Tottenham Hotspur
Spending spree makes Sugar sweeter
Useful information
Bright spark: Darren Anderton scores during a in pre-season game against Vitesse Arnhem last week. He will be hoping to provide openings for Rebrov this season
Photograph: MICHAEL KOOREN  |
Summer summary: Spurs spend money shock; Ginola dives into Villa’s arms.
Transfers in: Ben Thatcher, (Wimbledon) £5m; Sergei Rebrov (Dynamo Kiev) £11m;
Neil Sullivan (Wimbledon) free.
Transfers out: John Scales (Ipswich Town) free; David Ginola (Aston Villa) £3m; Allan Nielsen (Watford) £2.25m; Espen Baardsen (Watford) £1.25m.
Tactical profile: A solid passing side with unspectacular central midfielders while Darren Anderton provides some flair on the right. Expect Rebrov to add some spectacular strikes to the headed goals by Les Ferdinand (if fit) and Steffen Iversen.
Crazy about the Crazy Gang: George Graham is obsessed by defending properly, so Wimbledon can be proud that this summer he has added Thatcher and goalkeeper Sullivan to his past signings of Chris Perry and Nigel Winterburn (the latter as Arsenal manager).
One player Tottenham need: Andrei Shevchenko, to resume his prolific partnership with Rebrov from their Dynamo Kiev days.
Fans’ gripe: Annoyance that they can’t complain any more about Alan Sugar’s reluctance to use his chequebook.
Up-and-coming prospects: Matthew Etherington, a 19-year-old left winger signed from Peterborough United during last season. Dubbed the new Ginola by Graham, though it is unclear whether this is meant as a compliment.
Midfielder Simon Davies, 20, another promising former Peterborough midfielder, was called up to the Wales squad earlier this year. Anthony Gardner, 19, is a tall and quick centre-back while Dave McEwen is only 22 but, having completed a business studies degree this summer, will have worked out he faces strong competition for a striking place with Rebrov, Iversen, Ferdinand and Armstrong ahead of him.
Example of Tottenham’s injury jinx: League games missed by Les Ferdinand since 1992: at QPR - 16 in three seasons; at Newcastle - 8 in two seasons; at Spurs - 60 in three seasons.
New acquaintances: Sergei Rebrov and defeat. The Ukrainian has won his home championship every year since 1993 with Dynamo Kiev; Spurs have not finished in the top ten since 1990.
Bogey team: Spurs last beat Chelsea in the league 10 years ago, when Gary Lineker was on target.
Ginola’s departure explained: Ginola: "Spurs - I’m not quite clear whether it was Alan Sugar or George Graham — did not want me around any more."
Chairman Alan Sugar: "It was the manager’s decision."
Manager George Graham: "It was the player’s decision."
Likely disaster: After Anderton’s decision to miss Euro 2000 as a precaution because he felt he might worsen a slight Achilles problem, he suffers a groin injury pulling on his shorts in the dressing room today.
Potential of their new signings: Rebrov is a genius up front, Thatcher is equally good at left back or central defence and Sullivan does not fit the stereotype of bumbling Scotland goalkeepers.
Ideal improvement: Develop White Hart Lane or relocate so that more supporters can watch the games.
You know you’ve seen a Tottenham fan when . . .: You see a miserable 38-year-old wandering around North London saying: “I can’t believe my club hasn’t won the league in my lifetime.”
Least likely TV soundbite: “We’re missing Ginola’s defensive input this season” (George Graham).
Name and shame: George Graham and Terry Neill, present and former Tottenham managers, have surnames that could be first names and first names that could be surnames. With such innate flexibility, no wonder they have also been able to manage bitter rivals Arsenal.
Prediction: Eighth in the Premiership; Rebrov wins goal of the month three times.
Useful information
Squad: 1 Ian Walker; 2 Stephen Carr; 3 Mauricio Taricco; 4 Steffen Freund; 5 Sol Campbell; 6 Chris Perry; 7 Darren Anderton; 8 Tim Sherwood; 9 Les Ferdinand; 10 Steffen Iversen; 11 Sergei Rebrov; 12 Gary Doherty; 13 Neil Sullivan; 15 Willem Korsten; 16 Chris Armstrong; 17 Oyvind Leonhardsen; 18 Ben Thatcher; 21 Luke Young; 25 Stephen Clemence; 26 Ledley King; 27 Dave McEwen; 28 Matthew Etherington; 29 Simon Davies; 30 Anthony Gardner; 31 Ruel Fox; 32 Jose Dominguez; 33 Mark Gower; 34 Ramon Vega; 35 Neale Fenn; 36 Ian Hillier; 37 John Piercy.
Stadium: White Hart Lane
Capacity: 36,257
Address: Bill Nicholson Way, 748 High Road, Tottenham, London N17 0AP
Telephone number: 020-8365 5000
Spurs Line: 09068 10 05 00
Official website: www.spurs.co.uk
After a desperately needed relaunch, this improved site has a section devoted to what the papers say, and a legends section that chooses Chris Hughton as one of only six club legends.
Unofficial site: www.spursweb.com
This supporters’ site features match reports with up-to-date frivolous gossip
Manager: George Graham
Assistant manager: Stewart Houston
Director of football: David Pleat
Chairman: Bill Nicholson OBE
Ticket details: 08700 112222
Ticket prices: £24-£46
Cheapest/most expensive adult season ticket: £430/£795
Recommended radio station: Capital Gold 1548 AM
Programme: £2.50
Fanzine: Cock-a-Doodle-Do Cost of adult replica shirt: £39.99
Training ground: Spurs Lodge, Chigwell (visitors are not encouraged)
Directions to ground: The stadium is close to White Hart Lane and Northumberland Park railway stations. Trains run from Liverpool Street. By car, White Hart Lane is close to the frequently gridlocked North Circular Road (A406).
Pubs near the ground: The Park, 220 Park Lane; The Bell and Hare, 724 Tottenham High Road.
