Roman Pavlyuchenko (AFP Photo / Glyn Kirk)
Super-Pav’s days at Spurs are numbered
Published 18 May, 2009, 13:51
Roman Pavlyuchenko's days at Tottenham Hotspur seem to be numbered as his coach Harry Redknapp accused him of disrespect towards the team and the fans, The Daily Mail newspaper reports.
Super-Pav was disappointed with Redknapp’s decision to substitute him after 75 minutes during Spur’s match with Manchester City on Saturday. Coming off the pitch, the Russian striker ignored his coach, who was waiting to greet him on the touchline, and went straight towards the dressing rooms, not willing to watch the end of the game on the bench.
The Tottenham boss subsequently applauded sarcastically in the player’s direction.
“I don't like that. You're looking to scrap away, the fans are here, they pay their money to watch and when a player runs down the tunnel without sitting and watching his team, getting behind his team – it's disrespectful,” Harry Redknapp said.
Pavlyuchenko failed to put his name on the scoreboard in the game, but it didn’t prevent Spurs from winning 2-1.
Redknapp had a lot of complaints about the Russian international during the whole season, saying he’s not giving his best in training and refuses to learn English.
Roman Pavlyuchenko joined the London side from Spartak Moscow for ₤14 million last summer, after his great performance at Euro 2008, where he scored three goals and reached the semis together with his teammates.
The striker scored five goals in the Premier League and nine goals in the Cups after his arrival. He says he enjoys living in the English capital and has recently bought a house there.
Another expensive player who, according to Redknapp, has no future in Tottenham is David Bentley. The winger was signed from Blackburn for ₤15 million last year.
Both Pavlyuchenko and Bentley may leave the club during summer break.
discuss it
