Reading between the lines

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on November 13th, 2006

Dimitar BerbatovI’m sure I’m not the only one annoyed over today’s 3-1 defeat at Reading. To lose to a team that is of the quality of the Championship is not on. I saw Reading earlier this season against Manchester City and they didn’t look like a team who had goals in them, in fact, looking at their recent results, they’d only managed one goal at most against decent opposition. So what happened?

Well in my opinion I think the players played like they expected to win but forgot to put the effort in. Sure we have the quality, but if the players’ attitude isn’t right, we won’t win games.

Something else that concerned me was the defence. Ledley doesn’t look fully fit and the loss of Pascal Chimbonda is making Lee Young-Pyo look very average.

Dimitar Berbatov still doesn’t look like he’s settled yet. His sharpness in the box is amazingly slow, especially when you compare him with Defoe for example.

Our next game is at Blackburn Rovers on Sunday. If we don’t sort ourselves out by then, we could face another defeat. The problem is that there’s international matches, so it will make it difficult for Martin Jol to work with the players.

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Anyone for charades?

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on November 8th, 2006

Looks like Martin Jol is not only a decent Premiership manager but also pretty good at impersonations, as seen here while talking to Jose Mourinho, prior to Sunday’s match.

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Welcome Malbranque!

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on November 7th, 2006

So just what will Steed Malbranque add to Spurs? Well I thought I’d share this video showing some of his goals and skill. I’m sure you’ll agree that he’s a fantastic player who – provided he can stay clear of injuries – will become a fans favourite at White Hart Lane.

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Steed to start!

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on November 7th, 2006

Martin JolSpurs manager Martin Jol has confirmed that Steed Malbranque will start in tomorrow’s League Cup match against Port Vale.

The Dutchman told the club’s site: “We have to because of the amount of games that we’re playing. We’ve got a good, big squad and players knocking on the door like Tom Huddlestone, Edgar Davids and now Steed Malbranque.

“Steed has worked very hard to come back and he it fit now, although not really match fit. He has looked so good in training that I have made the decision to start him tomorrow.

“At the back we have got a few injuries, Michael Dawson will be there, but we will rest Ledley King. Pascal Chimbonda is out with a knock, Paul Stalteri is also out with a knee injury. Calum Davenport needs another ten days and Anthony Gardner picked up a knee injury in training on Saturday and won’t be involved.

“Lee Young-Pyo is fit again and will probably play, but Teemu Tainio is still out. Charlie Lee, Dorian Dervite and Phil Ifil are in the squad, along with Andy Barcham.”

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Malbranque in line for Spurs debut?

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on November 7th, 2006

It looks like we could see Steed Malbranque in a Spurs shirt much sooner than expected. The 26-year-old, who has been out following hernia surgery, was due to appear in a Spurs XI match at Harlow Town tonight, but due to injuries the Frenchman could make an appearance in Wednesday’s Carling Cup match at home against Port Vale.

Coach Clive Allen told the club’s official website: “Steed Malbranque won’t be involved because unfortunately we’ve one or two injuries in the first team squad from Sunday and therefore a number of lads come into contention for Wednesday night against Port Vale, including Steed.

Meanwhile, the Spurs XI side massacred Harlow Town 8-0. Simon Dawkins and Jamie O’Hara both scored twice.

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Spurs finally beat Chelsea!

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on November 6th, 2006

I have to admit, I was not expecting much from the match against Chelsea. I was hoping for a draw at most, but for us to get a win is out of this world!

Yet again we went behind, this time it was Claude Makelele with a super strike. I know he had scored only once in over 200 games, but he should have been closed down!

It was fantastic to see Michael Dawson finally score and what a way to celebrate! I’d noticed his stats and his shots on goal / target were something that a midfielder would have been proud of, but now he can be proud of his goal! Great flick header from Jenas’ free-kick!

Robbie Keane’s contribution for the winner was tremendous, the way he tortured Khalid Boulahrouz before crossing was genius! Aaron Lennon did magnificently to make space and fire home!

I know we were lucky to win in some respects, but we deserved it! They had some chances to score, Robben’s curler for example, but they didn’t take their chances, so they cannot complain.

This nonsense about John Terry not deserving the second yellow card is rubbish as well, he clearly shoulder charged Benoit Assou-Ekoto, and Didier Drogba clearly pushed Dawson before ‘scoring, so those Gooner muppets on Match of the Day 2 should go back to playing golf!

The part I love seeing over and over again is the way Martin Jol, Lennon and Ghaly celebrated at the end in their ‘group hug’! It’s great to see that kind of spirit at the club.

I cannot end without mentioning the comedy at Upton Park. In my opinion Alan Pardew didn’t do anything wrong, it was Arsene Wenger who behaved disgracefully. The aggressive way he went for Pardew and his failure to shake hands after the match is so ungentlemanly. Also what was Cesc Fabregas doing? It looks like tried to punch Teddy Sheringham in the stomach! The FA certainly need to take a good look into what went on and take appropriate action!

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Spurs slaughter Club Brugge

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on November 6th, 2006

It has been a fantastic few days for Spurs after thrashing Club Brugge as well as a magnificent victory over Chelsea.

On Thursday I was expecting a tough game, but Club Brugge – who played some decent stuff – were found lacking against Premiership opposition. Even when we went behind, I knew we’d get back into it, and boy did we!

Berbatov’s equaliser was very well taken, such great skill to volley home from Chimbonda’s header. What was even more stunning was Robbie Keane’s finish. I always remember years back ‘keeper coach Hans Segers saying Robbie wasn’t a natural finisher, well he took his goal brilliantly that night!

The third strike from Berbatov was great too, Ghaly’s cross and the Bulgarian’s header down into the back of the net. Another well taken goal. I just hope he can continue improving, as he showed what a class striker he is, especially in the build up to the second goal.

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Club Brugge insight

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on November 2nd, 2006

A Belgian friend has given his opinion on tonight’s opponents Club Brugge.

Niels said: “They’re one of the usual title candidates (and winners) here. A team which is based more upon their collective strength than on individual. Their main problem sometimes is a lack of creativity (especially in midfield) and (depending on who’s playing) a scoring problem.

On their best players, he said: “Stijn Stijnen (GK): national goalkeeper of Belgium… and too my opinion a very good goalie.

“Koen Daerden (LW) is an old-fashioned winger [rather quick], good crosses, decent runs down the flank and can score a goal. Belgian international.

“Bosko Balaban: not always as present as he should be, but he sometimes only needs half a chance.

“Their squad as a whole is decent with other players like Vermant, former Schalke 04, Clement, ex-Coventry, Blondel… they’ve got a mix of experienced and younger players.”

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