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Aston Villa have defended right-back Alan Hutton after he was criticised by West Brom manager Roy Hodgson.

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Hodgson said 26-year-old Hutton’s tackle on Shane Long in the Baggies’ 2-1 win at Villa Park on Saturday was “a wicked challenge”.

Striker Long, 24, faces six weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury as a result of his clash with Hutton.

But Villa assistant manager Peter Grant said: “I know how Alan has been painted but he’s not that type of player.”

Hodgson added that there was “no place in football” for such tackles, but Grant insisted Hutton is not a dirty player.

“People haven’t said in the past that Alan is aggressive, goes over the ball and is a dirty full-back,” said Grant.

“I don’t think anybody has ever said that in his career. They’ve said he is an attacking full-back who likes to get forward.

“I think his biggest problem sometimes is that he’s desperate to hit the ground running in games. There’s that impatience in his game.”

SOURCE: BBC Sport

Whilst it may well be true that the former Tottenham man is by no means a ‘Lee Cattermole’ it would be wrong to state that he isn’t known as a very aggressive player, because he has been known to put in fairly reckless tackles in the past and his challenge on Shane Long was a hideous one that should have resulted in a red card.

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Tottenham Hotspur duo David Bentley and Alan Hutton are set to leave the club with respective moves to West Ham United and Aston Villa.

Spurs are desperate to shift a few fringe players out of the club in order to keep the wage bill down and get in a few new faces.

So far the only deadline day addition the north Londoners have made is to sign Scott Parker from the Hammers in a £5million deal.

West Ham in turn have agreed a season-long loan move for Bentley, as they seek an immediate return to the Premier League.

The 27-year-old has endured three miserable years at the club he supported as a boy and will jump at the chance to restart his career.

Hutton has been given permission to speak to Aston Villa by Tottenham and will leave the Scotland squad to discuss terms with Villains boss Alex McLeish.

A £3million deal has been agreed between the clubs, with the the 26-year-old just left to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical.

Villa are also trying to persuade Spurs to let them have midfielder Jermaine Jenas on-loan for the season after failing in a bid for Joe Cole.

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Aston Villa have made an enquiry into the availability of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jermaine Jenas, after losing out on Liverpool’s Joe Cole.

The Midlands club are after a player who is comfortable on the ball to strengthen their attacking options and have identified the 28-year-old.

The England international has become nothing more than a squad player in recent years, losing his place to Luka Modric and Niko Kranjcar.

Jenas has two years left on his contract and Spurs will be keen to offload to free up some cash to make purchases of their own.

Villa boss Alex Mcleish has sanctioned the enquiry after failing to convince Cole to reject a move to Lille.

The 29-year-old will move to the Ligue 1 champions on a season-long loan with the lure of Champions League football too much to resist.

Liverpool were also unhappy about Cole moving to a Premier League rival, while Lille also offered to pay a higher percentage of his £90,000-a-week salary.

Villa are also interested in signing Spurs right-back Alan Hutton for £3million, while David Bentley has also been on McLeish’s radar.

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp admits he is “very, very close” to signing £6million midfielder Scott Parker from West Ham United.

The Spurs boss is a long term admirer of the 30-year-old and finally looks to have got his man.

Redknapp also confirmed he expects more ins and outs before the transfer window closes tomorrow, with Alan Hutton and Peter Crouch both in line to be sold.

A cash-plus-player deal had been mooted in Spurs’ pursuit of Parker but Redknapp revealed youngster Jake Livermore would not be a makeweight in the deal.

“It’s very, very close,” Redknapp said. “I don’t think it’s too far away now. Hopefully it will get done today.

“We don’t envisage too many problems now. It should be a deal that gets completed – we’ll just keep our fingers crossed that it does.

“Jake’s not going to West Ham. They were interested in Jake but in the end the chairman dealt with it and just did a straight deal with West Ham.

“They’ve been good to deal with as well, West Ham. It’s all gone through very smoothly so not a problem.”

He added of Parker, who was encouraged to move by England manager Fabio Capello following West Ham’s relegation: “He’s a good player.

“I think he’s what we need. He’s a good lad, great attitude.

“Footballer of the Year last year and he’ll be a good addition for this team – no doubt about that.

“He’s a good character, a fantastic person, a proper family man, a real good pro. He’ll be great around the place for us.”

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SPURS and Sevilla are trying to hammer out a deal to take Giovani Dos Santos to Spain.
Sevilla are well short of Tottenham’s £6.5million asking price but boss Harry Redknapp has made it clear the Mexican midfielder is not part of his plans.

SOURCE: The Sun

Robbie Keane’s Spurs career to ‘end with Blackburn transfer’

Tottenham are keen to move the 30-year-old off their wage bill as he is believed to be the club’s highest-paid player, but have received little interest in him since the end of the season – until now
Blackburn are ready to make Keane the first part of an extravagant summer spending spree.

David Bentley, Alan Hutton, Wilson Palacios and Sebastien Bassong will all be sold if buyers can be found, while there has been interest in Niko Kranjcar, Jermaine Jenas and Younes Kaboul from Dynamo Kiev, Fenerbahce and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.

SOURCE: Metro

Harry Redknapp has always stated his intention to keep his star performers at White Hart Lane but has had to deal with Luka Modric’s very public appeal to leave the club, an appeal Tottenham will hope to thwart by bringing in top notch replacements to resolve problem areas in both defence and attack.

The North London club has a huge squad and chairman Daniel Levy had made it clear that no new signings will be sanctioned unless a big summer cull takes place and that cull began with the offloading of Jamie O’Hara to Wolves in a £5m deal earlier in the month.

Redknapp is all too aware that he can generate funds by selling many unneeded squad players but has hitherto failed to garner interest in said players. Now however plans are afoot to offer players at cheaper prices to help speed up the process, so that the Spurs boss can then use the funds to bring in much needed striker reinforcements after seeing the likes of Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane fail to make an impact last season, costing the club their place in the top four.

Blackburn Rovers will be keen to snap up Keane having failed to land a number of high profile strikers, the most recent of which being Roma front man Mirko Vucinic. Giovani’s impressive performance at the Gold Cup has attracted the interest of Sevilla who may now be more willing to meet Tottenham’s asking price.

David Bentley has been linked with a move to Norwich City, where the winger spent a season long loan period back in 2004/05, the last time the Canaries were in the top tier. The East Anglia side could however struggle to meet the £10m valuation placed on the 26 year old, so once again Tottenham may have to lower their asking price to achieve a quick sale.

Napoli are said to be interested in Wilson Palacios and Sebastien Bassong has been linked with a move back to Ligue 1 after an stop/start two years at White Hart Lane. Back up performers Alan Hutton, Niko Kranjcar, Jermaine Jenas and Younes Kaboul can also be happily offloaded without making too much of an impact to numbers at Redknapp’s disposal.

It is perhaps a sign of the over indulgence of manager Redknapp that Tottenham can happily sell nine players without such sales making a great deal of impact to the club overall.

Harry Redknapp will want such deals to be done sooner rather than later so that he can prevent the likes of Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Rafael Van der Vaart from leaving the club who are very much experiencing the down side to speedy success.

The fact that Tottenham managed to superbly complete a top four finish the season before last and then get to the Quarter Final’s of their maiden Champions League voyage is something the club should celebrate but because Redknapp’s men managed a fifth place finish last season, which is still a great achievement given where the club were when the former West Ham and Portsmouth boss took over from Juande Ramos, it seems that some players are even hungrier for success.

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Instead of contemplating how to strengthen in preparation for a second season in the Champions League, Tottenham Hotspur are now steeling themselves for a summer clear-out while at the same time attempting to hang on to their prized asset Gareth Bale.

Following Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City that confirmed fourth place is beyond their reach, senior figures at the club met yesterday to reassess their current squad in the light of their disappointing end to the season.

Chairman Daniel Levy is determined to keep hold of Bale but will not sanction further spending on new recruits until there has been a clear-out of some other established stars to streamline the first-team squad and reduce the wage bill.

Levy wants to sell several high-profile players, including four who are currently out on loan – striker Robbie Keane, who is at West Ham, and midfielders Jamie O’Hara (at Wolverhampton Wanderers), Giovani dos Santos (at Racing Santander) and David Bentley (at Birmingham City).

Defender Jonathan Woodgate and goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini are both out of contract in the summer and are unlikely to be offered new deals.

Tottenham will also listen to offers for the likes of Roman Pavlyuchenko, Niko Kranjcar, Alan Hutton, Vedran Corluka and Wilson Palacios.

SOURCE: Independent

Whilst this does look like one hell of a major cull, things may not be as bad as they seem. It is clear that Harry Redknapp has a massive Tottenham squad and failure to qualify for the Champions League will have a knock on effect on the club’s finances, but it is far more beneficial to remove under performing members of the squad rather than having to listen to offers for the club’s top stars.

The likes of Rafael Van der Vaart, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Sandro have all been strongly linked with interest from Europe’s elite and Redknapp has steadfastly held his ground by stating that none of those players would be sold, so clearly in order to not have to sell any of his important players, he knows he must cut a swathe of players from his squad that do not offer him a great deal.

Of those on this list from the Independent arguably only a handful would be missed. Those out on loan were clearly on the periphery and the likes of Keane and Giovani have stated their desire to move on. Pavlyuchenko is consistently linked with a move away from Tottenham and the Russian may feel that the time is right to leave after failing to convince Redknapp that he should be a first team regular.

Right backs Corluka and Hutton have shared duties this term but Redknapp has been linked with moves to bring in a new player for that position. Palacios looks a shadow of the player he was last term and Kranjcar, though talented, is not better than those ahead of him in the pecking order.

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Harry Redknapp is planning to swing the axe to trim his White Hart Lane squad and help fund new additions this summer. Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is willing to help back his White Hart Lane boss but insists that the North London club sheds a decent chunk of it’s extensive squad.

Robbie Keane will be offered to West Ham at the end of the season and the Irish international has already stated his desire to stick with the East London club if they manage to avoid the drop but if the Hammers do get relegated there are sure to be many interested parties with a move back to Wolves also been mooted.

Winger David Bentley has done well out on loan to Birmingham City and they too may look to make the deal a permanent one but Blackburn Rovers are also said to be keen on bringing their former star performer back to Ewood Park. A number of Spanish sides are looking to capture Mexican flair player Giovani, a player who Harry Redknapp appears to see as being something of a luxury he doesn’t feel he needs.

Wolves are apparently willing to meet the £5m asking price for midfielder Jamie O’Hara who has been a big hit at Molineux, helping Mick McCarthy’s side to three wins and a draw in his six starts with the club. Redknapp is known to be an admirer of the youth team graduate but due to the amount of quality players in his position he sees that keeping the player would only hold up the 24 year old’s career progression.

Niko Kranjcar has been targeted by a number of Premier League sides and the Croatian is beginning to run out of patience and may well also be allowed to leave. The 26 year old playmaker has been handed just two Premier League starts and could be offloaded to the likes of Liverpool or Newcastle who are both said to be interested although Redknapp is said to be prefer selling to a foreign club if possible.

Though Roman Pavlyuchenko is the most prolific of Tottenham’s strikers he still appears to not be a first choice starter and the Russian may look to leave the club and his wish will be granted if Harry Redknapp snaps up one of the many targets he appears to be chasing. The 29 year old former Spartak Moscow man has netted 10 goals in 18 starts this term and could be lured back to Russia.

The final piece of the exit jigsaw may will come down to form in the remaining games of this season with the right back berth being battled over by Scottish international Alan Hutton and Croat Vedran Corluka.

Harry Redknapp will consider selling one or the other at the end of this term but appears undecided on the matter. Hutton has predominantly been the first choice but Corluka is seen as more suited to European competition and is also effective at centre back.

Such moves to finance additions will become all the more pertinent if Tottenham fail to secure a Champions League spot.

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The Scotland full-back is rumoured to have clashed with the Tottenham boss in the dressing room immediately after the humiliating 4-0 FA Cup defeat at Fulham last month.

Hutton has not been selected since, although it is thought he was unavailable for some matches because of a groin problem.
It now looks likely the former Rangers man will leave White Hart Lane at the end of the season and, following his impressive form this term, there will be no shortage of clubs interested.
Juventus have been linked with the 26-year-old in recent weeks, while Aston Villa are also believed to be keen.
Media reports have suggested Redknapp will move to sign a new right-back in the summer, with Fenerbahce’s Gokhan Gonul apparently his top target.
However, the Times claimed the veteran boss plans to make Kyle Walker, currently on loan at Villa, his first choice next season and that Croatia international Vedran Corluka will follow Hutton out of White Hart Lane.

SOURCE: Metro

Tottenham appear to have lost patience with Scottish international Alan Hutton who appears to be on his way out at White Hart Lane with many sides interested in signing the 26 year old right back as Harry Redknapp sets his sights on experienced Turkish international Gokhan Gonul.

The 26 year old Fenerbache defender is out of contract at the end of the season and after four years at the Istanbul club the attack minded full back dubbed the “Turkish Cafu” is ready to leave Turkey with both Bayern Munich and Barcelona said to be interested in the talented wide man.

Kyle Walker, currently doing well on loan at Aston Villa and now part of Fabio Capello’s England set-up, is one for the future and Croatian international Vedran Corluka looks likely to be offloaded with the likes of Liverpool said to be interested.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is looking to Redknapp to sell before he spends this summer and there appears to be a fair bit of deadwood that the club could offload with the likes of David Bentley, Jamie O’Hara, Robbie Keane and Giovani all seemingly surplus to requirements.

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Spurs are apparently going to challenge for the title. Harry Redknapp is a genius.

Liverpool are having an awful season. Roy Hodgson should already have filled in a P45.

The two teams are just three points apart in the top flight, but the level of fan satisfaction is completely polarised.

It might surprise a lot of people to hear (read) it, but Liverpool’s Premier League form in the last six games is actually the second best in the Premier League – after Manchester United.

Of course, seeing as Roy Hodgson has told Dani Pacheco that he needs to perform in the first team in order to permanently earn a place in the starting XI, woe betide him.

Let’s all feel sorry for ourselves in the desperate storm that presides over Anfield. Or not.

I’m here to lift that dark mist, with an enormous leaf blower that will blow all the fog away. And afterwards it will reveal a big pile of cash.

I’m Leroy Paine.

That’s not to say Liverpool will win. Or that they won’t.

Bear with me.

Roy Hodgson has been talking up Fabio Aurelio as a midfielder this week, and I think that’s a strong indication he will start the match on the Liverpool left.

Given his ability from free kicks, I think SportingBet’s 22/1 for first goalscorer or 8/1 anytime looks a potential wildcard.

Liverpool have been excellent at home in the Premier League this season. Their record of four wins, two draws and a single defeat at Anfield has resulted in over 75% of their points.

Naturally though, this means that their away form is useless.

A home win for Tottenham seems the most likely then, and with Liverpool having conceded 3 goals to Manchester City, Manchester United and 2 to Everton and Stoke, betting on a Spurs win at the handicap of -1 with SportingBet at 14/5 seems far more attractive.

Given that Spurs have won the most points from a losing position of any team in the league, my tip is 11/2 with SportingBet for the team scores first to lose the match. That bet applies to both teams at once – not just Tottenham – so if Liverpool go in ten down at half time, an inspirational Hodgson team talk would still win you the money.

All likelihood indicates that Gareth Bale will be up against Glen Johnson on the flank, but with Dirk Kuyt back in form, he will get plenty of help. When Bale has had a team double up against him, he has struggled massively.

Similarly with two left backs on the Liverpool left up against Aaron Lennon and Alan Hutton, perhaps they might struggle to create there either.

These big matches are almost always a massive let down anyway. SportingBet give generous odds of 9-1 for a 0-0 draw.

I say snap their hand off. Not literally, that’s a brutal maiming.

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Tottenham Hotspur have left Jonthan Woodgate out of their squad for the first half of the 2010/11 campaign.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp made his selections on Wednesday, following a frantic transfer deadline day for the capital club.

Having seen a late deal for Holland international Rafael Van Der Vaart pushed through, the White Hart Lane outfit now know what they have to work with.

Their new Dutch signing makes the grade, as do fellow summer arrivals William Gallas and Stipe Pletikosa.

The likes of Jamie O’Hara, who was loaned to Portsmouth last season, and Jermaine Jenas,who had been strongly linked with a move to Stoke, are also included.

There is, however, no place for injury-stricken Woodgate, who continues to battle to save his career.

Tottenham squad: Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Sebastian Bassong, David Bentley, Vedran Corluka, Peter Crouch, Carlo Cudicini, Heurelho Gomes, Michael Dawson, Jermain Defoe, William Gallas, Tom Huddlestone, Alan Hutton, Jermaine Jenas, Younes Kaboul, Robbie Keane, Ledley King, Niko Kranjcar, Aaron Lennon, Luka Modric, Kyle Naughton, Jamie O’Hara, Wilson Palacios, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Stipe Pletikosa, Rafael Van Der Vaart. (Sky Sports)

It should be noted that as well as this strong group of 25, Harry Redknapp also has the likes of under 21 year old stars Gareth Bale and Giovani dos Santos to call upon. Given that Jonathan Woodgate hasn’t played for the north London side since November 2009 it can’t have been a massive surprise to the former Leeds centre back that he may well miss out.

Rafael Van der Vaart fills the final spot in a well balanced and seemingly top four ready contingent that Harry Redknapp has put together.

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