Another day, another win
Monday, August 24, 2009 at 9:17AM 300 days in charge of Tottenham has seen Harry Redknapp claim a (over) 50% win record. Add to it our best start to a season since 1960 and you begin to wonder what Sky Sports News will do next. My money's on an interview with a Spurs fan who's had plastic surgery to their face, including the addition of sagging cheeks, to look like 'arry. Looking at the table this early in the season is completely redundant. But that doesn't mean we can't smile about our perfect start. Just hold off having any work done to your face.
Yet another win against West Ham United (we always beat them) made it three out of three. Not the most sexy of games, was it? There was me predicting a pretty game of football with plenty of free flowing play and triangular movements and instead it was far more physical with Zola's men direct and in our faces from the start.
Was it a good performance? Under the circumstances, yes. We didn't play as well as we could. Determination was there but the usual fluid movement and passing was laboured at times. Third game in around eight days, hot summers day…can we use these as excuses? Sometimes you don't quite get out of the starting blocks with pace and you have to adapt to an opposition who may lack the same type of quality you possess but stick in enough effort and guts to cause problems.
Keane dropped deep which meant we shaped up 4-5-1, leaving JD up on his own. Not sure if this was intentional (or a consequence), but it did allow us plenty of wing-play when mounting attacks, although we didn't quite make the most of this with Lennon not receiving the ball as often as he should have. Defoe was a little subdued, Modric not the threat he can be and wasteful with passes and a couple of efforts on goal (one of which he should have scored). But this was probably more to do with the lack of sustained support from the midfield. Hudd and Wilson not moving as freely as the two previous games. Tommy lacking his usual quarter-back qualities. No pinging balls. Didn't quite control the tempo.
BAE was caught out a couple of times, as well as Corluka. Bassong did well alongside King - who misplaced a pass or two and was worked hard by Cole, but again showed his undeniable class. Wasn't an easy afternoon.
Regardless of the fragmented performance, it's important to highlight something we are not blessed with too often watching Spurs. Not at our best, we still restricted them and pressed hard and towards the end of the game we played sensible controlled football rather than attempting anything stupid i.e. giving the ball away needlessly. We worked our socks off to get the ball back when we were not in possession. Tired as out, but we had a little bit left in the tank (whereas WH seemed to be spent by the end) - but it was job done. Grafting out hard fought wins like this are as pleasing as wining 5-1 away.
As for the game details, we had the best of the chances. Moddle should have scored after some great play from Aaron. King hit the post. All a bit frantic in the first half, plenty of long balls to Cole who managed to bully King and Bassong, keeping them constantly busy. Keane playing very deep and Huddlestone and Palacios with a lot of work to do defensively. West Ham mixing it up, kicking us all over the pitch and hitting us on the counter. Second half starts and they go 1-0 up. Goal out of nothing, brilliantly taken turn and shot from Cole. And then it's 1-1, a goal out of nothing. Cole brilliantly assisting by finding JD who smacked the ball past Green. Oops. As the game progressed, we got more of a stranglehold on it and Lennon made it 2-1 with a cut inside (aided by a fall from Spector) to unleash a cracking left-footed shot. Green beaten again. Saw out the rest of the game professionally.
Should mention the referee. Have I missed something with Clattenberg? I thought he was balding? Anyway, two penalty decisions (handball and a pull on Bassong) ignored as well as failing to dish out a second yellow for a WH penalty shout that looked like a dive and also turned a blind eye to one or two tasty tackles. Seriously, where did that hair come from? I must have him mixed up with someone else.
Untidy, frantic, messy, disjointed. And still three points to take back home with us. Daniel Levy, wet boxer shorts in the post for you. The pessimistic amongst you might highlight that we beat the same three teams in the corresponding fixtures last season. We did. But not in the same fashion. It's a rejuvenated Spurs side with a far clearer structure and strategy. What a difference to the depression we faced this time last year.
Brummies at home next. We are bound to get unstuck soon. Hopefully not in this game. We've got Utd and Chelsea to follow so we'll know a lot about ourselves after September ends. If we get through it with damage limitation to the max, we might be in a very good position to push ourselves into contention, much like Villa did last year. I'm still realistic. We are good enough for 6th and possibly 5th (depending on how City progress). What may help is an addition or two to the squad. Be it before the window shuts shop or in January. Something extra, just in case. Hate to say it, but lose Wilson or Luka and we might struggle. But enough of the what if's. At the moment it's all about the in the bag.
3 games, 8 days. 9 points, 3 games.
The DVD will be great.
Reader Comments (37)
last game in a month that i could follow live before i leave the old continent and it was a thrilling one to watch. It was a tough one to win but we took it anyway , ref wasn't great but not 2 bad neither , cole was a real handfull and i was a bit dissapointed with thudd ... here was a perfect opportunity to show that he can stand his ground in difficult games with intensity ...
Great result. Thought Zola got his players up for it but I didn't ever feel we would lose. Both of our goals, well taken. Teams will struggle there this season.
Good shout on Clattenburg, who will always be remembered for our goal that never was against Man U.
Two very interesting quotes: Gianfranco Zola: "We made two mistakes and they punished us. That tells you a lot about their team."
Arry: "Our role models are Barcelona."
Me, I still see disturbing mistakes in defence. COYS!
Without being pedantic, surely it's 3 wins in just 7 days? Sunday Liverpool, Wednesday Hull, Sunday WHam. That makes it even more impressive, but also underlines why yesterday was a bit more of a struggle.
If we're going by previous results, the last time we played Birmingham at the Lane we lost, the last time we played United at home we drew 0-0 and the last time we played Chelsea away it was 1-1 but our only goal in that one was scored by Darren Bent.
So lets hope we've turned a corner...
What was Lee Dixon banging on about on Match of the Day 2? We've yet to concede a goal due to poor positioning. Not at our best yesterday, but handled WH and in the end showed true grit. Really impressed the way we dig in. Grinded it out. I'll take the points. More of the same next weekend.
Spurselona.
Has a ring to it.
Spot on assessment.
I think we were a bit tired and it was probably playing on our mind that a 100mph effort would soon see us burn out in the mid day sun.
We play a hard pressing enegetic game, so 3 games in a week and a long away day to Hull, the hot sun in a local derby was bound to be a tough ask, one we came through well, showing great chartacter to come from behind. This bodes well for the future, whatever that may hold!
We are showing elements of play and mental strength we have lacked, probably since the 2005 season. One more signing I reckon and we'll be set. Gone quiet on Sissoko.
9 points is fantastic. Forget being top, it won't last, but we'll be close to staying in the top4... and why not... but for one dodgy lasange, we would've be there 3 years ago.
Might not be as joyous as beating Chelsea or Arsenal, but always a good laugh when we dick em. I was there to see their hearts break. Fucking hate filled they are West Ham fans. They shouldnt be too aggrieved. Theyve got another cup final in midweek.
a few of the tackles coming in were bookable ....ref?....
we may have to deal with the rough stuff.....where they cant match the play
next!........
we want 12
And then it's 1-1, a goal out of nothing. Cole brilliantly assisting by finding JD who smacked the ball past Green. Oops.</>
Nothing to do with me guv
just read a metro article saying fergie wants modric for carrick and 10 mill cash!
media undermining shite rears its predictable head
(Battle of Agincourt salute to you writer danny griffiths)
Hammers fans look forward to this game more than any other. What grates them is they think we do too.
Modric to Utd? Isn't that story about a year too early? We should push for a champions league spot, regardless of not being good enough compared to the current top 4. We have everything to lose if we finish 6th/7th. Wilson, Luka, Aaron. Such is life outside the top 4.
Not the greatest of performances but ecstatic to walk away with 3 points!
COYS!!!!!!
Cheers Killjoy. Brightened up my day that.
Osama Bin Laden sent out a new video to prove he was still alive, in it he said SPURS were rubbish recently.
Chuffed with the result on sunday, everyone is commenting on the back pass by cole, but was still a great finish by defoe. COYS
So last season from the next 3 fixtures we had 2 points from 9, 5-6+ and ill be happy this year. 9 and ill be extatic and jouning the crouds for my triffic facelift.
good weeks rest now before brum for the first teamers.
almost a new 11 should be put out against doncaster, except cudicini.
How close to fitness are bale, dawson, jenas. Could they get run outs. Chance for Pav and Crouch to show they should start ahead of PSB.
The result does still belie our failings and I may be a pessimist but confuscious say 'the optimist is often dissappointed the pessimist, pleasantly surprised'.
I would rather life were a series of pleasant surpirses that an eternity of dissappointment.
'Top what? you said', 'four said I', 'said you four, sir, I say no sir'.
But I am still pleasantly surprised this morning. An dso wit ha smile on my face I look forwards to next weekend!
"Empty seats at your Cup final"
It's all gone a bit quiet hasn't it?
We are not going to lose a game this season !!! sexxy or what ?.
Its Doncaster next - Pav to bag a brace and cause Harry a triffic headache!
"You should have died with your brother" was sang by Hammers fans yesterday. Amazing wit.
West Ham fans showing their class.
And you lot are angels singing songs about Sol Campbell hanging from a tree. Fuck off pointing fingers at us.
Are you really comparing that with the Defoe chants? Or the brain tumour song about Roeder. Or the gas chamber hissing? Not sure you're in any position to point your finger back.
Let's avoid a slanging match lads. We all know there's a minority at every club that cross the line.
It's more like a majority with them lot.
Great performance from the lads even if it wasn't a great performance. Eh? Dug deep, sweated loads and lived with all the kicks and pushes they dished out. Outfight the bastards and happy to have ruined their big day out. Can see Lennon scoring a few this season.
COYS
Although Carrick would be the missing part of our midfield puzzle I would never, ever swap him for Luka, if only to annoy ol' red nose. Besides, it's probably an attempt to unsettle the player before the upcoming Utd game. Fergie's bricking it.
Another brilliant 3pts on Sunday, don't care how we got them. Looks like Lennon is finally beginning to fulfill all that potential. Wasn't too convinced by our centre backs letting the ball bounce in the area every time WH pumped it forward, just clear it boys! Drog wont be so forgiving.
Not looking forward to the Brum game as a spectacle. Horrible dirty team, remember how they broke Bale? Let's hope we dick'em so that we are super confident for the upcoming back-to-back top four challenge.
Modric for Carrick?
No thanks.
i dont fink wham will lose many games at home this season...dont underate spurs win at wham..that was a balls and all win with a large serving of luck hahahaha...as for doncaster i guess we will put out a second team ie crouch pav lets see if they want to get in the first team? we av to make changes for that match and there is no way we can put out the same side that played at wham then play doncaster then birmingham?impossible..so looking forward to seeing the lads put on a show against doncaster expect em to bang in a few goals and show a bit of grit and skill or they wont get a lookin against birmingham..
anyone else rather see KPB in for modric instead of Ohara, and pav in for keane instead of pete. ohara has really never impressed. and pav does okay off the bench and 3 meter peter hasnt done anything as a sub
Carrick for Moric no way. If Fergie wants to offload Carrick we could straight swap Bentley for him and save them 10 million.
hmm anyone noticed the newspapers digging already especially the mirror, it seems that some jorno asked harry if any of the current side would get in the 60/61 side im sure harry didnt dignify it with a response.
but the mirror jorno decided to comment that " spurs were made to realise that there is a long way to go before they are genuine top four material.
For a start aside from a few misguided yids think that we will win the league,no yid that has his head screwed on would think we would win the league and we all hope we will get top four.
When the afore mentioned muppet had finished rubbishing our top four chances he decided to write more about how west ham should have got more out of the game, but lets look at the facts 53% possesion 8 corners 79% pass completion 6 shots on target hmmm dominated the game by the sound of it.
good teams play well and maybe win or draw
great teams play ok and still win
3 games 9 points
well put martin