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Redknapp calls for caution

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Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has admitted that his side will be taking a cautious approach to their upcoming fixture against the current Champions League title holders Internazionale FC (12/1 – Champions League outright).

Spurs go to the San Siro hoping to continue the strong start to their first outing in the Champions League after an away draw with Werder Bremen and a home win against FC Twente.

The north London club are on four points in Group A alongside Inter (11/10 Serie A outright) and Redknapp believes that a cautious approach is the right way to go against the European champions.

He said: “We can’t go out there and be wide open. We’ve got to be sensible against the better teams.

“We have to be difficult to beat, first and foremost. I wouldn’t sit here and kid ourselves – if we came back with a point we would all be delighted.

“We want to win, obviously, but you have got to hit them on the break. You are not going to suddenly start swarming all over them. They are a top team.”

Spurs have had their big challenge made easier as Inter will be without Diego Milito and Esteban Cambiasso, who both picked up injuries playing for Argentina.

Cambiasso is key in midfield for the Italian side as he manages to break up play and has a strong passing game.

Milito was key for the San Siro club last season, scoring vital goals in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich as well as hitting the back of the net in the Italian domestic cup final and scoring important goals in the Serie A.

Redknapp thinks that Spurs will still face a tough task despite the absence of the two Argentineans.

He said: “They have real dangers. [Samuel] Eto’o is playing fantastic at the moment for them. It will be a great game for the players to go there and show what they can do.

“We have always got attacking players. Whoever we pick we will have our share of players who want to go forward and create and score goals. That is how we play.

“It’s a big challenge and a fantastic game to look forward to.”

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Holloway makes cash claim

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Ian Holloway says he has told his Blackpool players to forget the financial differences between his side and Manchester City (4/7 to beat the Seasiders) ahead of their visit to Bloomfield Road.

Arguably the richest side in the world will travel to Blackpool on Sunday to take on a side who broke their transfer record in the summer with the signing of DJ Campbell for £1.25million.

Campbell’s transfer fee pales into insignificance when compared to the amounts City have spent over the past two years, breaking the British transfer record when they signed Robinho for £32million.

The likes of Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and James Milner have all cost over £20million, loose change to the Abu Dhabi United Group which currently owns City.

The financial gap between City and Blackpool might be massive but in the Premier League the sides are separated by just four points.

Holloway’s men have been the surprise package this season, beating Liverpool at Anfield last time out as they moved up to ninth in the division.

Sunday’s game against City will represent another chance for Blackpool to claim the scalp of one of England’s biggest teams.

City (15/2 Premier League Outright) made a sluggish start to the season but have recently found some form, moving up to second in the league with a 2-1 win over Newcastle.

Despite Blackpool’s recent performances victory for Roberto Mancini’s side will be seen as a formality as they look to keep up the pressure on current leaders Chelsea.

However, Holloway has other plans and believes money won’t necessarily buy City victory against his plucky outfit.

“To outsiders, this will be the biggest mismatch in the history of football because of our financial situations,” said Holloway.

“But let’s see what we can do. If it was all about how much you’re on, we’d be bottom of the league by a zillion miles.

“Before Liverpool, I was reminding my lads we were a point above them, and this is a league game – we’re in the same division as them on merit.

“And I’ll be doing the same thing with Manchester City.”

Holloway will have to hope he can work his magic from the stands as he serves a one-match touchline ban for his abuse of the officials during Blackburn’s win at Bloomfield Road.

Blackpool (5/4 to stay up) fans will be hoping Holloway is the only regular face missing on Sunday as they wait to hear whether Craig Cathcart and Neal Eardley have recovered from the problems which forced them off against Liverpool.

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Villa not haunted by Chelsea mauling

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Aston Villa defender Luke Young admits Chelsea (7/1 to win the game) are looking a strong force already this season, but his side will not be running scared after their 7-1 humiliation last time the two teams met.

Back in March, Carlo Ancelotti’s side ran riot at Stamford Bridge and condemned Villa to their heaviest defeat for 24 years.

Young was part of former manager Martin O’Neill’s side that day, but claims that defeat has “no relevance” ahead of the two teams meeting at Villa Park at the weekend.

Gerard Houllier has begun masterminding a revolution at the club since taking charge in September, introducing double training sessions at Villa (19/5 to beat Chelsea, draw 5/2) to improve the players’ fitness and preparing them for a new brand of attacking, passion football he wants them to play.

Results have improved since he took over, despite their loss to Spurs last time out, and they sit in eighth in the table – though are a distant eight points behind Chelsea (8/13 to win Premier League title) after only seven games.

The west London outfit have been impressive going forward so far this season, and already have a mammoth plus-21 goal difference already.

Despite this, veteran defender Young claims there is “nothing to be daunted about” for Villa.

He told the Birmingham Mail: “They’ve been scoring bundles of goals.

“They’re always a good side and one we’ve got to be at our best against.

“But if we put in a performance like the one we did at Spurs we won’t be far short of picking up some points. You know whenever you play any of the top sides it’s going to be a tough game.

“We’re at home and hopefully we can build upon the results we have had at home so far.”

Chelsea go into the game sweating over the fitness of their captain John Terry after he sustained a back problem that forced him out of England duty in midweek.

He is doubtful for the clash and with Alex and Jeffrey Bruma already out injured, Ancelotti may have to call on Paulo Ferreira or Jose Bosingwa – the latter has not played since sustaining a terrible knee against Villa 12 months ago.

It is expected that Frank Lampard (7/1 to be first goalscorer) will return to the first team after being out with a hernia problem since the end of August as Chelsea look to preserve their four-point lead over Manchester City (15/2 to win title) at the top of the Premier League table.

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Carragher commits to Reds

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Liverpool (Evs – Top 6 Premier League Finish) have announced that Jamie Carragher has committed his future to the club, penning a new two-year deal at Anfield.

The 32-year-old was due to run out of contract at Anfield at the end of the season, putting into his doubt his run as a one-club man.

Carragher has made 641 appearances for the Reds, after making his debut back in January 1997, and always stated that he wanted to finish his career at Liverpool (10/1 – 2010-11 Europa League outright).

There were some doubts, under Rafa Benitez, last season as to whether the former England international would be offered a new deal.

But Roy Hodgson has always made it clear that he wants to keep the defender and Carragher has been more than happy to commit to the club.

The Bootle-born star has been a massive influence, winning 10 major honours during 15 years with the club, and now looks likely to see out his playing career with Liverpool.

After a week of court battles, Carragher’s new deal is the latest bit of good news for the Reds as they prepare for the Merseyside derby this weekend.

Fernando Torres (18/1 Premier League Top Scorer 2010-11) has been passed fit to start Sunday’s Premier League clash against Everton at Goodison Park, having recovered from an abductor muscle injury.

The Spanish international was forced to sit out his country’s Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania and Scotland, but has returned to training this week.

Hodgson told the club’s website: “We see a livelier and a better Fernando every day. It was really unfortunate he got that injury against Blackpool but luckily it came in the international break.”

Liverpool could also have two defenders, Paul Konchesky and Fabio Aurelio, back in the squad for the short trip across Stanley Park (Everton 6/4, draw 11/5, Liverpool 17/10 – Match Betting).

Koncheskey missed the 2-1 defeat to Blackpool, while Aurelio is yet to feature this season having returned to the club in the summer.

Both left backs are under consideration though, and one is expected to start against Everton, with Daniel Agger a doubt with a back injury.

Liverpool will be without Dirk Kuyt for Sunday’s Merseyside derby, after the Dutch ace was ruled out for a month with an ankle injury picked up on international duty.

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Bale eyes England upset

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Wales star Gareth Bale is determined to put a spanner in the works for England when the two sides meet in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign on March 26 (England 1/6 to win Group G).

The Welsh saw any faint hopes of qualifying for the finals in Ukraine and Poland evaporate when they went down 4-1 to Switzerland on Tuesday night – their third consecutive Group G loss following 1-0 reverses against Montenegro and Bulgaria.

The defeat left Wales with no points from three matches and they sit at the bottom of the standings, 10 points behind table-topping Montenegro and seven points behind England in second place.

The Welsh are currently without a permanent manager following the resignation of John Toshack after the Montenegro defeat, with Brian Flynn handling team affairs on a caretaker basis until a permanent replacement is appointed.

There have been a number of high-profile candidates for the job, with Liverpool legend Ian Rush and former Arsenal and Celtic star John Hartson throwing their hats into the ring.

Flynn has also made it clear that he wants the job on a full-time basis but back-to-back defeats under his stewardship will have done his cause no good at all.

England are expected to qualify easily from the group and will fear little from their clash with Wales, but Bale, who admits the banter with his England international Spurs’ team-mates has already been flying about, has made it clear that he and his Welsh colleagues will not just lay down and die against Fabio Capello’s men.

“We’re not going to go out there to concede a loss – we’re going to go out there and give it our all,” he said. “It’s a massive rivalry in country terms and we’ll be giving it 110 per cent. We want to cause a little upset.

“We’ve spoken about it previously, and it’s going to be a big game. They obviously fancy themselves to beat anybody on their day and we’re just going to have to play with no pressure and try to express ourselves.”

Following the England clash, Wales have to wait until September 2 for their next qualifier, with Montenegro set to visit the Millennium Stadium, before the daunting prospect of playing England (8/1 Euro 2012 Outright) at Wembley just four days later.

Matches with Switzerland and Bulgaria follow but, barring a miracle, Wales will be playing for nothing but pride with a new boss in place at the back end of the group stage of the tournament.

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Fab opens up on Barca deal

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Cesc Fabregas has admitted he missed out on a “good opportunity” when his move to Barcelona failed to come off over the summer but says now he is solely concentrating on helping Arsenal “win titles” (Arsenal 8/1 – Premier League outright).

The Gunners skipper was the subject of several very public offers from Barca over the close-season but Arsenal chief Arsene Wenger resisted all bids for the under-contract star.

It was reported that the La Liga giants were prepared to spend £35million on the player they let leave for England as a youngster but ultimately they failed in their pursuit.

The Spain international has been linked with Barca again in a deal for next summer but the 24-year-old maintains talk of a move back to Catalonia is behind him – for now at least.

He has paid tribute to Wenger and the way he has nurtured him at Arsenal but he admits to pull on the famous Barca shirt remains a “dream” for the midfielder.

He said on radio station Cadena Cope: “I maintain that I was right because (to play for Barcelona) is a dream I have had since childhood.

“The truth is that the coach is like a second father to me. I told him what I thought.”

Fabregas could be back following injury for the Gunners in the Premier League clash at home to Birmingham City on Saturday (Arsenal 12/1 to win 4-0) and he has revealed how he was told in no uncertain terms by Wenger over the summer that the deal would not be happening.

“In the end, when I spoke to Wenger he told me ‘no’ – he was very emphatic, that the transfer was impossible,” he added.

“I am satisfied for all parties. It wasn’t to be and that’s that, though in my head I keep thinking it could have been a good opportunity.

“But here (at Arsenal) I have everything. I am still happy. I am very comfortable here, I like the club, lead the team, play football.”

Fabregas is hoping to lead Arsenal to their first trophy in five years this season but he admits they need to engender a winning mentality at the Emirates if they are to be successful once again.

“We just need to start winning titles because we have a wealth of quality. A winning mentality is missing,” he said.

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Rooney targets scoring spree

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Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has managed to score just once in the current campaign but the England international is confident his form will improve soon (United 16/5 – Premier League outright).

Rooney’s off-field problems have been well documented of late, while his form and fitness have also been questioned but the striker is keen to get back amongst the goals and is certain his luck will change soon.

“You just have to keep working hard. I know I’ve been through this before and once one goal goes in, I am sure I will get more,” said Rooney. “If you don’t score, and you have chances, you are disappointed. I want to score but I have got a lot of games left in the season. I am sure this run without scoring will end soon.

“I don’t do anything different. I train as hard as I can every time I train and I do extra training every day and I’ve done that since I was a young boy.

“I’ll keep doing my training and I’m sure the goals will come.”

The 24-year-old has also struggled in front of goal on the international stage and has not scored for England since before the World Cup in South Africa.

The United star could not make an impact in the goalless draw with Montenegro on Tuesday but club and country team-mate Rio Ferdinand feels Rooney will rediscover his form soon and is confident he will be back to his best for both United and England before too long (England 8/1 – Euro 2012 outright).

“I think Wayne put in a good shift (against Montenegro). Sometimes with strikers you just need that little bit of luck in front of goal,” said Ferdinand.

“The ball didn’t really fall for any of our strikers to get a clean chance so to pick out ‘Wazza’ would not be fair.

“The ball just didn’t drop for us in their box. ‘Wazza’ is a great player but we can’t be too reliant on him.”

United face West Brom on Saturday as they look to continue their battle for the Premier League title, with Ferdinand and Rooney both expected to feature against the Baggies (Match Betting – United 2/9, draw 9/2, WBA 11/1).

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Redknapp questions Crouch tactics

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Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp – tipped by many to become England’s next manager – has criticised current coach Fabio Capello’s use of striker Peter Crouch in Tuesday’s disappointing 0-0 draw with Montenegro (Spurs 13/5 – Top 4 finish).

Redknapp is generally a fan of the Italian and believes the former Milan and Juve chief is the right man to successfully guide the Three Lions to Euro 2012.

However, he has questioned his usage of Spurs forward Crouch, who was deployed alongside Wayne Rooney at Wembley this week.

“Peter Crouch is 6ft 7in tall so his best asset is an obvious one,” he said in his column in The Sun.

“It’s no good putting him up front and then trying to play the ball to his feet all the time.

“Peter is a technically good player but England should use his height – because he towers above most defenders.

“I’m the last one to advocate the long-ball game but, if you have a player like Steven Gerrard who can put the ball on his head from 35 yards out, do it.

“While he does that, the team can surge forward as a group and pick up the second ball, the knockdown they know is coming.

“If you’re not going to make the most of Crouchie, don’t play him, simple as that. Use a little striker instead.”

Redknapp also believes Capello needs to get the most out of key trio Rooney, Gerrard and Frank Lampard if England are to become a major player on the international stage once again.

“I have a vision of a ‘golden triangle’ for England,” he added. “Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in the middle, with Wayne Rooney playing off a striker and dropping back a little bit.

“In that way, he can play just in front of the two central midfielders and is a great link-man between midfield and up front.

“There is no doubt Rooney is still a world-class striker. But again when Lampard is missing, there is an obvious gap in the team.

“I think Rooney is perfectly suited to the role of dropping off a main striker, because he is superb at running at defences with the ball.”

Redknapp, whose Spurs side go to London rivals Fulham (Spurs 9/5, Fulham 7/5, the draw 9/4 – 90 minutes) this weekend, remains confident England can not only make it to Poland and Ukraine for the European Championships but says they have the ability to win the tournament outright (8/1).

“England had a poor World Cup, yet we still have the players and manager to go and win Euro 2012,” he said.

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Reds optimistic over duo’s return

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Bet on the Merseyside derbyLiverpool (17/10 to win the Merseyside derby) have received a double boost with the news that striker Fernando Torres and left-back Paul Konchesky could be fit for Sunday’s massive clash at Everton (6/4 to win, 11/5 the draw), although Dirk Kuyt could be out of action for some time.

Torres (5/1 to score the first goal at Goodison) suffered a groin strain during the shock defeat to Blackpool at Anfield last month, which ruled him out of Spain’s fixtures over the international break, but has responded well to treatment and could yet make the line-up on Sunday.

Liverpool’s head of sports science and sports medicine Peter Brukner told Liverpoolfc.tv: “Fernando is doing pretty well. He had a slight tear in one of his abductor muscles very early on in the game against Blackpool that prevented him going away with Spain in the internationals.

“He has had intense treatment over the last 10 days and responded very well to that treatment.

“He’s ready to resume training today and if we can build up his training and get through the next few days, then we are optimistic but not certain that he will be able to line up against Everton.

“He’ll join in the full training session on Thursday, then build up Friday and Saturday. If he gets through these sessions and he is able to stretch out fully and has no after effect from the sessions then he will be able to play.”

Defender Konchesky, who has missed the last two games for Liverpool with a hamstring injury suffered in the 2-2 draw against Sunderland at the end of last month, is also making excellent progress and could make his comeback against the Toffees.

“Paul is coming along well and will join in full training on Thursday for the first time,” he added.

“He’s done everything we have asked of him so far and he’s done a lot of running and a lot of strength work on his hamstring.

“Again, it’s a bit similar to Fernando that we are reasonably confident he will be available for Everton, but it just depends on how his body responds to training.”

However, there was some bad news on the fitness front with both Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger picking up injuries while on international duty.

The Liverpool midfielder was forced out of Holland’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Sweden after just 28 minutes and the initial prognosis is not good.

“Dirk wanted to play on but our doctor prevented that and told me to substitute him,” Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk stated.

“He is now in a hospital but following the doctor’s first opinion it could be very serious and keep him sidelined for a long time.”

Defender Agger, who has been hindered by a groin problem of late, lasted only 39 minutes for Denmark on Tuesday night and will be assessed at Liverpool’s Melwood training ground.

It has been a nightmare start to the season for both Merseyside clubs, who have picked up just one win each from their opening seven games, with Liverpool (11/1 to be relegated) in the bottom three due to having an inferior goal difference to city rivals Everton (33/1 to go down).

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Davies eyes England run

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Bolton captain Kevin Davies is eager to prove he has something to offer on the international stage after making his debut in the goalless draw with Montenegro on Tuesday (England 1/7 to win Euro 2012 Qualifying Group G).

Davies, 33, became England’s oldest debutant since Leslie Compton in 1950 when he made a second-half substitute appearance against the surprise package of Euro 2012 qualification Group G, and the Bolton striker is keen to make more appearances for the Three Lions.

The powerful front man managed to impress in his brief 20 minute cameo appearance after replacing Peter Crouch.  England had struggled to impose themselves on Montenegro and aside from some trickery from Adam Johnson, there was little for the Wembley crowd to cheer about.

Davies came on in difficult circumstances, with the team out of sorts and Montenegro growing in confidence, but the Wanderers captain managed to offer another option for England.  Davies created a great chance for Wayne Rooney, whose shot was well saved, before flicking the ball into the path of Gareth Barry, who also saw his effort denied.

The veteran striker is now hopeful he can continue to impress at club level with Bolton in order to force his way into the England squad again, with the next round of qualifiers now five months away in March.

“I’m disappointed because we didn’t win but to have been given the nod and asked to come and try and win the game, and get my cap, makes me really proud,” said Davies.

“It will be a nice drive home with the family but I don’t want to be one of those players who stick around on one cap.”

He added: “There were a few shouts for me to get on (from the crowd), and I really wanted to come on and win the game for England.

“That didn’t happen, but I’m just glad to have been involved. It’s something I thought might never happen and I’m really proud it has.”

Davies may have to wait until March before he gets the chance to impress in a competitive international fixture, but the striker will be hoping to impress for Bolton in the meantime to keep himself in contention for an England spot (Match Betting – Bolton 11/10, draw 11/5, Stoke 12/5).

Meanwhile, boss Fabio Capello has been heavily criticised following the failure to beat Montenegro and the lacklustre display.

However, the Italian insists he is a “fighter” and has vowed to continue in his role despite being booed by the home crowd at the final whistle (England 8/1 to win Euro 2012).

“I am a fighter. It is one game. We have to fight again. I think we are a good team. The goalkeeper was the best player for Montenegro. This is football,” said Capello.

“You have to respect little countries. They have good players. At this moment they are psychologically at a high moment having won three games.

“They were compact. The quality was good. Against Algeria (0-0 at the World Cup ) we didn’t create a lot of chances. Tonight we did create chances.”

England remain second in Group G with seven points, three points adrift of leaders Montenegro, who have played a game more.

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