Posts Tagged ‘tottenham’

Pardew: Pleased that every player he fields is producing for the club

Alan Pardew admits he is facing a selection dilemma at Newcastle as he looks to have a fully fit squad for the visit of Tottenham after the international break.

The Toon boss has praised the defensive resilience of his side, having conceded only four goals in seven games as the club sit proudly in fourth spot in the Premier League.

And central defensive pairing Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor along with new first-choice keeper Tim Krul, have been instrumental in the club’s unbeaten start to the campaign.

But with Hatem Ben Arfa joining summer signings Yohan Cabaye, Gabriel Obertan and Sylvain Marveaux in a fit-again squad, Pardew is aware he faces a delicate juggling act from now on.

Compromise

He said: “That’s always going to be compromised somewhere along the line, and there’s no doubt that one or two players coming into the team can change the character of it quite quickly.

“That was evident at Nottingham Forest (in the Carling Cup third round), when we conceded three goals – and two of them were quite sloppy ones.

“You have always got to be adaptable and always got to be ready to understand that one player can make the make-up of the team very different.”

However, Pardew is delighted with his side’s 15-point return which has left the club wreathed in smiles for the first time in a long while.

He added: “The players are producing. Whichever player I put out there at the moment seems to have a bit of form about them and confidence, and that bodes well.”

Redknapp and Wenger: Spurs and Arsenal working together to identify individuals

Arsenal and Tottenham have issued a joint statement expressing their ‘disappointment’ at some of the chants by fans during Sunday’s North London derby.

Spurs’ 2-1 victory over their local rivals was overshadowed by offensive chanting from both sets of supporters at White Hart Lane.

And now both clubs have promised to work together in the hope of stamping out abusive chants in the future.

The statement read: “Both clubs were extremely disappointed to hear the chants from supporters at yesterday’s game. Neither club tolerates foul language, racist chanting, homophobic chanting or any anti-social behaviour from its supporters.

“We shall be working closely with each other to identify the individuals involved.”

Taunting

Sections of home supporters taunted Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger while some away fans, who are housed in one corner of the ground in between the South and West Stands, have been condemned for mocking the deadly gun attack on the Togo team bus during the Africa Cup of Nations last January, which Emmanuel Adebayor survived.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp described the chanting from some sections at the Arsenal end towards their striker as ‘disgusting’.

He said: “It was disgusting. How do you chant something like that to someone? You can’t be right mentally. You need help. There are kids up there as well. It’s got no place anywhere in life, that sort of stuff.”

Ban

And Tottenham have promised to ban any guilty party for life, having already taken steps in recent times using CCTV coverage as well as displaying posters urging fans to report offensive chanting.

A club spokeswoman said: “It is club policy to ban fans that are found guilty of abusive chanting.

“We evicted several fans at the time during the match. The way we deal with large numbers is we take out one or two of the ring-leaders who are initiating the chants.”

Wenger: Is unfazed by the rebuilding process required at Arsenal

Arsene Wenger admits he misses the thrill of winning titles but has vowed to recover the glory days after celebrating his 15th anniversary at Arsenal.

The Gunners take on Tottenham in the North London derby at White Hart Lane on Sunday with the two clubs facing the prospect of a potential dog-eat-dog battle for a UEFA Champions League spot at the end of the season.

Yet Wenger, whose last major trophy was lifting the FA Cup in 2005, insists he has lost none of his ambition despite his recent struggles, and believes he still has the drive to make Arsenal the best club in the world.

Wenger said: “I miss winning titles. Very much. You only have one way, to fight and win again.

“I feel part of what is very important for us is to transform the club into a top-level club, into a club that has a fantastic future potential with values that we think are very important in the game.

“The style of play, the way we behave to develop young players, to give a chance to people who deserve it in life.

“That for me is very important in the history of the club. The vision is to make this club the best club in the world, it is as simple as that.

Proud

“I’m very proud of the values I defend in the game and we will try to continue to do that.”

When asked how long it might take to put Arsenal on top, the 61-year-old added: “In my life I hope. You may say to me I have to live very long, I don’t know.

“I want to try to give my best because only the best is acceptable and if I don’t manage to do it I am very sad.”

Wenger admits the rise of neighbours Tottenham is one of the challenges which spur him on and on Sunday his side will come up against former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor and playmaker Luka Modric.

The latter is a player Wenger has confessed to tracking before Tottenham made their move.

And Wenger urged the Arsenal fans not to abuse Adebayor, on loan at White Hart Lane from Manchester City, despite his relationship with them turning sour.

The Arsenal boss, however, has refuted Adebayor’s bad-boy image. He said: “He is not a difficult guy to manage. No, no.

Adebayor

“Football is about performances and every guy has a difficulty to manage but he was not one you remember to be especially difficult. He can be a threat on Sunday.”

He also urged the Arsenal fans to respect their former striker, who in the past has been subjected to vile abuse by some football fans.

“That’s what you don’t want,” Wenger said. “You want people to support the team in a positive way. A football game is a fantastic day that everyone has to enjoy and with a positive atmosphere it is even more fantastic so let our fans get behind our team and forget about the rest.”

Asked why he did not sign Modric, Wenger explained: “We knew Modric before Tottenham knew him. We played against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League and he played in the same team as Eduardo against us.

“At the time we had (Cesc) Fabregas, not a bad player. But we were interested in Modric. He is very mobile. I’m not surprised how well Modric has done, I knew he would do well.”

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott looks set to return on Sunday following a knee injury along with Gervinho (hamstring), but central defender Laurent Koscielny is out.

Alex Song is likely to feature. Defender Thomas Vermaelen’s return from an ankle injury, however, looks like being a couple of weeks later than anticipated, some time towards the end of October.

Taarabt: Played with Murphy during their time together at Tottenham

Danny Murphy has highlighted Adel Taarabt as the dangerman as Fulham prepare for the visit of Queens Park Rangers on Sunday.

Rangers boss Neil Warnock managed to hold onto his prized asset this summer, with a proposed move to wealthy Paris St Germain failing to materialise.

Murphy played with Taarabt at Tottenham, and he admits he advised former Fulham boss Roy Hodgson to snap up the 22-year-old star before his talent was brought to light.

“I knew him at Tottenham where he had a superb temperament,” Murphy told the Daily Express.

“If he got kicked, he never moaned. He had a strong mentality and he’s reaping his rewards now, so he’s probably destined for bigger and better things.

“A couple of years ago I actually said to our gaffer then, Roy Hodgson, to get him, even if it was on loan, because I thought he was an unbelievable talent when he was at Spurs.

“We’ve got to deal with him on Sunday, so we’ll have to be careful.”

Key

Taarabt was thought to be keen on a move away from Loftus Road despite playing a key role in the club’s promotion to the Premier League last season.

However, a heavy burst of investment bankrolled by the club’s new owner, Tony Fernandes, convinced the Moroccan to stay, and Warnock insists there is no bad feeling following the summer uncertainties.

“Adel’s been the main man,” Warnock told The Sun. “He’s our shining light and has been instrumental to where we are now.

“He’s played well this season. Having the other players in has given him a lift because he is just concentrating on playing. I think you can see how hard he is trying.

“I don’t think he is thinking about his next move – not now. I think he just wants to play well and keep his position in the team.”

Martinez: Taking on the club he turned down over the summer

N’Zogbia: Set to line up against his former employers on Saturday

Form guide:Aston Villa: DWDDDDWigan: DDWLLL

Injuries:Aston Villa: Cuellar, Herd, LichajWigan: Alcaraz, Rodallega

Suspended:Wigan: Gohouri

Sky Bet odds: Aston Villa 8/13 Draw 11/4 Wigan 9/2. Bet here.

Opta stats: Wigan have won three and drawn three of their six trips to Villa Park in the Premier League era, but have won only one of the last six against Villa home and away.

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Aston Villa will be hoping to extend their unbeaten start to the Premier League season when they come up against a Wigan side on a three-match losing streak.

Villa have been in consistent form during the early part of the campaign to take up a place in the top half of the table but manager Alex McLeish will feel it could have been even better.

They came within seconds of securing victory against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road last weekend, only for Richard Dunne to score his ninth own goal in the Premier League in stoppage time.

It was Villa’s fourth consecutive draw and McLeish will now be determined to return to winning ways at home to the Latics on Saturday.

McLeish has been boosted by the news that several key players are set to be fit, with on-loan Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas in contention to make his debut after recovering from a thigh problem.

Record signing Darren Bent has shaken off a groin injury, while fellow striker Emile Heskey is also in the frame after a recent hamstring setback.

Carlos Cuellar, Chris Herd and Eric Lichaj remain sidelined, but McLeish will give a late fitness test to defender James Collins who suffered an ankle knock against QPR.

Charles N’Zogbia is set to line up against his former club after sealing a switch from Wigan during the transfer window, despite making a slow start to his time at Villa and admitting he would rather play on the right wing than the left.

Wigan news

Roberto Martinez has backed the Frenchman to come good but will be hoping it does not happen this weekend, as the Latics look to maintain an impressive recent record at Villa Park.

Martinez was targeted for the managerial role at Villa over the summer but opted not to go anywhere as he felt he could take the Latics further.

Wigan’s impressive start to the new season has unravelled somewhat following three straight defeats, although they have not lost four in a row since October 2008.

The 2-1 loss to Tottenham last time out left Martinez’s men 15th in the table on five points, but they can draw level with Villa by winning in the Midlands.

Wigan defender Emmerson Boyce is close to a recall having recovered from the hamstring problem which has kept him out of the last two league matches.

His return would be welcome as Steve Gohouri is suspended having been sent off against Tottenham last week.

Fellow defender Antolin Alcaraz (thigh) and striker Hugo Rodallega (knee) are unavailable.

Possible starting XIs

Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Albrighton, Petrov, Delph, N’Zogbia, Agbonlahor, Bent.

Wigan: Al Habsi, Van Aanholt, Boyce, Caldwell, Figueroa, Watson, Gomez, McCarthy, Diame, Moses, Di Santo.

25 Corner coming up for Spurs as Danny Rose again poses problems down the left. His jinking run ends in a cross blocked at the near post.

24 Rovers again hit it long and Corluka has no trouble collecting. Spurs build patiently again. We’re over halfway through the first half and Spurs have had two good chances after what was a good start by the visitors.

23 Ouch. Pavlyuchenko gets one on the head from Paterson but it isn’t as bad as it looked and both men have survived.

22 Rovers now struggling to keep hold of the ball and Spurs can again build from the back. Both flanks look lively and the home side win a throw-in after Dennehy’s tackle on Lennon.

21 Dos Santos bludgeons his way through a few tackles before the ball is again worked out to Lennon. He eventually crosses but the Rovers defence deals with it comfortably.

20 Spurs should be ahead. Pavlyuchenko finds space in the box with clever footwork before his shot is saved by Brush, who has been excellent so far.

19 The youngster’s ball is poor, failing to beat the near-post defender, but Tottenham continue to press through Lennon and Walker on the right. Lennon lays in Carroll who is tackled as he tries to spin in the box.

18 Gary McCabe is the first man in the book after he brings down Rose down the left. Carroll is the man stepping up to take the free-kic from a dangerous spot.

17 Rovers briefly have four-on-four before O’Donnell and Rice slow things down. Eventually it breaks down and Tottenham break, almost taking the lead when Defoe is put through on goal. Brush gets down well and diverts the ball onto the bar. Lucky escape for Rovers.

16 Carroll asks too much of Rose and from the resulting throw-in Rovers play it long before giving away a needless free-kick. Tottenham continue to stroke it around the back without urgency.

15 Livermore’s long ball almost finds Defoe but Brush is quick to gather the ball. He rolls it out and Rovers once again knock it around with confidence before a cross-field ball runs out of grass.

14 Walker and Lennon combine once more and the latter’s cross would’ve been good, had one of his peers gone to the back post. Livermore gives away a free-kick deep inside the Rovers half.

13 Another error from the Russian, who brings a long ball down with ease before carelessly giving away possession. Tottenham look lively but not quite in sync at present. Meanwhile we’re treated to Gazza in the crowd, wearing a frankly revolting pink blazer.

12 Tottenham carelessly lose the ball and McCabe briefly threatens for Rovers, before the home side win it back and break with Walker and Lennon setting up Pavlyuchenko, whose cutback is cut out.

11 Dos Santos again finding space to shoot, this time from slightly further out, and in the end Brush has to scamper to keep it out.

10 Again, Tottenham content to play the free-kick short and the move breaks down. To their credit, Rovers then stroke it about across the back with their Player of the Year Rice pulling the strings.

9 Lennon is fouled by Rice down the right and his pace will provide a threat all night.

8 Rose shows a pair of quick feet to win a free-kick for Spurs near the left corner flag. After playing it short, he receives the return pass before centering low and it is cleared without alarm.

7 From his clearance, Rovers are awarded a free-kick some 40 yards from the Tottenham goal, dead centre. O’Donnell tries a Gazza 1990 by setting up to shoot but chipping it in. Unfortunately, it’s long.

6 Tottenham win the first corner of the game as Dos Santos is played in only to find his shot deflected over. His movement is a problem for Rovers already, but the corner is collected by Brush.

5 Dos Santos looks lively and he wins a free-kick midway inside the Rovers half, from which the unhurried Tottenham midfield are happy to work the ball sideways.

4 Scrappy stuff but Rovers (as I’ve been informed by one fan to refer to them) are seeing enough of the ball. Rice receives a talking to having kicked the ball away.

Benji hows things? have 70,000 on Spurs because Rovers have carpenters lining out for them. If Spurs dont win youl see me on the haypenny bridge in the morning. Thanks, Charles.

3 Shamrock win a throw down their left and Dennehy shows good pace to break beyond the back-line before his low cross is cut out.

2 Early touch for Thomas Carroll and neat interplay allows Dos Santos to shoot from 20 yards. It’s straight at Brush.

1 Cudicini slides out to collect an overhit through ball in a lively opening minute before Spurs confidently knock the ball across the back and win a throw-in down the left.

0 Shamrock get the game underway.

Thanks to Graeme who not only identified a missing ‘b’ on my email address, but also managed to email me to point it out. Genius, cheers Sir! It’s benjamin.coley@bskyb.com.

The teams are exiting the tunnel and the noise level is pretty high at White Hart Lane. No doubt Tottenham’s side is weaker than you’ll see when they face Arsenal on Sunday but it’s one that will present Shamrock with the type of test they’re not used to facing – how will they cope?

We’re five minutes away from kick-off now.

Shamrock are the first Irish team to play in the Europa League and my word their fans are intent on enjoying this night.

Sky Bet make Spurs 1/7 to win, with the draw 13/2 and Shamrock 16/1 to pull off an enormous upset.

And now the visitors:

Shamrock Rovers: Brush, Sullivan, Sives, Murray, Rice, O’Donnell, Paterson, Dennehy, Finn, McCabe, Twigg

Subs: Thompson, Stevens, Sheppard, Kilduff, Turner, McCormack, Ricketts

As promised, teams news. Let’s start with Spurs:

Tottenham: Cudicini, Walker, Corluka, Bassong, Rose, Lennon, Carroll, Livermore, Giovani, Defoe, Pavlyuchenko

Subs: Gomes, Bale, Kaboul, Modric, Falque, Townsend, Kane

Welcome along to live coverage of Tottenham v Shamrock Rovers at White Hart Lane. Team news is on the way but in the meantime feel free to send me your emails on benjamin.coley@bskyb.com, or Tweet me @BenColeyGolf.

Sornoza: Set for Spurs trial

Tottenham are in talks to seal a co-operation deal with Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle.

And as part of initial talks, Spurs have agreed a deal to take six of their brightest talents on trial.

Tottenham have personally picked out Junior Sornoza, Freddy Araujo, Jonathan Gonzalez, Carlos Grueso, Winter Ayovi and Sebastian Mendez to bring to England.

Of those only Somoza and Araujo are over 16, with the former having starred at this summer’s South American Under-20 championship for Ecuador.

Independiente confirmed that the move was part of talks that would see them link-up with Tottenham.

“They have been talking with us since the South American Championship,” director Santiago Morales told La Deportiva.

“It has been going slow because we were waiting on the papers to travel to England.

“And this is not only Junior Sornoza, as the Tottenham scout has picked out six boys.

“The idea is that we start a co-operation with Tottenham.

“They will now spend October 3rd to October 12th with Spurs, and hopefully this will take the partnership in the right direction as they are very interested, as we are.

“The idea of the relationship is also the idea of Tottenham players may come to Ecuador, and obviously our players travel to England.

“This will give them the chance to share the experience of South American and European players.”

Adebayor: Tottenham would love to make loan deal permanent

Emmanuel Adebayor believes he is slowly regaining top form after playing a starring role in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Wigan.

Adebayor has impressed at Tottenham since joining on loan from Manchester City and again performed well at Wigan despite playing the second half with an injury to his eye.

The Togo international says his vision in one eye was seriously impaired.

Adebayor, who set up the opening goal for Rafael van der Vaart after just three minutes, told talkSPORT: “I’m getting my form back slowly and I think I helped my team to win.

“Unfortunately the second half was quite difficult because I was playing with only one eye. I couldn’t see the ball, I couldn’t see my opponents or anything but I managed to stay on the pitch for 90 minutes.”

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp admitted after the game he would ‘love’ to turn Adebayor’s current loan deal from Manchester City into a permanent move.

Redknapp also revealed Adebayor had asked to wear an eye patch over his injury but the manager had dismissed the suggestion fearing he would “look like Johnny Depp”.

The Spurs boss is full of praise for Adebayor’s influence.

Redknapp said: “His movement is top-class and he is playing with loads of enthusiasm. He got in some good positions today and we made it nine points out of nine so we are on a good run.”