Seven games left, three points 'adrift'
Monday, April 11, 2011 at 12:46PM Spurs 3 Stoke 2
That wasn’t too shabby, was it? Finally rediscovering a little bit of that confident Spurs swashbuckle and swagger. Refreshing. Probably go as far as saying that minus the defensive lapses of concentration, it was an assured 'dominant' first half. Sure, we didn’t steam-roll them or stamp down our authority with brutality. We let them back in a couple of times (dominant with flaws). But we did turn up, turn it on and turn them over in good olde (the proper good) Tottenham fashion. Effortless in some ways, as a unit and individually, just easing into a rhythm without those pesky complications that had previously seen us in the midst of a goal drought.
Movement, busy buzzy players and an urgency to attack. I liked it.
Okay, so the lapses were wholly unnecessary (be it two good Stoke goals – but both birthed in errors from possession we lost). But even that was still a good test of our resolve. Didn’t buckle. Probably let them have too much of the ball in the second half, but overall – exactly what was required was achieved.
Goals for. A win. Three points.
Huddlestone and Kaboul back in the side, van der Vaart playing a full ninety minutes (and working hard be it without glamour) and Peter Crouch with some redemption for his red mist in Madrid with two smart goals and a tongue in cheek **** off to the crowd, caught on camera, but alas it’s not quite a Wayne Rooney incident offering out the public.
Not the same thing is it? Although the camera has nothing to do with it, what with Wazza being charged for swearing with no mention of said camera. Perhaps Peter was too far away from the camera and wasn't directing it at the camera. Then again, as mentioned, the camera has nothing to do with the charge against Rooney. Even though Rooney had his face in it. I guess the FA don’t really grasp the concept of consistency and knee-jerk to the parasitic lust of the media and this country and its culture of hate. Even though Rooney is angry and dislikeable. If he got charged for swearing then surely every game would result in...hold up a second.
Pause.
Okay, so, I won’t get side tracked and go off on a tangent. Back on topic then...
Home support reaction to Crouchie, overwhelmingly heartfelt. I guess blog comment and message board disdain does not translate too good out in the real world. Although Corluka was forced to respond to one fan, calling him an idiot for complaining rather than being supportive of the team. Alan Hutton obviously with too much time on his hands at the minute.
Special mention to another maligned forward (do we have anything else at Spurs?) Roman Pavlyuchenko. Linked up superbly well with the midfield leading the front-line and assisting twice. His disallowed goal should have stood. Looks sharp. Hopefully he can bag one on Wednesday.
Luka was again full of silks and style. Really, no nomination for PFA player of the year? Scandalous. Perhaps it’s because of his tally of two league goals that he’s been overlooked. I don’t know. Don’t actually care too much as long as he continues to drive us in the right direction. Up. By a minimum of one spot. Excellent goal and looks even more comfortable and free to roam with big Tommy by his side. Having Hudd back for the run in might just prove to be imperative to our chances of unlocking one or two of the tougher teams we’ve got to face in our attempt for a second successive CL.
A sumptuous passer of the ball is big Tom. The manner in which he caresses it...Mmmmm. Playing a disguised pass is very much like making love to a beautiful woman. You undress the space ahead of you, proceed to move hips hypnotically and then push forwards with sublime penetration releasing it as quickly as you can blink. Oh yes. Just like making love.
Bale, quiet by the standard we expect him to play at, but then when you’re doubled up on all the time it’s not going to be an over-night transition to work out how best to escape the unwanted attention. Patient, learning curve...don’t care about all the ‘he doesn’t do it in the Prem, does it’ sound-bites. He played well considering (ignoring mistake) and having players chase him means there’s always room for other players to run into open space because of it.
Regarding that mistake (that led to Jones cracking goal), Kaboul partly responsible for the initial pass to Bale. But how great is it to have the big lad back? Power at the back to go alongside cool. BAE and Corluka also played well. Dawson commanding and Gomes hardly at fault for the two conceded.
Credit to Harry? Or did he just wing it again?
Overall – happy days. Good solid performance, dealt with the pockets of pressure. Probably should have got a fourth. Didn't, but held on even with the quintessential 'final 10 minutes' of hearts in mouths.
Unfortunately we are at that stage where we do have to look at others to do us favours. Hopefully Liverpool can do just that against City.
It's fair to say, we've got a monumental task ahead of us if you dare to look at the fixture list.
Seven games left, three points adrift. Mathmatically, it's not exactly end of days just yet. So I suggest you superglue your hat on.
Reader Comments (33)
Having heard a million times this season that the next match is "the most important in our history", I am beginning to think that way too. So come on Liverpool, for what could be the most important match in our history.
(Note to myself: Get a grip! Been reading too many of Spooky'y blogs)
I feel dirty for wanting Liverpool to win. The thought of all those upside scarves is already making me dizzy.
I was most impressed by Pav , after being left out for such a long time even with the other forwards failing , i expected him to be lazy and self centered but he proved me wrong. He'll never be the hardest working forward around (except if the other forwards are all called Dimitar) but he gave it a real go.
It's a shame he doesnt get to play on a regular basis , i am convinced he is the real deal.
Good performance , good three points in the bag and euh go Liverpool , i suppose (does not really feel right , that)
Greast result for us Saturday, a much needed 3 Points.... special mention for Pav, I cant help thinking that if he had a run in the side he would just get better and better, nice to see also that we played 442 with VDV in the side. We've got some huge games coming up, would love to see us stick with the 442 formation with Pav getting a run. We are Liverpool supporters for one night only, Til Wednesday then, lets at least restore a bit of pride and beat Galactico's COYS !
a friend described it as something only a spurs fan would say, but I kind of missed not only scoring but conceding fantastic goals too, once even in the darkest moments we could look up at the three nil loss and say, yeah, but they were absolute blinders, this season seems to be full of run of the mill should have done better type goals. weird that I feel this but hey ho
You're being kind Spooky. Great 20 min spell followed by a pretty poor showing against a really bad Stoke team. They've lost 5 away in a row and have, for the most part, Championship standard players. They'll probably be relegated in one of the next 3 seasons. Their 'quality' consists of Etherington, who wasnt good enough for us or WHam when in his prime, and Jones, who only ever plays well against Spurs. Literally. Other than that they are a bunch of enthusiastic but limited cloggers, and - in comparison with our lads at least - are compensated accordingly. No excuses for not beating Stoke, especially at home. They are a light year away from Real, thats for sure.
I think possibly one thing that held us back on Saturday was players returning from injury and not quite fit enough. Kaboul and Hudd in particular - as laughably demonstrated for Etherington's goal, which seemed like a race between the 3 slowest men on earth. Lennon would have done 3 lengths of the pitch in the time it took for that collective sack of slowness to tumble their way into the Spurs pen area. And to say Gomes wasnt at fault for the finish? Please, beaten by a side footer at his near post. Inexcusable. Bale and VDV also off the pace at times. Thinking of those 4 players being fully fit shows what a blow to our form injuries have been this season. Seriously, with those 4 fit for the whole season, along with Modders, we'd have been challenging Utd for the league title right now.
The second half wasnt good enough. Easily as bad as the Wigan performance. We also faded badly against Wolves and WHam. Yes, I accept that players returning from inmjury need to play in order to get fitness, but I suspect Harry will have to be a it more careful than he was on Sat. Chucking 4 half fit players on together for the whole 90 was asking for a Stoke resurgence.
The worrying conclusion I took from the game, which was of course enjoyably overall, particularly in the NL sunshine (best sunshine in the world, you know) is that VDV is so obviously carrying something that I dont think we'll see the best of him until next season now. Dunno if its a knock, strain or virus but watching him reminds me of watching Bale in December. You just know something is holding him back, and it aint getting any better.
And so to Wed. Any kind of win would be great. I'd happily take 1-0 to be honest: being able to tell people I was at the Lane the night Spurs beat Real in the CL would be quite something. My head say it'll be 2-2 though.
COYS, just make us poud.
great to have Hudd and Kaboul back. Great to have 4-4-2 back
Didn't think it was that bad Paul, but I've only watched it once (and now you're going to make me go back to watching it again just to spite myself).
We dropped off badly in the second half - I agree. And yes, in context, it was only Stoke - but then our performances of late have lacked any form of resilience and belief. Two mistakes aside, it would have been 3 nil at half time, probably would have gone on to win comfortably.
Think Hudd should have done better personally with the Etherington goal. In fact, he should not have got anywhere near the pen area. So yes, I suppose Gomes should have been far too alert bless him. He probably didn't expect the player to run the distance he did and still get a shot on goal.
Fairwell to irony Spooky? No a good game, smoothly-running for much of the 1st half; Tom & Younes, welcome back! Now for some pride on wednesday...
Pav again was good, linking well with midfield and creating just like he did against the spammers, there is more to his game than just being a finisher.
Bad points: They had more shots on target than us, they probably should have nicked a point. We are slowy turning into arsenal, possession was good but to what end???
Main Point: 3 points! But when was the last time we played well or weren't lucky to nick the win?????
5 victories needed from our last 7 games and one of those must be against city!
I think its perfectly acceptable for some rose tinted reviews of the game as the first half was just a fabulous game all round. Second half not too bad either.
Great to get some goals and the passing of Hudd was brilliant to see again. Pav and Crouch looked really good together and 442 should be standard now even if we have to start Lennon or VDV from the bench from time to time.
Etheringtons goal was almost identical to that Gareth scored against Inter, and yet we all raved about what a brilliant effort that was. Really then, it was a sloppy goal conceded because the Inter defenders were slow and the goalkeeper had a shocker. Nah don't buy it Paul.
Give credit for once to Etherington who showed the ability he first had when he arrived at WHL as a kid. Not every brilliant solo effort is a defensive error.
And yes, it was great to have Hudd back, doing what Spooky says, allowing Modders the freedom of the midfield.
Same team for Wednesday?, or should Gallas be back for Kaboul???
If we score a goal in the first five minutes on Wed, we'll win 5-0.
Just wondering - whats the point of winning 5-0 and going through to play Barcelona!
Eyes will be taken off the premership ball again...its our only way in again.
But yeah 5-0...I'd still take it!!
I only watched the first half on Football First on Saturday night.... I'm thinking that was a wise move.
It's definitely turning into every game being as important as it's predecessor and successor now.
I can't see us doing it, but you never know.
Disappointed to learn we're going to shut up shop when we're 5-0 up on Wednesday - turning into Woolwich?
Barca have proven beatable (almost) when visiting England. Although Arsenal rode their luck enormously both times. It would great to play them at the Lane in a first leg. Then defend like dogs in the return.
Yes, I know, Football Manager has distorted my footballing brain.
I tend to agree with you most of the time spooky. Yours is the best spurs blog imo... what I don't get is this adoration you have for Huddlestone. I just don't get it. Caressing the ball nicely, well, that's nice... but it ain't enough in this league. As a holding midfielder, he needs to protect his defense and he is expected to score once in a while. This strikes me as a similar adoration that so many people had for Jenas, who did well in a few games here and there... and then this past season he is a hated figure, but it was there to see the whole time that he is not that great. Sandro for one is a far superior player... but then again I live abroad and am not at the games much so perhaps you see something that I cannot...
I'm sure most here already have it, but both Littlewoods and Very are selling the Home & Away kits for FAR less than the club shop (even at 50% off).
Very is £12 plus £3.80 p+p, whereas Littlewoods is £14.50 with free delivery.
Sandro is showing us already he has the right level of composure and belief to be a top drawer player. Dare I even say world class.
I think you're being a little unfair on Hudd. He has a wonderful range of passing and the fallacy of him being immobile and over run in mid has been proved wrong on numerous occasions. I think he gives us something different and something fair more tangible than Jenas.
Hudd is someone that has, especially in the past, split the fanbase. Still does in some ways. Might not be world class or ever be world class and I guess that's where some make their mind up in terms of him not being 'the future' and thus replaceable.
It felt awesome having hudd and kaboul back, Modric/hudd in midfield has always been my favourite midfield partnership to watch! Also, pundits and 'experts' are all saying how David Luiz is comfortable on the ball coming from the back, but lacks defensive experience. Kaboul is like luiz, but no defensive slouch! comfortable on the ball, and is so dominant in the air. huge boost to have him back for the run in for 4th
Hudd brings a whole new dynamic to our forward play, Lennon and Bale are twice as dangerous when Hudd is playing them in because he can play them in better than anyone else. Saying that, Harry needs to devise a way to get Hudd, Sandro and Modric in our midfield together.
Speaking of Hudd and scoring early against Real...I reckon Tommy should take a shot from kick-off. 1-0 up, 5 seconds in, Real shocked, (possibly a new fastest CL goal record) and the start of a fairytale!!
hAHA JohnnyB, I totally agreed with you until the last paragraph. We need to quietly take our leave of that CL competition and focus ON THE LEAGUE!
Before it was: 2 pts from 8 games
Now we want: 20 pts from 8 games and we will definitely be in the top four again!!!!
We just got three in the first game - seven more games - 17 points more to go. COYS!!!!
Next up - NLD!!!
HALFTIME REPORT:
LIVERPOOL 3 - MAN CITY 0
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have we qualified for the CL again then?
Yeah!!
Chelsea and Arsenal on the run in to season's end, Man City at Eastlands...
C'mon Spooky, we've seen this show before.
Time to dust off Danny Rose again before Crouch nods us back into Europe.
With Huddlestone in the side we will score more goals. With Sandro in, we will concede less. Both are worthy of playing, the question is, is it always an either/or question? Or, is there a way we can fit both in the lineup when we're already flush with midfielders?
Huddlestone's passing and willingness to agressively do so, to make something happen, has been missing from the lineup for some time, specifically without Bale. With the speed of Bale and Lennon on the wings and Huddlestone's passing, that ought to terrify opposing back lines, forcing them to play conservatively with a deep line, making Crouchie relevant and opening up space behind Crouch as well.
Now if we could only mate Sandro with Huddlestone and have the ultimate deep lying holding center mid...
Hudd is a hard f*cker too. Forgot about that. Like when he kicked that Stoke mug on Saturday after a tussle. Ruthless? Unnecessary? Probably, but got the point across no doubt.
He brings a ton of muscle to the midfield but can actually complete passes unlike Wilson and Jenas. Great to have him back and have been sorely missing him.
COYS! It is all within reach now. 5-0 on Wednesday then onto thrash the scum!
Hudd has a monster foot too. Love to see him bag one from distance on Wednesday.
Other special requests for the reckoning on Wednesday:
1) Let Bale take the first threatening free kick.
2) 4-4-2
3) Pav
4) Keep Lennon on the right and Bale on the left.
5) LOTS of noise for the full 90.
Glad to see this blog's got positive again. Spurs to beat Madrid 5-1
JoePas_Doghouse - very well put
Need a crackling atmosphere at WHL tomorrow.Without it a 1% chance becomes a 0% chance. First target is to make it an open game and take an early lead. Do that and get the crowd going nuts we give ourselves a chance. Madrid's defence will probably sit deep to cope with the wingers without the aerial threat of Crouch to push them out. So we need to draw them out any way we can. If they play defensively the fans need to wind them and Jose up to let them know it - tweak their pride to see if the might take risks when they don't need to. Also to draw them out play an attacking line up to invite them into the game and Hudd deep to draw them forward to mark him. May as well go for it all guns blazing at least til half time then see where we are.
Loved seeing Tommy H back. Speaking on getting Sandro, Modric, Hudd on teh field together isn't our midfield setting up for a 4-2-3-1 with Sandro, Hudd ahead of the line and Modric in the middle playmaking besides Lennon and Bale?