SOCCER:IT IS little wonder Rafael van der Vaart looks so at home in a Tottenham Hotspur shirt. After taking his tally for the season to 10 in 15 appearances with two expertly-taken goals against Aston Villa on St Stephen's, the Dutchman spoke of his joy at being part of a team whose style of play reminds him of the brand of free-flowing football with which Holland have been synonymous over the years.

Van der Vaart, who looks to be one of the best signings of the summer after Real Madrid allowed him to leave for only €9.4 million, also claimed there was a growing appreciation in his homeland for the attacking principles and easy-on-the-eye approach that have characterised Tottenham’s play this season.

“We have a great squad and I think it is going to be a nice season,” said Van der Vaart, who was making his first appearance in almost a month against Villa after recovering from a hamstring injury. “I think everyone likes Tottenham, the way we play. It is a little bit like the Dutch style and I really like that. In Holland everyone loves to watch Tottenham.”

Asked whether Spurs, who are in fifth place, could win the Premier League, Van der Vaart replied: “Yes, of course. We have the squad.”

The Dutchman is expected to play behind Peter Crouch against Newcastle United today after Tottenham decided not to appeal against Jermain Defoe’s straight red card at Villa Park. The England international begins a three-match suspension today.

Meanwhile, Andy Carroll and Alan Pardew exchanged Christmas Day pledges that neither man seems likely to break lightly. During a December 25th meeting at Newcastle United’s snowbound training ground the England striker told his new manager he wants to stay at St James’ Park for the forseeable future. In return Pardew promised to do everything in his powers to keep Carroll on Tyneside.

“I spoke to Andy on Christmas Day,” said Chris Hughton’s successor, well aware Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City are among a cluster of leading Premier League lights itching to recruit him. “I asked him what he wanted to do; if he wanted to stay.” The answer was more than merely affirmative; it left Pardew with the impression the Gateshead-born striker’s devotion to the club he grew up supporting could equal Matthew Le Tissier’s famous love for Southampton.

Any attempts by Mike Ashley, Newcastle’s owner, to cash in on a striker who turns 22 next week will be resisted. Pardew said: “On Christmas Day I said to Andy, ‘I do not want to talk for you; we are talking together. If you remain here it is great news for us. But it is important that you want to stay’. Wanting to stay was the case that Andy put to me and it is great news because we will make sure he does. That is why I am so confident there will be no problem with Andy in January – or, hopefully, next summer, the following January and the summer after that.”

Pardew’s confidence in retaining his 11-goal leading scorer is bolstered by Carroll having signed a new five-year contract at St James’ Park shortly before Hughton’s departure.

Carroll is imperious in the air and one of Pardew’s ambitions is to maximise his ability on the ground by varying the type of service he receives while simultaneously reducing a long-ball dependency. Should things go to plan, Carroll’s left foot may become as important a weapon as his head. Both are likely to be deployed against Spurs today. “I don’t think Harry will be underestimating Andy,” said a smiling Pardew, who expects Carroll to pass a fitness test on an ankle knock.