OptiNews - Friday 29 September to Thursday 05 October 2017

Sourced from Mirror.co.uk article

Northern Ireland prepared for “mentally draining” meeting with Germany - Davis

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Northern Ireland skipper Steven Davis admits playing Germany is like facing 12 men ahead of their Group C decider.

Michael O’Neill’s side have lost twice to the world champions in the last 16 months and Davis says it feels like they have an extra man because they retain the ball so well.

“When you play Germany, it’s like you’re up against an extra man,” said the Southampton midfielder before Thursday’s match in Belfast.

“They’re very clever in their movements and the positions they take up. You have to be fully concentrated for the whole match.

“It will be physically and mentally draining and if you switch off for one second, they can hurt you.”

O’Neill has practised playing without the ball to replicate defending against Thomas Muller and co.

“We created a situation where we played with a higher number of players in the opposition team to try to give them an insight into how the game will be,” said the Irish boss.

“We played with an extra player in certain positions to create the level of possession they may have and how to counteract that.”

Northern Ireland are all but assured of a play-off spot and O’Neill tried to ease the pressure on his squad by insisting tonight’s clash at Windsor Park will not wreck all their fine work.

“We shouldn’t fear the outcome of the game,” he said. “The players have done the work in this group, guaranteed second spot and put ourselves in a really strong position for the play-offs. Whatever happens will not take away from that.”

Germany, who have won all eight of their qualifiers, need just a point to reach Russia, but come into the game on the back of the Bundesliga sides’ poor performances in Europe.

German teams have won just one of their opening 12 games in the Champions League and Europa League and Joachim Low feels it is a wake-up call for the Bundesliga.

“It’s alarming,” said the German coach. “We know there is talent all around the world and the Bundesliga isn’t the be all and end all. But the players are confident and ready.”

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 05/10/2017 13:30:47

| | 2017 Non League Day This WeekendVITALFOOTBALL |
| | Club Top Scorers In Premier League 2017VITALFOOTBALL |
| | Ward-Prowse hoping to impressCLUBCALL |
| | LFC were offered Bundesliga winning CB this summer, but Klopp rejected himEMPIREOFTHEKOP |
| | The centre-back Liverpool had the chance to sign after missing out on Van Dijk [Mirror] GIVEMESPORT |
| | Southampton simply must cash in on Van Dijk in JanuaryFOOTBALLFANCAST |

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:movie_camera::soccer:

#SaintsFC beat #FFC 2-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Staplewood today. Check out the goals from… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/915942256158429186

Retweets: 7

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 05/10/2017 14:31:03

| | “I came across as a spoilt brat” … Virgil van Dijk speaks out on controversial interviewFOOTBALLFANCAST |
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| Southampton Defender Virgil Van Dijk Is Doing Himself More Harm Than Good By Angling For January MoveTHESPORTSMAN |

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 05/10/2017 15:31:20

| | How Bristol Rovers fans can help out club legend Stuart TaylorBRISTOLPOST |
| | Ticket news: Southampton v BurnleyBURNLEYTODAY |
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| Burnley Football Club Tickets: Southampton v BurnleyBURNLEYFC |

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Big Saints Quiz raises over £4,000

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Just shy of 50 teams took part in Southampton FC’s annual charity quiz at St Mary’s on Wednesday evening, with an additional seven teams of London-based fans tuning in from Russell Square Grosvenor Casino via live stream.

The event, which was supported by Swiss Watch Trader, aimed to raise funds and awareness for the club’s charitable arm, Saints Foundation, and generated over £4,000 to further enhance their work in the local community.

Club legend Matt Le Tissier and current first-team striker Charlie Austin jointly compèred the evening, while the quiz tested participants knowledge on all things Southampton FC and other footballing trivia.

The winners, comically entitled ‘Beercalona’, won a tour of the club’s Staplewood Campus with Director of Football Les Reed.

All proceeds from the night will go directly to Saints Foundation, as they continue their work in tackling a wide range of issues for young people and adults at risk in the local area.

The club would like to thank everyone who attended, and gave generously for this great cause.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 05/10/2017 16:31:34

| | ‘Sign him’, ‘Amazing’ - Liverpool fans react after £65,000-a-week ace drops January transfer hintTHISISFUTBOLCOM |
| | ‘Over the moon’, ‘Convenient’ … Southampton fans divided on Van Dijk’s latest commentsFOOTBALLFANCAST |
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| 2017/18: Southampton v Burnley – Ticket InformationUPTHECLARETSCOM |
| | Southampton: Steven Davis prepared for difficult Germany gameFANSIDEDSAINTSMARCHING |

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 05/10/2017 17:31:51

| | Southampton XI 2-0 Fulham XI | Fulham Football ClubFULHAM |

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Austin and Ward-Prowse fire Saints to friendly victory

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CHARLIE Austin and James Ward-Prowse netted for Saints in a friendly against Fulham this afternoon at Staplewood.

Mauricio Pellegrino deployed a strong side for this 80 minute match, which was set-up for fringe players and those not on international duties to get some game time.

And both goal-scorers certainly gave the St Mary’s chief something to think about as they fired Saints to victory with second half goals.

Austin, who has not started a single Premier League game this season, finished off a counter-attack which saw Nathan Redmond cut the ball across the face of goal for the striker to slam home.

Another outcast Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who has not played a minute of football this season for the first team, had his hand in the second goal.

The Danish midfielder’s shot was parried by Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli and Ward-Prowse was waiting in the area to finish it off.

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Sourced from A tweet by England tweet

@England - England

Here’s the #ThreeLions line-up aiming to secure @FIFAWorldCup qualification this evening :+1:

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 05/10/2017 18:32:03

| | Duo On Target In Fulham Friendly WinVITALFOOTBALL |
| | Out-of-favour Southampton midfielder ready to fight for regular first team spotFOOTBALLFANCAST |

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

@chazaustin10 @Prowsey16 Read our report from Staplewood Campus, as #SaintsFC recorded a 2-0 friendly win over #FFC: http://sfcne.ws/FFCHReport

Retweets: 6

Favourites: 25

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 05/10/2017 19:32:16

| | Austin and Hojbjerg push claims in friendlyCLUBCALL |

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Read Southampton

New content from (- Read Southampton)

| Virgil van Dijk makes fresh claims over his recent comments on the summer | Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk has insisted that his recent words were twisted by the media. Speaking to … 05-10-2017 |

Older content…

| Long recovers from thigh injury2 days ago |
| Our player of the month: September2 days ago |
| What can Saints do to halt their stuttering run of form?2 days ago |
| Southampton given boost in pursuit of La Liga striker2 days ago |
| How well do you remember Rickie Lambert’s time at Saints?2 days ago |
| Virgil van Dijk has ‘no regrets’ about his summer behaviour2 days ago |
| Rickie Lambert’s top five Southampton goals2 days ago |
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| Rickie Lambert - A tribute to a true Southampton legend3 days ago |

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

#SaintsFC’s @StevenDavis8 captained Northern Ireland as they fell to a 3-1 home defeat to Germany in #WCQ: http://sfcne.ws/SDNIreGer

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Sourced from Daily Star article

Liverpool favourites to sign Virgil van Dijk in January: Jurgen Klopp wants deal - bookies

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Liverpool are favourites to sign Virgil van Dijk in January

The Southampton star was tipped to join the Reds in the summer but a move didn’t materialise.

Liverpool pulled out of the race for Van Dijk, 26, after the Saints accused them of tapping up the centre-back.

Premier League big boys Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United have also been linked with the former Celtic defender, who is valued at around £60m.

However, BetStars say Van Dijk is likely to head to Liverpool in January and link up with Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

VOTE: Under Armour Player of the Month

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Check out our shortlist and their credentials:

A string of commanding performances at the base of midfield in the past few weeks have deservedly drawn praise in the direction of summer arrival Mario Lemina.

Dominant defensively and economical in possession in the away victory at Crystal Palace and the narrow home defeat to Manchester United the following weekend, this may well be the first of many nominations for the Gabon international.

September will live long in the memory of veteran Saint, Steven Davis. The skipper pulled on a Southampton jersey for the 200th time this month and crowned the occasion with a characteristically well-timed dart into the box to side-foot home the winner at Selhurst Park.

Further back, Maya Yoshida continues to impress at the heart of Mauricio Pellegrino’s defence but it was his contribution at the other end that really caught the eye recently. The Japanese’s superb scissor-kick against Stoke was worthy of winning any game. Maya makes our shortlist for the second time.

Steven and Maya make our shortlist for the second time in a row.

Fraser Forster’s solid September showings earned him a recall to the England squad. The towering goalkeeper played a key part in the win in south London and was unlucky to be on the losing side at Stoke after a series of fine saves in the Saints goal.

Simply use the form below to cast your vote. Hurry, though, the deadline is at midnight on Sunday 8th October!

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Austin and Ward-Prowse on target in friendly

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After a tight opening opening half, Saints pulled away from their competitive Championship opponents after the break which saw Austin and Ward-Prowse find the net and a host of Academy youngsters earn a run out under the watchful eye of Mauricio Pellegrino.

The Southampton boss – celebrating his 46th birthday – fielded a strong side for the visit of the Slavisa Jokanovic’s Cottagers in this 80-minute friendly encounter.

A back four of Matt Targett, Jack Stephens, Florin Gardos and Sam McQueen protected Stuart Taylor in goal with Oriol Romeu partenering Pierre-Emile Højbjerg in midfield. Nathan Redmond, Ward-Prowse and Sofiane Boufal flanked Austin in attack.

Saints enjoyed the better start with the physicality of Romeu and Højbjerg putting the home side immediately on the front foot.

Indeed, a couple of Ward-Prowse corners had already caused the Fulham backline trouble before the midfielder’s superb right-wing cross found Austin unmarked in the box, only for the striker to see his shot blocked on the line by Fulham’s Denis Odoi.

At the other end, a strong spell for the visitors almost caught Saints cold, Rui Fonte curling onto the post via a nick off Stephens as a balance first period ended goalless.

An improved Saints emerged for the second half and the game’s opening goal quickly followed. A drop of the shoulder and surge down the left carried Redmond into the box and the winger’s cutback found Austin who instinctively steered high into the net.

The sharp reflexes of Taylor denied Rafa Soares after the Portuguese full-back as Fulham went in search of an immediate equaliser but Southampton remained the more likely to score again.

As the half drew on, Will Smallbone – a replacement for Romeu – caught the eye with a composed and confident showing in the middle of the field, the U18 midfielder looking at home amongst his senior counterparts.

By that time Saints were firmly in control and fully deserved to double their advantage as Ward-Prowse tucked home on the rebound after fine work from Højbjerg on 74 minutes.

The crossbar denied McQueen from adding a third while youngsters Sam Vokins, Richard Bakary and Siph Mdlalose replaced Redmond, Ward-Prowse and Boufal for the closing stages.

Minutes under the belt for first-team players and the opportunity to impress for a handful of Saints Academy graduates: a positive afternoon for boss Pellegrino at Staplewood Campus.

Southampton 2-0 Fulham (Austin 45’, Ward-Prowse 69’)

Southampton XI: Taylor; Targett, Stephens, Gardos, McQueen; Romeu (Smallbone), Højbjerg; Redmond (Bakary), Ward-Prowse (Vokins), Boufal (Mdlalose); Austin.

Fulham XI: Bettinelli, Odoi, Madl, Djalo, Soares, de la Torre (Francois), Cisse, O’Reilly, Graham, Fonte (Humphrys), Mollo.

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Sourced from Daily Star article

Liverpool News: Coutinho and Firmino Man Utd doubts, Van Dijk latest, Klopp sack talk

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Liverpool stars Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino could be doubts to face Manchester United after the international break.

The Reds welcome United to Anfield on Saturday, October 14 at 12:30pm.

However, Coutinho and Firmino will only arrive back at Melwood on the Thursday prior to the huge Premier League clash.

And the Metro claim Jurgen Klopp might be without his two star men for the United game.

They reckon Coutinho and Firmino may struggle to be 100 per cent fit to face the the Red Devils.

The Liverpool duo are expected to play against Chile in Brazil’s final World Cup qualifier in Sao Paulo, which finishes in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 05/10/2017 22:49:34

| | West Ham and Southampton stars Premier League’s most wasteful playersHEREISTHECITY |
| | Time to cash in: 3 reasons why Southampton should sell Virgil van Dijk in January | | Where football transfer …THETRANSFERTAVERN |
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| Former-QPR star strikes as Fulham fall to friendly defeat against SaintsGETWESTLONDON |
| | Breaking: Former Saints Coach gets offer from ChinaCALCIOMERCATOCOM |
| | England footballer on how he wants to help Grenfell victimsGETWESTLONDON |
| | Everton to Battle West Ham United and Southampton for Theo Walcott in January – Arsenal Action – Arsenal NewsTHEGOONER |

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