Manchester United and Bolton game thoughts

Posted by Stevio in Tottenham Hotspur on May 1st, 2010

Well last week’s trip to Manchester United was yet another disappointment after two cracking results against Arsenal and Chelsea.

I don’t know what it is, whether it’s a mental problem or not, but we just don’t seem to be able to get good results at places like that.

We have a decent enough team, we’ve been in great form, but whatever it is, it just isn’t enough.

Today though Bolton Wanderers come to the Lane. Last season we beat them 2-0 at home with Roman Pavlyuchenko and Darren Bent scoring. If you remember they had Gavin McCann sent off.

Usually they’re a tough side to play against, but as we showed earlier this season in the FA Cup, we can beat them at home, with or without the help of a few own goals.

Bolton beat Stoke City away 2-1 a few weeks back and only lost by a goal at Chelsea recently, so looks like we might have to be patient to get on the score sheet.

They are safe from relegation, so only pride to play for, whereas we’re still in fourth position and have lots to play for.

I really hope we get a win today, we certainly need it, and with Jermain Defoe playing his 400th career game today, let’s hope he can top it off with a few goals and a win.

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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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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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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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Pavlyuchenko: Berbatov leaving is good for me

Posted by Stevio in Transfers on September 4th, 2008

Spurs’ new striker Roman Pavlyuchenko says he’s glad that Dimitar Berbatov has moved on.

The 26-year-old told The Sun: “I can’t really say anything about Berbatov leaving. Let them all go then I’ll play. It’s good for me!

“I’ve talked to Juande Ramos. He’s a nice man. He said he’s going to rely upon me. He played quite a big role in my transfer.”

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Roman Pavlyuchenko video

Posted by Stevio in Videos on August 27th, 2008

If Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko does join, what exactly are we getting? I think this video gives us a very good idea.

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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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Pavlyuchenko: England move would be big problem

Posted by Stevio in Transfers on August 21st, 2008

The Russian Teddy Sheringham, Roman Pavlyuchenko, has revealed that moving from Spartak Moscow to Spurs could be problematic.

Pavlyuchenko said: “The transfer to England which everyone is talking about would be a big problem for my family as we have a young child.

“We need to discuss it properly but I can’t say anything concrete since I don’t really know myself what’s going on.

“Everything is still being discussed. Maybe Spartak have already made a decision but I haven’t decided one way or the other.”

On moving to England without countryman Andrei Arshavin, he said: “I don’t know because I have never been at a foreign club. You need to try something first in order to know.

“On the one hand, it’s easier as a pair. But on the other, being alone forces you to get used to new conditions quicker – both language and life.

“Everything will depend on what kind of offer will be made to the club and to me. My move to a top club would definitely reflect well on the image of Spartak.

“I will see what the offer is first and then bring the whole process to a conclusion.”

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Arshavin move could still go ahead?

Posted by Stevio in Transfers on August 19th, 2008

The on-off move of Andrei Arshavin to Spurs (or perhaps off-off move) could yet go ahead according to the midfielder’s agent.

Agent Dennis Lachter told Sky Sports News: “Zenit asked for €25million [£19.69m] for the transfer of Arshavin, this is the last price of the team.

“Four days ago in a private meeting with one of the Tottenham representatives, it was take it or leave it, that is the last price.

“I have got to talk with president of Zenit, Alexander Dukov, if he wants to buy somebody he needs to sell somebody, so he is pushing for Zenit himself to sell Andrei as he understands the contribution of the player.

“We still have a lot of time and from my experience a lot of deals are finalised close to the end of the window, so we will see.”

Meanwhile, Spurs are linked again with Spartak Moscow striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, who is said to be a target of higher priority than Arshavin.

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