Everton 2 Spurs 2 Autopsy: Cry me a river
Monday, December 7, 2009 at 10:12AM Decided not to blog post-match on Sunday evening, mainly because I was waiting to see if I was about to be consumed by the knee-jerking that took place on various message boards. Specifically the knee-jerking on the Glory Glory board. Anyone browsing in would think the Mayans got their prediction about 2012 a couple of years off. Absolute melt-down of the highest order. Half the players were being slated, everyone was suddenly writing off any chance of a Top 4 challenge and Harry was the culprit responsible for our downfall. Bedlam. People should stay away from football forums during and just after a game as emotions tend to over-take sensibility.
Regardless of the fires and riots, I still found myself conflicted. I was struggling with the notion that perhaps the knee-jerking was the correct response to losing a two-nil lead and then missing the opportunity to take all three at the death. Perhaps not knee-jerking is nothing more than a delusion, a form of denial and that brushing off the reality of the two points lost was the easy way out. Brush it under the carpet, tag it under 'learning curve', place it in the bottom drawer and close it shut.
"One of those days"
Even though we tend to suffer one of those days every time we're meant to be witnessing the necessary move up to the next level. You sort of kind of can't blame some peoples reaction.
And that's the crux of it. The reason why everyone despondently frowned as they turned the pages of the 'How to throw away points by Tottenham Hotspur' manual and in unison sighed at the predictable outcome at the final whistle. This was textbook. But then why do people act so surprised when it happens?
Pre-match, I was confident. Teasing and (tongue in cheek) asking for a 4-0 away win. I wasn't alone, although being a Spurs fan, you almost know that in the type of games you're expected to win you usually falter. Everton, depleted, but perhaps not unconscious in a shallow grave as most assumed. I called for 'mental strength'. And once again, Miss Irony lashes out and slaps me across the face. How dare I insult her.
"This season is going to be tight, and these are the types of tests we need to pass with flying colours"
Famous last words from me.
Congratulations to Everton on their victory. However, had Defoe taken the penalty with any sort of ruthlessness then the aftermath wouldn't be half as dramatic as it is at the moment. We'd have won, and there would have been the same questions about certain areas of our play but I guarantee you there would also have been plenty of 'this is what Top 4 clubs do, they win games no matter the obstacles they face' types of bravado. And yet, the miss means that we are suddenly not good enough. The logic used with some of our fans is based on a game-to-game template. The expectations are complicated, rather than simplified. And everything that has come before is rendered redundant based on the 90 minutes of football just played.
We fucked up. There's no doubting it. 19 attempts on goal, we (again) looked like the home side in an away match. 4-0 would have been the outcome had we been a touch sharper. The match was lost not on the Everton comeback or the penalty miss but the lack of clinical finishing. Up until the final 20 minutes Everton were plucky and physical and bullish but had little to offer in the way of goal opportunities. That was until we gladly allowed them the time and space to score.
Rather than assert ourselves we let them progress forwards. Wave and wave of ugly snarling effective football. Ominous it was.
And this is where my conflict sat and why so many knee-jerked after the game. Why oh why do we always allow sides back in when we've bossed the game? Answer? No leadership. Imagine a Roy Keane in the middle of the park barking out orders. Harry has come in for some slack for not motivating from the touchline or making substitutions that make no sense. I'm waiting for the theory that he hypnotised Wilson Palacios and forced him to spread the ball out to Coleman (lovely player) who was left with space ahead of him and the next time we touched the ball was to take it to the centre of the pitch to kick-off.
Bale was slaughtered by most, but how many noticed Niko drifting into no man's land and leaving Gareth alone to face two Everton players? He stood little chance. Although that's not to say he looked comfortable at left-back (brought on because BAE was losing his head). Bale is probably more suited for the left-midfield position anyway, as it appears our coaches have done little to improve his defensive qualities.
It's amazing that from a position of complete authority and control, I was willing on the final whistle towards the end. Again, here festers my conflict. We've seen this so many times. But once more, I call lack of leadership on the pitch as the main reason for the inept surrendering of two points. Losing shape and concentration is proof that mental strength is still lagging desperately. As though we had switched off at 2-0 up and decided the game was done, rather than perhaps step up a gear and score a third.
Wilson, who had an indifferent game (very untidy at the start, but introduced a little bite later on) won us the penalty and was then carted off to hospital. I'm certain I was not alone in thinking JD would miss. But then most people would think that (regardless of the team/player) because it was one of those matches full of twists and turns. And it's Tottenham and making us suffer is what they do best.
Then the knee-jerking hellmouth explodes releasing all manners of over-reactions and ridiculous analysis, including a personal favourite where some people thought Harry should have got Keane on the pitch to take the penalty. The same Keane that most prefer to have sitting on the bench…forever. Another gem was the question that asked whether Defoe is over-rated. Yes he is. Because he missed a penalty. Send him back to Pompey the useless git. He only ever scores when it doesn't matter. Fabio should drop him from the England team.
So, am I still conflicted? No. Not really. I'm still gutted. More so than the home defeat to Stoke. Could have been worse, we could have been two-nil up to West Ham and let it slip. But it's Monday morning, and I'm still pissed that we failed to kill the game off. And in the past we'd have been happy with a point. But times have changed. The frustration is that times need to be changing further. It's in need of some tweaking.
Whether you blame Harry for this (killing a game off) inability is dependent on how patient you are and how long you believe a learning curve should last for. There's that old chestnut about how no matter the players no matter the staff no matter the manager - the same reoccurring problems exist. Years and years of devolution (with the occasional spike) can not be fixed over-night. When Harry took over we had a mixture of good and bad players who were all under-performing. He's got us up to where we should be based on the squad we have. The underlining problem still at large is that we are still lacking that little bit extra. That mental resolve comes with belief and if you don’t have players on the pitch who led by example and scream and shout orders to others then it's easy for the complacency to creep back into a performance.
Of course, you might deem my conclusion to be optimistic. Denial? No massive massive knee-jerk? Sorry to disappoint.
We're in good shape. And had that pen gone in, we'd be third. We are still top 4 and we've got Wolves at home next. And if we manage to beat City in the following game, watch how a single 90 minutes once more changes opinions from one side of the spectrum to the other. Because Villa and City have suddenly woke up, some of our fans are citing how this is not good news because we faltered and thus we have shown a weakness too great to overcome. Regardless of the fact City drew 7 on the trot and Villa have been a little inconsistent in places. The fact both won means their 90 minutes of football out-weighs our, and therefore they are in a stronger position because they are about to improve tenfold. It's wonderful logic.
This season hasn't even got started yet. Nothing has change from 4 weeks ago to now. We still need a new midfielder. Other clubs around us will drop points. At some point we will have to step up to that fabled next level, the level where we would have beaten Everton. Next time out, in a similar situation, if we lose our heads again in the same fashion - then rather than knee-jerk, we should just admit we don't quite have it in us and Harry/the players have failed to learn from prior lessons.
You might pose the question that there's no room for this type of complacency and that points dropped now are irreversible damaging our season. I guess opinions on this will remain divided.
My confliction is now resting deep in its own shallow grave. Don't compare the disappoint of this game to games of similar ilk from past seasons. We tend to react positively nowadays. We learn and move onwards. We're not about to implode.
The reports of our death have been greatly exaggerated.
Get a grip and dry them.
Reader Comments (110)
Look back a few blogs and you'll see Spookys article about the Villa game, before and after. More Vanilla magic back there.
Load up on guns
Bring your friends
It's fun to lose and to pretend
She's overborne and self-assured
Oh no, I know a dirty word
Chorus-
Hello, hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, hello ,hello
With the Lights out it's less dangerous
Here we are now entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now entertain us
A mullato an albino
A mosquito my libido
I'm worse at what I do best
And for this gift I feel blessed
Our little group has always been
And always will until the end
Chorus-
Hello, hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, hello, hello
With the Lights out it's less dangerous
Here we are now entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now entertain us
A mullato an albino
A mosquito my libido
yay
And I forget just why I taste
Oh yeah I guess it makes me smile
I found it hard it's hard to find
Oh well whatever nevermind
Chorus-
Hello, hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, hello, hello
With the Lights out it's less dangerous
Here we are now entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now entertain us
A mullato an albino
A mosquito my libido
A denial
Dear Mr. Spooky,
Please desist from using the word autopsy on any of your blogs. I am the only paid Medical Examiner on the fucking planet, I do the fucking autopsies around here you cunt.
HEY GUYS I AM JUST A SOCCER FAN FROM INDIA ,I HAVE GOT ONE QUESTION FOR U ALL AND IT IS THAT WHY IN HELL MEDIA HYPES DAVID BECKHAM AND HIS UGLY SHEMALE LOOKING WIFE VICTORIA SO SO SO MUCH. I BELIEVE THAT DAVID EVEN AT HIS PRIME NEVER WAS AMONG TOP 5 PLAYERS IN THE WORLD AND VICTORIA WHAT IN FUCKING HELL SHE HAS GOT EXCLUDING A SHITTY MAN FACE AND TERRIBLE VOICE AND YES I KNOW THAT SHE WAS IN THAT SECOND RATE MOCKERY OF A BAND SPICE GIRLS .
Dear Mr Spooky, Please could you refrain from using supernatural words such as 'spooky' in future as cos me and HH are the only paid bullshit merchants on the fucking planet!
what the fek is going on? Victoria Beckham? wtf!!!
Look at these comments. There's conspiracy (Dav), slanging (HH et al.), Nirvana lyrics (???), Indian guy confused over Beckham hype. What the eff is going on here? Nearly everyone in the comments section needs to be sectioned. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!
Think of the positives!
- Away game we didn't lose
- We scored goals
- Gomes was solid
- Bale played and we didn't actually lose
- BAE didn't get a red card
- 4/5 (I think) penalties were missed over the weekend in the league
- Our 3rd/4th choice! CBs were solid
What a result! Man City had, what, 7 draws in a row and they're still threatening us. We have two, both away from home, and people start panicing!
Here's my feeble attempt to get back on topic.
Look, We currently seem to be incapable of getting results against Man U, Arse, and Chelski (although we do play two of those three at home in the second half, I'm not holding my breath about collecting more than a point or two). The most important thing, then, is to ensure we not drop points to our immediate rivals while consistently picking up points off the bottom half. Draws away to Villa and Everton would be perfectly acceptable if we hadn't lose at home to Stoke/drawn away to Bolton. Despite the seemingly crucial points dropped in those four games, as the table stands, Man City can leap ahead of us to fourth by only one point if they win their game at hand (away to Blackburn, I believe). This makes their visit in two weeks all the more critical. A draw at home to City will simply not do. That, more than these two away draws, will be pivotal to our season.
14
15
Spooky's analysis is spot on - and four posts by Everton fans that are models of reasonableness! A credit to their club.
F"*k, do we whinge! Spurs' fans need to accept that we won't have it all our own way and show faith in the manager and team. We are competing and that is all you ask for: we have no divine right to roll over clubs like Everton or to finish in a CL spot. For the first half hour of the second half we were terrific and it's huge credit to the Toffees that they found a way back into the game. Yes, we failed to lock them out and of course we need to try to resolve that deficiency but there's a lot to take from our performances this season.
I personally think we lost against Man U Chelski and the Arse because Harry R got the tactics wrong, but he got 'em wrong in an attempt to compensate for our lightweight midfield. Harry R (not Harry H...) has an impressive record of spotting and nurturing talent. So expect him to buy well. COYS!
Great article, lovely stuff from the Everton fans. But where did all the abuse come from? I'm talking about the abuse dished out by HH. The self-important berk.
Keep up the balanced (if not wordy) appreciation of the bigger picture.
Before Everton & Villa away i would have accepted 2 points, 3 would have been good, 4 very good and 6 excellent. It is an example of how far we have come that not only are we as fans gutted to have dropped points away from home but that we (team) totally dominated 2 of the toughest away games we can expect.
Clear progress is being made but we cannot expect the finished article yet. I was happy with the way we stood up to the physical challange and still played football & created chances. Unhappy that we failed to kill them off and then let them back in with 15 minutes
What is happening to my beloved Spurs? When will they stop giving matches away? Why can't they maintain their lead in matches? I attribute all this failure to mental weakness, a lack of the fighting spirit till the end, a lack of leadership on the pitch, complacency and a lack of consistency. We must overcome such weaknesses if we want to finish among the top four.
What is happening to my beloved Spurs? When will they stop giving matches away? Why can't they maintain their lead in matches? I attribute all this failure to mental weakness, inconsistency, the lack of fighting spirit till the end, the lack of leadership on the pitch and complacency. Such weaknesses must be overcome if they want to finish among the top four.
I don't think we lack a fighting spirit - came back against Villa, Bolton and West Ham, held on with 10 men against Pompey as well as scoring in the last minute against Birmingham - though we do lack leadership and the a certain mentality the top teams have to close out games. We should have won by 4 goals yesterday, on another day we would. We're a jigsaw waiting to be completed, you can see what we're supposed to be but we're just missing those vital pieces that will make us complete. Hopefully Harry will find those pesky pieces behind the sofa at Chrimbo (when Woody and Modric are back) or alternatively, Mr Levy will just throw a shed load of money at the problem in January (that always works, right?) - even if neither comes to fruition, we'll still not be far off come May.
HH fuck off you muggy cunt. What a fucking drama queen.
"I'm the only paid Tottenham blogger" hahaha what a tool
what a strange series of threads this post has generated!
So basically Spooky is guilty of plagiarism and I'm assuming Harry Hotspur is making the suggestion that Spooky copied his style (is that what he meant with the C&P outburst?)
I read most of the NN Spurs blogs and HH and Spooky are worlds apart. Strange ? More like loony.
Man, I'm not one to stir the pot (excuse me while I put down this ladle, it's hard to type with one hand), But I think Harry Hotspur's gone off his meds again. And I quote:
"Spooky should know better. Type autopsy into HH archive and there has been a steady drip drip drip of style theft from him and one or two others. I think I'm entirely within my rights to fire one over their bows and tell the arrogant little pups to get original or I'll assist 'em in becoming so.
That tyke wants to stick to f*cking letter writing. If he wants to debate 'ownership' of phrases it just proves what say.
I court neither discussion of apology. Just a sodding off and writing like you used to will be acceptable.
And I'll cut and paste his earlier work for his own guidance should it be required.
F*cking kids. "
Harry Hotspur, Esq..
Should his ego expand any more, it would collapse like a neutron star into a black hole and absorb us all in it's gravitational pull.
I never was a fan of his, but back in the day he was one of the few Spurs' blogs that were easily accessible via Newsnow. Thank god I discovered DML. Keep up the good work.
Vive Le Spooky
Where is that from?
http://www.oleole.com/blogs/harryhotspur/posts/good-mourning
comment 59 and an additional rant near the end. Personally, I would advise against clicking on the link. No need to increase his hit count. Like I said, his ego is at breaking point. He always was a bit precious, wasn't he?
Sorry, I'm lost. Have I by accident shat in your corn flakes Harry? To be honest, I don't even read your blog. Your style has never been my cup of tea. As for me copying your style, fuck off you absolute melter. The only blog worthy of plagiarism is AANP.
Style theft? You fucking douchebag. You rate yourself that much that you think other blogger spend time thieving your work?
I'm still at a lost why you've reacted and mugged yourself off like this, but I guess what ever makes you happy. Second time you've over-reacted. Remember the last time, making an assumption over my involvement with that two halves magazine. You need to calm down darling before you wet your panties and make a mess of yourself.
DOUCHEBAG
loving spooky acting the big balls. Has to do it on here cos he cant take the beatings on his own forum tho.
Would it be Iago-like of me to post that response on his blog? I could just as easily light a bag of dog excrement and place it on his front door step, if you'd like?
Spooky, have a wank and get back to me you child.
If you don't read my blog, then some other nonce is using your username and writing in your style.
Now take your Glory Glory Clearasil Posse with you and get out of my fucking hair.
Never had a problem with you. I don't read your blog religiously, much like you probably don't read mine, but always had a mutual respect for you and other Spurs blogger. In it together. Shame about your ego.
To say I copy your style is hilarious mate. But if that keeps you warm at night so be it.
Have a nice life.
When Spooky stoops to decorating his blog with soft porn in a desperate attempt to keep the punters coming (ahem) then I'll concede that he's filching off HH. Until then this blog (and most of the comment that follows. Even Davspurs. No, especially Davspurs) is far more insightful, interesting and humorous than that badly written, bum-cloth of a dirge that HH has the audacity to publish. He gets paid for it? I believe that's called "wanking for coins".
Anyway, what about that Spurs then? Without Woody and Ledley we have a very young team and it's going to show as there isn't the experience or maturity to close games out. It's no coincidence that the team at the top of the table has one of the oldest starting elevens in the league, but even they have the occasional blip (3-1 Wigan). At least we're playing well and picking up points on the road. If we were struggling to create chances then I'd be worried. As for clean sheets, forget it. We don't do clean sheets, just try and score more than the other lot.
Oh for another Naybet or Davids. Is Gattuso available?
Harry, you're not big and brave just because you talk like a Harry Enfield character. Who's the child here? Take a guess go on.
harry hotspur the captain mainwaring of Spurs blogs, was there ever a more bumptious, puffed up, self-important , self-satisfied, tool. Oleole are desperate if they are paying that semi literate, cliche strewn halfwit." I'm the only paid Tottenham blogger on the fucking planet " yeah matey, but what fucking planet?
Spooky is getting RUINED MATE. It's sad to see. He'll stop posting on here and go start another forum if u aint careful.
I know mate, I know. It's a Greek tragedy. You looking after Rumourwhores you daft troll? You best be.
Is this still going?
"Glory Glory Clearasil Posse"
How old are you grandpa Hotspur?
This is funny. Everyone's a hard man on the internet aren't they? DML gives me plenty of enjoyable reading. Like many intelligent spurs fans HH doesn't and hasn't for some time. I hate to resort to such petty mindedness but fuck off you muggy little tosser. Your writing stinks and you've lost touch.
I cant believe what I have been reading on this blog?! Lets try and keep it about football and Tottenham.......
Spooks easier said than done but dont lower yourself to the immature and embarrassing sledging of HH......Remember attack is the best form of defence and he is attacking you as he obviously feels threatened by the growing popularity of this site and YOUR style.............you should take this as a complement!!
Most of us are adults and free to choose which blogs we read.....get a life HH.....
oh and DAV please dont go.........
COYS
well said 1882
Well, I'm of the pessimistic side regarding Bale. When I was in the U.K., from the end of December 2008 to early May this year, his performances were just awful, and of the greatest concern was that he was so consistently poor. How have we ruined him? Is it being suggested that he, like so many others down there, are really top class players in the making that, with the right club, would perform at higher levels on a consistent basis, all of them ruined by Spurs? It's total pigswill. When a youngster bursts forth, like Rooney did at Everton, there's no loaning him out for a season or two at a lower division club or or treating him delicately by not playing him. It sounds more like to me a clutching at straws.
And let's take Commoli, figuratively speaking: I'm sure if I read it right, he mouthed off about how his purchases would prove to vindicate him and the decisions he'd made in buying them, as if they'd all turn out to be world class performers.
But if I've got my history right here, he suddenly went very quiet before Harry took over.
I discovered this blog in the Summer and I pop in every day to check for a new article. Long-winded ones about Championship Manager aside, it is fantastic. Good vibe, Spooky never takes himself too seriously, and is usually very funny. Keep it up.
Who is this Harry Hotspur bloke? He sounds like an absolute cunt of the highest order.
It's Football Manager mate. Championship Manager is poo.
That has to go down as one of the all time great hissy fits. Embarrassing.
So we lost Davspurs, saw HH's true colours and spooky getting a bit wind up all in one thread , nice.
And for what it's worth , HH's blog is utter crap ... there's nothing refreshing or witty on his blog , or maybe the odd entertaining remark - everybody gets it right from time to time
Whereas Spooky , i know you don't need the support because you sound like a self-assured (bit arrogant :-) ) bloke but this is real class
My belgian mates that don't care bout spurs come by from time to time just to admire the quality of this blog
Spookys reaction WAS a wind up.
"Why oh why do we always allow sides back in when we've bossed the game?"
I've been asking myself the same question Spooky, but I don't have an answer. Your answer seems to be the right one. Spurs lack leadership. Harry can only do so much from the sidelines. There needs to be a manager on the pitch. Do you think it's Keane?
Spooky, this Harry Hotspur fella has been slagging off your mum and both passing comments and posting pictures of your small and deformed penis on rumourwhores. Even if he is the only paid Spurs blogger on the net I would not stand for that shit mate.
The only one on the planet.
"Spooky should know better. Type autopsy into HH archive and there has been a steady drip drip drip of style theft from him and one or two others. I think I'm entirely within my rights to fire one over their bows and tell the arrogant little pups to get original or I'll assist 'em in becoming so.
That tyke wants to stick to f*cking letter writing. If he wants to debate 'ownership' of phrases it just proves what say.
I court neither discussion of apology. Just a sodding off and writing like you used to will be acceptable.
And I'll cut and paste his earlier work for his own guidance should it be required.
F*cking kids. "
Bullshit. Style theft? The way you talk to people is the way you write your articles and it's nothing like Spookys work. Stop talking bollocks you attention seeking twat. Half the shit you post on your blog isn't even in English. Spooky isn't always on the ball with his stuff either but out of all the bloggers he has about half a dozen different writing styles. He drifts from satire into creative writing into serious pieces and then into the casual stuff.
You're a fucking dinosaur in need of an ice age.
You went from complimenting Spooky in your original post to slating him on your blog. How proud you must be.
HH honestly believes you are copying him Spooky. He actually believes it. I read his blog along with some of the others you have linked. Okay so you both do the angry man shouting thing with your ranting, but that's not exactly copyrighted to anyone. Half the internet rant. HH does one style. You do far more, visually also. I wouldn't lose a nights sleep over this.
As for Spurs. Watch everyone forget the Defoe miss when we beat (thrash) Wolverhampton.
Thanks. Jinxer.