Oxford Mail

The UEFA Cup - what a joke! Two English teams who probably have enough talent to go all the way simply couldn't be bothered to turn up because they have other priorities. Then why enter? Although Aston Villa and Tottenham qualified for the competition by right, there is nothing to say that they have to take part. Villa probably couldn't have dreamt that they would be odds-on to land a Champions League place next season; and Spurs would never have imagined they would be fighting relegation. But to field reserve teams in the knockout stages of what is a prestigious competition is not on. I am a massive Harry Redknapp fan - the jobs he has done at every club he has managed is just immense. But to criticise having too many matches is a joke. Reaching the Carling Cup final and UEFA Cup knockout stages can hardly be bad news - and if they had won more games the league wouldn't be such a concern. But it really gets my goat when there are a dozen other Premier League sides who would give everything to be in Spurs' and Villa's position that these two just can't be bothered.