Spurs deny Mabizela alienation talk

Tottenham have moved quickly to deny that South African skipper Mbulelo Mabizela is being frozen out by his new team-mates.

Manager David Pleat held a meeting with the player today when it emerged that Mabizela, nicknamed 'OJ', felt his comments had been misunderstood.

Speaking on a South African radio station this week, Mabizela said: "There are certain players who want to make me uncomfortable. I will not name names, but I want to raise this with management."

Mabizela, 22, who has yet to figure in the team this season since joining the club in the summer, says he is frustrated purely because he wants to do well at Spurs and denies being victimised.

Pleat told Standard Sport: "I had a chat with OJ this morning. He certainly feels his thoughts and comments have been misunderstood.

"Any frustrations he has come through his impatience to achieve.

"He has made it clear to me that he does not in any way feel alienated and, as days go by, he will get more used to the dressing-room banter."