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So turns out the we’re heading for a ruck with Wolves on the back of a nasty little run of form. Draws to Villa and Everton have always left a dirty taste in the back of my mouth; like waking up after a particularly hedonistic night out with a lady of ill repute. Fact is though; (and something that many of my peers would ague) is that despite the lowering of standards over the last couple of weeks, we’ve put in a ‘good effort’, and because of this we shouldn’t be too aggrieved at the state of play.

As in my last post; the best thing about our club I find is that we’re so ambitious, to the point that when we become what we have expected the club to be all along, we expect that there will be no hesitations and certainly no regressions into the ’spurs of old’, something that has become archaic only within the last two years of disappointment.

Wolves come to White Hart Lane 17th in the form table; and somewhat lacking in ideas in the creative department. With the return of Modric, (who may take a little time to get back to his best, but is supported unilaterally by Harry and fans alike for good reason). His return on the back of a ‘must win’ fixture should provide an entertaining spectacle; at the very least for the neutrals who find themselves a little bit more interested in how we do things nowadays.

Luckily; Wilson’s damage at the end of the last game also seems less than serious; and he may be more than likely up for selection tomorrow. On the return of Luka losing such an important player would have been the kind of event that if on the Football Manager game would have called for resetting the game for a mulligan.

The long and short of it; is that if we’re looking at the fixture from our new qualified perspective of a non-periphery club, we should flat-out win tomorrow. There’s also a fair amount of speculation that we’ll be looking to take all the ‘W’ teams in the league this season by a margin of 8 goals, (notable multiplying this by the power of 1.6 for West Ham who would seem to deem themselves a worthy opposition to us despite their complete lack of intrinsic quality.) Whilst this for the most part, won’t be a sound bet tomorrow afternoon; we should be looking to take the game in a manner that is more assertive than our (dare I say) lazy two goal lead at Everton, which despite, I reiterate, being away from home led us to become slothful and careless in letting a two goal deficit turn into something that essentially felt like defeat.

Should we get to the point where at 6:00pm that i come to the point where I am reluctant to post about the misgivings of a side that contains so much potential, we may come to the agreement that our side has a certain terminal velocity this season that can only be accelerated in the next. This would be a bit of a shame as; let’s be honest, despite being typically over ambitious as spurs fans in the contemporary era, instant success on such a respectable level would be something we strive for, before we look at the  developments that will have to occur before we look to maintain and build upon our status as a potentially amazing team once again. So if we don’t win, expect a caustic review.

In other news that I thought as speculatory and thus probably something that I should save for an post script rather than a separate post; Bentley supposedly had a to-do with Harry at the training match in which young Luka returned to play. At the point in which this happened, is has been said that Harry made the threat to David that he would sell him in January as a punishment for his inability to take a reserve friendly game against Grey’s Athletic in a serious manner. Since then Harry has played down any suggestion of a rift, saying that any interaction was simply a manager telling a player where he stands. Noting that Bentley has a place in the squad should he put in the effort to put himself in front of a infallible Aaron Lennon, (who in my eyes should be tied down to a new contact as soon as humanly possible). This particularly on the back of recent form that has allowed him to take the limelight in such a way that has drawn realistic speculation of bids from Manchester United and Chelsea in the region of amounts that we would be willing to allow him to leave for.

What this means essentially, and especially since Mr. Levy has released a statement yesterday that he himself and Harry agrees that no players would be brought in unless others had been sold; is that, whilst Pavlyuchenko would be 50/1 to stay at this point. and thankfully most likely will be sold for as close to the value which we had bought him for, if it comes to the point where we need a little bit extra to fund a few incomings Bentley on a caution would in all probability be the most likely to leave in the winter window.

The posited arrival  of Sandro coming in suggests an outlay of 7-16 million, as has been quoted in the press. So Harry’s question to David is simply; ‘Do you feel like lucky punk?, well do you?’

We’ve already seen Robbie Keane score 4 goals this season against Burnley so to expect to see someone score more in a game would have been more than a little bit greedy. But we got it and what’s more all in the space of 45 minutes for he wasn’t breaking the offside trap in the first.

Firstly the team. I called for width and balance and got it. Keane was rested and I bet he enjoyed his drive home tonight – Not! Lennon on the other hand will be enjoying his having returned to the side and putting in a devastating shift which provided goals for firstly Crouch, then Defoe before helping himself to one and Kranjcar put in a superb performance carrying on from where he left off against Sunderland. His vicious shot which became the ninth goal was really deserved to round off his best performance in a Spurs shirt.

And really in the second half they were all outstanding passing it around at will and taking the game by the scruff of its neck and forcing home the advantage. Had we played like that throughout, instead of allowing Wigan back into the game in the latter stages of the first half we would have broken the Premier League highest score record. Granted we did not keep a clean sheet and as it was a hand ball goal a West Ham friend of mine has already texted suggesting the game should be replayed but a momentary lapse could not detract from the sort of performance all football fans dream of.

In my preview I did suggest that if we got the show on the road we could score more than my 2-0. I said to G before the start this could be good today having seen the team sheet and so it proved. After a quick start which saw long balls floated in for Lennon to attack and deliver deadly crosses which produced an early goal for Crouch and a second near miss.

Then there was a quick corner which saw a ball laid across the face of goal for Tommy to hit a powerful shot which was unstoppable and just wide. Palacios took a ball and carried it before hitting another powerful drive that Kirkland acrobatically saved at his top corner.

At the other end Wigan were also attacking and Gomes was made to take crosses and make saves one from a long throw out of his own that was picked off and driven low to his left corner.

At half time we questioned why we had let go of our early grip and could we pick up our play once more to get the second goal. G felt a rocket from Harry would put it right and as usual he was on the button! After the second goal the game burst into life with a flurry of Defoe goals running onto through balls and finishing in style. And that was history of the second half. From the Paxton Road you thought on occasions he had gone too wide only for him to rifle it into the far corner.

Lennon left the proceedings to much deserved applause and Bentley came on scoring an excellent goal from 25 yards from a free kick which we understand is credited to Kirkland as it came back onto his back from the crossbar.

Can it get any better? Probably not. You don’t want to criticise on such a day but we did give the ball away too easily in the first half which might have been punished by a stronger opponent but you can only beat what has been put in front of you and those sloppy passes were made in an effort to provide the type of entertainment that Harry knows Spurs fans expect to see. I’ve seen 10 in a game before at White Hart Lane but that was 6-4 against Reading. I didn’t see the 9 against Bristol Rovers when we were in Division 2 as it was then so this is the pinnacle in scoring on my many visits. I loved it and congratulate the team for delivering a result far beyond any of our expectations at the kick off.

So what now for Robbie; how doe he get back into the side? And Jenas and what about Modric who we understand is nearing fitness? Performance is the answer, they may have to wait but they will know that none of those who performed so well today can be dropped without good reason for the next game. This team looked miles better than the starting line up for Sunderland and got the result in confident fashion. That’s what this game is about. Come on You Spurs!

Även som Tottenham-supporter är det svårt att inte tycka synd om Wigans målvakt Chris Kirkland en dag som denna. Vad hjälpte det att Kirkland förmodligen var sitt lags bästa spelare när Spurs massakrerade Wigan med 9-1 på White Hart Lane?

Spurs flög ut ur startgroparna och Peter Crouch hade kunnat göra 1-0, efter ett inspel från Aaron Lennon, redan i matchens första anfall i den första minuten. Tottenham spelade ut Wigan och det tog inte lång tid innan Crouch kunde nicka in 1-0, passning förstås från Lennon, efter nio minuters spel. Lillywhites fortsatte lira boll och skapade flera bra chanser, men mot slutet av halvleken började Wigan hämta sig en aning och resultatet i halvtid var just 1-0. När spelarna gick ut till halvtidsvila hade man ingen aning om vad som väntade i andra halvlek.

Andra halvlek blev i stort sett The Jermain Defoe Show. 2-0 i 51:a, 3-0 i 54:e och ett fullbordat hat-trick på sju minuter strax efter att Paul Scharner reducerat för Wigan efter ett Thierry Henry-mål i 58:e. Men det var inte slut där. Aaron Lennon fick efter sina många assist göra mål själv, till 5-1, i den 64:e. Defoe gjorde 6-1 i 69:e och 7-1 i 87:e, inbytte David Bentley satte en vacker frispark till 8-1 i 88:e och Niko Kranjcar avslutade målskyttet genom att göra 9-1 på övertid.

Gudarna ska veta att det inte alltid är lätt att hålla på Spurs, men när det går bra, då är det å andra sidan riktigt härligt.

16 hours to go and the tension has already set in. It’s the same every time we play – and has been for years – “can we please not be an embarrassment in this game.” Negative, probably but after some tame performances that have handed Arsenal easy home wins against us its easy to see why I feel like this before the game.

I was lucky enough to be at the 4-4 last season – my only visit to Arsenal – and to be fair we could have lost 8-4. Great result and yes we’ll take it but it could have been oh so different. Robbie thinks are bench might be as good but our results have not been. I wish he had said this after sneaking a streaky away win tomorrow but there you have it. The facts are that no matter which side has form we must scrape a win at some point so why not tomorrow.

Frankly, we’ve too many players out injured or suspended. Defoe, Lennon, Modric and Woodgate for sure, maybe King though I think he’ll start if at all possible. The performance against Everton was strong and mostly from players trying to get a start tomorrow. Bentley, Hutton and Bale were all great and Dawson continued where he left it against Stoke.

These performances showed we were playing Arsenal on Saturday and that they wanted to play. Bentley will start – I’m not sure about the others – and he has to have a massive game if we are to win. Crouch will look to benefit from his crosses and Robbie must throw himself at the second ball and hit the target to give us any chance.

Harry’s dilemma will be central midfield and who to partner Wilson with? Jenas may well get the nod as his performances against the Arsenal have been often his very best for the club.

Right back may be a tough call with Hutton and Corluka fighting it out. Whichever plays please can we have no embarrassing plays like we did against Chelsea when Drogba added a far too easy third.

So to the moment of truth and a PREDICTION: Delighted with a draw, ecstatic with a win in truth expecting a narrow defeat. Let’s hope for at least a good performance.

Elton John and Eminem. Alice Cooper and The Muppets. Celine Dion and R. Kelly???!!! Who the hell authorized that one?

Scary stuff. But the duet that I’m talking about is the unlikely pairing of David Bentley and Gareth Bale. A pair we were lead to believe ‘Arry didn’t rate. One was touted as a jinx while the other practically buried himself in PR no-no’s. The night of our Carling Cup draw against Everton though, would play a whole different song for these two.

It was refreshing to see Bale in the left wing slot. He’s quick. Add to that a beautiful left footed touch. Minus from that some defensive confidence and muscle. Equals? A good formula for a left winger. No? He was always more inclined to attack when slotted in the left back position. Many fans wanted to see him given a chance on the left wing and he repaid our faith that night. He managed a few perfectly timed tackles in the match showcasing some of his defensive skill and proving he is more of an all-rounded left side player than a focused left back. Overall, a strong and positive performance from the boy but not one to sideline Kranjcar at the Emirates.

Bentley on the other hand was dominant. Three letters. You put them together. W. O. W. A handful at all times. Not everyone will agree with me that Bentley put in his best performance ever while wearing lilywhite, but it was! His goal against Arsenal will always be what he’s remembered for, but I was amazed by his pace, confidence on the touch, and defensive tackles. He was hungry and it showed.

Unlike Bale, Bentley will most probably get the nod at the Emirates unless ‘Arry decides to play Jenas on the right wing, leaving Hudd and Palacios in the midfield; an unlikely cheeky scenario because we will need sheer speed in the center to keep up with the Arse. We are a bit short on the offensive front tomorrow but players know that this is one game every Spurs fan will be highly critical of, so nothing short of brilliance will be accepted.

Let’s kick the extinction out of Gunnersaurus Rex!

I was surprised to see Robbie Keane in the starting line up but apart from that it was as had been predicted in the preview. And guess what, we saw some excellent performances from those Harry had brought in for the game. Bale was great at left midfield, Hutton very good at right back and star man was David Bentley who played well throughout and was winning the crowd over by the end of the game. Our only disappointment was Pavlychencko who proved once and for all that against the best sides he has little to offer in the rough and tough game played in England.

In some respects Pav was painful to watch. The crowd supported him really well and at times it looked like Keane was trying to put it on a plate for him but when it really mattered he failed to commit himself and attack the ball as Crouch or Defoe would have done.  As an example in the second half Bale used all of his strength to squeeze past two defenders and put a ball across the six yard line where Pav essentially stood and watched it go by as if rooted to the spot. His anticipation was poor and while he did a few reasonable things he appears to need more room and time than our game is ever going to allow him.

For some reason Everton wore a light purple kit and  after two away games in the previous 4 days capitulated once the first goal went in. Near the end of the game our play became expansive and there was a slight concern that our abandonment would threaten our clean sheet but we cane through unscathed. Once more Dawson and Bassong were strong and Wilson and Tommy did better in midfield both making some excellent passes to get the wingers going.

The first goal was the result of an excellent move and was hammered home by Tommy with a powerful volley from just inside the box. The second followed what looked a streaky penalty award which Howard blocked from Keane’s weak shot. A melee took place in the Everton area and Keane eventually lashed home a furious shot to spare his embarrassment. From that point on there were more goals for us but all the crosses we made were either cleared away under pressure or sailed straight over as our aerial power was pretty none existent.

And so to David Bentley. The man who last season could not beat the first man from a dead ball situation. Last night he turned that on its head and put in a rousing display that will put Lennon under pressure if he is not 100% fit on Saturday. And so it should. Having spent nearly £16M to acquire him it was time for him to perform. Last season it looked for a time as if he was trying too hard before giving up completely. Last night reminded us why the majority of fans were delighted when he was signed. I’m delighted for him and having turned it on when it matters I hope he now focuses attention upon himself in the mirror and says “I can do it and I will do it next time I get my chance”.

Harry must be pleased. The result was the one called for after Stoke and all of the players called in put in a great shift. Arsenal is going to be tough but then again it should be. The local derby is never going to be easy irrespective of league position and form going into the game. What we have to do is give a good account of ourselves rather than sitting back and being rolled over. Any of those playing last night showed that they can do what we expect of them this weekend.

что же, спрашивается, Вы говорите о Вас сумасшедший человек?

I don’t understand a word of it either. What I do know is that whilst ‘The Emperor’ looked sharp tonight in a hold-up role. However he had plenty of chances to place his name on the scoresheet that went wanting. It’s a bit of a shame really, as the game itself was one of the best examples of a completely end to end football match that you’ll see this season. He had his chances but failed to really make an impact in the way that he would have wanted. For the most part I would give him another run out against Arsenal if possible in the last thirty minutes or so. If there is anything to endear yourself to the yid army it would be scoring the winning goal against the gooners in their back yard, (which of course happens to be ours aswell).

As for the returning kings; it’s safe to say that both Bale and especially Bentley have shown a few things to Harry that will keep him thinking. Bentley offered something different on the right in comparison to Lennon; namely a wide midfielder with a spot on delivery, a more mixed style of distribution and a defensive foil. Everything that was expected of him upon his arrival at the club. It’s fair to say that the lad is odds on to start against the scum at the weekend, and as such will strike fear into the heart of Almunia or Mannone or whoever they’re throwing in between the sticks these days.

Bale is someone I have always touted as an option for the left wing especially. This is mainly due to his defensive hesitance as an out and out left-back as he can put in a shift but only really looks comfortable when he is heading forwards with the ball. Tonight he looked at ease and very much in control of things on the left flank. Definitely looking forward to seeing more of the resurgent talent as a specific left sided midfield option; as well as more than adequate cover at left back.

Gomes again today offered more contradictory evidence for the critics; as though he was only tested intermittently, he made a few saves at very important phases in the match that could have turned the momentum of the match against us. What is important though is that he keeps his cool a bit in relation to his distribution; which would have been more fuel for the pundit’s fire; still think that the ridiculous saves he makes would perhaps go past Cudicini; but maybe he doesn’t inspire as much confidence at times as his italian counterpart.

Our overall performance was pleasing; though we did seem to have many problems in relation to making the most of our chances that were endemic in the weekend performance against Stoke. This is certainly something that we’ll need to work on for the rest of the season, as while it’s fair enough that we’re making many chances and winning games. We really have to learn to be more clinical otherwise in matches against the more challenging teams where we find ourselves bereft of chances. This is the difference between good and great sides; the really great sides always look lethal when they have opportunities whereas it’s safe to say at this stage we’re still missing the bite on the end of our bark.

Oh yeah; we won 2-0.

Ratings -

Gomes – 7.2 – The Octopus needs to sort out his distribution; but otherwise another on song performance from the lovable brazilian.

Assou Ekotto – 6.7 – Looked solid throughout the whole match, never really offered any troubling moments. A solid custodian.

Dawson – 6.6 – Made a few vital tackles and looked good; though perhaps needs a little bit more match practice to truly get back into the swing of things.

Bassong – 6.7 – Reliable and looking to offer Woody and Harry a few sleepless nights.

Hutton – 6.6 – I like the look of Hutton going forward; and he seems to be better and better at putting in the tackles where needed; not as reliable as Corluka defensively but much more threatening going forward.

Bale – 6.7- Seemed to get involved a lot with play and increased the pace of proceedings on the left. This deftness was vastly appreciated and his interplay with the centre mids set up some of the best moves of the match. Happy to see him on a winning side.

Huddlestone – 6.6 – Looked much better than he did against Stoke where he found the physicality was a bit too much for him. Some nice passes today and too his goal well; though may need to look at the weaknesses in his games a bit more.

Palacios – 7.3 – All about the show; and didn’t put a foot wrong the whole time. (Well except from one pass but I think we can forgive him for that). Indispensible.

Bentley – 7.4 – Much improved and offered far more variety on the right hand side than we’re used to. My main gripe with out game is that we find ourselves playing quite linearly with Lennon sometimes. Bentley has now opened his box of tricks. A performance against Arsenal could offer Aaron some food for thought.

Keane – 6.2 – Often looked slightly lost in play; though did find himself with a few chances to take. Won a penalty which solidified the result for us. Perhaps needs to sort his head out still, or perhaps dare I say, is just simply on the way out.

Pavlyuchenko – 6.1 – Good link up play and found himself in the position to take a load of chances on goal. None of which came to fruition unfortunately. Whilst there was a fair amount of pressure on the lad to step up today it can be said that Keane and Crouch will be the favourites to start against Arsenal on Saturday.

tonight's match really is a great opportunity for slick rick.

What I love about cup games is that you really get to see where the priorities lie for a manager depending on the squad that hits the field. You also get to see the depth of a squad, (if indeed there is any FULHAM). For me personally, I really enjoy watching cup competitions because despite the economic pedestal the league and top-tier european competition look down loftily from, the cup competitions have a certain ‘je nais sais quois’ that is emblematic of what football is really all about.

Tonight it is arguable that we may see some fresh faces hit the pitch; due to the importance of our tie against Arsenal at the weekend where we will certainly want to go in all guns blazing. Rare talents will be showcased this night; but none with more to prove than David Bentley. On the back of news that Juande Ramos has disappeared with his horse and hat once again into the sunset, his totemic signing finally has the opportunity to try to operate in what can only be described as ‘a rigid system of play’ something which Ramos was vastly unfamiliar with.

Bentley’s qualities cannot be denied; the only reason he has been kept out of the team is that due to his lack of pace on our route 66, (in comparison to the spritely Aaron Lennon I might add), and with the irreplaceable yet medium paced Modric on the left, it would have put a lot of pressure on forward movement from a somewhat slow midfield selection. Simply put; Lennon’s blistering pace sets our midfield apart from one which has to battle it’s way up the pitch.

Aaron’s injury status will force the hand of Redknapp to play the syrup card tonight. As such we can expect the system to adapt slightly for him. Specifically I expect that he will be playing further up the pitch and dropping in crosses from the edge of the box rather than bursting towards the byline, something that should offer out strikers a different kind of opportunity.

Due to Bentley’s presence on the field you can only assume that Pavlyuchenko or Crouch will be looking to take one of the slots alongside Robbie; though I would imagine that Harry would be hard pressed to leave Roman out for a match where he will be testing fringe players claims to a first team bearth; specifically as he has said in recent quotes that ‘I’m looking for a big performance from him. A performance that says ‘you can’t leave me out the team now’. Though with suggestions that through meetings with Hiddink they both seem to affirm his status as a ’sleeping giant’ someone better put some tabasco in his shorts tonight.

Due to our squad depth; we have been attributed with being the favourites for a win tonight; however it is of note that without our wing-wizard Luka Modric we also have flattered to deceive at White Hart Lane. It’s fair to say that it will be an interesting match tonight; though a loss at this stage of the competition would sully this season’s waters in a time when we find ourselves at our most fragile. Though looking at the injury list that Everton are nursing; it’s fair to say we’re not looking too crocked. COYS

Possible Line Up -

———————Cudicini———————

Naughton—Bassong——Dawson——-Bale

Bentley—Huddlestone—Jenas—–Krancjar

———-Pavlyuchenko—-Keane————-

2-1 Spurs

The clocks have gone back so a proper night match. Look out for the photos on Flickr after the game. A Carling Cup tie against the Toffees. Thankfully they are more shell shocked than us after two defeats in four days but with O’Hara on loan and players injured we may field a makeshift midfield in order to protect for the Arsenal game on Saturday.

We fancy Hutton to return, Dawson and Bassong and Assou-Ekotto to continue in the back four. Bentley and Bale on the flanks and Jenas and Tommy for the centre. Crouch and Pav will start up front and we hope for Gomes to continue between the posts.

A good side, possibly? We saw Bale start at left mid at Old Trafford and the boy had pace so why not allowing A-E to have a bit of rest at left back. We need Bentley to be interested and with Lennon’s knock on saturday what more reason could there be than a possible game at The Emirates on Saturday if he impresses. 

For Dawson and Bassong staying fit will be important for if Ledley fails to shift his illness and Woody does not get over the concussion they are in on Saturday. Daws was a giant on Saturday and I fancy Harry to give him the armband.

A couple of goals to get Stoke out of the system. You bet and with kids at £5 ewach it may be some youthful and high pitched chants during the evening.

Come on You Spurs there’s a chance of Wembley at the end of all this!

Having had the best of the first half hour we capitulated badly once Ledley King had pulled up and had to leave the field. For me Corluka is a good foil for Aaron Lennon at full back and their interplay creates much for the team. As a central defender I am not so sure and changing from one position to the other during the game always gives me the collywobbles. Cue two very poor goals being conceded to give Chelsea a flattering and handsome bragging rights scoreline.

To be fair they became far the better side and once they got the game under control were never going to give it up. Their passing was to a man in blue, unfortunately so was ours and in the second half Palacios, Jenas and Huddlestone were pretty anonymous. Had the referee booked Robbie Keane for diving I would be extremely satisfied so i think we ought to have had a penalty and what was happening when Ashley Cole and Peter Crouch came together? If we’d got back into the game it might have been different but with Lennon and Defoe being handled well and not putting up much of a threat and crosses reigning in before Crouch came on being easily picked off I could not see where our main threat was to come from.

With both King and Bassong substituted, Bassong looking very groggy after hitting his head on the ground, we may well be struggling to find defenders for our next match. Kranjcar came on following that injury but i fancied a Bentley Crouch substitution to see if some crosses could be made.

A disappointing day and certainly a disappointing result but i take comfort that we have more points at this moment than i thought we would have before the season started.

In the words of a £15m signing at Spurs Lodge in 2008, the footballer who couldn’t wait to rise through Arsenal youth ranks before he moved to Ewood Park in 2006:

“We can do anything we want, anything we put our minds to.”

Exactly, Spurs wanted to sign everyone in the summer!

Ex-Arsenal Midfielder, celebrating at The Emirates after scoring the opening goal for Spurs in The North London Derby, much to bear the wrath of gooners and more importantly, the author of this note.

Once hailed as “The New Beckham”, the former Arsenal trainee cuts a miserable figure at White Hart Lane these days (if at all, he is on the bench). Leave aside the chance to show off his boots embossed with DB7, he is struggling to get a chance to kick a ball. The spurs midfielder is yet to start for Spurs, this season.

Around one and a half months back, he was left with a cut face and a black eye by a punch from an unknown lad (who must’ve been a Gooner. We are proud of you arsemate. A Toast to You!) while he was dining at a North London restaurant. Plus, a few weeks back, he got arrested of driving under the influence of alcohol when he smashed his Porsche onto lamp-post. Consequently, the midfielder been banned of driving for one year and was fined two-week wages by the Spurs.

Icing on the cake, his loan move to Manchester City also fell through on the last day of the summer transfer window.

Lets all laugh! Hahahahahaha….

You are out, C*ntley! Where will you go now? Stoke in January? Join Larsson to avoid relegation at Birmingham? Or would you like to play under another like-minded Bulldog with Headset at Hull? I even doubt that, C*ntley. And don’t even try to dream that Manchester City will come again—you aren’t even going to earn bucks.

Being at the most confused club in the Premier League at the moment, what more can you expect! Presenting to you: The Roflham Lolspurz!

"I sold Chimbonda on the way up here" - Harry to Spurs fans at Doncaster (Carling Cup)

• Sold Defoe to Pompey in for £9 million only to bring him back after an year for £15 million.
• Bought the teen sensation-Giovani Dos Santos from Barcelona for around £5 million and ultimately loaned him out to Ipswich Town to avoid the further payments to Barcelona. According to transfer clause, Spurs may have to pay Barcelona as much as £8.6 million for Giovani, depending upon his appearances for the club. I guess he is back now at the club.
• In Jan ‘09, Robbie Keane was back at White Hart Lane after seven disappointing months at Anfield.
• Pascal Chimbonda resigned for Spurs in Jan ‘09 having lasted only six months at Sunderland. And Redknapp again offloaded him to Blackburn in this summer
• They also wanted to sign Patrick Vieira, the cult figure among Gunners—their fiercest, and arguably the most intense rivals in the Premier League.
• When Sol Campbell moved to Notts County, Redknapp expressed his desire to bring him back to white hart lane once again. Apparently, the fans who were infuriated with Sol’s move to Arsenal, back in 2001, stopped him.
• When all the big clubs were quiet, Spurs, as ever, were active in the market on the transfer deadline day. Redknapp has almost raped Portsmouth of their finest players – Peter Crouch, Jermaine Defoe and Niko Kranjcar. He almost got David James too. If Portsmouth head towards relegation, the convict has to be Harry Redknapp.

What can I say, Levy?
To me at least, its not the real estate business. You just can’t buy and sell. Why don’t you just make some use of your Land Economy degree to find a better place for your fans to sit and watch your c*nts?

Arsemates, give me more reasons to laugh at Bentley and Spurs. I will update the list with your reference.

God is Awesome. God is a Gooner. Cheers!

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]]> http://luvfooty.wordpress.com/2009/09/02/tottenham-transfer-window-round-up-meh/ Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:58:13 +0000 nearvana http://luvfooty.wordpress.com/2009/09/02/tottenham-transfer-window-round-up-meh/

In a blog earlier this week I bigged up Tottenham’s chances of netting Niko Kranjcar and Martin Petrov while nervously hoping that we’d avoid an ‘Arry brain-fart and sign David James.  Two from three ain’t bad.

£2.5m? Really?

Kranjcar was signed for a curiously small £2.5m while David James remained at Portsmouth as he was apparently not the subject of an “official” approach which is football talk for “‘Arry gave us a shout but we told ‘im to sling ‘is ‘ook”.

The talk of a move for Martin Petrov gathered pace all week but – depending on what you read – he either failed a medical, could not agree (70k per week) terms or the transfer was kyboshed by Chairman Daniel Levy.  The common view is that Petrov would have been a waste of money given the signing of Kranjcar but I’d argue that Tottenham are long-overdue a natural left-sided player for the left hand side of the pitch.  Having said that, if it was a straight choice between Kranjcar and Petrov, then the former represents the best value.

Perhaps most disappointing was the failure to get rid of David Bentley and, to a lesser extent, Jermaine Jenas.  In Bentley’s case I see no reason for him to still be at the club.

A year ago I wrote: “I have never got the David Bentley thing and was quite horrified when we spent a ludicrous amount of money on a player who can’t deliver a corner kick past the first defender.  He seems more obsessed with his tan and haircut than anything else and unlike Michael Carrick, we won’t be making a profit on this guy.“

In Jermaine Jenas’ case we probably need him to make up the numbers but my list of disparaging comments over the years probably shows that I’ve remained consistent about the guy: (“Jermaine Jenas is not the right man for that job (and some might say any job)”, “Playing Jermaine Jenas there ranks, at best, as outright optimsm from Ramos/Poyet”, “…with Jermaine Jenas having yet another mediocre season”, “At Tottenham he seems particularly ordinary in just about every respect. He has no presence, can’t tackle, loses the ball too frequently and when he isn’t scoring there is not much else to his game”).  You get the point.

It’ll be a disappointment if Jenas comes back in to the team to play with Wilson Palacios when fit.  I’m not overly-convinced that Tom Huddlestone is dynamic enough for the top level but I’d still prefer him in the side to the serially disappointing JJ.

Overall it was a pity not to see a central playmaker come in alongside Kranjcar – unless he himself becomes that player when Luka Modric returns to fitness.

Nico Kranjcar is officially part of the Spurs family which is fantastic news! The 25 year old has loads of talent and the fact that he and Modric already have experience playing together makes me salivate. Wipe wipe. Plus he’s a steal at 2-3 million quid!

I must admit that I was expecting Levy & Redknapp to bring in two more players, a central defender (can’t have enough of  those with our injury worries) and a defensive midfielder (a Palacios understudy). Guess we might see a move for someone in the January window. Sandro from Brazil anyone?

I know that Harry rates David James but why on earth would we have gone for another keeper when we already have two solid ones now. Plus he’s knocking on 40 yrs of age. All in all, it worked out for Portsmouth cause they desperately need him at this point.

It’s been reported that Harry was looking to bring in Upson from West Ham, but they were valuing him at 12 million quid so scratch that. Is anyone worried that we haven’t signed a center back? I know we have 4 defenders in the squad but two are injury prone. Risky business. And what ever happened to Chavez from Honduras? All gone quiet there?

Martin Petrov apparently wanted to leave Man City to come to Spurs but the deal never materialized. Look for him in January, as Jaymes from THBN thinks we might get him on the cheap and I agree.

I was also expecting another Palacios type of player, but I guess Hudd will have to adapt those qualities and assume the role when needed.

A close friend of mine truly believes that Bentley was off to Man City; for some reason, I can’t see Harry giving up on him quite yet. I would love to see Bentley come back stronger than ever and silence his critics, not going to hold my breath though.

UPDATE: guess my friend was right… read somewhere Bentley’s loan transfer was in the works but Levy would only accept a permanent deal. Can anyone shed some light on this matter?

How do you feel we did in the transfer market? Anyone missing?

COYS!

OK I was wrong. My prediction of Muntari was based upon the fact that Harry had worked with the player before and possibly because I feel Jenas’ time with us has reached a natural conclusion. Perhaps I am also wrong on this point too but I cannot see him getting much playing time in which to do so.

Kranjcar was suggested as a Spurs player the moment Harry was appointed and as it had not already happened I thought the moment had passed. However with the Modric injury Harry maybe felt his hand was forced or was it the deal that was always going to get done.

So is his signing likely to upset Modric? Not necessarily though Tom Huddlestone may be concerned as Kranjcar will no doubt continue out left when Luka returns allowing him to build a partnership with Wilson “The Sarge” Palacios in the centre.

David Bentley, however, remains in the squad for the time being after a proposed move to Manchester City did not materialise. I’m not unhappy with this as I think his best is to come; well it has to be an improvement upon last season and I think he knows this.

Alan Hutton also remains after Spurs and Sunderland were unable to agree a loan deal and again i am not disappointed by this. I liked Hutton on his arrival and if he had not got injured last season might still be first choice at right back. Ferdinand on the other hand is not what Spurs need now or before when he was linked.

City acaba kime teklif yapacak, Liverpool ucuza kimi almaya çalışır, Arsenal hangi gençle anlaştı, Ronaldo‘nun yerine Utd kimi transfer edecek, Chelsea kadroyu daha da genişletecek mi soruları bugün 4 aylığına son bulacak. Ben de artık sıkılmıştım bu transfer dedikodu ve haberlerinden, iyi oldu. Son günde baya bir yer değiştirme olur. Tüm yaz transfer döneminin değerlendirmesi yarından itibaren başlayacak. Bugünü de bir atlatalım.

Portsmouth‘da yapmak dökümü yaşanıyor diye bas bas bağırıyordum artık yaprak dökümü değil ağaç yıkıldı haberleri yok. Takımda para eden kim varsa elden çıkardılar, özellikle ocak ayından beri. Van Den Borre kiralık derken dün de Benfica‘dan Hassan Yebda‘yı kiralık olarak kadrolarına kattılar. Kadro kalitesi şuan Burnley ayarında, bir mucize olmazsa Portsmouth aşağıya devam eder. Bugün Niko Kranjkar‘ı Tottenham‘a verdiler. Niko‘yu alan Tottenham, Hughes‘un istediği Bentley‘i City‘e verdi. Tottenham bu sene tansferde doğru işler yaptı, bu bir gerçek.

Stoke City bayadır stoper arayışındaydı, bu arayış Sunderland‘dan Danny Collins transferi ile sonuçlandı. Sunderland‘ın kafası rahat gerçi, geçen sezonun adından çokça söz ettiren stoperi Michael Turner‘ı almaları Collins‘in takımdan ayrılmasını kolaylaştırdı. Dedikoduya göre Sunderland son günde Mısırlı Ahmed Al-Muhammadi’yi almaya çalışıyormuş. Birmingham yine Sunderland‘dan eski Tottenhamlı Teemu Tainio‘yu renklerine bağladı. Distin transferini beceremeyen ve Fransız stoperi Everton‘a kaptıran Martin O’Neill‘in Aston Villa’sı West Hamlı James Collins ile anlaştı.

Son günün meşgul takımları Sunderland, Tottenham, normal olarak City gibi duruyor. Büyüklerden tık yok, bir son dakika olursa diye bekliyorum.

David Bentley is set to be handed the golden ticket of a move to Manchester City, who last night closed in on a swap deal with Tottenham involving Bulgaria winger Martin Petrov.

The initial deal for Bentley will be a long-term loan, but it presents the chance for him to restart his career after a dismal 13-month spell at Spurs, who are also signing Niko Kranjcar from Portsmouth for a cut-price £2million.

If the Bentley deal can be completed before today’s 5pm deadline — and both managers want the deal to happen — then he will be reunited with Mark Hughes, the boss behind his most productive spell at Blackburn.  Read full story at Mail Online

Tottenham Hotspur FC: Nu skal det være (igen)!

Stiftet: 1882 (som Hotspur FC)

Stadion: White Hart Lane (Kapacitet: 36.310)

Kælenavn: Spurs, Lilywhites

Seneste tre ligaplaceringer (07/08/09): 5/11/8

Første fem kampe: 15/8 Liverpool (H), 18/8 Hull (U), 22/8 West Ham (U), 29/8 Birmingham (H), 12/9 Man Utd (H)

Manager: Harry Redknapp (Siden oktober 2008)

‘Arry Redknapp er noget så sjældent i moderne engelsk fodbold, som en rigtig karakter. Den rutinerede træner er berømt for sit humør, sin sarkasme, sit medietække, det faktum at han ligner den tegnede hund Droopy, for sine eventyr på transfermarkedet – og nok vigtigst af alt: For at have en evne til at samle nogle ganske habile fodboldhold og få dem til at spille noget attraktiv fodbold.

Dette er tidligere lykkedes i såvel West Ham som Portsmouth. Begge klubber fik ‘Arry i Europa. Pompey sikrede han oven i købet en FA-cup sejr i 2008. Det var også 62-årige ‘Arrys første trofæ i hele karrieren. At begge klubber så var mere eller mindre økonomisk i ruiner da Redknapp forlod dem er en helt anden historie.  Både trofæer og attraktiv fodbold er noget de snakker meget om på White Hart Lane (- og økonomien har de også temmelig godt styr på, som en af de få klubber i Premier League). Trods en række magre sæsoner har Tottenhams supportere nemlig stadig en selvopfattelse som et storhold; og følgelig en forventning om at holdet bør spille med om trofæerne i England. Det var lige ved og næsten under Martin Jol for et par år siden. To femtepladser i træk og et lovende hold under hollænderen var imidlertid ikke godt nok for den nok lidt for utålmodige ledelse. Ind kom i stedet spanieren Juande Ramos som på spektakulær vis placerede holdet nederst i tabellen i en længere periode (og retfærdigvis vandt en carling cup), inden den bundrutinerede Redknapp blev hentet. Han ændrede destinationen fra katastrofe til en 8. plads inden sæsonen var slut, og i år er holdet startet som lyn og torden med 3 sejre ud af 3. Det er ikke mindst ‘Arrys fortjeneste, og holdet vil i den kommende sæson have nydt yderligere godt af, at han har haft en fuld preseason og endnu et transfervindue til at sætte sit præg på holdet.

Truppen generelt: Det kan blive rigtig godt, det her

På kassen er brassilianeren Heurelho Gomes efter en usikker start i klubben efterhånden sikkert førstevalg. Udsvingene mellem det spektakulære og pinlige er blevet mindre for Gomes, som ikke desto mindre regelmæssigt rygtes på vej ud i kulden igen. Gamle, solide Carlo Cudicini agerer en glimrende back up. I midterforsvaret råder Spurs over den meget populære og endnu mere skadesplagede Ledley King og endnu en fast klassespiller i genoptræningslokalet; Jonathan Woodgate. De suppleres af den lossende, vel voldsomt vurderede Michael Dawson.

På venstrebacken er Benoit Assou-Ekotto en god offensiv løsning, mens det dyrt indkøbte walisiske talent Gareth Bale stadig mangler lidt før han for alvor berettiger sin hype. Han har retfærdigvis alderen med sig. Alderen kan dog aldrig retfærdiggøre de emo-frisurer han har haft. Højrebacken besiddes ofte af store, lidt tunge og meget kroatiske Vedran Corluka (som foruden at have et af ligaens sejeste navne også bidrager med evner i centerforsvaret), mens skotske Alan Hutton ikke lader til at være Redknapps kop te på pladsen i højre side. Problembarnet Pascal Chimbonda rygtes heftigt på vej væk – i øjeblikket mest intenst til Blackburn, hvor Sam Allardyce åbenbart forsøger at samle et helt hold af højrebacker.

På midtbanen er Wilson Palacios og Tom Huddlestone to muskuløse utysker  som sparker røv og noterer navne, som man vist siger i staterne. Altså med andre ord: En midterakse som de færreste vil finde det muntert at blive konfronteret med i år. Ofte vil Jermaine Jenas nok snuppe den ene plads, og give midtbanen et mere offensivt islæt. Det siges at Mourinho har været interesseret i Tottenhams 8′er, omend undertegnede altid bare har oplevet ham som middelmådig. Højrekanten Aaron Lennon bidrager med grotesk fart, mange direkte udfordringer af sin back, fine indlæg og målfarlighed, alt imens Luka Modric i den anden side er en af ligaens bedste spillere, som ser ud til at få sit definitive gennembrud i år. Modric kan simpelthen det meste med en fodbold, og han bliver hele tiden bedre til at tilpasse sin tekniske kunnen og fantastiske blik for spillet til tempoet og fysikken i Premier League. Modric vil typisk operere i en meget fri fortolkning af placeringen som kantspiller. Midtbanen kan desuden fyldes med spillere som sidste sæsons store flop, spritbilisten David Bentley, og talentet Jamie O’hara som foruden at være en spændende, intens spiller også skulle være en udsædvanlig sympatisk fyr (af en professionel fodboldspiller) udenfor banen.

På toppen huserer Robbie Keane som blev hentet tilbage fra et halvt års mislykket ophold i Liverpool i januar. En anden lille mand blev ligeledes lokket tilbage til Tottenham i januar efter en tur udenbys da Jermain Defoe blev hentet i Portsmouth. De herrer suppleres af russiske Roman Pavlyuchenko som trods sine mange kvaliteter aldrig for alvor er slået igennem siden den dyre overgang som fulgte skarpretterens gennembrud ved EM 2008.

Væsentlige transfere: Crouch über alles

To gange ung Kyle – Naugton og Walker – er blevet hentet i Sheffield United. Sidstnævnte er sendt retur på lån, alt imens førstnævnte kan forventes at komme ind omkring førsteholdet, hvor han sandsynligvis vil bejle til venstrebackpladsen. Til det skadesplagede centerforsvar er franske Sebastian Bassong blevet hentet i Newcastle, mens sommerens største transfer for Tottenham – i mere end en forstand – er fyrtårnet Peter Crouch, som kommer til fra Redknapps tidligere klub Portsmouth. Til gengæld er angriberen Darren Bent blevet sendt nordpå til Sunderland for en pris omkring £ 10 millioner, alt imens den hårdt kæmpende men begrænset talentfulde defensive midtbanespiller Didier Zokora er blevet lokket til Sevilla.

Forventninger: Masser af mål…

Ikke blot er Tottenham startet fremragende i år. Der er også al mulig grund til at tro, at de kan blive ved. Holdet råder først og fremmest over en rigtig god start-11′er, og en mindst lige så god træner. Redknapp er berømt for sin evne til at få spillere til at føle sig godt tilpas og have det sjovt med at spille fodbold. Ligeledes er han kendt for at få det optimale ud af spillere, som ellers er gået i stå. Hans måde at få det optimale antal spilleminutter ud af Ledley King har for eksempel været imponerende. Redknapps karriere lakker efterhånden mod enden, og han får næppe nogensinde en bedre chance for at spille med i toppen af ligaen – i Tottenham har han de perfekte arbejdsbetingelser for at lave et ærefuldt angreb toppen af engelsk fodbold.

Spurs har potentielt  en rigtig god defensiv, og en midtbane som kan tilpasses til enten at være solid og defensiv eller mere offensivt minded. Begge disse kæder fremstår dog temmelig sårbare, hvis nøglespillere render ind i skader eller formdyk. Centerforsvaret er blevet fornuftigt garderet med Bassong, alt imens man kan spekulere på hvor godt spurs vil tackle at skulle undvære Modric, Lennon eller Palacios, som på rekordtid er blevet en nøglespiller.

Det bedste argument for en rigtig uhyggelig Tottenham-sæson findes imidlertid helt på toppen: Angrebspuljen med Keane, Defoe, Crouch og Pavlyuchenko er på niveau med de bedste i ligaen, og særligt et partnerskab mellem Defoe og Crouch kombineret med Lennon og Modrics kvaliteter på midtbanen kan kaste et meget, meget, meget, meget højt antal mål af sig. Defoe er – måske undtagen Michael Owen – den engelske angriber som afslutter bedst, og som har den mest naturlige evne til at lave mål. Crouch holdt nærmest egenhændigt Portsmouth oppe i sidste sæson, alt imens begge spillere allerede en gang har oplevet at få revitaliseret deres karrierer af Redknapp da han hentede dem til Portsmouth.

Tip: Forventet placering: Nummer 5 Supersæson: Det er nok en postgang for tidligt til for alvor at bejle til Champions League pladserne, men femte-pladsen vil også markere en mere end godkendt fremgang for de ambitiøse lillywhites.

Redknapp - 4 games 4 wins

Tottenham’s fringe players made the most of their chance to shine as Harry Redknapp’s men maintained their perfect start to the season with a thrilling Carling Cup second-round win at Doncaster.

Redknapp opted to make seven changes to the side that won 2-1 at West Ham on Sunday, allowing the likes of David Bentley, Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko the opportunity to show what they could do.

And they did not disappoint their manager, as all three scored for the Premier League leaders who have now won all four of their games this season, with Tom Huddlestone and Jamie O’Hara joining them on the scoresheet.  Read full match report at Mail Online