OptiNews - Friday 22 to Thursday 28 September 2017

Sourced from Daily Echo article

Saints keeper Forster back in the England senior squad for final World Cup qualifiers

Show/hide article…

FRASER Forster has won a recall to the England senior squad.

The Saints goalkeeper was left out of Gareth Southgate’s squad last month, even though the manager named four shot-stoppers.

Wiith Burnley’s Tom Heaton currently injured, Forster has returned to the squad Southgate has named for forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia at Wembley next Thursday and a trip to the Baltics to face Lithuania.

Dele Alli has been named in the squad despite the threat of a FIFA ban hanging overhead, while Fabian Delph has been called up by Gareth Southgate for the first time.

Alli has been included in England’s squad for the final Group F matches, despite the fact his middle-finger gesture in the qualifier against Slovakia could lead FIFA to hand out a ban ruling the attacking midfielder out of both games.

The Football Association had been hoping to find out about his availability before today’s squad announcement but, as had always been intended, the 21-year-old has been called up despite his position being unclear.

FIFA said earlier this week it would make a decision on Alli by Thursday, but warned “disciplinary decisions are usually notified and communicated a few days after the hearing”.

Manchester City midfielder Delph was the standout name in the 26-man squad, having won the last of his nine caps against Spain in November 2015.

Nathaniel Chalobah, Danny Welbeck and Heaton - members of the last squad - miss out through injury, while Leicester’s Jamie Vardy, who has been managing a hip injury, was left out.

Forster joined Delph as the only changes to the squad, with Everton’s Michael Keane has been included despite concerns over a foot complaint Squad: Joe Hart (West Ham, on loan from Manchester City), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Jack Butland (Stoke), Jordan Pickford (Everton); Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Aaron Cresswell (West Ham), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Harry Maguire (Leicester), John Stones (Manchester City), Michael Keane (Everton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham); Eric Dier (Tottenham), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Jake Livermore (West Brom), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Dele Alli (Tottenham); Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Bournemouth), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool).

Go to the original article…

...docilely shaped by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Pellegrino update on van Dijk fitness

Show/hide article…

Mauricio Pellegrino says that Virgil van Dijk is improving his fitness week on week, after an eight month injury lay-off.

The Dutch international has been gaining competitive minutes with Saints’ U23s side as he steps up his return, while playing a cameo role in the club’s victory over Crystal Palace a fortnight ago.

Commenting on the likeliness of the centre-half featuring against Stoke on Saturday, Pellegrino said: "Little by little, every single week, he’s getting better.

"Physically he looks fresher and with better timing, but the first game back it will be difficult to see the best version of Virgil.

“Because normally after eight months you need some games, but I am happy with his attitude, every single week he’s getting better.”

Go to the original article…

...truculently forged by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:movie_camera:

Watch our preview as #SaintsFCU23s prepare to take on their #WatfordFC counterparts in the #PLCup at Staplewood… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/913463491960492033

Retweets: 2

Favourites: 7

...unfaithfully instigated by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Sky Sports article

Saints staying patient over Van Dijk

Show/hide article…

Southampton will continue to be patient over Virgil van Dijk’s return to the starting line-up

Go to the original article…

...certainly concocted by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 28/09/2017 18:14:20

| | Van Dijk must earn back honour of captaining Southampton - PellegrinoBELFASTTELE |
| | Virgil van Dijk reveals the first Career Mode signing he’d make on FIFA 18SQUAWKA |
| | STOKECITYFC |
| | Pellegrino not rushing Van DijkCLUBCALL |
| | Southampton Duo Get England Call (28/9/17)VITALFOOTBALL |
| | Stoke City boss coy on injuries ahead of Southampton clashSTOKESENTINEL |

...shrewdly generated by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Optimus trousers’ RSS Feed rss feed

Read Southampton

New content from (- Read Southampton)

| Stoke City vs Southampton: Match Preview | Southampton travel to the Bet365 Stadium this weekend as they visit Stoke City, in what is already proving to be a … 28-09-2017 |
| Pellegrino gives fitness update on Virgil van Dijk | Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino has confirmed that Virgil van Dijk is edging ever closer to making his first … 28-09-2017 |

Older content…

| Southampton Predicted XI: Stoke (A)18 hours ago |
| Pellegrino hints at playing new Saints formation for Stoke18 hours ago |
| Is the pathway still there for Saints youngsters?2 days ago |
| Southampton to rival Crystal Palace for £26m Barcelona man2 days ago |
| Southampton’s Manchester United display provides positives for the future2 days ago |
| Southampton and Manchester United scout Portuguese clash3 days ago |
| Yoshida not pleased with Saints’ lack of consistency3 days ago |
| Manager Review: Manchester United (H)3 days ago |

...pertly dreamed up by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Sky Sports article

Southampton to remain patient on Virgil van Dijk return, says Mauricio Pellegrino

Show/hide article…

Southampton will continue to be patient over returning Virgil van Dijk to their starting lineup, says manager Mauricio Pellegrino.

Pellegrino brought Van Dijk on for the final 10 minutes of their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last week, and he was an unused substitute in the defeat to Manchester United the previous fixture.

Van Dijk has not started a Southampton game for eight months following a long-term ankle injury and submitting a transfer request this summer, but Pellegrino had indicated the 25-year-old was ready to return to face United.

The defender had been strongly linked with a number of other clubs throughout the summer window; most notably Liverpool, who were forced to issue a public apology in June for an improper approach for the Netherlands international defender.

“Little by little he’s getting better,” said Pellegrino, whose side play at Stoke City on Saturday. "It will be difficult to see the best Virgil in the first game or even the second. We need to be patient.

"After this game we’ve got two weeks and we’ll play a friendly in the middle. I’m happy with his attitude and I’m sure he’ll be ready when he does come back.

“When I put a player on the bench it’s because I think he’s ready to play. The most important thing for Virgil is to play; every single week his timing and mobility is getting better.”

Pellegrino was also non-committal over the subject of whether Van Dijk will be restored to the Southampton captaincy after a summer in which he handed in a transfer request at the club.

He said: “Virgil is one of the captains. I will think about it.”

Go to the original article…

...thickheadedly manufactured by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Daily Mail article

Pellegrino: Virgil van Dijk must earn back captaincy

Show/hide article…

Virgil van Dijk must earn back the honour of captaining Southampton, according to boss Mauricio Pellegrino.

Steven Davis will remain as Southampton’s club captain despite Van Dijk’s return to the St Mary’s fold.

Van Dijk failed to push through a summer move to Liverpool and continues to be integrated back into Saints’ first team.

The 26-year-old could well be on the bench again for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Stoke, with manager Pellegrino insisting he must keep working hard to earn back Saints’ trust in his leadership.

‘Virgil is still one of our captains,’ said Pellegrino, who has skippered Saints in the past.

'I’m not thinking about this (changing club captain).

‘But being captain for me, it’s not a position, it’s a decision: if you want to be captain, you have to deserve it.’

Asked if Van Dijk deserves to captain Southampton again, Pellegrino replied: 'I will think about it.

'Little by little he’s getting better. It’s difficult to see the best version of Virgil in his first or second game back, but we have to be patient.

'We’ve got another two weeks after this game due to the international break, and we’ll play a friendly game in the middle.

‘We’re happy with his attitude, he’s helping his team-mates.’

Southampton have scored just four goals in six league games in a turgid opening to new boss Pellegrino’s tenure.

The former Liverpool coach insists that all his players will be vital to ending that goal drought, not just his strikers.

Italy forward Manolo Gabbiadini has scored just one goal in his last 14 Premier League appearances, but Pellegrino remains unfazed by his side’s finishing shortcomings.

‘We have to improve our overall play in the final third,’ said Pellegrino.

'We need more character, belief and instinct - and we need more bodies in the box.

‘But it’s the most difficult thing. How many chances did Manchester United create against us, and they’ve got a player with quality, a massive player, and they score once. But that’s football.’

Go to the original article…

...downheartedly brought into existence by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Daily Echo article

Pellegrino discusses change of formation

Show/hide article…

MAURICIO Pellegrino plans to change Saints’ formation but is “not sure” it will solve their goal-scoring problems ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stoke City.

Saints have netted just twice from open play in the their first six Premier League games.

There have been calls for Pellegrino to switch to a formation which will accommodate two strikers, or one potentially with three centre-backs.

Pellegrino’s side are well-stocked in central defence, with Maya Yoshida, Wesley Hoedt, Virgil van Dijk and Jack Stephens all frontline options.

And it seems natural Saints might switch tactics to make the most of that fact.

It has been highly fashionable for top-flight teams to deploy three centre-backs and Pellegrino sees its merits but isn’t convinced it will help the issues in front of goal.

The Argentine used a 3-4-2-1 formation in the 2-0 defeat to Wolves in the League Cup and will try it again “in some games”.

“It’s something I like to do. In my past teams I play with three centre-backs,” he said.

“It doesn’t always depend on the feeling of the manager.

“Sometimes it depends on how the players are and we’ve got centre-backs but I’m not sure we’ll improve or score more by playing three centre backs.

“But in some games I will try this formation. I used it against Wolves but I will repeat that, to be better in the final third, it’s not about playing more strikers or about putting wingers or full backs higher.

“It’s about capacity and quality to be precise.”

Pellegrino praised striker Shane Long, who has started the last two matches, for his contribution.

But has urged the Republic of Ireland frontman, who is yet to score this term, and the rest of Saints’ misfiring attack to start finding the net.

“Shane is always a hard worker and improving,” he said.

“It’s something really important when you are deep, he is the type of player that can keep the ball and challenge in aerial play and can give this two or three seconds you need to go forward.

“I know for a striker to score goals is something that completes the job.

“I would like that from all of them because we need [Manolo] Gabbiadini, we need Charlie [Austin], we need Sofiane [Boufal], Nathan [Redmond], Dusan [Tadic] and all our offensive players, and even defensive players, to be better in the final third.”

Go to the original article…

...perkily invented by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from talkSPORT article

Mauricio Pellegrino challenges Virgil van Dijk to earn back Southampton captaincy

Show/hide article…

Virgil van Dijk must earn back the honour of captaining Southampton, according to boss Mauricio Pellegrino.

Steven Davis will remain as Southampton’s club captain despite Van Dijk’s return to the St Mary’s fold.

Van Dijk failed to push through a summer move to Liverpool and continues to be integrated back into Saints’ first team.

The 26-year-old could well be on the bench again for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Stoke, with manager Pellegrino insisting he must keep working hard to earn back Saints’ trust in his leadership.

“Virgil is still one of our captains,” said Pellegrino, who has skippered Saints in the past.

"I’m not thinking about this (changing club captain).

“But being captain for me, it’s not a position, it’s a decision: if you want to be captain, you have to deserve it.”

Asked if Van Dijk deserves to captain Southampton again, Pellegrino replied: "I will think about it.

"Little by little he’s getting better. It’s difficult to see the best version of Virgil in his first or second game back, but we have to be patient.

"We’ve got another two weeks after this game due to the international break, and we’ll play a friendly game in the middle.

“We’re happy with his attitude, he’s helping his team-mates.”

Southampton have scored just four goals in six league games in a turgid opening to new boss Pellegrino’s tenure.

The former Liverpool coach insists that all his players will be vital to ending that goal drought, not just his strikers.

Italy forward Manolo Gabbiadini has scored just one goal in his last 14 Premier League appearances, but Pellegrino remains unfazed by his side’s finishing shortcomings.

“We have to improve our overall play in the final third,” said Pellegrino.

"We need more character, belief and instinct - and we need more bodies in the box.

“But it’s the most difficult thing. How many chances did Manchester United create against us, and they’ve got a player with quality, a massive player, and they score once. But that’s football.”

Go to the original article…

...denunciatorily coined by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Pellegrino: International call-ups good for Saints

Show/hide article…

The Southampton boss was quick to congratulate ‘keeper Fraser Forster and Ryan Bertrand on their inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Lithuania, while also admitting it can be a nervous time for managers as they hope all their players return fully fit.

“Congratulations to Fraser and Ryan for making the squad. In my opinion, England have one of the strongest national teams in the world," said Pellegrino.

“I always have mixed feelings about these matches. I am worried about the fitness of my squad when they are away and playing abroad. Nearly half of our group will be around the world next week which is not ideal but it is something that we are used to.

“I wish the guys the best and I hope they all return fit and healthy next month.”

When asked of the influence Forster and Bertrand’s call-ups may have in terms of inspiring the younger members of his squad, the Argentine added that the faith shown in his players from international coaches can only be a good thing for the football club.

He concluded, “It is a good signal for Southampton that we have so many important younger players like James Ward-Prowse, Nathan Redmond, Matt Targett, Sam McQueen, Shane Long, Manolo Gabbiadini and Mario Lemina who have represented their countries at junior and senior level."

Go to the original article…

...racily costructed by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:movie_camera:

#SaintsFC’s @OficialCedric gives his thoughts ahead of the away trip to face #SCFC in the #PL this weekend:

Retweets: 2

Favourites: 11

...ceremonially dreamed-up by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 28/09/2017 20:14:49

| | Former Celtic star Virgil van Dijk has to ‘deserve’ Southampton captaincyDAILYRECORD |
| | STOKECITYFC |
| | Van Dijk has to work his way back into captaincy contention – PellegrinoBTSPORT |
| | Pellegrino On Van Dijk & International CallsVITALFOOTBALL |
| | Pellegrino hints at playing three in defenceREADSOUTHAMPTON |
| | Stoke v Southampton predictions: Premier League preview, betting tips101GREATGOALS |
|

| Virgil van Dijk Picks Liverpool Striker as League’s BestSBNATIONTHELIVERPOOLOFFSIDE |
| | ‘Every single week, he’s getting better’ - £30m-rated star closing on Southampton returnFOOTBALLFANCAST |

...dishonorably cobbled together by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Premier League - Official Site article

DEFAULTVideo: Three key points: Stoke v Southampton

Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:camera_flash:

All smiles at Staplewood today! Check out the best images from #SaintsFC’s Thursday training session :innocent::… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/913508868327604224

Retweets: 1

Favourites: 2

...doubtlessly given birth to by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Daily Star article

Virgil Van Dijk excites Liverpool fans after claiming Sturridge is best striker in Prem

Show/hide article…

Southampton’s Dutch defender was heavily tipped to make the switch to Anfield this summer in one of the transfer window’s most intriguing sagas. His transfer request was rejected by Saints officials however, leaving his future in limbo after Liverpool failed with a series of big-money bids. Now stuck at St Mary’s until January at least, Van Dijk appears ready for a return to the Southampton first-team.

Earlier this week, he spent time with former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who unveiled the 26-year-old’s latest stats on the new FIFA 18 game. And in a chat with Ferdinand, Van Dijk revealed who he believed to be the most dangerous strikers he is tasked with facing in the Premier League. “I think Sturridge when he is fit,” the former Celtic man said.

“I think Aguero is also an amazing striker – small, quick.” Liverpool fans were quick to pick up on the hint, flocking to Twitter to air their thoughts on the clip. “Lad wants to be a Red real bad. Hope it happens in Jan,” said one supporter. Another wrote: “Now he’s just begging for a transfer." Bookmakers 888sport are currently offering 2/1 for Van Dijk to become a Liverpool player in the next transfer window.

Go to the original article…

...perplexedly thrown together by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 28/09/2017 21:15:04

| | Pellegrino confirms Van Dijk is edging closer to full returnREADSOUTHAMPTON |
| | Van Dijk names Sturridge as his most difficult opponentGOLIVERPOOL |
|

| Van Dijk edging closer to first Southampton start, says PellegrinoSPORTSKEEDA |
| | Southampton predicted lineup vs Stoke: Gabbiadini to return; van Dijk remains on the benchHEREISTHECITY |
| | Mauricio Pellegrino: Virgil van Dijk must earn back honour of captaining SouthamptonEUROSPORTUK |
| | Pellegrino calls for patience with Virgil van Dijk | Goal.comGOALDOTCOM |
| | Pellegrino calls for patience with returning Van DijkFOURFOURTWO |

...frozenly thought-up by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 28/09/2017 22:15:17

| | Stoke City vs Southampton: Match PreviewREADSOUTHAMPTON |

...propitiously pieced together by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Video: Cédric previews Stoke clash

Show/hide article…

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are consenting to their use. View cookie policy.

Go to the original article…

...considerably brought into being by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!

Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Gallery: Saints finalise Stoke preparations

Show/hide article…

Our photographer was on hand to capture Thursday’s training session at Staplewood, as Mauricio Pellegrino put his Southampton squad through their paces ahead of the weekend’s Premier League action at Stoke City.

Go to the original article…

...disconnectedly generated by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!