Gomez: On form
Stuttgart striker Mario Gomez believes his recent goalscoring form is the perfect way to silence the critics.
The Germany international, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League, was criticised during Euro 2008 for a lacklustre performance as he was dropped from his country's first XI after the group stages.
But Gomez has netted seven goals in seven games for his club this season, to add to last term's tally of 28 strikes in 32 outings.
And the 23-year-old, who found the back of the net in Sunday's victory over Karlsruhe, feels he is now well placed to respond to his doubters.
"That goal (against Karlsruhe) was for everyone who has tried to talk me into believing I was suffering a crisis," said Gomez.
"What happened (getting dropped) to me actually did me some good, since then things have picked up and it helps to have something negative to compare it to.
"Football can be harsh. If you convert a chance and score a goal, you are the hero, but if you miss your chance you are the fool."

Beckham - Henry isn't a cheat
League One Round Up - 21st November
Championship Round Up - 21st November
League Two Round Up - 21st November
Tottenham v Wigan - 2nd Half
Tottenham v Wigan - 1st Half
Stoke 1-0 Portsmouth - Fuller and Sorensen
Tottenham 9-1 Wigan - Defoe
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| German Bundesliga | |
| Bayern Munich 1 - 1 Bayer Leverkusen | |
| Hamburg 0 - 1 VfL Bochum | |
| Saturday 21st November | |
| German Bundesliga | |
| Wolfsburg 2 - 3 Nurnberg | |
| VfB Stuttgart 1 - 1 Hertha Berlin | |
| Cologne 0 - 4 TSG Hoffenheim | |
| Schalke 04 2 - 0 Hannover 96 | |
| Eintracht Frankfurt 1 - 2 Borussia M'gladbach | |
| Borussia Dortmund 0 - 0 Mainz | |
| SC Freiburg 0 - 6 Werder Bremen | |
| Sunday 8th November | |
| German Bundesliga | |
| Hannover 96 2 - 2 Hamburg | |
| Hertha Berlin 0 - 1 Cologne | |
| Werder Bremen 1 - 1 Borussia Dortmund | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| German Bundesliga | |
| Bayern Munich 1 - 1 Schalke 04 | |
| TSG Hoffenheim 1 - 2 Wolfsburg | |
| Borussia M'gladbach 0 - 0 VfB Stuttgart | |
| VfL Bochum 1 - 2 SC Freiburg | |
| Mainz 1 - 0 Nurnberg | |
| Friday 6th November | |
| German Bundesliga | |
| Bayer Leverkusen 4 - 0 Eintracht Frankfurt | |
| Sunday 1st November | |
| German Bundesliga | |
| SC Freiburg 0 - 1 TSG Hoffenheim | |
| Eintracht Frankfurt 2 - 1 VfL Bochum | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bayer Leverkusen | 13 | 27 |
| 2 | Werder Bremen | 13 | 26 |
| 3 | Schalke | 13 | 25 |
| 4 | Hoffenheim | 13 | 23 |
| 5 | Hamburg | 13 | 23 |
| 6 | 1.FSV Mainz 05 (A) | 13 | 22 |
| 7 | Bayern Munich | 13 | 21 |
| 8 | Wolfsburg | 13 | 21 |
| 9 | Borussia Dortmund | 13 | 18 |
| 10 | Hannover 96 | 13 | 16 |
| 11 | Eintracht Frankfurt | 13 | 16 |
| 12 | Borussia Monchengladbach | 13 | 15 |
| 13 | SC Freiburg | 13 | 13 |
| 14 | FC Nurnberg | 13 | 12 |
| 15 | Cologne | 13 | 12 |
| 16 | Stuttgart | 13 | 11 |
| 17 | Bochum | 13 | 11 |
| 18 | Hertha Berlin | 13 | 5 |
Barca and Real both won, Gers closed the gap on Celtic while Lyon and Marseille drew 5-5.
Sunderland fan Lucinda Gittins was strutting her stuff in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Barca were stunned by a late leveller, Gers' match was abandoned while Inter march on in Serie A.
Bayer Leverkusen reclaimed top spot in the Bundesliga table following their 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich.
Bayer Leverkusen boss Rudi Voller is hoping to strike a deal which will allow Toni Kroos to remain at the club.
Mainz 05 striker Aristide Bance admits that he is interested in a move to the Premier League.
Obafemi Martins has expressed his satisfaction with life at Wolfsburg following his summer move.
Werder Bremen have moved top of the Bundesliga table, albeit for 24 hours, after crushing Freiburg 6-0.