So far this summer, since the transfer window has been open, Tottenham have been linked with the following players (in no particular order):
Marcus Berg
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Stewart Downing
Victor Obinna
Sebastien Bassong
Maxi Rodriguez
Jonjo Shelvey
Mario Mandzukic
Nigel Reo Coker
Ashley Young
Luca Toni
Sulley Muntari
Peter Crouch
Gareth Barry
Keiran Richardson
Rob Green
Djibril Cissé
Roque Santa Cruz
Julian De Guzman
Joao Miranda De Souza
David Beckham
Amr Zaki
Ivan Obradovic
Diego Milito
Aiden McGeady
Scott Brown
Diego Forlan
Kyle Naughton
Kyle Walker
Johann Pele
Bojan Krkic
Gabriel Heinze
Arjen Robben
Klaas Jan Huntelaar
Joe Hart
Glen Johnson
Sylvain Distin
Michel Bastos
Adam Johnson
Ryan Babel
Sanli Tuncay
Kenwyne Jones
Goran Pandev
Michael Owen
Carlos Tevez
Lee Cattermole
Marouane Chamakh
Eldin Jakupovic
Scott Loach
Christian Poulsen
Richard Dunne
Joey Barton
Vincenzo Iaquinta
Carlos Kameni
Nathan Thompson
Razvan Rat
Barry Ferguson
Jack Cork
Niko Kranjcar
Joe Cole
Steven Taylor
Obafemi Martins
Marcos Senna
Alvaro Negredo
Patrick Viera
Fabian Delph
Sandro
Kevin Anin
Julio Baptista
Osman Chavez
Christian Lell
Michael Carrick
Scott Parker
David James
Some of them you won't have even heard of. For some of them, you'll be scratching your head and wishing we'd signed them. For some of them, you'll be down on your knee's, thanking whatever religious deity you worship for it never happening. And some of them you'll grin knowingly, relaxing in the knowledge that we never had a chance of going for them and that it was simply media rumour and hearsay.
It's highly likely that I've neglected a few names, as well.
Spurs have always been known for making a lot of summer purchases, be them much-needed or unnecessary, but this is a staggeringly large number of players especially when you consider we only ended up signing four of them.
Some of them stayed at their clubs this summer. Some moved to the cash-laden haven at Manchester City. Some flirted with the possibility of joining us but eventually went elsewhere, perhaps to a team offering continental football or one with better title aspirations. But every single name on this list was reportedly in the process of a move to Tottenham this summer, be it a probing phone call from club directors or an all out transfer bid. That's a hell of a shortlist.
Who said summers without football were boring?
29 August 2009
The one where Spurs won the first 4 games of the season
August has been a fairly enjoyable month on reflection. Those who predicted a season opening of toil, tribulation and all round depression put your hands up now. I admit it; my hand is firmly in the air. Honest.
Whichever way you slice it, four wins out of four is a bloody brilliant way to begin a league campaign. The win over Liverpool was unexpected but beating Hull was more routine. West Ham away was never going to be easy but should have been won and was. And on to today’s latest three points. Birmingham at the Lane had a home win written all over it in a massive permanent marker pen. But those familiar with the club would have been aware that such hyperbole and accolade has often gone to the collective Tottenham head and would have had their feet rooted to the ground.
As it was, we made a tough fist of it. With Luka Modric and Aaron Lennon dictating things from their respective flanks, a home goal looked inevitable. But Birmingham are made of resolute stuff these days and held their ground admirably. They even had the temerity to try and burst the feel good bubble reverberating around the ground by scoring a goal. The utter cheek of it.
Injuries to Ledley King and Modric forced Spurs into changes and as a result Peter Crouch was introduced. As someone who has been a long time doubter of the unfeasibly tall striker, I have mixed views on the man but, given his performance today, credit must be given and in abundance.
For lack of a better phrase, Crouch stood head and shoulders (boom boom) above the Birmingham defence, having header after header kept out. Be it the crossbar or a pesky defender, he found plenty of obstacles that stopped him from penetrating the visitor’s goal despite a succession of chances.
But you can’t keep a man like Crouch out of the game easily. A Huddlestone free kick over the top, the big man gets his noggin on it and expertly directs it into the corner of the net. Cue pandemonium. I have a long running discussion with a friend about Crouch’s effectiveness. I have previously believed him to be one dimensional and, as I so expertly put it, ‘a bit arms and legs everywhere’. My friend thinks he’s the greatest striker since sliced bread and was ten times more excited when we signed him than I was.
It’s a debate that has left a dark hue over our friendship and there have been heated tensions aplenty but I have to finally admit I might be on the path towards altering my views. Not changing them completely – it’ll take more than a goal to win me over, Peter. But when you bring a player on who goes on to bully the opposition so much that they cave in to him, you have to give him credit.
But enough about that. Birmingham felt the need to equalise immediately after, undoing all of our good work and giving themselves a fighting chance of getting something out of the game. A mix up between Alan Hutton and Carlo Cudicini showed that the days of defensive howlers are not completely behind us and everyone’s favourite footballer and all round nice guy Lee Bowyer scored as easy a goal as he ever will. The tw*t.
Heads going down and that familiar sense of White Hart Lane disappointment setting in, it seemed a draw was the best we’d get. But perhaps that old adage about playing well and getting the lucky breaks is true after all. In the fifth minute of stoppage time (the fifth minute!), the boy genius Lennon collected Pavlyuchenko’s pass and slammed home his second game winning goal in a week and sent the crowd into delirious rapture – the new familiar White Hart Lane feeling. Three more points, still top of the league (ish) and a thoroughly satisfactory month of football.
I say we’re still top of the league – we’re actually second, having an inferior goal difference to leaders Chelsea. But it’s all fun and games at the Premier League summit and we’ve set ourselves up for tricky games against Manchester United and our fellow league pace setters in the best way possible.
The team looks quite formidable at present. A recurring point I’ve been making in conversation this season is just how strong our bench is. Jamie Dunn’s excellent post last week made reference to our squad depth and it’s completely true. To be able to call upon the services of Crouch, Pavlyuchenko, David Bentley, Giovani dos Santos, Jermaine Jenas and Kyle Naughton, among others, is simply a brilliant resource and that’s only if our considerably strong on field players aren’t getting things their own way. Whether Redknapp will strengthen the squad between now and the transfer window deadline is immaterial to be honest. We’ve got a fine squad as it is and it has the potential to take us far.
So, the first month of the season is over and we’re having a bloody great time of it. Redkanpp will be keen not to let his players get ahead of themselves and it’s important that we fans don’t fall victim to the same thing. Over-expectation can kill a team and if any club should be aware of this, it’s Spurs. But the signs are looking ridiculously good so far and the gold dust sprinkled all over the team by Redknapp back in March is still having a strong effect.
Long may it last.
Whichever way you slice it, four wins out of four is a bloody brilliant way to begin a league campaign. The win over Liverpool was unexpected but beating Hull was more routine. West Ham away was never going to be easy but should have been won and was. And on to today’s latest three points. Birmingham at the Lane had a home win written all over it in a massive permanent marker pen. But those familiar with the club would have been aware that such hyperbole and accolade has often gone to the collective Tottenham head and would have had their feet rooted to the ground.
As it was, we made a tough fist of it. With Luka Modric and Aaron Lennon dictating things from their respective flanks, a home goal looked inevitable. But Birmingham are made of resolute stuff these days and held their ground admirably. They even had the temerity to try and burst the feel good bubble reverberating around the ground by scoring a goal. The utter cheek of it.
Injuries to Ledley King and Modric forced Spurs into changes and as a result Peter Crouch was introduced. As someone who has been a long time doubter of the unfeasibly tall striker, I have mixed views on the man but, given his performance today, credit must be given and in abundance.
For lack of a better phrase, Crouch stood head and shoulders (boom boom) above the Birmingham defence, having header after header kept out. Be it the crossbar or a pesky defender, he found plenty of obstacles that stopped him from penetrating the visitor’s goal despite a succession of chances.
But you can’t keep a man like Crouch out of the game easily. A Huddlestone free kick over the top, the big man gets his noggin on it and expertly directs it into the corner of the net. Cue pandemonium. I have a long running discussion with a friend about Crouch’s effectiveness. I have previously believed him to be one dimensional and, as I so expertly put it, ‘a bit arms and legs everywhere’. My friend thinks he’s the greatest striker since sliced bread and was ten times more excited when we signed him than I was.
It’s a debate that has left a dark hue over our friendship and there have been heated tensions aplenty but I have to finally admit I might be on the path towards altering my views. Not changing them completely – it’ll take more than a goal to win me over, Peter. But when you bring a player on who goes on to bully the opposition so much that they cave in to him, you have to give him credit.
But enough about that. Birmingham felt the need to equalise immediately after, undoing all of our good work and giving themselves a fighting chance of getting something out of the game. A mix up between Alan Hutton and Carlo Cudicini showed that the days of defensive howlers are not completely behind us and everyone’s favourite footballer and all round nice guy Lee Bowyer scored as easy a goal as he ever will. The tw*t.
Heads going down and that familiar sense of White Hart Lane disappointment setting in, it seemed a draw was the best we’d get. But perhaps that old adage about playing well and getting the lucky breaks is true after all. In the fifth minute of stoppage time (the fifth minute!), the boy genius Lennon collected Pavlyuchenko’s pass and slammed home his second game winning goal in a week and sent the crowd into delirious rapture – the new familiar White Hart Lane feeling. Three more points, still top of the league (ish) and a thoroughly satisfactory month of football.
I say we’re still top of the league – we’re actually second, having an inferior goal difference to leaders Chelsea. But it’s all fun and games at the Premier League summit and we’ve set ourselves up for tricky games against Manchester United and our fellow league pace setters in the best way possible.
The team looks quite formidable at present. A recurring point I’ve been making in conversation this season is just how strong our bench is. Jamie Dunn’s excellent post last week made reference to our squad depth and it’s completely true. To be able to call upon the services of Crouch, Pavlyuchenko, David Bentley, Giovani dos Santos, Jermaine Jenas and Kyle Naughton, among others, is simply a brilliant resource and that’s only if our considerably strong on field players aren’t getting things their own way. Whether Redknapp will strengthen the squad between now and the transfer window deadline is immaterial to be honest. We’ve got a fine squad as it is and it has the potential to take us far.
So, the first month of the season is over and we’re having a bloody great time of it. Redkanpp will be keen not to let his players get ahead of themselves and it’s important that we fans don’t fall victim to the same thing. Over-expectation can kill a team and if any club should be aware of this, it’s Spurs. But the signs are looking ridiculously good so far and the gold dust sprinkled all over the team by Redknapp back in March is still having a strong effect.
Long may it last.
Poetic justice
Player simulation is rearing its ugly head once again and no-one is really surprised to learn that Arsenal are the chief culprits. A lot of players dive these days, don’t get me wrong, but over the years many have learned to associate this despicable practice with the Woolwich Wanderers’ best and brightest. Think Pires, Henry, Viera etc.
We’ve all seen the notorious incident; Eduardo’s idiotic but successful attempt to con the referee in their Champions League match with Celtic. It had no effect whatsoever on the direction of the match as Arsenal were bossing it and would have won comfortably. But the Croatian/Brazilian/whatever striker felt the need to throw himself down and pray the referee believed that he had been fouled. Unfortunately for Celtic, the ref brought it - Eduardo miraculously dusted himself down and then scored the penalty, putting his side even further in front.
Rightly or wrongly, Eduardo is likely to be banned for a couple of Champions League games and, to be frank, it’s about time – UEFA need to start doing something about player simulation. Arsene Wenger can moan about it all he wants (and, of course, he will) but Eduardo deserves to have the book thrown at him. There’s no denying that diving is a more widespread problem and that Eduardo isn’t the only perpetrator but examples need to be set and soon. Players need to learn that if you cheat, you won’t get away with it. It’s the only way it’ll discourage the problem. Wenger should man up and accept that his player was cheating.
Do Spurs have any reputable divers? Robbie Keane has been known to throw himself down in a theatrical manner although we’ve never witnessed anything as blatant and outrageous as the Eduardo incident. There was the Didier Zokora dive against Portsmouth a few years ago that riled a few people but, by and large, simulation is very much a big club syndrome. You don’t really see the big, burly northern centre halves of Stoke or Blackburn or Wigan throwing themselves around, doing their best Tom Daley impersonations.
Perhaps it’s a superiority complex. If a team with a big reputation isn’t having things its own way, then why not try and con the ref? After all, they’re a top four club, they deserve to winning on name and name alone. No? The list of culprits is alarming; Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole, Didier Drogba, Wayne Rooney - some of the best players in the game are tarnishing their reputations through their questionable on field behaviour. It’s about time that stronger measures were brought in to combat this insidious and nasty idea that it’s okay to cheat the rules.
Massively ironic it is, however, that Arsenal then went and lost at Manchester United this afternoon, giving away a slightly dubious penalty. Did Rooney dive to win his spot kick? Maybe. And if it can be shown conclusively that he did dive then he should be punished too. But Gooner fans out there dare not complain that it lost them the game in the wake of their own cheating scandal. Perhaps it’s karma’s way of evening things up. And then, as if to compound the whole sorry tale, Emmanuel Eboué commited the most obvious and atrocious of dives, getting himself booked and summarising the appalling attidude of some players.
They call it poetic justice, Gooners. Get used to it.
We’ve all seen the notorious incident; Eduardo’s idiotic but successful attempt to con the referee in their Champions League match with Celtic. It had no effect whatsoever on the direction of the match as Arsenal were bossing it and would have won comfortably. But the Croatian/Brazilian/whatever striker felt the need to throw himself down and pray the referee believed that he had been fouled. Unfortunately for Celtic, the ref brought it - Eduardo miraculously dusted himself down and then scored the penalty, putting his side even further in front.
Rightly or wrongly, Eduardo is likely to be banned for a couple of Champions League games and, to be frank, it’s about time – UEFA need to start doing something about player simulation. Arsene Wenger can moan about it all he wants (and, of course, he will) but Eduardo deserves to have the book thrown at him. There’s no denying that diving is a more widespread problem and that Eduardo isn’t the only perpetrator but examples need to be set and soon. Players need to learn that if you cheat, you won’t get away with it. It’s the only way it’ll discourage the problem. Wenger should man up and accept that his player was cheating.
Do Spurs have any reputable divers? Robbie Keane has been known to throw himself down in a theatrical manner although we’ve never witnessed anything as blatant and outrageous as the Eduardo incident. There was the Didier Zokora dive against Portsmouth a few years ago that riled a few people but, by and large, simulation is very much a big club syndrome. You don’t really see the big, burly northern centre halves of Stoke or Blackburn or Wigan throwing themselves around, doing their best Tom Daley impersonations.
Perhaps it’s a superiority complex. If a team with a big reputation isn’t having things its own way, then why not try and con the ref? After all, they’re a top four club, they deserve to winning on name and name alone. No? The list of culprits is alarming; Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole, Didier Drogba, Wayne Rooney - some of the best players in the game are tarnishing their reputations through their questionable on field behaviour. It’s about time that stronger measures were brought in to combat this insidious and nasty idea that it’s okay to cheat the rules.
Massively ironic it is, however, that Arsenal then went and lost at Manchester United this afternoon, giving away a slightly dubious penalty. Did Rooney dive to win his spot kick? Maybe. And if it can be shown conclusively that he did dive then he should be punished too. But Gooner fans out there dare not complain that it lost them the game in the wake of their own cheating scandal. Perhaps it’s karma’s way of evening things up. And then, as if to compound the whole sorry tale, Emmanuel Eboué commited the most obvious and atrocious of dives, getting himself booked and summarising the appalling attidude of some players.
They call it poetic justice, Gooners. Get used to it.
27 August 2009
How deep is your squad?
This post is guest written by Jamie Dunn, someone you'll be hearing more on this site from time to time.
The League Cup is a curious one; the ‘Big Four’ have enormous, continental fish to fry so when they enter the competition in the third round, playing the kids is alright for them. Meanwhile, the smaller teams can’t afford to risk the players charged with keeping them in the Premier League and so they usually fall victim to ‘upsets’ at the hands of Championship and other lower league clubs champing at the bit for a piece of cup glory.
We’ve never quite fallen into either category, which is evident in the fact that we’ve won the competition twice in the last ten years, reaching the final a further two times on top of that.
Last night we advanced to the next stage of our noble quest to win the trophy back from the hands of Manchester United, with a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers, fielding a largely unused set of players.
Several players were rested – out went Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane, Wilson Palacios, Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon, Ledley King and Benoit Assou-Ekotto – and that was the most encouraging aspect of the performance last night. That the players on the fringes of the first team delivered as convincing a scoreline as Harry’s preferred XI might have was both encouraging and refreshing.
Four of the five who found the net last night are yet to start a competitive game this season. David Bentley showed that, while he has fallen so far behind Lennon in the pecking order the little man can hardly see him over his shoulder, he still has a decent strike on him. Giovani dos Santos played a big part in the goal, showing great skill before his cross arrived at Bentley's feet. Jamie O’Hara, who impressed in pre-season but faces a challenge to dislodge any of our current favoured midfield, also scored with a well-taken effort.
For Peter Crouch it was a chance to score his first goal for Tottenham, a chance he grabbed with both hands as he (obviously) rose above the defending pack to head home. Roman Pavlyuchenko may have scored his last for the club, however, with the close of the transfer window looming large. Please, don’t go, Pav.
Granted, it was only Doncaster and anybody who watched the game or the BBC’s frankly Setanta-esque highlights show will know they were unlucky to hit the woodwork as many times as they did, while Carlo Cudicini was forced into action several times as well. They are yet to win a game this season and as a result even Kevin-Prince Boateng was allowed to remind us he’s still kicking about, giving away a penalty with his first touch before setting up Pavlyuchenko for the final goal.
So, Mark and I will continue to tell each other to rein it in, quietly enjoying being top of the table while it lasts and pretending not to be dreaming of taking home the lot come May.
But, we can all take our tongues out of our cheeks long enough to say that, while we're still probably not going to win the league, we may finally have some of that much-needed ‘strength in depth’ everyone’s been talking about.
The League Cup is a curious one; the ‘Big Four’ have enormous, continental fish to fry so when they enter the competition in the third round, playing the kids is alright for them. Meanwhile, the smaller teams can’t afford to risk the players charged with keeping them in the Premier League and so they usually fall victim to ‘upsets’ at the hands of Championship and other lower league clubs champing at the bit for a piece of cup glory.
We’ve never quite fallen into either category, which is evident in the fact that we’ve won the competition twice in the last ten years, reaching the final a further two times on top of that.
Last night we advanced to the next stage of our noble quest to win the trophy back from the hands of Manchester United, with a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers, fielding a largely unused set of players.
Several players were rested – out went Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane, Wilson Palacios, Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon, Ledley King and Benoit Assou-Ekotto – and that was the most encouraging aspect of the performance last night. That the players on the fringes of the first team delivered as convincing a scoreline as Harry’s preferred XI might have was both encouraging and refreshing.
Four of the five who found the net last night are yet to start a competitive game this season. David Bentley showed that, while he has fallen so far behind Lennon in the pecking order the little man can hardly see him over his shoulder, he still has a decent strike on him. Giovani dos Santos played a big part in the goal, showing great skill before his cross arrived at Bentley's feet. Jamie O’Hara, who impressed in pre-season but faces a challenge to dislodge any of our current favoured midfield, also scored with a well-taken effort.
For Peter Crouch it was a chance to score his first goal for Tottenham, a chance he grabbed with both hands as he (obviously) rose above the defending pack to head home. Roman Pavlyuchenko may have scored his last for the club, however, with the close of the transfer window looming large. Please, don’t go, Pav.
Granted, it was only Doncaster and anybody who watched the game or the BBC’s frankly Setanta-esque highlights show will know they were unlucky to hit the woodwork as many times as they did, while Carlo Cudicini was forced into action several times as well. They are yet to win a game this season and as a result even Kevin-Prince Boateng was allowed to remind us he’s still kicking about, giving away a penalty with his first touch before setting up Pavlyuchenko for the final goal.
So, Mark and I will continue to tell each other to rein it in, quietly enjoying being top of the table while it lasts and pretending not to be dreaming of taking home the lot come May.
But, we can all take our tongues out of our cheeks long enough to say that, while we're still probably not going to win the league, we may finally have some of that much-needed ‘strength in depth’ everyone’s been talking about.
23 August 2009
2-1 in their cup final
Nine points three games. It's the new buzz phrase reverberating around White Hart Lane and it's music to millions of people's ears.
Today's win over West Ham was 100% deserved even if there was a hint of fortune surrounding Jermain Defoe's equaliser. Carlton Cole, you have my sincerest thanks. Aaron Lennon's winner was as spectacular as anything Spurs have produced so far this season and, amidst the feeling of disbelief over just how well the season is going so far, there's growing optimism.
1960 was the last time Tottenham won the first three games of the season. They went on to win the first 11 and the title that season, although it's premature to suggest that this Spurs breed are capable of such a feat. The media are already building us up for a fall - if I read one more grandiose statement in the media that we're showing signs of breaking the top four monopoly, I'll lose my sanity.
It's as if they really do want the chance to lay into us when we inevitably don't break into the elusive Premier League elite. It's all well and good us winning the first three games and being top of the league but only a fool could say that this is a sure sign of success. One needs only look at Aston Villa's spectacular fall from grace towards the end of last year. If Tottenham and Harry Redknapp are sensible, they'll ban their players from any top four talk in the media so at least they'll not be able to say we built ourselves up.
Cynicism about the media aside, it's a wonderful time to be a Tottenham fan and a period of success that's been all to rare in the past few seasons. Birmingham next up should be a game we approach with confidence and, although taking on newly promoted teams is never a walk in the park, Redknapp's men will not be anxious about the task. Barring a outrageous loss of confidence or a Die Hard-scale injury crisis, expect another three points come next weekend.
As for me, I'm off away for the next week so blog posts will be either seldom or non-existent. Many apologies but expect regular service to be resumed as soon as possible. COYS.
Today's win over West Ham was 100% deserved even if there was a hint of fortune surrounding Jermain Defoe's equaliser. Carlton Cole, you have my sincerest thanks. Aaron Lennon's winner was as spectacular as anything Spurs have produced so far this season and, amidst the feeling of disbelief over just how well the season is going so far, there's growing optimism.
1960 was the last time Tottenham won the first three games of the season. They went on to win the first 11 and the title that season, although it's premature to suggest that this Spurs breed are capable of such a feat. The media are already building us up for a fall - if I read one more grandiose statement in the media that we're showing signs of breaking the top four monopoly, I'll lose my sanity.
It's as if they really do want the chance to lay into us when we inevitably don't break into the elusive Premier League elite. It's all well and good us winning the first three games and being top of the league but only a fool could say that this is a sure sign of success. One needs only look at Aston Villa's spectacular fall from grace towards the end of last year. If Tottenham and Harry Redknapp are sensible, they'll ban their players from any top four talk in the media so at least they'll not be able to say we built ourselves up.
Cynicism about the media aside, it's a wonderful time to be a Tottenham fan and a period of success that's been all to rare in the past few seasons. Birmingham next up should be a game we approach with confidence and, although taking on newly promoted teams is never a walk in the park, Redknapp's men will not be anxious about the task. Barring a outrageous loss of confidence or a Die Hard-scale injury crisis, expect another three points come next weekend.
As for me, I'm off away for the next week so blog posts will be either seldom or non-existent. Many apologies but expect regular service to be resumed as soon as possible. COYS.
20 August 2009
And then there were five
Enough said.Only one thing grates about last night's sublime win and our ascension to the Premier League summit. Watching the bliss unfold on Sky Sports News in a pub in Southampton, I bore witness to news of each of the first four goals and celebrated in the manner of appropriate euphoria. I was particularly eager for Defoe to claim his hat-trick both for the glory of it and the rather selfish fact that he's in my Premier League fantasy team (I'm winning two different mates leagues, if anyone's interested).
Sensing that the fat lady had done her job and that the game was as good as over, I made an ill-timed trip to the bathroom and was just leaving as I received a text message informing me JD had just twatted the life out of the ball, sending it soaring into the back of the net for his third goal. I missed the moment of celebration to satisfy my bladder's inadequacies. Pissed off doesn't quite cover it.
Still, it's churlish to be downhearted at a time like this. In almost 21 years of following Tottenham, this is only the second time in memory that we've graced the number one spot, however momentarily it'll be. And frankly, it feels fucking fantastic.
Everything about last night went to plan. From Defoe's pace and movement, to Keane's intelligence and vision. From Palacios' grit and determination to Modric's ingenuity. Whisper it quietly but they're looking like a team our there. Huddlestone was again impressive, combining his superb passing with an improved work rate. The defence looked stable as anything yet again - Bassong is looking every inch the perfect occasional replacement for King and Woodgate. It was also nice to see Alan Hutton back playing again instead of getting into violent altercations with his father.
The goals were sublime. Palacios covered an outrageous amount of ground for his goal, not to mention the slick buildup play. Keane deserved his solitary goal having had so much positive influence on the game. Defoe's hat trick was a perfect exhibition of clinical finishing. His third goal was so perfect it looked like a training ground routine. Lennon showed exceptional strength to hold the ball up and Defoe's strike was so fierce it flew into the net faster than you can say 'take me to the World Cup please, Mr Capello'.
Our next two games are both hugely winnable, too. As if first place after two games wasn't enough. West Ham away is always tricky but our results there are always good and Harry will be keen to continue the habit. And Birmingham at home should be as close to a rout as you'd hope. If you'd have said to me before the season that there's a good chance of getting four wins from four games, I'd have laughed in your face. But should the sensible football that we've displayed in the first two games continue, there's no reason why we should be hovering around the top four come the end of the month.
It's important not to get carried away. After all, being top after two games means nothing. But the start Tottenham have achieved should provide the team with insane momentum and, with any luck, it'll spill out all over Upton Park come Sunday.
Before the season started there was loads of talk about the new 'top five'. Looks like the predictions were right.
16 August 2009
Three points, one game
I’m in a parallel drawing mood so bear with me.
The last time Spurs won their opening fixture it was 2005. There was an Ashes series on, which was heading to The Oval for its deciding fixture. Spurs had been to Asia in pre-season and had picked up some trivial silverware in the form of the Peace Cup. Manager Martin Jol was embarking on his first full season in charge at the club and there was whispered talk of a prosperous year.
Fast forward four years and its 2009. There’s another Ashes series going on and it’s going down the wire at The Oval next week. Spurs won the Barclays Asia Trophy out in China after dispatching West Ham and Hull. Harry Redknapp is just beginning his first full season at the helm at White Hart Lane. And the result of our first game was? A brilliant, backs to the wall 2-1 victory over highly fancied Liverpool. As Harry would put it - t’riffic.
The ‘two points eight games’ routine is over for good this season at the first time of asking. Last year, as we stumbled through the opening few games with about as much direction as a drunk 16 year old, the possibility of an early three points seemed ridiculously elusive. Thankfully, Spurs quickly got their first win - in doing so, getting the monkey of their back and kicking things off in the best possible manner.
The fact that today’s win came against title pretenders Liverpool only adds to the magnificence of it all. An opening day three points and a top four scalp – talk about killing two birds with one stone. If Redknapp was looking for his team to lay down a marker to the rest of the Premier League that they wouldn’t be the pushovers that they can be, then a hard fought win was the perfect tonic. Liverpool have been warned and although the rest of the league won’t quite be quaking with fear yet, heads will have been ever so slightly turned.
Just about most areas of the performance were extremely pleasing. Luka Modric continued where he left of last season with a scintillating display, working the ball incredibly and having better vision than pretty much everyone else on the pitch. Wilson Palacios was his usual uncompromising self, snapping and biting at the heels of the Liverpool midfield and patrolling his borders with renewed vigour. It’s as if last season never ended for these two players and if Tottenham are to continue progressing, it’s fairly obvious that they’ll both be huge figures.
Seb Bassong, regardless of his goal, played nicely and didn’t look too out of place alongside the authoritative Ledley King. To be fair, the whole defence looked extremely well drilled. Fernando Torres was providing Benoit Assou Ekotto with all manner of problems early doors but he reacted well. If there is one thing Redknapp should be trying to keep in place it’s the defensive stability Tottenham displayed at the back end of last year and this afternoon.
Keano had a mixed game; he was alert, active and got himself into some nice spaces but the fact his name isn’t on the score sheet is indicative of his profligacy. The excellent save from Pepe Reina can be used as an excuse for one of chances he didn’t take but with the current competition for forward places, Keane will need a few goals early on before he and others start to fret over his place. The last thing Keane needs is moving to yet another club – he needs to realise he is better off here and that he shouldn’t panic over the number of strikers at the club.
So what does this start mean for the rest of the season? Hopefully, if Redknapp has any sense, it won’t be overplayed. A win is a win and this will do wonders for both the team and their confidence. But if the players spend too much time dwelling on this result then it could derail their season. Enjoy it, bask in the glory of it for a day or two but please do not let it go to your heads.
Hull away next on Wednesday and certainly another winnable game. It’s not the easiest away game but if what we suspect is true and Redknapp has installed genuine belief in his players, then they will travel up north knowing that they have the ability to overcome the opposition. Whisper it extremely quietly but another three points and we could be sitting ever so briefly near the summit of the Premier League.
Three points, one game. It’s all kicked off and in wonderful fashion.
The last time Spurs won their opening fixture it was 2005. There was an Ashes series on, which was heading to The Oval for its deciding fixture. Spurs had been to Asia in pre-season and had picked up some trivial silverware in the form of the Peace Cup. Manager Martin Jol was embarking on his first full season in charge at the club and there was whispered talk of a prosperous year.
Fast forward four years and its 2009. There’s another Ashes series going on and it’s going down the wire at The Oval next week. Spurs won the Barclays Asia Trophy out in China after dispatching West Ham and Hull. Harry Redknapp is just beginning his first full season at the helm at White Hart Lane. And the result of our first game was? A brilliant, backs to the wall 2-1 victory over highly fancied Liverpool. As Harry would put it - t’riffic.
The ‘two points eight games’ routine is over for good this season at the first time of asking. Last year, as we stumbled through the opening few games with about as much direction as a drunk 16 year old, the possibility of an early three points seemed ridiculously elusive. Thankfully, Spurs quickly got their first win - in doing so, getting the monkey of their back and kicking things off in the best possible manner.
The fact that today’s win came against title pretenders Liverpool only adds to the magnificence of it all. An opening day three points and a top four scalp – talk about killing two birds with one stone. If Redknapp was looking for his team to lay down a marker to the rest of the Premier League that they wouldn’t be the pushovers that they can be, then a hard fought win was the perfect tonic. Liverpool have been warned and although the rest of the league won’t quite be quaking with fear yet, heads will have been ever so slightly turned.
Just about most areas of the performance were extremely pleasing. Luka Modric continued where he left of last season with a scintillating display, working the ball incredibly and having better vision than pretty much everyone else on the pitch. Wilson Palacios was his usual uncompromising self, snapping and biting at the heels of the Liverpool midfield and patrolling his borders with renewed vigour. It’s as if last season never ended for these two players and if Tottenham are to continue progressing, it’s fairly obvious that they’ll both be huge figures.
Seb Bassong, regardless of his goal, played nicely and didn’t look too out of place alongside the authoritative Ledley King. To be fair, the whole defence looked extremely well drilled. Fernando Torres was providing Benoit Assou Ekotto with all manner of problems early doors but he reacted well. If there is one thing Redknapp should be trying to keep in place it’s the defensive stability Tottenham displayed at the back end of last year and this afternoon.
Keano had a mixed game; he was alert, active and got himself into some nice spaces but the fact his name isn’t on the score sheet is indicative of his profligacy. The excellent save from Pepe Reina can be used as an excuse for one of chances he didn’t take but with the current competition for forward places, Keane will need a few goals early on before he and others start to fret over his place. The last thing Keane needs is moving to yet another club – he needs to realise he is better off here and that he shouldn’t panic over the number of strikers at the club.
So what does this start mean for the rest of the season? Hopefully, if Redknapp has any sense, it won’t be overplayed. A win is a win and this will do wonders for both the team and their confidence. But if the players spend too much time dwelling on this result then it could derail their season. Enjoy it, bask in the glory of it for a day or two but please do not let it go to your heads.
Hull away next on Wednesday and certainly another winnable game. It’s not the easiest away game but if what we suspect is true and Redknapp has installed genuine belief in his players, then they will travel up north knowing that they have the ability to overcome the opposition. Whisper it extremely quietly but another three points and we could be sitting ever so briefly near the summit of the Premier League.
Three points, one game. It’s all kicked off and in wonderful fashion.
15 August 2009
The wonders of imagination
It’s the second half. Liverpool have bossed it and lead 1-0 through a deflected shot from Dirk Kuyt. Torres is giving Bassong the run-around. Heads are dropping and the outlook is bleak.
Suddenly, as if from nowhere, Torres is through on goal. He’s got about 35 yards to go. King’s been caught out and it looks as if the Spaniard is going to double his team’s lead. A lone Spurs player hares towards him in an effort to catch up - think Speedy Gonzalez on LSD. It seems certain to be a lost cause but he carries on regardless.
Torres sees him out of the corner of his eye and hesitates slightly. He reaches the box and the Tottenham player has just about caught him. As Torres shapes to shoot, the Spurs player sticks out his foot and wraps it around the ball, sliding along the ground to steady himself. Incredibly, without making contact with Torres at all, he pokes the ball away from the striker and it trickles across for a corner.
To the cheers of the White Hart Lane crowd, Jermaine Jenas claps his hands together and pumps his fist, roaring to his team mates to step up their efforts. Gomes comes across and pats him supportively on the back. Jenas, living in the moment and not the adulation, steadies himself and as the resulting corner drifts in, he rises high above the attacking pack and firmly heads it to safety. Again, he looks ridiculously pumped up and cajoles his colleagues with all the enthusiasm a box-to-box central midfielder should have. It’s as if he’s saying ‘I can do it, why can’t you help me?’
A simmering fervour has been induced in the crowd. The players suddenly look alert and active. Modric has the ball on the halfway line as Liverpool defend in numbers. He goes inside and finds Jenas in a bit of space. He effortlessly controls the ball and rides a challenge from Javier Mascherano, using his considerable upper body strength. He exchanges passes with Keane as he moves powerfully towards the Liverpool goal. Another tackle comes flying in; Jenas flicks the ball past the onrushing defender and follows the path of it.
He’s reached the edge of the area now. The fans are urging him on, praying he can continue his amazing run. Defoe peels off into space to the midfield dynamo’s left and, without hesitation, moves the ball into the path of the diminutive striker. Defoe’s snap shot is brilliantly pushed out by Reina. The crowd sigh in unison but Jenas, in outstanding defiance of his own fatigue, has continued his run. The ball trickles out and, before Jamie Carragher can react, Jenas thumps it across the line with all the power his right boot can muster.
Spurs have levelled, having been outplayed for the majority of the game and there’s no doubt what or who has been the catalyst. Jenas jogs away in front of the Park Lane fans and stops to stand in front of them, arms aloft. The players rush to embrace him; Jenas’ celebration remains muted, as if he knows there is more to do. The crowd are shaking the very foundations of the famous old stadium, such is the euphoria on display.
Jenas, such a maligned figure, has taken a massive step to silencing his doubters and proving that there is more to his game than what he’s offered so far in his career at Spurs. He knows that one goal won’t make him a star and he’s aware that he needs to work hard to guarantee his place in the side. But this offering, this little glimmer of potential, has shown the fans that he is capable. As the players trot back to their half for the game to restart, Jenas allows himself a tiny smile. The crowd sing his name, the momentum is with Tottenham and anything is possible both in the game and the rest of the season.
And then reality kicks in and I realise it was all just a blissful dream.
Suddenly, as if from nowhere, Torres is through on goal. He’s got about 35 yards to go. King’s been caught out and it looks as if the Spaniard is going to double his team’s lead. A lone Spurs player hares towards him in an effort to catch up - think Speedy Gonzalez on LSD. It seems certain to be a lost cause but he carries on regardless.
Torres sees him out of the corner of his eye and hesitates slightly. He reaches the box and the Tottenham player has just about caught him. As Torres shapes to shoot, the Spurs player sticks out his foot and wraps it around the ball, sliding along the ground to steady himself. Incredibly, without making contact with Torres at all, he pokes the ball away from the striker and it trickles across for a corner.
To the cheers of the White Hart Lane crowd, Jermaine Jenas claps his hands together and pumps his fist, roaring to his team mates to step up their efforts. Gomes comes across and pats him supportively on the back. Jenas, living in the moment and not the adulation, steadies himself and as the resulting corner drifts in, he rises high above the attacking pack and firmly heads it to safety. Again, he looks ridiculously pumped up and cajoles his colleagues with all the enthusiasm a box-to-box central midfielder should have. It’s as if he’s saying ‘I can do it, why can’t you help me?’
A simmering fervour has been induced in the crowd. The players suddenly look alert and active. Modric has the ball on the halfway line as Liverpool defend in numbers. He goes inside and finds Jenas in a bit of space. He effortlessly controls the ball and rides a challenge from Javier Mascherano, using his considerable upper body strength. He exchanges passes with Keane as he moves powerfully towards the Liverpool goal. Another tackle comes flying in; Jenas flicks the ball past the onrushing defender and follows the path of it.
He’s reached the edge of the area now. The fans are urging him on, praying he can continue his amazing run. Defoe peels off into space to the midfield dynamo’s left and, without hesitation, moves the ball into the path of the diminutive striker. Defoe’s snap shot is brilliantly pushed out by Reina. The crowd sigh in unison but Jenas, in outstanding defiance of his own fatigue, has continued his run. The ball trickles out and, before Jamie Carragher can react, Jenas thumps it across the line with all the power his right boot can muster.
Spurs have levelled, having been outplayed for the majority of the game and there’s no doubt what or who has been the catalyst. Jenas jogs away in front of the Park Lane fans and stops to stand in front of them, arms aloft. The players rush to embrace him; Jenas’ celebration remains muted, as if he knows there is more to do. The crowd are shaking the very foundations of the famous old stadium, such is the euphoria on display.
Jenas, such a maligned figure, has taken a massive step to silencing his doubters and proving that there is more to his game than what he’s offered so far in his career at Spurs. He knows that one goal won’t make him a star and he’s aware that he needs to work hard to guarantee his place in the side. But this offering, this little glimmer of potential, has shown the fans that he is capable. As the players trot back to their half for the game to restart, Jenas allows himself a tiny smile. The crowd sing his name, the momentum is with Tottenham and anything is possible both in the game and the rest of the season.
And then reality kicks in and I realise it was all just a blissful dream.
13 August 2009
Bentley car accident
According to a source of mine (and the official statement on the club website), our erstwhile winger David Bentley was involved in a car accident in the early hours of the morning. Bentley, who was driving under the influence of alcohol, collided with a street lamp at 3 am in Potters Bar. He was arrested and charged by the police and has been bailed until August 28th.
Spurs are thought to be taking action against the player although he has released a statement on the club website in which he apologises to the fans and accepts guilt for his actions. Thankfully, no-one was injured in the incident but it's another sad and worrying chapter in Bentley's career and hardly the best way to endear himself to those who criticise him.
Read the statement in full here.
Spurs are thought to be taking action against the player although he has released a statement on the club website in which he apologises to the fans and accepts guilt for his actions. Thankfully, no-one was injured in the incident but it's another sad and worrying chapter in Bentley's career and hardly the best way to endear himself to those who criticise him.
Read the statement in full here.
Defoe's double and ITV hyperbole
And who said he can only score against the minnow nations?
Well okay, I might have a few times but what a refreshing sight it was to see our man JD score not once but twice in the cauldron atmosphere that was an England friendly in Amsterdam. In an international career that's seen him test his goalscoring record against the likes of Poland, Trinidad & Tobago, Kazakhstan and Andorra, it can only be a positive thing that he's now bagged a brace against a high ranking team.
For the record, he took both his goals extremely well. The first was typical Defoe; latching on to a hopeful through ball and beating his defender for pace before a neat finish. Coming minutes after his introduction as a sub at half time, Defoe gave England the pace injection they had been so badly lacking in the first half.
His second owed much to the fine work of James Milner on the wing but take nothing away from the official ITV man of the match - he was in the right place at the right time and applied the finishing touches to a pleasing England move.
See JD's first goal here and his second here.
Speaking of ITV, I generally like their football coverage even if they tend to go a bit over the top. But last night their commentary of the game was over-enthusiastic, to say the least. Carlton Cole, who is somehow an England regular now, came on and showed one nice little flick and shot on goal. Clive Tyldesly, ITV's flagship commentator for years now, then waxed lyrical about the West Ham forward, using every insignificant touch he made as an opportunity to say 'Cole is really growing into his role in international football' or 'he really is lighting up the stage here'.
It strained credibility a touch. Cole isn't an awful striker but an international superstar, he ain't. Tyldesly ignored the more worthy claims for praise from Frank Lampard, who was industrious and hard working in midfield, or James Milner, who showed invention and creativity coming from the left flank. But with England friendlies being so dull these days, regardless of the outcome, ITV probably instructed him to show a bit of excitement even if it was premature.
So Defoe's in good touch and may just have played himself into Harry Redknapp's starting eleven on Sunday. There's talk of Robbie Keane playing behind JD and Peter Crouch, which could work in theory. It's my experience, however, that we never play well with three strikers in the team. Think Keane, Darren Bent and Dimitar Berbatov as we lost 3-1 against Everton in early 2007-08.
England? Well they might win the World Cup, they might not. They're certainly developing into a formidable side, just not a particularly interesting one to watch at the moment. And, frankly, with the dawn of another Premier League season right around the corner, I know which of my two teams I'm more interested in.
Well okay, I might have a few times but what a refreshing sight it was to see our man JD score not once but twice in the cauldron atmosphere that was an England friendly in Amsterdam. In an international career that's seen him test his goalscoring record against the likes of Poland, Trinidad & Tobago, Kazakhstan and Andorra, it can only be a positive thing that he's now bagged a brace against a high ranking team.
For the record, he took both his goals extremely well. The first was typical Defoe; latching on to a hopeful through ball and beating his defender for pace before a neat finish. Coming minutes after his introduction as a sub at half time, Defoe gave England the pace injection they had been so badly lacking in the first half.
His second owed much to the fine work of James Milner on the wing but take nothing away from the official ITV man of the match - he was in the right place at the right time and applied the finishing touches to a pleasing England move.
See JD's first goal here and his second here.
Speaking of ITV, I generally like their football coverage even if they tend to go a bit over the top. But last night their commentary of the game was over-enthusiastic, to say the least. Carlton Cole, who is somehow an England regular now, came on and showed one nice little flick and shot on goal. Clive Tyldesly, ITV's flagship commentator for years now, then waxed lyrical about the West Ham forward, using every insignificant touch he made as an opportunity to say 'Cole is really growing into his role in international football' or 'he really is lighting up the stage here'.
It strained credibility a touch. Cole isn't an awful striker but an international superstar, he ain't. Tyldesly ignored the more worthy claims for praise from Frank Lampard, who was industrious and hard working in midfield, or James Milner, who showed invention and creativity coming from the left flank. But with England friendlies being so dull these days, regardless of the outcome, ITV probably instructed him to show a bit of excitement even if it was premature.
So Defoe's in good touch and may just have played himself into Harry Redknapp's starting eleven on Sunday. There's talk of Robbie Keane playing behind JD and Peter Crouch, which could work in theory. It's my experience, however, that we never play well with three strikers in the team. Think Keane, Darren Bent and Dimitar Berbatov as we lost 3-1 against Everton in early 2007-08.
England? Well they might win the World Cup, they might not. They're certainly developing into a formidable side, just not a particularly interesting one to watch at the moment. And, frankly, with the dawn of another Premier League season right around the corner, I know which of my two teams I'm more interested in.
10 August 2009
The beginning
I’ve got a funny feeling about this Liverpool game on Sunday, you know. We might just nick something out of it. We’re hardly the best starters to a league season but by the same token neither are the Scousers. All the Alberto Aquilani’s in the world can’t replace Xabi Alonso so quickly so they’ll be a tad vulnerable and if we can get some shots on target and pray our cobbled together defence can repel the considerable might of Fernando Torres, it could just be a tidy little start.
Right now that I’ve got the blind optimism out of the way, I’ll cut straight to the pessimism. Frankly, I don’t give a damn how we start so long as it’s not a calamitous opening six or seven games in the mould of last season or possibly the season before that. Thank god the press haven’t picked up on the point yet but the truth is that, for the last two years, we’ve had piss poor starts and had to sack our manager as a result. It’s led us to falling out of the Premier League best of the rest group and it’s even brought the threat of relegation.
Given the nature of our opening gambit (Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United in the first six games), I’ll be happy with a steady mid table position. Nowhere in the danger zone and preferably nowhere in the bottom half. If, heaven forbid, we get a result against Liverpool at the Lane on Sunday, it should relive any potential nerves of trepidation about the season to come. And with games against Hull, West Ham and Birmingham to come after, it certainly gives us the chance to get a positive start. Lord knows we’re going to need a few points from those games when we have to play arguably the two best teams in the league after that.
Still, the start of a season is always a refreshing time of year where there is no league form to get anyone down or no reason to not predict a better time of things for your team. And should Tottenham play to their potential we could be in for a nice enough season. I’m not predicting miracles but if you go by the back end of last year when we were playing some beautiful football and conceding hardly any goals, it bodes well.
My prediction for our final position? 6th. And that’s an optimistic 6th too. As a safety net, I’ll say we could finish as low as 8th but I genuinely think we might do enough to get in front of the likes of Aston Villa, Fulham and Everton. The Merseysiders might be the hardest team to topple but a lot of predicting depends on where one see’s Manchester City ending up. I personally don’t think they’re a shoe in for the top four or even the top five. All the expensive strikers in the world can’t save you when you’re getting outmuscled at Stoke on a freezing December afternoon. That’s where I feel we’re strong – the presence of Wilson Palacios in our midfield, patrolling our borders like a fierce and battle-hardened sergeant, ensures that we hopefully won’t be a soft touch.
If Luka Modric continues to flourish in the manner he showed last season he could well earn a prestigious move to Man Utd. But before then he’ll hopefully be doing a lot of damage for us before then. His ability to play out wide and cut in through the middle to create attacking plays is paramount. Two footed, light on his feet and with the vision for outrageous passes, Modric is our single world class player at the moment and could have a great time of it should he hit his straps early on.
As much as I don’t really rate him, Peter Crouch has the makings of a good signing and, provided he can reignite his partnership with Jermain Defoe and strike one up with Robbie Keane, scoring goals shouldn’t be too much of a concern, as it was at throughout last season. A great deal has been made about Roman Pavlyuchenko and his prospects for the year so I’ll echo them here: he’s looking sharp in pre-season and there’s every chance he could have a blinder. Still, the worry is that with the addition of Crouch, Pavlyuchenko might start to feel a bit alienated. There’s no definitive order for our strikers but if he doesn’t make a brilliant start and play every game, he might start to think he’s 4th choice.
A season away from the UEFA Cup or the Europa League or whatever they’re calling it should be a blessing in disguise as we have a bit of extra rest in between games. I wouldn’t rule out a third consecutive Carling Cup final appearance but I’m sure fans won’t be pinning their hopes solely on cup success - although a run in the FA Cup is a bit overdue; avoiding yet another 4th round tie at Old Trafford would be helpful.
So the wait is over and the time for Redknapp to start delivering has begun. He’s assembled a promising squad with what seems like the right balance of youth and experience. Maybe we should have signed a left winger. Maybe we still might. But if Spurs can avoid the sort of shambles that they’ve become accustomed to around this time of year and actually play the football we know they can, there’s every chance that in October we won’t be taking odds over who will be the new manager.
Fingers crossed.
Right now that I’ve got the blind optimism out of the way, I’ll cut straight to the pessimism. Frankly, I don’t give a damn how we start so long as it’s not a calamitous opening six or seven games in the mould of last season or possibly the season before that. Thank god the press haven’t picked up on the point yet but the truth is that, for the last two years, we’ve had piss poor starts and had to sack our manager as a result. It’s led us to falling out of the Premier League best of the rest group and it’s even brought the threat of relegation.
Given the nature of our opening gambit (Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United in the first six games), I’ll be happy with a steady mid table position. Nowhere in the danger zone and preferably nowhere in the bottom half. If, heaven forbid, we get a result against Liverpool at the Lane on Sunday, it should relive any potential nerves of trepidation about the season to come. And with games against Hull, West Ham and Birmingham to come after, it certainly gives us the chance to get a positive start. Lord knows we’re going to need a few points from those games when we have to play arguably the two best teams in the league after that.
Still, the start of a season is always a refreshing time of year where there is no league form to get anyone down or no reason to not predict a better time of things for your team. And should Tottenham play to their potential we could be in for a nice enough season. I’m not predicting miracles but if you go by the back end of last year when we were playing some beautiful football and conceding hardly any goals, it bodes well.
My prediction for our final position? 6th. And that’s an optimistic 6th too. As a safety net, I’ll say we could finish as low as 8th but I genuinely think we might do enough to get in front of the likes of Aston Villa, Fulham and Everton. The Merseysiders might be the hardest team to topple but a lot of predicting depends on where one see’s Manchester City ending up. I personally don’t think they’re a shoe in for the top four or even the top five. All the expensive strikers in the world can’t save you when you’re getting outmuscled at Stoke on a freezing December afternoon. That’s where I feel we’re strong – the presence of Wilson Palacios in our midfield, patrolling our borders like a fierce and battle-hardened sergeant, ensures that we hopefully won’t be a soft touch.
If Luka Modric continues to flourish in the manner he showed last season he could well earn a prestigious move to Man Utd. But before then he’ll hopefully be doing a lot of damage for us before then. His ability to play out wide and cut in through the middle to create attacking plays is paramount. Two footed, light on his feet and with the vision for outrageous passes, Modric is our single world class player at the moment and could have a great time of it should he hit his straps early on.
As much as I don’t really rate him, Peter Crouch has the makings of a good signing and, provided he can reignite his partnership with Jermain Defoe and strike one up with Robbie Keane, scoring goals shouldn’t be too much of a concern, as it was at throughout last season. A great deal has been made about Roman Pavlyuchenko and his prospects for the year so I’ll echo them here: he’s looking sharp in pre-season and there’s every chance he could have a blinder. Still, the worry is that with the addition of Crouch, Pavlyuchenko might start to feel a bit alienated. There’s no definitive order for our strikers but if he doesn’t make a brilliant start and play every game, he might start to think he’s 4th choice.
A season away from the UEFA Cup or the Europa League or whatever they’re calling it should be a blessing in disguise as we have a bit of extra rest in between games. I wouldn’t rule out a third consecutive Carling Cup final appearance but I’m sure fans won’t be pinning their hopes solely on cup success - although a run in the FA Cup is a bit overdue; avoiding yet another 4th round tie at Old Trafford would be helpful.
So the wait is over and the time for Redknapp to start delivering has begun. He’s assembled a promising squad with what seems like the right balance of youth and experience. Maybe we should have signed a left winger. Maybe we still might. But if Spurs can avoid the sort of shambles that they’ve become accustomed to around this time of year and actually play the football we know they can, there’s every chance that in October we won’t be taking odds over who will be the new manager.
Fingers crossed.
3 August 2009
db10thetruth - 'Am I worth that much money? No.'
According to the BBC, the deal which takes Darren Bent to Sunderland will bring us £14 million.
£14 millon! I know we generally pay over the odds for most players so we're hardly a club to laugh but is that not simply absurd?! Bent, for all his sins, is not a bad player. He gets you a few goals, he tries pretty hard and his movement isn't terrible. But a great striker he is not. and, more importantly, a £14 million striker he is not.
My overriding memory of the keen Tweeter is that miss against Portsmouth in January last season. You all know it. The one where he had the goal at his absolute mercy and somehow contrived to steer it wide of the post. The one where Harry was as good as tearing his hair out on the touchlines - not to mention subsequently comparing the striker to his missus.
The problem Bent faced was the extortionate transfer fee we paid Charlton for his services. With such an outrageous sum of money comes a similar level of expectation and he was never able to fulfill that expectation. He may be a great player for Sunderland, where they won't expect him to deliver them into the top four immediately. Perhaps it really was all our fault, perhaps we were putting too much pressure on him.
But one suspects that not too many fans will be shedding tears over his departure. Lets just call it a two year experiment gone wrong.
£14 million. Would it be rude to bite their hands off?
£14 millon! I know we generally pay over the odds for most players so we're hardly a club to laugh but is that not simply absurd?! Bent, for all his sins, is not a bad player. He gets you a few goals, he tries pretty hard and his movement isn't terrible. But a great striker he is not. and, more importantly, a £14 million striker he is not.
My overriding memory of the keen Tweeter is that miss against Portsmouth in January last season. You all know it. The one where he had the goal at his absolute mercy and somehow contrived to steer it wide of the post. The one where Harry was as good as tearing his hair out on the touchlines - not to mention subsequently comparing the striker to his missus.
The problem Bent faced was the extortionate transfer fee we paid Charlton for his services. With such an outrageous sum of money comes a similar level of expectation and he was never able to fulfill that expectation. He may be a great player for Sunderland, where they won't expect him to deliver them into the top four immediately. Perhaps it really was all our fault, perhaps we were putting too much pressure on him.
But one suspects that not too many fans will be shedding tears over his departure. Lets just call it a two year experiment gone wrong.
£14 million. Would it be rude to bite their hands off?
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