Spurs during the war years

By Sibs (SibsTHFC)

www.thefightingcock.co.uk

On the outbreak of the First World War in 1915, many Spurs players and staff were recruited to form No 1 Section 22 Field Company, Royal Engineers. They had played football together, enlisted into the army together, fought side by side together and, sadly, eleven of them died together.

After the war the Spurs Handbook recorded the 11 deaths.

On the combined effort to achieve victory in the great game of war we can look with solemn pride. Naturally, our thoughts revert to those who fought and fell. It is rather a long list who made the supreme sacrifice. They were:-
J. Fleming, J. Jarvie, Alf. Hobday, J. Hebdon, E.J. Lightfoot, W.H.D. Lloyd, A. MacGregor, Finlay Weir, A. Wilson, N.A. Wood, and W.D. Tull.

To their memories we pay humble tribute, knowing full well that if they could send us a message to-day it would be just this-”Carry on!”

Of the soldiers who died, Walter Tull is perhaps the most famous. He was only the second black professional footballer, and the first to play in the top tier of English football. He was spotted playing as an amateur for Clapton before signing professionally for Spurs, where he played up front for for 3 years from 1909 to 1912. He then went on to play for Northampton.

Tull was also the first commissioned black officer in the British Army, but when first enlisted he served in what became known as The Football Battalion of the Middlesex regiment. There were around 5000 professional footballers at the start of the first world war, and it is thought that 2000 of them signed up fight, with a number of them joining the so called Football Battalion.

Walter Tull served in six major battles, but was killed in action on 25th March 1918 during the Spring offensive. His body was never recovered. Amongst the memorials at which he is remembered is one at Northampton’s Sixfield Stadium. In 2009 plans were unveiled to have a statue of in memory of Walter Tull at the proposed new Tottenham Hotspur Ground.

Another Spurs legend who was affected by the First world war was John Cameron, one of the scorers when Tottenham won the FA Cup in 1901. He went on to coach at Dresdner SC in Germany. While he was there the First World War broke out and he was interned at a civilian detention camp. The camp contained around 5000 prisoners and football league and cup competitions were set up. Cameron was prominent in organising and playing football and was secretary of the detention camp Football Association.

Back in England football tried to carry on as usual. However, White Hart Lane was commandeered by the government for army use, so Tottenham had to play most of their matches at Arsenals Highbury stadium. A stadium that Woolwich Arsenal had moved in to just two years previously.

During WW II much of White Hart Lane was again used for the war effort. The East Stand at was used as a mortuary for blitz victims and gas masks were manufactured in other parts of the stadium. Football matches continued to be played, and as Arsenal’s Highbury stadium had suffered bomb damage, Tottenham returned the favour from Great War and allowed Arsenal to play their matches at White Hart Lane.

Urban legend has it, that to say thank you, Arsenal said they would always have the colour blue somewhere on their kit, even it is just on the badge. True or not, it is something that many Spurs supporters take great pleasure in reminding Arsenal fans to this day.

The police thought it was a good idea to keep football matches going on during the war, writing that

If there is no football each week our cells will be full because the young men of today will have nowhere to go and will fall into mischief… Let us have them in their customary winter quarters, not on the streets or in the pubs.

Any footballers aged 18 and over were called to serve in the armed forces, meaning that many football teams field very young teams. Players also played where ever they could get a game, leading to some players playing for numerous sides in both league and exhibition matches. Teams were often short of players, and it wasn’t unheard of for a manager to pull someone from the crowd to play.

Of course many Spurs players served during the Second World War.

Albert Hall was captured by the Japanese Army while in Singapore and spent several years in captivity. Hall escaped when he was one of the 58 survivors from a Japanese transport ship which was sunk in the Pacific in September 1943. After the war he returned to play for Spurs.

The legendary Bill Nicholson also served during the war. Having played a few games for Spurs he was called up to serve at the out break of war in 1939. As a professional footballer he was sent on a Physical Education course and was made a sergeant-instructor, training new intakes of troops throughout the war. The Second World War cost him most of his playing career, although he did not regret it as his experiences taught him the man-management skills which were to have such a great effect later in his career.

So on Remembrance Sunday whilst thinking of all the servicemen and woman who gave their lives to serving the country, spare a thought specifically for the former Spurs players, and all of the footballers, who lost their lives during the wars. And don’t forget the thousands of current servicemen for whom the beautiful game provides something of a joyful distraction when thousands of miles from home.

How to survive 90 minutes of football and win by Tottenham Hotspur

Hello. I’m Tottenham Hotspur. You might remember me from such classics as ‘Comolli doesn’t live here anymore’, ‘Tommy Huddlestone’s neck is missing’,  ‘The Crosstrabulous Flaptraption of Heurelho da Silva Gomes’ and ‘Dial R for Ramosnessness’.

Today I’m here to present to you how to win a game of football when attempting to do your very best to lose it. In order to produce this paradox you first need to set the foundations. Then build on it. Then take a step back to watch it crumble. But don't fret. It’s all just an illusion, an elaborate plan to trick. The Prestige being that the false sense of security is nothing but a trapdoor for the unsuspecting opposition.

Do not mistake this for anything less than it is; an art form.

Part I – The Classic away game performance (45 minute version)

A false sense of security

Away from home at a ground where league wins are rare (one since 2002), there is no shame in playing a game of containment. Onus is always on the home side to take the initiative. Start the game with assured confidence, movement and patience. Counter attack with intent and be clinical with chances presented.

Momentum

With the possibility of claiming another win and thus 22 from 24 points, go into the break 2-0 up practically cementing continuation of good form. Do so with devastating elegance. For example:

1-0 Delicious cross field pass from a forward (Ade) in a deep position, into space for marauding right-back (Walker) to run onto, beat a player and cut back to a winger (Lennon) who then plays a tantalising ball across the penalty area to be smashed in (Bale) via a defenders body. Punishing.

2-0 Sublime flick from winger (Bale) to winger (Lennon) sharing flank and space, who proceeds to dazzle and dink into the penalty area finishing superbly. What a fantastic run.

Half-time positivity

Go into the interval with the knowledge that similar control of the second half in terms of patience and composed work ethic will head towards a killer third goal and potentially a comfortable win. If the home side step it up a notch, then a two goal cushion leans towards a tactical sacrifice and the possible substitution of Sandro on so that the midfield is armed and equipped to battle.

example footnotes:

Is that the much maligned wingers-swapping-wings ideology that Redknapp has been scorned for? Not quite. Inter-changing is altogether a different beast and it appears to have awakened the sleeping giant in the small frame of Aaron Lennon. He might spend parts of the game on the outside looking in, but when he comes alive he produces assists/goals. Ade, the non-scoring forward, an almost false position on the pitch, coming deep to collect the ball. Parker, the engine that continues to drive us forward. Luka effective in silent mode helping out offensively and defensively. Only downside is Rafa who left his magic boots at home.

Part II – Doing the exact opposite of what is required to preserve the lead

The ‘second-half lapse’ to avoid at all costs

Conceding an opposition goal just after the half re-starts or within 10 minutes must be avoided.

Opening 10 minutes of second-half

Opposition fail to score a goal early in the second half. We score it for them. i.e. With all the shot-stopping and defence splitting passes, when we do concede always make sure it’s a goal birthed from a mistake. The more untidy, the better.

Begin process of regression

The one trait missing from the THFC genetic make-up is bossing a game out. That’s either home or away, when the opposition are plucky or fired-up from a position of defeat. Retain possession, adapt in midfield to counter any problems that a renewed home side might present. Do not sit back and soak up pressure like a sponge the size of North London.

Regress

Soak up pressure like a sponge the size of North London.

Regression complete

Continue to allow home side to attack with little reply. Ask your forty year old goalkeeper to move about a bit between the sticks. Pray. Lose your composure and allow the home side to rain down on goal with shots on target. Surrender possession in the absence of blindfolds.

When making the first substitution do not bring on Sandro. When making the second substitution wait until the supporters have chewed through their nails and have bitten into their flesh and have teeth touch bone, then bring on Sandro.

Beckon the equaliser

Contentious handball incident + a goalmouth scramble, all good ways to ruin your day. But continue to defy the inevitable by having one of the smallest men on the pitch clear off the line.

Part III – Pull the panties off Lady Luck with your teeth, then give her a cheeky love bite

Winning by doing as little as possible to win, except score again and not concede which happens to be the two things you need to do to win

As Fulham perceiver with their attempted redemption having been out-thought in the first half by dominating the second, allow another example of this brave new Spurs world to shine through. Counter and score, but make sure it’s deflected in just for good ironic measure. A gentle reminder to the hosts that if you’re:

a)     Not going to take your chances
b)     Fail to capitalise on retaining pressure in the midfield (and suffocate us from regaining any foothold  in midfield)
c)     Make substitutions that were not required
d)     Have 31 shots on goal compared to nine

You’re going to get bitch slapped for your lack of bastardality. In addition, dry your eyes out if one of our players hugs the ball when earlier one of your players pushed one of ours to the ground.

Win the game 3-1 even with your manager not present to prove he can win games without even turning up. He might have hair but we don’t care, Harry Harry Redknapp.

Part IV – Post-match rhetoric and analysis

Deserved/Undeserved/Jekyll/Hyde

The cliché that the Spurs of old would have lost this should be mentioned, preferably a dozen times in conversation post-match per supporter. Spurs have moved on from that particular revision to one with a far more vibrant template for success. We still don’t boss games we should be bossing but winning ugly or when sustaining constant pressure...these are the ilk of games that other teams end up losing and only a few ever get to win. That Spurs team of old, for example would have been far more prone to a capitulation with a sorry air of familiarly and apologetic head shaking.

So when you add the deserved wins with the undeserved wins you continue to redefine the template to prove that if you win, regardless of the manner, you deserve it (unless you cheated). Lucky points equate to a knack of being able to survive when most expect to see you roll over and die. But then how lucky do you have to be to score three goals away from home? Lucky Efficient Tottenham.

It might not tell us much when it happens in isolation but if it forms part of a renewed attitude in the midst of a run of undefeated performances, then embrace it. Winners win even when they’re not meant to. Do it regularly and it becomes second nature. Dare I say you will the win towards your chest and out of the reach of the opposing side.

Allowing the opposition to pass the ball and pressure is just dandy when you are solid at the back but not so much when you are not and still continue to invite them forward time and time again. Shape might have been lost, questions relating to player conditioning (physically and mentally) and lack of deceive astuteness of required shrewd tactical changes still remain answered. But the momentum survives intact and belief further consolidated even if we rode our luck thanks to spirit and fortitude.

Roll with the punches.

Conclusion

I am Tottenham. Three league defeats since April.

I am Tottenham. Gritty.

I am Tottenham. The easy way is no fun.

I am Tottenham. I have gone through puberty. I’ve grown a forest of hair and have now shaved my balls and studded my cock.

Hard even when limp. You don’t want me in your face.

That's how to survive 90 minutes and come out on top. Remember, don’t try this at home. Unless you’re playing newly promoted sides and want to prove your fertility for point accumulation.

I love Martin Jol, I like Harry Redknapp

There was something rather special about Martin Jol and the relationship we shared with him. It was a two-way thing. He loved us as much as we loved him. Although he never broke out in song and serenaded the Park Lane he did take to the mic on one occasion to thank us all for the support. Poor bastard even thanked Daniel Levy on that day.

He’s the dad you had in that parallel universe you often dreamt about where you're half Dutch. He understood how to make a connection with the supporters without any of it appearing contrived. His personality was so infectious that for the first time in an absolute age Spurs would get decent press from the journos. Perhaps they were scared of a Jol bear-crush hug, but regardless we all lapped it up. He was sincere, jovial and yet commanded a presence strong enough to inspire team spirit and unity. Football was good too. His soundbites were also pretty decent. English cup of tea, anyone?

We all know how it ended. The Director of Football system corrupted and soured and destroyed, leaving Jol checking his text messages whilst sitting in the dugout mid-game to discover he was going to be sacked. At the time there was genuine guilt felt by myself. Not that I was taking responsibility for anything the chairman and the DoF were cooking up. Rather the fact that it was inevitable it would lead to this. The Berbatov saga and the overly ambitious agenda to step up a further level undermined him and although we don’t truly know what happens behind closed doors, the script had been written months earlier and everyone just went through the motions. The football suffered. Whether it was because of the problems behind the scenes or because Jol had reached the end of the road, we wont ever know. Bit of both perhaps.

I felt guilty because I struggled with the latter. I felt the end of the road had been reached.

The question marks surrounded our inability to compete with the Top Four clubs at the time in games against them. As much as I’d have loved to have found out if he had it in him to build on 2006 he had not a chance in hell to do so because of the interference. Club obviously believing a transitional season was too much of a risk and a better quality appointment was required (the irony, I know). Stories of him interviewing/inquiring about the Newcastle job didn't help either.

Since he’s left he’s not been outstanding in his other jobs, enough to perhaps answer some of the questions (I) we had. But life doesn’t work on such comparisons. Had he stayed, had he the support of the board, chairman and DoF then he might have found that extra spark we required. Instead, it went pear-shaped as we are accustomed and conditioned too. Ramos won us a cup (which I’m forever grateful for) but language and headaches relating to over-complicated selection and tactics left us with...a certain quota of points from a series of games played.

It’s sad because Jol was a fantastic bloke. What he did do is set the foundations for hope that there was a chance of breaking into the Top Four. Give him credit, at the time it was a far more difficult challenge to achieve. The Ramos dip proved to be the shortest of transitional seasons and we all know what happened in the aftermath (some back to basics reconstruction work to make us look pretty again).

There will always be an argument that Jol’s personality masks his weaknesses. The fact we took him into our hearts with such comparative ease made it difficult when he was eventually sacked because deep down it was the only conclusion to a sorry mess. But if you think back, quite a few of us quietly hoped for change. A most uncomfortable sacrifice.

Another argument is that there is nothing to suggest you need to necessarily like your manager. Jose Mourinho has a certain manner about the way he works. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but you’d hardly complain if he was your gaffer if he won you silverware but you might still do because his media siege mentality irks you. Jol managed to give us the two things that matter most: Pride and good football without the necessity of self-serving his own agendas.

That isn’t a dig at Harry Redknapp but parallels are always made between the two. Their game to game record is quite similar, but you can’t compare two different states of play (in terms of where football currently sits and where it sat when Jol was last with us).

The reality is; the past is the past and the future looks bright with Harry leading the way. Personally, if Redknapp wasn’t so mediacentric we’d probably not complain too much about him (don’t ignore the fact that Jol was susceptible to tactically questions and scratches of the head many a time during his tenure). Harry’s achievements are aided both by the squad we possess and the collapse of the monopoly’s overpowering dominance – but kudos to his man-management and he deserves credit. His associations with other clubs and his single-mindedness to look after number one actually rubs off on the club in a good way on the pitch as he knows the better he does the better the Redknapp brand looks. I’d rather he didn’t pretend to be one of us if he doesn’t truly feel affiliated and continue being a custodian of team affairs as we cement stability in the top tier.

Jol gave it a right old go and I'll be forever grateful for that. Redknapp did something very few expected and continues to prove many of us wrong. Its the state the club is left in when he leaves that will allow him to secure a legacy in our history regardless of whether his personality is not our cup of tea.

I’ll let you decide if Jol could achieve similar success with the current squad we have. But then it doesn't matter what you theorise, Harry is in charge now even if Harry doesn't have many songs sang for him.

So thanks Martin. My only regret is that you didn’t push Wenger to the floor when you squared up to him. Although that would have been a little bit like a Polar Bear fighting an Ostrich.

Thank you Harry. Might not agree with certain elements of how you handle team affairs and not a fan of your media work (yes, we're popular with the journos) and your them and me word plays, but you've got to take the good with the bad and thus far the good out weighs the bad.

COYS.

Love the shirt.

Movember Day Five

Movember Day Five

Movember update.

If you want to get involved and heighten awareness you can join our team The_Fighting_Cock and visit our 'My mo space page'.

We'll be updating the page and the thread over at The Fighting Cock forum with weekly photos and updates on the growth and styling of our majestic moustaches.

To donate or join the team, click on the link and ‘donate to my team’ or ‘join team’. Rejoice the 30 day journey of moustachery.

the fighting cock podcasters

@RickyTFC @ChicagoDanTFC @Flav_Bateman @tehTrunk 

@TheloniousFilth @Alex_Prole @Spooky23 @lovetheshirt

www.thefightingcock.co.uk

Movember, Day Five.

With as much movement as a disinterested Defoe and Pavlyuchenko, there appears to be nothing of moustachery quality on my face just yet. The Mo stubble is still 4 days ahead (I promise) of the rest of the facial hair. Should be able to shave in the next day to allow for more obvious mo-defination. In the mean time, check out those nostrils!

Check out the thread over at The Fighting Cock forum for other participant photos and updates.

For previous days, click on 'Movember' directly below this article, next to 'tagged'.

Movember Day Four

Movember Day Four

Movember update and it's day four and not a lot is happening in the mo-area of my face.

If you want to get involved and highten awareness you can join our team The_Fighting_Cock and visit our 'My mo space page'.

We'll be updating the page and the thread over at The Fighting Cock forum with weekly photos and updates on the growth and styling of our majestic moustaches.

To donate or join the team, click on the link and ‘donate to my team’ or ‘join team’. Rejoice the 30 day journey of moustachery.

the fighting cock podcasters

@RickyTFC @ChicagoDanTFC @Flav_Bateman @tehTrunk 

@TheloniousFilth @Alex_Prole @Spooky23 @lovetheshirt

www.thefightingcock.co.uk

Movember, Day Four.

Two shades of stubble. Mo stubble is three days ahead of the rest of the face. Looks rubbish and messy at the moment, but trust me. The foundations are being built for thick hair of majestic trampesque quality.

Check out the thread over at The Fighting Cock forum for other participant photos and updates.

For previous days, click on 'Movember' directly below this article, next to 'tagged'.

Rubin 1 Yoof and disinterested souls 0

Guest blog by Boxbat (regular over at The Fighting Cock forum).

Rubin 1 Yoof and disinterested souls 0

Redknapp picks a great night to stay at home.

There may have been a notable lack of first choice personnel on the pitch, on the bench, and in the dugout, but those that did bother to make the trip showed some good early intent – Ryan Fredericks opted for short sleeves on what I can only imagine was a brisk evening in Kazan, whilst Jake Livermore made a fine tackle in the opening stages to stop a pitch invader in his tracks.

The rest of the first quarter of the game resembled the trip to Salonika, with Spurs’ youngsters afforded time to string a few passes together but looking unthreatening at the business end of the pitch. As Rubin struggled to find momentum of their own, a repeat of the stalemate with PAOK did indeed look on the cards. Unfortunately, whilst Tottenham’s Europa League attack proved reliably toothless throughout, Rubin soon upped their game and started to look more like a team that had beaten Barcelona not so long ago. With backup full-backs Corluka and Rose both injured, Townsend and Fredericks were left with the unenviable task of deputising in defence and stopping the Russian side’s wingers. Who turned out to be their best players on the night, naturally.

Still, Gallas looked commanding on his return, Falque was lively on the right, Defoe put in a decent ball across the six yard box, and Cudicini made several excellent saves to keep the score at 0-0, so those Spurs fans who cared enough about this game to experience emotions could feel rather satisfied at half time.

After the break Gallas went off injured, Falque and Defoe faded out of the game and we conceded the single goal that, in honesty, always looked like being enough. Seb Bassong did his prospects of an extended run on the sidelines no harm with a needless foul on the edge of the area, and commentator’s dream Bebras Natcho hit a scrumptious curler into the net. Credit must also go to manager Kurban Berdyev for keeping faith with those prayer beads.

Townsend, Carroll, Fredericks and Kane all showed moments of promise going forward, but they are not game changers just yet. Nor is Steven Pienaar (at least whilst he regains fitness), whose energies seemed to be mainly directed towards conversing angrily with team-mates, opponents and officials after every foul or cock-up. I’ve spent the last couple of days defending Pav, but tonight’s game hinted at what many had suspected: whilst he can occasionally pull it out of the bag back in Blighty, he just can’t handle a cold Thursday night in Russia.

Still, Carlo kept making those saves – a MoM performance that deserved a clean sheet. It wasn’t all in vain, though, as by keeping the score down to one Spurs retained parity on the head-to-head. Qualification from the group should still be a formality, though to get much further in the competition we may need to call in some backup (i.e. not the backups...)

A minor irritant, then, but fear not: the first string are back in action on Sunday, and Harry still has his own unbeaten streak intact. Canny fella.

You'll win nothing with kids (and Pav)

Europe

5pm kick-off. ITV4. It's what dreams are made of.

I'll be driving back home and will probably miss the opening exchanges (thanks to the virtues of modern technology that won't matter too much when I sit down to watch it). This competition in group stage format still leaves me a little detached from getting all giddy with excitement. Going through the motions is hardly box office but there is still interest in how we might cope with each test our mix match of benchers and kids face up too. Especially in this game, what with it being the 'toughest' we've faced thus far.

Few would disagree that if we play the way we played in our first encounter with Rubin Kazan, they will probably punish us for our naivety and inexperience. Gomes, Gallas, Bassong, Pienaar along with Defoe and the ever-committed Pav should give the hosts plenty of work to do if we can be bothered to compete. A win and we qualify. Really does come down to the players selected. Obvious statement, but playing a weaker team lacking first team regulars will always leave us susceptible to a slip and fall. If we lack a spine and authority, I can see us suffering with aforementioned punishment and not the good kind you pay top dollar for from Miss Dominique Matrix. I'm talking about the 'why do I still sort of feel gutted that were losing in a competition I'm not supposed to care about' type of punishment.

I'd suggest (and hope for) Sandro in the middle of the park. Add to that less experienced 'kids'  Livermore, Townsend, Carroll and also Falque. Bet I lost you after Sandro. Centre-backs will have to be sharp. Baptism for Willy and his return to first team action.

edit: Sandro not in the squad, ho-hum. Hope turned to dust. Seems I did lose you after Sandro.

Draw? I'd take that. Win, I'll have that. Loss? Wouldn't shock me as this competition remains an annoyance to the manager. Hopefully the game can serve one purpose regardless of the result. That being a shop window for that Russian forward that rates himself a bit.

PS Get well Harry.

The Tottenham Whisper

If you've read The Tottenham Miscellany by Martin Cloake and Adam Powley you might remember a mention in it about the mystery surrounding The Tottenham Whisper. Nobody appears to be able to provide conclusive truth, meaning there is little chance after so many years for a truly definitive answer to be discovered. So instead, its a case of perhaps trying to work out the most logical answer. I've read a pretty ace explanation for it which I'm happy to accept as the answer.

Sent in via email to The Fighting Cock team:

This memory is hazy as its from something my late granddad once told me. Apparently back in the day there was some kind of dig made at us spurs fans for the manner of our support during the games. We apparently out shouted, sung and cheered the oppositions fans so extensively that...

Read the rest here.

Movember Day Three

Movember update and it's day three and not a lot is happening in the mo-area of my face.

If you want to get involved and highten awareness you can join our team The_Fighting_Cock and visit our 'My mo space page'.

We'll be updating the page and the thread over at The Fighting Cock forum with weekly photos and updates on the growth and styling of our majestic moustaches.

To donate or join the team, click on the link and ‘donate to my team’ or ‘join team’. Rejoice the 30 day journey of moustachery.

the fighting cock podcasters

@RickyTFC @ChicagoDanTFC @Flav_Bateman @tehTrunk 

@TheloniousFilth @Alex_Prole @Spooky23 @lovetheshirt

Movember, Day Three.

If you look close enough, there is mo-stubble there. Honestly, I promise. Okay, so it's still in a pathetic state of nothingness, but it's day 3 and I practically guarantee something resembling a moustache by Sunday/Monday. Tuesday by the latest. Wednesday for sure.

Check out the thread over at The Fighting Cock forum for other participant photos and updates.

For previous days, click on 'Movember' directly below this article, next to 'tagged'.

Movember: Day Two

A word from The Fighting Cock team:

Remember, remember the whole of November...because we’re all growing a moustache for charity.

You may have heard of Movember already, but here’s the deal, you grow a moustache for the whole of November to raise awareness for prostate cancer and contribute all donations to the Movember charity. The rules are very simple, no facial hair on the 1st November, and then you continue to shave every area except the moustache (bit of stubble is fine after the mo is in full bloom). You can style it out and trim it if you like, but you HAVE to keep the moustache.

Anyone can join our team The_Fighting_Cock and we have a 'My mo space page'.

We'll be updating the page and the thread over at The Fighting Cock forum with weekly photos and updates on the growth and styling of our majestic moustaches.

To donate or join the team, click on the link and ‘donate to my team’ or ‘join team’. Rejoice the 30 day journey of moustachery.

the fighting cock podcasters

@RickyTFC @ChicagoDanTFC @Flav_Bateman @tehTrunk 

@TheloniousFilth @Alex_Prole @Spooky23 @lovetheshirt

Movember, Day Two.

Two days in and my skin is more blotchy than a defence with Ramon Vega in it. My face is not built to be shaved on every morning (that's the areas around the tache). As you can see from the pic, its still almost impossible to see any traces of growth, but there is some. Ever so slightly. Looking for a Lemmyesque style mo - as a good starting point to then either shorten it in length or let it grow to Motorhead proportions.

The aim is to end up with a Zappa. Or if I'm brave enough, leave the Lemmy. At this rate, don't think it's going to kick-off until day four.

Check out the thread over at The Fighting Cock forum for other participant photos and updates.

For previous days, click on 'Movember' directly below this article, next to 'tagged'.

It's good to be Spurs

Open bus parade ticker-tape not yet ordered. Check.
“Title winners 2012” tattoo appointment on hold. Check
Scott Parker porn under the bed. Check.
Right hand not in the vicinity of groinal area whilst watching back MotD highlights. Check.
Feet firmly on ground. Check.
Ready to blog. Check.

The two spankings dished out against us in the opening two games appear to be so far-fetched and detached from our current performances that it almost feels like they happened in a season not belonging to 2011/12. So much of the summertime concern and despair was probably thanks to the ever-evolving psyche of the modern Spurs football supporter. Expectations are such that a return to anything resembling mediocre would be akin to having your heart ripped out from your chest and spending the rest of your days walking around like a zombie from The Walking Dead. Lifeless and a shadow of your former self, feeding off scraps and rodents. I spent the best part of the 90s and a season or two of the early 00s as a zombie. We all did. But even after the opening two defeats there was no genuine knee-jerk that would surmount to darker days.

The level of expectation did have us question the transfer window activity and we mumbled about the necessary improvements and what impact the players we signed could have. Most of the mumbles centred on not signing a centre-back and perhaps not being successful in signing another forward. It all formed part of the preparation we subconsciously go through to strengthen our resolve just in case it all goes pear-shaped. If you believe it’s going to go wrong it’s a emotive defence mechanism to then talk it up and admit it before it happens so that you give the impression to others that it doesn't hurt as much when it does happen. Far easier to be negative then it is to be positive. Easier still to be negative from a position of negativity, preferring to not even entertain the potential for positivity.

Ye of little faith.

But that’s us, that’s how we’re built. Consistentency is hardly a trait we’ve been synonymous with in the past 15 or so years, so three or so seasons of it won’t mean we’ll sprout wings and fly. But if you expect me (us) not to be floating around after the post-Manc ‘start’ we’ve had then I apologise. Although I am anchored to the ground momentarily for this article, I remain very bouncy and floaty. Football is about moments. This particular one is three years of age give or take a few months here and there and it includs its own little progressional transitions. The good type.

Those two defeats against the Mancs might not have been so probable had we began both games with something resembling a centre-pairing in midfield. We'll get our chance to put things right in the returns.

19 points. 7 games. Now that’s a t-shirt.

Any criticisms or discussions about a lack of coherent balance relating to say the right-wing issue with covering Lennon (with Bale sometimes stuck out there), Gareth’s form, the lack of organisation at the back when Ledley isn’t playing, conceding goals early in the second half, van der Vaart’s roaming, lack of telling cutting edge that could potentially lead to bossing a game (for example, had we made it 3-1 at Newcastle)...the way we react to a single game and then proceed to analyse it usually sees us doing so in isolation. Take one game, critique tactics and individual displays...base all conclusions on that one game as the definitive answer. Then when citing prior games, only pick out examples you wish to use to further cement your own personal agenda.

That's pretty much football from the stands. It's the same game you watch yet it's completely different to the one seen by the bloke standing next to you. Opinions, perspectives. We're all built differently, we all see things differently.

So rather than revisit a particular game, if you take a step back and look from the outside in and take note of our progress, you’d be hard pressed to find much wrong. It didn't look quite right at the back end of last season. Squad has been improved since and still needs improving. A reboot here and there due to a freeze helps things along nicely. Can't say I fear a blue screen of death flashing before me anytime soon.

Those criticisms and discussions we do find might be problematic on paper and on the field of play but their nature can be positive. Adebayor not scoring? Look at his work-rate. He's paid to score, but how many times did we slate Bent for doing the opposite to what Ade is doing at precisely this moment? King not always fit to play so are we disturbing cohesiveness at the back by including him when he is? Why shouldn’t we play him when he is fit because we may as well get the very most out of him. His ilk might not be something we're blessed with for another generation. Every game he performs in should be celebrated.

Modric currently less influential than he is capable of being. Guess what...we’re not a one man team, we’re not consumed by the necessity to lay all hope on a single player and Luka still gets the job done (quietly at times) when others make more colourful contributions. Talking of which, van der Vaart might sometimes lack the longevity of a lung bursting 90 minutes but he’s hardly a luxury some accused him of being earlier this season and last. He’s pivotal along with the rest of the assembled avengers in Lilywhite. Take that 90s, choke on our girth! But don’t go anywhere near Scotty Parkers girth. I call shotgun.

Every problem we have is a problem I would love to have as a football supporter because each one alludes to us becoming a better unit of players. Each one will further cement our belief and our development. It’s a good time to be a Spurs fan because of the wealth of talent we possess. It's exciting. People can try to shout us down for having not actually achieved anything for a while, but then exactly what are we meant to do other than continue to build and push forwards?

Champions League was deemed an impossibility not that long ago. We got laughed at for showing (misplaced) ambition each passing season. Then we made it. Football continues to be in a state of flux. We refuse to look back. Who cares if those that stood, pointed and giggled remain anchored there.

We're a very good side. One that needs to keep growing, keep grafting. The very top sides still have the edge because they have the experience. Some more so than others. Compete and you have a chance to earn the experience that will further elevate you to higher ground. We have a winning mentality with individuals that hunger for success. No culture of comfort here.

Sure, I don’t dispute there will be moments when we lapse or trip over. We almost (self-inflicted) did so against QPR on Sunday. But the character in our team is to brush it off and get the job done. That’s nothing new. We’ve had that for a fair few seasons now, so much so, that when we do lapse or fall over you can count the occasions on one hand.

We still have plenty of work to do (is there a time when we don't?) but form and facts will show you we have an impressive home record and we are no push-overs on our travels. We have players in our squad that other ‘top sides’ would gladly wish to have in theirs. We have match-winners all of the pitch. We also have spirit and only one or two demons left to exercise. The past is the past, it can’t be touched, it can’t be changed. All that's left is to make the future our own.

An echo of glory will do me just fine.

COYS.

Love the shirt.

Movember: Day One

A word from The Fighting Cock team:

Remember, remember the whole of November...because we’re all growing a moustache for charity.

You may have heard of Movember already, but here’s the deal, you grow a moustache for the whole of November to raise awareness for prostate cancer and contribute all donations to the Movember charity. The rules are very simple, no facial hair on the 1st November, and then you continue to shave every area except the moustache (bit of stubble is fine after the mo is in full bloom). You can style it out and trim it if you like, but you HAVE to keep the moustache.

Our club emblem has a cock and a ball; we talk a lot about cocks and balls. The majority of the listeners have balls and the Trunk talks a lot of b*llocks. Hell, even Chicago Dan’s mum is contributing by carrying out free prostate checks with her tongue. So with all our ball connections The Fighting Cock thought it would be fitting to embrace Movember with the same ilk of enthusiasm van der Vaart displays against the scum.

Remember, it’s not about how much money we can raise; it’s about raising the awareness of men’s health, specifically prostate cancer through our moustaches (although we would like a donation so get on it).

Anyone can join our team The_Fighting_Cock and we have a 'My mo space page'.

I implore you to join and grow your tash for Movember. We'll be updating the page and the thread over at The Fighting Cock forum with weekly photos and updates on the growth and styling of our majestic moustaches.

To donate or join the team, click on the link and ‘donate to my team’ or ‘join team’.

The 30 day journey of moustachery is upon us...

the fighting cock podcasters

@RickyTFC @ChicagoDanTFC @Flav_Bateman @tehTrunk 

@TheloniousFilth @Alex_Prole @Spooky23 @lovetheshirt

Movember, Day One.

First up, the rules:

So here we go.

Clean shaven for the first time in two years. I'm losing my religion, I feel like I've betrayed stubblisim. Bye bye beard. Hello moustache. Considering you can trace my bloodline all the way back to Kashyyyk, I'll probably have a fully grown work of art above my top lip by the end of the week. By the end of November I'll have a squirrel living in it.

Decided I will attempt a Frank Zapper hybrid which will include the tickler for added effect (that's a small complimentary growth under the bottom lip - which is permitted).

Check out the thread over at The Fighting Cock forum for other participant photos and updates.