Fix Bayonets Men! Follow Me To Glory!
Friday, December 3, 2010 at 12:01PM Away to Birmingham. Remember this fixture last season? Should have won, conceded late on. Felt dejected at the final whistle, the loss of two points a body blow leaving us winded but hardly down and out. I'd be equally despondent if we drop points again. That marker we keep toying with, it's on the table. It just needs to be pushed inwards a little more. Don't want it falling off.
Birmingham followed by Chelsea, with Twente sandwiched in the middle and then a potential banana skin away to Blackpool before the post-Christmas fixture list snows down on us.
I love this time of year. The games, they come thick and fast. Equally so do the points if we're on top of our form and more so the momentum gained in a short space of time that could elevate us into a lofty position that makes the opening of the transfer window in January one of lip-licking excitement.
Time to apply the pressure on those around us.
Consolidation is only a possibility if we have something to build on which is stronger than just a foundation of hope and promise. Intent and end product. Forgetting Europe, we've won three successive games in the league and we're unbeaten in four. We continue to claw back victory from the jaws of defeat. We continue to perceiver with the loss of key players. There's spirit in this side. And whenever you think (and others hope) we are heading for a crisis we don't. Because that's not our bag any more. Crisis is a strong word, but these days it's altogether a different animal. Remember what a crisis was? We'd not win for five or six games playing dejectable calamity stricken football with our players falling over in their ballet shoes as they whisper to each other, 'I can do it too with Kandoo' whilst we discuss a potential new managerial appointment.
Crisis? Last time out was when we managed a lowly amount of points from a slightly pro-longed run of games. I forget the associated numbers, but I'll look on Facebook later to see if the Relegation Party has retained the finer details. The crux of it is, we were shambolic or always a couple of goals away from forcing ourselves into shambolicistic performances. No backbone and no actual template of structure. Yes Harry is very much a hug 'em type of man-manager. Gets the best out of players, plays them in their best positions and strives to strike a chord with their confidence so that they enjoy their football and believe in themselves and the team. It's expressive, not quite expansive - but it works. And there's continued growth in the side if you look at mentality and focus.
Okay so hands up I admit like you would that this season has been erratic. But an erratic Spurs side of the past would find its self mid-table and unlikely to muster up, say, sixteen points from a losing position. Not that we should be using a team of old as a a gauge of progression. We've been mislead in the past way too often. The standards we set and achieve today should then be placed aside as we continue to improve further. Enjoy pockets of success (beating Arsenal away and ending the run of 68 games against traditional Top 4 opposition by throwing shirts into the stands) but then move on. Don't dwell. Learn from it and then deem it as a non-importance whilst new challenges are tagged with 'seek and destroy'.
A relentless hunger. Is what we should have. Harry having words with Bale over his handshake with an enemy player in the NLD speaks volumes. It might be an obvious characteristic of the teams who have spent the last couple of decades ahead of us, but its something we've lacked. Bite. Selfishness. Preservation of ones self above and beyond anything. We don't quite have that killer instinct. Not yet.
I'd wager you'd have to be a pretty awful coach not to be able to get this Spurs side to do well. Be it clipboard or no clipboard, Harry's approach (get Sherwood, Ferdinand, Parks etc to coach players in groups based on position with Bond and Jordan strutting their stuff on the training pitch) then tell them pre-game in dressing room to run around a lot and kick it in the net might be the most non-illustrious but effective display of keeping it simple tactics the Prem has ever witnessed. But he's not - as some have suggested - winging it. This is top tier football, not pub landlord on the touchline on a frosty morning over at Hackney Marshes.
We have shaped up plenty of times this season to deal with the opposition at hand and have also re-shaped when necessary to combat in-game dynamics. There is so much a manager can get out of his players with expression birthed from confidence. Although there is something very Tottenhamesque about just going out there and playing football, even if it's a giddy mixture of swashbuckle and caviller with heavy doses of dramatic twists and turns. Imagine if Harry was 10% more shrewd. But then we need to keep pinching ourselves and remember this is a new age Spurs. We are surfing high on a learning curve rather being water boarded in another transitional drowning session.
It's easy to be critical because you can easily find yourself susceptible to the weight of expectancy. I said a pretty awful coach you'd be if you failed to get something from this current Spurs squad. What I meant was - we have an abundance of quality players who we can depend on. We look good on paper and just as good on the pitch. So it's a case of managing them and not over-complicating matters. And with each passing game a new obstacle is overcome and a new character trait is added to our ever growing goody bag of colourful traity sweets. No choking here. No sucking either. Just delicious crunchy delights.
You can’t become a winner if you don't win. I know that's the king of understatements but it's obvious that Tottenham have to mature from plucky defiant soldiers to eye of the tiger warriors using the blood of their left for dead opponents as war paint for the next battle. War is a bloody, killing business. You've got to spill their blood, or they will spill yours. Rip them up the belly. Shoot them in the guts. Someone once said.
That's why even if we are stepping up to score last minute goals and winning from losing positions - it all counts. And it will all level out to something more controlled because it has to if we want more out of all this gradual progress. I'm certain it will level out to something stronger in time. The fact that a crisis these days is when we drop a couple of points or don't play too well but still win is a statement of progression. Yeah sure it's not open bus parade territory just yet, but let's remember how paralysing the past decade or so has been for everyone outside the monopoly.
Keep it simple.
Birmingham don't score that many at home. We should avoid thinking about Tuesday. Attack 'em.
I want that marker super-glued to the table.
Reader Comments (70)
I wonder if Mark Lawrenson will refer to Birmingham suffering from a Carling Cup hangover?
Marvellous!
Wilson says: “The fans really motivated me, they got behind me and supported me and that was a really big thing. It gives me great motivation and even more responsibility as a player when I know the fans are right behind me.”
So can the section of our fans hell bent on self destruction resist the urge to barrack Palacios? Dont think so. But most of them dont go to away games anyway as it is not as comfortable as the west stand so at least they will be shouting at R5, Sky, and their laptops and happily Wilson cannot hear them from that distance.
COYS.
Well up for this.
big game, one we would typically struggle in. i'd take a draw if i'm honest. they are decent at home.
a derby win would probably inspire us next game so would expect same for them.
Dawson is in the squad. Great to have him back. Need stability at the back. Maybe we can give him a try out with the pens too.
Well said, Ned.
"as they whisper to each other, 'I can do it too with Kandoo' "
Laugh out loud moment...
We could easily lose this one. Bolton wasn't that long ago, and with our injury crisis in full swing I would be alright with a point. Alright, mind, not necesarily happy. Winning, on the other hand, would be a major statement of intent. I'm just not sure we have the consistency against well-drilled grafters.
Head says score draw, heart says 4-0 Spurs.
Now where to stick my money on. Decisions, decisions.
I think Harry is plenty shrewd; and that his big cuddly persona is just a guise, therefore evidence of his shrewdness. Let's face it, if managing this group of players was that simple, why did Ramos fail? The core group is largely the same.
Harry is a great manager. He's still gonna make the odd mistake, but occupying the higher echelons of the table will be as new to him as a manager as it will be to most Spurs fans under the age of 50.
Great article though. Agree wholeheartedly. This is a key game for us. I'd settle for a point, but would still be dissappointed given our recent form and our goals for the year.
If we finished in the top four again, had a bit of a run in the FA Cup and got to the quaters or semis of the Champions League I'd be more than happy. I don't buy into this challenging for the title too much. I agree with Harry's sentiments that it should be the aim of every team in the league, and also that the team is good enough; but I just don't think the players have it in them just yet. Not too far off. A bit more befief (which will only come with a sustained presence in the top 3/4) and one or two signings that will improve not just the squad but more importantly the first eleven.
Let's hope Brum are all 'after the lord mayor's show' to coin a cliche. Nice to see them picking up some knocks of their own in the pitched battle with villa wednesday.
Still have to give them a goal I suppose, so 2-1 to us. Right about that Bolton game - couldn't believe the rollover and die attitude. Can't display that tomorrow. Glory Glory.
this may be a scrappy affair as they will try to ruin our movement.....again its modric to unlock ..........bale and lennon to keep the width.etc...this may be the palacios game he needs due to the physical .......and the boo boys silenced....
Dec 3, 2010 at 12:22 PM Ned criticised the West Stand fans for barracking Palacios. This did not come from the West Stand. It came from the East and South Stands. The reaction to this in support of Palacios also started but was not limited to those in the South Stand. In the same way, the cretin who shouted "Yid Army" to violate the minute's silence for Remembrance Sunday in the previous Premier League game was in the South Stand. The nauseating moans and groans against Keane whenever he plays also emanate from the South Stand in the main. The idea that one has to attend away games to know the meaning of support, or that it somehow makes one better, is an insult to the hordes of supporters who limit their attendance to home matches for any number of reasons. The idea that only those who stand in the South Stand attend away games is also false. Perhaps a surfeit of alcohol when attending matches is causing some self-delusion for those who convince themselves otherwise.
You need to write for the Spurs match-day programme Spooky. If any one from Spurs is reading this get rid of that Daniel whatshisname who writes for you and draft in Spooky.
I'm praying we don't win any penalties.
Any one know if van der Vaart is back for the Chelsea game or not? Conflicting rumours I've heard saying his injury is not considered as bad as first thought.
John I spoke to someone who was in the Paxton who said it came more from the west stand. Maybe they were wrong. Maybe you are wrong. I will leave your comments about the other stands because the issue is a lot bigger than which stand imo.
I think we have a real weakness if even a small section of our home fans think that booing the team off the pitch and barracking individuals is the right thing to do. If we were in the relegation zone for ages you could maybe understand it but we are flying high beating the gooners and Liverpool and progressing in the CL. If you are deeply unhappy about the team right now when would you ever be happy about it? I hope the club is looking at ways to get a new generation of fans in because every club needs that change and it would add more variety to the fan base.
I do notice that away games I get to tend to have a lively atmosphere. I think our travelling fans tend to be the more passionate and make more noise. Look at Fulham away in the cup last season - more noise than WHL for some games this season.
Anyway if not a soul in the west stand did any moaning on Sunday then my friend was wrong. But I am glad if being associated with the barracking of one of ours or booing of the team is viewed as a slight because it should be.
The treatment of Palacios was completely unacceptable. The players are moving on from old habits on the pitch and we need everyone in the stand to pull their weight too if we are to make the most of this.
We'll win this hard fought 2-1
Can't Danny Boy get Bep Slatter on-board? We would win the League by miles and probably not even have to turn-up for the games.
Birmingham...dour determined effective, especially the CB's. Spurs, occasional moments of genius, but none of them by the CF's.
0-0 draw written all over it.
Good stuff Spook(y)
as ever.
Who will be on the bench? Seems like everyone is hurt.
When I think of Birmingham these days I think of one player first, Lee Bowyer.
I really hate this motherfucker and he always seems to do something to piss on Spurs chips. Perhaps I'm paranoid, perhaps not, but the key to winning this game is to stick someone like Palacios on him so he can't try and kick the crap out of Luka (again) or do something equally frustrating. Go in hard on the prick and let him know who's boss from the off. Just another guy in the long list of opposition players who get under my skin.
We need steel balls for this one and we're growing them one game at a time.
COYS!
Had some amazing news today, 2 boys in my sons class at school (year 2 aged 6) have swapped from Manure to the mighty Spurs, what does this mean ?? Is this evidence of the power shift we can sense & are we on the brink of true glory!!
COYS
Can't help but think that sooner or later our injury list will catch up with us and the wheels will fall off.
Plenty of big matches to come, not least in the CL.
Win the group, avoid Barca.
Still stunned by their rout of Real Madrid.
"Had some amazing news today, 2 boys in my sons class at school (year 2 aged 6) have swapped from Manure to the mighty Spurs, what does this mean ?? Is this evidence of the power shift we can sense & are we on the brink of true glory!!"
It's the evidence that your son has a brilliant future in a used-cars sale business. :)
COYS..........NO BANNANA SKINS,,,,,,,,,,,BLOOD AND GUTS,,,,,,,,3PTS
COYS!!!!!!!
It'll be a tough one but I believe this crew and no tactics 'Arry can move mountains. End of.
Ned I posted on here last week saying thet the Fans at the ground should leave the man alone after the way he has been the main reason we have found that 'tougher' attitude.
Mind you he nearly gave me a heart attack on two occasons against Liverpool.
He will come stronger than ever if he gets a bit of encouragement.
BASSONG!!
It sounds like WHL out there! We're outsinging them!!! Again!
So far so good. Sandro should replace WP because of a danger to get another yellow card.
Harry takes the blame for the 2 pts dropped. Should've made substitutions earlier in the 2nd half, when we started to lose momentum. Leaving Wilson in there was a big risk.
Oh well
I was hopeful we'd get three points but not surprised or gutted by that result. It's a tough fixture. Assou-Ekotto god bless him always has moments that make my blood pressure skyrocket. We still need to get settled back there. Hutton demonstrated that he's probably at least as mental as BAE if not more so. Lucky he didn't get a red.
Positives to me were Wilson completing some passes. Poor bastard has to get his confidence back. Gallas still makes me somewhat nervous but I like the fact that he seems to be taking his leadership role seriously. Crouch, who I've been very critical of in the past seems to be doing useful stuff. Of course I'd love to see some better (actual) finishing, but this felt like a fixture we needed to get through more than anything.
Yeah, Docomo, agreed we lost momentum and agreed about Wilson but who would you have brought in exactly? Niko? Maybe. I don't know ...
I would've put in Sandro for Wilson and Dawson for BAE, moving Bassong to the left. With Zigic on the pitch, you could almost predict what Brum were going to do.
I'm totally with you on your second substitution and would call that pretty inspired. BAE had some bad lapses in the second half.
As for your first, Sandro for Wilson seems like a throwing the dice to me. Both of them are equally capable of howlers.
But new blood alone might have helped.
ha ha !! spuds will always b a joke, recently harry said tiny spuds can win lthe eague after they were handed over a lucky win when arsenal stopped playing , he should worry about getting into top 4 , fluke seasons dont repeat in a row.
What about Niko for Wilson? Hmm. Good thing about Wilson and Sandro is the physicality of the two. Don't really have the same dynamic with Niko but he does tend to complete more passes and is pretty reliable.
Simon, mommy and daddy said to get off the internet now.
Well, the sub for Wilson was mainly for his yellow card, as the pitch looked slippery and we would really have been screwed if he got sent off.
True. I do definitely agree with that.
nycyid!!! Are you serious? Niko for Wilson? So you are thinking Modric and Niko in center midfield?
Wonders will never end. Thank God you are not our manager!
Well, I will agree with you that we should thank god I'm not the manager :)
And no I'm NOT suggesting that Niko would have been a better choice.
I offered it as a thought experiment and I was actually pointing out that while it's clear that we did lose momentum we didn't really have a lot of options. I get docomo's point about getting Palacios out with the yellow and but as I was saying earlier, swapping Sandro for Wilson wouldn't necessarily result in happy times for us.
shame we could not hold on for all 3 points, but glad we have kept our run going. Birmingham is not an easy place to go, especially after they beat Villa in the cup.
Away to twente, win the group and back to whl to beat chelski again. Gotta keep the run going, to have won 4 games in the league back to back would have been amazing but a bloody hard thing to achieve.
COYS.
The biggest problems, and I would say the only problems, from Brumms were caused by Zigic’s knockdowns; the very same schemes we were very successful with against other teams. VdV quickly showed to the world how to benefit from having a big fella up front. Unfortunately, many Spurs fans are just not capable to understand and appreciate the advantage of it. Instead, week in week out they are throwing at Crouch every bucket of shit they could come up with. Never understood their logic, and never will.
HR’s deluded stubbornness to uphold his “image” cost us points today. The image he wants to maintain at any cost is the media hype how he plays attacking footy no matter what, which was created after Arsenal game when he replaced forward with forward. That move was bold but logical if we were to have better chance to get back into the game. On this occasion it was stupid move because we were fucking UP, and needed to protect the lead only for the last 10 or so minutes. Instead of the lazy and ineffective show pony Pav, HR should have used Daws or Sandro to battle aerial threats from tall Zigic. Harry, today you looked like a complete moron, and should apologize for your stupidity at least to the faithful who travelled to Birmingham today.
Well beetleblues, after watching the Andy Pandy string puppet that is Crouch today, maybe you will begin to understand.
He looked like he had been out on the lash during the week...no tackling pressing in the opposition half, every ball played up to him bouncing about 5 yards away from him, can't shoot to save his life and didn't manage to set-up anyone. Apart from that he played well.
In games like this you look to the so-called superstars to make the difference. Currently that would be Modric and Bale. I'm not even sure Modric was playing in the second-half. DeFoe continued where he left off before he was injured ie: showing how not to score and Bale was surprisingly quiet seeing as how he was facing the Mekon that used to be our right-back before he left for a bigger team. Only Lennon showed any skill up-front.
Thought Bassong and Gallas were very good and there is no need for Dawson to come back as he is accident-prone just as DeFoe doesn't score goals. Can BAE actually run or does the whole game have to come to a stand-still while his computer guages the range of Crouch's head for yet another sterile knock-down? Actually he can as he showed with one mesmerising dribble in the second-half, but when he realised he had beaten 3 players and could go for goal he stopped, as if Harry had remotely turne his battery off and played a wasted ball to Bale.
Unless we acquire 2 decent strikers and Harry unleashes Sandro we will not acquire the consistency of results needed to finish top 4. City are crepe but they keep winning and we ain't gonna replace any of the other 3 playing like this.
Love you Harry, but winning the Premiership? You are having a very big laugh.
DaveK;
It is obvious to me that you don’t rate Crouch, but in all fairness, Lanky did set up Defoe at least twice but the midget managed to fuck it up. He also controlled the ball today better than usual, and was trying to engage out wingers, who unfortunately didn’t supply decent crosses.
I don’t get your comment about Daws. If Daws was on the pine that means he’s ready to play, and in my book, with 10 min to go and being one up he (or Sandro) should have replaced our forward.
I agree we need a striker, but Crouch is the best we currently have
Crouch rarely controlled the ball at all.
Hardly out of the race for 4th are we? 5 games unbeaten and just three points off CL places. Not even half way through the season.