A review of the news from around the grounds of each Barclays Premier League club.
Arsenal
Arsenal Gael Clichy says he will wait until the end of the season before discussing a new contract at Emirates Stadium. Clichy's current deal expires in 2012 and the France international has been a mainstay of Arsene Wenger's side in recent seasons. He has made in excess of 250 appearances for the Gunners, but he is happy to wait to hold talks over a contract extension during the club's battle for success. "Will I prolong my contract? I don't know and I don't think about it," Clichy said. "The season is still long. I will have time to think about it in the summer."
Aston Villa
Aston Villa Manager Gerard Houllier is focusing on survival first before setting his sights higher. Villa are still on the fringe of one of the closest relegation battles for years and Houllier said: "It is going to be tight right to the end of the season. Every team from 35 points down to the bottom has got to work hard for the future. Every game is important. What is important is to play in the Premier League first and, in the future, the Champions League. That is the aim. That is the priority."
Birmingham City
Birmingham City Birmingham are confident they will meet the financial criteria which will enable them to compete in Europe next season after their Carling Cup triumph. There were weekend reports City may not be able to compete in the Europa League unless they can assure the Premier League, UEFA and the Football Association their financial future is secure. But Blues acting chairman Peter Pannu told the club's official website: "Birmingham City FC is in credit with their bankers and there is no financial impediment to its operations. We will have no problem securing UEFA licence approval (to play in Europe) for which the club had already filed the papers." A statement by Birmingham International Holdings - the club's parent company - to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange revealed Blues and other Hong Kong-based business had total debts in excess of £29m. It also emerged last week that owner Carson Yeung has put some of his own properties up as collateral for a multi-million pound loan. This would be used to "provide sufficient financial resources" to allow the business to continue "without significant curtailment of its operation". But Pannu told City's official website: "It is important to note that Birmingham City (the football club) is a separate corporate entity from BIHL (a listed company in Hong Kong). Although a distant subsidiary, Birmingham City FC's accounts are separate and it operates on its own financial basis. As for Birmingham International Holdings Limited, the financial support by a major shareholder is a common occurrence and there is no cause for concern or any direct links to Birmingham City FC's well being."
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers' owners have insisted there is "absolutely no truth" in rumours that manager Steve Kean is under pressure. Speculation mounted about the Scot's position over the weekend after Rovers were beaten 3-2 by Fulham on Saturday, their fifth defeat in sixth matches. The only Barclays Premier League point they have picked up during that time came from a goalless draw with Newcastle United and the run has seen Blackburn drop to within two points of the relegation zone. Chairman Anuradha Desai issued a statement on the club website which read: "I do not know the source of these rumours but I would like to clarify that there is absolutely no truth in these reports. I would like to put on record that we have a contract with Steve Kean and he will continue in his present position with the club. There is no question of the manager being changed."
Blackpool
Blackpool FC Ian Holloway says he is still loving his first season of top-flight management - even if it has left him looking "haggard and jaded". Their form has stuttered somewhat since 1st January, with only two wins - albeit against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur - recorded from 12 fixtures. There have been plenty of highs and lows for Blackpool in the intervening months and Holloway has described the experience as a "scary" rollercoaster ride - but one which he continues to enjoy as much as ever. "We've had almost a full season in the Premier League," Holloway said. "I look haggard and jaded but I'm loving every minute of it. It has been absolutely fantastic and I'm proud of how we've tried to acquit ourselves. Some days it has gone horribly wrong, but I've kept my dignity, kept smiling. We are nowhere near as low as we should be - we should be off the chart, halfway up in the Championship. That's the truth, but we are riding this bubble of enthusiasm."
Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers Ricardo Gardner has joined Championship strugglers Preston North End on a one-month loan deal. The Jamaican winger has returned to fitness after missing nearly all of the season with a knee injury and will link up again with former Trotters assistant manager Phil Brown, now in charge of the Lilywhites. Bolton manager Owen Coyle said: "Ricardo has worked really hard to recover from his injury and get himself back up to speed and Preston presents an opportunity for him to sharpen up his match fitness." Gardner has made more than 400 appearances for Bolton since joining the club in the summer of 1998 but his only outing this season came in the Carling Cup win over Southampton in August.
Chelsea
Chelsea Carlo Ancelotti is confident his side's wobble is now over after two wins in six days gave them an outside chance of retaining their Barclays Premier League title. The 3-1 victory at Blackpool was achieved without the Blues hitting anywhere near top form. But, unlike in the previous two months when they lost matches against the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers and drew against Everton and Fulham, they never really looked like losing to the Seasiders. Two goals from Frank Lampard and one from John Terry ensured there were no slip-ups at Bloomfield Road, allowing the club to move within nine points of league leaders Manchester United with a match in hand. The two league wins came on the back of a Champions League victory over Copenhagen and Ancelotti now thinks his side have overcome their mid-season blip. "I think so. Now we have three games where we have played very well, taking good results," he said. "I think the moment is gone - finally."
Everton
Everton David Moyes has confirmed he will sit down with Sylvain Distin in the summer to discuss the defender's future at Everton. Distin has proved to be a reliable member of the back four since moving to Goodison Park from Portsmouth in August 2009, producing consistent performances and steering clear of injuries. The veteran Frenchman, 33, will still have a year left on his current contract at the end of the season but Moyes is already planning talks over a new deal. The Toffees manager has been delighted with the way Distin has settled into life at the club and has a lot of respect for his committed attitude. "It is something we will look at in the summer," Moyes said. "Sylvain has been great for us and the change after Joleon Lescott left has been relatively seamless. He's played all the games, trains all the time and that is a big thing. He takes a lot of pride in that and rightly so."
Fulham
Fulham Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has joined League One side Charlton on loan. The Philippines international has penned a one-month deal with Chris Powell's side, who moved for the stopper after injuries to Rob Elliot and Ross Worner. Etheridge has yet to feature for the Cottagers' first team but progressed to No.2 behind David Stockdale during Mark Schwarzer's participation in the Asia Cup 2011. The 21-year-old will stay at The Valley until April 5 and is eligible to feature in the Addicks' match against MK Dons on Tuesday.
Liverpool
Liverpool Luis Suarez has claimed there is more that Anfield fans can look forward to from him. The Uruguayan striker played a starring role in the Reds' 3-1 win over Manchester United but pledged the best is yet to come. With Liverpool out of the FA Cup and the player ineligible for the Europa League, his chances to play regularly are presently slim. "It is very difficult for me to play one week and then have to wait two for the next chance," he said. "I am playing one game and then there is not another game I can play for a long time, and so it is hard for me to get to the right level physically. I think it will take some time before the fans get the best of me. It is great for a new player to have the support of the public like I did (against United). It was fantastic."
Manchester City
Manchester City Kevin Keegan is convinced Manchester City will win silverware this season and would be "delighted" if they did. City face a crucial week in their quest to end a 35-year trophy drought. They travel to Ukraine on Wednesday ahead of the Europa League last 16 first leg meeting with Dynamo Kiev on Thursday. Then on Sunday Roberto Mancini's side have a home FA Cup quarter-final tie against Reading. Former City manager Keegan said: "I think they will win something this year, it might be the FA Cup, it might be the Europa League. The sooner you get a trophy, the quicker the pressure comes off. A lot of money is being spent, so you must win things. It doesn't make your job any easier just because someone gives you a lorry load of money. It just means you have a chance of winning something. The pressure is greater because of that. Once you win one thing, others come along. The first cup is like a magnet, it seems to attract all the other trophies. I am delighted for them. Of course you are going to get people who are envious and don't like the fact that a lot of money is being paid out. But that is the way Chelsea did it. While it would take others three or four years to do, City can manage it in two or three because of their finances."
Manchester United
Manchester United Dimitar Berbatov is baffled by Manchester United's indifferent form on the road and wants an improvement as the race for the Barclays Premier League title enters a crucial phase. The Bulgarian striker believes part of the problem stems from the fact so many teams are raising their game against the leaders. United suffered their third away league defeat on Sunday when they lost 3-1 at Liverpool. Yet at home Sir Alex Ferguson's side have been invincible with 40 points taken out of a possible 42. Berbatov said: "We haven't won as many games as we should have away from home, but that's not because we haven't tried to. We never go into a game looking for a draw or thinking we'd be happy with a point. We aim to win each game. The difficulty is that other teams lift their game when they play Manchester United. We're the biggest club, so it's only natural. I understand that. That makes our job harder, but that's not an excuse: we need to be better away from home. At Old Trafford, we're doing really well. We're entertaining the fans, we're scoring a lot of goals. The aim is to bring that to our away performances."
Newcastle United
Newcastle United FC Striker Shola Ameobi admits he has taken a 'big risk' by returning to action wearing a protective mask. Ameobi made his comeback from a month on the sidelines with a fractured cheekbone by appearing as a substitute in Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Everton. The 29-year-old is trying to get used to wearing the mask, but acknowledged another knock to his face would leave the surgeon unable to operate. "I know I've taken a big risk because the surgeon has told me if it does go again he won't operate because it would be too dangerous," said Ameobi. "The mask is made of the material they use in bullet-proof glass and it's see-through so aesthetically it's not too bad. It is moulded to my face, but when you do move around and sweat that creates a bit of movement that ideally you wouldn't want. Having something on your face you're not used to is strange. It's not so much the fact it's there, it's making sure you don't think about it and just get on with it. Any little thing that distracts you like that will put you off your game, and it's trying to get over that mental hurdle and just dealing with it."
Stoke City
Stoke City Stoke are only four points from the Barclays Premier League relegation zone and six short of the likely 40-point safety mark with nine matches still to play. However, goalkeeper Asmir Begovic believes no-one in the Potters' camp is taking survival for granted. He said: "There are a lot of teams in it and we aren't safe by any means. We have to pick ourselves up and start picking up points fast to push away from the relegation zone and establish ourselves in the top half of the table."
Sunderland
Sunderland Sunderland have started talks with Steed Malbranque over a new contract to keep the experienced midfielder at the Stadium of Light. Malbranque has made over 100 appearances for the Black Cats since his move to Wearside in 2008 from Tottenham Hotspur. He has featured 29 times for Steve Bruce's side this season and is regarded as a key member of the Sunderland squad. The 31-year-old is now set to be rewarded with an extension in the North East after chairman Niall Quinn confirmed negotiations have started. "We have opened negotiations over a new contract with Steed," Quinn told the club's official website. "He is a great asset to the club."
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur have signed a kit supplier deal worth up to £50m with Under Armour. The five-year agreement represents the American company's largest European team sponsorship and Press Association Sport understands it could be worth up to £10m-a-year to the club. Beginning with the 2012/13 season Under Armour, who currently supply the Wales national rugby team, will replace Puma in providing Tottenham's playing kit and training wear, as well as replica shirts. Speaking on the deal, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said: "We are delighted that Under Armour will become our new technical partner from 2012 onwards. They are an extremely ambitious brand with global aspirations, making them ideal partners for Tottenham Hotspur."
West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion FC Paul Scharner claims West Brom's recent revival is down to Roy Hodgson restoring belief to the camp. The Baggies remain firmly locked in a Barclays Premier League relegation battle, but have cause for optimism after finding form of late. Just one defeat has been suffered in their last six top flight fixtures, suggesting they have the stomach for a fight. With only two points keeping them clear of the drop zone they cannot afford to relax, but they appear to be heading in the right direction. A 3-1 derby day victory over local rivals Birmingham City on Saturday has helped to lift spirits even further, with Hodgson's arrival as manager having the desired effect on results. The experienced coach was appointed as Roberto Di Matteo's successor in February and has set about altering the mindset of a squad that was teetering on the brink of collapse prior to his arrival. On Hodgson's impact, Scharner said: "Since he took over we have all spent half a day each week going over things. Everyone knows the systems, tactics and what their job is. Roy has brought some belief back to the team."
West Ham United
West Ham United Much of West Ham's recent change in fortunes has been due to the midfield triumvirate of Thomas Hitzlsperger, Scott Parker and Mark Noble. Speaking on their understanding, Hitzlsperger said: "I think there is a very good understanding, even though we haven't played many games with each other. All three of us in midfield like to have many touches of the ball and to change our positions and be creative."
Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic Conor Sammon believes the Latics can drag themselves from the foot of the Barclays Premier League table and win their fight for survival. The Republic of Ireland Under-21 made his debut from the bench in the 1-0 defeat by Manchester City on Saturday but almost grabbed an equaliser in stoppage time. Now, the Dublin-born striker, who joined Wigan Athletic from Kilmarnock in January, insists he can help to save the club from relegation. "It's definitely possible to stay up," he said. "We've got a confident bunch of lads here at the club and we take it one game at a time. I'm very confident I can help the team and provide some goals, and if I can do that I'll be delighted. I'm also very focused on the job in hand and I am eager to help the team progress up the league table. When you get an opportunity off the bench it's a great chance to show what you can do and stake a claim for a permanent place, and I'm looking forward to the next game when I can hopefully I keep pushing. We definitely have enough quality and fight in this side and I believe we can prove that by turning our good performances into positive results."
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers Mick McCarthy believes Kevin Doyle's two goals against Tottenham were a reward for his tireless efforts throughout the campaign. He said: "I'm thrilled for Doyley. He wants to score. It is all very well getting admiration from me and plaudits from everyone about the way he plays. He wants to score and he does get sick of hearing all that 'well done Doyley, you've done this and that.' He wants to score." Wolves will play only one match in the next month but McCarthy hopes it will allow his injured players to recover for the run-in. He said: "We can't do anything about it. Prior to the game, we lost Dave Edwards, Dave Jones and Ronald Zubar through injury. Maybe in the month, we will have a chance to get a couple back because it does knock a hole in the squad."
