The Roker Roundup: February 16th 2012 - Gardner Loving Life, But Bardo Hates The Pitch

Evening all, time for another Roker Roundup. We peruse the news, so you don't have to wade through all the rubbish. Pretty kind of us eh?

So here's what's happening today, February 16th. A day in history remembered for Lithuania becoming an indpendent state in 1918, it's also Valentino Rossi's birthday, and in 2005 the NHL abandoned an entire season over a labour dispute. My word, I hope that never happens here!

Anyway, lets see what's happening in the much more interesting world of Sunderland AFC...

Craig Gardner news - he's not actually homesick and is "loving it" up here. Changes his mind like the wind that lad! Anyway, he's very happy, and it's because he's actually playing. A fair enough point of view I think, although when Catts and Vaughan come back he'll have to fight for his place like the rest of them - CLICK HERE

Jordan Cook is to continue on at Carlisle United after getting the green light from Martin O'Neill to do so. Fine by us, he could well be a good player on his return, but right now he needs games. Good stuff - CLICK HERE

Phil Bardsley has been making his mouth go too. We've seen first hand how bad the pitch is at the Stadium Of Light at the moment, and now Bardsley has become the first player to actually speak up about it, using words and phrases like "terrible" and "the worst pitch"... It's pretty bad like, so Bardo has a point. Read more - CLICK HERE

Over in Korea they've been talking about Ji Dong-Won. They're not overly pleased that he hasn't made much impact having scored against Man City and Chelsea. conversely I think he's played more games than he really should have. Not through lack of ability, but more while he gets used to the country, league and language. For more on this - CLICK HERE

For a while we've been wondering about the fitness of Lee Cattermole. Looks like he's back now, or at least soon according to Martin O'Neill. Catts will have a late fitness test ahead of the Arsenal game this weekend, and he could well be involved. A bit of a headache for Marty one would think - CLICK HERE

Someone actually impressed with us is Asante Kotoko manager Maxwell Konadu. Recently he was over to watch training and so forth as part of the deal we have with the Ghanaian giants, and he's been revealing what he thinks of SAFC, O'Neill and our future on our official website - CLICK HERE

Lastly in manager news, Martin O'Neill is leaving us... Only temporarily mind you! On May 15th he'll take charge of a League of Ireland XI to take on a Manchester United XI. The game at Windsor Park will honour Northern Irish goalkeeping legend Harry Gregg. For more information - CLICK HERE