Summary

  1. Thank you and goodbye!published at 15:57 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2023

    That is all from us for today.

    Thank you for joining us for a busy day of Premier League news conferences and for sharing all your footballing heroes.

    Before we leave, here's a reminder of today's top news stories:

    Don't forget there's also some live football later tonight when Coventry City take on Birmingham City in the Championship - follow the live text updates from 20:00 GMT here

    Take care!

  2. 'Our offensive players can damage Man Utd'published at 15:54 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2023

    Man Utd v Bournemouth (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Bournemouth

    On whether there's a key to winning at Old Trafford, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola said: "I think you have to be humble enough to know that you have to run a lot when you play against them.

    "You have to believe a lot in your chances, in the quality you have as a group and be as energetic as we can. I think we have offensive players that can damage them."

  3. 'Everyone is trying to push and recover well'published at 15:51 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2023

    Man Utd v Bournemouth (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Bournemouth

    Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola on a busy week of matches: "We have to take decisions because it’s a demanding game physically. It comes early after the Palace game and we have to travel to Manchester. They have a slight advantage because they have played at home then home again. Everyone is trying to push and recover well and trying to get available."

    On Junior Traore, who is out with illness, Iraola added: "Yes he continues to be ill. He’s not trained for the last three of four days. Normally in winter it happens. We hope he recovers but yes he’s not available for travel."

  4. get involved

    Get Involved - Footballing heroespublished at 15:49 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2023

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    My footballing hero is Paolo Di Canio. Theatrical, charismatic, volatile, driven, unpredictable, passionate but ultimately a player blessed with genius. Comfortable on either foot, flicks, tricks, fantastic awareness, the ability to create and score goals and an innate ability to make the impossible possible. He captured my imagination like no other West Ham player before or since. A sensational talent.

    Matt

  5. Footballing heroes - Pelepublished at 15:46 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2023

    Pat Nevin
    Former Scotland winger

    PeleImage source, Getty Images

    My footballing hero is Pele. Arguably still for a lot of people the best footballer to have ever played.

    He was also a lovely man and a great ambassador for the game. I don’t think you could get a better role model than Pele.

  6. Players need 'powerful force' of fan connectionpublished at 15:43 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2023

    Sheffield United v Brentford (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Sheffield United

    Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder on his side's performance against Liverpool: "We needed a performance from the supporters, and we got that because the performance on the pitch was good.

    "We’re trying to get that connection going again because when it is there, it's a powerful force and it certainly helps players perform at the best of their abilities."

  7. Hwang's goal tally is 'impressive'published at 15:40 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2023

    Wolves v Nottm Forest (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Wolves

    A final word from Wolves manager Gary O'Neil on the form of winger Hwang Hee-chan: "He’s been key for us - his eight goals in however many games [15] is impressive.

    "The work he puts in every day is the main reason. He’s intelligent, he knows when to arrive in areas and has good timing.

    "He looked tired the other night so I tried to rest him up.

    "With injuries our squad isn’t the biggest so we can't rotate too much. A few of the lads have had to do two full 90 minutes, so I have tried to rest them to keep their energy levels where we need them."

  8. 'We won't be playing Liverpool every week'published at 15:37 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2023

    Sheffield United v Brentford (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Sheffield United

    On his priorities since taking over from Paul Heckingbottom on Wednesday, Chris Wilder said: "We understand we have to have a defensive structure, but there's still some good players at the top of the pitch.

    "We're missing some good players. We have got some players that can hurt teams but we need more control.

    "Without being disrespectful, we won't be playing Liverpool every week. The standard is incredibly high as we know, but there will be certain games where hopefully, we will have a little bit more of the ball. We’ve got to be better with that and hopefully when we do have that then we can create and score."

    BBC Sport has a dedicated Sheffield United page packed with news, analysis and fan views - get it here

  9. 'The news won't be easy to deliver' - O'Neil on goalkeeper decisionpublished at 15:34 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2023

    Wolves v Nottm Forest (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Wolves

    Jose Sa's return to fitness has given Wolves manager Gary O'Neil a problem that he did not expect to have because of the impressive form of Dan Bentley in Sa's absence.

    He said: "I have a decision to make - not one I ever envisaged when I came in. We seemed to have a clear one and two when I arrived. Whoever plays tomorrow, what Dan has done in the last few weeks has proved that he can push. It puts him and the club in a good spot.

    "Jose knows the level needs to be high, as does Dan. The news won't be easy to deliver to the one who misses out."

    On the prospect of having to keep both goalkeepers happy: "Two keepers can be tough. They spend hours working at preparing for a game and then can't show people where you are. They are then thrown in and expected to be ready. So what Dan has done has been impressive.

    "The confidence he gave [the defence]. He didn’t have loads to do against Burnley, but then made two massive saves - from our own errors.

    "He works his socks off every game. I am a big fan of him and pleased he's done well."

  10. Brentford are 'a huge challenge'published at 15:31 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2023

    Sheffield United v Brentford (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Sheffield United

    On Saturday's opponents Brentford and their manager Thomas Frank, Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder said: "I've got a lot of respect for Thomas Frank. I think he’s a really smart manager and he's a good guy as well.

    "We had some great battles in the Championship. He's smart in terms of the way that the football club has evolved over the last two or three years. They're a super football side in possession.

    "I think they recognised and realised when they got promoted to the Premier League that they might have to change their outlook a bit better, a bit more than going into it with the style they have. Powerful, aggressive, athletic competitive team.

    "It's a different challenge to what we had on Wednesday night but still a huge challenge with a team and manager that I've got a lot of respect for."

  11. Sa fit again but Neto & Ait-Nouri outpublished at 15:28 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2023

    Wolves v Nottm Forest (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Wolves

    Wolves manager Gary O'Neil says winger Pedro Neto could return to full training in a week, while goalkeeper Jose Sa is back 100% fit, but full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri is not progressing as he had hoped.

    "Pedro is still working with the fitness coach," said O'Neil.

    "He is upping the level of intensity of what he can do. One more week with the coach and then come back to join us for training – will hopefully then be available.

    "Rayan's ankle is still sore, he's not progressed as quick as we’d hoped. He didn’t manage to train yesterday and only did a little bit today. We will asses him in the morning, but it is likely he wont be available."

  12. Sheffield Utd team newspublished at 15:25 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2023

    Sheffield United v Brentford (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Sheffield United

    Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder on team news: "Ollie Norwood is still out through suspension and so is Oli McBurnie.

    "There are a couple of players that took bumps and bruises that we will make late calls on. It’s a squad as it is. I'm not going to moan and groan about players that are unavailable. We're just going to concentrate on the boys that have got the new reign in this club’s history.

    "From my point of view, in the success we've all had, we have had to have a winning mentality. The focus is now, can we produce the type of performance we had on Wednesday night? Now we need to get a result to back that good performance up as I don’t like losing. We didn’t accept defeat pretty easy.

    "I believe on another night with a few things that might have gone our way and should’ve, then I think possibly we could have got a result. Still understanding that Liverpool are a fabulous team."

  13. 'I don’t listen to rumours'published at 15:22 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2023

    Wolves v Nottm Forest (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Wolves

    Wolves manager Gary O'Neil was asked if the speculation over the future of Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper might affect Saturday's match between the two sides at Molineux: "I feel under pressure every game and I'm sure Steve feels the same. Looking at the response he got from fans after the midweek game he seems to have the backing of them.

    "Remembering where the club were when he took over is important. I know they'll have high expectations, they spent huge money, big turnover, but Steve is a good coach and I don’t listen to rumours too much.

    "It's another game for us. They have good players, but have been on a tough run of form. That can happen in the Premier League easily. But I am sure they will be coming here tomorrow looking to win a game, as they would normally, so I don't think it would make too much of a difference."

  14. Gross 'is underestimated'published at 15:19 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2023

    Brighton v Burnley (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Brighton & Hove Albion

    On whether Pascal Gross has proved to be one of the club's greatest signings for £3m, Roberto De Zerbi said: "I would prefer to not speak too much about him as people have not understood his level yet.

    "I would like to play with him for a long time in Brighton. He’s underestimated. He’s improving in confidence after playing with the national team too and he’s becoming a high player.”

  15. Fati out for three monthspublished at 15:16 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2023

    Brighton v Burnley (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Brighton & Hove Albion

    Providing an update on Ansu Fati, Roberto De Zerbi said: "The news about Fati is that he needs three months from the injury.

    "It’s bad news for us because he was playing better, he was understanding better the idea.

    "I am sorry for him and the team especially now when Welbeck is not playing and Enciso is not playing."

  16. Brighton team newspublished at 15:12 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2023

    Brighton v Burnley (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Brighton & Hove Albion

    Roberto De Zerbi started his press conference ahead of Saturday's game against Burnley by confirming that Lewis Dunk and Mo Dahoud are available after serving their suspensions.

    On centre-back Adam Webster, De Zerbi added: "He is still unavailable to play. I don’t know when he will play. But it’s important for us that Dunk and Mo are available because they’re both very important, especially in this moment.

    "We are going through a difficult moment in terms of injuries and having two players available is important."

    Attacking midfielder Facundo Buonanotte is also unavailable.

  17. 'Always tough against West Ham'published at 15:09 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2023

    Fulham v West Ham (Sun, 14:00 GMT)

    Fulham

    On Sunday's opponents West Ham, Fulham boss Marco Silva said: "It’s always a tough game against West Ham. We know what we will face and so do they."

  18. 'Kenilworth Road was rocking'published at 15:06 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2023

    Luton Town v Manchester City (Sun, 14:00 GMT)

    Luton Town

    Reflecting on Tuesday's narrow 4-3 defeat to Arsenal, Luton boss Rob Edwards said: "I think I've just about recovered!

    "It was an incredible night and that’s why I’m sure Arsenal will go very deep in all competitions and fight for those trophies.

    "We couldn’t quite hang on but Kenilworth Road was rocking. It was a special night. To push them all the way is a huge credit to the players."

  19. 'We’ve had to adapt'published at 15:03 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2023

    Luton Town v Manchester City (Sun, 14:00 GMT)

    Luton Town

    Here's Luton... Speaking about his style of play which he has branded "boring" in the past compared to other teams, Luton boss Rob Edwards said: "I don’t think I’ve used boring, it’s direct! We’re evolving and changing as we go.

    "At this level we’ve had to adapt, we couldn’t be the same team as we were in the Championship and we worked that out very early on. I’m not where I want us to be as we need to look after the ball better.

    "I don’t mind us going under the radar but we have to try and be better and have more control. We can’t turn over the ball as much as we did last year and get away with it."

  20. get involved

    Get Involved - Footballing heroespublished at 14:59 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December 2023

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    My football hero is Andy Hunt. Perhaps not a familiar name to many, but he scored a number of goals for West Brom in the 90s. His attitude was outstanding and he was a great player. I met him several times when I was young and even got an email from him. A real gent, very eloquent and will always be my favourite player

    Johnny

    1998 World Cup was my first memory of football and I remember falling in love with Zinedine Zidane. The two headers against Brazil in the Paris final and the 2002 Champions League final volley at Hampden Park created such strong memories that I’ll never forget. A proper midfield general - intelligent, skilful and elegant. Not even Hollywood would write the ending script to his career!

    Howie

    See more footballing heroes here