What a difference a few days make. Last week, Spurs were blundering their way to a 2-0 defeat at Udinese and it appeared as though confidence couldn’t get any lower. Sunday’s match against Bolton was viewed with trepidation and some of the Tottenham players started to admit that things couldn’t get any worse at White Hart Lane.
Now everyone’s happy again, at least according to Roman Pavlyuchenko, who scored the opening goal against the Trotters. Setanta reports that the Russian was sad to see Juande Ramos leave White Hart Lane, especially as it was the Spaniard who signed him, yet he’s enjoying the opportunity to play as a lone striker and claims that training is a much more enjoyable experience.
“During today’s [Monday] training session, everybody was smiling at last – recently, players had looked rather sulky. I hope after the victory we should have a breakthrough.”
“The tactics of the team have changed a bit, and I began to play further up – the way I was accustomed in Spartak and the national team,” added the former Spartak Moscow player.
“I tracked back less and moved to the wings less and played as the only out-and-out centre forward. To tell you the truth, I am better adjusted to this kind of game.”
“Ramos invited me to the team, and now he has left,” he said.
“Of course, I was distressed about it. I started to get accustomed to the team, but everything changed. Ramos is a good coach. It is a pity that he has left, but that is the football life.”
There’s no doubting Pavlyuchenko’s credentials as a world-class striker, especially when you consider some of his performances for Russia during Euro 2008. Do Tottenham fans now expect to see the best of their Russian import, aside from the occasions when he must fulfil his role as local politician in Moscow? Will Redknapp get the best out of him and the other members of the Spurs squad?
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