News in Brief
A review of the news from around the grounds of each Barclays Premier League club.
Arsenal
Arsenal Arsenal youngster Henri Lansbury feels he has stepped up a level during his loan spell at Watford. The 19-year-old has been in fine form for the Hornets this season and says plying his trade in the Championship is improving him as a player. "It's going very well," Lansbury said. "We've played some good teams and I think we have held our own. It's another step up for me and it's another challenge to go in there and play well and show what I can do. I definitely notice the intensity at that level. It is a major step up and when you go to league football it's a different level to the reserves. You go there and you've got to win because the players are fighting for their bonuses, they don't want to lose. It's a good challenge."
Aston Villa
Aston Villa James Milner believes Saturday's friendly international against Brazil in Doha will be the ideal yardstick to demonstrate whether England should be considered serious World Cup contenders next summer. Fabio Capello's side qualified for the 2010 finals in South Africa in impressive fashion with two matches to spare by winning nine of their qualifiers. "This is a great preparation game. You obviously want to play the best teams before a major tournament," said Milner. "If I was lucky enough to get on the field against a team like Brazil, it would be fantastic but it is all preparation for the summer. There are not too many better teams to test yourself against, and see how ready you are for a World Cup, than playing Brazil. They have been fantastic over the years and it would be nice to play them in the final next summer."
birmingham city
Birmingham City Cameron Jerome has admitted he probably won't score a better goal than his wonder strike at Liverpool. The Blues striker got off the mark for the season in stunning fashion with a 35-yarder that rocketed past Pepe Reina. Jerome cherished it, however, he admitted he was left with mixed feelings because of the way Liverpool came back to draw 2-2. Reliving the moment in first-half stoppage time, Jerome recalled: "I felt the defender up me after I took my touch. I didn't see anything either side of me, I was the furthest forward. My initial thought was to keep on driving, but with the defender behind me I just went for goal. I knew there was only a couple of minutes left in the half. I knew straight away as soon as it left my foot it was going in. It was one of those one-in-a-hundred goals. The keeper may have been off his line a bit, but even if he had been on his line, he would never have stopped it. I've not scored one like that before, and I don't think I will probably come close to scoring another one, not even in training, for a long time. I was really happy with the goal, nevertheless I was disappointed with what we ended up with as a team. Anfield is a difficult place to go and although we were due our point, it should have been three."
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers Midfielder Brett Emerton is keen to make up for lost time to win a place in Australia's squad for next year's World Cup. Emerton was missing through injury as the Socceroos secured their place in the tournament in South Africa but is now back involved for their upcoming Asia Cup qualifier against Oman. The 30-year-old returned to action in September after a lay-off of more than eight months due to a damaged cruciate ligament. Emerton said: "It's great to be back involved in the national team set-up again, and hopefully I can have a good season here at Blackburn and then play in another World Cup at the end of the season. I enjoy representing my country and playing with a great set of lads in the national team, so it's great to be back playing."
bolton wanderers
Bolton Wanderers Kevin Davies has vowed that Bolton Wanderers will bounce back from the 5-1 defeat to Aston Villa a week on Sunday when they host neighbours Blackburn Rovers. He said: "We have to go home, look at ourselves in the mirror, then come in and roll our sleeves up. I certainly will. We will put it behind us and work extra hard in the next couple of weeks. Yes, we were all disappointed and we know we can do much better. There has been a real togetherness in the dressing room since the start of the season and we all have to get back to the standards we were showing. Blackburn at home is an important game for us. We've got to get ready for a big derby. The fans have been great at the Reebok over the last few months and we want to do well for them."
burnley
Burnley Striker Steven Fletcher says his recent form in front of goal has proved his doubters wrong. The 22-year-old Scotland international moved to Turf Moor from Hibernian for a record £3m in June, and scored in the Clarets' 3-3 draw at Manchester City on Saturday. Fletcher thinks he has adapted well to life in the Barclays Premier League and is glad to have proved the sceptics wrong. "Some people had a question mark over myself when I was coming down from Scotland but I'm happy I'm scoring goals and putting in performances like I am," he said.
Chelsea
Chelsea Brazilian defender Alex has revealed how his father inspired him to sign a new four-year contract with the club. "I am very happy to stay here because I really like playing for Chelsea," said Alex. "I spoke with my father first and he said: 'It is a good club, you have to stay here more years' and of course I am happy here so I signed the contract. My father is very important to me. I always speak with him when I have a decision. On my first day at Chelsea he came with me and he stayed one month in London while I was living in the hotel. He came to training every day. I believe I can do more for Chelsea - I have played only two games since my operation but I want to do more so I keep training hard."
everton
Everton French striker Louis Saha maintains he will be "sensible" with his calf injury as he continues his fight for full fitness. Saha lasted until early in the second half on Sunday at West Ham before being taken off to protect the injury. But he had still managed a fine goal to put the Toffees ahead at the Boleyn Ground. They eventually won 2-1 with a defiant backs-to-the-wall performance against the Hammers. Saha says: "I have to be sensible with my calf strain. I do not want it to be damaged further by playing too long with it. I tried my best in the game but I started to cramp in the second-half so it is better to be cautious and come off so someone fitter can come on."
Fulham
Fulham Simon Davies took another step on the road back to full match fitness on Monday evening after successfully taking part in 90 minutes of reserve team action against Chelsea at Griffin Park. The Fulham midfielder put in a strong display, setting up David Elm for Fulham's second goal of the evening and playing a big hand in the Whites' third. "It's good to get 90 minutes under my belt," Davies said. "It was exactly what I needed. Now I've got a couple of hard weeks' training to come and hopefully I'll be involved in the squad for the Birmingham game. I'm still not totally fit but I've got total confidence that my injury is improving after every training session." Davies' initial comeback following a stress facture in his foot was cut short due to a loose piece of bone hampering his efforts to get fully fit. The problem was resolved with a small operation and Davies is now confident that the problem has been put behind him. "Whereas before it was getting a bit sore or worsening every day, that's not happening this time so if I can get through the next two weeks I'll be able to overcome that hurdle," he said.
Hull City
Hull City A young Hull City reserves side went down to a 4-1 defeat against Liverpool at Tranmere Rovers' Prenton Park on Tuesday night. Goals from David Amoo (2), Nathan Eccleston, Nikola Saric were enough to ease the Reds to victory. City netted a consolation goal in the 87th minute when Tom Cairney scored from the spot.
Liverpool
Liverpool Youngster Emiliano Insua reckons Liverpool will benefit from the two-week international break by getting injured players back into action. The Reds have problems with the fitness of Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson, Albert Riera and Yossi Benayoun ahead of their next match on 21st November at home to Manchester City. Insua said: "It will give the players more time to recover before the next game and also give everyone time to think about City. The City game will be different because, like us, they are under pressure to try and win every match, so it could be a little more open. But we have to approach the game thinking about ourselves and what we want to try and do."
manchester city
Manchester City Nedum Onuoha admits he is torn over his international future. As an England Under-21 international, the Manchester City centre-half could clearly commit himself to the Three Lions. However, his Nigerian birth and ancestry brings a pull on Onuoha's heart strings that cannot easily be dismissed. Nigeria have already made the youngster aware they would like him to become a Super Eagle - while, until he is selected, England will not demand allegiance. But, aware of the politics that would accompany a decision to play for Nigeria, Onuoha - 23 on Thursday - has opted for stalling tactics. "It is a tough call," he said. "I would love to play for England. But I also get a certain feeling when I see Nigeria play. I can imagine myself really enjoying it and wanting to be part of it. But it is not that simple. If you play for England that is fine. However, if I choose to play for Nigeria there would be a lot of politics involved and a lot of administrative issues. It is not the best time to make such a big decision, so for now I am not making one."
Manchester United
Manchester United Owen Hargreaves is determined to look back on his 14-month long absence as a positive experience. The midfielder is nearing the end of his mammoth comeback trail, having returned to England following operations on both knees to cure a tendinitis problem that arose before his £18.6m move from Bayern Munich in 2007. Hargreaves admitted that his initial reaction after being informed the injury was as bad as his US-based specialist had ever seen was one of gloom and despondency. His mood hardly improved in the aftermath of the first operation, knowing how hard it was just to bend his knee. But, looking back, Hargreaves feels blessed to have the chance to continue his top-flight career for another six years. "The day of the diagnosis was a bad one, as was the day after the first operation," he said. "I was sore and doubt started to cloud my mind. But I see it as a positive experience now. Sometimes I think you learn more from the bad experiences. Ideally I would not have had to go through this. But the diagnosis was made to ensure I can come back and play for years to come. I am 28 now and I would like to play until I am 34."
Portsmouth
Portsmouth Portsmouth have been linked with a move for Blackburn Rovers' Benni McCarthy and the former Porto man admits he has discussed the prospect of moving to Fratton Park with South Africa team-mate Aaron Mokoena. McCarthy hinted he would be interested in a switch to Pompey, but also claimed a number of other clubs in England and Europe are chasing his signature. "Portsmouth are going through a bad patch but are still a top side. I have discussed them with Aaron," added McCarthy. "There are other clubs in England and Europe that have shown interest in me, too."
Stoke City
Stoke City The Potters got to meet real-life potters when Stoke City's first team squad were given a tour of leading ceramics firm Steelite International. Tony Pulis and his players were shown around the Steelite factory in Middleport where they were given demonstrations of how the pottery is produced and they also got the chance to try their hand at producing some themselves. Workers in the factory were delighted to meet the players and demonstrate the various skills which go into making the finest pottery which has established Steelite as a world-leading manufacturer and an award-winning supplier of chinaware. Pulis said: "It was a fascinating experience for the players and management to come and learn about one of the biggest industries in this city."
sunderland
Sunderland Steve Bruce says he has been impressed with the team's application in most of their recent matches, with the notable exception of the 2-1 defeat at Birmingham on 24th October. He said: "I have been quite pleased with us of late. I'm pleased with our performances against Man United, Liverpool, Villa and West Ham. I was displeased with the Birmingham City game, but then I thought we were the better team against Spurs. The results haven't really gone our way, but what has been encouraging is the way that we have really managed to live with top teams we have faced. The pleasing thing has been the attitude and stamina the players have shown in some of those matches. I even asked the players how we could play like we did against Villa and Liverpool, but then throw in a Birmingham display."
tottenham hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur England striker Peter Crouch is determined to make it impossible for Fabio Capello to leave him out of his squad for the World Cup next year. Crouch has an amazing record of 16 goals from 17 starts and he could get another chance on Saturday in the friendly against Brazil in Qatar, especially as Emile Heskey and Carlton Cole are injured. "If you can score and win against Brazil the manager will believe you can do it in a big tournament," he said. "Brazil are one of the top five teams in the world so to put in a good performance will be fantastic for your aspirations of making the side for the World Cup."
West Ham United
West Ham United Former favourite Paolo Di Canio believes the home fans can be the key as the Hammers look to take six points from their forthcoming fixtures against Hull and Burnley. "For me I still have great memories," said Di Canio. "The skin would burn every time I stepped out at Upton Park. The relationship with West Ham fans is something special. It is difficult to explain because it is something you feel inside in your heart. I am the kind of person who thinks that what I did, what I gave to the people, is nothing to compare with what they give to you. For this I could not expect this kind of reception from them. They are fantastic fans and they are so special and they deserve only satisfaction. It is not a time to think about an ex-footballer like Paolo Di Canio because my spirit, heart and soul are still at Upton Park. I know that they love me and I love them. Now is the moment to stay close to the team, try to help them and let them play the best they can to get out of the situation."
Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic Following Sunday's 1-1 draw with Fulham, goalkeeper Chris Kirkland spoke of his admiration for his Fulham counterpart Mark Schwarzer. Speaking after the match, Kirkland spoke of his admiration for the Australian stopper, and how disappointing it was not to come away with three points after a good performance. "It's never easy conceding just before half-time, you come in and you're heads are a little bit down," said Kirkland. "But we came out in the second-half, did really well, dominated the game and had the majority of possession. Obviously Fulham went tight, after playing a game on Thursday, so we knew we had to make it hard for them. However, they've got a good, strong back-four and the goalkeeper was top-notch. We had a lot of the game, created some good chances, but Mark Schwarzer made save after save and had a great game."
wolverhampton wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers Goalkeeper Matt Murray has reassured fans that the latest setback in his comeback from a long-term knee injury is only a minor one. Murray, who has been out for nearly a year after rupturing his patella tendon while on loan with Hereford, started for the reserves in their 2-0 win over Birmingham on Tuesday night and lasted just 23 minutes before being withdrawn. But Murray, 28, insists it is nothing serious. "I just felt a little bit of discomfort in the early stages and the medical team felt there was no point in trying to carry on and play the 90 minutes and take any risks," he said. "It's better to take the precaution, see how things settle down and then carry on my rehab. It's frustrating because I wanted to play on particularly because there were people at the game but it's better to be safe. The most important thing is completing my recovery - this was just another step on my rehabilitation and when you've been out for so long then these things can happen. I've been training well for the last three or four weeks and I've done my first warm-up for a game for a long time and that felt good."
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