Benny, the weight of the world is on your shoulders son
Friday, September 9, 2011 at 12:21PM It's been, what, a week since I last blogged? Hardly a sabbatical but still, sorry about the Lord Lucan. Blame International Break. Not forgetting the fact that transfer deadline day left me emotionally drained. I've struggled ever since to regain any form with keyboard and fingers. But is that the smell of a Premier League game making my nostril hair dance a merry jig?
We're back baby.
So, hands up if this season still doesn't feel like it's kicked off proper for us? Hopefully I won't be asking that question come the first week of October. But it still feels like we've somehow been cheated out of watching Spurs. Our Spurs. The crowing cockerel. The fighting cock. All we've had is the limp chicken with hardly a cluck to write home about.
I guess we now enter that point in the season (LOL - 3 games in, ridiculous) where there is nothing anchoring us back. No excuses primed and ready to be spat out. And why is that? Deadline day, done and dusted. New players for key areas willing and able to wear the Lilywhite. There is surely no reason to blame lack of minutes and only a passable nod at injuries.
Parker will bring that work ethic, that much need industry and perhaps even that missing quality of leadership we seem to crave for. Adebayor has that ilk of arrogance to lash the ball in from all angles. He can move about a bit. In and around the box, meaning he is not someone to be used as a target but someone who can actually play football on the turf. That isn't a dig at Crouch by the way. Crouch is Crouch, it's not his fault he's limited. But even at his limited level he still produced for us, on occasions. The reality is, much like Darren Bent can do a job for a team that sets itself up to support his strengths. It was time for us to admit that Crouch simply doesn't fit into the Tottenham template (that and Levy needed to cut the wage bill).
I'll attempt not to go on a tangent here, but the fact Harry Redknapp probably wanted to retain Peters services suggest that he would have persevered with a formation that was/is fundamentally flawed. For the time being at least, he can embrace back to basics and start with a 442. Defoe, I would hope, will be galvanised by playing along side Bad Ade. Same with our flankers. Will be staggered if Harry has not taken both Bale and Lennon aside and instructed them that standing isolated and apologetic on the wings waiting for a ball is hardly showing signs of hunger and desire. Cut in or cross it. We have a player up front now that will slide all over the place to make a point and allow us to earn some.
It's time for the team, collectively, to stand up and get a grip of the situation. We have class in abundance. We'd like to see that again please. Starting at Wolverhampton.
Going back to the 442, Rafa out is the reason we'll be blessed with this more traditional set-up. I don't feel the need to bury myself in the depths of discussion on this, but dance around it for a moment. Some people (that's some of you lot) should consider it isn't van der Vaart that is the issue in terms of having to accommodate him in the team and thus causing strategic issues. World class players, you don't accommodate them. You bloody well play them and you make sure they give the side that air of authority that's required and expected. Perhaps when he's back it will be easier to play Ade up top on his own, but not so much on his own with Rafa playing just behind him. Such a partnership will probably hold up more than the good olde ball in the air knock down to feet tactic that worked in pockets for the Dutchman and Crouch.
Only concerns around Rafa remain fitness (looks to have improved) and not being rushed back from injury (six weeks out is now apparently only two).
Back that Prem game. We've struggled at clubs like Wolves in recent seasons. Professionalism please Tottenham. Three points will be all the evidence I need that we have regained some self-belief. Two or three one in our favour too cheeky to ask for?
Back to the international break...
Parker looked good for England. England, relatively average in both games. There was a point in time that I actually got a buzz out of International games on the same level as I do with Spurs. It's been a decade I reckon since I could last state that as fact. Now I watch and hope we don't lose players to knocks. There is something overwhelmingly unexciting about it all. Guess that will change once Harry takes over. You'll wake up in the morning and he'll be sat next to you in bed giving you an update on training and how he plans to sign a couple of solid African players to bolster up the Three Lions midfield.
Should also mention Sandro. He's signed a new 5 year contract (having spoken up about a potential future move to Italy and cited Roma and they're alleged summer time interest). Cue several jokes about gentleman's agreements and the fallacy of loyalty. Not that we needed it, but we obviously did...the Luka Modric was a wake up call. Contracts now exist as a means of insurance for the club to be able to sell at a high valuation price. Although some might suggest the club has a habit of rewarding players with new contracts based on performance (but that still doesn't mean its not to safe guard our investment).
I like Sandro. Has that BAE look about him in terms of becoming a hero. The worry is, if he turns into the beast of a player he's expected too, then his head will also turn if we fail to match his individual expectations. Alas - modern football bites back again. Players practically deemed more important than the club, as its the club that has to appease the individuals ambitions. Rather than the other way round. I'll leave you with this email from Tricky (regular reader and guest blogger) that inspired the whole hero aspect of this concluding rant, just to depress you that little bit more in preparation for the weekend:
Given the transient nature of footballers today, and the way footballers have become, perceivably, individually more important than the clubs they play for. Are there any more heroes in the game? A quick stat for you to throw into the mix as a comparison:
Ricky Villa - Appearances/goals: 124/18 (LG), 21/3 (FAC), 15/3 (LG CUP), 8/1 (EUR) Total 168 / 25
Jermaine Jenas - Appearances/goals: 155/21 (LG), 10/2 (FAC), 13/2 (LG CUP), 23/1 (EUR) Total 201/26
Comparable stats (frightening really) however, anyone arguing that Jenas has been a spurs Hero is clearly not, as the sight of JJ warming the touchline to my memory never made the crowd at WHL stand up in unison and sing his name.
Benny, the weight of the world is on your shoulders son. No pressure.
COYS.
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I did manage to sneak in a little interview over at Backpage Football during my lost week of blogs regarding our up and coming Europa League clashes with Shamrock Rovers, so take a look when you've got a second.
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THE FIGHTING COCK PODCAST - EPISODE SEEEEEEEEEVEN
It's Episode Seven. No Spooky this week, Thelonious Filth deputises, gentle applause please. Part I kicks off with a colourful round-up of what the Fighting Cock team have been up to. It's massively off-topic, so deal with it. We've got tall tales and blatant cheek from engineer Al, the defending of the C-word and a transfer deadline review. We also ask; What does Rafa van der Vaart do exactly? Part II sees a surprising head to head finale in a game of killer. We've got feedback, including an email that asks the poignant question: At what point does glory and success meet? And there's a NextGen report (via WindyCOYS). If that isn't enough, TehTrunk provides comedy voices aplenty. We end with a Twitter re-tweet mission update (come on Tommy, you've been warned). Also THANK YOU to Case. Listen in.
Love the shirt.
Reader Comments (32)
Still believe in JJ , but if he fails to show decent level at the new club i might have to leave my only JJ fan left stance ...
http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/team-news-090911.html
King and Rafa in contention.
Whoooosh!
This game is a watershed moment for me. Lots of questions to be answered.
1) Is Modric's head sorted out?
2) What sort of performance will we get from Ade?
3) Is Scott Parker The Answer?
4) Now the window hath closeth, can we airbrush the first two games from history and look something like we know we can be?
5) Or is there a deeper malaise creeping in, what with HR gone next year and Modric coasting along till January....
I can't call it. It could be great, it could be awful. Which means it'll probably be mediocre.
A great read as also chaps. 3 points on Saturday please and a couple from Ade would be nice.
YIDS
I purposely did not mention Luka in the article. Sick of it now.
On the pitch, that's all that will matter come the weekend.
Optimism. Cool - I needed this.
Agree Spooky, over the Modric saga now. So moving on wouldn't it be Lurverly to see Ledley start??? Fingers crossed.
Really funny podcast this week - did a couple of lol's on the central line this morning (even tho you weren't in it!)
I think we are going to be screwed in the league without Adebayor. But when available, if we use him properly, I expect he will do great for us. Personally I prefer if we start him solo tomorrow with Hudd/Modric/Parker in the middle and fancy us to win if we do.
Of course some things can go wrong aside from whether Adebayor starts.
For example we don't know what the impact of the Modric saga, reality of being in the EL, falling behind competitors etc will do to the squad ie the psychology aspect. Because winners are a strange breed, they can scale Everest but sulk when faced with a small hill.
Also all of Ade's potential strike partners have had just a handful of good games between them in 2011. Maybe one can hitch a ride on his coat tails this season but if he has to drag them about like a ball and chain it might limit him somewhat :)
Anyway this line up to win 2-0 would be my bet:
Freddy
Charly Dawsy Kingy Benny
Lenny Scotty Huddy Luky Baley
Ady
MissC - You almost forget about Ledders until he's suddenly back in the starting line-up only to tease us with cameo then disappear again for months.
We do need some calmness at the back. He'll bring it.
Thanks, we have plenty of fun recording.
Fightingcock website in production. Looking very neat and tidy. Stay tuned.
If people are once more having issues with posting - it's known and its with support. It's a wide spread issue with squarespace hosted sites, and will hopefully be fixed soon (spam filter has gone a bit mental).
Nick? (re backpagefootball).... i had you down as an Ian.....
Nicks are way more trendy. Hollywood likes a Nick too.
wild at heart eh?
I know the Moddle saga has been done to death, but I just read this and can't quite believe it.
Asked whether Modric was now happy at Spurs, Redknapp said: "I'd always been brought up with the belief that if people didn't want to play for your club, you move them on and bring in someone who does want to play for you and I was of that opinion in the end.
"I thought that if Luka didn't want to be here, we should take the £40million and all move on but I love him as a player. He is fantastic and now it is all done, I'm delighted he is still here."
Someone shut him up.
It's a ridiculous statement/quote.
Harry is a dead man walking no matter what he does this season. It benefits him only to do well for us in order to avoid any bad brand publicity for his ego.
''You'll wake up in the morning and he'll be sat next to you in bed giving you an update on training and how he plans to sign a couple of solid African players to bolster up the Three Lions midfield.''
Classic.
Redknapp doesn't deserve to be the Manager any longer. Someone should sack him.
555 where was that interview?
I have had quite a few conversations on twitter with various people about Harry some people pro, most now anti and this is exactly why.
What is wrong with him? Started the summer saying sell him, you're a small club. Now Harry has shown his own small club mentality yet again - by saying we should have sold him.
The sooner he goes the better. I hate being negative about spurs but he just angers me now.
Time to stop reading now I think and just let the season unfold.
All the blogs are just anti-Harry diatribes and Levy seems to be on a power trip of his own.
Predictions for the season depend upon what is happening behind the scenes at the club. If what the ITK's on here keep saying is true then Levy is just waiting for either the Court case result or a further run of bad results to ditch Harry.
If by some miracle Harry isn't convicted and we finish top 4, Harry will still have the distinction of being the worst manager we have ever had as judged by the blogosphere supporters.
When, more than if, Levy sacks him I wouldn't be surprised to see Tim Sherwood promoted for the rest of the season, which given what he seems to be achieving with the junior sides may not be a bad thing.
Hopefully the above scenario of Harry as our worst ever manager will prevail.
We've gone from being (apparently) a happy ship to a disillusioned bunch since two daftly incompetent challenges in Madrid by the beanpole (deceased) ...... we are on a run that, if it continues, is relegation stuff. I know that with our squad that really isn't on, but Harry seems to compound all this negativity by using press conferences in order to conduct a semi-public, backhanded vendetta against Levy. I really can only presume that this situation between manager and chairman is an endgame, and the only way out of it is a sacking, a prosecution or a very large gagging order (doubt THAT would work). We do badly need a few wins, and a manager who is getting his head down and working to build the team ethic again.
My wish is for two thunderbolts by the midget like last year at Molineux, allied to a King-led shut out. We need this badly, so COYS!!!
King starts.
strikers....scoring goals...room spinning...feel faint...where are my salts?
That's a very welcome change. Well done, Ade! And nicely done by defoe.
Adebayor?? Parker?? Who needs em! Harry Out!!
Two pts or three for a win? I forget.
Didn't see the game :( over the Internet, but read quite a few game reports including posted players' ratings. Finally, I had a chance to see the game highlights
(link: http://eurorivals.net/wolves:tottenham-highlights-goals-video_20110910.html).
I am a bit (understatement!) confused seeing folks who apparently saw the game rated Nico as pretty much "waste of space" or "totally useless" by giving him the lowest rating.
As I said, I saw only the highlights, but
first: Nico was at the right time at the right place but his shot was cleared off the line
second: he provided perfectly weighted pass to Parker in buildup for the first goal
third: he had the assist at second goal, made so coolly that it seems Sandra could easily make it
It is puzzling to me that someone with THAT much contribution, even if this is the only things he did, is rubbished by many Spurs' fans. WTF they want from him? How long it will take for those stupid knuckleheads to figure out that Nico is NOT your fucking runner like Bale and will never be, or a tackler like Sandro, but has (ok, arguably) the best technique and eye for an useful pass or assist in Spurs team?
I don't live in Tottenham nor do I have any close affiliation to Tottenham locality. I am a Tottenham fan because of the team's spirited and technically polished play. If I ever fancied football field plowing teams like the one we just nailed, I’d be supporting those Stokes, Birminghams....
@beetleblues Agree its crazy. Away win, 2 goals from our front 2, clean sheet, Modric and Parker running the show in midfield, JD letting loose a few times - due a 25 yarder for sure soon, and still people complain.
That move that led to Niko's effort being cleared off the line was sheer class.
Bale and Niko contributed, just hoping that Harry keeps the faith for Sunday and lets these players gel a bit more time on the pitch together. Looking forward to Carragher struggling against Big Ade.
I would say Niko needs a bit more match fitness, but considering his lack of game time him and Gio will both find themselves needing matches to regain full sharpness over 90mins.
Beetle, most of these ratings are just plain wrong because of the manner in which the person is attempting to analyse the game, usually out of context with everything else going on around said player (i.e. selection, teammates, tempo of game etc).
I'll keep the rest of my bitching for when I blog later tonight.
looking forward to it, spooky :)
A 2-0 win away is always good add in the fact of 9 players out injured and 2 making debuts it gets better add in that we played some nice stuff and the new boys did great with just a few days training and it gets better still.
Then add in that King the magnificent played 90 minutes and Modric looked well up to standard despite the summer wrangles (and playing with another new partner) and that as expected we looked a different team with a proper (if lacking match fitness) striker on board and I think overwhelmingly most Spurs fans are very happy with the game.
Biggest fly in the ointment IMO is that I expect the goals will dry up again if Ade is injured.
In short not the finished article (if a football team ever is) but plenty of room for optimism.
Plus we won 2-0 as I predicted !!
Diaz - I don't recall but I was careful it was from a reputable site rather one of the keen amateurs on Newsnow. I suspect ESPN but I've seen it quoted elsewhere also.
I note now that Gomes is packing his case for a January exit according to Harry, yet again doing a bang-up job in promoting a sense of unity.
Is it just me or are there also other fans that feel a lot more confident with Friedel in Goal , i wasnt sure about him as a new signing but he has done great so far.
I also liked what i saw from Parker but especially Ade , good movement , clever finish and apparantly 40 out of 45 passes completed.
And a win with our two strikers scoring , not used to that at all
I think the 2-0 at Wolves was as good as we could expect.
Our confidence would have been fragile.
Our team weakened by some significant absentees. Players out of positions.
Wolves riding high and unbeaten.
It would have been about not giving too much away and trying to make our quality count and that is exactly what we did. Brad made 1 decent save and there was 1 dangerous freekick to the back post. Other than that we looked fairly solid defensively.
We kept possession well if not always using it well but we were well organised and patient and resisted the temptation to hoof it often to Ade.
When you look at how City & Utd are playing we hardly compare but there is an awful lot more to come from Spurs as the likes of Gallas, Sandro, Huddlestone, Lennon, VDV get back from injury, the new players settle in more and Modric and Bale get in to some form
Some good signs from the weekend . An excellent 3 pts when I would have been happy with 1 and already more points from the same fixtures last season. We need to build momentum and nothing less than 6 pts vs LFC(h) and Wigan(a) will do before hosting the scum!