EPL News For The International Break

Mid-season international breaks often aren’t very interesting to me.  There’s usually a dearth of good info or stories & you forced to delve into the tabloid & gossip-like garbage of is John Terry fit to be England’s captain?  ZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz.  Not sure why the English media always make stories like this such a big deal in terms of how it will affect England when we all know whatever tournament they’re in they’ll go out on penalties & be blessed with a new national scapegoat.

John Terry said of re-gaining the captaincy:

"I’m not going to be everybody’s cup of tea, but it is the decision the manager has taken"

Well, of course, Johnny Boy.  Nobody likes the tea when you take a tinkle in it by sleeping with a teammates’ significant other.  Heck, on the United States ’98 World Cup team such antics caused John Harkes to be dropped altogether from the national side.  Granted the situations are a bit different but still, it’s not quite the behavior you want from a captain.  It’s more the behavior of a team dictator.

Anyway, on to a round-up of EPL team news:

Manchester United– Man U’s parent company reports a £109 million loss due to a drop in players sales following the massive sale of Cristian Ronaldo to Real Madrid the previous year & the setting up of bonds to help offset outstanding debts.  However, the Glazer family denies they will sell as revenue is up 8% despite the operating loss reported. 

Arsenal– Robin Van Persie tries his hand at delusional optimism & on loan teenager Benik Afobe hopes to parlay his loan experience into a 1st team spot.

Chelsea– Apparently at the Bridge, Chelsea had a secret transfer signing to bring in a laser pen to help bolster the squad.  Likely was more effective than Fernando Torres has been so far…

Manchester City– Craig Bellamy doesn’t want to remain at Cardiff & wants to return to City.

Tottenham Hotspur– Rafael Van Der Vaart denies a row with Harry Redknapp as they make nice.  Spurs also send a teenager on loan to Dagenham & Redbridge.

Liverpool– Liverpool hopes to welcome back four players from injury including club captain, Steven Gerrard.

Bolton Wanderers– US National Team coach Bob Bradley offers his support to recently injured American midfielder, Stuart Holden.

Everton– Belgian midfielder with the giant ‘fro, Marouane Fellaini is linked with a €25 million bid by Jose Mourinho & Real Madrid & Yakubu looks to stay at Leicester when his loan spell ends.

Sunderland– Defender Phil Bardsley hands the Black Cats a blow as he picks up a knee injury in training while on duty with Scotland.

Stoke City– Tony Pulis once again talks about how he ignores the critics of his home field gimmickry.

Newcastle United– Two Magpie players, Leon Best & Steven Ireland, apologize after being spotted at a nightclub the night before their 4-0 thumping at the hands of Stoke.

Fulham– Diomansy Kamara joins Sven-Goran Eriksson’s army at Leicester whilst Zoltan Gera is attracting attention from Italian & Spanish clubs.

Blackburn Rovers– Christopher Samba was the catalyst to Rovers’ fightback on Saturday due to his apparently rousing halftime pep talk.

Aston Villa– Gérard Houillier receives backing from Villa executives although here in the States the dreaded “vote of confidence” is usually anything but.

Blackpool– “£46 million man” Charlie Adam reveals total respect for the Samba stars of Brazil.

West Bromwich Albion–  Apparently a bit of he said/he said at The Hawthorns as the Baggies deny claims that James Morrison was asked to pull out of Scotland’s squad for their match against Brazil.

West Ham United– manager Avram Grant denies an FA charge of improper conduct following his comments about the match official in West Ham’s FA Cup loss to Stoke while a couple of the Hammers loanees return to the club or look to extend their loan stay.

Wolverhampton Wanderers– defender Ronald Zubar reveals his sadness at his season-ending injury.

Birmingham City– Alex McLeish reveals the pressure is on for Birmingham City in the relegation battle & that experience will prove vital in the fight.

Wigan Athletic– finally, Roberto Martinez states the obvious, Maynor Figueroa hopes the Latics’ recent win will provide a boost for the end of season run-in & Victor Moses pledges his senior international allegiance to Nigeria rather than England whom he’s been capped by at U-21 level.