|
Wednesday
31.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
The Daily Mail claim that Spurs are ready to sell Calum Davenport,
while the Daily Mirror say that the club are about to tie up a £2.5
million deal for Portsmouth left-back Matthew Taylor.
Spurs, along with Portsmouth, Monaco, Lille, Marseille and a number of
Spanish clubs are being attracted to Lucien Aubey, a 22 year
old Toulouse defender.
Former Spurs defender Chris Perry has been released by Charlton
Athletic.
OTHER
NEWS ... Russell Slade has left Grimsby Town as manager after
failing to agree a new contract ... Barry Fry has left his
position as Director of Football at Peterborough United and has taken
over as chairman, with his previous post not being filled ...
Martin Allen has resigned as manager of Brentford, although the Bees
claim he is still under contract to them ... Chelsea sign Andriy
Shevchenko for a reported £1 million from AC Milan ...
MEHSTG's
no-spin story ... The UK is running out of Trinidad and
Tobago shirts, as football fans North fo the border are so keen to see
Scotland in the World Cup Finals (Jason Scotland is in the T&T squad)
you see).
Tuesday
30.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
Hossam Ghaly has denied rumours that he has nto settled well in
London and wants to leave Tottenham. The Egyptian midfielder
said he has been taking his time getting over his injury before
pushing for a first team place and although he misses his fellow
countryman Mido, he is determined to make his mark in the first
eleven next season. Despite turning up at the England training
camp as a stand-by player, Jermain Defoe has drawn praise from
Sven Goran Eriksson for his attitude and application since his arrival
with the rest of the players.
Paul Robinson played all of England's 3-1 win over Hungary at Old
Trafford tonight. Aaron Lennon, Jermain Defoe, Jermaine
Jenas, Michael Carrick and Michael Dawson were unused
substitutes at the match.
Leeds United manager Kevin Blackwell has revealed that Aaron Lennon
took a pay cut to join Spurs, but the Yorkshire club had to sell him
as he was on a big salary from the Premiership days and they could not
afford to keep him when they got relegated.
Former Spurs defender and Reserve team manager Colin Calderwood
has been named as the new manager of Nottingham Forest.
Former Spurs youth player Simon Clist has joined Forest Green
Rovers after being released by Barnet.
OTHER
NEWS ... Keith Alexander has been named as the new manager of
Peterborough United ... Iain Dowie has been appointed as the new
Charlton Athletic manager ...
MEHSTG's
no-spin story ... Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan is
taking action against Iain Dowie for alleging false claims in
releasing him from his contract as manager at the club in saying he
wanted to move back up North, but having taken the Charlton Athletic
manager's job, he tried to have a writ served on Dowie during the
Press Conference announcing him as the Addicks boss.
Monday
29.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
Former Spurs defender and Reserve team manager Colin Calderwood
has been given permission by Northampton Town to talk to Nottingham
Forest about taking over as manager at the City Ground.
OTHER
NEWS ... ... ...
Sunday
28.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
The Sunday People and the News of the World report that Spurs are
keeping a close watch on Craig Bellamy of Blackburn Rovers.
Over at the Sunday Mirror they reckon that when Iain Dowie is
appointed as Charlton Athletic manager his first signing will be
winger Wayne Routledge. Another story in the Mirror tells
us that Spurs are willing to swap Reto Ziegler and Danny
Murphy for Wigan Athletic's Pascal Chimbonda in addition to
throwing in £2.5 million. Chimbonda's agent can't understand
Wigan's stance, as they agreed to let the defender go should a bid of
£2.5 million be received. The Sunday Mirror also claims
Martin Jol is watching the situation at Chelsea, as he wants to
sign Wayne Bridge and is also keen to take Shaun
Wright-Phillips or Damien Duff if they are allowed to
leave. On the other hand they state that Spurs might sell
Andy Reid to Portsmouth, as they have been offering him around for
£2 million. The News of the World reckon that Birmingham City
are keen to sign Anthony Gardner from Spurs. Meanwhile
Racing Gent have denied that there has been any contact from Spurs in
respect of signing their young defender Sven Verdonck.
Former Spurs defender Mark Stimson has agreed to take over as
manager at Conference side Stevenage Borough.
OTHER
NEWS ... Cheltenham Town beat Grimsby Town 1-0 in the League Two
play-off final to gain promotion ... ...
Saturday
27.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
Carlton Cole has agreed to join Spurs for £2 million on a four
year deal most of the papers tell us today. He joins as Mido
exits the club, because they could not agree a deal with AS Roma.
Meanwhile Belgian youngster Sven Verdonck looks set to join the
club from Genk. The 18 year old defender has spoken to Tottenham
and agreed a four year contract and the clubs should complete the
transfer next week, with other clubs who approached him earlier this
year such as PSV Eindhoven, Cologne, NAC
Breda, Roda JC, Twente Enschede and Aston Villa
all being beaten to his signature.
OTHER
NEWS ... Barnsley won promotion to the Championship with a 4-3
penalty shoot-out win over Swansea City after the play-off final
finished 2-2 in Cardiff ... ...
Friday
26.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
Spurs have not made a move to make Mido's transfer permanent
and he will return to AS Roma after scoring 14 goals in 28 appearances
for Tottenham, reportedly as talks with his owners had broken down.
His last few weeks were injury hit and with the signing of Dimitar
Berbatov, the Egyptian forward looked surplus to requirements.
Also released by the club are veteran defenders Goran Bunjevcevic
and Noureddine Naybet. Just one day after hinting that he
may need to move away from Spurs to find first team football,
Stephen Kelly has signed a one year extension to his contract,
which was due to expire this summer. It's an interesting
development, as the Daily Express claims that the Irishman is set to
join Birmingham City, as the media thought yesterday. The Daily
Mirror reckon Spurs and Arsenal are locked in a £6 million battle for
West Bromwich Albion defender Curtis Davies. The Express
think that Arsenal are confident of signing the defender for £5
million ahead of Tottenham. Goalkeeper Marton Fulop is
flattered by the interest being shown in him by Wigan Athletic.
Young-Pyo Lee played in South Korea's 2-0 win over
Bosnia-Herzegovina today.
The club have revealed the futures of some of the younger reserve team
players.
Midfielder/defender Charlie
Daniels has signed a two-year contract. Also staying at the
club are defender Charlie Lee, striker Andy Barcham and
goalkeeper Tommy Forecast who have all signed extensions to
their current deals. Having broken his leg in the Premier
League Reserve Play-Off Final at Old Trafford, Rob Burch has
been handed a one year deal, while defender Chris Riley has
signed his first full-time contract.
Released from the club are defender Marcel McKie, Nathan
Peprah-Annan and John Kyriacou, while Richard Heller
has signed for Sudbury and Claude Seanla has joined Watford.
Former Spurs defender and assistant manager John Gorman has
been released from his position by Wycombe Wanderers as he struggles
to recover from the death of his wife in February. Gorman has
said that the slit was amicable, but he has been fit to manager for
several weeks and hopes to get back into the game as soon as possible.
Former Spurs midfielder and manager Terry Venables has been
reported as having turned down the Middlesbrough manager's job.
OTHER
NEWS ... A scan on Wayne Rooney's fractured metatarsal has
revealed that he will miss the three group games in England's World
Cup campaign, at least ... Gudjon Thordarson has left Notts.
County as manager ...
Thursday
25.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
Stephen Kelly told the television cameras after his debut for
the Republic of Ireland last night that he needs first team football
and he doesn't know if that will mean that he has to leave Tottenham
to gain it. Birmingham City might step up their move for the
Irishman, but he may be reluctant to drop a division to get regular
football. The Times suggest that Tottenham are looking at
Paul Konchesky of West Ham United to replace Paul Stalteri
at right back, but also reckon that the Irons will not let him go.
On the BBC website, Pascal Chimbonda thinks he will agree to
join Spurs before the World Cup for £4.5 million, although other
stories hint that he will wait until after the tournament to decide
his future. The Sun believe that he will be signed up within 48
hours and then Spurs will move for midfielder Didier Zokora of
St. Etienne for £5 million. Middlesbrough have warned off Spurs
after the Times reported that they are shaping up to make another bid
for the England winger Stewart Downing. Believed to be
£7.5 million, Boro say they are not selling the player. It is
thought that Martin Jol favours an out and out winger like
Downing rather than Morten Gamst Pedersen of Blackburn Rovers,
who he has watched, but does not stick out wide.
Jermaine Jenas, Michael Carrick and Aaron Lennon
started the England B match against Belarus tonight at Reading FC.
Jenas scored England's goal in a 1-2 defeat, but was substituted after
62 minutes and Michael Dawson and Jermain Defoe both
came off the subs bench after 79 minutes to make it five Spurs players
representing their country in the match. Aaron Lennon was named
man of the match by Trevor Francis.
Former Spurs defender Guy Butters has signed a new one-year
contract with Brighton and Hove Albion.
OTHER
NEWS ... FIFA have told Northern Ireland that only players with
British passports will be able to play for the country in the future,
meaning holders of Republic of Ireland passports cannot turn out for
the Northern Ireland team ... ...
CRIMEWATCH ... Crystal
Palace have been fined £42,000 and Watford £35,000 for failing to
control their players in a mass brawl in the Championship play-off
semi-final second leg at Selhurst Park earlier this month. Both
clubs have been warned about their future conduct.
MEHSTG's spin story ... Kieron
Dyer has been questioned by the Police after a claim that he had
indecently exposed himself. Only this time, it wasn't a poor
performance in a Newcastle United shirt !!
Wednesday
24.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
Tottenham's £3.5 million move for West Bromwich Albion's young central
defender Curtis Davies has been rejected by the relegated club.
The press do think that a £2 million move for Chelsea's Carlton
Cole will go through within the next 24 hours. It is thought
however, that the club's interest in Pascal Chimbonda might
have cooled after having a bid knocked back for the Wigan Athletic
defender. Sky Sports website runs a story claming that Tottenham
would offer reserve keeper Radek Cerny in part-exchange for
Chimbonda, amounting to a deal worth £4.5 million to secure the
Frenchman's services. Tottenham are among a bunch of clubs
including Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic and Fulham in keeping a
keen watch on Leyton Orient's Congo central
defender Gaby Zakuani.
The 19 year old has Fulham as the favourites to sign him up for around
£1 million. With rumours hinting that Edgar Davids' move
to Ajax is close, TeamTalk reckon that Spurs
might use the 33 year old in a deal to acquire Dutch international
forward Ryan Babel, who is 19 and scored on his debut for
Holland in the World Cup qualifier against Romania. Babel is in
the Dutch World Cup squad heading for Germany. Sky Sports site
informs us that Glasgow Celtic and Spurs are in talks with 28 year old
Brazilian winger Denilson, who is at Bordeaux, but will leave
this summer, as they cannot match his financial demands. Spurs,
Manchester City and West Ham United are all interested in Barcelona
utility man Gabri, who will leave the European Champions League
champions Barcelona after seven years at the Camp Nou, although the
player is not sure about moving his family abroad.
Internazionale of Milan are the guests in a pre-season friendly at
White Hart Lane on Sunday 30th July, with the kick-off at 3.00 p.m.
Spurs will provide a number of players for England's B international
against Belarus tomorrow night at the Madjeski Stadium. Aaron
Lennon, Michael Carrick and Jermaine Jenas will
start, while Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson will be on
the bench.
Stephen Kelly made his debut for the Republic of Ireland last
night in a 0-1 defeat by Chile at Lansdowne Road tonight.
Robbie Keane captained the team. Andy Reid replaced
Kelly in the 84th minute and Terry Dixon was an unused
substitute.
Former Spurs midfielder and Clyde manager Graham Roberts is
alleged to have made racist comments during the club's tour of Canada.
Clyde FC are undertaking a full investigation of the matter
Ipswich Town are to hold talks with former Spurs defender and
Northampton Town boss Colin Calderwood about their vacant
manager's job.
OTHER
NEWS ... Manager Keith Alexander has left Lincoln City ... ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... Bees
are staying at Underhill. A nice hive has been set up at the
North London ground, where Barnet FC will continue to play for another
year at least.
Tuesday
23.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
The Times reports that Spurs are confident of snapping up Chelsea
striker Carlton Cole for £2 million, but will miss out on
signing defender Glen Johnson, who seems keen on moving to Lyon.
While on the Chelsea theme, the Daily Mirror claim that Spurs have had
a £5 million bid for Wayne Bridge rejected as the club think he
has a future at Stamford Bridge. An improved offer of £5 million
for Wigan Athletic's Pascal Chimbonda looks likely to be
accepted according to the Independent. Manager Henk ten Cate
would be happy to take Edgar Davids to the Amsterdam Arena as
the Dutchman has said he would like to return to finish his career at
Ajax. Spurs have been confirmed as one of the sides chasing St.
Etienne's Ivory Coast midfielder Didier Zokora, along with
Arsenal and Manchester United, as well as clubs from France and Spain.
His agent said that Tottenham were an interesting proposition, as they
were an improving club with a very good coach.
The club has announced that they will not be touring Thailand and Hong
Kong as part of their pre-season programme, despite it being reported
in some sources that they would be.
Stephen Kelly will win his first Republic of Ireland cap
tomorrow night in the friendly at Lansdowne Road against Chile.
Robbie Keane will skipper the side and Andy Reid and
Terry Dixon are also in the squad.
Former Spurs manager Ossie Ardiles has been revealed as the new
coach of Beitar Jerusalem.
OTHER
NEWS ... Nigel Spackman has been named as manager of Millwall ... Paul
Hart has been unveiled as the new manager of Rushden and Diamonds ...
MEHSTG's spin story ...
Monday
22.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
Tottenham's interest in Curtis Davies of West Bromwich Albion
has been met with strong opposition from the relegated club.
With Arsenal and Newcastle United also keen on the central defender,
the Baggies have said that . Winger Andy Reid has said
that despite an injury-hit first season at Spurs, he is not thinking
of moving elsewhere and intends to see out his contract, which has
four more years to run.
Former Spurs midfielder Gus Poyet has been named as Assistant
Manager of Swindon Town after Denis Wise took the manager's job at the
County Ground. Poyet will also be registered as a player.
Former Spurs midfielder Darren Caskey has signed for Kettering
Town from Rushden and Diamonds.
OTHER
NEWS ... Iain Dowie has left Crystal Palace as manager by mutual
consent ... ...
Sunday
21.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
Spurs have joined the chase for St. Etienne's Ivory Coast midfielder
Didier Zokora. Arsenal have been watching him for a long
time and his price tag is likely to be about £10 million, which might
deter Spurs. The player will be well known to Damien Comolli,
who was Technical Director at the French club.
Michael Dawson has been called up to be on stand-by for the
England World Cup squad after former Spurs defender Luke Young
had to withdraw as he had not overcome an ankle injury.
Former Spurs defender Mark Stimson has been approached by
Millwall and Peterborough United about their manager's jobs, according
to the Star.
Former Spurs defender Colin Calderwood has told the press that
he has not even considered moving to Nottingham Forest to take over as
manager.
Watford will be playing Premier League football after beating Leeds
United in the Championship Play-off Final 3-0 at Cardiff this
afternoon.
OTHER
NEWS ... ... ...
Saturday
20.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
The Mirror claim that Spurs will sign Carlton Cole from Chelsea
for £1 million to be played in rotation with Dimitar Berbatov
as the big striker with Robbie Keane or Jermain Defoe as
the little striker. The paper wonders if Defoe will settle for
this and if not, he might be off to Liverpool.
Colin Calderwood, currently manager of Northampton Town, is
said to have been interviewed for the vacant boss' job at Nottingham
Forest.
OTHER
NEWS ... Hereford United won their place back in the Football
League after beating Halifax Town 3-2 in the Conference Play-off Final
at Leicester City FC tonight ... ...
MEHSTG's
no-spin story ... latest news ... Pele was nearly signed by
Manchester United in 1968 ... you can't get much more "latest" than
that.
Friday
19.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
Spurs, along with Manchester City and Aston Villa, are reported to be
showing in West Bromwich Albion's want-away Hungarian midfielder
Zoltan Gera. The 27 year old is being priced at £4 million.
Newcastle United manager Glenn Roeder is keen to sign his former
player Jermain Defoe to replace Alan Shearer at St. James' Park
according to the Sun. Chelsea are ready to listen to offers for
Eidur Gudjohnsen, who might be a useful alternative to Carlton
Cole ... and cheaper, in my opinion.
Tottenham have announced a pre-season friendly away at Birmingham City
on Saturday 22nd July with the match kicking off at 3.00 p.m.
Jermaine Jenas is back in training with England after
recovering from his shin injury.
OTHER
NEWS ... ... ...
MEHSTG's spin story ...
Thursday
18.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
The Daily Mail reckon that the sponsorship money from Mansion is
burning a hole in Martin Jol's pocket. The paper claims
that he is considering a move for West Ham United left back Paul
Konchesky as he has not been able to buy either of Chelsea
Wayne Bridge or Valencia's Juan Pablo Sorin. one
player they seem to think is definitely on his way to the Lane is
Carlton Cole, who is willing to come to Spurs as long as he is
guaranteed a first team place or so say the Daily Express and Daily
Mail. Not sure I would give him that assurance, but the tabloid
thinks he might have a chance as Tottenham look set to let Jermain
Defoe go, with Liverpool baulking at shelling out £15 million for
him, but they have offered injury-hit Harry Kewell in
part-exchange, the Mail tell us. If the deal went through, the
cash might go straight out to Wigan Athletic for Pascal Chimbonda
(£6 million) and Crystal Palace for striker Andy Johnson (who
the Championship club believe they can get £8 million for).
Portsmouth had trouble keeping Wayne Routledge in full-time
employment while on loan at Fratton Park, but might want him back on
an extended loan spell, while Reto Ziegler impressed on his
time at the JJB stadium, although Wigan are not sure if they will move
for a permanent deal for the Swiss left back. The Express also
have Spurs down as going for Shaun Wright-Phillips if Chelsea
will sell.
Dimitar Berbatov has said that Manchester United made an
unconvincing bid to buy him before he signed for Spurs. He met a
representative from the club, but was impressed by Tottenham's
commitment to signing him and after our home game with United,
Berbatov met Martin Jol and thought he was "a very special man".
We all agree with that !!
OTHER
NEWS ... Swindon Town released manager Iffy Onoura from his
duties ... ...
Wednesday
17.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
Tottenham have agreed a fee of £10.9 million for Dimitar Berbatov
with Bayer Leverkusen. The club has also agreed personal terms,
but have to wait to complete the signing on 1st July, if he gets a
work permit. Having hit 21 goals this season in the Bundesliga,
the Bulgarian forward told the media that he was looking forward to
joining Spurs, as he believes something special is happening at the
club. The 25 year old added that Tottenham had come in for him
in January, but Leverkusen would not sell, so when they came back for
him at the end of the season, he was pleased to say yes, as he
believes that Martin Jol has faith in him. With Berbatov
awaiting his move, it looks like Mido might not be coming as a
permanent signing to White Hart Lane. His loan ends on 1st July
and with the club unable to agree a price, he might be returning to AS
Roma, after missing the end of the season with injury.
Former Spurs head coach Jacques Santini has parted company with
Auxerre after just one season, in which he had a falling out with the
board.
OTHER
NEWS ... Barcelona beat Arsenal in the Champions League Final
tonight with Jens Lehmann being sent off... ...
Tuesday
16.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
The Marriott Hotel that Spurs stayed in before their last match of the
season at West Ham United has been cleared by the Health Protection
Agency and local Environmental Health Officers of causing the food
poisoning ten players suffered the night before the game. The
Docklands hotel was investigated by the health agencies and no
bacteria which would have caused the food poisoning was found, leaving
the diagnosis of a viral infection which one player spread to the
others, causing the vomiting and diarrhoea. The club have put
statement on their website saying that without all the results from
tests on samples and specimens, no firm conclusion can be drawn from
the findings so far.
Although Manchester United are supposedly interested, it seems the
newspapers are united in thinking that Bayer Leverkusen striker
Dimitar Berbatov is coming to Tottenham within the next 24 hours.
Former Spurs defender Mark Stimson has left Grays Athletic as
their manager by mutual consent.
OTHER
NEWS ... Glenn Roeder has been named as the new Newcastle United
manager and Alan Shearer as the club's Football Ambassador ... ...
MEHSTG's
no-spin story ... A linesman in tomorrow's Champion's League
match has posed for a photo for his local newspaper wearing a
Barcelona shirt .. only to be replaced for the match later that
evening despite UEFA saying that they would not do so.
Monday
15.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
Spurs announced a shirt sponsorship deal with Gibraltar based gambling
firm Mansion today worth £34 million over four years.
Once more the logo for the sponsors is red and the deal will kick in
from 1st July when Thomson's current contract expires. Mansion
were set to sponsor Manchester United until the North-West side pulled
out in favour of another sponsor, leaving Spurs with the seventh
biggest sponsorship deal in world football.
With the new shirt sponsor came the new home shirt on view for the
first time. Plain white with a club logo and a puma logo on the
front, it looks like it has an up-turned horseshoe shape of navy blue
on the back.
The Sun link Tottenham with a £5 million move for Rennes Swedish
midfielder Kim Kallstrom. The Daily Mirror claims Spurs
will return with a third offer for Wigan Athletic's Pascal
Chimbonda.
Spurs players going to England for the World Cup will wear the
following numbers ... Paul Robinson 1, Jermaine Jenas
17, Michael Carrick 18, Aaron Lennon 19.
OTHER
NEWS ... Leeds United and Watford have continued with recent
tradition and the loser of the Championship play-off final will keep
the gate receipts from the game, estimated at £1.3 million ... ...
MEHSTG's spin story ...
Sunday
14.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
The Sunday Times runs a story claiming that when Spurs players did not
turn up for breakfast at the Marriott hotel on the morning of the game
against West Ham United last Sunday, there was a sudden surge in
betting on the game in South-East Asia. This was prior to the
official announcement to the media which took place at 12.14 p.m.
Is this a conspiracy or just a coincidence. The truth is out
there.
The News of the World claim that Spurs will sign a four year deal with
Gibraltar based gambling company Mansion worth £34 million this week.
Dimitar Berbatov is reported to be ready to fly in to London
tomorrow to sign a four year contract with Spurs worth £42,000 a week
in salary. The deal will cost Tottenham a reported £11.2 million
in purchasing the Bayer Leverkusen and Bulgaria striker. The
People confidently predict that Spurs will return to Wigan Athletic
with an improved offer for Pascal Chimbonda, who has been
included in the French World Cup squad.
Edgar Davids has been left out of the Holland World Cup squad.
OTHER
NEWS ... ... ...
MEHSTG's spin story ...
Saturday
13.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
Wigan Athletic have rejected a £3 million bid for Pascal Chimbonda
from Spurs. The Lactics claim it is not enough for a player in
the PFA Team of the Year and want nearer £6 million. Media
speculation in Scandinavia links Spurs and West Ham United with Rennes'
Swedish midfielder Kim Kallstrom. Long term admirers
Spurs have been watching him since a youngster in his home country and
are impressed with the season he has had with the French side.
OTHER
NEWS ... Liverpool beat West Ham United 3-1 on penalties after
the FA Cup Final finished 3-3 after extra time ... Heart of
Midlothian beat Gretna 4-2 on penalties after the Scottish FA Cup
Final finished 1-1 after extra time ... Rotherham United will start
the 2006-07 season with a ten-point deduction after going into a
Company Voluntary Agreement to save them from going into liquidation
...
CRIME
WATCH ... The Italian referee going to the World Cup has been
withdrawn after he was implicated in the current match-fixing scandal
in Serie A ...
MEHSTG's spin story ...
Friday
12.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
The Times claims that Martin Jol might turn to Welsh striker Craig Bellamy as a
potential Spurs signing this summer, as he looks to bolster his side
for the European campaign. Both the Times and the Guardian agree
that Tottenham will seek to buy Pascal Chimbonda from Wigan
Athletic, but if they are unsuccessful the club will turn it's
attention to Blackburn Rovers right back Lucas Neill. The
fact that the Australian defender is in contract talks with Rovers is
no doubt purely coincidental. With Sky continuing to link
Tottenham with Mallorca midfielder Juan Arango, the Spanish
club have said that if there is a club willing to offer crazy money,
like £6.5 million, they might have to let him (Aran)go.
Robbie Keane has said that he believes 16-year old Republic of
Ireland call-up striker Terry Dixon can make a real impact on
the game. Talking after his club-mate was included in the squad
for two friendlies, Keane told the press that he thought Dixon had
something special and hoped he would develop into a
OTHER
NEWS ... ... ...
MEHSTG's
no-spin story ... Headline on Sky Sports website "Almunia
Attacks Lehmann." Unfortunately, not the story you might have
expected from the strap-line, but the Spanish goalie did say, "Lehmann
is a very strange bloke." No joking Manuel ??
Thursday
11.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
A doctor at the Health Protection Agency has said that initial results
indicate the presence of norovirus (a viral gastro-enteritis) has been
found in some of the samples provided by the players, but he could not
be sure of the cause until other results had been received. This
would seem to rule out the food poisoning link, but the Spurs club
doctor Charlotte Cowie has said that some players have not had
this virus isolated in the specimens and it would be too soon for any
conclusions to be drawn on what caused the problem.
Daniel Levy has issued another open letter on the club website
stating that the club took the only course of action possible once the
Premier League said the game had to go ahead, in playing the game in
case a point deduction followed any refusal to fulfil the fixture.
The club chairman blasted the FAPL by saying, "If
the loss of over half a selected squad to an inexplicable illness in
highly suspect circumstances does not warrant the postponement of a
match, then I can only despair at the state of our governing rules.
" While initially seeking a replay, the letter was also intended
to spark the Premier League from their lethargy and consider a rule
change, but without success. Levy also said he would not cease
in his efforts to determine what caused the illness to ten players
before the West Ham United match.
The BBC website claims Spurs are close to signing Dimitar Berbatov
from Bayer Leverkusen for £10.7 million. Rudi Voller, the
Bundesliga club's Sporting Director said that Tottenham have met the
asking price and although he hinted that the player was looking for a
move elsewhere, he said it was up to the 25 year old Bulgarian striker
and his agent to decide what they wanted to do. The Daily Mail
claims that Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson wants to join
Tottenham despite strong interest from Wigan Athletic.
Lee Young-Pyo has been selected for the South Korea World Cup
squad.
OTHER
NEWS ... Joe Royle has left Ipswich Town as manager by mutual
consent ... The entire Juventus board have resigned after phone tapped
conversations were recorded identifying the members of the club's
hierarchy arranging the appointment of referees for the Serie A's
club's games ... Ian Atkins has been appointed as manager of
Torquay United for next season ... MK Dons
have sacked manager Danny Wilson ...
Wednesday
10.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
The Premier League have denied Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy's
request for the match against West Ham United to be replayed.
While they sympathised with Tottenham's predicament, they had to stick
to their rules and wished Tottenham success in their UEFA Cup and
domestic campaigns next season. The Premier League said they had
to take a "dispassionate view" of events ... perhaps that is why they
don't understand why fans and clubs get upset at their decisions.
The full letter to Daniel Levy can be viewed at the Premier League
website by clicking
here.
The Daily Mirror reckons that Edgar Davids will walk out on
Spurs in the summer to re-join his former club Ajax, following
Tottenham's failure to obtain a place in the Champions League.
At the other end of the scale, Liverpool are said to rival Spurs for
the signing of SCBC's 16 year old left back Gareth Bale the
Mirror tells us. Rumour links Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse
with Spurs once more, along with Marseille's interest ... but this
was back in January !! The piece actually says that Cisse
believes he will stay at Anfield as the club turned down the
attentions from the two clubs.
Spurs earned £26.2 million from television appearances and prize money
from their final Premier League placing this season.
England goalkeeping coach and former Spurs goalie Ray Clemence
has praised the form of Paul Robinson and has said that his
level of performance has stepped up a couple of notches since his move
to Tottenham, despite Manchester United and Arsenal not being willing
to take the chance to sign him from Leeds United.
Former Spurs goalkeeper Ian Walker has signed a new two year
deal with Bolton Wanderers.
Former Spurs youth player Simon Clist has been released by
Barnet, along with another ex-Spurs youngster Ben Bowditch.
Former Spurs striker Fredi Kanoute scored the fourth goal in Sevilla's 4-0 win in the UEFA Cup Final over Middlesbrough tonight.
OTHER
NEWS ... Harry Redknapp has been awarded the Manager of the Month
trophy, while Steven Gerrard is the Barclaycard Player of the Month ... ...
MEHSTG's
no-spin story ... The sale of memorabilia from Highbury has
hit a snag when it was found out that the seats at the ground are
toxic (they contain the heavy metal Cadmium). Shame.
Tuesday
09.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
Daniel Levy has sent an open letter to the Premier League
requesting that the game against West Ham United be replayed after it
had to go ahead with ten of Tottenham's players having suffered with
food poisoning the night before. Levy said in his letter that
he feels that the decision of the PL left Arsenal with a considerable
advantage and there were extenuating circumstances surrounding the
playing of the match. For example, the England team doctor was
sent to the Spurs hotel to assess the health of the players, but the
Premier League made a decision to make Spurs play the game before the
doctor had even reached the hotel. In fact, the coach had left
before he arrived. In the situation Daniel Levy found himself
in, he tried to contact as many Premier League chairmen as possible
and most agreed that the game should be replayed. Spurs cannot
understand the willingness of the Premier League to postpone the game
for a couple of hours, but not for a day. The Police claimed
there had already been trouble at the ground and that there would
potentially be more if the game was called off. West Ham United
were willing to put the game off as long as it did not conflict with
their preparation for the FA Cup Final. The Premier League have
called a meeting for tomorrow (Wednesday) to discuss the letter, but
at the moment, they say the result stands as Tottenham fulfilled the
fixture.
FIFA Chairman Sepp Blatter (for once) came out with some sense in
telling the media that he felt the game could have been postponed, as
long as it had been scheduled to be played before May 15th.
The Independent reveal that not all the Spurs players affected ate the
same meal and hint that there may be suspicious circumstances
surrounding the incident. Should it be a sophisticated poisoning
scam, then the implication is that betting syndicates might be
involved.
Wigan Athletic defender Pascal Chimbonda's agent claims his
club turned down a £2 million bid for the player from Spurs last week.
He reckons that Tottenham are still interested but not at the quoted
price of £6 million. The Daily Express claim Spurs are ready to
go to £8 million for striker Dimitar Berbatov of Bayer
Leverkusen and the deal might be done this week according tot he Daily
Mail, while some sources in Germany claim he might be a target for
Arsenal. Harry Redknapp has joined Martin Jol in his
astonishment that Jermain Defoe is not included in the England
World Cup squad.
OTHER
NEWS ... ... ...
MEHSTG's
no-spin story ... The Wigan Athletic Head of Communications
could not believe the last minute of the season handing-in of a
transfer request by Pascal Chimbonda and his bad manners. Matt
McCann said "he hadn't even taken his boots
off."
MEHSTG's
no-spin story 2 ... A huge row has blown up as the Millennium
Stadium have refused to issue duplicates after 1,000 FA Cup Final
tickets bound for Liverpool fans were stolen ... from a mail van
delivering post to Goodison Park.
Monday
08.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
The Marriott Hotel in Docklands is being investigated by Local
Authority Environmental
Health Officers and the Health Protection Agency following the food
poisoning of the Spurs players prior to their game yesterday at West
Ham United. Police seized samples of the food eaten and tests
are being run on it and on player's samples to determine what might
have caused ten players to be ill. Martin Jol revealed that of
the squad for the game only Paul Robinson, Stephen Kelly, Anthony
Gardner and Jermain Defoe were not ill, with others being
sick in the dressing room before the match. After the warm-up,
the players said they wanted to play on, but with Robbie Keane,
Michael Dawson, Radek Cerny, Lee Barnard, Calum Davenport, Edgar
Davids, Teemu Tainio and Tom Huddlestone (who didn't even
make the bench) all being affected by the illness, the side were not
at 100% fitness to face the Irons. Having lost the game 1-2 and
with it the chance to finish in fourth place with a possible Champions
League qualification, Spurs are awaiting the results, which should be
known in 48 hours, before deciding whether they will be taking any
legal action against the hotel and the Premier League for lost revenue
from their failure to field a strong side for the match. The
club doctor has said it was unbelievable that Michael Dawson completed
90 minutes in "the state he was in" and that Michael Carrick lasted
just over 60 minutes. The doctor Kalpesh Parmar said that it
might be hard to pinpoint what caused the food poisoning. While
the club had asked for the kick off to be put back to 19.00, the
latest the Police would allow was 17.00 and therefore, with the
precedent of Middlesbrough being deducted three points for not
fulfilling a fixture, Spurs said they would play the game. For
more information on how food poisoning is caused, click
here.
Spurs are well represented in the provisional England squad named for
the World Cup Finals today by Sven Goran Eriksson, but there are some
notable and surprising omissions. In are Paul Robinson,
Michael Carrick, Jermaine Jenas and Aaron Lennon. Not
going at the moment are Jermain Defoe and Ledley King.
Defoe is on standby, but Ledley was not named as one of the five who
might get called up, although Sven mentioned him strongly in a
web-chat on the FA website, where he told the world that should injury
strike the defence, he would see what Ledley's situation was with his
fractured metatarsal. Jermain could yet get a call-up, as Wayne
Rooney and Michael Owen still have question marks hanging over their
fitness for the tournament. Eriksson has seven days to formalise
his squad for naming to FIFA on May 15th, but he can replace injured
players up to 24 hours before England's first game on June 10th.
Martin Jol said he found it "amazing" that Defoe was nto in the
squad, but believes that he will go to Germany with the two strikers
ahead of him having to prove their fitness. The Spurs Head Coach
told reporters that he is glad Jenas is included as he thinks Sven has
seen what the club wanted from Jermaine, getting six or seven goals as
well as performing consistently, while it was not a surprise that ENO
was going as first choice keeper and Lennon's exciting talent made him
a selection for the national team squad that will give the winger a
chance to show what he is about.
The Sun reports that Spurs lead the chase for want-away Wigan Athletic
defender Pascal Chimbonda, who, it is believed, will cost
around £6 million. Following yesterday's walk out at Manchester
United, the Daily Star reckons Ruud van Nistelrooy might join
up with fellow Dutchman Martin Jol at Spurs.
Edgar Davids
has been left out of the Holland squad for the World Cup.
Tottenham's 16 year old Academy Under-18 striker Terry Dixon
has been named in a 29 man Republic of Ireland training squad by
manager Steve Staunton, who was impressed with him in the UEFA
Under-17 championship tournament. The team will play two
friendlies against Portugal in Lisbon
(Friday 19 May) and Chile in Dublin (Wednesday 24 May).
Stephen Kelly, Andy Reid and Robbie Keane are also named in
the squad.
Former Spurs defender Jamie Clapham has been released by
Birmingham City today.
OTHER
NEWS ... ... ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... Birmingham
City manager Steve Bruce has said that two players did not want to
appear in his team's last game in the Premier League before relegation
to the Championship. What Bruce failed to realise is that some
of them haven't been appearing all season and that is why they are in
the position they are.
MEHSTG's spin story
2 ... Wigan Athletic manager Paul Jewell was disgusted by
defender Pascal Chimbonda's decision to hand him a written transfer
request at the end of yesterday's game. Jewell said "It was all
muddy and wet ... this shows an alarming lack of respect."
Sunday
07.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
Spurs lost their last league game of the season 1-2 to West Ham United
at Upton Park this afternoon and with it fourth place in the Premier
League. For a match report, click
here. For reaction, click
here.
Tottenham had requested that the game be postponed after 10 players
suffering with food poisoning overnight, but the Premier League said
it was not postponeable and made Spurs play the match as they had
sufficient players to fulfil the fixture.
The News of the World takes Edgar Davids' comments of yesterday
as a signal that he is ready to leave Spurs, even if the club qualify
for the Champions League. The Sunday Mirror claim that Aaron
Lennon is likely to be called up for England if he puts in one more
good performance for Spurs. The Sunday Express reckon that
Manchester United and Liverpool will challenge Spurs for the signing
of £4 million rated Wigan Athletic defender Pascal Chimbonda
and Newcastle United are also watching the situation, but his club
have said that Tottenham do not have the money to buy the defender.
While on a Wigan theme, The People run a story saying that Paul Jewell
wants to sign keeper Marton Fulop from Spurs for £1 million.
We are not sure what the journalists at the Sunday Express are on, but
they reckon that chairmen of Premier League
clubs are going to use the money from the new TV deal to slash ticket
prices and to subsidise their club's fans' travel to away matches.
OTHER
NEWS ... Former England boss Bobby Robson has had surgery on a
suspected cancerous growth on his lung ... ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... Ruud
van Nistelrooy drove away from Old Trafford this afternoon when he
discovered he was not even included on the bench for Manchester
United's match against Charlton Athletic. There is no truth in
the rumour that he was meeting Sol Campbell to set up their own team
"Sulk FC."
Saturday
06.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
Edgar Davids told the media today that Sunday's meeting with
West Ham in one of the most important games of his career. The
Dutch midfielder said a win will help the squad achieve what they have
been working for all season and also said that he still has a year
left on his deal, reiterating that he likes it at Tottenham playing in
a side that has lots of young players who will be great in the future.
OTHER
NEWS ... Southend ended the season as League One champions with
Colchester United also gaining automatic promotion ... Relegated
from League One were Walsall, MK Dons, Hartlepool and Swindon Town ...
Carlisle United secured the League Two title, while
Northampton Town and Leyton Orient go up automatically, but at the
bottom Oxford United join already relegated Rushden and Diamonds in
dropping into the Conference ...
CRIMEWATCH ... The
FA have written to Manchester City about allegations that their
defender David Sommeil was racially abused by Arsenal's Robin van
Persie in Thursday's match at Eastlands
MEHSTG's spin story ...
Friday
05.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
Tottenham's game with West Ham United will not be screened at White
Hart Lane on Sunday, because it is not permissible to screen a live
game when another is being broadcast on television.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : - Michael Carrick
(knee/calf), Mido (knee) and Robbie Keane (ankle) will
all have late fitness tests before Sunday's match. Keane is
highly unlikely to play, while the others have a chance.
Definitely out are Jermaine Jenas (shin), Ledley King
(fractured metatarsal) and Paul Stalteri (knee ligament).
Back in contention are Danny Murphy, who has overcome a knock
and cramp from the Bolton Wanderers game and Edgar Davids, who
is available again after suspension.
WEST HAM UNITED TEAM NEWS : - Ex-Spur Matthew Etherington will
miss Sunday's game with an ankle injury picked up in training today,
making him a doubt for the FA Cup Final.
Jermain Defoe has told the Daily Mirror that he will be the one
to take Wayne Rooney's place in the England team should he not make it
to Germany for the World Cup Finals. The same paper also reveals
that Jermaine Jenas and Ledley King have been spending
time inside an oxygen tent to aid their recovery from injury to get
them ready for the World Cup.
Former Spurs midfielder Darren Anderton has been released by
Wolverhampton Wanderers.
OTHER
NEWS ... Thierry Henry has been named as the Barclaycard
Premiership Player of the Season ... Brian Little has left
Tranmere Rovers as their manager by mutual consent ... It was revealed
today that Barry Hunter will leave Rushden and Diamonds as their
manager at the end of the season when his contract expires ...
MEHSTG's spin story ...
Thursday
04.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
The Sun claim that Manchester United are ready to tempt Michael
Carrick away from Tottenham with a £10 million bid. A
largely increased salary (upping his £15,000 a week at Spurs) and a
move back North, where he is homesick for apparently, tend to make
United think they have a chance with their move for the England
midfielder.
Spurs Reserves lost 0-2 to Manchester United Reserves Old Trafford
tonight in the Barclaycard Premiership Reserve play-off final.
Spurs played the last six minutes with ten men and Charlie Lee in goal
after keeper Rob Burch had to be stretchered off, with all three Spurs
substitutes on the pitch already.
For a preview of Sunday's match with West Ham United, click
here.
OTHER
NEWS ... Steve McClaren was named as the England manager to
replace Sven Goran Eriksson after the World Cup Finals this summer ... ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... There
is no truth in the story that when told that he would be recuperating
from his fractured metatarsal in an oxygen tent, Wayne Rooney thought
that it was a special structure designed for him to use his O2
mobile.
MEHSTG's spin story
2 ... Headline on Sky Sports website's football page "Barwick
confirms Wenger chat." What was there to confirm about the
Arsenal manager's cat ??
MEHSTG's
no-spin story ... Wayne Rooney is said to have gone mental
when he found girlfriend Colleen's mobile phone with a message from
Sam on it. The story has a happy ending though when she
explained to him that the text message said 5 a.m.
Wednesday
03.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
UEFA chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson
has told the media that there will be no extra place for Spurs, should
they finish in fourth position in the Premier League and an English
side win the Champions League.
The Independent link Spurs with Crystal Palace's Andy Johnson
and Curtis Davies of West Bromwich Albion today (in addition to
Wayne Bridge, Glen Johnson, Dimitar Berbatov and
Pascal Chimbonda). They claim also that Spurs are only
willing to offer £1 million for Hatem Ben Arfa of Lyon, while
the French club are asking for £3 million. The Daily Mirror
seems to see the 19 year old as a replacement for Jermain Defoe,
who is believed to be attracting interest from Liverpool, Manchester
United and Chelsea. The Sun concentrates on a £6 million battle
for the singing of Charlton Athletic's Darren Bent that will
see Spurs and Liverpool fight it out for the England fringe striker,
although his current club intend to double his salary to try and keep
him happy at the Valley. Rumours seem to be surfacing that
Tottenham will accept offers for Wayne Routledge and Andy
Reid.
Spurs Reserves will meet Manchester United Reserves tomorrow night
(Thursday) at Old Trafford for the Barclaycard Premiership Reserve
play-off final.
OTHER
NEWS ... Wayne Rooney might have more than one fracture in his
foot according to Sven Goran Eriksson ... ...
Richard Money has been named as Scunthorpe United's new manager ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... Arsenal
are thought to be considering legal action over Dan Smith's tackle on
Diaby in the match against Sunderland on Monday. Is this a
veiled threat against opposition clubs in case anyone sneezes near one
of their players ?
Tuesday
02.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
Ledley King has signed a four year deal with Tottenham Hostpur.
The Spurs skipper said he was keen to be part of the future of the
club and wanted to be part of the good time he believes are coming.
King added that there was never any question of him not staying and he
was glad that the improved deal was complete, even though it had taken
a while to get right.
Grzegorz Rasiak has joined SCBC on a four year deal for £2
million after being there on loan since January.
Chelsea are still after Ledley King, but also seem to want
Jermain Defoe too, with Wayne Bridge and Glen Johnson
being offered in return. The Times reveals that Ledley King is close to signing a new
contract with Spurs after talking terms for six months, while the
Daily Mirror claims that Wigan Athletic defender Pascal Chimbonda
is a £4 million target for Tottenham in the summer. Philipp
Degen has confirmed that Tottenham scouts have been at Borussia
Dortmund games to cast an eye over him, but the Swiss defender is
contracted to the Bundesliga club until 2008. Long term target
Hatem Ben Arfa of Olympique Lyonnais is said to be the player
that Tottenham are aiming to sign in the summer. The 19 year old
midfielder-cum-forward has not been a regular in the French champions
side, leading to rumours of his departure. Coventry City manager
Micky Adams is determined to sign Spurs reserve keeper Marton Fulop,
even though his first offer has been knocked back. He said that
he hopes to work out a permanent deal for the keeper who has been on
loan at the Ricoh Arena for six months, saying that a figure of
£200,000 that is being bandied about is way off the mark
There was a story we missed on Sunday in the Mail on Sunday which
hints at Tottenham completing a £5 million a season deal for Korean
electronics firm LG to be shirt sponsors to the club.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : - Robbie Keane's ankle injury
would normally rule him out for two or three weeks, but Martin Jol
is sure that Keane will be trying to be ready to play, as he is a
quick healer. Michael Carrick has a slight calf strain
and Paul Stalteri a ligament problem, so both are doubtful,
while Mido (knee), Jermaine Jenas (shin) and Ledley
King (broken metatarsal) are definitely out. Edgar Davids
will be available again after his one-match suspension.
OTHER
NEWS ... ... ...
MEHSTG's spin story ... Alex
Ferguson has said he would not be happy for Wayne Rooney to go
Germany, but then he is Scottish and anything to stop England winning
the World Cup AGAIN !!
Monday
01.05.2006 (For other Spurs history on this day click
here; For the current news on each player
in the squad, click
here)
The news today surrounds Ledley King who says he has his
fingers crossed that he will be fit for England's World Cup campaign
in Germany and then the media reckon Chelsea want to sign our captain
if William Gallas leaves them in the summer, as he has hinted.
OTHER
NEWS ... Gary Neville had a verbal altercation with a Man U fan
as the team did a lap of honour at Old Trafford after their game with
Middlesbrough ... ...
MEHSTG's spin story ...
|