Davids mulls over goal poser

Davids mulls over goal poser

Published Feb. 27, 2013 7:15 a.m. ET

Eredivisie surprise package Vitesse Arnhem are confident they will be able to hold on to top scorer Wilfried Bony until the end of the season, but are fearful of a big offer from a Russian club could see him depart.

The Ivory Coast international has scored 22 goals for Fred Rutten's side to help them up to fourth in the table just five points off leaders PSV Eindhoven.

His impressive performances for his club has led to speculation that the 24-year-old could exit Vitesse, with the Russian transfer window open until later today.

It was rumoured that Zenit St Petersburg, Anzhi Makhachkala and CSKA Moscow were interested, but Vitesse's interim director Erwin Kasakowski remains hopeful the striker will stay.

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"He leaves every day after training. Then he goes home. The next day he comes back, also as one of the first," he said in Voetbal International.

"No, I do not think he leaves. Up to this moment we have received no serious offer.

"However, nothing is certain until the market is closed."

Jason Banton's first-half solo strike had put the visitors in front in the League Two relegation clash at Kingsmeadow on Tuesday night, but Harry Pell equalised almost immediately to level matters.

Sheridan said: "We deserved a point. I thought we started really well and deservedly went in front but it's so disappointing to have let them back into the game so quickly.

"That's just a lapse in concentration and it's gives them a lift to come back fighting for the three points and is something we could have avoided.

"Since I have been here, we have been good at holding onto leads so it's disappointing that it had to come to an end in this game.

"Both teams knew what was at stake. All the teams around as at the bottom are fighting hard and putting together some good results so it was a bit nervy but that's to be expected."

The Brewers, currently third in League Two, overcame visitors Morecambe 3-2 on Tuesday night to equal a club record of eight successive home wins to make it four victories on the bounce for the first time as a Football League club.

But Rowett confessed: "I was a bit worried about this one and seriously thought about making a few changes.

"In the end that was difficult because we've been in such good form and winning games, so I decided to go with the same team.

"I was a little bit edgy and thought we might lack our usual energy, but as it was we stuck at our game great up until the 80th minute.

"They made it a little bit of a squeaky bum time with the two late goals, but up to that point we were terrific.

"We possibly just stopped doing the things that got us 3-0 up and needed to be just a little bit more ruthless.

"We gave a silly goal away and that gave Morecambe a chance, but I'm not complaining too much because we saw the game out to continue our phenomenal run of results."

With less than 10 minutes left to play in the League Two clash at Underhill, the Dutchman, 39, broke into the box and steered an effort past Shrimpers stopper Paul Smith, although Dani Lopez claimed it was he who touched it last.

"To be honest, I don't know," said Davids. "I went 100 per cent, I had to clip the ball and then had to watch where I was going near the stands so I don't know what happened there.

"I have mixed feelings with our performance. We didn't have the right speed of playing in the first 15 minutes. It's difficult for us when another team presses our system.

"Some players in certain situations didn't make the right decisions and I think that was the problem.

"We are pleased with another clean sheet, that is the basis of football. You start from there.

"Confidence is high in the squad but now we have to look to play better in certain situations and some players have to make better decisions in certain situations when in possession of the ball.

"Certain things we didn't execute right and you have to be aware of that and not only look at the three points but look further and start developing better."

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