Tag Archives: messi

Tottenham v Chelsea FA Cup Semi Final Preview

Posted by on April 11, 2012 4 comments

A huge game for both clubs here as Tottenham and Chelsea battle it out at Wembley for a place in this season’s FA Cup final. Neither some comes into the match in outstanding form but Chelsea should arguably be the favourites when you consider Tottenham have only managed one victory in their last seven league games and looked woeful in the defeat at the hands of Norwich City on Monday. Will Harry Redknapp be able to pick his players up and get them playing the brand of football that was so engaging earlier in the campaign?

I was at the game on Monday and it was painful viewing. We did have opportunities and enough of the ball to have at least got a point but we just weren’t at the races. Norwich probably thought they were playing at a Canadian online poker site they had it so easy. I really thought we had turned the corner after the results against Bolton, Swansea and Sunderland but this was nothing like the Tottenham that was mounting a realistic challenge for the title just a few months ago. Maybe some of the players had their minds on this upcoming semi final encounter, maybe they are jaded after a long season, or maybe this is the same old Tottenham we have know for the past couple of decades, flattering to deceive.

The one thing that may work in Tottenham’s favour is the fact Chelsea have a massive game at Stamford Bridge against Barcelona just a few days after this match. I’m not saying they will be looking past us but the thought of facing Messi and co with a Champions League final place at stake will likely be a lot more important to the majority of their squad than the FA Cup. None of them are going to want to get injured and this could well prove all important in what is likely to be a tight and nervy contest.

As far as a bet on the game goes, I’d struggle to part with my hard earned cash to back Tottenham on their current run but if I had to have a wager, it would be backing Spurs to win inside the ninety minutes. Alternatively, I might find an internet casino and distract myself from the torture of watching the match and play some roulette or similar!

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!

Adebayor is doing the right thing

Posted by on July 21, 2009 19 comments

I’ll start by saying I’m not Emmanuel Adebayor’s biggest fan. He’s arrogant and while very talented at times, is lazy and inconsistent in equal measures. That said, I think he’s made the right move leaving Arsenal for Manchester City. I know the majority of fans think it’s just about the money but I don’t believe that to be the case.

The players Man City have signed thus far look mightily impressive and by all accounts, they are just getting warmed up. Robinho, Tevez and Adebayor have the potential to be as good as Henry, Etoo and Messi in terms of what they could do for Man City. They are certainly far better than Van Persie and get my ankle from row Z Eduardo, who while both very talented both are very temperamental and it will be interesting to see how they will get on for a whole season without the big man. A make or break season for pink boots Niklas “you’re shit” Bendtner one suspects.

Although Adebayor has been a bit hit and miss in recent times when he is good he’s a real handful often unplayable – we (spurs) know this add to that he weighs in with crucial goals in big games as Man U will testify. Can Sparky get the best out of him? I think so, Wenger is a genius with most things he touches, but I think Hughes could have just a big an impact on Adebayor. And not only the Welshman, the players and ambition he sees around him, yeah the 170 large a week is a right touch and without a doubt probably sealed the deal but trophy opportunities at City look more of a possibility than at the Emirates at the moment. Hughes is an underrated boss as well, he showed his managerial skills when he gave Arsene Wenger a tactical master class last season up at The City of Manchester Stadium, City giving Arsenal a 3-0 drubbing. Before this he turned Blackburn from a team playing the ‘kick anything that moves’ style of football into a team that actually weren’t too bad on the eye. OK last season the away form was a joke, but the home form was immense, players like Barry and Tevez will relish the away days so it surely wont be long before they are picking up points all over.

You know I wouldn’t be surprised if Cesc Febregas is a little bit jealous of his former team mate. He must be seriously considering his options after five dry years as well as being witness to the amount of top talent that has been sold during that period. Yes Spurs have been guilty of the same in selling Berbatov and Carrick but these are players that have left because we could not offer Champions League football, that is not the case at Arsenal. Adebayor has left for a side not even in Europe, who admittedly have offered him good money, but surely this just emphasises the lack of ambition down at Arsenal? Are Man City contenders for the top 4 next season? Why not, they have made some astute signings and have a good manager, who are the weakest in the top four, Arsenal? Definitely. Will Adebayor’s decision look so materialistic next season, well it wont if he’s on an open top bus with the top of the FA cup on his head singing blue moon, and if they double that up with 4th place a few people might being eating humble pie.