NLD journal #3
Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 12:37AM I've had an epiphany. We always get dicked at the swamp. Actually, that's hardly an epiphany is it? Just fact. We never turn up and we always roll over and to rub it in they're always up for it. Our lot let us down. Every time. Stage fright. Well mostly every time.
The 4-4 the only anomaly and that was probably down to the fact they spent so much time French kissing each other during their celebrations they lost enough concentration and composure allowing the comeback of all comebacks. That and we had JJ on the pitch. And one season we lost 2-1 (I think, seem to remember a wonderful Berba goal and a missed pen from Keane and the worlds best striker scoring with this first touch). Otherwise, two 3-0 losses.
Why can we never give them a game like we do at home? It's gutless. Talking of which.
Rather than destroy my gut with frenzied butterfly's eating away at my insides pre-game Saturday morning, I've opted to expect nothing from the game. That way, anything more than nothing will be something.
Not being defeatist. Just don't think a massive battle cry post listing everything we need to do is relevant because history tells me we always suffer a wardrobe malfunction. Tits on show.
If you want me to dwell for a second on positives, then I'll mention the return (hopefully) of Lennon on the right, to aid Bale on the left with his mere presence, meaning doubling up on either one will allow the other to run down the flanks with a touch more freedom. But then Arsenal are unlikely to double up on anyone. So there's hope there.
Tactically, we could sit back and watch them pass the ball to death, much like we did in our 2-1 win at the Lane. Sit back, watch them hit the brick wall of Spurs players in the final third. It's not the Lane so it's doubtful we'll hold till the 80th minute before they find a way through. So at the swamp, I'd like to see us soak it up and hit them on the counter. Let's not allow them wide open spaces near the pen box. Take the game to them but not with unintelligent wreckless play.
Controlled composure Tottenham.
What? Hey, why are you laughing? What did I say?
Okay, so, we have no King, Dawson, Huddlestone. Defoe is in the squad, might come off the bench. Lennon might well start (both apparently looked good in training). We've lacked any type of consistency with selection and our league form has been erratic.
Jenas, vdV, Modric - all key. Christ knows how the defence will hold up, and I can only pray that Gallas doesn't go mental at any point in the game.
442 will do. Pav up top. At the very least. If JD is fit to start...triffic. Play Rafa behind the front man.
It's one of those games where you can see the scum doing what they always do to us and we just collapse and surrender and shrug despondently with yet another wasted 90 minutes. You could also see us playing quite well but then losing to a cheap goal or penalty. Because luck is something we fail to conjure up in our favour.
Hence the epiphany. Not only do we always under-perform there but this season, we've under-performed. So the odds on us winning, the chances of us breaking the mould? Long shot.
And how I wouldn't mind to see a long shot hit the back of their net once or twice.
I guess it will come down to whether we want it. We've never shown that essential quality of desire when playing them away (other than the 1-1 CC semi-final first leg). And the 4-4. But they hardly consitute redemption for our woeful record.
So, whatever. Show me your b*llocks Tottenham. I'm f*cking bored of the same tired script.
Let's have something left-field please.
You know what. F*ck it. Just go for their jugular and be done with it.
Reader Comments (42)
And we will. 0-2.
I watched Chelsea play the Goons prior to both of our games against them both last season. Chelsea GAVE Arsenal possession in midfield, allowed them to play tippy tappy, to the ooh's and aahs of the fawning commentators, then duly kicked their sorry backsides. We did exactly the same to both of them,beat them both, but it wasn't a ploy?
If we play roll over, we'll get stuffed, if we start the game as we did against Bolton, Man Utd et-al, ditto. If we fight and hassle them relentlessly like WBA and Newcastle have recently, we've a chance, but that defence of ours worries me all the same
We never show balls in this fixture. We make it easy for them. Hope the vdV factor will inspire the players.
Stand strong and be counted Tottenham. Every player has to work their fucking socks off otherwise may as well throw in the towel after a minute.
"Tactically, we could sit back and watch them pass the ball to death, much like we did in our 2-1 win at the Lane. Sit back, watch them hit the brick wall of Spurs players in the final third. It's not the Lane so it's doubtful we'll hold till the 80th minute before they find a way through. So at the swamp, I'd like to see us soak it up and hit them on the counter. Let's not allow them wide open spaces near the pen box. Take the game to them but not with unintelligent wreckless play.
Controlled composure Tottenham.
What? Hey, why are you laughing? What did I say?"
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Lol
You mentioned word “TACTIC”, which doesn’t exist in Spurs’ vocabulary. Tactic? What tactic? You have laid down more tactical senses than HR did for two+ years. The only “tactic” our manager has is a hope that someone will have a blinder game in his feet and create few chances , so he can come out in a postgame interview with that old rotten …”it’s just one of those games, we could have won, but….blah, blah, blah”.
As one can conclude from my previous posts, I was never a HR basher, but am deeply disappointed and shocked at what VdV said about Spurs’ complete lack of training tactical moves or manager ever talking about it. On many occasions I was under impression that the players for whatever reason failed to execute tactical schemes, but never ever thought that there were none on the first place. Sad. Very sad. And totally inexcusable in my book.
Who needs tactical schemes when you have creative geniuses on the field running the show? These people are exquisitely skilled athletes who have played this game for their whole lives. And played it so well, in countries full of young people playing the game their whole lives too, that they stood out above the rest. And stood out so far above the rest that they are being paid top dollar to do it in one of the world's premier professional leagues.
And you think 'Arry Redknapp is going to have something to tell them about the game that they don't already, somewhere in their bones and DNA, know?
Just fookin' run about.
For mine, Crouchie up front, Bale and Lennon on the flanks. VDV in the hole. Jenas and Modric in the holding role. Tempted to give Corluka a shot on the right as less likely to be out of position than Hutton and Hutton has had some absolute nightmares at the swap. Clearly its Kaboul and Gallas as first choice at the back. BAE on the left. Defoe on the bench and bring him on as the game opens up a bit and it looks like we can beat them with some pace on the counter....
COYS!
Could always pull a Peter Cook and place a bet on Arsenal. That way you win either way.
Joking ...
COYMFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bentley and Rose in. Strict instructions to shoot from anywhere over the half way. Ooooh Danny Rose he's scored on his Premier League debut.
Whatever. Just dreamin'.
I hope we stuff the midfield tight and deny the scums the chance to play possession football. I'll say we go for a 4-5-1 formation with Kranjac coming in place of Lennon, then Bale, VdV, Modric, and Palacious. Crouch can score better than Pav so I will stick him up front.
the only dilemma arry should have, is whether its JJ or Wilson? I would go with current form and play JJ, lennon on the right, bale and modric with VDV in the hole behind Pav. Everyone to run their Bollocks off, and we wipe that smug smirk from nasri the pricks face.
COYS.....1-2
I will not get my hopes up for today's derby. Not that I don't have faith but it's simply a safer route to choose for my long-term health. We just need to bully them! A fellow commenter - Essexian76 - wrote above that Chelsea let the Arse bang the ball about as much as they wanted, and then broke them down in the final 1/3rd... our only problem is we don't have the defence to cope in the final 1/3rd like we did last season. Again, no lack of faith here... just my point of view.
VDV and Bale will have to raise the team's energy levels through their persistence. It will be crucial. JUGULAR TIME!!!! Pretty please...
COYS!!!!!!!
I'm fearing the worst, yet again.....
The good thing is that, if we supporters go in with low expectations, what's the worst that can happen??
Just hope our defence doesn't part like the ocean again, thought it's bound to happen at least once.
its interesting when we have a great squad we still feel nervous........so look at it from arsenals nervous viewpoint......what to do with bale?.two markers to close him down?........vaart with modric style etc....lennon to crouch dominance in the air...defoe the wild card etc...... the strength of spurs is very good.......so its the closing down of arsenal high up near the halfway line as much possible .......they will look for the penalty......they know we are going to give them a game today their distraction of Gallas is a plus for us.he has something to prove i feel to the locker room at the emirates ......in know way are we underdogs......we need our rythm.......high tempo and defence focus of a top four club........otherwise give them the ball and forget it........cmon u spurs
Spooky this is one of your best.....F#%$K the excuses, the history hangups, the injuries, the location... its about time we altered the motto to DO OR DIE !!!!!
Harry should tell them "Go out there for all the faithful (including us poor sods a million miles away) Dont come back unless you make them proud" COYS please
COYMFS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do use us proud and knock ten bells of shit out of the scum but not in a joey Barton way......then again??
yeah, lets get into 'em from the off! Pressurise the ball, get a few tasty tackles in. Wind up that little turd Wilshire so he gets sent off for retaliation. Then take 'em to the cleaners! COYMFS!
hi spudies!
what a game...what a game.....kaboul is having!
Jenas? Fuck him and fuck HR who selects him ahead of creative midfielders. I wish someone make a compilation of JJ on this game. Fucking donkey did nothing for 45 min. And also, who is supposed to play at right wing? Lennon or Hutton? Arsenal shows that current Spurs team are their bitch in North London. NLD? Derby my ass. This is embarrassing. They may have had problems with other teams but not with Spurs. Disgraceful attitude from Spurs players.
this is embarrassing. JJ is strolling around. Modric is off the boil. Lennon's final ball is weak, And bale is completely shut out. I don't even want to look at the back four.
BALE
Made Arsenal look good in that first half. We up our game just a little and its all fairly 50-50. Shows you just how over rated they are.
They're a better team, no argument, but we only have ourselves to play for just not turning up first half.
WTF!
wow am speeches . what just happened?
Imagine if we had played well! Highlight of the day was Whinger throwing his water bottle on the floor.
man that's just great , i must have screamed for the hole block but what a day ... I fucking love spurs ...
anyone think we wil have Brook around the next few weeks ?
Its funny how there are no gooner twats posting on here now ha ha lmao COYS
Brook in 3...2..ah, forget about it !
I take back what I said at the half. What a second half come back. Younes you are golden, my son.
The best moment was Wenger throwing down his water bottle. Oh the symbolism. The Gooners lost their bottle!
I love you Tottenham Hotspur.....I now hope they keep their heads for the Champions League game on Tuesday.
hi spudies!
what a game...what a game.....kaboul is having!
YES BROOK.................LOVED THE HEADER!!
No tactics no problem.. we are spurs.. we are never boring
On another note.. gallas and kaboul were exceptionally brilliant today. If only gallas plays like this week in week out.. if only..
Geeze, whiskytom, we have to stop meeting like this--totally agree with your reply to Brook, was about to write the same myself.
I actually did think Kaboul was doing very well today even before the goal. Maybe Brook confused him with BAE? Who did have a shocker early on but literally put his body on the line holding up the ball during those last 7 minutes. Let's hear it for professionalism.
Wow, kind of feel like I did after the ManCity game last season--is this real? Did this actually happen? Yes, yes it did.
Whoooo-hooooooo!
Back on the rollercoaster that is supporting our beloved bi-polar Spurs. Never a dull moment.
Werder Bremen on Thursday. COYS!
er, um, Werder on Wednesday. Little over excited and confused here.
Lol at the kneejerks above, and of course there's also just the Jerk too, thanks for that post Brook. Bwahaaha!
I thought I couldn't be happier after we beat them at home, but to beat them in their own yard is pure ecstasy!
I love you Spurs!
I thought Gallas earnt his spurs today and exorcised the Gooner ghost.
Those Jackel & Hyde type showing will give me a heart attack. :)
Unbelievable turnaround. Not even Mr. Arthur Conan Doyle or Mrs. Agatha Christie could ever compose such thriller. WOW!!!
So Spook - 9points in 3 Games -
Not a bad shout mate...................
2 rziegemonster - Totally agree with the parallels between todays game and 'That Game' What a game, what a result................
See there is a yid in heaven ........ thankyou lord
How do you feel about your Jenas hate now?
JJ proving doubters wong