Review of the News: Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United
SUNDERLAND
Veteran Black Cats midfielder, Boudewijn Zenden has admitted that his team wasn’t up to scratch, after they slipped to a 3-2 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers a fortnight ago. The Dutch footballer saw Sunderland go 2-1 up going into the final stages of the
game, only to concede two late goals to lose 3-2.
Zenden told reporters, "We didn't really play our best football in the way we can. I think the team showed character to come back after going a goal down, and when we took the lead it was all about doing what we had to do to close out the game. But we gave
it all away, which was disappointing for the players and definitely the manager as well. "
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has hailed his loan signing from Manchester United, Danny Welbeck’s impressive performances this season. Danny Welbeck has scored four goals in his last three games, and has become one of the team’s regular starters.
Furthermore, Steve Bruce also admitted that the chances of signing Danny Welbeck permanently at the end of the season are slim. The Sunderland boss said that Welbeck has done fantastically well so far in this season, but still has a role to play at Old Trafford,
and it will be difficult for him to snatch Welbeck from his former boss, Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sunderland next play Fulham in the Barclays Premier League this weekend. Mark Hughes side is desperately looking for results, since they are just a point shy of the relegation zone.
The Black Cats won their last league game against West Ham United at home by a goal to nil, which saw them move into the top half of the Barclays Premier League table. Sunderland are currently seventh in the table with 23 points from16 league games.
Moreover Sunderland is also unbeaten at home, as they have played eight matches at the Stadium of Light, winning four and drawing an equal number. In addition to that, their performance against the ‘top four’ has been very impressive. Steve Bruce and his
men drew against Arsenal and Manchester United, along with a 3-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. They also defeated Manchester City at home and drew against Tottenham Hotspur.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
It had been reported earlier this month that West Bromwich Albion’s Graham Dorran would join Scottish side Rangers in the January transfer window. However, the Baggies assistant coach Eddie Newton has rubbished the reports and said that it was mere speculation.
Newton added that the club have heard nothing from Ranger, and that the player is going nowhere at the moment.
WEST HAM UNITED
Winger Pablo Barrera is confident he will soon make his mark at Upton Park. The Mexican said, “As every week goes by, I am settling in more to the team and life in London. English football is a lot more physical than other leagues with plenty of strong challenges
and I have noticed a few more long balls up to the target-man with the ball in the air a bit more, but it is the kind of game I like and I love being a part of it.” West Ham United lost their last league match at the Stadium of Light, which has been a fortress
for Sunderland this season, by a goal to nil..
However, West Ham United is in the semi-finals of Carling Cup after thrashing Manchester United by four goals to nil. They face Birmingham City in the semi-finals, and the first leg of that fixture will played at Upton Park.
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