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Spurs Pre-Season

15 Jul Exeter A W 3,0
17 Jul Bournemouth A W 3,0
21 Jul Peterborough A W 4,0
24 Jul Barcelona N D 1,1
26 Jul Celtic N L 0,2
29 Jul West Ham United N W 1,0
31 Jul Hull City N W 3,0
2 Aug South China L 0,2
9 Aug Olympiakos H W 3,0

Saw on SS last night that Didier Zakora has gone to Sevilla for £8m.

Exeter 0-3 Spurs


A first half goal from Jamie O'Hara was added to in the second period by Aaron Lennon and Darren Bent, but the key figure in the second 45 was home goalkeeper Paul Jones who produced a string of fine saves.

David Bentley carved out the opening chance on a bright warm evening in Devon, whipping in a precision cross from the right after linking up with Alan Hutton, the ball being met by the head of Jermain Defoe. The little striker, partnering Robbie Keane in the first half, stole in and his effort forced Jones in the Exeter goal into a double take before he was able to gather safely.

A Pascal Chimbonda cross was just missed by Defoe on 17 minutes following a fairly fallow period of the half as players of both sides met the objective of picking up fitness and regaining touch.

After a spell of pressure and a couple of corners in quick succession, Tom Huddlestone decided to employ his shooting boots with a rasping drive that flashed narrrowly over the bar.

The deadlock was broken in the 32nd minute, a Hutton cross falling for Keane to drive and test the reflexes of Jones. The ball ran loose and O'Hara was alive to the opening and drilled in low to the keeper's left.

Defoe then spun in the box and forced another save from Jones, but a more challenging one came when Huddlestone brilliantly chipped into the area and Keane was there to connect. The second goal looked very much on the cards until a last-ditch divert from the goalkeeper.

The second half team got off to a lively start with Michael Dawson striking an upright and Kevin Prince Boateng trying his luck from all of 40 yards. Jones then made a smart save to deny Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Jones, moments later, was called on to scoop away athletically what initially appeared to be a cross from Luka Modric, but quickly became clear that it was sailing into the top corner. Next it was a thwarting of Boateng, who took aim and arrowed towards the top right, before Lennon threaded Bent through on goal and the keeper somehow kept the score at 1-0.

At the other end Richard Logan hit one out of the blue after the hour that forced debutant David Button into a fine tip over.

In the 69th minute the advantage was finally doubled after first Pavlyuchenko struck a post, but the ball eventually fell to Lennon - after clever play from Modric - and the England man made no mistake from around 10 yards out.

The second half team quickly achieved a fluency to their play and absolutely dominated the home side with incisive passing and smart running.

Modric was a key component and cleverly created a chance for Bent on the run 15 minutes from time - Bent's speed enabling him to ease onto the ball, but his shot on the run from an angle was just off target.

He was no such thing on 81 minutes, as he pounced and finished after a Pavlyuchenko shot from distance was not gathered by Jones. The ball was only spilt a couple of feet away, but Bent was so quick in seizing on the opportunity to make it 3-0. Wilson Palacios later had an effort cleared off the line.

It was no surprise when Paul Jones was named Man of the Match - he certainly had his hands kept warm, especially in the second half.

1st half team: Cudicini, Hutton, Chimbonda, Dervite, Corluka, Bentley, O'Hara, Huddlestone, Rose, Keane, Defoe.

2nd half team: Button, Gunter, Assou-Ekotto, Dawson, Livermore, Lennon, Boateng, Palacios, Modric, Bent, Pavlyuchenko.

http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/ar ... 70709.html

We recorded a second 3-0 win in the second friendly of our pre-season programme against AFC Bournemouth on Friday night.

Just like the 3-0 win at Exeter on Wednesday night, it was nearly a game of two teams again, but this time Carlo Cudicini and Tom Huddlestone went the distance, while Jake Livermore played 75 minutes after replacing the injured David Bentley.

Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe and Wilson Palacios netted the goals that secured the victory on the route home from the training camp week in Devon.

........

Spurs trio in race for season bow
Tottenham defensive trio Jonathan Woodgate, Michael Dawson and Ledley King are all doubtful for the Premier League opener against Liverpool.
...
Dawson is out with an Achilles injury while Woodgate has flown to America to see a specialist about his groin and King has long-standing knee problems.
"All three are doubts for the start of the season," said boss Harry Redknapp.
"In all honesty it is not an ideal situation."
Dawson picked up his injury during a pre-season game against Bournemouth and Redknapp is pessimistic about their chances of facing Liverpool on 16 August.
"Ledley hasn't kicked a ball yet this season, so it is not looking great on that front at the moment," added Redknapp.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 165596.stm

Spurs capture Naughton and Walker
Tottenham have signed defenders Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker from Championship side Sheffield United.
...
Walker will return to Bramall Lane on loan as part of the deal with Spurs, and the Blades will also be able to take Tottenham players on loan.
...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 144711.stm

Tottenham dispense with Gilberto
Tottenham's Brazilian defender Gilberto has left the club after having his contract terminated by mutual consent.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 167399.stm

Spurs agree Crouch deal
Tottenham have reached an agreement with Portsmouth to sign striker Peter Crouch.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 02,00.html

Spurs seal Bassong deal
Tottenham have confirmed the signing of Sebastien Bassong from Newcastle.
Tottenham had agreed a fee in the region of £8million with Newcastle for Bassong.
...
Bassong is suspended for the first two games of the new campaign after being sent-off at the back end of last season against Fulham.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 92,00.html

Aaron Lennon out for six weeks with injury - Redknapp
Tottenham and England winger Aaron Lennon will need six weeks to rest his groin injury, according to Spurs manager Harry Redknapp.
The 22-year-old has not played since 28 December 2009 but he was expected to return soon - until he suffered discomfort after weekend training.
Lennon, who is aiming to be selected in England's World Cup squad, will now have to rest his injury until April.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 529463.stm

Injury ends Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate's season
Tottenham have confirmed that defender Jonathan Woodgate will miss the rest of the season following an operation on his long-standing groin injury.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp revealed that Woodgate underwent surgery in Australia on Thursday and will remain there for three weeks to recuperate.
"The people there feel they have the right answer. There is no real chance he'll play this season," said Redknapp.
.....
Spurs will also be without captain Ledley King for another two weeks as he recovers from a thigh injury.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 488740.stm

Jermain Defoe suffers hamstring tear
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe will be out for a "few weeks" after suffering a tear to his hamstring, according to manager Harry Redknapp.
...
Redknapp confirmed: "It's a grade-two tear but it will be a few weeks. He is struggling."
...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 576435.stm

Some rumours around Spurs injuries...

http://www.footballtransfertavern.com/p ... ry-updates