Spurs unveil new home kit

No matter how many times we fire, we just never seem to do any real damage.

This might just be the words engraved on our 4th spot headstone cometh the end of the season.

You can't fault the side for effort. It's not like we're not crafting out chances. [ground-hog day] We just don't seem to have the cutting edge to put to bed teams who sit back and defend against us [/ground-hog day].

Christ, imagine if we were a tad more clinical? We'd wipe the floor with practically 90% of the Prem. Instead, we make the art of winning a game (based on chances and possession) look like hard graft, and in the end we get a point for our troubles and plenty of head shaking. What makes it even more frustrating is the fact we are leaving ourselves susceptible to a counter-attack and sucker punch goal. Simply because we don't stick in the back of the net. It's not great for the heart, but then watching Spurs never is.

Are we unlucky? Maybe, a little. Perhaps its our routine 'trying to hard' style of play when at times perhaps we should disguise our play a little with a clever ball. Game could have done with the touch of Gudjohnsen. I'm assuming he's not quite ready for action. Or Harry simply decided the game was just too highly strung to risk changing it's dynamics.

Villa, I expected to see arrive at the Lane and give it a right old go. Instead they parked the bus and defended, at times, brilliantly. Respect from Villa or just negative tactics from MON? Either way, they're the ones happy with the point. We're left with heads jam-packed with what ifs.

We played well, perhaps not excelling in one or two areas. But once more, did enough to win it and yet just about enough not to. Modric was involved but not quite on top of his game in the final third. Bale and Bentley continue to impress - Bale especially from a defensive perspective. Proud to see these two do well. Bentley continues to show determined consistency. Wilson was strong, Hudd equally so but didn't do enough IMO in an offensive way. Game needed someone to dictate. Hudd doesn't always impose himself half as much as he's capable of doing. We defended well too but then it wasn't like Villa put us under pressure. Gomes alert when called upon.

Should Harry have made a sub and taken a risk? Niko for Moddle? Had it not worked out I'm sure some of us would have still criticised him for making the wrong substitution.

I do think that had Lennon played in this game and one or two others in recent weeks we'd be in a better position. CL football is not in a galaxy far far away, but rather just a hyper-jump away.

13 games left. No need for a funeral procession just yet. But with Liverpool back in 4th and waiting on the return of Torres, once more we're left hoping all this possession ends with one or two head shots. At the very least.

Spurs 2 Fulham 0 - We still 4th then?

Spurs 2 Fulham 0

I wasn't at the game yesterday evening. Instead, it was spent on the sofa quietly celebrating a birthday drink in the company of a very pregnant Mrs Spooky and a bottle of twenty three year old Guatemalan rum. Comfortable and snug. Much like Tottenham's display against Fulham. You got the feeling early on that as long as we broke the deadlock, we'd win. And win we did. Unlike the build up of tension in prior home games where we failed to break down the opposition, there was enough patience with our play to stop any concerns and over-stating our effort.

Huddlestone back in the starting line-up as expected, King in for Bassong and Niko (out due to illness) replaced by David Bentley. The sight of David had one of my eyebrows reaching out for the top of my head like the glory days of The Rock in the WWE. Can you smell what the Bentley is cooking? How many of you facepalmed when you clocked he was in the starting line-up? I've seen rocking horse shit more times than I've seen him run out for us this season. But credit where it's due. The lad rolled his sleeves up and worked hard. No glam, no Hollywood passing, no tricks and showboats. He just got on with it. Controlled steering, firmly on the road, not a lamp post  to be seen.

Okay, so the side wasn't swashbuckling but when we've struggled to put other lesser sides to bed, to get the all important first goal and then push on from there was vital. More so when you look behind to see that Liverpool drew a blank. We lost concentration late on, but Fulham hardly looked convincing. If anything, questions about our cutting edge remains evident. As a side note, Gudjohnson? Not totally convinced, mainly because I haven't seen him recently. Based on the player he was - hell yeah. What's his motivation? If he ends up at West Ham, we'll know the answer to that particular question. Anyways...

Highlights for me -

Huddlestone and Palacios. Both of them did plenty of running. Hudd especially looking good on his return. Once more you hope he can one day soon dominate the midfield against one of the Prem's stronger sides. Ah, its' the rum talking I know. Wilson did his job perfectly, winning tackles and easing the pressure. Both of them had free passes in the middle of the park.

King. As comfortable as I was sat on my sofa scratching my backside. For all the criticism that has been quietly whispered about him, he's still top drawer when called upon. Essential for the likes of Bassong to have him around. Be it, part-time. Corluka equally impressive. Dawson not quite at the level he was a few weeks back, confidence perhaps a little dented still with recent blemishes lingering in his mind. Banish them Michael and keep on smiling.

As for our keeper, can't help but love him. Even if he cries like a girl. Drama queen he is, but he's looking consistent and commanding.

Our Gareth is resembling a Cheshire cat rather than a gloomy ape-boy this morning. Started and finished the game - and tasted victory (in the Prem) for the first time in around 23 games. The perfect illustration of how confidence is imperative to a young footballers development. We shagged it up big time first time round, rushing him into the side (I think on his return from a knock), and having him playing alongside shambolic more experienced players that did little to aid him or the team as a whole. Desperately unlucky and almost ruined (it's the Tottenham yoof way), compounded by the fact that we insisted on starting him regardless. He's now in a far better team and his performances continue to impress because he's free to express himself far more. Another MOTM performance (shared with Moddle), made easier by the lack of defensive questions asked of him. Although I'd like to see him improve with his decision making at the back along with his positioning. In time. Let's not forget his age and let's try not to pressure the lad too much.

Modric was buzzing. Crafting, creating with his quick feet, always looking to set the tempo and make something happen. Superb assist. Still not at that devastating level he's capable of, but he's getting closer with each game. He just looks so good on the ball. Brilliant faint and shot, shame it didn't go in. Keep on repeating it...he makes us tick.

And as for the very much maligned Bentley. Minimum fuss, as mentioned already. He buckled down and worked for the team. For someone watching from the sidelines for so long, he performed admirably, much like Roman did against Leeds. Not sure what's wrong with Krancjar (not had a chance to read much yet this morning). Conspiracy theorists amongst you might be scratching your chins and wondering if Harry is sticking him in the window in time for the panic-button final days before it shuts. I'm happy he scored, even if it was via a deflection.

Crouch linked up well with the midfield. Note that hoofing the ball up to him was not the tactic taken every waking second of the game. Took his goal well too. Defoe had another quiet night. Team is winning, so no I'm not going to complain. He's in a lull, he'll came out of it soon. He's got 14 already this season. Plenty time for more. And off the field personal issues might be causing his mind to wonder a little.

Keane was on too late to make any sort of mark on the game. I did have a strange dream last night involving Robbie. He was on a ladder cleaning windows, arms flapping in all directions in that pointy shouty iconic way we grew to love. He hardly even complains nowadays. I want angry Orish footballer back.

The rum was magical as ever.

Easy going evening. We needed to win. We did more than enough to deserve it.

COYS

Football karma restores balance to the Facere

vertigoclinic @spooky23 - I can't see the match here in the states, but from the sound of it Myhill is 20 feet wide and made of granite (via Twitter during the game)

Oh hum. Let’s try and sum things up.

The performance

Far from vintage in some ways, but arguably, you can’t frown at the amount of chances created. You could perhaps inquire as to why every shot was aimed towards Myhill’s body but then that would be doing a great injustice to what was a 2 point match saving performance from Hull’s wonder-keeper. We should tag this game and line it up alongside the Wolves and Stoke games. We did enough to beat Wolves but lost. The Stoke game – based on performance – was probably just about right as we didn’t do enough on the day. And then Hull. A team who got battered yet lived to tell the tale.

Frustration. That’s the tag.

The question mark is simply one of a tactically nature. How best to break down a side that defends with 11 men behind the ball?

We can’t expect them to turn up and play open football. Granted, it’s not pleasant to watch a side time waste in the manner they did and doubly not great to see the ref fail to control the antics. Again, not that I’m saying we need protection and aid. We should be able to pick off these sides. They play like this because they respect the quality we have. But alas, not enough of that quality in the right areas to break best them. I’m talking in general here based on the other lickle clubs who have ‘done us over’ at the Lane. If we genuinely have the quality then we need to get into the habit of using it in situations that force us to adapt accordingly.

But hey, this is all a little harsh. We dominated. And Myhill probably won’t stick in a performance like that again for a long long time.

Overall, the tempo was slow at times and our finishing not clinical enough.

Player ratings

I’d say Bale impressed. Along with Moddle who was busy but not quite outstanding (give him time). The defence was compact but our forwards not quite with the midas touch when it mattered most. Niko was very very quiet and Huddlestone, in a game you’d hope he’d grab by the scruff of the neck, seemed to lack the required oomph to do so.

The ref

Weak. It’s fine if Hull want to play anti-football. They’re fighting for survival so good luck to them. We should be big and bad enough to still find a way through. But would be nice if the ref imposed himself and layed down a few ground rules at the first sign of anyone taking the piss. Failed miserably in stopping the time wasting tactics Hull introduced very early in the game. Booked a player for it, then seemed to ignore everything else.

The stats

First draw at the Lane since February 2009? Last one was against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Cup. Last Prem draw was in the same month at home against Arsenal. The stat to shout out about is the one that sees us 547 minutes without conceding a goal. 6 successive clean sheets. Last goal conceded by our back four? December 12th.  Obviously also worth nothing that we’ve failed to score…at home…against Wolves, Stoke and now Hull. Grrr.

Gareth Bale

There is no jinx. Don’t believe the hype. Wasn’t his fault he happened to play in a side, every now and again, that was utterly shit. His current form, based on a foundation of confidence, is one that should be applauded.

Robbie Keane

He is far from any sort of pulsating game-influencing form. Far far away. He’s still managed to notch up some goals for us (mainly in the Cups) and Redknapp is perhaps a tad too loyal in starting him. Much like Bentley there’s a lack of sustained belief and the want for that little bit extra in his performances. The Liverpool experience has been beyond detrimental. Can he be saved? Will he rediscover his mojo? I hope so. Wouldn’t want to think this is it. One thing that won’t aid him to return to form (and yes I get it, we’ve been patient enough) is the abuse he’s currently getting from some fans. Wash your mouths out. Yeah he left and yes the embarrassment of us saving him is probably half the reason he’s had the wind knocked out of him. But he needs inspiration rather than moans and groans.

Although he did miss that absolute sitter…How the fuck did he not score? Robbie, you ####ing ###!

Other results

It’s football. Anything can happen. And in some ways karma has restored balance to the Facere. Well, karma probably isn’t the right term, but still let’s rejoice in further evidence that this season refuses to settle down. City lose. Liverpool draw. Villa draw. And up we go back into 4th. Obviously it would be nicer to have a cushion or two protecting us from those within touching distance. Seems the race for 4th is on and off and on, every few weeks. Still we await for some one (please let it be us) to start pulling away from the chasing pack. I pray to God that we don’t go into April needing to win, let’s say, 3 games.

Repeat mode activated. We are in with one hell of a chance as long as we start to up the tempo now. People scoffed at the start of the season because all assumed that the Top 4 would walk it. Times are changing, but the Sky Sports Cartel are far from dead.

Liverpool away

I’m fearful. Okay, so Liverpool are God awful at the moment, have none of their key players available and all eyes on Rafa and his future once more. We are – brace yourselves – favourites for this. Complacency. Mus be avoided it. We have to be professional and ruthless. Go for it, that jugular, and make a statement of true intent. Yes, beating Liverpool might not be such a crowning glory these days but the fact we’ve failed to win away to any of the ‘Top 4’ for around 200 years means that rather than take this opportunity for granted we should work our socks off like we’re the underdogs and we’re the ones fighting to prove a point. How Harry prepares them for this will be vital. Along with selecting a side that will cause them untold problems at the back. I suggest Crouch + Defoe for this one.

Cue special atmosphere at Anfield and miracle 4-0 win for the home side.

Seriously, let’s just END the scousers.

Liverpool. Away.

Liverpool. Away. We never pick up all three points when on our travels to one of the Sky Sports Cartel. It's tedious. Mainly because losing has us return with tails between legs back to the repetitive status quo more times than Ian Beale begs his latest wife not to leave him. It's becoming tedious. I mean seriously, Ian is proper weasel. Why do these women allow themselves to get hitched to this wimp in the first place? He owns a fish and chip shop ffs. I guess it’s the facial hair that does the trick. Women do like a bit of facial hair.

Anyways, this game at Anfield is massive. It's got the 'biggest game of the season' trimmings all over it. Biggest game of our season thus far no doubt. Lose this and Liverpool catch-up. City and Villa will also be smiling. And everyone in the tabloids and at Sky Sports Towers will be buzzing high on glee as one of their dinosaurs sees off a great pretender and that status quo remains stable and comfortable. They don’t like change. And change never comes. It's almost like we hypnotically comply to their wishes. Much like Ian Beale hypnotises the ladies into taking a liking to him. The dirty dog.

It's a statement of intent to go there and leave with all three points. It will apply further pressure on Rafa and have people considering the realistic possibility that there is a decline at hand at Liverpool. Winning there would be a statement that we are not just great pretenders and that having past the half way stage, we can now seriously be looked upon as a team with ambitions to finish in the top 4. Now I know the irony is obvious to you and me. If Liverpool are playing poorly and if we beat them it's probably not something genuinely out of the ordinary because of our form and consistency and their constant disappointing performances. So pound-for-pound it might not quite be a David and Goliath moment or be a decisive defining juncture in our season. They're not flying. They're drowning. Well not quite, their arm floats are keeping them above water. So if we claimed a win, our players shouldn't spend the evening on an open-top bus getting smashed out of their heads.

But because it is Liverpool - this great institution of yesteryear, and because people still sort of quietly expect them to 'wake up' - beating them in their own backyard would still give us one of those sensationalist back page headlines that are usually kept for other Top 4 clubs. It would irk many for us to win and win well. Although I'm sure the headlines will be more about Liverpool losing than Spurs winning. The media agenda has never been stronger. But the three points and the gap extended between us and them would serve well for Harry and his troops and if he works it right, it will aid the self-belief in growing stronger. As long as feet remain firmly on the ground. Let the fans grow wings.

Regardless of other peoples perceptions, to us, this is akin to a cup semi-final. Sort of. At the very least it should be treated like a cup game. Go for the jugular. Take the game to them. Show absolute offensive intent and make them work hard to stop US from playing. Rather than go there and be content with sharing the points. Fuck it, this is football. It's meant to be passionate and forceful and players should be full of spirit and pride. Confidence, we know, plays a big part and our belief has lagged on occasions. Tactical naivety and lack of concentration has seen us drop points (Everton away) when we should have killed the game off. It's major test of Harry and the players.

Don't show respect. Forget about the stats and the past. Shrug off the expected. Prove it to yourselves and to us the fans that you want Top 4. It's the time for everyone in Lilywhite to became leaders. Backbone, bollocks and balls…in the back of the net.

We're in a good strong position. Liverpool are on the ropes, sluggish, but still fighting. Dig deep. Show class. Our away form has been good this season. History tells us we will choke. It's about sodding time we became masters of the Heimlich manoeuvre.

Open bus parade cancelled in East London (2-0 to the Lilywhites)

West Ham still are rivals, right?

No blood and thunder in this derby match. It was akin to a giant swallowing a feather. Slight tickle on the tongue, hardly noticed, and not a chance in hell of choking.

They were never in it. Very comfortable, embarrassingly so. Shame we couldn't carve up a few more slices of goal mouth action and stuff them, but can't complain at all. 2-0, another clean sheet and very little to complain about. No complacency at all, unlike what happened against Stoke and Wolves. West Ham were plucky in parts in the second half, but never threatening. Not helped by injuries, including the one to Scott Parker that appeared to play a part in allowing Luka the freedom of the midfield to race in for his first goal of the season. Welcome back little man.

Modric (starting and finishing the move for that goal) appeared to galvanise one or two players with his mere presence. I guess the lack of Claret and Blue presence also helped, but credit where it's due. Huddlestone was influential, Palacios biting like a mosquito on speed. We'll have to perhaps wait a little longer to see if Modric in the middle and Niko on the left can work, but no doubt, the line-up that started did.

We clicked and dominated possession. Lennon and Corluka enjoying plenty going forward. Defoe always a menace. The only humbug was perhaps the impossibility of a post-match DVD release cometh the final half an hour as we still sat on a 1-0 lead. There was no Wiganesque demolition job here. Not that WH ever really looked like scoring anyway. But sometimes crazy shit happens, and you can suddenly find yourself pegged back. But I guess another positive about this Spurs side is that there was no collapse evident at any stage and in the end, we put it to rest with a great goal made by Defoe, for himself, teasing with speed and urgency outside the box, lashing it in, off Green and back to him for yet another lash - this time finding the net. Everything in between the first and second goal was easy on the eye. Highly enjoyable afternoon, but we need to discover the guile for that ruthlessness that turns this from a Sky+ recording of MOTD2 to club shop merchandise heaven.

And also, special extra mention for JD - yellow-carded for celebrating with fans by allowing an embrace or two to engulf him when he made it 2-0. Much like Cesc Fabregas did at the Emirates yesterday. Score and celebrate with fans. He got yellow carded too. Yep. He suuuuuuuuure did. Hmm.

Anyways.

Do we get to keep the cup?

As for top 4 - we need to consolidate and to do that we need to step up an extra gear. Up to Harry to make sure the players remain focused. The way this season is panning out, anything is possible, so I'm neither jigging nor scratching chin. I'm waiting to see how things pan out, but to be honest, my dancing shoes are on. Fuck it, may as well wear our hearts on sleeves. Its what we do best. And if we get something at Anfield...

Think Liverpool will come back into it at some stage soon, and add City and Villa to the mix - its cat and mouse at the moment. Still no sign of anyone truly grabbing the Prem by the scruff of the neck. I'm enjoying it though. How can any Spurs fan not? Our next 6 games are perhaps season defining (how many times have we heard that?). In fact, screw the rest of them. We need to focus completely on what we do going forward. Let them play catch up rather than sigh when someone above us drops points. We need to have them chasing us. I guess this is where we find out if the players - and Harry - actually believe.

It's been a decent Christmas. 4th going into 2010. Not sure what to make of our gaffers comments about not having anyone in mind, re: transfers. He doesn't think we need to cause ripples with further headache selections, but when he cites '4 forwards' you have to wonder if his tongue is firmly embedded in cheek. Is Pav really still a choice?

Sorry, can't muster too much else at the moment. I'm still sick, bloodshot eyes, head-thumping headaches. It's the end of days over here at the moment. But still smiling. If I'm not back on-line before 2010, enjoy what's left of this year. And cast your minds back to where we sat just before Redknapp took the helm. Facebook Relegation Party, what became of you?

For now...we're forever bursting...

Spurs loving the away day pints...I mean points

Morning.

Delightful weekend. Nothing more pleasant that the depressive yet heart warming sight of Sam Allardyce complaining in the aftermath of defeat. Okay, so we won ugly. It wasn't exactly a convincing victory for total football over anti-football but we managed (once more) to ride out the bumps and accept gleefully any slice of luck that presented itself with open arms. It was a hard working day at the office, no room for slacking. And unlike last season, no sleeping on the job.

We soaked up the tackles and the physicality, showed some strength - mental type too - and won the day. Huddlestone's superb disguised pass to Niko out on the wing (he meant it yeah?) who sent the ball back in for Crouch to climb all over the hapless defender and head the ball in for 1-0 just before the break. I loved this simply for the Blackburn fans behind the goal laughing at Tommy's shot almost (almost but not quite) going out for a goal kick. The second goal (Crouch again) was well taken, Peter beating any chance of an offside flag being raised and smacking it in to guarantee the three points. In between all that there was plenty of low key action. A day for defenders rather than offensive beauty. However, everyone put in a shift. For all the tabloid scandal about the unauthorised Dublin trip, it was great to see Spurs churn out the pints…points.

The game began to go in our favour when Harry made the substitutions. Yes, doubters, Harry made tactical subs that had a positive effect on the game for us. In our favour. Keane and Jenas both impressing when called into action. A Crouchie brace was also something to smile about. Add to it the stern and strong defensive display by the back four and the aforementioned slice of luck (McCarthy's effort hitting the post) and we can tag this one under the 'Spurs have backbone' category. We are not a bad team away from home these days.

Couple of things of note. First up, Gomes and that McCarthy shot. Unlucky? Er, no. Okay, so I keep banging on about slice of luck, but if you take a look at the incident again either the Rovers forward was guilty of a terrible miss or the victim of a more than decent save. The latter. It's the latter. Why can't it be the latter? Seems Gomes is immune to credit even thought he saved the shot (that then came back off the woodwork). So when does a ball hitting the keeper get to be considered a save? When the goalkeeper is English perhaps? Ooh racist.

I jest.

Also, Match of the Day 2. Gary Speed (talking about Wolves):

"They've had a couple of great results recently with wins against both Spurs and Tottenham...."

The anti-Tottenham agenda goes from strength to strength. If the indignity of losing the once to Wolverhampton was not bad enough, they've now been credited with defeating us twice. The propaganda is never ending.

Anyway, if I was to dish out marks out of ten (I don't own the copyrights for that) I'd split the team into 8's and 7s with perhaps a 6 for Defoe because he was fairly quiet. But no complaints, not really. These types of games are games that can prove to be more than tricky especially with historical expectations people have for us when we travel. We seem to be adapting and evolving. And as this ridiculous season continues to remain so, a Top 4 finish will simply come down to us finding that extra oomph from stepping up a gear. We just need to make sure we don't free-fall or drop too many silly points as we've done already. You can it see now, can't you? End of season, just one or two points in it. Best to avoid another such finale. Have it wrapped up weeks before.

So four points off Utd at Christmas? You'd have taken that at the start of the season. Don't torment yourself by adding the points lost (Stoke, Villa, Everton, Wolves) to our current tally. You'll shit bricks.

Conclusion for Saturday? Flying colours for me.

More blogs on the way (before I disappear for the Christmas weekend).

Spurs 3 City 0 - Spare a thought for Noel Gallagher

How should we do this? I'm thinking we dance a merry jig. Okay, so City failed to turn up and make a game of it. Not our problem. When we fail to do the same the opposition get all the credit for the manner of the victory and tags like 'bottled it', 'lack of mental strength' and 'not good enough' are handed out to our wounded troopers. So when we dish out such a comfortable spanking to a side beaten just once in the Prem this season, it should be embraced and enjoyed as much as a 1-0 defeat at home is frowned upon with distain.

Congratulations Harry and the players. You stood up and you asserted yourselves. Even when City had possession, they lacked any sort of cutting edge. Yes, cutting edge, that oh so important element that has let us down in the past couple of games. We had it in swaggering bursts yesterday evening. Love it when we dick this lot. I guess Noel will probably console himself with another radio broadcast with his mate Russell Brand. At least Liam was always game for a laugh. RIP Oasis. RIP City. Well not quite, but definitely maybe over the 94 minutes played out at WHL.

It wasn't quite a dismantling, mainly because of City and their lacklustre effort. But it was professional and determined (from us) and the result never in doubt. Effortless really. The came to attack, failed to do so with any menace, meaning we had the space and time to craft and create. We were by no means slick, sometimes sloppy, but a 3-0 is a 3-0. Comprehensive. We didn't even bother with a sub until the 89th minute.

Oh, go on then, we outclassed them. Happy days.

Krancjar was ridiculously sexy. Had a touch of the Ginolas about him. Movement, passing, finishing. Almost forgot little Luka was sat on the bench looking on. We are being spoilt. All this for £2.5M. And I'm positively salivating at the prospect of perhaps seeing Moddle in the centre with Palacios and Niko retaining his role on the left.

Lennon was unplayable©. Tore City (Sylvinho) to shreds with ample ease. And he wasn't just beating the opposition. His final ball was deliciously accurate. End product that. He is in the form of his life, and there's no argument - England's best 'right-winger'. Sorry Theo, you can keep your pretty girlfriend and bum fluff on chin. It's all about the shaved eyebrows. Substance and style.

Others also impressed. Dawson awesome. Which is becoming a bit of a habit, the show-off. Handball incident (was it/wasn't it on purpose?) but otherwise yet another performance filled with Le Passion. He loves to care and we love to love him. Once upon a time he needed Ledley by his side to guide him through 90 minutes. Nowadays, captains armband strapped on, he leads by example. He's all grown up. About time, considering he's 26. The big daft lad.

BAE was impressive and confident on the ball. The epitome of calm. Bonus nutmeg on Adebayor, delightful. Unconfirmed reports that the fan who abused him last Saturday showered Benny with roses as he left the pitch as they exchanged kisses.

Bassong, steady and strong. Corluka continuing to work well with Lennon. He wasn't perfect on the night. But no big moan. And Gomes, earning his wages when called upon to shot-stop. Didn't really have that much to do other than watch a couple of half chances fly over the bar. Saved well from Petrov's free-kick. Easy evening.

Huddlestone, wasteful with his shooting, but productive in central midfield as far as his defensive duties were concerned. He didn't quite impose himself with Hulkish posturing and quarter-back splitting passing but did what he had to do to make sure City never got a foothold. Quietly decent.

Wilson was efficient with the tackles, in fact he was better than good at times. Did a proper number on the City players. Okay, so his passing remains inconsistent and frustrating, but he had decent enough moments. Better than he has been and fingers crossed he'll continue to improve. Blackburn up next, so expect his 5th yellow card to be dished out in that game - meaning we'll have to live without him in the game that follows.

As for our double-act up front, lovely. Defoe still needs to work on his off-sides (I'm sure half the time he's actually on-side) but his finishing (lashes them) remains superb and his hold up play equally impressive. Crouch was busy. Okay, so he's not scoring but he links up impressively with JD and others. He's involved.
 
Damn it. There is little to complain about.

This is what we missed against Wolves. Simple confident football from a side playing like a team, complimenting
each others strengths going forward and never panicking or allowing room for complacency once ahead. Patiently waiting to pick off the opposition.

The goals?

(1-0) Tottenham branded football this. Niko feeds Lennon on the right who ghosts past Sylvinho like Casper on roller-skates and then crosses to the head of Crouch. A second of mess, as the header hits Stephen Ireland, and the ball presents itself to Niko (having started the move) who smacks it into the goal.

(2-0) Second half and game over with a move started by Gomes. Kicked to Crouch (again) who flicks the ball over Toure (having beaten Onuoha to get to it) and JD is there to send it into the top corner from close range. Now that's how to finish.

(3-0) The type of defending to leave Alan Hansen with a nerve-shattering combo of night terrors and sleep paralysis. Three City defenders standing guard whilst we take a short corner. Lennon threads the ball to Niko, leaving the three of them redundant, and then mugs Adebayor off by dancing past him and hitting the ball through the legs of the hapless Given. Brilliant moment, capping off a sublime performance - from player and team.

As for City (our Top 4 rivals)? Didn't really turn up did they? Robinho is laughable away from home. What's meant to be his role? Midfielder, attacking midfielder, forward? One thing he failed to do (no shock) was aid Sylvinho. Tevez, full of energy but little direction. Adebayor was pretty much non-existent which was great. But it's okay, he's bound to re-discover his form again when City next play Arsenal. Ireland and Barry did well with their defensive duties. Excuses I'm hearing is de Jong 'had' swine-flu and Barry was playing with an injury. Riiiight. Ok den.

There appeared to be no fluidity with the way City attacked. The balance in their side isn't quite there yet. Not making that assumption based on this one game. But Harry is right. They will be a threat, simply because they will be able to throw money at anything that moves and most probably replace Hughes with a more special type of manager.

Loved the chanting and baiting. Also loved Robbie Keane (you'd have spotted this if you re-watched the Sky Sports coverage of the game) shaking the hands of the players at the start of the second half and offering encouragement. He's good for moral even if we spend our time questioning his own.

Does it change anything? Are we back in the race for 4th? We were never out of it. This season will continue to surprise and shock. Twists, turns and turnips will grab the headlines with each passing week. We'll be involved, not only because the stronger teams are not so strong anymore but because we do posses the players to challenge the weaker of the strongest. To keep ahead of the likes of Villa, Liverpool and City we'll simply need to make sure we build on these types of results. Win away to Blackburn and that will be another step towards total belief. Lose it and it’s a shrug and a dust off and we'll have to start over. It's that type of season.

Consolidation is the key.

A defensive midfielder and a centre back thank you please. And if either has leadership qualities, that will do to just fine too.

COYS.

Spurs v City: Fortune favours the brave

Massive game for us this evening. Mainly because of what's happened recently. We are swaying like a bridge in a storm. But it's best to remember we're built of sterner stuff these days. Pretty much like a bridge. It's meant to sway, see out the storm. I have confidence the bridge won't be destroyed. It's just raining on the heavy side rather. No hurricane. Not yet.

Okay, so we could have done more at Villa (in the first half), didn't and fought back superbly well to claim a point and probably should have won it. After that game Villa fans (quite a few of them) were in agreement that we (Spurs) were in a far better place to challenge for the Top 4 than them. All off the back of that result having out played them in the second 45. Then Everton away, and although from the knee-jerking post match you'd think our season was over, we were but a spot kick away from winning this. Okay, we didn't and people discussed mental strength and tactics - which is fine, because we let the game slip from our grasp. As Martin Samuel puts it, the enemy is within. Spurs are beating Spurs. And at home to Wolves we practically gave ourselves a bloody nose, leaving ourselves slumped in a dark alley, shaking our head profusely. Confused and lost.

Stoke at home was bad enough, but the 1-0 loss against a 3rd minute winner against Wolves was just awful and pretty much unacceptable.

Around us, Villa have beaten Man Utd (away) and Sunderland and now sit 3rd in the table. Birmingham are suffering from a nosebleed of their own. The good kind. So our game against Man City tonight takes on extra significance. They are finding winning form after so many draws. Historically, they always lose to us at the Lane (and we don't do too badly up at Eastlands). It's a tricky one to predict.

What is required is a home win. A good one. A confidence boosting morale hugging victory. Swagger, clinical finishing. The chests-out look at us we are so great type of run out. We all know that in the Prem this season, you only have to register a win to 'turn your season around', as seen by the coverage Arsenal get (they lose, they're out the title race, they win, they're back in it).

Three points will leave us sitting in 5th (where we are now) but 3 points ahead of the Brummies and 4 ahead of City. Liverpool at home to Wigan, so they're not that far behind either.

But tonight is not about the points. Okay, it is, but it's more about sending out a message. Players have to focus, dig deep and rediscover some of that form that got us up in this healthy position in the first place. Won't be easy, but if we are firing on all cylinders at least we cant complain about them not giving it a go. No more wet performances please. City, no doubt, will want to prove something too. And if we lose again - at home - God help Santa. No amount of presents is going to aid the crying hearts of the Tottenham faithful.

Massive task in midfield. City are hard working in that department, so Wilson will have to perform well for us to have any time to allow Huddlestone to ping passes around. Problem is, Wilson hasn't been performing well. Is it a personal issue or simply a lack of form that hits everyone. If the latter, Harry has to resolve it quickly. I've read opinions that suggest he's a bit lost in there because Huddlestone isn't doing enough work. But then thinking back to the first 4 games, Hudd/Palacios worked like magic.

Lennon is key to success, as ever. Same with Niko. Give either of these two time on the ball and we'll craft and create. You know all too well who is up front for them, and we all know he always fancies his chances against us, so the centre-backs have to be commanding. We're going to concede tonight. So emphasis on our attack. Defoe up front with Keane. Plenty of eyes on these two. Cannot emphasis how frustrating we've been in front of goal recently. Chances created, chances fluffed. Has to change.

Battles all across the field of play, the side that wins more of them wins the war. Obviously. My point is, we two sides no better than each other. Both with strengths and weakness both possessing individual flair that can win a game in the blink of an eye. Let's hope our lot don't freeze in the cold evening air.

I doubt it, after the Wolves embarrassment. Nothing can be taken for granted now. So expect some blood and thunder tempo from our lads.

Modric? Doubt he's fit enough to start. Wouldn't make sense for him to do so. Perhaps a cheeky final 25 minutes as he continues his return to first team action. JJ has been sick, so not a clue if he's available. Which is either a good thing or a bad thing depending on where your Love/Hate arrow is pointing on the Jenas-o-meter.

Interesting footnote, and I know its the usual kidology that takes place pre-match, but our guv has been talking about the African Nations Cup and the loss of Bassong and BAE leaving us with little cover at the back thanks to Woody and Kings continued absence. No question, that regardless of where we stand come the New Year - it's not just another central midfielder required. Villa collapsed late last season. We still have to get ourselves in a similar position. We have to get ourselves in that position and then we have to be able to consolidate it. Because from the looks of it, its still up for grabs.

So. Onwards with making a statement. News of our death has been greatly exaggerated.

Textbook Tottenham trip up again

Spurs 0 Wolverhampton 1

“Ridiculous that there's butterflies and nervous twitches in amongst the Spurs faithful, but such is the way of supporting this club. Nothing can ever be taken for granted”

– Spooky, Spurs v Wolves match preview

Bloody hell. It's almost like I scripted the result with my match preview of the game. Word for word what I asked from the players, to avoid, they appear to have embraced and allow themselves to fall victim to yet another 'OMG' home defeat.

Here's me, pre-match, concerned about which Spurs we'd witness against Wolves. The one that took Wigan apart or the one that failed to up the tempo an extra notch and were wasteful in front of goal, losing to Stoke? I had forgotten about that other one. The distant cousin that always turns up uninvited, spoiling the occasion. I'm talking about the one that plays football like they've forgotten how to play football. Casual, sloppy, lazy. No change of gear, no initial urgency - until it's too late in the day. Just going through the motions, full of sort-of-half-chance opportunities with plenty of over-hit passing.

Nothing overly exciting. Little faith.

And the perfect fit for an away side, regardless of their quality. Its comfortable playing against this Spurs because there not asking enough questions to keep you occupied. Get a goal, and the likelihood is that you'll see out the game, always capable of countering and scoring a second and never that worried that Spurs will perhaps find a way through.

It's like a eunuch in a harem. No chance of any sustained penetration. No moneyshot.

It’s the common blip, the advert of inconsistency we all know too well. The irritation that ground-hogs its way through our lives season upon season. When we expect Spurs to win, expect the result to go the other way. One down after three minutes and that voice in your heard is laughing uncontrollably.

2nd half saw both Moddle and Crouch on. But neither could muster up a killer ball or lay off.

If our lacklustre performance wasn't bad enough, the second ominous ingredient, is that of urgency that arrives in the guise of panic. It's a variety tinged with over-eagerness that builds up with each passing minute. Players lacking the composure and decisiveness for the break-through.

We dominated the second period, but that cloud that darkened our day (Stoke at home) was brooding over N17 again, ready to pour down further misery.

This is a collective problem. Not any given individuals fault. When presented with what looks like an equaliser, its fluffed. It's surreal at times, almost like nobody wants to take responsibility.

Lennon, escapes his marker and runs into the penalty area, squaring it, but no clear shot is taken. The half is littered with these types of examples. Possession is evident. But it's untidy in the final third, even if it looks dangerous (for Wolves) as they defend, nobody in Lilywhite puts foot on ball and attempts to play or hit it with intent and confidence.

This is the perfect illustration of how not having a commanding leader on the pitch is detrimental because we seem to suffer easily if things don't appear to be going our way. It's going to happen this sort of thing. Any club can go 1-0 down at home to a lower placed side that are expected to be beaten. But usually, the home side turns it around. However, there appears to be no in-betweeners for Spurs.

We either win and win comfortably, or we stutter and lose by a goal having dominated the vast majority of the game. Left scratching our heads. Another passage of play saw Corluka cross in for Kranjcar, this is it, no its not. Wasted.

Gio, with a rare appearance replaced the Croat and you just knew things were now beyond desperate. But still, anything crossed in was scruffy rather than clean-cut.

All Wolves had to do today was score. Just the one chance. Which they did, nice and early. Nice and simple. Then sit back and watch us limply attempt to equalise. One of those days? Yes, one of those reoccurring days that is becoming a major bugbear. Do we switch off? Is it a belief issue? Soft back bone? We know we are better than this, yet we are still capable of disappointing afternoons.

Did I mention lack of leadership?

Absolutely waste of a Premier league game (from our point of view). The frustration made worse because you go away thinking, we didn't play badly, right? Right?

Wrong.

It's a poor performance simply because we failed to do the simple things. Failed to grab the game, slow it down and then build it back up again - to our requirements and tempo. Regardless, well done to Wolves. They completed a rather simple act of getting the ball across the goal line. Something we made look like mission impossible.

I don’t know why I'm even surprised at the loss. This was textbook. What’s worrying is that we've now outplayed our last three opponents and failed to win in any of the games.

We are owed a complete performance against City. That will make or break Christmas.

Good to see Luka back. The one bright spot in an otherwise gloomy weekend. Hopefully it doesn’t take him too long get back to 100%. Hearing that BAE had an altercation with a fan that involved hands round neck. I've not dared venture into the message boards this evening or yet to have read any official match reports. I'll leave that until later, when I'm less delicate.

Talking of delicate, a final word for our mentally weak troopers. We don’t appear to have the desire to be top 4. This week at least. I'm sure it will change again next week. And that's the conundrum Harry has to resolve quickly. Cancel out these anomalies before they became our signature. No more yo-yo'ing.

In some ways, it wasn’t so much Wolves beating us, rather Spurs beating Spurs. You know exactly what I’m referring to here. We are doing this to ourselves far too much. In 2006 we’d lose 1-0 leads in the dying seconds of games that cost us at the death. This time round we appear to go from goal scoring pimps to impotent apologists from one game to the next.

The art of scoring and not scoring goals by Tottenham Hotspur. Guaranteed to give you a headache.

More later.

9-1. Frolicsome. Lap it up.

Unbelievable, I'm still trembling with glee on the back of this epic buzz. What a result. What a result. Jedward, finally voted off the X-Factor. Superb. Oh, and Spurs won 9-1.

In my match preview, I made one or two simple requests:

We need the team to give us a confident performance. That’s one that sees us play well, dominate possession and swagger it with tasty end product. One that keeps us 4th in the table.

No banana skin frolics or daft defending.

Prediction? I'm going for a home win.

Honestly chaps, 3-0 would have done me just fine. No complaints about the dismantling of lickle Wigan. We were lethal, clinical and swaggered around like pimps in fur coats gripping diamond studded canes. It's all about the game, and we were game on. There have been plenty of teams who have defended shockingly in the past but the opposition still has to punish them for it. These type of results don't happen often. It's a rare combination that includes not just the welcomed ingredient of the opposition crumbling under the pressure but for the side dishing out the spanking to be completely on fire, all cylinders positively bursting. We deserved what we got and the same can be said of Wigan. They simply couldn't handle the hot Spurs.

Lennon was irresistible, tearing it up, dribbling, hugging the touchline, cutting in, teasing, pin-point crossing, assist after assist after assist. Unplayable. Niko schemed, play-making to his hearts content which included one moment of brilliance that saw him flick the ball over a defenders head and then play a perfect 30 yard pass (obviously with the outside of his foot) into the path of Defoe who had his shot saved. One of the rare occasions that JD wasn't wheeling away to celebrate. Five goals, only the 3rd time a Prem player has achieved such a feat, which included a 7 minute hat-trick. Ridiculous. Even David Bentley managed a worthy cameo, hitting a splendid free-kick (that came back off Chris Kirkland and in) and setting up Niko for the 9th. And to think it was 1-0 at half time.

3-D special edition dvd blatantly in post-production.

Keane sat out the game on the bench (conspiracy clause theory RIP) with JD and Crouch leading the front-line. Hudd with Wilson in the middle, Azza back on the right and Niko starting on the left. The depressives amongst us would pose the question…where's the strength in the middle? Having Palacios as the only defensive player considering the way Sunderland outplayed us last time out might have left a few scratching heads over our potential fragility. But no repeat concerns here. We started well and other than perhaps the latter stages of the first half looked to be in control. Lennon tormenting Edman and crossing for Crouch for 1-0 as early as the 9th minute. Solid stuff. Dare I say balanced? Ok, so the opposition wasn't world-class, but neither was Stoke at the Lane and looked what happened there.

This was simply the perfect performance for the occasion. Devestating.

Relentless pace on one side and sexual football on the other. Aaron and Niko bossed it. A goal-assisting factory, oozing out chance after chance after chance - effortlessly. The passing, crossing, movement was stand-up-on-your-feet majestic at times. Best individual performance of the season thus far from our little rude-boy on the wing. As for Kranjčar? Offensively and defensively sublime. You want swagger bottled up and branded? Look no further than this cracking Croat who had the Ginolas about him as he owned the White Hart Lane turf. Although ownership is a trinity, completed by the irresistible Defoe who bagged himself five (1-2-3-4-5). Faultless display, ruthlessly punishing the luckless Wigan back-line who seemed to collapse on point every time JD moved. He was bang on it, not just with his finishing but his all-round play. That loan spell at Pompey was a masterstroke.

And in the middle a welcomed return to form for our General, breaking up any faint hope of opposition momentum to his hearts content. A defensive paragon of bricks. And let's not forget Tommy Huddlestone. Oh yes. No QE2 jokes. The big man was in his element. Top drawer passing, unlucky not to score. This is the type of game where you forget about any weakness and wish that all opposing teams wore bright orange. If you're wondering, Jenas was on the bench (and not eaten by Tom as part of his pre-match meal) but came on very late in the game, too late to make an impact. Maybe more faith is required on my part in future relating to the conundrum that is the Hudd, as Harry has no qualms in selecting him.

You can hardly fault anyone on the day. Crouch was busy. The defence strong and organised. You know it's a cracking day at the office when forgotten man Bentley shines with a goal (ok, ok, OG) and an assist.

As for the Wigan goal? Hand-ball. Replay? Go on then, why not. Defoe might even manage a double-hat-trick.

8 goals scored in the second half. 5 goals from one man,  3 of them in a 7 minute spell. Lovely. Tottenham Hotspur. She's like a stunning looking girlfriend who too often complains about headaches as you lay in bed despondent, and then makes up for it by fucking your brains out and leaving you jelly-legged on cloud nine.

Also, special mention to Darren Bent.

Good weekend innit?

Do not fade away, my darling Hotspur

International abyss over and out. Finally back to the bread and butter business of the Premiership. And one simple ask for the boys in Lilywhite:

Do not fade away.

We've done fine getting ourselves in the upper regions of the table, even with the almost eternal loss of Modric and one or two other hiccups, we've picked up points more so than failing to. But if our form continues to stagnate, then I can see us dropping 2/3 positions and then yo-yo'ing between 7th and 5th. Which wouldn't be too bad but considering the form of others, it would be a disappointment not to give it a more determined go and continue to hang onto 4th spot before the likes of those other pretenders, City, punch their way out of the paper bag they're in and Liverpool awaken from their coma.

Wilson, bless his wonderfully big heart, is not the player he was last season. Obviously deeply saddened by the death of his younger brother his form has been lopsided. Which is understandable. He'll rediscover his discipline soon enough and channel the anger and regret through his footballing boots. He has to. He knows it. We just need to continue to support him. I'm making an assumption that his dip is down to the loss of his brother. It's probably a mixture of different things including no Luka (it's always about the Moddle) and plenty of trips across to Honduras for internationals. Regardless, what I'm not going to accept is some of the idiot Spurs fans who are know claiming that Wilson is suddenly no better than Zokora. Honestly chaps, please do one and stop embarrassing yourselves.

Another potential problem that has caused Palacios to be a little off his game is the conundrum of who should be standing tall by his side in midfield. Things started well this season with Huddlestone paired up with him in the middle and when Jenas came into the fold one or two expected the dynamite partnership we were treated to towards the back end of last season.

Once again, we've been let down. Jenas sometimes reminds me an eskimo. Cool, ice cold and in control -  a blank white canvas surrounding him with ball at feet, prepared to paint a rainbow of colours. Not sure how that's an eskimo exactly. Perhaps and eskimo with a paint brush? But suddenly, the igloo behind him melts along with all the surrounding snow and the sudden hot temperature has our man sweating, unable to withstand the heat he strips off his clothes and runs around in a daze of confusion incapable of avoiding the glare of the hot unforgiving sun whilst neighbouring penguins look on with despondency, nodding their heads and groaning as naked Jenas eskimo falls into a crack in the ice whispering for help as he drowns. When the conditions suit him, he's a triffic player. He has no fear. Think Derby at home. Or even Arsenal. Such is the impossibility of knowing when he'll show up. But when the conditions do not suit him, he's beyond average (in the wrong direction). He's the most consistent of inconsistencies is our JJ.

Huddlestone, some of us thought, would take the opportunity of JJ's early season injury and cement his position alongside the General. But as expected (by the rest of us) the well known deficiencies in his armour have been once more shown up. So we are left with the January transfer window and the possibility of a new recruit to bolster the weak link in the side. The same weak link we had at the start of the season but failed to plug thanks to a drawn-out chase of various DM's - all of which came to nothing.

I'd expect Hudd to partner Wilson on Sunday v Wigan and the comfort of a home match might allow us to attempt to dictate play and tempo. If Palacios is in good nick and bites ankles, then Huddlestone might give us a quarter-back special, which will have us drooling again for another week before he's shown up as being slower than the QE2 attempting to do a u-turn in the Sahara desert.

Would dearly love to see Niko out on the left (still no Modric) and the return of Lennon on the right. No doubt Defoe will start up front and absolutely no doubt Keane will partner him.

That's Robbie 'played very well against the French' Keane. Robbie '5 goals in 6 league games' Keane. That's Robbie 'he's got a clause in his contract and that's the reason he's playing and it's not because of his form, no sir, it's not' Keane.

Ledley at the back? If we can rest him further, then I'd happily take that. He's another who's been out of sorts recently but rather than hang my head downwards in depression and start balling my eyes out about how this is all evidence of the demise of the King, I'd rather not. It's a lull. His knee hasn't gone to the dogs just yet. Perhaps this is a game for Awesome Dawson to smile his way through and allow Ledders extra time on the sidelines resting. It's not a perfect system, I know. Our best defender, with one knee. In the long term this isn't helping anyone chopping and changing.

As for the game itself.

We need the team to give us a confident performance. That’s one that sees us play well, dominate possession and swagger it with tasty end product. One that keeps us 4th in the table.

No banana skin frolics or daft defending.

Prediction? I'm going for a home win. I know, I know. Shocker.

The truth will out at the Lane

Today we welcome back Darren Bent. And it's been nothing but Darren Bent we've had to listen to in the past few days. In fact all the attention has been on the return of the much-maligned-when-he-was-at-Spurs player, that I reckon I've missed Robbie Keane's latest warcry, lost somewhere between Twittering and how welcome Sunderland fans made Benty when he signed for them. Andy Reid has also been informing us about how he has nothing to prove to Spurs. It's been relatively quite in comparison to the last weekends build up. And I don't mind it a bit. Jenas might have muttered a few words about something and Harry still insists his wife would have scored the chance Darren missed, but other than that, this game seems to have sneaked up on me. It's going to be a mess if we lose to a group of ex-Lilywhites. Terrible time for Bent at Spurs according to the man himself. Let's make today an absolute nightmare for him.

Today, the talking has to take place on the pitch. I'm not going to go all ridiculous on you and tag this game as 'The Biggest Game In Our History' but in relative terms, it's going to be a tad depressing today if we lost all three points. Three successive defeats will pretty much equate to a massive loss of confidence and Harry needing to brush up on his man-management skills to bring us out of the lull and his first lickel potential crisis problem (with no Ramos to place the blame on).

In the next few weeks, we expect to see the return of Modric and the possibility of an almost practically fully fit squad. The Stoke defeat was just one of those things. The Arsenal defeat was a completely wasted North London derby. Sunderland are also in lower regions of the pretenders category, looking up at 4th spot and scratching their chin, pondering the possibility of challenging for that spot whilst Liverpool continue to lose themselves in their mini-crisis. City are stuttering subtly. Villa too. This game will go along way in showing us whether we do genuinely have the heart and mental strength to dig deep and pull ourselves back up again to something reminiscent of a month or so ago. We'll forget about the tactical limpness we've displayed against the 'Top 4' (other than the scousers) and just make sure we beat the clubs that consider themselves our 'equals' with regards to that push up to 5th/4th.

Lennon might be back today which means no more hoof and hope. Mainly because he'll be able to cross for Defoe - also back and hopefully eager and hungry to make up for his sillyness and suspension. He owes us something. So do our non-existent (last week) midfield. Palacios has not been refined in performance in recent games. He has to be on top of his game today because I doubt Sunderland are going to sit back. They will come at us. And that bloke we sold them (I'll let you guess which one I mean) will no doubt want to show everyone his weight in gold. He's already stated he plans to celebrate if he notches one. He has no qualms about doing so. He's moved on. And we need to be moving on up.

You know that blood and thunder that was missing against Arsenal? Just a slice of that will do us today. It's not just Wilson who has to bring it either. Whomever is standing by his side in the middle also has a responsibility. Three successive defeats will not look good. It will in no way spell the end of any ambitious challenge we have, because mathematically there's an age to go. But it may well hurt the players, and just prove that the fragility in the team (club) is still very much festering away. I'm not going to give up just yet. And neither should our players.

Let's avoid a Bent Twitter gloating session cometh this late evening.

Today is the day for redemption.