Monday 31.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
The
latest manager to be linked with Spurs is the Dutch national manager
Dick Advocaat. He has said that he will step down from his post
at the end of Euro 2004, so the Daily Record think that means
Tottenham will be after him, as Frank Arnesen thinks highly of the
former Glasgow Rangers boss.
Spurs
are being linked with a move for £2.5 million rated West Ham United
midfielder Michael Carrick, along with Charlton Athletic and Newcastle
United.
Claudio
Ranieri was sacked today as manager of Chelsea and sparked speculation
that he will take over at White Hart Lane.
OTHER
NEWS ... Huddersfield Town won the Third Division play-off
against Mansfield Town on penalties this afternoon ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... Liverpool
chief executive Rick Parry has revealed the club will make an
announcement about their new manager in a fortnight. The Anfield
chief claimed in a radio interview at the weekend the decision on
Gerard Houllier's replacement may not be made until mid to late June,
but it would seem Liverpool are closer to sealing a deal than that,
which suggests Rafael Benitez may be reviewing his position at
Valencia. However, they are a lot further away from securing the
services of Sven Goran Eriksson. And even further away from
getting Jose Mourinho as their new boss. They are a million
miles away from announcing Alex Ferguson as the man to lead the Reds
to glory.
Sunday 30.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
The
Sunday Mirror claims that former Celtic manager Wim Jansen will be
asked to take over at White Hart Lane. The Dutchman has been in
Japan in charge or Urawa Red Diamonds and is currently back in Holland
after completing his contract.
The
Sunday People run a story indicating that Tottenham will make a last
attempt to get Martin O'Neill as their new manager by offering him a
£2 million annual salary.
Spurs
are one of 30 clubs interested in taking on former Celtic goal-scorer
Henrik Larsson.
Hull
City are desperate to hold on to manager Peter Taylor in the face of
rumours linking him with the FA's England Under-21 manager's position.
OTHER
NEWS ... Brighton and Hove Albion beat Bristol City 1-0 to go
through to Division One in the play-off final at Cardiff this
afternoon ... Japan beat Iceland 3-2 in the three nation tournament
involving England held in the City of Manchester stadium ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... Dutch
striker Patrick Kluivert has said he has "no intention of going
to Middlesbrough. I will not consider a move to a small club. I
would like to go to one of the big London teams. If that doesn't
happen I will stay at Barcelona for the final year of my
contract.'' There he will obtain some succour by drawing the
biggest salary in football until he gets his move.
Saturday 29.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Jamie
Slabber has returned to Tottenham after a loan spell at FC Copenhagen
in Denmark.
Gary
Doherty played for the Republic of Ireland in their 0-3 defeat by Nigeria
at the Valley this afternoon, as did Robbie Keane.
OTHER
NEWS ... West Ham United were condemned to another year in the
Nationwide First Division when they failed to beat Crystal Palace in
the play-off final at the Millennium stadium today ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... Celtic
look to have failed in their bid to land Rivaldo with his agent
claiming he is just days away from signing for Bolton. Peter
Harrison said: "I believe he will become a Bolton Wanderers
player in days rather than weeks because he has accepted their deal
and it's now just a matter of getting him to sign it. "I
don't think Rivaldo would go on trial with anybody because he is too
big a player. When he met Martin O'Neill he towered over him,
but when he went to Bolton to see Sam Allardyce, he realised that he
wasn't as big as "Big Sam", so would willingly sign up for
them."
Friday 28.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Spurs
have signed Hungarian Under-21 international goalkeeper Marton Fulop
after impressing the staff at the club while on a three day trial
recently. The 21 year old has signed from MTK Budapest and will
hope to push Kasey Keller and Paul Robinson, with a Premier League
debut his aim.
The
official site has informed Tottenham supporters that the new home kit
will only last for one year, as "our legal representatives and
the FA Premier League have advised the Club that we should look to
re-brand at the end of the 2004/05 season in an effort retain tighter
control over our copyrights and trademarks."
One
manager linked with Spurs, AS Roma boss Fabio Capello has been
appointed as the new coach at Juventus.
OTHER
NEWS ... Russell Slade has been named as the new manager of
Grimsby Town, leaving Scarborough behind him ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... Arsenal
want to sign Kaka !!
Thursday 27.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Speculation
surrounds a story on the Sky Sports website that attributes a quote to
Frank Arnesen saying that Tottenham were in talks with sacked Real
Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz. The club's new Sporting Director is
reported to have said that there will be two Portuguese staff on the
team next season ... alluding to Postiga and Queiroz. However,
the Spurs website moved quickly to quash the rumour saying that any
announcement will be made through the official site.
One
of the names mentioned in relation to Tottenham's manager's post is
Mark Hughes, who today said that he would like to go into club
management at some stage of his career, but he is proud and happy to
manage Wales at the moment..
Real
Betis midfielder Benjamin is being linked with a possible transfer to
Spurs or Charlton Athletic. He would cost €5 million and he is
also interesting a number of Spanish teams too.
Robbie
Keane made his 50th Republic of Ireland appearance tonight in their
1-0 friendly win over Romania in Dublin. Gary Doherty was
an unused substitute.
Christian
Ziege came on as a substitute for Germany in their 7-0 win over Malta
in a friendly tonight.
Wife
of Tottenham captain Jamie, Louise Redknapp has been voted Sexiest
woman of the decade by men's mag FHM.
OTHER
NEWS ... Non-league Telford United went into liquidation today
and might soon go out of business altogether ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... Alan
Smith has vowed he is ready to win the doubters over after completing
his "brave" £7m journey from Leeds to Manchester United.
Smith signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford that has succeeded
in alienating him from supporters of both clubs. Leeds fans are
seething that the home-town boy they hailed a hero during a disastrous
last 12 months has so actively sought a transfer to their bitterest
rivals, although they will know how much it hurts when opposing fans
sing "One Alan Smith" at them, like they sung "One Sol
Campbell" to Tottenham fans !!
Smith added: "Manchester United is a team of winners. They play
in every tournament going and I want to become a winner too,"
implying that would not have happened at Leeds. Oh, it all sound
so familiar to Spurs fans.
Wednesday 26.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Tottenham
are reported in the London Evening Standard to have made a £6 million
two-year deal offer to Barcelona's Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids.
It hints that the player's agent might be making this known to try and
get Chelsea to come in for him, but Spurs did try and sign the player
before he joined Barcelona in the January transfer window. His
salary works out at about £60,000 a week.
Christian
Ziege has been called into the German Euro 2004 squad, after Christian
Rahn pulled out with an injury.
OTHER
NEWS ... Porto won the Champions League final tonight beating
Monaco 3-0 in Germany ... Leeds United sold Alan Smith to Manchester
United for £7 million today ... And then appointed Kevin Blackwell as
their new manager ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... Studies
of American footballers indicate that heading the ball damages the
brain. The researchers have worked out that the pointed end id
not the best bit to head !!
Tuesday 25.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Tottenham
are reported to want Carlos Quieroz, just sacked as Real Madrid coach,
as their new manager, according to the Daily Mail, but they say
Sporting Lisbon are also interested, although some reports claim that
he will make a return to Manchester United as Sir Alex Ferguson's
number two.
The
BBC Sport website claims that Portuguese striker Helder Postiga has
said that he will quit Spurs unless he gets a regular place in the
first team at White Hart Lane.
Republic
of Ireland Under-21s beat Scotland Under-21s 3-1 and they were
captained by Spurs defender Stephen Kelly.
Ledley
King's father has been arrested after being in a siege at the house of
his ex-girlfriend last week.
OTHER
NEWS ... Grimsby Town manager Nicky Law left the club, after the
relegated side decided not to renew his contract ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... Newcastle
chairman Freddy Shepherd has moved to end speculation over the future
of manager Sir Bobby Robson. In a move to secure any doubt in
the mind of fans over the doubts in the mind of the Magpies boss, the
club have said that in the future, Robson will be entirely responsible
for the major task of getting the players names wrong and for
producing barmy post-match TV interviews.
Monday 24.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Spurs
appear to be leading the chase for Racing Santander midfielder Yossi
Benayoun. Tottenham scouts are said to have watched the 24 year
old Israeli five times in the last two months and although other
Premier League sides are interested, Spurs appear to be the most keen.
Simon
Davies will miss Wales' friendlies against Norway and Canada next
week, as he rests his shin injury.
The
interest in Nottingham Forest's Republic of Ireland left winger Andy
Reid is said to be diminishing, as the Sporting Director Frank Arnesen
knows little about him and would be looking for a more established
player.
Although,
obviously, we all hope it is not Jesper Gronkjaer, who TeamTalk claim
we have made a £5 million bid for !!
OTHER
NEWS ... Gerard Houllier has left Liverpool as manager ... coach
Carlos Quieroz has been sacked by Real Madrid ... Ipswich Town coach
Tony Mowbray was announced as manager of Hibernian today ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... Graeme
Souness has revealed how Henrik Larsson turned down a move to
Blackburn - because of the weather. Souness told The Express:
"It would have been a fantastic signing for us. But Henrik told
me he wanted to go somewhere where it was sunny." However,
the real reason was because Larsson couldn't work out whether or not
he wants to work with Souness !!
Sunday 23.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
The
Observer today rates Darius Vassell as 70-30 against being fit for
Euro 2004 after his hamstring injury and they think Jermain Defoe will
travel to Portugal as a member of the squad for the tournament.
In
the same paper, there are reports that Gerard Houllier will leave
Liverpool by mutual consent soon and he may be a target for Celtic and
Tottenham, who he has apparently turned down approaches from recently.
Jaap
Stam has told Tottenham that they have got a great football man in
Frank Arnesen. The Lazio central defender said that the new Sporting
Director had a great understanding of what footballers want, having
played at the very top level and if anyone could persuade players to
join a club it was Arnesen, who he played under at PSV Eindhoven in
1996.
Newcastle
United are still keen on signing Stephen Carr.
Portuguese
striker Helder Postiga will be seeking talks with Frank Arnesen on his
return from Euro 2004, as he said that last season had not gone well
for him and he wants to know if there is still a future for him at
Spurs.
Spurs
are allegedly challenging Middlesbrough for the signing of West Ham
United's Michael Carrick should they fail to gain promotion through
the play-off system.
Tottenham
are also reported to be interested in buying Chelsea's erratic Danish
winger Jesper Gronkjaer, according to the Sunday Express.
Mark
Yeates scored for the Republic of Ireland Under-19s who beat Norway
3-0 tonight. However, it was not enough to progress in the
competition as Belgium won all three of their games to top the group.
OTHER
NEWS ... England is considering making a bid for the 2018 World
Cup finals ... Pierluigi Collina could referee in the Premiership over
the next few years, as FA vice-chairman David Dein said foreign refs
could be introduced three or four times a season until they reached
the English retirement age for refs of 48. Referring to nobody
in particular, Dein said "I'd like to see them because I think
certain players do get targeted because of familiarity." ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... Danny
Mills' agent has called on Newcastle and Middlesbrough to put their
money on the table if they want to land the England full-back.
He also added that it better be a big table ... like a dining table
that you see in banquets in films and not a coffee table, as any club
who puts their money on a coffee table will not match his client's
ambitions.
Saturday 22.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Then
Telegraph reports that Jermain Defoe might be drafted into the England
squad for Euro 2004 should Kieron Dyer's behaviour cause Sven Goran
Eriksson doubts about his ability to blend with the rest of the squad.
Christian
Ziege has said that he will remember the ovations the Spurs fans gave
him at his last home game against Blackburn Rovers and the away game
at Wolverhampton, as they almost brought tears to his eyes. The
German international said apart from the injuries it had been a great
three years.
OTHER
NEWS ... Manchester United won the FA Cup with a 3-0 victory over
Millwall in Cardiff this afternoon ... As they collected the trophy,
the United players donned "Davis 36" shirts to remember
Jimmy David, who was killed earlier this season in a car crash while
on loan at Watford ... Celtic won the Scottish FA Cup with a 3-1
victory over Dunfermline Athletic ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... David
O'Leary is adamant he will not be looking to Euro 2004 as an avenue to
strengthen his Aston Villa squad. "I don't watch players at
international tournaments," the Villa boss said, "The danger
of signing players on the evidence of what they have done at
tournaments is that they might have the best three weeks of their
lives and never be able to repeat that form. And anyway, the
club's finances do not stretch to letting me go."
Friday 21.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
The
Independent runs a story that claims Sporting Director Frank Arnesen
has recommended Martin Jol to become the new Spurs coach.
Celtic
boss Martin O'Neill has said that neither Tottenham nor Liverpool have
approached him to take over at their clubs and therefore, he has not
turned the jobs down.
After
yesterday's rumoured quote from Leeds United's James Milner that he
didn't want to come to Tottenham because he was not guaranteed first
team football, The Sun report that at the same time as the Paul
Robinson deal, Tottenham agreed with the Yorkshire club that they
would have a £3.5 million first option on the 18 year old
midfielder-cum-striker. However, with Leeds in need of the money
and believing they can get a better price elsewhere in the
Premiership, they are touting him around other clubs, but might come unstuck, as
Spurs have a clause tapping into a percentage of any profit above the
agreed price Leeds make by selling Milner on to another club.
Now that is shrewd. However, Leeds have denied that such a deal
exists with Tottenham or any other club ... but then they said
Robinson would cost us £5 million !!
Former
Spurs transfer target Denmark and AC Milan defender Martin Laursen is
set to sign for Aston Villa for £3 million.
The
London Evening Standard reports that Spurs are to make a £2 million
move for Middlesbrough's Gareth Southgate. Offering a three year
contract, they believe that the England defender might choose to come
back South to finish his playing days as the defensive general
Tottenham are seeking instead of playing in Europe with Boro !! Temporary
Reserve Team coach Clive Allen has reached the end of his agreement
with the club, but hopes to return in some coaching capacity in the
future. He has not been sacked as was reported in a number
of other reports (BBC Sport, London Evening Standard)
Released
goalkeeper Shwan Jalal has joined Woking, where he was previously on
loan.
OTHER
NEWS ... Cameroon's six point World Cup qualifying penalty for
wearing an all-in-one kit at the African Nations Cup has been lifted
by FIFA ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... Roy
Carroll has said he is ready to fight for his shirt at Manchester
United. The back-up keeper lent it to Fabien Barthez earlier in
the season and is now throwing down the gauntlet to the kung-fu keeper
in what should be quite a battle for the piece of polyester.
Thursday 20.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
New
Sporting Director Frank Arnesen said that the club have not yet
identified their new manager, but they are giving it consideration and
have only a limited time to make the appointment.
Having
secured the services of Frank Arnesen, Tottenham now seem an
interesting option for Mark van Bommel, who said that the Sporting
Director is one of the best. Aston Villa could not afford to buy
the Dutch midfielder as they have to bring in about six players, but
buying van Bommel would have left no money to bring anyone else in.
The
Daily Mirror claims that Tottenham chairman is making Martin O'Neill
his number one target and will offer him whatever he wants to become
the new Spurs manager. A figure of £1.6 million has been
mentioned as Daniel Levy hopes to convince the Celtic boss that he is
the man to take Tottenham forward, after he has played out the
Scottish FA Cup Final on Saturday.
Former
youth team player Simon Wormull has joined Hornchurch.
OTHER
NEWS ... three Leicester City players have been cleared of all
charges of sexual assault in Spain ... David Beckham will stay with
Real Madrid next season ... Kenny Dalglish denies that he has been
approached to take over at Liverpool ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... Liverpool
supporters are calling on the board to make a statement of intent
about the future of manager Gerard Houllier. With growing
speculation that the Frenchman is on the verge of losing his job, the
fans are keen to know exactly what is going on. The club have
said that they will make an official statement when they have worked
out where the semi-colon should be placed in it.
Wednesday 19.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Further
details of Frank Arnesen's post have been revealed today. He is
to be the club's Sporting Director and will be on a three years
contract. A statement from Daniel Levy said he "be in
charge of all matters relating to the football side of the club and
the recruitment of key personnel and have responsibility for
developing and implementing youth, scouting, medical and international
policy. Additionally, he will oversee the trading of players in
consultation with the first team management." The 47 year
old said on the Tottenham Hotspur website that "First of all I
want to go deep into the club, I have to learn all about it. I know
the club from the outside, it is big club and together we will try for
big results and trophies.
Meanwhile
David Pleat has resigned and will step down as Director of Football
and a director of the club on 1st July. He wished Tottenham good
fortune in the future and said he hoped that the young players at the
club will provide a solid basis for success. Pleat added that he
was sad to be leaving and hoped to get back into football at
the earliest opportunity.
Pleat
appeared to hint that an agreement with Giovanni Trapattoni in
mid-season had fallen through and that the board were now nearer than
back then in getting a top manager for the post at Spurs.
The
London Evening Standard clams that Tottenham have been snubbed by
Martin O'Neill, who they still want as their first team coach.
It is alleged in the story that Spurs have offered a £1 million plus
bonuses a year deal and that does not come close to the £2 million he
is on at Celtic.
RKC
Waalwijk's manager and former West Bromwich Albion defender Martin Jol
is being tipped to take over at Tottenham as head coach. A
highly rated coach for his work at a small club producing excellent
football on small budgets and working with young players, he is in
demand, with Manchester United approaching him earlier this season.
Also
in the frame is Welsh national coach Mark Hughes.
Spurs
have supposedly had a £3.5 million bid for Nottingham Forest's
Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Reid turned down as the club value
him at £10 million.
Tottenham
are reported in the French media as being in contact with free agent
Bixente Lizarazu. The former Bayern Munich defender has
apparently been spoken to by Daniel Levy about a move to
Tottenham and the 34 year old is said to want reassurances about the
new manager to be at White Hart Lane.
Aston
Villa have dropped out of the running for PSV midfielder Mark van
Bommel, citing lack of cash as the reason, which might leave Tottenham
back in for him, now Frank Arnesen is all but in place at White Hart
Lane.
OTHER
NEWS ... Valencia beat ten man Marseille 2-0 in the UEFA Cup
final tonight ... Bristol City struck late to score a 2-1 win over
Hartlepool United to see them through to the play-off final 3-2 on
aggregate ... Huddersfield Town drew 2-2 against Lincoln City tonight
to go through to the final 4-3 on aggregate
Tuesday 18.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
The
Guardian claims that David Pleat is being eased out to Tottenham
Hotspur and that the club have made an offer to former Danish
international and PSV manager Frank Arnesen to become General Manager
or Technical Director at White Hart Lane. Arnesen is due to
leave PSV on 1st July and Tottenham are set to make an announcement
later this week, with the former PSV and Anderlecht player responsible
for scouting, transfers, developing the youth system and working
closely with the new coach. On the Sky Sports website, Arnesen
is said to have revealed he will be coming, being quoted as saying on
the PSV site, "I am very happy to continue my work as technical
director at one of the most traditional teams in England.
Tottenham is a club with much history and plays even maybe in the
biggest league of the world."
The
name being linked with the team manager's post now is Real Madrid's
coach Carlos Quieroz, although Giovanni Trapattoni is alleged to have
said that he would be interested in the post after Euro 2004. Trap
revealed that he might have taken the job already if his wife had not
expressed doubts about being "homesick" ... a bit different
to an illness. The 65 year old Italian national manager said in
the London Evening Standard that he would regard it as "an honour
and a great opportunity" to manage Tottenham.
Striker
Helder Postiga has been included in the Portugal squad for Euro 2004.
Former
Spurs striker Steffen Iversen has been released by Wolverhampton
Wanderers.
To
add to the release of Teddy Sheringham, Portsmouth have also let Tim
Sherwood know he can leave the South Coast club.
Daniel
Levy has announced that the new club doctor Dr. Charlotte Cowie - has
completed her review of the medical provisions at the club and states
that the highest levels of care must be provided for Premier League
players. In line with the recommendations in her review, changes
will be made in the medical set-up.
OTHER
NEWS ... Emile Heskey has left Liverpool to join Birmingham City
for £6.25 million ... Liverpool sell 30% of their club to Thailand
Prime Minister Thakshin Shinawatra for £60 million ... that is nearly
ten Emile Heskeys ... Milan Fukal looks like signing for Borussia
Moenchengladbach from Hamburg ... West Ham reached the play-off final
with a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town giving them a 2-1 aggregate victory
...
MEHSTG's spin story ... Forensic
tests have shown there is no link between Leicester City players and
the Premier League they were alleged to have played in. The club's
chief executive Tim Davies said lawyers for the First Division side
were pleased that they had been found not guilty. They were
accused of carrying out the drunken assault on the top flight in late
2003 and earlier this year. Davies said: "There is nothing
that links our players with the Premier League. It doesn't
appear that there is too much evidence any more.''
Monday 17.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Paul
Robinson and Ledley King have been included in Sven Goran Eriksson's
England squad for Euro 2004, while Jermain is on standby in the shadow
squad if required.
Former
Spurs midfielder Steffen Freund has been released by Leicester City.
OTHER
NEWS ... Crystal Palace won through on penalties after losing 2-1
in their play-off second leg at Sunderland ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... France
beat England 6-0 in Martin Keown's testimonial match at Highbury
tonight.
Sunday 16.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
David
Pleat's future at Tottenham will be announced this week according to a
report in the Observer, which says that the board are reviewing the
coaching setup at the club. The story states that the Director
of Football role will disappear and a new Technical Director position
created, with a new man appointed to work independently of the
manager/coach. It is thought a continental name will be given
the Technical Director's post. With the new set-up radically
changing things at Tottenham, the coaching arrangements at youth level
will also be looked at, but the Observer suggest this might take place
next year.
At
the end of the Observer piece, it suggest the likely candidates for
the manager's job are PSV Eindhoven's Guus Hiddink, Claudio Ranieri
and Raddy Antic, who is supposedly due to come to England to discuss
two jobs with Premier League clubs.
Darren
Anderton has hit out at David Pleat after being released by the club.
The Spurs midfielder said he had been offered a new contract in March,
but has now been told that he is no longer required at Tottenham,
presumably on Pleat's advice, although he has picked him every time he
has been available. Anderton was annoyed that he was not given
the chance to say goodbye to the Spurs fans and that he hopes that the
club appoint a new manager who has experience of winning trophies to
bring the good times back to White Hart Lane. Former
England international said he loves Spurs and that he stayed, despite
offers from Manchester United and other clubs, because he thought that
he could win things with Tottenham.
Tottenham's
French loan reject Stephane Dalmat has hit out at Tottenham in the
Sunday People saying that the squad are split by cliques, do nothing
in training where David Pleat lets his players get away with being
lazy and that he did not get on with the English players in the squad,
although he was on speaking terms with the foreign players.
The
Sunday Mirror claim that Anderton is in talks with West Ham United
about a move there, now that he is a free agent.
The
News of the World claim that Leeds United midfielder Erick Bakke is
set to turn down a £4 million move to Tottenham, because he wants to
stay at Elland Road to help the side back into the Premiership.
The
Sunday People claim that James Beattie might be ready to move away
from SCBC and that Tottenham is his preferred destination. The
England striker is looking to move on to enhance his prospects and the
paper reckons if Spurs can find a buyer for Helder Postiga, they will
go for Beattie to add to their squad. SCBC are alleged to want
£6 million for the forward.
Jamie
Redknapp has signed a pay-as-you-play deal with Spurs to stay on for
another year, having turned down deals at other clubs. He said
he understood the club's position and that he was happy to sign
because the club mean a lot to him and he realises he has missed a lot
of games through injury in his two years at the club, he told the
Sunday People.
Spurs
Ladies beat the RAF Women's team in a friendly at White Hart Lane this
afternoon by five goals to nil. Click here
for a match report.
OTHER
NEWS ... Brighton won their play-off first leg at Swindon 1-0,
while Mansfield beat Northampton 2-0 in their Third Division play-off
first leg ... Shrewsbury regained their place in the Football League
after a 3-0 penalty shoot-out win in the Conference play-off with
Aldershot after a 1-1 draw ... Winchester City won the FA Vase with a
2-0 win over AFC Sudbury at St. Andrews today ...
Saturday 15.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Spurs
beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 at Molineux this afternoon, with
Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe on the scoresheet. Click here
for a match report. Reaction to follow.
It
was revealed today that Paul Robinson has taken a £5,000 a week pay
cut to come to Tottenham and will earn about £21,000 a week.
Tottenham
Hotspur Ladies FC had two Herts. Girls Football League Cup Finals this
morning. The Under-10s lost out to Luton Belles, while the
Under-11s completed the Double with a 4-1 win over QPR. Click here
for match reports on the games.
OTHER
NEWS ... South Africa won the right to stage the 2010 World Cup
this morning ... Arsenal complete their Premiership campaign unbeaten
... Ipswich beat West Ham 1-0 in the play-off first leg ...
Huddersfield won 2-1 against Lincoln City in their play-off first leg
and Hartlepool drew 1-1 with Bristol City ...
Friday 14.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Paul
Robinson will complete his move to Tottenham on Monday after agreeing
terms and passing a second medical today. Stories report that
Tottenham have had to stump up £200,000, which the goalkeeper was
claiming from Leeds as a loyalty payment, because he did not request a
transfer, but this is still cheaper than the price mentioned in talks
in January. The England keeper said "They showed me they
wanted me. I had very positive meetings in the transfer window and
things just went from there. They made me feel wanted and like it was
home." Robinson said he was willing to prove himself to any
new manager and that the club was signing good talented youngsters,
which gave him hope for boosting his international ambitions.
The
Leeds United chairman has said that none of the top four clubs were interested
in Robinson and this was the best offer for him. He also said Robinson
was believed to be the best paid keeper in the Premiership at what is
thought to be around £30,000 a week, although the London Evening
Standard says that Tottenham were not likely to match that.
Robinson will not play against Chelsea tomorrow and the Standard
believe his arrival might see Kasey Keller move on in the summer, as
he does not relish sitting on the bench as understudy to the 24 year
old signing.
It
is rumoured that Tottenham will shortly be firing David Pleat from his
position as Director of Football.
Former
Spurs striker Teddy Sheringham is being released by Portsmouth.
TOTTENHAM
TEAM NEWS : - Stephen Carr's ankle injury rules him out of the last
game of the season, along with Mauricio Taricco's calf problem.
Simon Davies will also be out of the squad as his shin injury is
playing him up and Darren Anderton' Achilles injury rules him out of
the game at Molineux. Youngsters Mark Yeates and Dean Marney are
added tot he squad with Mbulelo Mabizela, with Pleat saying in a press
conference that Yeates will probably make his debut at some stage in
the game.
Squad : - Keller, Hirschfeld, Kelly, King, Gardner, Doherty, Ziege,
Brown, Redknapp, Ricketts, Poyet, Mabizela, Jackson, Marney, Yeates,
Keane, Defoe, Kanoute
WOLVES
TEAM NEWS : - Lee Naylor might be selected after recovering from
a knee injury.
Tottenham
Hotspur Ladies FC will be staging a match against the RAF Women's side
at White Hart Lane on Sunday 16th May. Gates open at 12.15 p.m.
and kick off will be at 13.00 p.m. Entry is free and the Ladies
would appreciate a large attendance to give them a fitting end to a
very good season. There will be a penalty prize competition at
half-time, along with a prize draw with entry by buying a programme.
Pictures
of Tottenham's new kits for next season are circulating on the
internet.
The new home kit is a plain white shirt (logo still red though despite
me hearing that it was going to be blue), with navy shorts and white
socks
The new away kit is a plain navy blue shirt, white shorts and navy
socks
The new third kit is all yellow and is very plain.
OTHER
NEWS ... David Platt will step down from the role as manager of
the England Under-21 team after this summer ... Steve McClaren will
fill in for Brian Kidd as Sven Goran Eriksson's coach in Euro 2004 ...
Thursday 13.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Paul
Robinson appears to be close to the move and he will have further
talks with the club tomorrow.
However,
his young midfield team-mate at Leeds United will not be joining him
at White Hart Lane, as he has decided to turn down a £4.5 million
move to Spurs to stay at Elland Road for another year. His
agent said it was not the club who came in for him, just the player's
desire to take the responsibility of playing another year with Leeds
and develop into a better player in those familiar surroundings.
Former
Spurs transfer target defender Simon Downer and former Spurs reserve
midfielder Ciaran Toner have been released by Leyton Orient.
Keith
Burkinshaw was this evening inducted into the Tottenham Hotspur Hall
of Fame.
With
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp looking to be on his way out at
Fratton Park, he is being linked with a move to Tottenham.
Darren
Anderton said he is considering offers as he seeks a new challenge
after being released by Tottenham.
OTHER
NEWS ...
Wednesday 12.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Tottenham
are close to completing the signing of Paul Robinson from Leeds United
for £2 million. The deal, which was brokered in the January
transfer window, has continued with the 24 year old goalkeeper having
talks with Spurs and Sky Sports report that the deal could be
tied up as soon as Sunday. Spurs had been told by new Leeds
United chairman Gerald Krasner that they would have to pay £5 million
for the England keeper.
Some
sources feel that Tottenham may also be able to secure the services of
Robinson's young team-mate - midfielder James Milner for £4.5 million.
The
London Evening Standard rules out the Italian national coach Giovanni
Trapattoni as the new Spurs manager, because his wife is ill. It
is believed that Trapattoni gave Tottenham a verbal undertaking to
come to White hart Lane after Euro 2004, but the illness means he does
not want to move abroad at this time.
The
Star reports that Tottenham have been alerted by Claudio Ranieri's
comments about being ready to listen to advances from other London
clubs after he has now said he does not expect to stay at Stamford
Bridge.
OTHER
NEWS ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... The
Prime Minister of Thailand is hoping to buy a big stake in Liverpool
and his reason for doing so is to raise the spirits of the Thai
people. Wouldn't he have been better off investing in Norwich City
???
Tuesday 11.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Peter
Taylor ruled himself out of the running for a position at White Hart
Lane by saying he sees his immediate future at promoted Hull City.
The
Spurs website has revealed that seven players have contracts that
expire at the end of this season and they will release six of those
players, while Jamie Redknapp has been offered a one year extension. The
ones not retained are Darren Anderton, Gus Poyet, Christian Ziege,
Lars Hirschfeld, Shwan Jalal and Danny Foster.
OTHER
NEWS ... Paul Merson has been appointed player-manager of
relegated Walsall ... Ray Parlour's wife wants 27% of his income and
earnings in their divorce settlement ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... Glasgow
Rangers' Frank de Boer has confirmed that he will be leaving Ibrox in
the summer. He will join his brother Ronald in departing the SPL
runners up. A club spokesman said "We all thought he had
gone already. Was that Ronald ? It looked like
Frank. Are you sure it wasn't Frank who has already said he was
going ? Really ?"
Monday 10.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Gus
Poyet used the club's official website to thank fans for the send off
he had in his last appearance at White Hart Lane and was realistic
enough to say that after the season Spurs have had many would have
expected boos for the players rather than the cheers they got.
Simon
Davies has been chosen in the Wales squad for friendlies against
Canada and Norway.
Former
Spurs midfielder Vinny Samways has been released from Walsall.
OTHER
NEWS ... Eddie Gray has left Leeds United as their manager with
immediate effect ...
.MEHSTG's spin story ... Harry
Redknapp has spoken of uncertainty over his future with the news that
assistant Jim Smith might be sacked. Bagpuss believes that Smith
is making way for a new "European Super-coach" and doesn't
see the need for one, as in his experience such a beast does not
exist. Chairman Milan Mandaric disagrees and having seen the
Mercedes Benz 3560 executive team bus, he feels that with Smith making
money available, the new coach can take Portsmouth further than the
former QPR and Newcastle boss ever could.
Sunday 09.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Tottenham
are being linked with a move for three Juventus players today in the
Sunday Mirror. Midfielder Antonio Conte and defenders Mark
Iuliano and Paolo Montero are the Italian Serie A players Spurs are
reportedly had meetings about with Juve Managing Director Roberto
Bettega. Nobody has said if this is linked to the appointment of
a new manager from Italy.
The
News of the World run a story that Spurs are looking to sign
Sunderland's Republic of Ireland midfielder (and David Beckham
look-a-like) Sean Thornton. The paper claims that the club
see him as a replacement for Jamie Redknapp and as he has been a
fringe member of Mick McCarthy's squad, he might be available for £2
million.
While
Spurs' interest in Leeds United's James Milner is well known, SCBC
have now entered the hunt according to the News of the World, who
indicate they might offer £3 million for the England Under-21 player.
OTHER
NEWS ... After today's First Division matches, West Ham United
will play Ipswich Town and Sunderland meet Crystal Palace in the
play-offs for a place in the Premier League while Walsall got
relegated to Division Two ...
Saturday 08.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Spurs
won 1-0 against Blackburn Rovers at White Hart Lane this afternoon.
For a match report, click here.
Chairman
Daniel Levy's message to Spurs fans in the programme this afternoon
hinted at major changes at Tottenham. He said Tottenham's season
was "unacceptable" and that the "appalling''
form at the end of the season had taken the club "unforgivably
close to relegation." Levy said he would wish to reward the
loyalty of the fans and will be appointing a new manager in the summer
and hoped to attract some new players. In what will be seen as a
nod to the role of David Pleat, he commented "I have set high
standards for this club. I now need to deal with the areas that aren't
meeting those standards. This will mean some tough decisions
throughout several areas of the club, but I refuse to
compromise."
OTHER
NEWS ... QPR gained automatic promotion to Division One today ...
Torquay United gained automatic promotion to Division Two today ...
Grimsby Town and Rushden & Diamonds were relegated to Division
Three ...
.MEHSTG's spin story ... Newcastle
have lined up Birmingham boss Steve Bruce to replace Sir Bobby Robson
next season. When asked about the story, Bruce said "I have
had a great time at Burlington City and the lads have always given me
everything, especially Robin Savage. I shall be sorry to leave
Kevin Brady, who has been a great Chief Exec, but times move on and I
am not getting any younger, so to step into Bryan Robson's shoes is a
great honour." A like for like replacement MEHSTG reckons
!!
Friday 07.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Giovanni
Trapattoni has indicated that he may be ready to sign up as Spurs
manager according to the London Evening Standard. At the moment,
his wife is ill and may not be up to travelling, but his previous
concerns about David Pleat's role at the club may have been
rationalised to allow the Italian national manager to take over at
White Hart Lane after Euro 2004.
This
news comes after stories claiming that AS Roma boss Fabio Capello had
turned down the chance to be Spurs boss, so a story in the Daily
Mirror claims.
Tottenham
are believed to have made a further bid to sign Leeds United youngster
James Milner, offering £3 million plus add-ons conditional on
performances and achievements the Daily Star says.
TOTTENHAM
TEAM NEWS : - Stephen Carr may return after serving his three
match ban for being sent off at Everton, although he got a kick on his
ankle in training according to the Spurs website. David
Pleat confirmed that Ledley King might also return to put him in
contention for a place in the side. Christian Ziege and Daren
Anderton may also make late claims for inclusion.
BLACKBURN
ROVERS TEAM NEWS : - Brad Freidel is out of the Rovers side with
a thigh injury and Peter Enkelmann is set to make his debut for the
club. Defenders Andy Todd and Craig Short return to the squad
and young keeper David Yelldell is likely to be on the bench.
The
official website has announced more pre-season friendlies. These
will be against Falkenbergs FF (Tuesday July 13th), Danish
outfit FC Copenhagen (Thursday July 15th) and FC Trollhattan (Saturday
July 24th). Returning to England, Tottenham travel to Stevenage
Borough on Tuesday July 20th, with kick off being 7.45 p.m. and
then to Hull City on Saturday July 17th, with kick off at 3.00
pm.
There
are also further Spurs XI friendlies at Chesham United on Wednesday
21st July with a 7.45 p.m. kick off, Leyton on Tuesday 27th July -
kick off at 7.45 p.m. and Harlow Town on Saturday July 31st (3.00 p.m.
kick off).
OTHER
NEWS ... Harry Redknapp has been awarded the Barclaycard Premier
League Manager of the Month trophy, while player of the month is
Thierry Henry ...
Thursday 06.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Jermain
Defoe has told the London Evening Standard that he would love Claudio
Ranieri to become Tottenham manager.
Christian
Ziege is speculatively being linked with a move to Newcastle United,
the Mirror claims.
The
official site has revealed that young defender Joe Watson has been
released.
It
also announced that a Spurs XI will take on Hitchin Town on Saturday
13th July at the Rymans League club's Top Field ground. The
match against Kerry Dixon's side will kick off at 3.00 p.m.
OTHER
NEWS ... Coventry City have appointed Peter Reid as their new
manager ... Steve McMahon has left Blackpool as their manager by
mutual consent ... Newcastle United lost 0-2 to Marseille in second
leg of their UEFA Cup semi-final after a scoreless first game ...
.MEHSTG's spin story ... Blackburn
expect Barry Ferguson to play a full part in pre-season training after
treatment which included wires being inserted in his knee cap.
The Scottish international will return to training with Rovers
straight after he has had the wires removed from his arms and head
following his appearance in the filming for the new
"Thunderbirds" movie !!
Wednesday 05.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Today's
candidate for the manager's job at White Hart Lane is Crystal Palace
manager Iain Dowie.
Birmingham
City are alleged to have made a £4 million bid for Spurs striker
Robbie Keane. Ha !
OTHER
NEWS ... Chelsea lost their Champions League semi-final 5-3
despite drawing 2-2 on the night ...
.MEHSTG's spin story ... Leicester
City are ready to release midfielder Muzzy Izzet. Held within
the confines of a restrictive contract, the Foxes have had the Turkish
international holed up in a secret location somewhere in the East
Midlands. The player is only allowed out for exercise once or
twice a week for ninety minutes at a time, but following a drop in the
club's fortunes, they are willing to let Izzet go for the sake of his
family.
.MEHSTG's spin story
2 ... Goal-scoring floozie Mateja Kezman has said he would be
thrilled to join Fulham, as speculation grows that the West London
side are interested in him. His ecstasy at this news was only
matched by the wetness he felt last week when he told the media that
Newcastle United were the club for him and that Liverpool were a marvelous
club and it would be great to join them. Expect him to be
lifting his footballing skirt to any club that comes sniffing around
the PSV and Serbia & Montenegro forward.
Tuesday 04.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Claudio
Ranieri has confirmed that he is leaving Chelsea at the end of the
season and reveled that he knew the name of his successor.
However, it was his comment that he wished to stay in London which
might fire speculation in linking him with a move to Tottenham to take
over the manager's position.
Jamie
Redknapp has claimed that the club's poor form has been down to the
board's failure to appoint a new manager to replace Glenn Hoddle, who
was sacked six games into the season. The Spurs captain has
urged a quick appointment to allow the rebuilding of the squad to take
place early in the summer.
One
player the London Evening Standard believe will not be part of that
rebuilding is Mark van Bommel. The paper claims Tottenham have
dropped out of the chase for the Dutch midfielder. leaving Aston Villa
and Schalke 04 as the sides who might stump up £5 million for the PSV
player. Tottenham are claimed to have believed that the player's
injury hit season and high price tag made it better to look elsewhere
for the midfielder they seek.
Tottenham's
hopes of signing Leeds United starlet James Milner took a nosedive
with the news from a crisis meeting at Elland Road that he will not be
sold as the team enter Division One. However, the club did
announce that approaches have been made for several of their players
in the days after relegation was confirmed and this might include
Tottenham making a move for goalkeeper Paul Robinson.
OTHER
NEWS ... Henri Camara has avoided a ban from the FA after they
reviewed a tackle he made on Jason Dodd in the Wolves game against
SCBC ... Despite losing to Sunderland, Norwich City were crowned as
champions of Division One ... FC Porto reached the final of the
Champions League with a 1-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna ...
.MEHSTG's spin story ... MPs
will today question the FA about the fact that Rio Ferdinand is still
receiving an enormous salary despite being banned for missing a drugs
test. MEHSTG imagines that legal representatives will be working
on counter strategies to this argument by saying that such a lifestyle
would not be sustainable on a low wage. After all, Rio has a
host of high maintenance girlfriends to keep in tow and all those fast
cars he has bought won't pay for themselves. Should his wages
drop to a level where he cannot be kept in the luxury he has become
accustomed to, MEHSTG reckons that he might slip into the murky
underworld of having to do some work for a living !!
Monday 03.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Former
Manchester United number two Carlos Queiroz wants to be a success at
Real Madrid according to a friend of his, so is not interested in
joining Spurs as their new manager according to the Sun.
The
Planet Football site links Spurs as one possible club who might be
interested in Monaco's striker Shabani Nonda, who has said that three
Premier League clubs are keen to sign him.
There
is speculation linking former Spurs defender and assistant manager
John Gorman with the manager's job at Hibernian, the Daily Record
reports.
OTHER
NEWS ... Coventry City have sacked manager Eric Black and his
assistants, saying they need fresh faces in charge ... Steve McClaren
might step in to cover for England coach Brian Kidd, who is recovering
from treatment for prostate cancer ... A major sporting club in Egypt
are looking to buy out Brentford or Rushden & Diamonds ...
.MEHSTG's spin story ... Arsene
Wenger is lobbying to have the date of the FA Cup semi-finals changed
- to ensure English teams are not handicapped in Europe next term.
M. Wenger has lobbied the FA to have the game played at a time when
there are not Champions League games a week before or after the
semi-final, when all his players are fit, when Manchester United and
Chelsea have the maximum number of players unavailable because on
injury and suspension, when the weather is to his liking and when
there is not a 'y' in the day.
Sunday 02.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Spurs
lost 0-1 against Aston Villa at Villa Park this afternoon. For a
match report, click here. For
reaction click here.
Leeds
United's 1-4 defeat at Bolton Wanderers means that they are unable to
catch Spurs, who will still be in the Premier League next season.
Tottenham
are being linked in the News of the World with a move for Real Madrid
coach Carlos Quieroz. It is expected that he will be sacked
at the end of the Spanish season and Spurs will wait until then to
make an approach to save them having to pay a large compensation fee. Claudio
Ranieri is an alternative option, should be be sacked by Chelsea, but
the report claims that Martin O'Neill has indicated that he will stay
at Celtic with Spurs not being in Europe next season.
The
Sunday Mirror runs a story saying Tottenham are poised to make a
formal approach to Celtic for Martin O'Neill's services.
Spurs
are also being linked with a move for 53 year old former Marseille and
Atletico Madrid and coach Javier Clemente, having asked for his CV to
be considered, according to the People.
Tottenham
will vie with for the services of Michael Carrick, should West Ham
United fail to regain their Premier League place. The England
Under-21 midfielder would be a prize target to replace Jamie Redknapp
in midfield, should Spurs dispose of the club captain, but would be
joined by Charlton Athletic, Everton and Newcastle United.
David
Pleat has hit out at suggestions that his role is hindering the club
in their search for a new manager, saying in the Sunday Mirror that
having a Director of Football can work if you wanted it to.
The
News of the World claim that PSV officials will head for England next
week to seal the transfer of Mark van Bommel to Aston Villa or Spurs,
with the Midlands club ahead with the prospect of European football
edging it for them. However, the Sunday People claim that
Villa boss David O'Deary has given up on the hope of signing the Dutch
midfielder unless they get Champions League football.
Spurs
Ladies lost 1-2 in their League Cup Final at Wembley this afternoon.
For a report on that match and the others from this weekend, click here.
OTHER
NEWS ... Leeds United were all but relegated from the Premiership
this afternoon with their 1-4 loss at the hands of Bolton Wanderers
...
.MEHSTG's spin story ... Frank
Lampost is unhappy that he is not being offered a new contract which
is equivalent to that of other players at Chelsea. Lampost is
unhappy that his deal is not in the same language as some of the other
players at the club and that the numbers on it look wrong. The
England midfielder told the assembled press that he would be counting
up the number of words in the contract just to make sure that nobody
was getting more than him.
Saturday 01.05.2004
(For other Spurs history on this day click here)
Spurs
fans who thought our new manager might be the current Sheffield United
boss Neil Warnock can sleep easy, as he has stated today that he
intends to stay at Bramall Lane.
Former
Spurs winger Peter Taylor's Hull City side got promoted to Division
Two today.
OTHER
NEWS ... Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers were both
relegated from the Premier League this afternoon ... Doncaster Rovers
won the Div. 3 championship title today ... Carlisle United were relegated
to the Conference this afternoon ...
|