Monday gossip

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal have ruled out a January move for Real Madrid's Ruud van Nistelrooy. Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner and Eduardo are all injured and Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has said that although he needs a striker, it won't be the former Manchester United star.(Daily Mirror)
Wenger could move for Barcelona striker Bojan Krkic with the Serbian-born star struggling to make the first team at the Nou Camp.(Daily Star)
Tottenham are battling to secure the services of Ivory Coast striker Seydou Doumbia from Swiss side Young Boys of Berne.(Daily Mirror)
Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish is keen on taking on Fulham left-back Paul Konchesky.(Daily Mirror)
Kris Boyd fears that every goal he scores before the new year will be his last for Rangers because of uncertainty over player futures during the January transfer window. (The Sun)

OTHER GOSSIP

Stoke City striker James Beattie was involved in a bust-up with manager Tony Pulis at Arsenal over the weekend following an argument about the players' Christmas party. After their 2-0 loss to the Londoners, it is reported the row started in the dressing room at the Emirates Stadium when the team were told they would have to train on Monday and not have the day off.(Daily Mail)
Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his apologies after his sending off in Real Madrid's 4-2 win over Almeria. After scoring, then missing a penalty before receiving a second yellow card, he said: "I have my flaws too, but I am a professional who doesn't like to miss or lose."(Independent)
Celtic midfielder Landry N'Guemo is hoping that Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen, the former Rangers manager, allows him to play in January's Old Firm derby before joining his national squad for the African Cup of Nations. (Various)
The African Cup of Nations could be crucial to the 3 January Old Firm derby, with Algeria coach Rabah Saadane wanting Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra to report for their training camp on 27 December. (Daily Mail)

AND FINALLY

Wayne Rooney has revealed he missed the World Cup draw! England's top striker was busy catching up on some rest following the birth of his son in November. "I laid down on my bed to watch the draw on TV and fell asleep," said the 24-year-old.(The Sun)
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Stoke City - Sunderland

After three rounds in Premier, Stoke already showed they’re capable to secure their status in Premier. Opening win at home (3-0) against new-comers Burnley got the real weight after Burnley defeated Man.Utd. and Everton. Then heavy 0-4 defeat at Enfield (that surely didn’t discourage them) and first point on the road against Birmingham (0-0). So, key of the success is the same like in previous season, winnings at home and grabbing as much points away as it is possible. Last season, only Everton, Chelsea, Man.Utd. and West Ham took all three points from Britannia Stadium (Stoke collected 35 of their 45 points at home). Club’s management is very active in the finish of transfer window. Beside earlier signed Dean Whitehead (ex Sunderland midfielder), German international Robert Huth has completed his transfer to Stoke from Middlesbrough, with Tuncay expected to join him once personal terms are agreed. Also, Sunderland defender Danny Collins is in talks over a potential move to the Potters. It seems the club is a little bit stronger than in previous season and we should expect at least the results at same level. Defender Ryan Shawcross will have a late fitness test, while James Beattie should be fit to play despite limping off against Birmingham with a knee injury. Boss Tony Pulis rested his keys in Cup against Leyton and all will be ready for the game.

The Black Cats have made their best start to a Premier League campaign. Two wins from three games give a faith the club can finish in top half of the table. It is the result of big investments in new players in past two years and the current squad under the lead of Steve Bruce seems very competitive, but surely will need some time to reach their limits. After opening win on the road against Bolton (1-0), Sunderland noticed a defeat at Stamford Bridge (1-3), but team didn’t disappoint with performance. In the last round team made, public judgment is, very lucky win (2-1) against Blackburn at home. During the mid-week, Bruce gave a chance to fringe players vs. Norwich, who used it on the right way and with 4-1 win on the road just additionally raised the confidence in the club. Fit-again goalie Craig Gordon could make his first league appearance since April, with first solution Marton Fulop nursing a heel injury. Mentioned defender Danny Collins, a transfer target for Stoke, is unlikely to be involved in this encounter. As Stoke, Sunderland usually put the better displays at their Stadium of Light than on the road. Last season noticed just three away wins from 19 games and I simply don’t believe they can take three points at Britannia, where btw. they have lost their last two visits.

Considering the players’ individual qualities, Sunderland have a clear advantage. But, Stoke have a home crowd behind, they traditionally notice good results there and visitors are still far from using their full potential. I think hosts will win, but just in case cover a draw with more than decent odd (about 1.74). So, dnb on  home side.

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Stoke 2-0 Wigan

Goals from Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie gave Stoke a comfortable win which saw them move above Wigan and into 11th in the Premier League table.
The match only sprang into life in the 69th minute when Fuller's persistence saw him evade three defenders and fire past Latics goalkeeper Richard Kingson. 
Beattie sealed victory soon after when he headed in Matt Etherington's cross. 
Wigan, without a win in seven games, struggled to respond and Fuller almost headed home a third goal late on. 
The home side's solid performance underlined the progress they have made in their first year in the Premier League.
With the Potters' safety already guaranteed, their 10th league win of the season at the Britannia Stadium means they approach their final game of the campaign Arsenal next week with a chance of securing a top-half finish. 
Wigan will end the season with much less optimism, and the inability to score that is the root of their problems was again apparent here.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis:

"We are absolutely delighted to have won here for the supporters, who have been fantastic.

Stoke: Sorensen, Shawcross, Abdoulaye Faye, Cort (Pugh 46), Wilkinson, Lawrence, Delap, Whelan, Etherington (Diao 76), Beattie (Cresswell 86), Fuller.

Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Olofinjana, Kelly, Tonge.

Goals: Fuller 69, Beattie 76. 

Wigan: Kingson, Melchiot, Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa (Edman 81), Scharner, Cho (Watson 58), Brown (Mido 73), Cattermole, N'Zogbia, Rodallega. 
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Koumas, De Ridder, McManaman. 

Att: 25,641 
Ref: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).
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