The African Cup of Nations is just a couple of weeks away and Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor is already predicting a tough title challenge for Manchester City.

The Citizens are set to lose their most influential player of the season so far-Yaya Toure. Yaya who was also named as the African player of the Year 2011 has been in scintillating form for City helping them to a first place finish in the league for the first time in 82 years since Christmas 1929.

We here at Offside Global Headquarters are big Ray Hudson fans. We've listened as he gave his unique analysis of the Clasico, taught us all about nipple erections and more. Now, Mr. Hudson was kind enough to give The Offside (specifically Ade of the Barcelona Offside) a great shout-out on the air.

Stockport County director Lord Peter Snape declared in March 2009, one month before the club entered administration, that he wanted "Stockport County Trust to vote to relinquish ownership of the club," because if it "had been run properly we wouldn't be in this mess." Snape now knows it wasn't as easy as it looked; and the consequences of 'his' consortium's "mess" are currently unclear.

Depending on which paper or website you read this morning, Spurs have either rejected a permanent move for Emmanuel Adebayor out of hand or they have told the Togolese forward to accept a pay cut in return for settled, regular football at White Hart Lane.

Ade has been an instant hit at the Lane, scoring three times in his first two games, and while we all know that he is just here for a season long loan, some thoughts have turned to the possibility of a permanent deal.

Two of Tottenham's current strike force were in the news this weekend as the January transfer window rapidly approaches. While more stories surfaced concerning the possibility of a permanent move for Emmanuel Adebayor, the manager himself came out and stated his view on a possible departure for Roman Pavlyuchenko.

By Ollie Irish

Edin Dzeko: Desirable to all

The Guardian's Barney Ronay captured best the ubiquity of Edin Dzeko, in a superb piece about the January transfer window:

"The player who is suddenly everywhere will, once again, be everywhere.

Despite already stating the disappointment that he received from two Premier League clubs, Arsenal and Manchester City, current Real Madrid striker, Emannuele Adebayor, still opens himself for a move back in the league.

The striker stated if there's a chance to play again in England he wouldn't say know since he really enjoy the atmosphere and football style in the country, however he still insist that at the moment he is very happy playing with Real Madrid.

This summer, Tottenham Hotspur have shown Arsenal how it's done when it comes to holding onto your best players. Spurs can look forward to enjoying Luka Modric's services this season as well as Emmanuel Adebayor as a striker- clearly one of the best strikers in the Premier League.

Where Wenger has remained defiant in the face of loss, Redknapp has played his cards close to his chest- and come out victorious.

Yeah buddy. He may be a blight in the dressing room, but he's an even bigger one to opponent's nets. Ade had his medical yesterday and but as Spurs play Man City on Sunday, he won't take part in the match because of FA rules preventing loaned players from playing against their parent clubs. The deal is for the full season with Man City picking up a majority of the tab with Spurs taking on only
[[ This is a content summary only.

By Alan Duffy

Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 Liverool Premier League 18 September 2011

On the evidence of this game, it is 'Arry Redknapp's Spurs side which are looking more like top four contenders than Liverpool. Kenny Dalglish's side were totally outplayed on Sunday by a Tottenham side inspired by impish schemer Luka Modric.

After Tottenham's fine victory over Liverpool at the weekend, much of the talk amongst players and staff has been over the form of Emmanuel Adebayor who has underlined what we all knew during the barren transfer window of January 2011. A world class striker can transform a side and we all hope that Ade's goals help to propel the side right up the Premiership table.

Following Spurs' 2-1 win over Wigan at the weekend there was much talk of a permanent deal for Emmanuel Adebayor. After scoring three goals in his first two games for the club, the giant Togolese striker linked up well with VDV to create the opening goal at Wigan and his manager Harry Redknapp was full of praise one again.

Jermain Defoe put last week's illness behind him against Shamrock Rovers and showed that he is ready to face Arsenal this Sunday.

That would suggest that Harry might be looking to renew JD's lethal partnership with Emmanuel Adebayor, but that would mean leaving out one midfield player from last week's win over Wigan and it's not easy to see who would miss out.

*boilk*

There are very few times I get up of a morning and wish I didn't have to write a blog. It would be fair to say today is one of those times. Not so much from the writing, although every clack of the keyboard, which isn't an especially clacky keyboard, is like Thor smashing at my uterus with a hammer.

Yesterday we learned that Newcastle had an injury concern over free scoring Demba Ba ahead of this Sunday's clash at St James's Park, but if any Spurs fans saw this as good news, that could be tempered by the stories emerging that confirm Emmanuel Adebayor to be a big doubt for the match.

Ade picked up a hamstring strain in our 2-1 win over Arsenal last time out and at best he is rated as 50/50 for the Newcastle game.

THFC1882 present Gareth Johnson's reflections on Spurs draw at Newcastle:

They say time is a healer, hence me writing this review having had a small period of reflection. We nearly had them. It was nearly the perfect victory. It nearly made me smug. It just about devastated me.

THFC1882 present Gareth Johnson's reflections on Spurs draw at Newcastle:

They say time is a healer, hence me writing this review having had a small period of reflection. We nearly had them. It was nearly the perfect victory. It nearly made me smug. It just about devastated me.

It's taken a while, but the very first stories concerning a serious move for Emmanuel Adebayor are starting to hit the newspapers this morning, with the majority of reports seeming to stem from The Sun.

The Togolese international joined the club on loan in August and proved an instant hit at the Lane, scoring three times in his first two games.

THFC1882 present Ciaran Griggs guest report:

"When is a win not a win?"

So yet another Sunday afternoon Spurs fixture and yet another fixture that 12 months ago would have struck fear into the heart of any Spurs fan. This particular writer has been accused of being overly optimistic towards Spurs results and performances this season.

Mention of Harry Redknapp's managerial qualities is always guaranteed to spark some serious debate but is there more to his armoury than just an arm round the shoulder?

Emmanuel Adebayor seems to think so and he has gone on record this week in suggesting that the Spurs boss is equally as good as his Real Madrid coach, Jose Mourinho.

It looks as though Emmanuel Adebayor's decision to come out of international retirement is about to be confirmed with reports that the player is happy to discuss a comeback with Togolese officials.

Ade hasn't played for his country since the fatal attack on the country's team bus in 2008 but he could re-appear as early as next week, in Togo's game with Guinea Bissau.

Over the weekend, Kevin Bond hinted at a possible permanent move for Emmanuel Adebayor at the end of his current season long loan move. Ade proved an instant hit at Spurs and although he hasn't scored in the league since his double strike against Liverpool, many Tottenham fans are hoping that the club will somehow find a way to afford his transfer fee and considerable wages.

A very negative team and performance from Villa resulted in a very comfortable performance from Spurs and a score line that flattered Villa. David Cameron had braved the Tottenham wastelands to sit in the stands and watch his lot get outplayed. No doubt getting tips from Spurs on how to control the right and left wings.

Adebayor 2, Aston Villa 0. And it wasn't like Spurs weren't trying. Actually, Ade should have had at least 5 in this game, it was just that lopsided.By the way, for those of you scoring at home, this puts Spurs in a tie with Newcastle in 3rd, with a game in hand as well...Video: Foxsports
[[ This is a content summary only.

The ‘will they or won't they ‘ rumours concerning a permanent Spurs move for Emmanuel Adebayor will rumble on and they will increase significantly every time he turns in a goal scoring performance such as the one the Togolese produced against Villa this week.

One thing in the club's favour if they do decide to make their move is the fact that Ade seems to be thoroughly enjoying his stint and happy with his game once again and he credits Harry Redknapp for much of this turnaround.

For much of last season, Jermain Defoe was very vocal in his displeasure at being left on the bench at times, even though his form on the pitch didn't warrant a guaranteed place in the starting XI.

This campaign started much more brightly for JD, but despite striking up an instant rapport with Emmanuel Adebayor, he has had to wait his turn behind free scoring Rafael van der Vaart.

There are injury doubts over Jermain Defoe and Rafael van der Vaart ahead of tomorrow's match with but it seems quite possible that Spurs will start the game with an unchanged side once again.

There are two schools of thought on this: On the one hand you can apply the ‘if it ain't broke don't fix it theory' or you could suggest that it's time for a little bit of squad rotation.

The opening goal came from West Brom, we weren't quite awake when Assou Ekotto failed to close down Reid outside the area, the cross came into Mulumba who found himself unmarked in between King and Kaboul. The resulting header flew past Friedel and into the net. 1-0.
Great link up play between Adebayor and Lennon saw Aaron bust into the box, only to be clipped by Nicky Shorey, penalty Spurs.

An early WBA goal was the only thing that West Brom got right. Adebayor had a a penalty denied but followed up the rebound for a goal. Ade scored again in stoppage after Defoe put Spurs up 2-1 late in the game.Video: FoxSports
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit TSI for full links, other content, and more!

After his winning goal in Saturday's 3-1 win over West Brom, manager Harry Redknapp was quick to heap praise on the striker. JD only broke into this winning side after an injury to Rafael van der Vaart but he resumed his potent pairing with Emmanuel Adebayor and rounded off the performance with the crucial goal on 81 minutes.

For the first time in many games, there are far more questions to deliberate ahead of predicting the starting XI for tonight's match.

As we all know, Aaron Lennon has been ruled out of this game while Gareth Bale remains a major doubt. There are question marks too over Ledley King, Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor.

After last night's hectic London Derby ended with honours even, Spurs manager Harry Redknapp reflected on the game and felt that a draw was probably the right result.

After Daniel Sturridge cancelled out Emmanuel Adebayor's opener, both sides had great chances to win the match with Ade going so close in second half injury time.

A bright first 15-20 minutes in which we probably should have been more clinical. However, without Lennon we have no shape and the attacks are rare and the match quickly turned sloppy. Chelsea probably should have won it and we could have nicked it at the end and a draw was probably a fair result. Did you also notice John Terry was wearing white boots?

Rafael van der Vaart's brittle hamstrings let him down again last night as the Dutchman was forced off at half time in Spurs' encounter with Chelsea.

VDV enjoyed a good run in the side at the start of Tottenham's climb up the table but this latest setback leaves Harry Redknapp with a selection headache as the club heads into the festive season.

A match that we looked in control of for the entire 90 minutes. At half time with the match still at 0-0, it just looked like a matter of time before we opened the scoring. And on the 54th minute Gareth Bale steps up. Ade receives the ball in the box and tries to work himself some space for a shot, but instead opts for a pass to Bale who controls and puts the ball under the outstretched flailing hand of Ruddy.

The most vocal of football agents Oleg Artemov has been touting his client Roman Pavlyuchenko around this week with Anzi the latest Russian club to be linked with the striker.

"At the beginning, Roman absolutely ignored Anzhi," Artemov told the Russian press.

"He wasn't against going back to Russia, but not to the Makhachkala-based team, but Pavlyuchenko is tired of the uncertainty and the lack of match action.