Tag Archives: portsmouth

Was Harry right?

Posted by on October 19, 2009 12 comments

Harry Redknapp gave Jermain Defoe a dressing down in front of his team mates after his sending off against Pompey on Saturday. Nothing wrong with that as far as I’m concerned, especially when he already warned him to cool it at half time.

Redknapp said: “Yes. He’s sorry for what’s done. For sure. I gave him a rollicking in front of all the lads, to be fair.”

“He can be a bit like that,”

“At times, he has to learn to curb that. I couldn’t have told him more. I sat him down at half-time and said to him ‘don’t do anything silly. We can’t afford to go down to 10 men here. We have to have 11 on the pitch. Don’t let us down’.

“He let himself down, he let us down as well. He could have cost us the game. The way he reacted, it was disappointing.”

The only problem I have with it is the fact Harry felt the need to tell the press. These things should be kept in house; disciplining players isn’t a matter that needs to be discussed in The Sun. I appreciate Harry being straight with us but all he needed to say was Defoe had been stupid and he’s told him as much or the matter is being dealt with by the club, not that he told him off in front of his team mates.

Doing things this way makes Defoe look like a naughty little kid. He doesn’t need any help looking stupid. Suing the police for being racist and going out with some shocking women springs to mind.

The fact is Jermain got the winner. Yes he was impetuous stamping on Mokoena but I like that he has a bit of fire in his game and he was obviously very wound up from the treatment he’d been getting from the Portsmouth players. There’s no excuse for it but there’s also no excuse for telling the world he got a telling off in front of his team mates.

Pompey

Posted by on October 16, 2009 2 comments

While they have some very average players (including a few of our cast offs), almost anything can happen in tomorrow’s game against Portsmouth. Although Harry might get some love from his old fans, I’d expect Spurs to be on the receiving end of a seriously hostile reception.

The Portsmouth fans could really carry their players through 90mins and with their win at Wolves, the return of Avram Grant and the arrival of Ali Al Faraj, the players and the club as a whole are bound to be in a much more positive frame of mind than they were a few weeks ago.

Jamie O’Hara isn’t allowed to play which is probably a positive as far as we are concerned but David James is back after injury. Defoe is likely to play against his old side after recovering from injury and Ledley could also be back.

We have a good record against Portsmouth in recent times, having only lost once in nine games. On form, you’d be hard pressed to bet against a Tottenham victory but with all the history and the fact Pompey have some stability for the first time this season, it’s unlikely to be straightforward.

I’ll still go for Spurs to nick it but I can envisage a right old game tomorrow afternoon.

Crouch Starts Tonight and Woodgate

Posted by on October 14, 2009 2 comments

It doesn’t look as though Peter Crouch’s lack of games for Tottenham is affecting his World Cup chances an awful lot. Capello is starting the big man against Belarus tonight alongside Gabriel Agbonlahor in the absence of Wayne Rooney.

I’ve always expected Crouch to be in Capello’s World Cup squad because he gives the Italian options. When Crouch has started for Spurs this season he’s always delivered and I’d certainly fancy him to be on the score sheet tonight against an unspectacular Belarus side.

I’m not sure how this will effect Harry’s plans against Portsmouth at the weekend. I fancied him to start Defoe and Crouch against their old side but he may not be inclined to start Crouch again Saturday if he has a tough game tonight. That being said, Robbie Keane will also be in action for one half of the Republic of Ireland’s game against the Czech Republic.

A good bit of news on Jonathan Woodgate. He managed to come through a behind closed doors friendly unscathed yesterday so there is an outside chance he could be on the bench for Saturday’s game. I thought he’d be out for a lot longer to be honest so fingers crossed he can get back to full fitness as soon as possible, it will give the side a massive boost.

Crouch to replace Pavlyuchenko?

Posted by on June 4, 2009 14 comments

All the talk the last day or so has been about Roman Pavlyuchenko desperately wanting a move away from THFC. With Darren Bent also likely to leave, I’m assuming Harry will be stepping up his efforts to sign a replacement sooner rather than later.

The rumour mill probably hasn’t been quite as fluid as I expected where Spurs are concerned since the close of the domestic season but that isn’t going to last. Djibril Cissé appears to be orchestrating his own move to Spurs without the knowledge of anyone at Spurs. As much as it’s great banter, I’m hoping it gets nipped in the bud before he turns up at training uninvited.

Peter Crouch is the one striker I would love us to sign. I know a number of football fans have their problems with him but I think he’d be great for us. The stumbling block is the fact Portsmouth don’t need to sell players anymore. Hopefully the Harry/Levy magic can be worked while the dust is still settling and the jolly blond giant will be helping us tear Barcelona to bits.

I know Pompey might seem like just as attractive a proposition as Spurs now, but I think the lure of working with Harry again coupled with the form we showed since his arrival could make Peter Crouch’s decision a simple one. Come on Daniel, get that cheque book open son.

It’s time to beat Man Utd

Posted by on April 24, 2009 10 comments

Fergie & Harry

Fergie & Harry

I, like many other Spurs fans, am sick of our woeful record against Manchester United. I’ve lost count of the amount of times we have outplayed them and still got beat. The two games that stick in my throat the most are probably the same as the rest of you. Firstly when we were 3-0 up at half time at the Lane only to capitulate in the 2nd half, then the win that never was at Old Trafford under Martin Jol when Pedro Mendes scored only for the goal not to be given under orders of Sir Alex!

This season has been more of the same really. At home earlier this season we were probably the better side over 90 minutes, with the match ending 0-0. The FA Cup match at Old Trafford was bit of a farce. Spurs had a large amount of the play but just it just didn’t look like we wanted to win. Nothing much to be said about the Carling Cup Final. We held them for the full 120 minutes of open play and created enough clear cut chances to have won the game.

Saturday’s game is a realistic chance for Tottenham to erase the pain that Utd have heaped on us for the last few years and really throw a spanner into the works where their title challenge is concerned. They currently sit three points clear of Liverpool with a game in hand but a win for Spurs would make the title race a lot more interesting during the last few games of the season. It would also dramatically boost our chances of competing in the Europa League next season.

Tottenham’s form in recent games is top draw and we are 3rd in the form table over the last 6 games, just in front of Man Utd. Admittedly, not many teams go to Old Trafford and win, Liverpool are the only side to have done so this season, but the way we are playing, we can be confident of giving a good account. The Utd players might be thinking the hard work is over after getting 3pts in midweek against Portsmouth and the visit of an in form Spurs side is the last thing they need at this stage of their season. They have had a number of tough matches in quick succession and I feel like this is a great time to play them. We go their fresh, in form and with a new confidence that seems to increase game on game.

I’ve got an image of myself enjoying a cold bottle of Becks while replaying a Defoe wonder goal in my head Saturday evening, safe in the knowledge we have notched up another 3pts. I hope I’m right!

17 from Pompey for Harry to plunder

Posted by on April 22, 2009 12 comments

Portsmouth have 17 players out of contract in the summer and I’m sure Harry must be monitoring at least a couple of them.

Here are the biggest names that look to be on their way out, most of them are past their best or just plain useless but we know Harry loves to take a punt on a bargain.

Nwankwo Kanu – The guy’s got a hole in his heart, is injury prone and probably demands a much higher wage than his ability deserves. Sounds perfect for Spurs then.

Sol Campbell – I can’t see Harry ever going down the old, fat, Judas road but I couldn’t see him going from Pompey to the Saints and back to Pompey again either.

Sean Davis – Couldn’t cut it at Spurs the first time around even though he was being hailed as one of the best midfielders in the country by certain people at Tottenham. Would be an unfortunate surprise to see him back.

Hermann Hreidarsson – The Hermanator would be the most likely one for me. He’s a solid if unspectacular centre half and has grafted his way from average Championship player to an established Premiership star.

Linvoy Primus – One word, banter.

Noe Pamarot – He was awful for us but being a big French unit, he suited Harry down to the ground. Another player that I just can’t imagine back in the white shirt.

Let’s just hope Redknapp has left his wheeler dealer days behind him and the only players he’s considering at Portsmouth are Peter Crouch and Niko Kranjcar. Ok, I wouldn’t mind Linvoy on the bench for a laugh.

Miss Spur is In The Know

Posted by on April 15, 2009 8 comments

Hi guys,

Mabbs has been pestering me to post on his blog for ages now and I have finally given in. My name is Miss Spur and lets just say I work closely with the club. I was passing on bits of news last year, some good and some bad but all genuinely what had been passed onto myself. Please don’t take it all as gospel.

Anyway, here’s a couple of recent stories doing the rounds.

The manager wants his old side relegated so he can bring in both Peter Crouch and Niko Kranjcar with the minimum of fuss. Both players are a priority in the summer. Kranjcar could be bought in to replace Luka Modric if the club is unable to fight off some big bids from both Spanish and Italian sides. The manager rates Modric very highly but the sums being talked about would be enough to finance both of the Portsmouth deals.

Until next time.

Miss Spur x