Sloppy defending cost Pompey
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North Wales Chronicle
14 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Ruben Selles admits Sheffield United fans may already be running out of patience
The Spaniard saw his side slump to a third consecutive loss, with a Carabao Cup defeat sandwiched between Championship reverses, to leave the Blades rooted to the bottom of the table. Their muted display at Swansea came without a single shot on target. The decisive moment came in the 66th minute when Brazilian winger Ronald struck from the edge of the area after being set up by substitute Melker Widell. The result turned up the heat on Selles, whose tenure has opened with a 4-1 home thrashing by Bristol City, a cup exit to Birmingham and now a toothless display in south Wales. 'We need to find our platform, but it's the nature of football,' said Selles when asked if he feared supporters would turn on him. 'We know how it works and I can ask them to be calm. But they are going to tell me, probably, 'F*** off' – something like that, no? 'It's how you say in English? Sorry for my English, but I didn't know any better way to express that one.' Selles, previously in charge of Southampton, Reading and Hull City, faced scepticism when appointed in June after the sacking of Chris Wilder. While some expected a period of transition, few predicted three straight defeats with seven goals conceded. 'We are going to be honest, we are going to work hard, we are going to persist in what we do and we are going to give it our absolute 100 per cent,' he said. 'At some point the situation will turn and we will start to win football matches. 'That's as much as I can say, but everyone is free to feel what they want to feel.' On the pitch, the Blades looked disjointed and uninspired. Star midfielder Gustavo Hamer cut a frustrated figure and even exchanged words with angry fans at full-time. By contrast, Swansea were energetic, cohesive and deserving of the victory. Summer recruits Malick Yalcouye, Cameron Burgess and Widell all impressed and boss Alan Sheehan praised both their performance and resilience. 'I am really pleased,' said Sheehan. 'The only critical thing we can say again is not being more clinical and putting the game to bed. 'This was a team that was one game away from the Premier League. The stature of the club is big, so to go toe-to-toe and come out on top deservingly is great. 'My only criticism is that it wasn't by more. 'But to limit a team like that, with the quality they have, to zero shots on target shows a good defensive structure.' There was further good news for Swansea as Nottingham Forest's New Zealand international Marko Stamenic was in the stands ahead of completing a permanent switch to the club. Sheehan added: 'Marco is a player that we've been after for a while. He'll bring some physicality, athleticism and another international coming in the building.'
North Wales Chronicle
14 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Regis Le Bris praises Sunderland's ‘togetherness' after beating West Ham
Following an eight-year absence from the top flight, second-half goals from Eliezer Mayenda, Dan Ballard and substitute Wilson Isidor wrapped up three points. The Wearsiders cemented their spot in the Premier League with a Championship play-off win against Sheffield United in May and have since made 11 signings in preparation for the competition's demands. Seven new arrivals were handed their Sunderland debuts in the starting line-up, but it was play-off heroes Mayenda, Ballard and Isidor who proved to be the difference. Asked about the importance of those goalscorers, Le Bris said: 'It's really important for two reasons at least, the first one they showed they can step up today. We'll see later, but today it was the case. 'At the same time they are really important because they keep the identity of the club and the way we worked last season. 'We've built this strength about togetherness, about the way we can work as a team and I think we showed it today. These players are important for that.' West Ham had controlled the game in the first half before the hosts grew into the match. Mayenda, goalscorer in the semi-final and the final of last season's play-offs, sent Sunderland ahead in the 61st minute with a header. Ballard extended their lead 12 minutes later, nodding home into the same spot as his last-gasp winner against Coventry in the play-off semi-finals. Another play-off goalscorer Isidor completed the afternoon with a cool finish into the bottom corner and Le Bris urged his newly-promoted side to soak up the moment. He said: 'Just enjoy now, first of all. Second point, Granit (Xhaka) spoke 30 seconds about this togetherness, this way of suffering together because it will be key for the season, stay humble and reset.' West Ham boss Graham Potter believes his side struggled to find their rhythm after half-time. The Hammers found themselves in promising positions around the box throughout the first half, with captain Jarrod Bowen particularly impressing in their attack. Although they continued to retain possession after the break, they struggled to trouble the Sunderland goal until the final stages when Bowen, Tomas Soucek and Callum Wilson went close. Reflecting on the game, Potter said: 'We didn't get into the rhythm at all. 'We started a little bit passive when we had the ball, I think we could've been brave, more assertive and played better. We didn't play at a level I think we can play at. 'It wasn't a result – with the greatest respect – of Sunderland pushing us back and playing well. It was an action, a cross from 30 or 40 metres we should be happy to defend. 'Before you know it, you're 1-0 down here at the Stadium of Light and they've been waiting eight years, of course it's going to be difficult. 'The second goal isn't a particularly good one from our perspective either. 'If you don't do the basics in football, you're in trouble. We've paid that price today.'
Leader Live
14 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Regis Le Bris praises Sunderland's ‘togetherness' after beating West Ham
Following an eight-year absence from the top flight, second-half goals from Eliezer Mayenda, Dan Ballard and substitute Wilson Isidor wrapped up three points. The Wearsiders cemented their spot in the Premier League with a Championship play-off win against Sheffield United in May and have since made 11 signings in preparation for the competition's demands. Seven new arrivals were handed their Sunderland debuts in the starting line-up, but it was play-off heroes Mayenda, Ballard and Isidor who proved to be the difference. Asked about the importance of those goalscorers, Le Bris said: 'It's really important for two reasons at least, the first one they showed they can step up today. We'll see later, but today it was the case. 'At the same time they are really important because they keep the identity of the club and the way we worked last season. 'We've built this strength about togetherness, about the way we can work as a team and I think we showed it today. These players are important for that.' West Ham had controlled the game in the first half before the hosts grew into the match. Mayenda, goalscorer in the semi-final and the final of last season's play-offs, sent Sunderland ahead in the 61st minute with a header. Ballard extended their lead 12 minutes later, nodding home into the same spot as his last-gasp winner against Coventry in the play-off semi-finals. Another play-off goalscorer Isidor completed the afternoon with a cool finish into the bottom corner and Le Bris urged his newly-promoted side to soak up the moment. He said: 'Just enjoy now, first of all. Second point, Granit (Xhaka) spoke 30 seconds about this togetherness, this way of suffering together because it will be key for the season, stay humble and reset.' West Ham boss Graham Potter believes his side struggled to find their rhythm after half-time. The Hammers found themselves in promising positions around the box throughout the first half, with captain Jarrod Bowen particularly impressing in their attack. Although they continued to retain possession after the break, they struggled to trouble the Sunderland goal until the final stages when Bowen, Tomas Soucek and Callum Wilson went close. Reflecting on the game, Potter said: 'We didn't get into the rhythm at all. 'We started a little bit passive when we had the ball, I think we could've been brave, more assertive and played better. We didn't play at a level I think we can play at. 'It wasn't a result – with the greatest respect – of Sunderland pushing us back and playing well. It was an action, a cross from 30 or 40 metres we should be happy to defend. 'Before you know it, you're 1-0 down here at the Stadium of Light and they've been waiting eight years, of course it's going to be difficult. 'The second goal isn't a particularly good one from our perspective either. 'If you don't do the basics in football, you're in trouble. We've paid that price today.'
