Tottenham article that doesn't mention the 'S' word
Friday, February 11, 2011 at 12:36PM Sorry, I lied. Sunderland away up next.
Arguably more important in the grand scheme of things than the Meelan game next week. Obviously not in the hairs on back of neck standing up way of importance (and excitement) but the game at the Stadium of Light is of the ilk that has the potential to leave us in the dark.
I'm not about to tag it with the 'must win label'. Last season we went up there and Darren Bent, armed with Blackberry and Twitter account, lol at us aplenty, as he pinged penalty after penalty towards the Spurs goal. Take that Sandra. Gomes his nemesis again, but alas, we still got trounced and for what seemed like the 100th time that season, some of us knee-jerked that 'that was that' shrug of despondency.
Hardly that was it?
But this season, what with its more apparent openness and the fact that it only takes one or two teams to go on a run of wins to completely change the balance of top tier power…a loss in a crunch match in terms of current standings could prove to be far more damaging than a loss this time last season. We competed against City and City alone last time out. This time round, it's fairly tricky to work out which team(s) are being pulled towards 4th spot because the maths are far more fundamental.
Hoping we're aiming for 3rd personally, but regardless of what Harry is working towards, I'm tagging it with the must win label. Yes, a contradiction after stating I wouldn't. But I've just talked my way into it. And it's all because of the necessity of momentum. Which is required going into the Meelan game and beyond.
And the whole point of Challenge Spurs is to win them all. Or at the very least believe/attempt to.
All season we've been waiting to find some proper full on form and haven't quite embraced it. We've experienced pockets of sublime. The same can be said for the teams above us. The teams below us have been less consistent but hardly a million miles away. Just a few hundred now.
We've dug deep, it's been gritty and ugly at times and lacking fluidity. But we are deservedly in with a shout still to reclaim a CL place. And dare I say the one advantage we have with 'the chase' is that we've been here before and shown we know exactly how to tune into the required tenacity and fortitude to power ahead with mental strength and belief. And tasty football too.
Chelsea, whether they push on with menace or not, we'll have to wait and see. There's the potential for devastating forward play there. But the politics and egos might damper the mood further and how they react to chasing 4th/3rd might breed more inconsistency. City - the pressure is firmly pushing Eastland's south as the push for north. The expectancy is for them to get it on the money this time round.
The pressure with us concerns our injury plight that has and will continue to effect tactics and formation. You feel Harry has to continue to use his bare bones mantra for that extra little kick. It's just a bit more serious compared to last term. We've got Bale, Modric, Huddlestone and Kaboul all out. King and Woodgate* forgotten men (although the latter is back playing and aiming for full match fitness). van der Vaart** should be okay for Saturday but you'd be right to be concerned about the potential for any more injuries (to the Dutch galvaniser or otherwise) what with that trip to the San Siro just days away.
*Sheeeeeeeeeeeeet. Woody is in the squad.
**vdV officially out
Crouch out too (back strain according to reports). So expect 442. Expect even Niko and/or Pienaar to start if vdV isn't risked. Bloody 'ell, even expect want away Pav up front. It's going to be disjointed and unsexy I'm sure, but a squad of quality finds a way and finds the result when perhaps they are not expected to. Spirit, grit and composure. You got that Daws, Wilson, JJ and JD?
And no capitulation please.
Sunderland will come out all guns blazing. A win will bring them within four points of us. Liverpool (at home to Wigan) will continue their march with King Kenny and upside down held up high scarves so it's best to retain the buffer between us and them and keep anchored to Chelsea just above us.
Now I know what you're thinking. Biggest game in our recent history coming up in the Champions League. The reason we worked so hard last season, the award for our metamorphosis was to bask in the elite European competition. Which we have. We have been refreshing exciting bold brave and ridiculous. So why on earth should we be considering Sunderland away when all our thoughts should be on AC Milan? By virtue of just because, we might not finish in the top four this season, simply because the teams above us might match our points tally all the way to the end of the season. So surely we should enjoy the experience and with a complete cavalier heart, go forwards with swashbuckle and pomp and just do our very best to produce another sensational result?
No?
Well, sure. Yes. But call me greedy, I don't want to look back on this season with regret. Domestically.
Churn out a result at Sunderland. Go to Milan, keep it tight (yeah right) and come back with at least an away goal and a score draw or even a damage limited 2-1 defeat. Then drown them at the Lane in the return fixture with a down pour of glory glory superlatives.
Momentum. Winning breeds winning. Every game should be important, every game should be must win. If you start to prioritise games then you are prioritising performance and the team, as a unit, will fluctuate and stumble. Sure, we are depleted in key areas. We are missing our main counter-attacking weapon and our conductor of creativity. But others have stepped up in their absence and have to continue to do just that.
Team effort. I know it's moon on a stick to expect high octane football when we're running at 60%. Not asking for naïve stupidity rampaging forward without a care and over committing and equally not asking for a underwhelming lacklustre effort without bite, focus elsewhere. Just asking for unity and good old fashion blood and thunder determination. Saturday is all that matters right now.
Sunderland? Meelan? Smash 'em. I want our players hanging off the back of them.
COYS
Reader Comments (64)
We'll lose. Can't see us creating that much.
Sorry.
I think now that finishing in the top 4 is more important than further CL progress, sexy as it undoubtedly is.
I'm just depressed!!!
We won't win there. A draw at best. The whole club is on a downer of the Stratford fiasco overseen by Levy.
This could be compounded by exit from the CL and failure to qualify for next season. Both very likely.
Instead of seeking to steadily build on last season we have tried to shoot the moon and go for quick route to the 'big club' mirage. Millions wasted on time and effort, and a complete lack of the right focus.
although im not mired in misery as some of the comments, I too do not think we will win there. When do we ever win there?? So a draw is by no means a bad result. Just being realistic........... ' Spurs fan is realism shocker '
How ridiculous to say we wont win. Thats the spirit. You lot should be in the dressing room with the players giving them that sort of motivation.
Im going for a Spurs win 0 - 1
lovin' the optimism from us a collective. I find it warmly reassuring and go all fuzzy inside that we still manage to retain that, 'we're fucked and we know it' attitude and that there's nothing worng with being a pessimistic bastard.
We'll lose, why? because Lawro has us down for a 0-2 win.
In other funny news, our loan signing to West Ham is out for six weeks with a "calf injury". Although tbf, I imagine giving birth to a baby cow would smart a bit.
So by improving on last seasons point tally at this stage of the season and getting into the knock out stages of the Champs League we haven't built on last season.
What the f*ck is up with the negativity around Spurs at the moment?
Forget politics and the papers gossip, instead look at facts and football. Tis a good time to be a Yid!
Spooks is obviously secretly upset that we didn't get Stratford... ;)
At least in 2015 we'll still be the .. fourth biggest team in London. Wooh!
We're going to need that Blood and Thunder Determination without the likes of 4 world class players in Bale, Modders, VDV and King (Albeint being without King for a while now). Hopefully Niko will play as he has so much to prove. We need to play to our best to get something out of this game. Jenas & co will really have to step up. and Palacios...maybe he can watch the game on tv. Could do without losing the ball every 2 seconds!
So quiet at the Lane last week. Except for when Newcastle scored their 4th. Thank f**k all that Stratford bollocks is done and dusted so everyone can get behind the team again. Just in time too. We're about to go on a run...COYS!
Just glad we are back talking about football!
Blimey I thought I had stumbled across a West Spam site after reading the first few comments.What the hell has got into everyone? Previously on a Friday before match day I have seen, on many occasions, comments I would want to print off and stick all around the walls of the Spurs dressing room. Everyone was really fired up.I really hope the team are up for it more than some of you guys. COYS
No bale, No modric, No Vaart. We need, lennon, kranjcar, piennar and Pav to have a very good game.
We will lose, and the Stratfordites will blame the 'anti-Stratford mob' for this loss, and every other loss thereafter until the end of the time.
Redknapp picks the wrong formation - STRATFORD! Redknapp picks that useless cunt Crouch instead one of the other useless cunts up front - STRATFORD! Levy, once again, fails miserably in the next transfer window - STRATFORD!
Shame on all the Spurs' fans that didn't want the club to sell out.
Seriously though, I expect a draw and all the fans to unite and cuddle.
I'm just dissapointed I still can't purchase a 'Limited Edition' Champions League Invested Spurs shirt. Maybe this is why Spurs can't afford to be in the Top 10 rich list!? I have £65 ready to go. Just give me a damn Spurs shirt!
Going to Milan for Valentines (so she thinks)...Can anyone advise on which Milan supported section not to get tickets in? I don't want my head squashed.
Peace and biscuits.
Crouch me.
Im gutted we didnt get Stratford, mainly because I also have a season ticket to liverpool street and would have been easier to go on match days, and also nice to see a gleaming new Spurs stadium on the way to work everyday, not to mention getting one over on West ham, but that will still come when in 10years they cant raise enough revenue and need to rip up the track, still we can say we told you so. Anyway Spurs to win, 1 nil, we are actually starting to play like contenders, winning games in the last few minutes, holding leads or even coming from behind to steal it, havent always been able to say that!
Si you want to be as near to the curva nord as possible - which is the spurs / inter end... stay away from curva sud as thats the AC Ultras end (and where we were placed against inter).... Andiamo Milano!
Spooky. Can I ask you to look at my comment on the Banter & Beigels board?
Thanks.
'Seriously though, I expect a draw and all the fans to unite and cuddle.'
Ahh, come here you loveable rogue, I've got a few minutes to spare for a lunch time 'reach around' for yer.
And god bless spurs and all who sail in her.
After the first few posts I was going to post a link to Samaritans but good to see a little humour returning!? Spurs to pinch it 2-1 with an unlikely late BAE screamer. There, that's cock-eyed optimism for you.
How can we fail?
After all, we nearly won the OS, we nearly signed 2 out 4 €35 million strikers, JD nearly scored a goal last week...it's obvious we are on an upward trend.
Oh, and Lawro has predicted that we will win.
So, everything looks good for a club run by a big loser.
CHIEFY? Mr S. Is that the missus posting 'Come how now, there's shelves need putting up' on the other message board?
2-3. Crouch with a double and Jenas with 1. Both aware they need to impress their future employers.
ok ok ok Stratford is a no...whoopee lets crack on with football.....regardless of injuries...GET BEHIND THE FUCKING TEAM...put out some positive vibes...the away support will be immense as always.
Consider this
Sunderland have lost more points from scoring first than any other prem team this season
We've recovered more points from losing positions than any other prem team this season
So a draw it is then!...but we need a win...and I think we'll get it.
because
Man Utd v Man City - United win
Arsenal v Wolves - Scum Win
Liverpool v Wigan - Pool Win
Fulham v Chelsea - Chav win
We win and shitteh lose we are 2 points behind them with a game in hand and still have to play them...enough of a reason for optimism...come on Manure
#coys
PS Brady is probably shitting herself now that spammers have won the bid......she'll have to make those promises a reality...Madonna 107k people (she'll be 60 by then?)
Fuck off Brady you cunt.
0-3 - Palacios Hat-Trick. COYS
Nord over Sud...gotcha. Thanks for that Bentleys Pants...This isn't a prank and I end up having to jump up and down for 90 when Pirlo strokes home a free-kick in the first 5 minutes is it?
The missus and I met on an anti-spurs facebook page funnily enough and would never expect me to put up a shelf. Only to sit in one. YIIIID ARMY!
Anyway, Spurs to beat Sunderland with Crouch scoring a knock down header from a Pienaar cross in th 68th minute.
Karen Brady/Liam Brady....what is with these Brady bunches?
First time responding to anything on here. *Salutes Spooky* been admiring this blog from afar (and NOT outside the hedges of your house) for a while now.
Agree with you that you dont want to look back on this season and regret it domestically. Champs League? Yeah, great. Repeat process? Yes please. If someone offered me 4th place at the end of the season and to go out of Champs League now, I'd rip their arm off. Probs eat it too to make sure.
As for Sunderland, its a game we can win. Sure, we have injuries, so do they. They're missing Wellbeck, Campbell, Cattermole and Turner.
Put me down for a 1-2 win, as we always like to let the other team score to raise the fans heartrate a bit.
Would accept finishing 6th and winning the CL.
0-6 victory. Freund and Zokora to return and score a hat trick each.
Seriously ...
Is vdV out?
its either 5-4-1 with him or 5-3-2 without him for me fantasy team
Who remembers the last time Spurs won at Sunderland? Yeah, I do. September 19, 2001. Not because I have the sharpest brain here (actually I should have), but because http://www.myfootballfacts.com/SpursvSunderland.html keeps a good track of our results. So what does this mean? Fack all. It means nada. We just simply have to go out there and rip the hearts out of the Sunderlanders. Go with some serious swagger and play like with a chip on our shoulder. 4th is within the cusp of our hands and we can not afford to mess it up. We have come close to breaking free of our inconsistency form this season and there is no better time to do that than now. Put the fear of God in the mind of Meelan when they watch the footage of this performance. Injuries are part of the game and unlike the scums next door, we don't whine and moan about it, we just get on with it. Forget the Stratford debacle. Despite what Levy said, we will go back to the NDP and try to make it work.
For my lineup, this is how we should go out there and stuff them 3 goals to nil:
Gomes
Corluka * Gallas * Daws * BAE
Lennon * Palacious * Niko * Piennar
Defoe * Pav
Pav has so much pent up emotions and is ready to explode. Give him the opportunity to channel that anger on the field. Defoe on the other hand is long overdue for a goal and I expect him to finally break his duck in this match.
COYS
Game discussion is back....:-)
Spooky says; <...Crouch out too (back strain according to reports)>.
Best news EVER! Hopefully he can sit out the rest of his contract. If this guy wasn't around we would easily be contenders for the league. Even if it meant playing 10 men only.
what are the odds on liverpool pipping both us and city to that 4th cl spot?
straight up Si - Curva Nord is the way! Gate 5 for spurs end ticket holders...
Nord. Cheers dude. Can't wait!
Tomorrow's game...gotta dominate centre mid. Muntari and Sessegnon will be up for this, let's hope Jenas isn't in the mood for passing to their team for fun kinda moods...we miss Modric so god damn much. And Huddlestone for that matter...
Good shout about Liverpool although defensively they look awful. This run won't last for too long...
Last year whenever Modders didn't play, Niko came on for him. This year Niko is not getting that kind of love even when VdV can't play either. We have a few players rearing to go and prove themselves and it is time to unleash the beast inside them.
My team.
Gomez
Charlie Daws Gallas BAE
Azza Jenas Niko Stevie P
SuperPav JD
wouldn't be suprised to see pienaar play 'in the hole' with Nico on the left, and switching throughout the game to create space.
My team:
Gomes
Dawson Mubarak Gallas
Palacious
Azza Mubarak's Mum Niko
Pienaar
Mubarak's sister Super Pav
with linesmen running up and down the side of the pitch. and a silly man with a whistle in the middle.
Good weekend y'all and COYS!
there...that's better!
I sense big trouble - how could the money men allow those pikeys to more their caravans into the Olympic Stadium - the clubs in melt down, and they look likely to go down!
I have a feeling this one is far from over!
west ham 1 spurs 1.
They won the vote, but we have loaned them Keane who is out injured for 6 weeks and being paid £65,000 a week. How many mags do they have to sell to raise that ?
My statto colleague at work tells me that our first goal on Saturday will be our thousandth goal in the Premier League. Now there's an incentive to score it. Someone pass this on to Defoe please.
With so many players out, I think we are going to be air tight tomorrow. Training the healthy players know they are going to get playing time. And, they've all been training together without Bale, VDV, Crouch etc.
I guess what I'm saying is I'm betting there's far more cohesion than you'd expect. I think the players could give a rat's ass about the Stratford thing as even if we won it, it would be years before there was an actual stadium and by then many players will have moved on probably.
2-0 Spurs with some of the most devastating football we've seen all season.
Been saying it for a few weeks now, Feb 12th could well be the day that shapes up how we set ourselves up for the rest of the league campaign.
Quite simply, if citeh lose and we win tomorrow then beating them to 4th is in our own hands - its that simple.
Sounds like alot of players are out tomorrow, but the past couple of games have shown that we can still get through it, although sunderland away is a massive task. I would line up as follows:
Gomes
Charlie Dawson Gallas Bae
Lennon Wilson JJ Pienaar
Crouch Defoe
Defoe has been trying so hard of late, they will start going in for him soon (so long as he stays onside). This game is a bigger game (in the grand scheme of things) than away to Milan and is the first of four consecutive away games - JESUS CHRIST.
I reckon we will win, if we get out the blocks early then we have a proper chance. I would prefer Pienaar to start than Niko simply because of the xtra pace - Niko is perfect to come on and offer something different. Pav away from home up at Sunderland, not a chance arry will start him, it has to be Crouch.
Onwards and upwards yids, tomorrow could well be the day that finishing in top 4 ends up in our own hands.
COYS
........Oh and thank fuck we are not going to Stratford.
0-1 Tottiham
I don't want see tall man who look like camel
NDP please
x
We should try to win both but by playing sensibly.
I have always believed that success breeds success.
We have done in before - the season with Berbatov and Keane and Steed going all the way to the Qtr-finals of the UEFA cup and the FA Cup in the same season. I remember playing Chelsea like 2 days after playing in the UEFA cup and almost beating them at Stamford Bridge.
Last season when we were playing on empty nothing but pure adrenalin and raw enthusiasm.
We need belief. But we also need to rotate more and rotate sensibly. I am annoyed that players like Giovanni, Sandro, Kranjcar, even Corluka and SuperPav were not given more chances earlier to be match fit and battle hardened. I dont even want to mention things like why our talented youth are not given a chance.
My wish - we should focus on winning each game and not think too much about the next. Each one counts. We can only afford to lose focus if any one game is not important, which is not the case here.
Would love to see Mubarak's mum get a run out but her lack of match fitness after 2 weeks in Tahrir Sq and tendency to cook up a Maḥshi ḥamām at short notice could leave her open to something cheaper & more convenient from the burger vending counter (Pigeon being a bit hard to bag at the moment).
Expect to see some Tehina on the wings and hopefully we'll get a robust performace from her Maḥshi waraa enab but this depends entirely on how Harry deals with the Chick Peas before the game.
Either way, 2-1 Spurs with a late BAE screamer. This guy has one in the tank somewhere and the Mubarak combination Google/Wikileaks combo could be exactly the thing to set it free. COYES
p.s. Mubarak's mum thinks Karen Brady is a bit of a slapper.
Does anyone know how much it cost to bid for the OS?