Premier league Round Up - 6th September 2010 (Part 4)
Newcastle United
Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton was informed by Hatem Ben Arfa that he is ready to play against Blackpool on the coming Saturday. The player has barely featured in any club football, as his long-running loan move saga with Newcastle was only just resolved. But the player claimed that although he wasn’t in any training work with Marseille, he managed to hire a personal fitness trainer so that he doesn’t fall behind. Ben Arfa added that he has worked very hard over the years to ensure that his fitness level is up to the mark. The coaching staff at Newcastle has thus been impressed by the player’s level of fitness and had no question’s of his ability.
Stoke City
Stoke City Manager Tony Pulis has issued a verbal warning to all his deadline-day signings that they wouldn’t be having an easy run-in at the Britannia stadium. Stoke was one of the few busier clubs on the deadline day, as the team managed to clinch a last gasp deal for former Barcelona and Chelsea forward Eidur Gudjohnson. The Potters also signed former Portsmouth player Marc Wilson, ex-Real Zaragoza winger Jermaine Pennant and have resigned midfielder Salif Diao on a new 2-year deal. The manager has already told Eidur and Diao that they should be ready for a mini pre-season, while the others are away for International duty. The newcomers were then issued a general warning that no player is a confirmed starting XI player and would have to work equally hard to gain a starting place.
"If they work as hard as the rest of the players do, with that little bit of extra quality they have, you hope it will make us a better team. Over the next 12 days Eidur will do a mini pre-season with Salif and hopefully be ready for Aston Villa,” claimed the manager. Pulis hailed Eidur’s ability, labelling him to be a fantastic player.
Sunderland
Black Cats goalkeeper Craig Gordon has claimed that he would not rush into his recuperation, as he might risk further injury to his broken arm. The Scotsman has broken his left arm twice in previous 8 months in a freak training collision in July. The shot-stopper has thus not featured in a single game so far this season, and has also been ruled out of Scotland’s European Championship 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania and Liechtenstein. The 27-year-old, however, aims to be back to full training soon but wouldn’t take any more chances this time, as it’s the second time he’s gone through this injury. The player claimed that he’s already been going through some handling, and has already come back from this before. The shot-stopper claimed that it tough for him to see all the games for the side line for Sunderland, as well as missing crucial games for Scotland.
Tottenham Hotspurs
Heurelo Gomes believes that Spurs’ feel-good factor can help the team progress through the premier league and Europe. The goalkeeper feels that White Hart lane is the place to be, at least for the moment. The Brazilian claimed that he loves the atmosphere at the club and looks to build a good relationship with the Spurs loyal supporters. The goalkeeper stated that the fans are the club and provide the side with energy needed to win important fixtures. Spurs operate in a very good environment and believe that anything and everything is possible here.
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