English Premier League News: Coyle, Kolarov, Bruce, Downing and Zubar speak their mind as weekend looms large
City’s defender, Alexander Kolarov who moved to the English Premier League club in the summer of 2010 from Lazio has come out and stated that City will not be afraid to match Stoke as both the teams prepare for a physical battle on the weekend. City are
currently 4th in the English league table, three points behind the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea. However, should they fail to win at Stoke City and United and Chelsea win their respective matches on the weekend, City can find themselves
six to five points behind the current league leaders.
Speaking about the match, Kolarov said, "Stoke especially play hard and are a very physical team. They do very well at home but I think we are better than them." Stoke have had a mixed league season so far as they have embarked on a three match win streak
as well as a four match winless streak. Such sterile form has not dented Tony Pulis’ hopes, as he said, "We are on a good run at the moment, but that could spin around and we could lose the next three games."
Bolton also play on the weekend against Blackpool F.C. Bolton, who are currently fifth in the English Premier League table, have surprised most people this season as their striker Johan Elmander has fired them to a top five spot thus far. With Blackpool
on the horizon, Owen Coyle was appreciative of the Seasiders’ manager, Ian Holloway who is energetic and controversial in his words to say the least.
Coyle said, "It will be a very tough game because this is a side that is high in confidence and scoring some special goals. They are led by a fantastic man and a terrific football man." On the other hand, Holloway has been complimentary of Johan Elmander’s
rise to prominence this season, he stated, "Elmander is now everyone's favorite when once nobody liked him. It is brilliant. It is great to see and I will be very proud to take my lot there."
Stewart Downing was also in the news recently as he also came out and spoke to the press before his team’s crucial tie against Arsenal this weekend. Villa, who lost their last league match to Blackburn Rovers, have lost their edge this season but the English
winger was not despondent in his interview about his club’s future. Downing said, "I think we need to play as we did against Manchester United and with a bit of luck, we will get results."
Also, Wolverhampton’s defender Ronald Zubar has expressed his desire to resume first team action with his club after he managed to overcome his groin and ankle injury issues which had plagued him from the early stages of the 2010-2011 season. Zubar, who
is seen as an upcoming physically strong defender, said, "I feel fine and am available to be in the squad for Saturday." Steve Bruce, Sunderland’s manager also spoke to the press before his team’s tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The ex-Wigan manager expressed
his hope that Anton Ferdinand, John Mensah and Paul Da Silva will be enough to get a result at the Molineux stadium.
Bruce said, "We have got more cover and we need now the likes of the Ferdinands and the Mensahs and the Da Silvas to stand up and grasp the nettle. We obviously hope they can do that, but certainly, as far as I am concerned, we are much better equipped to
deal with it this year than we were last year, and I suppose that's the benefit of having a squad."
Some good news for Everton also emerged lately from their reserve tie against Liverpool. Toffees' striker Victor Anichebe featured for them in their reserve team match against Liverpool. According to Alan Stubbs, the reserve team manager at Goodison Park,
the striker did quite well against Everton’s arch rivals. Stubbs said, “Victor was a real handful (against Liverpool) and hopefully that will put him spot on for the weekend and he will be involved in the first team set-up - which is a great option for the
gaffer to have."
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