Tottenham Hotvaart
Monday, October 4, 2010 at 1:09PM Spurs 2 Villa 1
At this rate I'm going to soon run out of superlatives for Rafael van der Vaart. Perhaps someone can spike his pre-match drink with horse tranquilliser so he can spend at least one weekend sitting by the corner flag with the only dribbling coming out of his mouth, rather than covering every blade of grass in that look at me I'm so frigging great way we're becoming accustomed too. Would give me a welcomed break from having to draft up love letter after love letter, the attention seeking show-off. If he isn't hogging the headlines he's hugging the grannies.
This never-ending tenacity he possesses to constantly impress and make things happen. Love sigh. He's got that special mix of technical ability, vision, urgency and the belief and desire to make the difference.
There are plenty of footballers who give it the one hundred per cent, week in week out. But if you take someone with genuine (world) class and that someone goes above and beyond what many would expect as the passable norm, well, it's enough to make you go all weak at the knees. It would be easy for him to play like a luxury player because that's what Tottenham are use to seeing or at least have been in the past. You have to admire the impact he wishes to bestow us in every game.
I don't really care at this precise moment in time about why he cost so little and whether Levy has one eye on future profit or possibly the gift of first refusal for Madrid on one of our players. I don't really care about the potentiality of failing to reclaim fourth and the expected but uninvited guest who would sniff around White Hart Lane with that unmistakable fat red nose. I don't care if he's doing a Berbatov. I don't care if the player himself simply took the chance because it was better than spending his time sitting on a bench in Madrid. If you are of this pessimistic ilk, what brilliant irony would it be if vdV dragged us into a fourth place finish? The fact is, the future hasn't happened yet, we're laying its foundations in the present.
He's ours. He plays in Lilywhite. And he makes that difference. Spurs now have their very own Gerrard/Lampard/Fabregas/do Utd have one at the minute? Rooney I guess. We have ourselves a game-changer. We have a catalyst.
The hacks might want us to believe he's a ticking time-bomb, what with their tiny brains struggling to comprehend why he's even playing for us (Sunday Supplement on Sky Sports strikes again) because it's just not right there has to be something amiss for him to be playing in our colours. Because if he's that good, he shouldn't be. Because what right do we have? Yeah, well, whatever. He's a time-bomb, the type that will blow up in their patronising miserable faces.
It should take another 3-6 games, but this team will have to start gearing up towards that higher level, that better standard that we need to be playing at if we're going to start to pull away which is what we need to do. I think the word 'hope' / 'hopefully' needs to be added to the above.
He sets the precedence for what a proper performance should be. It's the type of all action, plenty of plot that will have some questioning this paradox. And as Harry has stated, he needs to work out how best to work the mechanics of the side with vdV in it. On the right. On the right but free to roam into the middle. In the middle. Just behind the the front man. It's a headache, but not the type you can complain about.
However, the reality is, we are still not bossing games, we are still making it tricky for ourselves. Still having to dig deep and pull the win out of the grasp of two points lost or worse. But gaffer and team are doing what needs to be done to try and come through this patch with damage limitation mode switched on, what with our injuries and that tactical evolution that's keeping everyone on their toes.
In terms of CB's, its unnerving. Hudd having to deputise at the back against Villa. He didn't do too badly considering the risk of playing him there. Uncomfortable but got better as the game progressed. It's not exactly an upheaval of Biblical proportions, but we're adapting and learning from week to week in terms of what is best for us to attempt to gain some of that stability in play and momentum. It does have to settle soon. And in addition Harry is having to also manage the various sub-plots including the form of Lennon and Palacios.
We've also go Hutton, re-born. Still needs to be tweaked defensively and offensively in terms of positioning and when to go marauding. And if vdV is going to continue to drift away from the right, we need to help out Alan on that flank.
Bale can never be imprisoned at left-back again. He put in a hard working shift. Didn't take centre-stage for once. What with Villa sticking 15 players on him at any given time.
Jenas, well, he still splits opinion, but if someone was to ask you what he does exactly, you'd be harsh to ignore that he's doing just fine, fulfilling the role in midfield that has allowed for a more (potentially) dynamic middle four/five. There were glitches against the Villa (not so much his fault, but what with no Hudd in midfield there was no clean-up sweep up for when JJ went forwards and the play broke down) and people are bound to latch onto the obvious frailties but compared to Wilson, he's proving far less of a risk to start with. It's not perfect. But the boy is getting forward with a sense of directional awareness and industry that has me not gleeful (let's not go overboard) but definitely pleased.
Modric struggled with his possession on Saturday, which is a rarity. He's on the same wave length as Rafa, but he's not Luka at full pelt at the moment. An off day. So the midfield was not the most balanced (hence the potentially dynamic middle four/five comment), but we got going in the second half far more efficiently than the first thanks to Harry changing it.
So, what of the game?
It was yet another dramatic end to end entertainment piece, presented at the Lane, in full Tecnicolor. Because we don't do boring black and white.
Not a great first half of football, although it ended well with vdV getting the first of his brace, heading the ball in thanks to Crouch nodding it across the goal. Heskey mugging Bassong to set up Villa's goal, bundles in by Albrighton who didn't look decent. All a bit too easy.
We were not coping with the battle against Villa's midfielders which saw the second half switch of Azza on for Pav to give us that extra man centrally and vdV pushing up behind Crouch (even though that's where he drifted to from the right hand side during the first half). Lennon, improved performance off the bench. Probably would have scored had he not been hacked down. Well done Harry for the quick and much needed shift of formation.
So, in that second forty-five we played far better, more controlled football. Villa, still wasteful at times, and far less effective with Heskey off (on the 35 minute mark) which meant more emphasis and concentration on attack than defence for us.
Crouch and his knock-downs worked a treat. Might not always score, but he gets the assists. Pav played a part in the first goal but otherwise, just doesn't do enough for me (white Darren Bent). Appeared to play with a touch more conviction that usual, but that's not saying much. Sacrificed, so it's unfair to be too critical as he attacked the penalty area and run the flanks prior to going off at HT. So on another day, he probably would have been in the right place at the right time at some point.
vdV's second was representative of that extra oomph we now have. His movement into the box, into that position, not once did he not look like someone who wasn't going to score. He practically willed the ball to his feet, the deft touch and dummy and blistering finish processed at lighting speed in his brain but executed in a split second for all to see. It was an Ali shuffle, knock-out punch. Have some of that.
We battled. We came from behind. We had six defenders unavailable. Two players in the side that at the start of the season were on everyone's list to be sold, given away, stuck in a cardboard box and thrown in the river. But the siege mentality of vdV was nothing short of absolute inspiration. We got lucky at times, but I guess it's not really luck. We have van der Vaart. Villa had Carew. You can only ever be as good as the players you've got.
The rest of our players need to match Rafa. Because at some point that higher level needs to be attained. On days like this you can be thankful for that much maligned squad depth. We're going to need everyone in the up and coming weeks to be completely focused. Daunting fixture list, will only be so if we lack faith.
As for the love letters. I guess I don't really mind writing them. Could be a lot worse, I could have been blowing kisses to Joe Cole or Scott Parker.
Shudder.
Reader Comments (45)
Play him just behind the forward. He's scoring more goals than all of our forwards put together, so why over complicate matters?
Harry changing it half time saved thep oints for us. Was worried up until VDV scored. Still think Villa could have won this if they didn't dither so much in forward positions. A better team would have punished us.
Spooky,
Rafael has been coming for some weeks ... as you and others have commented on .. nice to see the tabloidal press recognising him.
Your Column both provoked laughs but serious thoughts about our possible Hotspur Title Challengers.
Congrats a great piece as always.
Nervous times ahead given the promise of a top four (equal with Arse) and then if Chelsea slip who knows.
Some interesting games coming up but perhps some quality back. Ergo King, Dawson, Dawson....
Cheers and all the best Greg meyer.
Jenas is quietly getting on with it, isn't it? I find that more unnerving than seeing Huddlestone play centre-back.
What annoys me is this:
Gomes v Van der Sar
BAE v Evra
Hutton v O'Shea
King v Vidic
Whoever v a dead Ferdinand
Bale v Ancient Giggs
Lennon v Crap Nani
Hudd v Fletcher
Modric v Ancient Scholes
VdV v Crap Rooney
Crouch v Berbatov.
Then look at the benches.
And what pisses me off is that I know they will do the double over us.
We should be finishing above Arsenal, Citeh and ManU this season.
Lennon hasn't been all that this season. And Utd have Fergie and have experience. But looking at them they appear near enough spent, weak in key areas. Can see them finishing 3rd, they might even be our rival for 4th spot.
Good Article. I think VDV is pure class. I agree with patronising bit as well. Many Chelsea fans and Man U fans have said to me they did not sign him because they did not need him hence why he is playing for spurs. I find this patronising. We are a great club with a big history and have a famous reputation in europe especially places like holland. Chelsea have been good this past decade but before that they were nothing. Things change in football, spurs have built something special and we have so much quality players playing for us at the same time which has not happened for many many years. This will make the difference. This is a new era in English football, Top quality stikers would love to play for spurs right now, when you look at the midfield and the service you would expect. get ourself in a good league position, next stage of champions league, then go out in Jan and buy a top class stirker (or 2). We will have a shot at the title, why not. Shut those stupid patronising fans and sports writers up! Spurs are a great team to play for right now. COYS
Please please please please please, let's buy a striker in Jan.
Keane, Pav, surplus to requirements. Crouch, doesn't score enough. Defoe, injured. We can make up the difference be selling a few if Levy is tight with the finances.
Why are people worried about VDV being plucked away by the likes of Utd?
Agree with Oops, he has to play just off the striker. Accommodates more of our midfielders, and VdV scores more than any of our strikers anyway.
As an addition to that comment, we are currently missing:
King, Dawson, Gallas, Kaboul (our top four CBs) and best striker.
Chelsea would lose: Terry, Alex, Ivanovic, van Aanholt and Drogba. They'd play Bruma and presumably Essien at the back.
Arse would lose: Koscielny, Squillaci, Vermaelen, Djourou and Persie. They'd play Traore and someone not currently in their squad at the back.
ManU would lose: Ferdinand, Vidic, Brown, Evans and Berbatov. They'd be playing Smalling and Joe Dudgeon.
Citeh would lose: Toure, Lescott, Boateng, Kompany and Tevez. Would probably play Richards and... not sure.
They'd all be decimated. Didn't even mention Woodgate.
AS a real 'oldie' of the Nicolson era --Van D V is to me a reincarnation of Dave Mckay--incredible!!
Think, if we actually start to play convincingly across 90 minutes, we might scare ourselves half to death with the results.
Firstly, welcome back Gomes!
I dont like to criticise when the team play okay, but
1. why is Jenas ahead of Kranjcar? I believe if Kranjcar, Modric and VdV are given enough time together, can be a formidable midfield. Point is, why risk alienating Kranjcar by ignoring him? When we need him, he would have insufficient game time to develop an understanding.
2. Pav is infuriating at times but seems to always come good at key moments.
3. Man we need the centre backs fit again fast.
Now an observation on bad tackling. I would absolutely hate to see anyone else get crocked because of a bad tackle. Surely something can be done. The clown who reffed the Man City-Newcastle game must be blind.
Is it me, but broken limbs seem to occur every other week?
The problem seems to be the same culprits over again do not seem to get punished. The same few names that spring to mind: Karl Henry, Nigel De Jong, Ryan Shawcross, Lee Cattermole.
It doesnt matter whether this has been going on for some time, or is tolerated in the EPL or whatever other lame reason to excuse bad tackling. The time has come to stop this. Impose a long ban. Make an example of someone, especially if a glamour signing for Man City.
@Goanadt
if you want to beat them (CHELSKI, L'ARSE and MANURE), you need to analyse where and why they are strong, and weak, whether we are playing at home, and if they have an important cup game just over or coming up.... sounds obvious but not so easy to come up with solutions.
We beat Arsenal because we were pissed about losing to Portsmouth - we beat Chelsea because we were on a high and wanted it more then them, same reason why we beat Man City.
Now if we wanted to beat them at their home.., consider this...
1) We changed our formation at Man U. Why? We played BAE at right back, when he should have been stuck at left. Play our natural game.
2) We give too much respect at Stamford Bridge and the Emirates. Close them down. Jenas must learn to bite the ankles of the man in possession, not allow him to pass the ball through.
3) Almunia cannot handle high shots. Look at last year's CL games.
4) Ferdinand and Vidic will handle all high balls into the area, but they cannot handle someone who sprints directly at or through them or dribbles past them at speed. Bellamy? Torres? Tevez? Same for Terry. Think about it.
5) Drogba scores quite regularly from the left. So does Ashley Cole. We would need a strong right back, and a strong MR against Chelsea. Like a Jerome Boateng. They scored their second and third goals against us at Stamford Bridge like that.
6) The refs will always favour them for penalty calls. No cynicism. Statement of fact. In the same vein, the ref will never favour us for penalty calls. Of course it's a different story at the Lane. Bale must be punched and kicked and bitten 2 feet in front of a Refs committee before we actually get a penalty in the EPL, and even then they would need to see the replay "just to be sure".
I could go on, but really if you want to, observe and analyse the strengths and weaknesses, then drop a few subtle hints to HR et Co.
Harry wanted Parker and Cole. I guess we might have been effective, in different way with either of them in the side but no chance would they have made the impact that van der Vaart has had. Different class.
Cole looks utterly shit up at Anfield. Parker, a decent player in an average team. I'm still questioning Harry on his transfer targets. Levy should take the accolades here.
Niko looks like the forgotten man to me, on the sidelines, never playing a part. Shame really because he could still be weapon off the bench.
I must admit even i was wondering how VDV would cope, saw him at Hamburg and Real and was always convinced of his quality but it all depended on his mindset when coming to Spurs. Would he be motivated and hungry ... I guess we know part of the answer by now ..
Jenas , going on a spell of games without too much problems, looking like the JJ from the beginning (a bit less offensive and not scoring ). For some reason i rate JJ and always wanted him to do well at Spurs.
Something tells me Niko will have a big part to play later on in the season when some of our ever-presents get injured or get burn out. We will see him this season. Its just very hard to find a place for him in the team at the moment, he is a pro he'll understand that.
Long season ahead. Players on the bench need to be patient and see the bigger picture. Hopefully Arry has has words with Kranc. Reckon he's got his mind on other things at the moment with how our midfield should be lining up. Think Harry is considering the 4-4-1-1.
Our fixture list in the next couple of months looks mad.
Apparently several Spurs players have refused to train today in protest at the amount of space a certain playe ris getting on certain Spur's blogs and his missis is having to clean his boots.
Bale has complained to Harry that it used to be 'all about me', and Modric is in a right sulk especially as none of his Croatian pals can even get in the team.
There isn't space on some blogs to slag off Jenas.
Crouch has been made to look like aproper footballer and wants Capello to start Van de Vaart in place of off form Rooney. i don't think he's got the hang of the International thingy.
So what I'm proposing in the name of team harmony is that for the next match we don't mention you know who and concentrate on the other usual suspects.
:)
The most unnerving issue is the acceptance that Spurs fans have for central midfield mediocrity. Could it be that its been so long since we had a good player in that position that right now anything is acceptable? Because, before Rafa came up with the goodies at the end of the first half...I really feared for us. And the CM player was totally nonexistent in either defence or attack.
Jenas did not have his usual poor game of backpasses and misplaced passes. But i've seen 17yr olds come in and do better. We have to aim higher than that. Chelsea, Man U and the Goons are realising like Barca did long time ago that a youth policy pays up. We can choose to stick to time tested misfits like Jenas, or embrace the new wave and get our own Josh McEchrans too. John Bostock maybe? Not Zinedine Jenas (The image in his head).
Muat admit though that Hutton, who I would have thanked Levy greatly if he had given him free (+ an additional $9m) to West Ham in the summer, is turning up some pretty useful performances. Still prefer Kaboul but like Redknapp and RvdV, its a headache that is welcome. Though he is'nt worth 9m yet, I and many others have to eat humble pie on this case.
Will Sandro be the next GDS? The 2min cameos have already began.
Real talk Goanadt. The sad thing is that Woodgate is probaby our best CB. Do yall remember how he owned Drogba in that 2008 FA up final? Fantastic defender but is seemingly cursed.
That's why there is no reason to go overboard with JJ. He is simply doing the basics right, which if you wanted to, you could use that as a basis to prove how poor a player he actually is in terms of really out performing those around him. You can never envisage the guy owning the midfield, could you?
Cursed just like our other 'best' defender.
Don't you just love this club?
Chelsea linked with "22 million rated Gareth Bale"
And shitteh linked with a 90mil deal for .........Gerard Pique
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
yeah right
Focussed-from-Singapore.
You are right. Spooky should have you as a guest analyst.
why isnt kranks getting a game?? was great last season remember the goals v man city and at bolton
we got the missing worldclass attacking scoring midtfielder, we never had,and
this is a must for compeating in modern football, at the top level.
now we only need worldclass striker more(defoe are ok) and we can win the league,
but the team must fight, like against Villa every match, otherwise its not possible. Coys,
I would love to see us beat Mr. Rednose and Chelski for the tittle. Coys
Soory my english not the best.
"Will Sandro be the next GDS? The 2min cameos have already began."
I don't think there is a slight chance of this to happen. IMO, it was wise decision by Harry for three reasons: first, to give the crowd a chance to express their appreciation to RvdV for extraordinary game he had; second, to protect him from possible injury and to straighten protection of our defensive line, and third, to give players a breather and some instructions, because we didn’t chase the result – we were ahead. Also, it doesn’t hurt for Sandro to finish the game on a winning side (remember “Bale” curse?) and get a feel of share the joy with the fans. From what I’ve seen of him in CC match vs Arse, his guile certainly matches Raffa’s, and I cannot wait to see him in the lineup.
Sandro will be immense with us. No need to rush him into it. I can see the logic of that now. He's a beast. Keep this group of players together and we'll be more than content.
Great read, spooky.
BTW, hugging grannies is not a bad thing at all. I'm hugging fluffy butt of the one for years now and never get tired of it. It also tends to lower heating bills. :) .........if you know what I mean
Spooky- super (read) again...
shame we didn't play a stronger side in the CC. Some players are desperate for a game and it must be hard to keep them satisfied long term if they don't get game-time. Great read, as per usual.
Apart from knockdowns Crouch has to be one of the shitest players i have ever seen from spurs. Did anyone see his pathetic attempt to shot from outside the box on saturday? It was even more embarrasing then his attempt on wednesday; and can his fans please stop with all this shit about him being great on the deck; the bloke never gets and assist with his feet and cannot bring anybody into play. Pav might not be perfect but at least he tries to play proper football; ever seen crouch whip in a cross from out wide? In his whole career you would probably have to say no!
You think Spurs are good now?
You should see them on FIFA 11 for Playstation/XBox 360.
Crackin'. Absolute.
...."Pav might not be perfect but at least he tries to play proper football...."
This is certainly helpful to know. Now I got it; fuck the results and us losing games as long as some players are TRYING to play proper footy. Anyway, what RvdV quickly noticed and already repeatedly capitalized on it (using Lanky’s height as an advantage) is rocket science for Pav. He’s not only dumb but also gutless and lazy, and cannot hold the ball to save his life. Helping our defense against set peaces is also missing chapter in his book. I’d rather see Keane on the pitch than Pav. Any day.
in playing proper football i mean playing non route one shite that has the ability to unlock top defences.
Not shitty euro teams or below par international sides. You clearly know nothing about football because robbie keane is a fucking joke atm. Pavs performances against Arsenal and Chelsea last season show how good movement from the strikers allows us to compete and even beat them. When we play chelsea next time should t we just play long ball in the hope vdv is superman form and gets on the end of every decent knockdown? err no!
The space he creates when he is on form is far superior to what Crouch could ever achieve on the deck. 45 GAMES AND 8 GOALS and he has played more football under redknapp then any other of our strikers, says it all really
You can say whatever you want, but Harry obviously prefers Lanky over Pav for a reason or reasons (it could be one or few that I mentioned before). Or must be, if using your logic, that Harry’s also deluded and knows shit about football. As far as I’m concern, I trust HR over your thesis any day. Don’t know if it’s by the intent or by accident, but you didn’t address things I mentioned Pav should be doing that Crouch does regularly to help the team.
Sorry Beetleblues got to agree with dN3 on this one... Crouchie has popped in the odd important goal and does provide some superb knockdowns but that really seems to be his limit, his ball control and passing abilities are lacking and certainly far less than Pav's. I must admit Pav is bloody frustrating at times the way he gets knocked off the ball (Toughen Up Princess) however he seems to be improving in the last couple of games. Pav has shown glimpses of real awareness and trys to vary his play ...Perhaps if they were given an equal share of gametime (say 50/50 each match) we would get a better variation of play instead of the long ball scenario we often see at the moment ...What a wonderful position to be in !!! All I know is am looking forward to JD's return. .... COYS
*wonders if he should get involved again*
Don't be a bore.
Of course you're going to get involved again.
Oz and dn3
where were you guys on the previous thread I needed some backup!!!
Honestly spooky I don't have the fight in me at the moment I'm lying on me sickbed with my iPhone.
Seems oz and dn3 are basically saying what I was saying last time.
Jeez I can't wait for jd to get fit.