Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy: We Can Be the Newcastle of the South

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, in the news much of the summer for his blockbuster transfer dealings, declared his side's intention to build a team strong enough to challenge the best sides in the immediate vicinty, but not Arsenal.

"We can be the Newcastle of the South," Levy stated. "We've got the players, the facilities, and the fans. Now it's just down to getting the results on the pitch."

Last season, Spurs actually finished 3 points ahead of the Magpies, but Levy knows that successful teams do it season after season.

"We've got more work to do," said the 46-year-old businessman, who stood up to Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, refusing to sell star striker Dimitar Berbatov before selling him. "It's early doors, but they've opened up a 2 point lead. We want to keep them in sight for now, and try to reel them in after Christmas."

Levy, who stood up to Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez by refusing to sell Robbie Keane until he did, points to manager Juande Ramos as the key to Spurs' revival.

"We are indebted to Martin Jol, but Juande has taken the club to new heights. His results speak for themselves: they are marginally worse than Martin's."

Spurs are home to Hull City on Sunday.

Robinho: There's More to Football than Winning

Newly signed Manchester City star Robinho explained his shock move from Real Madrid to Manchester City, saying, "There's more to football than winning trophies, playing in huge, packed stadiums, playing in the Champions League, and playing with famous, talented teammates."

The tricky Brazilian indicated that he is ready for life at Eastlands. "I've met my new teammates. We have some good players. You can tell they have played football before, some of them for years and years. I think we are going to surprise people with our ability to pass, head, and shoot the football."

Robinho admitted that he had preferred to move to Chelsea, but when City met Madrid's asking price, he realized that it didn't matter if his parents never got to see him play on television again.

Steve McClaren: Vee Haff Un Gut Chance to Vin

Former England manager Steve McClaren, now in charge of Dutch side FC Twente, expressed confidence that his side can overcome a 2-0 deficit from the first leg and overturn heavily favored Arsenal at the Emirates.

"Yes, a very long shot it is for us, I sink, but ah, such an opportunity, no? Us, the Emirates..." (gestures with hands) "...vee haff a gut chance, yes?"

McClaren has been in charge of the Dutch outfit for only a few months, but has taken to life in the town of Enschede.

"Is fantastich, no? To come here, me, my team..." (gestures with hands) "...is wonderful, no?"

The second leg is set for August 27.

Scolari Warns Rivals: Our Players Practice Football

New Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari fired an ominous warning ahead of the start of the Premier League season, noting that his players frequently practice the various skills needed to play football.

"I can't speak for other clubs, but at Chelsea, our players are always practicing kicking the football. Kicking it hard, kicking it gently, kicking it high, and kicking it low. They practice headers and trapping the football, too. Our players practice football."

The news will be daunting to many clubs around the league, although Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson did not seem impressed. "Our players also practice, every day. I turn up at 9 and they are here, putting on their practice football kits, and going out to a grassy area we rented for them and practicing their football-playing. I tell them, 'You lads must really love football!'"

Chelsea and United battled for both the League and Champions League last season, seemingly validating the strategy of practicing. But not everyone is convinced.

"I think if you practice football, what should be natural becomes mechanical, like a chore," said Spurs manager Juande Ramos. "I discourage it."

The Premier League season kicks off Saturday.

Premier League Preview

The Barclays Premier League kicks off soon. Can Manchester United win the league for the third year in a row? Or can Chelsea reclaim the title they held just three years ago? Or can Liverpool finally mount a serious title challenge? Or what about Arsenal? And Spurs, can they break into the top four? Or Villa? Can Paul Ince keep Blackburn in the top half? Can new boys Stoke, Hull, and West Brom survive? Can Mark Hughes bring Manchester City a European place? What about Keegan, will he survive the season at Newcastle? Will Roy Keane's new signings make Sunderland a side to be reckoned with?

Tune in to our Season Review in May for the answers.

Fabregas: Spain Not For Me

Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas quashed rumours that he will swap life in London for either Madrid or Barcelona today, saying, "I'm staying at Arsenal. The priority is to win trophies here. Spain is not for me."

Fabregas has been linked to both Barcelona and Real Madrid in recent weeks, with former Gunners midfielder Alexander Hleb claiming that Fabregas "loves" Barca, and with Madrid, frustrated over their failure to pry Cristiano Ronaldo away from Manchester United, beginning to make overtures. But Fabregas was emphatic in his denials.

"I love London," he said. "There's so much here. Of course, it is not as sunny and warm as Spain, but these things are not important. There may not be stunning mountain ranges such as the Sierra Nevada and Pyrenees, or Mediterranean beaches filled with exotically beautiful women, and you can't get Tapa de Calamares anywhere, and all my friends and family may be back in Spain, and we haven't won much of anything at Arsenal, but, still...I want to stay here."


Fabregas, 21, has years and years left on his Arsenal contract.

Bruce, Wigan to Try Surrealistic Approach

Wigan boss Steve Bruce claims his side cannot remain in the Premier League unless they adopt a new approach. The Latics survived the drop with just one game to spare last season, a fate the former Manchester United title-winner hopes to avoid with more room to spare.


"What we've done has been enough - just," Bruce said. "But we have to make changes. Big changes."

While hesitant to give away too much, Bruce revealed he will be adpting a "highly surrealistic" approach to the coming season.

"It's not about 4-4-2 or 3-5-1 or traditional tactical models like that," Bruce said. "I'm talking about much bigger changes. Maybe for some games, we won't play with any forwards. Maybe no defenders. Maybe," he added, "No players at all."

Premier League officials were quick to react, stating that all teams must start with 11 fully registered professional players in every match. In a followup statement, however, Bruce seemed unmoved.

"Who is to say what constitutes a player? Maybe a 'player' is my iPod. Maybe I'll play my iPod up front. People might think it's crazy, but we aren't a big club, and we need to shake things up to survive the world's toughest league. You think Rio Ferdinand has ever marked an iPod before? We're going to make it uncomfortable to play against us, one way or another."

Wigan open the new season at home to West Ham on August 16.