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Thursday, September 22, 2011

Carling Cup sacrifice only worth it with Wigan win

Posted on 11:38 AM by Unknown
The Carling Cup is a funny competition. It seems to creep up on you at the start of the season – especially if you are in Europe – and there is no grand fan fare ahead of each round like there is with the FA Cup.

Teams generally pick reserve sides, while the fans vote with their feet, leaving matches looking decidedly grim in half empty stadiums, especially if a Premier League side is at home. Plus if you go out early you are quick to dismiss it as the ‘Mickey Mouse’ Cup. I remember when we won the Mickey Mouse Cup in 2008 against the blue scum. The Arsenal fans couldn't help themselves and went on and on, telling me that we hadn't won anything special. When they reached the final last year, the Mickey Mouse Cup could have been their first trophy in a while, but of course, as it was meaningless, it didn't matter too much to them that they had lost the final to Birmingham. "We'll leave the Mickey Mouse Cups to the small teams like Spurs", said one colleague.

If I'm honest, I suppose I was quick to have that attitude this week after we were finally put out of our misery at the Britannia Stadium. Wow was that a boring match. Tremendously terrible from all angles.

But, had we gone through to the next round, all the talk would have been of ‘a day out at Wembley’ and a ‘European place’, even if that place is a spot in the Europa League, in which last Thursday we fielded an even weaker team than we did at Stoke. That was also a terrible game, although Redknapp has been blooding the little ones, which can only be a good thing.

So then, if we have a priority, it has to be the league, obviously. If we're going to improve our Premier League odds and somehow hang onto the coat-tails of the billionaire-driven big-three then a return to the Champions League – where we know we can hold our own – is essential. I don't know about you, but we have a real chance of getting into the top four this season. Don't you? Should I take off my Spurs cap?

But I’m also a firm believer in what momentum and confidence can do to a side. It is a well worn and often abused cliché but ‘winning is a habit’ rings true. It is hard for a player to switch off for one game and on for another, even more so if the starting XI is dramatically altered from one game to the next. That is why effectively sacrificing the Carling Cup like we did will only be worth it if the club gets a win at Wigan on Saturday – just like the draw in Thessaloniki, followed up by the Liverpool result, was a perfect example of managing your resources by Harry Redknapp. On a quick side note, I can sort of understand you reasoning behind not liking Harry, although what I can't understand is why so many of you are vocal about it. Harry has a mouth on him. We all know that, but no other manager has done what he has done for Spurs since the Premier League came into existence. Give the guy a break.

A good example of how not to chop and change your squad was recently experimented on by Martin O’Neill at Aston Villa in 2009. The Irishman effectively sacrificed the UEFA Cup by playing a weakened team against Spartak Moscow in order to concentrate on finishing 4th. They ended up by in sixth. Gary Megson did the same the year before when he played a weakened team against Sporting Lisbon ahead of a game with Wigan. They tumbled out of Europe and lost to the Latics 1-0.

If you watch football live at the Lane, then you will know how special European nights and knock-out cup-ties under the lights can be. Therefore, it's a shame that they are viewed so negatively compared to finishing fourth in the table.

However, if the club can continue to muddle their way through the Europa League until the post-Christmas knock-out stages, then it will suddenly take on greater significance. Meaning we could dream of a long cup run as well as an assault on the Champions League places - something that doesn’t seem possible at this busy opening phase of the season.

Can we make it three on the bounce against Wigan? I think so.




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Sunday, September 18, 2011

Write Us Off At Your Peril

Posted on 8:42 AM by Unknown
Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 Liverpool. Yes, that's four, nil.

Isn't it great that all the limelight is surrounding the Manchester clubs and Arsenal? We can get on with our business of chalking up the wins. That's two wins on the bounce, but more importantly, two clean sheets.

Modric is looking like he's rekindled his interest, whilst Adebayor is simply superb. In my opinion, Parker is the pick of the bunch. He popped up everywhere today, stopping play, getting stuck in and putting the Reds off their game. What an amazing signing he's turning out to be, and at only £5 million, you couldn't ask for more.

The only downside is that we didn't score more. We could and should have hit five or six, but I suppose that would have been asking for a tad too much.

By the way, if you haven't done so already, pop on down to http://www.thefightingcock.co.uk/ and subscribe to the podcast.

Wigan next. Three on the bounce?



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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Do We Miss Comolli?

Posted on 8:43 AM by Unknown
I don't know about you, but I am fed up at our transfer activity, or lack of it, this season. We've needed a striker since January, yet it seems no proper moves to bring one in have happened. Is anyone asking why?

Apparently, we've got money to spend. Apparently, Levy and the board are committed in backing Harry. Apparently.

Let's say all this Diarra talk is real and we are close to signing him, can I ask why? Why are we trying to sign yet another midfielder, unless Modric is on his way? If Modric is on his way, I would welcome the Diarra signing, but even still, I'd like to ask why we aren't concentrating all our efforts on signing a striker, you know, the kind that will score us enough goals to make a difference.

What's up with our scouting system? Under Comolli, we signed players like Berbatov, but then again, we signed Darren Bent. I'm not saying that we should go back down the Director of Football route, but for heavens sake, why is there no cohesion? Is there a plan in place, or does Harry simply take calls from agents, but only after trying to sign every player that's ever played for him?

What input do Kevin Bond and Joe Jordan have in Tottenham Hotspur's transfer policy? Do Tim Sherwood and Sir Les have a say? If it's all down to Harry Redknapp, no wonder we're not getting anywhere. Football management has changed so much in recent years. A manager can't be expected to do it all. Look at Fergie for example. He's never on the training pitch, but he's able to delegate and gets the best out of his teams. Oh, and he conducted all his transfer activity quickly.

If Harry is happy with Crouch, Defoe and Pavlyuchenko, can he let us know what he's seen that we've all missed?

The simple fact is this; We need a striker please, Messrs Redknapp & Levy.



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Sunday, August 7, 2011

Europa League Afterthought

Posted on 1:55 AM by Unknown
By William Taylor
With Manchester City and Liverpool dominating the transfer window in the Premier League this season, it would appear unlikely that Spurs will be considered favourites among bookmakers to win the title.

However, it appears as though manager, Harry Redknapp has the title in his sights, with a return to the Champions League a must for the club.

First of all, though, it is imperative that the club keeps hold of it's star players – a move to Chelsea for Luka Modric could significantly reduce any chance of winning the title.

Furthermore, it is essential that the club bring in the sort of players that know what being in a title race is all about. It will be unpopular among many Spurs fans, but the truth is, Emmanuel Adebayor would be a fine addition to the current squad of players.

Despite having played for Arsenal in the past, the former Togo international reminded Tottenham supporters just what a talented player he is, with a devastating performance against them at the Bernabeu for Real Madrid in last season's Champions' League.

Redknapp has now come out and admitted that success in the Europa League could be harmful to his side's chances of winning the Premier League.

There could be some truth to that as well, for even though the Champions' League last season brought much needed income to the club, the fact is, the team struggled to replicate the sort of form that got them there in the first place.

For a club like Spurs, the Premier League is the real deal. It is your bread and butter, and realistically the main source of revenue. Should Tottenham go as far as the final of the Europa League this season, it will add an extra 17 games to an already hectic fixture list.

For Spurs to compete in the Premier League, younger players with ambitions of wearing the England Away kit one day, will have to step up to the plate and prove themselves on the European stage.

Redknapp pointed out that the likes of Jake Livermore and Andros Townsend would benefit from being involved in those sorts of games.

For now though, the club must focus on holding onto its key players, as without them, Redknapp will struggle to achieve his lofty goals.



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Monday, July 25, 2011

Redknapp still struggling to convince Modric to stay

Posted on 10:13 AM by Unknown
Why is Harry Redknapp continuing this tug of war with Chelsea over the future of Luka Modric? Last week, he told us that he will attempt to convince the Croatian midfielder of the club’s ambition. But how is he going to do that unless we sign anyone? Talk is cheap my friend.

Central to Modric’s belief that his future is elsewhere, is his desire to win silverware and play Champions League football on a regular basis – something our Harry simply cannot guarantee at the moment, and given the lack of news on the transfer front, the former Portsmouth boss will have to rely on his persuasive manner that the club are as ambitious as the player. As I said, talk is cheap.

Speaking on Tottenham’s tour of South Africa, Redknapp admitted he understood why Modric is tempted to leave White Hart Lane this summer, but said he the club has its sights set on equally high targets.
“I can understand how Luka feels in all this. If anyone offers to treble your wages you’d be interested and Chelsea are a big club.” Redknapp said.

“Everyone wants Luka. Just ask Alex Ferguson what he thinks of him, ask Roberto Mancini at Manchester City - they all want him. He could play for Barcelona.”

“Luka wants the chance to win things and he is ambitious. All I’ll say is that we are too at Tottenham. It’s early days in the transfer market and no one is more ambitious than our chairman Daniel Levy.”

“Luka wants to know that we’ll be right up there challenging next season and we are working hard to bring in a couple of big signings that may convince him to stick with us. I hope so.”

“I have sympathy for Luka and his character has shone through in all this. He’s a fantastic bloke and a genius of a player. I’d just ask him to be patient.” He added.
Given John Terry’s recent lavishing of praise on Modric, there appears to be some equally generous words in Redknapp’s quotes aimed at buttering up the diminutive midfielder – all part of a charm offensive to persuade him to stay in North London, while he was also captain for the game against the Pirates.

Make no mistakes about it, Modric’s future hangs in the balance. The free bets market suggests he may stay, but if Chelsea come up with a seriously high offer, rumoured to be around the 38 million mark, Daniel Levy’s resolute stance could be tested, as it was before with Berbatov and Carrick. Or simply put, maybe he knew this would happen?

Redknapp must now match his words with actions as the start of the season quickly approaches. The arrival of Souleymane Coulibaly has been hailed as an excellent piece of business, with the Ivorian already a free bet favourite to break into the first team at some point this season. But let's face the facts here people. A 16-year old isn't going to get us back into the top four, and neither will the introduction of a veteran goalkeeper in Brad Freidel.

If we lose the momentum gained by qualifying for the Champions League and lose some key players including Modric, there is a real danger Spurs could go back to square one. How long before the likes of Van Der Vaart and Bale start asking for a move?.

Champions League qualification next season is bordering on essential; we all know that, yet Redknapp and Levy can't seem to get their finger out. It's not just Modric's ambitions they've got to match, they've got to keep us happy and at the moment, I am not the happiest Spurs fan.



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Posted in luka modric, summer transfer targets | No comments

Saturday, June 18, 2011

"We've got him and we won't sell him to anyone!"

Posted on 8:35 AM by Unknown
Well, that was Redknapp's rant on TalkSport just now in reference to the Luka Modric transfer situation.

"The chairman has said that we ain't selling him and that's good enough for me...we've got him and we won't sell him to anyone. He's worth 40 or 50 million easy and he's under contract. I want a lot of things in this life but can't have them. Luka's a wonderful lad and has had his head turned, but to be honest, that doesn't bother me as Daniel [Levy] has said a few times that we won't be selling any of our players, no matter what the bid and I believe him because you can't make a statement like that and then go against what you've said."

Oh really? Harry either doesn't know Daniel Levy too well, or the Southend sun has gotten to him.

I suppose at only 40k per week and tied into a 6-year deal, the Spurs Board could tell Luka to lump it? But let's face it, Daniel Levy runs the ship. All we need now is the official Spurs website to issue a statement, telling us that "an offer from Chelsea was received but was exceedingly below what our valuation of the player is, given the recent transfer activity in the Premier League. Luka Modric is on a long-term contract and we expect him to honour that."

He'll be sold by the end of the transfer window for around 40 million or 30 million plus Lampard. We all know it, so we may as well own up to it and strike a deal now, rather than spoiling it for the rest.

Tottenham Hotspur.....the fashionable selling footballing institution.



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Posted in harry redknapp, luka modric, talkSPORT | No comments

Friday, June 17, 2011

Has the Modric Non-Request Shocked You?

Posted on 11:11 PM by Unknown
Personally, it hasn't shocked me. I watched Luka live in the last three to four matches last season. You could tell something wasn't quite right. He looked frustrated. For the first time, it looked as though he had developed Keaneitis - the degenerative disorder some footballers unfortunately inherit, in which they can't help but throw their arms up in the air like a runway controller. He looked tired and upset.

Maybe it was because he knew the Tottenham Hotspur Board didn't possess either the cash to bring in the top players, i.e. a striker, or the want to? Maybe he thought "hold on a second! I earn 20k per week after Cameron takes away 50% so Bill and Kate can have their ding-dong wedding, whilst that muppet over on-loan at West Ham is taking home double what I'm earning!" Maybe?

So then, what are our options? Well, to be frank, there aren't any. We have to sell him. The bugger of this situation is that he wants to stay in London, meaning the ball is firmly in Chelsea's court. When talk of both Manchester clubs being seriously interested in Modric first sparked, I could picture Levy licking his lips with the thought of yet another drawn out transfer saga in which he was the winner. With Chelsea being the only club in contention, he'd better apply some lip balm as some serious chapping could develop. I thought the 22 million offer was a bit suspect. Why would moneybags Chelsea make a silly offer, unless they knew something Levy and co. didn't? I think we all know why now.

I have a feeling we could be seeing Frank Lampard in a Spurs shirt plus some cash. That's football.

Good bye Modric. Your quality will most definitely be missed.



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Posted in Chelsea, luka modric, Selling Club | No comments

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Redknapp really could leave Tottenham Hotspur

Posted on 3:48 AM by Unknown
Staying? Going?
As I am sure you've heard, Harry Redknapp has emerged as the shock favourite to fill the position left vacant by Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea.

Redknapp’s odds to replace the former AC Milan manager have been slashed as owner Roman Abramovich goes in search of the man who he believes can bring him success in the Champions League. That'll be 'Arry then.

It's looking as though the Russian has been impressed with Tottenham’s performances in Europe’s leading club competition this season. Redknapp has come in for criticism by the way we missed out on the Champions League places for next season to Man City. You've got to admit that with only three wins in our last 15 games in all competitions, Chelsea is the only place left for old Harry.

Now Redknapp is the favourite for the role, Goal.com report that the Spurs board would not stand in the way of an approach from Chelsea, although he does still have two years remaining on his deal at White Hart Lane and is the favourite to replace Fabio Capello as England manager once the Italian steps down after Euro 2012.

If anything, it looks as though we're to blame again; the Spurs phone-in public. I mean, who are we to start asking questions about the manner in which our club surrendered the final remaining Champions League spot? I suppose we're the "idiots" for maybe wanting some more off our Lilywhite lads?

Roman Pavlyuchenko, Jermain Defoe and Sebastian Bassong have all spoken out about their frustration at Spurs, while a list of players headed up by Wilson Palacios and Jermain Jenas have been told they are free to leave the club.

But perhaps the over-riding factor against a move for Redknapp by Chelsea is there reluctance to go for a British manager with minimal experience at the top level.

Ancelotti’s former assistant at Chelsea Ray Wilkins enforces the belief the Blues would likely favour a manager from with extensive Champions League experience – with Marco Van Basten and Guus Hiddink said to be their main targets.

"I personally don’t see Chelsea going for a Brit, but Harry has come in to the frame. There must be some smoke out there in the footballing world so we’ll wait and see what happens. It’s been the last couple of years where Chelsea have gone for foreign managers so I see no reason why they won’t go for another one," Wilkins told the Godfather of all thing football, TalkSport, with Durham as Master and Commander.

Redknapp himself has dismissed the links with Chelsea and insists he is happy, but after a season which proved to be one of extremes (although Redknapp and I, to a degree, somewhat bafflingly, describe it as Tottenham’s best ever), Redknapp finds himself at a crucial period during his time with us. He's also said to be unhappy with the club’s transfer policy and the lack of backing from the board, although whether this rumour is true or not will be proved this summer as Redknapp goes in search of improving his squad. It must have been another Board that bought the likes of Palacios for 14 million then...

For every Sandro, who we will miss when he goes off to play in the 2011 Copa America tournament later this year, there has been a Kevin Prince "Jackson" Boateng or Giovanni Dos Santos.

He will likely hold out for the England job next summer, but he will have to be careful about not alienating fans or his squad further, or he will risk being pushed before he is jumped.

Thing is, if I were Levy, I would sit down with Redknapp and ask him to sign a new long-term deal with club, in effect ruling himself out of the England and any other jobs. I would give him a two week period in which to think about it. If he decided to not sign the deal after two weeks, I would hand him his P45 and wish him all the best. After all, how can the club plan for the next few years if they're unsure about the manager?

I have a feeling the Redknapp conundrum will be sorted when this court case is done and dusted.



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Posted in Chelsea, harry redknapp | No comments

Friday, May 20, 2011

Pablo Osvaldo In, Defoe Out?

Posted on 10:52 AM by Unknown
It must have been a frustrating season for Jermaine Defoe. Anticipated to lead the line in Tottenham’s maiden Champions League campaign while expected to score the goals that would keep Manchester City at bay long enough for the club to secure their place in European football’s premier competition once more; for one reason or another it never really happened for our lad.

It could have been so different for him. Having returned from the World Cup as one of the few English players to emerge with credit from the fiasco in South Africa, football betting backed Defoe to start the season with a bang.

But with injury and selection decisions going against him, Defoe failed to register his first goal of the Premier League campaign until March, against Wolverhampton Wanders.

And so that trend continued, with the 28-year-old struggling to hold down a starting place and failing to find the net when he did manage to make it on to the field, mustering just four goals in 21 Premier League appearances.

So when the forward spoke out about his future earlier this week, it came as no surprise that he was unhappy with the way things have gone this season.

“When you feel like you are working hard, training hard and being professional and then you are not playing, it is difficult.

“I love the club and I still get the same buzz that I did when I first walked out at White Hart Lane, which is important.

"But for me, the main thing is playing football and if I am not playing football then I am not happy, because I love my football." He added.

Unfortunately for Defoe, his future at Spurs could follow a similar pattern to this season. It's obvious to all and sundry that we're in desperate need of a new striker and have already begun our search for a man to lead the line next season.

Football bets have backed Espanyol’s Pablo Osvaldo to join the club this summer already and could even make a £13 million switch in the next month should Fulham’s overtures be rejected by the Argentine born striker.

A new boy in town is exactly the opposite of what Defoe needs, but after a season in which none of the three main strikers were able to stake a convincing claim for the role as leader of the front line, fresh blood is inevitable.

While Defoe was busy declaring his discontent to the world’s media, it was perhaps the comments of one of his team-mates to the media on the same day which could spell trouble for the diminutive striker’s future.

Rafael Van Der Vaart confirmed he was happy to stay at Spurs for the remainder of his contract, and should Osvaldo join the club to link up with the Dutchman playing just behind him, it is difficult to see where Defoe fits in.

With Harry Redknapp’s insistence of playing Peter Crouch up front on his own in Europe, should Spurs secure Europa League football for next season, Defoe’s opportunities look to be even more limited than ever.

He remains a dangerous striker with a natural instinct for scoring goals. Had his season not been disrupted so badly by an Achilles injury he may have been able to replicate the form that saw him force his way into England’s summer plans in the first place.

But with the pressure on Redknapp to match Man City blow for blow and the failure of the club’s front line to fire in the second half of the season, Defoe may find himself marginalised – Redknapp must be seen to do something about the lack of goals and show ambition with a big name striker joining the club in an attempt to match City.

So where does this leave Defoe? Unfortunately the man who has endeared himself to the Spurs faithful may find his best days at White Hart Lane have been and gone.



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Posted in harry redknapp, jermain defoe, Pablo Osvaldo, Transfer Targets | No comments

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Joe Cole's Mistake

Posted on 6:00 AM by Unknown
Yes, that's right, his mistake. When asked if he was happy at Liverpool, he gave the same run-of-the-mill answer, but did manage to let on that things weren't going to plan. No sh*t Sherlock!

You know it's only a matter of time before the mainstream media junkies start writing headlines like "The Prodigal Son Returns" and "I'm REDy to Quit my Liverpool Hell".

As far as I am concerned, Joe can rot up in Liverpool. Joe Cole chose to go after the money, setting aside ambition. From what I've seen of him this season, he dribbles with the ball from right to left a great deal, stops, dribbles some more and then either loses possession or makes a dreadful pass.

If anything, I would like to thank Joe Cole for choosing Liverpool over Tottenham Hotspur, for if he had decided to sign a 70K per week deal with us, a certain Van der Vaart may not have graced the White Hart Lane pitch.

Even though I wasn't pro-Cole when he was being linked with us, I still got that empty feeling after he had signed for Liverpool; you know the one - like you felt when you heard that West Ham had won the bid to takeover the Olympic Stadium - you didn't want us to get it, but at the same time, you felt disheartened.

Maybe Joe Cole could have been a real Tottenham Hotspur player. One that inspired us and got the team going. But as I said, Mr. Cole made his choice. Now he can't wait to get out of his Anfield hell. Well, I won't be welcoming him at Spurs. Even if Liverpool were to gift wrap him to us without a transfer fee and even if he accepted below-par wages, I still wouldn't want him anywhere near White Hart Lane. Firstly, he wouldn't be an improvement on what we have, secondly, he's an expert at writing sicknotes and thirdly, he would take up one of the valuable 25 man squad slots.

Someone better let Joe Cole in on the fact that we've moved on. Tottenham Hotspur is simply too big for Joe Cole.


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Posted in joe cole, liverpool, rafael van der vaart | No comments

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Sandro; Take a Bow Son

Posted on 1:46 PM by Unknown
So that's why we signed him? I had always thought our young Brazilian was a diamond in the rough. Tonight's performance shined him up brilliantly! Watch your back Huddlestone, it looks like we've got a player that can fit in nicely alongside The Modfather.

Slowly but surely, Sandro has come of age, worn the lilywhite shirt with pride and put in a performance that I will long remember.

Tottenham Hotspur in the last eight of the Champions League. Who would have thought it, let alone predicted it when the score against Young Boys read 3-0?

The stat of never being beaten at the legendary White Hart Lane in any European Cup/Champions League clash remains strong.

Are you watching Arsenal? Probably.


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Posted in Arsenal, Champions League, sandro | No comments

Sunday, February 27, 2011

7 Years Happy

Posted on 10:01 AM by Unknown
Don't you just love upsets? Well done Birmingham!

I know this may be a bit premature, but it looks as though Arsenal could go yet another year without adding a trophy to their cabinet after just losing to Birmingham City in the Carling Cup Final.

I make it 7 years. Fair enough, they could win the Champions League, but let's face it, there's more chance of Tottenham Hotspur winning it. League? Forget it. F.A. Cup? Maybe, but I can't see it myself.

I suppose we'll have to wait another year for these young Arsenal players to mature, because we all know that one of these days, they will come good.

I am looking forward to welcoming them to The Lane in April. Thing is, when they lose to us yet again, what will be their excuse? I'll send a "7 Years Strong" T-Shirt to the best comment.

PS. RIP Dean Richards




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Posted in Arsenal, Carling Cup, League Cup | No comments

Monday, January 3, 2011

La Liga's Coming To The Lane

Posted on 12:57 PM by Unknown
With Harry at the Villarreal vs. Almeria game, possibly watching Giuseppe Rossi or Pablo Piatti, and football agent Barry Silkman telling Sky Sports News that loan moves for Real Madrid's Karim Benzema and Lassana Diarra maybe coming off, things could look whiter than lilywhite in and around White Hart Lane this transfer window.

Harry's been raving on about Daniel Levy telling to splash the cash, but if we are to believe some of the rumours, loan moves could be the latest fashion. Let's forget the 'Beckham to Newcastle' tripe. If he's going to sign for a Premier League club, I think he would want one that could offer him Champions League football. However, if we do end up with the Madrid pair, both would be cup-tied with regards the Champions League.

Signing Rossi on the other hand, would be a major coup. I was at White Hart Lane in July and watched him tear us apart. He's not just a fox in the box, but a superb professional striker that if given a real go in the Premier League, could push us onto a proper title challenge. The Argentine, Pablo Piatti, isn't a bad bet either, although I am not entirely sure he would be suited to the Premier League.


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