OptiNews - Friday 27 October to Thursday 02 November 2017

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Mauricio in a Minute! :speaking_head:

Catch up on the key points from the #SaintsFC boss’ press conference ahead of the #PL clas… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/926168978430578688

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Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino OK with England snubs

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Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino has described it as a ‘blow’ when his players are called up for international duty.

Saints full-back Ryan Bertrand was on Thursday named in England’s squad for the upcoming friendlies against Germany and Brazil, while Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate opted to leave out Fraser Forster, James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond.

Pellegrino could also lose a number of other key players for the forthcoming international break, including Northern Ireland midfielder Steven Davis, Dutch defenders Virgil van Dijk and Wesley Hoedt, Serbian winger Dusan Tadic, Republic of Ireland forward Shane Long and Italy striker Manolo Gabbiadini.

While the Argentinian coach accepts international football is good for his players’ careers, he would prefer for them to remain at home and work on the training ground.

‘For me, obviously it’s a double feeling because when most of them are in the national team it’s really good for them, really bad for me, to be honest, because 50 per cent, 60 per cent of the squad is away,’ Pellegrino said.

‘It’s a blow. Waiting for them and expecting everybody to come back healthy and be ready for the club.’

Saints goalkeeper Forster, who has six caps for his country, was one of the notable absentees from Southgate’s latest squad, with Joe Hart, Jack Butland and Jordan Pickford the preferred choices.

Pellegrino admitted the omission was a setback for the 29-year-old but believes disappointment is part of life.

When asked about Forster’s situation, Pellegrino, whose side face Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday, replied: 'I think we have got English players that can be in the national team.

'I have to respect the opinion of the manager. He knows better than me how they are in the competition in the squad.

‘Fraser has got huge competition in this place and in the football life you are up and down all the time and we have to respect that.’

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Southampton without Mario Lemina for game against Burnley

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Southampton will again be without Mario Lemina against Burnley this weekend.

The midfielder missed the Sky Live 1-1 draw with Brighton last Sunday with an ankle problem, and is not yet ready to return to Mauricio Pellegrino’s squad.

Charlie Austin, who has yet to start a league game this season, has returned to training having also missed the Brighton game and he is in the squad for the Burnley game.

“Mario continues his treatment,” Pellegrino said. "I would expect after the international break maybe Mario can train with the team.

“But Charlie has been training with us this week. He was training well, but it’s just Mario that is the only one that is out of the squad.”

Pellegrino is expecting a tough test against Sean Dyche’s in-form side.

He said: "They have momentum, they are playing well and it will be really tough and they are dangerous on the counter-attack. They feel comfortable when they are defending and they are never disorganised.

“But I feel my players are ready to do a good game and if we have a good day with the ball they will be in trouble too.”

While Ryan Bertrand was called into the England squad for the friendlies against Germany and Brazil, Fraser Forster missed out. Pellegrino said he was happy to respect the opinion of Gareth Southgate while admitting any calls-up were a mixed blessing for him.

He said: "I think we have got a good squad and some of them have been in the national team in the past but now just Ryan (Bertrand) will be there. For me it a double-edged sword when they are in the national team - it is really good for them but not for me!

“I have to wait for them to come back without injury. But I have to respect the views of the England manager and Fraser Forster has got huge competition for his place and we have to respect that.”

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Pellegrino: We have to ‘respect’ Forster axing

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Mauricio Pellegrino says he has to respect Gareth Southgate’s decision to axe Fraser Forster from the latest England squad.

The big stopper, who has come under fire for some of his performances for Saints, has been left out for the friendlies against Germany and Brazil, leaving Ryan Bertrand as the only St Mary’s man to get the nod.

Pellegrino, who has backed Forster as his number one keeper, said: “I have to respect the opinion of the manager.

“He knows better than me how they are the rest of the competition in the squad.

“Fraser has got huge competition in this place and in football life you go up and down all the time and we have to respect that.”

Pellegrino is sure to lose a host of stars to international duty after this weekend’s game against Burnley, but admitted he cannot be too upset when the calls don’t materialise.

“I think we have got a good squad,” he reckoned.

“Some of them have been sharing the national team in the past and now Ryan will be there.

“For me obviously it is a double feeling because when most of them are in the national team it is really good for them and really bad for me.

“That means 50 or 60 per cent of the squad is abroad and I am waiting for them and expecting everybody to come back healthy and be ready for the club.

“In this way most of my players in the future I think now have British players, English players, in the national team.”

Mario Lemina will not be on international duty as he recovers from the ankle injury which also rules him out of the game against Burnley at St Mary’s at the weekend.

Charlie Austin is fit to return to the squad.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 02/11/2017 20:25:54

| | Sofiane Boufal’s wonder strike wins Southampton’s goal of the month award | Goal.comGOALDOTCOM |
| | Transfer gossip: Latest rumours and news from the ChampionshipDERBYTELEGRAPH |
| | Sofiane Boufal’s wonder strike wins Southampton’s goal of the month award | Goal.comGOALDOTCOM |

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Check out the pick of the action shots as #SaintsFC build up to Burnley: http://sfcne.ws/GalleryPreBurnley

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Video: Jaidi reacts to PL Cup win

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Watch all the highlights from #SaintsFCU23s victory over #CardiffCity, including a stunner from @TyrekeJohnson_: http://sfcne.ws/23sHighlights

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 02/11/2017 21:26:07

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Johnson stunner earns win for Southampton

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Tyreke Johnson scored the only goal of the match as Southampton got their Premier League Cup campaign off to a winning start at Cardiff City.

Johnson (pictured top) struck a sensational winner with only 10 minutes remaining, collecting the ball on the halfway line before running and hitting in off the crossbar.

The goalscorer received a red card moments later for a mistimed challenge on George Ratcliffe.

The visitors might have won by more, with Nathan Tella, Jonathan Afolabi and Callum Slattery coming close, while Jack Rose made two vital stops in the second period to keep Cardiff at bay.

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Our Predict The Score competition for Burnley is now open!

Enter and you could win a signed #SaintsFC shirt: http://sfcne.ws/SFCBurPTS

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Jaïdi: Confidence high after Cardiff win

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The tie was decided by Tyreke Johnson’s clinically struck winner - who was later shown a red card – but it was Southampton’s resilience and fighting spirit that pleased their manager most.

Speaking after the game, Jaïdi expressed his pride at the way his side dug deep to carve out a well-earned 1-0 victory in difficult conditions in the Welsh capital.

“The conditions were not ideal out there today and they made it tough for us to raise the tempo and get going in the final third,” he said.

“We dominated the play and created a lot of opportunities in the first half and perhaps we should have been in front at the interval. The boys improved in the second period and deserved this result.”

Johnson’s solo effort separated the sides but the stage was set for the forward to shine by a stern rearguard at the other end.

“I said to the boys before kick-off that it would be a tough afternoon. I asked them to keep their concentration and stay in the game by not conceding.

“Jack Rose made two excellent saves in the first half, Ollie Cook blocked one on the line, and that resilience in keeping the clean sheet allowed us to go on and win the match.

“Tyreke scored a great goal to seal it for us, it was a touch of real individual quality. He should be very happy with the way that he won us the game here in spite of the dismissal.

"Confidence is high in the dressing at the moment and we need to keep it that way moving forwards.”

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Why Manchester City could hold the key to Luke Shaw’s United future

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Luke Shaw is eyeing a shock return to Southampton in January as his unhappiness at Manchester United grows.

Saints are considering selling their England left-back Ryan Bertrand to Manchester City when the window opens.

And a move to take fellow international Shaw, 22, back to St Mary’s is now a growing possibility.

Pep Guardiola wants another left-back in January in addition to £52million Benjamin Mendy, who is crocked after knee surgery.

Bertrand, 28, who has 17 England caps, is high on City’s wanted list and Saints will sell if they get a huge offer.

Shaw is hoping it could open the door to enable him to get regular games again ahead of the World Cup.

He has returned to full fitness since ankle surgery in May but has been restricted to just two League Cup games this term.

It is the latest set-back to his career since quitting Southampton for United in a huge £27million deal in 2014 on a four-year deal.

MirrorSport revealed on September 5 that United had taken up a one-year option to automatically extend his deal until 2019.

The England left-back will have just 18 months left when the transfer window re-opens in January.

United are unlikely to let him get to next summer with just one-year left.

No formal talks have yet taken place about a new long-term contract.

But Shaw is so disillusioned at Old Trafford, where his relationship with boss Jose Mourinho has become strained, he is unlikely to sign any new terms anyway.

He is on £80,000-a-week at United and would have to take a pay-cut to return to Southampton.

But Shaw, born in Kingston upon Thames, is also keen to return south nearer his family home.

But he has both Danny Rose and Kieran Trippier to fill his left-back berths.

Despite Rose speaking out previously about his contractual unhappiness, Spurs are battling to keep him.

They beat off summer interest from Manchester United for Eric Dier and will attempt to do the same if United move for Rose.

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@Everton Get well soon, Cuco. #saintsfc

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 02/11/2017 22:26:21

| | Shaw eyeing return to SouthamptonREADSOUTHAMPTON |
| | Manchester City could land summer target in January with club considering sale – report – City WatchCITYWATCH |
| | Southampton vs Burnley: Match PreviewREADSOUTHAMPTON |
|

| Boufal And Gabbiadini To Start – Strongest 4-1-4-1 Southampton Line-up To Face Burnley – SoccerSoulsSOCCERSOULS |
| | Southampton should feel aggrieved as Birmingham City misuse Sam GallagherHEREISTHECITY |
| | Forget Tadic or Davis, this Southampton star must play behind GabbiadiniFOOTBALLFANCAST |

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New content from (- Read Southampton)

| Gabbiadini compares Sofiane Boufal to Maradona | Southampton striker Manolo Gabbiadini has compared his team-mate Sofiane Boufal to the iconic Maradona. Speaking to … 02-11-2017 |

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| Shaw eyeing return to Southamptona day ago |
| Southampton vs Burnley: Match Previewa day ago |
| Southampton Predicted XI: Burnley (H)a day ago |
| Southampton eyeing up Villa forward2 days ago |
| Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Southampton: Match Report2 days ago |
| Davis humbled to have received MBE2 days ago |
| Redmond determined to improve2 days ago |
| What is going on with Fraser Forster?3 days ago |
| Our player of the month: October3 days ago |

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Check out the key facts and figures ahead of #SaintsFC’s clash from Burnley: http://sfcne.ws/StatPackBFCh

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Sourced from BBC article

Premier League predictions: Lawro v WWE wrestlers Cesaro & Sheamus

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Manchester United returned to winning ways when they beat Tottenham last weekend - but could they lose more ground on Premier League leaders Manchester City when they go to defending champions Chelsea on Sunday?

BBC Sport football expert Mark Lawrenson says: "At the moment there is no stopping City - but that can change. However, I think they will beat Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

“And with United going to Chelsea later on Sunday, I think City will extend their lead at the top.”

Lawro is going for a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge - 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 10, which meant he slipped to 2,004th place out of more than 250,000 users.

He will be making a prediction for all 380 top-flight games this season, against a variety of guests.

Lawro, who drew with England cricketer Jimmy Anderson and beat his team-mate Moeen Ali last week, steps into the ring with WWE wrestlers Cesaro and Sheamus - the tag team known as ‘The Bar’ - for this weekend’s fixtures.

Irishman Sheamus, 39, says he has been a “massive” Liverpool fan since the age of eight, drawn to the Reds by compatriots Ray Houghton, Steve Staunton, Ronnie Whelan and John Aldridge helping them - along with Lawro, of course - to win several trophies in the 1980s and 1990s.

Cesaro, from Switzerland, says he supports his national team but also follows West Ham, Stoke and Arsenal in the Premier League because they have Swiss players - Edimilson Fernandes, Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka - in their squads.

“I support my Swiss people,” he says.

A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.

Remember you can try to beat Lawro by playing the BBC Sport Predictor game.

All kick-offs 15:00 GMT unless otherwise stated.

Stoke had a good 1-0 win last week at Watford - their first away victory of the season, which they badly needed. You don’t often get a reaction from Mark Hughes on the sidelines, regardless, but once Darren Fletcher’s goal went in you could tell it lifted the gloom.

Leicester started with a win under Claude Puel and I think he is a decent and intelligent manager. He will look at Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez and think ‘we’ve got match winners’ here.

Some Southampton fans said he was boring but last season they finished eighth and could have nicked the League Cup final. I don’t see Leicester being boring with Vardy, Mahrez et al. If you have match winners and get the other end right then that is good management.

A draw would disappoint Stoke more than Leicester, but for Puel it would be two unbeaten from two and for Stoke it would be something to build on.

Cesaro and Sheamus’ prediction: 1-0 - “Stoke win and Shaqiri will score the winner.”

Home games like these are the key to Huddersfield’s survival. After beating Manchester United it was almost a non-performance at Liverpool last weekend, which was a little bit odd.

But the thing for Huddersfield would be this: before they played United and Liverpool if you had said ‘you will get three points from those two games’, they would be absolutely delighted. Now they are looking at West Brom and saying ‘let’s not get beat’.

Is West Brom boss Tony Pulis coming under a bit of pressure? Ish. If you are not winning in the Premier League - and West Brom have only won two of their past 19 games - you are under pressure. But the thing is, he is proven.

I fancy them to go to Huddersfield and win. They will sit and pick Huddersfield off.

I was part of BBC Radio 5 live’s commentary team when Newcastle went to Burnley on Monday and I saw them play really nice football, knock the ball around, but without a cutting edge.

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez’s whole premise is organisation, organisation and more organisation. He also loves passing and moving and you can see that Jonjo Shelvey will only get better under him.

I think this season will only get better for Newcastle because if and when the takeover happens then the new owners will say to the manager ‘go and get a few players and then we will go for it next season’.

As for Bournemouth, their skipper Simon Francis has described November as “a make-or-break” month with the trip to Newcastle followed by games against Huddersfield, Swansea and Burnley.

I think a draw at Newcastle would be a good start. You go anywhere in the Premier League and get a draw - apart from the top six because they’re expected to win every game - then it is something to build on.

Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino played and coached under Rafa Benitez so you know what the fundamentals will be: organisation. Saints have struggled for goals, scoring nine in their opening 10 games, but they have enough players to score goals.

I expect them to finish in the top 10 and I think they will win this.

Burnley can play for long periods without having the ball and that’s the sign of really good coaching. Manager Sean Dyche says ‘we don’t concede, we might not have the ball, but we sit in position, make it difficult and then eventually we will get chances’.

Burnley are always in the right positions, they don’t get caught on breakaways, are good at defending set-pieces, good at pinching second balls, all those kind of things.

That is why Dyche, who has been linked to Everton, has done so well there. Does he stay or does he go? It’s an interesting one.

Swansea are a strange team because one week they look insipid, then the next week you think ‘what are you doing in the position you are in?’.

Paul Clement likes to play three at the back away from home, letting teams come on to them. It almost worked at Arsenal last weekend, when they took the lead but couldn’t hold on and lost 2-1.

I’m impressed with my old club Brighton, they are just chipping away.

Even if they don’t play well, they get a point. When they have played the bigger clubs they have not got anything, although they have only played Manchester City and Arsenal so far, but I like their pragmatic approach.

This weekend Chris Hughton will be telling his players ‘don’t get beat at Swansea because they are down near where we are. Don’t give them a boost’.

West Ham have got some decent players but they are struggling for defenders this weekend. They need to get some defenders fit.

You look at Slaven Bilic’s squad and think they should be in that middle group in the Premier League and should be comfortable.

Liverpool have played a couple of games since they lost 4-1 at Tottenham and Klopp has been clever by playing nearly the same team. He did that to tell his players: prove I am not wrong and show you are decent players.

We know they have defensive issues but it is very rare you make so many poor decisions in a game that costs you so many goals like they did at Wembley. Tottenham didn’t really have to create the goals.

Liverpool won comfortably at London Stadium at the end of last season and I think they will win again. But I hope it doesn’t mean Bilic will lose his job - because that would be ridiculous.

The confidence at Tottenham will be sky high after the performance and result against Real Madrid on Wednesday. I don’t think there is any chance of a hangover from that victory with Mauricio Pochettino in charge. He is super prepared.

Palace may still be bottom but their performances have improved under Roy Hodgson: they beat Chelsea, should have had a point at Newcastle and then got a dramatic draw against West Ham last week.

He has improved them, but whether he can improve them enough remains to be seen. I look at Palace and I think ‘can they get enough points between now and 1 January - i.e. the transfer window - to give themselves a chance of attracting the players they think might keep them up?’

I see Palace filling in the space at Wembley and making it difficult for Spurs, but I don’t see them creating any problems.

At the moment there is no stopping Manchester City, but it can change. It can change for a variety of reasons, mainly injuries and loss of form, but they are on a fantastic run having taken 28 points from a possible 30 in the Premier League this season.

People are saying ‘give them the title now’ - but the Premier League is a slog. They are in all competitions and that takes it toll eventually.

Arsene Wenger has always gone to the top teams and said ‘right, we will play football’. I can’t see Arsenal going there and saying ‘let’s attack them’ because if they do that then the gates will open.

However, Wenger did go to City a few seasons ago with a plan - and they won 2-0. But I think, plan or no plan, City will win.

Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat in the Champions League game at Roma was un-Chelsea-like under Antonio Conte.

Last year we thought they couldn’t keep winning, regardless of how they were playing, but they did.

This year you’re waiting for them to throw a wobbler every three or four games. After losing in Rome, Conte said his players are lacking hunger which you can’t imagine he would tolerate. It is strange.

When United play against the other top teams away from home Jose Mourinho will always take a point - as you saw at Liverpool. That is the way he manages and that isn’t going to change.

He will try to fight fire with fire when he can but at Stamford Bridge he will have everyone behind the ball.

I know Everton caretaker boss David Unsworth really well and I cannot believe the furore over him losing his first two games. He’s just taken over at caretaker, he’s trying to change it with the same players that Koeman couldn’t do a lot with.

I think he knows that someone is going to come in - it is Everton and they have a wealthy owner - but he is a safe hand on the tiller. He will try to get them playing in the way which the supporters want, which is getting them having a go.

He didn’t take a lot of the senior players to Lyon for the Europa League game on Thursday so that shows where Everton’s focus is. I’m sure he discussed it with the hierarchy and said he would rather get three points against Watford than Lyon.

I get that. Their predicament means they need to win some points in the league and I think they will beat Watford.

Watford made a great start but they could, and should, have got something from Chelsea and then they got done at Stoke. I wonder if they are on a poor run at the moment.

Cesaro and Sheamus’s prediction: 0-2 - “Everton 0-7 Watford. No, that’s not realistic. Everton 0-8 Watford. No, let’s be honest… 0-2.”

Last week, Lawro got seven correct results, including two perfect scores, from 10 matches, for a total of 130 points.

His tally was matched by England cricketer James Anderson, whose team-mate Moeen Ali was just behind.

Anderson also got seven results correct, with two perfect scores, for 130 points, while Moeen predicted six correct results, with two perfect scores, for 120 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.

Lawro’s worst score: 40 points (week four v Umenyiora and Bell, and week five v Non Stanford)

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A selection of the best in-play images as #SaintsFCU23s edged past #CardiffCity in the Welsh capital:… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/926222067342741507

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 02/11/2017 23:26:35

| | Should Southampton target Aston Villa’s Callum O’Hare after succesful scouting mission?HEREISTHECITY |

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