That could have gone better. But I'll stand by my previous comments; Arsenal fans are generally morons.
Essentially, we did badly. We did very badly indeed. But up until about 40 minutes in, it was looking like a very close gig. We were defending both in numbers and extremely competently. Apart from one or two hairy moments, Ledley King and Seb Bassong were doing a more than adequate job. The only complaint was that an isolated Peter Crouch was looking extremely, well, isolated up front.
But in the time it takes to say 'blow the bloody whistle, ref', they had struck. Bassong, who had Van Persie in his pocket for the majority of the opening half, lost him for the first time and he took advantage. 1-0 wasn't a terrible outcome but the inept passing and tackling of Wilson Palacios and King that immediately followed our kick off allowed that git Fabregas to dance his way through and rocket a second past the impressive Gomes. Two goals in 11 seconds. Bugger.
2-0 at half time, spirit shattered, Gooner fans thinking all their Christmas holidays have come at once. And, frankly, they may as well have. With Keane playing ridiculously deep and quite badly, Spurs had nothing of an attacking threat. And when the referee played a delayed advantage early in the second half and our defence froze, there was only likely to be one outcome. 3-0 down with no-one really up for it. Fantastic. Thankfully we conceded no more, in thanks, partly, to some shoddy Arsenal finishing.
So what went wrong? For starters, our 4-4-2 looked too much like a 4-5-1 and Keane, as we've learnt before, is a crap left winger. Crouch had no support and we didn't really look like scoring. We defended reasonably well on the whole but the little moments of madness cost us dearly. Benoit Assou Ekotto played very well and mopped up more than his share of breaks but King wasn't at his best and Bassong is an able trier but is sometimes found wanting. Oh for Jonathan Woodgate.
Our midfield was fairly anonymous which is the exact opposite of what you want in a big game like this. Palacios had a nightmare and wasn't able to retain possession or dominate in his usual fashion. Jermaine Jenas was too obsessed with playing square passes and seemed to have an inability to play the ball forward. Tommy Huddlestone sprayed a few nice passes around but he only had an average game in a match that required better than that. David Bentley had a wild opening few minutes but settled down and played reasonably well. His second half free kick was well directed and he played a couple of tantalising crosses but most fans would have killed for Aaron Lennon.
Crouch, as mentioned, was fighting a lone battle nearly all game and struggled to really have a major impact. Again, Jermain Defoe would have been more than useful alongside him. You'd like to think that with a fit Defoe, Lennon and Luka Modric we would have put up more of a fight but that's life. (When it comes to us playing the Gooners) You draw some, you lose some.
What now? We should be able to bounce back with the next few fixtures and, after two defeats in a row, we could do with a win to ease any fears of slipping down the table. Yes, we may not be at the stage to challenge Arsenal at the moment but ask any sane Spurs fan and they would have told you that beforehand. While the media and rival fans looking for a laugh try and build us up, the majority of Tottenham fans and players are keeping their feet on the ground.
We may well be closing the gap on Arsenal but the plain fact is that we're not at that level yet. We're definitely on an upward slope - this much is plain to see. But bare facts often tell a perfect story and a stumbling block on our path to improvement is our poor record against teams like Arsenal. Overcome that and we can start thinking about something bigger. Keep losing and there's no way we'll be able to match them. But if any Gooners think this result is some kind of proof that we're not good enough to challenge their top four status, move on - we knew that already. Don't try and take this as some kind of moral victory. Our time is coming one day. It may not be soon but it'll come at some point and you know it as well as we do. That's why you're getting so worked up and defensive about us.
For the near future, we could do with Keano getting his touch back. And a start for Niko Kranjcar is essential. Why he wasn't played today is completely beyond me. Our next game against 'big four' opposition is a bit of time away and we should focus on picking up the wins we should be and maintaining our position around the top six. If we can make it to Christmas in the same kind of position, we'll be in a healthy shape to have a charge at a strong finish.
But for now, it's nothing but the pain and depression of another derby defeat. At least they've got sensible fans who are constructive and intelligent with their sledging. Not.
31 October 2009
29 October 2009
Freedom of the press
As an ardent Tottenham fan and journalistic pretender, a piece on The Telegraph's website today wrangled with me for numerous reasons.
As part of the 'Daily Bung' segment, writer Mike Norrish (on evidence of this, a Spurs-hating, subjective fool) has spewed out the most ridiculous and contradictory piece on why Tottenham will probably lose the North London Derby on Saturday. Please read it in it's full context here. But I'll go through it briefly.
It seems Robbie Keane has stoked the fires ahead of the mouth watering clash at the weekend by saying that Spurs have a greater squad/bench than theirSouth North London rivals. Whether this is true or not is another matter but suffice to say, Norrish has a field day picking apart what he thinks is wrong with Keane and Tottenham in general and does an extremely poor job of hiding his arrogant hatred.
As part of the 'Daily Bung' segment, writer Mike Norrish (on evidence of this, a Spurs-hating, subjective fool) has spewed out the most ridiculous and contradictory piece on why Tottenham will probably lose the North London Derby on Saturday. Please read it in it's full context here. But I'll go through it briefly.
It seems Robbie Keane has stoked the fires ahead of the mouth watering clash at the weekend by saying that Spurs have a greater squad/bench than their
First things first, he claims that 'Daniel Levy has been boasting', when in actual plain fact, the Spurs chairman simply stated what a good job he thinks Harry Redknapp has done and how happy he is with the decision to get him in as boss. He's hardly kissing his own arse - more like laying down a smacker on Redknapp's behind if anything. But, naturally, this is a reason to claim that Spurs are getting ahead of themselves and that by the end of the season we'll 'have to beat West Ham and pray Sunderland slip up so that we can sneak a Europa League place'. Immediately, Norrish comes across as a bit of a tool.
But, wait, there's so much more. The use of the phrase 'bless him' after Robbie Keane is hugely patronising and quite laughable. The fact that Keane probably makes more in a year than Norrish does in a lifetime doesn't stop The Telegraph's finest from looking down his nose. Shame about this recession, isn't it, Mike? I do hope you're paper aren't looking to offload any sports writers to ease the financial blow.
Then comes the crux of the matter - Keane's actual comments. If you believe the opening of the piece, you'd think Keane had walked outside the Emirates with a megaphone and proclaimed Spurs to be the greatest team in the country, let alone London, and then desecrated an Arsenal shirt. What he says is far less provocative: "If you look at the bench we have, it is probably a little stronger than theirs." Ouch. Jesus, Keano, you didn't have to be so harsh. Saying something that neutral observers have been saying all season? No wonder Norrish hates him so much.
Then we're told that, apparently, Tottenham no 'genuine class' because Luka Modric is injured. Right. So we've been near the top of the table all season by luck then have we? He's the type of person that was probably saying Berbatov was useless and a waste of space when he played for Spurs. Modric has been injured since August - get with the program.
Then comes the really funny stuff. "Apart from Modric (and Aaron Lennon on a good day), Tottenham still don't have a player coveted by the top four. If one of the big boys fancied a Spurs player, they'd have signed him already." Now if I was quoting this to you face to face, I'd pause for a few seconds to let the idiocy of that statement settle in.
He claims that we have no players being chased by the big four - after naming two such players. Lennon on a good day? So that's pretty much every day since about a year ago then? If he's good enough for Fabio Capello, he's good enough for you mate. But you're probably too busy bowing down to your Theo Walcott shrine to even care. What else, what else...oh yes. We 'still' don't have a player coveted by the big four. So having Michael Carrick, Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane taken off us in recent years doesn't count then? i know Keane came back and that's hilarious to some but come on - he's just denying things that have actually historically happened. When Nick Griffin did that about the Holocaust, there was national outrage.
A lovely little paragraph then follows where Norrish compares Tottenham's players to Arsenal's, conveniently choosing Spurs men that aren't first team players and comparing them with Arsenal's best and brightest. Clever stuff.
"Keane vs Van Persie is 'even'? Arshavin vs Pavlyuchenko? Fabregas vs Jenas? Clichy vs Assou Ekotto? And bench strength? Is Keane talking about the same bench that destroyed Liverpool last night?"
There's a lot to giggle over in that little gem. Apparently, if you beat a weakened Liverpool team 2-1 in a relatively meaningless Carling Cup game, you've 'destroyed' them. Add to that the fact that Pavlyuchenko and Jenas aren't necessarily first team players (Jenas often comes behind Huddlestone and Palacios - Why not compare Fabregas and Sgt. Wilson?). His divine assertion that Keane is inferior to Van Persie is also a bit puzzling. When was the last time Van Persie scored four in one game? In fact, when was the last time Van Persie helped Arsenal win anything meaningful? I'm not slating the Dutchman - I think he's a fine player but Keane isn't far behind him if he even is at all. They've both scored five in the league this year. And did John Motson ever describe RVP as 'one of the best all round strikers in the Premier league' as he did to Keane last year? Admittedly, Motty's opinion isn't as respected as it once was but you get the idea. And, I'm sorry if anyone disagrees, but it's not like Gael Clichy is a brilliant left back, way out of Assou Ekotto's league. Clichy should be wary of his starting position anyway if you listen to Arsene Wenger's ridiculous raving of Keiran Gibbs.
Norrish does grudgingly admit that Wilson Palacios is better than Abou Diaby or Alex Song, although one can sense the blind rage as he types. And he generously finds it in himself to praise Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate before slating them for their injury records (which, apparently, makes them bad people).
He ends the diabolically one-sided article by claiming that Keane has predicted Spurs will knock Arsenal out of the top four. Which he hasn't. Not even once. Not even a hint. I've done my media law - do him for slander, Keano.
Now I don't claim to be a 100% objective blogger. There are times when I'll make references to my hatred for all things Arsenal or I'll post a random blog taking the piss out of something stupid one of their players has done. But this is a Tottenham blog so I'm allowed to. And The Telegraph, as a national daily, is supposed to be at the forefront of balanced, neutral reporting, even if it is on a whimsical, casual piece such as this 'Daily Bung'.
Norrish, who I'm sure is a perfectly competent writer, has done nothing in this post but make readers aware of his disdain towards Spurs. He might not neccessarily be an Arsenal fan but it can be assumed that he has a love for a team in the big four - he keeps going on about them and their power and ability to take players from the smaller teams. Everyone is entitled to an opinion and a dislike for a certain team; but this article is just embarrassing. Maybe he's just worried about us. The better we do, the more they hate us - that kind of thing? I honestly don't know in this case. Maybe he's just an angry man.
As a sports writer in practice, I can only hope that if I ever get lucky enough to land a job of Norrish's stature, that'll I'll at least attempt to sound impartial. That I won't abuse my position just to vent my anti-Arsenal or anti-whoever spleen. Having been taught that objectivity is paramount, even in sports writing, the entire tone of this article just doesn't sit right with me. But not that Norrish will ever realise. He'll be catching up on a good book while he gets some peace and quiet at the Emirates.
Sorry, Mike. Couldn't resist. You'd do the same.
27 October 2009
The Naming Rights Arena
Some fantastic images of the new stadium put out in the last few days. Also announced was the inclusion of a single tier stand to rival the Kop at Anfield as Tottenham attempt to create one of 'the best atmospheric stadiums in Europe'.
The proposed moving dates have also been released to the public with Daniel Levy stating that Spurs will be playing in the their new, as yet unnamed, stadium by 2012. The unique construction method means that Tottenham will move into the new ground while it is only partially completed, to allow for the existing White Hart Lane to be demolished and the new stadium to be fully built subsequently. Attendances in the half built stadium will still be greater than average WHL figures, we're assured.
The prospect of playing in an unfinished stadium doesn't sit too well with me, to be frank, but it's a preferable circumstance than having to ground share it for a season. Something tells me fans wouldn't be too chuffed with playing at Upton Park every few weeks. And if the conception pictures are anything to go by then the new arena looks like it's going to be a magnificent design and an epic theatre for football.
The single tiered stand is quite an interesting ploy - it'll no doubt be home to the most hardcore of all home fans. Having a vociferous 'end' to play in front of can only really be a good thing in theory. Liverpool youth players dream of scoring in front of the Kop and given the necessary amount of time perhaps the news Spurs stand could generate the same level of motivation.
All in all, it's a sad day when Tottenham finish their playing days at the famous old White Hart Lane stadium but the blow will surely be lessened by the grandeur of the new arena. As we know, the naming rights to the ground are still up for grabs; I just hope to God they don't pick a sponsor which gives the name a strange, corporate feel. To play it safe, does anyone else like the sound of the Naming Rights Arena?
The proposed moving dates have also been released to the public with Daniel Levy stating that Spurs will be playing in the their new, as yet unnamed, stadium by 2012. The unique construction method means that Tottenham will move into the new ground while it is only partially completed, to allow for the existing White Hart Lane to be demolished and the new stadium to be fully built subsequently. Attendances in the half built stadium will still be greater than average WHL figures, we're assured.
The prospect of playing in an unfinished stadium doesn't sit too well with me, to be frank, but it's a preferable circumstance than having to ground share it for a season. Something tells me fans wouldn't be too chuffed with playing at Upton Park every few weeks. And if the conception pictures are anything to go by then the new arena looks like it's going to be a magnificent design and an epic theatre for football.
The single tiered stand is quite an interesting ploy - it'll no doubt be home to the most hardcore of all home fans. Having a vociferous 'end' to play in front of can only really be a good thing in theory. Liverpool youth players dream of scoring in front of the Kop and given the necessary amount of time perhaps the news Spurs stand could generate the same level of motivation.
All in all, it's a sad day when Tottenham finish their playing days at the famous old White Hart Lane stadium but the blow will surely be lessened by the grandeur of the new arena. As we know, the naming rights to the ground are still up for grabs; I just hope to God they don't pick a sponsor which gives the name a strange, corporate feel. To play it safe, does anyone else like the sound of the Naming Rights Arena?
25 October 2009
How to lose points and alienate people
Ah. Didn't see that one coming at all. Batter a team and lose to a late goal? How typically Tottenham.
Now that I've had a day to stew over it, the effect's of yesterday's cruel defeat to Stoke are now in plain sight. We hammered them for 80 odd minutes and achieved absolutely nothing. And one defensive slip cost us. Such are the wafer thin lines between success and failure and, make no mistake, yesterday was a complete failure.
Still, I'm not panicking or getting too worked up about it. We were bound to have an unlucky result at some point in the first few months and those who follow karma will be massivley satisfied seeing as we were fairly lucky at Portsmouth the week before. A plethora of chances were created; Crouch and Kranjcar were repeatedly denied but it turned out to be 'one of those days'. We could have had four men lining up in the six yard box to finish in front of an open goal and events would have conspired to have us miss the opportunity.
The one major negative that grates is that we missed the chance to grab another three points and go into the North London Derby ahead of the scum in the table. Not that this really matters that much at all in the grand scheme of things but it would have been a pleasant motivational factor. As it happens, we're now teetering on the edge of the top four instead of being firmly entrenched in it. But I'll worry about league placings later on in the season when they actually start to count for something.
It would have been nice to have a firing Jermain Defoe yesterday and one suspects, in his form, he would have finished a chance or two, especially with Keano being a little off colour. JD's absence may well be strongly felt at the Emirates next weekend and Crouch and Keane will need to be working on their clinical touch this week in training. You won't get that many chances to score in a game like that.
Jonathan Woodgate's long awaited return to the side lasted a whole 13 minutes and he was taken off with an injury as a precaution. We await news on his prognosis but he did manage to pull off a magnificent, heroic goal line block in the process of aggravating the injury. A dangerous ball was whipped across the front of our goal and Woody bravely directed it away from the advancing striker and behind for a corner. It could have easily been an own goal and it perfectly demonstrated his value to the side. God, how we could do with him back quickly.
I won't go on for ages about how disappointing the result was. I'm going to simply put it down as a blip - a bad day at the office. Losing a home game to Stoke is fairly high on the list of cardinal sins but, given how well the boys have played all season and how well they played in general yesterday, I'll find it in me to forgive them. They'll be frustrated at their inability to take their chances. And one hopes that the collective frustration of the team will be used as motivation for the showdown next weekend. The thinking being that Arsenal will face some sort of backlash, if possible.
My fingers will be crossed between now and 12.45 next Saturday.
Now that I've had a day to stew over it, the effect's of yesterday's cruel defeat to Stoke are now in plain sight. We hammered them for 80 odd minutes and achieved absolutely nothing. And one defensive slip cost us. Such are the wafer thin lines between success and failure and, make no mistake, yesterday was a complete failure.
Still, I'm not panicking or getting too worked up about it. We were bound to have an unlucky result at some point in the first few months and those who follow karma will be massivley satisfied seeing as we were fairly lucky at Portsmouth the week before. A plethora of chances were created; Crouch and Kranjcar were repeatedly denied but it turned out to be 'one of those days'. We could have had four men lining up in the six yard box to finish in front of an open goal and events would have conspired to have us miss the opportunity.
The one major negative that grates is that we missed the chance to grab another three points and go into the North London Derby ahead of the scum in the table. Not that this really matters that much at all in the grand scheme of things but it would have been a pleasant motivational factor. As it happens, we're now teetering on the edge of the top four instead of being firmly entrenched in it. But I'll worry about league placings later on in the season when they actually start to count for something.
It would have been nice to have a firing Jermain Defoe yesterday and one suspects, in his form, he would have finished a chance or two, especially with Keano being a little off colour. JD's absence may well be strongly felt at the Emirates next weekend and Crouch and Keane will need to be working on their clinical touch this week in training. You won't get that many chances to score in a game like that.
Jonathan Woodgate's long awaited return to the side lasted a whole 13 minutes and he was taken off with an injury as a precaution. We await news on his prognosis but he did manage to pull off a magnificent, heroic goal line block in the process of aggravating the injury. A dangerous ball was whipped across the front of our goal and Woody bravely directed it away from the advancing striker and behind for a corner. It could have easily been an own goal and it perfectly demonstrated his value to the side. God, how we could do with him back quickly.
I won't go on for ages about how disappointing the result was. I'm going to simply put it down as a blip - a bad day at the office. Losing a home game to Stoke is fairly high on the list of cardinal sins but, given how well the boys have played all season and how well they played in general yesterday, I'll find it in me to forgive them. They'll be frustrated at their inability to take their chances. And one hopes that the collective frustration of the team will be used as motivation for the showdown next weekend. The thinking being that Arsenal will face some sort of backlash, if possible.
My fingers will be crossed between now and 12.45 next Saturday.
24 October 2009
Stoking the flames of expectation
Stoke at the Lane today and, if I'm being frank, we should batter 'em. And that's with all due respect to Tony Pulis and his side of muscled brick houses. Anything less than three points is calamity.
Jonathan Woodgate could be in line for a first start of the season but one suspects Harry Redknapp may choose to blood him back into the side in the Carling Cup clash with Everton rather than today. Besides, he'll want him to be raring to go for next weekend's North London Derby. Jermain Defoe, he of the petulant stamp, is out suspended so Peter Crouch will be given a start up front alongside Robbie Keane - Roman Pavlyuchenko is inching ever closer to a Premier League appearance but will likely have to make do with a place on the bench.
With the dazzling form we're in, Stoke shouldn't provide too much of an obstacle but it would be a fool to write them off completely. Still, Tottenham's home record is fairly formidable and the 5-0 thrashing of Burnley last time out will ensure a confident, if expectant, home crowd. When Stoke humbled us 2-1 around this time last year, Tottenham's world seemed to be imploding around itself. 2 players sent off, 2 penalties conceded, a thoroughly unpleasant match. On that day, Stoke overran us with their superior physical strength. But with Wilson Palacios back in our midfield ranks, don't bet on a repeat performance. Expect Sgt. Wilson to be a key player today.
After the humility of losing up at their place last season, we won comfortably at the Lane in the return fixture. Back then, Spurs were hungry, energised and refreshed by the return of Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane and were too much for a Stoke team that wasn't that impressive on the road. And, in all fairness, that's still probably the case.
My natural pessimism tells me to rein in the expectancy but I can't help but predict a comfortable home win today. There, I said it. If the worst happens, feel free to bombard me with insults. It'll only be fair.
Jonathan Woodgate could be in line for a first start of the season but one suspects Harry Redknapp may choose to blood him back into the side in the Carling Cup clash with Everton rather than today. Besides, he'll want him to be raring to go for next weekend's North London Derby. Jermain Defoe, he of the petulant stamp, is out suspended so Peter Crouch will be given a start up front alongside Robbie Keane - Roman Pavlyuchenko is inching ever closer to a Premier League appearance but will likely have to make do with a place on the bench.
With the dazzling form we're in, Stoke shouldn't provide too much of an obstacle but it would be a fool to write them off completely. Still, Tottenham's home record is fairly formidable and the 5-0 thrashing of Burnley last time out will ensure a confident, if expectant, home crowd. When Stoke humbled us 2-1 around this time last year, Tottenham's world seemed to be imploding around itself. 2 players sent off, 2 penalties conceded, a thoroughly unpleasant match. On that day, Stoke overran us with their superior physical strength. But with Wilson Palacios back in our midfield ranks, don't bet on a repeat performance. Expect Sgt. Wilson to be a key player today.
After the humility of losing up at their place last season, we won comfortably at the Lane in the return fixture. Back then, Spurs were hungry, energised and refreshed by the return of Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane and were too much for a Stoke team that wasn't that impressive on the road. And, in all fairness, that's still probably the case.
My natural pessimism tells me to rein in the expectancy but I can't help but predict a comfortable home win today. There, I said it. If the worst happens, feel free to bombard me with insults. It'll only be fair.
19 October 2009
A middle class uprising
Excellent article in today's Times. Oliver Kay discusses the narrowing of the gap between the supposed 'big four' and the nearest challengers. Applying a social class structure to teams in the Premier League, he opines that the so called 'middle class' (Tottenham, Manchester City, Aston Villa, etc) are becoming more and more of a genuine threat to the domestic supremacy of the 'aristocrats' (Manchester United, Chelsea, etc).
He claims that the top four clubs exist within a 'virtuous circle' - a cycle of events including on field performances, increased revenue and higher club profile and it's this cycle that keeps the big clubs big and small clubs small. But Kay questions whether this cycle is being penetrated by the poor performances of, say, Liverpool allied with the financial clout of Man City and strong on field showings of Spurs and Villa.
It's an excellent read and well worth a few minutes of your time, especially if you're interested in the alleged threats to the big four this season. Incidentally, the hacks are now crawling all over Spurs for quotes on our top four credentials and I for one can only pray that no-one is stupid enough to get ahead of themselves. Remember, they're just building us up for a big fall.
He claims that the top four clubs exist within a 'virtuous circle' - a cycle of events including on field performances, increased revenue and higher club profile and it's this cycle that keeps the big clubs big and small clubs small. But Kay questions whether this cycle is being penetrated by the poor performances of, say, Liverpool allied with the financial clout of Man City and strong on field showings of Spurs and Villa.
It's an excellent read and well worth a few minutes of your time, especially if you're interested in the alleged threats to the big four this season. Incidentally, the hacks are now crawling all over Spurs for quotes on our top four credentials and I for one can only pray that no-one is stupid enough to get ahead of themselves. Remember, they're just building us up for a big fall.
17 October 2009
Tottenham's ship comes in at Pompey
If the draw at Bolton a few weeks back was a game the Tottenham of old would have certainly lost, then today's hard fought 2-1 win down at Portsmouth was definitely in the same bracket. Ahead through a well placed header from Ledley King and a marvellously worked goal from Jermain Defoe, Spurs then contrived to find themselves under overwhelming pressure for much of the second half. Yet, the Redknapp revolution continues apace and we sit on this evening with another away win and another three points.
When I was young, not so long ago, away wins used to be that rarest of birds. They'd come along once every couple of months or so and, boy, were they to be cherished. But, these days, that's all changed and we're picking up wins on our travels with consummate ease. Hull, West Ham, Pompey... you can throw in a few walk-in-the-park Carling Cup triumphs as well. Harry Redknapp has constructed a team capable of taking the positive, attacking energy of a typical White Hart Lane performance and utilising it whilst on the road. It's a truly wonderful achievement. Think about it - today we won an away game with a central midfield pairing of Jermaine Jenas and Tom Huddlestone. Oh yes.
It was no easy win, mind. In what was a fairly even opening set of exchanges, our greater class began to slowly shine through. Defoe was as live wire as you'd picture him to be, rattling the post early on with a fiercely struck effort. And our persistence wore off midway through when a flighted Niko Kranjcar corner was expertly headed in by King, the people's hero. How that man still plays football is a modern medical miracle and that, my friends, is tough alliteration. But I digress.
Our second goal was a proverbial peach. Jenas, and I can't quite believe I'm about to say this, showed wonderful creativity and energy as he quickly and unexpectedly burst through the Pompey midfield. He neatly exchanged passes with Huddlestone before delivering a beautiful, on-the-spot cross for Defoe to stretch on to and slide into the back of the net. If I ever see JJ using that much ingenuity in a tight away game ever again, I'll die a happy man. 2-0 up, half time, game over. Right?
Wrong. This is Spurs we're talking about here. Pompey came out like a caged animal, snapping and biting at our heels for every ball. And to be fair to him, Kevin Prince Boateng fully deserved his goal, which he drilled past Gomes' near post. Speaking of Gomes, the man had an absolute blinder of a game. Recalled ahead of Carlo Cudicini, he showed dynamic reflexes to keep out a powerful Younes Kaboul free kick (remember him?) and pulled off a handful of other outstanding saves to keep his side in front. For such a maligned keeper at times, he really does make it difficult to hate him when he plays like this. We know he's capable of it, it's just a case of convincing more often and cutting out the frankly hilarious errors.
But back to Portsmouth and having just halved the deficit, they were dealt another stroke of luck. Defoe, reacting idiotically to a challenge from Aaron Mokoena, stamped lightly on the defender's ankle, resulting in a straight red card. Redknapp had allegedly informed the striker at half time to keep his cool but his words must have fallen on severly deaf ears. Defoe deserved to go, no issue - although the 'stamp' was fairly innocuous. You'd be forgiven for thinking Mokoena had had his leg amputated from the way he reacted. He made no grimace or reaction before realising the referee was just a few feet away, causing him to suddenly double up in exaggerated pain and clutch a part of his leg that wasn't even touched by Defoe. Say what you like about the standard of simulation in this country but it was a pitiful display.
Still, a man down and playing in front of a baying home crowd, Spurs battened down the hatches and repelled assault after assault. Boateng was everywhere, clearly revelling in his new found freedom on the South Coast. Gomes was tested and King and Seb Bassong were stretched time and again and it seemed only a matter of time before we inevitably conceded again. But the clock ticked down and we managed to escape a gruelling second half with the win. Sure, we'd have been expected to beat Portsmouth but to do so in such circumstances speaks volumes for the strength of this Spurs side. They have belief these days and that should not be underestimated by any means.
A quick word on former Spurs midfielder Michael Brown, who did manage to level things up in the last minute - in terms of red cards, that is. His first yellow was quite petulant. Having fouled Benoit Assou Ekotto, he tried to forcibly drag the defender to his feet, believing he hadn't touched him. The ref was having none of it and, minutes later, he clipped a marauding Aaron Lennon, who naturally fell to the ground. Brown, thinking he was above the law, jogged away smiling, beckoning Lennon to get to his feet and stop 'diving' but it was clear to all what had transpired and he was sent off. Michael, you've made yourself look like a right tool mate. And I didn't even have anything against him beforehand.
So another win sees us maintain our iron grip on 3rd place in the league, now just three points off top spot, although such dreams are a tad unrealistic. However, a big win over Stoke next week and twin defeats for Chelski and Man Utd would see us jump to the Premier League summit yet again. Who's excited? My hand is up.
As painful as the second half was to watch, it's fantastic to see Spurs battle and come out on top in these tough away games. Crowds don't come more partisan than at Portsmouth and if Redknapp's men can maintain that mental toughness throughout other battling away fixtures then it could be a very profitable season. The next away trip is at a quiet ground called the Emirates so Tottenham won't have to worry about a cauldron-like atmosphere or anything to that effect. Although, keeping tabs on their little Russian fella might be a wise idea.
Defoe may be out for the next three games (including the North London Derby, annoyingly) but the glory of having a massive squad means that he can be replaced. Time for Crouch to get some proper game time or maybe a chance, at last, for Roman Pavlyuchenko? Watch this space.
When I was young, not so long ago, away wins used to be that rarest of birds. They'd come along once every couple of months or so and, boy, were they to be cherished. But, these days, that's all changed and we're picking up wins on our travels with consummate ease. Hull, West Ham, Pompey... you can throw in a few walk-in-the-park Carling Cup triumphs as well. Harry Redknapp has constructed a team capable of taking the positive, attacking energy of a typical White Hart Lane performance and utilising it whilst on the road. It's a truly wonderful achievement. Think about it - today we won an away game with a central midfield pairing of Jermaine Jenas and Tom Huddlestone. Oh yes.
It was no easy win, mind. In what was a fairly even opening set of exchanges, our greater class began to slowly shine through. Defoe was as live wire as you'd picture him to be, rattling the post early on with a fiercely struck effort. And our persistence wore off midway through when a flighted Niko Kranjcar corner was expertly headed in by King, the people's hero. How that man still plays football is a modern medical miracle and that, my friends, is tough alliteration. But I digress.
Our second goal was a proverbial peach. Jenas, and I can't quite believe I'm about to say this, showed wonderful creativity and energy as he quickly and unexpectedly burst through the Pompey midfield. He neatly exchanged passes with Huddlestone before delivering a beautiful, on-the-spot cross for Defoe to stretch on to and slide into the back of the net. If I ever see JJ using that much ingenuity in a tight away game ever again, I'll die a happy man. 2-0 up, half time, game over. Right?
Wrong. This is Spurs we're talking about here. Pompey came out like a caged animal, snapping and biting at our heels for every ball. And to be fair to him, Kevin Prince Boateng fully deserved his goal, which he drilled past Gomes' near post. Speaking of Gomes, the man had an absolute blinder of a game. Recalled ahead of Carlo Cudicini, he showed dynamic reflexes to keep out a powerful Younes Kaboul free kick (remember him?) and pulled off a handful of other outstanding saves to keep his side in front. For such a maligned keeper at times, he really does make it difficult to hate him when he plays like this. We know he's capable of it, it's just a case of convincing more often and cutting out the frankly hilarious errors.
But back to Portsmouth and having just halved the deficit, they were dealt another stroke of luck. Defoe, reacting idiotically to a challenge from Aaron Mokoena, stamped lightly on the defender's ankle, resulting in a straight red card. Redknapp had allegedly informed the striker at half time to keep his cool but his words must have fallen on severly deaf ears. Defoe deserved to go, no issue - although the 'stamp' was fairly innocuous. You'd be forgiven for thinking Mokoena had had his leg amputated from the way he reacted. He made no grimace or reaction before realising the referee was just a few feet away, causing him to suddenly double up in exaggerated pain and clutch a part of his leg that wasn't even touched by Defoe. Say what you like about the standard of simulation in this country but it was a pitiful display.
Still, a man down and playing in front of a baying home crowd, Spurs battened down the hatches and repelled assault after assault. Boateng was everywhere, clearly revelling in his new found freedom on the South Coast. Gomes was tested and King and Seb Bassong were stretched time and again and it seemed only a matter of time before we inevitably conceded again. But the clock ticked down and we managed to escape a gruelling second half with the win. Sure, we'd have been expected to beat Portsmouth but to do so in such circumstances speaks volumes for the strength of this Spurs side. They have belief these days and that should not be underestimated by any means.
A quick word on former Spurs midfielder Michael Brown, who did manage to level things up in the last minute - in terms of red cards, that is. His first yellow was quite petulant. Having fouled Benoit Assou Ekotto, he tried to forcibly drag the defender to his feet, believing he hadn't touched him. The ref was having none of it and, minutes later, he clipped a marauding Aaron Lennon, who naturally fell to the ground. Brown, thinking he was above the law, jogged away smiling, beckoning Lennon to get to his feet and stop 'diving' but it was clear to all what had transpired and he was sent off. Michael, you've made yourself look like a right tool mate. And I didn't even have anything against him beforehand.
So another win sees us maintain our iron grip on 3rd place in the league, now just three points off top spot, although such dreams are a tad unrealistic. However, a big win over Stoke next week and twin defeats for Chelski and Man Utd would see us jump to the Premier League summit yet again. Who's excited? My hand is up.
As painful as the second half was to watch, it's fantastic to see Spurs battle and come out on top in these tough away games. Crowds don't come more partisan than at Portsmouth and if Redknapp's men can maintain that mental toughness throughout other battling away fixtures then it could be a very profitable season. The next away trip is at a quiet ground called the Emirates so Tottenham won't have to worry about a cauldron-like atmosphere or anything to that effect. Although, keeping tabs on their little Russian fella might be a wise idea.
Defoe may be out for the next three games (including the North London Derby, annoyingly) but the glory of having a massive squad means that he can be replaced. Time for Crouch to get some proper game time or maybe a chance, at last, for Roman Pavlyuchenko? Watch this space.
The gracious Redknapp
So there was no vociferous reception for Harry Redknapp from the home fans. For all the exaggerated talk and empty threats, the ex-Portsmouth boss was afforded a mild welcome from the South Coast faithful and Tottenham grabbed a battling 2-1 win. I'll discuss the game later on but, for now, Redknapp deserves a smattering of good words for his conduct.
So praiseworthy was he in his comments for the home fans, you'd have thought he was still their boss. But, despite all of the reported angry phone calls and bitter tantrum-throwing emanating from Portsmouth, Redknapp was unequivocal in his glowing indictments of the home club. He described his time with Pompey as 'the best years of his life' and spoke with a genuine warmth regarding the club as a whole.
Don't get me wrong, I don't really want him to wax lyrical about another team but it's extremely refreshing to hear a manager speak so fondly and honestly about an ex-employer, even in the face of the ridiculous abuse he was subjected to after leaving them. Redknapp ignored the idiotic fans who ridiculed him for taking another job and simply acknowledged that the majority of the crowd were 'fantastic fans'.
He also praised the players on the Portsmouth team, paying lip service to their obvious hard work and battling spirit. It's rare to hear a manager speak so positively about an opposition side. Portsmouth fans: it's time you put your grudge with Harry aside. He couldn't have done more for you as a manager. When he left you, you benefited financially, at a time when you desperately needed it. For him to still hold your club in such high affection after what some of you have put him through is nothing short of staggering, to be frank.
My message to Pompey fans is simple: get off your high horses, stop being so bitter and applaud the man for what he did for you. If you spent less time whining about the players and coaches that left you and more time playing like you did this afternoon, you might actually have a chance of beating the drop this year.
Harry, if one day you leave Tottenham for higher pursuits in the manner you left Portsmouth, I can only hope that myself and other Spurs fans remember and cherish the many good things you've done and hopefully will do for our club.
For now, let's just appreciate the man for what he is. A bit of a bloody genius. Another three points, another away win, still 3rd in the league. Juande who?
So praiseworthy was he in his comments for the home fans, you'd have thought he was still their boss. But, despite all of the reported angry phone calls and bitter tantrum-throwing emanating from Portsmouth, Redknapp was unequivocal in his glowing indictments of the home club. He described his time with Pompey as 'the best years of his life' and spoke with a genuine warmth regarding the club as a whole.
Don't get me wrong, I don't really want him to wax lyrical about another team but it's extremely refreshing to hear a manager speak so fondly and honestly about an ex-employer, even in the face of the ridiculous abuse he was subjected to after leaving them. Redknapp ignored the idiotic fans who ridiculed him for taking another job and simply acknowledged that the majority of the crowd were 'fantastic fans'.
He also praised the players on the Portsmouth team, paying lip service to their obvious hard work and battling spirit. It's rare to hear a manager speak so positively about an opposition side. Portsmouth fans: it's time you put your grudge with Harry aside. He couldn't have done more for you as a manager. When he left you, you benefited financially, at a time when you desperately needed it. For him to still hold your club in such high affection after what some of you have put him through is nothing short of staggering, to be frank.
My message to Pompey fans is simple: get off your high horses, stop being so bitter and applaud the man for what he did for you. If you spent less time whining about the players and coaches that left you and more time playing like you did this afternoon, you might actually have a chance of beating the drop this year.
Harry, if one day you leave Tottenham for higher pursuits in the manner you left Portsmouth, I can only hope that myself and other Spurs fans remember and cherish the many good things you've done and hopefully will do for our club.
For now, let's just appreciate the man for what he is. A bit of a bloody genius. Another three points, another away win, still 3rd in the league. Juande who?
16 October 2009
Woodgate on the mend
Ledley King is rumoured to be extremely likely to play at Portsmouth tomorrow after his prolonged absence from the starting XI. This is, obviously, great news - if I see Tom Huddlestone lining up at centre back one more time, I'll have a coronary.
But the other bit of defensive comeback news that we should all be throwing our proverbial hats in the air for is that Jonathan Woodgate has resumed full training again and is thought to be inching closer to a first start of the season. Woody, we've missed you like mad. The defence has done an able job in his absence, no doubt. But Woody gives a far more assured feel to our back four and he adds a bit of experience and hard-nosed determination.
It's difficult to realise he's been with us for nearly two years now. Woodgate's class had ensured that he's mainly gone unnoticed since he joined - such is the level of his performance. How he isn't talked about in England circles is absolutely ridiculous. With a reasonably fit Ledley King, he forms a defensive partnership so formidable, conceding goals at home was unheard of at the back end of last season. Put simply, he's crucial to our plans to climb up the table.
He won't be helping us stave of The Artist Formerly Known as Kevin Prince Boateng (or TAFKAKPB, to you and me) at Fratton Park tomorrow. But with any luck he'll be donning the number 39 again sooner rather than later. And it'd be just swell to have him ready for that little Halloween visit to the Emirates in a few weeks.
But the other bit of defensive comeback news that we should all be throwing our proverbial hats in the air for is that Jonathan Woodgate has resumed full training again and is thought to be inching closer to a first start of the season. Woody, we've missed you like mad. The defence has done an able job in his absence, no doubt. But Woody gives a far more assured feel to our back four and he adds a bit of experience and hard-nosed determination.
It's difficult to realise he's been with us for nearly two years now. Woodgate's class had ensured that he's mainly gone unnoticed since he joined - such is the level of his performance. How he isn't talked about in England circles is absolutely ridiculous. With a reasonably fit Ledley King, he forms a defensive partnership so formidable, conceding goals at home was unheard of at the back end of last season. Put simply, he's crucial to our plans to climb up the table.
He won't be helping us stave of The Artist Formerly Known as Kevin Prince Boateng (or TAFKAKPB, to you and me) at Fratton Park tomorrow. But with any luck he'll be donning the number 39 again sooner rather than later. And it'd be just swell to have him ready for that little Halloween visit to the Emirates in a few weeks.
Flying the flag next summer
Peter Crouch, for all his sins, made the strongest case possible to be included in the England squad for the World Cup in South Africa next summer. And, despite his two goals and general dominant display, it wasn't enough to stop ITV and Steve Bruce's love-in with David Beckham. The decision to award Goldenballs with the man of the match award was more like handing Osama Bin Laden the Nobel Peace Prize, rather than Fabio Capello's particular analogy.
Having never been a praiseworthy fan of Crouch, having him at Spurs has certainly made me a little bit more aware of his virtue. Perhaps when he's scoring tap-ins and rebounds for your team it makes him easier to appreciate. Regardless, his two goals for England were typical Crouch: a bit lucky and not at all pretty. Still, you have to be there to score them and he certainly was in all the right places on Wednesday night.
Attention has inevitably turned to who'll be in Capello's 23 man squad for the finals and it's not unreasonable to say that Crouch should definitely be in that squad. I won't bore the reading public with details of every player I'd take but, suffice to say, Crouch as part of a five man striking contingent is very much how England should go.
For starters his goal record, albeit against weaker nations, is phenomenal. Knock him for anything you want except his ability to stick the ball in the back of the net. He has an uncanny ability to score whenever he's given a start by England and it's a precious commodity. He can also play the target man role, in the manner that Emile Heskey does, and should Capello's patience with the Aston Villa forward finally run dry then Crouch is a more than suitable replacement.
Which brings us nicely onto the subject of other Spurs players in the national side. If the squad were to be picked now, you'd have to assume Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon would all be on the plane to South Africa. Lennon put in another lively and energetic display on Wednesday night before being sacrificed for the Beckham circus - he was sacrificed for an alternative and entirely more unfair reason in Ukraine at the weekend. He continues to impress at international level and should be firmly ahead of Shaun Wright Phillips in the pecking order by now. Which just leaves it between him and that Theo Walcott kid. Needless to say, they should both be in the squad.
Defoe should make the journey as well by virtue of being the second best striker in the country, behind Wayne Rooney. His goal record of late speaks gargantuan volumes and surely Defoe won't miss out on his third tournament in a row, having suffered selection heartbreak in 2004 and 2006. Bloody Eriksson.
Are there any others? It's entirely likely that Ledley King may be selected as a reserve centre back. When fit, is there a better alternative? Sorry, Matthew Upson and Joleon Lescott - he's just better than you. Will Capello trust his fitness though? Plainly speaking, he shouldn't. King's knee is as reliable as the National Rail service. But having him in the squad as a back up shouldn't be scoffed at. It'd be likely he'd only play in case of injury to either Rio Ferdinand or John Terry and even if the worst happened, there'd always be another centre back in the squad to do the same job. Take him, Fabio. You know it makes sense.
It's tough to see any other Lilywhites making the trip. With respect to Tommy Huddlestone and Jermaine Jenas, can they dislodge the combined might of Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick? Probably not. And even though Carlo Cudicini may be qualified to represent his adopted nation, one doubts he'll be considered - or that he'd consider it, to be honest.
It's hard to say whether Crouch has done enough to secure his place in the squad. But he did what was required to make an impression and he can only keep doing that both for his club and his country. He and Defoe will need regular action at Tottenham for Capello to even contemplate taking them. And Harry Redknapp has already demonstrated his desire to rotate his strikers and get the two as involved as possible so it appears that all is looking nice and rosy.
Still, when Crouch gets a hat trick in the World Cup final, you can bet your life Beckham will be showered with the greater praise for his one defence splitting pass. Cheers Steve Bruce, you ugly old git.
Having never been a praiseworthy fan of Crouch, having him at Spurs has certainly made me a little bit more aware of his virtue. Perhaps when he's scoring tap-ins and rebounds for your team it makes him easier to appreciate. Regardless, his two goals for England were typical Crouch: a bit lucky and not at all pretty. Still, you have to be there to score them and he certainly was in all the right places on Wednesday night.
Attention has inevitably turned to who'll be in Capello's 23 man squad for the finals and it's not unreasonable to say that Crouch should definitely be in that squad. I won't bore the reading public with details of every player I'd take but, suffice to say, Crouch as part of a five man striking contingent is very much how England should go.
For starters his goal record, albeit against weaker nations, is phenomenal. Knock him for anything you want except his ability to stick the ball in the back of the net. He has an uncanny ability to score whenever he's given a start by England and it's a precious commodity. He can also play the target man role, in the manner that Emile Heskey does, and should Capello's patience with the Aston Villa forward finally run dry then Crouch is a more than suitable replacement.
Which brings us nicely onto the subject of other Spurs players in the national side. If the squad were to be picked now, you'd have to assume Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon would all be on the plane to South Africa. Lennon put in another lively and energetic display on Wednesday night before being sacrificed for the Beckham circus - he was sacrificed for an alternative and entirely more unfair reason in Ukraine at the weekend. He continues to impress at international level and should be firmly ahead of Shaun Wright Phillips in the pecking order by now. Which just leaves it between him and that Theo Walcott kid. Needless to say, they should both be in the squad.
Defoe should make the journey as well by virtue of being the second best striker in the country, behind Wayne Rooney. His goal record of late speaks gargantuan volumes and surely Defoe won't miss out on his third tournament in a row, having suffered selection heartbreak in 2004 and 2006. Bloody Eriksson.
Are there any others? It's entirely likely that Ledley King may be selected as a reserve centre back. When fit, is there a better alternative? Sorry, Matthew Upson and Joleon Lescott - he's just better than you. Will Capello trust his fitness though? Plainly speaking, he shouldn't. King's knee is as reliable as the National Rail service. But having him in the squad as a back up shouldn't be scoffed at. It'd be likely he'd only play in case of injury to either Rio Ferdinand or John Terry and even if the worst happened, there'd always be another centre back in the squad to do the same job. Take him, Fabio. You know it makes sense.
It's tough to see any other Lilywhites making the trip. With respect to Tommy Huddlestone and Jermaine Jenas, can they dislodge the combined might of Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick? Probably not. And even though Carlo Cudicini may be qualified to represent his adopted nation, one doubts he'll be considered - or that he'd consider it, to be honest.
It's hard to say whether Crouch has done enough to secure his place in the squad. But he did what was required to make an impression and he can only keep doing that both for his club and his country. He and Defoe will need regular action at Tottenham for Capello to even contemplate taking them. And Harry Redknapp has already demonstrated his desire to rotate his strikers and get the two as involved as possible so it appears that all is looking nice and rosy.
Still, when Crouch gets a hat trick in the World Cup final, you can bet your life Beckham will be showered with the greater praise for his one defence splitting pass. Cheers Steve Bruce, you ugly old git.
8 October 2009
Pipe down Pompey
What's worse than an international break? One that comes with two essentially meaningless England games. With World Cup qualification in the bag and nothing to play for but pride and a winning streak, there's precious little to enthuse over. And, to add insult to injury, our star man Jermain Defoe will miss both games with a finger injury. Sure, Aaron Lennon might get a game and, yes, Peter Crouch will probably come on with 10 minutes to go and hold the ball up a couple of times. But it's just not Tottenham, is it?
How times have changed. Last year I yearned for international breaks. They'd be the perfect tonic to ease my Spurs relegation fears and give us all a break from the mind-numbing disappointment of the Ramos era. But, 12 months on, and it's all change. Spurs are proverbially flying. England are ticking along perfectly. And all seems right with the world. Hell, even the sun's out today.
It's set to be a long weekend, regardless. Not only is there no Spurs action with which to gorge ourselves on, some genius has decided to charge people to watch England's game out in the Ukraine. And it's not like you can watch a good quality stream on a big TV either. No, you'll have to make do with the limited visual quality of a small computer screen. Charging money to watch England play online - what has this world come to?
I'll be passing the time by eagerly anticipating our next game. A game that'll doubtless have the fickle and ungrateful Portsmouth fans salivating at the prospect of shouting an obscenity at Harry Redknapp from the safety of a packed home stand. Brave. This brings me onto a point that's annoyed me for a while now; Portsmouth fans. Why are they such idiots? I recently engaged in conversation with a Pompey supporting bloke that I know. I was told that I was deluded in thinking we'd reach the top four this season. I responded to the bloke by saying that I didn't think we'd get that far and had never said I did. He then, rather intelligently, replied that every at our club was convinced we'd get into the top four. Yep. The 'knowledge' had spoken.
I then sat back and listened as he told me what was wrong with Harry Redknapp both as a manager and as a human being. Being the polite, well-to-do young man I am, I let him vent his fury and it was quite funny, in all fairness. Eventually, however, I grew restless and asked why they couldn't just accept that he turned them into a club bigger then they could have ever imagined and that when he left them he did them a favour (the cash settlement we payed them)? I received a reply so nonsensical and farcical it's hardly worth reprinting. Needless to say, he didn't agree with me.
They really are a deluded bunch. Redknapp may have something of a track record of leaving teams for perceived better opportunities but the good work he did at Pompey is indisputable. He kept them up, he won them a trophy, he attracted some very good players to what was, essentially, a small team. Maybe they should focus on their own team's current problems instead of blaming their ex-boss for them? Or perhaps they're just too bitter.
Needless to say, I hope we batter them. But, as mentioned earlier, it's a bloody long time to wait.
How times have changed. Last year I yearned for international breaks. They'd be the perfect tonic to ease my Spurs relegation fears and give us all a break from the mind-numbing disappointment of the Ramos era. But, 12 months on, and it's all change. Spurs are proverbially flying. England are ticking along perfectly. And all seems right with the world. Hell, even the sun's out today.
It's set to be a long weekend, regardless. Not only is there no Spurs action with which to gorge ourselves on, some genius has decided to charge people to watch England's game out in the Ukraine. And it's not like you can watch a good quality stream on a big TV either. No, you'll have to make do with the limited visual quality of a small computer screen. Charging money to watch England play online - what has this world come to?
I'll be passing the time by eagerly anticipating our next game. A game that'll doubtless have the fickle and ungrateful Portsmouth fans salivating at the prospect of shouting an obscenity at Harry Redknapp from the safety of a packed home stand. Brave. This brings me onto a point that's annoyed me for a while now; Portsmouth fans. Why are they such idiots? I recently engaged in conversation with a Pompey supporting bloke that I know. I was told that I was deluded in thinking we'd reach the top four this season. I responded to the bloke by saying that I didn't think we'd get that far and had never said I did. He then, rather intelligently, replied that every at our club was convinced we'd get into the top four. Yep. The 'knowledge' had spoken.
I then sat back and listened as he told me what was wrong with Harry Redknapp both as a manager and as a human being. Being the polite, well-to-do young man I am, I let him vent his fury and it was quite funny, in all fairness. Eventually, however, I grew restless and asked why they couldn't just accept that he turned them into a club bigger then they could have ever imagined and that when he left them he did them a favour (the cash settlement we payed them)? I received a reply so nonsensical and farcical it's hardly worth reprinting. Needless to say, he didn't agree with me.
They really are a deluded bunch. Redknapp may have something of a track record of leaving teams for perceived better opportunities but the good work he did at Pompey is indisputable. He kept them up, he won them a trophy, he attracted some very good players to what was, essentially, a small team. Maybe they should focus on their own team's current problems instead of blaming their ex-boss for them? Or perhaps they're just too bitter.
Needless to say, I hope we batter them. But, as mentioned earlier, it's a bloody long time to wait.
4 October 2009
The Reebok hoodoo and the love of all things Croatian
There are some things that are constant in this world. There's no science or logic to it, it's just meant to be and there's no point trying to avoid it. Whoever wins The X Factor will probably be a bit of a pretentious twat. The Murdoch family will constantly complain about the BBC. England will always exit major tournaments on heartbreaking penalty shootouts. And Tottenham just won't win at The Reebok Stadium. Call it a hex or a voodoo or whatever you will but after numerous years and attempts, Harry Redknapp's/Martin Jol's/David Pleat's/Glenn Hoddle's/George Graham's/Gerry Francis' (circle where applicable) men have tried and tried and failed to snatch those three precious points from Fortress Bolton.
Yesterday was no different. In truth, though, we were probably fortunate to bow out with a point. We caved in to early home pressure as Bolton's tried and trusted method of applying as much intensity as early as possible worked an absolute treat. By the time the fans were comfortable in their seats, Bolton had blasted their way in front, in a goal that wasn't really about glaring defensive error, more being in the right place at the right time. Cudicini's save went straight to the lurking Gardner who applied the emphatic coup de grâce.
And they continued to dominate. Tottenham's alleged new found defensive stability was being tested to the extreme as the continued makeshift defence of Seb Bassong and Tommy Huddlestone nervously repelled home bombardment after home bombardment. If any more evidence was needed that Huddlestone isn't really suited to the centre of defence then this was it, in it's purest form. But Spurs, bless 'em, battled hard and were level thanks to a cracking and thunderous first goal from Niko Kranjcar. Peter Crouch utilised his height (of course he did) to knock the ball down and the newest addition to our Croatian trifecta slammed home from inside the area. Didn't he look happy.
Spurs were still second best, however, and one could only imagine the bollocking Harry dished out at half time. To be a fly on that dressing room wall. They were better in the second half but only marginally so and our old away game failings appeared to be resurfacing. Even more so when a delightfully teasing home cross found its way to Kevin Davies at the back post who had ghosted past Benoit Assou Ekotto with ridiculous ease. A&E may have improved but he's not quite the finished article and he never looked like he wanted to stop Davies from getting his bonce on it.
2-1 down, away from home, in the grim north - surely game over? Last season it probably would have been. But, minutes later, a delightful corner from Kranjcar found Vedran Corluka hovering mischievously on the edge of the area and he expertly directed his looping header into the corner of the net for the equaliser and his first goal in a Spurs shirt. Now, I absolutely love Charlie Corluka. So I was almost as happy as he was when he scored. But my immediate thoughts turned to how the hell we were going to defend our goal for a full 20 minutes.
But defend they did and Tottenham got out alive with a fighting point, no less than they deserved. Should fans be disappointed or relieved? Considering the great start to the season, one might consider a point at Bolton to be slim pickings. But taking into account our bogey record at their ground and our fragile defence, I think an honorable draw is nothing to be scoffed at.
The assembled minds on Match of the Day said that Spurs of old would have lost the game for sure. So maybe there is hope in our away day confidence and steely determination. Nice one Harry. Bolton is certainly one of those annoying grounds that not many teams relish going to so maybe we should wait a few weeks before we put the result into proper context. Still would've killed for a win though. Curses.
In his post match interview, Corluka claimed he doesn't like heading the ball. I don't, for one second, believe him. God bless the Croatians.
Yesterday was no different. In truth, though, we were probably fortunate to bow out with a point. We caved in to early home pressure as Bolton's tried and trusted method of applying as much intensity as early as possible worked an absolute treat. By the time the fans were comfortable in their seats, Bolton had blasted their way in front, in a goal that wasn't really about glaring defensive error, more being in the right place at the right time. Cudicini's save went straight to the lurking Gardner who applied the emphatic coup de grâce.
And they continued to dominate. Tottenham's alleged new found defensive stability was being tested to the extreme as the continued makeshift defence of Seb Bassong and Tommy Huddlestone nervously repelled home bombardment after home bombardment. If any more evidence was needed that Huddlestone isn't really suited to the centre of defence then this was it, in it's purest form. But Spurs, bless 'em, battled hard and were level thanks to a cracking and thunderous first goal from Niko Kranjcar. Peter Crouch utilised his height (of course he did) to knock the ball down and the newest addition to our Croatian trifecta slammed home from inside the area. Didn't he look happy.
Spurs were still second best, however, and one could only imagine the bollocking Harry dished out at half time. To be a fly on that dressing room wall. They were better in the second half but only marginally so and our old away game failings appeared to be resurfacing. Even more so when a delightfully teasing home cross found its way to Kevin Davies at the back post who had ghosted past Benoit Assou Ekotto with ridiculous ease. A&E may have improved but he's not quite the finished article and he never looked like he wanted to stop Davies from getting his bonce on it.
2-1 down, away from home, in the grim north - surely game over? Last season it probably would have been. But, minutes later, a delightful corner from Kranjcar found Vedran Corluka hovering mischievously on the edge of the area and he expertly directed his looping header into the corner of the net for the equaliser and his first goal in a Spurs shirt. Now, I absolutely love Charlie Corluka. So I was almost as happy as he was when he scored. But my immediate thoughts turned to how the hell we were going to defend our goal for a full 20 minutes.
But defend they did and Tottenham got out alive with a fighting point, no less than they deserved. Should fans be disappointed or relieved? Considering the great start to the season, one might consider a point at Bolton to be slim pickings. But taking into account our bogey record at their ground and our fragile defence, I think an honorable draw is nothing to be scoffed at.
The assembled minds on Match of the Day said that Spurs of old would have lost the game for sure. So maybe there is hope in our away day confidence and steely determination. Nice one Harry. Bolton is certainly one of those annoying grounds that not many teams relish going to so maybe we should wait a few weeks before we put the result into proper context. Still would've killed for a win though. Curses.
In his post match interview, Corluka claimed he doesn't like heading the ball. I don't, for one second, believe him. God bless the Croatians.
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