Joe Cole's Mistake

Yes, that's right, his mistake. When asked if he was happy at Liverpool, he gave the same run-of-the-mill answer, but did manage to let on that things weren't going to plan. No sh*t Sherlock!

You know it's only a matter of time before the mainstream media junkies start writing headlines like "The Prodigal Son Returns" and "I'm REDy to Quit my Liverpool Hell".

As far as I am concerned, Joe can rot up in Liverpool. Joe Cole chose to go after the money, setting aside ambition. From what I've seen of him this season, he dribbles with the ball from right to left a great deal, stops, dribbles some more and then either loses possession or makes a dreadful pass.

If anything, I would like to thank Joe Cole for choosing Liverpool over Tottenham Hotspur, for if he had decided to sign a 70K per week deal with us, a certain Van der Vaart may not have graced the White Hart Lane pitch.

Even though I wasn't pro-Cole when he was being linked with us, I still got that empty feeling after he had signed for Liverpool; you know the one - like you felt when you heard that West Ham had won the bid to takeover the Olympic Stadium - you didn't want us to get it, but at the same time, you felt disheartened.

Maybe Joe Cole could have been a real Tottenham Hotspur player. One that inspired us and got the team going. But as I said, Mr. Cole made his choice. Now he can't wait to get out of his Anfield hell. Well, I won't be welcoming him at Spurs. Even if Liverpool were to gift wrap him to us without a transfer fee and even if he accepted below-par wages, I still wouldn't want him anywhere near White Hart Lane. Firstly, he wouldn't be an improvement on what we have, secondly, he's an expert at writing sicknotes and thirdly, he would take up one of the valuable 25 man squad slots.

Someone better let Joe Cole in on the fact that we've moved on. Tottenham Hotspur is simply too big for Joe Cole.

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The Mercenary in the Corner

Have I missed something here? As far as I am concerned, Wayne Rooney has every right not to sign/accept a new contract if, and that's a big "if", he and his advisers feel he can get more elsewhere.

It seems as though the media have been camped in the North-West for far too long, and with the impending implosion of Rooney's demands, it seems the media wagon will have to extend its lease for the foreseeable future.

Let's put it another way; if I am head-hunted by a competitor firm and they assure me that I will earn nearly double to what I am earning right now, I would be a fool if I didn't give the offer the time of day.

A few moronic former footballers have said that it really doesn't make a difference if you are on £150,000 a week or £200,000 a week. You what? Oh, let's not forget that these are the same guys that have gone on record and said "present footballers do not comprehend the value of money". It looks as though these former players, turned financial comedians, are the ones that know nothing.

I can understand the frustration of the Manchester United fans, for if Rafael van der Vaart was to suddenly state that he wanted to leave and would not sign a new deal, I know how I would feel. Thing is, each and every person needs to look out for themselves. If Wayne Rooney thinks he can get a double-your-money deal at City or at another club, surely he has every right to look at all possible avenues.

What I do disagree with however, is the way Mr. Rooney has conducted himself since the World Cup. Fair enough mate, you want a better deal, but for heaven's sake, act like a footballer that deserves one.

Unless you have been living in a cave since June, you would have heard and/or seen reports that Wayne Rooney has been missing. Whether he has an ankle injury or not, the way he has performed of late has been nothing short of pitiful.

No matter what you think of Wayne Rooney, he is a world class footballer, although his recent performances would state otherwise. He needs to get back to what he does best, be it for Manchester United or another club. Unfortunately, that may not be so easy, for getting your head straight can take a lot time.

According to reports in relation to the West Brom game last Saturday, the fans chanted Rooney's name as he came on as a second half sub. However, the supporters chants turned silent as Wayne's introduction collapsed all hope of a revival. "The United players became despondent and the game turned flat", were some of the remarks (cheers Chapper's).

So then, when will Harry and Levy get the cheque book out?

It's an amazing situation that Rooney could become a free agent, someone who is worth £50-60 million.

He's in a situation whereby if he does not want to sign a contract then in 18 months he is a free agent. He's in a position where if someone gives him personally £30 million then he is still a cheap player. He can go down that road and Man United can do nothing about it.

Those were Harry's quotes.

And why not? It's obvious that Rooney wants to earn as much as possible. If no offers are forthcoming, he may just play out his contract, although I can't see Sir Alex Ferguson allowing that to happen.

All in all, I wouldn't like to be a United fan at the moment.

Come on you Spurs!

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Aaron Lennon Has Found His Form

For those that were at the ground on Saturday, how many of you actually kept your eyes on Aaron Lennon? I know I did and for the first time in what has seemed absolutely ages, the lad looks like he's getting back to his best.

Harry made the change in the second half against Villa, replacing Roman Pavlyuchenko with Aaron Lennon, and asking Rafa to slot in just behind Crouch. What may have looked obvious to a lot of us, proved to be the Redknapp masterstroke.

In the end, it all seemed too much for poor old Villa. With Lennon bombing up and down on the right, Bale on the opposite flank and Van der Vaart playing just off Crouch, Harry has shown us all that the 4-5-1 formation can work wonders.

I know everyone is ranting and raving about Rafa at the moment, but let's face it, the lad is world class and therefore performances like the one he put out on Saturday should be expected. I am more interested in the resurgence of Lennon. We have all craved to see Bale and Lennon on fire in the same game. On Saturday, we got a glimpse of things to come.

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Bargain of the Premier League

World Class

So tell me, which player was the best bargain signed in the last transfer window?

Some may argue that Arsenal's Marouane Chamakh, who came in on a free, could be branded as the best bargain of the summer. I've not seen him play live and therefore can't comment too much on him, unless it's to tell him than no matter what he does to his hair, he doesn't look like Ronaldo.

Could Rafael Van der Vaart be that player? After all, he has been simply sensational thus far. The Dutch maestro has taken to our Spurs team astutely and calmly. I certainly didn't expect him to hit the ground running and thought that it could take a good few months before he came good. However, since his debut, he has been performing as though he has been playing for us for several seasons.

It's not just his goals either, which he's now scored three in the Premier League and one in the Champion's League. It's not even his passing and vision. No, for me, it's his tenacity and passion. Watching him live today at The Lane, you could see that he always wanted the ball, demanded it, needed it.

His willingness to tackle also hasn't gone amiss. On at least ten different occasions today, he won the ball back and set up another attack.

It looks as though the rest of the lads have taken to him to, with them warming to his every attempt. What about us? Well, we absolutely love the fella.

As regards my original question; at just £8 million from Real Madrid, Rafael van der Vaart is that bargain.

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The Big One - For West Ham

Even with the midweek debacle, the majority of our players have been well rested and let's face it, they deserve to give us something to cheer about. 

I can see us getting a win, purely because we are a lot better than West Ham at this point in the season. I know that football doesn't always work like that, but from seeing West Ham on one occasion live this season against Bolton (yes, I was asked to go, and thinking that I could possibly get lucky, went along), they were about as lucky as I was on the night. Terrible and dross are but two adjectives that spring to mind. I haven't watched a team so inept of confidence since the Ramos days.

Has Grant lost the dressing room? Maybe he has. I think a few West Ham fans will come on here and let us know the answer to that. 

With The Modfather back in action today and with Bale and Transit (VDV) on form, I can't see us getting anything but a win.

We may not be the most consistent side at the moment, but this is a London derby and surely that's got to count for something? Of course, we all know that this match means more to the Hammers than it does to us, but as things stand, anything they could get from the game would be a bonus.

As I said above, I can see our attacking play overwhelming them, especially in midfield. Unless Parker can pick up Transit, we may run riot. Our new Dutch maestro is beginning to show why many Real Madrid fans were left disgusted at losing him; and imagine, he's been carrying a niggling calf injury, but has still shown us why he truly can be placed in the "Worldclass" category.

Even if fellow Spurs lovechild Parker can chase him out of the game, who will mark Bale and Modric? I ate my words after the Arsenal match, but I can't see me having to eat humble pie after this game has run its course.

THBN Prediction: West Ham 0 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur

One to Watch: Gareth Bale

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The Red Snub

So I've been reading the remarks made by Rafa van der Vaart (VDV - sounds like an illness, doesn't it?).  He chose us instead of going up north to Liverpool.

Now, don't get me wrong, I really don't mind it that we've signed the lad.  He is a top top player and I have no doubt that he could go on to become a Spurs legend.  All I wish is that instead of talking up why a player did this and that, I personally would have preferred him to have remained shtoom and let his feet do the talking.

This "I could have joined Liverpool, but chose to come to London instead" talk, really doesn't wash with me.  If you're going to win the hearts of the fans, it's your skills away at places such as Liverpool, which will merit you the status of god.

Rant over.  It's still nice to know that international class players are choosing us over Liverpool.

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van der Vaart: To be confirmed or not confirmed, that is the question!

The man of the moment, Rafael van der Vaart

Am I right in thinking that the English Premier League transfer window was firmly shut at 6pm yesterday (Tuesday, 31st August 2010)?

If that is the case, how is that neither Tottenham Hotspur nor the Premier League have announced the transfer of Mr. van der Vaart?  I understand that the paperwork was filed and that Daniel Levy and his sidekick, Darren Eales were attempting to push through the deal and, according to Marca, had succeeded in doing so.

Thing is, Rafael van der Vaart (RVDV) was sitting comfortably in Madrid yesterday evening. Medical, anyone?  Could it be that the necessary paperwork did go through in time, but the Dutchman has yet to take his medical?

We never like doing anything the easy way round at Spurs, therefore, why should this deal be any different?

If something were to go wrong now, I will find a field and bury myself in it.  I think RVDV will do the same, especially after the interview he gave to the Dutch newspaper, Telegraaf.nl.

"I can hardly believe it myself [on the transfer to Tottenham Hotspur]. It's a pity I cannot now play against Ajax in the Champions League but now I get to visit FC Twente. That will be fun!

"The interest from Tottenham has only today [Tuesday, 31st August 2010] become concrete. But then it [the paperwork] went in quickly. In any case I did not take long to think about the deal. I just want to play football again and if possible, every week, at a great club like Tottenham Hotspur. I'm totally happy with the deal and look forward to this new challenge in my career." - Telegraaf.nl

Need a shovel Rafael?

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Tottenham Sign Rafael van der Vaart

Spanish newspaper, Marca, have confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur have signed Real Madrid's Dutch International midfielder, Rafael van der Vaart.  The deal is believed to be in the region of £8 million.

The club's website has said nothing though, so watch this space.  If this story is true, it's a superb signing.  RVDV can play anywhere across midfield, and in the hole behind the striker.

Source: Marca

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Who's Harry about to buy?

Our great win against the Brum was truly marred by The Modfather's leg fracturing and Ledley suffering a groin injury.

I suppose the one bit of good news is that Woody came through his first training session on Friday. I'm not sure how long he'll still be out for though, but seeing as we don't play for two weeks, he could be fit in time for our biggest test yet, Manchester United at home, although I don't think he'll be match-fit.

I hope we'll get to hear how long Luka will be out for and of course, we send him our regards.

As regards Ledder's, it all depends on what he's done to his groin. If he's torn it, then we could be looking at 4-6 weeks. A tweak can take him out for up to 3 weeks, as can a pulled groin. Either way, I can't see him being back for Man U game.

I was at the Lane on Saturday and saw that Charlie clearly isn't a centre-half. He's a very good full-back, but that's the extent of his game. He just didn't look at all comfortable, especially when being pressured.

So then, what do we do? I'm sure Harry will be looking to bring someone in. Maybe Sgt. Wilson's mate, Ozzie Chavez, can be brought in on a short-term deal?

As regards our goal keeping position, I think Harry's not too pleased with either Carlo or Gomes and may look to bring in James. I don't think James is the answer, but Harry knows him and so make take the plunge.

In relation to signing a left winger to replace Modric, I've got a feeling Keano will be filling that spot until Luka returns, with Crouch and Defoe playing up front. After all, Robbie slotted into that position fairly okay in Luka's absence.

Whist at The Lane on Saturday, I had a great conversion with a guy named Tony. He obviously knew his football and said that "Harry won't be in for that Dutch Real player (Van der Vaart) as Harry prefers to play two central holding midfielders with the other two midfielders being very attack minded.

I agreed with Tony. Azza is a right winger and The Modfather plays on the left but is given the freedom to do as he wishes. Even though I would love to see the likes of Van der Vaart at White Hart Lane, but what would happen when Luka returned to action? We would either have an unhappy Croatian or Dutchman.

If Harry is looking to bring in James, I would ask that Portsmouth take Cudicini as part of the deal. I would then try my damn hardest to sign another midfield enforcer. Unfortunately, both Sandro and Sissoko are unavailable.

I do believe that we need a short-term solution at centre-half, although that's way easier said then done.

Whatever happens, I think there will be some movement before the window closes.

Niko Kranjčar anyone?

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