Tottenham will be hoping that Gareth Bale’s injury isn’t as bad as first feared and he’ll be fit to assist the North Londoners in their pursuit of Champions League qualification. Harry Redknapp believes the race for a top four finish is too close to call and on closer inspection you can’t help but feel that he has a point.
At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of Tottenham blogs that includes Van der Vaart crosses the line; the perfect heir to King’s throne, is Gareth Bale destined for greatness.
We also look at the best Tottenham articles around the web this week.
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The Premier League’s LET DOWN XI
Top TEN Premier League Wags…well I would!
Gareth Bale: Is he really destined for greatness?
I’ve Scott to Bale out and go for Tevez
Did Tottenham star cross the line?
Tottenham’s Top 10 Transfers – When Levy Got it Wrong
The perfect heir to King’s throne at Tottenham?
Me and the Ghost of White Hart Lane … the legend of John White
UEFA’s stance on Jordan is embarrassing
A stroke of transfer good fortune for Tottenham
Tottenham weigh up £6m move for Perisic
Are we set for the biggest summer transfer sprees in years?
*Best of Web*
Spurs friendly bar close to Bernabeu Stadium – Spurs Musings From Jimmy G2
League Leaders Spurs in Ticket Office Farce – Tottenham On My Mind
Spurs and my part in Supporting Our Future – Martin Cloake Online
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How did you get on with the ticket office today? – Dear Mr Levy
21 Seconds That Suggest Kyle Walker’s Worth A Go – Harry Hotspur
Captain Gary Neville will miss Manchester United's pre-season tour to North America after picking up a calf injury.
The 35-year-old full-back will stay at home when the club fly out for their five-game schedule on Monday.
Neville, who signed a one-year contract extension at the end of the last campaign, made 27 appearances last season after finally shaking off Achilles and calf problems which had plagued him for the past 18 months.
"Gary has suffered a minor setback in training with a small tear to his calf muscle," a spokeswoman told the club's official website.
"He therefore won't be going on the tour as it will be more beneficial for him to remain at Carrington to improve his chances of being ready for the start of the season."
Neville will join injured quartet Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves, Antonio Valencia, Anderson and Michael Owen plus England World Cup pair Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick in missing out on the tour.
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The trip begins with a training camp in Chicago before a friendly against Celtic in Toronto on July 16.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Somebody asked me the question: why do you think big clubs freeze against weaker opposition? Liverpool do it, Arsenal did at the end of last season, Spurs used to do it. All teams that the quality within their ranks to dominate more than half the league teams, but they don’t. Obviously a lot of the time they come out on top, but too often for their fans’ liking top teams are found wanting. Is it tactics, complacency, nerves? Every club has their own weaknesses, some are shared and some are unique, but is there really any excuse for teams losing to opponents far worse than they are? It wouldn’t happen in Sunday league games so why should it happen at the top level?
Tactics
With the huge influx over foreign players, mangers and a more continental style of play as well as extra talent the top teams also procure players who are perhaps not used to dealing with the way the archetypal English teams play. By this I mean the intensity, physicality and aggression can sometimes be a bit overawing. Whilst certain managers can overuse this as an excuse it, like many stereotypes, it definitely holds sway as an argument. You only need to look at Arsenal to say the countless teams who have out-muscled them not just in terms of their players but also their tactics. Like it or not the English game focuses greatly on the presence of height particularly on set pieces and it is an issue that has plagued Arsenal and their fans for years now. People might put it down to other factors but the stats don’t lie. Last season Stoke scored 67% of their goals from set pieces, Arsenal scored less than 10% of their goals in that way. And, over the course of the season, many teams will take this approach leading Arsenal, and others, to be undone.
Complacency
This for many teams is undoubtedly an issue. I think Liverpool and Arsenal both suffer from this greatly. Arsenal, because of their early season humbling, seem to be over this at the moment but I wouldn’t bet against the feeling returning. I think Arsenal, because of their style of play, and Liverpool, perhaps because of their reputation, tend to believe their own hype a little too much sometimes thinking they need only turn up to beat teams. At the Emirates last year this was particularly evident. Arsenal’s home record was terrible and strewn with unnecessary defeats to teams like newly promoted Newcastle and West Brom. Liverpool’s game against Sunderland and Arsenal’s against Blackburn highlight this perfectly. Both teams were in control of their respective games, neither were being undone tactically but both fell apart needlessly.
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Other aspects to the teams’ mentality are equally important, such as confidence and mental strength. I’m not even necessarily talking about confidence generated through recent form either. More the mental strength required to close out games. If you watched Arsenal ten years ago: if they took the lead there was pretty much no going back. The Newcastle game up north last season was one of the biggest capitulations I have ever seen. Why? Because despite what Wenger says he has one of the mentally weakest teams I have ever seen. The consequences of this are not only that their play gets worse but that the opposition’s play improves.
Improvement of lower teams
To say this is only down to the failures of the top teams however would be a gross injustice to the ‘lower’ clubs. If you consider that before Arsene Wenger arrived in England a Scottish manager was considered quite exotic. Therefore because of the high level of foreign managers around the British managers who would have been in charge of the top teams perhaps are now forced to coach smaller clubs. The result? The smaller Premier League teams have better managers, and the better managers make the best out of the players they’ve got.
Ultimately football wouldn’t be football if the top clubs won every game but the nature and frequency of the below par performances from the supposed top teams is something that draws attention. Whether it’s physical fragility like that of Arsenal, the questionable tactics of teams like Spurs or the lack of creativity in teams like Liverpool, the managers are accountable and for some fans certain, unforgivable results seem to be happening slightly too often to be accepted.
For more debates follow me on Twitter @H_Mackay
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This week’s football entertainment is as good as ever. I don’t know any neutral football fan in the country who didn’t enjoy watching Manchester United’s trip to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night. But just as intriguing was the slightly less glamorous Premier League match-up. Stoke City’s game against West Brom may not go any way to deciding the home of the coveted trophy for the next 12 months, but it still throws up it’s own issues. Tony Pulis’ Stoke side have built the foundations of a Premier League side through a direct and aggressive style – a style they’ve been much criticised for, whereas the Baggies are once again facing relegation from the top flight, despite an ethos of playing the game the right way. So, style or substance? Results or relegation?
I read an article not so long ago that targeted Stoke and labelled them ‘one dimensional’. Before I invite a plethora of Potters fans to hurl insults at me, I’d like to set the record straight that I’m not doing the same. In fact, I’m incredibly impressed with the job Pulis has done and since the Staffordshire side has established themselves in the Premier League, he has added talent to his more robust squad of players. Matt Etherington, Jermaine Pennant and Jon Walters hardly fit the mould of big and powerful. But, Stoke’s ability to build on their sustained Premier League status came from a basic tactic of playing to their strengths – and at the time a lot of that meant asking Rory Delap to roll his sleeves up and launch rockets into the box from his own half.
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Compare it to Stoke’s Monday night opposition, and we once again find ourselves back to the root of the debate. West Brom have become the club we all refer to as too good for the Championship, but not good enough for the Premier League. But every time they do try and shake off that unwanted tag, the Baggies always fall short despite trying to play ‘the right way’. But is it the right way? What is the right way? Surely, given Stoke’s ability to remain safe from relegation, their style isn’t far off being, well, right?
The advocate for ‘sexy football’ (so most Arsenal fans) would completely rubbish any suggestion that Stoke have found the ‘right way’ to play. But say what you want about the way they go about their business, they will still be a Premier League club next season and Pulis will once again look to add more quality to his squad. I fear for West Brom this season. For all of their efforts, they don’t seem good enough to play decent football and still get results.
It’s an argument that won’t go away, so seeing as the two sides who seem to be at the centre of the debate played each other this week I thought I’d have my two-pence worth. Playing with style for a team like West Brom is admirable, but in the grand scheme of things, you really have to question whether it is really enough. Stoke’s success may not be too pleasing on the eye, but boy is it effective. Reverse that and you get West Brom – a side who may well be playing Championship football once again next season. Style or substance? Results or relegation? It’s certainly a tough one. But I’m sure West Brom fans will take horrible football if it meant another season in the top flight.
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Over the years Arsenal have produced some wonderful talent in the left-back position, and it appears that the Gunners have unearthed yet another gem in the form of 19-year-old Thomas Cruise.
Cruise joined Arsenal on July 31st 2007 at the age of 16 where he has since developed and honed his skills at under-18 level at the club. In the same year, the left-back earned a call up to the England under-17 team and participated in the first rounds of qualifying for the 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship. However, due to injury Cruise was replaced for the latter stages of the tournament.
Working his way through the Arsenal Academy, the full-back helped the young guns lift the FA Youth Cup in the 2008/09 season, and has since advanced to the reserve squad following the promotion of Kieran Gibbs to the first-team squad.
The left-back has managed to appear once at senior level which occurred last season, where he played the full 90 minutes against Olympiacos following Arsenal’s qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League. Cruise has had a prolonged spell at reserve level football up until now, and will no doubt be keen to push for a place in Wenger’s Carling Cup side this season to gain further experience in the senior squad.
The young full-back is noted for his great work-rate, strength, speed as well as precise distribution. The 19-year-old has all the attributes of a modern day full-back. Cruise can also play in the centre of the defence, but is more effective in his traditional role where he can utilize his pace and strength going forward.
The Arsenal youngster is currently in France taking part in the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship with England. Thomas Cruise managed to bag a goal in England’s opening game of the tournament against Austria and having watched the tournament so far, the left-back seems to be in fine form for his country.
As stated earlier, the Gunners have always had great left-backs. Kenny Sansom, Nigel Winterburn and Ashley Cole are to name just three iconic full-backs for the club. Current Arsenal left-back, Gael Clichy has made his name in the same role and is highly regarded around the world these days as one of the best in the position. Arsenal also have a young English starlet in Kieran Gibbs who has emerged as a protégé to Clichy in the near future (some fans may even say the present).
Soon enough Thomas Cruise will almost certainly get his chance as well, especially if he keeps his head down, works hard and continues his development in the right way as he is doing. No need to invest in a left-back anytime soon Wenger…we have a star rising by the name of Thomas Cruise.
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Sir Alex Ferguson claimed yesterday’s 6-1 defeat at Old Trafford was the worst day of his career. Manchester City thumped United in their own backyard and caused the rest of the Premier League to wake up to their title credentials. Mancini claimed that the result was only significant for 3pts and it will all count for nothing if they don’t land the title.
Elsewhere in the news Andre Villas-Boas blames ref for defeat; Arsene Wenger hails Robin van Persie, while David Moyes is delighted to have luck on Everton’s side for once.
Theo Walcott wants new Arsenal deal
David Moyes glad to have luck on his side
Villas Boas blames ref for defeat
Wenger hails Robin van Persie
Van der Vaart praises Tottenham’s defence
Ferguson: It was my worst ever day
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To celebrate the world renowned Cheltenham Festival that is taking place this week, we thought it would be apt to take a look at the cross-overs that occur between the worlds of football and horse racing.
Football and horse racing go hand-in-hand. Footballers have always loved to have a flutter at the races and with the increased amount of money in football these days, more and more players and managers are buying shares in horses.
So here’s a look at those people in the world of football that will be keeping a close eye on what is going on at Cheltenham this week and if they haven’t got a horse running, you can be sure that they’ll be having a bet instead!
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Click on Bowyer below to launch the Gallery
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Aside from the plethora of terrible back-page puns, Keisuke Honda would bring a lot to the Premiership should he make a move there this summer.
Honda has been in eye-catching form for Japan at the World Cup and was easily their star player at the tournament. The 24-year-old midfielder was already showing glimpses of talent for his club CSKA Moscow in the Champions League last season, but now he has come to everyone’s full attention after his performances on the world’s biggest stage. He is one of only five players in the Japan squad who ply their trade outside of their home country, and his debut for the team coincided with his first move outside of Japan when he joined Dutch side VVV-Venlo in 2008.
Despite only spending two years at Venlo, he gained a cult following from the fans and the Dutch media dubbed him ‘Kaizer Keisuke’ – Emperor Keisuke for his good performances. He was named as club captain during his time there because of his consistency and ended up scoring 24 goals in 68 games for them. He signed for CSKA in January 2010 and ended up being thrown right into the deep end at the club, making his debut against Sevilla in the second round of the Champions League. In the second leg of the game in Seville he showed his class by setting up his side’s opener and then scoring the winner with a long-range freekick.
Having spent just six months in Russia the interest in him will be great and CSKA will be trying to do all they can to keep hold of him, particularly as their other star player Milos Krasic looks very likely to leave. Honda has many attributes that would appeal to Premier League clubs, his vision is first class and his technical ability on the ball can be outstanding at times. The only doubt about him is whether or not he could withstand the physical demands of the Premiership, but other than that he has enough about him to make sides very interested in securing his services. CSKA have no doubt landed themselves a bargain as they signed him from Venlo for just £4.9m. Now Honda has had a good World Cup they could probably make a profit of five times that amount should they decide to sell.
As he hasn’t been at CSKA for too long it seems unlikely that he would leave them this summer, however come the winter transfer window then things might have changed. Whoever can secure his signature will be getting a real talent and Honda definitely has the talent to take him all the way.
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Scotland defender Gary Caldwell has stated that despite missing out on the Euro 2012 playoffs, his team are moving forward under Craig Levein.
The celtic nation suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of world champions Spain on Tuesday night, which ended their chances of participation in Poland and Ukraine next year.
Despite not making the European Championships, Caldwell was impressed with his side’s fighting spirit in Alicante and feels they are getting better.
“Some of the football they played was exceptional. It was very difficult to deal with,”the Wigan man told Sky Sports.
“But nights like that are encouraging, we were up against the best team in the world and many teams would have folded but we never did and that was very encouraging.
“We showed we can compete and we are going to be playing lesser teams in the next competition and hopefully we will do a bit better.
“Craig Levein was a new manager at the start of the campaign and he had to find out things about the players and what formation he was going to play and we have got to a level now where the manager knows he can go forward and we can be successful,” the centre back concluded.
With Scotland in Group A alongside Croatia, Serbia, Belgium, Macedonia and Wales in the World Cup qualifiers, the Tartan Army will be hopeful of qualification to the 2014 tournament in Brazil.
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Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness believes the Bundesliga club are a ‘superpower’ when star duo Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are on song.
Bayern are currently third in the Bundesliga, thirteen points behind runaway leaders Borussia Dortmund.
However, if they can keep both Ribery and Robben fit and Dortmund begin to falter, the Bavarian giants still have an outside chance of defending their Bundesliga title.
Since Robben’s return to Bayern’s side after a thigh injury the Dutchman has scored four times in as many games, with his side winning all four matches.
However, Hoeness believes it is not just Robben who is making a difference.
“Even after all this the people should not forget that Franck Ribery has played exceptionally, on Saturday, for example, he didn’t score but he was involved in two or three of them,” Hoeness said, adding: “With both of them playing we are a superpower.”
In contrast, former Bayern defender Willy Sagnol believes that relying on Robben and Ribery too much is dangerous.
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“The other players always expect something from them, they expect the decisive goal or the decisive pass and even though that is normal, therein lies a problem,” Sagnol said.
Bayern’s next match in the Bundesliga is against fifth-placed Mainz on Saturday.