£13m deal agreed.

Super Pav may have marked his last game in a Spurs shirt with a double against Birmingham as Russian side Anzi Makhachkala have claimed a deal has been agreed to take our Russian back to his native homeland, according to talkSport.

Anzi Mackhachkala, even sober I'm having problems pronouncing that one, are said to have submitted an offer of £13m and the decision lye's solely in the hands of Pav.

The forward has become almost marmite with a lot of us. Inconsistency has plagued his time at Spurs. Strokes of genius would be ruled out by strokes of incompetence and at times he could make Heskey look like a world beater.

£13m would prove good business and with the £14m expected to be brought in for Palacios, 'Arry may finally have a few quid to bring in those world class class players we're all expecting to be wearing the lilywhite next season.

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Regards.

What An Idiot.

For the record. I like Pav. I do believe that he has a great eye for goal and we have seen, maybe not enough, moments of brilliance from the Russian. I understand his frustration. He's the only striker than can score a bloody goal and yet finds himself warming the bench every week; you must've had your head in sand if you can't see that he's not one of Harry's favourites.

What I don't like is the way he has ran to the press, made accusations concerning Redknapp and stated he intends to leave. With January just past us, Pav is here until the summer whether he likes it or not. Bringing on the negative attitude and lack of respect towards Redknapp and the club at this stage of the season has left me rather bewildered. If you want to leave, then have a quiet word at the end of the season; don't publicly announce how desperate you are to escape London when you know your stuck there for at least another 4 or 5 months.

As I said, I like Pav and I'd love to see him given more game time. Maybe banging in a few goals when given the chance will prove to be the easiest way to leave us. Then he can bugger off back to Russia. Right now we're still in a strong position to retain our Champions League status for another season and we could do without all the moaning for at least another few months.

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Regards.

Our Last 16 opponents

D-day's almost upon us and our Champions League fate will be discovered in Switzerland on Friday. Having won our group after some memorable nights home and away, we'll want this European rollercoaster to never end. Spurs can be drawn against one of Lyon, Valencia, Copenhagen, Roma, Marseille or AC Milan.

Of course in the last 16 an 'easy game' just doesn't exist and after a tough group on paper we'll go into this draw fearing no one. At White Hart Lane we've been scoring enough goals and have made every side look very average. I'm not sure we'd want another trip to the San Siro, although Bale may have other opinions. On paper, Copenhagen would be the draw we'd snap your hands off for; although, like us, this is also their first time into the last 16 and have a phenomenal support at home.

I wouldn't fancy an awkward side like Lyon or Marseille but anyone drawn will be given a run for their money and if the belief continues, our side can beat anyone.

So, if given the choice, who would you take as opponents?

Regards

Tottenham 6-0 Blackburn

Sorry I must've mis-read the result because our display today warranted the score line above. A stylish and a display that last season's team would've been proud of, for much of the game we were stuck in the driving seat only dropping down to 4th gear for the final moments of the game.

The scoreline suggests a closely fought encounter but the game was over at half-time, Pavlyuchenko atleast making amends for missing the penalty and a chance that even I would've had a good shout at scoring.

It was positive seeing Bale bring his European form back into the Premier League as he knocked up 2 more goals and an assist that will get the whole world talking about again. Best player in the world? Not just yet, but the boy's on for a cracking season ahead.

Crouchy finally broke his duck, although taking advantage of some sloppy defending. But hey, they all count.

Arsenal next up. Any news on Jermaine?

Regards.

Iaquinta, Pav or Keane?

Speculation took a rather unexpected twist as old media favourite Vincenzo Iaquinta looked to take a large step forward into joining us. The 30 year old's agent stated he expects to see Vin playing at Spurs next year as Harry's wheelin' and dealin' looks to see us pick up the Juve man for around 5 million quid.

But surely, should we capture the Italian then this is likely to spell the end for atleast one of Pav or Keane. So who would you rather keep hold off if given the dilemma facing Harry?

Iaquinta's Juve record last season: 18 appearances scoring 6 goals. Not a world-class goal scoring record although I am told that this bloke is a team player and maybe this could prove beneficial in our debut Champions League season awaiting us next year.

Pav's record last season: 24 appearances scoring 10 goals. Although starting the season very much on the fringes of the first team, Pav broke into the team around late February time and his goals really helped propel us to achieving fourth spot. Possibly one we should keep our hands on.

Keane's record last season: Keane's record at Spurs saw him make 25 appearances scoring 9 goals before being loaned out to Celtic in January where he enjoyed a blinding season scoring 14 goals in 16 appearances. Although, I think any Championship side would give Celtic a good game.

So, if given the choice, which player would you want playing in the lillywhite next season?

Regards.

Pav's song for next season

I'm sure this 'issue' has been addressed before but, to put bluntly, we are not the most creative fans when it comes to invigorating new songs for our players. For Pav, we sound our appreciation with the 'Super Pav' chant, it's understandable and makes sense although, if i'm honest, a little dull and I feel there is much more potential for him.

Anyway, I was having one of those YouTube browsing moments, jumping from one video to the next despite not being a regular user of the website. But, I came across one video and, in the comment box, one user named 'MrYiddojoe' wrote in the following:

To the tune of 'The animals went in 2 by 2'

"He came to London from Spartak Moscow, Moscow!!
To play for Tottenham in attack yiddo, yiddo!!
He scores the goals and Tottenham win
And who the fuck is Arshavin
'Cos Pav-ly-uchenko's Tottenham's number 9"

Now I know opinion can be very split on an issue such as this but I feel that this particular chant is very innovative and makes it more appealing with the little dig at Arshavin.

Should Pav stay this summer I think it would be great if we could try and get this down White Hart Lane and be regularly sung every week. A great song for a player that fully deserves it.

What do you think?

Regards

Pav out

The Daily Mail this morning claimed that Spurs and Liverpool are discussing a swap deal regarding Roman Pavlyuchenko and Yossi Benayoun. The story appears thin on evidence although a logical one with Liverpool making a move for our Russian hit man in January of this year.

What would you make of this deal should it occur? Although being a good player, Benayoun is in a similar mould of Luka Modric and Niko Kranjcar but, in my opinion, not quite on par in terms of ability to match our two Croats.

Strength in depth has always been a policy at Spurs and Benayoun would certainly prove a promising substitution should we bring him in, although, losing Pav would be a blow. With Niko expected to miss all of this summer, this deal is one which could possibly occur.

Good business on our behalf? Or one we should walk away from at the first opportunity?

Regards

We were right!

Wigan away. A game that most of us will have looked at the same way we see Chelsea, United or the Arse pop up on the fixture list. But not for fear of being outplayed; but for reasons more that we all know that a stubborn side away from home and in the rain are not really what we would illustrate as immediate '3 pointers.'

So the pitch was, for lack of a better word, awful. I think the local park down the road would have been a more suitable playing surface but hey, seems like Rugby has to leave its mark on football as well; it would've provided a tremendous excuse should we have not picked up 3 points today. The game was never going to be one where it would demonstrate examples of free flowing football. A scrappy game and one where, I'm sure, we would've taken a 1-0 win all day.

So one up at the break and things looking good. Gomes not having anything to do apart from the usual few goal kicks here and there.

What was noticeable was our support sounding out the name of Roman Pavlyuchenko, over and over again.. and this isn't the first time this has been heard. Despite winning and looking comfortable, our wishes were answered and within moments so were Pav's.

Great work by Modric for his first then the second, well, that was simply all him. We've always believed he has the quality to start up top for us and today he laid out a large case to justify our view and his view as well.

The joy, not only the Russian's face, was obvious. The delight in every single Spurs players face was apparent as soon as his first was tucked away. Their love for him is as great as ours.

The players love him, we love him and in 15 minutes he scored twice. What more do we need?

Regards.

What would you do with Roman?

Roman Pavlyuchenko, a deadline day transfer at the end of summer 2008. The striker that would kick us up the league faster than West Ham fell down it, and at close to £14m we certainly were expecting it.

Ok, so he hasn't banged in the 20 goals we'd hoped but then again he hasn't played the number of games that he himself or even we were expecting and, soon enough, found himself banished to the bench with a worrying look I'm sure as he sat between David Bentley and Giovani Dos Santos every week.

Yet, still, he is a favourite among us. At times what we may have called 'quality' due to some important goals he has banged in for us. Liverpool at home jumps to mind almost as quick as the Burnley game at Turf Moor in last season's Carling Cup, but let's not go back there. Despite his openness and willing to depart Tottenham Hotspur he remains a favourite, where others would be booed and abused he is applauded as his name is chanted by ourselves.

This season has been difficult for him. Everyone wants to play especially during World cup year but of course competition on our front line is strong as it always is. So what to do with our Russian front man? The transfer window in Russia remains open and therefore a switch back to his native homeland is yet still a possibility before the summer is upon us.

Would it be wise to cash in due to the fact his playing time has become very limited and his form is likely to fall at time passes by? It seems Harry is keen to keep hold of him, but then again you can't second guess that bloke.

Vote in the poll on right.

Regards.

Do we need four strikers?

This is a question I could never quite answer with a simple yes or no. Currently, we have four international strikers that cost an average of £13.25m each (based on reports). Last year Darren Bent left the club as he didn't fancy the role as the unlucky number 4 and now it seems Pav has done the same thing.


You can't blame a player for feeling unsettled sitting on the bench every week and, as a result, finds himself being thrown into the Carling Cup early rounds, especially with the World Cup next year. Any player that is happy to sit on the bench has a problem. Why would you want to waste years of a short career sitting and watching the game instead of playing anyway?


Concerning Roman's desire to leave the club, what strategy should we look for in the future? Where should this money go? Should we invest it in another forward that will result in another one of our front players sitting on the bench. Or, should we use the money to invest in a player in a different position? Maybe we should look to the youth team for a possible 4th striker, giving them their chance whenever needed.


What do you think?
Regards.

Suddenly it's a busy week at Spurs Lodge

Shocked. What is it with our goalkeepers? We can't seem to go one game without one of them picking up a knock; certainly Carlo has today proved that if it isn't one way, it certainly is another. But despite our frustration of another injury to a 36 year old keeper that was quietly having a good season for us, our thoughts are with him. Let's hope he recovers well and can still play a big part in our season.

So it seems that Pav has finally said the words we were all expecting to hear. I was thinking it would be closer to January if I'm honest though. "I want to leave the club" The 6 words that always seemed to be heard by one of our forward players and on this occasion it is no different, it's official, Pav wants to leave. You have to pity the guy, shafted out when Keane and Defoe were brought in and never really got a real look in from then on after.

To finish on a brighter note. Thudd's been brought into Capello's squad. I must say I think i was about as surprised as reading about Carlo as I was reading this, but still, it's great to see him getting a look in. The boy deserves it, now for some minutes on the pitch would be nice.

So, a very up and down week this week. A lot going on, but how can we expect anything else?

Regards.

Even when we don't play we look good

So, we've survived the first international break without anyone hobbling back to Spurs Lodge with their name on the injury list. Well, officially anyway. We just have to wait and see if Bassong has in fact joined Daws, Ledley and Jonny in the medical room after apparently limping off early for Cameroon.

Our lot seemed to have a field day yesterday for their respective national sides. To begin, It looks like Robbie's been doing more than pointing and shouting for the Republic as he headed the winner as ROI beat the Cypriots 2-1.

Pavlyuchenko scored twice as Russia beat Liechtenstein 3-0. Yeah, they were two penalties, but as they say, a goals a goal.

Giovani ran riot for Mexico, scoring the first and setting up two more as Mexico beat Costa Rica 3-0. Come on 'Arry, give the boy a chance!

And of course, Jermain Defoe came off the bench for England to score our second against Slovenia in a 2-1 win. That's five in three now, surely a start has to be in line for our forward.

Things are still looking up and let's just enjoy it whilst it lasts!

Regards.

And its all gone quiet over here

So what happened to all these players we were set to sign? Last week, we were close to agreeing deals for Ruud, Rodriguez, Huntelaar, and Pavlyuchenko was set to leave; these reports must be true, they were written by the English press, they don't lie. I could list a whole new team of players we were set to acquire, then, nothing.

The last week has been a quiet one, how often have we said that about Tottenham? From being linked to almost a player or two a day to the point where the most activity was involving the reserves, there haven't even been the desperate rumours throwing links with our club all over the world to one-season wanderers; well, they are the more realistic ones aren't they?

Although, as a blogger, this news is inevitable devastation. I mean come on, look what I've resorted to write about- I'm sure you can understand my frustration.

But, as a Spurs fan I'm happy. No stupid rumours linking our top players with moves away, so in that sense, I'm pleased to have nothing to write about. Although, it is only a matter of time. Obviously.

The writer of the Mirror must be taking an early holiday, let's hope he loses his passport and never returns.

Regards,
Ben

Never trust the Mirror!

I've written Roman Pavlyuchenko's name so frequently over these last few weeks that I can now spell it without having to concur online. Oleg, Pav's 'trusted' agent, refuted claims today that Roman had asked him to find him a new club; claiming a misquote. There's a surprise.

Oleg Artemov claimed: "I was astonished to read the outcry on the internet as a result of the alleged interview I gave to the Daily Mirror," he told Sport Express.
"In fact, it was loose translation of my comments to the newspaper Izvestia and the words were taken out of context."

"Roma and Stuttgart have made some early steps towards the signing, but there have been no specific offers or negotiations as yet," he added.
"Besides, Roman wants to play in London and is looking to prove that he can be an asset for Tottenham."

So it turns out that old Oleg had got his English muddled up (hate to say this, but I told you so). I read the sentences above with delight and and any respect I had for the Daily Mirror has now evaporated, along with the chance Pavlyuchenko could leave this summer. Unless, of course, this is in fact another misquote- it wouldn't surprise me. I feel embarrassed for the newspaper, and intrigued as to how low society today has stooped to keep this nonsense running.

Sorry, I thought there was a recession? If the Mirror is a 'necessity' then I'm an Arsenal fan. Piers Morgan eat your heart out.

Regards,
Ben

Pav to bottle England

I feel a sense of deja vu when talking about Pavlyuchenko. Not to long ago I wrote about the fact that Stuggart wanted our Russian front man but thought nothing of it, until today. Pav's agent Oleg Artemov, would you trust a guy called Oleg anyway, reported in the 'Mirror':

"I am busy with the search for a new club for Roman."
"But it is still too early to begin intensive negotiations. A lot is going to depend on the player's opinion and that of Tottenham.
"What I know for sure is that Tottenham are not going to lose money and sell Pavlyuchenko just anywhere and for any money.
"I talked to Daniel Levy. He told me that he doesn't think that Roman has become cheaper now. Forwards are always in short supply in football and their value shouldn't drop even in the credit crunch times."

Now, whether Pav's agent, Oleg, is after a few extra bob due to these 'harsh' financial times, I don't know. Maybe Pav cut his wages as his appearance fees aren't as high as he maybe thought at the start of the season? Firstly, the fact that the Mirror reported this sends relief through me, as you probably guessed. Secondly, the fact that Daniel Levy thinks he can recoup £14m for a player that only netted 12 goals last year leaves me, well, shocked. Maybe Levy doesn't want him to leave either? And lastly, I'm not believing anything until Harry or Roman confirm this- this is Pav's agent after all, he probably got his English mixed up.

Anyway, I'm sure the Daily Mirror slipped a few notes in Oleg's pocket to say these things. I mean they do love a good transfer rumour, don't they?

Regards,
Ben

Cesar hits out at Tottenham

Our former 'keeper Cesar Sanchez, who never played a full game for us in the Premiership, has hit out at Pavlyuchenko claiming that it is "impossible" to speak to him.

“Pavlyuchenko didn’t speak a word of English,” Cesar told Don Ballon.
“Communicating with him was impossible.
“The club is about signing young players for the future, but it’s complicated up there because you must give them time.
“When I arrived they had got rid of half of the squad and many foreigners that can’t speak English came over.”
He continued: “With more time, Juande would have been capable of make of them a great team, like he did with Sevilla and Madrid."

The pint-size keeper was never given a real run out, even during Gomes' nightmare spell between the sticks. It was let known that he was frustrated at being left on the bench- as he was deemed to small for a goalkeeper. He soon left for Valencia just six months after signing for us. Still though, Pavlyuchenko's season wasn't the greatest but he scored goals for us when they were needed, including a big goal back at Turf Moor..

The 38 year old was never given a proper run-out and a random outburst such as this only leads me to one conclusion. Am I worried? No, it sounds like sour grapes..

Regards,
Ben

Germans want our Roman conquerer

Well, we've been linked with enough players coming in this summer, so inevitably, one or two need to leave; today, it is our Russian forward that is the talk of speculation about a move away from N17 .Roman Pavlyuchenko has emerged as a target for Bundesliga side Stuggart.

Our Russian forward looks to have chances next season in the first team cut short after the re-arrivals of Jermain and Robbie in what turned out to be a long 18 month season for the forward. Harry had previously stated that Pav was in his plans for next season, but that was before we were set to sign Van Nistelrooy, Huntelaar and Luca Toni. Well we do need 5 or 6 strikers for next season, don't we.

The manager of Stuggart, Horst Heldt, told Stuttgarter Nachrichten: "Pavlyuchenko is an interesting player." He continued:
"His name has come up in discussions within the club." A lanky striker in the form of Dimitar Berbatov proved a success in Germany, and maybe Stuggart believe Roman could have a similar sort of impact.

I'd be disappointed if Pav left us. He had a long season and the tiredness really showed through towards the end of the season. Although, he showed signs of a clinical striker and everytime he scored in the Premier league, we won the game- this is a striker we could do with. His record in Russia speaks for itself and letting him go would be a bigger mistake then when we let Klinsmann leave to return home.

He can scored goals. Enough said.

Regards,
Ben