It took until the last minute, but Clint Dempsey finally got the move away from Fulham that he
desperately wanted. Though he had his heart set on Liverpool, a breakdown in communication between
them and Fulham combined with a weak deadline day offer of £3 million (£7 million less than what
Fulham originally wanted and half of what Spurs ended up paying) prevented that from happening.
The transfer saga of Jan Vertonghen has become unnecessarily long and reports that claimed the
player was about to return to training with Ajax suggested that the deal might be off.
The problem was over a payment clause in the Belgian's contract but Ajax manager Frank de Boer
still expects his player to leave.
Prior to AVB's official arrival, part of the deadwood clearing procedure had already begun with
the departures of Croatians Vedran Corluka and Niko Kranjcar. Since then however, transfer activity
through the out door has come to a halt, so how much more pruning is there to be done?
Needless to say, when a new manager arrives there is a chance of a clean slate for everyone
involved and David Bentley has come out to claim that he has been offered one.
Throughout last summer, we ran a series of articles which we called ‘The Deadwood Files'. As
the title might suggest, we considered some of the fringe players at the time – Bentley, Bassong,
Jenas etc – and argued as to whether or not they had a future at Tottenham.
We were going to run that again this year but it seemed a little pointless because most of those
names are still here – for now at least.
The new Spurs manager will need to look closely at the current squad and consider who has a
future at the club. To an extent, his job has been started for him with Niko Kranjcar and Vedran
Corluka leaving the club but there may be some fans' favourites under particular threat.
The Evening Standard claims that West Ham are monitoring the situation closely with a view to
making a move for William Gallas.
Former Real Madrid striker Davor Suker has urged fellow Croatian Luka Modric to seek a move to
the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, or at least leave Tottenham Hotspur if he is to seek
silverware.
The Spurs recently relieved manager Harry Redknapp of his duties and although they are
reportedly keen on replacing him with a high-profile name such as Andre Villas-Boas or Laurent
Blanc, the club has been in complete disarray in recent weeks.
Set pieces ruled in this match. The Croatians were far better at it with Mario Mandžukić
scoring from a brace of headers and Le Homme Nikica pouncing on a ball the Ireland defenders failed
to clear. Terrible defending all around by the men in green.
Kranjcar's gone but if we could just shift Jenas this whole thing will clear. The JimmyG2 Column
Just an opportunity for me to cast a jaundiced eye on the exciting things which are not happening
here at home and abroad. Much ado on the webwaves concerning Harry and his new deal. Senior Spurs
bloggers seem to have lost patience as the implications of coming fourth but not making the
Following the completion of his move to Dynamo Kiev yesterday, former Tottenham midfielder Niko
Kranjcar has revealed his love for his former club.The Croatian followed his ex-Portsmouth manager
to White Hart Lane, and expressed his gratitude towards Harry Redknapp even after his
departure.
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Niko Kranjcar has completed his proposed move to Dynamo Kiev,
ending a frustrating three-year spell at the North London club.
The Spurs finished a promising campaign on a low note when Chelsea's Champions League triumph
allowed the Blues to use Tottenham's fourth-place ticket as an entry to next year's competition as
defending champions.
Niko Kranjcar has told Croatian media that he will leave Tottenham Hotspur for Dynamo Kiev in a
big-money transfer this summer.
Kranjcar, 27, has struggled for playing time with the Spurs, making only 49 appearances since
moving from Portsmouth in 2009.
He also made 83 appearances for Pompey but it now appears that his time in English football will
come to an end after the conclusion of the upcoming Euro 2012 tournament on July 1.
At the beginning of last season it looked as if Niko Kranjcar may play a more comprehensive role
in Tottenham's campaign but as the months wore on, injury helped to condemn him to an even more
fruitless contribution than in 2010-11.
After talking of a move for some considerable time now, it looks as though the Croatian will
finally be on his way with a transfer to Dinamo Kiev rumoured to be lined up.
Taking Tottenham to the next level: Part I The problems is a post from: Just Football
by Jake Meador
For astute observers of this year's edition of Tottenham Hotspur, the recent
swoon wasn't a surprise. Tottenham had been flying high all season and, being Tottenham, were due
for a slump.
Some of Spurs' best football this season has come from the flanks and many supporters feel that
it's no coincidence that our better results have come about when both Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon
have been in the team.
That situation isn't like to happen for the foreseeable future though and Lennon's persistent
hamstring problem will cause him to miss tomorrow's game against Bolton and the midweek league
match at home to Stoke.
Redknapp for England? Based on the North London derby, no is a post from: Just Football
by Jake Meador
When Spurs took apart Newcastle a side competing for a Champions League birth
5-0 a few weeks ago, the English media began competing with each other to see who could come up
with the most over-the-top, rhapsodic praise for Harry Redknapp while making the
case for him as the new manager of the Three Lions.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp blamed it on a ‘bad day' as the club surrendered a two goal lead
at The Emirates. Harry also admitted that he was a little puzzled by the defeat and couldn't quite
explain how it had all happened.
"Even at 2-0 I couldn't say I felt over-comfortable," Redknapp told Sky Sports.
With yesterday's FA Cup tie quickly glossed over and forgotten for the time being, attention has
already turned to Sunday's North London derby with news that Tottenham's injury problems are
getting much worse.
Yesterday saw the return of last year's match winner Younes Kaboul but that was about the only
piece of good news amidst reports that Luka Modric, BAE and Emmanuel Adebayor are all doubts for
next Sunday's clash.
For all the credit that Stevenage are due and will get, Spurs put in a disappointing performance
at Stevenage and will now have an unwelcome replay at The Lane.
From the minute Harry Redknapp picked his team it was never going to go well. The England
manager-elect decided to pick a team and formation to combat the strengths of Stevenage.
Stevenage vs Tottenham 2012 FA Cup Highlights 0-0 Saha disallowed goal Video is a post from
Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter
Stevenage vs Tottenham 2012 FA Cup Highlights 0-0 Saha disallowed goal Video is a post from Soccer
Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Stevenage vs Tottenham 2012 ( Stevenage Spurs video
below) Final score and result:- Stevenage vs Tottenham 0-0 Lamex Stadium- 19 February, 2012- 14.
It. Wasn't. Even. Close.Tottenham 65% possession - Newcastle 35%Tottenham 18(7) Shots- Newcastle
8(3)Tottenham 5 goals - Newcastle 0Saha, in what can only be said to be a dramatic debut, scores 2
before the 21st minute (Assou-Ekoto nets one too inside 5mins). Kranjcar puts Spurs up by 4 before
the break and then Adebayor finishes the recently slumping Newcastle in dramatic form at White
Hart
We were in our places a few minutes earlier than usual, standing not sitting, hopping around not
so much to stave off the bitter cold, more in excited anticipation. Even the veterans haven't seen
anything like this.
The players had a prematch kickabout, the mascot's nervous pride shone through as they found a
hero to play with, but all eyes were on the tunnel.
Pepe wished he hadn't pulled Gareth's finger
Monday night was not Gareth Bale's.
While a 0-0 draw with Liverpool at Anfield is a good result for Tottenham, and the match itself was
arguably one of the better stalemates you're likely to see in terms of energy and commitment, it is
a game Bale might soon wish to put behind him.
Spurs played for a scoreless draw, Spurs got their scoreless draw.
While Liverpool's attackers could and should have done more, Tottenham's defending merited the
scoreless draw. King and Dawson were outstanding, with Parker almost as important. After a paucity
of clear cut chances for both sides, each could have scored the winner in the last five minutes,
with Friedel and Reina making huge saves on Bale and Suarez.
THFC1882 presents guest writer Kenny Palmer's report of Tottenham Hotspur
versus Wigan:
A man of the match performance by Gareth Bale against obliging opponents Wigan helped reignite
Spurs title challenge, as they now sit just five points behind the Manchester clubs following the
leaders City's defeat to Everton.
Tottenham yesterday saw both Roman Pavlyuchenko and Steven Pienaar leave White Hart Lane for
Lokomotiv Moscow and Everton respectfully. Both moves do not come as a surprise, in fact if
anything, they were both overdue.
After having been linked with a move away from Tottenham for quite some time, Pavyluchenko
finally made the switch to Lokomotiv for a reported £8 million.
During Monday's Group C games, we were: - Pleased that Niko Kranjcar found his razor in time; -
Curious about Fernando Torres's possible use of bronzer in the first half; and - Wondering why
Kevin Doyle wore his kit instead of his Everyman towel (surely it would've been worth the last
ditch effort?
Italy took an early lead but Croatia scored a second half goal to share the points. The draw
puts Croatia in good position to advance while Italy will likely need a victory in their final
group stage match.
Possession and shots were about even as Italy were strong in the first half but Croatia made
some tactical adjustments in the second half.
Croatia Away Euro 2012 Nike Soccer Jersey - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
The football shirts of the Croatian National Team are among the most
distinctive in world football, with their red and white chequered home shirt and blue away kit.
For their new Euro 2012 soccer jersey, Nike have combined both designs into the away kit, which
retains the traditional deep blue tone while adding in the red and white checked detail into the
shoulder of the shirt.
The big team news from yesterday's press conference was that Aaron Lennon is definitely ruled
out of this evening's sixth round cup tie while Emmanuel Adebayor is an additional doubt with a
hamstring strain. There is a juggling of priorities to be done here and if there is any concern
over Ade then maybe he should be sitting this one out.
Stumbling over the ball, chasing shadows and conceding possession with almost religious fervour
while the scoreboard flashes the eye-watering message "Spurs 0-1 Stevenage" is not really a
recommended means of achieving an aim as menial as making a cup of tea, letting alone winning some
sparkly silverware, but more wizened sages than I have it that for such competitions as this the
ends will justify the means.
It's a foregone conclusion that Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is the FA's top choice for the
vacant England job. But after a 0-0 draw against League One side Stevenage in the FA Cup and a 5-2
loss to Arsenal at the weekend, some doubts have arisen as to whether Harry is truly the right man
to lead England.
Complacency (noun): A feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction, especially when coupled with
an unawareness of danger, trouble, or controversy
Just saying. However, given that we are now blinking well the best team left in this whole bally
competition, it would be a dashed shame if we whimpered our way to the exit door with the derisory
hoots of assorted Stevenagonians ringing in our ears.
European Cup Winners Cup Final 1985
Everton 3-1 Rapid Vienna
Date: 15 May 1985
Stadium: Feijenoord Stadion, Rotterdam
Attendance: 38,500
Referee: Paolo Casarin (Italy)
Everton Team
N Southall, M Stevens, P van den Hauwe, K Ratcliffe, D Mountfield, P Reid, T Steven (Scored), A
Gray (Scored), G Sharp, P Bracewell, K Sheedy (Scored)
Rapid Vienna Team
M Konsel, R Kienast, K Garger, H Weber, L Lainer, P Hristic, Z Kranjcar, R Weinhofer, K
Brauneder, P Pacult, H Krankl (Scored)
Substitute J Gross replaced R Weinhofer
Substitute A Penanka replaced P Pacult
For far too long special effects have been the preserve of ropey Hollywood blockbusters.
Thankfully, the excess of computer generated explosions, fire-breathing and walking dinosaurs has
made it's way to the football pitch. In what has to be one of the most head-shakingly brilliant
video we have seen for some time, we see some classic [.
Several Croatian papers broke some sad news over the weekend: Niko Kranjcar and his wife,
Simona (nee Fistrić) have separated and are planning to divorce after several months of intense
marital problems.
And, our ever-reliable BFFs the tabloids were also reporting that the 27-year-old Tottenham
footballer already has a new girlfriend.
He's still out there somewhere The JimmyG2 Column We had plenty of things to blame but the best
you can say is that we didn't lose. A horrible fixture, on a horrible pitch and frankly a horribly
performance. With little creative input in midfield we struggled to hold onto the ball and to play
football as we have come to understand it.
