TottenhamHotspur

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Are you starting to get excited?

Posted on 4:52 AM by Unknown

To be honest with you, even though AVB wasn't my first choice (Laurent Blanc was), the optimism in me has started swelling up. Something's telling me that we'll be pushing on further with Andre Villas-Boas as head coach.

Look, I loved Harry Redknapp. I really did. He did a fantastic job for us when he came in so let's give the guy credit. However, I never felt as though there was a plan under Harry's stewardship. Did you?

At times, we played some lovely football under him, but I couldn't see which path the club were taking. This was possibly due to Harry telling us that we should be aiming for a Champions League spot. Then telling us we would win the Premier League. And finally, telling us that we've not had it this good (after we finished 4th).

With AVB, I think the plan is set and the pieces are moving into place. We've got a world class, brand-spanking new training ground. Our first team is pretty decent, although our squad does need to be looked at, and we've got a new stadium on the way.

Okay, but we had all that under Harry, so what's different? AVB is different. Say what you want about him. The guy is meticulous. Harry on the other hand didn't care much for detail. With Villas-Boas, I don't think we'll be signing players because they had a decent game against us or because they're his pals. He'll bring in players that'll compliment the tactics he's set out for us.

Under Harry, there were far too many times when it was obvious we hadn't done our homework on the opposition. Take the loss to Everton away last season. What was all that about? We could all see that the formation he had used was completely wrong, yet Harry persisted with it. With AVB, you can bet that he'll have the team fully prepared and ready to go.

For the first time in ages, I am looking forward to our pre-season friendlies!

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Tuesday, July 3, 2012

I Fear for AVB

Posted on 11:08 AM by Unknown

I do, I honestly fear for Andre Villas-Boas. It's not that I think he's a useless coach, because given his track record at Porto, he's shown that he can cut the mustard.

With regards to the Chelsea debacle, I think we'll be able to judge his tenure after Roberto Di Matteo has around 10 to 15 games under his belt. To be honest with you, any football manager would have failed at Chelsea, especially if the manager wanted to do things his way, and if reports are true, had instructions from Abramovich to make wholesale changes.

The only downer on his time at Chelsea was the way he dealt with some of the players. Having spoken to some Chelsea mates, they were adamant that they wanted AVB to succeed, but unfortunately for him, he went into the Chelsea dressing room like a bull in a China shop. Instead of easing out players like Lampard and Drogba, he went up against them, which proved to be his downfall.

At Spurs, Villas-Boas won't have to deal with the same impossible-to-deal-with players. His first job will be to try and convince Modric to stay - a task I can't see any manager winning.

But again, I don't fear for AVB because he has to deal with Modric - no - the reason I fear for our new manager is because our old manager has a lot of friends in the press and media who seem to be itching for AVB to slip up.

Even before the guy was announced as our manager, the Sunday Express published a useless article which said a lot of players would be queueing up to leave if he was appointed as the new Tottenham Hotspur manager. The article was absolute tosh as it's contents had nothing to do with players wanting to leave if AVB was appointed. But that's my worry. Some of the red-tops are going to have a field day if Spurs don't come flying out of the traps. They're probably preparing their headlines now.

If they all start on him, you can expect our fans to bandwagon along with them, which will derail our season. There's no point asking all the Spurs fans to get behind him no matter what, because we're simply not like that (unfortunately).

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Thursday, September 22, 2011

Carling Cup sacrifice only worth it with Wigan win

Posted on 11:38 AM by Unknown

The Carling Cup is a funny competition. It seems to creep up on you at the start of the season – especially if you are in Europe – and there is no grand fan fare ahead of each round like there is with the FA Cup.

Teams generally pick reserve sides, while the fans vote with their feet, leaving matches looking decidedly grim in half empty stadiums, especially if a Premier League side is at home. Plus if you go out early you are quick to dismiss it as the ‘Mickey Mouse’ Cup. I remember when we won the Mickey Mouse Cup in 2008 against the blue scum. The Arsenal fans couldn't help themselves and went on and on, telling me that we hadn't won anything special. When they reached the final last year, the Mickey Mouse Cup could have been their first trophy in a while, but of course, as it was meaningless, it didn't matter too much to them that they had lost the final to Birmingham. "We'll leave the Mickey Mouse Cups to the small teams like Spurs", said one colleague.

If I'm honest, I suppose I was quick to have that attitude this week after we were finally put out of our misery at the Britannia Stadium. Wow was that a boring match. Tremendously terrible from all angles.

But, had we gone through to the next round, all the talk would have been of ‘a day out at Wembley’ and a ‘European place’, even if that place is a spot in the Europa League, in which last Thursday we fielded an even weaker team than we did at Stoke. That was also a terrible game, although Redknapp has been blooding the little ones, which can only be a good thing.

So then, if we have a priority, it has to be the league, obviously. If we're going to improve our Premier League odds and somehow hang onto the coat-tails of the billionaire-driven big-three then a return to the Champions League – where we know we can hold our own – is essential. I don't know about you, but we have a real chance of getting into the top four this season. Don't you? Should I take off my Spurs cap?

But I’m also a firm believer in what momentum and confidence can do to a side. It is a well worn and often abused cliché but ‘winning is a habit’ rings true. It is hard for a player to switch off for one game and on for another, even more so if the starting XI is dramatically altered from one game to the next. That is why effectively sacrificing the Carling Cup like we did will only be worth it if the club gets a win at Wigan on Saturday – just like the draw in Thessaloniki, followed up by the Liverpool result, was a perfect example of managing your resources by Harry Redknapp. On a quick side note, I can sort of understand you reasoning behind not liking Harry, although what I can't understand is why so many of you are vocal about it. Harry has a mouth on him. We all know that, but no other manager has done what he has done for Spurs since the Premier League came into existence. Give the guy a break.

A good example of how not to chop and change your squad was recently experimented on by Martin O’Neill at Aston Villa in 2009. The Irishman effectively sacrificed the UEFA Cup by playing a weakened team against Spartak Moscow in order to concentrate on finishing 4th. They ended up by in sixth. Gary Megson did the same the year before when he played a weakened team against Sporting Lisbon ahead of a game with Wigan. They tumbled out of Europe and lost to the Latics 1-0.

If you watch football live at the Lane, then you will know how special European nights and knock-out cup-ties under the lights can be. Therefore, it's a shame that they are viewed so negatively compared to finishing fourth in the table.

However, if the club can continue to muddle their way through the Europa League until the post-Christmas knock-out stages, then it will suddenly take on greater significance. Meaning we could dream of a long cup run as well as an assault on the Champions League places - something that doesn’t seem possible at this busy opening phase of the season.

Can we make it three on the bounce against Wigan? I think so.

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Sunday, September 18, 2011

Write Us Off At Your Peril

Posted on 8:42 AM by Unknown

Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 Liverpool. Yes, that's four, nil.

Isn't it great that all the limelight is surrounding the Manchester clubs and Arsenal? We can get on with our business of chalking up the wins. That's two wins on the bounce, but more importantly, two clean sheets.

Modric is looking like he's rekindled his interest, whilst Adebayor is simply superb. In my opinion, Parker is the pick of the bunch. He popped up everywhere today, stopping play, getting stuck in and putting the Reds off their game. What an amazing signing he's turning out to be, and at only £5 million, you couldn't ask for more.

The only downside is that we didn't score more. We could and should have hit five or six, but I suppose that would have been asking for a tad too much.

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Wigan next. Three on the bounce?

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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Do We Miss Comolli?

Posted on 8:43 AM by Unknown

I don't know about you, but I am fed up at our transfer activity, or lack of it, this season. We've needed a striker since January, yet it seems no proper moves to bring one in have happened. Is anyone asking why?

Apparently, we've got money to spend. Apparently, Levy and the board are committed in backing Harry. Apparently.

Let's say all this Diarra talk is real and we are close to signing him, can I ask why? Why are we trying to sign yet another midfielder, unless Modric is on his way? If Modric is on his way, I would welcome the Diarra signing, but even still, I'd like to ask why we aren't concentrating all our efforts on signing a striker, you know, the kind that will score us enough goals to make a difference.

What's up with our scouting system? Under Comolli, we signed players like Berbatov, but then again, we signed Darren Bent. I'm not saying that we should go back down the Director of Football route, but for heavens sake, why is there no cohesion? Is there a plan in place, or does Harry simply take calls from agents, but only after trying to sign every player that's ever played for him?

What input do Kevin Bond and Joe Jordan have in Tottenham Hotspur's transfer policy? Do Tim Sherwood and Sir Les have a say? If it's all down to Harry Redknapp, no wonder we're not getting anywhere. Football management has changed so much in recent years. A manager can't be expected to do it all. Look at Fergie for example. He's never on the training pitch, but he's able to delegate and gets the best out of his teams. Oh, and he conducted all his transfer activity quickly.

If Harry is happy with Crouch, Defoe and Pavlyuchenko, can he let us know what he's seen that we've all missed?

The simple fact is this; We need a striker please, Messrs Redknapp & Levy.

Posted in summer transfer targets | No comments

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Europa League Afterthought

Posted on 1:55 AM by Unknown

By William Taylor
With Manchester City and Liverpool dominating the transfer window in the Premier League this season, it would appear unlikely that Spurs will be considered favourites among bookmakers to win the title.

However, it appears as though manager, Harry Redknapp has the title in his sights, with a return to the Champions League a must for the club.

First of all, though, it is imperative that the club keeps hold of it's star players – a move to Chelsea for Luka Modric could significantly reduce any chance of winning the title.

Furthermore, it is essential that the club bring in the sort of players that know what being in a title race is all about. It will be unpopular among many Spurs fans, but the truth is, Emmanuel Adebayor would be a fine addition to the current squad of players.

Despite having played for Arsenal in the past, the former Togo international reminded Tottenham supporters just what a talented player he is, with a devastating performance against them at the Bernabeu for Real Madrid in last season's Champions' League.

Redknapp has now come out and admitted that success in the Europa League could be harmful to his side's chances of winning the Premier League.

There could be some truth to that as well, for even though the Champions' League last season brought much needed income to the club, the fact is, the team struggled to replicate the sort of form that got them there in the first place.

For a club like Spurs, the Premier League is the real deal. It is your bread and butter, and realistically the main source of revenue. Should Tottenham go as far as the final of the Europa League this season, it will add an extra 17 games to an already hectic fixture list.

For Spurs to compete in the Premier League, younger players with ambitions of wearing the England Away kit one day, will have to step up to the plate and prove themselves on the European stage.

Redknapp pointed out that the likes of Jake Livermore and Andros Townsend would benefit from being involved in those sorts of games.

For now though, the club must focus on holding onto its key players, as without them, Redknapp will struggle to achieve his lofty goals.

Posted in Europa League, harry redknapp | No comments

Monday, July 25, 2011

Redknapp still struggling to convince Modric to stay

Posted on 10:13 AM by Unknown

Why is Harry Redknapp continuing this tug of war with Chelsea over the future of Luka Modric? Last week, he told us that he will attempt to convince the Croatian midfielder of the club’s ambition. But how is he going to do that unless we sign anyone? Talk is cheap my friend.

Central to Modric’s belief that his future is elsewhere, is his desire to win silverware and play Champions League football on a regular basis – something our Harry simply cannot guarantee at the moment, and given the lack of news on the transfer front, the former Portsmouth boss will have to rely on his persuasive manner that the club are as ambitious as the player. As I said, talk is cheap.

Speaking on Tottenham’s tour of South Africa, Redknapp admitted he understood why Modric is tempted to leave White Hart Lane this summer, but said he the club has its sights set on equally high targets.

“I can understand how Luka feels in all this. If anyone offers to treble your wages you’d be interested and Chelsea are a big club.” Redknapp said.

“Everyone wants Luka. Just ask Alex Ferguson what he thinks of him, ask Roberto Mancini at Manchester City - they all want him. He could play for Barcelona.”

“Luka wants the chance to win things and he is ambitious. All I’ll say is that we are too at Tottenham. It’s early days in the transfer market and no one is more ambitious than our chairman Daniel Levy.”

“Luka wants to know that we’ll be right up there challenging next season and we are working hard to bring in a couple of big signings that may convince him to stick with us. I hope so.”

“I have sympathy for Luka and his character has shone through in all this. He’s a fantastic bloke and a genius of a player. I’d just ask him to be patient.” He added.

Given John Terry’s recent lavishing of praise on Modric, there appears to be some equally generous words in Redknapp’s quotes aimed at buttering up the diminutive midfielder – all part of a charm offensive to persuade him to stay in North London, while he was also captain for the game against the Pirates.

Make no mistakes about it, Modric’s future hangs in the balance. The free bets market suggests he may stay, but if Chelsea come up with a seriously high offer, rumoured to be around the 38 million mark, Daniel Levy’s resolute stance could be tested, as it was before with Berbatov and Carrick. Or simply put, maybe he knew this would happen?

Redknapp must now match his words with actions as the start of the season quickly approaches. The arrival of Souleymane Coulibaly has been hailed as an excellent piece of business, with the Ivorian already a free bet favourite to break into the first team at some point this season. But let's face the facts here people. A 16-year old isn't going to get us back into the top four, and neither will the introduction of a veteran goalkeeper in Brad Freidel.

If we lose the momentum gained by qualifying for the Champions League and lose some key players including Modric, there is a real danger Spurs could go back to square one. How long before the likes of Van Der Vaart and Bale start asking for a move?.

Champions League qualification next season is bordering on essential; we all know that, yet Redknapp and Levy can't seem to get their finger out. It's not just Modric's ambitions they've got to match, they've got to keep us happy and at the moment, I am not the happiest Spurs fan.

Posted in luka modric, summer transfer targets | No comments

TottenhamHotspur

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Are you starting to get excited?

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

I Fear for AVB

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Carling Cup sacrifice only worth it with Wigan win

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Write Us Off At Your Peril

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Do We Miss Comolli?

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Europa League Afterthought

Monday, July 25, 2011

Redknapp still struggling to convince Modric to stay

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