Spurs players say sorry to their fans

14 April 2012

Tottenham's players said sorry to the fans today for their embarrassing FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester City.

Spurs were dumped out of the competition, and the prospect of a £600,000 cash windfall from a fifth round tie against Manchester United, after allowing a three-goal interval lead to slip away against opponents who played the entire second half with only 10 men.

The result sent shockwaves through the football world as Kevin Keegan's side completed one of the most amazing FA Cup fightbacks in the competition's long and distinguished history.

Standard Sport yesterday highlighted that Spurs players declined to apologise to the fans for a dreadful second half performance which wrecked their hopes of European qualification for another season.

But captain Steve Carr, who was forced to rush away from White Hart Lane straight after the game on Wednesday night as his wife went into labour and gave birth to a baby daughter in the early hours, admitted they had let the fans down.

The Republic of Ireland full-back was asked by the club to speak on behalf of the rest of the playing staff involved in the defeat. Carr said: "All the players are well aware that we let ourselves, the club and our supporters down with the result. It hurts and it will probably hurt for some time. But it is now up to us to make amends, we are the ones who can turn things around again and we will be doing everything we can to ensure that happens.

"We know the performance in the second half wasn't up to scratch, but even then we still created chances, and City's goalkeeper made some great saves. But this isn't a time for excuses."

Young midfield star Johnnie Jackson has told Spurs he wants a new deal. His contract expires at the end of the season but Jackson admitted there had been nothing more than tentative moves to secure his future at White Hart Lane. "We haven't negotiated anything yet but I want to stay here. They have more or less indicated to me that there will be something there for me. When I was on loan I would have said it was time to get away but now I'm playing and involved it is different."

Spurs face Portsmouth tomorrow with Teddy Sheringham set to return to the club following his departure last summer. Spurs still have injury doubts over Darren Anderton, Mauricio Taricco, Gary Doherty and Helder Postiga.

Striker Jermain Defoe, signed for £ 7million from West Ham on deadline day, is in line for his Spurs debut following the hamstring injury sustained by Postiga against Manchester City.

Meanwhile, Lazio boss Roberto Mancini has denied suggestions claiming he has spoken to Tottenham about the managerial position at White Hart Lane. Mancini insists that quotes attributed to him were fabricated and has today reaffirmed his commitment to Lazio.

The former Italian international was alleged to have told British Eurosport that he had held preliminary talks with Spurs but, speaking after his side's victory over AC Milan last night, Mancini claimed there was no substance to the story.

He said: "I have not said anything. These are completely invented words that never left my mouth. I will be staying at Lazio next season." Italian national coach Giovanni Trapattoni is still Spurs' No1 choice.

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Kevin Keegan

Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs players say sorry to their fans

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