Crazy, crazy, Tottenham Hotspur

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on January 22nd, 2009

I’m just about recovered from Wednesday night. What a crazy night.

Spurs were 3-0 down and headed out of the League Cup until two minutes from the end of the extra time when Pavlyuchenko and Defoe popped up to secure a 6-4 aggregate win.

Now we have a final at Wembley to look forward to, with Manchester United our opponents. No doubt we’ll be the underdogs.

Before that we got a decent 1-1 result at home against Portsmouth, which puts us in 16th position in the Premiership. Problem is there’s another four teams on the same 21 points as us, one of them being bottom placed West Brom. We’re still very clearly in a precarious position.

Some positive news this week was Wilson Palacios making the move from Wigan Athletic to White Hart Lane. Admittedly I haven’t seen much of 24 year-old Honduran and so can’t say if he’s worth the reported £12m fee. He’s seems very highly-rated and did look decent when he played against us a few weeks ago, I just wonder about his disciplinary record, as he seems to get booked every game.

With just over a week to go of the transfer window left, it’ll be interesting to see if there’ll be any further signings. Two leaving appear to be veteran Cesar Sanchez and Hossam Ghaly, who look set to join Valencia and Al-Nasr respectively.

This weekend Spurs travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United in the FA Cup. It appears that we’ll be fielding a below strength side. Admittedly I find this disappointing, however, with a game at home against Stoke three days later, I can understand it. I just hope whatever team is put out that they put in a good performance.

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Goal difference

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on January 18th, 2009

With Spurs not playing until tomorrow (Sunday) we find ourselves at the foot of the Premiership, again.

West Brom beat Newcastle 3-0 to go above us, while Stoke lost to Chelsea 2-1 to remain third from bottom.

Amazingly if we beat Portsmouth tomorrow we’ll rise up to 12th position, that shows how crazy the league is this year.

I’ve always thought that goal difference is rather telling, and usually come the end of the season, a lot of the teams are positioned similarly when you compare points and goal difference.

Going by goal difference, Spurs would be placed 11th in the league with -6, with Middlesbrough -15, Stoke -16, and West Brom -17 in the relegation zone.

It shows that defensively Spurs aren’t that bad, and if we can improve our attacking game, we may just have a chance of avoiding the dreaded drop.

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The good, the bad and the ugly

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on January 17th, 2009

It has been quite a while since my last post, since then things have improved, sadly even with a new manager installed, the results and the performances have not been good enough.

With 21 league games played this season, we’ve won 5, drawn 5, and lost 11, scoring 20 and conceding 26. We’re currently third from bottom in the relegation zone.

Something positive is that we’re still in all the cups, and all being well, we can at least look forward to a League Cup final.

The performance in our latest game – the defeat at Wigan Athletic – wasn’t our worst this season, however, it was far from our best.

Even though manager Harry Redknapp had made changes to compete with a physical Wigan side, many of our players failed to perform, most notably Gareth Bale.

In recent months there have been some positives, defender Michael Dawson has once again found his form and has been a rock at centre half, also Heurelho Gomes has overcome a spell of uncertainly to show that he’s more than a capable ‘keeper.

Upfront we’ve seen Darren Bent struggle despite scoring 12 goals this season, while fellow striker Roman Pavlyuchenko has improved of late with goals in the FA Cup and League Cup against Wigan and Burnley respectively.

Since the transfer window opened Jermain Defoe has returned to White Hart Lane in a big money move from Portsmouth. He scored 15 goals in 31 appearances for Pompey, fingers crossed he can keep the same 1 goal in 2 games ratio up at Spurs.

I have faith in Harry Redknapp to turn it around, however, the problems at Spurs are chronic, and I’m unsure whether the team’s problems can be solved in time to prevent relegation.

Harry needs to build a new team. The current one is so fragmented, sometimes it’s like watching a team of eleven strangers. You’d think after training and playing together the players would be able work together and know each other’s game – sadly not.

If it’s true that the club are splashing out tens of millions on players in a desperate bid to avoid relegation then I fear we may find out it’s a big mistake, as sadly I doubt a big turnover of players during this transfer window will save us from heading down into the Championship.

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Spurs make Redknapp approach

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on October 26th, 2008

Following Juande Ramos’ departure from Spurs, the club have made a move for Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp.

Spurs said in a statement: “The Club has requested permission to hold discussions with Harry Redknapp and Portsmouth FC has reluctantly agreed.”

At 61 years of age, I’m not 100% sure whether Redknapp is the man to take Spurs forward, however, we’re currently in deep relegation trouble, where the ex-West Ham manager has much experience of battling against. So perhaps, as a short-term measure, Redknapp is the ideal man.

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Spurs finally sack Ramos

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on October 26th, 2008

A few weeks too late perhaps, but finally, Spurs have sacked Juande Ramos. I think performances had been improving, but the team just lacked good fortune.

Joining the Spaniard through the exit door are his assistants Gus Poyet and Marcos Alvarez. Also out is sporting director Damien Comolli, who let’s face it, hasn’t really done too well with his signings.

Research coach Clive Allen and youth coach Alex Inglethorpe will take charge of the team this afternoon for the match against Bolton Wanderers.

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Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Hull City

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on October 5th, 2008

Spurs have lost to Hull City 1-0, what now? Will manager Juande Ramos do the right thing and quit? Will chairman Daniel Levy finally say enough is enough? Or, will we just carry on and pretend like we’re not bottom of the Premiership?

Spurs have now played seven games in the Premiership and only got two points. Like the media has been reminding us, this is Spurs’ worst start to the Premiership [or old Division One] since 1912, yes, the same year as the Titanic sank.

Again today saw Juande Ramos make yet another baffling substitution, taking off Aaron Lennon. Aaron is a key player for us, as he can get behind defenders and make things happen. So why when we’re one-nil down take him off?

Ramos had brought David Bentley on to play at right-back, which was yet another strange decision, admittedly his presence to get forward and put crosses in did work, but Aaron either stayed on the right on or moved centre, when really him attacking from the left would have been more effective.

Hull scored via a great free-kick by Geovanni. It was placed right in the corner, Gomes had no chance. The Yorkshire club also had other chances, thankfully the Brazilian was on hand to keep them out.

Spurs had plenty of possession in the second half and created a few half chances, however, Spurs either dwelled too long on the ball or Hull’s defence stood resolute.

Just before the whistle blew for full time, an injury time free-kick by Gareth Bale just went wide. Spurs deserved a goal for all their pressure, however, it just didn’t come.

Now with the international break coming, Spurs must act. Ramos has to go, as if he doesn’t go, we’ll be just like the Titanic and continue rotting on the ocean floor of the Premiership.

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Portsmouth 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on September 28th, 2008

I wasn’t sure what to expect today, Portsmouth have been letting in lots of goals and Spurs have been playing poorly. Even with the mid-week League Cup win over Newcastle, where the team showed some improvement in the second half, it’s impossible to know what kind of performance Spurs will put in.

Today, the performance was pretty much the norm of late with Spurs struggling to make chances. We seemed to have lots of possession but with just playing Roman Pavlyuchenko upfront on his own, it was clear we lacked an attacking threat.

Surprisingly Gilberto replaced injured Gareth Bale on the left of midfield and did very little until being subbed at half time. Jamie O’Hara continued in centre of midfield and worked hard. David Bentley played on the right wing, and on a few occasions showed glimpses of what he’s capable, sadly though, he’s still not settled into the team.

Ledley King rested once again and so Michael Dawson came in. He defended pretty well and even burst forward a few times.

Gomes made a few good saves and showed good handling. He couldn’t do anything about Portsmouth’s first goal, a penalty, which was given after Jermaine Jenas handballed a Glen Little cross. Jermain Defoe put it away, of course.

We should have got a penalty ourselves after Lassana Diarra handballed a Aaron Lennon cross, however, the referee didn’t give it.

Portsmouth’s second goal came after Gomes parried an Armand Traore shot. Peter Crouch headed home.

We’re still bottom of the league on two points.

There were chants from Spurs fans during the game of “You don’t know what you’re doing!” Of course, these were aimed at Juande Ramos. I have to agree that some of his decisions of late have been questionable, even today he substituted Zokora, which was baffling, as he seemed one of the midfielders that was actually capable of making something happen. He also failed to bring on a second striker to play alongside Pavlyuchenko. He instead brought on Bent to replace the Russian.

Is it time for Ramos to go? I think so. I haven’t seen anything from him to suggest that he’s the right man to take Spurs forward, if anything, he seems to have taken us backwards. You could say that recent departures have contributed to the decline, however, I think the rot set in before the end of last season.

I think we need a new manager who can bring new ideas, enthusiasm, and generate a buzz around the team. I don’t think Ramos can ever provide any of that.

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Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Aston Villa

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on September 16th, 2008

When football managers make odd decisions it makes wonder if they’re capable of doing the job. That happened when Martin Jol played Robbie Keane as a winger (Rafael Benitez take note!) So when Juande Ramos fields a weakened team whilst we’re bottom of the league, you wonder what the heck is going on.

The starting line-up last night was Gomes, Corluka, Woodgate, Dawson, Bale, Lennon, Zokora, Huddlestone, Modric, Pavlyuchenko and Bent.

Jermaine Jenas and David Bentley were benched, which I was amazed by. Sure we have a UEFA Cup game on Thursday, however, we need points. We also need to get a settled team, as at the moment it’s clear the side hasn’t gelled.

The side fielded last night was unbalanced with Modric amazingly playing on the left.

Bringing Corluka in made sense, but starting Pavlyuchenko was a bit of a surprise. I would have thought him to be introduced into the Premiership a little more slowly would have been wiser.

The way things are going, I suspect playing a 4-3-3 may be the best choice, with Bentley or Lennon and Giovani as wide attacking players and Pavlyuchenko or Bent upfront, then Modric can play in a free role.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and again, losing at home it totally unacceptable. Aston Villa have a decent side and they’re good at what they do, however, they’re not a world class side with world class players, therefore we should beat them.

Once again the defending by Spurs last night was a joke, conceding the first due to poor marking. The second Villa goal should never have gone in – Gomes should have saved it. The latter did make a few good saves though. The Spurs goal was lucky after Bent deflected in a Jenas shot.

The only good things to come out of the game was Gareth Bale’s performance. He was outstanding with runs and crossing.

Jermaine Jenas’ impressed after his introduction to the game from the bench. Not only did he get an assist, but he blocked a shot at goal to prevent Villa from going 3-1 up.

Aaron Lennon had one of his better games and looked a threat with his pace. Giovani looked bright when he came on too. Otherwise the performances of other players were below par.

Wisla Krakow come to The Lane on Thursday. Who knows what to expect. Certainly if things don’t improve soon, I expect another managerial change.

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Pavlyuchenko set for Spurs move

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on August 27th, 2008

Spurs could finally be set to land a striker with Spartak Moscow’s Roman Pavlyuchenko apparently close to joining.

The Russian international said: “I can confirm I’m joining Spurs. Right now I’m getting my visa and as soon as it is ready I will fly to England to sign a contract.

“Everything has happened very quickly so I could not even say goodbye to my team-mates.”

He added: “I could not decide if I wanted to go to England at first – first yes, then no.

“The only thing that stopped me from leaving was my family. But now all doubts are behind me and I decided to sign a contract with Tottenham and the formalities are practically settled.”

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Dimitar Berbatov

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on August 26th, 2008

I’m getting fed up with reading about Dimitar Berbatov and every one and their mother saying he should be sold for whatever price Manchester United are willing to pay.

The fact is Berbatov is a world class player, so why should Spurs be bullied and pressured by all and sundry into selling for less than what they’re asking?

If the Bulgarian’s professionalism isn’t to the standard of what a professional footballer should be, then he should be treated accordingly. If that means him being relegated to the Reserves, then so be it.

Berbatov has greatly tarnished his reputation with his actions to get his ‘dream move’. He’s gone from hero to zero in my eyes. I for one will be happy to never see him wear a Spurs shirt again.

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