Bad attitude or badly treated at White Hart Lane?
It looks like Roman Pavlyuchenko’s days at White Hart Lane are numbered, with just two substitute appearances to his name this season in the league it seems his patience has finally run out.
The Russian hitman has scored 20 goals in 75 league appearances at Tottenham, but that has failed to impress Harry Redknapp who is always on the lookout for more firepower up front as he clearly feels Pavlyuchenko is not good enough to fire Spurs back to Champions League.
With Robbie Keane and Peter Crouch departing from North London this summer, the 29-year-old striker must have felt he was in with a chance of staking a claim for a starting place, but Emmanuel Adebayor has arrived on loan and seems to be Redknapp’s first choice ahead of Jermain Defoe and Pavlyuchenko.
With his contract running out in the summer, it’s unlikely he will accept a new one even if it is offered, so surely a January transfer is imminent and a return to his native Russia will be a preferred move for the striker who is hoping to feature in Euro 2012 for his country.
Redknapp has never criticised Pavlyuchenko’s work rate or attitude, which speaks a lot for the dedication of a player that is used to sitting on the bench. Some Europa League appearances and goals this season have even drawn praise from the manager but is this just to keep the Russian happy as once again he was an unused sub in the Premier League last weekend?
It is fair to say that Pavlyuchenko has not been given a fair chance at Spurs even with the lack of form strikers at times, and it is surely understandable that a player of his age wants first team football to enhance his international career. Whether Tottenham decide to sell him in January or just release him in the summer, the relationship between the two parties is becoming a sour one and it may become a very unwanted distraction for Redknapp in the coming weeks.
The former Spartak Moscow player’s agent has constantly voiced his concerns at the lack of first team football for his client and now Pavlyuchenko has added to that.
Pavlyuchenko told Russian newspaper Sport Express: “I don’t believe I can fight my way into the Tottenham starting line-up. Players can feel what the manager thinks about them, and I know that the manager doesn’t count on me these days.
“I don’t want to be the team’s fourth striker. I want to play in the big games in the Premier League, the Europa League, which I am playing in, doesn’t interest anyone here.
“I don’t know whether Redknapp is telling the truth when he says he doesn’t want to lose me. I guess he is not telling the truth, Redknapp says I’m not playing because my pre-season wasn’t good. I can’t understand that.
“Something must change. I must play in order not to miss Euro 2012, and there is a danger of missing such an important tournament, you don’t get into the national squad on past achievements. I will be 30 in December, and it could be my last big tournament.”
So, would you be sad to see the back of Pav?
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Not sad but glad. Regardless of attitude, he’s not good enough. Simple as that! As regards treatment I disagree that he’s not been given a fair chance. 75 league appearances + lots more in more or less significant competitions, often against mediocre teams, should be sufficient chance for any player. He hasn’t taken his chance because he isn’t able to. Decent finisher but a liability and/or absolute waste in all areas outside the box.
As regards his contract, he has apparently said himself that Spurs has the option for one additional year. Can’t see Spurs take it though, unless they are sure to gain from a subsequent sale. Shouldn’t be an issue though, as he will probably go in January if anyone is willing to take him (and we are able to get proper replacement). Hopefully Spurs will be able to use its (apparent) option as a bargaining tool to get back at least half of what we paid, although it is hard to imagine anyone paying north of 5m…
LexS
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this bloke will never be given a chance while the idiot is in charge i still reember couple of seasons ago 0-0 wigan away horrible day forwards were crap but
was reluctant to put pav on [fact] pav came on and scored 2
last season and season before who scored against the CHAVS
last season had a geezer called crouch who played 32games sum total of 4goals but he kept playing him ,one of the reasons not getting in the champions league
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It’s probably better off for both sides that he moves on. He is a better striker than Crouch however Crouch was the main reason Van Der Vaart scored so much last season when he first joined. Will Harry have funds to replace him?
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This is what happens at Spurs if Walker got replaced by Gallas when he returns what would this do for his head and future games. This is what Harry does he replaces player with returning players even if the said player is playing well. Harry thinks we will keep winning playing 4411 but it makes our team wobble badly and i believe these two would still score the goals in a far more dominating way with Ady and Defoe leading our attack.
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jesus christ some spurs fans make your blood boil. How can an atrticle questioning that waste of space Pav turn into one slagging if HR? 1st time ever in the CL, didn’t make it the following year as our stikers were pony (inc pav) and currently 5 wins in 6 and can easily see us 3rd by Xmas. HR is obviously a chancer who hasn’t got a clue…
Manager of the month last year i think for 4 wins on the bounce inc the Arse. get a fucking grip people
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It does make my blood boil when spurs “fans” come out and slag HR off for something like this. The only manager tio get us to the CL. The manager who has won 5 out of the last 6 games inc against the arse. And still people are moaning that he won’t play Pav – the guy who sounds like he can’t even be bothered to try and change his managers mind and certainly plays that way.
And the comments about swapping Walker for Gallas when he comes back? You talk like it’s a fact and already happened but where the hell is that coming from?
Get behind out most successful manager in the last 20 years you tools.
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jerkinmahjurgen Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 5:49 am
Well said.
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This is really a stupid article which has been floating around for quite sometime and wont go away until Pav leaves. I used to detest Redknapp for playing the 6’7″ step ladder in preference to Pav but now that Ade is here Pav has to understand that he will never be selected infront of him because he isnt in the same class as Ade. Either VDV or Defoe will also get the nod over him and the reason is simple, the guy is brainless, sure, he has chipped in with the odd goal and some corkers at that but he is so frustrating and seems to play like a headless chicken more times than not. Maybe he will be a revelation back in Russia and good luck to him.
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i make your blood boil mate ICANT STAND HIM,so what,ITS not about PAV mate its about loads of things where he is concerned ,this manager INHERITED a very good side ,if your a TOTTENHAM fan and not a rose blinkered twat,u would have realized that
Most successful manager in 20yrs????!!! What? so winning the FA cup [when it meant something] and 2 league cups is nothing in 20yrs It seems not to u but getting forth does!! with harry ,
Mjol got us 5th twice with a far inferior side whats he won with a team that has been built up over the last 6yrs not 3yrs threw away league cup and fa cup games 5-1 and 4-0 got to the 1/4s got thrashed
DO u really know your football mate WIGAN,BLACKPOOL,WHU,SPRING TO MIND
1bloody point from each thats what cost us and a prat called Rednapp who consistantly played CRouch for 32games and 4 bloody goals THATS WHAT COST US
THIS team has been built up and matured
look how many of rednapps players played againest inter and ac
This is a man who prefers to play players he has brought and wanted to sell BAle FACT AND recently wanted to send SANDRO back!!!!because he thought he was kack?
This is a bloke who wanted to buy SOL Campball? James ,Nevelle,Bellamy, i would ave loved them in my team mate NOT!!!!
I was always taught you play football the right way not bore the arse off people ,and if he had got his way
AND FOR THOSE WHO DONT GO AND WATCH TELE ETC THIS IS THE BLOKE THAT CALLED ME AND ALONG WITH 3000 OTHER TOTTENHAM SUPPORTERS DOWN AT PORTSMOUTH SCUM
GET LOST MATE
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