Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has told Roman Pavlyuchenko to prove he is worth a regular starting place when he features in Tuesday's Carling Cup clash against Everton.
Pavlyuchenko has fallen behind Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Peter Crouch in the pecking order at White Hart Lane and is no longer an automatic choice for his country, leading to Russia coach Guus Hiddink visiting Redknapp last week to discuss the striker.
Redknapp said: "I'm looking for a big performance from him. A performance that says 'you can't leave me out the team now'."
He added: "Guus Hiddink was here on Friday and we spoke about Pav, how he is, how you get him going. He had the same opinion as me, really.
"He said sometimes he shouts at him, sometimes he's nice to him, sometimes he doesn't speak to him at all, sometimes he talks to him. And he's tried all those things.
"He's a very laid back guy, Pav, but he's got good ability. We both feel he's technically such a good player. But he just needs to be a bit more aggressive."
Redknapp expects interest in Pavlyuchenko in January if the striker is not playing regularly.
"He's a player on the world stage. He's a World Cup player. So you'll always have interest, particularly in goalscorers," he said.
"Italian or Spanish teams would want him. Four strikers can be a problem. In all honesty, I'd rather have three good strikers.
"People say you can't have too many, but it can be a problem when you're talking about top-class players who want to play every week and in the World Cup for their countries. We have two who aren't playing every week. It is a problem."










Comment 1 - 9 of 9
I agree totally, Keane does not have the same spark he used to show at the lane, I say sell him this Jan and keep Pav.
We have enough young talent to comethrough if we need a replacement striker for a match or two, so no need to keep 4 on the books. Also agree with Wayne, its about time Bentley stepped up, even if he wants to move no-one will buy him at the moment, they've all forgotten what he looks like its so long since he was on MOTD.
With Lennon Injured its his chance to show why he should be picked. All we need this Jan is a quality Central defender to cover for King/Woody not just stand ins like the Hud
Happy birthday jbot ........... C'mon the Yids.
Keane had his chance with Berbatov. I don't really know where Keane's drive has gone to? He seems not so bothered... Saying that Liverpool made me like that doesn't wash. Go Pav make us proud man!
COYS!
I was at the lane on Saturday and selling Robbie Keane should be the first thing Harry does so that would give Pav a chance to shine he is better than Robbie anyday
Keep 3 strikers - get rid of the leaden-footed Keane, who trudges around the pitch as if he's wearing wellington boots!
We could have been second if they'd have got their fingers out on Sat !!!
COYS
We could have been second if they'd have got their fingers out on Sat !!!
COYS
It's my birthday and I'm off to the Lane tonight - life can be wonderful.
Not only pav has to stand up and be counted, Bentley has to stop feeling sorry for himself and get on with it too.
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