Three points. Clean sheet. Mid-table. Come on you Spurs.
Monday, September 12, 2011 at 1:21PM Wolves 0 Spurs 2
Okay, so this was hardly vintage. You scratched your head when Bale started on the right then knowingly screamed out at Redknapp when he was swapped back into his traditional left-sided position allowing for more balance and (not so) coincidently a far better second half team performance, which included two solid debuts from new boys Parker and Adebayor.
Seems in the wake of a victory some of us are still not that content about proceedings. I can’t really fathom why anyone would even contemplate complaint and mark down player’s performances. It’s obvious we are in need for rediscovery. The groove and confidence of a side that’s bursting with pomp and perfection is still lost out in the wild, but the search party is not that far off. Got to dig deep to find it rather than waste time looking for it at the end of a rainbow. Hard graft and no misconceptions or fantasy.
Look, put it this way, if this was the opening game of the season and we played like that and won 2-0 at Wolves, we’d all be ‘ooh, we got the job done’. But it wasn’t the first game, it was the third, and the opening two were in some ways devastating (when you look at the score line on paper). They were not anomalies, but rather harsh reminders that our form (went missing back end of last season) is still AWOL. Shovels at the ready. Time to find that treasure otherwise it’s a shallow grave for our own funeral.
The point I’m making (placing aside the messy metaphor) is that both the Manc defeats looked and therefore felt a lot worse than they actually were. United punished us for being limp and City ruined us for being defensively lapse. This isn’t just about a lack of midfield in the opening two games and injuries and the apparent inability to muster up fire in the belly from manager and players alike. It’s obvious we need a reboot and one or two players need to wake up from their slumber. We need focus too but more importantly, we needed to win and claim our first points for the season. Which we did.
Winning 2-0 away at Wolves? Both result AND performance was above the level of basic acceptance. It was warranted and deserved. First half was well below par. The unbalance of Bale on the right-wing (let’s be done with this please) and our general manner in defending and bringing the ball forward – it felt wrong, it lacked a meaningful cohesive pattern.
Perhaps the fact that its new blood in with misfiring players and emergency selections? Sounds like too much of an excuse that.
This meant that players like Modric, Bale and Kranjcar struggled to find fluidity in the middle which is why people are pointing at the likes of Luka and saying the word ‘ineffectual’. Yes, but no. If you’re not set up accordingly, it’s not going to be easy marking the game with your presence. So perhaps there is an excuse hidden behind all the shrugs.
In addition, the wantaway Croatian has plenty of work in front of him and his own personal journey of self-discovery to get a grip of himself and reclaim the type of industry and spark we all know he is more than capable of achieving. It will come in time. He's got no choice.
Defensively, we were sound with Ledley King back in there (you almost forget he’s still knocking around The Lodge). Parker gave us that workman like dimension we have craved for – so even though we spent the best part of an hour struggling for that fluidity, he made sure we ticked in a game that lacked that creative edge. He broke up play and got into forward positions. Bit of get up and go about him, just a subtle hint towards leadership.
When Bale swapped back to left-wing and the game opened up in our favour, we started to own possession. Midfield worked better and from defence to attack to defending, we looked and worked like a unit, rather than the fragmented and frustrating opening 45 mins we endured.
Adebayor proving what a quality forward can bring to a side. Although I refuse to believe the Bale flank swap was tactical astuteness (it was a mistake put right) I do think we won because we simply had more quality and the longer the game went on the more evident this was. Wolves had very little to offer in return. So again, I can't be dishing out pats on back for astute tactical stuff. We'll need the clever stuff against better opposition (and redeem the mistakes of the first two games played).
Ade gave us that missing cutting edge. He’s robust, strong and can work the turf intelligently. Cool calm finish for the 1-0. Defoe equally clinical for the second. Props to Niko, even if he isn’t too comfortable in the side (positionally not always prominent) he stuck in a good shift and assisted for a goal. Parker had a superb debut. Also assisted, worth ethic etc etc. An on-form Parker with an on-form on-it Modric – that would be something to see. Although equally, so would Sandro + Modric. We’ll be spoilt for choice once our wounded ‘nine’ are back.
Big Bad Ade teamed up well with all concerned, giving players options and galvanising JD (I did predict this). He looks the player we needed to sign. I'm sure he'll be elevated against the scum when we play them. Nothing to prove he says, but I'm guessing he might have a slide or two in store.
Bale has to get his head down and just do the simple things again. We keep saying this, we keep waiting for it. Gaffer - earn your wage.
Was impressed by King, not because he played particularly brilliant. He was more than decent, but any player that starts in Lilywhite that has not trained, got one knee and yet still command a presence of supreme authority and inspiration – credit to him. Players around him, other defenders, they seem to anchor into Ledley and not lose their head as they would commonly do when he's not in the team. We do need to grow up a little here as we can’t rely on the great man to always play. We don’t know how long left we have him for. At some point, the club and the player will need to make a decision. For the good of both the club and the player.
Also, applause for Freidel and his saves. Looks like I got my pre-season prediction here wrong. Saw Brad walking out of my local Tescos on Sunday. Nice tracksuit. Gomes appears to have disappeared. More soundbiting from Redknapp today about the player not being happy/potentially moving. Shame.
Next two games in the league (at home), Liverpool then Arsenal – these will be defining (as early as this season still is). If we win both, watch how the media’s perception will change. Witness the growth in belief and desire from our fragile-minded players morphing back into monsters. And see the positive knee-jerk from fans online and in the stands.
This is Tottenham. Nothing ever changes. But for now...
Three games. Three points.
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Reader Comments (26)
excellent synopsis , meanwhile harry out
Agree with pretty much all you've said Spooks. A thoroughly professional job when all said and done.
Thought Modric improved and 2nd half was much better than anything else we've seen from him this season (not hard) - the problem he has is that anytime things aren't going great he will be a scapegoat and saw some comments on twitter at HT on similar lines singling him out. He's brought some of it on himself I suppose, but I was definitely encouraged by his general demeanour and performance 2nd half!
Also - think we should go as strong as possible on Thursday (won't happen I know that) but some momentum to be gained here with a win Thursday and then beating Liverpool on Sunday. I'm not saying play King (obv), BAE, Modric, Bale etc but some 1st teamers (Krank, Ade - needs games, Kaboul etc) as I don't think a "shadow" side going to Greece and getting whooped benefits anyone - club, players (youth and 1st team), supporters or manager!
Three points - three games (TM)
Has a much better ring to it.
Very happy with the result and the debuts.
It's so much better to have an arrogant striker than a timid one!
Surely much better to have strikers who score than one who doesn't.
Let's just see what the next three games brings us, scallies at home, Wigan Away and first NLD. Tough games (well the last one is perhaps easiest on paper) and would take points over performance currently.
I think it was wrong for us not to keep Woodgate. Maybe with careful management he and King could have covered one of the CB positions for the whole season. However Caulker looked good against Arsenal so maybe the future is not that bad. In all a decent performance for the last 20 minutes but before that we looked a team lacking in confidence with too many missed passes and being caught in possession.
I wish Spurs had got West Brom's Odemwingie in the transfer window. He had a blinder in the first half against Norwich. His movement and pace were exceptional and he could have had a couple. He tired in the scond half as it was his first game this year but he looks really good. I would rather see us chase him than some European hotshot who really does not want to play for Spurs.
Good result and Blup is onto something with the arrogance , unfortunately being a major prick seems to be a quality for top footballers.
As said on another topic , i was impressed by Parker and was wrong to have doubts about him (based on one game its early to say stuff like that i know). Only hope Sandro gets time in when he is back.
Ade , good movement even if he looked a bit rusty , very cool finishing and he is not afraid to participate , really wants the ball.
David , valid point ,lots of us were screaming for Odemwingie in the summer.
Saw him play long ago when he started his pro career in Belgium and it was clear there was a good player in there , still surprises me to see how good he actually became.
Excellent write up Spooks...
great summary, spooky
I am no longer concerned with two earlier defeats and the impact they would have on this season, because we were the unsettled team at the time. It would be much worst if at that time we got hammered by two teams of lesser quality that the Manc duo, who is capable of beating us even when we are at our best.
I see some positives at the decision to start Bale as right winger, because teams were all summer long plotting tactics how to play against Bale on the left. Switching him from one side to another in a single game adds to opponents confusion on which we could possibly capitalize. It is blessing to have players capable to confidently play more that one position.
I’m glad we got Parker, because we didn’t have an option for the fragile VdV. Even though Parker is also prone to injuries, I hope that one of them will always be healthy.
Ade adds new dimension to the team. I expect that he would revitalize and elevate Defoe’s game, and make possible for us to sometimes play one up front quite effectively.
Sadly, I haven’t had a chance to see the game (except a postgame highlight) because on the Internet there was no link available. But from the tiny bits that I saw there was nothing but mouth watering stuff. Can’t wait for Thursday’s game, much less for Sunday’s downing of the Pool. Am I optimist? Damn right I am. As a matter of fact, didn’t feel more optimistic in a long time.
Press has constantly been on about will Spurs fans take to Ade coz he used to be a gooner and we used to sing a nasty song about him. Was it ever in doubt that we'd love him? he's a top forward who has been there done it and is only 27 and gooners hated him after he left the Library! great signing. Parker - the guy who keeps his head down and leads by example, could be buy of the year for 5m if he stays fit. Very excited to see how the team grows in the next few games. more enthusiastic than harry was on deadline day. Ancelotti next season.
PS my west ham mate said bentley came on for 10 mins on Sat and was rubbish!
I suppose 0-2 is a decent result, but jesus wept Wolves aren't Real Madrid.
We weren't all that great and 0-2 probably flattered us if we're being honest.
Lets judge our season after the next 3 games, should be a better barometer of where we really are.
Question - how many of our lot are going to be exposed by C4 tonight on Dispatches???
I know this is a stupid question but when Bale was moved back to left in the second half who was moved to the right? Was it Modders? With all the stream stoppages I did not notice.
I think it is a good idea to try Bale in different positions especially when injuries force our hand. It improves him as a player adding another string to his bow and gives the squad more options. Also given the strikers goal tally last season trying to work out a way for Bale to get in on goal and score more often is a valid aim. Thought he did ok there too on Saturday but a little difficult to be clearer than that given the debuts/injuries. Only thing concerned me a little about the right side was some of Walker's play but as he is young and has hardly played for us it is understandable/fixable. I will be pleased when Corluka/Lennon can pair up again on the right though.
About Adebayor what I saw on Saturday just reinforced what I thought before. Never been more certain that a buy is the correct one and vital to the team. If he can play enough and we can make him even half of the chances we made the strikers last season he is a good bet for 20+ goals and a lot more if we risk him in the cups/EL.
A few comments. He understandably did not look match sharp suggesting there is plenty more to come once the impact of the lack of games and a pre season with us recedes. Second we seemed to play with Defoe more central and Ade deeper and wider more than I expected. Some valid reasons for that I can think of - fitness, to take some pressure off, to try to get Defoe scoring again, also it is probably what we will try first when Ade don't play (with VDV coming in to play the link role and lot less hold up play of course).
However something I am really looking forward to though is in a few games when Lennon is back so both flanks have speedy wingers crossing and Ade is fully fit and thundering through the centre heading cross after cross goalwards. That really will be a sight to see. The first day that clicks I wont be surprised if we break some records.
Wicks, it was Kranky that was moved to the right wing. From that position he made the assist for Defoe's goal.
i seem to be in a chips pissing on mood at the moment- is ade off to the african nations cup next year (along with BAE, Pienaar, Bassong etc?)..... we could end up with Pav n Defoe for some very important games.....
ok ok i'll STFU and check out stuff before posting next time.... sighs of relief breathed in foxytowers with this having been read....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Africa_Cup_of_Nations_qualification
looks like Pienaar will go though - shame that .....
everyone spent all pre season moaning and crying for a striker and then moaning relentlessly about our lack of players brought in!
in this game you saw the best driving midfielder in our team since sandro hurt his knee ligaments (back soon) and a world class striker, to finish off our already brilliantly creative team.
...and how long did it take defoe to find the net with a decent presence alongside him? ive always been a lover of defoe for us, you would find it hard to replace him and read huge amounts of people posting on these sites they want him out for 1 bad season! doubt your admit that soon after hes netted a few more alongside adybyor though! (well have to dig up some old threads and check you ip address to get the culprits) lol.
stop being so critical everyone, your hang yourselves soon if your waiting for us to spend the amount city and chelski are! we are who we are! we are sometimes brilliant, we are sometimes poor, we are tottenham, be happy, we might might even have a surprise this season, lets enjoy it!! get behind the team, we have more players in our team who really want to play for us then most in the world, so dont focus on the negative 1 person all the time! who knows he might be happy if we start winning. im excited after our first win! i hate being a spurs fan sometimes ok, but 99% of the time... I FUCKING LOVE IT!
The disastrous two first results were due probably to the absent of Parker and Ade.
Those two players made the difference.
As I've insisted repeatedly in this site during last season, Spurs were 3-4 proper players away of competing seriously for a top four place:
a striker able to score goals (like Ade),
a midfielder with a leader's character and a fighting spirit able to produce also a number of assists in each game (like Parker),
a dominant, commanding, quick-footed and able to read the game CH (like King) and
a stable keeper.
As we've seen the team in full strength and with the addition of Ade, Parker and Friedel can compete for a place in top four.
Its chances would increase significantly if the club buys in the January transfer period another proper striker and a proper CH given that King and Gallas are prone to injuries.
Last night, as I was watching the Palermo-Inter game, I was impressed by Silvestre, the Argentinian CH of Palermo.
He is a 27 years old, quick-paced, dominant inside the box, commanding and able to move the ball forward CH.
A really modern CB.
He would be an improvement for Spurs squad and he doesn't cost a fortune.
Talking about Thursday I think a draw would be also a good result, given that our squad wont be in full strength and probably we'll use some inexperienced players, against a very solid, experienced in Europe and difficult to beat Greek side.
I initially agreed with the other comments in regards to experimenting with bale on the right. It would increase the player's and team's versatility and that's a good long term goal but what's the point? We will lose more production than we gain playing bale out of position on the right. That is why I disagree with the underlying philosophy Harry used. Id rather we play to our strengths and address our current weakness with a stopgap. We know bale can be highly productive on the left and somewhere between mediocre and average on the right against premier league opposition. We also know that niko is far less productive than bale on the left and we found out he is probably somewhere in the same range of effectiveness as Bale on the right (maybe an assist suggests more so). Additionally, the team is more effective overall with bale on the left than anywhere else. In a game where we NEEDED to win, harry should have just accepted that we would be mediocre on the right and focused on maximizing bale's potential on the left. Why weaken an additional position just because another is weak? It doesn't fix the problem. I can understand harry's temptation in playing bale on the right due to his potential. Perhaps it may have been worth the risk but when results matter, i'd prefer to play to our known strengths. It's probably not as straightforward as that but that's just my opinion. I have no problem admitting Harry knows more about football than i ever will in two lives. He played played what he thought would work best. That should count for something but it just didn't work this time. Even if it had worked, i dont think it changes my opinion on the matter although I probably would have just kept it to myself. Ahh, the beauty of hindsight.
1 game, 3 points... in september. It's odd we didn't play in august, oh well. COYS!
Bale on the right doesn't seem to work as well as Lennon on the left. Lennon is much better at cutting in and across the top of the box. We drew with Newcastle this way last year right near the end. Bale just can't cut across the way Lennon can and when he tries to push the ball forward on the right he can't use his left side without showing too much of the ball, so he seems a lot slower moving forward. And let's face it, Bale's asset is his driving speed and crossing ability. Put him on the right and he loses both.
Other than that, two great goals, and a clean sheet. I am very happy.
Before we get too carried away with Adebyor, I actually think he works as a loan signing but not a permanent player. It is in his interest to score lots, in order to manipulate a move to a high profile club who can afford his ridiculous wage demands.
Without that sort of motivation, when he is settled and comfortable that he's going to start no matter what, history has shown that he has less fight in him. Same goes for a number of other strikers (Across many leagues) who have been prolific whilst on loan, and then as soon as the contract was signed they tailed off a little.
As for Bale on the right, it worked for Wales as he could cut in, and it does throw the opposition on the back foot if the right back and right mid has been working on 'doubling up' all week.
However, teams adjust too easily to changes in tactics and with Wales Bale didn't have to worry about team members keeping up with him and occupying the same space he was when he cut in.
Nice idea, start him on Right and then quickly switch to left, shows some imagination at least. But with two up front, I would much rather have him delivering passes into the box on the wing. Crazy notion isn't it!
Tricky,
I agree. I can't believe that Redknapp has at times played both Lennon and Bale on the wrong flanks at the same time. It fools no one. We all know Lennon can't cross for toffee on whatever side of the pitch he plays on (In fact is there a worse striker of a ball, barring the beanpole, naturally, in the league?), but to negate Bale's crossing ability whilst going full pelt on his favoured left side is idiotic.
It fools no one, it ain't clever, stop it!
Don't disagree Tricky. He'll have a good season for us, then he'll get his move to wherever and we'll spend £30M on a brand new forward when Jose takes over.