In our defence
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 6:14PM End of season review. An attempt at one. I have to be honest with you, I’m struggling a touch at the moment. I’m spending most of my available time online (when not working) musing on Twitter, slagging off the In The Know community simply because I default to this obvious caricature of hate because there is very little else to discuss at the moment.
I could perhaps talk about what’s-his-face and the delightful twitch his face displays when someone on Sky Sports mentions the Chelsea job. Then again, no.
A letter is due to the chairman, but I’ll wait another week or so before I drain blood and dip feather.
As for the ITK community, I’ve already spotted one Spurs fan on a forum make up some s*** about a player only for a supposed well known ITK to then post about it on the forum he frequents, giving the impression he heard about it from a club insider.
Even funnier is the fact that ESPN are obviously connected because they published a news article about Cristian Ceballos (even though they jumped the gun suggesting he had signed) without a single citation in the day(s) before from any of the esteemed ITK’ers. A Barca reject kid on trial at Spurs and none of the countless self-proclaimed messengers had anything to share other than providing updates post-ESPN exclusive.
Yes, yes. I hate it all with a passion and here I am talking about it, unable to turn away. But for the moment, I will.
So this is me skipping onwards with the end of season chit chat.
Before I do I just want to say goodbye and good luck to @drwinston001 who is ‘retiring’ from blogging and handing over his site (thfc1882.com) to a couple of other top lads to continue its coverage of all things Spurs. His final article covered off an assessment of our squad, which is well worth a read. If you’re wondering, a baby is on it's way. Good luck Tom, look forward to your guest-blogging over at thfc1882 in the not so distant future.
So, player reviews up first. The defence.
To follow: Prem / The Cups / The Progression of Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham / Summertime High Jinxs.
Gomes
From shot stopping genius to calamity clown. If Gomes was a centre forward he’d be of the ilk not too dissimilar to the ones we have at the moment. Very good when there is no time to think. Remember Robbie Keane during his better spells at the club? Stick Robbie in a one on one situation and his brain farts and the ball either goes wide or straight at the keeper. Gomes, when he has a similar pocket of time for his grey matter to rub up against each other, can only ever result with a haemorrhage of haplessness.
He completely losses the ability to control his physicality, body going one direction with mind left behind between the woodwork, whilst we all witness the implosion in slow-mo.
What is Gomes? Is he a good keeper prone to mistakes and lapses of concentration? Or is he an average keeper, one that is always prone to errors, but masks the negatives with moments of unparalleled reflexes and super-saves? It’s a fallacy to suggest all keepers are loopy. By virtue of the fact they are the only ones wearing gloves to handle the ball with hands during the game, their mistakes will always stand-out more. Conceding a goal thanks to an avoidable mistake can change the whole course of a game and the psychology of the teams focus. Much like missing a sitter.
No doubting Gomes has given us moments of stupendous plot. Giving away a penalty in the last minute, then saving it (Chelsea at home) and saving a pen only to give one away and concede seconds later (Blackpool at home). We’ve been treated to a master-class of excellence too (AC Milan away) as well as insanity (Inter away). He was incredible at the back of last season. That wasn’t him over performing. That was him at the top of his concentration. Gomes strikes me as someone who is fragile with self belief and confidence and when one mistake or a moment or uncertainty plays out, like domino's, all layers of his mind collapse.
He makes wonderful saves but when he makes mistakes, they are epic (and at key moments). He can flap too and when mistakes don't lead to goals they lead to Keystone antics across the whole of the backline, infecting his team-mates with a dizzy virus and it's side-effect of momentary panic.
Personally, I don’t want to detach my faith from supporting him. People who prefer him to be replaced by someone with a more steady head might be forgetting that a keeper who retains concentration might not necessarily be capable of match winning performances and when they conceded, it might not be thanks to a lapse of concentration but simply lesser skill.
If there’s a keeper out there that’s capable of brilliance but has the cool composed calmness of a Cech, then the vast majority of us would not complain if he was signed and the Brazilian was sold on.
Sort your head out Gomes.
Gallas
He’s ex-Chelsea, he’s ex-Arsenal. He’s a trouble-maker. He’s a melter. He’s too old. He’s too slow.
Wish someone has pre-warned me he would be an absolute gem, a steal...a stolen gem. With King and Woodgate hardly involved, having someone of Gallas experience in the side has played a major part in retaining strength and organisation at the back. It took a while for him to regain full match fitness and settle in with his new team mates, but his almost nonchalant ‘doesn’t give a **** other than just performing well’ attitude proved that sometimes there is nothing wrong with wheeling and dealing. I can remember feeling mixed emotions and displeasure when he was made captain. Kudos to Harry. Gallas has been imperative in the absence of King, if not a pound for pound replacement. Interestingly, he's yet to score for us.
Dawson
Step up, step up. Everyone knows Daws excels when he has Ledley King by his side. He’s been equally impressive with Gallas playing next to him but Daws is best positioned to the right of King. Regardless, he gets on with it and defends with royal passion. Just that, what with his age and with Ledley missing for large chunks of the season...it’s time this prince became a King.
Mixed season, inconsistent at times and brilliant on occasions. You love Daws because of his relentless desire to do well. He might not be the quickness and he might lack the assured presence a Gallas or King possesses but you can’t question his work rate (and his distribution ain’t too shabby).
If he can replicate the form he is capable of when he plays alongside King, then he’ll have grown into the player that we all wish him to be. At the minute, we’re just wishing. Dawson needs to believe in himself, just a notch more and take each game by the scruff of the neck. Which he does already, just not in every game.
Corluka
Not one of his better seasons. All over the shop early on, replaced by Alan Hutton whilst we all wondered what had happened to the always reliable Croat. His positioning, key to make up for his lack of pace, had deserted him completely. I like him. I like the way he works the flanks with Lennon. I think, on form he offers more than our other options. He’s intelligent on the ball and can play football rather than perhaps just knock the ball ahead of him and run onto it. Hopefully it was a blip. I doubt Hutton will be with us next season. Kyle Walker will. So you can’t help but feel content that competition at right-back will be tight.
Ekotto
Everyone huddles, except for BAE. I mean, he’s there. You can see him, but his back is straight and his head is facing upwards and looking away whilst all the other soft-hearted lads are bending down to listen to the rallying speech. Simply put, Ekotto is too cool for skool. A modern day footballing anomaly. He doesn’t follow the game as a spectactor. Although it’s slightly stretching the persona of coolness to perhaps suggests he doesn’t care. He’s a model professional without the superstar add-ons.
His consistent, he’s drilled. He plays for the team and he does exactly what he’s expected to do at the back. More kudos to Harry for solving this conundrum as there was a time before his arrival when we were not quite sure he was the answer to our left-back headache.
Excellent player, excellent season...lets Bale rampage whilst he sits back and defends and never appears to lose focus. Hopefully Danny Rose will continue his impressive cameos into next season and give Ekotto a rest now and again (won't be too presumptuous and say 'competition' just yet).
Hutton
Okay, so he’s offensive and he runs forward with intent and can impact the game but he can’t perform at the back as an individual or as part of a unit. He doesn’t fathom the concept of positioning and he has no astuteness in the art of defending. Had a period this season where some of us thought we’re be proven wrong, mainly down to the fact Charlie was so awful. Alas, we were not proved wrong in the end.
Kaboul
When Comolli signed him he stated he was ‘one for the future’. In true Tottenham fashion we threw him into the first team and ruined him. Well, we thought we had. Quite surreal that he was sold and then signed back. He’s grown and matured, he’s still raw in places but I can’t help but believe he has a strong future at our club. Development of his defensive abilities on the back foot need to match his awareness going forward with the ball. He possesses the right attributes to be a beast and hero status for the third goal to complete our famous win over at the swamp.
Bassong
Who? Oh yeah. The forgotten man. Thought he was more than decent for us last season and yet this season he’s hardly figured. If Harry doesn’t fancy you, then you don’t get a look in. Shame because he is more than capable.
King
The discussion about whether it’s worth retaining him if he’s only going to appear in a handful (if not less) games per season will continue throughout the summer. He’s one in a million with the one knee, and yet he can do more than most are capable with two. Galvanises Dawson and improves our defence every time he plays. Statistically, we lose less games and concede fewer goals when he plays. If he had two knees, we’d still be where we are now...as King would probably be playing for Barca or Madrid.
Might as well mention Woodgate. Depending on what you read he's either going to be let go or given a pay-as-play contract.
We certainly need to decide on our back-line in preparation for 2012. Fullback positions are fine, it's the centre pairing and the backup(s) that need attention. Preferably not the type that involves ice packs and cotton wool.
Overall, we've done well in defence. Just not scored enough goals down the other end to relieve them from pressure which has resulted in loss of shape and conceded goals. Confidence with the keeper/defender relationship another required fix. It's not just four at the back, it's five.
Across the season, as a unit (ignoring moments of madness in the CL and in the cups) I can't complain more than I have above, which isn't a lot.
Midfielders and attackers to follow...
Reader Comments (17)
I think Cudicini is worth a mention too, no? He's played in 25 games this season and I'm pleased he signed on for another year. Considering that was after that motorbike accident too I thought he deputised for the Brazilian nutter well.
As for BAE I saw a stat in Feb back that said he had made more interceptions than any other player in the PL (at that point in the season). Afro-poof or not that is progression!
Christ, he's played that many? Says a lot about him then. I can't remember too many mistakes. If any.
In fact I just found that you posted the BAE stat on GG Spooky! haha...
http://glory-glory.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=52714
Ha!
He's on fire.
I beg your pardon, 25 times for us in total, not this season. My mistake.
Great start to your review Spooky. Sounds like PSV are keen to take Gomes back so he could be off. Maybe a fresh start is what he needs.
Maybe a pay as you go deal for King is the way to go, given all the talk about trimming the wage bill. Would be a bit harsh tho on a man who is a Spurs legend.
I read an interview with Corluka in the Standard last week where he said he's had ankle trouble for much of the season. Hopefully a break and pre-season will see him back to his best.
Benni has been awesome... cool, calm and collected - we really missed his long diagonal balls to Lennon on the opposite flank during the final few games.
Looking forward to the rest of your review...
Canada - I thought that stat was suspicious. Explains why I can't remember ;)
Here's a question for the statos;
How often do we lose when Disco Benny has his corn-rows in compared to when he's sporting his 'fro?
Could'nt agree more with your assessment so far, we do need a proper keeper, as you say its not 4 at the back its 5, a good keeper breeds confidence in the whole defensive unit, i hope the rumours are true and that he does want to go back to PSV, I would love Shay Given or Brad Friedal even though he is 40 the guy is virtually faultless. BAE love this man so cool under pressure guaranteed performances week in week out afro is king, look forward to your next assessment of our beloved team.
I have to mention how pissed off i am with HR yes this guy has taken us to another level and his man managemrnt skills are superb.... but as for his fan managenent skills he simply does not have any, to come out with statements like this is as good as it gets, people who call into phone ins are idiots, and more recently if you dont like it go and support someone else... GO AND SUPPORT SOMEONE ELSE !!! that for me was the worst thing i have ever heard from a spurs manager in all the years i have supported them, yea lets go and support Man united or better still Arsenal HR you are having a fucking laugh !!!
There are certain things in life you can change, you can change your religion, you can change your wife you can even change your sex, but change your team I dont think so.
Great article. Re Gomes does anyone know how often he played with the same back four in front of him. Agree he is frustrating with the brillance/clown switch but wondering how much he is affected by the players around him???
Gallas was my vote for POTY - purely for the way he just suddenly proved me and many others wrong
@Bobby...
I'm still seething in anger from those Harry comments. We created this bugger. He was nothing but a relegation battler for 40 year. We gave him a chance and now...after two years at our beloved club, he feels that he has a right to tell us (fans for all our lives) to f*ck off and go support another team because we don't "enjoy" loosing and drawing with the bottom 5 clubs? I forgave him for forcing his useless Crouchy upon us, but I don't think I can ever forgive him for shaming the club this much.
@Spooky
I think we are all too soft on Dawson. Sometimes, he has been a bit rubbish. Remember his performance at Fulham in the FA? Can we do better than him? Yes. Albeit not cheaply and our priority should be replacing all the pathetic/rubbish strikers that Harry bought for 39 million pounds.
Good read Spooky. Only one I would have to disagree with is Bassong.
Every time I have seen him he has looked poor! Would like to know how we did when he played?
Maybe part of the problem is that he is currently 6th choice CB when all are fit. Can't really expect too much from him. I think he will leave this summer and Khumalo? will replace him.
Well done Spooky, though it goes without saying that a few of us would like to see an entire column devoted to BAE hairstyles, before the next one about his actual playing etc.
FWIW I've never rated Corluka. Get rid.
Agree with most of this, Spooky. Next season we'll probably have the Walker and Caulker back as well as Khumalo, so we don't need any more young defenders. However with Woody and Bassong expected to leave if we are going to buy a centre half they need to be experienced and proven at premiership level (and can play every week). Don't think we will be able to get Cahill especially if we spend all our money on strikers (yes please).
Regarding goalkeepers
Gomes. Despite his problems it would be hard to get a keeper with more ability, could be an option to go for a keeper who's less spectacular but more steady. Think we should give him one more season. If we did sell him, maybe we could get Foster, should be affordable...
Glad Cudicinis signed for another year, he's an able replacement and can't think of a better keeper that would be willing to spend so long on the bench. Not sure we really need Pletikosa, he's quite experienced so probably on quite a big wage, wouldn't it be better to have a young keeper as third choice? Don't think Alnwick is going to make it...
still feel Carlo is worth a mention even if the 25 stat was misappropriated from elsewhere. When he has played for us its been at crucial times and he's done well. As reserve keepers go I don't think we could ask for better - solid when asked, good enough to keep the first choice competitive, doesnt bitch and whine in the background about not playing, downside? dunno, love of motorbikes count against him?
Gomes
Felt like it took half a season to sort out our defence out due to injuries, so probably affected him. No coincidence that he was awesome the season before when King played more regularly.
Gallas
Just what Arselona needed last season.
Dawson
Needs to learn when to launch the diagonal ball (i.e. when it's on), so that side of his distribution is a bit shabby IMO.
Corluka
Need to keep him for Modders sake.
Ekotto
What a quality player and character.
Hutton
Is a right midfielder at best.
Kaboul
Vitally important squad member in terms of quality and versatility
Bassong
Not needed.
King
Worth keeping even if he plays one game and it's a win at Anfield.
Woodgate
One crocked ageing defender is more than enough unfortunately.