Category Archives: Reviews - Page 2

I love beating West Ham

Posted by on August 24, 2009 40 comments

I really do. Not all their fans are arseholes but from a lot of the stuff they came on here with last season, a large proportion are. I do have a lot of time for Zola and Clarke though and it must have been a tough game mentally for their players after the tragic Calum Davenport incident.

It wasn’t an impressive Tottenham performance as it was in our first two games of the season, but it was impressive if you are impressed by Spurs grinding out results, something we haven’t been able to do in seasons past. It’s also nice to see Aaron Lennon’s finishing improving. If he can just try and look up a little more before crossing and playing final balls he’d be priceless. He isn’t far off it now.

It will be interesting to see who starts against Doncaster in the Carling Cup 2nd Round match but you’d imagine most if not all the players that have been on the bench recently will be in the starting line up. It is a difficult one because I don’t think it’s a game you can take lightly but those players wanting to impress will likely make up for any lack of match sharpness.

I’m taking nothing for granted against Birmingham but it’s a game you’d expect us to win at home 9 times out of 10. Another victory would give us huge confidence going into the Man Utd game on the 12th September, followed by Chelsea away the following Sunday, the game that is obviously the bigger test. Ok, Utd will be no picnic but there is no reason to fear any team at the Lane these days. Going to the Bridge does get me a little scared!

Hands off Modric red cheeks

Posted by on August 20, 2009 32 comments

As much as I’ve been enjoying myself since ten to five on Sunday, I’ve managed to find something to take the shine off ever so slightly. I saw a worrying quote in the press yesterday from Harry Redknapp regarding our little legend Luka Modric. I’m sure you all read it but it was the bit about Sir Alex that got me thinking. Harry said ‘Sir Alex Ferguson told me he could play in any team because he’s so good’. As much as I love the accolades coming Luka’s way, when Sir Alex is involved, I start to panic.

Our tremendous start to the Premier League season has been a team effort but Luka Modric has been key in that. The thought of Manchester United stealing him away in January, or at the end of the season, fills me with dread. This is the Manchester Utd manager’s style. Plant the seed in the player’s head and that of his agent, then just sit back and wait to pounce although I realise it was Harry’s fault this time!

We are already accused of being a feeder club for Utd by many of our rivals, another of our star players joining Berbatov and Carrick really would be the final nail in the coffin. Let’s hope our winning habit continues for the foreseeable future and we can tell any potential suitors to get well and truly stuffed.

Last night’s win was special. I know it was only a poor Hull side who’s manager is starting to come across as a complete mental but it was the same Hull that nearly held Chelsea at the weekend. To go to any Premiership side and score five is truly impressive. It’s important to keep our feet on the ground but at the same time enjoy it. It’s not often Spurs start the season in such impeccable fashion.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves but…

Posted by on August 17, 2009 7 comments

That was one of the most impressive Tottenham performances I have seen for many a year. I’m not saying everything about the play was perfect but the way we kept our heads after the penalty was exceptional. In previous seasons, we would have gone on to lose the game.

There are no two ways about it, Liverpool were completely outplayed. If Robbie Keane had been at all clinical in front of goal, the game would have been over by half time. It wasn’t a Liverpool team at their best but it was their best team. Torres couldn’t cope with Ledley and Gerrard had no answers either.

It was beginning to feel like on of those days when Tottenham were squandering chance after chance but then came Beniot Assou-Ekotto’s strike straight out of the top drawer. I didn’t rate him at all a few months ago but Harry has transformed Ekotto into a very good player. If he can add a few goals this season he’ll be invaluable.

Wilson Palacios is fast becoming my favourite player, I’m sure a lot of you feel the same. It just seems like he can’t put a foot wrong. He works tirelessly for 90mins, can tackle, go forward and never gives up. In his post match interview yesterday Harry Redknapp said Palacios is the type of player Tottenham have been missing for a number of years and I agree 100%. We look like a top 4 side when he plays it’s that simple.

I still panic when Gomes has to do anything. It makes the game more exciting but I can do without it to be honest! He had very little to do yesterday but still managed to try his hardest to give the game away by taking Glen Johnson out. Luckily, the rest of the team managed to continue their relentless pressure on Liverpool and come up with a winning goal. Sebastien Bassong made the perfect debut and it was great to see him get the winner. On what we have seen so far, Harry certainly knows his stuff in the transfer market.

I more expectant than hopeful about Wednesday’s game at Hull and that is very unusual. Our home form has been exceptional for a while now, let’s make ourselves a formidable outfit away from the Lane too.

Doncaster, Defoe, Dream Team and D-Day

Posted by on August 13, 2009 5 comments

I wasn’t too interested in last night’s International so went and played some golf very badly in a thunderstorm instead. I wished I’d stayed at home to see little Defoe’s brace. From the highlights, it looked as though England made some silly mistakes but showed very good fight and team spirit to pull it back and come out the game with a 2-2 draw. I’m delighted Jermain made the most of his chance and it should give him a lot of confidence going into Sunday’s match. I know a lot of you will disagree but it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Defoe start Sunday’s game on the bench because he could have a huge impact in the latter part of the game if things are as tight as I expect them to be.

Not the easiest draw for our opening Carling Cup fixture with an away trip to Doncaster but it could have been worse. Sean O’Driscoll’s side play some nice football and it should be a very entertaining game. They have started the season with a point at Watford and a win away at Notts County in the first round of the Carling Cup. We should have too much for them even at the Keepmoat Stadium and I’m sure Harry must have this trophy in mind as a realistic target again.

With Liverpool only a few of days away now, my nerves and excitement are increasing in equal measures. The pessimist in me says I’d be happy with a draw but I can honestly see the game going either way. If we play to our potential, there is no reason why we can’t take all 3 points. Tottenham’s front line is certainly stronger than Liverpool’s now and the fact we have a number of options will make it difficult for their defenders. The negative for us is the fact it’s a new partnership at the back with Bassong and King. They will have their work cut out keeping Fernando Torres at bay but knowing we have goals in us should give them the confidence to play a composed and solid game.

Our Fantasy League for this season in association with Expert Betting Advice is open for business. It always gets a lot of participants and it would be nice to get a few more Spurs fans on board. Should be a good crack.

Go here to register:

http://fantasy.premierleague.com/

Once you have chosen your team, click on leagues then enter the following code to join the EBA League:

534369-119079

Jenas off, Bentley storms off and Modric taken off

Posted by on August 10, 2009 61 comments

There are reports circulating today that Jermaine Jenas has submitted a transfer request. He has been linked with a move to Inter for a while after Jose Mourinho voiced his admiration for the player earlier in the summer. I wouldn’t be that surprised to see JJ go. I get the impression he probably thinks he’s a bit better than Tottenham and probably also expected to have moved on to a bigger club before now although his performances for us haven’t demonstrated that he’s worthy of such a move. If there is any genuine inquiry from Inter, I doubt he’ll be hanging around.

David Bentley got a rare start in our final friendly of the pre-season against Olympiakos yesterday. We didn’t come to life until the 2nd half and unfortunately, that’s when he was substituted. He stormed down the tunnel but it’s unclear whether it was because he needed to relieve himself or because he was in a strop, I’m hopeful it was the first one. Ok, he really struggled last season but he’s a quality player and if he’s not going to Villa as was looking likely last month, Bentley should to be given a chance.

Luka Modric came on for the 2nd half yesterday and was superb, being involved in the first two goals of the game before coming off in the 79th minute. I’ve got everything crossed that this was just a precautionary measure from Harry because he will be the difference in us achieving something or not this season as far as I’m concerned. One of the best midfielders in the Premiership for my money.

Goals from Olympiakos game here

The Wembley Cup was a joke

Posted by on July 27, 2009 33 comments

I went to see Spurs take on the mighty Barcelona on Friday night and paid £60 for the privilege. In reality, the ticket was probably worth no more than 60p.

After being forced to queue for nearly an hour to collect the tickets, we just about made it into the stadium as the game was kicking off. Looking at the Barca players for familiar faces, I couldn’t really see any. I thought it was just my ropey eyes at first.

As the game continued, I realised I hadn’t even heard of the majority of the Barcelona line up. Oh well I thought, we should see a few of the big names 2nd half. The 2nd half comes and we were greeted with another bunch of unknowns. What made it worse was the fact we were one nil down.

It was a very sub standard performance from Tottenham. There were flashes of good stuff but the players just didn’t seem that up for it. I guess that was partly to do with the fact they were up against a 3rd string side rather than the likes of Messi and Henry.

I was made to wait until the very last for the game to come to life and it took the introduction of a few of the Spurs youngsters for this to happen. Jake Livermore didn’t see any action until the 80th minute but managed to mark the occasion with a headed goal, courtesy of Ekotto’s cross.

While this may bode well for our future, the lack of urgency and cutting edge from the first team regulars on the pitch was very disappointing. Sunday’s performance against a second string Celtic side was just as bad by all accounts. I realise we are vulnerable with our 3 first choice centre backs out of action but those two games were too bad to be true.

Let’s put the Wembley Cup well and truly behind us and look forward to The Crouch Era!

Fulham are almost there…but not quite

Posted by on May 9, 2009 12 comments

I know today’s results weren’t ideal, but I think I would have settled for a point at Everton before the game. The real disappointment was the fact Villa’s woeful form continued as did Fulham’s excellent form at home. All credit to them, Fulham probably deserve a place in the Europa League next season but football tends not to work like that. A lot of neutrals would argue Spurs don’t deserve it, but I couldn’t care less!

West Ham are one nil down at home to Liverpool as I write, still have to go to Everton and their last game is at Upton Park against Middlesbrough. If Boro can still stay up at that point, it’s going to be a real tough match for the Hammers.

It might be a slim chance, but there is still a chance for Spurs to steal 7th spot. I’m confident of a win against Man City then anything can happen at Liverpool with their title challenge over.

Fulham may be in the driving seat this afternoon, but it’s not over yet…

Typical Spurs or typical Utd cheating?

Posted by on April 26, 2009 57 comments

I really thought the game was over at 2-0 yesterday but fom history I should have known differently. Fair enough, Utd looked out of sorts first half but Spurs played exactly the way I was hoping for at Old Trafford. They weren’t scared to attack Utd which I believe is the best way to play them. Too many team go there, sit back and get beat one or two nil.

A lot of people will be saying typical Spurs, not good enough for the top 4, can’t beat Utd etc, as well as having flashbacks to when we were 3-0 up at half time against Man Utd. Personally, I can’t really knock the players. They did have a nightmare 15 minutes but he game was basically handed to Utd on plate by referee Howard Webb. Had it not been for the awful penalty decision, Tottenham would not have lost that game.

Utd’s goal that barely crossed the line was about a foot less over the line than Pedro Mendes effort a few years back, but was given without hesitation. Where is the justice in that? Surely there has to be some consistency at OT when ruling goals out? Silly me, it’s only the away sides that have to put up with that bullshit.

The morale of the story is this. You don’t just have to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford, you have to beat Manchester United and the officials.