Liverpool expect Steven Gerrard to step up his fitness program during the international break. Harry Redknapp admits itβs a tricky job fitting Rafael Van der Vaart into his side right now, while another Spurs forward looks for the exit door. Reports in the Spanish media suggest Sergio Aguero is almost certain not to play for Argentina over the next few days and Carlos Tevezβs adviser blames everyone but the player himself over last weekβs incident in Munich. Hereβs this morningβs Scribbles:
Harry Redknapp has admitted he has something of a quandary on his hands when it comes to accommodating Rafael Van der Vaart in the Spurs side right now. The Dutchman was played wide right against Arsenal last weekend and despite scoring, had called to be moved back into βthe holeβ just behind Emmanuel Adebayor. Redknapp, however, has claimed itβs a straight fight between Van der Vaart and Jermain Defoe and slammed the former for his part in the Gunners equaliser on Sunday afternoon:
Yes, it does seem to be a problem. Rafa can’t run back and chase the full-back. Against the better teams it is a problem. Rafa’s best position is in the middle, playing just behind the front man. The only problem is that Jermain Defoe plays there too and Jermain is playing very, very well at the moment. So, I guess I have got a decision to make, haven’t I? I suppose it’s now between Rafa and Jermain over who plays in the team. Rafa is a terrific footballer. He has great skill. But if you’re in the team and asked to do a job, really, you should just do it.
Redknappβs other forwards are far from happy with a lack of game time, either. Last seasonβs top scorer, Roman Pavlyuchenko, has featured for a mere seventeen minutes in the league so far this season, in a brief sub appearance at Man United. The Russian feels he has no alternative but to look for a move away in January if the situation remains the same.
According to reports from Spanish news group EFE, Sergio Aguero has stated he is unlikely to take part in Argentinaβs World Cup qualifiers over the next few days. Man City have yet to confirm this, but it is claimed the groin injury Aguero picked up at Blackburn has been deemed too risky by Argentina medical staff and quotes attributed to the player state:
I am almost ruled out. The doctors say this is a very tricky injury. I am sorry that this is happening in this good moment I am going through at Manchester City, I was hopeful of at least getting to play the Venezuela match, but the doctors have told me they will not take risks.
The Carlos Tevez saga rolled on yesterday, with the Argentineβs advisor Kia Joorabchian claiming his clientβs words were lost in translation. Blaming everyone from the club interpreter to Roberto Mancini yesterday, Joorabchian is insistent Tevez did not refuse to take to the pitch last week at Bayern Munich, instead claiming he had only refused to warm up, as he felt ready to immediately join the action. Tevez is a week into his fortnight suspension by Man City and a decision on his future is expected imminently.
Liverpool assistant boss Steve Clarke has been discussing Steven Gerrardβs fitness. The Reds skipper continued his comeback from a groin problem with a twenty-three minute sub appearance in the Merseyside derby win at Everton and Clarke told liverpoolfc.tv itβs time for Gerrard to step it up :
For Steven it’s just a progression. He’s coming back from a long-term injury and we’ll try to treat him as cautiously and carefully as we can. Obviously there will be a time when he is going to have to push on – and I think this is the time now. With Steven it has been well documented that we’re looking after him. He’s going to have to push himself in the coming weeks – and the more minutes we get into him, the better.
Sylvain Marveaux acknowledges he needs to show a little patience as he attempts to break into the Newcastle first-team. The Frenchmanβs brace in Tuesday nightβs reserve game suggests heβs in good form but, given the clubβs unbeaten start to the season, the winger accepts he has to wait for his opportunity:
At the moment, it isn’t easy to get into the team because they are unbeaten. We’re all working hard and trying to show the manager what we can do. I’m ready, and I’ll wait for my chance. We’re winning football matches, and the guys on the wings are performing well when they’re asked to perform. Sometimes it is difficult to change a winning side.
