SKY SPORTS NEWS caught up with Spurs Manager Richard Jefferies after training on Monday

SSN- So Richard another 3 points in the bag and another 4 goals, you must be pleased.

RJ Yes I am but not just for the points but for the performance generally, we got caught cold and let them score but really ran the show after that and could of scored more than we did.

SSN- Your team seem to be gelling very well now and the spirit seems really good.

RJ To be honest the team spirit has always been good and yes we do have a team which seems to fit well together. the midfield seem to be really getting things together now and it was nice to see young Musacchi pot a couple of goals at the weekend.

SSN- So no more changes due to the squad then ?

RJ Well i still have a few quid left to spend so we are always looking to strengthen, but i don't see my top players leaving especially with some of the weird and wonderful offers that have come our way over the last few days. Some top clubs seem to think they can steal my players on the cheap. My scouts are still working hard so lets see what happens.

 

Ascoli press conference

In front of the gathered media, a solemn looking Roberto Benigni discussed his concerns over the developments this afternoon. Having been one of the loyal pairs in football manager-chairman partnerships Sinclair shocked many by announcing his interest in the vacant Recreativo Huelva position.

"I was surprised when I read the news story and saw the quotes. Ascoli is a small club that has flourished in recent seasons. Our academy is regarded as one of the best in Europe producing talents such as Davide Raffaello (Real Mallorca), Tsvetomir Todorov (Arsenal), Mauro Sosi (Roma) and Daniele Capriotti (Arsenal). Some will say it was down to Jonny others will say he came along at the right time but under his leadership our youthful team won two promotions from Serie B against arguably bigger teams.

There was a consciensous decision this season to scrap the youth policy and get in players we knew could help us fight to survive this time up in Serie A. Palladino and Snodgrass have just 1 goal to their names each this season, which is disappointing as our new frontmen, while a lot has been spent on our defence in Isaksson and Lucio who have failed to keep the goals out. Fans have begun questioning the team and the management which doesn't create a healthy situation at the club.

With this in consideration and only taking 2 points out of 10 matches in the league, we feel the season is almost slipping away from us again with over half a season left to play. Clearly the lack of points and the distance from survival already, against such squad management decisions, is unacceptable at any club. Jonny has lived on the loyalty of myself and the board at times in his career with total backing at all times but we feel his recent comments to be a stab in the back on such loyalties. It is with great disappointment that we must announce the sacking of Jonny Sinclair with immediate effect.

We hope that the loyalty shown by the board over many seasons, and our realistic targets, along with a fantastic youth academy, will attract an ambitious and loyal manager to take the reigns."


Recreativo Huelva conference

In a dramatic night for Ascoli fans, Recreativo fans, and Jonny Sinclair, Petr Kellner found himself sat in front of the Spanish media moments after the breaking news that wantaway manager Jonny Sinclair had been sacked by Ascoli.

"We find ourselves in a strong position in the league. Deportivo and Levante are chasing us hard and Sociedad will be disappointed not to be closer to us in the league but with 9 wins in 10 we feel our form justifies an immediate return to La Liga. Last season money was invested and manager turmoil distracted us from our goals leading to our relegation from a closely fought division.

I feel the squad is good enough to fight again for survival and that the players are there to push up the league to even reach mid table under the right manager. I want to avoid the problems of last season which makes picking the right manager crucial for us as a club with ambitions.

With this in mind we graciously accept the interest in our vacant position from Sinclair and will keep him in mind when making a decision. Obviously him throwing his hat in will bring him to the forefront of most peoples lists now but because of the history of the club and the importance in appointing the right manager, we feel time is needed to think over an appropriate manager. The Spanish press love a good media frenzy, but we won't be rushed into making any hasty decisions that could cost us top flight football again."

Man City battle through!

You must be delighted holding Real Madrid to a draw Stuart?
We went out defensive and tried to get a draw. It will annoy me now that we were winning for so long and let it slip at the end but not losing was enough for us to go through. It was strange sitting opposite Chris because two weeks ago we were talking about loans as part of our feeder club deal and now he was fighting me to get through. I want to congratulate him on qualifying because he has had no time to build his own team and he had to come to England and get a result to help them qualify because they would have lost out if they lost this game

Are you pleased you have drawn AC Milan again in the next round?
There were much harder teams in the draw but they were not a team I wanted to play. They couldnt us in the group game we played but I know the manager is a good one. People still talk about him at Man C and they are one of the strong Italian teams so we will really have to fight to get past them

What do you think now a manager you worked with has just been sacked?
Jonny has been a good up coming manager and I think he did a lot of good work at a small team like Ascoli. He made things harder than they had to be by getting rid of the home grown policy. It sounded like the chairman was happy to see them relegated if Jonny kept things local. I think he could work well in Spain and half a season in the low league would help him settle to the different type of football before they got promoted and had hard matches. If he is short of work I would be happy to bring him in to the Man C coaching set up. We have some young players still here and some coming back from loans in less than a week and I think some close attention from Jonny could help them develop

Any transfer stories for us Stuart?
I have tried chasing some very big names but nothing has come off. It is frustrating. This is why I try to get players when they are young with potential and let them grow into good players so I dont have to try and buy the finished product. I dont like to pay over the top money for players and it feels like that is the only way to get these players. It makes me more certain I want to move to a new team when I have got a trophy for the empty Man C trophy room