Hacked
Monday, June 18, 2012 at 2:32PM More hacks than a Friday 13th movie
You'd think that with Harry Redknapp's departure the tabloid hacks would welcome the amount of free time he now possesses to grace their pages further with insightful gems on how and why Spurs are about to collapse in on themselves and be relegated as a consequence of our chairman's ruthless (not not so ruthless in reality) actions. But alas, their favourite son appears to be imprisoned like Zod in the Phantom Zone, waiting for escape. So until they are distracted with the continuing adventures of Arry they are chugging away at us like a locomotive heading towards a damsel in distress (in this case Levy in drag tied to the railway tracks).
They (the hacks) are basically perpetuating the full collected edition of Harry Redknapp's deflections and fallacies as they build up the strength to pack a punch at the unlucky sod that dare take the job vacated at the Lane against the wishes of the almighty press gang. They're already bitter about Hodgson. Swing and they'll still probably miss. They're already throwing rabbit punches and striking below the belt.
Our players are apparently gutted that Redknapp has gone yet the same players believed him to be on his way during the FA and England debacle last season. Chelsea players scaring off Spurs players? Yeah, because nobody knows what happened in the dressing room at that club with the old guard sabotaging the efforts of the new man who was given the impossible job of changing things and changing them fast. Spurs are a club that have swagger in abundance when confidence is high, what we lacked was tactical astuteness when it mattered most. Balance and shrewd calculated pragmatism as opposed to confusing selections and kick and hope.
This Week published a short article on Spurs fans being split and referenced this excellent article via The Fighting Cock, only to side step the positive write up on AVB and concentrate more on a single comment by a reader that stated appointing AVB would be like the "second coming" of the much-ridiculed Christian Gross*.
The agenda is an obvious one. We'll have to be thick skinned about it.
*They've now amended the original article to reflect the positive article they linked to.
AVB remains the 'favourite' to be appointed although everyone is getting linked with Spurs supposedly approaching half a dozen targets. I still believe Levy had his contingency planned a while back. Probably the moment the esteemed Redknapp turned down a new Spurs contract to opt for the certainty that was the England job. The very same one Levy priced him out of.
Don't mess with bald men.
Elsewhere...
Euros
Bendtner has been fined and handed a one game suspension after he revealed an unauthorised sponsors logo on his pants during match against Portugal. The fine? 100k. Far more serious crime this than being a racist which will only cost your nation between the region of £25k - £30k.
As for England. We're not very good but yet it's quite fun watching us attempt to score one more goal than the opposition. Expect us to get dicked severely soon.
Modric to Madrid (of La Liga) according to Luka's mate Mate Bilic. Such a good mate they named him Mate just to emphasis how in the know Mate is on his mate Luka. Would be no surprise if he was sold, it's what we're expecting. He's in his prime in terms of selling profit margin potential. The stance was made last season with the Chelsea saga and our refusal to let him go, ironic with the seasons finale. Had we made it into the CL there might be reason for him to stay. Although as discussed countless times before, this is more about the money and wages he can earn (and how much his agent can take in said transfer).
Do I believe the 'deal is close'? Do I believe in the validity of a 'swap deal'? Of course not. More likely the agent has had words to drum up a bit of hype, post- Croatia v Spain match. Until the player is gone, he's a Spurs player, so I'd rather wait on official word. Until then he's a bundle of money to be made by the club just in time to bulk up the incoming managers war chest.
But if you did fancy a cheeky bid...
As for Vertonghen, we've been told 'it's practically done' for the past month. So Expect him to sign any day soon. Any day now. Soon. Literally waiting for the ink to dry. Until then you'll have to entertain yourself with such exciting news as 'Nelsen to QPR'. Hedonistic.
Reader Comments (50)
As a proud (most of the time) spurs fan, I absolutely love these blogs, the comedic sarcasm shared with many of us tottenham fans is portrayed really well in this post, I was just wondering of anyone could take the time to look over my blog? I'm new to sports journalism and blogging so don't be hesitant to leave constructive critisim. I'll take all I can. Thanks guys - Jimmy
Quote...that Ol' Goat Again...
"We're hearing there's a bid of £35m + a player (we weren't told who) on the table from Real Madrid, we are waiting on the new manager before making a decision".
Apparently Modric has still not learnt that while he can agree anything what we wants, he still need Mr levy to approve. I like how Mate states that Modric has agreed to join Madrid..rather than Levy has agreed to sell him.
Jimmy - there's no link?
I can't believe Ryan Nelson has left! Another BIG mistake by Daniel Levy. Ah, fair play to the New Zealander. He didnnt do much wrong on the few occasions we saw him. I say Levy should look into snapping up Sigurdsson from under the noses of Liverpool and Swansea. Less than seven million for a player with a bright future ahead of him, not to forget the fact that he could replace Luka whenever he goes off to warm a bench elsewhere.
Better he go to Real than Chelski or Manchester... if he's going that is!!
I have been a Spurs fan for years and have like you all endured the suffering and just as I feel we are getting somewhere we implode. Harry's so called England job and the loss of valuable points that allowed our fiercest rivals to overtake us. Levy's sacking of Harry was justified in as much as he is too old to take us where we want. Last year he told Luka to f.... off and knuckle down with the team but sadly I feel did not perform to his best. Let Modric go and Bale too and get players who want to play for us. I think FIFA should also cahnge the rules about transfers. If a player signs a one ,two , three or even a four year deal he must honour that deal. If for instance we went and signed Vertonghen he would negotiate a deal and the money he would get would be based on how many years he signed. UIf he signed a two year deal he would remain a Spurs player for that time. This would stop the big spenders or Clubs like City coming in a nd taking our players.
I have been a Spurs fan for years and have like you all endured the suffering and just as I feel we are getting somewhere we implode. Harry's so called England job and the loss of valuable points that allowed our fiercest rivals to overtake us. Levy's sacking of Harry was justified in as much as he is too old to take us where we want. Last year he told Luka to f.... off and knuckle down with the team but sadly I feel did not perform to his best. Let Modric go and Bale too and get players who want to play for us. I think FIFA should also change the rules about transfers. If a player signs a one ,two , three or even a four year deal he must honour that deal. If for instance we went and signed Vertonghen he would negotiate a deal and the money he would get would be based on how many years he signed. If he signed a two year deal he would remain a Spurs player for that time. This would stop the big spenders or Clubs like City coming in and taking our players.
Good stuff as always Spooky... I even pay to have this delivered to my Kindle..!!
Anyway, I trust Mr Levy to make the right decisions for THFC. IMHO, £40m+ for Modric to Spain is a good deal.... I'm tired of hearing about him wanting to move...
Also IMHO, Moyes would be good but I'm glad it's not my decision. Maybe, once 'arry gets another job (are there any south-coast teams looking for a Manager..??) the press will leave us to get on with playing good football at a well-managed club...
Cheers....
When I hear bloggers talk about letting players go that want away and only keeping players who ´want to play for the shirt´I know only 2 recent players who wanted to play for spurs and that was Ledley and Gary Mabbutt, every other player had a financial agenda. If they were no good they kept their heads down, if they were useful they would have left in a flash. Thats how I see Tottenham´s current crop. I don´t know of even one of them who wouldn´t be off if the money was better and Levy was willing to let them go.
Dear Mr Levy,
I sincerely hope that you have plan ? And that it work out in the most positive way for our beloved Spurs !
I wholeheartedly disagreed with your decision to sack Harry, - in my opinion Harry was the best Manager we had since Keith Bukinshaw ruled The Lane.... In anycase who am I to question your wisdom, -just remember Mr Levy, - nobody is bigger than The Spurs, - not Harry nor Us the fans and most suddenly not you Mr Levy. The ball is in your hand and we the fans are watching you !
Love The Shirt Love The Spurs
Cookie, the olde romantics are a dying breed. Let us have our last flirtations with the emotive side of football before it goes quietly in the night.
Just a follow up from the post from Allan with regard to Mr.Levy. I too hope you have this all worked out sir, because remember this. ENIC, Mr. Lewis, you or whoever may own the land we play on, the ground we play at, the player's registration forms and whatever else you rule over, but never ever, ever forget that the heart and soul of Tottenham Hotspur belong's to the most important people of all, the people who support the club through thick and thin, and up's and downs. I am positive that you have the best interest's of the club at heart, I just hope you have the courage to show it.
Can't wait for a new manager to come in - think Levy will back him with a couple of transfers too. I'm sure the press will go after our new signings, be critical about the architectural plans for the stadium and every commentary will reference how Harr's team has changed.
As for Luka - if he starts making noises then we should just get rid if the price is right (but only abroad), he's great but think we can push on without him.
He ain't got a plan, he had, simply, a vendetta! He, apparently, would have offered Harry a year contract if we'd have finished 3rd?. For all you Members of this recently formed Cult, ask your leader this!!!
'Would we still be happy clapping if Harry had got us to 3rd and was then sacked' ?
What's happening here is so absurd it's laughable. It's the 18th of June and nothing!!! Not a peep.........just hearsay, and gossip. If it is ABV then why have neither the club or the man himself gone public with a nice little non committal sound bite? It's all a pile of shit!! If Levy drops this giant bollock, we're fucked, and I'll be the first screaming for my pound of Levys flesh. Harry is a good manager, however, he should have kept his trap shut, but that's not Harry is it! If anything, the club should've micro managed him, helped him, groomed him, I don't no....gaffa tapped him, anything but sacked him!!
Levy, I'm on your case mate.....
'Arry Redknapp the man who put ketchup back on the menu at Spurs....
"Our players are apparently gutted that Redknapp has gone yet the same players believed him to be on his way during the FA and England debacle last season."
It's 2 different scenarios though isn't it? If he'd got the England job everyone would have been happy for him and a new boss would have been welcomed. The problem is that Harry was fired, which probably left a few players thinking WTF...... The Evening Standard last week reported that the players were pissed because end of season bonuses were not being paid, thanks to Chelsea's win. As far as they players are concerned they did their bit and got 4th, which is a CL spot.
I can therefore imagine that there is a little bit of unrest within the squad, specifically those currently not on Euro duty.
This is why Mr Levy needs to be appointing a manager before July/pre-season to ensure that the minds of the players are settled early.
"Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
I am concerned that Levy had and has no plan in place, i am also concerned that he does not want to delve into the transfer market, after a month of Vertonghen rumours we are still no closer to signing him. Is this another closed season of in activity just like the last two, in that time we have spent less money than any other premier league club £6.5 mil and £7 mil in that time by a club of our size is a joke !!!!
Maybe Arry went to Levy to talk of a new contract and found out there was no money for transfers, What is going on Levy we want some answers not silence and please no more shite talk about a twat called AVB as our next manager.
"Tottenham players close to mutiny over AVB appointment"
Mutiny? Steady now...
For once I thought we might be getting in on the act early and making a few signings the beginning of the transfer window rather than 5 minutes to midnight on the last day...now Harry's been sacked ( ok 2 second half of the season implosions running is hardly a recommendation...) we're now back to square -15... I'm particularly worried about this talk of a "thorough process" to appoint Harry's successor not to mention talk of AVB,Capello and a return to the dreaded director of football. I'd quite fancy Moyes or Martinez but I suspect the new manager will finally be none of the names already mentionned. Rather like a few years ago, I expect us to remain rudderless for some time, this will encourage our best players to leave and put off any good ones from arriving. Then there'll be a "rabbit out of hat" decision and someone unknown like Santini ( remember him? ) will get appointed. After the incredible hype will come the inevitable flop and said nonentity will be off around November, with us around the relegation zone, to be replaced by our assistant manager. So, Tim Sherwood it is then!
Mutiny, Mr Christian!? Hand me that breadfruit matey and I'll have you dancing from here to Oahu!!
It's the waiting, isn't it. Those poor buggers must be bewildered beyond belief right about now. They've gone from the safety of same old firm to names like Rafa Benitez being shoved down their throat in the space of a weekend. I'd be a little fidgety too IMHO. Levy needs to make some announcements soon before the cracks start to widen in our Lilywhite facade.
Still... I like it. Last summer was such a bore waiting for something good to happen. At least now there's the possibility of good news and great things; and only time will tell. It's a good time to be a Spur!!
It makes me laugh when I hear all that old tosh about fans being the most important blah, blah, blah. It makes me laugh because it's soooooooo outdated. Fans were of course vitally important in terms of finance back in the day, but now? I don't think so. There's too much dosh to be had from TV rights and Premier League coffers to worry about a few moaners and the couple of quid (I'm talking pro rata here) they chuck into the pot.
Most of us free-thinking fans were surprised by Redknapp's demise, sure, but Levy's the guv'nor and like in most businesses the guv'nor will do what he wants, how he wants and when he wants.
I fully expect him to flog Modric, but not for peanuts. I fully expect him to keep Bale, or dig his heels in. I fully expect that Belgian bloke to sign and I'd be very surprised if we haven't got a new manager in gthe next week or so.
OK, he might nopt be everyone's cup of tea, but when you choose to support a team you have to put up with unpopular (in your own mind) decisions. That's the way of the wolrld I'm afraid. The football world, anyway.
If U f8@k this up Levy, We will call for your head, I agree that it was harry's time to go after the England debacle, but if you sacked him without a world class manager, you should leave your post now because if you bring in worse than HR you are digging your own ________.
A Real Fan.......
Stan dup and fight for spurs
"I'm on mutiny"
"You're what?"
"I aint playing for the new gaffer, blud, innit"
"You're on 45k per week mate"
"Oh yeah. Shit. Fuck it. Let's go and pull some birds in Buckhurst Hill and smash the fuck out of them"
The End.
Apparently we're now talking to Blanc.
'excuse me sir, are you lost'?
'Errr yes, I seem to have lost the dressing room'
PLY - Here's jimmy's link
http://jimmyg2.blogspot.co.uk/
Anyone fancy Slaven BIlic. Think he would be a great choice. Croatia performed well at the Euros despite going out tonight and it might help keep Modric. They've been well set up and Modric has been brilliant. He also said, back in early April when Redknapp was touted as the new England manager, "I would be very interested in being the Tottenham manager, they are a major club with a bright future. But Daniel Levy needs to be convinced I am the man for the job". Just surprised he's not getting much mention....
'Would we still be happy clapping if Harry had got us to 3rd and was then sacked?" - Wisky Tom.
In short, yes!
Go for Bilic, never a dull moment!
Bilic has a job already in the Russian league.
Why wouldn`t Slaven Bilic talk to our pressmen and tell them that Luka is / should play in Spain? He`s not had much else to occupy his mind this past week or so has he?
Our journos should get their heads out of their arses and stop taking us for mugs, as well as doing some research - how about visiting blogs like this so they can judge fan`s views before spouting their b*****ks.
WiskyTom - I`m not gonna disagree too strongly as you are one of the few people I am genuinely scared of - but the fact that Redkrapp had to be micro managed was prob a big factor in his sacking. Levy ant got time for that.
Sportsmonkey - if there`s nobody to buy the sports packages, there`s no TV rights. Fans - armchair or otherwise - remain the vital lowest in the food chain, without whom the predators would all starve.
I`m sure Levy will go public as soon as is reasonably possible. The longer it goes on, the more it looks like the new man may be involved in the Euros.
year sure, Modric or agent are talking to nobody (as are alot of supposed transfering players) until after the euros! they are concentrating on that firstly, before they make any decisions!! (some countries players have passion for their country)
i dont blame modric anymore for wanting to leave! he needs to be in champions league and challenging for titles, not waste a career waiting for it to maybe happen with us! and all this "hes greedy wanting more money" wake up people, any single one of you with even a fraction of this money flashed in front of you would chop your owns mothers up for it!! everyone wants to earn as much as they can! money is the real god of the world!
best thing we can all do, is sit back and see whats announced on the official site, because everything outside of that is usually far from anything at all! i like this site as everyone gets a say, but all these itk dudes on here rarely even have an uneducated guess at anything true.
only truths i know are.... im glad harry's gone, hes hit his ceiling height with us and has no love for our club and thinks no-one else does for that matter, thanks harry... and good riddance! we could lose players now! i will say thanks for playing in the shirt and good luck and can we have as much as possible for all of you, to get replacements pls.
my condolences to mr.levy for his family loss, he is the backbone to our club, there you have the loyalty! in levy we trust!!!
When I heard AVB had been signed by Chelsea I was gutted. I thought here is a guy who in a year's time would be a really good fit when HR goes, only for the Russians to get there first. Now to hear he's linked I have mixed emotions. There is little doubt he was crushed by the impossible expectations at Chelsea. I could see it coming and said on these hallowed pages he would be gone by March. But I can't help feeling if he was really all that, then things would have gone a bit better, he wouldn't have gone too far too quickly and we wouldn't have heard about meetings where the players pulled him up over tactics.
Blanc is an interesting call. I have a strong suspicion our board are getting hung up on trying to find our Wenger. Not necessarily a bad thing I guess but none of the names touted seem to have a track record in one of the big leagues, and that worries me.
Blanc's track record fits perfectly with ours, usually lasts approximately 2years in any given job! I'm sending a hastily constructed flowchart to Levy, post haste. If used correctly Fabio Capello will be bundled into the back of a van by Friday noon.
Of course you would Tony, of course you would, keep up the Mantra, and hold on tight to that Tambourine, we might all need cheering up!
Just wondering, if we are going to return to the European Director of Football role shouldn't the DoF be appointed first, so that he can select the Manager and ensure that they have a good working relationship.
Whatever you do Mr Levy, interview David Moyes. He´s an experienced EPL manager who just hasn´t had a chance because of cash restraints and wages caps. I know Spurs have a cap but Moyes would have a better budget and will definately become a top (almost said TopTop there) manager in the EPL soon. Let it be with us. I am not up for ´wet behind the ears´managers or anyone with a ´learning curve requirement. We need an established honest, tactically aware and robust manager and that man is David Moyes.
Can't understand why there are reports that Laurent Blanc is talking to Tottenham when he is, supposedly, preparing for France's match with Sweden tonight? Hopefully it will put them off their stroke and we'll be playing the bung-merchants at the weekend.
Easy.
The media are presenting 'news' they have just found out or has been leaked to them but that doesn't mean Spurs are literally speaking to Blanc right this moment. Might have been pre-arranged, a meeting with an agent or a rep. Several probable permutations. Sky however are matter of fact.
Spurs talking to Blanc.
Which seems to have people assuming that Spurs are literally out there talking to him as he preps for a game.
The other possibility? It's a smoke screen. We all love a smoke screen.
"Of course you would Tony, of course you would, keep up the Mantra, and hold on tight to that Tambourine, we might all need cheering up!"
Whisky Tom
Hahahahahahaha.. tambourine, counter-culture, my arse. Wide, very wide, off the mark. But if you're looking for a tune to fit, try "Green Onions".
However, intellectual thrusts and parries to one side: to Harry Redknapp.
I said at the beginning of the 2011/12 season that this team is fit for purpose... i.e. top four finish. Nothing more, nothing less. (like 99.999% of the population I wrongly assumed top four meant automatic Champions League).
I also said Harry Redknapp was not the man to manage/coach Spurs at that level. At the time I was politely told to keep my opinions to myself so early into the campaign.. that made sense, so I did!
Now if Champions League football is the limit of your ambitions, then fine for you. But not for me. I will except nothing less than winning the Premier League. That's the (logical) bar I set for my Tottenham Hotspur. And why, prey, shouldn't I?
Firstly, DL doesn’t have a plan. He may have had one but with a couple of managers moving before he could get rid of ‘Arry, he lost out & is now left with limited options. Obviously AVB will be cheaper but will also want mega bucks – Chelski are still paying him £90 per week until he gets another job. Keep taking the £90K for doing sod all or take a job for £70K?
Anyway, did anyone notice the timing of ‘Arry’s sacking? Chelski give RDM the job & a few hours later ‘Arry is shown the door. If DL left it until Chelski appointed someone, fair play to him. Couldn’t have ‘Arry walking up the Chelsea High Road & turning them into the most entertaining team in London now, could we?
Anyway, he was outed for a couple of reasons: he couldn’t keep his mouth shut & the second Fabio quit, we were done for. No-one within the club had the sense to nip it in the bud after a couple of days & it wasn’t until about 6 weeks later that DL wrote to the FA to get the press to stop discussing the vacancy with him.
DL should have kept a tighter muzzle on ‘Arry & he would still be our manager, the best manager we’ve had for absolutely donkey’s years.
One thing’s for sure – next season we will struggle. The fans won’t be happy as we won’t be playing the free flowing football we played last season. The players won’t be happy as they won’t be playing the free flowing football we played last season & will be mid table. It all adds up to an absolute disaster. Wet Spam will be above us in the table.
DL, the pressure’s on son, don’t mess it up ………. Somehow I think he already has.
At least with Arry gone, if Modric does go to Madrid the player in the swap deal Wont be Lassana Diarra,Hopefully!
I don't agree that we'll start next year on a downer. We're getting Daws back and the Thudd. Bale will still be here with Lennon on t'other side. A good new defender in Vertonghen, who will need seasoning. Ledders may still be here in a supporting/training role; and Parker will be back. Walker and Benny and Kaboom at the back. So the 'heart' of the club wont have changed except for the better. We may still have Modders on the books. You never know. We'll still be the most exciting team in the EPL with the best fans and the best atmosphere anywhere at the Lane. So...bring it on, brother!!!
COYS for life. Loving the shirt (even the lavender one, yuck...)
ITS MOYES!!! you know where you heard it first! itk! that is mooooiiiii
I hope you're right! You know how Spooky hates ITK people...
Personally that would be okay by me. We can all start practicing our Scots accents...
"Och aye!. Who're the wee lads!!! COYS!!!!"
We're going to struggle for 6th without 'Arry, he was the best manager we've ever had and Levy the prick fired him. Newcastle, Chelski, Arsenal, Manchester Utd and City are far better than us and it pains me to say it. AVB is nowhere near 'Arry's standards.
OFFICIAL TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS ANNOUNCEMENT
Spurs will break the conventional footballing mould and have two managers in the 2012/13 season.
We will require someone to replace and be better than Harry Redknapp to appease the fans. Therefore we will need someone with an in-depth knowledge of football and also a working knowledge of the media. As such a person doesn't exist, other than Harry, we will have to appoint two people to fill that role.
For the footballing side we will be appointing Laurent Blanc - as widely predicted in the media. For the media handling side and also to work closely with the players we will be appointing Lily Allen - a surprise to most. We believe that this combination will have footballing genius, media savy, personality, British grit and European flair.
We will be changing the team nickname to co-incide with this dual appointment to appeal to not only our traditional English Spurs fans but also to welcome a new intake of European fans. Please put your support behind the LilyBlancs!!!!!
Well, maybe next year.
To Tonyblue,
simple reason why you cannot logically set the bar for Spurs at winning the league title:
Your chairman spends less than Arsenal. Bye.