Harry Redknapp, never one to miss an opportunity to mine some glory out of the most desperate of situations, has brushed off Spurs’ 3-0 humping at the Emirates on Saturday by revealing he knew about one of Arsenal’s best performers this season, Thomas Vermaelen, before Arsene Wenger did:
“I was recommended him as a left-back but we were strong in that position. People who recommended him didn’t speak of him as a central defender.”
‘Arry can’t have done too much research - Vermaelen filled in at centre-back for Ajax for over a third of last season, winning eight of the 12 games he played in the role. If the Spurs boss wants to get a more well-rounded view of Europe’s finest footballers, perhaps he should actually start playing Football Manager, rather than just pocketing the coin from shamelessly hawking it.
In the weekly column written for him by a Sun journalist, Harry Redknapp never fails to say something contestable, and this week is no exception. While congratulating his former technical director Avram Grant for re-joining the Portsmouth management team, the Tottenham boss expressed both his confidence in his former employers and a charming naivety concerning the relegation betting market:
There is a new owner, a new man to help Paul and a win under their belts. They will not get relegated this season.
If I were a betting man I’d even put 25 pence each-way on that!
Is ‘Arry right to suggest Avram Grant et al can turn things around, or can they look forward to a couple of fixtures against Hull in the fizzy pop league next year? Let us know below. Or don’t. Whatever…
Jermaine Jenas gets the Pimp Juice flowing at nuptial celebration
Thanks to his pre-pubescent appearance, The Spoiler was under the impression that Jermaine Jenas was only eleven or twelve years old. It turns out he’s actually been doing it with girls for ages (sexy evidence here and here) and he will soon be getting married.
In order to celebrate his imminent union with ladyfriend Ellie Penfold, the Tottenham midfielder organised a grotesque celebration befitting of a young man who brings home more than £50,000 each week. Teammates including Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane attended the glitzy do and busted out some karaoke, but the highlight was a special appearance from Nelly. The superstar American rapper serenaded the couple, probably using the same irritating melody that he sings on every single one of his songs.
Nelly’s feelings may have been a little hurt when Jenas fiancée admitted a desire to be entertained by a frequent and habitual drug user on her big day:
“I’d like all my family and friends to be there in a big country house. Oh and I’d like Amy Winehouse to sing.”
Bulgarian striker offers a pessimistic self assessment
According to his Wikipedia entry, Dimitar Berbatov is the most prolific striker the world has ever seen, but sadly this is not the case. The Bulgarian has not threatened defences quite like he did when he wore a lillywhite shirt, and thanks to his unique “relaxed” playing style, he doesn’t earn an ‘A’ for effort in the eyes of most Utd fans (nor the players, who frequently infer that he is the laziest player at training).
Berbs has never appeared short of confidence - and his performance on Wednesday showed flashes of brilliance - but he has today been very critical of his own performances for Manchester Utd:
“In my first year I was disappointed in myself. I need to say that.
“It was a big pressure for me and maybe I failed myself. I think I wanted to prove myself to these supporters.
“You must remember, they are used to Best, Charlton, Cantona. I am just Dimitar.
“I got a number of assists, but I must score more goals.”
While Berbatov seems to suggest that his £30m price tag is an albatross around his neck, some Manchester Utd fans have jumped to his defence. Scott at ROM argues that Carlos Tevez ran around like Sonic the Hedgehog on Red Bull, but his strike rate was less impressive than Dimitar’s: the Argentinean managed one goal per 371 minutes, compared to the Bulgarian’s one goal per 282 minutes.
So, has he been a failure, or is he being a little harsh on himself? Votes and comments below, please…
For reasons that we have yet to establish at the time of writing, Harry Redknapphas shot to favourite in the next Premier League manager to go market. He is at 7/4, with Paul Hart languishing behind in the sack race at 3/1.
In the last hour, Paddy Power have stopped taking bets on his departure.
Has there been a fallout? Is it dangerously close to the annual date when Tottenham traditionally sack their manager? Or is this another Ribery/Benitez-style betting scam?
As anyone who has ever divorced will testify, sometimes it is necessary to call time on a big commitment. Footballers who sign big money contracts are no strangers to this maxim, but some jump ship a little earlier than expected. With this in mind, Spoiler correspondent Ben Baker has compiled a top ten list of the shortest spells in football club history. And guess who tops the list…
Sol Campbell
After a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance at Meadow Lane and a quick team photo, the man whom Spurs fans lovingly refer to as ‘Judas’ picked up his boots and walked out on his £40,000-a-week contract. If he manages to stay fit and win his war with his own metabolism, perhaps a fleeting appearance in the MLS lies ahead for football’s least decisive man..
Ali Dia
A favourite story among football fans who are less than supportive of Graeme Souness (and let’s be honest, there are a fair few): after allegedly receiving a call from former World Footballer of the Year George Weah ‘bigging up’ his ‘cousin’, Souness signed him up without reservation. He even had the audacity to replace Sir Tiss with him. Dia was so dreadful that he was hauled off, lasting about 20 minutes. Oh well, Southampton’s loss was Gateshead’s gain…kind of.
Dietmar Hamann
After it appeared that Hamann was surplus to
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