THFC: Infuriating the soul since 1882
Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 10:10PM I remember back in the 2006 season when rather than take the ball into the corner of the opposite end and waste away some precious dying seconds in our favour, we opted to attack. Not long after, the opposition scored with practically the final touch of the game. I guess being a Spurs fan we tend to have the uncanny ability to see into the future. Hands up if you knew, just knew Leeds would score a second?
I'm not going to blame Bale by the way, he's been superb - if still very much inexperienced in other areas. As a generalisation, the team + manager should carry the weight of disappoint as one. We just didn't work as a balance unit and far too many individuals under-performed over the course of the game.
Credit to Leeds for never letting their heads go down, but fuck me, where was the stamp of quality, the killing of the game that would see out the final moments? Twenty five minutes of football is not enough to win any game. And as much as this was a great Cup tie for the neutral and an exceptional one in the stands, out on the field (for the home support) it's nothing more than further evidence that something needs tweaking. More than one thing in fact.
So, no stamp of quality when it mattered. Well, the one, being the Roman goal which was expertly taken in both build up and finish. But overall, what we got was some of that wonderful irony only Tottenham can do. Dawson, brilliant tackle. No no no, I'm not talking post-match in the showers. I'm talking about the tackle on the pitch that came before the clumsy one that gave Leeds a last second escape - scored by Beckford who displayed more belief in one spot kick that Defoe has managed in his last three. That olde self-destruct button head-butted. Would you believe it.
I don't care for the magic of the FA Cup. Fact is, they're League One. And the tragic truth is that for all our efforts on goal we made scoring more difficult than trying to seduce a nun. It's a trend. It's a problem. And if you want to be all critical and depressive you might argue that we are declining in form. Degrading. It's not a massive problem, not a crisis. Not yet. But those doubts that hark back to the need to improve squad depth are calling out again. Practically screaming. Once more - not enough leadership.
Let's break this down:
The Atmosphere
Proper old skool innit? Police dogs growling, horses charging down the Park Lane. Scuffles here there and everywhere. Not that I'm condoning this sort of behaviour. It gave the evening a bit of an edge. Shame our players couldn't match the tenacity on the field. Although I did laugh when I read today over at Glory Glory that someone saw a chair fly past them (Block 53 I think) just after Defoe's pen miss.
The Performance
There were moments when the gulf in class between the two sides was evident. Especially the opening 20 mins or so. Counts for nothing when you don't stick 'em away. 19 shots, 17 on target across the whole 96 minutes. We are fast becoming masters of denying our own destiny. Open the door, walk through it. Don't close your eyes, spin around and then run and hope you make it through.
Danny Rose didn't make too much of an impact out on the wing, but he's a kid. Whether he turns out to be a bit special like that other one we plucked from Leeds remains to be seen. One thing is for certain, we need width in our team. We sort of got it. But it was in no way the same type of intensity Lennon provides.
The midfield failed to inspire. Yet another limp Jenas performance. All heart not brain. Remind you of someone? He's just not very good. And he's became the poster boy for the boo-boys for all that's wrong with our team. Then again, he's always been the poster boy for mediocrity which on occasion spikes towards something above average. He's a good lad, but has no decisive application when it matters. Cat's have nine lives. JJ has got through around two hundred so far.
Defoe and Crouch were quiet, not really doing enough damage in the final third. Defoe and his penalties, how tiresome is this becoming? Obvious again he'd not score. You can read it in his face. Lacks the eye of the tiger. Can someone else not have a go? Also thought he was a bit slow at times.
Everyone else was okay. Hutton looked tasty at times getting forward. Nothing outstanding from anyone. The lack of end product the main gripe. As ever. Bale, for all his required need to improve defensively, continues to impress offensively.
Leeds displayed grit and Beckford got into tasty positions. We've sort of gone off the boil a little at the back. Their equaliser was shambolic from our perspective.
Memo to Redknapp: Tweaking, not tinkering please guv. Get the engine room sorted, the tempo set and the best players (in form) in their proper positions.
Roman
Deserves a start. Okay, I'm not going into a knee-jerk about it but he came on, run into decent positions, had a decent touch or two and scored a goal from a great passage of play (nice step over dude). Worked hard off the ball too. He's hardly had a sniff this season. Considering the 'form' of our other three strikers, we've got little to lose. Well, other than a few more million off his prospective transfer fee. Nice celebration from the Russian. I think he might have smiled.
Tactics
Summed up with Keane coming on to play on the wing/midfield. It doesn't work. Although time-wasting shouldn't be a necessity against League One opposition, considering we got ourselves 2-1 up, we should have killed the game. Possession wise or with the aforementioned 'taking the ball into the corner' trick.
The replay, next round
It's gonna be tasty. And they will came at us like men possessed. Powder-puff ethics will have no place in their cauldron of hate. It's going to be massive test of character. Do we have the testicular fortitude? Do we ever?
No negative tactics please Harry.
Love to see how we line-up, but I'm guessing Palacios will start this time round. The tempo will no doubt be relentless, the noise crucifying. Gonna be some away day. Bolton await in the next round for who dares. I know 4th is perceived as more important than silverware - in the long run - but it's been way way too long since we got to a proper cup final.
Arsenal
Plucky kids gave it a go, bless 'em, but it's no shame for them to be knocked out because it was only a yoof team comprising of kids. Guess there's always the risk when you play so many kids. How did Theo play?
LMFAOROTF
Kids.
ITV Coverage
Anyone catch any of the tv coverage? Jesus wept, what commentary. How many 'marching on togethers' did you hear? Yes we get it. You're covering the football so you want an upset. No need for you to wet your panties every 5 minutes.
Conclusion
We welcomed Leeds into the game simply because we failed to capitalise and bury them out of sight. Confidence drops a little, theirs improves enough to cause doubt and concern. We need to dig deep and re-discover the lost mojo because if things continue to fester, we're going to find ourselves in trouble.
We never make it easy for ourselves. Which is why supporting this club is so great. Even if your football soul is dragged through the mire half the time.
Next up
Massive game v Fulham. Lose that and we are officially in crisis. I suspect the first 'sack the board' flag to be waved in the following game.
COYS.
Reader Comments (47)
Very well put sir.
It's nothing we haven't seen before is it? Should have been a home banker, we turn it into a struggle and when we do enough to win it, we give it away.
Will be going to the replay. Wish me luck.
4 pens missed on the trot by JD if you include the one he took for Portsmouth. He never hits them with power, always placing them and always making it easy for the keeper to get to it. Ferdinand should have a word.
A good post. I thought it was a good tie, but agreed that you should have buried us with all of those chances!
Bring on the next round, should be a good one!!
Oh one more point. Leeds have missed something like 7 out of our last 8, so it was a releif on more than one count when it hit the back of the net!!!!1
40,000 at Elland Road. It's going to be mental.
Why don't we move for Huntelarr and flog Keane to west ham with parker +3-4mil coming our way and then flog Bentley to anyone with the spare cash Lovern and Moses to the team.In the summer flog Modric as all he seems to do is slow the play down and confound every manager we have as to were to play him.The money from him could be added to get Sandro and pay for Huntelaaar if he worked out or someone better if not.
Leeds will do us over.
Nice post Henry ( Leeds Fan) but I am surprised you have missed so many penalties as Beckford looked very assured. I assume he did not take all of the 7 you missed ?
Penalties seem to be a real problem for us unless Keane takes them but not sure he is worth a place in the team at the moment. Cannot see many other candidates. Perhaps Gomes should have a go!
Only Chelsea left in the cup out of the Sky 4, so a chance for someone to make the final.
To increase our chances, perhaps we can sign Beckford before the replay!
Davy - is KjH any good? Struggled in Spain, hasn't done much in Italy. Another over-rated Dutch striker? I can see us signing none in this window and harry citing lack of activity down to lack of targets. We can't even sell anyone at the minute.
Love your confidence Booster.
Sounds like you hit the panic button. Pav won't be around for the replay and thank God for that. He's not what we want. Agree with you about Defoe, he's lost his spark. Maybe Jordan is sapping all his energy. Arsenal, Man U and Liverpool are no longer in the picture, so I still believe they will go all the way.
We need a leader on the pitch. Harry must know that and is probably addressing it. Palacious, for all his grit is no leader, and as for Jenas he has to go.
Spurs fan's shouldn't panic. We are going through a quiet spell (2 draws and a defeat in 3 games) but we will bounce back in time to be a worry to the remaining teams in the Cup and be a realistic threat to the big four.
Pav has done very little in his time here, granted. But one or two of our players need a proper kick up the backside. If we do sell Pav, I wont be shedding a tear. Didn't realise he was 28 years old. He's just not cut out for life in England.
I like most am not sure about huntelaar but in World cup year he will want too impress and that could only be a good thing and can not be any worse that Keano at the minute and as it is only a loan till June then we don't have much to loose.Would keep Pava and try him and Defoe as we have tried all other options and they are starting to fall a bit flat worth a try .We are missing Lennon and the little french frog at left back.If we had him back Bale could play the left wing that would be quite a pair.
I was confused from the anfield game, why change a defence that had conceded none in six
plus no more pens for JD please, he was shit taking them in his first stint at Spurs
Only a week to go in the transfer window and as HR has observed 'nothing is moving. It's odds on that they'll be no major ins or outs unless they're loans which can be set up quickly.
We are lacking something. Can't understand why we are not going in for Van Der Vart and Gago at Real would improve are midfield. Also if Harry is on the plane to Italy and Holland every S
Sorry hit send by mistake. Evey Sunday why has he not bought any players in from them leagues?
another quality assessment of being a spurs fan and yes i know they would score a second but deep in injury time jesus wept!!! we always shoot our seives in the foot, should have been all over by half time but this is the joy of following the mighty tottenham its never dull so when we do win something its all the more enjoyable but im always......tottenham till i die!!
Alright Spooky, love your work, I'm trying my hand at this blogging lark. Let me know what you think:
http://whentheyearendsinone.blogspot.com/2010/01/lessons-to-be-learned-from-leeds.html
Harry went out on a limb to get get crouch so now because of his pride he'll never put pav before him plus modric will not be the same player with kranjkar in the team. My team would be Gomez, dawson, bassong, corluka, ekotto, palacios, modric, bale(left wing) lennon, pav, defoe. And wait for it, Roy Keane as manager he'd instill the self belief and mental attitude required. He'd be great at a big club with true ambition.
Spooky, your command of the English written word is prehaps a smidgen behind your tremendous wit, which can only be descibed as rapier like. For me, your post hit the proverbial nail well and truly on the head, and having followed our beloved club for fifty years I have to say the unerring ability we have of forever shooting ourselves in the foot is something which most Spurs fans know they will just have to live with, whoever is out on the pitch, its in the blood so to speak.
I think its time to give Pav a start up front with Defoe v fulham. Seems like he is not leaving and the goal he scored is the type we are desperate to produce.
Things we learnt? 1. Defoe NEVER to take a penalty for Spurs in a meaningful occasion anymore. 2. Pav & Defoe is the best combo NOT Crouch & Defoe 3. Hutton offers us more than Charlie more often than not. 4. AE needs to be back in LB but Bale is definitely improving fast. Wing perhaps? 5. Modric and Kranjcar should swap positions if they play together. Modders preferes the left as he can dart and cut back to his better foot from left to right. 'arry needs to STOP playing favourites NOW and use his head rather than his heart or gut or whatfookingever he's using.
Cos 8 goals in 13 games in Spain is really struggling. A loan is the best option and if he does ok bring him in permanetely in the summer.
Who was commentating on ITV for the game?
We need Lennon, Woodgate and Benoit Assou- Ekotto back!
I cant disagree with the assessment. Niko is way off his usual game and Modric is still 5 games away from being fully back, physically and mentally.
Jenas was shocking.
was looking forward to my first visit to the lane in ages tomorrow but the confidence i had a few weeks back is starting to dissapear ...
Hope we beat Fulham and we can get back on track
I have a horrible premonition that Leeds will win the replay on penalties.
It isn't as hard as you think to seduce a nun. The hard part is finding one that doesn't look like Van Nistelrooy.
Jesus Christ - we scored and celebrated like we had just banged one in past the scum in the closing minutes, i completey frogot we were playing a team from 2 divisions beneath us!!!!! We should have been out of sight for the 2nd time in a week at the Lane.
Surely we cant make a mess of this tie twice?
Jenas - Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, AGAIN Arry.
Agreed, Pav took his chance well and linked up well with Defoe - perhaps Arry should give him a start as a kind of wake up call to Crouch & keane. But lets be honest here, he aint gonna do that.
Huge couple of weeks now, we MUST beat Fulham & Not lose to Birmingham and then beat Leeds if our season is to not start fading away.
COYS!!!!
PS: I thought the Leeds fans were good value, as Spooky said - proper old skool atmosphere
Nicely phrased sir.
Can I say a few words to my love child JJ?
You were absolutely so not there Jermaine. Tell your mother I'll see her Thursday.
Thanks
I whole heartedly agree with everything CEJ said.
Win the next 3 games and everything looks good again. Lose em and we will be going no where fast. I would give Pav a start against Fulham with Defoe. When is Lennon back?
Apparently Lenon is out until 6th February (According to that physio room site) - that means no Lenon for our next 4 games.
We are losing it, mentally. Seemed to have dropped down a level and allowed loss of confidence to affect us. Doesn't seem like there's a balance to the side. Can't keep on blaming the loss of Lennon. We did well enough without Modric. Players and manager have to stand tall. Can't let it slip now.
"Roy Keane as manager"... ummmm!
Gio's off to Galatassaray for the rest of the season. DOH!
Pav is out with a groin strain.
Might be a'cover story' as he makes his transfer move to Barcelona?
..or is it Madrid this week?
He has no future at the club, regardless of his effort the other night or any other effort. Harry doesn't fancy him. Never has.
our team shooting themselfs in the foot,what about us fans singing spurs are on the way to wembley,and we will never see you again?
We have a habit of doing that.
having had sufficient time to reflect, the two positives out of the game were Bale and Dawson (yes I know about t 'that tackle'), Dawson was immense for 94 mins 47 secs and was our leader on the pitch, the down side is that leadership and drive didn't quite reach the front two (prob 'cause most the time was spent shouting at JJ). As for Bale, he has started to show over again that he is more than a competent cover for BAE, which for the first time in, well as long as I remember, we seem to have Left back adequately covered for now!
As for the game in general, we didn't turn around our counter attack quick enough. THis will come as no suprise to many, but we missed wilson and Hudd in the middle. I'd have even played O'hara instead of JJ, JJ runs with the ball too much, rather than releasing either of our wide players early. Which means by the time we do deliver the ball into the box, then the oppo's defence has had time to get back into position. Simples!
Sounds very much like another Spurs blog..
Running out of ideas for original content methinks.
This blog is based on Tottenham, so if bloggers are repeating themselves how about blaming the source material?
Here we go again. Who does Spooky sound like then?