Bayern Munich have confirmed that Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel has signed for Italian giants AC Milan.
The 33-year-old’s contract with Bayern was due to expire at the end of the season and after being told it would not be renewed, he asked to be released early in order to secure his move to Milan.
“I am leaving FC Bayern with a heavy heart, but with my head held high,” Van Bommel said in a statement.”
“I had four and a half wonderful and successful years here and would like to express my gratitude to the club and the fans.”
“FC Bayern will always have a place in my heart.”
Van Bommel, who has only made 13 appearances for Bayern this season, had been linked with moves to Tottenham and Liverpool before signing with Massimiliano Allegri’s side.
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“The Dutch international asked for his contract to become void to transfer for sporting reasons,” a Bayern statement read.
Only a few months after Gareth Bale announced his arrival on the world stage in Tottenham’s 4-3 defeat to Inter Milan in the group stage of the Champions League, next Tuesday the Welshman and his teammates will take to the San Siro pitch for the second time this season. The venue might be the same but, of course, the stripes on their opponents’ shirts will be different. This time the Londoners will be lining up against Inter’s city rivals AC, the Rossoneri, in the latest instalment of their first campaign in Europe’s most prestigious club competition for almost half a century.
A two-legged tie against the Serie A leaders was the most daunting draw that Harry Redknapp’s team could have been given outside of a visit to Barcelona or Madrid. Nonetheless, Spurs can point to an undefeated record against Milan as they bid to reach the quarter-finals. It is astonishing that Tottenham, with such a long history of European competition, have only met their next European opponents twice before. Now is the perfect time to look back at those meetings from 1972.
The Inter-Cities Fairs Cup was renamed the UEFA Cup in 1971. European football’s governing body took over the competition’s running three years after qualification for it had become determined solely by a club’s league position, discarding the tournament’s previous idiosyncratic entry method that had had more to do with economics than sporting performance. Spurs qualified for the inaugural 1971/72 competition, then, by virtue of their third-place finish in the First Division the year before, and not because of London’s identity as a venue for trade fairs. Milan, meanwhile, entered the draw as the runners-up to Inter in Serie A.
Spurs and Milan would eventually meet in the semi-finals but to get that far both teams first had to see off four other opponents. Iceland’s Keflavík ĺF were despatched 15-1 by Spurs in the first round, with Nantes of France overcome next, before back-to-back victories over the Romanian sides Rapid Bucharest and UTA Arad took Bill Nicholson’s side into the last four. Milan, who had won the European Cup three years earlier under their incumbent manager Nereo Rocco, knocked out the Cypriot side Digenis Akritas Morphou, Hertha Berlin, Dundee, and Lierse of Belgium to earn their showdown with the Londoners.
The first leg took place at White Hart Lane on 5th April. In goal for Milan was Fabio Cudicini, Carlo’s father, whilst captaining the away side was the iconic Gianni Rivera. It was the skipper’s long pass that brought about his side’s opening goal after 25 minutes. Terry Naylor could only nod the ball into the path of the onrushing Romeo Benetti, who had given the ball to Rivera in the first place. The 26-year-old midfielder took one touch before steadying himself and firing past Pat Jennings in the Spurs goal from the edge of the box.
Milan’s lead only lasted five minutes. Cyril Knowles turned away from his marker to cross from the left towards Alan Gilzean, who beat three markers to head the ball down into the path of Martin Chivers. Chivers tried to set up Martin Peters but he couldn’t get his shot away, only for Steve Perryman to hit a rising drive that Cudicini could only help into the net.
Midway through the second half and the night got even better for Spurs and for Perryman. Giulio Zignoli gave away a corner that was subsequently headed clear but only as far as the 20-year-old hero from the first half. Perryman brought the ball down effortlessly before calmly striking it right-footed past Cudicini, this time without the keeper getting a touch. “He’s done it again!” exclaimed the commentator, Barry Davies.
The game finished 2-1 but, even as the home crowd celebrated what had been a momentous win against a team that had won the European Cup twice during the sixties, Davies was still keen to stress that Milan would need only a 1-0 win in Italy in a fortnight’s time to knock Spurs out.
The commentator should have shown more faith. Alan Mullery’s seventh-minute strike in the San Siro meant that Spurs had matched Milan’s away goal from the first leg. Tottenham’s captain had spent part of the season on loan at Second Division Fulham as part of his recovery from injury, but here he was swapping an away game at Leyton Orient for the opportunity to silence 68,000 Italians. Rivera made it 1-1 on the night from the spot with 21 minutes remaining but Spurs held on to claim a 3-2 aggregate victory and a place in the first UEFA Cup final against fellow First Division side Wolves.
Mullery scored again in the second leg of the final as his side claimed what was then their second European trophy, to add to the 1963 Cup Winners’ Cup, winning 3-2 on aggregate against their English opponents. Few Spurs fans are seriously contemplating another European final this season just yet, but a repeat of their team’s 1972 heroics against Milan will go a long way to changing the minds of the doubters amongst the faithful.
You can follow William Abbs on Twitter.
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The signing of Joe Cole from Chelsea on a free transfer last summer looked like a bargain for Liverpool, especially beating off potential interest from Tottenham and Arsenal for the England star. However after a sending off on his debut for the club and misfortune in injuries, he’s yet been able to shine in the Red jersey and with the likes of Newcastle United interested in the players services, would it be wise for the club to cash in on the player who has failed to live up to expectations or does the talented 29-year old deserve more of a chance at Anfield?
The player certainly has a lot of admirers from fans to players; with Steven Gerrard claiming that Cole is as good as Lionel Messi. At the World Cup last summer, England fans were demanding that Joe Cole saw more time on the pitch than on the bench but Fabio Capello showed he lacked faith in the player being a talisman in the first eleven. It is clear that Joe Cole has an abundance of talent and let’s not forget he played an integral role in Chelsea’s success in the last decade but the player is not the most consistent of performers. Although Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish commented on the player after he came on as a substitute against Sparta Prague last night :
“We have got to be patient with Joe. That is his first run out since I came here. We want to give him a bit of time and make sure he gets there. Form is temporary, class is permanent and that is where we stand with Joe”
It is important that Dalglish is showing faith in the player, something that was missing from the previous manager, Roy Hodgson but could it be a gamble? Hodgson is not the only manager who hasn’t favoured Cole, with his team work and lack of defensive qualities often cited. However, Cole is that typical talented attacking midfielder that gets played out of position. Whether on the left or right side of midfield, his best position is playing in the hole behind the striker but it’s that free role position that isn’t favoured by many mangers in England.
Personally I’ve always been a fan of Joe Cole and believe if it wasn’t for injuries, he would’ve achieved even more in the game by now. But the former West Ham player will be turning 30 towards the end of this year and with his fitness in question you have to wonder if the player can make it back to the form we knew a few seasons ago. On the positive side, Dalglish is being patient and allowing the player enough time to get his match fitness back and eventually with more games under his belt for Liverpool we should all start to see the Joe Cole we all like to watch, or at least I hope we do.
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Modern footballers are increasingly criticised for their exorbitant lifestyles and detachment from reality. The recent incidents involving England internationals Ashley Cole and Wayne Rooney have heightened and justified public dissatisfaction with the some of the game’s most high-profile figures.
The much-maligned duo, who are key figures in the national team set-up, are undoubtedly amongst the most despised footballers in the Three Lions’ squad. Fortunately for messrs Cole and Rooney, England colleagues John Terry and Steven Gerrard have also tended to attract their fair share of hatred and headlines too. Each member of this illustrious quartet is subjected to a chorus of boos whenever they ‘play away’, but which one is England’s most hated football player?
Ashley Cole
The case for: Arguably the world’s greatest left-back, but undeniably a complete and utter wrong ‘un. England’s most capped full-back has consistently attracted the wrong sorts of headlines since his controversial move across London from Arsenal to bitter rivals Chelsea. Since then, the 30-year-old has shown himself to be quite the ‘player’ off the pitch too after cheating on wife and beloved national treasure Cheryl on multiple occasions.
With his reputation beyond repair, Cole has continued his mission to secure his position as the nation’s most hated footballer. Shortly after revelations about Cole’s private life were first revealed, Chelsea’s number three infamously turned his back on referee Mike Riley following a dangerous tackle on Tottenham defender Alan Hutton.
Having conquered the realms of infidelity and petulance, Cole, desperate to wrestle back the crown of ‘England’s most loathed’ from team-mate John Terry, decided to shoot a work experience intern with an air gun. A remorseful and regretful Cole has tried to make amends for this latest indiscretion by… failing to issue a public apology. What a guy.
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Defining moment: Describing contract negotiations with then-Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein, a hard-done-by Cole said: “When I heard Jonathan (Barnett) repeat the figure of £55k, I nearly swerved off the road.”
Schadenfreude moment: Cole is an extremely consistent player, and he seldom makes mistakes. However, his unintended assist for Danny Welbeck in Sunderland’s 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge earlier this season was highly satisfying, as was his Waddle-esque spot-kick in Chelsea’s FA Cup fourth round-replay defeat to Everton last month.
Wayne Rooney
The case for: Well, well, well. Since bursting onto the scene as a 16-year-old at boyhood club Everton, Rooney has courted controversy with clockwork-like consistency. The potty-mouthed striker, praised in some quarters for his passionate style, frequently displays a lack of respect towards officials. Rooney was sent off against Spanish side Villarreal in 2005 for sarcastically applauding a referee, and was dismissed against Fulham in 2009 for throwing the ball away.
England’s most disappointing performer at last summer’s World Cup, Rooney further aggravated the nation’s long-suffering fans after he opined “nice to see your home fans boo you” to TV cameras following England’s draw with Algeria.
Rooney even managed to invoke the wrath of his own fans earlier this season, handing in a transfer request in order to earn himself a cheeky new contract and bumper pay-rise, all whilst going through the most barren run of his career.
‘Wazza’, clearly perturbed by his recent failure to look anything look like a top-class striker, elbowed Wigan Athletic’s James McCarthy in a horrific unprovoked off-the-ball incident last weekend. Unsurprisingly, the notoriously lenient FA decided to let Rooney off the hook.
Defining moment: This one is a tough one. Prior to 2010, many would’ve highlighted his intimate ‘liaisons’ with some of Liverpool’s most liberal grandmothers, but cavorting with a prostitute whilst his wife Coleen was pregnant certainly takes some beating.
Schadenfreude moment: His recent barren streak, which saw the ex-Everton man go eight months without scoring a goal in open play for Manchester United.
Continue to the NEXT PAGE…
John Terry
The case for: No list of football’s most hated figures would be complete without the ‘Lionheart’ himself, John George Terry.
A string of moronic nicknames, a penchant for harassing officials and an irritating tendency to talk about himself in the third person all provide strong reasons to dislike Chelsea’s number 26. Factor in the sanctioning of unauthorised tours of Chelsea’s training facilities and running over a Stamford Bridge security guard, and it’s clear that Terry provides stiff competition for fellow Blue Ashley Cole.
Defining moment: Hands up if you’ve slept with the mother of your former team-mate/best friend’s son? John Terry has. 2009’s Dad of the Year allegedly went behind the back of his own wife and had it away with Wayne Bridge’s ex-girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel. The nation subsequently rejoiced when Terry was ignominiously blanked by Bridge prior to Chelsea’s home defeat to Manchester City last season.
Schadenfreude moment: Being knocked out cold after he threw his head at Abou Diaby’s boot amused many, but seeing ‘JT’ miss the opportunity to secure Chelsea’s first ever European Cup is a treasured memory that I will never forget.
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Steven Gerrard
The case for: Superman in a red shirt, far from it in white, Liverpool’s very own Roy of the Rovers is almost universally despised amongst supporters of other clubs. Although Gerrard has chalked up fewer off-the-field indiscretions than his esteemed counterparts, ‘Stevie Starfish’ has earned himself a reputation as England’s worst diver. A tendency to go down far too easily has clearly rankled many football fans, with this irritation exacerbated by Gerrard’s claim that “peoplelike Carvalho are ruining the game”. Liverpool’s number eight also said, “if I saw one of my team-mates diving, I would definitely have a word.” Oh the irony.
A close friend of fellow Liverpudlian Wayne Rooney, Gerrard provided the inspiration for Rooney’s recent elbow with unpunished forearm smashes on Portsmouth’s Michael Brown and Sunderland’s Danny Welbeck last year.
Defining moment: Being caught punching a DJ (for failing to put on Phil Collins) on CCTV, and then, ‘against all odds’, being acquitted in the resulting court case.
Schadenfreude moment: Two comical backpasses which lead to goals scored against Liverpool; one against Arsenal in 2006, and another against Chelsea in 2010.
Who is England’s most hated player? Any glaring omissions? Let me know below or message me on twitter at www.twitter.com/zarifrasul
The trials and tribulations of Liverpool Football Club over the past few decades has certainly meant that the club has had its fair share of players that have adorned cult hero status. But what is a ‘cult’ hero though? It’s a difficult thing to define, but more often than not, it’s a player that rarely meets expectations yet is adored by the terraces for the rare occasions that he reminds us that he’s still a professional footballer. Full-blooded commitment to the cause, eccentric characters and the ability to do something unexpectedly and inexplicably out of character in its importance are often essential ingredients in making up a cult hero.
Here are a list of 10 that plied their trade for Liverpool at one time or another in no discernable order. If there is anyone that you think is more deserving of a place on this list than the ones that I’ve chosen? Post your comments below.
Click on the image below to see the Top 10 Liverpool Cult Heroes
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Dimitar Berbatov scored a dramatic last minute winner to put Manchester United in pole position in the title race. Fergie will be absolutely delighted with the result; although I am sure he will be disappointed with the actions of Jonny Evans, especially given the defensive injuries at Old Trafford
At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of Manchester United blogs that includes the misguided scapegoat of Old Trafford; the creative force that Fergie is crying out for, while Rafael needs to take a leaf out of Neville’s book.
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We also look at the best Man United articles around the web this week.
WAG Weekly: Nani scores an absolute stunner!
Is this the ‘Most Hated’ Premiership XI of all time?
Three BIG Reasons why Fergie doesn’t need a transfer spree
The misguided scapegoat of Old Trafford
Old Trafford or Anfield – what represents the best move for £30m man?
The creative force that Fergie is crying out for?
Who needs Hollywood when you’ve got Hernandez
A warning shot from Manchester to London
Why Sir Alex signing him isn’t such a bad move for Manchester United
United starlet needs to take a leaf out of Neville’s book
Understanding Fergie’s transfer priorities this summer
How long before Fergie takes his wonderkid off the leash?
What is all the fuss about Ravel Morrison?
How do Manchester United stand with regards to UEFA’s pending ruling
Do Spaniard’s comments pave way for Man United move this summer?
*Best of WEB*
Hernández wins plaudits and trust – United Rant
The Red Report: SAF & The FA, should he stay or should he go & POTY – The Busby Way
Are We Asking Too Much Of Chris Smalling Too Soon? – Red Flag Flying High
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Ferguson’s Ban Is Anything But “Fair” – The United Religion
It is a return to European football this week as the three Premier League clubs fight it out for a place in the Champions League semi-finals. Tottenham are first up with an unenviable trip to the Bernabeu against the might of Real Madrid.
In the papers this morning there is a mixed bag of stories that include Ben Arfa reveals the extent of his injury, Manchester City spurred on by chairman’s team talk, while Randy Lerner is keen to keep Ashley Young at Villa Park.
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Ben Arfa – I could’ve lost leg – Sky Sports
Spurs and Redknapp put £80m price tag on Bale’s head – Guardian
City spurred on by chairman’s teamtalk – Daily Telegraph
Arsenal fans wage civil war over Wenger’s fate – Mirror
Prem interest in Humphrey – Sky Sports
Rooney faces two-game ban for abuse – Guardian
Lerner drive to keep Ashley – Sun
Is Prince Charlie a king in waiting? Adam gets nod for PFA award shortlist – Daily Mail
West Ham promise ‘strong action’ over racism – Daily Telegraph
Arsenal stars are on a knife edge – Sun
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Ancelotti wants to extended Chelsea stay – Guardian
I don’t remember Bobby Charlton doing that! Harry blasts ‘silly’ Rooney – Daily Mail
With eight games remaining in the season, Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion were both within one point of the relegation zone.Fast forward four matches, and the duo is 12th (Villa – 41 points) and 13th (Albion – 40 points) respectively and eyeing off a top-ten finish in the English Premier League standings.
They will go head to head on Saturday at the Hawthorns.
While Albion are just six points above the drop, the number of teams in between Roy Hodgson’s men and 18th spot means they are all but safe in their promotion season to the English Premier League.
The Villans are seven points clear and will be relieved to have escaped the drop zone’s clutches, but there will be nothing spared when they meet their West Midlands rivals on Saturday.
The club has announced Gerard Houllier will not be back to coach Aston Villa again this season due to health reasons, but he would have reason to feel better with his side four games unbeaten since their humiliating derby loss to Wolves in March.
Albion’s form has been similarly resurgent under Roy Hodgson, with their only loss in their past four coming at the hands of Chelsea.
Win over Liverpool and Sunderland and a draw with Tottenham has virtually ensured the Baggies of Premier League football next term.
Aston Villa won the reverse fixture at Villa Park 2-1 in December, with Stewart Downing and Emile Heskey on target for the victors and Paul Scharner scoring a late consolation for Albion.
Baggies midfielder Graham Dorrans is likely to miss the remainder of the season with an ankle problem, while Pablo Ibanez will be absent with a hamstring injury.
Aston Villa’s only health concern is Houllier, who will be discharged from hospital in the coming days.
With the coveted Champions League spot all but out of reach for Harry Redknapp and his Spurs charges this season after they fell 7 points behind Man City at the weekend, will Redknapp come to regret failing to purchase a striker either in the summer or during the January transfer window come the end of the season? And if so, has it proven the difference in their pursuit in ensuring that there is Champions League football at White Hart Lane for a second successive season?
It’s important when discussing Spurs’s failing up front to assert that this isn’t some form of misplaced revisionism at what has been a deeply disappointing end to what was at one point, a hugely promising campaign. The clear root of the side’s problem has been the lack of striking talent capable of putting the ball in the back of the net on a consistent enough basis. One could argue that the emphasis this summer, above all else, should have been on purchasing a new striker. The money was there, the long-term plan sadly wasn’t.
The Spurs midfield is awash with creative talent, yet the likes of Defoe, Crouch and Pavlyuchenko only have 15 league goals between them this season in a combined total of 74 league appearances. It doesn’t take a man of particularly keen intellect to arrive at the answer that the strikers Redknapp currently has at his disposal are of insufficient quality to propel Spurs to the next level that they so desperately seek. The lack of striking talent on offer at the club remains the club’s biggest obstacle to any real progress in the future.
This, however, is not a new point. Spurs have been frustrated in their attempts to sign a player of proven quality for two successive transfer windows now. It’s not that there isn’t money readily available or that Spurs aren’t an attractive proposition to prospective transfer targets, it’s just that their manager’s muddled and dithering transfer policy has seen them fall further behind their rivals just when it looked like they were ready to become a serious player at the Premier League’s top table.
Crouch will always remain an exceptional squad player whose ability to make a telling impact from the bench is second to none, but he simply cannot be relied upon to score the necessary goals required. Pavlyuchenko lacks mobility, any semblence of something approaching a work rate and the pace to trouble the best, and while he does have a cracking finish on him at times, he’s wildly inconsistent and blows cold on more days than he is hot.
Jermain Defoe, well here is a player that deserves a whole new paragraph all to himself. Defoe has had a desperately poor season, but one, that in fairness, has been hampered by niggling injuries and untimely suspensions. Those close to me will know that I’m not the England international’s biggest fan. Granted, he can hit a shot extremely hard, and yes, he has displayed a greater degree of intelligence in recent times, notably in his burgeoning partnership with Rooney for England, but to me, he isn’t far off being a one trick pony and with only two league goals to his name since last April, it appears the stats are in my corner on this one. He is a player that manages to score in bunches when his team are playing well, yet when he’s needed to make a telling contribution, he can often be found wanting.
So what were the alternatives?
Well Diego Forlan, Luis Fabiano, Luis Suarez and Fernando Llorente all appeared to be the names in the frame at various points of the season, among other it has to be said, which just goes to show how ill-thought out the club’s pursuit of new striking talent was. Forlan was frozen out for a period at Atletico after falling out with boss Quique Flores, but at 31 years of age, Spurs baulked at the £15m asking price. The cost of missing out on Champions League football though is far greater, and although a hefty sum considering his age, Forlan is well worth it in my eyes.
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Luis Fabiano, the tempestuous and often brilliant Brazilian headed back, like so many have done so before him in the past 18 months, to his homeland for a cushy few seasons at Sao Paulo for a figure believed to be around the £7m mark. Wages are said to have been a stumbling block over any proposed move to North London, but surely Spurs would have been paying him more than Sao Paulo currently are and at just 30 years of age, he definitely goes down as a missed opportunity, especially considering the shockingly low price.
Luis Suarez was coveted by numerous clubs around Europe and appeared to have his eye on a move to the Premier League from the outset. The player in question seemed somewhat unfussy as to his destination, just so long as they were a top English side. He eventually moved to Liverpool for just over £23m and has taken to the Premier Legaue like a duck to water. Spurs’s interest was never believed to be as firm as Lierpool’s though and he is already starting to represent something appraoching value for money, potential-wise at least.
Fernando Lorene – now we arrive at the player, along with Charlie Adam that is (a truly baffling transfer target), that demonstrates just how desperate and slapshot Redknapp is when it comes to transfers. He lucked out with the Van Der Vaart deal, pure and simple; a quality player for a pittance does not always become readily available at the eleventh hour. Spurs went in for Llorente in the dying embers of the transfer window for a fee rumoured to be in the region of £30m. Now Athletic Bilbao, realising what Daniel Levy failed to when Berbatov transferred to Man Utd under similar circumstances in 2008, rightly rejected their offer out of hand because it simply didn’t leave them with enough time to find a replacement for the Spanish international.
They had the whole of January to bid for him. He clearly wasn’t their top priority, so why wait until the final minutes of the final day of a month long transfer window to put in an astronomical bid? It’s clear that desperation took hold and for such a significant outlay, for a deal of this size to be surrounded by such panic would appear to point to nothing other than a deeply flawed transfer policy overseen by Redknapp.
The likes of Sergio Aguero, Alvaro Negredo, Edinson Cavani, Karim Benzema and Guiseppe Rossi were all other targets pursued to in varying degrees of seriousness. It seemed like Spurs were after anyone, just anyone to fill the gaping hole in their attack, yet they still came up short despite being in a reasonably strong financial position with an exciting project on the go playing wise.
There can be no one else to blame other than the manager. The famed wheeler-dealer (just don’t call him that to his face) came up short and in the end, while Spurs’s rivals around them all strengthened. It has most definitely come at a cost – Champions League football next season and his failure to sign a striker will only strengthen the resolve of the naysars among the White Hart Lane faithful that still retain reservations about Redknapp.
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Will Redknapp come to regret this failure? Most definitely. Could more have been done? The sheer number of proposed targets tells you that the hierarchy were painfully aware of their striking department limitations and to their credit, they at least tried, but their approach was all wrong – it lacked a logical end point and with clubs unwilling to part with prized assets in January, it makes his decision not to make a striker a top transfer target in the summer all the more galling, particularly when it seemed that everyone was else was in agreement that a high calibre striker was all that was stopping Spurs from truly challenging.
Redknapp may be many things, but a meticulous planner with the gift of foresight is not one of them. The aforementioned trio of Defoe, Crouch and Pavlyuchenko contributed 31 league goals last season, just under half they 67 they accrued in the league. This term, the burden has been rather unfairly placed onto their talented midfield and they’ve only registered 50 league goals so far, which for a side as entertaining and attacking as Spurs, does seem awfully short of the mark.
To put it quite simply, they cannot afford another cock-up when it comes to pursuing their top transfer targets in the summer. In the words of Alec Baldwin in the seminal David Mamet screenplayed film, Glenngarry Glen Ross – A-B-C; Always Be Closing. Spurs would do well to follow this mantra and tie up a deal for a striker as soon as possible, for it threatens to derail what promises to be a successful period in the club’s long and rich history, right in it’s tracks.
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Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher reaches another milestone in his Anfield career on Sunday.Carragher will make his 665th appearance for Liverpool against Newcastle United, moving equal second with Ray Clemence and Emlyn Hughes in the list of all-time appearances.
Only Ian Callaghan, on 857, will be ahead of the 33-year-old, who made his Liverpool debut in 1997.
The upcoming honour has earned special praise from his manager Kenny Dalglish.
“Carra has been a fantastic servant to this football club,” Dalglish said.
“He’s filled in loyally and comfortably in many positions and he’s someone who has been very pleased to be associated with Liverpool and we’re pleased to be associated with him.”
Carragher has already passed Ian Rush, Phil Neal, Tommy Smith and Bruce Grobbelaar after making 34 appearances this campaign, and Dalglish believes he deserves to be mentioned among such legendary Anfield names.
“Talent is a good starting point,” Dalglish said.
“Starting in the first team at 18 is another good starting point and not picking up too many injuries helps, but the most important thing is his ability and his desire and commitment to this football club.”
Carragher has captained the side recently in Steven Gerrard’s absence, and his form has helped in Liverpool’s upsurge, which has seen them take 27 points from their last 14 games.