Interim Southampton boss Simon Rusk has told his players to forget about their share of an unwelcome Premier League record as they attempt to rid themselves of it for good.
The Saints have only pride for which to play after being relegated from the top flight with seven games to go, writing themselves into the division’s history books in the process, and they matched Derby’s points low of just 11 for the season after last weekend’s 1-1 draw at West Ham.
They have five games remaining in which to scrub their name from that particular entry starting with tomorrow’s game against Fulham – but Rusk is trying not to focus on that.
When asked about the record, he said: “Well, we were behind it last week and it’s good that you’ve pointed out on the positive front that we’re now equal to it, so that was the first thing to achieve, a step forward, and we did that and we did that really well last week.
“I’m not going to obsess about it, I don’t think it’s helpful. I can understand – my head’s not in the sand around it – that it’s an important thing and we want to pick up as many points, which would obviously make that something that we don’t have to talk about.
“At the minute, it’s there, but really it’s noise. As a group of men that set foot on the pitch in our set of particular games, we’ve got to look at what do we want to define us, what are going to be the things that contribute to good performance, what are going to be the things that connect us with our fans, who have been brilliant since I took on the job?
“They’re the things that will define us and as a result, as a by-product of those things, hopefully we take care of the points record. But I can’t make it the main focus, I don’t think that’s useful and it’s actually negative energy, not positive energy and that’s what I’m going after at the minute.”PA Media
Time for some light reading ahead of the FA Cup semi-finals.Our very own Ed Aarons has been chatting to Crystal Palace defensive stalwart Maxence Lacroix.
Howe says the tussle for the top five will be “tight”and that Newcastle are in a “five-game league” to land Champions League qualification for next season. His first game back in the dugout will be at home to Ipswich tomorrow.
Eddie Howe is back up before the media today after his pneumonia diagnosis and the Newcastle manager is wearing a big smile on his face, which is nice to see.
He jokes: “Excuse me if I cough … I’m not contagious, I’m all good!”
“I’m not 100 percent in my body but I’m very close to 100 percent in my mind. I’m well enough to face you guys today. It’s been a real challenge, you take your health for granted, so when you don’t have the luxury of feeling normal it’s difficult. I feel like I’m on the road to recovery.”
Howe again thanks the NHS staff for the care he received and admits he’s had “zero” input on the team’s training in recent days and weeks, entrusting his assistant Jason Tindall. He said he was “lifted” by the team’s performances, which he watched on TV from his hospital bed.
There are further questions for Slot to answeron him becoming the 11th different manager to lift the Premier League – and the first ever Dutchman – and another, which he bats away nicely, on the perceived lower quality of this 2024/25 league season.
“It’s never been so hard to get in the top four, or top five. In my opinion it’s a really difficult league. There’s never been an easy game.
“The other teams, other than Arsenal, City and Liverpool, also have the funds to spend.”
Arne Slot is not getting carried away before this decisive match in Liverpool’s season … he is clearly desperate to lift the league title in front of a packed crowd at Anfield.
“We are aware that the last time this club won the league was during the Covid time,” he said. “So everybody is looking forward to Sunday.
“But we know there’s still a job to do. We need at least one point. That is what we know and, hopefully, what our fans know as well when they come to the stadium that they support us in the best possible way they can – which they’ve done all season, but also be aware of the fact that we still need a point. That’s something we are aware of.”
Slot has warned Tottenham could surprise his team, despite Spurs’ pretty abject form – and their historically poor record at Anfield.
He added: “We’re only focussed on the next opponent and that’s Tottenham, so we’ll try to prepare the team the same way we have all season. Hopefully the team can bring the same mentality. It’s a nice game to look forward to but also a responsibility we have for Sunday.”
Slot revealedthe Liverpool team watched Arsenal’s midweek draw with Crystal Palace all together. Those dropped points by the Gunners have given the Reds the chance to lift the title this weekend with four games to spare.
We’ll get straight into some Arne Slot.The Dutchman’s clearly had his early morning cornflakes because he is already chatting to the press …
Good morning all. Wow, what a weekend the football Gods have in store for us. It’s FA Cup semi-final weekend, there are all kinds of promotion and relegation permutations to be settled up and down the EFL, there are Women’s Champions League semi-finals too, the Spanish Copa del Rey final … oh, and Liverpool can be crowned champions for a record-equalling 20th time. Small matter etc etc.
With the April sun shining in the UK and very little to play for in the Premier League schedule, that end-of-season vibe is very much here – and we’re here for it. The Wembley turf will surely be looking resplendent for those FA Cup last four clashes between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, and Manchester City and Nottingham Forest.
We’ll get through all the various press conferences, including Arne Slot’s as his Liverpool side prepare to face Tottenham at Anfield knowing just a single point would secure the Premier League title. Andplease feel free to drop me an emailwith your thoughts on some/all/none of the action to come.