RYAN SHAWCROSS admits that Stoke City's players are desperate to put a turbulent week behind them by securing maximum points from this weekend's live televised clash against Wigan Athletic at the Britannia Stadium.
The England Under-21 star says harmony in the dressing room hasn't been affected over the past few days despite media speculation suggesting otherwise in the aftermath of last weekend's defeat at the Emirates Stadium.
"Everything has been fine this week, despite what has been bandied about in the media," said the 22-year-old defender. "The only different aspect has been the fact that we have had television cameras at the training ground everyday. The only focus has been on this weekend's game with Wigan because that is a huge game for us and we are desperate to get the right result in front of our own supporters.
"Obviously it has been strange but there have been no problems at the training ground. The banter has been the same as ever, and Beats has been his usual old self. He is a real character and I hope he gets himself fit in time for Saturday, scores the winning goal and shows how good a player he is.
"It doesn't help when things are in the papers everyday and I'm sure if we don't get the right result then the papers will have a field day, but we will be doing our utmost to make sure it is the football which makes the headlines and the fact that we got a good result."
The former Manchester United player, who hopes to return from a groin injury on Saturday, believes Roberto Martinez's side are more than capable of finishing in the top 10 despite their indifferent start to the season.
The Latics already have the scalp of Chelsea to their name, but suffered a contrast in fortunes by slipping to a 9-1 drubbing at White Hart Lane last month, something Shawcross says will spur them on even more on Saturday.
"They won't need reminding of what happened in their last away match and I'm sure they will be fired up to come here and put that right," he added.
"They have a very good team there and have some great players who can cause any team problems on their day, and we will have to be up for it.
"They are an up and down team and they have proven how good they can be by beating Chelsea 3-1. We don't know what they will be like this weekend, but that doesn't matter because the only thing we worry about is ourselves. If we can put in a performance as good as we know we can then we can win the game."
