This is Tottenham
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 12:36PM Upcoming:
Liverpool.
Newcastle.
Arsenal.
Utd.
Followed by:
Everton.
Stoke.
Chelsea.
A magnificent seven games in what will be a defining seven weeks of football. This is not quite the run-in but it qualifies as the business end of the season (the business end being every game until we cement Champions League). We might have to dig deep, get lucky but the emphasis as ever has to be on retaining momentum. Suggestions the court case is affecting the teams focus. Opinion that we are so finely tuned that a key player missing here or there weakens us with far greater impact because of how much we rely on a very specific style of play. It’s a testing period, every game massive. Every point vital. If we trip and fall, I have no qualms about our ability to stand up, dust off and continue the march.
I’m buzzing. This pressure and at times anxiety is what football at the top is all about. There’s an edge to it because of what’s at stake. But I’m still managing to maintain some dignity and haven’t quite begun to feast on my nails. You know you’re doing something right when you go into every game echoing its importance.
Defeat isn’t something I’m entertaining in any of the above matches although the odds suggest it’s probable. But considering we’ve yet to truly disappoint in defeat this season (excluding the opening two games) I’m confident that the team can fight and perform well. It resonates, the belief. We’re going to need to be exceptional across the next four games and if we are then we might no longer feel the need to look behind (if you’re that way inclined - some prefer to still look upwards).
If you work out the points ratio to games and the fact that everybody is still prone to slipping up, we only have to continue our form (points accumulation) to retain our position. I’d rather not though. I’d rather play like we need to make up a ten point gap. I’d rather we continue to chase the impossible dream, if only to hold onto a standard that will practically guarantee a top three finish. Can’t settle with what we have, we need to always be better than our last game.
Forgetting all future fixtures, the only one that matters at the moment is Liverpool away. Two morale boosting wins against the two Manchester clubs (one over two legs) but their home form is still erratic. Traditionally a tough place to visit, much like last season when we travelled north and faced a resurgent home side to then return home with all three points. Mental strength in abundance these days and we’ll need it on Monday evening. They won’t have forgotten the spanking we dished out at the Lane. The indignity (for them) more so in the fact we could have scored double the goals we got had we not ease off and slowed the pace down to simply possession play. They’re going to want to put that right. As you would expect.
I’m not going to dwell on the past too much. It’s easy to remember their dominant cycle during the 70s and 80s and more recently their consistency in finishing top four and winning cup competitions. There’s no doubting their pedigree. But they’re in transition. They’re going to cite the past to aid in fuelling their motion forward to reclaim those past glories; it counts for very little until they’ve actually achieved it. Much like the position we’re in. For both clubs it’s wise to remember that football owes us nothing. Liverpool are still in transition. We’re several steps ahead of them. The onus is on us to prove that. Both clubs have to fulfil their immediate ambitions. For us, it’s finishing as high as possible in the league and to qualify for the CL. For them? Consistency to lay claim towards challenging for a top place finish again.
A win for us would be demoralising for a fair few clubs inside that top seven. It really is a strong position to be in. One we are still becoming accustomed to. Several steps ahead but still on that learning curve and still earning that experience. You look at how Utd came back against Chelsea. This being a Utd side that might lack the depth of quality of previous revisions but still retain that sense of all-consuming belief, that never-say-die attitude that only Champions can possesses. We’re in there, we continue to compete, contend. We’ve got to really want it and show that desire in games like this.
As for Liverpool, their style. I can never shake off the feeling that they are quite workman like, nothing overly fancy but still well drilled with a caveat to being susceptible to lethargic performances. Their form is much like the form of older Spurs teams. Bit all over the place. Dare I say they are similar to us when we began to rebuild (for the umpteenth time), trying hard to find a cohesive pattern. Things can change quickly, so it’s best we do our utmost to widen that gap further.
Do they have players that can hurt us? For sure. I still worry about defending set-pieces (that’s if Downing manages to get a cross in successfully). A certain returning player from a lengthy ban might be making a comeback appearance. So all eyes (and lip-reading) on him. Do we have players that can hurt them? Let me think about that one. Yeah, one or two. You do get the impression that Dalglish’s men will try to take us on, bring the game to us and attack. Which should suit us fine (hoping we’ve learnt lessons re: Stoke and Swansea away). An open game means if we keep it controlled and composed at the back then we’ll have plenty of opportunity to go forward with intent.
How do we win? We win by owning the midfield. Might be an idea to play Sandro and Parker, match their work rate ethic (which is far more one dimensional than ours) and get Modric on the ball as often as possible. Width key (as ever). Bale should do his best to stretch them to the left and only look to cut inside if the passage of play invites him to do so. Structure and discipline essential. I do hope for once Adebayor does more than bring others into play. Needs to start scoring again. Would be perfect timing if he rediscovered his touch in front of goal and went on a little run of games. Would accept arrogant, bullish displays of ruthlessness. Alternatively, Saha might have to do. Defoe (along with Lennon) not available (if you refer to official team news updates). That’s hardly been his trademark for a while. Would prance around like a character out of Glee if he was to rediscover that instinct one chance one goal state of mind. Hoping we are careful with where we give away free-kicks. They have players who can do damage by way of a dead ball.
As ever, Tottenham need to keep it Tottenham in terms of approach. We are hardly the most tactically astute side and that tends to benefit us when we go out and look to retain possession and attack/counter-attack. We play the Tottenham way, we swashbuckle but with a spine and strength that isn’t too dissimilar to Liverpool sides of yesteryear.
If we play like the second half at Eastlands or in fact if we match our almost destructive nature from the White Hart Lane 4-0, then when thinking of Anfield, you’ll most like to reply...'This is three points'. Couldn’t care less for comparisons of silverware and history. Very few clubs can come out looking better than Liverpool in terms of titles and cups. All I care about is the present and living in it. With any luck, enjoying it too.
COYS.
Love the shirt.
Reader Comments (83)
I know we all hate Ars, but I'm not joking, as a club that is universally hated, it's got to be Liverpool. Just look at the manager, then look at the team, they are all alike in every way. scum through and through.
This is Daglish after the game, what on earth are they on up there!!! Unbelievable!!
It's fantastic for us to get him back," Dalglish said.
"He should never have been out in the first place.
Pls see this uncropped image of scum and Parker. Look at the ball and look at scums eyes.
Daglish, this is what you and your team are, scum of the earth.
http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/luis-suarez-of-liverpool-challenges-scott-parker-of-news-photo/138353461
Wow. Very damning evidence, Hotspurs. 'arry could have used you on his legal team :)
Item no longer available (re: getty image).
Conspiracy.
alright folks, i did ratings from today's match at http://oursoccerblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/liverpool-vs-spurs-player-ratings-feb-6.html what do you think?
This is a Spurs team with steel in their backbone. Like the abortive game at Stoke when everything was against them they dug in and really fought for the point. This fighting ability is something they lacked in the past and together with the talent they now have they are a formidable team.
What a bunch of dirty cunts Pool are , they were better but i am very proud that we are not such a team. One of the reasons i would not like the Special one is his affinity for that part of the modern game , we are no wussies but at least we try to play football the 'decent' way.
A point gained and not two dropped IMO. Btw how farking good is Friedel , what a hero
Agree belgian spur. Their supporters are shockingly conceited and will only get worse when they get no CL action...again. Just watch them implode and turn on their own!
As for Friedel, over his career his performance has hovered between 7.5 and 9, regardless who he has played for. Remarkably consistent.
Well this was a great point with the team missing key players and our Harry stranded in Landon. The big problem worrying me is our strike force is not firing Defoe has hamstring trouble caused by is head being wrecked and rumours of him going to his boyhood club Liverpool rife in the transfer window. If this is true he wont want too help us beat is future club too top four. . The same could be levelled at two other players Modric with Pienaar the let down telling the papers Modric will be off in the summer and lastly a player who we have seen looked majestic Ady till Harry mentioned a wage cut and now at times he looks clumsy and void of goals . One more fact is we still don't no who has tapped him and are willing too pay him obscene amounts of money another reason for his stuttering form could it be Chelsea or a stay at City we wont no because Modric or Ady have not signed a contract. This happened last season and Modrics form and Van der Vaart all dipped and we finished 5th Modric had been tapped by the Oil stealer boss . To beat this we need to start playing with two strikers who are fit Defoe was in great form then Van came back from is Hammy rest and his head started getting slowly wrecked till he snapped and went too press about his lack of starts he has not played since the Watford game. We attack more score more when we have two strikers to aim for this is not my theory but a fact i have studied in last seasons and this season in our great magazines and another fact when Hudds plays we create more chances. Last night Ady looked isolated because Modric played too deep because Spearing and Adams Family followed him all over the pitch and snapped at him like two pit bulls.. When Saha came on Ady who was very pally with Bellamy looked across for his number too come up not a very good sine i wanted too see them both play and Spurs to match Liverpools subs. What this is doing too our attack is this if the midfield dont score we will get more 0-0 or god forbid get beat 451 or 4411 wont work if you play against eneregized midfields and Necastle our next opponents are another so please Harry without Lennon and and Van 442 should be our prefered system . Next up Newcastle who have two strikers we need to mark at the moment we have none just Bale and Lennon and the odd thunders shot like Walker Benny Modric. Well done lads i for one no how hard it was living twelve miles from the capital of work rate . Just look at Gutteridge ( ex Liverpool ) team next up they can lose many players and there work rate never alters and they still win there two strikers could not hit a barn door in the African Nations games yet they both scored in the harder Premiership incredible. We have a very good squad but struggle when we are missing our top players Newcastle Sunderland and others dont why. Newcastle have lost Tiote Ba Cabaye Taylor yet they still go away and win now Sunderland are doing the same. They both have players with massive weight loss one being the rejuvenated Oberton and Sunderland's Garner Larson too name a few This should be a warning to Spurs work rate in these last 14 games will be hard to break down because the FA and Ukad are hopeless and cant stop it so good luck boys i will be with you at every Kick tackle and Goals in our Historic season. Coys
Well this was a great point with the team missing key players and our Harry stranded in Landon. The big problem worrying me is our strike force is not firing Defoe has hamstring trouble caused by is head being wrecked and rumours of him going to his boyhood club Liverpool rife in the transfer window. If this is true he wont want too help us beat is future club too top four. . The same could be levelled at two other players Modric with Pienaar the let down telling the papers Modric will be off in the summer and lastly a player who we have seen looked majestic Ady till Harry mentioned a wage cut and now at times he looks clumsy and void of goals . One more fact is we still don't no who has tapped him and are willing too pay him obscene amounts of money another reason for his stuttering form could it be Chelsea or a stay at City we wont no because Modric or Ady have not signed a contract. This happened last season and Modrics form and Van der Vaart all dipped and we finished 5th Modric had been tapped by the Oil stealer boss . To beat this we need to start playing with two strikers who are fit Defoe was in great form then Van came back from is Hammy rest and his head started getting slowly wrecked till he snapped and went too press about his lack of starts he has not played since the Watford game. We attack more score more when we have two strikers to aim for this is not my theory but a fact i have studied in last seasons and this season in our great magazines and another fact when Hudds plays we create more chances. Last night Ady looked isolated because Modric played too deep because Spearing and Adams Family followed him all over the pitch and snapped at him like two pit bulls.. When Saha came on Ady who was very pally with Bellamy looked across for his number too come up not a very good sine i wanted too see them both play and Spurs to match Liverpools subs. What this is doing too our attack is this if the midfield dont score we will get more 0-0 or god forbid get beat 451 or 4411 wont work if you play against eneregized midfields and Necastle our next opponents are another so please Harry without Lennon and and Van 442 should be our prefered system . Next up Newcastle who have two strikers we need to mark at the moment we have none just Bale and Lennon and the odd thunders shot like Walker Benny Modric. Well done lads i for one no how hard it was living twelve miles from the capital of work rate . Just look at Gutteridge ( ex Liverpool ) team next up they can lose many players and there work rate never alters and they still win there two strikers could not hit a barn door in the African Nations games yet they both scored in the harder Premiership incredible. We have a very good squad but struggle when we are missing our top players Newcastle Sunderland and others dont why. Newcastle have lost Tiote Ba Cabaye Taylor yet they still go away and win now Sunderland are doing the same. They both have players with massive weight loss one being the rejuvenated Oberton and Sunderland's Garner Larson too name a few This should be a warning to Spurs work rate in these last 14 games will be hard to break down because the FA and Ukad are hopeless and cant stop it so good luck boys i will be with you at every Kick tackle and Goals in our Historic season. Coys
Well this was a great point with the team missing key players and our Harry stranded in Landon. The big problem worrying me is our strike force is not firing Defoe has hamstring trouble caused by is head being wrecked and rumours of him going to his boyhood club Liverpool rife in the transfer window. If this is true he wont want too help us beat is future club too top four. . The same could be levelled at two other players Modric with Pienaar the let down telling the papers Modric will be off in the summer and lastly a player who we have seen looked majestic Ady till Harry mentioned a wage cut and now at times he looks clumsy and void of goals . One more fact is we still don't no who has tapped him and are willing too pay him obscene amounts of money another reason for his stuttering form could it be Chelsea or a stay at City we wont no because Modric or Ady have not signed a contract. This happened last season and Modrics form and Van der Vaart all dipped and we finished 5th Modric had been tapped by the Oil stealer boss . To beat this we need to start playing with two strikers who are fit Defoe was in great form then Van came back from is Hammy rest and his head started getting slowly wrecked till he snapped and went too press about his lack of starts he has not played since the Watford game. We attack more score more when we have two strikers to aim for this is not my theory but a fact i have studied in last seasons and this season in our great magazines and another fact when Hudds plays we create more chances. Last night Ady looked isolated because Modric played too deep because Spearing and Adams Family followed him all over the pitch and snapped at him like two pit bulls.. When Saha came on Ady who was very pally with Bellamy looked across for his number too come up not a very good sine i wanted too see them both play and Spurs to match Liverpools subs. What this is doing too our attack is this if the midfield dont score we will get more 0-0 or god forbid get beat 451 or 4411 wont work if you play against eneregized midfields and Necastle our next opponents are another so please Harry without Lennon and and Van 442 should be our prefered system . Next up Newcastle who have two strikers we need to mark at the moment we have none just Bale and Lennon and the odd thunders shot like Walker Benny Modric. Well done lads i for one no how hard it was living twelve miles from the capital of work rate . Just look at Gutteridge ( ex Liverpool ) team next up they can lose many players and there work rate never alters and they still win there two strikers could not hit a barn door in the African Nations games yet they both scored in the harder Premiership incredible. We have a very good squad but struggle when we are missing our top players Newcastle Sunderland and others dont why. Newcastle have lost Tiote Ba Cabaye Taylor yet they still go away and win now Sunderland are doing the same. They both have players with massive weight loss one being the rejuvenated Oberton and Sunderland's Garner Larson too name a few This should be a warning to Spurs work rate in these last 14 games will be hard to break down because the FA and Ukad are hopeless and cant stop it so good luck boys i will be with you at every Kick tackle and Goals in our Historic season. Coys
Well this was a great point with the team missing key players and our Harry stranded in Landon. The big problem worrying me is our strike force is not firing Defoe has hamstring trouble caused by is head being wrecked and rumours of him going to his boyhood club Liverpool rife in the transfer window. If this is true he wont want too help us beat is future club too top four. . The same could be levelled at two other players Modric with Pienaar the let down telling the papers Modric will be off in the summer and lastly a player who we have seen looked majestic Ady till Harry mentioned a wage cut and now at times he looks clumsy and void of goals . One more fact is we still don't no who has tapped him and are willing too pay him obscene amounts of money another reason for his stuttering form could it be Chelsea or a stay at City we wont no because Modric or Ady have not signed a contract. This happened last season and Modrics form and Van der Vaart all dipped and we finished 5th Modric had been tapped by the Oil stealer boss . To beat this we need to start playing with two strikers who are fit Defoe was in great form then Van came back from is Hammy rest and his head started getting slowly wrecked till he snapped and went too press about his lack of starts he has not played since the Watford game. We attack more score more when we have two strikers to aim for this is not my theory but a fact i have studied in last seasons and this season in our great magazines and another fact when Hudds plays we create more chances. Last night Ady looked isolated because Modric played too deep because Spearing and Adams Family followed him all over the pitch and snapped at him like two pit bulls.. When Saha came on Ady who was very pally with Bellamy looked across for his number too come up not a very good sine i wanted too see them both play and Spurs to match Liverpools subs. What this is doing too our attack is this if the midfield dont score we will get more 0-0 or god forbid get beat 451 or 4411 wont work if you play against eneregized midfields and Necastle our next opponents are another so please Harry without Lennon and and Van 442 should be our prefered system . Next up Newcastle who have two strikers we need to mark at the moment we have none just Bale and Lennon and the odd thunders shot like Walker Benny Modric. Well done lads i for one no how hard it was living twelve miles from the capital of work rate . Just look at Gutteridge ( ex Liverpool ) team next up they can lose many players and there work rate never alters and they still win there two strikers could not hit a barn door in the African Nations games yet they both scored in the harder Premiership incredible. We have a very good squad but struggle when we are missing our top players Newcastle Sunderland and others dont why. Newcastle have lost Tiote Ba Cabaye Taylor yet they still go away and win now Sunderland are doing the same. They both have players with massive weight loss one being the rejuvenated Oberton and Sunderland's Garner Larson too name a few This should be a warning to Spurs work rate in these last 14 games will be hard to break down because the FA and Ukad are hopeless and cant stop it so good luck boys i will be with you at every Kick tackle and Goals in our Historic season. Coys
In case you have forgotten what a bunch of arrogant, entitled lady gardens Pool fans are, feast your eyes on this twattery:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO55BazkiZ4
Judge has sent the jury out to consider their verdict...... I reckon they'll be back within an hour!
That Charlie Adam is a dirty b*st*rd. He crocked Bale at the Lane (or was it Anfield last season) and then had another go last night, and a nice gash on Bale's shin from Skrtel.
Someone on GG summed up Liverpool rather nicely:
"Stoke with a better history."
Was told something earlier that I can't share that a few of us appear to have forgotten (will share post-verdict) - regardless, the whole case is a joke. If Harry pays millions in taxes and avoided doing so on a small sum of cash - I get they have to go after him, but fucking hell...is it truly worth all the cost and effort?
I will be shocked if he's found guilty. Not guilty or possible mistrial IMO.
We'll see.
Also, judge made a point about 'respectable' when talking about Redknapp and co. So even if found guilty, slap on wrist/fine at best. Prob means no England job for Harry which means we might get to keep him a little longer.
Yep, that's the main positive of this trial if you ask me. We get to keep 'Arry to ourselves for a bit longer.
By the way - not claiming to be ITK. But was reminded of something that everybody appears to have forgotten (and then was given info that appears to not be in the public domain).
Spill it Spooky!
Can't.
Looks like the jury are taking their time. Must be split in making a decision.
No split or majority decision allowed - judge said it has to be unanimous.......
I think Harry will be fine even if found guilty. Compare it to Lester Piggot in 1987 who spent a year in prison after not declaring £3.5 million. In today's money that's got to be nearer to £10/15 million surely.
HMRC are quibbling over £140k. At absolute worst it's a week or two in prison, but I'd say a fine with the interest added on.
That's IF he's found guilty.........
I'm not sure it affects the potential of England job either. After all, the FA etc. already did an investigation and found nothing with hard evidence. How can not paying a few grand in tax rule you out of becoming England manager?
Also, I'm sure there are plenty of premier league footballers out there with offshore accounts. In fact, wasn't it suggested a year or two ago that there were some VERY high profile players not paying the correct tax????
sorry but i am harping back to last night.....was so proud of the way parker / dawson / luka even kranjar stood up and battled but was so embarrased by the physical non effort of bale (he has stop diving its terrible) and ade - good thing was when saha came on he gave it a go - it might liven the big man up a bit .....must be very very hard to be parker putting it all on the line when ade cant even be bovvered to run to the center half and put some pressure on to assist the defense and give them a blow........must also comment how dirty adam was (a niggle or foot left in on every tackle)...
also when done livermore - he is improving game on game - massive now saturday....a win to reignite the fire please....
Never heard anyone with such a chip on his shoulder as Dalgeish. What a cunt. He couldn't answer one question straight without a 'slease-bag' comment. His team are a dirty, cheating bunch of scrubbers that have become a disgrace to the Premiership. Couldn't believe the dirty tackles and 'handball claims'. Spurs were great Dawson, Parker, King and even 'don't like the Chicken badge', but as someone else mentioned, Bale has to stop diving.
The judges comments on Redknapps character are just him reminding the jury that a character witness has spoken up for him and he has until now prove to be trustworthy. I've seen a judge say the same thing but when the jury returned a guilty verdict, pass a severe custodial sentence as a deterrent to others. I guess it depends on the judge but I'd think that a high profile football manager could be made a pretty good example of.
On the game last night, I didn't enjoy it at all. Far too nerve wracking, but I was pleased with the defensive performance and determination.
It was a well earned point. Gareth could have won it but I dont think it wasnt a miss as much as it was a great piese of goalkeeping by reina, if u look at it he gives Bale very few options. He stood his ground and gave him no angle. He made it very tough. Bale took the only option of ttying to go between his legs and it didnt work. I think reina should be credited with a good save.
I dont think it was a miss*
My real concern last night and the last month is Ade. We simply do not have a world class striker and it's a concern. I know it was hard, but I saw very little effort from him last night and with a team around him spilling blood, I think this was very poor. We are not here to have a laugh and a joke, we are hear to finish top four and he should be thinking and dreaming about this every minute of every hour of every bloody day! His control so so poor, his first touch is so poor, it's unbelievable. He will start with Ade on Saturday but I can Saha pushing him now.
GIven the effort we made to sign a striker in Jan, Harry is aware of Ades short comings. g he wants to stay at Spurs, he needs to put in a shift and start to look dangerous.
If I were Harry I wouldn't even contimplate signing Ade. He looses possession so easily and as Hotspurs says he doesn't put in a shift when his team mates are shedding blood.
Hi Spooky,
Been following your blog for quite some time now, impressed with most of the things you say, always enjoy your letters and nice to hear from a Spurs fan who keeps things in perspective - can't stand knee-jerk reactions!
I've just been listening to the Fighting Cocks podcast and am just writing to suggest Brendan Rodgers as a replacement for 'Arry: he's young, intelligent, obviously wants to play a nice brand of attacking football, and he could also be the steal of the century from right under Arsenal's noses. If he can do what he's done with Swansea, who by all accounts are paupers (their highest transfer fee paid was £3.5m, Danny Graham, and their highest received £2m), then with the financial clout that Tottenham possess, and the backing of the shrewd business-man/machine/knob that is Levy, I think he could really keep us at the top.
I know that you might argue that he's inexperienced, has only been in the top-flight one season and isnt proven yet, but I really don't see why that should matter - Redknapp had only really flirted with the top flight with shitty teams (East End scum) and we certainly took a gamble on him - see how that paid off! I think that we would be wrong to go hunting for top class managers abroad when there's one on our doorstep who is clearly humble and a nice guy, but also very shrewd, and knows how to manage a football team.
I'd be interested to hear what you think.
"Was told something earlier that I can't share that a few of us appear to have forgotten (will share post-verdict)"
Well, we have our verdict Spooks - Remind us what we've forgotten.