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Koeman hails Southampton win: We're back to our best The Dutchman paid credit to his players' attitude, determination and willingness to play a different system as they ended a fun of four straight defeats in the Premier League
Pellegrini: Silva filled Aguero void against Crystal Palace The Spain international netted twice in the Argentine's absence and the Chilean believes his side are getting back to their best after they moved level on points with Chelsea
Hull City 0-1 Swansea City: Deflected effort seals low-key clash Festive cheer will be in short supply at the KC Stadium after the Tigers saw their winless run extended by a fortuitous goal from Ki Sung-yueng for Garry Monk's visiting Swans
Southampton 3-0 Everton: Saints rout poor Toffees Ronald Koeman's men returned winning ways, with an own goal from Romelu Lukaku and second-half efforts from Graziano Pelle and Maya Yoshida sending the visitors home empty-handed
QPR 3-2 West Brom: Austin scores hat-trick in comeback win Harry Redknapp's hosts displayed commendable fighting spirit as they recovered from a slow start and snatched all three points courtesy of a treble from their top goalscorer
West Ham 2-0 Leicester City: Carroll & Downing strike for in-form Hammers Sam Allardyce's side made it 13 points from a possible 15 with a routine victory, while the promoted side stay rock bottom of the Premier League with a fifth consecutive defeat
Tottenham 2-1 Burnley: Lamela stunner seals win as Kane strikes again The young striker scored his first Premier League goal at White Hart Lane before Ashley Barnes and the Argentine both scored from long range in an entertaining encounter
Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester United: Falcao on target but Red Devils held by 10 men The loanee scored his second goal on his second start, but Christian Benteke's earlier opener saw the resurgent club fail to record a seventh consecutive Premier League win
Van Gaal: Results like Aston Villa draw could cost Manchester United the title
By Sam Lee
Dec 20, 2014 19:44:00
The Dutchman says the Red Devils were the better side at Villa Park, and believes the failure to get all three points in this kind of match could prove decisive
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he is "very frustrated" and believes his team's 1-1 draw at Aston Villa is the kind of result which can cost a club the Premier League title.
Radamel Falcao's second-half header cancelled out Christian Benteke's fine opener, but United could not get a winner despite Gabby Agbonlahor's red card for a foul on Ashley Young with 25 minutes remaining.
And Van Gaal was clearly disappointed that his side could not emulate rivals Manchester City earlier in the day by finding a way past stubborn opposition.
"When you want to be a part of the title race you have to win these games," he told reporters.
Asked if this result could cost his side the title, he replied: "Yes, that's what I mean. I've seen Manchester City in the first half against Crystal Palace. They struggle till half-time but at the end it is 3-0 – that's the difference. We have to win these matches but there is still a long time to go."
"I am very frustrated and I think the players [are] also because we were the better team and we don't win, you have to win when you are the better team," he also told Sky Sports. "We were not aggressive enough in the first half, in the second it was better but I have to say that Aston Villa are very well organised and it's always difficult to score, but when you allow them to score you know it will be very difficult.
"We did it in the second half better, we were more aggressive, we pressed more in front and that's why we scored, but you have to score two times and we could not do it. It was very frustrating because it could've been seven [wins] in a row."
Van Gaal also said Villa were perhaps a more difficult proposition after going down to 10 men.
"Yeah because they make the space more narrow, with long balls of course," he added. "Benteke is very strong and we couldn't manage that."
But the Dutchman, who admitted he had not seen enough of Falcao in recent weeks due to his injuries, says he was pleased that the Colombian found the target on his first start since October 5.
"I'm very happy for him because he needs it, and I'm very happy when a striker scores."
Young admitted fault after Agbonlahor dismissal, says Lambert
20 December 2014
Paul Lambert hinted Aston Villa will launch an appeal after claiming Gabriel Agbonlahor was wrongfully dismissed against Manchester United.
The seemingly innocuous 50-50 challenge between Agbonlahor and former Villa team-mate Ashley Young served as the flash point of Saturday's 1-1 Premier League draw at Villa Park.
Agbonlahor looked to make minimal contact with Young's shin, but referee Lee Mason was quick to brandish a red card.
According to Lambert, Young has admitted he was at fault during the coming together and not Agbonlahor, who was dismissed after 65 minutes.
That will be of little comfort to Lambert and he was left to fume over the decision.
"If that's a red card, you may as well just pack up because it won't be a game of football," Lambert said.
"I've spoken to [Villa goalkeeper] Brad Guzan just after and he tells me that Ashley Young has admitted that he fouled Gabby.
"There's a good chance of that [appealing] because if people review that, especially when a player has admitted that he fouled Gabby, there's no way. That's not a red card.
"It's a tackle where two lads went in for the ball and in my own view it was never a red card."
The points were shared after Christian Benteke's opener had been cancelled out by Radamel Falcao.
Liverpool vs Arsenal: team news and match preview
Match preview and team news of the Premier League game between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday, December 21, 2014, kick-off 16.00 (GMT)
Positive outlook: Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool manager, was all smiles ahead of Sunday's match Photo: ACTION IMAGES
By Telegraph Sport
2:41PM GMT 19 Dec 2014
Liverpool v Arsenal
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Anfield
Kick-off: 16.00 GMT.
TV: Sky Sport 1, Highlights, BBC ONE Match of the Day 2.
Team News
Liverpool are awaiting a late assessment on defender Dejan Lovren's groin injury ahead of Sunday's visit of Arsenal.
The centre-back was forced off during Wednesday's Capital One Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth and should he not be fit manager Brendan Rodgers can recall Mamadou Sakho or revert to a flat-back four.
Midfielder Joe Allen missed the trip the south coast but could return to the squad but striker Mario Balotelli is suspended.
Arsenal's Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (both groin) and Nacho Monreal (ankle) face fitness tests to determine if they can play in Sunday's Premier League clash at Anfield.
Manager Arsene Wenger fears midfielder Aaron Ramsey will miss the hectic festive fixture schedule with his hamstring problem, but has Calum Chambers back from suspension.
Laurent Koscielny (calf), Mikel Arteta (calf), Mesut Ozil (knee), David Ospina (thigh), Abou Diaby (calf), Jack Wilshere (ankle), Tomas Rosicky (thigh) and Serge Gnabry (knee) are all still out.
Match Notes
Liverpool destroyed Arsenal in this fixture last season, with the attacking threat of Brendan Rodgers' team coming to the fore against an opponent embarking on its usual late season slump. Sunday's encounter is one between two teams struggling for form and confidence, however, and a defeat for either would set the alarm bells ringing loudly ahead of a hazardous Christmas period.
Already, this game feels like an eliminator for fourth place and nobody would have anticipated that in August.
Brendan Rodgers: How can people say I am useless when I was manager of the year last season?
Liverpool manager rounds on the growing criticism he has faced this season
Highs and lows: Brendan Rodgers guided Liverpool to second in the Premier League last season Photo: PA
By Jason Burt, Football Correspondent
10:30PM GMT 20 Dec 2014
Brendan Rodgers has rounded on the growing criticism he has faced this season, with the Liverpool manager declaring that he has gone from being “manager of the year” to being regarded as “useless”.
Ahead of the Premier League match at home to Arsenal, Rodgers also defended Arsène Wenger, describing the abuse and protests the Arsenal manager has endured this year as “disgraceful”.
Liverpool and Arsenal have endured difficult campaigns so far with Rodgers having lost five of his last 11 matches in all competitions and been knocked out of the Champions League.
Of the scrutiny and criticism he has endured, after Liverpool finished second in the Premier League last season, so close to their first title for 24 years, Rodgers said: “Six or seven months ago I was the [League Managers’ Association’s] 'manager of the year’ and I was going to be 'this and that’ and 'tactically this and tactically that’. But because we lost our two world-class players – one out of the club [with Luis Suárez sold to Barcelona for £75 million], one injured [Daniel Sturridge] – I’m useless. But I accept that.”
Rodgers was nevertheless in a combative mood on Friday as he also rounded on the criticism aimed at Raheem Sterling especially over whether he has stalled on agreeing a new contract and wanted to leave. There is also anger at Liverpool at claims of dressing-room divisions and the way the club is generally being portrayed.
Rodgers suggested that there had not been enough focus on the problems Liverpool have faced in losing Suárez and with Sturridge absent through injury. “It is a fair point that people are looking at us and seeing that we haven’t been as dynamic as the last couple of years, but there are simple reasons for that,” he said. “It should be clear really.”
There was also great sympathy for Wenger – not least for the ridicule he faced after slipping over at Liverpool’s Lime Street station after Arsenal were beaten 5-1 at Anfield last February.
“Arsène Wenger has been an iconic figure for football, he has been amazing,” Rodgers said. “Some of the personal stuff he takes is absolutely disgraceful. He fell over in a train station, and they were videoing it and taking pictures of him and then people like to print it.
“The other week he was at West Brom and that [the protest he faced] was disgraceful. As a leading figure in football, a statesman of the game, it was poor. But that is the modern world.”
Jonas Gutierrez made his Newcastle United comeback in Monday's Under-21 Premier League Cup victory over West Ham.
The Argentine midfielder returned to training with the Premier League club earlier this month after overcoming testicular cancer.
Gutierrez has not played since making a substitute appearance for Norwich City against West Brom during a loan spell at Carrow Road last season.
The 31-year-old was back in action on Monday, though, coming through 87 minutes as Newcastle's youngsters beat West Ham 4-1.
Gutierrez tweeted after the game: "Thanks to all the fans for the support that you give through my illness, i am proud to be back. Good game and really happy. Thanks."
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew vowed that Gutierrez, who was given the all-clear last month, would be given the chance to force his way back into his first-team plans.
Gutierrez's return is a timely boost for Newcastle following their 1-0 defeat against Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday.
Harry Redknapp has revealed that he could be interested in bringing out-of-favour West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison back to QPR.
Morrison cut short a loan spell at Championship side Cardiff City last week due to unspecified personal reasons.
The 21-year-old scored six goals in 17 games for QPR last season as they secured promotion to the Premier League.
Redknapp urged Morrison to avoid a repeat of his off-field problems that have been well documented, and has not ruled out bringing the former Manchester United man back to Loftus Road if he remains surplus to requirements at West Ham.
"I like Ravel. He came last year and I didn't have any problems with him," Redknapp told talkSPORT.
"There has got to be a problem with Ravel if Sir Alex Ferguson can't deal with him and Big Sam [Allardyce] can't deal with him, so he needs to sort himself out. But he is a real talent and when he was with me he was as good as gold.
"He is a good kid and his ability is just amazing. We can't buy anybody, we are looking at a few loans that can help the team, help the squad.
"He is one that someone has mentioned to me and he is one we could be interested in - if West Ham want to release him."
Adam Lallana believes Liverpool are ready to kick-start their season after another encouraging performance against Arsenal on Sunday.
Martin Skrtel's stoppage-time header salvage a 2-2 Premier League draw for the Merseyside club after substitute Fabio Borini had been sent off for a second bookable offence at Anfield.
Liverpool had launched wave after wave of attacks and Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny made a string of saves before finally being beaten by Skrtel in the 97th minute.
Brendan Rodgers' side spent last Christmas top of the table, but sit 10th 12 months on having also been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League after a testing first half of the campaign.
However, playmaker Lallana feels Liverpool - who played well in defeat at Manchester United last week before beating Championship leaders Bournemouth in the League Cup - feels they are coming good heading into the new year.
He told the club's official website: "I'm thoroughly disappointed we didn't take all three points [against Arsenal], but there was a good feeling about the whole atmosphere and the performance - and it's been like that for the last few games.
"We feel we're turning a corner and getting a little bit of rhythm into our game. That goal was huge for us at the end because we would have been thoroughly disappointed with losing, but it was a point, a good performance and we move on."
Lallana failed to hit the ground running due to injuries following his big-money close-season move from Southampton, but the England midfielder has started Liverpool's last three games in Rodgers' new 3-4-3 formation and is relishing playing in a role supporting Raheem Sterling.
He added: "I'm enjoying being on the pitch and playing in the system we have been playing.
"I feel it's one of my best positions, but I am happy to play anywhere. I just feel I am becoming a bit more relaxed on the pitch now - and a relaxed Adam Lallana is probably when you'll see the best of me.
"I'm happy with the way things are going on the field at the minute, but we just want to pick up more results.
"We've got a busy Christmas period and I feel if we can put in the performances we've shown over the last week, we're not going to be too far away from picking up a lot of wins."
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers expects striker Daniel Sturridge to return from a long-term thigh injury in early January.
The England international has managed only three appearances for his club this season after picking up a thigh injury on international duty in September.
Having returned to training, Sturridge suffered a setback in November and is currently in Boston continuing his rehabilitation programme.
Sturridge was a key fixture in Liverpool's ultimately unsuccessful Premier League title bid last season and, without him, Rodgers' side have struggled for form this term.
However, after a week in which his side booked a League Cup semi-final berth and gained a dramatic point against Arsenal, the Northern Irishman revealed Sturridge was on course for a January return.
Asked by reporters when Sturridge was likely to be back in action, Rodgers explained: "That will probably be just after the Christmas period.
"The first phase of his rehab was out in LA where we did some specific work with him there.
"He's gone to Boston to pick up the next stage, then he'll move on again to a specialist facility out there and hopefully in the early part of the new year he'll be back and be somewhere close to being fit and playing.
"At some stage in January, we'll look to get Dan back. That will be really exciting for this team.
"We'll put him into the mix again and go back to that flow of our game and results, hopefully."
Hull City have recalled Tom Ince and Maynor Figueroa from loan spells as the Premier League club look to ease their injury woes.
The duo had been on loan at Championship clubs, with Ince at Nottingham Forest and Figueroa with former employers Wigan Athletic.
Following Saturday's 1-0 Premier League home defeat at the hands of Swansea City, Hull manager Steve Bruce declared it was likely the pair would be recalled to mitigate a raft of injuries heading into the hectic festive period.
And on Monday, a statement confirmed that both men had returned to the KC Stadium and would be available for the trip to Sunderland on Friday.
"Tom Ince and Maynor Figueroa have been recalled from their loan spells with Nottingham Forest and Wigan Athletic respectively," the statement read.
"The pair moved on loan to the respective Championship clubs in October in a bid to get regular first-team football under their belts, and were due to return to the KC Stadium on 31 December.
"The Honduras international, 31, has played six times for the Latics this term, his most recent coming in a 1-0 league defeat to Norwich City at Carrow Road.
"Meanwhile, 22-year-old Ince has also had his loan spell cut short after making six appearances for Stuart Pearce's Forest outfit.
"Both players will be available for selection for the Boxing Day fixture against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. "
Former Leicester City captain Steve Walsh believes under-pressure manager Nigel Pearson is still the right man for the job.
Pearson's future has been called into the question with Leicester bottom of the Premier League table following a dreadful run in which they have taken only two points from their last 12 games.
The former Hull City boss guided the Midlands club to the Championship title last season and Leicester legend Walsh wants Pearson to be given time as well as funds in the January transfer window to turn the club's fortunes around.
Walsh believes Leicester's owners will stick with Pearson, but the former centre-back knows results must improve soon or they may opt for a change.
When asked if Pearson is the right man for Leicester, Walsh told Perform: "I do believe he is, yes, and I don't see the point in changing.
"I don't think the owners are going to do that at this moment, but the more it goes on the more difficult position for Nigel it becomes.
"The pressure is high now on Nigel Pearson, there is no doubt about it. I'd like to think that maybe in the window he got some money to spend, which I'm sure he will have.
"He knows himself he needs to buy a couple of players of the right calibre to deal with the position that Leicester are in.
"It's not going to be a big attraction for a lot of the top players anymore, because of the position that we're in."
Walsh stressed the importance of Leicester cutting out the errors and being more clinical in front of goal if they are to get out of trouble.
He said: "We are obviously going wrong somewhere and I think that is making silly mistakes, which we shouldn't be doing and it's consistently bad, so that has to stop.
"And also at crucial times of the game we have had good chances and not put them away and that would make a big difference. The difference is that these top-class strikers and players put chances away and we've not been doing that.
"We have had a foothold in games and just not got that goal which would have changed the game."
Leicester face Tottenham at home on Boxing Day before a trip to fellow strugglers Hull City two days later.
Burnley manager Sean Dyche has moved to dismiss any speculation that Danny Ings could move away from the club next month.
The England Under-21 international is out of contract at the end of the season, leading some to suggest that Burnley could cash in on the striker in the January transfer window.
Ings' goals, along with those of Sam Vokes, fired Dyche's side to promotion from the Championship in 2013-14, and he has reportedly caught the eye of a number of other Premier League clubs with four goals and a string of impressive top-flight performances.
But despite the ongoing speculation, Dyche remains unfazed by any talk of Ings leaving Turf Moor.
"[I have] no concerns whatsoever," he said. "I've been asked that question for the last two years.
"It's just the reality of the situation and we have open dialogue with him and his agent.
"The club have made it quite clear how much they value the players we've got and we're in a good position cash-wise because we haven't spent a lot of money.
"If anything, we're thinking about adding to the squad."
'I can't discuss it' - Van Gaal won't comment on Bale links
Dec 23, 2014 19:29:00
The world's most expensive player has been linked with a move to Manchester United in recent weeks, with the manager insisting he would only broach such matters internally
Louis van Gaal refused to entertain questions over Manchester United's rumoured bid for Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.
The 13-time Premier League champions have been linked with interest in the 25-year-old for some time, with ex-manager David Moyes admitting he made an approach ahead of the winger's move to Real Madrid.
Bale's agent, David Manasseh, has rubbished talk of his client leaving the Santiago Bernabeu recently, but Van Gaal did not rule out a move when questioned by reporters on Tuesday.
"I cannot discus that with you," Van Gaal told reporters. "I discuss that with my CEO and not with anyone of the media."
Bale scored as Real Madrid won the Club World Cup final on Saturday, taking his tally since joining the Liga giants to 33 goals and 24 assists in 66 appearances.
Aston Villa striker Agbonlahor has red card rescinded
By Peter Hanson
Dec 23, 2014 18:58:00
The Aston Villa attacker was controversially sent off after colliding with Ashley Young, but his suspension has been quashed
Gabriel Agbonlahor has had his controversial red card against Manchester United rescinded on appeal, the Football Association (FA) has confirmed.
The 28-year-old striker was dismissed for an innocuous-looking 50-50 challenge with former Villa team-mate Ashley Young in the 65th minute of last Saturday's 1-1 draw at Villa Park.
Referee Lee Mason deemed the challenge worthy of a red card but the FA announced on Tuesday that they had reversed the decision, meaning Agbonlahor is free to face Swansea City on December 26.
Villa have, though, been charged with "failing to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion" in reacting to the decision.
An FA statement read: "Gabriel Agbonlahor will be available for Aston Villa's Boxing Day fixture with Swansea after an FA Regulatory Commission upheld his claim of wrongful dismissal.
"Agbonlahor was sent off for serious foul play in his side's 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Saturday 20 December 2014.
"Meanwhile, Aston Villa have been charged with failing to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion in or around the 65th minute in the same fixture.
"The club has until 6pm on 30 December 2014 to respond to the charge."
FA reveal Balotelli remorse saved him from longer ban
By Harry West
Dec 23, 2014 15:47:00
The striker was handed a one-match suspension, and fined £25,000, after posting a controversial image on Instagram, but his "naivety and apology" reduced the punishment
The Football Association (FA) has revealed that Mario Balotelli's remorse over posting a controversial image spared him a longer ban.
The Liverpool striker was deemed to have committed an aggravated breach of FA Rule E3 [2] after posting a picture on Instagram and Twitter containing potentially offensive language referring to "ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race and/or nationality and/or religion or belief".
Balotelli was handed a one-match suspension, fined £25,000 (€31,800) and ordered to attend an education programme.
The Italian received criticism for the picture that contained video game character 'Super Mario' and a series of racial stereotypes.
The image was later taken down and Balotelli issued an apology for his actions, stating that the post was intended to be "anti-racist" and in good humour.
On Tuesday, the FA published a statement outlining the written reasons behind the striker's sanction, citing his naivety and his apology as mitigating factors.
"Mr Balotelli had accepted the charge but had submitted requests for leniency as part of his plea in mitigation," the statement read.
"Mr Balotelli added that he deeply regretted posting the image and that he had removed it as soon as it was brought to his attention by other users that the image could cause offence.
"He said that he was shocked to find the image was offensive because, out of sheer naivety, he had not understood the implication of the comments which appeared on the image.
"The Regulatory Commission had the following evidence before them: A memo to Mr Ives [of the FA Judicial Services Department] from Amina Graham of the FA's Governance and Regulation Division, in which she said that, ordinarily, a sporting sanction of 2-3 matches would be appropriate for this type of offence but that the FA accepted the forceful mitigation presented by Mr Balotelli and that this could enable us to exercise our discretion more favourably."
Pellegrini warns Mourinho: You don't win the league in December
By James Goldman
Dec 23, 2014 14:51:00
Despite their electric start to the season, the Blues lead the champions by just three points and the Chilean insists his side will punish any complacency at Stamford Bridge
Manuel Pellegrini has warned Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho not to get carried away with his side’s lead at the top of the Premier League.
Despite losing just once so far this season and earning all manner of plaudits for the quality of their football, Chelsea’s lead stands at just three points following Monday’s hard-fought win at Stoke.
Reigning champions City remain in striking distance despite having failed to hit top gear thus far and will have to cope for another month at least without top scorer Sergio Aguero.
City spent just 15 days in pole position last season but still secured their second title in three seasons and Pellegrini is again happy for Chelsea to act as pacesetters this time around.
“We are not thinking about Chelsea. We have our own pressure to win. As I've said before, you never win the title in December, he said.
"At the moment we are playing at a high level. We need to do this regardless of whether players are injured or not."
City have won their last eight games in a row in all competitions, while Joe Hart has gone 431 minutes without conceded a goal.
Pellegrini’s men will look to extend their winning run over the festive period when they travel to West Brom before hosting Burnley and Sunderland.
Pellegrini: Aguero still a month away from Manchester City return
By Alex Young
Dec 23, 2014 15:03:00
The Premier league's leading scorer is not expected to be fit until "the second part of January", while Frank Lampard's future is set to be resolved soon
Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed Sergio Aguero is still another month away from a return to Manchester City's first team.
The striker, who leads the Premier League scoring charts this season with 14 goals, damaged knee ligaments against Everton on December 6 and was initially ruled out for up to six weeks.
Pellegrini previously claimed Aguero could return to face Arsenal on January 18 but has now hinted at a slight delay ahead of the Boxing Day trip to West Brom.
"The injuries are the same as last week – Sergio, Edin [Dzeko], Stevan [Jovetic] and Vincent [Kompany] are not fit for this game," the City boss told reporters on Tuesday.
“Maybe Jovetic and Kompany will be back at the end of next week. Edin and Aguero maybe will be the second part of January."
Meanwhile, speculation over loanee Frank Lampard's future is yet to be resolved, with City keen to delay the 36-year-old's move to New York City FC, but Pellegrini hopes to see the situation solved shortly.
The Chilean added: "Lampard is very important to our team so I hope he will stay here."
Southampton need three January signings, says Watson
25 December 2014
Southampton need to sign three new players to bolster their squad in the January transfer window, according to former striker Gordon Watson.
The south-coast club have been one of the Premier League's surprise packages this season, with manager Ronald Koeman guiding the club to fifth place with 29 points from 17 matches.
Southampton's form has been particularly impressive considering Koeman had to deal with an exodus of several key best players at the start of the season, with the likes of Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Luke Shaw all departing.
However, the task of sustaining a challenge for European football showed when they lost four straight matches in the Premier League recently - a run ended by a resounding 3-0 beating of Everton last weekend.
And Watson, who had a two-year spell at Southampton between 1995 and 1997, believes that the current squad needs a trio of additions to remain competitive.
"I think we need three new players, a striker who's different to [Graziano] Pelle, a winger who's different to [Dusan] Tadic and a new centre-back," he told Perform.
"When everyone is fit they have an outstanding squad. The biggest plus I've seen this year is that we've finally been able to change the game from the bench."
Watson also paid tribute to the job done by Koeman considering the uncertainty facing the Dutchman when he took the role in the close-season.
"I think he's been outstanding," he added. "The way they started the season with such confidence.
"It's never easy bringing players in, it's never easy for a new manager or his staff.
"It's just a happier place to be, recent weeks have tested that, but he's been outstanding."
