Clint Dempsey will aim to show Fulham what they are missing when he and his new Tottenham team-mates travel across London on Saturday. Dempsey and Moussa Dembele left Fulham at the end of the summer transfer window to join Tottenham and will face their former team-mates for the first time on Saturday.
In the lead-up to the London derby, Dempsey has claimed he would have stayed at Craven Cottage if Fulham had appreciated him enough.
“If you always felt valued and appreciated enough, I don’t think you’d ever leave but it came to a point where I didn’t feel valued and appreciated,” Dempsey told the London Evening Standard. Not by the fans but by other situations. That’s just the way things went. The situation is difficult because things go on behind the scenes that the fans don’t really know about. The fans were great to me, the chairman (Mohamed Fayed) was great to me but it got the point where I wanted to keep going and try to further my career.”
Tottenham will head to Fulham on the back of successive English Premier League victories having knocked off West Ham 3-1 and Liverpool 2-1 in their most recent matches. The back-to-back wins have helped turn Tottenham’s form around after four consecutive defeats to begin November.
By contrast, Martin Jol’s Fulham have not won in six games, but did manage a 0-0 draw away to Chelsea in midweek despite having only 38 percent possession. Jol will still be missing Brede Hangeland as the towering Norwegian defender completes his three-match suspension against Tottenham.
In some good news for Jol, however, Kieran Richardson could be set for a return after a hamstring problem, although Bryan Ruiz and Alexander Kacaniklic will remain on the sidelines with similar injuries.
For Tottenham, Scott Parker, Younes Kaboul, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Steven Caulker have yet to recover from injury.
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Leeds fans have been reacting to the news that goalkeeper Felix Wiedwald will likely start against Wolves on Wednesday, and needless to say they aren’t best pleased.
Paul Heckingbottom suggested youngster Bailey Peacock-Farrell might get a go in goal at his press conference on Monday, saying he “would not hesitate” to give the 21-year-old the nod.
However, it now appears as though Wiedwald will keep his place for the match against Wolves, with Andy Lonergan injured and the other choices deemed too inexperienced.
Heckingbottom said:
“It’s one of the most important positions in a team. Every successful team has a top goalkeeper.”
Of course, Leeds haven’t had a successful goalkeeper this season, failing to replace Rob Green after his move to Huddersfield last summer.
Wiedwald was at fault for at least one of the goals in the 3-0 defeat at Middlesbrough on Friday night, and didn’t look particularly convincing at any point, failing to command his penalty area or instil any confidence in his defenders.
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The German stopper was signed from Werder Bremen last summer, where he conceded 64 goals in 34 league games.
Despite the 27 year-old’s poor form, circumstances may force Heckingbottom to start Wiedwald, and Leeds fans have been sharing their feelings about the news on Twitter.
Queens Park Rangers have signed Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Sandro for in fee around £10million, Sky Sports reports.Sandro penned a three-year deal with the Hoops after the two clubs agreed on the price on deadline day.WANT MORE? >>ÂTottenham HotspurÂTransfer NewsÂ|ÂQueens Park Rangers Transfer NewsHe now rejoins former coach Harry Redknapp at Loftus road, who stated: “Sandro’s a proper footballer and a top class professional – he’s an absolutely fantastic signing for us. I couldn’t be more pleased.”He’s been a massive target of mine all summer and I honestly didn’t think we’d be able to pull it off – it’s a real statement from the club, from the owners, to bring in a player of his undoubted ability.”He brings energy, aggression, power and quality. They call him the Beast. He’s not only a top quality footballer, but a fantastic boy as well. He’ll lead by example for us. Tottenham fans loved him and I’m sure the QPR fans will too.”The Brazilian has found it hard to break into the first team under Mauricio Pochettino at White Hart Lane after previously making 60 starts for his former Spurs managers.”I like new challenges and this is one I’m really looking forward to,” said Sandro.”Working with Harry again, who I share a great relationship with, is very special to me. Football is in my heart and I’m very happy at this moment. I’m very pleased to be here and I’m looking forward to meeting my team-mates.”I had a good relationship with the fans at Tottenham Hotspur and I will try my hardest to get the QPR fans to like me. I will give everything on the pitch and fight for every minute. I’m ready and raring to go.”
If you’re a Togolese fan, reports suggesting that Emmanuel Adebayor has temporarily suspended his career with the national team probably don’t’ constitute the best news you’ve heard all season. For Tottenham Hotspur fans however, the ex-Manchester City man’s decision to stay away from the African Cup of Nations next month offers their side a timely boost ahead of the hectic festive period.
And in many ways, it’s a boost that’s felt a long time coming from Adebayor this season. While a combination of fitness and injury issues have understandably lessened his availability for Andre Villas-Boas’ side, the biggest mark he’s made this term was the one on the inside of Santi Cazorla’s leg – and even that was questionable.
Indeed, while Spurs’ No10 might not wield too much control over a niggling hamstring, he’s certainly got the power to decide whether to fling himself into reckless lunges or not. His red card against Arsenal in the 5-2 defeat at the Emirates last month cost his side dearly and in many ways, put both his team and particularly his manager, well in the mire.
A hotheaded derby day red card isn’t necessarily something that Adebayor can be crucified with, but it certainly couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Lilywhites. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but make no mistake about it, the sounds of discontent at White Hart Lane before the West Ham game were a lot more palpable than simply mere whispers.
Andre Villas-Boas and his side have of course subsequently came through the gauntlet unscathed, taking nine points from crunch fixtures against the Hammers, Liverpool and Martin Jol’s Fulham side. The relevance of his absence may certainly seem dampened, but these were vitally important fixtures that Adebayor should have been there for.
The 3-0 win at Craven Cottage on Saturday saw the big Togolese sit out the final game of his three-match suspension, but given the superb recent form of Jermain Defoe, there are no guarantees that Adebayor is simply going to waltz back into the side. And this is perhaps where his first real test since first arriving at White Hart Lane in 2011, may lie.
A man never short of a spot of speculation or a comment or two to the media, supporters have heard Adebayor pipe up several times this season. Although reports of discontent with Villas-Boas over a starting place seem odd, considering his infrequent availability this season, we’ve already heard the ex-Arsenal man claim he’ll leave if Spurs want him to. A fair enough statement perhaps.
It hasn’t stopped there, though. We’ve also listened to Adebayor publicly criticize the team’s performances.
“I try to keep positive so I don’t really want to think about how bad it could be, but worse than this, I think we’d be gone,” he said, speaking after the 0-0 draw away to Lazio last month.
“At the moment things are looking bad. We just have to try to find a way to get through this. Why aren’t things clicking? I don’t know. We’re all frustrated about the way things are going. We need it to start clicking soon, otherwise, trust me, we will find ourselves in difficulty.”
Again, there’s not much to seemingly criticize from what appears to be nothing much more than a brutally honest, albeit slightly pessimistic, bit of public opinion. Although whether you agreed or disagreed with his sentiments, the phrase ‘time and a place’ has more than a touch of gravitas, here.
Yes, the fitness issues he faced at the beginning of the season wasn’t necessarily his fault and his injury trouble couldn’t have been helped either. But however you frame it, Adebayor’s not been playing anywhere near enough football to begin piping up and offering doomsday like soundbites to the media. He needs to get his head down and concentrate on playing his football.
What we want to see is a fit, fresh and determined Adebayor return to the fore at Spurs. And that includes playing his part as a member of this squad, as well as simply putting the ball into the back of the net.
Despite his goal scoring form, Jermain Defoe isn’t without faults within this Spurs team, with the England man often resembling something of a peripheral figure during games. Emmanuel Adebayor’s all round skillset would appear a better fit for the 4-2-3-1 system that Villas-Boas employs and when he has actually played, Tottenham certainly seem a better outfit in terms of ball retention.
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Although wherever you stand on Defoe’s all round game, the point is that Adebayor isn’t going to be handed a starting place on a plate every week as he was under Harry Redknapp last season. For however gifted his talents may be, he’s going to have to work hard to become a mainstay in the side and on the occasions he may find himself on the bench, there can’t be any room for drama or the courting of sympathy.
Emmanuel Adebayor is going to have a massive part to play if Tottenham really are set to achieve their designs on a fourth placed finish in the Premier League this term. And in many ways, given the abject lack of momentum he’s had so far, perhaps Adebayor’s term is only now truly set to begin.
Bar the flash point at the Emirates, Adebayor has enjoyed arguably one of the most controversy free spells of his career in White Hart Lane. Now it’s time to keep that trend going, with a fuss free, drama free and also a quote free return to form, fitness and availability.
Arsenal were heavily criticised last season for their performances at the back.
Shkodran Mustafi took the brunt of the criticism, while Laurent Koscielny also came under fire.
The season ended terribly for the latter, though, as he suffered an Achilles injury that ruled him out of France’s World Cup campaign in Russia.
The centre-back, who has been capped 51 times for his country, is now working towards full fitness.
Is this the best World Cup ever? Give us your thoughts here and win any World Cup shirt of your choice.
At the age of 32, though, it is fair to suggest that Koscielny could struggle to earn his way back into the setup.
On Monday, the defender posted a video on Instagram showing that he is now able to walk without the use of crutches.
/Bkck5uJgt5m/
Arsenal have not provided a definitive timeline of recovery for the Frenchman, but plenty of fans are keen for him to make a comeback.
As well as ousting whoever takes one of the centre-back slots, Koscielny will have to impress new manager Unai Emery, who has added to the defence this summer by recruiting right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner.
On Reddit, Arsenal fans have been posting their reactions to the defender’s injury update.
Comment from discussion Laurent Koscielny on Instagram: “it’s good to walk again ?”.Comment from discussion Laurent Koscielny on Instagram: “it’s good to walk again ?”.Comment from discussion Laurent Koscielny on Instagram: “it’s good to walk again ?”.Comment from discussion Laurent Koscielny on Instagram: “it’s good to walk again ?”.Comment from discussion Laurent Koscielny on Instagram: “it’s good to walk again ?”.Comment from discussion Laurent Koscielny on Instagram: “it’s good to walk again ?”.Comment from discussion Laurent Koscielny on Instagram: “it’s good to walk again ?”.Comment from discussion Laurent Koscielny on Instagram: “it’s good to walk again ?”.Comment from discussion Laurent Koscielny on Instagram: “it’s good to walk again ?”.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”258359″ player=”12034″ title=”The World Cup Twitter Report”]
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Newcastle United will look to stay out of the relegation zone and pick up their second successive Premier League win when they face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
The Magpies slipped back into the bottom three last weekend prior to their clash against Manchester United at St James’ Park on Sunday as other results went against them, and things looked bleak for them against the Red Devils as they went into the clash with the worst home record in the top flight.
However, a second-half goal from Matt Ritchie saw them record a 1-0 victory that moved them up to 13th and two points clear of Southampton in 18th.
Rafa Benitez will know that his team need to carry on picking up points to stay out of trouble and to try and reach the magic 40-point mark, and it could be a good time to play the Cherries seeing as their seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League came to an abrupt end as they were beaten 4-1 by Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium last time out.
The Spanish manager has largely kept with the same XI in recent weeks and while his team beat Jose Mourinho’s men previously, he will perhaps be thinking of making a change or two ahead of the long trip down to the south coast to maximise his side’s chances of taking all three points.
Here is how Newcastle must line up against Bournemouth on Saturday, ahead of Martin Dubravka in goal…
Defence
Following Martin Dubravka’s brilliant performance and clean sheet between the sticks on his debut against Manchester United last time out, Newcastle’s back five pretty much picks itself for the trip to Bournemouth.
Captain Jamaal Lascelles and Florian Lejeune were brilliant at the heart of the defence against the Red Devils after the Frenchman replaced the injured Ciaran Clark, while DeAndre Yedlin and Paul Dummett, who signed a new contract with the club last week, also continue to impress in the full-back roles.
Benitez is unlikely a defence that kept a clean sheet last time out against the Cherries, and the Spaniard will be hoping for a second successive shut-out.
Midfield
Even though they perhaps weren’t at their best in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace earlier this month, Benitez decided to stick with Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Ritchie against Manchester United even though they had found themselves on the substitutes’ bench for a couple of matches previously.
It was a decision that paid off with the duo impressing – and Ritchie scoring – in the win against the Red Devils, and with Mo Diame and loanee Kenedy two of the club’s best performers in recent weeks there is no reason why they shouldn’t continue against Bournemouth either.
Benitez will be looking for quality and a goal threat from the flanks from Kenedy and Ritchie on the south coast especially if his team are to pick up another three points.
Attack
Ayoze Perez started behind Dwight Gayle in a 4-4-1-1 system against Manchester United, but considering Newcastle are travelling to Bournemouth in search of three points, Benitez must be braver this weekend.
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While Perez has been a mainstay in the side this season he hasn’t always been at his best, and if new boy Islam Slimani is finally fit to make his debut for the club this weekend he must come straight into the starting XI.
There is no doubt that a partnership of the Algerian and Gayle up top in a 4-4-2 formation has the potential to cause the Cherries defence plenty of problems, and it could be a decision that gets the visitors a much-needed three points that moves them another step closer to safety.
The summer window may have just slammed shut but we at Football Fancast are already looking forward to it’s winter counterpart.
Tottenham were by no means anonymous in the transfer market this summer – they spent £30million bringing in the likes of Ben Davies, Michel Vorm, Federico Fazio and Benjamin Stambouli in a bid to re-emerge as top four contenders after a disappointing 2013/14 Premier League campaign.
But the squad isn’t quite complete just yet, and after welcoming a new manager in Mauricio Pochettino earlier this summer, the Lilywhites will be keen to make further additions to help the Argentine implement his philosophy at White Hart Lane.
With that in mind, here’s a list of the FIVE January deals Spurs already have one eye on.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON MAURICIO POCHETTINO TO REVEAL
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JAY RODRIGUEZ
The combination of an ACL injury which saw him miss the World Cup and Southampton’s staunch public resistance prevented Tottenham from snapping up England international Jay Rodriguez over the summer.
The 25 year-old flourished under Mauricio Pochettino at St. Mary’s last season, with 15 goals making him the third-top scoring Englishman in the Premiership after Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney. Here’s a look at Rodriguez’ highlights from last term:
Likewise, Spurs are in desperate need of added quality on the left-side of their attack. Failure to sign Danny Welbeck on deadline day for that role could allegedly cost Franco Baldini his job.
The north Londoners were strongly linked with Rodriguez on deadline day too:
…suggesting a revival of interest in the next transfer window is more than likely. But Tottenham may struggle under the competition for the winger-forward’s signature, with Premier League champions Manchester City also emerging as suitors:
ANDRE AYEW
One potential alternative to Jay Rodriguez, available for considerably less cost, is Marseille star Andre Ayew, who rejected a move to Hull City on deadline day – allegedly due to interest in his services from Arsenal and Spurs.
The Ghana international has emerged as one of the French top flight’s leading widemen over the last few years, racking up 49 goals and 16 assists in 164 appearances for L’OM. He also enjoyed strong form at the World Cup, as detailed below:
Ayew isn’t the most conventional winger but he would suit the left -forward role well at White Hart Lane, being strong defensively and notoriously versatile. He’s also outrageously good at heading for a 5 foot 9 winger, as shown in the below video:
The 24 year-old has been doing the rounds in the tabloids recently because his contract at Stade Velodrome expires in the summer. And after Marseille’s horrendous form last season, a new deal is becoming increasingly unlikely.
That could see him arrive in North London for a nominal fee, but the Express claim Liverpool and Manchester United are currently leading the race for his signature.
Morgan Schneiderlin
Another Southampton star the Lilywhites could return for is midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin.
Spurs struck up a deal for Benjamin Stambouli on deadline day as an alternative to the French international, but Schneiderlin remains the midfield general that would help Pochettino successfully implement his philosophy at White Hart Lane.
He’s also been in absolutely ridiculous form since his infamous bust-up with the Saints management this summer, as viewable below:
This curler against Newcastle at the weekend particularly stood out:
But with Southampton allegedly valuing their star performer at around £27million, it remains to be seen whether Tottenham will be prepared to invest such a large sum in a department they’re already blessed with quality and depth in.
Antonio Candreva
Tottenham are just one of a number of Premier League sides linked to Lazio star Antonio Candreva:
The 27 year-old is more commonly considered a No.10, but his rave reviews over the last few seasons have been earned by impacting from wide positions. This World Cup assist to Mario Balotelli against England is a classic example:
The Italy international was in lethal form last season, as detailed below:
And has carried that into the current campaign too:
But there are a host of clubs baying for Candreva’s services. In addition to both north London sides, Liverpool and Juventus have been linked, whilst other reports claim Lazio are about to offer their £24million-rated talisman a new deal:
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Tottenham desperately need a new striker in January – in a combined eight appearances this season, their front-line of Emmanuel Adebayor, Roberto Soldado and Harry Kane have found the net just once.
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Resultantly, the Lilywhites are one of many Premier League sides to have been linked with Schalke assassin Klaas-Jan Huntelaar since the end of the summer window:
The Netherlands international doesn’t offer too much to open play, as shown in the statistics below:
But he’s absolutely lethal in front of goal, with returns of 35 goals in 65 appearances for Holland and 93 in 142 for the Miners. That includes this Champions League goal against Chelsea from yesterday evening:
Here’s some more goals from the 6 foot 1 forward:
Huntelaar’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season and although Schalke want him to sign a new deal, he’ll have to take a considerable wage cut.
Thus, a January switch looks on the cards but, as previously stated, Liverpool and Arsenal appear to be monitoring his situation too.
Brendan Rodgers has lauded Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard’s influence to Talksport, with the player due to receive his 100th England cap.
Gerrard is set to lead out the three lions on Wednesday night in a friendly encounter against Sweden and his boss was full of praise for his midfielder star.
The Reds talisman also reached a milestone at club level recording his 600th appearance for Liverpool recently.
The England playmaker has been a crucial influence at Anfield for the best part of a decade and this was not lost on his current manager.
Rodgers went on to tell Talksport: “I’ve watched him from the outside for a long time, but to actually work with him on a day to day basis, you realise he’s great player and an even better man.
“The way he conducts himself off the field, he has real old school values and ethics. He never has a lazy day. He comes in every day to work hard and is a real inspiration to the young players at the club.
“He’s a wonderful role model and he’s still got a few years left in him yet. He’s been outstanding, a real good man, and hopefully he can keep performing.”
At 31 years of age his manager is aware that he has to use his skipper effectively to ensure that he will remain fresh for their Premier League fixtures, hence Rodgers’s decision to rest him in Liverpool’s last Europa League match against Anzhi.
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Rodgers also insisted that his captain had several years left performing at the highest level and could be a key figure in regalvanising Liverpool’s season outside of Luis Suarez.
Reports suggest Newcastle have been offered another chance to sign Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, but fans are completely against a summer swoop.
According to the Chronicle, Newcastle have been “offered the chance” to sign Sturridge this summer.
The Magpies failed in a loan bid for the England international in January, as the Liverpool man pulled the plug late on in favour of a switch to West Brom, despite Rafael Benitez and Jürgen Klopp having agreed on a move to Tyneside.
The report claims Liverpool have now slapped a £15m price tag on the striker for a permanent move.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”255853″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch West Ham’s opening fixtures for the 201819 Premier League season”]
Sturridge scored two Premier League goals in 16 appearances last season, although over half of those showings came from the bench.
The English international scored 21 league goals in 29 games in 2013-14, and is averaging nearly a goal per 90 minutes since his 2013 move to Liverpool. However, his injury record would make him a huge risk.
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Fans obviously haven’t forgot about him snubbing them in January either, a move that forced Benitez to turn to Islam Slimani instead.
You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…
Former Leeds United midfielder David Prutton has questioned club owner Andrea Radrizzani for his assessment of Thomas Christiansen’s sacking.
The head coach was dismissed earlier this month following a six-game winless run in the Championship.
The Dane started his Leeds career off strongly when the team were in and around the promotion places in the early stages of the season.
However, at the time of Christiansen’s sacking, the club had dropped to 10th in the standings, and the owner decided to bring in Paul Heckingbottom from Barnsley.
Following the managerial change, Radrizzani told the Yorkshire Evening Post that he made a “mistake” with his first appointment and he went on to apologise to the fans.
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Sky Sports pundit Prutton has given his thoughts on the owner’s choice of words, and feels that the Italian may have been a little bit harsh.
In a piece for the Yorkshire Evening Post, the former footballer admitted that Radrizzani was right to take responsibility, but maybe he should have chosen his phrases more wisely.
“The fact that Andrea Radrizzani came out and almost apologised for appointing Thomas Christiansen means that he is taking some responsibility. On one hand, I thought that was a bit of a below-the-belt hit but on the other side of it you have got to admire someone that has taken it on the chin and said ‘look, it’s my fault, we should never have done that’.”