Paul Merson

How wonderfully bitter and twisted some people can people, claiming that Lampard's cross-come-goal was superior to Bentleys, which, according to Merson, was a hit and hope effort and wasn't all that great.

Keep on mouthing off you horrid little man. Had Fabregas scored that we'd never hear the end of it, about how brilliant the technique was and how he spotted the keeper off his line and aimed for the back of the net.

Which is exactly what Bentley did, you shit-eyed twat.

Now Bentley is at it

Interviewed by the highbrow ZOO magazine (you can read the extract on Sky Sports) David Bentley has been stating the bloody obvious. It's another slice of sound-bite heaven.

"Throughout this hard start to Tottenham's season, it's the fans who have suffered most"

Insightful. Is it the constant booing and depression at WHL? Or maybe the humiliation of two points and bottom of the table? While most fans struggle to get together the £700 or so to buy a season ticket, you earn £30K+ for hitting the first man with every corner. It's the type of irony that gently crawls up your back and then bites you in the neck, sucking the very life out of you.

"They are the ones who pay good money, they are the ones who have the right to be frustrated and they are the ones we are trying to make proud"

Not trying hard enough. Stop trying to appease us with awareness of perspective. We know we have the right, but I see no proud-making attempts on the pitch. Just chaos.

"A lot of people have an opinion on us at the moment, but it's the fans who really matter"

Again with a shout-out to the fans. Yeah, we are the ones that matter. Thanks for pointing that out, but how about changing peoples opinion by producing the good on the pitch? At least then I can be spared reading yet another Spurs players 'We know we've been shit, we're gonna try our bestest, its gonna be alright' interview.

"Our next league game is at Stoke and playing away might feel a little easier for some of our team right now. At home, you feel the tension on the pitch and there are those who might prefer away games, where there's less expectation"

Honestly, what kind of sodding excuse is this? Is David placing the blame on fan-pressure? A few times this season we have attempted to get the boys going with one or two emotional sing-a-longs, to no avail. A team that believes its better than it is (and if you listen to King, Woodgate, Dawson and Bent you'd think we were almost potential world-beaters) shouldn't be choking or freezing on their home patch. And as for 'less expectation' away, this is probably the reason why our away record over the years has been so pathetic. Where is the confidence? Ok, sure, it's not sitting amongst us at the minute, but to suggest that Spurs have less expectation in away games is quite possibly the most backwards thing I've heard in recent weeks. I know what David is trying to say, but regardless, it's stupid.

"There will always be stick from the fans, but if you're not performing, what do you expect? Does it affect some of the lads? You'll have to ask them"

So in other words, yes it does affect them. What a bunch of pussies.

"From one win, we can rebuild our season. It hasn't happened for some reason but we have faith in our ability - we have to - and believe we'll get out of trouble. It's about attitude and when we get out of this dip, we will be stronger for it."

I'm wondering what the likes of Ramos, Poyet, Bent, King and Bentley churn out if we lose to Stoke on Sunday? Because they are fast running out of soundbites. One win will probably kick-start the season, but that win has to come on Sunday and if it fails to come in the next 3-4 games, then go into hiding for a couple of seasons.

tabloid round-up

Headlines from today's rags.

Tottenham are set to fire sporting director Damien Comolli, who has angered manager Juande Ramos with his transfer dealings. (The Sun)

Well, if you think back to the Ramos appointment Levy did say that Comolli wanted him at the club as he is the perfect 'coach' to work in a DoF structure thus allowing Levy a bullet-proof patsy if things don't go well. Sacking him would help appease all the disgruntlment, although people are stupid. Fact is, if Comolli is a failure who has been allowed to spend so much money, should the person who appointed him not be made accountable?

Probablity Factor: 8/10

But Ramos has been given a personal assurance by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy that he will be given time to turn the club around. (Daily Mirror)

Ramos was told not to worry about his future by Levy immediately after Spurs' defeat by Hull City on Sunday. (Daily Star)

Dear God, not the dreaded 'vote of confidence'? Wondering how much of this is just speculation. Nobody knows, unless Levy is directly quoted as confirming he said this. Can't imagine the chairman rushing down to the dressing rooms to tell the coach not to fret.

Probability Factor: 3/10

There is boardroom unrest at Tottenham about the role Levy has played in the club's worst start to the season since 1912 after he gave the green light to Dimitar Berbatov's £30m deadline-day move to Manchester United. (Daily Mail)

This is just shit journalism.

Tottenham's first-team coach Gus Poyet is the man most likely to replace Ramos if the Spaniard does leave White Hart Lane. (Daily Mirror)

Really? Anything to do with him being the current number 2 at Spurs? Honestly, the deduction skills of the Daily Mirror astonish me. I was half expecting Spurs to invite Mitchell Thomas to take over as care-taker. Gutted.

Probabilty Factor: 11/10

Spurs' £15m winger David Bentley is furious with Ramos because he feels his manager's rotation policy is the reason he has been left out of Fabio Capello's latest England squad. (Daily Express)

More lazy journalism. Bentley should be furious with himself and his own form, being the reason he is not in the England squad. Yeah, I know, Ramos has played him out of position - not ideal, but regardless he hasn't shown anything to warrant a first team place in his natural right-wing position.

Can't we just get a second hand one?

Blackburn apparently rate Bentley at £18M.

£12M is a far better estimation based on his recent form and the current transfer market. We'd probably offer that up front with an additional £4M based on achievements. The usual appearances, goals and where Spurs finish in the Prem. So £16M in total but won't matter too much because if we qualified for the Champs League, we would be rolling in it more so than usual.

Imagine the merchandise we would churn out? Christ, I can taste puke in my mouth.

No Bentley bid

According to Ince, only Villa have made an offer for the winger. Which basically means (if true of course - Ince might be fibbing) that all the press rumours and message board updates from ITK's amount to a bucket of bullshit.

I miss the days pre-Internet where the first you heard of a new signing was when the club announced it. But the obsession of being the person who tells you something before its made public, simply for the accolade of 'I told you so' has turned pre-season into a joke.

The red tops run wild naked through the streets printing anything they wish, along with what the football agents want printed. Some of them also help out their 'mates' who manage at club level. Its all very much part and parcel of tapping up players and heightening awareness of who ought to be moving where.

If Bentley is going to sign for us, then he will and knowing about it before the fact wont change the conclusion.