| So, rifts between the players and
management, rumours about new players and a couple of
results which helped us (but all the other results went
against us). So, what's new? |
| The power struggle between Gross and the players
continues to rage. The strict regime which the Swiss
manager brought in seems to have upset many of the squad,
while David Ginola explained in The Times recently that
he likes a bit of discipline (Ooh Err). Fines for not
wearing the correct attire on match days follows stories
that there are measures to be taken if players do not use
a napkin in the canteen. All these things have found
their way into the papers at a time when there are enough
concerns on the field. Iversen has allegedly criticised
the club about the treatment for his injury; Ferdinand
reportedly supported Jurgen's criticism of Ginola's
positional play. Rumours abound that Chris Armstrong
wants |
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| to leave the club and that many of the
younger players are biding their time until the end of
the season, when they will leave the club, as they stand
no chance of first team action. |
| Jurgen's offer to become player/head coach made it's
way into the newspapers after the Bolton game. How true
this is - who knows, but everything points to it being
spurious at the very least. Surely, the bright lights of
the NASL appeal for Klinsmann in the twilight of his
career. Having said that he and Gross will be going in
different directions, it may be a veiled reference the
Christian will not be at Tottenham in August one way or
another, but neither will the German. Along with Raddy
Antic, a new contender has been linked with the Spurs
management post. George Graham's name has been mentioned
as a possible successor to Christian Gross. While he is
very successful and has done a remarkable job at Elland
Road, I'm not sure he would be the best choice for the
Tottenham hot seat. |
 |
| For one thing, his relationship with Alan
Sugar may be somewhat tempestuous, as he his very
determined and likes to have his say. The other potential
drawback could be how he would get on with David Pleat.
After his misdemeanours at Highbury, someone overseeing
transfer deals and contract talks could be a way to
relieve him of such worries, but I get the impression
that Graham is a man who likes to have complete control
to avoid any possible personality clash. So who's in and
who's out on the playing side? In so far, the only new
entry, is Fan Zhiyi - a trialist from China, who plays
for the Shanghai side that Tottenham Hotspur plc were
interested in buying into. I wonder if it was Ted Buxton
(ex China national team boss and Ex-Chief Scout at THFC)
who recommended him?? |
| On the next train leaving White Hart Lane
could be Justin Edinburgh. He is out of favour
with Gross and being kept out of the team by
Wilson. He has been asked to travel with the
squad, when he would not be in final sixteen, so
why keep him hanging on. I think he will go
before the deadline day with clubs showing
interest at around £0.5 million. His ex-Southend
defensive partner, Dean Austin is on a rolling
contract and seems to be destined to leave.
Already shipped out are some players who were on
the fringe of the squad and some who never made
the cut. Stuart Nethercott has roared off to
Millwall, while Paul Mahorn's contract was paid
up to get him out of dock and allow him to sail
off to Port Vale, where he is |
|
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| training. Jamie Clapham has headed north
to Suffolk after failing to impress the management
despite good reports in the reserves and while on loan at
Ipswich. £300,000 isn't a bad sum, but he could have
been a useful member of the squad here. Contract talks
are allegedly being left until the end of the season, but
the impressions coming from the club are that Howells and
Mabbutt will be released. During the half time break in
the Liverpool match, fans were spoiled for choice for
entertainment. It was either David James trying to beat
Phil Babb playing goalie at one end or David Pleat
expounding his theories on Spurs on the videoscreen at
the other. Pleat explained that the squad had to be
cropped to make room for new arrivals. Tottenham are
baulking at Crewe's asking price for Seth Johnson and are
looking at Chile's centre-half Margas to steal him from
under the Hammer's nose. The rumours that Juninho is
alleged to have said that he would be interested in
coming to Spurs may be linked to Antic's arrival, but may
also be reliant on our top flight status being
maintained. That goes for anyone who would be thinking of
coming to the club and for some of the current players. |
| What about the on pitch action? Well a home win
against Bolton was very welcome as was the point versus
Liverpool (despite everything)), but defeat at Leeds and
some of the results for the teams in the mire around us
has left us back in it up to our necks. Of the games
remaining, it is important that points are accumulated -
four wins have been quoted as the required aim. If we win
our home games, then that should be achievable. However,
it is perhaps more crucial that we win the three matches
against Palace, Everton and Barnsley. It is also in our
interest that the Premiership chase goes to the wire what
with some of the strugglers still having to play the
contenders while we have already got those games out of
the way. If the team can play like they did against
Liverpool (and why haven't they been |
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| doing it all season?) then there should
be no problem. Big if though! Ginola played out of his
skin and produced the goods for the others in the team.
The sort of show we need from him to help the club stay
up. Unfortunately, his tongue got him a yellow card which
rules him out of the Palace game. Let's hope we'll have
enough to win without him. The hard work of Nielsen and
Berti in midfield will hopefully prove complementary to
the Frenchman's skills and give Tottenham the boost they
need in the battle to stay afloat in the Premiership they
are currently sailing in. |
