White Hot Lines

January 2006

Tuesday 31.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Tottenham lost 0-1 to Fulham at Craven Cottage tonight.  Click here for a match report.  Reaction to follow.
   Spurs have signed Hossam Ghaly from Feyenoord on a four and a half year contract, with the option of a further year, for about £2 million.  The 24 year old midfielder has come to White Hart Lane with Damien Comolli saying he has watched the player since he was 17 and he will bring technical skill and combative qualities to the midfield.
   Spurs sealed a late deal for Danny Murphy, the Charlton Athletic midfielder.  The 29 year old had been a target back in 2004, but he opted for the Addicks over Spurs, but with a number of midfielders moving out during this transfer window, the need to restock the squad put Murphy on the wanted list again.  The transfer could be worth up to £2 million for Charlton.
   Michael Brown has joined Fulham on a three and a half year deal.  The 28 year old Spurs midfielder has moved across London as he was getting limited chances in the first team and feels his opportunities will be greater at Craven Cottage.  Brown played 64 matches in all during his two year stay at the Lane, with three goals hitting the net.  The fee is rumoured to be around £1.7 million
   Lee Young-Pyo missed tonight's game after having to return to Korea where his father dies yesterday.  MEHSTG sends our condolences to Lee and his family.
   The rumours before transfer deadline day linked Tottenham with a £20.5m bid for striker Fernando Torres of Spain and Atletico Madrid, with the La Liga club asking Tottenham to come back with a bigger offer. 
Charlton Athletic's midfielder Danny Murphy is supposedly another target for Tottenham and should they win the chase with Newcastle United for his services, Anthony Gardner plus cash to seal the deal.  West Ham are still considering a move for defender Stephen Kelly.

  OTHER NEWS ... Derby County manager Phil Brown has been sacked after a run of bad results ... Peterborough United have sacked their manager Mark Wright for gross misconduct ...


Monday 30.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Loan fever strikes Spurs with Wayne Routledge's loan to Portsmouth confirmed until the end of the season and also having their loans lengthened until the end of the season are Marton Fulop at Coventry City and Jamie O'Hara at Chesterfield.
   The Mirror claims that Fulham will complete the £2 million signing of midfielder Michael Brown when he passes a medical, fighting off the attention from the midfielder's former club Sheffield United according to the Daily Express.  This deal might happen if Tottenham can secure a work permit for Feyenoord's Hossam Ghaly and he can prove that he has overcome his groin injury.  Meanwhile Spurs' move for Juventus defender Jonathan Zebina has come to a close, although they might try and move for the 27 year old in the summer.  The fact that this move has failed might see Birmingham City's £1 million move for Anthony Gardner be put on hold.
   The Reserves beat SCBC Reserves 2-1 at Stevenage Borough FC tonight, with Lee Barnard and Mounir El Hamdaoui scoring the goals.
   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : - Martin Jol has said that Teemu Tainio and Edgar Davids are unlikely to take part in the game at Fulham tomorrow night, as both picked up injuries against Aston Villa last week.
   FULHAM TEAM NEWS : - 
Fulham hope to have defender Moritz Volz and midfielder Sylvain Legwinski back after injury.  Although he is recovering from his ankle injury, defender Phillippe Christanval is unlikely to be involved.
   For a preview of the match, click here.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... In the FA Cup Fifth Round draw, Manchester United were pulled out to face Liverpool.  So pleased was Gary Neville that he ran to Merseyside pumping his arms and kissing his badge for all to see.


Sunday 29.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Mido looks likely to miss Egypt's quarter final African Nations Cup because of his groin injury.
   Tottenham, Manchester City and Lyon are all chasing  Liverpool's French striker Florent Sinama Pongolle, The People claim.  Spurs are lining up a £10.5m bid for Bayer Leverkusen striker Dimitar Berbatov but Dirk Kuyt remains their top target according to the News of the World, who also claim that Martin Jol is keen on the 27 year old Greek international midfielder Pantelis Kafes from Olympiakos.  Kafes was in the European Championship winning team and wears the number one shirt for his club !!  In the Sunday Mirror, they seem certain that 24 year old Feyenoord midfielder Hossam Ghaly is set to join Tottenham for £2.5 million before the transfer window closes.  The Egyptian has been suffering with a groin injury, but looks set to pass a medical before Tuesday.  Meanwhile, the Mirror reckons Wayne Routledge will go on loan to Portsmouth until the end of the season.
   MEHSTG considers it great news that Lee Barnard has signed a new two year extension to his current contract to stay at White Hart Lane.  Perhaps this means that he will get his chance to back up the first choice strikers.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...


Saturday 28.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Mido limped out of Egypt's 3-1 win over Ivory Coast with a groin injury, as his country went through to the knock-out stages of the African Nations Cup.  Noureddine Naybet's Morocco are eliminated after they could only draw 0-0 with Libya.
   Transfer speculation is limited to a Sky Sports website story linking Birmingham City with a possible move for Anthony Gardner.  Maybe.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... the BBC website report that the reckon Trevor Brooking will step up to replace Sven Goran Eriksson as England manager.  This is the same Trevor Brooking that got West Ham relegated in his only spell as a manager ... ever


Friday 27.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Martin Jol has said to the Daily Mirror that Michael Brown and Stephen Kelly will not be leaving Tottenham until he has secured replacements for them first.  After yesterday's denial from Fabio Capello, the Juventus defender Jonathan Zebina has said that his relationship at the Serie A club has not been good and he looks set to leave in the summer, leaving Spurs ready to move in for the £5.5 million rated full back.  The Sky Sports website reckons Spurs might try and arrange a transfer in this window.

  OTHER NEWS ... Chelsea today announced losses of £120 million, but more shockingly SCBC said they had record losses of £1.4 million over the last trading year ... England have been drawn against Croatia, Russia, Israel, Macedonia, Estonia, Andorra in their qualifying group for Euro 2008 ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Thanks to Elfrid who spotted this ... according to the BBC site Shearer thinks the new boss should be English and that experience isn't important. A shrewd cookie, huh...he stopped short of saying that he should also have played for SCBC, Blackburn and Newcastle, be a whinging attacker adept at using either elbow but immune from being carded.

  CrimeWatch ... Djibril Cisse has accepted a formal caution from the Police after they were called to a domestic dispute involving him attacking his pregnant wife.


Thursday 26.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   A spurious Spurs rumour is being reported in a number of media sources today, including the Times, but was later claimed by Sky Sports website to have been confirmed by THFC.  A third spell at White Hart Lane is supposedly on the cards for 39 year old Teddy Sheringham, as West Ham have not yet offered him an extension to his existing contract.  A timely release of this information for Sheringham, who is also supposed to be interesting Blackburn Rovers.  The Sun run a story saying that the club are closing in on 24 year old Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt, which, hopefully, is a bit more accurate.  He might be allowed to leave as Pierre van Hooijdonk has joined the Rotterdam club up front, although TeamTalk reckon that Kuyt might not want to move now as it could upset his World Cup chances, so might come in the summer as Spurs are the only club to show firm interest and it might lead to one of Tottenham's current strikers moving on.  Stephen Kelly is said to be a target for West Ham according to the Independent, as Alan Pardew seeks to replace the departed Tomas Repka in their defence.  Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is still after midfielder Andy Reid after his efforts to sign Poland international Jacek Kryznowek seem to have failed.  Fabio Capello has laughed off rumours that Spurs were keen to sign Juventus defender Jonathan Zebina and Ajax youngster Nigel De Jong appears to have agreed to sign for SV Hamburg on a four and a half year contract for £865,000, with claims that he did not like the fact that Spurs only wanted to sign a pre-contract deal with him and he did not feel the club could meet his demands, according to the Sky Sports website.
   Marton Fulop is hoping to elongate his loan spell at Coventry City, while the clubs are still discussing what will happen with the 20 year old Spurs Reserves keeper.

  OTHER NEWS ... John Cornforth has been named as temporary manager at Torquay United ...  ...


Wednesday 25.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   According to a number of sources, Spurs have agreed a £1 million fee to bring Ajax defender Nigel De Jong to White Hart Lane.
    The latest injury news is not good.  Edgar Davids might be out until the start of February with the hairline fracture of his fibula and Teemu Tainio picked up an ankle injury that will sideline him for up to three weeks.
   The Reserves home match against Ipswich Town has been put back a day to avoid a clash with the televised First team game.  Instead of taking place on Monday 27th March, it will kick off at 19.00 on Tuesday 28th March

  OTHER NEWS ... Torquay United have parted company with manager Leroy Rosenior by mutual consent ... Peterborough United have suspended manager Mark Wright pending an internal investigation ... In a day full of managerial upheaval, some schadenfreude comes our way as Leicester City manager Craig Levein has been given the bullet ... Manchester United will face Wigan Athletic in the League Cup Final at Cardiff on Sunday 26th February, after beating Blackburn Rovers 2-1 (3-2 on aggregate) in the semi-final tonight ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Ashley Cole has failed in his bid to overturn his £75,000 fine for his part in the "Chelsea tapping up" saga.  The Court of Arbitration found that he had more than enough money if he could afford to go out with one of Girls Aloud.


Tuesday 24.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Rumours hot up as the window's closure comes into view.  But not for Spurs.  The Times rate Fulham as potential suitors for Michael Brown's services.  And that's it.
   Spurs Reserves beat Fulham Reserves 4-0 at Motspur Park tonight.  Goals from Lee Barnard (2), Goran Bunjevcevic and Kieran McKenna.
   Two Spurs players were in opposition in the African Nations Cup, when Noureddine Naybet's Morocco met Mido's Egypt in a match that ended 0-0.
   Wigan Athletic's 1-2 defeat at Arsenal in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final means they go through to the final on away goals and their League match at Tottenham will be postponed as a result of the result.

  OTHER NEWS ... Sven Goran Eriksson has said the media frenzy about his private life has caused him to decide that he will step down after this summer's World Cup; something he has been discussing with Brian Barwick, the FA Chief Executive, for twelve months ...  


Monday 23.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Dean Richards has been paid £2 million in insurance after he was forced to quit football through illness.  A series of problems with his balance and a suspected brain tumour meant that Richards had to leave the game in March 2005 after medical advice indicated that he might suffer a brain haemorrhage should he play again.  Meanwhile, Reto Ziegler has joined Wigan Athletic on loan until the end of the season after returning from his loan spell at SV Hamburg.  The Swiss left sided midfielder will be available to play in Wigan's League and FA Cup matches, but not for the League match at White Hart Lane in February.  Another defender, Stephen Kelly, has said he might reconsider whether he wants to stay at Spurs after Tuesday's match at Fulham.  He feels that he did a good job against Aston Villa on Saturday and should suspended right back Paul Stalteri walk straight back into the team, Irishman Kelly could look elsewhere to get first team football.  Meanwhile, Michael Brown says that he is happy at Spurs and is not looking to leave, although he admitted it was frustrating not being able to be involved in all the games Tottenham play.
   On the transfer rumour front, Spurs are reported n the Sky Sports website to have made a late move for Ajax starlet Nigel De Jong.  The 21 year old was interesting West Ham United, but they dropped out of contention for him, leaving a couple of clubs - Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla - in line for his signature.  The player, who can play midfield or defence, is said to be in London with his advisers with it not being clear if Tottenham are to pay a nominal amount to sign him now or to sign a pre-contract agreement with a view to a Bosman in the summer, when De Jong will be out of contract.  Spurs are also being linked with Valencia's Brazilian defender Fabio Aurelio, who is out of contract in the summer too.  The player wants a five year deal but the Spanish side are reluctant to grant this, meaning the likes of Internazionale, Liverpool and Manchester United have joined Spurs in their admiration for the defender.
   Edgar Davids suffered a hairline fracture of his fibula in Saturday's match against Aston Villa, while Jermaine Jenas suffered mild concussion after a clash of heads.  Both could be ready to play against Fulham on 31st January, while Teemu Tainio turned an ankle and should be training again this week.

  OTHER NEWS ... the Greater Manchester Police have written to Manchester United about the behaviour of Gary Neville, who ran the length of the pitch to celebrate the team's win in front of the Liverpool fans in yesterday's game ...  ...

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... the FA have announced that Sven Goran Eriksson will be leaving his position as England manager after this summer's World Cup. At least it will leave one more seat available in the West Stand every home match !! 


Sunday 22.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   That Fulham manager Chris Coleman knows a good player when he sees one and that is why he wants to offer £1.8 million for Michael Brown, so say the People.  Spurs meanwhile are looking to sign the 22 year old Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh according to the News of the World.  He is a Moroccan international and the report reckons that Noureddine Naybet will try and persuade him to join Tottenham.  The Sunday Mirror make the boldest claim in that Spurs will lead Arsenal for the signature of David Beckham, whose contract talks with Real Madrid have been put on hold indefinitely.  
   Martin Jol has said that Ledley King is playing on with a niggling groin injury that doesn't cause him too much pain, but needs a three week break to rest it to overcome it.  Unfortunately, Jol cannot afford to allow the Spurs skipper to rest, as Tottenham maintain their challenge for a European place next season.

  OTHER NEWS ... Manchester United are set to announce a £12.3 million drop in profits for the year ending June 2005 as their annual report comes out tomorrow ...  ...

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Good news for Arsenal, as new signing Emmanuel Adebayour has walked out on Togo in the African Nations Cup after being omitted from their line-up that lost 0-2 to DR Congo.  He wants to start his Arsenal career earlier than first thought, but perhaps Arsene won't be able to leave him out for fear of him walking away from Highbury ??


Saturday 21.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Spurs drew 0-0 with Aston Villa at White Hart Lane this afternoon.  Click here for a match report.  For reaction click here.
   Rumoursville Central sees the Sun claim that Portsmouth are interested in a £2 million deal for Andy Reid. The Sky Sports website elucidates that Milan Mandaric has spoken to Spurs, but no deal has been arranged as yet.
   More shocking are the revelations that Brian Kerr received race hate letters while he was manager of the Republic of Ireland about his black players and members of his coaching staff, which included Spurs Assistant Chris Hughton.
   The club's newly re-designed website is now live on http://tottenhamhotspur.com and is pretty horrible.  Navigation is difficult and illogical, while it is slow to load and lacks the look of the old site.
   Spurs Under-18 team beat Reading 1-0 away with a Simon Dawkins goal to go third in their league.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Arsene Wenger claimed that the sun got in the eyes of his players and that is why they lost at Everton today.  It is usually something else starting with s that he usually has in his eyes that stops him from seeing much.


Friday 20.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : - Ledley King looks set to play through his groin injury and Michael Dawson might make the match after a scare about a shin injury.  Paul Stalteri is suspended, while both Mido and Noureddine Naybet are away at the African Nations Cup.
   ASTON VILLA TEAM NEWS : - Kevin Phillips made a scoring return to the reserves in midweek, but will not be risked in the match tomorrow.  However, Gareth Barry returns after suspension and Lee Hendrie is likely to come in for Eirik Bakke, who has returned to Leeds United after being on loan.
   Rampant transfer rumour is a thing of the past, as Spurs fail to register their interest in any players today, let alone former striker Steffen Iversen, who won't be taken on at Glasgow Celtic.  He just didn't look right in hoops according to Gordon Strachan.  As expected, Theo wasn't that logical and Walcott signed for the Gooners today in a deal that could rise to £12 million.  Let's hope so !!  On the Sky Sports website Martin Jol revealed that Spurs had received offers for midfielders Michael Brown and Andy Reid, but indicated that he wanted to keep them both, having lost Mendes and Davis to Portsmouth already.  
   Meanwhile on the loan front, Spurs have brought Reto Ziegler back from Hamburg, where he did not seem to feature that often.  The Daily Mail claim the Swiss star is on the verge of joining Wigan Athletic !!  Having been brought back, he might strengthen the left hand side and may pave the way for Andy Reid to go out on loan, as Portsmouth and Nottingham Forest are both said to be interested in him.  Phil Ifil, who returned to Spurs just before Christmas, has gone back to Millwall on loan until the end of the season, during which time he will hopefully get some good first team experience.
   Mido had a hand in all three Egypt goals in the opening African Nations Cup game ... a 3-0 win over Libya.  It took just seventeen minutes for Mido to head his country ahead with a far post effort, then he dummied a run at a free-kick for a colleague to fire the ball home.  The third goal came when Mido's penalty kick was saved and Hossam Hassan followed up to score.  It looks like he might be there a while, as Egypt looked a decent side but then, with the refereeing being lax, he might not survive some of the tackling. 

  OTHER NEWS ... Portsmouth are to be charged by the FA over an approach for Harry Redknapp, who was at SCBC at the time ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Sven Goran Eriksson is to sue the News of the World for breach of confidence over the "fake sheik" affair.  Most  of the stuff Sven does can hardly be said to be confidential can it ?


Thursday 19.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   It's all a Bridge too far for Wayne, as he opts for a move to Fulham on loan until the end of the season, mainly because he would not be guaranteed a regular first team place at White Hart Lane.  With one left sided player not coming, one might be leaving according to the Daily Mirror.  They run a story claiming that Andy Reid is a loan target for Portsmouth.  The Sky Sports website reckons that AS Roma are going to ask for Lee Young-Pyo as part of any deal to take Mido to Tottenham on a permanent basis.  The site reveals that they think this is unlikely but claim that Mido is just one of a number of players that Roma will be considering the future of over the next few weeks.
   The club unveiled the new badge today.  It is a simplistic cockerel on a ball with Tottenham Hotspur in a new font below it.  The words will not appear on the new shirt though.  To see it click here.
   Ledley King has spoken about his new contract saying that there are still two and a half years to run on the current deal and he was sure that something would be sorted out soon.
   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -  Early worries over Michael Dawson's shin injury and Ledley King's groin may ease before Saturday, but definitely back in training is Andy Reid.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...


Wednesday 18.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Big rumour of the day surrounds Wayne Bridge of Chelsea.  Unable to break the monopoly of players costing over £10 million in the Blues first team, it looks like Spurs are making a move for the former England left back. The Times reckon Chelski have knocked back a £6 million bid, but the BBC website hints that they might offer £7 million for him, but it looks like Jose Mourinho only will let him go on loan.  The Mirror and Star go with a loan until the end of the season.  A wide left midfielder seems to be a spot that Martin Jol is keen to fill too, with the Independent claiming that Spurs have had a £1 million offer for Middlesbrough teenager Adam Johnson turned down.  The player's agent says he hasn't been told about it !!  The Sky Sports website has a piece about Martin Jol's interest in Lens' Tunisian striker Issam Jomaa, who is just 21 years old and has only played seven first team games for the club this season, but has scored two UEFA Cup goals.  Although he has made the peculiar decision to stay at Blackburn Rovers, Morten Gamst Pedersen has said he is flattered by the moves from Manchester United and Spurs are reported to have made to try and buy him.
   Following yesterday's story about Emmanuel Adebayour turning down Spurs for Arsenal, Tottenham have made a statement saying that it is wholly inaccurate and that the club did not bid for the player.  Damien Comolli added that the best players are not usually available during January and therefore, it will be a quiet transfer window for Spurs, who will seek to bring in quality players.
   Spurs away reserve match against Fulham next week has been moved from Monday 23rd to Tuesday 24th January.
   For a preview of Saturday's match against Aston Villa, click here.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Wigan Athletic Chief Executive Dave Whelan wants England boss Sven Goran Eriksson sacked.  Just like Faria Alam, Ulrika Jonsson, etc, etc ... want him sacked too.


Tuesday 17.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   On the transfer window front most of today's Tottenham focus sees them competing with Fulham, Glasgow Celtic, Middlesbrough and Newcastle United for the services of Chelsea's Wayne Bridge on loan.  There is a comment from Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayour stating that he spoke to a Spurs official on Friday, but had decided to join the Gooners as they had approached him in August.  It is also rumoured that West Ham United want to sign Stephen Kelly to replace Thomas Repka and the Spurs player has handed in a transfer request despite being offered a new contract, so say the Daily Mirror.  Tottenham are also rumoured to be ready to join the bidding for SCBC youngster Theo Walcott, along with Chelsea and Arsenal, who are believed to have already registered their offers.  Apparently, he has his eyes set on Highbury.
   Coventry City fans are a big favourite with Spurs loan keeper Marton Fulop, which makes him want to stay at Highfield Road for a while longer.

  OTHER NEWS ... Stockport County have announced Jim Gannon will be their new manager ...  ...

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... Keith Adelman, the Arsenal managing director, strangely told the Press that Arsenal fans will be paying through the nose for their tickets in the new stadium when it is finished.  You have to read between the lines, but when eh said that his ground will raise more income than any other in world football, you know what he means !!


Monday 16.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Thursday will be an important day in the branding of the club, when the new club badge is revealed.
   Sky Sports website kick off the transfer rumours today with a claim by a Russian agent that Tottenham have had an £8 million offer turned down for 23 year-old Zenit St. Petersburg striker Alexander Kerzhakov.  He said that a change in ownership of the club were in the offing when negotiations were being held a month back and the new people wanted to keep Kerzhakov ... probably to sell him to Chelsea for even more money.  Spurs have denied any such interest or bid for the Russian striker though.
   While Mido is excited about the African Nations Cup and predicts an Egypt v Ivory Coast final, elsewhere on the continent, former Spurs manager Terry Venables has applied to be the new coach of South Africa.
   Spurs Reserves beat Norwich City 5-0 at Carrow Road tonight.  The goals were scored by 

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...


Sunday 15.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Pedro Mendes has spoken out about his time at Spurs, saying, "I've left Tottenham as I was getting frustrated at not being able to play.  I was unhappy at Spurs and don't want to think about them any more.  The decision to leave was mine. There are risks in joining a team in a difficult situation, but I accept the challenge."  Well, if only Jimmy Saville wasn't in the Celebrity Big Brother house, he might be able to fix it for you Pedro !!
   Former Leeds United chairman Peter Ridsdale has said that he was offered a bung.  He claims he was offered £300,000 to give his approval to a £600,000 invoice for work on Robbie Keane's transfer from Elland Road to Tottenham Hotspur by an Italian agent, who was not connected to the player's representatives.

  OTHER NEWS ... Sven Goran Eriksson has been caught in a sting operation by the News of the World to trap him into saying he would leave the England manager's job ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... In the scam, Sven revealed that Michael Owen is not happy at Newcastle.  While the club have sprung to his defence, saying it was not just the money he was there for, MEHSTG can reveal that the the truth is that he really hates that greeny-grey away kit.


Saturday 14.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Spurs lost 0-1 to Liverpool at Anfield this afternoon.  Click here for a match report.  Reaction to follow.
   No transfer rumour today, as the newspapers are full of the news that Arsenal are set to sign Theo Walcott, for between £9 million and £13 million.  
   Spurs Under-18s lost 1-2 away to Coventry City this morning.  Stuart Lewis scored the Tottenham goal.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...


Friday 13.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Martin Jol has been telling the Press that Tom Huddlestone will be returning to Spurs when his loan spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers comes to an end on January 21st.  With Grzegorz Rasiak saying he wants to stay and fight for his place in the Spurs side and his chances in the first team in the coming weeks is down to Martin Jol, the Spurs Head Coach said that the club would be opening talks with Mido about a permanent move to Tottenham from AS Roma, should he return from the African Nations Cup in good health and good form.  This is as close to a solid rumour as we can get at the moment.
   The Daily Express starts the ball rolling with a rumour that isn't so much transfer based, but grumble based.  They reckon Wayne Routledge will have to consider his options if he doesn't get regular football.  Well, you would think he needs to be injury-free and match-fit first.  Meanwhile, a story that Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez might unsettle Spurs ahead of the match this weekend by saying that he knows that Jermain Defoe is rumoured to be unhappy at not playing at Tottenham and might make a £10 million move for the England striker to partner Peter Crouch at the end of the season.  The Sun goes as far as to suggest that Tottenham might be interested in the summer and do business.  Chelsea's Wayne Bridge is being allowed to leave, but only on loan and this has sparked interest from Spurs, Newcastle United, Glasgow Celtic and Fulham, so say the Daily Mirror, but the Daily Mail foresees Spurs making a £5 million purchase of the left back.  The same paper says that Michael Brown will be moving to Birmingham City for £1.5 million and that the SCBC star Theo Walcott will be leaving with Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool all interested.   Some sites say that Arsenal are in poll position for a £13 million deal for the 16 year old, but others report that they have said that they will not pay that sum for Walcott.  Liverpool have supposedly beaten Spurs and Arsenal to the signing of Under-16 Brondby goalkeeper Martin Hansen.
   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TEAM NEWS : -  Spurs will be without Noureddine Naybet (African Nations Cup), while Ledley King (groin) and Edgar Davids (ankle)have recovered from their injuries and will be in the squad.  Mido is available after returning from the African Nations Cup and Andy Reid, Young-Pyo Lee and Teemu Tainio are all available again after injury.
   LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS : - Fernando Morientes should be re-instated in the team, although Boudewijn Zenden is definitely out.  New defensive signings Daniel Agger and Jan Kromkamp could both feature at some stage.
   Dermot Gallagher has replaced Rob Styles as referee for the game at Liverpool after a last minute switch.  Hopefully, Styles has been the subject of complaint by the Spurs hierarchy.

  OTHER NEWS ... Steve Staunton has been appointed as the new manager of the Republic of Ireland and Bobby Robson as an International Football Consultant ... Rafa Benitez has been announced as the Barclaycard Premiership Manager of the Month and Wayne Rooney the Player of the Month ... Simon Grayson has been appointed as Blackpool manager until the end of the season ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... 


Thursday 12.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Sean Davis, Noe Pamarot and Pedro Mendes have left Tottenham to join Portsmouth for a combined fee believed to be around £7.5 million .  Davis said he looked forward to getting the buzz of playing on Saturday at 3.00 o'clock again.  I doesn't seem like there would be much point him staying at Spurs then, as with the schedule of matches on BSkyTV, that will happen less and less.  Sean Davis also slammed Martin Jol for not talking to him while he was shut out of the first team picture.  The midfielder told the Press that he could count on the fingers of one hand how often the Head Coach had spoken to him and said that if you are out of the first team, he did not speak to you and Davis thought this was arrogant.  Jol hit back by saying that he had not spoken to Davis for three to four weeks as the player had been injured.  Jol said that if Mendes had asked to stay, he would have been happy as he is a "terrific player."
   Chesterfield have signed reserve midfielder Jamie O'Hara on a three month loan from Spurs.
   With some actual transfer dealing, the rumours have quietened down a bit, with the Express starting things off with a story relating a move for Chelsea's Wayne Bridge by Spurs for what is claimed to be a £6 million offer.  One player who won't be coming is Daniel Agger, who, as expected, completed his move to Liverpool today.  Starting on them young, the rumour mongers claim that Tottenham and Barcelona have been shunned by 15 year old Nikola Saric, who has chosen to stay in Denmark with Herfolge, despite having trials with the two clubs.
   For a preview of the match at Liverpool on Saturday, click here.

  OTHER NEWS ... Mike Newell has suggested that bungs are rife in the game and he has been offered them, sparking the FA to want to interview him about the allegations ...  ...


Wednesday 11.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   It seems like Spurs are keen to hijack Liverpool's deal for Danish defender Daniel Agger, who Brondby want £7.5 million for, but the Scallies only want to offer the Danish side £5.5 million.  Do you think it will happen ?  Well not if you believe reports that the move to Anfield is a done deal and also why Spurs would need ANOTHER centre-half, unless they were thinking of selling one or more of the existing players who play that position.  Along the same lines, Tottenham are poised to launch a bid for SCBC starlet Theo Walcott, who is just 16, the Daily Star and Express say.  For him they will give SCBC Grzegorz Rasiak.  No, unfortunately not just Rasiak.  It will be plus a big bag of used fivers adding up to £9 million, to beat off Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea, who are also wanting to buy the young talented player.  Harry Redknapp must be being guided by his son, as the Pompey boss tries to sign half the Tottenham squad.  He is bidding £7.5 million for Noe Pamarot, Sean Davis and Pedro Mendes according to some reports.
   Spurs played a private game with Luton Town at Spurs Lodge in which Philip Ifil played 45 minutes on his return from a groin injury just before he came back to Tottenham from his loan to Millwall.  Marcel McKie also played half a game after recovering from a fracture to his leg and Wayne Routledge and Calum Davenport featured in the practice match, which Tottenham won 6-1 thanks to a Lee Barnard hat-trick, Simon Dawkins with two and one from Kieran McKenna.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... With Espanyol interested, Birmingham City are ready to give Walter Pandiani (nicknamed the Rifle) the bullet.


Tuesday 10.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Harry Redknapp's grasp of the Data Protection Act tightens as not only is he not willing to release the fees that he has bid for two Spurs players, but he is also failing to disclose their names.  Alternatively, it could be a ploy by Spurs.  Perhaps they are taking bids, but not letting clubs know which players they will get for their money !!  The common consensus is that the two players are Noe Pamarot and Sean Davis, although Pedro Mendes and Michael Brown have been thrown into the equation, as the revolving door starts to spin at Fratton Park.  One already in there is trialist and ex-Spur Steffen Iversen, who is trying to earn a contract after leaving Norwegian club Valerenga recently.  Meanwhile, the Sun knows exactly who Spurs are going after and it is teenage striker Daniel Sturridge of Manchester City, who has not yet agreed a contract with his club.  Liverpool are also interested.  Roma have told Sky Sports website that Tottenham are keen to conclude a permanent deal for Mido, who they said they will sell in June.  
Former Spurs Reserve winger David Galbraith has been signed by Boston United from Northampton Town until the end of the season.
   Manchester City's defender David Sommeil has received a three match ban after his appeal against an FA charge of violent conduct failed.  The case was brought when he kicked Spurs defender Young-Pyo Lee when the ball had gone, but the referee failed to spot it.
   Gareth Johnson and Jim from TopSpurs brought this to my attention and I heartily recommend it to all Spurs fans.
        There is an online petition:  "Revert to Gillespie Road tube station name" at Petition Online
                             http://www.PetitionOnline.com/CFC100/

  OTHER NEWS ... Crewe Alexandra have had to close their training ground as a result of their goalkeeper Ben Williams suffering from suspected meningitis ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Jonathan Woodgate has suffered another leg muscle injury.  Madrid sources have said that they are yet to see the Real woodgate.


Monday 09.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Pedro Mendes has confirmed that he will leave Spurs in the next couple of weeks and that he was unaware of Portsmouth's interest.  Perhaps he just meant he was unaware of Portsmouth in that he was unaware that they were a club he would want to join.  The Daily Mail put a new twist on an old story in telling us that Bolton Wanderers are interested in buying Michael Brown, who seems every newspaper's favourite to leave White Hart Lane.  With AC Milan laying down the law in saying that Christian Vieri will not leave on loan, the striker appears to be heading to Monaco on a one and a half year deal, instead of coming to England, where Spurs were one of the clubs named by the media as an interested party in taking him on. 
One story I missed yesterday was on the Sky Sports website, where Martin Jol said that Mido has done enough to almost secure a permanent contract with Spurs.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ...  Manchester United striker David Bellion has chosen a Nice move rather than going to West Ham United.


Sunday 08.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Spurs were knocked out of the FA Cup in the Third Round 2-3 by Leicester City tonight at the Walkers Stadium. Click here for a match report.  For reaction click here.
   In today's Independent, Robbie Keane talks about his time at Spurs and the continual rumours about a move away from White Hart Lane, but he says his contract ends this summer and there is an additional two year option available.  So that 2½ years he spoke about yesterday includes the option, which indicates that he might want to take it up.  I suppose all that counts now is whether the club do.  Meanwhile striking partner Mido was supposed to be available for today's game when Egypt's friendly was called off and he flew back to take part in the FA Cup tie.  He was to stay until after the match against Liverpool before returning for the first game in the African Nations Cup for his country against Libya on 20th January.  It looks now like he will be back just for the Liverpool match.
   Transfer rumour central ... The Sunday Mirror hail Aaron Lennon as a £5 million transfer target for Manchester United, as it claims he is homesick for the North.  That's cheap ... both in terms of price and the rumours are that Spurs are aware of the problem and are working on it, so that he feels happy at the Lane.  The Sunday People claim that Calum Davenport will be a target for Norwich City should the Norfolk side sell their striker Dean Ashton.  Stephen Kelly has handed in a transfer request according to the News of the World, as he loves it at Spurs but is thinking of his future.  Fulham are the club who have emerged as the front-runners to snap up the Irish defender.  Think of the future Steo !!

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Alan Shearer has said he doesn't care of he never scores for Newcastle United ever again.  Funny that, a lot of football fans have thought that for a long time.


Saturday 07.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Transfer fever reigns in the papers (and it will be worse tomorrow), but Spurs are again being linked with players for the January transfer window.  The Daily Mirror claims that Martin Jol will clear out Sean Davis, Noe Pamarot and Pedro Mendes to Pompey for a combined fee of £5 million to put towards a  a £7 million move for Udinese striker Vincenzo Iaquinta.  The newspaper claims that he was close to sealing the deal for the 26 year old Italian on Friday night.  On the other hand, we are supposed to be chasing Portuguese international centre half Beto of Sporting Lisbon with Fulham.  Now that AC Milan have announced that they will let Christian Vieri leave to get some first team football, Newcastle United have said that they will join Tottenham in seeking to secure his striking services until the end of this season.  Whether the Italian international makes the move to force his way into the national squad for the World Cup remains to be seen.
   Away from the transfer stories, Robbie Keane has said he is happy at Spurs and does not want to leave.  This was tempered by the comment that if he is playing and scoring, then he is happy, Keano reckons Spurs are going somewhere and he wants to be part of it while his contract still has 2½ years to run.
  Spurs Under-18s drew 1-1 away at Bristol City today.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... A record breaking day for Alan Shearer as he hit the target for the 200th time in 389 games for Newcastle United.  The unfortunate opponent who felt the former England centre-forward's elbow said he was not impressed. 


Friday 06.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Ahead of Sunday's FA Cup tie, more team news leaks out.  Young-Pyo Lee looks like he might make a recovery from the assault on his leg in Wednesday's Manchester City match and faces a fitness test before the game at Leicester City.   Edgar, Ledley and Andy Reid all have injuries that will keep them out of the crisp stadium clash.  Mido and Naybet are in sunnier climes, so the team will be down to the bare bones.  Martin Jol has mentioned Stephen Kelly and Johnnie Jackson as options should Lee not make it, after failing to train today.  Another player set for a late fitness, test after suffering a fever all week, is Teemu Tainio.
As far as Leicester are concerned, midfielder Momo Sylla will be suspended and Danny Tiatto might miss out with a hamstring injury.  He's not the only one, as Patrick Gerrbrand and Patrick Kisnorbo will both have late tests on their hamstrings.
   The latest transfer scandal involves the Star saying that Michael Brown will sign for Manchester City for just £1 million, while former club Sheffield United might be able to offer him first team football on a regular basis and a quick return to the Premiership, while the Mirror runs a tale about AC Milan offering Tottenham the opportunity to sign up Christian Vieri on loan until the end of the season.  Oh ... yes, please !!  The man voted recently as something like the worst player in the Italian Serie A !!  Hmm ... those days are behind us now.  Fulham manager Chris "Cookie" Coleman takes the biscuit for non-transfer story of the day saying that Sean Davis is a good player and he doesn't know what Spurs want to do with the midfielder, but there have been a couple of noises made, but no contact has been made with Tottenham.  Says it all really doesn't it ??  The Daily Express run the old story about SCBC's Theo Walcott being the subject of bids from Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs, while the Daily Mail pick up on yesterday's story about Tottenham opening talks with Slavia Prague's 17 year old midfielder  Marek Suchy.  Over on the Sky Sports website, they link West Ham United with a move for defender Stephen Kelly, with the thought being that Spurs might cash in on the Irishman rather than let him walk away for free when his contract ends in the summer.  West Ham are also one of the front-runners for Red Star Belgrade's 6'8" striker Nikola Zigic and it appears that his club held talks with some of the interested parties in Paris, believed to include Tottenham, but they have decided to hold onto their towering forward.  Despite all this speculation, Martin Jol told Sky Sports that he didn't expect to be doing a lot of business during the transfer window.  However, if this is relative to what transfer dealings Spurs have done in recent windows, he could still be a busy man !!
   David Sommeil, who made the contact above Lee's knee, has been charged by the FA with violent conduct and could pick up a three match ban for the "challenge", but he is to appeal against the charge.  His manager Stuart Pearce claimed that Lee was trying to smash the ball at Sommeil and that was why he put his studs up into the knee of Lee.  Deflecting attention away from the high contact made by the City sub, Pearce said that attention had been drawn to Michael Brown's tackle, immediately before, which the City boss reckons should have been a red card in itself.  Jol simply said ''He kicked him, so if they charge him it's okay with me as justice will be done.''

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...


Thursday 05.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   After last night's match, the FA are to question referee Alan Wiley as to whether he saw the incident when David Sommeil studded Young-Pyo Lee down the leg.  As the ref failed to book him, I guess you might say that he didn't see the "tackle", as he was too interested in getting his card out to book Michael Brown.  If found guilty, the FA could impose a ban on the player, which would take effect after the FA Cup tie this weekend.  Meanwhile, Spurs are set to be without the Korean left-back for about two weeks, as he has bad bruising around his knee as a result of the contact Sommeil made.  Stuart Pearce said he didn't have a good view of the incident, but would watch it again and if the challenge was "poor", he would let Sommeil know that it is not acceptable.
Martin Jol has praised Aaron Lennon (Now pronounced R-ron) for his showing last night, saying that in some games he ahs been a little anonymous, but at Manchester City he was a "personality".  Jol down-played Lennon's chances of being selected for the England squad for Germany though, stating Shaun Wright-Phillips is in pole position for the right wing slot.  Mind you, with Sven and Tord having watched Tottenham so regularly, he might be in their mind.
They are not making it easy for Spurs in the FA Cup.  Not content with making it a Sunday 6.30 p.m. kick off, the trains will be running to a revised timetable because of engineering works.
Transfer rumour links Michael Brown with his old club Sheffield United (Daily Mirror) and that's all for today, surprisingly enough.  You would have thought now that Spurs are a top four club and live on Sky all the time, we would have loads of rumours about us and a million top players !!
We are linked with a Czech wunderkind named Marek Suchy of Slavia Prague.  The talented 17 year old midfielder only broke into the Slavia team at the end of last season, but Tottenham want to take him on trial, with a view to signing him on a permanent basis, Sky Sports website tell us.  The same Sky site links Sean Davis, Noe Pamarot and Pedro Mendes with Portsmouth, as Harry Redknapp likes the look of the players who can't get a regular game with Tottenham at the moment.
   Old boy news with Justin Edinburgh quitting as manager of Billericay Town to take over at Fisher Athletic .
   For a preview of our FA Cup tie at Leicester City on Sunday, click here.

  OTHER NEWS ... England are to face Jamaica (at Wembley) and Uruguay (at Old Trafford) along with Hungary (Wembley) before taking part in the summer's World Cup finals ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Sam Allardyce has taken offence at being linked with the Newcastle United manager's job, while Graeme Souness is still in post.  He thinks it unseemly to be associated with a club like that.


Wednesday 04.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Spurs beat Manchester City 2-0 at the City of Manchester stadium tonight.  Click here for reaction.  For a match report click here.
   Former Spurs manager Glenn Hoddle is making the news today as he aims to take a couple of players to Molineux from White Hart Lane.  He has agreed an extension on Tom Huddlestone's loan until the 21st January (although Spurs have denied him a place in the Wolves aide to play Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup) and the Daily Mirror seem to think that he will make a £1.5 million offer for striker Grzegorz Rasiak to free him from his Tottenham nightmare.  Meanwhile Fulham and Portsmouth will fight over the Spurs missing midfielder Sean Davis, as both clubs battle against relegation.
Harry Redknapp is apparently laughing off rumours that Portsmouth are going to sign Jermain Defoe.  Not as much as we are, I bet !!
Sky Sports website reports that Cardiff City hold the future of England Under-21 striker Cameron Jerome in their hands.  There is a long queue of clubs including Liverpool, Norwich City, Sheffield United, Portsmouth, Wigan Athletic and Spurs keen to take the player away from the Welsh club, with the final cost being a large sum running to a total above £3 million.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...


Tuesday 03.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Tottenham are being linked with Blackburn Rovers winger Morten Gamst Pedersen, but the Norwegian has said he is happy at Ewood Park. That's probably because he wants to be on the same side as Andy Todd and Ryan Nelsen.  We wouldn't want to sign him anyway, as he appears to think that there is not much between the two sides if you look at the table.  Which table is that ?  His kitchen table ?  Is he mad ?
The team news ahead of tomorrow night's match is that Edgar Davids, Grzegorz Rasiak and Teemu Tainio are all doubtful for the trip to Eastlands.  Davids' ankle is troubling him, while Tainio has been hit by illness, which has stopped him from training.  With Ledley King and Andy Reid definitely out, it will be a blow to lose two of our most effective midfielders against Newcastle on Saturday.  Michael Brown is in with a shout to replace one of them and Aaron Lennon might also be included from the start. 
Martin Jol told the media that he thinks there is no problem with Jermain Defoe getting picked to go to Germany with the England World Cup squad.  The Spurs Head Coach said that even though he is not playing every game, he will get his chance before the end of the season and that he shows good form when he comes off the bench at the moment.  Going on to explain further, Jol said that Jermain sometimes needs an arm around him, but that he is not a sub (could have fooled me ... he's been sitting on the bench hasn't he ?) and will wait for his opportunity to get a start.
   For a preview of the Manchester City match, click here.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho will only watch Tuesday's Premiership clash between Manchester United and Arsenal if his wife gives him permission !  As it clashes with Coronatition Rua, it is unlikely he will have the remote control in his hands.


Monday 02.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   Martin Jol is hoping Ledley King will be available for Aston Villa's visit to White Hart Lane later in January.

  OTHER NEWS ...  ...  ...

  MEHSTG's spin story ... The son of a Russian Oil billionaire is set to buy half of Portsmouth ... it must be the latter half as he seems to be putting his money where his "mouth" is !!


Sunday 01.01.2006   (For other Spurs history on this day click here; For the current news on each player in the squad, click here)

   HAPPY NEW YEAR.
   Manchester United are keen to buy France Under-21 striker Franck Ribery from Marseille, but the News of the World reveal that Tottenham have also been in touch with the French club about the player's availability.
   The Sunday Mirror runs a story claiming that Tottenham are leading the race for SCBC's talented youngster Theo Walcott, offering Grzegorz Rasiak and plus a cash lump sum to secure his signature from the troubled Championship club.  However, in the News of the World, it reckons Arsenal are close to signing him for £12 million and that Chelsea are out of the running as the player fears he will not break into their first team.
   The News of the World claims that Harry Redknapp is aiming to sign four Tottenham players in the January transfer window.  He has his eyes on Pedro Mendes, Michael Brown, Anthony Gardner and Noe Pamarot.
   The People add Sean Davis to the list of players that Hangdog Harry wants to buy from Spurs.
   Rafa Benitez is keen to take Jermain Defoe to Liverpool to be Peter Crouch's strike partner at Anfield according to the News of the World.
   The People have heard that Reading are keen to sign Calum Davenport, who is currently on loan at Norwich City.

  OTHER NEWS ... Sports Minister is considering European legislation to introduce a salary cap for clubs across the continent and if it comes in, he will also regulate that the savings made be used to reduce ticket prices to allow some fans, who might have been priced out, back to watch the games...  ...

  MEHSTG's no-spin story ... It looks as Patrick Vieira has replaced Liam Brady in the hearts of all Arsenal fans after all these years.  This story was run in the People today ... "Arsenal want to bring an "unsettled" Patrick Vieira back to Highbury from Juventus."

 

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