They don’t call him wheeler-dealer ‘Arry for nothing but this summer Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has struggled in the transfer market. The East Londoner usually takes to his summer transfer dealings like a duck to water but the 63-year-old has been left frustrated by the club’s inability to secure the signatures of his main transfer targets before the start of the season.

Following last season’s fourth placed finish many fans had expected Spurs to spend, spend, spend in a bid to consolidate their Champions League position and to stay in touch with their rivals at the top. Yet so far the North Londoners have only secured the signature of long-term target Sandro from Internacional for a £6m fee. Redknapp hinted in July that he wanted the club to move quickly in the transfer market saying:

“I think we need to bring in three real quality players that can push us on.

“This is a chance that ­Tottenham really shouldn’t waste. We have got ourselves into our best position since the ­Premier League first started, and we have to build on that.

“We now have to move ­forward and not take a step back and sit and look at what we’ve done.”

While this was seen as a hint to the club’s owner Daniel Levy to loosen the purse strings, Redknapp himself has also come under criticism for his actions in the transfer market. The former Portsmouth manager’s approach for West Ham captain Scott Parker has caused a major rift between the two London rivals, with Hammers accusing Spurs of tapping up their midfield general and vice-chairman Karren Brady blasting:

“Harry Redknapp has introduced something into the transfer market I call Harry’s Law.

“It goes: ‘Do what I like, when I like, with whom I like.”

It seems that Redknapp’s famed charm might be wearing off after also missing out on Joe Cole who signed for Liverpool. He is also ready to admit defeat in the pursuit of Man City star Craig Bellamy, who looks set to sign for either Cardiff or Fulham. Redknapp however has other ideas on why he hasn’t been able to sign the players he would like, claiming clubs don’t want to sell players to Tottenham following their success last term.

“There’s not been a lack of backing. The chairman’s done everything possible, but the clubs just suddenly don’t want to let the couple of players go that we thought they might well do,” confirmed the Spurs boss.

While Redknapp’s latest comments will defuse any potential row with Levy over transfer targets, the Spurs manager has opened up another can of worms by hinting at other clubs refusal to sell. City certainly wouldn’t entertain the thought of Bellamy heading to the club that beat them to the remaining Champions League spot last year. And Redknapp cannot expect West Ham to react positively to his approaches for their star man Parker. Tottenham also look set to miss out on targets Luis Fabiano and Diego Forlan. Spurs seem to be unwilling to match either players’ wage demands or their respective clubs’ asking price which effectively has priced the club out of a move. Levy does not want to break the club’s wage structure but he may be forced to if he wants to land Redknapp’s ‘three quality players’ over the next two weeks.

Redknapp has a reputation throughout his career of doing cut price deals while managing lower league and mid-table sides. It is generally easier to pick up players unwanted by bigger clubs than securing the signing of a club’s biggest asset. When you are attempting to do transfer deals for players that clubs don’t want to let go then you have to be prepared for long, drawn-out negotiations and have a plan B in place should a club refuse to sell.

While Redknapp may have thought he knew the ins and outs of the transfer market, he will have learnt a few lessons this summer. Last season’s success has increased the club’s stature and reputation and they may have to break the bank in order to land Europe’s top players ahead of their European excursion. Spurs will now have to move quickly over the next two weeks to ensure they don’t miss the opportunity to progress on the back of last year’s wonder season.

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Stoke City boss Tony Pulis is hoping to strengthen his squad following an injury-plagued start to the new season.

Pulis saw Mamady Sidibe join fellow striker Kenwyne Jones on the sidelines during Saturday's 2-1 defeat at home to Tottenham.

Club record signing Jones was already facing a spell in the treatment room with a knee problem picked up on his debut against Wolves before Sidibe ruptured his Achilles tendon on Saturday.

He is likely to be sidelines for around ten months which has left Pulis short of attacking options.

"Mamady will be out for a year and that's a massive disappointment because the effort and commitment he puts in for us every week is just first class," said Pulis.

"We've already lost Kenwyne Jones for the trip to Chelsea and though it's not going to be the six or seven months we first feared, it's still a ligament injury that could be another two or three weeks.

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"We're looking to bring in another three or four players but this has been our toughest start since we came back up."

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The transfer window shut some time ago now and we’ve had a chance to see most of the Premier League summer signings in action by now. Transfer activity was generally slow, minus Manchester City of course who might even have spent more than the rest of the Premiership teams put together, but as always deadline day itself brought at least a bit of excitement. It’s always hard to predict how new signings will perform: some will hit the ground running, while others will have to make do with warming the bench for the season. But some transfers have caught the eye: either for being great bargains or for involving potential Premier League stars of the future, or both! Here are ten of the best pieces of business by Premier League clubs this summer…

Click on the image below to see the Top TEN Premier League Summer Transfers

Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Sunderland marked the 4th successive time that Manchester United have drawn away from home in the Premier League this season. United’s stuttering form has been a real concern for United fans and their performance against the Black Cats can only be described as lacklustre.

With United seemingly stuck in an away-day rut, have they lost their winning mentality?

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson decided to rest arguably his most in-form player in Dimitar Berbatov. Instead of starting his form players, he chose to start Michael Owen and Federico Macheda against Sunderland; a move which backfired spectacularly. Ferguson realised the errors of his ways and replaced Owen with Berbatov just after half time and Macheda with Javier Hernandez on the 64 minute mark.

Ferguson’s decision to leave Berbatov of the starting line-up is puzzling to say the least. There was little need to rest Berbatov as the Premier League is now on a two-week international break. The Bulgarian has retired from international football meaning that he would have had plenty of time to recover before United’s next match against West Brom.

Berbatov’s omission from the first eleven is hopefully not due to a hubristic underestimation of Sunderland’s ability. In their last 15 meetings, Steve Bruce has failed to win against his United counterpart losing 12 and drawing 3. Saturday’s meeting brought the number of draws to four but Sunderland are an accomplished team and they showed that with a hugely impressive performance on the weekend.

Indeed, Sir Alex Ferguson admitted so much in his post-match comments. He said that they were “a very determined team” who had “the most chances in the game”.

While Ferguson’s post-match comments praised Sunderland, they also shed light on an interesting shift that has occurred in the mindset of the United manager.

Ferguson seems to be satisfied with draws against teams United really should beat. After the match against Sunderland, Ferguson said “the consistency of losing is something we can take [from the game]”. Similarly, against Bolton who are another team that United really should beat, Ferguson hailed the team’s “character” as United managed to rescue a point at the Reebok Stadium.

To shift the attention from United’s impotent attack, Ferguson was quick to praise the defence:

“We had to defend very well and the pleasing thing for me is that the back four were fantastic.”

“I am not pleased but I am satisfied. Sunderland had the most chances in the game and I have to say we were fantastic defensively.”

“That’s the area in which we have been leaking goals and throwing games away this season, so I am pleased with that.”

While United did defend well, it hasn’t been what has characterised an Alex Ferguson team. Under Ferguson, United have always played with a free-flowing attacking vigour and for Ferguson to emphasise the defensive aspect of the game, is to admit there is something seriously wrong with his attacking play.

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No doubt that the media attention placed upon Wayne Rooney has not helped the United in the slightest. The allegations about Rooney’s private life and his indifferent form have proved to be something of a distraction for the club but with the international break upon United, there is a chance for Sir Alex Ferguson to refocus his team and get back on track in the title race.

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Promising Aston Villa winger Marc Albrighton has signed a new three-and-a-half year contract with Gerard Houllier’s side.

The 20-year-old, who has been one of the stars of the opening three months of the season and who came through the club’s academy sysytem, will remain at Villa Park until the end of the 2013-14 season.

Houllier told the club’s official website:“The contract with Marc is until 2014. Marc has stepped up very well to the first team. Everything is about attitude – and his attitude is an example to everyone.

“He was devastated after being sent off against Burnley but he went to play for the reserves this Monday after being suspended for Sunday (against Birmingham City).

“Kevin McDonald (reserve team coach) told me his work-rate was fantastic, that his attitude and effort were an example.

“When you have the talent and the attitude, the commitment, looking after yourself, working hard in games, it means a lot. He enjoys playing.”

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Albrighton has made 18 appearances for Villa’s first team since making his debut in the UEFA Cup defeat to Spartak Moscow in February 2009.

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Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier heaped praise on substitutes Emile Heskey and Stewart Downing after they came on and scored in the 2-1 Carling Cup victory over Burnley.

Villa needed extra-time to see off their Championship visitors, with Downing's effort in extra-time at Villa Park proving decisive in the end.

Houllier said after the victory:"I don't take credit for the subs. The manager makes the decision to bring them on, but it's down to them.

"They scored the goals, I didn't. I wanted to rest some players but I knew at some stage, with other players tiring, they would make a difference.

"The problem with the subs is they have got to be in the right frame of mind. If they have the right attitude, if the hunger is there, then they bring something.

"Their freshness can bring initiative which was the case. Emile came on and changed the game because he held the ball up."

The Frenchman also paid tribute to the beaten Clarets, adding:"Credit to them, they played well. We made it difficult. We should have scored at least one in the first half.

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"That affected our confidence and we didn't play as well as we should have done in the second half.

"They really wanted it, credit to them. We really wanted it too, which is good."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

There have been reports this week that should West Ham fail to win this weekend, that Avram Grant’s time at Upton Park is as good as over. Whilst this may seem a touch melodramatic considering the relatively small point deficit between the Hammers and the main pack, the ease with which Grant’s side have been dealt with in recent weeks suggests that this game could genuinely make or break the league season.

Perhaps it is unfair to judge the current state of West Ham’s quality of football on their performance at Anfield last weekend, as the game was virtually over after 25 minutes. However, they welcome a side that without two red cards at Old Trafford last weekend, could have taken something off the former Premier League champions and this suggests there will be not an easy breath for any of the Hammers faithful before five o’clock on Saturday afternoon.

A victory would be a massive fillip, much could depend on which Wigan decides to make the long journey south. Grant may think he is owed a win, but the Premier League does not always work that away.

Prediction: 1-2

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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will turn his focus to the Premier League after Wednesday's comfortable 3-0 win against Red Bull Salzburg eased his side into the last 32 of the Europa League.

A Mario Balotelli brace and a further goal by Adam Johnson lifted spirits at a wintry Eastlands and moved City into the knockout stages of the competition with a game to spare.

Mancini said: "I am glad we are through as we can now focus on the Barclays Premier League."

On Balotelli, the City boss added:"I think he can improve on that performance. He could run more and take more of his chances. He might have got two or three more goals.

"My only disappointment was we could have scored more goals in the first 20 to 25 minutes."

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City's final group game is in a fortnight's time against Juventus who are already out of the competition after drawing 1-1 with Polish side Lech Poznan on Wednesday.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Barcelona defender Adriano admitted Real Betis deserved their 3-1 Copa del Rey win after a brilliant attacking display on Wednesday.

A 5-0 win at home in the first leg means Barcelona still progress to the cup semi-finals 6-3 on aggregate, but the Brazilian said all the credit went to Betis’ finishing, which saw them score all three goals in the opening 45 minutes in the second leg.

“I think that they were very focused. It’s been a while since a team went on the attack against Barcelona, and the manager said that he would use everything that we had in Seville. Betis are a very good team. They showed that (Wednesday),” Adriano said.

The 26-year-old added that the three points in Barcelona’s home fixture against Racing Santander in La Liga on Saturday would be the perfect tonic to recover from their first loss in 29 games in all competitions.

“Everyone is focusing on our loss and, as of tomorrow, we will go back to focusing on the game against Racing. We can’t wait for Saturday,” he said.

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“Four points is an advantage that we want (over the second-placed Real Madrid), but it isn’t definitive. There is a long way to go -the whole of the second half- and in football there have been teams with greater advantages who haven’t gone on to win the title. Anything is possible.”

“I can see a very nervy one-nil victory,” I said, when taking part in a game of Predict The Manchester City Score for a City podcast that I host, expecting Wolves to come to The City of Manchester Stadium, park the bus and for it to be all City, yet the team being unable to find the second goal (leading to a tense final few moments). As happened with Blackpool. And Bolton. And Birmingham (though City failed to get the first goal).

I, unlike Mick McCarthy, hadn’t done my homework on the opposition. Credit where it’s due, Wolves didn’t get what they deserved from their performance – City were only good for about 15 minutes of the entire match. The rest of the time they were distinctly average, while Wolves pressed and caused trouble every time they went into the home side’s box. McCarthy didn’t give the home defence time to pass the ball out, which led to long balls and, subsequently, City losing possession.

In many ways, I was actually quite close to reading the game correctly, though for entirely the wrong reasons. City did win by one goal. It was a nervy finish, where Wolves threw the kitchen sink. I couldn’t have been more wrong about the middle bit, though.

Having scored four times, it seems silly talking about a nervy finish. I thought the days of cowering behind the person in front of me, watching both teams score freely, were over when Roberto Mancini arrived. It’s rare that a team will score three times against City (though Wolves have scored five in total this season, which, I suspect, will be the most any team scores against them – tempting fate, obviously).

Nevertheless, City were 4-1 up with 25 minutes to play. And, having been fortunate to have gone in to the dressing rooms from a first half dominated by the visitors at 1-1, everybody in the stadium thought they had ridden their luck and were now pumping up the goal difference (which will never do any harm, especially since City are now suddenly considered title challengers – yeah, I know, crazy, what with never having been near it before). But, a silly penalty and a goal that might or might not have crossed the line later, and suddenly, the comeback was on, when it really shouldn’t have been.

In many ways, I hope that this is a lesson to some (not all) City fans. Far too many of us (me included, on several occasions, this season) seem to think that all the club needs to do to win a game by three, four, five goals is to walk out onto the pitch. “It’s only Wolves, we will win this game at a canter” is a phrase that tripped far too easily off the tongue over the past week. A fortnight earlier, it was “It’s only Blackpool, we can beat these easily.”

Yet neither turned out to be straightforward in the end.

No game in this league is easy. It’s a cliché I know and I feel very dirty for writing it, but it’s true: all games are difficult, but some games are more difficult than others. But with the investment comes a raise in expectations and ‘four goals good, two goals bad’ appears to have become the philosophy for certain people. The more important philosophy, though, should be ‘four goals good, two goals good also, as long as we’ve kept a clean sheet’.

Granted, those who expected City to win big before kick off on Saturday almost had a point – from being 4-1 up on 66 minutes, it should have finished as a big win. In fact, the three conceded goals worry me a little: a poor clearance from a normally reliable centre-back (made up by his equaliser), a needless foul for a penalty, and a free header from a corner (whether it actually crossed the line or not – in fact, this argument is a nice excuse for losing a goal through poor marking). I expect these defensive frailties are a blip, because, despite Saturday’s result, City’s defence is still the best in the league: 19 conceded in 23 matches, compared to Manchester United’s 19 in 21 and Chelsea’s 19 in 22.

Despite the criticism of having been playing defensive football, yet still having scored more than Tottenham, the team dubbed as the season’s entertainers by Fleet Street, City have been picking up results. When flowing attacking moves have been seen on the pitch and when the team is leading by a couple of goals, it’s become the fashion for the City fans to sing ‘boring, boring City’ in an ironic manner. I’ll admit, it does make me smile.

That and winning more games, these days. That bit is quite a bonus to being a City fan at the moment, especially considering we once saw only 10 home league goals in one season not so long ago. And three of them came in one game. Good Lord, if you missed that game with Fulham, you missed 30% of the home goals scored that campaign. That was ‘boring, boring City’.

But, if being solid at the back, keeping clean sheets (11 in the league this season) and winning games by one or two goals is considered boring, then I’ll take that boring City over the one that both scores and concedes for fun. I know that the latter might be more entertaining for the neutral, but I’m not a neutral. And City have caused more than enough people to develop heart conditions over the years, it’s only fair they stop.

In fact, call me selfish, but I’d actually quite like to win something in the next few seasons and, by keeping clean sheets, any team will win more than they draw. Any good team is built on solid foundations and behind the best defence in the Premier League (containing who I believe is the best defender in the Premier League in Vincent Kompany) is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.

Roberto Mancini has shown this season that he likes his defence tight and, on the whole, it has been. He doesn’t underestimate the opposition as it seems a lot of fans have been doing recently. He doesn’t think that a game will be a walkover because the opposition are below seventh in the table. It would be nice to score six or seven in a match, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not a necessity. It’s high time that fans didn’t go to games and get frustrated that the team isn’t three goals up at half time (slight exaggeration, I know).

Mancini’s City aren’t a machine that grinds out 1-0 victories with unattractive football. There’s good football played along the way. In fact, no, there’s been some excellent football played along the way. So perhaps a more appropriate chant would be ‘efficient, efficient City’.

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Though, I suppose, that doesn’t quite scan.

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