The Telegraph and others are reporting that Juande Ramos has let Huddlestone know that he expects peak fitness from his team and that the midfielder's playing time is at risk at his current weight.
The Daily Mail reports that Derby are ready to step in with a 4 million pound offer for their former player. Let's hope that Thud takes the challenge and gets in top shape.
Still more in the Berbatov saga. While his brother is quoted by the Daily Mail as saying the striker is depressed and has outgrown Spurs, the Bulgarian himself says that he is happy at Spurs, but disappointed in the lies the press attributes to his family.
But is Berbatov perhaps angry that the papers are reporting his families lies? It's odd that a number of his family members have reportedly gone to the press about this. Are there hangers on looking for a payday? Are they trying to help him make up his mind to leave rather than conveying his feelings?
One might infer that, when Berbatov claims that he is his own man (Telegraph), he may actually be saying that his family doesn't make football decisions for him. Given that he's 26 years old, that would make a bit of sense.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Berbatov Exit? Spurs Exerting Control of Situation.
The Telegraph reports that Berbatov's father announced on Bulgarian TV that his son wants to leave Spurs in January. Apparently, soon after making these comments, the father and Berbatov's agent flew to London for further talks with the club.
While the last bit was reported by the Daily Mail, it seems likely to be true. If Tottenham are to get good value for Berbatov, he can't be seen forcing his own exit. Spurs likely told the family to keep quiet about the Bulgarian's intentions unless they seek to undermine his departure.
Tottenham seems likely to be threatening Berbatov's representatives, suggesting the club may hold onto the sulky striker. They have him under contract for a further two years and are under no pressure to deal him.
Chances are good that Spurs have said they will sell him only at a certain valuation. If Berbatov undermines that value by continued poor form or through unhelpful public statements from his representatives, then Tottenham may decline to sell.
This statement by Kanoute's agent quoted in the Sun suggests that Comolli is also leaving his options open for a January transfer.
UPDATE: Soccernet reporting that Ramos would not stand in the way of Berbatov departure.
While the last bit was reported by the Daily Mail, it seems likely to be true. If Tottenham are to get good value for Berbatov, he can't be seen forcing his own exit. Spurs likely told the family to keep quiet about the Bulgarian's intentions unless they seek to undermine his departure.
Tottenham seems likely to be threatening Berbatov's representatives, suggesting the club may hold onto the sulky striker. They have him under contract for a further two years and are under no pressure to deal him.
Chances are good that Spurs have said they will sell him only at a certain valuation. If Berbatov undermines that value by continued poor form or through unhelpful public statements from his representatives, then Tottenham may decline to sell.
This statement by Kanoute's agent quoted in the Sun suggests that Comolli is also leaving his options open for a January transfer.
UPDATE: Soccernet reporting that Ramos would not stand in the way of Berbatov departure.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Official Word: Berbatov Staying
After showdown talks with Spurs management (Comolli) and Berbatov's agent, the official word is that Berbatov is staying with Spurs.
That's reassuring. Sort of.
You wouldn't have expected them to say that he was leaving soon if he was. Tottenham likely have a valuation they are seeking in the transfer market, but if Berbatov keeps sulking his way through the season they will not get as much for him.
Chances are pretty good that Comolli told Berbatov's agent that the Bulgarian will never get dealt below the club's valuation. Hopefully the Spurs Director emphasized that if Berbatov continues to play listlessly not only will he never achieve Champions League with Spurs, but he won't get dealt to a CL team either.
That's reassuring. Sort of.
You wouldn't have expected them to say that he was leaving soon if he was. Tottenham likely have a valuation they are seeking in the transfer market, but if Berbatov keeps sulking his way through the season they will not get as much for him.
Chances are pretty good that Comolli told Berbatov's agent that the Bulgarian will never get dealt below the club's valuation. Hopefully the Spurs Director emphasized that if Berbatov continues to play listlessly not only will he never achieve Champions League with Spurs, but he won't get dealt to a CL team either.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Middlesbrough Highlights
These are a bit truncated, but were the only highlights I could find online.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Spurs Tomorrow on TV
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Uninspiring League Cup Victory
Ramos' first game on the touchline was an anxiety filled match as Spurs managed to put just two past 20th place Championship side Blackpool and yielded far too many opportunities on goal for the lower league strugglers.
Seething on the touchline throughout the second half, Ramos witnessed firsthand the defensive frailties plaguing Tottenham. Without Robinson and the crossbar to deny Gary Taylor-Fletcher's two fine headers in the second half, Spurs may have found themselves trailing.
Ramos was so annoyed with the shaky defense that he subbed out Kaboul before the full hour replacing him with Tainio. Chimbonda moved to the middle pushing Teemu to the right. It is unclear whether the Finn figures to spend more time in defense or if Chimbonda may spend more time in the middle of the pitch, but the message seems clear: tentativeness and mistakes will not be tolerated.
Keane scored another route one goal off a Robinson goal kick and a Berbatov flick. Upon replacing his two strikers, the manager had a handshake for Keane, but the cold shoulder for the Bulgarian.
Match Reports:
Telegraph
Times
Guardian
Independent
Seething on the touchline throughout the second half, Ramos witnessed firsthand the defensive frailties plaguing Tottenham. Without Robinson and the crossbar to deny Gary Taylor-Fletcher's two fine headers in the second half, Spurs may have found themselves trailing.
Ramos was so annoyed with the shaky defense that he subbed out Kaboul before the full hour replacing him with Tainio. Chimbonda moved to the middle pushing Teemu to the right. It is unclear whether the Finn figures to spend more time in defense or if Chimbonda may spend more time in the middle of the pitch, but the message seems clear: tentativeness and mistakes will not be tolerated.
Keane scored another route one goal off a Robinson goal kick and a Berbatov flick. Upon replacing his two strikers, the manager had a handshake for Keane, but the cold shoulder for the Bulgarian.
Match Reports:
Telegraph
Times
Guardian
Independent
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