From Wolves to the Rossoneri

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on March 9th, 2011

Not long to go before tonight’s big match at the Lane. AC Milan are coming hoping to overturn their 1st leg defeat.

We’re 1-0 up thanks to Peter Crouch’s goal at the San Siro, but even still, it’s only a slender lead, therefore it certainly is all to play for.

Throughout our Champions’ League campaign I’ve always thought it’s best to just enjoy it and not expect too much, but due to our recent performances, I’ve got to admit to feeling rather anxious about tonight’s game.

We lost 3-1 at Blackpool, and then on Sunday drew 3-3 at Wolves. Unlike our trip at the ‘seaside’, we finally found our shooting boots and scored three fantastic strikes through Defoe (2) and Pavlyuchenko, but still our defence was about as solid as jelly.

I really don’t know what the problem is with the defence, whether it’s Gomes, who’s not commanding enough in his area, the centre-halves who aren’t shackling opposing strikers, or the full-backs who aren’t stopping crosses. Whatever the problem is, I just hope we defend better tonight!

The good thing about the Wolves game was Gareth Bale’s return, instantly he came on and ran with the ball, causing havoc in the Wolves defence. He even made a few chances which could have secured the win, but sadly it wasn’t meant to be.

It’s looking unlikely that we’ll see Bale start tonight, but sounds like Rafael van der Vaart could following a spell out with a calf injury. If so, I’d be expecting the Dutchman and Peter Crouch playing upfront.

Vedran Corluka, who was on the bench at Wolves, is surprisingly fit, I suspect he’ll play, as Alan Hutton isn’t having the best of times of it of all, especially after conceding a needless penalty at Wolves.

Aaron Lennon and Wilson Palacios will I’m sure return to the first-team after being substitutes at Wolves, the question is where Luka Modric will play, as Harry could keep the Croatian on the left and stick with the impressive Sandro in the centre. Steven Pienaar would of course miss out, but he hasn’t set the world alight with his performances since joining Spurs.

Milan, who won 1-0 at Juventus at the weekend, will be without the suspended Gennaro Gattuso, also missing are injured duo Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini. They still have the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho among other big name players, so it won’t be an easy task keep the Italians at bay.

It does sound like Harry intends to attack Milan, which as some say is the best form of defence, and considering our defence, it’s probably a good idea, but whatever happens, it looks like we’re in for another memorable night! COYS!

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Redknapp on Bale return

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on March 4th, 2011

I think most Spurs fan, including myself, are eager for Gareth Bale to return to fitness following his back injury.

It does seem one day reports say Bale won’t make the AC Milan game, then next day they say he might just make it after all. I guess we just have to keep our fingers crossed for a speedy return.

Harry Redknapp said on the Welshman’s possible return: “Sunday’s match at Wolves is probably too early for him. But I don’t want to rule Bale out of next week’s match with AC Milan.”

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Redknapp hopeful on Bale return

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on February 25th, 2011

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is hoping Gareth Bale will be fit to take on AC Milan when they come to White Hart Lane on March 9th.

The 21-year-old hasn’t played since January 22nd when he had to leave the field at Newcastle with a back injury.

Redknapp, who is at a training camp with the players in Dubai, said: “Hopefully a bit of sun on Gareth Bale’s back and one or two of the others might do them good.

“We are hopeful with Gareth for the AC Milan game. He’s back training, we will look at him in the morning.

“He’s started running and he’ll do some work with the fitness coaches. So he could be available. We need him because he is a big player for us.”

The Welshman hasn’t been missed as much as I thought we would, although on Tuesday at Blackpool it was evident that we need more down the left wing, as Steven Pienaar hasn’t yet shown he has enough attacking qualities to retain his first-team place.

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Manchester United v Spurs preview

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on April 23rd, 2010

So later we take on Manchester United at Old Trafford. What’s the first thing to do? Yes, see who the referee is. Thankfully it isn’t Howard Webb, but Andre Marriner instead. Whether the latter will go down in the memories of Spurs fans as being a United fan is yet to be seen.

Team news-wise it’s looking better with Wilson Palacios back after his suspension. Also Ledley King and Jermaine Jenas could be available too.

The biggest news is that Aaron Lennon could be involved. Must say the prospect of having Gareth Bale down the left wing and Lennon down the right is mouth watering.

Even though we’ve won our last two games, I think Palacios will come in and strengthen the midfield, partnering Tom Huddlestone. Luka Modric I’m guessing would then move out to the right, where I don’t think he’s as effective.

I do wonder if there’ll be any changes upfront as Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko haven’t scored in open play for a month. Eidur Gudjohnsen could come in and play deeper.

Of course, it’s always tough at Old Trafford, however, over the years we’ve threatened to get a good result there. Sadly though, there always seems something, or should that be someone, who always tips the balance in United’s favour. I think we’re due a result there, and now is a good time to get it.

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Spurs 2-1 Chelsea

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on April 17th, 2010

In the space of a few days, Spurs have beaten not only beaten third place Arsenal 2-1, they’ve today beaten Chelsea 2-1. Fantastic!

Chelsea’s performance today was quite shocking, they looked like what they are, a team of over-the-hill players. Sure, they threatened, but Spurs were more than a match for them with a work-rate that a Premiership winning side would be proud of.

Michael Dawson was his usual self, dominating whatever or whoever came into his path – how come he isn’t first choice for England at centre-half I’ll never know! But the whole defence and midfield stood firm, making sure Chelsea had no time and space to create chances.

Once again Gareth Bale raided down the left hand side of midfield and got behind their right-back Paulo Ferreira on several occasions, one time it looked like we should have been given a penalty when the Welshman was brought down, however, it wasn’t long until we got a penalty after John Terry handballed a David Bentley cross. Jermain Defoe didn’t miss this time!

Just before half time Bale not only charged by Ferreira, he scored after cutting inside on to his right foot and firing into Petr Cech’s near post. It was such a fantastic goal, and just shows how Bale is getting better and better.

In the second half we had plenty of chances to go even further ahead, for example Defoe through on goal but couldn’t find a way passed Cech. Bale too one-on-one with Cech, but he fired wide. Same too for Roman Pavlyuchenko, but again wide. No joy!

Even after Chelsea were down to ten men following John Terry’s red card, they still looked like they could conjure up a goal, and they did after Frank Lampard tapped home a Michael Ballack cross, thankfully it was late too late and Spurs got back to where they belong, fourth place!

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Spurs 2-1 Arsenal

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on April 14th, 2010

So happy that Spurs managed to pull off an outstanding 2-1 win over Arsenal. Sure, it was a tough game with Arsenal having lots of possession, but for most part of the game, they failed to break Spurs down.

The opening goal was just fantastic, Danny Rose got on the end of an Almunia clearance and volleyed home from 30-yards out. Admittedly, I was shocked to see it go in, but a good kind of shocked!

Rose was a surprise starter in place of David Bentley, but with goals like that, hopefully he’ll have more chances in the Spurs first team.

The second half started and soon after Gareth Bale had put us two-nil up. Jermain Defoe with a beauty of though ball found Bale in the penalty area, who just tucked the ball home. How Bale ended up in a striking position I’ll never know, but the Welshman is so full of running, you can expect him to appear anywhere on the pitch at any time!

Of course, even being 2-0 up the game was never over, especially against a side like Arsenal. They pressed and pressed and eventually got their goal through Bendtner, this despite some wonderful goalkeeping from Gomes.

Thankfully they failed to get the equaliser with Gomes and our defenders standing firm. Michael Dawson was his usual solid self after the disappointment of the weekend, also Ledley King was outstanding considering how long he’d been out injured.

All in all, a wonderful victory that puts the horrors of Sunday to the back of one’s memory.

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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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Middlesbrough 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on August 17th, 2008

Another opening day away, another defeat.

With the new additions to the squad, the same old problems – we can’t defend.

Playing Didier Zokora at right-back was a strange one when he was needed in the centre of midfield, as I don’t see Jermaine Jenas or Luka Modric as ‘defensive’.

Also Dimitar Berbatov on the bench? He’s our best player regardless of whether he’s been tapped up or not, therefore he should have started alongside Darren Bent.

Ledley King and Gareth Bale were on the bench too. The latter did make an appearance, my only guess is that both players are being brought back into the team slowly after injuries.

Both of ‘Boro’s goals came from crosses.

David Wheater was on hand to get on the end of a saved Afonso Alves shot in the 71th minute following a cross from Stewart Downing.

In the 86th minute, ex-Spurs striker Mido managed to deflect a cross from Didier Digard into the back of the net.

Spurs got one back from a Bentley free-kick, that was headed home by Robert Huth.

Next up is Sunderland at home on the 23rd of August, where five ex-Spurs players return to White Hart Lane. It’ll be interesting to see if there’ll be any improvement – and new signings.

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Bale hoping to ‘kick on’ after signing new deal

Posted by Stevio in Miscellaneous on August 15th, 2008

Welshman Gareth Bale has spoken following signing a new four-year deal at Spurs.

He told the club’s official website: “I’m happy to be putting pen to paper and hopefully I can just kick on and do well now.

“I thought I was progressing really well at the start of last season and I learnt a lot off the pitch during my time on the sidelines which I can add to my game.

“It’s a great feeling to be part of the long-term plans here. It’s a great club with fantastic coaching staff, and I think everyone here wants to be part of it.

“I’m committed to the Club now and I am looking to achieve many things here and do my best for Spurs.”

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Bale signs new Spurs deal

Posted by Stevio in Miscellaneous on August 14th, 2008

With all the talk of possible signings of late, a surprising one for Spurs today was that of Gareth Bale signing a new four-year deal.

The Welsh international made just 12 appearances last season after suffering from a foot injury.

Fingers crossed the 19-year-old can stay fit this season and put in the performances that we know he’s well capable of.

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