Toffees make toast of Tottenham...burnt toast with Marmite on it
Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 1:00PM Everton 2 Spurs 1
Losing. Don't much like it.
So, I guess that’s what you call a blip, right? At least I’m hoping it’s a blip. We look tired out there, right? Or is that not a valid enough excuse? Having said that, I did say in my match preview that I hoped we didn’t tinker too much with selection. You sort of half wished we did in hindsight, but then again looking at the way Niko Kranjčar performed when he came on for Bale you just have to accept that the tank was empty and playing 'the reserves' might not have made much difference.
Credit to Everton for having a go. Although don't whisper that to Bale who was kicked all over the shop. If they had a decent forward they’d have been comfortable. Then again had Crouch timed his run (by basically turning around and walking into an onside position, then turning around to face the goal, then walking forwards) he’d have latched on and scored a legitimate goal just before the break. And had the ball not got stuck under vdV's foot he might have also smashed it home. And if my auntie had...blah.
The opener for the Toffees, decent shot, but just seemed a cheap and easy way to go one – nil down. Hadn't even finished making my cup of tea and we're 1-0 down. Ominous start, broken up with some wonderful Modric play and Crouch yet again assisting for vdV (6 assists for 11 of his goals apparently, but let's not shout about it because it's not really enough). Second half was a mess of nothingness. Everton going all Catalan, Seamus Coleman (quality little player) with a headed goal for the points. Bale off with an injury prior to that. Ah, what can I say? It was frustrating.
Its ironic how all my pre-match comments have come back to bite and mock me as I sit in the corner shaking uncontrollably, slowly moving back and forth.
"You can't always play well. Secret is to still win when you don't"
"We are still susceptible to those blips thanks mainly to some inconsistency to the back-line and the lack of obvious stone cold conviction up front"
"Because statistics aside, pound for pound, we should be containing and beating them"
"Although it's not an imperative end of days must win, it's most defiantly an opportunity to continue with the momentum, when you consider that other clubs might drop points this evening"
"I'll take another three points. Swagger or no swagger. If it's good enough for United, it's good enough for me"
Ho hum. Could have done with some swagger afterall.
Yes, we are a snarling elegant beast, but on Wednesday night, one with a thorn in our paw. I know Harry will get some stick for not changing it. Perhaps Wilson on to break up play, aid with possessions percentages to allow more time on the ball for Luka. Midfield was weak in mind and heart. Went pear-shaped at the end with the non-existent width. Even Keane came on for probably his last ever game. Can we just forget everything that happened after his Liverpool move and just remember all that happened before? A nod, in his direction, for the goals he scored for the club. Good luck Keano. He'll probably score against us but not celebrate. The rascal.
In addition, at times, defending looked like we were up against Neo in The Matrix. And BAE needs to lose the afro. OptaJoe might be able to confirm - have we won any games when his hair has not been braided? Having said that, Hansen was still ridiculously harsh on Match of the Day, critical of Benoit to the point of the left-back getting his own footage of flatulence as we witnessed highlights of his below par performance. He played poorly. It happens. Do all the other games not count then? Or just the ones Hansen watches and deems him as being useless?
Moving on again...
The loss, this wasn’t down to complacency. Wasn’t even an awful performance, abject and deserving of rotten fruit. It was lacklustre. Don’t fret mind, this isn’t ‘typical Tottenham throwing away another chance’. This was tired Tottenham with perhaps a tad too much naivety in the way we shaped up tactically. On full pelt, going to Goodison and running at them with acres of space - I’d place a wager on us. On tired legs, bit silly. Everton had far more of the ball and more conviction. They zipped and zinged about the place and you sort of knew how it was all going to end.
Still, one thing we can take out of the game is that once more it illustrated that we can tie ourselves down to the one dimension when the man up top doesn’t tick all the necessary boxes for the ilk of forward we need. Although having said that, fans are split on what exactly that ilk is. Although I’m hoping the only two people that matter are more than aware of what they need to do between now and the closure of the transfer window to resolve the eternal conundrum.
Other thoughts on the game (already sort of touched upon) is the amount of hacking/fouling little Azza and beast Bale are subjected too. Which is to be expected, so no violins. Bale is already attempting to subtly hint to the officials it just ain't fair but remaining on the ground for a bit longer than necessary. Although in the end, he had to limp off. So, I refer you back to something I stated years back. We need to sometimes...oh God, I can't believe I'm going to say this again, but we need to be a bit Roy Keanesque. Not saying we should bark and complain all the time but we need to be smart and canny about how we go about our business - especially when we are jaded and getting battered. Just a thought.
Another thought is that having been complimentary on Jenas in recent weeks (I was not alone on this so shut up) he's only gone and done his usual disappearing man stint. Fit him with a sat nav so we can have some controlled and composed movement and direction in midfield. What's that? Ooh, you are twisting my arm there Mr Parker, stop it, stop it...okay...go on then.
So that's that.
Random facts and bits that were tweeted post match that might make you feel better or more likely ram home that gut wrenching disappointment (having seen City, Arsenal draw – Wolves beat Chelsea) are as follows:
First defeat/nil points since November
No one around us won
Still fourth
That’s basically it. Rest period coming up with the cup game against Charlton, so hopefully we re-energise in time for the small matter of Manchester United visiting us at the Lane. After that we play Newcastle, Blackburn, Bolton, Sunderland, Blackpool and then Arsenal (ignoring CL duties) then Wolves, West Ham, Wigan, Stoke and then Man City.
The dirty dozen. There’s another four games that follow our trip to Eastlands, but I reckon by the time we work through the above, it will be done and dusted.
In our favour. Obviously.
Spooky recommends...All-conquering Englishman spurs his way across Europe
Capital Punishment by Kris Mole - Ebook available here
extract:
Having blagged his way into a Barcelona FC press conference...
"My fantasy interview was cut short by someone entering the room talking on a mobile phone. I turned to see who it was and couldn’t believe my eyes. Xavi, all 5’7” of him (he’s a littl’un) was standing beside me having a chat to someone, probably his girlfriend, telling her he would be home for dinner soon and could she make sure there were a few San Miguels in the fridge. He glanced at me with a look that said,
“Who the **** are you?” and I nodded a greeting his way. He then looked down at the cockerel on my chest and sighed the kind of sigh that I knew meant, “If only they would put in a bid for me. I would love to play for Spurs one day.”
He finished his conversation and left me alone once again."
Reader Comments (59)
I didn't see the game...I watched the highlights on MOTD appended with the assassination collage of A&E - Hansen has got a real problem with him, Every chance he gets to have a go, he takes it with gusto, slavering in the editing suite no doubt.
It was telling that the highlights only really showed shots by VDV (who seemed unlucky not to get a brace). It is imperative that we get a new striker ASAP, none of this brinkmanship on the 31st Jan this year Levy. I understand the calls for Carroll (big man, get's on the end of crosses etc...) but I'm not convinced. Give me the Drogba of last season any day.
Agreed. Onto Charlton. Defoe should definitely play - to sharpen up for the League games ahead. Play Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, Bassong, BAE, Kranjcar, Sandro, Jenas, Bentley, Pav, Defoe vs Charlton
Buy a striker, stop messing about Levy and Harry what more evidence do we need that Crouch and Pav are half players.
Keane on - I mean... what the heck?
And why not stick with Corluka for some solid fresh (ok, and slow) legs in defence? And Pal plays better away from home. BAE did have a shocker, but he hardly had any cover in front of him and everyone's allowed an off day, right? Even playing as badly as we did, we could have stolen a win/draw with those two chances.
Arry out, obviously.
I think you could see last couple of games that the team looked like tired and had lost its “freshness”. We all know that there are only two players, VDV and Bale, who can lift the team and win games with their individual quality and if they are tired or out of form in a game there is nobody else who can take over their role. Simply we need more players with strong personality and special individual qualities. We have also to address the cases of the left back since BAE is totally incapable to defend, that of a quick and really holding defensive midfielder and of course that of the “quick, mobile, intelligent, sharp in the box” striker, to use the words of one of our supporters, and to hope that Khumalo is a commanding, dominant and quick CB.
I echo the same sentiments as other disgrunted fans. Please look at options of ROTATION with strategic objectives where possible. Careful consideration to play our reserve keeper where possible, otherwise how does he gain the experience in first team football.
Why on earth did the BBC not show the other disallowed goal? Or did I blink?
If we had to rely on our out & out strikers how many goals would we have & how many games would we have won? Its bloody worrying, we would be struggling down the bottom. For christ sake Levy get rid of the dross & get some decent strikers in.
By the way I believe that from all those players who have been associated with Spurs lately only West Ham's Parker could add value and personality to the Spurs squad. It's really a pity we couldn't get him.
Keep it together boys. If the season finished this morning I'd be delighted. Forget all this talk of winning the title. Some journo asked Arry " could spurs win the league?" His answer was "it's not impossible" (true statement) and "It's the most open premier league in years" (another true statement)!
We are not cpmpeting with UTD for the title. They are 8 points clear with a game in hand. End of. If we can finish the season in fourth I will be delirious. 9 points from 12 over Christmas was a brilliant return. Okay we didn't compete as we should but Everton are scrapping for their lives and kicked are two wide boys up and down the park.
Move on to the Utd games perhps with a new addition or two and be the first team to beat them this season fingers crossed-that would put us right back on track for a top 4 spot and champions league footbal again next year!!!
COYS
That was a gut wrenching match, demoralising to say the least, Considering that Everton haven't done anything since October when which was the last time we lost. That being said, hopefully now we don't lose any other matches for the same length of time or longer...preferably longer.
Hopefully Birms still want Robo after his usual less than useful contribution to the game...
Our future is bright so I say forward! We march on forward. Only the strong will continue! Coys!
Still loving your work spooky.
Don't agree with some of my fellow yids that we are starting to stagnate. Just need a few red bulls.
I didn't watch MotD but I can imagine the Ekotto haters out there loved it and it's analysis like that which makes them think they're right. He didn't have a good game, but then who did? Add to the fact he was hopelessly left exposed by a poor substitution and tactics by Redknapp and there's no wonder he looked bad.
The thing is this, every team loses. It's how we react to that defeat. If we beat Charlton and follow that with a win against United we'll all be happy again.
i'll take full blame for our defeat
it's my fault that BAE didn't play well
talked him up quite a bit yesterday
obviously jinxed the moody b*stard
but hansen, you are a t*sser of the highest order.
Watched the game online. First half we looked OK, by that I mean I always thought vdV would get us through it. Second half Everton dominated us far too easily and really it was just a continuation of the Fulham game. pants
On transfers - If a bid came in of 50mil for Bale, Bale, Bale, would you Sell, Sell,Sell?
I've got a feeling someone will test our resolve this window..
Poor performance and a poor result. We haven't been playing great the last few games but winning, hopefully this will give the boys (and Harry) the kick up the backside needed. Lessons to learn are that we are not good enough to continue to not show up for the first 20 minutes and we are not good enough to play 20 games badly and not lose (ala UTD). In this league winning when playing bad is a bonus, most games you have to show quality for long periods to get what you deserve.
Anywhooo, lets hope we go to Utd with Becks/Parker and a brand new world class striker for VDV to play off!
TottallyTottenham's post at 2.05pm, spot on. I know so many spurs fans that think the same, yet we are so quiet compared to the vocal idiots who are having a pop at anything in a spurs shirt this morning. Some people get so carried away. 'ooh, the tv said we are in the title race, so unless we match man utd's result then we must be rubbish'. Please god, banish these morons from our club. Personally, any season, for us top 6 means it was a good year. Top 5 is very good and top 4 superb. Due to City buying and boring their way into the top 4 we may have to settle for 5th this year, but is that bad ??? anyone who thinks so needs to wake up and get real. Spurs havent done any better for 50 years !!! Top 6, with every now and again getting a cup or a top 4 spot would be fantastic. At least we had a go, rather that than do what city did at arsenal last night. Sometimes we will get caught out with our open play but thats the tottenham way isnt it?? COYS !!!
Jim, High five.
no, no, no!! we need one top striker to transform our team but without bale that would be a serious backwards step. We've got the money to sign that striker, we don't need any extra at the moment. Im praying we sign a frontman before the utd game!
hansen can fuck off the smug botox'ed head cunt. Other esults worked in our favour thank god. Agree with comments that charlie offers more defensive qualities and links up better with Lennnon. Spooky you are on the money re our agression levels, players of roy keanes calibre are vital and a tougher mentality isneeded all round.
How we respond against UTD at the lane is key to our season!!!
COYS
Harry got his selection wrong and some of the names we are being linked with (strikers) are laughable
What we need to do is wing it into the top four like we did last season because we need this Jan window and then the summer transfer window to further upgrade on players and grow as a team and I reckon next season we will be better built for a title challenge. But Champions League football is vital to us moving up and closer to the likes of Utd.
John - who would you recommend?
Wing, it?
tut-tut
Looks like Birmingham are denying all knowledge of even knowing who Robbie Keane is! Bollocks....
benzema,
suarez
Benzema will not be going anywhere, he has been play recently (pretty well) and Huguain is having an op so Madrid are pretty light up top.
Yes wing it.
Bale on one side. Lennon on the other.
;)
anyone on the pitch at goodison had problems knowing who he was also. He was invisible.... as for jenas
Pretty gutted last night, but then I switched over and had a look at the Aussie faces at the SCG. Now that was disappointment, even with all the nice weather and everything.
If Keane goes to Birmingham City, I can't wait for the Press Conference where he tells all of us that Birmingham City is the club of his childhood dreams.
Spooky wrote "Wasn’t even an awful performance, abject and deserving of rotten fruit.".....yes it was.
In many ways identical to the Fulham game, and Newcastle, and Arsenal 1st half, and Inter in the San Siro and Young Boys.
It's alright to make mistakes as long as you learn from them....I see no signs of this happening so far and on the evidence of last night a new striker wouldn't make any difference...it's the mid-field that leaves us exposed every game. Didn't we sign a Brazilian international MF in the Summer?
Do well to finish 5th this year but with some excitement along the way.
Wouldn't agree with that Dave. In the games you cited we were not jaded, just fucking shit.
to further my lament of the names ol arry is being linked with. I give you Phil Neville.
Gareth Bale knows who he is
I feel sick
Jim. You are really ambitious are you not. Why don't we just aim at avoiding relegation then. Why should we complain that our FOUR(4) STRIKERS have scored a TOTAL of THREE(3) goals the entire season? How can we dare compare them with the great ones at Bolton Wanderers when we haven't won a league title in FIFTY years!? I get your logic.
Spooky mentions Crouch's 6 assists. How wonderful! He even compares with Matty Etherington of Stoke. Lets not mention Etherington has three times the number of goals our striker has - in the entire season. Ability to head balls sideways (due to your height) can never - surely- be good enough to make you a regular striker for THFC man! "Crouch should start every game for the Spurs". Yes! the SanAntonio Spurs! Height advantage matters over there.
Somebody save us from Jenas! please please please! Last season 'fate' saved us from him. I was so sure that qualifying for the Champions League would see us rid the team of the likes of Jenas and give us the ability to attract requisite quality. I'm almost giving up. Seems he will always play in our CM position for eternity - even if we sign Kaka, Gerrard, Diarra & Essien.
thought we were very naive yesterday. kept trying to play our game but running into brick walls the whole time and couldn't adapt. We needed to be patient, keep the ball and move them about a bit. As it happened we just kept trying to work it wide and let the wingers beat 2-3 players or hope for a crouch knock-down.
I rarely sllow myself to get goaded into anger by Hansen but last night I was swearing at the telly. "harry needs a left-back." no he fucking doesn't, because in most games he's been brilliant. One of the most ridiculous and myopic comments I've heard on that programme for a whike. OK we could improve on him but unfortunately evra and cole aren't available. That's not the same as NEEDING a player.
I guess Hanson's just gutted his beloved liverpool are in a relegation battle
The simple answer is ban going in the changing rooms at half time and make the playesr stay on the pitch . Harry then wont be shocked when teams come out and play like they have just kicked off. We are not the only team baffled West down got hit by Newcastle express new striker Leon Best who showed Carroll how to score three goals costing nothing. Yes my fellow Cockerels the changing rooms are really changing games so you really need to stop look and observe Teams Tempo you may just relies something is not right with these shocks if you look very very close you will see gaunt looking players who go faster after half time and chase and get at us and prevent us from playing Harry's words not mine my words. My words are more nearer to reality in shock football the fuckers are using top up energy to stop better teams from winning , and top of the tree are the north west where even post men are on it in my area, no not to deliver mail playing amateur Rugby you see that is why we looked tired they had not used any energy in the first half and just like Fulham and the north west player Murphy. They overrun us we just managed to hang on but last night with Gomes and his gifts we fell off and got beat. There is more to come Blackpool where Coleman was on loan mmm, Liverpool Man city Blackburn are all waiting to join Bolton Everton Wigan who have all beat us with this new half time top up (. Ephedrine)
Dave K, I don't know why you don't just slit your wrists now mate. Do you ever post anything positive?
I watched the whole game (thank you Setanta Canada) and not just highlights and I'm of the the following opinions...
Gomes - Had a pretty bad game, no-one has mentioned this above. I reckon the Everton fans chanting got to him a little bit I never felt confident about him in the second half. 4
Hutton - Did ok but looked off the pace. 5
Gallas - Had a pretty poor game too, made one crucial interception, distribution was worse than normal. 4
Dawson - Still immense, no complaints at all. 7
BAE - Doesn't deserve all the negativity, yes he had more problems than good moments (which he still had) but was left wide open by Krancjar when he came on and plays much better with Bale. When was the last time he played without Bale in front of him? A long time ago and it showed. 4
Lennon - Looked dangerous a couple of times, chased the ball a lot (maybe even more than usual) but Baines and Pienaar contained him well. 6
Jenas - Ran around a lot, not much else. 4
Modric - Couldn't get time on the ball, he was crowded out well by them and was not helped much by Jenas, needed Palacios with him (or Sandro perhaps). 5
Bale - Still maurauding, got kicked to death like Neville had a personal vendetta or something. 6
Van Der Vaart - Always looking dangerous, always getting shots away, that 30 yard left footer was sweeet and inches wide. Undroppable. 8
Crouch - Does what he does, assists count. Couple of decent chances, worth keeping his starting place as works better with VDV than Pav does. Held up play well a couple of times. 6
Krancjar & Keane - Both way out of sorts, poor positional sense. Never saw us getting anything out of the game when both were on. 4
Everton played out of their skins, chased every ball to the death, kicked the crap out of us and looked every bit the better team in the second half. We looked tired (no excuse) and I thought we were good for a point but was not surprised to see us lose. I take this loss graciously. Still in 4th, play a weakened team on Sat, stick some players in the shop window recharge the batteries for Man Utd. Thank god for the results around us. COYS!
If Harry had picked the starting 11 which I named no the previous story (Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, Bassong, BAE, Lennon, Modric, Palacios, Bale, VdV & Crouch), I think we'd have done better.
Playing against Everton with no proper tackling midfielder is just stupid.
Sure, Everton were missing Cahill, but their midfield still contained Pienaar, Arteta & Felaini - players who need to have the ball TAKEN from them.
Bad management really......
If tiredness was a problem, then this weekend is the ideal opportunity to rest up.
Let's see Bassong back in, along with Sandro & Bentley (even if just to put himself properly in the window).
I don't care if we lose to Charlton - progressing in this cup could hinder our top 4 push.
Canada, when there is something positive to say then yes. I watched most of the game on a crappy link and was amazed at what I saw on MOTD...we looked in control in the first half...I must have missed that.
I stand by what I said. The current team are like an Alfa Romeo....look classy, can go like the wind but prone to regular breakdowns. There is something missing and if it isn't the players (strikers excepted) then it has to be the tactics.
I love watching some of our football...the one-touch, fast, sweeping attacks followed by the striker(s) failing gallantly at the last hurdle...problem is we don't get to see that for any extended period this season.
I am sure the team will provide some memorable performances before the end of the season but I bet they will all be of the comeback-kid variety and not the overpowering massacre variety and as such we will be back to the Good Old Spurs, Nice To Watch status that all top 4 managers like to bestow on us as they know we are not a real threat.
I might change my mind if we dominate ManU and beat them 3 or 4 -1, because let's face it, they are crap as well at the moment so if we are so brilliant we should stuff them, right?
I like the Alfa Romeo similie! For portions of the first half we were in control, but by no means for the whole of it.
I'd like to think we could do something against Utd on the 16th, however, in my eternal optimism I have unfortunately been let down so many times in the past. We'll probably get Howard Webb and that'll be the end of it! A point if we're lucky there but you never know, we've shaken a few other hoodoo's off this season.
I still think we can get top four. Have faith!
"In addition, at times, defending looked like we were up against Neo in The Matrix. And BAE needs to lose the afro. OptaJoe might be able to confirm - have we won any games when his hair has not been braided? "
This is an important issue. I've gone through some of the data. Instead of looking at wins, I decided to look at losses first. Here are a list of losses for cup and league games we have endured, along with BAE's hairstyle.
Young Boys - Spurs 3-2 BAE rocks a pony tail which is part poof, part curls.
Spurs - Wigan 0-1 I can't find any video of this match. BAE plays, but don't have data on hair.
Spurs - Arsenal Carling Cup 1-4 BAE is in straight corn rows.
West Ham - Spurs 1-0 BAE didn't play.
Inter - Spurs 4-3 BAE rocks the full poof and pays dearly as Gomes is forced to come out on 1 v 1 after Benoit gets burned, commits foul, red card. Oh my.
Man Utd - Spurs 2-0 BAE rocks the poof. Nani can fuck off.
Bolton - Spurs 4-2 I have no hair data on this game.
Everton - Spur 2-1 BAE rocks the poof after a long sting of corn rows it might be added. I was stunned to see it.
If anyone has the Wigan or Bolton data, please share.
I realize this is a bit of a niche subject but I think it is an important one, as the current evidence suggests the poof is most definitely bad juju.
To truly get an answer you would have to go through all the games of course.
Big Sky Spur
Chairman, Society for the Appreciation of Benoit
U.S. Northern Rockies Chapter.
I've just watched that game again. (masochism? I know). who tells Jenas he's our Maradona? Why must he lose his position chasing ALL our players & demanding the ball. Even Gomes! He was always in the wrong place leaving poor Modric alone to face 5 Evertonians. Only another injury can save us from Levy's secret son Jenas.
Big sky spur. :-)
You've found the problem. Bad juju.
To wisky tom:
As much as I would like the "selling club" perception to go away, can we honestly turn down an overvaluation of $50m? I mean, hell, Bale relies on speed and speed is the first that goes away on a bad injury. And the way he's been getting clobbered lately, I'm always fearful for his health. At $50m, I'd day sell and let someone else keep the risk. But damn, it's a hard decision, isn't it?
Tired legs is no f#$&ing excuse when everyone else in the league is also playing on tired legs. And maybe give Niko a game once in a blue moon and he'll be sharper when he does come on. A tremendous talent to be bench bound for the entire campaign. We wouldn't even BE in the CL if not for Niko's performances last go round.
Schoolboy error: Jenas and Modric centre midfield, especially away from home.
Don't know what's happened to Gomes, he's starting to worry me again now, hopefully he'll regain his form for the run in.
Definitely missing Huddlestone.
Keep the faith.
We were tired.
Everton as usual having being on a 3 month Sabatical down the lower reaches of the Premiership realise that losing would see them in the bottom three. Moyes instructs his players to kick anything that moves, the ref lets the game flow :/ and we're lucky only to lose by one goal and not have all our Rolls Royce players up on bricks with the windows smashed. Nah i'm being harsh Everton played bloody well.
Next Charlton then the big one!!!!!!
"MANCHESTER UNITED vs DAVID BECKHAM, WILL I AM WITH FERGIE AND THE BLACK EYED PEAS AT WHITE HART LANE .courtosy of Tottenham Hotspurs.
Gawd elp us
COYS
Toffees were and are very good. We knew it was gonna be a tough one.
Missing Hudd, JD and Kaboul. I still don't know about Gallas to be honest despite his great moments.
Please no Corluka ever again if we don't have to.
Kranky hasn't been effective for us in a long time but I have faith he can regain form as a bit player.
Didn't Jenas save a goal or was I hallucinating? He was mostly crap.
Palacios would have been good for some muscle.
BAE was outplayed.
Crouchy almost always better than anyone seems to give him credit for. But we still obviously need a little more up front unless JD steps up.
On the upside, we don't have to put up with a post-match interview where Moyes yet again bemoans the presence of big money in football and Everton's lack of it. That horse has been flogged far too much.
It was either this game, or the game against the Mancs. We looked off against Fulham, and the way Everton pressed us, I doubted we'd come off with a win. Losing always hurts, but on the face of it, we were due some comeuppance. I'd rather have it now and stay 4th than away at Milan.