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Shut-out won't tempt Villas-Boas to spend

Paul Hirst
Monday 24 December 2012 00:00 GMT
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Andre Villas-Boas, the Tottenham manager, insists he still has no plans to enter the transfer market next month despite seeing his team fail to break down a stubborn Stoke City side at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham could have moved third in the table on Saturday with a win over the Potters but they had to settle for a 0-0 draw thanks to the frustrating rearguard action from the visitors.

Despite having fit-again Gareth Bale back in the side, Villas-Boas's team rarely threatened the away goal, and Asmir Begovic's only important save came in injury-time when Gylfi Sigurdsson tested him with a close-range header.

"I don't think we need to do anything [in the transfer window]," said Villas-Boas, who was missing Clint Dempsey on Saturday due to a groin injury.

The Portuguese is keen to offload some of his fringe players next month, with Carlo Cudicini, Heurelho Gomes, David Bentley, Jermaine Jenas and Danny Rose all potentially heading for the exit.

Another who may be on the move is goalkeeper Brad Friedel. The 41-year-old, who has been displaced by Frenchman Hugo Lloris as Spurs' first choice in recent weeks, has been linked with a return to former club Blackburn.

He tweeted yesterday afternoon: "I know there has been quite a bit of speculation regarding my future. All will be revealed in next couple of days. Happy Holidays!!!"

Stoke, meanwhile, are now eight matches unbeaten for the first time since they earned promotion to the Premier League in 2008.

Match Facts

Spurs: LLORIS 6/10, WALKER 5, DAWSON 6, CAULKER 6, VERTONGHEN 8, LENNON 6, SANDRO 6, DEMBELE 7, BALE 6, DEFOE 5, ADEBAYOR 6

Stoke: BEGOVIC 8, WILKINSON 7, HUTH 7, SHAWCROSS 7, CAMERON 7, ETHERINGTON 7, NZONZI 6, WHELAN 6, SHOTTON 7, WALTERS 6, JONES 5

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