Is Adebayor and Spurs a match made in heaven or hell?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

There have been many talking points in the transfer market this summer, but the most controversial is about to take place.

Emmanuel Adebayor is set to join Tottenham Hotspur on a year-long loan, with a view to a permanent deal.

Controversy exists not just because of the Manchester City striker’s previous links with Arsenal, but more to do with the relationship that previously existed with the Tottenham faithful.

This was highlighted last season when Adebayor was on-loan at Real Madrid and was subjected to a chant that drew criticism for racism in their Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Those away fans that night will have also seen close-up the ability of the 27 year-old, as he scored a brace to help the Spanish giants on their way to knocking the North London outfit out of the competition.

Despite the attempts of their playmaker Luka Modric, Spurs have been able to maintain the key players within their squad, but are in much need of a top-class striker.

Jermain Defoe‘s campaign was hampered by injury last season and didn’t come back the same player, while the likes of Roman Pavlyuchenko and Peter Crouch were not prolific enough to keep the side in the top four.

So this summer acquiring a new striker has been at the top of manager Harry Redknapp’s priority. The big question now is can he bring out the best in Adebayor?

Few would question his talents; on his day he is a handful for any defence, whilst being excellent in the air, and when up for it having a real knack for finding the back of the net.

But that’s the thing; when he’s up for it. His attitude has been brought into question in the past, and there are times when he doesn’t look bothered, almost restricting his team-mates to be playing with the equivalent of 10 men.

Redknapp has crafted a reputation for being a very good man-manager, and he will need to use all his nous and experience to bring out the best in the Togo international.

Adebayor also needs to realise that failure over the next several months at White Hart Lane will need to many top clubs viewing him as a top-class talent without a top-class attitude.

If he maintains his focus and helps fire in the goals for Spurs, he can not only help his new club rediscover the promised land of the Champions League, but also find a place where he can finally unleash his full potential.

He needs to, for his sake and his new club.

So what do you think? Will Adebayor be a success at the Lane? Or will his attitude let him down once again? Leave us a comment and let us know your views.

What next for Birmingham City?

McLeish has suffered his second relegation as Birmingham manager

By Laurie Fitzgerald

After a thrilling final day that was billed as “Survival Sunday,” it was Birmingham City that joined Blackpool and West Ham United in being relegated from the Premier League.

Alex McLeish‘s side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham at White Hart Lane after a last-minute winner from Roman Pavlyuchenko.

That result, coupled with Wigan’s 1-0 win away at Stoke, meant that it was a third relegation in six seasons for the Blues.

Out of the trio of sides dropping into the Championship, it must be particularly perplexing for Birmingham fans to find themselves in this situation.

It was less than three months ago that the club experienced the ecstasy in beating Arsenal 2-1 in the Carling Cup final at Wembley, culminating in their first major silverware in 48 years.

That win also guaranteed European football at St. Andrew’s, but it will be in the second tier of English football – not seen since Millwall in 2004.

Ever since that famous day in February, Birmingham have seen their form slump in the league, with just two wins recorded in their last 12 games.

That run also saw just one point picked up in their final six matches, their last victory coming at home to Sunderland in mid-April.

One of the biggest reasons for their fall from grace are the injuries that the Blues have had to overcome.

The likes of Cameron Jerome, Nikola Zigic and Lee Bowyer have had spells on the sidelines, meaning that goals have been difficult to come by.

With just 37 goals all season, they are the lowest scorers in the Premier League and their profligacy in front of goal has proven costly.

Just how costly remains to be seen, with an estimated loss of between £30-50 million from television revenue in dropping from the top-flight.

However, the biggest turning point may have come in an innocuous moment in their Carling-Cup first-leg semi-final at West Ham back in January.

Scott Dann, who formed a crucial partnership at the heart of Birmingham’s defence, went off with a hamstring injury.

The damage was so severe that the former Coventry centre-back needed an operation, ruling him out for the rest of the campaign.

Since then, McLeish has tried different partners alongside Johnson, with Liam Ridgewell, Martin Jiranek and Curtis Davies all having a go at filling the void of 23 year-old Dann.

But 32 goals conceded in 17 league games tells it’s own story. They simply haven’t had the same defensive authority without Dann alongside Johnson.

Birmingham found goals were in short supply last season. But their brilliance at the back meant that they recorded many narrow wins, resulting in a ninth place finish.

Unfortunately, the dreaded second season syndrome has struck for City, and once again they plan for life back in the Championship.

It remains to be seen whether McLeish will be there to try and guide the club back to the Premier League like he did in 2009.

Blues owner Carson Yeung will look at what changes need to be made, but he knows that in McLeish he has a manager that has experience of getting this team out of the division.

There is also the issue of retaining the likes of Johnson, Dann, Ben Foster and Craig Gardener, who have played a big part in their success the past couple of years.

Whatever the squad looks like come August, the fans now hope the club make an instant return following relegation for a third time in a row.

So what do you think? What are the main reasons for Birmingham’s relegation? Will McLeish be there to try and take the Blues straight back up next season? Let us know your thoughts.

Who should be named Player of the year?

By Tony Alvarez

Following last weeks announcement of the players of the year in all of the Football Leagues it is now the turn of the Premier League, Shouts From The Stands are covering this area over the next few days looking at the candidates for Player of the year, Young player of the year, Most under rated player and finally signing of the year.

Today I will look at the candidates for the main award player of the year and give my views on who should scoop the award.

Samir Nasri- The French Arsenal midfielder has had the season of his life so far and has relished having more of a central/ free role, whilst the Frenchman’s dribbling ability has always been clear to see this season he has put this ability to more practical use scoring 14 goals in all competitions as well as providing numerous assists. Non more spectacular than his second solo effort against Fulham at the Emirates after bursting around a few tackles he rounded the keeper before swivelling and knocking the ball in from a tight angle.

 No greater compliment can be paid to Nasri than saying he has outshone Arsenal club captain Cesc Fabregas this season.

As well as Nasri’s goals, assists and clear natural ability its his work rate on top of those traits that has made him a firm fans favourite at the Emirates and brought about rumours of an upcoming contract offer of over £100,000 a week.

Gareth Bale-  The young Welshman has been Tottenham’s star man in their quest for Champions League glory as well as keeping hold of their top 4 spot, the left winger who was brought to the club as a left back has scored 11 goals in all competitions but his performances can not be judged simply on goals.

Not only does he raise the crowd every time he receives the ball at White Heart Lane but the majority of Tottenham’s attacking play revolves around the speedy wide man. Bale as well as his pace offers terrific delivery and if not posing a goal scoring threat himself can always be relied upon to put a threatening ball into the opponent’s box for the likes of Peter Crouch, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Jermain Defoe.

Although much of Bale’s best achievements this term have come in Europe such as his hat trick in the San Siro, although this is not meant to count towards these particular awards performances like this never go a miss.

Nemanja Vidic-

Defenders are often overlooked in these end of season awards as there are not many goal scoring achievements you can call upon and clean sheets are always seen as a team effort.

Despite all this I would personally rank Vidic up there for the award, he has been majestic yet again this term as he has been consistently for the last few seasons. Many people have always put Manchester United’s miserly defence down to the pairing of Vidic and Rio Ferdinand but this term Vidic has marshalled a defence that has seldom featured Ferdinand.

He had been thrown in at the deep end having to help young Chris Smalling find his place in the side an form a partnership with him as well as having to be able to forge a solid partnership with Jonny Evans and Wes Brown when called upon.

Although he has had the legendary Edwin Van Der Sar between the sticks behind him and World class left back Patrice Evra along side him for the majority of the games Vidic is the rock which the United defence is built around.

Vidic has also played his part at the other end notching 4 goals. Despite his reputation as a tough tackling centre back Vidic has only been booked 5 times this term thus showing his tackling ability.

Carlos Tevez

 Tevez tends to go about his business unnoticed due to City’s huge spending and more particularly this season the antics of fellow front man Mario Balotelli.

  The Argentinean who is City’s club captain has had another prolific season in front of goal. He has 21 goals in all competitions and is the focal point of all of City’s attacking play even though at any time he will have over 100 million of talent around him.

Another reason Tevez slips peoples mind when these awards are handed out is because he isn’t fighting for major honours City were never truly in the title race and were not in the Champions League.

Should Tevez be scoring all these goals and putting in these performances for a title winning side he would be a shoe in for the awards.

Much like Nasri, Tevez does not only gain admires for his skill and goal scoring ability, his work rate is second to none, he is always hassling defenders and is always dangerous due to his constant movement.

The verdict:

For me the award should go to Vidic, should Arsenal win the league and Nasri scores 5 goals between now and the end of the season then he would be deserving but at this present time Vidic is the more consistent performer.

Nasri started off brilliantly but his form has really petered out in recent weeks and he has not quite looked himself, where as it is very tough to think of a bad spell Vidic has had throughout the season.

Who is your player of the year? Is there anyone I have missed out? Leave a comment an let us know who your player of the year is>