OptiNews - Friday 16 to Thursday 22 March 2018

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Austin hails Hughes impact

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The boss was appointed last Wednesday, with eight Premier League matches remaining in the season, and has been quick to make an impact behind the scenes.

Hughes oversaw a 2-0 victory at Wigan as Saints progressed to a first Emirates FA Cup semi-final for 15 years, and Austin believes his presence has sparked an immediate change in the mood at Staplewood.

“When the gaffer came in he said ‘look, we’re here for eight weeks. There’s no getting away from it, we’ve all got to put all our energies and efforts into these eight weeks to get ourselves into a cup final and stay in the Premier League’,” the striker revealed, having returned to first-team training this week after three months on the sidelines.

“Everyone knows that is the ultimate goal for us now. There has been a change in everyone around the training ground – a change in attitude. Commitment maybe? I don’t know.

“Sometimes you need that change. What they’ve brought so far has been fantastic, and hopefully that will continue.

“It’s not just him. Mark (Bowen) is here and Eddie (Niedzwiecki), which is great, because they’re all having their say and having their input, which is important because you’re not just hearing the same voice.

“But if the gaffer wants to get his point across, he certainly does that.”

For Austin, Hughes’s presence on the training pitch means an opportunity to learn from one of the finest British forwards of his generation.

“It’s going to help,” said Saints’ top scorer. “Any little bits are going to help and you can pick his brain on certain things.

“If he sees weakness in parts of your game, he can help and I’m sure he will. To work with someone like him is exciting.”

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Sourced from Sky Sports article

Steven Davis to miss Northern Ireland’s friendly with South Korea

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Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis has been ruled out of Saturday’s friendly with South Korea.

The 101-cap midfielder has missed Saints’ last five games with a hamstring injury and remained in England rather than linking up with his Northern Irish team-mates.

Davis was pictured in training with Southampton earlier this week so could be back for Mark Hughes’ first Premier League game in charge at West Ham after the international break.

Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill also has concerns over Niall McGinn, Kyle Lafferty and Stuart Dallas for the Windsor Park friendly.

It means the Northern Ireland boss could turn to the U21s to swell his squad as they have home fixtures with Spain and Iceland on Thursday and Monday.

However, O’Neill is unsure if he would actually select any of Ian Baraclough’s players to feature given the seniors’ game is sandwiched between two huge qualifiers in the U21s’ bid to reach Euro 2019.

Explaining his injury situation, O’Neill said: "It’s been a wee bit tricky. Davo [Davis] is out, we’ve doubts over Niall, we’ve doubts over Kyle and checking a little bit on Stuart as well.

"We have to be careful with the players given the time of year it is and the nature of the game.

"The game will provide an opportunity for some of those players like Jordan Jones and Jamal Lewis and one or two others.

"The U21s play on Thursday so there is always the opportunity to add one or two of those players from that squad into the senior game as well.

"We’re not high on numbers. There are one or two we hoped would have been with us but unfortunately they are not.

"If an U21 player or players come in, it won’t just be for the experience. It will be because we believe they can contribute as well. They also have a game on Monday so we also have to balance that.

"We’ll see how the Spain games goes first before we see how we balance that situation but there is a good chance one or two of the U21s will be in the squad, whether that’s just on the bench or not.

“Potential game time is hard to say at the minute, though.”

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 22/03/2018 14:10:54

| | Bad for West Ham: Southampton’s major injury boost101GREATGOALS |
| | Charlie Austin The Man To Keep Saints Up And Win The Cup ! - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Hughes aims to get Austin firing

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CHARLIE Austin is racing to be fit and ready to make an impact in a crucial period for Saints.

Tellingly, the 28-year-old striker remains the club’s six-goal top-scorer despite missing the last 15 matches in all competitions due to a hamstring injury.

Now, Austin is back in training with Mark Hughes eager to fast-track the £4m man into action.

The 54-year-old, who replaced Mauricio Pellegrino as manager last week, revealed how he believes it is fundamental to Saints’ to survival to get the misfiring attack firing on all cylinders once more.

With club-record signing, striker Guido Carrillo, a £19.2m January signing from Monaco, yet to score in nine appearances since his arrival, Hughes knows he will need to look elsewhere for some bang in front of goal.

Manolo Gabbiadini has netted four goals this season, but has started just ten Premier League games with Pellegrino regularly overlooking the gifted Italy international during his tenure.

With Hughes set to use a 4-4-2 formation in the run-in and keen to get Austin back playing quickly, it would be logical to suggest Gabbiadini and the former QPR man will become Saints’ first-choice pairing upfront, with Carrillo in reserve.

Injury-prone Austin has been out since December with a hamstring tear and, although perennially crocked, has still managed to be Saints’ top-scorer this season and last.

Despite his fitness problems, Austin has still managed 12 Premier League strikes in just 16 starts in the last two campaigns and will be Hughes’ best chance at finding regular firepower in Saints’ scrap for survival.

Hughes admitted he wants to get Austin playing at the huge six-pointer at West Ham a week Saturday.

He is now back in training and must prove his fitness to be involved at the London Stadium.

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

A new date for your diary…

#LCFC vs #SaintsFC
Thursday 19th April
7.45pm BST
@premierleague
King Power… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/976835931880742914

Retweets: 4

Favourites: 12

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 22/03/2018 15:11:04

| | Forget Carrillo: Mark Hughes plans to break Southampton’s transfer record again this summerFOOTBALLFANCAST |
| | Chelsea, Spurs, United & Southampton Supporters’ Trusts slam FA Cup ticket hikeFOOTBALLLONDON |
| | Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis ruled out of South Korea friendly - here’s whyBELFASTTODAY |
| | Saints linked with star player of Mark Hughes’ former sideREADSOUTHAMPTON |

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Sims joins First World War commemoration

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In support of the For Club and Country project, backed by the Woodland Trust and National Football Museum, Sims, who is on duty with England Under-20s this week, helped plant 14 trees at The FA’s national football centre as a part of a permanent First World War centenary memorial.

Sims was joined by senior men’s quartet Joe Hart, John Stones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ashley Young, as well as Under-21 players Dom Solanke, Fikayo Tomori, James Maddison and Joe Worrall, his Under-20 teammate Sam Field and Under-18s pair Lewis Gibson and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

England senior women’s international Laura Bassett and Under-20s player Megan Finnegan completed the 14 representatives, who were remembering the following:

• Sam Hardy (Aston Villa)

• Frank Buckley (Bradford City)

• Albert Colclough (Crystal Palace)

• George Elliott (Middlesbrough)

• Harold Fleming (Swindon Town)

• Harry Hampton (Aston Villa)

• Edwin Latheron (Blackburn Rovers)

• Joe McCall (Preston North End)

• Harry Martin (Sunderland)

• Edwin Mosscrop (Burnley)

• Joe Smith (Bolton Wanderers)

• Fanny Walden (Tottenham Hotspur)

• Charles Wallace (Aston Villa)

• Richard Watson (Burnley)

The National Football Museum also made the only known surviving Somme football available for use.

The For Club and Country project aims to create a woodland with dedicated trees in team groves at the Woodland Trust’s Centenary Woods at Langley Vale in Epsom. Everyone who dedicates a tree will be remembered in a digital roll of honour, while the wood will create a lasting, living legacy to all those that died or were involved in the First World War.

Fans can help plant trees in remembrance by texting WOODS ENG to 70025 to donate £5 or visit forclubandcountry.org.uk.

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Sourced from Sky Sports article

Football Association criticised for FA Cup semi-final ticket prices

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Fans groups from the four FA Cup semi-finalists have criticised the Football Association for increasing ticket prices.

Chelsea, Manchester United, Southampton and Tottenham supporters are accusing the governing body of “opportunistic exploitation of fan loyalty” with ticket prices that are “10 times the rate of inflation”.

The cheapest ticket for the semi-finals remains at £30 but Category A, B and C tickets have all increased.

The most expensive ticket has risen from £60 to £80 for the semi-finals and from £115 to £145 for the final on May 19.

In a statement, the Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trusts, and Southampton fans groups said: "Supporters of all four clubs have already spent a fortune following their teams from round three onwards. Our reward for reaching the last four is price rises 10 times the rate of inflation.

"The FA has taken this decision at a time when, by contrast, the Premier League has reduced the cost of away tickets to a maximum of £30.

"Freezing the lowest ticket price category is a token gesture that will benefit only a small minority of supporters.

"These price increases further illustrate the longstanding issue we have with the FA as both the regulator of the game as well as the worst offender when it comes to excessive ticket prices for fans. A concession discount of just £10 further compounds the issue.

"The price of football at the top level is already extortionate. This latest decision is nothing more than opportunistic exploitation of fan loyalty.

“We expect better from a body that claims to be the guardian of the game, especially in the oldest and most famous cup competition in world football.”

Andy Ambler, the FA’s director of professional game relations, defended the price increases.

“It’s always important to remember that the FA is a not-for-profit organisation where every pound and penny of profit is reinvested back into every level of football in England,” he said.

“If you’re buying a ticket for the semi-final or the final you are directly investing in the future of the game in this country.”

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 22/03/2018 16:11:14

| | Semi Finalist Fan Groups Issue Joint Statement On Ticket Prices - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |
|

| ‘Unbelievable’, ‘Madness’ … West Ham fans react to big blow ahead of Southampton clashFOOTBALLFANCAST |
| | Chelsea vs Southampton Fa Cup semi-final ticket allocation, kick-off and TVFOOTBALLLONDON |

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Sourced from Optimus trousers’ RSS Feed rss feed

Read Southampton

New content from (- Read Southampton)

| Saints face fixture pile up as Leicester game is rearranged | Southampton’s trip to Leicester City in the Premier League has been rescheduled due to Saints’ involvement in the FA … 22-03-2018 |
| Saints star ruled out of international friendly with injury | Saints Captain Steven Davis has been ruled out of Northern Ireland’s friendly with South Korea. The midfielder has … 22-03-2018 |
| Southampton striker reveals how Mark Hughes has had an immediate impact | Charlie Austin has spoken about the impact that Mark Hughes has had at Southampton and about how he is feeling … 22-03-2018 |

Older content…

| Saints linked with star player of Mark Hughes’ former side16 hours ago |
| International goalkeeper makes surprise Southampton claim2 days ago |
| Four Italian clubs hope to sign Southampton star2 days ago |
| Southampton defender withdraws from international squad with injury concern2 days ago |
| Saints players hail Hughes, Wales international wanted + more: Southampton news round-up2 days ago |
| Bertrand discusses why he feels Mark Hughes will keep Southampton in the Premier League3 days ago |
| Saints star reveals what Hughes told the team before Wigan clash3 days ago |

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

“What they’ve brought so far has been fantastic, and hopefully that will continue.”

@chazaustin10 hails the impact… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/976867099762073600

Retweets: 1

Favourites: 15

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Sourced from A tweet by THSTOfficial tweet

@THSTOfficial - THST

Joint statement with @MU_ST @ChelseaSTrust and Southampton fan groups on FA Cup ticket pricing http://www.thstofficial.com/thst-news/joint-statement-on-fa-cup-pricing

Retweets: 58

Favourites: 115

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Sourced from Daily Star article

Man Utd vs Spurs, Chelsea vs Southampton: Martin Keown delivers FA Cup verdict

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That is the verdict of Arsenal legend and pundit Martin Keown.

Antonio Conte will count himself lucky that the Blues avoided drawing Spurs or United in the semi-finals.

They instead face Mark Hughes’ relegation-threatened Saints at Wembley on Sunday, April 22.

The day before, though, is a mouth-watering tie between Jose Mourinho and Mauricio Pochettino.

And while Spurs technically have home advantage playing at Wembley, Keown does not rule United out in the hunt for the FA Cup due to Mourinho.

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 22/03/2018 18:11:38

|

| Key Southampton star issues warning to West Ham ahead of crucial relegation gameFOOTBALLLONDON |
| | Southampton and Football’s Funny Money - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |
| | Southampton considering Shaqiri move?SPORTSMOLE |
| | Three other Stoke players Southampton should look at after Shaqiri interestHEREISTHECITY |
| | Striker Hoping To Change Southampton’s FormVITALFOOTBALL |
|

| ‘The Alpine Messi’ … Southampton fans react to link with £65,000-a-week attackerFOOTBALLFANCAST |

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Read Southampton

New content from (- Read Southampton)

| Serie A club make proposal to Southampton over deal for striker | Lazio want to sign Manolo Gabbiadini from Southampton on loan in the summer, according to reports from Italy. The … 22-03-2018 |

Older content…

| Saints face fixture pile up as Leicester game is rearranged18 hours ago |
| Saints star ruled out of international friendly with injury18 hours ago |
| Southampton striker reveals how Mark Hughes has had an immediate impact18 hours ago |
| Saints linked with star player of Mark Hughes’ former side18 hours ago |
| International goalkeeper makes surprise Southampton claim2 days ago |
| Four Italian clubs hope to sign Southampton star2 days ago |
| Southampton defender withdraws from international squad with injury concern2 days ago |
| Saints players hail Hughes, Wales international wanted + more: Southampton news round-up2 days ago |
| Bertrand discusses why he feels Mark Hughes will keep Southampton in the Premier League3 days ago |

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Nitwik Football

New content from (- Nitwik Football)

| Messi scores an insane solo-goal in Argentina training | WHAT A GOAL! 22-03-2018 |
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Sourced from The Independent article

Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis ruled out for South Korea friendly

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Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis has been ruled out of Saturday’s friendly with South Korea, boss Michael O’Neill has announced.

The 101-cap midfielder has missed Saints’ last five games with a hamstring injury and has remained in England rather than linking up with his Northern Irish team-mates.

Davis was pictured in training with Southampton earlier this week so could be back for Mark Hughes’ first Premier League game in charge at West Ham after the international break.

O’Neill also has concerns over Niall McGinn, Kyle Lafferty and Stuart Dallas for the game against the South Koreans at Windsor Park.

It means the Northern Ireland boss could turn to the Under-21s to swell his squad as they have home fixtures with Spain and Iceland on Thursday and Monday.

However, O’Neill is unsure if he would actually select any of Ian Baraclough’s players to feature given the seniors’ game is sandwiched between two huge qualifiers in the Under-21s’ bid to reach Euro 2019.

Explaining his injury situation, O’Neill said: "It’s been a wee bit tricky. Davo (Davis) is out, we’ve doubts over Niall, we’ve doubts over Kyle and checking a little bit on Stuart as well.

"We have to be careful with the players given the time of year it is and the nature of the game.

"The game will provide an opportunity for some of those players like Jordan Jones and Jamal Lewis and one or two others.

"The Under-21s play on Thursday so there is always the opportunity to add one or two of those players from that squad into the senior game as well.

"We’re not high on numbers. There are one or two we hoped would have been with us but unfortunately they are not.

"If an Under-21 player or players come in, it won’t just be for the experience. It will be because we believe they can contribute as well. They also have a game on Monday so we also have to balance that.

“We’ll see how the Spain games goes first before we see how we balance that situation but there is a good chance one or two of the Under-21s will be in the squad, whether that’s just on the bench or not. Potential game time is hard to say at the minute, though.”

Follow the Independent Sport on Instagram here, for all of the best images, videos and stories from around the sporting world.

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

New date for Leicester game

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The game was originally due to have been played on the weekend of the FA Cup semi-finals, but Saints’ progress to the last four of the competition necessitated a change.

The decision to play the game on the Thursday was made because Chelsea – Saints’ opponents at Wembley three days later – are also in action that night, away to Burnley, and the Premier League deemed that the fairest option was for both sides to play at the same time.

Ticket information for the Leicester game will be released as soon as it is finalised.

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Sourced from BBC article

Northern Ireland quartet out of South Korea friendly in Belfast

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Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis, Kyle Lafferty, Stuart Dallas and Niall McGinn will miss Saturday’s friendly against South Korea at Windsor Park.

Southampton midfielder Davis was first to withdraw from the squad because of a hamstring injury.

Davis has missed Southampton’s last five games with the injury.

He was followed later on Thursday by Hearts striker Lafferty (thigh), Leeds United winger Dallas (thigh) and Aberdeen’s Niall McGinn (groin).

The withdrawals mean manager Michael O’Neill could turn to the U21s to swell his squad.

However, he is unsure if he would actually select any of Ian Barraclough’s players given the senior game is sandwiched between two huge U21 qualifiers, against Spain and Iceland, in their bid to reach Euro 2019.

"We have to be careful with the players given the time of year it is and the nature of the game.

"The game will provide an opportunity for some of those players like Jordan Jones and Jamal Lewis and one or two others.

"The U21s play on Thursday so there is always the opportunity to add one or two of those players from that squad into the senior game as well.

“If an U21 player or players come in, it won’t just be for the experience - it will be because we believe they can contribute as well. They also have a game on Monday so we also have to balance that.”

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Sourced from Sky Sports article

Premier League announces fixture schedule changes for April

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The Premier League have announced changes to their fixture schedules for April, affecting some Sky Live games.

With cup competitions affecting when some matches can be played, here are the amendments for the month:

* Previously postponed due to Chelsea’s participation in the FA Cup sixth round

** Re-arranged due to Southampton’s participation in the FA Cup semi-finals

* Agreement between both clubs and the league

* Should Man City progress to the Champions League semi-finals, this match will move to Saturday 21 April, 12.30pm and remain live on Sky Sports

** Should Liverpool progress to the Champions League semi-finals, this match will move to Saturday 21 April, 12.30pm and remain live on Sky Sports

*** Should Manchester City progress to the Champions League semi-finals, this match will move to Sunday 29 April, 2.15pm and remain live on Sky Sports

*__* Should Manchester City progress to the Champions League semi-finals, this match will revert to Saturday 28 April, 12.30pm and remain live on Sky Sports

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