Exciting times for Spurs as cup draw awaits

Posted on December 14th, 2010 in English Premiership

Tottenham’s fearless approach to Champions League football this season has meant they will miss many of Europe’s leading lights in the next round.

Six months ago the Spurs fans would have jumped at the chance to play Barcelona or Real Madrid in the second round. But such has been their performances this season they now have a real chance of facing those sides in the latter stages.

Harry Redknapp’s has sent his sides out with an attacking intent, a refreshing “you score two, we’ll score three” approach that sits well with a side containing so much attacking talent.

And so far it has produced results. They were the top scorers in the group stages, hitting two or more goals in every game, including six in two games against reigning European champions Inter Milan. Anyone looking to bet on Champions League winner should remember the upsets Spurs have caused.

The draw for the quarter-finals takes place on December 17 and will pit Tottenham against either Lyon, Valencia, Kobenhavn, Roma, Marseille, Milan. Italian duo Roma and Milan are perhaps the stand out one to avoid, with the rest certainly beatable. Anyone looking to place a Champions League bet may want to wait until after the draw before committing themselves.

Their bold attacking approach may eventually end on defeat – it hard after all to see Spurs outscoring the likes of Barca. But they should be applauded for the way they have taken to Champions League football this season.
After so many seasons with the same four English teams it is refreshing to see a new side tackle the competition with infectious enthusiasm – and long may it continue.

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O'Brien awaits penalty after admitting BHA charges

Cape Blanco: aggravated a heel injury when winning the Dante in May

  PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)  O'Brien awaits penalty after admitting charges By David Carr 1:14PM 8 DEC 2010 AIDAN O'BRIEN is likely to discover next week what penalty he will face for 'acting in a manner prejudicial to the conduct of horseracing in GreatBritain.'

He admitted the charge, which relates to the running of Cape Blanco in the Totesport Dante Stakes at York last May, at a hearing before the BHA disciplinary panel hearing which ended on Wednesday.

O'Brien also admitted two charges of encouraging and/or causing his employee Pat Keating to refuse to comply with two instructions given by the stewards at York.

The trainer had been instructed that Cape Blanco, who had aggravated a heel injury in the race, should be trotted up before the BHA's veterinary officer and the senior racecourse veterinary surgeon and to attend a stewards' inquiry into the refusal to allowhim to be trotted up.

Keating also admitted to being twice in breach of Rule (B)83 regarding his failure to comply with the above instructions.

The panel is now considering the issue of penalty and drafting its reasons.  It is anticipated that a decision will be announced next week.

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