White Hot Lines

July 2006

Monday 31.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   It has been announced that the fee for Manchester United to purchase Michael Carrick has been agreed at £18.6 million, which is the total, conditional on certain criteria being met.  It is believed that initially, the fee Spurs will receive will be around £13m and the rest of the money will be paid on conditions related to United's success, the number of the player's international appearances and how long Carrick stays at the club.  West Ham United will be due a cut of the profit, because of a sell-on condition when they sold the midfielder to Spurs.  Carrick completed his move after passing a medical in Manchester today.
   Rumour in the Daily Mirror suggests Spurs are unwilling to pay £6 million for Wigan Athletic defender Pascal Chimbonda, but they are believed to be offering Andy Reid, Danny Murphy plus cash for the French right-back.  Which would seem to add up to more than £6 million to me, but I suppose Spurs would save on wages.  Martin Jol refused to comment on the speculation when asked by journalists today.  Tottenham may be set to renew their interest in 25 year-old Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry after he has made it known that he wishes to leave the crisis club.  A Spurs spokesman has said that the club have not made an offer for Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing, coming after some reports that said Tottenham had offered £2 million for the England man.  Reports in the Italian press also link Spurs with a £12 million offer, but this time for the Internazionale striker Obafemi Martins, who scored yesterday for the Serie A champions.
   Ledley King has undergone an operation on his knee ligaments and will be out for up to eight weeks.
   Much is being made in the Press about Tom Huddlestone taking over Michael Carrick's mantle, but all the talk from the Spurs management is that he is still developing and although he will be a very good player in time, I think that Didier Zokora will most likely be the one to fill Carrick's defensive midfield slot in the short term.
   Kyle Fraser-Allen started  for England Under-17s in the 4-2 win over Sweden but was substituted after 54 minutes.  Adam Smith came on in the 76th minute as a substitute and scored a late goal in the match.

  OTHER NEWS ... Wembley Stadium is even further behind schedule now and may not be ready until September of this year ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Cristiano Ronaldo had to return to training with Manchester United today with a minder as he faced Wayne Rooney for the first time since the World Cup.  When he didn't turn up to escort the Portuguese winger, he arrived after a quick phone call to the Winchester, where he was working on a nice little earner (as Rooney is known).


Sunday 30.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Spurs beat Internazionale of Milan 2-1 at White Hart Lane this afternoon in a pre-season friendly.  For a match report, click here.
   The Independent on Sunday reports that Spurs will escalate their chase for Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing.  The News of the World have Spurs down as making a £4 million bid for Aston Villa's want-away midfielder Gareth Barry and they believe that Sunderland want to take Andy Reid and Calum Davenport to the Stadium of Light.  The Sunday People have a story claiming Spurs are set to spend the bulk of the money they receive for Michael Carrick (which the Sunday Express claim was to be £19 million, but Spurs had to accept £134 million) by buying Internazionale's Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins for £12 million.  The same paper reiterated previous stories about winger Wayne Routledge being offered the opportunity to join Watford or Charlton Athletic.
   Spurs have announced the squad numbers for the coming season and these are as follows : -

1 Paul Robinson
3 Lee Young-Pyo
4 Didier Zokora
5 Edgar Davids
6 Teemu Tainio
7 Paul Statleri
8 Jermaine Jenas
9 Dimitar Berbatov
10 Robbie Keane
12 Radek Cerny
13 Danny Murphy
14 Hossam Ghaly
16 Reto Ziegler
17 Marton Fulop
18 Jermain Defoe
19 Andy Reid
20 Michael Dawson
21 Wayne Routledge
22 Tom Huddlestone
24 Jamie O'Hara
25 Aaron Lennon
26 Ledley King
27 Calum Davenport
28 Lee Barnard
29 Phil Ifil
30 Anthony Gardner
32 Benoit Assou-Ekotto


  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Frank Lampard has said in his auto-biography that Jermain Defoe should have gone with the England squad to Germany and that he is keen to be England captain.  With insight like that, he should surely be the new England manager.

  MEHSTG's no-spin story 2 ... Alan Shearer will not take up a place in the England set-up as a striker coach, as he wishes to concentrate on his media career ... because, from his World Cup analysis, he obviously needs the practice.


Saturday 29.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

  The Spurs website has revealed that Ledley King will be out of action for six to eight weeks with a cartilage injury picked up in training.  Can anyone remember the last time that Ledders started a Premier League campaign ?
   The Daily Mirror has revived the rumour of Tottenham's interest in Ateltico Madrid's Bulgarian winger Martin Petrov, while TeamTalk claim that Martin Jol will now intensify his pursuit of Wigan Athletic's Pascal Chimbonda and Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing with the money from Michael Carrick's sale.
   A Spurs XI including Aaron Lennon, Didier Zokora and Young-Pyo Lee beat Cambridge City away this afternoon, with goals from YP Lee and Andy Barcham.  The team that played was
Forecast, Riley, YP Lee (Daniels 46), Lewis, C Lee, Defendi (Martin 61), Lennon, Zokora (Davis 46 [Hutton 66]), Dawkins, O'Hara, Barcham with the unused substitutes being Stroud and Lake
   The Victoria Line tube will be closed for engineering works between Finsbury Park and Seven Sisters tomorrow, with a replacement bus running between the two closed stations to take fans on their way to the Internazionale match.

  OTHER NEWS ... Former Brazil boss Carlos Alberto Perreira has signed a four year deal with South Africa to take them up to the end of the 2010 World Cup to be staged in their country ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... 


Friday 28.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Michael Carrick looks set to join Manchester United next week in a deal costing up to £18 million according to some reports, while most quote £15 million.  Transfer terms have supposedly been agreed and Carrick will need to pass a medical and agree personal terms with the Old Trafford club.  West Ham United will receive some fo the fee under a sell-on clause when Tottenham bought the midfielder from Upton Park two years ago.  The Independent reckon that Spurs have played serious hard-ball in the dealings with United and the initial offer of £7 million has been upped considerably, to a point where the fee will almost reach the £20 million price tag Tottenham put on his head.  The Spurs website says that the deal has been agreed after offering Carrick every opportunity to stay, but he wanted the move away from White Hart Lane.
   Sir Alex Ferguson did say that he is not interested in buying Jermain Defoe to replace the departed Ruud van Nistelrooy.  The Manchester United manager said, "He is the only Tottenham Hotspur player we are interested in at the moment."  Don't like the last bit in that statement.  The Sun claim that Spurs enquired about Liverpool's Harry Kewell's availability, but were not willing to meet his £50,000 a week wages and also that Sunderland would like to sign winger Andy Reid.  Spurs, Manchester City and Newcastle United are watching the Shaun Wright-Phillips situation at Chelsea, where he has been given until the start of the season to prove he can cut it at Stamford Bridge.  Two players Spurs have been linked with recently have decided to stay at their current clubs.  Sunderland keeper Ben Alnwick and West Bromwich Albion's Curtis Davies have taken action to remain in the Championship with Alnwick withdrawing his transfer request and Davies signing a new four year deal at the Hawthorns.  Lomana Lua Lua, who has also been rumoured to be a transfer target for Spurs has signed a new three year contract at Portsmouth and Daniele Bonera who was linked with a move to Tottenham last week has been snapped up by AC Milan.  Ex-Spur Mido has impressed the new Roma coach, who is preparing a special programme to allow him to join up with the rest of the squad.
   The Guardian report that Tottenham are interested in moving into the Olympic Stadium at Stratford after the 2012 Olympic Games are finished.

  OTHER NEWS ... Geraint Williams has been appointed as the new manager of Colchester United ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Rafa Benitez has laid down the law to new signings Craig Bellamy and Jermaine Pennant, telling them they are in "the last chance saloon."  Bellamy was heard to say of this comment, "Mine's a pint of lager and lime ... what are you having Jermaine ?"


Thursday 27.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Spurs have lost two potential transfer targets.  Pavel Nedved has announced he will be staying with relegated Juventus and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was mooted as a part of a deal plus £10 million to take Michael Carrick to Old Trafford as reported in The Sun, looks like he will be joining Real Madrid.  The Sun also reckon that Watford and Charlton Athletic are keen on signing winger Wayne Routledge from Spurs.  In the Daily Telegraph, it claims that Spurs wanted Chelsea to pay the difference between the wages Tottenham would have offered Damien Duff and his wage at Stamford Bridge - believed to amount to £20,000 a week - after they signed him.  This was supposedly a similar deal to when Frank Arnesen defected to Chelsea and Spurs wanted Scott Parker and his wages paid as part of the arrangement.  Parker subsequently joined Newcastle United, as did Duff.  I would have thought it was a reasonable request, as Chelsea have shed-loads of money, but it also appears that the Geordies have too.  Nice try though Daniel !!

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... When told Manchester United had spurned Real Madrid's initial offer for him, a reporter asked Ruud van Nistelrooy "Why the long face ?"


Wednesday 26.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Jermain Jenas and Aaron Lennon played as a Spurs XI beat Bishops Stortford 8-1 at Woodside Park tonight thanks to goals from Lee Barnard, Reto Ziegler, Andy Barcham 2, Aaron Lennon and Simon Dawkins 3.  The Spurs XI team was : Fulop, Ifil, Ziegler, Jenas (Dawkins 46), Lee (Galitsios 46), Davenport, Lennon (Maghoma 46 [Riley 80]), Barcham (Daniels 62), Barnard, Murphy, O'Hara. The unused substitutes were Forecast and Riley.
   The Guardian claim that Spurs' new contract offer of a reported £45,000 a week to Michael Carrick has been rejected and that the club are thought to be ready to accept he will join Manchester United and that Spurs will replace him with Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved.  With money from the impending sale of Ruud van Nistelrooy, the fee could be as much as £17 million and that will give Spurs considerable spending power.  Carrick is believed to have offered the reasons of Man U being in the Champions League and that Manchester was nearer to his family home in Newcastle.  United are also believed to be ready to offer Tottenham £12 million for Jermain Defoe after they were stymied in their offer for Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres, the Star reckons.  Meanwhile the Sun have Spurs down as preparing another bid for Stewart Downing of Middlesbrough and set the amount at £6 million this time, but Football 365 have Tottenham down as going as high as £10 million for the England winger.  Wigan Athletic defender Pascal Chimbonda still wants to leave the Lactics, but with Spurs being on of the interested clubs who have not reached the price set for the French full back, it is by no means certain he will get his wish.  His agent has hinted that he could make more money at the JJB stadium, but he is keen to move to a bigger club and Tottenham is his choice.
   For a match report of last night's friendly against Stevenage Borough, click
here.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...


Tuesday 25.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Spurs beat Stevenage Borough 3-0 in a pre-season friendly at Broadhall Way tonight.  Jermain Defoe put Spurs ahead in the first half, while penalties in the last ten minutes from Dimitar Berbatov and Defoe sealed the win.  A match report will follow tomorrow.
   Damien Duff has revealed that he did not join Spurs out of respect for Chelsea.  Nothing to do with the money then ?  Spurs transfer target Micah Richards has signed a new four year contract with Manchester City.

  OTHER NEWS ... The appeal against the sentences handed down to the Italian match-fixing clubs has been announced. 
Juventus who were sentenced to Serie B with 30-point penalty; are still in Serie B but now with a 17-point deduction and their ground will be shut for three matches.  AC Milan had a 15-point penalty; now reduced to eight points and they have been reinstated in the Champions League. They will however, suffer a one-match stadium ban.  Lazio were relegated with a seven-point penalty; with the appeal  putting them back in Serie A with an 11-point deduction and their stadium shut for two matches.  Fiorentina were relegated to Serie B with a 12 point penalty; but will now play back in Serie A with a 19 point penalty and their ground will be closed for three matches ... Niall Quinn has been named as the new manager of Sunderland ...


Monday 24.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Spurs are linked with a further bid for Middlesbrough's England winger Stewart Downing and also that they may try to bring in Italian right-backs Daniele Bonera (25 years old) of Parma and 30 year old Massimo Oddo of Lazio.  Hull City may take striker Mark Yeates on a season long loan if they can persuade Spurs to let him go.  Tigers Manager Phil Parkinson had Yeates on loan at his previous club Colchester United last season. 
   It has been revealed today that Damien Duff signed for Newcastle United for a fee of £5 million.  This appears to be less than Spurs offered, but obviously, his comments about talking to Republic of Ireland team-mates and ex-Chelsea team-mate Scott Parker might well have revolved around how much he could screw out of the Geordie club.
  
The draw for the first round of the UEFA Cup, when Spurs enter the competition, will take place on 25 August in Monaco at 1200 BST, with the ties to be played on 14 September and 28 September.
   The club website have revealed that our new Puma chocolate and gold third kit will be on sale at the ground on Sunday for the Internazionale friendly match and the team will wear the kit in that game too.  Nice.

  OTHER NEWS ... Dunga has been appointed as the new coach of the Brazil team, even though he has no previous coaching experience ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Headline of the Day ... "Bergkamp says has no interest in coaching."  Perhaps that why he remained a most unlikely player for Arsenal.


Sunday 23.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Alex Ferguson has said that although Manchester United have had a bid for Michael Carrick turned down and Spurs have told him to double their offer, his club have a set price they are willing to offer for the midfielder and will not go above that, so will look elsewhere if they need to.  The News of the World has Tottenham linked with Valencia striker Marco Di Vaio, who would cost £4 million and is also garnering interest from Charlton Athletic.  The paper also reports that Spurs will move for Grenoble's 19 year old striker Chahir Belghazouani in a £700,000 deal, which will not be completed until January because he has a tendon injury at the moment.  The France Under-20 international participated in the Toulon tournament this summer for his country.  The Daily Star Sunday reckons Manchester United might turn to Jermain Defoe to answer their striking problems if they fail to secure Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid and the fee for the Spurs forward would be £11 million.  West Bromwich Albion's young defender Curtis Davies is said to be ready to commit himself to the Baggies Championship campaign rather than move to one of the many clubs chasing him, such as Spurs.  The Sunday Times contains a piece on transfer rumours that links Everton with Calum Davenport, but has no more than that on the matter.
   We have had the following information from Stevenage Borough about Tuesday night's friendly at Broadhall Way (kick off 8.00 p.m.) ...

As usual Spurs will bring their strongest First Team squad to Broadhall Way and it will be a great opportunity to see Spurs and Boro’s new signings Stevenage has confirmed that 3,000 tickets will be available on the turnstiles on Tuesday night for the match.  A club spokesperson said ''there won't be many seats available but, as is our usual custom, we're putting over 3,000 terrace tickets on the turnstiles on the night. Gates will open at 6.15pm and we would recommend that supporters without tickets should get to the ground as early as possible as we are expecting a near capacity crowd'.'

  OTHER NEWS ... Some of Wayne Rooney's international cups and medals were stolen on a burglary on his parents home in Liverpool ... 

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Arsene Wenger has refused to take part in an MUTV tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson, the only Premiership manager to do so, with the Frenchman claiming that as it was on MUTV, "no-one would see it."


Saturday 22.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Tottenham beat Birmingham City 2-0 at St. Andrews in a pre-season friendly this afternoon.  Both goals were scored by Dimitar Berbatov in the 13th and 15th minutes.  The second was a stunning volley.  The team that took part today was  Fulop, Routledge (Ifil 66), King (Davenport 66), Dawson, Assou-Ekotto, Huddlestone, Ghaly (Ziegler 57), Tainio, Defoe (O'Hara 86), Keane (Murphy 64), Berbatov (Barnard 71). Unused substitute : Cerny
   Spurs have been linked with a number of transfers in the Daily Mirror's Transfer Merry-Go-Round.  The club are linked with buying Pascal Chimbonda (Wigan Athletic), Jason Koumas (West Bromwich Albion)  and Matthew Taylor (Portsmouth).  Going out will be Michael Carrick to Manchester United and Calum Davenport to Reading on loan according to the Mirror.  The paper also reports that Chimbonda will be offered a new contract at Wigan as the club effects a turnaround in their attitude to his transfer request.  Following the failure to secure Damien Duff, Spurs may have turned their attention to Bulgarian winger Martin Petrov of Atletico Madrid as the acceptable alternative.
   Reserve striker Mark Yeates has signed a new contract that will keep him at White Hart Lane until 2008.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...


Friday 21.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   It appears from a report on the BBC website that Spurs have lost out to Newcastle United in the chase for Chelsea winger Damien Duff.  The article claims that terms have been agreed for the move to St. James Park, with Tottenham's two bids failing to reach Chelsea's valuation of the Republic of Ireland international amidst rumour of the club's concern over his injury record.  The Daily Mirror claim that Manchester United will offer defender Mikael Silvestre as part of a deal to capture Michael Carrick.  Sky Sports website claims Villareal are willing to allow Argentine defender Juan Pablo Sorin to leave the club, thus sparking rumours that Spurs are interested.

  OTHER NEWS ... Mick McCarthy has been named as the new manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers ...

  MEHSTG's no-spin story 1 ... Plymouth Argyle lost 0-1 to a second half penalty to Real Madrid in a pre-season friendly in Austria tonight.

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Darren Bent, the Charlton Athletic striker, sliced into his hand while making a sandwich, the Daily Mirror reports.  "I had a kitchen accident. I just cut it when I was making a sandwich. "I don't even know what kind of sandwich it was. I didn't get to try it," the forward was quoted as saying.


Thursday 20.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has told Damien Duff that he can leave Chelsea if he wishes to do so.  This will alert Tottenham who have been strongly linked with a move for him for a couple of weeks now.  The Daily Express reckon Tottenham will increase their bid to £7 million.  The Sun report that Spurs will have to wait 48 hours to find out if Juventus' Czech international Pavel Nedved will be joining them.  The Daily Star claims that Chelsea will make space for two new left-backs with the sale of Wayne Bridge to Tottenham.  Spurs transfer target Lilian Thuram has signed for Barcelona.  Spurs are reported to have had representatives at the Lillestrom v Newcastle United InterToto Cup match to watch 25 year old Slovenian international midfielder Robert Koren.
   Former Spurs defender Jamie Clapham has joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on a week long trial after being released by Birmingham City.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...

  CRIMEWATCH ... Zinedine Zidane has been banned for three games and fined £3,000 for his head but in the World Cup Final.  As he has retired, the ban will be transferred to Zidane working for FIFA for three days.  Marco Materazzi has been banned for two games and fined around £2,000 for abusing the Frenchman ...  ...

  MEHSTG's no-go no-spin story ... Dietmar Hamann turned down the chance to play for Bolton Wanderers because he went to a chip shop and could not understand what the owner was saying !!
  MEHSTG's no-go no-spin story 2 ... Diego Tristan of Deportivo La Coruna has said he will not be joining Glasgow Rangers because Scotland is too cold !!


Wednesday 19.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   On the hottest July day since records started, there was no hot gossip about Tottenham's transfer dealings.
   Former Spurs defender Luke Young has signed a new four year deal with Charlton Athletic.

  OTHER NEWS ... David O'Deary has left Aston Villa by mutual consent ..
.

  CRIMEWATCH ... Shaun Newton of West Ham United has received a seven month ban for testing positive for cocaine after the FA Cup semi-final ... echoing the Mitchell brothers from EastEnders, Alan Pardew said that West' Am are a famly club an' when one of ya famly is 'n trouble, you look after 'em. ...

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Headline of the Day from Sky Sports website "Fergie hopeful over Dong"


Tuesday 18.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Spurs won 2-0 against Celta Vigo tonight in Annecy, with Jermain Defoe scoring twice after 51 and 53 minutes.  The team was - Cerny, Ghaly (Lee 85), Assou-Ekotto, Davids (Tainio 46), Davenport (Dawson 46), King (Huddlestone 46), Routledge (Ifil 65), Murphy (Defoe 46), Barnard (Berbatov 46), Keane (McKenna 70), Ziegler (O'Hara 65).  The unused substitutes were - Fulop and Barcham
   Alex Ferguson has revealed that he made a bid for Michael Carrick, which was turned down by Tottenham.  He said that Manchester United were still looking for a central midfielder.  The Independent claim that Chelsea have rejected a £7 million offer from Spurs for Damien Duff and want £11 million, while the Daily Express thinks it was £5 million Tottenham offered and the Sun reckon his club have offered him a two year extension to his contract. 
   The Spurs XI won 3-1 at Boreham Wood tonight thanks to goals from Terry Dixon with a brace and Jacques Maghoma.

  OTHER NEWS ... the appeals against the Italian match-fixing punishments will begin on July 22nd.  No doubt when the final appeal decision is known, then players will start to leave the clubs affected ...  ...


Monday 17.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Spurs are being heavily linked with an £11 million move for Chelsea winger Damien Duff.  The BBC rumour that he had a medical at Tottenham on Sunday and will complete his move across London in the next couple of days in a four-year £60,000 a week deal.  Or for £10 million at £45,000 a week if you read the Daily Mail, but they say the money to take him to White Hart Lane will come from the sale of Michael Carrick to Manchester United.  The Mail also links Spurs to moves for midfielder Pavel Nedved and defender Lilian Thuram both of Juventus and also claim that John O'Shea of Manchester United will be part of the Carrick transfer.   16 year old Spurs target and Welsh international Gareth Bale has signed a two year professional contract with SCBC.

  OTHER NEWS ... Aston Villa will conduct an inquest into the "players statement" that may never have been ... 

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Arsene Wenger told The Guardian, "We still want to strengthen our squad at the back."  Same Old Arsenal.


Sunday 16.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Roberto Ayala might have moved a step nearer joining Spurs according to the Star, who say that Valencia have said they are willing to sell him.  The News of the World reveal that Lucas Neill, who has been linked with Spurs, has turned down a new deal at Blackburn Rovers.  The Sunday Mirror reckon Manchester United have been given no encouragement in their attempt to sign Michael Carrick by offering £10 million plus John O'Shea, who Spurs are supposed to have had a previous bid for turned down.  Pascal Chimbonda, the Wigan Athletic defender, is set to be offered a new £1 million a year deal to stop him joining Spurs.  Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson is hoping to hold out for £15 million from Real Madrid for Ruud van Nistelrooy, so that he can splash £11 million of it on Jermain Defoe, however other reports link United with Spanish teenager Fernando Torres.  In the News of the World Martin Jol is being linked with a £15 million Spanish double swoop for Real Madrid's £2 million rated midfielder Thomas Gravesen and also Villareal's Argentinian defender Juan Pablo Sorin.  Comforting news comes out of the Valley, as Darren Bent seems set to sign a new deal at Charlton Athletic to prevent joining a posse of interested clubs, including Spurs, who were reported to have had a £10 million bid for the striker turned down.  This might be why the club are being linked with Filippo Inzaghi of Juventus in the News of the World, as he would be a much cheaper option, although hardly the regular goal-scorer we need.  In the wake of the Italian match fixing scandal, 33-year old Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved's agent has said that Spurs have made an offer for his client, along with Monaco and sides from the Middle East. 

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...


Saturday 15.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   The Daily Mirror runs a story claiming that Manchester United have made a £15 million offer for Jermain Defoe in an attempt to take him to Old Trafford to replace the departing Ruud van Nistelrooy.  The same newspaper reckon that Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal will be invited to enter into an auction with Spurs for Manchester City's 18 year old central defender Micah Richards to see how much the Eastlands club can cash in on him.  City are also said to be negotiating with Oldham Athletic to buy out the sell-on clause that was part of the deal that took him to Manchester.  The chances of him leaving are apparently heightened as the Daily Express writes that he has turned down a lucrative new contract.  The Sun reveal that Tottenham are watching the situation involving Italian striker Luca Toni of Fiorentina, although he had an undistinguished World Cup for his country.  The Daily Mail chip in with a story that says Blackburn Rovers are trying to hold onto Australian World Cup full-back Lucas Neill, as Spurs are showing interest in him.
  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Ashley Cole has slammed Arsenal in the promotional material for his new book, saying that they "hung him out to dry" over the Chelsea tapping up incident and that he will open the lid on Pandora's box by revealing who set him up within the club he regarded as "family."


Friday 14.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Tottenham beat Nice 1-0 in a pre-season friendly at the Stade Municipal d'Evian in Evian.  The goal was scored by Lee Barnard from six yards out after Jamie O'Hara pulled a cross back to him in the 43rd minute.  Marton Fulop had an outstanding game in goal to keep the Nice side at bay.
The team that played was -
Fulop, Stalteri, Ziegler, Huddlestone, King (Murphy 72), Davenport, Routledge (Defoe 46), Ghaly, Barnard (McKenna 85), Tainio, O'Hara.
Unused Substitutes: Cerny, Defoe, Ifil, Lee, Barcham.

   The Daily Mirror claims that Spurs have made a £5 million approach for Manchester City defender Micah RichardsDamien Comolli is believed to have put the offer to City chairman John Wardle and City have hinted they would not want to sell their star youngster, stating that they have not received an offer from any club.
   Midfielder Dean Marney has left Spurs for Hull City for an undisclosed fee on a three year contract.
   A Spurs XI beat Enfield Town in their first pre-season friendly 7-1 at Brimsdown Rovers FC.  The goals were scored by Dorian Dervite, Terry Dixon, Jacques Maghoma, Simon
Dawkins, Jamie Davis 2 and Jake Livermore after Tottenham went 0-1 down in the first five minutes.
The team was -
Button, Riley (Mtandari 50), Martin, Mills, Dervite, Lewis, Daniels, Maghoma, Davis, Dawkins, Dixon (Livermore 56).
  OTHER NEWS ... The
Serie A sides implicated in the match fixing scandal - Juventus, Lazio and Fiorentina - have been demoted to the second division, while AC Milan will stay in Serie A, but have a 15 point deduction for the start of next season.   Juventus have been stripped of their last two Serie A titles and have been handed a 30 point deduction, Lazio will start seven points behind and Fiorentina 12 points.  All have been barred from playing in Europe, but have three days in which to appeal against their sentences  ... 

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Aston Villa players have issued a statement criticising Doug Ellis for his financial stricture at the club.  Having said that the club have cut a masseur from it's backroom staff the players told the media that they are trawling the back pages of their local newspaper to find a replacement.


Thursday 13.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Spurs are reported in the Daily Star as being ready to bid £2 million for French international Lilian Thuram of Juventus.
   The first pre-season friendly saw Spurs beat Bordeaux 2-1 at the
Stade Olympique d'Albertville.  Murphy passed to the Jermain Defoe, who set himself up by making space to hit a shot low past the Bordeaux keeper in the 36th minute.  Bordeaux equalised right on half-time when Micoud shot home from six yards past Cerny.  Tottenham had to wait until a minute from time when Reto Ziegler crossed deep and McKenna drifted a header back over the keeper to give Spurs the win.
The Spurs team consisted of
Cerny, Ifil (McKenna 79), Assou-Ekotto, Davids, Dawson, Gardner, Routledge (Ziegler 60), Murphy (Lee 87), Berbatov (Barnard 79), Defoe (O'Hara 60), Reid.
Unused Substitutes: Fulop, Davenport, Huddlestone


  OTHER NEWS ... Italy have appointed Roberto Donadoni to succeed Marcello Lippi as the national team manager... 

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Milan Mandaric has denied the rumours that having sold Portsmouth he was about to buy Wolves.  With a huge pile of money from the sale of his stake in the South Coast club, he said £He is not in talks to buy Wolves with London Zoo."


Wednesday 12.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   The Times claim that Spurs are preparing a £7 million bid for Bolton Wanderers midfielder Kevin Nolan and that West Bromwich Albion have rejected a £5.5 million bid for central defender Curtis Davies, who they rate at £10 million.  The same paper says that Manchester United will complete the £14 million transfer of Michael Carrick when he returns form holiday next week to continue talks.  It is £15 million if you believe the Football 365 site.  Meanwhile the Mirror report that Spurs' £10 million offer for Charlton Athletic forward Darren Bent has been knocked back, with the Addicks wanting £16 million.  
   Former Spurs striker Jurgen Klinsmann has resigned as manager of the German national team at the end of his two year contract.

  OTHER NEWS ... Greece's ban from international and European competition has been removed after a change of heart by the national government ... Zinedine Zidane has revealed that Marco Materazzi said "tough words" about his mother and sister, which made him react as he took the comments twice before head-butting the Italian defender.  However, in Italy, Materazzi has said that he did not call him an "Islamic terrorist" nor mentioned his mother in the insult ...


Tuesday 11.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Tottenham have been warned off another move for Middlesbrough's winger Stewart Downing by manager Gareth Southgate according to the Guardian.  Spurs and Newcastle United are linked with swap moves for Aston Villa's Gareth Barry, while Portsmouth hope to steal in with a £4.2 million bid which Villa might prefer.
   Tottenham will face Spanish side Real Sociedad in a pre-season friendly at White Hart Lane on Saturday August 12th with the kick off at 3.00 p.m.
   The Reserve fixture list has been announced today with the first three games being
Portsmouth away on Wednesday 30th August, with a home game against local rivals Arsenal on Monday 11th September and another London derby on Wednesday 20th September 20th against West Ham United.  Home games will kick off at 7.00 p.m. with entry for adults being £5 and children under-16 and OAPs £2.
   The planning decision by Enfield Council on the new training and Academy  has been deferred until THFC have carried out an ecological survey on some wildlife that is inhabiting the site.  The club have 13 weeks to carry out the survey.

  OTHER NEWS ... FIFA will investigate the circumstances surrounding Zinedine Zidane's sending off in the World Cup Final ...  ...


Monday 10.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   No transfer news involving Spurs today !!
   The Spurs XI pre-season friendly programme will now include a match against Fisher Athletic managed by old boy Justin Edinburgh.  The game will take place on
Wednesday August 2 with the kick off at 7.45 p.m.

  OTHER NEWS ... Wolverhampton Wanderers' Chris Cornes has been given a six month ban for testing positive for cocaine ...  ...

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Italian defender Marco Materazzi has said he did not call Zinedine Zidane a "dirty terrorist."  "It is absolutely not true, I did not call him a terrorist," the Internazionale centre-back told the press. "I'm ignorant. I don't even know what the word means."

  MEHSTG's no-spin story 2 ... Zinedine Zidane was awarded the Golden Ball by FIFA for being the most valuable player at this year's World Cup finals.  Luckily for the Frenchman, the vote by journalists took place at half-time in the final ... before he received his red card.


Sunday 09.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Spurs are being linked with a move for Juventus and Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who would cost them around £5 million according to the Star and the Sunday Express .  Manchester United are said by the Sunday Mirror to be looking at midfield options, including Owen Hargreaves, Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo, thus indicating that they are not willing to go above £14 million for Michael Carrick.  The Star claims that Charlton Athletic will be willing to sell Darren Bent to Spurs for £12 million once they complete the signing of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

  OTHER NEWS ... Italy won the World Cup final 5-3 on penalties after the game had finished 1-1 after extra time.  Zinedine Zidane was sent off for head butting Marco Materazzi in the chest ten minutes from the end of extra time...  ...


Saturday 08.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Spurs have been linked with a failed £10 million bid for Charlton Athletic striker Darren Bent, so the Star tells us.  Former Spurs transfer target Swedish midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson of Anderlecht has signed for  French club Nantes.

  OTHER NEWS ... Wayne Rooney has been handed a £2,400 fine and a two match ban for the incident in which he was sent off in the World Cup quarter final against Portugal ... Germany took third place in the World Cup with a 3-1 win over Portugal ...


Friday 07.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Centre back Calum Davenport might be a £1.5 million target for newly promoted Watford according tot he Daily Mirror, who also claim that Chelsea's Geremi will disappoint Spurs and three other Premiership sides in staying at Stamford Bridge to fight for his place in the team.  The Times reports that in their opinion, Newcastle United do not have sufficient funds to buy Jermain Defoe from Tottenham and Glenn Roeder has been told he will have to sell before he makes any new purchases.  Portsmouth and Spurs are chasing 22 year old Portuguese striker Hugo Almeida of FC Porto.  Former Spurs midfield transfer target, 20 year old David Silva, who looked likely to sign up to stay at the Mestalla, now might be on the move as he has not been able to agree wage terms with the La Liga club.
   Former loan striker Mido has turned down a move to Blackburn Rovers after a £3 million fee had been agreed with AS Roma, as he said he is not interested in playing for the Ewood Park club.

  OTHER NEWS ... FIFA are to amend their ranking system starting on Monday after the World Cup finishes ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Bobby Robson has been named as the Life President of Ipswich Town.  Former manager of the Suffolk club, Robby Bobson said "Norwich have always meant a lot to me and 


Thursday 06.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Spurs are being linked with a move for 33 year old Valencia and Argentina central defender Roberto Ayala.  His contract is up next summer and a local radio station in Spain is claiming that in January 2007, Spurs would offer him a three-year deal to sign him on a free transfer.  It seems certain he will leave Valencia then, but it is rumoured that Liverpool are also interested.  Martin Jol is said by the Daily Mirror to be preparing to increase his bid from January to £7.5 million for Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing to play on the Tottenham left wing.  Jol might be making the bid in vain, as new Boro boss Gareth Southgate has said he does not want to sell his best players and with Downing having played in the World Cup, he probably falls into that category.
   The club website reports that the new signings - Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Dimitar Berbatov reported for the first day of pre-season training yesterday in good shape.

  OTHER NEWS ... ...  ...

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Wigan Athletic bid of £5.5 million for Emile Heskey accepted !!


Wednesday 05.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Alleged Spurs transfer target Carlton Cole has signed for West Ham United, who are also reported as being ready to line up Preston North End defender Tyrone Mears, who was linked with Tottenham earlier in the week and have had a £4 million offer for Wigan Athletic defender Pascal Chimbonda turned down - another player Tottenham have expressed an interest in.
   Aaron Lennon has said after initially finding it tough to settle at Spurs, because he was homesick for Leeds, he loves it at the club now and looks forward to pushing Tottenham on to challenging for honours next season.

  OTHER NEWS ... France will face Italy in the World Cup final on Sunday after beating the cheating Portuguese 1-0 ...  ...

  CRIME WATCH ... Lee Bowyer has been fined £600 and ordered to pay £1,000 costs in a court case where he was found guilty of using threatening behaviour when he had a fight with team-mate Kieron Dyer on the pitch in Newcastle United's home game against Aston Villa in April 2005 ...  ...

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... big case of pot and kettle situations, as Chelski report Real Madrid for an illegal approach to Arjen Robben, as the new Real chairman said he would be signing for the Spanish clubs after they had talks.


Tuesday 04.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   In the Times, Spurs are reported as having upped their bid for West Bromwich Albion central defender Curtis Davies to £5.5 million.  One time reported Spurs target - Matthew Taylor - has signed a new four year deal with Portsmouth.
   Reserves Charlie Daniels and Simon Dawkins have signed contract extensions to stay at Tottenham.
   A number of Spurs XI friendlies have been announced for pre-season.  They start at
Enfield on Friday July 14th (kick off 7.45 p.m.), then continue at Boreham Wood on Tuesday July 18th (kick off 7.30 p.m.).  The team then move on to Bishops Stortford on Wednesday July 26th (kick off 7.45 p.m.), Cambridge City on Saturday July 29th (kick off 3.00 p.m.), Dover Athletic on Wednesday August 9th (kick off 7.45 p.m.) and finally Canvey Island on Monday August 14th (7.45 p.m.)
   Former Spurs defender Chris Perry has joined West Bromwich Albion after being released by Charlton Athletic.

  OTHER NEWS ... Two late extra time goals saw Italy beat Germany 2-0 in the World Cup semi-final ...  ...

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Peter Crouch has revealed that England were not very good at penalties at the end of the World Cup quarter final against Portugal because ... they were tired.


Monday 03.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Spurs have confirmed some more pre-season friendlies - all on the continent as the club prepare for their UEFA Cup campaign.  Spurs will play Bordeaux on 13th July and Nice the next day.  Celta Vigo on 18th July, with these three games part of a training camp.  Spurs then play Borussia Dortmund in Germany on 5th August with a 2.30 (UK time) kick off.  For all the confirmed pre-season friendlies, click here.
   Relief all round on the transfer front as West Ham United manager Alan Partridge has announced that Marlon Harewood is not for sale !!  Spurs had been linked with a move for the portly Iron.

  OTHER NEWS ... Greece have been banned from international and European competition until further notice, because their government has made a law interfering with football ...  ...


Sunday 02.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Spurs are reported in the News of the World to be interested, along with Portsmouth and Newcastle United, in £7.5 million rated West Ham striker Marlon Harewood, who it is alleged, the club see as a replacement for Mido (quite literally by the size of him).  The same newspaper reveals from a Chelsea insider that Damien Duff will sign a two year extension to his contract to ward off interest from Tottenham.  Meanwhile the Mail on Sunday claims that Arsenal will sell Ashley Cole for £20 million to raise the money to buy Michael Carrick before Manchester United do, for £14 million in the Sunday Times, £15 million according to the Sunday Express and £20 million if you believe the Mail on Sunday.  The Daily Star Sunday have Spurs buying Stewart Downing for £8 million.
   Sven Goran Eriksson backed his choice of Theo Walcott to go to Germany instead of Jermain Defoe by saying that he had seen Defoe 15-20 times last season and chose the players who would be best for England's future.  I thought that this World Cup was our best chance to win it for years.
   Didier Zokora has told the press that he turned down approaches from Olympique Lyonnais, Arsenal and Manchester United as he was impressed by Tottenham's ambition and he aims to take Spurs to the next level.  He had talks with Arsene Wenger, but decided that Spurs offered more of a future for him and they first approached him two months before the World Cup finals.
   Ian Holloway is trying to tempt reserve midfielder Dean Marney down to Plymouth Argyle as his first signing since taking over as manager.

  OTHER NEWS ... David Beckham has quit as England captain ...  ...

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Talking about retirement from the England scene, Gary Neville said "I've always said I'll never retire from international football. It's not Gary Neville's right."


Saturday 01.07.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Paul Robinson played the whole of England's 1-3 penalty shoot out defeat against Portugal after keeping a clean sheet in the 120 minutes of match time in the World Cup quarter final.  Aaron Lennon was a substitute who came on in the 51st minute for David Beckham, but was substituted himself in the 118th minute, while Jermaine Jenas and Michael Carrick were unused substitutes.
   The papers, especially the Mirror, seem to believe that Carrick will now leave the club, as Spurs have secured the signing of Didier Zokora.  The Sun report that Feyenoord have set a price of £14 million on the head of Dirk Kuyt, with Liverpool, Spurs, Arsenal and Newcastle United interested in the Dutch striker.  Ukraine midfielder Anotoliy Tymoschuk is linked with Spurs, Newcastle United, Arsenal, Bolton Wanderers, Everton and Middlesbrough after a potential move to Internazionale might be delayed as they have their full quota of non-EU players at the moment.  The 27-year old impressed in the World Cup where Ukraine reached the quarter finals in their first qualification for the finals.
   Former Spurs midfielder and manager Glenn Hoddle today resigned as manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, stating that the ambitions of the club did not match his own after financial cuts were announced.

  OTHER NEWS ... France beat Brazil 1-0 in the other World Cup quarter-final played today ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Sepp Blatter is fuming after yesterday's bust up after the match between Argentina and Germany.  The FIFA chairman said that it was far more entertaining than the game and that it should never be allowed to happen again.

 

 

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