Football Special Report: News from all the Barclays Premier League Clubs after the Weekend (Part 4)
(Continued from part 3)
Stoke City:
Stoke City boss has praised Manchester United’s academy to the Manchester United academy which provided him with his talismanic skipper Ryan Shawcross.
Moreover, Shawcross is one of several Stoke players who were on Manchester’s books at a young age and Tony feels the quality of their development there has been clear to see.
Stoke City manager said: "I have to say, you look at the players we have taken who were at Manchester United as young players, and their attitudes are absolutely fantastic. We've got Danny Pugh, Danny Higginbotham and Shawcross and they are absolutely
great lads - it is testament to the way Manchester United bring their kids up."
Sunderland:
Currently, Steve Bruce’s side is sitting on seventh position in Barclays Premier League. Sunderland has made an inspiring start of their campaign and the man who is leading Sunderland right from the front is Darren Bent.
The inspirational English striker has feature in all of Sundeland’s matches and is also their top goal scorer. Moreover, he has helped his side to earn a crucial point against Arsenal at their home by netting the ball in the last minute of the match.
Steve Bruce said: "For us to part with Benty, it is something we won't even entertain. If you look at the strides this club has made since Niall (Quinn) and the owner have come in. there has been lots of investment and lots of ambition."
Tottenham Hotspurs:
Tottenham Hotspurs’ key striker, Jermain Defoe is ahead of timetable in his recovery from ankle surgery and could return to White Hart Lane next month.
The English attacker was firstly likely to be side-lined until December after going under the knife, but is making remarkable progress in his therapy.
Spurs medical coach Les Ferdinand said: "Jermain is progressing very well in the gym at the moment working on building up his muscles in and around the calf. He is due to start running soon and could return for us next month. Jermain's return will be
a major boost for us. It will put more pressure on our strikers, which will be great for us."
West Bromwich Albion:
The Baggies manager feels it would be silly to let his desires as a manager take his feelings outside his current job at The Hawthorns.
Roberto's stock is quickly increasing after his team moved up to fourth in the English Premier League with a 2-1 win over Fulham on Saturday.
Roberto Di Matteo was also named as the Barclays Manager of the Month for September. The Italian led West Bromwich Albion to promotion from the Coca Cola Championship last season in only his second campaign as an in charge.
Moreover, West Bromwich Albion has now taken 15 points from their opening nine league matches this term. Roberto admits he and his staffs has great aspirations, but when it was suggested to him that big clubs might be taking note of his recent success, the
Italian insisted that for the time being, his focus was solely on the Baggies.
The 40-year-old said "I am very happy where I am and very grateful for the opportunity I have been given here. You can't have a long-term plan as a manager because you have a few bad results, you get questioned and then you get a ticket for your holidays.
But my staff and I are very ambitious."
To be continued in part 5.
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