Thursday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Cesc Fabregas' dad says his son would talk to Barcelona about a move but only at the end of the season.(The Daily Mirror) 
Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero will have Premier League chairmen drooling after admitting a move could be on the cards. The 21-year-old Argentine says: "I have enormous affection for Atletico but you cannot say I'll be here for ever."(The Sun) 
Roberto Mancini is planning a £6 million bid to bring 22-year-old West Bromwich Albion midfielder Graham Dorrans to Eastlands.(The Daily Mirror)
The Manchester City boss is also interested in Fiorentina central defender Alessandro Gamberini.(Daily Mail) 
Blackburn Rovers could be in the running for South Korea midfielder Ku Ja Cheol as Sam Allardyce looks to bolster his midfield options.(The Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth and England keeper David James could lead the exodus of the club's top players if the cash-strapped side goes bust. (The Daily Mirror) 
West Brom are considering a loan move for midfielder Jason Koumas. The 30-year-old Welshman is currently with Wigan. (Birmingham Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is first choice to replace West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola should the Italian leave the east London club.(The Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth's bid to avoid going bust could see them beg the Premier League for an advance on the parachute payments they would get if relegated.(The Daily Mirror) 
QPR are eyeing German Lothar Matthaus as their next boss. Mick Harford is contracted until the end of the season but has yet to pick up a win in five games since replacing Paul Hart last month as the club's tenth manager since Flavio Briatore took over as chairman in 2007.(The Daily Mirror)
Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson is considering his options concerning a possible takeover at Crystal Palace. "We are always happy to have a look but I think the chances are less likely than likely," he said.(The Daily Mail)
Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho has given a verbal swipe at his former club Chelsea claiming that nothing had changed since his departure, adding: "Even the warm-up is the warm-up they did in our time."(Daily Star) 

AND FINALLY

England boss Fabio Capello says the Premier League's teams, supporters and stadiums are superior to those in Italy.
Adding that he wants to face the Italians in a World Cup final, Capello said: "Two things are important in the Anglo-Saxon world: respect for referees from players and coaches and the sporting behaviour of players."(The Guardian)
www.bbc.co.uk

Wigan Athletic - West Ham

After a fantastic start with an opening-day win against Aston Villa (2-0 away), Wigan made three defeats in a row. First Wolverhampton took all three points from DW Stadium, then Man.Utd. did the same in a big style (0-5) and in last round Latics were defeated at Goodison vs. Everton (1-2). All that is followed with embarrassing exit to Blackpool (1-4 away) in the League Cup and 2-12 goal difference in those four games! New manager Roberto Martinez starts to feel pressure. During the transfer market, team lost two best players, Valencia and Cattermole, while transfer deadline day was a frustrating affair. Ex-Swansea player Ferrie Bodde reportedly topped Wigan’s list, but no deal was brokered so Martinez must hope he’ll be able to stabilize his floundering team with existing players. Despite the result, team showed some progress against Everton, but they simply need some time to gel up and their results should be better as the time pass. Jason Koumas has shaken off his muscle problem and Martinez has no fresh injury doubts after the international break. Excellent French, Olivier Kapo, is also back in training after ligament damage he suffered in pre-season, but is not yet match-fit. Wigan have lost nine of their last 12 league games.

Zola's second season in charge of West Ham has begun with a win, draw and defeat. Starting win against Wolverhampton (2-0 away), goalless draw in last round at Ewood vs. Blackburn and home defeat vs. Tottenham. And maybe, they put the best display against Spurs, showing potential for a top half of the table. With two lucky shots (including Cole’s disaster mistake), visitors scored twice and turned the result in their favor. The biggest concern for Zola was scoring enough goals, with mentioned Carlton Cole shouldering much of the workload. It should be solved with a new signing, Alessandro Diamanti from Italian side Livorno. He made a debut for reserve team, scoring two times from free kicks (6-0 win over Birmingham), which should be enough to find himself in starting eleven. Second club’s acquisition is defender Manuel da Costa, from Fiorentina and he also could make his debut. Midfielder Valon Behrami is back in training after long time knee injury, but won’t be ready for all 90 minutes and will probably start the game from the bench. Defender Herita Ilunga (cheekbone) remains an absentee. West Ham did the double over Wigan last season and have a good record at the DW Stadium, winning four of the five Premier League matches. 

My opinion is hosts are not (even the slight) favorites here and they need some time before start collecting the points and maybe make a run in the middle of the table. On the other hand, visitors have talented and very well balanced team that already have started to notice good results. I think they’re closer to victory, but cover a possibility of draw with Asian handicap (DNB). Odd (arround 2.35) is high and definitely worth of bet. 

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