Man Utd in for Carrick

Reports are today suggesting that Manchester United are planning a £10m swoop for Michael Carrick.

It's not come as much of a suprise as Michael has been outstanding for us this season, controlling the midfield. Man Utd are quite short in that area of the field and are keen to strengthen themselves.

There's no doubt that losing Carrick would be a blow just as he's coming into his prime. Carrick apparently wants to be one of the one of the top-earners at Spurs. We have been reluctant to offer him that thus kicking off speculation that Sir Alex is ready to move in for him.

However, with the level of expectation from this Spurs side and the potential at the club with Champions League football well in our sights, i'm sure Martin Jol will be confident that Carrick will sign a new deal.

UEFA slam door shut in our faces

Uefa have slammed the door shut on our hopes of entering the Champions League, even if Arsenal win the Final on May 17th.

"I am afraid I have to tell Spurs that there is no alternative," said Lars-Christer Olsson, Uefa chief executive.

"This time around we are prepared. We have put the rules in place and those rules will stand," Olsson said.

"Of course on the pitch, Spurs will feel hard done by and it is a difficult decision, but England will only have four teams and Arsenal will be invited back if they are champions."

This is a really stupid rule in my opinion. Just because the rule has stood from the start, it doesn't mean it's correct. If the 4th placed team were Man Utd or Liverpool or Real Madrid in their La Liga, i believe they would change them again. It's not fair because if it's not in your own hands. How can quaifying for a competition through the league, not be in your own hands? I think these comittees and boards are disgraceful, from The FA to Uefa and right to the top with FIFA. Thety don't try and make the game better, they just try and dampen all enjoyment in the game. I think that we the fans should have ultimate control on everything, it's only fair since we are the mugs who back the game financially.

Ledley signs new deal!

Ledley King has signed a new 4-year extension to his current contract.

The deal is believed to be worth about 10m over the 4 year period. Speaking about his captain's decision to commit himself to Spurs, Martin Jol said: "Ledley is without doubt one of the most impressive and talented players not just in this country, but in Europe. We know that so many other Clubs would love to lure him from us so we are really pleased he has agreed a new deal.

"We often tease him that he has blue and white blood - he came to this Club as a local youngster 11 years ago and we have been privileged to have seen him develop with us and represent this Club for seven years. Loyalty is a rare commodity. Ledley is an outstanding role model for our youngsters. We have never taken his commitment to this Club for granted and we always seek to reward our best players with improved contracts."

Ledley added: "I am thoroughly enjoying my football at Tottenham. It has been a terrific season, one of the best ever whilst I have been at the Club. We are a Club with a very bright future and I am looking forward to playing a part in that."

Which Spurs players would you take to the World Cup?

Now we all say Sven gets a ridiculous amount of money for making obvious decisions a couple of times a year. Well one of those times is upon us as Sven has to pick the England squad for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, in June. My question is, which ones out of our many quality English players would you take to Germany?

Paul Robinson is the number one for England, so as long as he stays injury free (touch wood) he'll be on the plane. Ledley King is out for a couple more weeks so he'll hopefully get fit enough to make the squad too. If he doesn't make it in time, who'll take his ticket to Germany? Anton Ferdinand? Overated in my eyes, Jonathan Woodgate? All he has to do is think about an injury and it comes, Sol Campbell? Well apart from being crazy he's also way past it. And then we have Micheal Dawson. He's put together a string of incredible performances this season. He hardly puts a foot wrong, he can pass very well, he's not the quickest but he's no Dean Richards and most of all he's brave; giving 110% week in week out for us. Having said all this, it's not hard to work out that i'm suggesting him as a possible candidate for that squad. I don't think he'll get picked, but i think he'll be on Sven's shortlist.

Then we move on to the midfield. Micheal Carrick at the start of the year was aiming to make the squad; 9 months on and now his aim is the starting XI. He has been the factor that makes us tick throughout this succesful campaign, and Sven acknowledges that. Even more so do various pundits calling for him to be the holding man in midfield for England. He's definately going then too.

Jermaine Jenas has been in nearly all of Sven's squads this year. Sven rates him very highly and i must say, i agree with him. Jermaine has the potential and the ability to be a Frank Lampard or a Stevie Gerrard. I've been saying this since before we signed him last August and i'll keep saying it until he unravels it. However based on how he actually performs, well, you have to question whether he's been better than the players he's getting in ahead of. He's only shown gimpses of what he's capable of and that makes you question taking him. But seing past all these questions and buts, i would take him.

And then we come to the find of the season - Aaron Lennon. This boy is amazing. He's the quickest i've seen in a long time, maybe ever. He has such great close control that he's almost un-markable!! When he plays, the whole team looks different because we know we have someone who van really hurt teams. But do you take him to the World Cup? I don't think Sven can justify taking Shaun Wright-Phillips. He's gone to Chelsea, who have more wingers than Arsenal have whingers, to get the mega-bucks. Well if that's what he's interested in, then what business does he have with the National Team? Theres no doubting this guy's ability, he's brilliant, but the amount of football he's played is so little, that the kid who cleans his boots must have the cleanest brush outside a supermarket. Having said all that and having watched Aaron skin Ricardo Gardner - a very quick left back - then i would now take Aaron Lennon to Germany.

Now with Wayne Rooney potentially out of the opening stages of the World Cup, there's a vacant position in attack for England. However Sven has vowed to take Rooney to the World Cup, meaning the vacant positions left in the squad, is still only one. And Jermain Defoe may be throwing it away with a string of not exactly impressive performances. He hasn't scored in nine, so his confidence is obviously low. But the thing that's more worrying, for me at least, has been his work rate over the last few games, especially against Bolton. He looked as if he was a player that wasn't interested. I heard someone say the other day that a possible reason for his lack of form is his girlfriend, who happens to be a model. All footballers these days have model's for girlfriends and wives so that excuse is not really good enough. If that really is the case, then Jermain can't call himself a true professional. I believe that that isnt the case. I think that the pressure that Darren Bent has applied to him with his 22 goals for a mediocre Charlton side, has got to him. He's desperate to be on that plane but just can't get his act together. And the combination of low confidence and that imense pressure from other candidates has been the reason for these performances. I think including him in the squad for the World Cup will rejuvenate him and he'll be his old self. So i'd take Jermain to Germany ahead of Darren Bent.

So all the candidates from Spurs really do have great chances to go to Germany in June and when they do go, im sure that they'll do us all proud!

Spurs get narrow win in nervous encounter at the Lane

Spurs edged closer to sealing 4th spot earlier today by beating Bolton in our final home game of the season.

Bolton dominated throughout in what was a very nervy first half performance from the lads. Nakata hit the inside of the post early on and Ivan Campo fired over the bar from close range; but they couldn't find a breakthrough. Sam Allardyce's men closed us down very well high up the pitch, forcing us to knock it long, only resulting in it coming back down the field.

However a different Spurs team came out in the second half and those first half nerves seemed to have eased. Lee Barnard's introduction, due to Robbie Keane's ankle injury, surprisingly livened the team's performance as the tempo of the game rose. Danny Murphy and Michael Carrick both rose their games as we took over in the early part of the second half; involving Aaron Lennon more definitely helping our cause. And unlike Bolton, we took our chance when it came on 60 minutes when great play from Michael Carrick on the edge of the box set-up young Lennon, who got past the defender and slotted it home for 1-0.

That set-up a nervy finale to the match as Bolton piled bodies forward. Danny Murphy went off injured late on, something that helped the team as Calum Davenport came on, steadying the aerial battle between the two sides. Bolton - apart from a volley from Okocha spectacularly saved by Paul Robinson - hardly threatened our goal. Stelios Giannakopoulos was denied a penalty after he was seemingly brought down from behind by Michael Dawson, sending Sam Allardyce into a touchline frenzy.

We held on tight though, and wrapped up the three points, putting the pressure on Arsenal to win both their games in hand against Sunderland and Man City later on this week.

After the game, Aaron Lennon was named the Supporters Young Player of the Year after a string of dazzling performances. He was met by a thunderous reception by the Spurs faithful which remained at the Lane to enjoy the end of season party.

The Supporters Player of the Year award went to stand-in captain Robbie Keane, who limped over to the centre circle to receive his award. The players were treated to an incredibly deserved standing ovation as they completed their 'Lap of Honour'.

The day overall was an exceptional one as we moved 7 points clear of Arsenal, secured a top five finish, won our final home game but most of all, showed what we are all about; character, team-spirit and bouncebackability...