Not so Bravehearts hanged, drawn and quartered
Friday, August 19, 2011 at 1:03PM Hearts 0 Spurs 5
Spurs break Hearts. Tottenham on the fringe in Edinburgh. Freedom of the park that even William Wallace would be proud of, or not so proud. Okay, so that last one is hardly slick. Talking of which, just how slick was the Spurs last night?
Hands up if you somehow got sold on the idea that we were going to find it tough and that Hearts would stick it to us with some hefty tackling and bruising shoulder barging only to find them attempting to play football without the physicality? Not quite, hey? They more or less allowed us to run the show from the off, supremely confident in possession and in movement with some rather delightful (oh yes) passing and vision.
Wasn't just a hot knife melting butter. This was an ice cream in hell. For them. For us, feet up on the sofa (for the many that didn't travel) and almost embarrassed for the home side when applauding every time we scored.
Gulf in class, obvious. Even if I was one of the people who was sold on that idea of a 'tough' 90 minutes. What with Livermore the only apparent natural centre-midielder. He played well, very well, along with Niko in the centre doing a little bit of that dictating stuff that other 'injured' Croatian does so well for us.
Defoe looked sharp. Sexy sharp. Rafa once more leading the team forward along with Lennon and Bale doing their thing down the flanks. I can't fault any of the performances to be honest. Very encouraging to see both Livermore and Lewis Hamilton play a part, the latter with a great driving ball out to JD who crossed in for Lennon for a rather smart counting attacking move ending with yet another goal.
Everyone had a solid game. Huddlestone also making an appearance and no shock with the ball to Bale resulting with a goal. It's what he does so well. Hearts gave us a scare early in the 2nd half with some sustained pressure before that Bale goal ended any ridiculous dreams of a comeback or a more realistic ambition for a consolation.
It was a good work out and more importantly, its great to see us be so professional and swaggeristic. We got on with the job, killed the tie played some wonderful football. No need to get carried away with it. But no harm in basking in some of the unity out there. Obviously, better teams will ask far more sterner questions. But we can worry about that at Old Trafford on Monday.
For now, good work. Well done Harry, with half a midfield.
Be sure to check Episode #4 of The Fighting Cock below. Slight Bermuda triangle of an issue with the original article meant it didn't make it's appearance on some news feeds when it should have and got lost in the abyss of transfer gossip.
Robbie Keane and The Tottenham Whisper
Welcome to episode 4 of the The Fighting Cock podcast recorded on Wednesday 17th August from Ricky's living room.
We chat Everton postponement and the build up to Hearts in Europe (build the side around Livermore!). We also take a look back at Robbie Keane in Lilywhite (legend or tainted?) and attempt to decide if Gomes is worthy of his number one shirt. And emails too. There's also a controversial game of Killer (the Burkinshaw divide) and we're left scratching our heads asking: What is the Tottenham whisper? Don't forget to get in touch with your feedback and questions at thefightingcock@gmail.com.
Love the Shirt.
Reader Comments (18)
Spurs do not need to sign anyone to get to the QF/SF of the Europa because the opposition is not Premier League standard. Bit of luck and Spurs can win it with the current squad and would only need the full first XI for the last few games. Can't see the current squad doing better than another Europa qualification in the league though. So far in the transfer window it looks like our ambition stretches no further than that.
Great to watch, embarrassed for Hearts who started out like a pub side. Sterner tests to come will tell us more. Impressed by young Walker - suspect we'll see a lot more in what should be a breakthrough season.
Anyone read the article about OPTA stats on Modric? We get more points with him out of the side than in, and as we all know, the goalscoring record is pisspoor.
"Lewis Hamilton" LMFAO!
Some more of yesterday's quality at Old Trafford please.
nothing like giving the jocks a proper rogering lol
Was so embarrassed for them I hoped they would score from one of those corners early second half...if only for us to actually get a game out of them...Alas, it wasn't needed...we were professional as well as (fucking)sexy....Lennon's ball to JD was sublime.
Wish every team would be kind enough to allow us that much space, beautiful in possession, everyone looked bang up for it. OK, every game from here on in will be 10x tougher(hell, the pre-season games were harder), but if we play with that kind of confidence, we're a match for anyone.
I didn't like the way we took our foot off the gas and started showboating. We should have made it seven or eight.
The beautiful game at its best... movement was outstanding, composure on the ball was exceptional and our passing was sublime. A great work ethic and a strong team performance that will breed confidence going into Monday night.
Still not convinced by Gomes though...
Obviously Harry had nothing to do with last night's performance.
No, he was busy stirring it up against Spurs... great performance - welcome back - here's hoping it will last a long time.
The sheer elation etched on his face when the goals went in was a joy to behold.
It was like you could almost hear his thoughts: 'When IS that fucking bus getting ere?!...timetable's fucking useless, better off having a big fucking question mark instead!'.
His (real)spat with the 4th (or is it 7th now?)official was funny though.
On being told he 'couldn't sit there' replied with a 'f*cking c*nt' and a red face contorted with rage.
Ee's a geezer aint he?
Wanted to see how Lennon managed with Walker behind him as he tends to get lost with fullbacks that run to the corner flag pushing him inwards (Hutton, Johnson etc) but seemed ok.
Was impressed that VdV seems to be staying high up the pitch, there were times last season when he was playing behind both CM's and looking to pass, unfortunately the person who would supposed to be in the positions he was looking to pass to was him. Whether this is because he had Niko pushing further forward than Modric does or whether he decided that even the 15 minutes after half time didnt require him to be in the back four I don't know, but it's great to watch him link the midfield up when he's got his carefree mood on him
Walker will take some time in finding his groove with Azza.
Well, that was a much needed helping of yummy spurs goodness. Pretty, pretty football, that's why I endure all the drama and angst that is being Tottenham, pretty, flowing, on the ground, pass, pass, pass, pass, shoot, goal! lily white shirts celebrating football.
Yes, only Hearts, but it did my heart good to be reminded just how good it can be.
Fantastic performance, but seemed like a pre-season runout against a lower league opponent.
If United put us under pressure like Hearts did in the first 15 mins of the 2nd half, then we could be conceding a few.
Although the attacking was marvelous to watch, some of the defending of set-pieces was "heart in mouth".
Good to see us finally doing some stomping and burying a match within the first 25 minutes.
Fantastic stuff.
Exactly what I meant by professional. Mature and in control. And clinical.
*rubs eyes*
....sorry to rain of the parade... but Hearts have won 1 SPL game in the last 12.... Let's not get carried away... Man U will be the barometer.
Thought some of you might like to hear what the hearts had to say about it: http://www.jambos.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4747