Middlesbrough 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on August 17th, 2008

Another opening day away, another defeat.

With the new additions to the squad, the same old problems – we can’t defend.

Playing Didier Zokora at right-back was a strange one when he was needed in the centre of midfield, as I don’t see Jermaine Jenas or Luka Modric as ‘defensive’.

Also Dimitar Berbatov on the bench? He’s our best player regardless of whether he’s been tapped up or not, therefore he should have started alongside Darren Bent.

Ledley King and Gareth Bale were on the bench too. The latter did make an appearance, my only guess is that both players are being brought back into the team slowly after injuries.

Both of ‘Boro’s goals came from crosses.

David Wheater was on hand to get on the end of a saved Afonso Alves shot in the 71th minute following a cross from Stewart Downing.

In the 86th minute, ex-Spurs striker Mido managed to deflect a cross from Didier Digard into the back of the net.

Spurs got one back from a Bentley free-kick, that was headed home by Robert Huth.

Next up is Sunderland at home on the 23rd of August, where five ex-Spurs players return to White Hart Lane. It’ll be interesting to see if there’ll be any improvement – and new signings.

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No Spurs move for Arshavin?

Posted by Stevio in Transfers on August 17th, 2008

Tottenham Hotspur’s chances of landing Andrei Arshavin look bleak after the midfielder’s agent revealed that the Russian club have not reduced their asking price.

Arshavin’s agent Dennis Lachter told Sunday Telegraph: “Zenit will not sell for anything less than 25 million euros [£19.69m]. I have met Tottenham’s representatives and they will not go above 22 million [£17,32m].

“Andrei would love to go to England but if it stays like that, there will be no deal. Andrei would either stay at Zenit or go elsewhere.”

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Ferdinand on Bent

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on August 16th, 2008

Former Spurs striker Les Ferdinand reckons Darren Bent will help Tottenham break into the top four by playing upfront on his own.

Ferdinand said: “Darren just needed a little bit of time.

“He was Charlton’s top striker but at Tottenham he found himself behind Berbatov, Keane and probably Jermain Defoe too.

“Darren needs some loving, he needs an arm put round him and to be told he’s No1.

“That’s what’s happened now and we’ve seen the results during pre-season.

“Tottenham have got the right manager in Juande Ramos and they’ve got a good team.

“If Berbatov leaves, they’ll need another striker, but they’ve definitely got an opportunity to break in – especially as Darren’s used to playing up front on his own.

“He did it at Ipswich and he played that way for a long time at Charlton.

“Darren can definitely do the job for Tottenham, it’s just a case of having the right players around him.

“As long as they’ve got someone else in the team who can add goals – and Jermaine Jenas and Luka Modric will definitely score a few – I think Spurs are in good stead.”

On other recent signings, he added: “I’ve seen him at close quarters and Modric has really impressed me.

“A lot of people said he would be too lightweight for the Premier League but I’ve seen him take a few knocks during pre-season and he’s got up and got on with it.

“He looks like he’ll be a good acquisition for the season.

“Bentley’s also a quality player and Blackburn’s loss is definitely Tottenham’s gain.

“He wants to prove himself and become an England regular, so I’m expecting good things from him.”

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King on Ramos and top four

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on August 16th, 2008

Ledley King has revealed that his knee problems gave manager Juande Ramos a bad first impression of the centre-half.

King said: “It was difficult as he was a new manager coming in and didn’t know me.

“I was injured when he arrived and the first impressions were probably not good as managers like fit players.

“It took a while for him to understand the problems I had and how we had to deal with the situation.

“He probably never had a player the way I played last season, playing a game then missing one as the knee wasn’t right.

“I worked hard when I wasn’t playing. I had to do that as I had a month without playing. Juande’s help was great and we worked together.”

On the club’s hopes of breaking into the top four, he said: “Within the group we believe we’re capable of finishing in the top four. We’ll be disappointed if we don’t.

“We’ve got the talent to do it but it’s a lot more difficult than just talking about it.

“You have to be willing to grind results when you’re not playing so well and get results away from home.

“We’ll have to do that if we want to break in the top four.”

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Berbatov puts in transfer request?

Posted by Stevio in Rumours on August 16th, 2008

According to The Sun newspaper, Dimitar Berbatov has asked for a transfer.

A reported close friend of the striker’s told the newspaper: “Dimi’s decided to put in a transfer request.

“He can’t wait to go to Old Trafford and play for United.

“He feels he behaved professionally throughout this period.

“He has never spoken publicly on the situation out of respect for Tottenham.

“But he does not want to miss out on the start of United’s season and he feels that was his only option left.”

The Sun also report that Berbatov will be a substitute for the match at Middlesbrough.

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Venables on Spurs’ top four chances

Posted by Stevio in Miscellaneous on August 16th, 2008

Former Spurs and England manager Terry Venables is backing Spurs as a candidate to break into the top four of the Premiership this season.

Venables told The Sun: “It would be great for football if someone could gatecrash the big four this season. And if anyone is going to do that, it has to be Spurs.

“Manager Ramos has made some brilliant signings and shown real imagination and forward thinking.

“He has brought in flair players like Luka Modric and Giovani Dos Santos, who will perform in the Tottenham tradition and will also really capture the imagination of the White Hart Lane supporters.”

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Arshavin closer to Spurs move?

Posted by Stevio in Transfers on August 15th, 2008

Spurs’ move for Russian international Andrei Arshavin could be finally be nearer agreement after the midfielder’s club Zenit St Petersburg lowered their asking price.

Zenit sporting director Konstantin Sarsaniya said: “Zenit have decided to reduce the asking price.

“Exactly how much I cannot say as the talks were with the president – but there are only small differences left.”

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Gardner makes Hull move permanent

Posted by Stevio in Transfers on August 15th, 2008

Defender Anthony Gardner has left Tottenham Hotspur permanently after joining Hull City in a £2.5m move.

The 27-year-old joined Spurs from Port Vale in January 2000 for £1m.

Hull manager Phil Brown said: “We had an option to make the deal permanent at any stage, so I spoke to him and asked him if he would be happy to stay.

“He has been at the club for four or five weeks now and he said he would, so he now becomes our record signing.”

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Bale hoping to ‘kick on’ after signing new deal

Posted by Stevio in Miscellaneous on August 15th, 2008

Welshman Gareth Bale has spoken following signing a new four-year deal at Spurs.

He told the club’s official website: “I’m happy to be putting pen to paper and hopefully I can just kick on and do well now.

“I thought I was progressing really well at the start of last season and I learnt a lot off the pitch during my time on the sidelines which I can add to my game.

“It’s a great feeling to be part of the long-term plans here. It’s a great club with fantastic coaching staff, and I think everyone here wants to be part of it.

“I’m committed to the Club now and I am looking to achieve many things here and do my best for Spurs.”

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Cesar Sanchez on Spurs move

Posted by Stevio in Transfers on August 14th, 2008

Spurs’ new ‘keeper Cesar Sanchez has spoken further about making the move from Real Zaragoza to White Hart Lane.

The 36-year-old Spaniard told the club’s official website: “This is a very historic club and it’s a dream for me to be here working under a coach like Juande Ramos. It’s a great opportunity for me to be at a club like this.

“It has always been a dream of mine and my family for me to play in England. I come here to learn about the culture and how football is played here. It’s a dream for many players in Spain and I’m lucky to be here.

“English football is very special, not like in any other country. I had the opportunity to play with English players like Jonathan Woodgate, Michael Owen and David Beckham during my time at Real Madrid, and now I hope to adapt my life and my game to this country.

“I want to bring all my experience with me to this club and put it at the service of the team. I am looking forward to working with a very good goalkeeping group.”

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