One night, two wins
Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at 11:24PM Been travelling. Missed tonight's game(s) although caught the final 15 of the Benfica win. I'll try and find footage of the dos Santos magic that started the move for the Bale goal. If you happen across it before I do, please share (and I'll update the article). Elsewhere a Spurs eleven beat Ipswich. Whoo-hoo. Two wins in one night. The Tottenham XI side included King, Kaboul and Pav (scoring the only goal via a deflection). So a pretty decent work-out for all squad players this evening.
Back to the Benfica game, by all accounts, dos Santos impressing. At least one of our much maligned 'kids' is showing quality. Although we have been here before with the Mexican. Hopefully he's training well and Harry keeps and eye on him. I don't believe for a second we are short of money and won't be spending and blah blah blah. We'll be signing 2-3 players for certain, so IMO, ignore the dramatic sound-bites. However, that's not to say we should once more look to marginalise the players we have. And although dos Santos is (has been) infuriating (off the pitch which is therefore detrimental to his chances on it) we might finally be getting somewhere with this one. The other (Adel) is on his way to QPR apparently. More on that at a later date. Anyways, official match report here.
Statto king THFC6061 had the following to say over at GG:
The first half was rather shakey from a Spurs point of view, but we defended well and Gomes was very good indeed.
We got more into our stride in the second half and produced some good football at times.
Cudicini was the busier of our two keepers and gave an excellent performance.
Jenas played a blinder.
Dos Santos had a moment of magic to set-up Bale's goal.
Both right backs did well, although I preferred Walker to Naughton.
Dawson and Corluka were solid in the centre.
Benfica are a top quality side and for Spurs to go to their patch and grab a result, keeping a clean sheet in the process, wasn't a bad night's work at all.
Opinions and knee-jerks as ever, welcomed. Especially on the performance of JJ. And I'll leave you with what should be an imminent DVD box-set from the club, entitled 'Pre-Season Glory Glory Days and Nights', which chronicles the following Cup dominance:
Peace Cup Winners 2005
Vodacom Challenge Cup Winners 2007
Feyenoord Centenary Tournament Winners 2008
Barclays Premier League Asia Trophy Winners 2009
Eusebio Cup Winners 2010 Winners
Trophy cabinet is desperate for some reinforcement before it buckles.
For a full run-down of our pre-season thus far - and the all important player stats - check out THFC's stat website here.
Reader Comments (58)
I thought Gio looked very bright tonight. Good win but can't judge anything from pre-season as we all know. One thing I would say is it's nice to see a game without players throwing themselves to the floor every two seconds. I suppose when it means nothing there is no point in mugging of the ref.
Do we get an open top bus parade?
I see in the Sun and the Mirror there saying we have opened talks with Yannick Djalo. To be fair I know nothing of the kid but hardly the marquee signing we are all expecting. Just hope more are on the way. And if anyone knows Harry please,please tell him to go get Neymar of Santos this kid will be the future of Brazil for years to come.
I was watching the match and didn't notice jenas playin a blinder. Ah well. I really don't care what he does anymore I just want him out of the shirt now. He failed to grab his chances to be the player he was expected to be. This is why I'd rather Parker in the squad. He can do what jenas does but better. In fact I'd rather have a dose of the clap than jenas.
Gio looked good overall for the 70 odd mins he played. Hope he gets his shit together and makes an impact this season for the right reasons.
Walker better than naughton fact. It was said when they signed that walker was the main target.
And finally taarabt 'the new zidane' is off to QPR permo to become 'the new Trevor Sinclair'. See you in a west ham shirt in about 5 years lad.
Now I'm not gonna say we are gonna win the league or any of that crap but I hope this result tonight settles the knee jerkers for the time being.
Roll on shitteh.
Great work out, and a good display by Gio, alert and very much the team player (never thought I'd say that), considering we put out two sides, and that's without Keane, Bentley and Palacios, I do wonder where these new signings that Harry has mind are going to play? ( perhaps Levy's thinking the same thing) As for Jenas, he did OK put himself about well enough, and is handy if we're lacking a lift in midfield, but definitely not first team material, and to suggest that Parker would be a better option would be a strange transfer bearing in mind we'd struggle to fit him into this side anyway!
Think Walker was good tonight but so was Naughton. I also think Harry feels Walker will make a good CB. He played him in that position against Villareal. He has the look of a solid, gifted defender. I just hope we don't sign Huntelaar as he's a big lazy, greedy lump of SUET. We are going to finish in the top THREE.
I watched the game, did JJ play?
No joking he was his usual self I would say.
Essexian76 is spot on and a good point about where these new signings are going to play, when we say we need to sell to buy I think that is more for the head count than anything else.
Keane and King both get drunk off the pitch and are captains so Gio is just following their example
Keane and King have put in a lengthy shift and deserve to clench their thirst. Gio hasn't even bought a round yet.
Jenas = blinder?!?
Must be lying or blind...........or maybe its because 3 points were not up for grabs.
Jenas has ONE good tackle and people start spoodging.
dunno if you watch the IT crowd and that was a hilarious and brilliantly subtle reference, but clench their thirst?
damp squid anyone?
I cannot wait for the new season, so i can start my Jenas watch...
(basically - see what minute Jenas actually does something in a game)
The best was one of the games last season, when the first time i heard the commentators mention his name was the 79th minute, he won us a corner...
Djalo - a poor man's Defoe. What would be the point, other than the fact he can be had on the cheap? Gio looked fairly decent against Benfica (although Keane looked decent against Sporting...), but will he ever have the strength and application for the premier league? I hope so and I'd love to see him come through and build on his undoubted potential, however I have a nagging suspicion that he may not.
A fair performance by most. Amazed to see Gio lose the ball and chase all the way back to his penalty area to win it back. The guy deserves a chance in my opinion now. Even JJ made some telling tackles and I am not usually a fan of his. I have seen enough of Taarabt already that I am happy if he leaves, although if we can get a sell on clause, I would sleep happier... I am really not sure we need too many signings, we look at least competent in every area, especially when you consider that we had two totally separate teams playing 500 miles apart today. Another CB is probably required when Woody and Ledders must be nearing their respective ends, but otherwise, we have a strong squad that just needs to believe in themselves and go out and win things! COYS!!!!!!!
To think, that trophy case would totally have collapsed if we managed to take home the trophy from the New York Challenge a couple of weeks ago.
I know its preseason and all, but the kids are coming along and playing well enough that they almost equate to a solid transfer. A little depth certainly wouldn't hurt with the long haul ahead but I feel like we're in good hands with a lot of what we have right now.
Needless to say, this season will certainly not fail to entertain.
Good effort by all players. It could very well be that losing to Sporting sobered them up, because the effort was day-and-night apart from their home embarrassment, or it’s because of a string of good training practices and building of stamina (or a combination of both). I don’t intend to spit on JJ, because his showing was neither worst nor better than Moders’. Harry may consider moving Charley closer to Dows more often or permanently; it is obvious that the confidence of both young RBs is on the up, and there is still Kaboul to cover if need be. That could ease the burden on King, Daws and Bassong and give them some needed competition. There were less back-passing vs Benfica than vs Sporting, but still too many for my liking. Gio really put some mileage on the pitch; much more than I’d ever expect of him. Hope that his changed attitude is here to stay. Overall, it was a decent game and enjoyable to watch.
Triffic goal. Sensational skill from Gio playing Bale thru and a positive finish. Excellent result.
I really don't know how we are going to sign anybody until we start selling players. We've got a 25 player limit with exceptions for players under 21. I assume that we need 3 keepers on that list. That means 22 outfield players.
By my count, up front (5) Keane, Crouch, Pav, Defoe, Gio Dos Santos... in midfield (11) Palacios, Huddlestone, Modric, Kranjcar, Bale, Lennon, Bentley, Jenas, O'Hara, Modric, Sandro.. defense (9) Dawson, King, Kaboul, Woodgate, Corluka, Bassong, Eketto, Hutton, Naughton.
That's 28 including the keepers and everyone on there is older than 21. Kyle Walker & Danny Rose are both only 20. I'd assume Naughton goes out on loan to get us to 27. Beyond that, I think you have to sell 2 players just to have room to add one. Maybe Woodgate doesn't make the cut but until Keane, Hutton, O'Hara move on. I don't think we can sign anyone.
Looking at that list selling Hutton, O'Hara, and Keane. Loaning Naughton and Jenas out would be good help. Walker can provide depth across the back 4 and we'd still have good depth in midfield without O'Hara and Jenas. We managed without either last year and we've picked up Sandro and Modric has moved inside to make way for Bale. That would get us to 23 and I'd guess we could add that striker and another player but it requires a fair bit of trimming.
I tend to think this is a major problem for the European qualified teams, who also tend to have the cash to spend. I think its one of the reasons that the transfer season is so stagnant.
Went to the game at Ipswich. Ledley had a comfortable 45 minutes getting back in swing of things,Pav got better as the game went on,Kaboul did his job but it was the second half that things began to tick. Good performances by Parrett,Mason,Smith Obika & Mpoku.
Very noticeable that Parrett has come on in the last year and Livermore hasn't.
Might be harsh on 1 game but I remember seeing Jake at Wembley and I honestly thought he was not that far away - last night he looked poor compared to some of the other young Spurs.
COYS
yep watched the benfica game on u stream......
we played some nice football at times ......jenas in fairness did some nice stuff
great to see bale carrying on his dominance on the left......
we kept positive throughout..even when we broke down to a few stray passes....
maybe corluka will have to be more comfortable if hes being used in a central role.......so
needs the games.......
we played deep at times keeping possesion..........
de santos could be a messi style for us in the zonal gaps between midfield and defenders......... crouch was always a threat
just need to not lose the ball with a few more moving players giving options creating space in tight play
'Jenas played a blinder'
Compared to Huddlestone, yes.
I was at the game... a decent night's work, although both right backs looked dodgy (Walker got turned and lost his man on numerous ocassions) and Jenas... well he was Jenas. Just awful.
But you should have heard the roar when Dawson went up to collect the trophy.
PS I was so delirous I went out on the town, got smashed, just been released from Lisbon's downtown police station for urinating in the fountain! But it was worth it for the glory! ;)
Agreat work out especially taking in to account we played two Teams Benfica made a staggering 11 subs in all and wanted to protect there excellent home record. Now Jenas looks very fit and he did a lot of work of the ball dragging defenders away from the ball and tracking back One place i would play him is right back my reasoning for this is he has a good engine but he switches it of in the middle and by playing him right back he wouldn't be able to. Walker could play left or right back and has played there for Sheffield Naughton will be a very good player but is behind Walker in his progress. The only place we need Gio was the player we all no was there he his just showing it but i would not be surprised if Harry shipped him out i hope not,. This is what i call a prober energized game both teams attacking and defending not like the Spanish game hunting in threes like robots who never tire . This is not because we won its just the manner in witch the game was played . Even thou Benfica subbed eleven players the energy was normal and not like Spanish football manic. No wonder a player died during a game for Seville i watched that game and he was on the ball or involved a staggering 8 mins out of ten before he collapsed . My wish for this Year is for a level and proper energized game and my beloved Spurs to Win a Trophy and finish 3rd . Harry has a hard job convincing Levey we need to buy. Our Kids are making Harrys job harder with every game and making our bench even bigger / To sell Hutton Ohara Alnwick Taarabt and his ball to buy Center Half Samba Blackburn
I can't understand why aYid should be runingdown there own player? what good will that do? all spurs players are good some need more encourgement that others that is what we some be doing. player for player i don't last season manu is better that spurs but they have more believe thatis why they out perform us all the time even when they field their second team
I hate Jenas as much as the next spurs fan but I have to say last night he was everywhere - If he is going to carry on that form we can't afford to lose him.
Kyle walker looked bright and corluka and dawson looked like they had played together 100's of times! Dos Santos apart from the goal in my opinion didn't do too much (He goes to ground very easy!)
COYS!
Goal at 4:20
http://eurorivals.net/benfica:tottenham-highlights-goals-video_20100803.html
let's not get carried away,we played a preseason friendly. they made 11 subs
it wasn't a real match .there is a lot of work to be done.
coys
I watched on ESPN and I thought Gio played quite well, was lively. When he lost the ball he chased back. Played a couple of nice passes, and he's flick for the goal was class. I'd be tempted to have Gio as our 4th choice striker this season. Plus he's also a good option on either wing, if he's head is in the game and he is up for it, he is a good player.
Huddlestone looked well off he's game, gave the ball away quite a few times, don't remember too many tackles or blocks. Played a couple of decent balls though.
As for JJ, he did put in a decent shift. He chased down well but he was also guilty of giving the ball away a lot. He made a few silly fouls that might have got a card in a real game.
The problem with him it was he's failure to play a simple 10yard pass to Lennon or Bale that put us on the back foot a couple of times. Which always sticks in your mind.
I think Walker seems better than Naughton from the displays they've both had. To be honest though, Naughton started shakily in the 2nd half but really picked up from the 70th minute on. He got roasted once, but after that made some decent challenges and interceptions. I think there might be some hope for him.
I think we controlled the last 10 minutes quite well, hopefully we'll be firing on all cylinders next week.
COYS!
They won their league title last season, are in the CL proper, rarely lose at home and battered Villa 4-1 last week where the scoreline was flattering to the Brummies.
Yes, it was a friendly, but lets give credit where it's due, an excellent result for our lads, particularly the youngsters who can only benefit from the experience.
The idea of playing Jenas at right back is interesting as whatever faults he has, he is quick.
Would be worried about him nodding off however!
What has happened to Hutton ?
He was outstanding for Rangers in Europe and for Scotland. He must be about our seventh choice right back now.
I watched the game on ESPN, thought we did well, although benfica made 11 changes they really wanted to win. they were dirty C**ts. Challenge on lennon in the first half was disgusting and crouch took a battering. Gio and walker impressed. COYS
Can't agree that Corluka done well. Guilty of ball-watching on too many occasions and could have been punished by better strikers.
Was a bit sloppy at first, but then Spurs took control of the match and really played some excellent footy. What I like about Gio is his constant movement. He doesn't seem to take a breather whatsoever.
When it matters, we'll turn it on. I'm confident of that. We do need one or two players because injury wise we can't be left short with so many games, especially if/when we get into the group stages.
Scraped a 1-0 past our reserves, good support tho.
No one's mentioned Lennon's very poor showing. Coentrao (who had an excellent world cup) had him in his pocket all game. I know it's only pre-season, but combined with his poorish World cup showing, I'm a bit worried about his form come the start of the season. Townsend and Rose both ran better with the ball (albeit against a more tired, non-first team defence). Other notes:
Gomes/Cudicini - both put in solid shifts last night. Why are we linked with Pletikosa again?
Jenas - I'm 100% not a Jenas apologist, but he was actually impressive last night. In spurts. That's what she said.
Corluka - Although Charlie was pretty much untested, I'm just not convinced of him as a CB. Solid enough yesterday, but his lack of pace is unsettling. Was Bassong injured? Judging by the number of games started by Corluka this preseason, it looks like he'll be in the starting 11 vs. Man City as a CB.
Bale - As bright as ever on the left flank. If both our wingers played to their full capabilities...
Gio - Brilliant flick for the goal + all around pep and verve was great to watch (especially, as already mentioned, when tracking back to the edge of his own box). Reminds me of a couple of preseasons ago under Ramos. Here's hoping for an alternate ending.
THIS IS THE BIT I LIKE
"And I'll leave you with what should be an imminent DVD box-set from the club, entitled 'Pre-Season Glory Glory Days and Nights', which chronicles the following Cup dominance:
Peace Cup Winners 2005
Vodacom Challenge Cup Winners 2007
Feyenoord Centenary Tournament Winners 2008
Barclays Premier League Asia Trophy Winners 2009
Eusebio Cup Winners 2010 Winners "
A BOX SET DVD RELEASE FOR NOTHING GAMES,YOU YIDIOTS ARE SO DESPERATE TO BE A BIG CLUB ITS SAD.THIS ECLIPSE'S THE DVD RELEASE OF A DRAW,YES THATS RIGHT A DRAW!!!
PRE-SEASON Glory Glory Days and Nights', which chronicles the following FRIENDLY Cup dominance:
ROAPMSL
THIS IS THE FUNNIEST NEWS FROM YOU SPUDS IN AGES
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
YIDIOTS
Didn't see the Benfica game, but reports about Gio doing well is great news! Thought he did well in the WC. If Harry can get an attitude from him to match his talent and ability, he can be a gun. The mind boggles about what results can be achieved if he plays consistently with Modric, Bale and Kranjcar.
Add a Saurez or a Podolski....anything or everything is a possibility...COYS
Ahh Yidiots. I completely agree. We need to actually win something before we go ahead and shout about our achievements. The trophy we really need in our cabinet is the 'Emirates Cup'... I hear all the big time Champions win that one
YIDIOTS .... ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE TERM SARCASM ?
yidiot....that has to be the funniest thing i've ever seen on the web. I mean seriously how thick are you? That's a whole new level of muppetry that you have achieved there mate....i have a vision of you sitting at home with spittle in the corners of your mouth, shouting at the screen and rocking back and forth whilst typing...people like you scare me mate.
oh and btw.... rumourmanretires....are you really DAVSPURS In disguise?
I didn't see the game yesterday but tend to agree with AA above on Corluka at centre back - he's never filled me with confidence, we all know he's a classy player but seems to make more mistakes at centre back. And we really need the Lennon of the first half of last season back, he's been off the boil since his injury and dare I say it Bentley looked better than him in the few games he filled in before Lennon's return. I hope Bentley (if he isn't sold) and Kranjcar can step up and give Lennon some major competition for his place as that can only make us stronger.
http://www.caughtoffside.com/2010/08/04/benfica-0-1-tottenham-eusebio-cup-highlights-video/
Here's a link showing how many times Gomes and Cuduccini were tested. Also a better view of the nice little pass from Dos Santos to feed Bale for the goal.
Sorry about that, forgot to give him his pills.
Lack of ability to detect sarcasm is one of his major symptoms, along with all the less than savoury problems.
I've put him back in his padded cell now, let's hope he doesn't smear it with shit again tonight.
Goal was lovely.
Ball colour choice was an epic fail.
JUST WATCHED THE BOXED 5 DVD SET AND CAN RECOMMEND IT.
ALSO, FOR AN EXTRA £5 YOU CAN GET ANOTHER DVD TITLED " THE MAKING OF THE BOXED SET", WHICH SURPRISINGLY, TELLS YOU HOW THE BOXED SET WAS MADE.
ITS RIVETING STUFF.
I've just seen this on another page and I wouldn't be completely against giving it a go. What does everyone else think?
ScottishMancYid
"Am I the only person who thinks that Younes Kaboul could do a job for us as a RB? He's massive and has such a presence about him. And since he would be "out of the way" his customary lack of concentration and resultant defensive lapse will be nullified. Plus his storming runs at the end of last season (not to mention THE assist) seemed much better than anything Charlie Corluka could muster beforehand. Now don't get me wrong I do like Charlie and I love the way he links up with Little Aaron but he's just so god damn slow. Just a thought!? "
better video,shows GDS assist.<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/L30bsI2170w&hl=en_GB&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param></object>