MALKY : "SPURS ON PAR WITH MAN UTD"

Friday 20th September 2013

CARDIFF boss Malky Mackay claims that instead of weakening Spurs, Gareth Bale's sale may have catapulted Tottenham into title contention.

Bale joining Madrid for £85m helped Tottenham go on a £100m summer spree of their own and bring in Christian Eriksen, Erik Lamela, Roberto Soldado, Paulinho, Etienne Capoue and Nacer Chadli.

And Mackay claims that the new arrivals have made Spurs a better side.

He said: "The talk all summer was that the Bale deal was happening, but Spurs went out and brought all those players in and then eventually did the deal.

"It looks to be very good business. Everyone knew in football that the players they brought in were top talents who were on the market.

"They were all going to cost quite a lot of money, but the extraordinary money that the Bale deal actually made for the club meant they were able to go and do that.

"It looks like a Champions League squad now, it is absolutely a match for the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.

"The players he already had were a good top-six team, but I think they have strength in depth with the players they have brought in. Some of those players I covet."

And Mackay claims that Andre Villas-Boas wouldn't be cut out for life in the Championship if he thinks the fixture list in the Premier League is problematic.

Villas-Boas has complained about fixture congestion ahead of their trip to face the Bluebirds at Cardiff City Stadium, bemoaning the fact his side will play three games in six days.

Mackay said: "They should join the Championship.

"We had to cope with that every week. It is something we are used to as in the league we were in it was a regular occurrence in terms of fixture pile-up and the games you have got in a short space of time.

"It is something you have to deal with and the size of your squad helps. I have got great staff here that organise the logistics, when we travel, where we stay, who plays, how we recover, and the structure going into the next game.

"It is something you have to deal with.

"But I don't doubt they will be firing on all cylinders on Sunday. The Premier League is the be all and end all for them.

"Spurs' agenda this year, I am sure, is to be a Champions League team. They may have a big fixture list, but they also have a big squad full of quality.

"I have no doubt we are preparing to face a team who are up for it and packed full of quality."

The titles a bit misleading. He says they're able to compete with the other big teams in a much closer and tighter way, where the outcome of the result is a tight one to call. Just praising the opponent before a big match, nothing more than that.

Anyone who actually thinks Spurs is on par with a team like United is quite simply deluded.

Still need a bit of time to gel and find the perfect line up and formation.. Eriksen is something else.

The titles a bit misleading. He says they're able to compete with the other big teams in a much closer and tighter way, where the outcome of the result is a tight one to call. Just praising the opponent before a big match, nothing more than that.

Anyone who actually thinks Spurs is on par with a team like United is quite simply deluded.

Agree.

Against Arsenal they looked like a team of lost individuals with no end product. Eriksen proved to be the missing link, they're playing as a well formed unit now, and are gelling a lot quicker than I would have liked