3 Points Today Please

Newcastle United are in town. Let's send them home with nothing. In fact, while we're at it, we may as well talk business with Ashley and sort Andy Carroll's transfer out here and now.

Having just come off of a massive 10-man victory at Aston Villa, a game in which I saw a Spurs side play the best they have away, under the circumstances, I'd think it not too bad of me to ask that they players put in the same shift against the Toon. Talking about Villa, let's be fair to them; they to were playing with 10 men, up until Gerard Houllier realised the gaffe he'd made and decided to rectify it by subbing Heskey.

What is it now, nine games unbeaten? Premier League contenders or great pretenders? Who knows? All I do know is that Rafa van der Vaart is unplayable. He also loves getting a goal or two at The Lane, therefore who's to say that we won't run riot against the barcodes? We all know Ashley wouldn't mind it if we took them apart, but then again, when has that bloke ever cared for Newcastle United?

I'll be watching their local hero Carroll quite closely today. It's the first time I'll be able to see the lad play live, so here's to hoping that he doesn't disappoint, although I hope he blunders every chance. Judging by what a few pundits have said, he could really give our defence a hammering, therefore I am ever so grateful Dawson has returned and is gradually finding his feet and his head. Oh how I missed those headed clearances.

THBN Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 5-2 Newcastle United

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Scott Parker; The Leader We Require

Harry Redknapp spoke with Colin Mafham of the Express in a frank interview and laid out the facts about our intended title challenge.

"If we could find someone who would make a big difference to us then I know the chairman would go for him.

"But it's hard to find somebody like Terry or Carragher who can change the place and be a bit of a leader.

"It's just someone who can give you a lift. You're always looking for that sort of player."

Harry knows all to well that there is one player he would be able to sign; Scott Parker. Only this time, Harry's kept quiet. We all remember the tirade of verbals that went on during the summer window when the two David's accused Harry of "unresting their players".

If we are to make a real push for the title, we need a solid spine and it's my opinion that Spurs fan Parker can provide the steel we so desperately need. I also think Jamie O'Hara should be given a chance as it looks like he could well develop into a solid central midfielder, able to dictate and break up play. Unfortunately, if we are to believe the rumours, West Ham would require O'Hara in a player exchange deal as part of the Parker transfer. The lad also spoke to Paul Hawksbee on talkSPORT and explained that he wants first-team football and may have to leave The Lane in order to play regularly. If he does leave, I would miss his tenacity and give-all character.

It's in games like the one today against Villa away, where they deploy Ashley Young in the hole, that the presence of Scott Parker would have been admired.

It's obvious that we need a leader in the middle of the park as well as a striker that can score more than one Premier League goal (Crouch). The truth of the matter is that at present, we have the best squad of players that I have seen in the 30 years I have supported the club. A couple of "special" additions could really push us on.

THBN Prediction: Aston Villa 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur

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Defender on the move

I think the wisest news I've heard this festive period is that Harry Redknapp's trying to get Jonathan Woodgate a loan move so as to beef up his fitness and especially match fitness. It also gets him off our wage bill until he's back to his very best.

I still remember the Carling Cup winning goal against Chelsea as though it were yesterday. I also remember a few pundits claiming that the King/Woodgate partnership was the very best in the Premier League. How we miss those fine days when we had a settled centre-half pairing.

As this is the time for dreaming, do you think we can have a good Christmas? We face Villa away, whilst tackling Newcastle (is the honeymoon period over?) and Fulham at home. Surely we can take seven points from those three games, especially as it looks like our injured lads are on the mend?

Merry Christmas fellas.

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Bassong: A Lot Like King

Excellent display from Bassong

Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Liverpool. But the final scoreline could have read something entirely different had not a certain Sébastien Bassong intervened with two of the best timed tackles I've personally witnessed at The Lane this season.

Both times, our stand-in centre-half prevented Torres from scoring nailed on opportunities. Being in the Shelf Upper, it looked as though Ledley King was on the field. As I watched the highlights on Match of the Day, those two last-ditch tackles looked so King-like. It was the way in which Bassong covered the ground and timed his run and tackle to perfection in the same way Ledley does.

Once Gallas and King have seen their day, Dawson and Bassong will be immense for us at the heart of our defence.

In other news, Harry is apparently interested in bringing Manu Adebayor to The Lane. Can I ask why? I mean, the lad has got an abundance of talent, but (and there's always a but when Adebayor is involved) he also comes with too much baggage. Baggage our squad could do without right now.

I understand that Harry has the ability of turning players around, but when it comes to troublemakers like Emmanuel Adebayor, I wouldn't even think about it. I suppose next you'll tell me that Spurs will move to Stratford?

PS. A warm welcome to all the Cyprus Yids; Akis, Stamatis and Socrates (@ the Bank of Cyprus IBU in Nicosia, Cyprus)

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