Source: Daily_Mail
LEO'S LONDON: West Ham beware, the money men are out to take advantage
Leo's Londonis a new hard-hitting column on the big issues around the capital'sfootball clubs. Every Wednesday, Leo Spall will cast his eye over themajor talking points in every corner of the city, analysing the PremierLeague big boys and shining a light on the lower-league sides. So,whether your loyalties lie in the north, west, south or east of London,stick with Sportsmail for the latest views..[LNB] First the good news: wealthy Russians are among the potential investors circling football at the moment. [LNB]Now, the bad: there is not a Roman Abramovich type who is going to pay top dollar to make all of a club's problems disappear among them. [LNB]Fans unhappy with the direction their clubs are taking ought to be careful what they wish for. [LNB]With West Ham, Crystal Palace and Charlton among those up for sale, the possibility of a takeover is double edged. [LNB] For sale: Crystal Palace, whose goalkeeper Julian Speroni was in fine form as his side drew 1-1 with QPR on Tuesday night[LNB]There is money out there for the right club at the right price. Not only are there Russians sniffing around, but Americans and businessmen from the Middle East too.[LNB] Simon Jordan, the Palace chairman, is confident a deal can be done for his club because he is their main creditor and the owners of their ground, Selhurst Park, have gone into administration. [LNB]He has had strong interest from a couple of parties, as have Charlton, and some of those looking at West Ham have put their interest in the public domain. [LNB]But the fact that no deal has been done yet for any of them is not simply a sign of dallying.[LNB]Saviours who are going to appease fans, shareholders and creditors alike appear to be a dying breed and something has to give. [LNB] The word from those involved with buying and selling clubs is that potential investors are waiting either for owners and directors to significantly reduce their price expectations or for 'a defining financial crisis'. [LNB]In other words, for things to get desperate. Administration fits the bill as it can seriously reduce the cost of buying - that is why Southampton found themselves a rich benefactor. [LNB]With so many clubs across the country potentially vulnerable to or actively looking for a takeover, investors can afford to wait for football to feel the pinch, for the recession to hit revenues and force clubs into a corner before making their move. [LNB]For them, it is common sense. For the clubs and fans who have to go through the pain first, it is a nightmare waiting to happen. [LNB][LNB] Harry Redknapp insists that Tottenham are still top-four contenders despite going four games in the Barclays Premier League without a win. [LNB]But if he manages to turn things around and keeps Spurs in the fight until the end of the season with the current team, he is an even better manager than he is given credit for. [LNB]Despite spending significant sums, it is only a year since Redknapp took charge of a Tottenham team fighting relegation. [LNB]Even with the basis of a decent squad then, transforming them into Champions League material was never going to be a smooth ride. [LNB] Room for improvement: King could only look on as Robin van Persie found the target twice as Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 win over Tottenham on Saturday[LNB]It is not only the Arsenal defeat that exposed Spurs at the back. At Portsmouth they were lucky not to concede a hatful. [LNB]What Tottenham need is a settled, reliable defence and that will cost more money. [LNB]Ledley King has already missed four Premier League games this season and Spurs have played with four different combinations at the back. [LNB]At one stage, the make up of the defence changed four times in a row. [LNB]Like good strikeforces, defensive partnerships need to find understanding and rhythm, and enforced chopping and changing prevents that. [LNB]Rio Ferdinand is an unlikely signing and his brother Anton is not the answer to the problems. [LNB]But if Harry can find the right man in January and no longer has to keep his fingers crossed that King and Jonathan Woodgate get and stay fit, the promised land of the top four remains a possibility.[LNB][LNB] [LNB]King of the Cottage: Hodgson[LNB]Roy Hodgson is not the sort of manager to push for a new contract, but Fulham should extend it anyway.[LNB]His deal expires next June and if he continues taking the club in the direction they are going, he is likely to find himself in demand. [LNB]Those who know Hodgson best say he is a straight-forward manager with no rough edges. [LNB]He is honest and level-headed. He is also clearly good at his job, gradually improving the Craven Cottage side with the help of a good coaching team. [LNB]Hodgson and Fulham are a fine fit too and when you have got a good thing, you should keep it going. [LNB] Harry blasts 'broken society' as he battles to keep Spurs off the boozeQPR 1 Crystal Palace 1: Darren Ambrose's hot streak continues£2m bill for West Ham after Curbishley wins constructive dismissal caseLiverpool's Philipp Degen red card appeal thrown out by FA - foul at Fulham knocks him out of Everton showdownWEST HAM UNITED FC
