Source: SKY_Sports
Pav suffering on Spurs bench
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Roman Pavlyuchenko's lack of action with Tottenham is causing 'psychological problems', according to his agent.[LNB] The Russia international is fourth choice at White Hart Lane with manager Harry Redknapp preferring to select from Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Peter Crouch.[LNB]Pavlyuchenko, signed for £14million from Spartak Moscow by former manager Juande Ramos in August 2008, was handed a rare start in the Carling Cup victory over Everton in midweek.[LNB]But he is likely to be back on the bench for Saturday's North London derby date with Arsenal, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1, with Crouch set to partner Keane due to Defoe's suspension.[LNB]And his agent, Oleg Artemov, has admitted that his client's struggles during his limited outings are more due to mental then physical difficulties caused by what he feels is Redknapp's lack of faith in his abilities.[LNB]PsychologicalArtemov said in The Sun: "His poor performance recently is not due to a lack of match practice but psychological problems. [LNB]"Of course, not getting into the starting line-up, sitting on the bench is not good for any player. [LNB]"But Roman is much more affected by the feeling that the manager doesn't trust him and prefers to use other forwards." [LNB]Pavlyuchenko is now set to hold further talks over his future with Redknapp amid fears over his international place with the World Cup looming in the summer.[LNB]Russia tackle Slovenia in a two-legged play-off in November with the winners booking their ticket to the showpiece tournament in South Africa.[LNB]MeetingArtemov added: "The World Cup is next summer, to waste another half a year on the bench may be very bad for his international career. [LNB]"It's hard to say if Pavlyuchenko's less than impressive performance in the match against Everton will influence his future at Tottenham. [LNB]"It may become clearer after our next meeting with Redknapp.[LNB]"Roman and I plan to talk to him again after Russia's two World Cup play-off games against Slovenia in November."[LNB]
