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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Press conference (part two): Puel on Boro

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Sourced from Daily Star article

Liverpool urged to take action as Barcelona prepare transfer raid

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Spanish daily Marca reckon the Catalans are keeping tabs on the Saints sensation. Romeu has dazzled on the south coast since signing from Chelsea in 2015. He’s become an integral part of Claude Puel’s side and has racked up 50 appearances for the club.

Barca aren’t his only admirers, though. Liverpool legend Phil Thompson has urged his former club to make a move. He told Sky Sports: "There might be a bit of interest as well in Romeu, who has had an excellent season and does exactly what it says on the tin.

"He’s a destroyer, he’s got a great attitude and passes the ball very well. “If Southampton were interested in cashing in then he’d offer us something we don’t really have at the moment.” Romeu is under contract at St Mary’s until 2021.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 12/05/2017 07:00:36

| | Stag’s Take - Gameweek 37ROTOWORLD |
| | ‘If only we could show this fight for an entire season’ – Arsenal fans are pleased after vital Southampton win | | …THETRANSFERTAVERN |
| | Silva on Saints’ radar as Puel set to be shown doorIRISHINDEP |
|

| Liverpool Risk Ridicule if They Miss on TargetsSBNATIONTHELIVERPOOLOFFSIDE |
| | FORZAITALIANFOOTBALL |
| | West Ham and Southampton could battle for Premier League title winnerFOREVERWESTHAM |
| | Tottenham interest in midfielder follows neatly from that of Southampton, question over readinessSPORTWITNESS |
| | Saints Reportably Sounding Out Portugese Managerial Pair - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 12/05/2017 08:00:44

| | Transfer Rumour: FC Barcelona interested in re-signing Southampton midfielder Oriol Romeu in the summerTHEHARDTACKLE |

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:one: day until #Boro!

Mark Draper’s goal won it for #SaintsFC when the sides met at the Riverside Stadium in 2001:

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:speaking_head: “His attitude is good, he can learn from this season, and we will see a fantastic Sofiane next season.” #saintsfc http://sfcne.ws/PuelBoufalBoro

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The Ugly Inside News for Southampton

New content from (- The Ugly Inside News for Southampton)

| Win Up To £100 Of Classic Saints Kit | TOP 5 SAINTS SHIRTS OF ALL TIME (Win £100 courtesy of Classic Football Shirts) | The Ugly Inside, proudly backed by … 12-05-2017 |

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

#SaintsFC boss Claude Puel discusses the importance of tomorrow’s #PL trip to face #Boro:

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Puel not tempted to rush back Austin

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SAINTS’ lack of “clinical edge” does not tempt Claude Puel in to rushing top-scorer Charlie Austin back to action at Middlesbrough tomorrow.

With three games left of the Premier League season, Puel has urged his side to find their killer touch in front of goal following a barren spell.

And, with nine-goal Austin now available after a five-month lay-off with a dislocated shoulder, there is a logic in bringing back one of Saints’ best goal threats.

However, Puel will not be lured in to throwing the 27-year-old striker back into the thick of it - despite their scoring struggles.

Saints have not found the net in their last three outings and have scored a paltry 17 goals in 16 home outings.

Manolo Gabbiadini, who scored six in his first four games, has now not netted in six matches.

“We will see,” said Puel, who has called for a “clinical edge” in front of goal, "Charlie has not played in five months and we will see for him.

"It’s difficult to come back after one hour with the under-23s.

"It’s not automatic that he comes back because a player needs rhythm and intensity.

"We will see before the end of the season if he can participate in the last three games.

“It’s always difficult to find a good physical fitness after five months out and it’s not easy.”

Austin is now an option for Saints, who have no new injury problems ahead of tomorrow’s trip to relegated Boro, and Puel is aware that, after two games already this week, keeping a fresh team is a priority.

“For the moment I don’t know[if Austin can play] because we need to look at the team’s recovery,” he said. "We played two strong games this week and we will see if the players recover well or not.

“There’s a possibility for him to have game time.”

Puel believes that Boro may well play with a certain amount of freedom, having already been consigned to Championship football next term.

Steve Agnew’s side were sent down in a 3-0 defeat to top-flight leaders Chelsea on Monday night.

“We’ve got to play every three days and this is difficult,” said Puel.

"For example, Middlesbrough have played one game this week.

"For us, the most important thing is to put in place a team with good balance and fitness, and to give a good answer.

"The second, it’s a difficult game to prepare and we have to be ready.

"We saw last game after they were relegated and, for me, they can play without pressure and do good work.

"It’s important to be ready and have a good concentration about this.

“It’s an important game for us, because if we can have a good result against Boro we can prepare the last two games at home with good intensity and the possibility of finishing in the first part of the table.”

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Puel only feeling the “good pressure”

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CLAUDE Puel has reiterated that he is under “no pressure” in his position as Saints boss - despite mounting dissatisfaction among fans.

The Frenchman, who says he is “enjoying” his first season in the Premier League, stated his surprise last week at recent press reports that revealed the St Mary’s chief’s position could be under threat.

That came after the disappointing 0-0 draw against lowly Hull at home and, with Saints now winless in five games, Puel has once again come out and defended his position.

“No, there’s no pressure overall,” he said. “Perhaps there is but it’s only a good pressure and that’s normal.

“We are professional people. We want to win the game and to take points and this hasn’t changed.”

There have also been stories in France that Puel could be set for a return to Ligue Un, with his name allegedly shortlisted for the manager’s role at St Etienne, with current boss Christophe Galtier stepping down at the end of the season.

The 55-year-old insists he is happy at Saints, however.

He said: “I cannot say anything about this. I am happy to train Southampton and I hope in the next season I will give my best for the club.”

Instead, Puel revealed he’s enjoyed the challenge during his first campaign in England.

“I like the football, I like the Premier League,” he said. “I like the challenge and the atmosphere around the games.

“People like football and understand the football here. It’s interesting for a manager to train here in England.

“It’s difficult in the Premier League because all the teams can make the difference.

“Any team can have fantastic players and they make the difference with one action.

“It’s difficult to control the game and in one situation is enough to make the difference. We saw this with Alexis Sanchez (in Arsenal’s 2-0 win at St Mary’s on Wednesday night). One situation, one opportunity, can make the difference.

“It’s difficult to accept sometimes, but it’s also a good thing in the Premier League.

“For the top six it’s hard for them to win the game against any opponent and it’s very interesting.”

His French compatriot and former boss Arsene Wenger has been in charge of Arsenal for nearly 21 years.

But Puel is not thinking that long term.

“I’m not sure if I can manage the same length of time [as Wenger],” he smiled, “but it’s very interesting. I am enjoying this position.”

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Puel sets final run-in target

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CLAUDE Puel has labelled each of Saints’ final three games as must win.

Saints are currently on a run of five games without a victory but the St Mary’s chief is aiming to finish the campaign with a flourish.

It all starts against Middlesbrough tomorrow before Manchester United and Stoke travel to the south coast next week.

When asked if he believes the Boro game tomorrow is a must win, Puel replied: “Yes, but we can say this about all the games we play before the end of the season.

“Of course, a good result against Middlesbrough will allow us to prepare the last two games with fantastic spirit.

“It will be important to have this result. We know it’s difficult, but the game against Middlesbrough is important for the last two games at home.

There has been a lot of discontent over the Frenchman’s management of the team, but Puel believes a positive end will change the negative outlook.

“All three games are very important for us,” he explained. “These three games can give a good picture of the season.

“It’s important to finish well. We know it was a good work this season - many players improve.

“But, all this, we need to validate with a good clinical edge now.

“It’s a shame after many games we finish with the same feeling about our games recently. Many opponent say we play well, but it’s important to finish this and validate it.”

Puel is already thinking about next season, despite recent reports that his time could be running out at the Saints helm.

He believes a winning finale will provide a good foundation for next term.

“It’s important to finish in the top half,” he said. “We know a good, strong final will allow us to prepare next season and have a clear idea of what we want for next term.

“It’s important for Southampton, the squad and the staff. We are professional and it’s important to give a good answer.”

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Sourced from Sky Sports article

Premier League’s best playmaker: Kevin De Bruyne, Christian Eriksen or Cesc Fabregas?

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We consult the stats and the Soccer Saturday pundits to work out who is the Premier League’s best playmaker.

The Opta stats behind Sky Sports Fantasy Six-a-Side suggest that Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen is the number one creator of opportunities this season, creating more chances for team-mates than any other player.

Kevin De Bruyne has the most assists with 15 to his name after setting up two of Manchester City’s five goals against Crystal Palace last weekend, but the Belgian has actually created five fewer chances than Eriksen.

However, Cesc Fabregas trumps both in terms of contribution economy, having averaged an assist every 103 minutes after setting up two goals himself on Monday against Middlesbrough.

That puts him fourth in the assists charts despite starting just 11 Premier League games for Chelsea, although he has created less than half as many chances as Eriksen.

Gylfi Sigurdsson perhaps deserves the most credit, though, having provided 12 assists and 73 chances despite playing in a Swansea team battling relegation.

David Silva and Mesut Ozil have previously topped the assist charts but have only provided seven each this season, fewer than West Brom’s Matt Phillips, who has eight.

To help settle the debate, we asked the Soccer Saturday pundits for their verdict on the best Premier League playmaker…

Charlie Nicholas: "I’m not surprised by the stats but it does depend what you class a playmaker as, whether it’s a deep-lying midfielder like Michael Carrick or a more advanced player behind the striker.

"In terms of that more advanced role I would have to say it has been Eriksen this season. Mesut Ozil and Paul Pogba haven’t even been close and David Silva would be up there but I don’t think he’s had his best season.

“Fabregas is my personal favourite in that role and he plays it as well as anybody, but he hardly played at the start of the season so it’s not really fair to compare him, especially when he’s tended to start more against weaker sides.”

Paul Merson: "I’d have to go with Fabregas. He hasn’t been playing as much, but when he does he very rarely has a bad game.

"He hasn’t got the running of Eriksen, who I’m also a big fan of. He is a player who could go and play for Barcelona and wouldn’t look out of place.

"He also just gets on with it, works hard and takes brilliant set-plays. As a playmaker, though, you’re only as good as the players you provide for, and with Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Heung-min Son he’s got three great options.

“Mesut Ozil is another great playmaker but he doesn’t have the options at Arsenal that Eriksen has at Spurs. I think he’s a top-drawer player but he needs runners. If you put him in the Spurs team he’d make things happen all day long with the players they’ve got.”

Matt Le Tissier: "I’m going for David Silva. I know the stats don’t back it up but he’s still one of my favourite players and he’s just a joy to watch.

“The others are having terrific seasons but if I had to pick one the play in my team every week then I think I’d go for Silva. He just makes the game look so easy and is often underappreciated.”

Phil Thompson: "We forget Eriksen had a difficult start to the season and he’s really come on since Christmas. He’s been the hub of Tottenham’s good form with the quality of his final ball.

"However, Fabregas is still the best playmaker for me. He’s got a few years on the others and he can either drop deep and play like a quarter-back or sit behind the strikers. Some of the passes he was picking out against Middlesbrough were just brilliant.

"He’s still got a few good seasons in him and he must want to play more than he has done this season. You can see Antonio Conte doesn’t like playing him against the top seven and, as much as that is great tactical thought, he’ll want to be playing in those big games. I’d certainly have him at Liverpool.

“These sort of players are worth their weight in gold. Sigurdsson’s assists and set-plays have been priceless for Swansea, who would’ve have been long gone otherwise.”

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 12/05/2017 10:01:06

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| Star Returns For The Gunners - Strongest 3-4-3 Arsenal Lineup To Face Stoke CitySOCCERSOULS |

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Read Southampton

New content from (- Read Southampton)

| Middlesbrough vs Southampton - Last time out | Southampton will travel to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday to face a Middlesbrough side who have already seen … 12-05-2017 |

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 12/05/2017 11:01:08

| | A Look At The Saints Injury TableVITALFOOTBALL |
| | Reports: Barcelona interested in signing former player as long-term replacement for BusquetsSPORTSKEEDA |
| | FOOTBALLINSIDER |
| | Southampton star Oriol Romeu €15m target for BarcelonaIBTIMES |

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@SimonPeach - Simon Peach

Virgin Media is donating #SaintsFC shirt sponsorship against #MUFC next week to Scope to highlight disability discr… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/862984369450909696

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Premier League Bingo: Can you rack up the points from this weekend’s action?

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The Premier League weekend gets under way with two matches this evening in a non-stop extravaganza of largely meaningless games.

How many points can you pick up from the 10 fixtures in our Premier League bingo?

5 points: Romelu Lukaku scored the winner in this untelevised, phantom Friday night match that will be quickly forgotten,

15 points: Ross Barkley matches his indecision in contract negotiations by spurning a number of chances to kill the game-off.

25 points: Walter Mazzarri resigns with one game of the season remaining.

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Predict The Score: Boro vs Saints

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Our Predict The Score competition for Southampton’s trip to Middlesbrough is now open!

Enter our free competition and one person who guesses correctly will win an away shirt signed by the Saints players.

Submit your prediction for the result and first scorer by clicking here.

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:movie_camera:

Learn about the impact of @SFC_Foundation and the #PLPrimaryStars project on one young Southampton school pupil: http://sfcne.ws/PLStarsDylan

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