So how exactly do you beat Spurs?
Monday, November 29, 2010 at 12:26PM Spurs 2 Liverpool 1
How do you make sure of beating Spurs? Well for starters perhaps try to score 5 to 6 goals in the first half then park the bus to stop them from mounting a sustained comeback. Because a one or two goal head start won't be enough.
Choke? Capitulations? Catastrophe? Thanks but no thanks. We no longer own the copyright.
Comeback Kings. Tag us up. A new era is upon us.
We've now notched up 16 points from a losing position - which illustrates the strength of character and belief this side has. Again, it’s scary to start theorising about how good we might be if we played with relentless intent from the opening whistle. Would like to see us take a lead, go two up and then kill the game off, perhaps with another to make it comfortable. Show some wit and guile by stopping the opposition from playing and dictating tempo at will.
Hey – it’s Christmas so the moon on a stick in my stocking is not a far-fetched request for Santa to deliver. I can’t help but flirt with the idea of the next step we need to be taking.
Beating Liverpool in the manner we did was not a vintage Spurs performance. Actually it was going by this season’s template. No need to play well across the full 90 minutes. Dangerous heart-in-mouth game plan. The consequence of no clipboard.
But that's fine because we're not degrading in terms of momentum and we'll surely continue to improve, especially if we manage to consolidate in the Jan transfer window.
Had it ended in defeat or a draw we would have spent a few days knee-jerking about what’s wrong with the team, struggling to cope with injuries and cohesiveness, losing out to a Liverpool side that have hardly been expansive with their football away from home this season. They looked up for it, attacked with a degree of on the deck directness and were combative in centre midfield. Torres could have punished us and brought us crashing back down to earth after our NLD win and qualification into the knock-out stages of the Champions League. But the Spaniard deciding against pulling the trigger when it was the easiest option to take probably because, I don’t know, he didn’t want to hurt our push for Top 4 what with his imminent transfer to N17.
/tumble-weed
Not quite moon on a stick that, more Andromeda galaxy on a stick. Grateful he didn’t leave us flat on our backs looking at the stars.
Liverpool squandered one or two chances. We did too, Defoe should have lifted the ball into the goal rather than just hit it low, Carragher blocking. And then in the second half, a fairly poor penalty. I’m sure you know the stats with pens off by heart now. Five out of nine missed or something. Bale also had an effort cleared off the line.
Open game that it was (Spurs do not do cautious well) we had to overcome a few in-game obstacles. van der Vaart pulling up early on, subbed, and probably out for a month. Kaboul also going off with a muscle problem – Bassong on as his replacement. Harry’s arms tied behind his back in the dugout. But if there is something we‘ve learnt time and time again this season is Houdini is capable of an escape or two. Never doubt our spirit, or do so at your own risk. Backs against the wall – we’ll just turn around, smash it down and walk straight through it. Granted not always with a bulldozer, just a one or two explosives expertly positioned. That will always do the job.
Liverpool just about deserved their goal, not much we could have done about it other than better man-marking – but it happens. Scrappy opener and the Reds could have doubled/tripled their lead either side of half-time. Torres brilliantly playing in Rodriguez who scoffed his shot, and Bassong superbly getting to the ball leaving Torres frustrated...again. Good to see him looking sharp and with Dawson a week or so away, at least our defence won’t be completely decimated – what with Gallas forging a decent partnership with the rampant Kabul.
Found myself frustrated by many things during the game and before the final moments.
BAE’s posturing. Wilson’s distribution of the ball. Defoe still rusty. The fact Lucas was running tings in midfield speaks volumes about our inability to take a stranglehold of the game. It was all a bit lazy. Give the ball to Bale even though Bale has two men on him most of the time. Hoof balls forward for the knock-downs. Palacios is not even half the player he once was and losing vdV and not having anyone else to slot into the midfield (with JJ out), makes it all the more tricky if the opposition – no matter their depth of quality – put in a good shift.
Having said that, Liverpool were not quite head and shoulders above us.
One penalty miss, one not given (yes, Liverpool might have had a shout for one too), two off the line. We still looked for a way back in. When we did eventually score it was the excellent dinking Modric running through Liverpool’s back-line with ease and playing it across the six yard box, Skrtel forced to make contact with the ball (having scored for the 1-0) making it 1-1, otherwise Crouch would have. Luka is only just getting started IMO. He’s going to be vital over the next two months where that fabled marker just has to be placed down as we look to get ourselves into the top four - and stay there.
The winner was direct (now there’s a shocker), BAE long, header on by Crouch (knock him if you like but was that another assist?) and Lennon rushing past probably the worst Liverpool defender in their recent history (not saying much) to score in injury time. Fully deserved for the ickle man who is regaining form. He’s got his spark back.
The opposition not so much mugged, but leaving their wallet on a table to be snatched with comparative ease. In the end an out of sorts Spurs side pushed aside a plucky Liverpool side. Oh my how things have changed.
We’re still not at full pelt but neither is the Premier League – and we’re six points off the top. Aim high(er), right? Three successive league wins. Four in all comps. Five games unbeaten. Momentum, dear old friend, is back with us.
Kudos to Harry, if anything for another half-time team talk and holding on till late to bring on Sandro (a substitution he could not have made earlier in the game due to the injuries). Not sure we can spend too much time being concerned with the way we don’t quite own the full 90 minutes. But then this might just be a consequence of the injuries and the related tinkering – and it’s something we need to muddle through until the dawn of 2011.
The big news I guess in the aftermath is the injury to Rafa van der Vaart. Possibly out for a month which is a massive disappointment considering his talismanic qualities and White Hot Lane goals. There is no discounting his influence. But like I’ve said – we need to be able to win without him. Kaboul also out (not sure for how long) - so it's biting of the nails time as another two men go down on the battle field. Time for the spirit of 2010. Dig deep.
One final footnote - the crowd getting on Palacios back – f*ck off idiots.
Yes he’s not the defensive destroyer he was when he first signed for us and although I’m quite happy to agree that he might need to placed aside or leave if he fails to recover from his crisis of confidence (Paul Robinson anyone?) there is no need for prawn sandwich booing and sarcastic cheering. Groan and moan it’s your right – but ease off trying to apply extra unnecessary pressure on the guy by making a point of singling him out in this manner. Support him. Some of his work wasn’t that far off decent. His passing is woeful I know. Harry hug and perhaps a gentle slap in the face required to perk him back up. It’s a massive concern because he’s not shown any signs of recovery so far. Not the same player since losing his brother. And is unlikely to be if some of you make the decision to hate on him before you even turn up at the Lane.
Slagging players off on blogs and forums, probably the best place for it because it’s unlikely they give a sh*t about something they won’t be reading. In the ground – it’s not. Jog on to the Emirates if you want to act the c*nt.
Anyways, you’re meant to reserve your disgruntled energy for when Jenas is back in the side.
j/k
Loving my JJ fix at the minute. Oh we are such a fickle bunch.
To end on a positive. Credit to all concerned, we’re not going to let go of our top four entry easily.
COYS.
Onwards.
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Reader Comments (40)
1st!!
YIDO!
Another three points. Time for us to go on a run.
So, Sandro to start ahead of Palacios next week if JJ hasn't recovered?
Great comeback wont tire of us winning points from losing positions, speaks volumes that. Still waiting for that tour de force thrashing we are due to hand out to someone.
Sandros inexperience in the Prem worries me, I'd rather stick with Wilson. Give him a run in the team. Give him a chance.
Completley agree spooky, totally out of order on Wilson. Those idiots should be ashamed of themselves.
Liverpool played well but does anyone else think that's as good as they can play shaping up the way they do under Hodgson? They worked hard but hardly dynamic and forceful like the Liverpool of old who were difficult to break down. Loving Lennon he's looking hungry for the ball.
Amazing how a simple ball can go astray when it's easier to side foot it six yards ahead of you. BAE was guilty of some shocking stuff too and even Modric lost the ball in positions where he should know better. Having said that where it mattered most we did the job. Such an important win this, builds on the last two splendidly.
Embarrassing from the minority who abused Palacios in the worst possible manner. Sarcastic chants or applause is confidence shattering. Like the player needs to listen to that.
Re Palacios I think the booing your own is a hangover from when we were crap.
Because we never won anything for so long the whole 'getting behind the team every week' thing lost its resonance. It was replaced with 'doing your own thing' including slate anyone you fancy because only a couple of games per season really counted and were worth cranking up the atmosphere for (cups and derbies).
Those habits if they are repeated year in year out end up seeping into the culture of a club. Now the team has moved up a level but a section of the fans are still stuck waiting for the let down or false dawn or expecting it all to blow up in their face any second. It takes a whole long time to change the culture at a club and we are going the right way and I hope that continues . But some small time habits born of years of failure can take a while to shift.
Enjoyable read as ever Spooks. Brightens up my Monday lunch time.
Hope Defoe doesn't take long to sharpen up.
As much as I respect the gesture from Harry and Co, I really wish we would stop doing the chivalrous thing and giving teams a head start...it really is not good for my blood pressure
Once we dismantle teams from the off then we'll have to get ourselves suited for top tier antics. We'll challenge. It's that balance that we don't quite work out until we have to come from behind. Do think we are doing brilliantly all things considered. Meant to go off the boil and yet there we are in 5th spot and competing.
Wilson isn't a decent enough option for us I'm sorry to say. Looks completely lost out there. He means well but his performances are as inept as the classic Jenas performances we hate to hate. Hope he improves but how long has it been now?
According to Guardian chalkboards, after 13 minutes Wilson had tried 14 passes and given the ball away with 6 of those. It was a shocking start, but he got better after the ironic cheering and sorted himself out... in a way, you could say the crowd forced him to up his game. By the end he had attempted 50 passes and found a team mate with 40 of them which is pretty good.
I don't agree with the booing/ crowd behaviour, it's more about whether Harry is doing the right things to improve his passing and concentration and giving him his confidence back. Because without Huddlestone, and now Jenas and vdv for a bit, we need the Palacios of old back over the winter. We have 6 games before the end of the year, and Sandro is simply not ready yet. Wilson has a big job to do, we must get behind him.
I don't understand how Wilson had a pretty good "return to form" game against Bremen, only to have a shocker early on yesterday. I can't remember how many times I shouted at the tv due to misplaced passing, but after his 5 minute spelling of only passing to players in red, he did improve. The thing is, he's good at breaking up play. He's a bit like a certain Mr Freund, who was dogged in midfield, but couldn't find a white shirt in a Daz advert. Speaking of Daz, I must remember to head to Waterstones in Milton Keynes on Saturday to buy Anderton's book and get it signed.
Again, like Wednesday, we were far from firing on all cylinders but came away with a win. There have been plenty of games over the years when we've played badly and got battered.
I didn't really get into the game emotionally for a good 65 minutes.... not entirely sure, but could be because my kids were too busy climbing all over me.
When we'd all had dinner and I was left watching while doing the dishes, I was a different animal - shouting above the surround sound which was belting out Alvin & the f'ing Chipmunks in the living room.
I thought the wife had it figured out last week when she took the kids out to leave me in peace during the Gooner game....... nope........
I do think we fans have become more reliant on VdV than the team itself. He didn't play on Wednesday and he barely saw action yesterday, yet again we got the results. Yes, he can do something magic, but his absence tends to bring Modric more into his own.
"But the Spaniard deciding against pulling the trigger when it was the easiest option to take probably because, I don’t know, he didn’t want to hurt our push for Top 4 what with his imminent transfer to N17."
Funny you should say that spooky.... hahahahaha!!
Great piece of writing Spooky , i was guilty of slating Wilson (at home) but felt ashamed nonetheless that the fans in the stadium were doing the same thing , i for one just want him to get better and even though i d curse when he loses the ball again , booing or applauding ironically when he gives a good pass is not done. People tend to forget very fast
So anyone know when JJ is back ?
Great result in the end, I love our never say die attitude these days. As for Wilson, I thought he tackled very, very well at times. Yes his distribution was bad but imporved in the 2nd half. He was clearly given a bollocking and told to just pass the simple ball. How good was Modric anyone.............and Bassong. I was nervous when Bassong came on as Kaboul has been fantastic this year. I should not have worried, he performed perfectly fine.
Can we have a repeat of this week next week please spurs, another 3 from 3 anyone??
Onwards and upwards. YIDO.
There seems to be a collective amnesia amongst our supporters regarding Palacios. People seem to be convinced, as the author of the article above is, that his current malaise stretches back for an eternity. The reality is completely different. The loss of his brother was in Spring 2009. In season 2009/10 he was playing very well right up to the last 6 or 7 games of the season. Dont you all remember the collective anguish over when he was going to pick up the final yellow that would lead to his ban? That was only in March! Indeed when he finally got suspended there was a general belief that there was no way Modric and Hudd could play together in the middle. Palacios was considered essential. Imagine that being said today (!) - but again, keep in mind this was as recent as March - only about 20 league games ago.
Palacios went off the boil - badly - right at the end of last season. It transpired he was carrying a hernia injury, but - foolishly I think we can now conclude - he decided to go to the world cup anyway. I stand to be corrected, but I dont think he has ever got over that injury. Indeed, i'm pretty sure it is impossible to overcome a hernia without an operation, no? This being the case, is it really any wonder he is playing so poorly? He is trying too hard, and carrying a hernia injury. The same happened with Jenas last season (he eventually got it fixed - and look at him now) - and those with long memories will recall a very similar situation with Anderton when he first signed for Spurs. So Wilson, we appreciate your guts, your determination, your putting the team ahead of your own health, but the time has come to get yourself sorted out. To be frank, you are no good for us in this condition.
Jeering your own players is unacceptable. Wilson has done a good job for us in the past, and no-one can really appreciate how hard he has been hit by the family tragedy (you can't put a timetable on when you "get over" something as awful as that).
I was really pleased to hear the crowd chanting for him straight afterwards.
Great piece as always Spooky.
Kudos to those who started the "Wilson Pa-la-cios" chants, straight after hearing the cohort of buffoons ironically cheering. Unfortunately those who do ironically cheer/boo at matches aren't intelligent enough to realise it isn't going to improve the player/team. Wilson played poorly and has for a while, but we quickly forget - he helped turn things around when he first arrived, it's up to us to now get behind him (ooo errr) in the hope he can turn his form around.
Couldn't agree more with the "Jog on to the Emirates if you want to act the c*nt." comment.
Awesome result and awesome blog.
COYFS
Re: Wilson. Seems like an eternity. Football plays out like that sometimes. He's got it in him to recover but it will only happen if we back him and play him whilst out midfield recovers and hope it leads into competition for places again.
Spooky's(and indeed almost everyone else's) new love for Jenas's recent exploits in central midfield really worry me.
Yes, Wilson is not playing well. But, given that he rarely plays nowadays, is'nt it crucial that we look at our weaknesses in central midfield from a more realistic perspective? We concede in each and every game. Every team seems to have a good game against us (Liverpool apparently had their best away game on Sunday). Though we win - because of our super players; Luka, Bale, VdV, Lennon - the break-up of last seasons central midfield combinations of Hudd-Modric/ Hudd-Palacios has been obviously detrimental.
All I'm trying to say is that, while Jenas has gotten rid of his 'hernia' or whatever that was troubling him and is now able to run aimlessly more visibly, our ability to indeed challenge the top top establishment depends massively on our getting better players for this very crucial position.
Jenas can use his energy where its best suited. The right back position.
Great piece spooks. Thanks for the words on Palacios. It's certainly one thing to bash him on forums and blogs, but the mocking and jeering in game is totally ridiculous. And what good does it do? Is that going to give him any confidence?
If you were in a plane during stormy weather and heavy turbulence would you bust into the cockpit and call the pilot a worthless piece of shit and if he crashes this plane you are going to kill him? Makes no sense.
When the going gets rough, then get behind the players and support them. With two early subs, Palacios wasn't going anywhere for a long time. And I think Redknapp made a point of keeping him on when he could have put Sandro in his place instead of Defoe.
Final thought as I slowly develop my own BAE fan club, membership to date: 1.........he created both of our goals, the overhead to Mods and the long ball to Crouchy. He is a misunderstood genius.
...indeed.
For clarity on the dig on blogs and forums, we are all guilty of player bashing and its quite okay to let out frustration at games when its warranted but peopled need to back off at game more so because its the only arena that matters at the end of the day.
Palacios is out of form, badly out of form. Just because we are doing well doesn't mean we can suddenly behave like he's not good enough for us. We know how well he can play so the more vocal backing he gets the more comfortable he'll be out there for us.
Back to the game - also laughed out how impossible it is for Crouchie to get a foul given in our favour.
'Lennon rushing past probably the worst Liverpool defender in their recent history'
Thought Carragher was off the pitch by then.
Carragher is an important player.
For Spurs. Disappointed he didn't score for us yesterday but then again, our strikers are not all that at the moment.
Thought it was a GREAT game, and some credit to Liverpool who are pulling themselves back upright against the odds much as we have done; at least they are my least-hated top 4 rivals!!! Two things .... Wilson - agree absolutely, Spooky. He is making progress and staying upright and avoiding those lapses in tackling around the box. He made some great interceptions, and only lacked the consistently effective pass .... but we are without the usual easy outs .... no Thud, and the midfield area crowded effectively by the reds, and Sarge's best trick was to give the ball to someone else. Let's get behind him, because we won't go on without a full and effective squad. Same goes for BAE - a casualness occasionally intruding that he needs to cut out, but will do best with our support. COYS!!!! And Modders was SUPERB!!!!!
Nvr jeer a player and instead cheer them on and support the team. Remember the time when we were bottom and palacios rescued us! Guess we all forgot that already, remove the idiots who boo him and give the real supporters the tickets!!
COYS! We will always be your support and family Wilson!!
Very pleased to see the sensible posts here about Palacios. Even more pleased to see Bassong making two vital interceptions either side of half-time when we were rocking a little. Not a great time to lose VdV but hopefully Modric, Bale, Lennon and Defoe can take up the attacking slack. And the Mulder spoof about the game is a classic.
Good to read the other comments on sarcastic barracking of Palacios yesterday. As others have said nowt wrong with opinion but if you want to slate someone that way use a forum or wait til you get to the pub.
One other thing Palacios vs Pav passing stats:
The most successful passes Pav had made in any of the the 5 league games he has started is 19. Wilson completed 40 successful passes yesterday. So if Palacios is a poor passer then Pav is beyond poor.
I think those in the crowd who were sarcastically jeering meant it a bit lightheartedly, realised it was a bit silly and not very constructive, which is why the non sarcastic 'Wilson Palacios' chant followed immediately. Interesting points about the culture of the fans not keeping up with the progress of the team - there's something in that. But I don't think this was such a biggy, really. More a collective mental glitch which was immediately corrected.
Wilson is going to be very important and I think he will get the rustiness out of his game. Let's hope so. Sandro has potential - but not much more at this moment in time.
Imperative that the lads get immediate coaching for penalties!
Lennon is back to his old tricks, very pleased! I've been telling
mi mates to lay off him a little bit, and they were even suggesting
that he be sold.....for sodding Young. No Way!
Defoe's been lookin well onside, and pav could really stand to put more
effort into things, would be better if we got a replacement sooner than later.
Crouch is useful still, wouldn't trade him in.....so ye, Keane and Pav out....
Benzema and....?
Big Sky Spur:
You're not the only one! Benny can be dodgy at times, and yes - truely wish he wouldn't try to be so flash in our penalty area but I think you definately need to go to games to really appreciate him.
we should merge fan clubs - 2 members over here so that makes 3 so far...
Time for a chant? He keeps getting compared to Cyril so maybe that's the song for him - someone would have to explain it to him though...
"One final footnote - the crowd getting on Palacios back – f*ck off idiots."
I was waiting and hoping for that line as I read through today's blog, so thanks, Spooky. Clearly it needs to be said, again and again that any asshole who jeers a Spurs player while he is on the field is not a Spurs supporter--he's a sad little tosser trying to compensate for having a small dick or a smaller brain.
Big Sky and Bere--sign me up as your fourth member! BAE, no bullshit pandering, just total professionalism.
I had some idiot sitting next to me slatting Lennon all game and tell harry to sub him. Went everso quiet in the 93min!
Add another member to the BAE fan club. It's refreshing to have an honest hard working player like him around. Weird thing is that given he supposedly doesn't care much for football - how come he's often the guy getting into fights...
Watching just the MOTD2 highlights, it looked like half the game was a one-man-defence Bassong show. I guess you could argue his positioning let some of those last ditch tackles necessary, but he impressed. He did well for us last season, lets hope he can step up again this one.