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16th
March 2012 - Feeling the Pressure Spurs continue their poor run of form with a dispiriting defeat to Everton, who are then demolished by a resurgent Steven Gerrard. Harry's career decisions are evidently taking their toll with the future England manager cutting a fairly despondent figure on the touchline, especially against Arsenal he looked bereft of ideas in that game particularly. I hope he hasn't given up and moreover, that the players buck their ideas up. Whilst the players have performed badly I do think the manager comes in for some criticism as well. Yet again against a big team and especially in the biggest for us Spurs fans, I feel he got the major choices wrong. It's not the first time that we've struggled against Arsenal's extra man in the centre of midfield and in that game in particular we looked to have our old Tottenham back Ledley looks finished I'm sorry to say, his lack of pace and mobility exposed by the movement and pace of the Gooners' attacking players. Without Parker for the game against Man Utd we had to cobble together a makeshift midfield and Luka Modric decided now was a good time to lose all form and ability at set pieces to compound a limp second half performance after starting so well. With Bale played out of position and van der Vaart seemingly incapable of playing, we look to have run out of ideas. The FA Cup replay was a welcome relief from the pressure of the league and Stevenage were dispatched with authority in the end. But the rumour and behind-the-scenes activity regarding the manager are clearly having an impact on our fortunes at the moment and the psychological effects of having let slip a 10 point gap, sheltered for a long period of time in 3rd after a superb first two thirds of the season, will test Spurs mental strength now. Conjecture is unavoidable when it comes to Harry's situation. Moyes is being touted as a good fit to replace Harry, but it doesn't matter about who takes over in the summer, it's all about the timing of the decision. I can't see Mr Redknapp bottling it and jumping ship before the end of the season, but Levy may take matters into his own hands if we start a longer run of poor results. We welcome back the FA Cup in our next match and Harry will be under a slight amount of pressure to ensure a good result against Bolton. Success in this competition is always welcomed from Spurs fans with such a good pedigree in the tournament. With both Manchester clubs gone and Arsenal out, we have a great chance of getting some silverware this season. And after all, isn't that what football's about? I'd be more than happy at this stage with an FA Cup final to look forward to before our messiah leaves to take on one of the biggest cup challenges with England. Anyway, more pressingly for Harry and the Spurs squad now is getting back to winning ways in the league. A tough match against Stoke (I have visions of Crouch coming back to haunt us!) and then a real test as we go to Stamford Bridge to try and stave off their challenge for 4th. With AVB gone and Di Matteo trying to make it look like there's some team spirit left at Chelscum, it could be a make or break game for our end of season fortunes. How much will last night's excellent win bolster their chase-down of a top 4 place? Will we rise to the occasion or will we shrivel and limp out of the race? It seems like only yesterday that we were daring to dream of a title challenge, but now we find ourselves looking over our shoulders. With Parker returning, Redknapp has one less problem to worry about, although even Scott's form has tailed off. Can we keep everyone fit and can Harry decide on a formation that will work for us? Can he get Adebayor to buck his ideas up and will VDV ever score for us again? No goal in 2012 as yet and a long barren run for our Dutch master leave me feeling fairly numb to our chances and I have to say I haven't enjoyed being a Spurs fan lately. But that's the pessimism out of the way. We still have the same squad of players that have done the business for us so far this season and defeats to the Gooners and Man Utd aside, arguably games that in recent seasons would have been marked down as foregone conclusions, we can at least hope that we rise to the occasion and that the team use the home game against Stoke to rediscover their fluency and that we then take maximum points against Chelsea to catalyse our run-in. Which isn't that difficult. Apart from the visit to Stamford Bridge, if we got back to being more clinical in front of goal (creating chances hasn't been a major problem), I wouldn't fear any of our remaining opponents. The trip to The Stadium of Light might be a potential banana skin but really we should be getting a fat dollop of points in the remainder of the league campaign. Come on Harry, England can wait, Spurs need you now! Get them back to their best and it's all still in our hands...COYS! |
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TOPSPURS COLUMNISTS
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19th
January 2012 - From the sublime to the ridiculous From the sublime to the ridiculous Things take a turn to the sublime and the ridiculous in coming weeks at Spurs. Redknapp is finally to face the judgment of the law of the land when he appears just up the road from me at Southwark Crown Court with his former chairman, Mr Mandaric, facing charges of tax evasion whilst manager at Pompey. Coupled with this shady business is the latest furore facing the club in regards to the failed Olympic stadium bid the alleged investigation by private investigators, hired by Spurs, of the committee which led the decision and ultimately handed a brand-spanking new box of tricks to our lesser neighbours across the marshes. I'm not sure if this is a criminal investigation and whether or not the FA would want to sanction anything against the club, but it forms a lurking shadow over our season and will add weight to those who feel that the several dodgy offside decisions against us are some sort of early signs of a Premier League plot to derail our season...It also calls into question the integrity of our club. I was well and truly against the proposed move in the first place and this just adds a feeling to my mind that the whole sorry saga was underhand and duplicitous in the extreme. Quite what the sanctions are that Harry could face are unknown to this luddite, but it's certainly a fair statement to say that it's an aspect of our esteemed and glowing manager that we've not really explored in the afterglow of our on-field form. I'm sure he'll manage to barter some sort of fine and a slap on the wrists from HMRC. Let's hope that's all. It's clear that Mr Levy, when appointing Redknapp, made it his prerogative to take over (if indeed he had ever relinquished) transfer negotiations on behalf of the club. Publicly lauded for his capture of van der Vaart and universally praised for his handling of the Modric saga he may have been, but is it wise to have your directors deciding on who the playing staff should be? Levy basically (reading between the lines/ adding innuendo) removed a proper Del-Boy from controlling a chunk of the club's coffers. Certainly the frustration from Harry is evident in his continual media pronouncements on players, wages and transfer targets. I'm far from happy with his continual tapping up and general mud-raking when it comes to identifying other clubs' players that he'd like to sign (Demba Ba being the latest in a long-line of visible drooling by our dear leader). Don't shoot me down too soon, I'm not trying to find an angle with which to attack our manager for the sake of it. Certainly his ability to get the best out of his players has been more than evident this season but there are aspects to Redknapp's approach to the behind-the-scenes duties that leave a bad taste in the mouth. Not content with showing up his lack of general footballing knowledge ('Ganso I've never even heard of him' current Brazilian international) he likes to divulge the players' salaries to our esteemed press. I think a lot of what Redknapp has been saying in regards to acquisitions and player contract negotiations belies the politics going on between the club and the manager. Yes Mr Levy has said he wants a 'marquee singing' in this window (the wisdom of which is extremely debatable), but what does the team actually need? We've missed out on Cahill (again) and are continually linked with Samba (surely off to team up with Mr Hughes again at QPR), but despite Gallas being out we do have more than enough good centre backs at the club already (Kaboul, Bassong and a much missed Dawson). With young Caulker doing well at Swansea and contributing to one of the outstanding defences in the league this season, who would we bring in to make the squad better, albeit more cluttered? The Pienaar saga adds another level of intrigue into who calls the shots in our transfer dealings and I can't for the life of me understand why, when Lennon was injured we didn't give Dos Santos a try on the right instead of horse-shoeing van der Vaart into a wide role. The very public pursuit of Loic Remy recently as well with Redknapp going to explicitly watch him midweek only to be rebuffed publicly by the French international also add a slight rosy cheek of embarrassment to Spurs fans. It also hints at the fact that our hopes of retaining Adebayor at the end of the season on a permanent deal are fading. His form has been slowly declining as well (minor criticism albeit) and I just get the impression that Levy and Redknapp are applying a bit of pressure to him, or indeed admitting defeat and putting in place a new strategy. I said in my last article that his decision to stay or not and whether we'd break our wage structure to keep him would be key to our season and this transfer window adds the possibility of disrupting the camp. What does Adebayor feel about Spurs are we just a stepping stone or would he be prepared to take a hit on his lifestyle to forge a career with us? Anyway, whatever happens with the business side of things between now and February, it's important that we keep our momentum going. Recent performances have been a bit up and down the great regulation win against Everton followed by the struggle against a determined and tough-tackling Wolves team. (It certainly is flattering that teams are shutting up shop against us nowadays, but we have to learn how to break teams down, a Plan B, which isn't forthcoming at the moment.) Coming up is a crucial and defining moment in our season. Let's hope the off-field issues don't overshadow what will hopefully be the game of the season. The widely accepted two most stylish teams this season do battle in a real 6 pointer. Harry's recent assertion that he 'was glad we haven't bought our success' like Man City was a little childish as well, not to mention inaccurate. No one could say that this team had been built from the grass-roots. But it is a team that has been slowly developed in key areas Bale, Modric, Lennon, Walker, Kaboul all great players but none of them have been through the ranks at Spurs, they were brought in with a decent amount of money in anyone's book being spent on them in the process. City have been magnificent this season, arguably playing the best football in the league and going to show that after a solid and defensively-minded start to his career at City, Mancini hasn't suffered from there being too many good players on his books. Man City have slumped a little recently though, un-helped by dubious refereeing decisions, the odd dip in form and Mancini and his staff getting hot under the collar on a number of issues, capped by a row between Gerrard and Mancini after the League Cup defeat. Defeats to their two nearest rivals in consecutive games and a limp display against Wigan give cause for hope. Perhaps Mancini and his men are flagging a little. We certainly need to be at our best and hopefully Harry can field a full strength side. Mancini is sure to have rotated his squad in those defeats to Man Utd and Liverpool with a number of games in short succession and with this game in mind. The key will be, as ever, the midfield. Without Adebayor, will Harry change tactics to try and nullify the dynamism of Man City (how much they'll miss Toure will be key)? One thing's for sure, this game will be one for us to judge our manager and our team's true progress since their humiliation earlier this season before Mr Redknapp swears on a bible in a court room in London to face his own judgment...COYS (and good luck Harry, no one likes the Inland Revenue after all) !! 23rd
November 2011 - Good Times at The Lane The discussion recently is on how good this team is, and if they are capable of making a step up and taking on the league leaders maybe not this season, but certainly in the future. The nucleus of the team is playing superb football at the moment. We ground out a result against Fulham and have now continued the champagne football against Villa on Monday night. It was a great display of attacking football and it was also great to see Harry back on the touchline after his recent operation. The future (and current) success of this team are dependent on several factors, but without doubt, I believe that the club need to do everything they can to sign Adebayor in the January transfer window. Yes the wages will be an issue, but the chairman has already displayed some deft touches when it comes to re-negotiating with Luka Modric, by insisting that we need to achieve a Champions League place again this season in order to bump him up to a 'market-rate' of around £100K per week. I think Adebayor would be realistic enough to realise that the inflated wages that he's enjoyed with Man City over the last couple of seasons are unlikely to come around again whilst he plays in the Premier League (unless of course he joins Chelsea which he himself took a very subtle nod towards in his recent interview with The Evening Standard by saying they were still a team to be respected). But the same article demonstrates the appreciation he has towards his current temporary employers and his manager for allowing him the chance to play first team football and score goals. I have no doubt that he is a world class player and we're currently lucky to have him even though he was due a couple of goals which so pleasingly came on Monday night. The culling of the formerly bloated squad that still has to happen to an extent at Spurs should come, if not in January then definitely in the summer. The loan contract agreement that we have with City stipulates that we are entitled to make an offer of a reported £10M in order to gain access to talk personal terms with Adebayor. I respect the club's position on wage structures (something that will no doubt become a real problem for the likes of City, Chelsea and Man Utd amongst others when the new rules on club expenditure come into effect). But surely having two or three players on 'market-rate' wages would show our intent and desire to be really competing at the highest level, domestically and on the continent. It will also be necessary if we are going to hold onto the better players in our team. If I were Levy, I'd sanction the move for Adebayor and give him, Modric and Bale what they want pretty much, in order to keep the nucleus of this very talented team together for a few seasons. There's no reason why Spurs can't take advantage of the crises around them at other clubs to consolidate a position in the top 3 or 4 for the next few seasons. A period of time in which we will have to face a few challenges as a club the potential loss of Redknapp to the national role and the on/ off/ embroiled saga of the stadium, which we hear is becoming more likely from the de-listing of the club form the stock exchange in which it resides. I'm certainly not hot on the finances of football clubs, but I don't see how this approach is a massive signal of any such thing. It's been suggested by some areas of the press that this move is merely to protect the club from stock market speculators with a number of factors coming up that could dent a share price. Redknapp's court case for tax avoidance in January for one. And although the club made a good profit from its run in the Champions League last season, any recruitment of another manager and the expenditure from tweaking of the squad could force the profits of the club on a downward spiral, particularly if we don't progress in europe (albeit with the lower prize and TV money of the 2nd competition in europe). In a year that saw the club increase its revenue by nearly £120M, Levy is purring at the off-field and on-field position he has guided the club into: Levy added: "Ten years ago,
we set out to create a first-team squad that could compete for the highest
honours both domestically and in Europe, to deliver a new training centre and
an increased capacity stadium. I am delighted to report on the substantial
progress we have made in all these areas." There's no doubt after some difficult years the club is settled and performing above expectations. What happens with the financial wheeler-dealing now required to make the NPD viable, we'll need to keep a close eye on our board to ensure that the club (and its fans) aren't overly burdened with the fund raising that we'll need. The team itself is playing sumptuous football at times now and there's real cause for hope for our younger contingent in particular. Kyle Walker has had a great start to the season. Getting a Man of the Match award in your full England debut isn't a bad little cherry on the top of a promising start to his Spurs career. His pace, eye for a pass, energy and growing defensive capabilities are very pleasing. And with Lennon coming back into form we have a very attacking and pacey right side of the pitch. Gareth Bale continues to be a thorn in the side of defences across the country and it'll be good to see the senior players being given the chance in european competition next year as well as we hopefully make it into the knock-out stages of the Europa League. Our front five of Modric, Bale, Lennon, Adebayor and van der Vaart is a dynamic mix of pace, technique and creativity. It certainly should be sought as a regular line-up into the next few seasons. And I hope that the club make it a priority to retain these players, whoever comes knocking on our door. 4th October 2011 Pride of North London What can we learn from the magnificent derby day victory? Well, firstly that Modric and Parker really have 'hit the ground running' (and they certainly covered some ground in that game) and Adebayor is everything that Crouch will never be namely a proper target man. Watching the match with a mixture of Goons and Spurs fans is always a trying time. Friendships are exposed to the white hot atmosphere and feelings can run high. But even the most one-eyed of fans, of whichever persuasion before the game would have agreed that this was one of the best opportunities for Spurs to beat the old enemy in years. And as it turned out, we arguably deserved the 3 points, playing the more direct and effective football. Arsenal are now languishing in the bottom half of the table and even Lee Dixon thinks they'll be lucky to finish in the top 8 this season. Although Redknapp conceded the extra man in midfield (which exposed Parker and Modders too much) he wasn't convinced that they would cause too many problems up front. And so it was. For all of their possession, Arsenal created few really clear cut chances and spurned the ones they did Gervinho continues his awkward start to life in the EPL. Walcott again flattered to deceive and I can't understand how he gets so much good copy. Out of the game for long periods, hurried when on the ball and lacking magic. I snorted loudly in derision when the commentator called him the 'new Henry.' He's got a very long way to go before he gets there. Setting up to counter attack at home may not be something that every fan was happy with, but by the skin of their teeth, Spurs grabbed the win. Albeit, it should have been by a far clearer margin several chances were spurned in the 2nd half to kill them off and put them out of their misery. But watching the game, I wasn't as nervous as I may have been in previous years. There's a real feeling of calmness to the team and maturity. Ledley was great again and the stand-out performers obviously young Kyle Walker, with his Carr-esque long-ranger and Scotty Parker, whose little legs didn't stop all day. Adebayor was great as well, despite his terrible fluff when clear and through on goal. He just needed to round the keeper in a similar manner to his goal against Wolves, but snatched at the chance. His languid and almost nonchalant body language disguise a player of real quality. His control and take-downs are awesome, so much more convincing than Crouchy and he has a deceptive amount of pace, often getting past the last man to either pull it back for a partner or to have a go himself. He's a great focal point for our attack and we have to hope he stays fit all season. After all, we are still a bit light in the striking department in terms of personnel. Despite the positives, I'd just like to declare my new target of derision in the current team is Benoit Assou-Ekotto. I'm sorry because I think he comes across as a great lad when I've seen him interviewed and occasionally he'll have a blinder, but his ponderous, play it out of trouble ways just aren't good enough at the level that we're aspiring to. I know it's knit-picking and I'll probably get a virtual slapping down by some of you, but I really question why we didn't get a better left back in during the close season. Too many times I've seen him shirk challenges, not play the percentage pass or lose the ball trying to knock it past an attacker. Perhaps one area for Harry to think about come January? Anyway, knit-picking over, back to the positives. Now up to 6th in the table and a game in hand with the bar codes next. An early season 6 pointer for sure. If we could knock a few past them, we could take 4th on goal difference from them and there's every possibility that we could make that hallowed position ours for the rest of the season. Quite where Newcastle's early season form has come from is a bit of a mystery. There's a team decimated by a sell, sell, sell chairman and infighting in the ranks and a perception that they'd sold their best players. But despite this, Demba Ba and his cohorts have put in some fantastic performances (although on his interview with Football Focus this weekend just gone, he will not have endeared himself to the fans by not knowing what is Geordie?'). Despite their position and goal scoring form, apart from Arsenal, they haven't played a top team yet and we should prove to be their sternest test of the season. Our away form has been good so far and I think we'll have too much for them. Whether Harry goes for a 4-4-2 again we'll have to wait and see, but VDV and Adebayor are quality players who should be allowed the opportunity to build a partnership. Defoe still has plenty to offer us, but too often he picks the wrong option and he's not a team player. He's more of an impact player these days and using his pace late in a game, coming off the bench to try and get a goal if behind or struggling is the way to go with him I think. Looking at the house-keeping at the moment, you have to feel sorry for poor Tommy Hudd. After an injury plagued season last term, he now faces ankle surgery and a long lay-off. Quite where he fits into the team now is a worry too. With Redknapp declaring a fondness for Sandro (and with good reason) it seems that the future of the Spurs central midfield doesn't contain the big old unit. Alas, I feel a great player may have missed his chance. In the long running Modric watch we are probably due another Daily Mail inspired tapping up saga around now. Harry is on record as saying that the chairman and Modric are about due to sit down and discuss a pay rise for the Croatian now. Quite why this issue wasn't sorted out when Modric signed his new long term contract last season is anyone's guess, but he looks happy enough out there and I think he now realises that he has no need to move in order to fulfil his ambitions. Yes it's early days, but I genuinely feel that the power is shifting in the EPL this season and whilst Arsenal re-build and Liverpool stutter, we have every chance of solidifying our place in the top 4. Speaking of rebuilding, Chelsea today announced that they are looking at buying back the shares owned by fans in order to be able to sell Stamford Bridge and eventually relocate to a new stadium (quite where that could be built in west London is a mystery, although Battersea Power station has been suggested in the past). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15160624.stm More details can be found following the above link just a quick word on this, how can a club which has cash falling out of its pockets have the temerity to tell the fans not to expect a return on their shares? Typical Chelscum! Anyone else seen their 'prawn-sandwich' inspired tube ads for match day catering packages 'starting at £89?!' Outrageous. And so our own stadium saga rolls on with news now that the local authority and City Hall are prepared to offer some cash in order to keep the club in N17. The amount is pretty pitiful in the grand scheme of things and also lets the club get away with reneging on building some of the community facilities that always form a part of such schemes these days. Is it a price worth paying for keeping Spurs in Tottenham? Finally, just to congratulate Harry so far on his european campaign. For those who were bemoaning the Europa Cup, he is playing it just as he should be. The use of the young lads in the squad at this stage is exactly what is required and gives great exposure to some of them to first team action. It's been a particular highlight of our ever improving form that we've been able to shuffle the playing pack a bit this season and keep momentum going. Well done Harry 'Goonbuster' Redknapp. Come on you Spurs! 3rd September 2011 - Realistic expectations? So with the transfer deadline now behind us, we can all get on with the business of getting behind the Spurs and looking forward to a decent season. The club today announced the full 25 man squad under the new rules for this season. And looking at it on paper, it should have sufficient quality and depth (we hope!) to compete for a european spot next year. For those interested, the weblink is here - http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/squad-update-020911.html The accepted opinion, if you believe the tabloids and broad-sheets both, is that the top 4 is already decided and that ourselves, Liverpool and Arsenal will battle it out for the loose crumbs. But there are plenty of reasons to feel optimistic about our challenge to continue our advancement in the elite CL competition. After only 2 games this season, it's fair to say that the Manchester clubs hold a discernable advantage over the London teams and their North West rivals. The attacking games we've seen already this season, I think, are indicative of a new prevailing attitude attack as the best form of defence. But the London teams are all going through a slight period of readjustment. Coping with the arrivals and departures of some key players. Chelsea have to settle on a way of playing. Early signs suggest that Andre Villas Boas has still yet work out what he wants his team to do with the ball. Arsenal adjust to post-Fabregas life and the influx of some unproven talent. Do Spurs have the necessary tools to compete? Firstly, if the opposition are set out to attack, away from home as well as at home, you need a strong and settled defence. The failure to capture Cahill leaves me slightly cold at the prospect of us improving on our traditionally weak away record. There's no doubt Redknapp can organise an attacking unit, but Dawson needs a senior partner in defence. Injury aside, we could do with a stable and consistent lineup. Kaboul, Bassong and sometime-fit King certainly isn't a strong central defence. I've never been a particular fan of Gallas, but it looks increasingly like we'll have to rely on him staying fit this season, as he approaches his mid-thirties. The goal-keeping position is also a source of potential contention. Gomes was heralded by Redknapp at the start of the season as the number 1, but Friedel (despite conceding 8 goals in 2 games) looks like being given the nod. Shielding the back four is also something Spurs have not traditionally been good at in the modern era. A host of attempts to find that all important holding player have born little fruit. Palacios, whom it was hoped was the answer, shipped out to Stoke (along with his lanky buddy, Crouch best bit of business in the transfer window, in my opinion). And Sandro cruelly injured when coming into top form. The arrival of Scott Parker, at first annoyed me. But, I'm coming around to the opinion that he is an effective midfield general. Can he add Modric spark together? Will the now ignited conjecture over a January-exit for Modric unsettle our midfield. When exactly is Modric's head going to be right? In considering how the team will play this season, given that the league seems to be dismissing the formally rigid and defence minded approach, we have to hope that the team spirit stays good. We need Modric to rally his team-mates and show us on the pitch that he wants to help Spurs grow. How we accommodate van der Vaart when fit again is a head-scratcher. Partnered with Crouch early last season, he was effective and provided us with cover for the injured Defoe. I don't see where he fits into a 4-4-2. Adebayor will need to be on top form this campaign. If we are going to have any weight to laying claim to being a glamour team, we'll need all parts of the attacking unit to function well. Aaron Lennon should be given time to get into his stride and I'm sure that Bale will continue his upward trajectory too. I'd go for Adebayor and Defoe up front with the midfield as described. There isn't great strength in depth, but some of the fringe players, like Dos Santos, should be given a chance to express themselves this year. We've always been a great tam going forward. It's felt like two parts of a team not working with one another in the first games of the season. Let's hope the team can now gel and go forward with purpose. And finally, regarding the stadium. Take a look at the debate to be found after Adrian Warner's article on BBC website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/adrianwarner/2011/08/emotion_is_driving_spurs_high.html 13 Aug 2011 - Topspurs Season 2011/12 Preview It's always difficult to give opinions on expectations for the season when the manager and director haven't even finished their wheeler-dealing. After a fantastic escapade in the CL last season, we now have an opportunity to make further progress in europe, giving a good run-out to the younger elements of the squad. Good to see young Kyle Walker stating his ambitions recently in the Evening Standard. His desire to have an extended run in the first team, will only aid his development after recent full senior call-ups. The lack of activity to date in the problem-positions shouldn't detract from the fact that we still have some exciting youth at the club. And wouldn't it be nice to see some of them flourish? The current transfer thinking is that we may get Christopher Samba (a welcome addition should he join we need to establish a regular partnership at the back) and with David Bentley heading in the opposite direction, we kill two birds with one stone. The news that Emmanuel Adebayor may now be a Spurs player will be greeted with mixed views from Spurs fans. He is a good target man and all round striker, that we have lacked for some time. He's a bit like a combination of Crouch and Defoe's better qualities. And if Crouch does depart for Stoke with Wilson Palacios, we may have done some successful last minute bargaining. If it's true that Man City have subsidised his wages in order to facilitate the move, even better for us in the 'Top 4' battle. The squad is strong and the manager is keen to prove his abilities, with the end of season providing an opportunity for Harry to leave Spurs on a high as he waltzes into the murky corridors of the FA. A good result for us this season would obviously be to get a top 4 place with that ever possible FA or League Cup to boot. That's what we should be aiming for, but it would also be nice to pick up the european trophy we'll contest this season. If we can do that then it'll be easier at the end of the season to retain our better players, including Modric whose attitude has called his commitment to the club into question. There is the possibility that Spurs in their current state could be the ideal seed to plant for a talented, world class manager. Whomever that may be will be a subject of debate come the end of the season. But it must include keeping our best players Modric, Bale, Lennon. The start being delayed by recent events is unfortunate as well, but it does give the squad more time to gel before our big K.O., which just so happens to be an away trip to another war-torn part of the country, Manchester. The street violence seen around parts of London this past week has shocked and provoked a wider debate about our society, its values and direction. Could the recent events actually act as a catalyst to re-ignite the ambition of redeveloping the White Hart Lane area? I sincerely hope that we once and for all end the farce that has been the Stratford gamble and concentrate on the original plan, which must have been viable, otherwise the club wouldn't have bought up the required land, commissioned the planners and architects. But whatever the ups and downs this season, it will be a very competitive league. Those teams around us may have spent more money in the scramble for positions, but with these new additions, it may just be that we re-assert ourselves as a serious club, with serious ambition... 11th May 2011
- All over, Rover Last night's unjust defeat to Man City spells the end of
our crusade for the hallowed 4th spot in the EPL and therefore
another chance of top level European football next season. Spurs played well at Eastlands, but in many ways the game
was a microcosm of how our season has gone. We lacked anyone who could finish
the sweeping moves that we created and a couple of players who were the
lynchpins of our success last term were evidently short of form (Lennon and
Crouch for example). Now we are left to fight Liverpool for 5th place
and a slant at the Euro Cup next term. Given the Scousers' lethal form at the
end of this season (second only to Chelsea in points taken since Christmas),
I for one am not particularly hopeful that we can beat them. And even if we
do, there's a lingering suspicion that we'd only blow it by dropping points
against Brum at home on the last day of the season. There is evidently a debate going on between Spurs fans of
differing persuasions as to whether or not we want to play in the Euro Cup.
There are those that believe that Redknapp and co are actually playing badly
on purpose to effectively throw the finishing place and avoid the hectic
Thurs/ Sun set-up in favour of keeping the squad fresh to have a pop at getting
in the top 4 again (or, as our Numero Uno said on MOTD2 the other night, have
a go at the title good to see Harry is being ambitious). There are those (of whom I count myself one) that think
this is nonsense and that for the good of the club (certainly financially)
that we should aim to finish as high as we can (I'm sure the board would
prefer the higher prize-money for finishing 5th as opposed to 6th).
And I feel that disparaging the Euro Cup serves no ones needs. Spurs fans
have become accustomed in recent seasons to playing in European competitions.
I know those long suffering supporters who do actually make it down to WHL
these days don't much fancy paying £35 to watch some lowly eastern Euro
second tier team who have lucked out, but I would say that it is possible to
have a successful campaign in the Euro Cup and do well in the league. Why are
these two scenarios seen as mutually exclusive? Play the reserves in the group stage and walk it, if it is
indeed a stroll in the park and pointless as many would have you believe. I'd
much rather watch us on Channel 5 of an evening for free than pay those
blood-suckers at Sky to watch us on a Tuesday night. What difference does it
really make? If you're in the CL, you could play Sun/ Tues. And in any case,
after the group stage, the nearly-rans from the CL drop down into the
competition and there you have a de-facto CL Light in any case. But this opens up a whole rotten debate about what is seen
as a successful season. Is it better to finish in the top 4 without a sniff
of silverware, or better to maybe win the League Cup or Euro Cup and finish
outside the Big-Time-Charlie's positions? Tempers were raised and feelings running high last night as
a group of us Spurs fans had that exact debate in the pub. For all of our
mocking of the Arsenal and their trophy-less run of recent years, I have to
say, I have some sympathy with the viewpoint that I'd rather win something
than nothing. Whilst we should all take stock of how our season has gone
this term, and give Mr Redknapp and Co the plaudits they deserve (going
further than the Gooners in the CL, in our debut season; Bale getting Player
of the Year/ Season and the likes of Sandro coming through and showing the
potential that was much touted), did anyone else see the Alan Sugar fronted
'investigation' programme into football? I'll neatly skirt around the whole history of his less than
ethical involvement in the formation of Sky's takeover of football, but the most
enlightening aspect of it for me (sorry Mr Sugar, but there were no great
revelatory ideas in your 'football business plan') was hearing our esteemed
master come across like the Del Boy trader he is sometimes made out to be. How can he say he hasn't got a clue what his players'
salaries are (I couldn't guess within £10-£15k a week what they are on -
what not even despite the fact we have a well defined wage structure and the
fact that you have been in charge of hiring and firing at a number of clubs
over a number of years?)? How could Mr Sugar miss the causal link that was
threaded through the clubs that were picked out for criticism (West Ham,
Portsmouth see a link there at all, Mr Redknapp??)? Harry's appearance on MOTD2 at the weekend was also
enlightening. He looked less than comfortable as Hanson, Dixon and Murray
quizzed him on the season to date and what might be required for us to
progress next term. And Harry didn't really concede anything that we didn't
already know, although interestingly Mr Gomes was dropped last night. I
wonder if it had anything to do with the focus the MOTD crew put on
Heurelho's performance that night? Yes, he acknowledges that we need to thin
out the bloated squad, get in one or two World Class players (arguably we
need a few more than that). But he did show some real ambition and that is
why despite his faults (I'm thinking tactically) he is still a manager to be
proud of because he speaks the previously unspeakable at Spurs the title! I know that Jim is quite touchy about Harry-Knockers, but
it is only healthy and right that we hear all sides of the debate and keep
the custodians of our team in check, to constructively criticise. I just want
to make it clear that our recent progress isn't something that Mr Redknapp
created on his own. Yes we know he came in and put the ship right after Mr
Ramos managed to 'lose' the dressing room, but this recent spell of
achievement at WHL was something put in place before and under Jol and
carried on from there. In many ways, Redknapp was in the right place at the right
time. But fair play to him, his record stands up to the best of them. It's
just a shame that our end of season form has been so dismal. How comes the
players can't pick themselves up after the CL exit and press on? Nothing left
in the tank? Something just isn't quite right behind the scenes and it isn't
particularly encouraging to hear Harry say that 'hopefully next season the
strikers will fire.' What have the coaching staff been doing this season that
they won't be doing next? We've had a whole year to get them working right. Anyway, before I give the impression of being a typically
'fickle' Spurs fan, I would like to congratulate the players and staff on a
wonderfully exciting run in the elite of European football this season and
wish them luck for the next. All eyes now on the money-men as the
wheeler-dealing begins and hopefully a much needed overhaul of the squad in
key positions. What is evidently true is that with or without European
football next season, we will struggle to attract the best players. Despite
Harry's assurances to the contrary, I feel we need to do everything we can to
get 5th and ensure that we give ourselves a chance of fending off
those amorous suitors of our star players and a chance at attracting those
players of European pedigree we need. If our open cheque book during the
January transfer window didn't attract the right players with us in the CL,
what calibre of player will we attract without CL? And where will the likes
of Keane, Bentley and Jenas go?
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Disclaimer: Please note the words on this page are the opinion
of the topspurs columnist and are just that, opinions, not facts and are
nothing to do with Tottenham Hotspur Football club PLC. Just a supporter having
his say nothing more nothing less. Any commentary on betting is meant for
discussion purposes only and does not constitute any form of advice or
recommendation. |