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Win a retro Southampton shirt signed by Mark Hughes
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Premier League & FA Cup predictions: Lawro v comedian John Bishop
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Wigan have already beaten three Premier League teams - including leaders Manchester City - to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals but can they make it four and reach Wembley?
The League One side’s last-eight tie with struggling Southampton is live on BBC One at 13:30 GMT on Sunday, with Leicester against Chelsea following at 16:30 GMT.
Lawro is pitting his wits against a different guest for each round of this season’s FA Cup, and his opponent this time is comedian John Bishop.
Bishop will be addressing the England squad for this year’s Sport Relief (on Friday, 23 March) after taking on the mission to help them win this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
Bishop is a Liverpool fan who is backing the Reds to return to winning ways against Watford this weekend.
“I was going to say 17-0 to Liverpool but that would have been a little bit biased,” Bishop told BBC Sport. "So I am just going to go with 11-0.
“No, really it will be 3-0 to Liverpool. We are still unbeaten at home in the Premier League this season and I think we are on a roll at Anfield at the moment.”
*After extra-time. There are no replays in the FA Cup quarter-finals, and the ties will be decided on penalties.
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.
Harry Kane is out for a few weeks, but I think Tottenham have shown now that they can manage without him - they certainly did against Bournemouth when he went off.
Part of the reason for that is the fabulous form of Son Heung-min and, when you look at Tottenham now, he has joined Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen as a really key part of their attacking threat.
It will be interesting to see what Mauricio Pochettino does with his forward line in Kane’s absence, and if Fernando Llorente comes into the starting line-up, because he has not made much of an impact this season.
Swansea, meanwhile, got a great draw at Huddersfield when you consider how early they went down to 10 men. They defended brilliantly.
This is probably a more important game for Pochettino than it would have been following Tottenham’s exit from the Champions League and I would expect him to go with a strong line-up, especially as we are heading into an international break.
But Swansea will not make it easy for them and I think they will go the distance in this tie.
There are no replays now we are into the FA Cup quarter-finals so it will be decided on the day, and I think Spurs will edge it - just.
I think West Brom are gone - their hopes of staying up are all over and they can probably start planning for life in the Championship now.
The Baggies are eight points adrift of safety and they have only won three games out of 30 so far this season, and I don’t see any signs of a dramatic improvement in form.
I would fancy Bournemouth to win this game anyway but they have a big incentive because victory would see them take a big step towards safety themselves.
The Cherries almost always concede - they have kept only one clean sheet in their past 20 matches - but I would still back them to win and climb away from the relegation trap-door.
If you had asked me a month ago, I would have said that Crystal Palace are the team climbing away from trouble, and Huddersfield are the ones sliding into it. That has reversed over the past few weeks.
Wilfried Zaha’s injury was a big blow to the Eagles and it is no coincidence that they struggled without him, and slid back into the relegation zone.
But he is back now and that is a boost for them. They are no one-man team but, the way Zaha has been playing, he will always make a difference.
Huddersfield had to settle for a point despite dominating against 10-man Swansea last week and I think they might be held up again here too.
John’s prediction: Palace have had some tough games lately and played well but been unlucky to lose, so I think they are due a win. 0-1
Everton have managed one away win in 15 attempts in the Premier League this season - at Newcastle, in December.
The Toffees rolled Brighton over easily at Goodison Park, but they have not produced that form on the road all season now.
It does not matter too much, because Everton look safe now and they don’t need too much more to be completely sure.
It is different for Stoke, who have become draw specialists under Paul Lambert. At the very least they have to get a point here too.
John’s prediction: Everton have not been doing well away from home, but Cenk Tosun is on a roll with goals in his past two games and I can see them taking it. 1-2
The reverse fixture was a thrilling 3-3 draw on the opening day of the season, which is something I do not see being repeated here.
Liverpool should have won that game and would have done if not for defensive errors. They were hopeless at the back and it was game over as soon as they went 2-0 down.
You could say that they suffered from a similar problem against Manchester United on Saturday, because Dejan Lovren should have done better with both of the United goals.
The way Liverpool defended was not good at all, but they are still dangerous going forward.
If that clicks again, I would go with a routine Reds win, which would lift them back into third place in the table.
Manchester United were on a decent run of results but they have suddenly put themselves under pressure by their non-performance, and defeat, against Sevilla.
It was strange to see, because we had seen them show some fight to come back from behind twice against Chelsea and Crystal Palace in recent weeks, and they also beat Liverpool at Old Trafford fairly comfortably on Saturday.
So I was expecting Jose Mourinho’s side to kick on but the opposite happened instead.
Mourinho’s comments in his press conference were bizarre too - it felt like he was saying ‘don’t blame me’ and that people should not be surprised to see United lose because he has won at Old Trafford twice in the Champions League with other clubs before.
That was not the message the supporters would have wanted to hear but that is Jose for you, I suppose.
It will be interesting to see if there is any reaction against Brighton because the United fans will certainly expect to see one.
In some ways this is a decent game for them to bounce back in, but I cannot see United running riot, even if they do improve.
The Seagulls only lost 1-0, via a Lewis Dunk own goal, when they came to Old Trafford in November.
Chris Hughton’s side were rolled over too easily at Everton last week but they will be well organised and if United to win, they will have to earn it.
John’s prediction: I think United have got their name written on the FA Cup to be honest with you. 2-0
Seeing Southampton change their manager was probably the last thing that Wigan boss Paul Cook wanted to see in the run-up to this tie, because Mark Hughes replacing Mauricio Pellegrino will bring a reaction from the Saints players.
As well as Wigan have done to reach this stage, I think this is where their FA Cup adventure ends this season.
That is not all bad news because it means they can turn their attention to getting promotion out of League One, because before they beat Bradford with a late goal on Wednesday, their form had just started to dip a bit.
John’s prediction: I think if there is a surprise in the FA Cup, it will be in this tie. Wigan have got a lot of momentum behind them, and they have not had an easy run to get here. I fancy them again. 1-0
Like Tottenham and United, Chelsea are out of Europe and the FA Cup is their only hope of a trophy this season.
The tricky thing with predicting Chelsea’s results at the moment is that you just do not know what kind of performance Antonio Conte’s side are going to produce.
Part of the reason for that is that they have a little bit of a soft centre, which is a bit of a worry for Conte.
Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen is only young but he is making mistakes while he is in their team which is the last thing you want from your centre-back - you want him to be learning from those elsewhere.
Leicester have been ticking along quite nicely in recent weeks and I thought Jamie Vardy’s goal against West Brom last time out was absolutely sensational.
Frank Lampard said on Match of the Day that it was his favourite goal of the goal and I am absolutely behind him on that, because the technique Vardy used to execute it with his weaker foot was unbelievable.
The Foxes have got home advantage here and, you know what, I am going to go with them to edge it.
I just have a feeling that they will absolutely fly at Chelsea and we know they have got the quality to beat them.
We also know Conte’s side are quite a moody team at the moment and if they have another bad day then they are going out.
John’s prediction: I just think that when it comes to the FA Cup, Chelsea know what they are doing. 0-1
On FA Cup fifth-round weekend, Lawro got four correct results, with no perfect scores, from the eight ties for a total of 40 points and a success rate of 50%.
He was up against YouTube star Tekkerz Kid who got three correct results, with no perfect scores, for a total of 30 points.
From the last round of Premier League games, Lawro got eight correct results, with three perfect scores, from 10 matches for a total of 170 points - his best score of the season.
He beat Arni and Justin from The Vaccines, who got six correct results but with one perfect scores, for a total of 90 points.
- Shows weeks where Lawro had more than one guest, and only the highest score contributed to the guest total.
Lawro’s worst score: 40 points (week four v Umenyiora and Bell, week five v Non Stanford, week 21 v Darren Campbell and week 23 v Saric and Baynes)
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Hughes excited to work with former targets
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The 54-year-old Welshman has agreed a contract with the club until the end of the season, overseeing his first training session at Staplewood Campus on Thursday.
Hughes believes he already has a good knowledge of the squad he is inheriting, and is looking forward to getting to know them on a day-to-day basis.
“I know a great deal about them from coming up against Southampton over the years,” he said.
“You get a real understanding of what they’re about and the style of play.
“If I’m honest, I’ve probably tried to sign half of them but haven’t quite got them over the line.
“I know a lot of the qualities these players possess, so it’s going to be good to get the opportunity to finally work with some of the players I missed out on with previous clubs.”
Hughes takes charge of his first game on Sunday, as Saints travel to Wigan in the Emirates FA Cup – a competition he won four times as a player.
“From our point of view, we haven’t got enough time to do a gradual process – we have to hit the ground running,” he added.
“Undoubtedly, we’ve got good players here. Players that, for whatever reason, have found it more of a struggle this year.
“We’ll get down to the reasons why, but these players have the ability to win games in the Premier League and that’s what we intend to do.
“I don’t think we need to show any apprehension. We need to go out, express ourselves, show our ability and manage the game.
“I’m here to get the job done and make sure we’re in the Premier League next year.”
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 15/03/2018 16:38:35
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...subjectively given breath to by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!| Mark Hughes appointed Southampton managerTHEBREEZE |
| | Experience and affinity to the club key to survival bid, says HughesEIRSPORT |
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Gallery: Mark Hughes’s playing career
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The tireless centre-forward lifted two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and two European Cup Winners’ Cups as a player.
Spells with Barcelona and Bayern Munich fell between an-era defining career as a Manchester United hero. Hughes became the first United player to be voted PFA Player of the Year in 1989, before silverware began to flow at Old Trafford.
In the early 90s, Hughes picked up four domestic trophies before scoring both goals in the 1991 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup final against former club Barca.
The Welshman hit 116 goals in his second spell at Old Trafford, taking his United total to 163 in 467 appearances, before leaving a legend, for Chelsea, in 1995.
Already in his 30s, age was no barrier for Hughes, who became a key man at Stamford Bridge and enhanced his reputation as a serial winner.
By winning the FA Cup again in 1997, he became only the fourth player in the 20th century to lift the trophy on four occasions adding a League Cup and second Cup Winners’ Cup success to his name.
Aged 34, he would begin a relationship with Saints that has come full circle 20 years later. Hughes’s experience helped preserve Southampton’s Premier League status then as a midfielder.
Hughes left the south coast for Merseyside to join Everton in 2000, before finishing his playing career at Blackburn, where he signed off a glittering career with more success – promotion from Division One in 2001 and another League Cup, the last major trophy of his career, in 2002.
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Bertrand named in England squad
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Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand has been named in Gareth Southgate’s 27-man England squad for the upcoming friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy.
The full-back will join up with the Three Lions next week ahead of their international double header at the Amsterdam Arena on Friday 23 March (19.45 GMT kick-off) and Wembley on Tuesday 27 March (20.00).
Bertrand will join fellow Saint Josh Sims in representing England in the coming fortnight, the winger is set to return to the international fold with Keith Downing’s U20 squad.
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 15/03/2018 17:38:48
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...unimaginatively given rise to by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!| Sutton blasts Southampton board for leaving Pellegrino dismissal so lateHEREISTHECITY |
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Video: Hughes takes first training session
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Watch as Mark Hughes oversees his first Saints training session at Staplewood Campus, after the club confirmed his appointment as First Team Manager last night.
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View the best of the images from the first #SaintsFC training session of the Mark Hughes regime:… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/974345173600784384
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Find out more about the newest members of #SaintsFC’s coaching staff, Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki: http://sfcne.ws/MBENprofiles
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 15/03/2018 18:38:59
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| Stoke boss Lambert doesn’t think new Saints manager Hughes has a point to proveBTSPORT |
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In Profile: Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki
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Mark Bowen
A former left-back, Bowen was a long-term international teammate of Hughes for Wales, who has since worked alongside the new Saints boss in all of his management positions.
Bowen’s career began in the youth ranks at Tottenham, where he progressed to play 21 times for the first team and won the UEFA Cup in 1984.
He made his Wales debut before leaving Spurs at the age of 23 and beginning a nine-year stay at Norwich.
Now playing regular football, Bowen enjoyed the best years of his career at Carrow Road, where he was later voted into the club’s all-time XI by supporters.
Player of the Year in his first season, the first of 399 appearances for City came against Saints in the old First Division back in 1987.
An ever-present in 1992/93, Bowen helped Norwich finish third in the inaugural year of the Premier League, before playing in an historic win over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup the following season – the only victory by a British team ever in the Olympic Stadium.
The later years of his playing career included a spell at West Ham and a brief period in China, before helping Charlton win promotion to the Premier League.
When the Addicks’ memorable play-off final with Sunderland finished 4-4 after extra time, Bowen converted from the penalty spot in the shoot-out en route to Wembley glory.
Still playing in the top flight in his mid-30s, a serious injury forced the defender into retirement after spending time with Wigan and Reading.
For Wales, Bowen earned 41 caps in an 11-year international career, scoring three goals, but, like Hughes, unfortunately never had the opportunity to represent his country at a major tournament.
After taking the Welsh manager’s job in 1999, Hughes appointed Bowen to his coaching staff, before the latter teamed up with Steve Bruce at Crystal Palace and Birmingham, again winning promotion via the play-offs on penalties – ironically at Norwich’s expense.
Bowen later returned to the Wales setup before he was named assistant manager at Blackburn under Hughes, who later appointed him at Man City and Fulham.
Following Hughes’s departure from Craven Cottage, Bowen stayed to work with the club’s Academy, later rejoining his former teammate at QPR, where he took caretaker charge for one game, and Stoke, where the duo spent four and a half years in partnership.
Eddie Niedzwiecki
Another Wales international, Niedzwiecki was a goalkeeper forced to retire early through injury.
His entire playing career was divided between two clubs, Wrexham and Chelsea, making more than 100 league appearances for both sides.
A Third Division title winner whilst still in his teens, Niedzwiecki was on the Dragons’ books for a decade, departing for Stamford Bridge as a 24-year-old in 1983.
In doing so, he moved back up to the Second Division following Wrexham’s relegation the previous year, and another league title beckoned in west London.
In winning the league on goal difference, Niedzwiecki had the chance to play top-flight football for the first time.
He made a total of 175 appearances for Chelsea, where he is still fondly remembered for a sublime individual performance in a 1985 League Cup victory at near neighbours Fulham, in which he made several breathtaking saves – including a penalty stop – in a 1-0 win.
He was twice capped by Wales manager Mike England during his Blues career, but saw his career sadly cut short in 1988, aged 28.
It was at Chelsea that Niedzwiecki cut his cloth in coaching, working as reserve team and goalkeeper coach, before leaving in 2000 following the appointment of Claudio Ranieri as manager.
He then moved across the capital to become reserve team coach at Arsenal, whilst working part-time with Wales under Mark Hughes, who had played alongside Niedzwiecki on the international stage.
At club level, the pair have worked together in all of Hughes’s management positions – Blackburn, Man City, Fulham, QPR and Stoke.
Niedzwiecki has taken caretaker charge of two Premier League games in his career, ironically both against Manchester United.
In 2012, he oversaw a 3-1 defeat for QPR alongside Mark Bowen, before leading Stoke at Old Trafford following Hughes’s departure in January.
At 58 years of age, Niedzwiecki is four years senior to Hughes and Bowen, and a trusted ally of the new Saints boss.
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A look back at new #SaintsFC manager Mark Hughes’s illustrious playing career
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Hughes faces tough run in Southampton bid for safety
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Mark Hughes faces a tough run-in as he bids to maintain Southampton’s six-year run in the Premier League.
The Welshman takes charge of a team with only one win in their last 17 league matches and are on 28 points, a place and a point above the relegation zone.
His task is made harder by the fact that, of Southampton’s eight remaining matches, only three are at St Mary’s Stadium.
But he has a chance to have an immediate impact on his own side as well as his rivals.
Hughes’s first league opponents will be the team immediately above Saints in the table, West Ham United.
The Hammers are two points ahead but are also struggling for form, having lost four of their last five in the league.
From Southampton’s remaining seven matches thereafter, only two feature opponents who are at present in the lower half of the table.
A trip to Arsenal, where Southampton have yet to win in the Premier League, is followed by a home match with a Chelsea side battling for a top-four spot.
The most crucial matches could be the ones at home to AFC Bournemouth, who are on 33 points, on 28 April and the trip to Swansea City, on 31 points, on a date yet to be confirmed.
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Behind the scenes: Mark Hughes’s first day in charge
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Go behind the scenes as Mark Hughes arrived at Staplewood Campus for his first day as the new Southampton First Team Manager.
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