Blackpool Sack Ince

Blackpool manager Paul Ince has been sacked.With just one point to their name in their last nine outings in the Championship, the Tangerines have fallen down the table at an alarming rate having sat in the playoff places in the early stages of the season. The pressure had been mounting on Ince and his backroom staff for some time and the former Blackburn Rovers boss has been relieved of his duties, along with assistants Alex Rae and Steve Thompson. Skipper Barry Ferguson is believed to have taken training today and could be given a player/manager role on a permanent basis, according to reports in the north west. Former Bolton and Burnley boss Owen Coyle has also been linked with the vacant position having enjoyed spells in the Championship with clubs from the area. For now midfielder Ferguson is set to take charge of the Seasiders while they prepare for their next Championship game against Doncaster Rovers on January 25, as they go in search of their first league win in 2014.

Ex England and Liverpool Striker set to sign for Blackpool

Former Liverpool and England striker Robbie Fowler is contemplating a return to English football with Championship side Blackpool after plans to play in India fell through. The 36-year-old has played in Australia and Thailand since leaving English football four years ago following a brief spell at Blackburn Rovers. He was set to appear in the new Premier League Soccer (PLS) competition in India before its latest postponement saw him change tack and head back to north-west England, where he made his name with Liverpool. Now Fowler is training at nearby Blackpool, relegated from the l Premier League last season and currently pushing for an immediate return to the top flight. In a series of posts on their official Twitter page, Blackpool said: "Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has trained with the club today (Thursday) with a view to signing a permanent deal. "No deal has yet been agreed but (Blackpool manager) Ian Holloway revealed in his press conference the striker has impressed and is close to full fitness." Blackpool face Hull on Friday but the club dismissed suggestions Fowler would sign in time to face a side managed by former Liverpool team-mate Nick Barmby. "Contrary to some reports, Fowler would not be available for Friday's game, should he sign a deal," Blackpool said. An enthusiastic Holloway said "It's brilliant to have someone like Robbie at the club. He looked terrific in training and I don't think he's that far away from being fully fit. "Has he got some quality, can he play a pass, can he score a goal? Yes he can. I still think he wants to play and he's got undoubted quality."

Emergency Keeper Lansbury Stars for West Ham

Emergency goalkeeper Henri Lansbury kept out Blackpool as 10-man West Ham returned to the top of the npower Championship with a superb 4-1 victory. In the absence of a specialist replacement, on-loan Arsenal midfielder Lansbury was summoned from the bench to reprise a role he briefly filled for England Under-21s last season after Robert Green was sent off for a professional foul on Blackpool substitute Roman Bednar in the 53rd minute. At that stage United were 2-1 to the good following a dominant first-half display. James Tomkins planted a header past Matt Gilks and Nicky Maynard slotted home a second as West Ham scored two goals in four minutes, but Kevin Phillips brought the Seasiders back into the contest on the stroke of half-time when he nodded home Alex Baptiste's speculative cross.. But Ian Holloway's men rarely resembled a side on a seven-match unbeaten run and, with the exception of some routine handling that drew huge cheers from the away support, Lansbury was largely untroubled as Gary O'Neil and Ricardo Vaz Te completed a handsome victory. O'Neil lashed a crisp 20-yard drive into the bottom corner after Winston Reid's effort from Vaz Te's corner was blocked by Stephen Crainey and Vaz Te raced clear of a largely absent Seasiders defence to open his Hammers account in the final minute. West Ham are now one point ahead of Southampton at the summit with a game in hand, while Middlesbrough's victory at Millwall means Blackpool drop out of the top six.

Kevin Phillips joins Blackpool

It`s been confirmed that striker Kevin Phillips has  joined Blackpool after agreeing a one year deal with the club.The 37 year old also has an option written in for another year.

The former Watford, Sunderland, Southampton, Aston Villa and West Brom forward has joined the Seasiders in Portugal for their pre-season training camp.

He told the club's official website: 'I did a fair bit of work last year for Sky television watching Blackpool when I was commentating.

'Like everyone else in the country, I enjoyed watching Blackpool play and creating chances. It was exciting to watch and Ian Holloway is an infectious manager. That was certainly a major factor in me wanting to join Blackpool.

'I've scored many goals in my career and I still believe I've got many in me. Hopefully I can get on the end of a few of those chances that we create.'

Read more: http://www.birmingham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=246840#ixzz1RiAm82Hl

Liverpool Confirm Charlie Adam Deal

Liverpool have confirmed a deal has been struck with Blackpool to sign Charlie Adam.Kenny Dalglish has made it clear ever since he returned to the Anfield hot seat that he wanted Scotland international Adam, but an initial attempt to sign him in January collapsed.Now the Liverpool boss has got his man, with the Reds agreeing a fee believed to be in the region of £9 million.A statement on the club's official website reads: "Liverpool Football Club today announced they have reached agreement with Blackpool for the transfer of Charlie Adam.

"The player will now travel to Merseyside for a medical and to discuss personal terms."

Adam is expected to face no problems when completing his medical, with the deal set to be officially completed within 24 hours.

Blackpool wait on Europa League news

Blackpool expect to find out today whether they will be competing in Europe next season – but the players could be forgiven for hoping they miss out.The Seasiders are neck and neck with Fulham at the top of the Fair Play League, with the winners awarded a place in the Europa League.While playing in Europe would be a thrill for the fans, it isn’t quite as appealing for players.The first round of matches is scheduled for June 30.
That means the squad would have to report back for pre-season training at least a week before, giving them less than a month off following their epic Premier League campaign.Some players had hoped for much longer breaks to rest weary bones.

A Premier League spokesman told The Blackpool Gazette: “When it comes to working out the final standings in the Fair Play League, our match delegates have a lot of different criteria to check. UEFA auditors then have to come in and check things, so it takes time.

“We are hoping to be able to announce the final table at some point on Thursday.”

David Vaughan Joins Sunderland

Blackpool midfielder David Vaughan has agreed a three-year deal with Sunderland following the relegation of Ian Holloway's side last weekend.Vaughan has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of Blackpool's higher profile over the last 12 months and has had a hugely impressive season at Bloomfield Road.While Charlie Adam may have stolen most of the headlines - and speculation - relating to his future, Vaughan has also caught the eye of Sunderland manager Steve Bruce who is keen to freshen up his midfield.Sunderland somehow finished 10th in the Premier League despite chronically underperforming in the second half of the season and Bruce believes that the Welsh international can add the creative spark that the likes of Ahmed Elmohamady, Jordan Henderson and Stephane Sessegnon do not provide.Blackpool have desperately tried to convince Vaughan to sign a new deal at Bloomfield Road but he has resisted all those attempts, primarily because the 28-year-old knows that Blackpool can never match whatever wages can be offered elsewhere.

Blackpool's £10,000-a-week pay ceiling restricts their negotiating power and owner Karl Oyston has initiated an immediate 50 per cent decrease in wages following the club's return to the Championship and that is likely to have prompted Vaughan to hasten his exit from the Fylde coast.

On a footballing level, he has also more than proved his worth this season and underlined that he is good enough to remain in the Premier League.

He is expected to walk through the Blackpool exit alongside Marlon Harewood who is also understood to have agreed a deal with Championship side Millwall.

Harewood signed a two-year deal with Blackpool last summer but is expected to leave for the Den on a further two-year contract after spending the last three months of the season on loan at Barnsley.

Blackpool's DJ ready to rock the "Theatre of Dreams"

Blackpool striker DJ Campbell insists he has no fears ahead of the crucial meeting with Manchester United on Sunday at Old Trafford.
The hosts have clinched the Barclays Premier League title on the back of a staggering record at the stadium - dropping only two points all season. However Campbell, who took his season's goal tally to 13 in the victory against Bolton, is up for the fight.

He said: "I am sure a few of the lads will be nervous, they are only human. But I have been fairly calm throughout the season, which has stood me in good stead. Hopefully I will be able to nick a goal or two on Sunday and we will be able to do the business as a team. Fingers crossed we can."

He added: "The lads will be doing their utmost to get a win. If not, we want at least a point. We will be giving it all we have got to try and stay in this league.

"It is going to be hard, no matter what team they put out. They have not lost at home all season. If it is the second team or the third team, they are all internationals."

Even though Blackpool are in the relegation zone Campbell says people should be proud of the football they have played and applaud the work of manager Ian Holloway.

He said: "It is almost the same team that was playing last season and they were favourites to get relegated (from the Championship).

"When you put it into that perspective what we have done, at this level, against world-class players, we have over-achieved massively.

"I say to the boys all the time, there is nothing to be ashamed of.

"We have done our best. Hopefully we have proved a lot of people wrong and that we can do perform at this level."

Tottenham 1-1 Blackpool

A late 25-yard strike from Jermain Defoe earned Tottenham a point against Blackpool after the hosts had conceded two second-half penalties in a minute.Charlie Adam converted a 76th-minute spot-kick after Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes had fouled Gary Taylor-Fletcher.Gomes had saved a penalty moments earlier from the same player after Michael Dawson handled in the area.But Defoe struck powerfully past Matthew Gilks in the 89th minute to level a dramatic encounter.However, Tottenham could be without inspirational winger Gareth Bale for their remaining games - at Manchester City on Tuesday, at Liverpool on 15 May and at home to Birmingham on 22 May - after the Wales international left the pitch on a stretcher with an ankle injury following a rash Adam challenge.The result will frustrate the north Londoners, whose prospects of qualifying for the fourth and final Champions League place look increasingly bleak ahead of Tuesday's trip to Eastlands - City effectively need a point to deny Spurs a second successive top-four finish.
Tottenham, who have only won once in nine Premier League matches, were once again profligate in front of goal with Rafael Van der Vaart, Bale and Luka Modric all spurning excellent chances, especially in the early stages of the second half.
However, the result gives Blackpool fresh impetus in their quest to maintain their Premier League status with games at home to Bolton next Saturday and away to Manchester United on the final day of the campaign remaining.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp made two changes to the team that controversially lost to Chelsea, with Danny Rose making his first appearance in a Tottenham shirt in over a year at left-back, while Defoe replaced Aaron Lennon, who was dropped to the bench.
A lively first half saw both sides create good chances, but neither could produce a deft finish in front of goal as opportunities were squandered.
A thumping left-footed volley by Adam was brilliantly saved by Gomes in the 24th minute, while a Van der Vaart pass dissected Blackpool's back four and found Defoe, but the striker's run was a fraction too early as he was rightly adjudged offside before rifling the ball into the back of the net.
The hosts dominated the opening exchanges of the second half as the introduction of Lennon, on for the redundant Roman Pavlyuchenko, allowed Redknapp's men to play the kind of expansive game which enthralled fans at the start of the season.
England winger Lennon's pace opened up Blackpool's defence, but numerous opportunities could not be converted as the crowd's impatience began to show.
Gomes made yet another excellent save, this time to deny DJ Campbell from eight yards after good work from David Vaughan sent the striker through.
Bale's withdrawal increased the home faithful's worries - further exacerbated when Dawson was adjudged to have handled an Adam corner in the 75th minute.
But the Scotland midfielder's low strike was brilliantly saved by Gomes, diving to his left - only for the Brazilian keeper to concede a thoroughly needless penalty less than 60 seconds later when he chased a bobbling ball through a throng of players inside his own box.
Referee Lee Probert deemed that Gomes had obstructed Taylor-Fletcher and Adam stepped up and hammered his second penalty into the top-left corner.
But Defoe grabbed a late equaliser for Spurs when he collected the ball 30 yards out before unleashing an unstoppable drive into the bottom right corner for only his fourth goal of the Premier League campaign.

Blackpool 1 Chelsea 3

Two goals from Frank Lampard helped maintain Chelsea's Premier League revival and sent Blackpool tumbling to a second successive defeat.
John Terry gave the Blues a first-half lead after jumping unchallenged inside the box to head home a Lampard corner.
Lampard then converted from the spot following Ian Evatt's foul on Salomon Kalou and scored his second from 16 yards when put through by Kalou.
Jason Puncheon hit low beyond Petr Cech late on but it was merely consolation.
Substitute Brett Ormerod and Evatt came close at the very end for Blackpool for what would have been an astonishing ending, but at least Ian Holloway's men can take some solace from the fact that Puncheon's goal ensures the Seasiders - who are two points above the relegation zone - remain above follow battlers West Brom on goal difference.
For Chelsea, talk of a late bid for the title will increase as they are now nine points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand and a trip to Old Trafford yet to come. Their next Premier League match is against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on 20 March.
Chelsea's inspiration came from an unlikely source in the form of Kalou, who replaced the injured Didier Drogba on the hour, and provided the visitors with much-needed directness which was lacking when Drogba and the the subdued Fernando Torres were leading the attack.
He and the impressive Lampard combined impressively after the break to secure the three points against a Blackpool team which showed great character throughout.
Lampard played a part in the opening goal when terrible defending allowed Terry the freedom to jink inside the six-yard box and superbly connect with the midfielder's corner for his fourth goal of the season.
The recalled Jose Bosingwa, showing impressive energy down the right in attack but perhaps susceptible in defence, nearly doubled the advantage soon afterwards only for Richard Kingson to stretch every sinew to prevent the defender's shot from curling into the top left corner.
Prior to the opening goal, Blackpool enjoyed plenty of possession but lacked the guile and potency that the suspended duo Charlie Adams and DJ Campbell would undoubtedly have provided.
However, JPuncheon sparked the home side into life when the on loan Southampton midfielder set off on a mazy run in the 33rd minute and outmuscled David Luiz. The 24-year-old looked to have beaten Petr Cech with his low shot but, luckily for the Blues goalkeeper, the ball ricochet off the inside of the post to safety.
Blackpool were their usual entertaining selves, but Chelsea were always dangerous at set pieces and in the dying minutes of the half the alert Kingson had to punch away a Lampard corner from the path of the advancing Terry.
The home side were once again in the ascendancy after the break and appeared to have been given a slice of good fortune when Chelsea were forced into an unscheduled substitution, replacing Drogba, who had been struck above the hip, with Kalou.
But it was Kalou who was the architect of Chelsea's two goals as the lively Ivorian was brought down inside the box by Evatt, which left referee Mike Dean with little option to award the penalty. Lampard sent Kingson the wrong way to score from the spot and shortly afterwards the midfielder made it eight goals in 12 games after being put through by Kalou.
Blackpool now faced an almost impossible task, which was was made all the more more difficult when Kingston was forced from the field with a knee injury and was replaced by reserve goalkeeper Mark Halstead for his Premier League debut.
Ian Holloway's side fought until the end and maintained their record of scoring in every home game when Crainey caught Bosingwa in possession and Puncheon collected a pass from James Beattie to finish beyond Cech for a lovely strike.

Blackpool 3 Spurs 1

Brett Ormerod scored a landmark goal as Blackpool ended their six match winless run in emphatic style over Champions League contenders Spurs.The veteran striker sealed victory for the Seasiders following first half goals from Charlie Adam and DJ Campbell, meaning he has scored for the club in all four divisions of English football.Roman Pavlyuchenko pulled a goal back for the visitors deep into injury time, but it was too little too late in a game that will go down in Bloomfield Road folklore.Every man in tangerine played their heart out and demonstrated 'relegation' isn't a word in their vocabulary.Spurs were half the side that swept away AC Milan at the San Siro last week and were luckless in front of goal after amassing a colossal 25 goal attempts.
Ian Holloway handed Belarussian striker Sergei Kornilenko his debut following his transfer deadline day move from Zenit St Petersburg, whilst Ludovic Sylvestre replaced the injured Elliott Grandin in midfield.
The game’s opening was rather subdued until Sebastian Bassong bundled over DJ Campbell in the box on the quarter hour mark with referee Chris Foy immediately pointing to the spot.The ever reliable Charlie Adam stepped up to clinically dispatch the penalty past the outstretched hand of Heurelho Gomes to give the home side the lead.
Spurs responded when Steven Pienaar had a close-range effort blocked by Craig Cathcart, with Adam’s resulting clearance ricocheting back off the former South African and flashing inches wide of the post.
Cathcart showed his defensive quality once again when he heroically headed Jermaine Defoe’s effort off the line before Alex Baptiste cleared another effort from the England international moments later.In typical fashion, Blackpool seized upon their opponents vulnerability on the counter attack to score a classic breakaway goal on the stroke of half time.Excellent interplay between Pool’s attacking trio resulted in James Beattie crossing for DJ Campbell to volley home and double the home side’s advantage.
Jermaine Jenas replaced Wilson Palacios for the visitors at the break and immediately spurned a golden chance to respond when he dragged Pavlyuchenko’s inviting cross wide.Aaron Lennon was proving a constant menace down the right wing and crossed for Pavlyuchenko whose header drew a tremendous reaction save from Kingson.Spurs were inflicting constant waves of pressure on the Blackpool backline with every player in tangerine pinned back in their own half.Defoe crossed for substitute Nico Krancjar who failed to convert from a tight angle before Kingson pulled off another miraculous save to deny another Pavlyuchenko header.Modric chipped over the onrushing Kingson but his effort lacked pace and Baptiste cleared off the line once more as Spurs were left frustrated in their efforts.
Matt Phillips and Brett Ormerod were introduced on the hour mark and both combined to score the vital third.Phillips charged into the box before a defensive mix-up between Assou-Ekotto and Gomes allowed Ormerod to slip the ball into an unguarded net.The Bloomfield Road faithful were in full voice right up until the final whistle with Pavlyuchenko's deflected effort proving a mere consolation.
Looking back on a memorable night, an exuberant Ian Holloway said: “There’s not a word in the dictionary to say how pleased I am.“I don’t think we got we deserved here against Manchester City or Manchester United."We needed it, we've probably had one of the best nights I can ever remember, beating Tottenham Hotspur here."It was a fantastic night for everyone connected to the club. Does that make us better than AC Milan? I don’t really think so!"The gaps my lads are bridging in this level from where we were/should be is phenomenal.Unfortunately 32 points would have kept us off last season, and we know we’re going to need a fair few more than that.”

This could be the turning point for Blackpool, who have opened up a five point gap between themselves and the drop-zone.A tough trip to Wolves awaits on Saturday in what will be a crucial relegation six-pointer.

Blackpool 1 - 1 Aston Villa

Blackpool ended a run of five straight Premier League defeats with a deserved draw at home to Aston Villa.
Gabriel Agbonlahor put Villa head, finishing a blistering break by taking the ball around keeper Richard Kingson before shooting from a tight angle.
Elliott Grandin equalised for Blackpool with a near-post header from a corner, before Kingson denied Stewart Downing.
Jean Makoun was dismissed for a late tackle on DJ Campbell after the break, while Ashley Young shot wide late on.
Ian Holloway's Tangerines had lost seven of their previous eight fixtures, with their only top-flight triumph this year a 2-1 victory over Liverpool on 12 January.
That run of form had seen them slip to a season-low of 15th going into the contest, just two points above the relegation zone.
And some of their defending on Saturday afternoon was hesitant and uncertain but they improved through the match and can take confidence from a performance of great commitment against an improving Villa.
Gerard Houllier's team arrived at Bloomfield Road with just one defeat in their last seven fixtures in all competitions.
With England's midweek goalscoring duo of Darren Bent and Young in their ranks, they showed glimpses of the blistering attacking football of which they are capable.
There was a succession of early chances and Villa almost scored in the opening minute but Bent's strike was blocked by Ian Evatt.
The veteran defender was not so fortunate when Agbonlahor did put the visiting side in front at the end of a swift and precise counter attack.
Makoun won the ball in midfield and played in Bent, who immediately picked out the goalscorer. Agbonlahor charged towards goal and took the ball around Kingson before shooting between the legs of the despairing Evatt and into an empty net.
Sian Massey was the referee assistant who adjudged Agbonlahor was on-side as he collected Bent's pass. It was the first time she officiated in a Premier League fixture since the furore erupted about comments made by Andy Gray and Richard Keys.
Agbonlahor's opener was the 50th goal conceded by Blackpool in the league this season but they were only behind for four minutes before atrocious marking allowed Grandin, who limped off injured before the break, to convert Charlie Adam's corner at the near post.
Luke Varney should have put Holloway's team in front after a superb curling cross from Marlon Harewood but the striker headed wide.
Chances were flowing at either end and it took a good save from Kingson to prevent Downing from restoring Villa's lead with a low shot after the winger had been played through on goal.
Varney could not quite connect with a cross-cum-shot by Campbell, who was later inches away from converting a teasing Adam cross, while Downing shot wide from Villa - but both sides tightened up considerably and the opening half rather faded out.
The Tangerines took the contest to their opponents after the restart. Richard Dunne made a crucial tackle to dispossess Campbell, who later shot wide from a drilled Varney cross.
Varney shot over after Villa failed to clear a corner and substitute Jason Puncheon volleyed narrowly wide from 18 yards.
Blackpool's prospects increased when Makoun was immediately dismissed after a late challenge on Campbell.
Houllier brought on US international Michael Bradley for his debut to bolster the midfield and it was Villa who came the closest to a winner.
Villa failed in a penalty appeal after Alaex Baptiste tangled with Young, who then snatched a shot wide with virtually the last kick of the game.

Everton 5 Blackpool 3

Louis Saha grabbed four goals as Everton broke Blackpool's spirited resistance in a remarkable game.
The hosts dominated before the break and Saha stroked them ahead but Alex Baptiste's six-yard shot levelled it.
A neat near-post Saha effort made it 2-1 but Jason Puncheon's side-footed finish and Charlie Adam's measured header put the visitors ahead.
Saha headed home to level at 3-3 and he added his fourth on the break after sub Jermaine Beckford's fizzing volley.
It was a quite awesome match at a rain-soaked Goodison Park, full of incident, controversy and free-flowing, no-holds barred attacking football.
But the first 35 minutes threatened little of the excitement that followed as a strangely subdued Blackpool barely got out of their half.
Their attacking intent was once again on display as manager Ian Holloway opted for three up front, with DJ Campbell accompanied by full debutants James Beattie and Puncheon.
But their refreshing approach seemed to have been crushed by a run of six defeats in seven Premier League games and they struggled to get a kick.
Leighton Baines, Mikel Arteta and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov all wasted free-kicks from the edge of the area within the first 20 minutes as the hosts seized control.
Johnny Heitinga saw a fizzing shot beaten away by keeper Paul Rachubka, who was recalled at the expense of Richard Kingson, while Blackpool defender David Carney almost put through his own net after an unfortunate rebound.
Marouane Fellaini and Jack Rodwell also both wasted good chances but Saha's calm 20th-minute finish after excellent work by Bilyaletdinov on the left looked like setting the platform for a routine win against an out-of sorts Blackpool.
But the game turned from pleasantly entertaining to jaw-droppingly exciting when Baptiste bundled the ball in the leveller after Ian Evatt's shot from an Adam corner rolled along the line.
Everton then had a goal ruled out in hugely controversial circumstances when referee Kevin Friend disallowed a Saha effort.
Friend blew up to penalise full-back David Carney for a tug on Seamus Coleman, and his whistle blew just as Saha was about to see his strike cross the line.
Everton boss David Moyes was rightly furious but Friend had no option - even though he must have known he had dropped a clanger of titanic proportions.
But what - at the time - seemed destined to be game's taking point, turned out to be largely insignificant after a breathless second half.
The refereeing team emerged to a chorus of boos after the break but Saha's second - after wonderful work and a pinpoint cross from Baines - seemed to get the hosts back on track.
Maybe the sense of injustice helped and Everton continued to press with Rachubka forced into a decent save to deny Bilyaletdinov after a cheeky Saha flick.
But Blackpool were a different side after the interval and their belief was restored after Puncheon drew them level following a smart pull-back from Beattie.
A sweeping counter-attack saw them forge ahead when Puncheon steamed forward and found Campbell. The striker fired a fine effort against the bar but Adam was on hand to head home.
Everton responded and piled forward in search of an equaliser.
Neal Eardley was forced to hack away a goalbound effort and Evatt made a stunning sprawling clearance to deny Rodwell after keeper Rachubka inexplicably came racing out of his goal.
But Everton, chasing only their sixth Premier League victory of the season, were not to be denied for long and a frantic final 15 minutes saw them wrap up a victory they thoroughly deserved.
Saha restored parity when he headed home from three yards following an Arteta corner and just six minutes from time Beckford smashed home a wonderful first-time volley from a teasing Baines centre.
And there was still time for French striker Saha to triple his league tally for the season when he ran half the length of the pitch and coolly finished past Rachubka.

Spurs failed in late bid for Adam

Harry Redknapp has told talkSPORT Tottenham failed with a last-gasp deadline-day bid for Blackpool captain Charlie Adam.
Redknapp moved for the 25-year-old midfielder with just an hour left of the transfer window after Liverpool had another bid rejected.
But, despite Adam’s desire to move to White Hart Lane, Spurs were beaten by the clock.
He said: “Daniel [Levy] rang me late on and asked if I like Charlie Adam. I said 'yes, he's a fantastic footballer'. He said do you want him, I said 'can we get him?'
"We pushed on and tried to do it, Daniel was confident he could get it through. It went to the wire but we missed out by minutes.
“Apparently the chairman couldn't get hold of two shareholders who had to sign the forms as well. It's just one of those things."

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Andy Reid makes move to Blackpool

Sunderland have confirmed that midfielder Andy Reid has joined Blackpool until the end of the season for an undisclosed fee.
The 28-year-old could be joined at the club by Rangers striker James Beattie, who is undergoing a medical.
Reid has made 70 appearances for the Black Cats since signing for the club in 2008 but has been on loan recently.
The signing would provide cover for Charlie Adam, who has been the subject of a bid from Liverpool
Reid joined Sunderland from Charlton for £4m but has recently been on loan at Sheffield United. He started his career at Nottingham Forest before moving to Tottenham in 2005.
Beattie, 32, moved to Ibrox from Stoke in August but has made only seven appearances for the Scottish club.
Should the move go through it would represent a swift return to the Premier League for the forward who had a 19-month spell at Stoke.
He has five England caps and has also played for Sheffield United, Everton and Blackburn.
Beattie agreed a two-year contract at Rangers last summer with the option of a further 12 months and was the Scottish champions' first signing in two years.
The English striker, born in Lancaster, moved to Scotland after struggling to cement a regular spot at Stoke.
It also came on the back of a much-publicised bust-up with Potteries manager Tony Pulis in December 2009.

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Blackpool SIGN MOROCCAN SBAI

Blackpool have signed Morocco international Salaheddine Sbai from French club Nimes, the Seasiders have confirmed.

The 25-year-old left-back has agreed a deal until the end of the season with the option of a further year.

Blackpool have already secured international clearance for the player, who has two international caps, and he will be in contention for next Wednesday's Barclays Premier League clash against West Ham.

The Seasiders are not in action this weekend due to their early elimination from the FA Cup.

An article on the club's website, blackpoolfc.co.uk, read: "Blackpool FC can confirm Moroccan international Salaheddine Sbai has put pen to paper on a deal until the end of the season with an option for a further year."

Blackpool 2 - 3 Man Utd

Manchester United showed their character to come back from two goals down to beat Blackpool.
Craig Cathcart and DJ Campbell each headed in from Charlie Adam corners to give the home side a two-goal cushion.
Blackpool were denied a penalty when Rafael Da Silva appeared to foul Luke Varney before Dimitar Berbatov pulled a 72nd minute goal back for the visitors.
Javier Hernandez latched on to a Ryan Giggs ball to slot and equalise before Berbatov rifled in a late winner.
Blackpool will cite referee Peter Walton's decision not to award them a spot-kick when 2-0 up as a crucial turning point prior to United launching a comeback which increased their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points.
The visitors capitalised on a Blackpool side which tired badly during the second half following their stirring efforts of the first-half when their passing and movement helped them dominate the match.

Liverpool to sign Adam

Charlie Adam will hand in a transfer request today as Liverpool step up their efforts to land the Blackpool skipper.The Reds last night offered £4.5million for Adam but it was swiftly knocked back by the Seasiders.
They rate the Scottish midfielder at double that, having earlier snubbed efforts from Birmingham and Aston Villa.
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway, who claimed Villa's bid of £3.5m was an insult, said: "Charlie has signed a contract and someone can come in but it's not his choice and it's not theirs."
Kop caretaker Kenny Dalglish has earmarked Adam as one of the men to spark his Anfield revival.

Blackpool 2 Liverpool 1

DJ Campbell took advantage of some woeful defending as Blackpool completed the league double over Liverpool.
The Reds took an early lead when Fernando Torres fired a fierce drive high into the net after he was fed in by full-back Martin Kelly.
The home side equalised soon after when Gary Taylor-Fletcher made the most of slack marking to slot home.
And Campbell handed Blackpool victory after he was left unmarked in the six-yard area to nod in.