Midweek Review - Day One

Day One in the books, and I'm as happy as Sylvie in the photo above. 46 points from Begovic, Van Der Vaart and Gyan. Day Two looks to me much more interesting, with the Manchester derby very much at the forefront - including the Nani's possible early return from injury.

But first a brief look back at yesterday.

Schwarzer to Arsenal

Passing the torch?

Mark to spark keeper merry-go-round

Fulham will reportedly move for West Ham's Robert Green if Mark Schwarzer joins Arsenal, with the Hammers tipped to move for Asmir Begovic.

Schwarzer, 37, is expected to complete a switch across London to The Emirates following the end of Australia's World Cup adventure.

The former Middlesbrough custodian will cost the Gunners around £3.5million, according to the News of the World, and the Cottagers will put that fee towards a deal for England blunder keeper Green.

Have we been asleep at the wheel, distracted by the World Cup, or just don't trust the News of the World?

Other than the speculation above, other reports have David James going to Fulham instead of Green.   I'm a big fan of Begovic's and would love to see him get a starting gig.  Of course I would love to see him move to Arsenal and be their starting keeper for 3, rather than Schwarzer for between 9 and 12.  Or maybe Benaglio or some other keeper from outside the Premier League.  Just for fantasy team cost purposes.

However it shakes out, it's certain to make for a more interesting August with lots of dominoes falling.

Cruel Irony

Or maybe just lousy timing.

Shawcross won't be rushed, Thursday, April 15, 2010

Meanwhile, Pulis has hinted that Asmir Begovic will be making his debut in goal for Stoke before the end of the season.

Begovic, who could have been Portsmouth's FA Cup final goalkeeper had he not left for Stoke in January, is likely to be blooded in the final few fixtures.

"He's been fantastic in training and it would be nice to give him an opportunity," said Pulis.

It would also give Thomas Sorensen a break ahead of this summer's World Cup assignment with Denmark. The Dane's warm-up begins with a pre-tournament friendly in Copenhagen against a Senegal side that could include club captain Abdoulaye Faye.

Further news, from whydelilah.co.uk:

"[Begovic]'s going to get some games now," Pulis added, "and hopefully the people in front of him will work a bit harder and make it more difficult for teams to play against us."

Steve Simonsen will take up residence on the bench against Everton next Saturday after already returning from a seven-match loan spell at Sheffield United.

Skipper Abdoulaye Faye is also struggling with a leg injury, but Stoke had the consolation of seeing Ryan Shawcross return for his first game since being sidelined by suspension and injury in late February.