Heroes and Villains - Part I
Monday, January 4, 2010 at 11:35AM Was going to write up an award-style blog looking back at 2009 and it's highlights but thanks to some inspiration I'm opting to go instead with a heroes/villains piece. A sort of player-by-player review and accompanying aspirations for each individual for the year ahead.
Gomes - Hero
All gone a little quiet hasn't it? We usually have to listen to plenty of 'ooh look he's flapping' sound bites when commentators knee-jerk as per their contractual mantra on being overly critical of our Brazilian import and his keeping abilities. Okay, so he was a bit shaky for a time and struggled with the odd injury and brought it on himself, but he's not only dug deep, he's fought hard to reclaim some pride and done so with some breathtaking saves and some consistency with decision making. He has personality, and unlike Robinson before him, he has belief and it's a true testament to his character that he has rebuilt himself in this fashion. He has captured the types of headlines that made him a transfer target in the first place. On form, he wins us points. And he's on form. We do not need David James.
Do more in 2010: Instinctive out of this world shot-stopping, and the simple things.
Do less of in 2010: Crying, using brain in scenarios where there is too much time to think.
Bentley - Villain
I have nothing personal against David Bentley. I don't know him. I know of him only by what he does on the pitch and how he presents himself as a Tottenham player in the public eye. So at the moment it's fair to say he's coming across as a bit of an apologetic prick. We've been here so many times with David, trying to figure out what's going on in that head of his. Dealing with facts, pure footballing facts, he's been the ultimate flop. Claims to be a Spurs fan, dream move, la la la, and apart from that goal he's struggled to find an ounce of self belief that would help elevate his confidence to a passable level.
He has attempted to showboat himself out of trouble and it's been one face palm on top of another. But then it's not all his fault. Yes, that's right, let's pin it on the DoF system and Comolli simply because everything is the fault of the Frenchman. Making a 'big money name player of the moment' signing in the wake of Robbie Keane leaving for Liverpool. A player who can only play right-wing and but is hardly a wing-wizard. There is no doubt he has ability. And you'd think, Bentley cross + Crouch head = Goal goal goals. But alas, he's either injured or on the bench and rarely showing any signs of life.
Even with Azza out, I'd much prefer to see Niko and Modric in the starting line-up rather only one of the two Croatians and Bentley slotting in on the right.
Time to end this. Reserve team football to Sunderland perhaps. Not sure I see the point in loaning him out to anyone. Get something back for our troubles. Anything. Let’s face it, it won’t be £15M.
Do more in 2010: Play football rather than play football from memory.
Do less of in 2010: Star jumps, lurking on rooftops, living in skips.
Jenas - Dysfunctional side-kick
The definitive poster-boy is still in Lilywhite. You know what, I can never imagine him wearing another shirt. Honestly, don't mean to scare you, but he's become synonymous with Tottenham. He's like the physical representation of the club. Promises much, delivers little. And with the club showing (dare I say it) signs of changing, perhaps its time for us to firm-handshake and man-hug a goodbye to JJ - who bless him, remains in a state of flux. Apparently, he's a good player. So say all managers who have managed him. I guess he must be something akin to Pele out on the training pitch. But when he was once upon a time a first team starter, he's seen himself relegated and lost in the mighty big shadow of Tom Huddlestone.
So, what does Jenas do exactly? Splits fans, as ever. And it's been discussed to death. He was meant to be the complete midfield. Box to box, defend, attack, score. He's got the lungs. But he lacks the heart. What we get instead is plenty of potential and little end product. But that term, 'potential', is very much an easy way out, forgiving his inconsistency. Fact is, if he doesn't fulfil expectations perhaps its because those expectations are beyond him. When JJ 'turns it on' he's immense. And the mistake made is expecting or believing that particular version of JJ is the one he should be producing week in and week out. The reality is different. Jenas may well be an average player who once in a while excels to giddy heights. Or maybe, just maybe, he's a good player - not good enough for the Top 4, but good enough for teams outside of the cartel and one that won't be plucked away from us, in the same fashion as Carrick was. This can't be as good as it gets, can it?
Every summer we say 'this is the year for him'. I've been saying it for 4 years now. And still we wait. I like him. I wish he was arrogant, I wish he was a piece of shit personality wise. Driven by the desire to be the very best. Look at Lampard of Gerrard. In comparison, there is no comparison.
At the moment, Hudd offers more than JJ does.
Do more in 2010: Tackle boy, don't be afraid, you're not going to hurt it. It feels no pain. It's a football. It loves to be treated rough.
Do less of in 2010: Playing hide and seek out on the pitch. WE CAN SEE YOU, THERE'S NOWHERE TO HIDE.
Palacios - Hero
Here's to a better 2010 for Wilson. Last year was not a good one for the lad and his performances since very early season have been a mix bag. Maybe not as disciplined or sharp with his passing as he can be when completely on top of his game. He's been off-key. But he still brings something to the side that we have lacked for an age. He's a beast. A brick wall. The defensive enforcer we have desperately wanted for. Even a Wilson at 60% is better than a Zokora at 80% (although if we are talking pure comedy and dancing then obviously Wilson is rubbish in comparison). Harry has to get him playing with discipline again. The second part of the season needs us to be completely on top of our game and with Modric back and Niko looking to play a part in the same line-up, we have to be strong in the centre. Is another DM on the way? Sandro? I'd go with that if whomever arrives is an understudy for Palacios. He needs a time out every now and again. He is vital to our midfield and our progression. But he is one man. And no, bringing back Jamie O'Hara is not the answer to the understudy question.
Do more in 2010: Bite. Bite them. Bite all of them.
Do less of in 2010: Air miles. Any chance we can move all Honduran international games to London?
Crouch, Defoe, Kranjcar, Hutton, Huddlestone, Pavlychenko, Bassong, Corluka, King, Assou-Ekotto, Woodgate, Bale, Lennon, Keane, Modric, Giovani and Dawson to follow...
Reader Comments (61)
I blame Keane for Bentley's displays since joining us (inc. the ones when Keane wasn't at the club). I also blame him for Wilsons stuttering performances and possibly the death of his brother. It could also be Keanes fault that Gomes has got a rather large nose.
If Palacios reclaims that early season form (and the from last year) we'll be laughing. He was immense, just immense.
Not matter the blog or the author or the article, the Jenas 'conundrum' remains the same. Every season its the same discussion and argument and nothing changes. If he had balls on him he'd be fantastic. But he has no balls. Balls of a goldfish perhaps.
What is this magical 2nd defensive midfielder? I don't want Sandro to be an understudy, I want him to slot in next to Wilson and be able to pass the ball as well as be able to tackle. 2 beasts? fantastic. Give us steel whilst the flair players express themselves. The ideal new year pressie for me would be the top replacement for both JJ and Hudd.
I blame Keane for making the first comment on the last piece as equally as unfunny as the first comment on this one.
IMO JJ's main problem has always been slow-thinking & one-footedness - forward movements lose their zest once the ball falls to him. But he retains that quality of making me feel guilty for even thinking this, let alone saying it.
On a related point, Tom H will become ever more important to us, as we start to inhabit loftier climes - Teams come to WHL with 10 men behind the ball and it's often his 360% vision, pass selection, and precision delivery of every type of pass that breaks them down in the end.
PS. It's Keane's fault that I feel guilty about bad-mouthing JJ
I can't wait for part 2 Spooky!
COYS!
Palacios has been off-colour and probably due to him flying back and forth helping Honduras qualify for world cup - and our inability to give him a rest. World cup qualifying is over now, perhaps he can regain his form. Jenas needs to move - can anyone say what he is good at?
very fair summing up.i believe kranjcar was the best buy of the season.at 2.5 mil was also the finest bargain around.if we win anything this season ,he will be a major factor.he deseves a regular place in the team.his scoreing ability is a major plus.he is i believe only 23 and on the pitch gives the performance of a mature player.
So Gomes is a liability and sometimes isn't, Jenas is probably unreliable and Wilson has been generally good. And Bentley is a prick. I cannot imagine why you woiuld bother to write that 'article' or why anyone would bother reading it. I bet part two will be amazing. Cannot wait!!!!
Would have been interesting to see if Robbo would have been able to also turn his form around with the man management skills of HR and the GK coaching of TP.
I'm fed up with Hudd prancing around our midfield, he can hit an amazing 40 yard pass but at the moment he is just as likely to hit a short ball out for a throw in. His lack of mobility often results in Palacios running at oppostition defenses trying to pick out a through ball (or the corner flag).
I think this is the reason for Palacios' drop in form, he is great at standing people up but went he is making up ground trying to tackle at pace he only ends up munching the man and not the ball. I'd stick him in front of the back 4 with strict orders to not let anything past him - and not to leave our half. Then put a more skillful midfielder in front of him, one of the Croatians...?
Get back to the ironing Carrie love and let the boys get on with things here. By the way, if your making, i'll have two sugars.
Hey Carrie, you having a woman's period then? Now do one before I kick you in the sponge.
Remember the conundrum series Spooky did? Great reading, very in depth and insightful. Scandalously ignored by many. When he writes up a light hearted article for the sake of discussion, we get the literal critics came out of the wood work.
Jenas is shit by the way. In case anyone was still trying to figure that one out.
Are we really discussing JJ? Again?
Time to let the boy wonder became a man. Sunderland will take him.
We ruined Robbo. Didn't handle him well at all. He should have been dropped initially and sorted out instead of waiting for him to pick up form.
Nice to see that sexism is still alive and well. Maybe if Spooky wanted to really write something original he could start with a Small Penis Award and give it to one of you two hearthrobs. What a nice place this is. Congratulations.
Fuck off.
Hahahaha
Interweb critics are teh web.
I'm sure Spooky wont claim this article to be a masterpiece, but then that wasn't the point was it?
On topic: Palacios is a concern. He has shown no actual signs of improvement. His passing is sloppy and even his timing is clumsy at times. Does he need a rest? He needs something. Some of that DAVSPUR juice drink perhaps?
*teh win
I was going to comment that Carrie Fisher may be a bloke with a Star Wars name. But her great follow-up destroys that possibility. No need for sexism here lads. Let's talk football ... or maybe Star Wars...
Fuck off you cunt
Christmas spirit still evident in 2010 I see.
Carrie. The article is meant to push a little discussion rather than pull in the Pulitzers.
I realise that, I was just making the point that those discussions have been done to death and so 'what was the point?'.
But I guess judging from some of your readers that was too challenging an idea.
It's just a bit of writing on a blog. Sometimes you'll get something that's been worked on sometimes its just easy reading, nothing more. Chill.
Spooky, I think Carrie wants you to plug a book at the end of every article.
These discussions have been done to death? What really? What a revelation. You'll find every discussion has been done to death, not just here, but in the papers and on tv and on the radio and in the stands on a Saturday or Sunday. The only thing done to death more is know-it-all gobshites who feel the need to post and state its been done to death. How about showing us your bollocks (or minge whatever) and telling us your opinion on something football related? No? Fine. Goodbye.
The point is that it is a review. An end of year summary of all the points discussed throughout - therefore it is worthwhile. I personally do feel it could have been a bit more brief, and perhaps rated ALL players as heroes or villains in one article - rather than make it a 6 parter.
Gav. Who you telling to fuck off exactly?
Tony - lol, cheers. You do know I don't do briefs. I'm strictly commando.
You're a classy guy, 'The Machine'. And I bet if I didn't do what you told me to in real life you'd give me a slap to put me right, wouldn't you?
Enjoy your boring little blog boys. What a nasty, nasty little stain on the internet this is.
Blatantly this chap is on wind up. Good try. Back in your box.
Sigh.
Carrie, you sort of lost any credibility when you posted as 'Gav'.
'nasty nasty little stain on the internet'
Oh please. Are you for real? Please don't go. I haven't last this much since the last post you made.
Carrie Fisher = Harry Hotspur
Palacios is the best signing this club has made for 10 years. Its criminal we haven't gone out and signed a DM when its the one thing the midfield has been CRYING for. Compared to Zokora and the rest, its comical . Its the reason why we've struggled. Dont think Sandro is the answer either. How long will he take to settle in the UK in the freezing cold?
Sandro will settle. Gilberto had no trouble settling over at Scumlands. Don't think the kid is a traditional powder puff Brazilian when it comes to tackling. Denilson isn't doing too badly either. If he's been scouted well he'll do a job. Will be better option than O'Hara.
First timer browses in
Doesn't like what they read
Slates the article but offers no personal insight
Gets jumped on by other keyboard warriors
Starts crying
Slates the blog
Fucks off
Maybe next time, read the archives?
Jenas is like your man tits. You can't get rid of them and they're useless.
Palacios has had a few below par games this season, but they've been far from the shit that Jenas regularly stinks out a football ground with.
I thought he played one of his best games for us against the spammers last week. He never goes missing and is always making himself available. His passing has been erratic in games but get another good player to partner him - Palacios is making the space and time to make Hudd look good - and we'll have one of the best midfields in the country.
Wilson is doing just fine I think we have certain expectations and sometimes as fans we misinterpret performances. He isn't on par with his form from late last season, but what a player we've got when he regains that form. What we have in the mean time is still a very strong determined midfield powerhouse. Viva 14 Million well spent!
isn't 2010 great, full of wonderment and quality at every corner? I personally like the 'what's the point?' question.
From football blogging to a modern day Descartes first principles debates in one post. Carrie, you have done well to cross the divide between banter and socratic philosophy.
Sadly, I think you might have misjudged your audience on this occasion. Oh well, come back tomorrow when 'to be or not to be' is being considered as per it's relevance to the defoe / keane partnership.
Shelfyid, so you'd change a team that was fourth in the league and scoring goals for fun? Interesting. Maybe we should change the manager again as well and really push for that 4th spot.
I don't really understand why Hudd gets the grief that he does. He's still young, played every game this (so far very successful) season and been called up to the England squad. What's not to love? Most clubs would be proud to have a youngster be given a chance and consistently contribute to their team's performances and I'm getting sick of fans singling him out for abuse when we're winning 4-0. What do think he's been doing all game, standing still? How exactly was the ball getting across the pitch to Bale to set up two of the goals? Magic?
He's by no means the finished article and like any player will make mistakes but given a bit more experience he'll hopefully compensate for the lack of pace with positional nous. Who knows, we might have the next Carrick (also not the quickest or most appreciated player) on our hands and we all know what happened when he left. In fact our previous best Premiership season was based around the midfield pairing of Carrick and Davids whom you could directly compare to Hudd and Wilson.
As for people who would rather see O'Hara scampering about instead, go and watch Portsmouth.
Great blog. The non believers can take a running jump.
DML LEMMINGS 4EVA!
(honestly, long time reader)
The blogs posted by Spooky over the Christmas period are by far some of the most entertaining of any blog anywhere. Anonymous critics like Carrie who run away the moment someone poses a question seem to be suspiciously selective when appearing from under the woodwork.
Looking forward to reading your Huddlestone assessment.
No need to wait, I can tell you what it what it should say in my completely unbiased and rationale eyes;
Huddlestone is the Nuts, and has everything in his locker that the modern day requires, athleticism, ability, technical skills and a 'foootballing brain'. So he is the complete alrounder, likened to Beckenbauer in his youth by one of our previous (esteemed) managers, and 'one for the future' by none other than capello himself.
Of course spooks will put it in a more eloquent and concise (and perhaps slightly more impartial manner) than I.
He will perhaps point out that, unfortunately, also in that locker is what was left over from Andy Reids tuck shop when he departed, and that some would say that it would appear that the twix comes out more often from the locker than everything else.
So not sure which side of the fence he falls, Hero? or Villain? Sure wouldn't want him sat on it though. And I would still play him over and above my mate marmite.
How can the debate on JJ be "done to death" when 4 years on, we're still asking the same questions about the lad?
To my mind, time has started to tell for JJ and his poor performances so heavily outweigh his good showings to the extent where the debate could soon be over. But as long as his name features on the teamsheet, the debate will continue...