works.
Puel was very gracious after Leicester beat his old club Southampton on Wednesday, but he will have had a big smile on his face all the way back home from that game, and rightly so.
Cena’s prediction: Foxes are a sly species but “fly Eagles, fly”, as they say in the United States. 0-1
The story at Newcastle is now as much about what is happening off the pitch as it is on it, because it would appear a deal for a takeover is imminent.
That is good news, but the trouble is their results have been so bad they are in a situation now where they somehow have to find a way to stop the rot.
Magpies boss Rafa Benitez has been trying to change things, without success. The outcome is still the same, and it is usually a defeat - they have picked up only one point from their past eight games and are sliding towards the relegation zone.
As for Arsenal, well they are wobbling a bit with two points from their past three games.
But, if you are having a hiccup like that, the team you want to play next is the one on a run like Newcastle are - which is why I am going for a Gunners win here.
Cena’s prediction: These are two teams I am mildly familiar with because [his partner] Nicole’s brother JJ is a huge Arsenal fan. So, I am going to have to pick Newcastle here, just to get him all riled up. 0-1
Like Newcastle, Brighton are in a bit of a rut as well, with only two points from their past six games - and they failed to score in four of those matches.
It is the same with Huddersfield, who have gone through a dip too - all three promoted clubs are finding out how unforgiving the Premier League is.
Burnley are obviously doing very well at the moment, and are up in sixth place.
The Clarets had to dig in to find a way of beating Stoke on Tuesday night, but they have been extremely good at winning tight matches this season.
If the Seagulls sit in, however, and make Burnley take the game to them - and I have no reason to think they won’t - it might make things a bit more difficult for Sean Dyche’s side. That is why I am going for a draw.
Chelsea responded to their defeat by West Ham by getting a really good result at Huddersfield on Tuesday - despite not having a recognised striker in their starting XI.
Southampton looked good against Arsenal at the weekend, but they were well beaten by Leicester on Wednesday.
Saints have only won one of their past eight league games, and it is hard to see that record improving at Stamford Bridge.
Cena’s prediction: From where I am from, in Massachusetts, Southampton is a pretty cool place, so I am going to have to pick them, only because of how it relates to the States. I know, I know - such a bad way to pick. 0-2
West Ham have started to pick up some points - and to follow their narrow defeat at Manchester City with a win over Chelsea and a draw with Arsenal has produced some positivity around the place.
After four defeats in their past five games, Stoke do not have much of a feel-good factor at the moment and Potters boss Mark Hughes is probably under more pressure than he has ever been since he has been there.
But the Potters’ performance in their 1-0 defeat against Burnley on Tuesday was much better than the result. If they play like that again, they should get something to show for it.
Cena’s prediction: Who doesn’t love a good ham? It provides you with nourishment, happiness and a sense of community. It is always served at a big family function gathering. I like West Ham. 0-1
Watford have dropped points from winning positions in two of their past three matches but I can’t see the same happening against Huddersfield.
The Terriers have not picked up a single point after going behind this season, and have won only one game on the road full-stop - against Crystal Palace on the opening day.
It is really important for Tottenham that Mauricio Pochettino’s side acquit themselves well here. Spurs’ record under him in the big games, especially away from home, has been poor - just one win in 17.
City have just been great and Tottenham will have to be at their best to hold them up - but I think they can be the team to do it.
Cena’s prediction: Everyone in the internet world is going to think I am going to choose the Spurs. You’re right… Tottenham all the way. 0-1
I was at Anfield on Wednesday night and West Brom deserved their point against Liverpool. The Baggies were really well set up at the back, as you would expect because this is still Tony Pulis’ team in terms of personnel.
New West Brom boss Alan Pardew is still waiting for his first win, but his side had chances - Hal Robson-Kanu hit the top of the bar and Ahmed Hegazi should have scored from a corner.
Salomon Rondon did well too, without really looking like scoring. He held the ball up brilliantly so there is was plenty of reasons for encouragement.
But they are at home on Sunday and they have got to press on a little bit - which will suit United when they hit them on the break.
Cena’s prediction: Comparatively speaking, Manchester United is a household name, like the New York Yankees in the States. So it is tough to pick against the top gun. I hear they are very good so they are probably going to score a lot. Obviously that means my prediction for that game is 0-1.
Liverpool have had an iffy week, dropping points against Everton and West Brom. The Reds were pretty ordinary against the Baggies.
Jurgen Klopp played the so-called ‘Fab Four’ after people moaned when he rested a couple of them at the weekend, but it didn’t make any difference - they all just had a poor night,
Bournemouth have hit another sticky patch too, although their poor run has lasted a bit longer.
The Cherries came back from 3-1 down with 15 minutes to go to win this game 4-3 in December 2016, but I don’t see them staging a repeat.
In many ways this is the perfect game for Liverpool, because Bournemouth will not sit in. They will come at the Reds, and I think Klopp’s side will pick them off.
Everton are another team on the up, while Swansea are still struggling.
It is interesting to see Wayne Rooney playing so well for the Toffees, while former Swansea playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson is looking more like his old self too.
You have got to give Sam Allardyce credit, because he inherited the same imbalanced squad they had at the start of the season, only he is getting results with it.
Yes, he has had a bit of luck but that is allowed - don’t we all want a lucky manager?
But it is not a surprise that Everton have kept a clean sheet in four of Allardyce’s five games in charge so far - luck is not involved there.
This is a far more important game for Swansea than their previous one, their 4-0 defeat at home to Manchester City. It will be a lot closer too, but I think it will end in the same way.
From the midweek Premier League games, Lawro got seven correct results, including two perfect scores, from 10 matches, for a total of 130 points.
He drew with indie band Shed Seven because, although singer Rick Witter got six correct results with no perfect scores, for a total of 60 points, guitarist and keyboardist Joe Johnson also got seven correct results, including two perfect scores, matching Lawro’s tally of 130 points.
*Foster and Cram both provided predictions on week one, but only Foster’s score contributes to the guest total.
**Anderson and Moeen both provided predictions on week nine, but only Anderson’s score contributes to the guest total.
_*_Witter and Johnson both provided predictions on week 17, but only Johnson’s score contributes to the guest total.
Lawro’s worst score: 40 points (week four v Umenyiora and Bell, and week five v Non Stanford)
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#SaintsFC’s Craig Fleming reflects on a successful night in the #FAYouthCup for his young charges: http://sfcne.ws/ReactionFAYC
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 14/12/2017 22:45:10
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...anyway thought-up by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!| Happy return for Puel as Leicester sink SaintsTHEFOXFANZINE |
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Saints lacked “connection” says Pellegrino
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Mauricio Pellegrino believes a lack of “connection” led to Saints being humbled 4-1 by Leicester.
Having had time to sleep on a disappointing result and poor performance, the Saints boss reflected on the defeat ahead of a trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Saturday.
He said: “I think it was a bad game from the beginning until the end and after to be honest I feel like a lack of connection in all different moments.
“We start well for ten minutes but after we concede they were getting better and our confidence was really down in this moment.
“In the second half we tried to push and after score the first one we were close to score a second and when they score the fourth it was difficult to bounce back.
“For me the main feeling watching the game obviously we have mistakes but they are with a lack of connection.”
He added: “When you are not there 100 per cent on the game it is difficult to analyse the thing.
“The question is why because three days before we show completely different face?
“Now we have in two days another possibility to try and change this face.
“The good thing when you play bad like the other day and you have another game quickly then as quick as possible we want to play this game and show another face.”
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 14/12/2017 23:45:16
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...concurrently hewn by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!| Forget Inigo Martinez: This £27m-rated defender would be the perfect January addition at Man City | | Where football …THETRANSFERTAVERN |
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| | Manchester City make signing Southampton star their priorityREADSOUTHAMPTON |
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