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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Luka Modric to Manchester United?

Posted by Stevio in Rumours on February 20th, 2011

It always seems to happen these days that Spurs has a good result and the following weekend a newspaper will print that one of our players is wanted by one of the ‘big clubs’.

Sunday saw the News of the World report that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson wants Luka Modric to replace Paul Scholes and are going to bid £35m.

Whether it’s true or not, I find it irritating, perhaps even more so because Manchester United are involved. We all saw how they lured Dimitar Berbatov to Old Trafford, and one wonders whether this is the beginning of another campaign to take one of our top players.

Luka has been brilliant during his time at Spurs, he’s such a joy to watch, and I for one hope his head doesn’t get turned by United.

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Spurs beat Bolton, Manchester City next

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on May 5th, 2010

Following weekend victories for Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, it is now set us up for an exciting game tonight, where if Spurs win at City’s Eastlands stadium, we’ll wrap up fourth position in the Premiership.

At one point, City were losing to Aston Villa after John Carew scored but unfortunately for Spurs they came back and beat Villa 3-1.

Spurs on the other hand beat Bolton Wanderers 1-0 with a stunning long range effort from Tom Huddlestone. The victory was deserved, even though Bolton didn’t have much to play for, they kept trying and thankfully didn’t come up with anything.

I would dearly love Spurs to get a win at City tonight, although, this being Spurs it is never simple. Anyone remembering what happened at West Ham a few years ago knows full well anything can happen. I just hope Spurs have employed a food taster for pre-match meals.

The referee tonight is Steve Bennett, who interestingly has only referred just two Spurs games all season. Wonder why that is.

From Harry Redknapp’s comments earlier, it sounds like it’s going to be a pretty open game, and they have some fine quality players with Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Craig Bellamy. The aforementioned are suspect temperament-wise but one cannot doubt their ability, and recently City have scored quite a few goals.

Interesting that ex-Spurs ‘keeper Marton Fulop will be in goal for City, he of course conceded a goal a minute after he came on as substitute for Sunderland when they visited the Lane earlier in the season.

The big question for us is who will be in goal for Spurs? Heurelho Gomes has a groin problem and we really need him, as there’s question marks surrounding Ben Alnwick. Also, as always, we have doubts over Ledley King, who played at the weekend.

I’m guessing if Harry is expecting an open game then he’ll stick with Luka Modric and Huddlestone in the centre of midfield. As we saw against Old Trafford a few weeks back, Wilson Palacios came back from suspension and didn’t play too well. So I’m expecting an unchanged team apart from the possibility of Gomes and King being out.

So what will happen? We do have a good record up at City, but with their influx of cash and better quality players, they’ve certainly improved. I’m sure they remember their defeat at White Hart Lane, which was their former manager Mark Hughes’ last game in charge, so perhaps they’ll be after blood.

I do have a feeling that we can get three points at City, but we’ve got to keep our heads. We’ve also got to start being more clinical, as tonight if we don’t, it could be costly.

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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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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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Ferdinand on Bent

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

Former Spurs striker Les Ferdinand reckons Darren Bent will help Tottenham break into the top four by playing upfront on his own.

Ferdinand said: “Darren just needed a little bit of time.

“He was Charlton’s top striker but at Tottenham he found himself behind Berbatov, Keane and probably Jermain Defoe too.

“Darren needs some loving, he needs an arm put round him and to be told he’s No1.

“That’s what’s happened now and we’ve seen the results during pre-season.

“Tottenham have got the right manager in Juande Ramos and they’ve got a good team.

“If Berbatov leaves, they’ll need another striker, but they’ve definitely got an opportunity to break in – especially as Darren’s used to playing up front on his own.

“He did it at Ipswich and he played that way for a long time at Charlton.

“Darren can definitely do the job for Tottenham, it’s just a case of having the right players around him.

“As long as they’ve got someone else in the team who can add goals – and Jermaine Jenas and Luka Modric will definitely score a few – I think Spurs are in good stead.”

On other recent signings, he added: “I’ve seen him at close quarters and Modric has really impressed me.

“A lot of people said he would be too lightweight for the Premier League but I’ve seen him take a few knocks during pre-season and he’s got up and got on with it.

“He looks like he’ll be a good acquisition for the season.

“Bentley’s also a quality player and Blackburn’s loss is definitely Tottenham’s gain.

“He wants to prove himself and become an England regular, so I’m expecting good things from him.”

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Modric reaction to Keane departure

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on July 30th, 2008

Spurs’ recent signing Luka Modric says he’s ‘not concerned’ following Robbie Keane’s departure to Liverpool.

The 22-year-old said: “I’m not concerned by Keane’s departure.

“This team has a great ambition regardless of Robbie Keane leaving. Even if Berbatov leaves I’m sure they will find another great player.

“This club really has a great future. We have a lot of positive things.

“I agree the team needs great players but I’m also certain that if Berbatov leaves that they will bring in other phenomenal players.

“I hope that Berbatov stays as he is a great player and he means a lot to the team.

“It is not my area to decide who gets sold. My thing is to play as well as I can possibly can.”

The Croatian international is confident he’ll be a success in England.

He said: “My performance at Wembley is definitely an indicator I can play with the best and cope with them in the Premier League.

“My main ambition is to get used to playing in the team and the way football is played in the English league. As regards the club, the ambition has to be getting in the Champions League.”

Four years ago Modric played with Zrinjki.

On his spell there, he said: “At that time I was 18 and in Bosnia the game is very rough.

“Referees do not spare you. That is why I know I will be able play in the English league.”

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Sir Les worried over striker departures

Posted by Stevio in Transfers on July 26th, 2008

Les Ferdinand has revealed his concern about Spurs’ possible lack of goalscoring this season.

The former Spurs striker said: “As a former player and a fan it worries me because all we hear about is the big players like the Berbatovs and the Keanes perhaps leaving and we are not hearing about replacements.

“I don’t think they can afford to sell both of them. If they both leave then Spurs are left with Darren Bent. I do think Darren is a good player but his career hasn’t started off well at Spurs.

“If you lose those two players you are losing 40-odd goals a season. How do you replace that? We don’t even know who Ramos is thinking about.

“I do like the new manager and I think he has some great ideas but it just worries me at this stage that there is not more positivity coming out of Spurs instead of negativity.

“He may have some strong ideas and may need the Keane and the Berbatov money to be able to go out and get who he wants but they won’t be proven in the Premier League when these two are.”

He added: “I have got to be honest, I would prefer to see the two front boys not go rather than bringing in anyone else because anyone that comes in will need that settling in period.

“We know how tough the Premier League is. There haven’t been that many strikers who have come in and hit the ground running. Fernando Torres did it, and Ruud van Nistelrooy did it but Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez needed time as did Dennis Bergkamp. There is no guarantee they will hit the ground running.”

Les, now 41, said of Spurs’ chances of success this coming season: “They could definitely do well in the Champions League straight away.

“Berbatov is a class act and hit the ground running when he first came here. And I have always said about Robbie Keane since he came to Tottenham that he is one of the players I would happily pay to watch.”

On Spurs new boy, Luka Modric, he said: “He looks a really good player but he is 5ft 6ins or 5ft 7ins and he is coming into the toughest league in the world so I would like to see how well he copes with that.

“That is always the question when you bring in foreign players.”

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Bilic: ‘Luka played phenomenally’

Posted by Stevio in Miscellaneous on June 21st, 2008

Croatian national manager Slaven Bilic has praised midfielder Luka Modric for his performances during Euro 2008.

This comes after Luka missed the opening penalty in a shootout with Turkey that his team eventually lost 3-1 on.

The match had gone to penalties after ending 1-1 after extra time.

Bilic said: “Luka played phenomenally and he certainly didn’t deserve to miss that penalty. Throughout this tournament he was the maestro.

“As for Turkey this is the third match they’ve won in this extreme fashion. If they continued to be lucky and they don’t give up they might reach the final.

“It’s obvious they don’t just have quality but something else too and that’s something you need in football.

“But I want to congratulate both teams for a great game of football.

“This match shows why it’s the most dramatic and most popular game in the world.

“My players put in a heroic performance and I can have no complaints about any of them.”

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Modric impresses in Croatia win

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on June 12th, 2008

I’m very much liking of what I’m seeing of Luka Modric. In Croatia’s 2-1 win over Germany, the midfielder shone with his ability on the ball and passing.

Due to Croatia playing five in midfield, Modric had chances to forward and got in the box a few times, even in the latter stages of the game, showing what good stamina he’s got.

With Germany being a tall physical side, I did wonder how Modric would cope, however he got stuck in and showed he’s not such a lightweight despite his small stature.

Modric did get tackles in too, and was even booked for a two footed challenge – unfairly in my opinion.

Costing Spurs nearly £17m, I think we paid way too much, however we’ve lacked a player since Michael Carrick who can get on the ball and control midfield. In Modric, I think he can do that job brilliantly.

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