True Grit and its supporting cast of Spurs (no cowboys included)
Sunday, February 13, 2011 at 6:32PM Challenge Spurs™ 2011: Thou Shalt Not Lose
Sunderland 1 Tottenham 2
Bare bones. Three points. Saddle up.
And if you like numbers, then smother yourself in these:
32 points from 45.
1 defeat in 15.
2 points behind Man 'they were challenging for the title before Saturday' City with a game in hand.
Quietly, quietly, Tottenham. Ssshhh.
From the match preview:
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.
So that's part one done and dusted.
Churn probably the most apt word although dug deep and gritty are a couple of other qualities I don't mind throwing at the 2-1 result at Sunderland. A place we hardly ever win at and not easy for most others to do the same.
First half was fairly diabolical. Even with the missing army of first-teamers (for an assortment of reasons) we still appeared flat-footed, lots of backwards going forwards. Painfully slow in midfield and harassed, allowing Sunderland to press and bully with the added bonus (for them) of conceding a goal that could only be birthed in Tottenhamland. Gallas, off the pitch changing his boots with Dawson admiring Gyan's control and shot, scratching his chin in awe.
I have this saying, a simplistic philosophy, an outlook a game that's about to start. It simply goes something like, "The first ten minutes will tells us all we need to know about the game". And after ten minutes it was ominous. Disjointed and without any signs of a coherent pattern to our play. We all go through the same journey in games like this, high and low emotions and knee-jerks as we process the threat of a loss, no matter how early in the game. Many of us are drama queens without the cool, calm, collected Clint Eastwood stare. It's more Woody Allen than Clint. But, like the players on the pitch, you persevere.
The equaliser was like a magical hangover cure. One glug and the pain is gone. Just before the break too. Another goal birthed in Tottenhamland. The two players at 'fault' for the Sunderland goal (okay, Gallas was off the pitch and you could argue he wasn't at fault because others should have covered him in defence) involved. Dawson, this time the one blessed with the freedom to connect with the ball, accepting the Keys to Bramble, headers the ball towards goal and Gallas dancing in front Gordon, his legs shifting to allow the ball to go through them and then through the keepers. Crisp. Stick that on a DVD.
Second half was for the best part a role reversal, although the home side continued to have a go, hitting the woodwork. We were far far better as a unit. Our mindset tuned into a more robust tempo. Not the best pitch, not the best performance if you picked out individuals and critiqued them in isolation. Doesn't quite work like that though, does it? There was a work ethic evident through the team that elevated the performance to a far more acceptable standard.
Defoe, will no doubt split opinions. He's forgotten how to score, probably trying to hard and let's himself down with his touch at times and his sudden reluctance to just blast the ball without that aged old footballing weakness some of the more instinctive players don't always require (thinking). Sure, he needs to pass the ball towards the goal at times but you sense he lacks edge at the minute.
But he covered ground, worked the channels. Our lack of any creativity would not have helped either of the two front men. Hence the reason why it's quite easy to compound the negative energy towards the little man based on previous games included.
Pav was also ambiguous in performance depending on how you perceived the game. Personally thought they both stuck in a hard days work. Although won't argue that at times both players let themselves down with lack of composure. But some decent link up play from the Russian with the midfield and plenty of free-kicks won makes him the better of the two - and arguably the closest of the two regarding tangible form (if Harry decides to persist with him).
Roman, by the way, is unbeaten in the ten Prem games he's started this season. Ooh. Play him more often, yah? Roman Publyuchenko on the Hackney marshes, not quite.
Interesting stat I stole about the missing man yesterday (Crouch). The Sunderland win was the first time in 63 league game he has not featured in (that's as a starter or sitting on the bench and coming on).
As a unit, we pulled together. And that's what matters. But if you wish to rain down the abuse, you sort of hope for a lot more from our two front men. It's tricky to gauge on just one watch of the game if Defoe, for example, was never in it or simply tirelessly working his way through it in a selfless way without swagger.
Regarding JD's seasoned selfishness of past glories. Has to be in a position to receive the ball. And it simply wasn't that type of match where the midfield could provide him with the chance. Pav slightly better in attempting to create space for a shot on goal.
Re: Meelan. Start Pav over JD.
The winner was sweetly struck.
The Corluka through-ball to Sandro which resulted with the Niko sexytime was understated yet majestic. Kranjčar, from the far reaches of despondency on the sidelines to hero, two games on the trot. We keep changing our minds when it comes to discussing squad depth. We say we have depth and then dismiss it when the players that are not first teamers fail to impress when given cameo opportunities.
But then on days like these, when you see the likes of Bale, Modric, van der Vaart, Lennon, Crouch, Kaboul, Huddlestone (throw in King and Woodgate to make it look even more impressive) all missing because of injury or rested because of Tuesday - you have to accept that more than a little man-management is required to get the balance and focus spot on. Even if it takes half a football match to get there.
We are still miles away from our best line-up and our best level of performance. It's still hard to self-doubt when we keep chipping away at the top to try and remain anchored there. Squad depth? Seems there's something in that after all.
If you want to pick out negatives (go on, you're Spurs you know you will), you could perhaps once more groan at the lack of set-piece quality (ignoring the goal). Talking of which, once upon a time JJ wasn't too shabby at them. And still on Jenas, loved his epic tackle (think it was edge of pen area around the 85th minute mark) and his BAFTA winning turn when he protested his innocence after blatantly fouling an opposing player. Who me? Break a leg Jenas. Yours, metaphorically, not one belonging to one of their players*.
*more of a pole-axe, granted.
Talking of acting...Gomes. Honestly, what a fruit loop. Love him to bits but it's embarrassing to watch him cry on the field of play, especially when he was hardly touched. Ooh look I'm going to almost fall over, then scream at the player who punched me in the gut then cry a little then I'll be fine.
Because Gomes is eccentric (cliché) you sort of laugh it off with 'oh look there he goes again', but you'd berate any other keeper that done that (or player) and just because he's got such a comical face doesn't mean he should be allowed to get away with it. Quiet word in his ear, gaffer.
Dawson has had a wobble or three in recent games after that outstanding return. Not sure why. I've been impressed with Gallas so there's every reason to be confident with that back two, but still...? Improved second half - but then again, everyone had to. Did win everything in the air, but at times you worry about his reactions on the ground.
Wasn't pretty, was very gritty. Three more points and further character building proving a success. On the surface, didn't look the best midfield from Harry, but it worked, eventually. Hoping all these rumours of Bale and vdV not making the Meelan game are deflections. Have to wait and see who travels. We need a far more evident buzz in the middle and more width. As well as vdV who can (word of the season) galvanise the forward play.
Positives? Sandro got better as the game progressed. He's been unfortunate at times when starting (and scarified) so glad to see him take to the game after an untidy first half. The kid has mental strength, doesn't seem to be fazed too much. Although Harry should let him know this is not Brazil and you don't tend to have 10 seconds to stand on the ball. Probably did just that at half-time.
So onwards with Challenge Spurs. Two games, six points. Perfect record.
Team cohesiveness - Non-existent first half thanks to so many erratic performances and a lack of control in midfield, but the players dug deep again to grind it out. Doesn't have to be easy on the eye every time.
Leadership - Present by virtue of belief to turn it around.
Work ethic - It's easier when eleven players are a unit. Once players pulled together to retain the ball and use it effectively, confidence grow and the more of the ball you're going to see, well...you're more likely to carve something out.
Craft and creativeness - Lacking up top which meant Pav and JD we're never going to get themselves into goal scoring opps, but no questioning Niko's movement and passing. Important when you consider we are lacking the likes of Luka, Rafa and Tom. But against better opposition, we need the keys to the front door rather than waiting for someone to leave a window open.
Clinicality - Wayward free-kicks, but when it mattered, two goals. Brilliant finish from the Croatian. Again. Not many more clear cut chances on goal.
Tactical astuteness - The second half proved there was little wrong with the selection Harry stuck out there. Need to start these types of games with the same level of commitment and composure as displayed after the HT.
Fighting spirit - 10/10. These types of results go a long long way.
Spurs. Nowhere near full-strength. Away from home. Three points. Niko and Sandro the stand-outs.
The good? Second half. The bad? First half. The ugly? You call three points ugly?
In a word, resilient. Just need the gunslingers back.
Reader Comments (25)
with non of our stikers worth having as the focal point of an attack i say put them all on the bench and have no-one leading the line.
vdv
kranjcar and modric
bale wilson/sandro lennon
i know thats drastic but when we play now we have no effective focal point and all decent attacking play comes from our midfield so lets run with it till we can get in a decent striker.
just imagine the beautiful football they'd play...and kranjcar, vdv, bale, prob lennon will all get more goals this season than defoe, pav or crouch
Great article and impressed that special note was made of the brilliant ball from Corluka. Read earlier today a comment on another site deriding Corluka as having the attributes of a slug. There are some morons who are so blinkered that they don't give credit where it due. Corluka has a good football brain and warching the game he had the awarness to hold the ball to the moment for maximum advantage timing it so that Sandro was still on side but had the best position in his run. Credit should also go to the timing and run of Sandro. Great awareness, great stamina, pace and a good ball in.
Defoe is a proven goalscorer though, he's only going to get his eye back in from playing. We need to persevere with him, he'll hit his stride sooner or later. VDV would be wasted up front on his own.
Having strikers is sooooo 2007.
JD will bang a few in (probably against WH) and he'll be back to his confident best.
Just been to see that film spooky - 7/10, Bridge's gravely voice was annoying though.
Good three points. Agree that Pav was better than Defoe on the day and think he offers a little more if started but Crouch was rested wasn't he? So think we'll see him back in the side over the three of them. Harry loves Defoe, he loves Crouch, he hardly loves the Russian.
Resilient, sums us up perfectly. Hoping we show plenty away to Milan. Beginning to get nervous about this.
Charlie is a better footballer and a better defender than Hutton will ever be. Hutton is better at running down the flank and crossing it in. Still prefer the Croat over the Scot.
Ha, that film needs subtitles, or maybe the sound was shit on my copy, but you can't beat a good Coen Bros.
As for the game:
Mental Strength....tick
Squad rotation.......tick
Corn rows......tick
Lucky pants.......tick
Gotta get those pants washed in time for Tuesday
Thought Dawson was solid but have to say bricking it if our back four are not spot on in Milan. Ibra will have a field day. Would stick with that back four and play Pav and Defoe and vdv drifting in from the left, Lennon on the right. Palacios and Jenas in the middle as I doubt Modric will be back. Score draw anybody?
LemonadeMoney - I'd say you had a shit copy.... I had a screener (always easy to get this time of year) and could hear it all crisply..... Good film, and I had Bridges as a shoe in for the Bafta/Oscar - until I watched The King's Speech.
As for the result - that's 2 away wins we'd have failed to get 2 years ago. Everyone talks about United playing poorly and still winning, so I think we have to give the lads a little bit of credit.
The lads always lift the game for the big name opponents, and seem to drop off against the lower ones.
Team selection for Tuesday will be interesting. Do we risk Bale, VdV etc and then have them miss Blackpool and possibly others, but come back with a 1 goal defecit at worst, or do we leave them to regain full fitness and possibly come back with no chance in the 2nd leg????
True Grit a remake?
I don't think Defoe is good enough. Does 'nt Hold the ball up to bring others into play, does'nt track back to help out in defence, does'nt win headers and does'nt score goals unless he feels confident. I'd say there's a slight case of favoritism? Pav did alright though and I thought he put in some good tackles and held the ball up nicely. Charlie was on speed and Sandro starting to look like the real deal. 'Well done Niko'.
Totally agree with oldun! Anyone think that Hutton would have had the football brains to dink that lovely ball over the top for Sandro to run onto? Not me!
It works both ways, though. I've started to hear people/commentators mention how much quality BAE has - next we'll be getting offers in for him! Nice to see him still doing Cruyff turns just outside our penalty area and, unlike Dawson, totally pulling it off.
Great write up Spooky. Starting to believe we can will all the games in this series. FA Cup weekend coming up so we have a prolonged rest period. Infact both times after Milan we rest. if we can get everyone fit and playing in the next 2/3 weeks we'll be very strong for the run in.
I'll lay my cards on the table - I don't like Defoe. I was so glad when we sold him to Portsmouth.
Don't get me wrong, my cousin knows him (she does some work for the club even though she has no interest in football whatsoever) and says he's a really nice guy. But in my eyes any professional footballer who is - a) older than 16 and b) quicker than Thudd - should not be offside when, looking across the pitch, he can see both the ball and the last defender. It does my head in - the amount of chances he wastes by getting into offside positions!
I thought JD had an average game, mostly jogging mindlessly between defenders. But then I was watching it on TV and if someone honestly comes on here and says they were there and he worked really hard along the line producing space and making life difficult for the defenders then I'll try and believe them...
You have to have felt some sympathy for Sandro.
Not only was he left on the tarmac as the other players jetted off on the plane to listen to the CL theme first-hand but he's been dragged off the pitch so many times for reasons that have nothing really to do with him.
But yesterday the cross to Defoe (who very cleverly hid himself behind the huge centre back rather than trying to get in front - genius!) was excellent. I really thought we were just getting a "midfield stopper" with this guy but, although he did diligently spend most of the game about 5 mtrs in front of the back 4, he made a few breaks forward and showed some skill.
Unlike Wilson. Poor Wilson. When he got into the box towards the end it was plain for all to see that he didn't know what to do. What does this type of footballer (Zakora and Freund to name just another two) do during training? Run around the centre circle?
Sandro and Thudd to anchor a 5-man midfield?
Seriously lay off the strikers. Struggling yes, but not terminally bad. All have excuses to be off form. Defoe missed months, rushed back and simply isn't fit yet. Crouch has been struggling with his back and has set up bags of goals this season. Pav, well i can't think of any excuses for him frankly. He's a lazy fker who can't be arsed to learn English. Or run.
Pleased Harry read my comments on here last week about giving sandro a run with jenas. Makings of a good pairing that. Gives jenas license to roam forward. Both are far superior footballers to sgt wilson. They aren't hued and modders of course, but a decent backup twosome in my humble opinion.
I know jenas has his knockers (so to speak). But I guess some people are incapable of giving credit where it's due. People seem to find it hard to forgive jenas for not being the worldbeater he promised to be as a youngster. Lay off him, he's having a good season, lack of goals notwithstanding.
So to Wednesday. I can't see Lennon starting, given our lightweight collapses away from home this season. Incan see a similar midfield to Saturday. Vdv will surely start with crouch - rightly too, they are by far our best pairing. Fingers crossed Gomes doesn't have one of those nights. I fear he will.
Very good 3 points. Chuffed. Bring on Milan. COYS
crackalackin result, gutsy performance.......say it quietly but i'm starting to believe again.........as for the strikers......crouch to play and have a good game on Tues I suspect............. and Suarez looking like every inch the player we should have bought, ah well, if wishes were horses eh ?? COYMFS
@DaveRay''''Sandro and Thudd to anchor a 5-man midfield''''. Will be a great pairing.
Gritty performance no doubt. More of this ugly win rather than play beautifully and leaving empty handed.
Is it just me or did Pav not have a memorable performance? I can't count the number of times he flopped all over the pitch anytime Sunderland players breath on him, nor could I keep up with the number of times he gave wayward passes after a promising build up. Defoe on the other hand I trust will come through.
Next up Meelan. As long as we play the way we did on Saturday we should be able to leave there with a win.
NLD been pencilled in yet? Thought it was tba?
I seem to recall Guest blogger Chrisman writing about the limitations of Defoe some time ago, and how he's never quite made that 'next step'. Was chastised by many, but I thought at the time he had a couple of things spot on. Seems now some of them are still valid.
Defoe does still have time on his side, but he needs 'something' to make the connection, whether it is just one goal, or simply a good run of form with assists and getting into positions, I don't know what 'it' is that is needed. But not many would deny that now is that time to make a real surge forwards (pardon the expression).
Just hope he can break out of it for Tuesday, and find that little 'something', and I'm not talking about 'Little JD'.
(btw, games coming thick and fast now, the rescheduled NLD could be pivitol by the time it comes around, for both sides).