Barton to Tottenham

Is the type of headline that would have me burning effigies outside White Hart Lane, day and night, all summer long. No actual quotes from Harry Redknapp yet some of the tabloids have deemed it newsworthy to state that Spurs are ‘keeping tabs’ on Barton. Yes, because we really need someone who fails to conduct himself on and off the pitch. Ledley King’s arrest is fairly inconspicuous in comparison to how Barton goes about his everyday life.

In pure footballing terms, we don’t need a player of his ilk. We have Wilson, a panther on the pitch and gentleman off it. The last thing this club needs is a destructive force that would demoralise the dressing room and bring more unwanted attention to the club.

But we did, very publicly, court Craig Bellamy.

Club denial statement please. Otherwise the effigy gets it.