As comfortable as a Sunday morning sleep in
Thursday, November 25, 2010 at 12:00PM Spurs 3 Bremen 0
Okay, so perhaps asking for some glory glory was slightly over-estimating it in the grand scheme of things. Werder Bremen tidy with their possession but hardly menacing in and around the box. The only worthy constant they achieved was stop-starting play with their persistent fouling. Non-effective passages of play, easily contained by our only at sixty percent boys in Lilywhite. No requirement to shift out of first gear. Hardly any point in even driving. We just parked up and switched the engine off. German boys sent packing back to Germania.
We were hardly fluidity personified ourselves, plenty of stray balls and casualness, but it didn't matter. One up after six minutes with Kaboul scoring with a strikers shot into the turf and into the net after Lennon picked him out (the little man had a decent game, lively and alert and involved with two assists). Two up just before the break, this time Crouch nodding on for Luka to tricksy his way inside of the defender and finish with a touch of supreme class looping the ball in and beyond the keepers reach. That was the first half wrapped up. 2-0 is always going to better than 1-0 because even though they hardly had anything to whisper about (let alone shout) we all know one mistake could let them back in. But with Gallas cool and composed at the back, the stray balls and casualness was never going to be enough to gift the Germans any hope.
In the second half, could have been three had someone not tainted a blade of grass near the penalty spot with Kryptonite. It was three when Crouch smacked it in from six yards out after some good nut-meggy work from Lennon (via another superb cross from Bale - which hit the cross bar and was kept in by Azza before beating his man and assisting). This coming after some decent sustained pressure. Still just about first gear football, key turned, engine humming.
The boy Bale wasn't too shabby either. You know Bale, he's the one with the barnet, plays out on the left. Mortal Bale (you call that a penalty son?), earlier hit the cross bar from a free-kick and came a whisker away with a shot that skinned the far post (the latter laid off by Defoe). Also crossed majestically for Crouch who saw his deft header come off a defender for a corner. Busy thanks to the open invite from the opposition, he played the game like a training pitch exercise, trying out different tricks and movements. Subbed late on to keep him freshly for the weekend.
JD, getting more minutes as he slowly re-adapts to first team football after his return from injury, having a crack at goal and almost being played in a couple of times. Nice run out. He looks up for it and is eager. Just needs a goal to settle himself down.
Other minor (or major if you like) points of discussion?
Jenas going off injured. Pinch me, but I mean it when I say this, I hope he's back soon. Having him play consistently regardless of the debate as to whether he's an average player playing well or a decent player rediscovering form - we can't have yet another central midfielder disappear from the pitch onto the treatment table. With Huddlestone long term, fingers crossed for @jjenas (yes, he's on Twitter now). Palacios came on for him and did the usual Palaciosque stuff, biting at ankles and breaking up play and every so often passing the ball to nobody.
Hutton continues to impress coming forward but for me his positional sense is just not very good. Gallas superb. Kaboul strong as ever but showed a glimpse of naivety with a misplaced ball in an area where a better side would have punished us. BAE untidy. But I'm willing to forget any indiscretions (from the both of them) because of the way the game played out. Crouch loving it continental. Modric king, taking centre-stage and controlling the game via remote whilst sitting feet up on the sofa.
The talismanic van der Vaart rested, if you missed the game.
Special 'wtf' mention for Roman Pav who was offered the penalty but turned it down. A striker turning down a goal from 12 yards? Considering he tends to score from the spot, this is a little strange unless Harry in post-match interviews has taken it out of context and Pav was politely saying to Bale, 'no you take it because you're holding the ball' rather than 'soz, no, I'm brickin it'.
So, nice run out for the team. As comfortable as a Sunday morning sleep in.
In conclusion then. Clean-sheet. Third successive win. Three million quid for our troubles. Momentum has awoken. Welcome back old friend. Be alert, there's another game this Sunday we need you for.
This Champions League lark, bit easy innit? First time of asking, into the knock-out stages. Only the second debutants in the past five years to get through the group stage. That wasn't meant to happen, was it? Meant to be out-classed they said, in the group stages. Whatever happens - we've made our point and opened some eyes that would hardly look our way prior to our arrival. So hold onto your hats when we play Barcelona away and get trounced 7-0.
Before the next stage of our European adventure we have to visit Twente for the final game to claim top spot from the Rafa's devolution at Inter. So there's still one final twist to be had. One thing is for certain, I've got a taste for these games now and not being involved next season isn't something I want to entertain.
We edge ever closer to the January window and there's one word on my mind.
Consolidation.
Reader Comments (38)
Good night, accurate report.
Time to wave goodbye to lazy, lost, sulking Pav.
Good to see Lennon rediscovering a semblance of form. Now, with midfield depopulated, we need Palacios to do the same.
Pav seems to struggle with the ball at his feet if he has more than three seconds to work out what he's going to do with it. Nice write up Spooky. Was a very comfortable nights work.
Nice of Harry to big up Bale who might have felt a little flat after the penalty miss. Not that he should as he has been awesome for us but young players can be fragile at times coping with pressure.
Got to be Crouch and Defoe starting a run of games now as the front pair as Pav fluffed his lines too often or falls asleep.
Great to have not one but two big willies in the team now. Without them we have more tickle than tackle !
Enjoyed the game and kind of agree that we did what we had to do without looking good or bad...
Pleased to see Defoe looking sharp and even happier to see Lennon looking near his best.
My guess is a convincing win against Liverpool at the weekend and I have to say I have no negativity towards anyone in lilly white and am happy to let Harry do al the thinking RE Bentley, Krank, Keane, etc.... as lets face it every decision made thus far this season is the correct one.
Even leting them bitches Arse go 2 up so we could humiliate them with 45 mins of fantasy football.
Sorry - giddy at being an early poster....
That was a business like performance now we need to do the same Sunday, this is now a massive game as we can not afford to fall behind the top 4 and a win will put the scousers back in their place and will let them concentrate on mid table obscurity! Good to see Lennon running at defenders again, should have boosted his confidence...with VDV possibly back who do you start up front?? me thinks VDV and Crouch with JD ready to come on and Pav in an office with his agent and Keane working out where to go in January!!
Sunday is fraught with risk, and not necessarily because of form and ability but tradition and pride. For us, it's about cementing that position at the top table. We shall not be moved. For them, it's about getting back in there, thinking it's rightfully theirs. And given our wobbles and their pedigree they'll be well up for it, so no leaving it till half time this time. What I want is a swift boot in their face from our lofty perch to shove them back down into mid-table obscurity where their current form has them belonging, and showing yet again we having nothing to fear from anyone. Let's do this.
Jenus is great!! I actually hope he's back for Sunday!!
We are 2-3 players away of becoming a world class team. We need at first a really holding and quick defensive midfielder and a dominant, commanding and quick CB next to Gallas to consolidate our defence and secondly a scoring striker.
What does Jenas do exactly?
A lot.
Let not go overboard on the JJ love in.
It was a non-event of a match, given the dismal state of the opposition. It was all very flat - like scoring in the first few minutes against a lower division team at home in the FA Cup...everyone knows its all over but you have to play out the 90 mins anyway.
Re team improvements, for me BAE is totally out of his depth in this team. He is as bad as Hutton defensively but worse offensively. Last night he was truly shocking. Its an obviousl upgrade - I simply cannot believe people think we need more strikers, CBs or CMs. Someone above says we need a good holding midfielder. We have Palacios (£13m) and Sandro (£8m). How much do you want to spend on a holding midfielder? Both of them are good enough, its just that our style of play is so attacking that they tend to stick out as the ugly kids who cant pass when they play. It really isnt their fault - Makalele would have looked the same. And more CBs? PLEEEAAASE. We have too many already. When did Bassong last get a game? He would walk into 75% of PL teams,. including some above us in the league (eg Bolton, Arsnenal). With Crouch hitting for, VDV sublime, Defoe and Pav in the queue for a game, the last think we need is another striker. Trust me, scoring goals aint our problem. For me, I just want to see us sign a decent, solid left back. Not asking for Maldini, just one that can defend competently.
lol@themachine
lol its funny how everyone thinks crouch is really good now that he got a tap in and put in his first real decent performance. this team could be special i just pray for the additions we need to ensure it. WB were extremely poor i dont want to knock the performance too much but any premier league side would have done well last night; some of their reserves looked league 2 level.
big performance against liverpool needed as i expect the arseholes to struggle against villa without their head rent boy.
everyone knocking pav for misses but i would like to reinforce again how we play the better football especially in the league without crouch.
I never actually defined what he does a lot of .
Before people accuse me of favouritism.
great result
but
1) our two strikers are pretty useless and need about 3 clear cut chances to score a goal - we need a new striker. imagine if we had someone competent to latch onto bale's passes.
2) full backs. hutton is ok but limited. BAE is a bit of an enigma. plays like he couldnt give a toss. hoofs way too many balls into no mans land and really does show little desire/commitment to the cause (see a) the group huddle - everyone heads down focused but not him, he's staring up into no mans land. b) the beginnng when the music is played and the players shake hands and applaud the fans - he never applauds.
BAE is a very strange player indeed, would he be a better player if he was really committed ? He does not even seem to enjoy playing football but i like him for the soundbites and the comments about rooney for example
The man does not give a flying f*ck , and i am not sure whether to applaud or loathe his attitude
Boris said yes. Splendid!
Boris has indeed said yes ! This week gets better!
@ paul F.......i'm sure you're a lovely fella but you're also frickin mad....! Of course we need another striker, possibly two. We struggle to put the ball in the net.....end of. BAE whilst not perfect is doing well, who would you replace him with? Sandro will not settle this season, wilson needs to rediscover form so whilst i think there are other priorities i can understand why people are asking for a similar type player. Equally the same could be said at centre back. Personally i would put all that we have into securing at least one but possibly two forward men, with a possible consideration for a higher quality right back if one becomes available.
Harsh on Wilson. I think he played one misplaced pass all game.
The ref suited his style of play though. I think another ref might have booked him for some of his all-action antics.
Leaning from my window I shout down to a small urchin scurrying down the street. 'Hey you boy, what day is it'? . The boy stops in his tracks and looks up. He slowly removes his cap and scratches his head ' Why, it's St Boris day sir' 'St Boris day'? 'Yes sir'
'wait there' I say, - scooping shrapnel from my pockets I throw money into the street below. 'Go' I say 'Go to the Emirates Stadium and take a dump on the steps, this is truly a wonderful day'
How will you be celebrating St Boris Day?
Def harsh on Palacios. This was him getting back to good form. He made at least 4 great crunching tackles to break up potentially threatening Bremen attacks. I only recall him giving the ball away once or twice. At on point he even did a silky pirouette and drive reminiscent of Modric.
Easy game for him, but I saw enough to suggest he might be on the way back
WHL redevelopment is approved by BoJo.
Great news about the stadium. Can David Lammy stop moaning about us leaving and put his efforts into securing regeneration monies for the project instead like the councils did for Wembley and the Library. That is the only reason we are looking into Stratford! Just give us a bloody tube station! (terminate under the new stadium please)
Btw Joe Jordan tells me our weakest position is at LB and suggests Leighton Baines as a good option (mind you this was on Football Manager). Proud of the team atm, the first english team to progress to the knock-out stages in their first attempt, can we go one better and win the group too? I'm not sure whether it'd be best to prioritise the league rather than the final group game tbh. Especially at the moment with our injuries etc.
I'm in agreement with Ben re: Palacios. IMO Ekotto has the occasional bad game, but generally is excellent and works well with Bale down the left flank. We miss a striker attacking the near post when Bale is flying past his full-back but this will be solved by playing Defoe. We have plenty of quality @ CB coming back from injury and the current pairing has done well. Not sure about Hutton, he looks exposed a lot of the time and needs some coaching with his positional sense. Would be great to bring a world class striker in in January to add to the squad, but who is out there that fits the bill? Hopefully Jenas does not have a serious injury and will be back soon. Finally, great news re: Northumberland Development Project. COYS!
Whether you believe Jenas is now playing on par with Kaka or is just plain cack is neither here nor there.
It's lunacy to play every game without a proper DM.
What I enjoyed about the performance most was that Woy Hodgson was there watching - "note to myself - Spurs will be a walkover if they play like that, although I might have to double up on their 2 wingers. I think we should 'go gung ho attack' like old Pinochio suggests".
Oh Woy my mate, you're in trouble come Sunday pm (snow permitting!)
Have to agree to differ Devon yid. If you think our main priority is another striker, can you plase check the 'for' and 'against' columns this season and then have another think. To those delusional ones thinking we can struggle on with what we have a LB, please check where our goals conceded tend to originate. We are a left back and a reduced injury list away from something special. We dont need more forwards
Yes we do. Okay, let me re-phrase.
We need a new forward to replace the two that will be shifted out.
As for the defence, we can always improve this area - more so once the club really understand the longevity of King and Woodgate.
TMWNN - We had one of them, a proper destroyer of men. They called him Wilson they did.
I know BAE is not the greatest, but I think he gets short changed in the criticism department. Hasn't the guy played every single game this season? Practically at least. He has some bad moments and obviously those can lead to goals but overall he's cool in the back and has weaved us out of some sticky spots. His ball forward to Defoe led us to Bale's goal against Arsenal.
Having played every game without a rest has got to be draining. Everyone goes on about "we need to rest VDV, we need to rest Bale" etc. but we've got a guy at left back who hasn't quit playing roughly since August.
I also think we need to study which hair style suits his style of play. Afro poof or corn rows? So far I can't get a read on which is more effective.
3-0? wtf ...
spurs don't do 3-0 ... spurs don't keep clean sheets ... we only do nail biting 2-1, 3-2, 4-3 ... or lose big ...
i want my old spurs back ...
arry is destroying our traditions ... arry out :D
seriously though, we need more of these kind of results ... can't afford to have heart attacks every weekend ...
To those calling for new centre backs, you seem to have forgotten that we have already signed Khumalo who will be joining in January.
I also thought Palacios had a good game, tackled well without getting booked and only made one mistake in distribution.
To the BAE haters, tell me please who you'd replace him with? Think really hard and then tell me which of those players on your list we could actually get. Not easy is it....? He needs competition for that spot, yes, but who?
We definitely need another striker, Keane out one in please.
And finally I repeat, WE DO NOT NEED ANOTHER RIGHT BACK. Hutton, Corluka, Walker, Naughton & Kaboul. Count them FFS!
Always feel Benny plays better in corn rows. When I see the afro poof it worries me.
I agree with Canada Yid. We do NOT need any more right backs! Love to see Walker make it next season. Maybe Naughton on the left but not sure if he'll make it just yet.
I would say we need another left back and a striker in January.
I'd also gladly say good bye to PSB and Bentley.
Maybe when Dawson comes back we can move Kaboul over in Hutton's place