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Saturday 6 Febuary 2010. Top Gear At A North London Lane ... Spurs' Stig Return Date. "Gentlemen. Start your engines." The famous
grand prix invitation has Referee Chris Foy in charge of starting /refereeing
duties for the late show at The Lane between Spurs and Villa this
afternoon. Aston martins,martin o'neils, david bentleys,and all manner
of high octane footballers are involved in another very crucial cliche. A six
pointer. Throw in Niko Kranjcar
and the reappearance at some stage of Va Va Kaboul then certainly top gear
will be needed by the Redknapp fleet. If Villa have nothing else then they
certainly have pace galore up front particularly with Agbonlahor. Hopefully
our Rolls Royce Ledley makes it. Dawson is not flash in the pace department. With Aaron Lennon still in the garage for repairs we have David
Bentley beginning to purr quite nicely at wide right. Manager
Harry Redsack thought he had an attitude problem not long ago. No end of
the tunnel in sight for him. Marvelous what the prospect of some actual
running time can do. A lengthy Lennon absence has led to a revitalised
Bentley. Boy they will need more of the same against the Villians from him.
An added spur may be the announced return date of Lennon. Early next month. The fresh legs of Luka Modric and Wilson Palacios, who were
confined to spectatorial roles at Elland Road, should help against the likes
of Milner and Petrov. Corluka versus Ashley Young is a worry. Speed does not
appear in our Croatian's vocabulary. Presumably the rightfooted Young starts
on the left, leaving leftfooted Downing against Gareth Bale. Hmm.Either way
looks a difficult night for both our fullbacks. Seems the preferred solution would involve England's joint top
goalscorer ( Jermaine and Wayne are 24 all) putting scoreboard pressure on
the Villa. Our banker will be interested to see how the new man Eider goes. Our pub will not be putting the mortgage on a home win here.
Perhaps a round of drinks. Still in such a big game and at home surely our
top of the range Tottenham Hotspur shows up today. In that case it will be a
long drive home for team Villa. Looking Through A Transfer Window. For all the pontification by various Spurs scribes and
others,commenting on Spurs lack of activity in the January window, it does
seem somewhat misplaced.With some centrehalf cover incoming the lack of
goalkeeper and centre midfield cover has been suggested.Granted but lifting
one's head above the trenches what have our main rivals done. Aston Villa in : nil. Liverpool in: Maxi Rodriguez ... err nil?
Wait for it. Our biggest rivals possibly for fourth, Man City brought in Adam
Johnson to warm the bench. Patrick Viera added to the average age but not all
round fitness of the squad. Not yet anyway. When fit may of course be useful. Up the road Arsenal brought in Samuel Galind from Real America.
Who? Where? Chelsea in; nil. And finally over at Goodison Park Landon Donovan
looks good business. Even better bizness from a show biz perspective the
coming of Philippe Senderos to Everton created great amusement here. The
return to Premier League action from one of life's great comedic defenders is
always welcome. Spurs acquisition of an aging hitman and attention deficit
defender was not spectacular. Still Ledley King says Younes Kaboul has
changed. Eider could do no worse than a fading Robbie Keane of late. No real
headlines there but why not dream a moment ... At A Kent News Desk. Headlines that never made it ...
Arsenal Finally Add To Trophy Cabinet After Long Long Wait.
England Captain Leads Scandal Free, Drug Free, Court Free Life.Sunday School
Teaching Ambition. I mean in Italy John Terry would probably still be captain. Lots
to talk about ... At A Kent Pub. A good old fashioned Cup win this week meant spirits are high.
Mine Host has chalked up this weeks motto on the Specials Board. "Enjoy
it while we can." Fourth in the League. Upwards in the Cup. Saturday
comes again. Another game. Another gamble. Monopoly went on sale for the first time on this day way back in
1935. Todays game is that close to call. A throw of the dice almost. Lets
hope its Mayfair and not Old Kent Road for Spurs tonight. Cheers ... nothing wrong with the pubs in old Kent though ...
Greg
Meyer.
coys.
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Friday 22 January 2010 Undelivered Mail ... Undelivered Premier Points ... A Post
Office In Kent ... A Cup of Cheer ... A Pub In Kent. Its tempting to blame Howard Plebb, Alan Wiley at Arsenal vs
Bolton,and why not climate change for all the bad news delivered to our Kent
Pub this week. Howard's Way, some might say biased ineptitude, does seem
to fit nicely with the Sky Four but surely we did need to score. Oops there's
Howards interesting interpretation of the offside rules intervening. Conveniently
Sky Four balanced as it turned out. The Defoe goal to Spurs may
have certainly meant a different result. Still our Pub think a Top Four team
overcomes referees no matter how poor they are. Alan Wiley saw nothing wrong with the Gallas coming together
with Davies. Wenger saw nothing wrong with playing on with a player down.
Oops it was the opposition who had fallen. Goal to Arsenal. A complete volte
face from that famous day when the two Arsenal players ran into each other
and Keano went on to score. Mind Monsieur Wenger is if nothing but
predictable these days. Back to Anfield, Mine host is not normally prone to
profanity,but thought Spurs were, rhymes with Kyte. Coincidentally it was
the said Dutchman who scored a brace to put us in the proverbial Kyte. If only comes to mind. That said there was some interesting mail undelivered ... At A Kent Post Office. Surely we cannot blame climate change ... yet.
Weather is weather and snow has been abundant. Still some interesting Return to
Sender letters surfaced this week. Dear Elvis,
Great news. Enclosed is the new wonder drug. Guaranteed to cure all back ache
pain,cardio vascular disease,depression symptoms,eating disorders,drug
addiction and anything you care to nominate.
Prescription enclosed.
Dr. Nick. Bueno Dias Gary,
I am writing to you with some help from my Agent Kia.As you know my english
eez a little missing.Weel almost completely missing. These new words
like moron and sock sucker are how you say non comprende. Kia
says I should understand why you perhaps do not understand my move to City. I
know lovely old Alex would understand. Eef
I am lucky enough to score on Tuesday would it be alright if I pop over to
the dugout to give you a big hug. Afterall we did play with the United and
win lots together.
Buenes Noches
Carlos. PS Muchas
Good Luck for Tuesday. Dear Harry, Would you
mind terribly if me and most of the boys did not turn up for the Wednesday
night run around at Anfield. As you know from previous experience Wednesday
is usually our golf day. One of the
Jermaines is still working on his swing.Something about club
selection. Royal Birkdale is a lovely Merseyside links course. Linking
back and front is something we could work on as a team. Don't think
Wilson will be joining us. Same with the Croats. Luka says they don't play a
lot of golf back home. Mainly war games. Still he thinks the government is
saving up. Vedran has a hair appointment and Niko is. Well you know Niko. Realise this
comes a little late. Perhaps at a bad time but they did call the first one
off. Sure you'll come up with something as always. Robbie. And in the dead letter department. Well and truly not delivered. Dear Mr. Moses Esquire,
The jet ski you ordered is now available. Thank you for your patronage. Mr. E. Bay. Egypt Merchandise Division. Spurs can still change history and your emails and letters are
guaranteed to be delivered ... To A Kent Pub. A cup of relief says our Lawyer. Referring of course to our
Spurs proud cup heritage and something to distract us from the pressure of
the premier league . Paricularly when we are fourth and in it. Who would have
thought back in August. So to Leeds at the Lane. A great day out guaranteed. Lawro says
so. Spurs to win. Our Banker agrees so long as the real Spurs turn up.Why not a
Pav run says our Journalist. Probably too complicated for
Harry especially if he does well. Sorry idle thoughts. Leeds are no mugs but Tottenham should progress. Be nice to see
some goals scored by us after our recent drought. Our Lawyer, indeed we all, are still optimistic of top four. So
long as Danny Blanchflower's Spurs philosophy remains we are not too fussed in
general. Its the way Spurs should always play football. Cheers ... if you need a reminder Jim has it proudly displayed
at the very start of Topspurs ... Greg
Meyer. glory glory. Friday 15 January 2010. Evasion Skills ... Born With it or Developed Over A
Football Career and Life ... Royal Mail At A Kent Pub ... Guess Who's
Birthday. Amid all the press frenzy over a certain English football manager
having been charged with every taxpayers ambition, our Tranmere Accountant
has run the pub abacus over the various calculations and outcomes.
Evasion is certainly a skill worth millions rather than a mere (reportedly)
forty thousand pounds. Source : Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. Evasion Leaving aside the Managers alleged avoidance skills surely we
are singularly blessed. Dodgers such as Modric, so deft of foot and shim,
Lennon , blink and you miss it, plus our other Croation possessed of sleight
of foot, one Niko Kranjcar. The evasion of detection up near that offside line is not always
Jermaine Defoe's strongest suit. Seems to be flagged a little too often
sometimes. However he is particularly sharp when the penalty box looms
and the onion bag is sighted. Surely the multiple skills outlined above will all be put to
good use at 3 pm on Saturday afternoon. Our banker thinks it will be a
bigger crime more worthy of investigation should Hull leave White Hart
Lane with any point(s) on Saturday. Mail At The Kent Pub. Just before we let on about that surprising birthday card
received today, a couple of short letters spotted in the press. From the Highbury Advertiser. Dear Thierry,
I am tres excited regards young Mathieu, still only 25 years old ,
rejoining us from Italy. Coming on , how you say, top of, Sulzeer returning
... alors he is only 35 ans young, then what a shame Patrick, only 33 ans.
took a wrong turn at La Heathrow. Ze
press reports linking you with a return to us are surely un petit premature.
Mais non. We would love a sprightly 32 year old striker. In fact any striker
at the moment would do.
You have my private number,
Arsene. From The Reading Chronicle. Dear Sir John,
Just a quick note of appreciation for all your good work at Anfield on
Wednesday night. Taking out their star midfielder was very welcome. Imagine
Mrs Levy's delight at the 6 week absence of young Fernando. A shame about
little Yossi's ribs too.
We are glad to see no one seriously hurt. Just imagine what could have
happened to everyone if those nice people at Health and Safety had insisted
on our match last Sunday going ahead. All that snow and ice.
Best Wishes
Daniel. Early Easter wishes to the Madejski family. From The Nottingham Times. Dear Harry,
Sorry to hear about the press beat up this week all over a mere forty
thousand pounds (allegedly). I have had some experience myself of inaccurate
and sensational reporting of lurid accusations. Just ask Glenn. I always
stood right behind him in his managerial career. Was it my fault they wanted
me to direct things. Isn't that what Directors of Football are for. Yes I do
note that that Spurs position became quickly redundant on your appointment. I
wonder what Damien is doing now?
The lads do seem to be playing rather well lately. Keep up the good work.
Still keeping my hand in at the chalkboard. Best wishes to Ian, a very able
solicitor.
Love to Sally. Hope her heading, sorry headache, has improved.
Yours
David P.S.
Thanks for the birthday card. The Pleats enjoy a good celebration. I remember
well our Forest days. And how else would you celebrate your 65th birthday than downing
a traditional pint ... At A Kent Pub. Spurs are virtually unbackable for the potential banana at
home to Hull. Hardly been banana weather lately. Hopefully the expected
celebrations are held a little in check on Saturday night. Jamie O'hara about
an engagement. Not at Portsmouth nor at Spurs. No he's having a bash to
celebtate his future with Danielle Lloyd. Jermaine D is reportedly going.
Hopefully Ledley and Peter Crouch have declined. Five games in fourteen days coming up. A season defining period.
Only if we win most. A big springboard for later top four aspirations this
season. First things first. Surely a win over Hull. Hull need a miracle
you would think. Something akin to that US Airways plane that ditched in the
River Hudson, not Humber, on this day not long ago. All 155 aboard survived. Cheers ... is this the start of our run for the title ... Greg
Meyer. coys. Friday 8 January 2009. Sherlock Holmes Goes To Anfield ... A Difficult Away Case
... Its Snowing At Graceland. Boxing Day was a great day for fans from N17 as well as W1.
North London's most famous football club gained a valuable point at Fulham.
Sherlock Holmes the Movie premiered and just like our club is set for a
long run in the top four. Two days later a display that would have delighted the world's
greatest detective. Certainly Spurs played like the characters in The
Adventure of The Dancing Men. Poor old Senor Zola threw his hands in the air
and started reading The Adventure of the Empty House. The win was catalysed
by the hottest winger in the Premier League. Aaron Lennon at full throttle is awesome. Ergo at eleven minutes
in he steamed into the box and his end product saw our Croation genius score
his first after a fractured fibula. Our lawyer votes it the most breathtaking
moment he has seen in many a while. Not the goal but the incredible
television footage of Aaron in full flight . No wonder its dramatically
challenging to your average fullback when he approaches. A grand Spurs moment. The mercurial Lennon linking with our
Croatian creator who plants it in the onion bag. Broken leg and endless
rehabilitation all worth it. So to probably Sherlock Redknapps hardest case to date. An away
win in the League at Anfield last achieved in August 1993. The Case of the Very Elusive Three Points At Anfield. Our pub reckon there are only three things preventing Detectives
Redknapp, Jordan and Bond solving a very old chestnut. Its all very
elementary but easier said than done. First up stop the worlds best forward from scoring . Ledley King
should be there to put the brakes on Fernando Torres. Second up go to them
and play with the confidence born of the last five games. Clean sheets and
chances created. Lets capitalise on a Liverpool struggling with confidence.
Finally a little bit mixed with two. Lets hope the real Tottenham Hotspur
turns up. Certainly Mine Host has put his wallet on the bar.First round is
on the house. A Spurs win will see this place go mad Sunday night.Yep
buggar the naysayers if Spurs are it this year then they will
win this one and put real space between them and Pool. Even our Banker is thinking this is winnable. The first five
minutes might reveal all. If our forwards hound their backs then the flow on is
usually infectious. Trust this optimism is not ill placed but we'll still be
meeting sunday night ... At A Kent Pub. Not sure if Dr Watson and his famous sidekick had to contend
with the snow factor. Rumours abound as to whether Liverpool are as keen as
our Pub for the game to proceed. Nothing wrong with the ground. Weather in
the area may mean a decision by the Health and Safety Police could see a
postponement. No surprise there in these politically correct times. Mind it was snowing today at Graceland, USA. Reported sightings
of Elvis variously disguised as an igloo builder, sled driver and snowman
are all being investigated. Happy Birthday Elvis. Seventy Three today. Cheers ... an elementary start and an elementary win would be welcome
at a snowy Kent Pub ...Dr.John H. Watson,Sherlock Holmes and Greg
Meyer. coys. Saturday 19 Decmber 2009. The Irish Problem ... Skiing Away At Blackburn ... What's Under
The Tree. Certainly seems the silly season is in full swing already.
Perhaps it should be termed the funny even ludicrous season. They probably
haven't even finished loading the Christmas sled in Greenland and parts
polar. Mind with what you read in Copenhagen this week perhaps Santa
is using a submarine this year given the predictions of ice melt and
all. So with Christmas parties all the go and lots of christmas
Guinness being sent down the hatch at our Pub seems the week has had a
certain green tinge tabloidally speaking. The Irish Problem. Firstly it would be hard to be more Irish than Mick McCarthy's
game plan against Manchester United when he dropped 10 of the squad that
sqeezed past Spurs. They play Burnley on Sunday and our Pub will be roaring
on Burnley. After all they did hold Arsenal to a draw, sidelined Fabregasp,
and provided a thrilling home win to us a little ways back. Will McCarthy's
plan backfire. Guess who we play in the last match of the year? Yes its
Burnley. Oh the joys of having a top four wrapped up and then having the
opportunity to play our under 15's against Burnley.Purely for experience of
course. The second Irish problem this week actually happened last week.
The players golf day in Dublin was okay by Harry Redknapp but the
traditional 19th hole afterwards perhaps had slipped under the managerial
radar. Probably not on the flight plan Captain Keane passed on to Harry
before setting off. Seems a good time was had by all particularly at a well
known indoor course, the Royal Copper Face Jacks Golf Club. Good time had by all perhaps not completely right. Apart
from Harry who didn't seem to be invited only 16 of the Squad took clubs.
Golf is not a big game in Mexico, Honduras, Russia or Wales. None of Dos
Santos, Palacios, Pavlyuchenko or Bale went to Ireland. Still Harry maintains the trip was not the reason for the Wolves
debacle and they certainly weren't playing like first time hackers on
Wednesday against Citeh. As they say at a nearby golf club here in Kent when
you've lost yet another ball. Sayonara!! And surely the same could be said
about what seems another tabloidal beat up. Snowshoes at Ewood Park. Skiing straight past a tremendous team result against Manchester
City on Wednesday night you can bet snow mittens galore will be the order
today. A match forecast of rain and snow showers will see our old mate
Chimbonda probably wearing a thermal hood on past gloves form. Pascal will probably earn first shot at trying to reduce the
effect of the slalom runs of winger Aaron Lennon. Early team news is a
disappointment to our lawyer. President of the Luka Modric fan club here. His
ankle should be right for Boxing day. Snow would not have slowed him up. The
Croation connundrum can be shelved for another day. Whether we play Nico
Sportscar and Luka together as they do in the national team still to be seen. Same team, same result as Man City . Certainly the former and
perhaps the second. Our journalist says the bogey team for Spurs away
line will feature in the press. Still if the commitment shown on
Wednesday which started from Crouch and Defoe harrassing hard then surely
class wins. Be a nice Christmas offering and hopefully it's .... Under The Christmas Tree ... At A Kent Pub. Christmas carols loom here in our village. Often ends up at the
Pub with the adult Carolsters reckoning they have worked up a considerable
thirst. Our pub plumber is used to dabbling in water sports and says
he has been snowed under this week. Jokes are not his forte. After
Blackburn it is Fulham (a) and Ham (h). both of which he deems winnable. Our
pub agree particularly the Ham encounter. Thanks to those that have passed on cards and mail( both types).
They are all sitting on the pub mantle next to the tree. Our hopes regards a
certain tree at White Hart Lane include the oft mentioned Sandro plus some
Centre Half back up. Ledley may be back shortly after Christmas but for how
long. Without Woodgate as well we are thin. Back to the Irish question surely some old form from Keane and
enthusiasm from Russia would be welcome. Realistically the january window
usually only throws up other teams cast offs and whats left over given the
New Year fire sale season. Luck with injury helps. Our Modric back and a
prolonged loss of Fabregasp will slow the goon gloaters up. Cautious optimism abounds at our pub and perhaps a last word
from the cautious representative ... our banker. " It's not the thought but the presents that
count." The more three points the merrier we will be here at a very
merry Kent Pub. Cheers ... a safe Christmas to You and Yours ... a successful
Christmas to the very seasonal Lillywhites ... Greg
Meyer.
coys. Friday : Fourteen Days Till The Sleigh Arrives. Heee's ... Back !!!.
Thats him settling in comfortably , earlier this week, at our
Kent Pub. His smiles galore hard to suppress after his return on 8 December
against Grays Athletic for 70 pain free minutes. Plenty of real ale was consumed at our team's pub meetings
in celebration of the news all Spurs fans have been waiting for. Not sure if
Luka drinks beer. Not sure what Otvorem Radio Lager tastes like either.
Thats the glass on the extreme right. Luka graces our midfield in indisputable football grace
and style wearing shirt number 14. Coincidently it was 14 weeks from
that unfortunate tackle on 29 August till his return against Grays Athletic.
Originally scheduled against Hamilton Academicals. Sorry just intrigued
by the names. Things here have been a little gleefull. Surely not just
down to the return of our midfield genius. Yep something about that time of
year and the attendant spirit, largely alcoholic here, thats in part to blame. A final thought regards Luka . The link below certainly is apt
and a celebration in song as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8qyk_1xudA&feature=related The lady is of course Suzanne Vega. Another celebrity Spurs fan
having penned that musical interlude. May also need a new song for ... The World's Longest Name In Football? Sandro Ranieri Guimaraes Cordeiro of Internacional is reputed to
be in London having a medical prior to signing for Spurs.The 20 year old
Brazilian midfielder joining Spurs would make that 2 signings in a week in
the midfield department. Luka's return will seem like a new return. Sandro
the destructive and Luka the creative has a nice ring to it. Certainly cause
for optimistic consumption ... At A Kent Pub. Some opportunities lost says Mine host after the Villa and
Everton draws. Not all bad with our North london neighbours continuing to
look vulnerable.Even if it is the under tens in Greece. Liverpool vs Arsenal this weekend. Both are a threat to our
"top four " aspirations. Our pub would happily accept a draw. Then
again our Lawyer would rather a Pool win. For some, traditional feelings
never die. Wolves visit the Lane and our Banker predictably says a home
banker. Unanimous chorous of agreement all round our cosy bar. Matched by a
unanimous call for another last drink. Predictable! Cheers ... hopefully he's on the bench tommorrow ... Greg
Meyer.
come on Luka.
Emirates In Crisis ... No Panic Down The Lane ...
Managerial Comments. Lets look at the Emirates crisis. Unfortunately it does not
relate to Arsene Wenger's possible trip to a Belgrade placenta specialist for
a miracle cure regards his famous near, non , short sightedness when viewing
all things Arsenal. No its the Emirates of Dubai who have struck serious financial
trouble. Seriously speaking ... 40 billion's worth it seems. Strictly
speaking that is some trouble. Hope the stadium sponsorship is okay says our
pub Banker. Not sure where his tongue is on that comment. Meanwhile back at The Lane it all seems steady levy
ready as she goes. Harry in the headlines for "you know what"
is nowhere to be seen. Peter Storrie stands alone in the dock. Our pub has also calmed somewhat after the euphoric, some might
say surreal, events of 9-1 saturday. Out and about our Roving Reporter was
having a quiet beer with our inpub Journalist . Given the personalities mentioned thus far as well as some other
notables they unearthed some very topical comments. Alors ... Managerial Comments. Given the Emirates Crisis surely Arsene Wenger should kick off
...
" As long as no-one scored,it was always going to be close."
" Of the nine red cards this season we probably deserved half of them." No wonder the sums aren't adding up real well in the Emirates
family if Arsene has any input into le arithmetic. Our Own Terry Venables ...
"Apart from their goals ,Norway haven't scored." Hmm something very
Wengeresque there.
"It may have been going wide,but nevertheless it was a great shot on
target." An eyesight problem. Mais non surely. Seems to be a theme developing here. Missing targets financial
and football anyone. Finally our current Own Harry Redknapp... "Where
are we in relation to Europe? Not far from Dover." A geographical
football lesson during his time at Southampton.
"I got a fantastic reception from the crowd here at Upton Park.- and why
shouldn't I? Now I'm looking forward to getting one off the wife. Reception I
mean. I'm too old for all that kind of stuff." Eyesight still seems
okay. With Harry at the helm our Pub tend to think he's not so prone
to errors in the numbers game. Hopefully his accumulated football nouse will
keep us top four. A subject much debated this week ... At A Kent Pub. Guess who sat next to Martin O'Neil at The Lane last Saturday.
Yep David Bleat. Ex of Spurs now of Sky. Seems Martin O is taking tommorrow's
late late show very seriously . What else would you expect. Our Lawyer
suggests it was a calculated move to have the ex Spurs Director of Football
alongside. Conspiracy theories aside Villa will be another of those must win
games. They all seem to be that way when you are in the heady heights of top
four. Some light relief perhaps. A bullet dodged with news today that Celtic's Scott Brown,
regularly touted to be joining the Spurs midfield, is out for 2 months with
an ankle problem. However another one in the rifle breech? Surely Patrick Viera to
Tottenham in the January window is a misfire. Spirits are high here at our Pub. Mine Host reckons if we
contain Villa defensively then the firepower up front might see Spurs across
the line in a tight one. Cheers .. Robbie Keane to start anyone ... Greg
Meyer.
coys. Thanks to Football Quotes by the bye.
Friday
20 November 2009. An Inconvenient Truth ... The Hand Of Frog ...Ledley Visiting
Belgrade Horse Specialist. Perhaps its more of an awkward truth or even awkward
inconvenience for Harry Redknapp. Wigan visit The Lane on Sunday and the
awkward connundrum presents again. Apologies to Al Gore,he of the inconvenienced presidential
aspirations,who won the popular vote but not the ultimate presidential prize.
Bit like Spurs at the footy really. One week you play Stoke off the park and
fall to a sucker punch. Next quite the reverse a la Sunderland. One week it
was awkward and then convenient albeit there were awkward moments when Darren
Bent was allegedly inconvenienced by Heurelho Gomes. No matter an awkward
spot kick was comfortably saved. Back to that connundrum facing Harry Redknapp. Who plays up
front and how does he continue to fit Robbie Keane into the equation.
Certainly not a left midfielder. Our Lawyer as well thinks those suggestions
of a "you have to play me " clause are well out of left field also. Played eleven and Robbie Keane has started in all. Our pub would
suggest his form has not warranted that staus. Harry's dilemna seems to be a
compulsion to start him at the expense of balance and form. Early on the
Defoe / Keane partnership was successful. The loss of Modric and the
playmaking being mainly at ground level with him there certainly looked more
threatening. Crouch has value but if he's to start then surely Keane should
not be accomodated as a makeshift midfielder. Never was the problem
highlighted better than Kranjcar repacing Keane against Sunderland. No Modric
but it was an influential substitution. Pavlyuchenko just adds to the inconvenience for Harry. Fourteen
goals in 36 league games for Spurs after 82 goals in 167 games for
Spartak Moscow is useful. This season certainly not a managers favourite and
his cameos have understandably been inconclusive. Is climate change to blame. Surely the move from inclement
Liverpool back to the sunny south-east of Noth London is not a factor. As
Rafa Benitez, currently with more problems than 10 planet Earths in the
climate department, opined on Keane's return to Tottenham. He was a good
player but just not playing his best at Liverpool.More of a fair weather
man. Predicting the weather at The Lane on Sunday ( light rain and
windy) is a little easier than who starts up front. Mine Host is betting on
Little and Little to resume operations. The Hand Of Frog. Talk about inconvenient truths. The video replays galore which
vividly displayed the contentious actions of Thierry Henri were certainly
tres inconvenient for the ex Arsenal captain. Football opprobrium in buckets descended upon the Gallic
cheat. Old heads in pubs about North London just nodded and muttered
....nothing new there. Shades of a North London derby given the Irish were
captained by the present Spurs armband man with Henri's last club captaincy
being with Arsenal. Elsewhere at the Frogland F.C. there was good news and bad news. Without wishing any serious career threatening harm it was good
to see Van Persie bring a little realism back to the Wenger campaign. A key
player in hot form out. Modric anyone. Not sure his visit to a specialist in the application of horse
placenta will help. Then again a phone call from Chez King To Chez Persie
would do no harm surely. The bad news was of course the rumours of the departure of
Phillipe Senderous from Arsenal . No first team action this year and a
possible departure in January. Our pub always have a bar stool available for
him. A soft spot you might say for his soft defending. Some might say
creative as well. With him there you always feel there's an opposition goal
just around the corner. He does remind us of another of the Centre Back
department. He who will feature on Sunday in ... Wigan At The Lane. Welcome back Titus Bramble. Titus has "previous"
particularly when he was at Newcarsle in a comedic back pairing with another
who has now gone to football grounds and stage shows in Italy. However the
man once known as "Titus Shambles " does seem less comedic these
days. An encore would be welcomed by our Pub however. Remember his Comedic partner. What a double act. Boumsong and
Bramble. Jean-Alain and Titus Malachi. Nope they are not stage names but the
real thing. Wigan are a potential banana skin but our banker sensibly
suggests if there are any top four aspirations lurking then you wouldn't lose
to Wigan. Mind a victory over Chelsea means they are no push over. At A Kent Pub. I guess for an International break it had its moments. Nothing
much in Dubai save for 4 Spurs turning out for England. Shame it was the C team.
The World Cup qualifiers proved interesting. Gus Hiddink available at a club
level surely. Referees under the spotlight again. Ergo Stade de France. Speaking of referees. Peter Walton has the task on Sunday. Last
and best known for his sending off of Wilson Palacios at Blackburn last
season. His ineptitude is well documented at our pub. Lets hope a referee clanger doesn't happen to stop Spurs most
certainly staying top four on Sunday. Cheers... top four ... has a nice ring to it ... for how long ...
hmmm ... Greg
Meyer.
coytfs.
Saturday
31 October 2009. Halloween At The Emirates ... Why Magic Dictates A Spurs Win. Later this evening at our Kent village the lanes will be thick with
small and not so small pumpkins knocking on doors greeting the occupant with
those time honoured words in celebration of a derby win ...
c'mon you spurs ... well that should be the case just after the more usual
exhortation of ... trick or treat. Our pub's resident soothsayer has spent some time this week
helping our Tranmere accountant ( and others ) demolish a particular
number of pints of fine English ale. Their deliberations have been all to do
with divining a methodolgy of how to win a North London derby. After all it is 19 games since Spurs won over Arsenal in the
League. They last won in 1999.
Currently both teams occupy third place equal on 19 points. Doesn't take much
to guess how many of those pints have been consumed. So with luck and magic perhaps the football Ghods are aligning
for a Spurs derby win today. Would be a lovely halloween treat but they'll
certainly need more than mathematical omens in their favour says our lawyer. Harry Houdini or Whizzer Fizzer ... Key Battles. After Tottenham's great escape act last time out at the
Emirates, a very late 4-4 draw, some of the creative magic is missing. No
Lennon, Defoe or most disappointedly Luka Magic. More optimistically we may have
King and Woodgate both available. As to some key areas ... Palacios vs Fabregasp. For once we appear to have some real steel in the middle. If
Wilson stays close then the undoubted conjuring skill of the Spaniard may be
neutralised. King vs Van Persie. Presuming thats how they line up and our talisman
starts then Mine host breathes a little easier. The Dutchman is streets
ahead of his Danish sidekick Bendtner. Unfortunately the problem doesn't stop
there. Corluka vs Arshavin. Our lawyer still wonders how Arshavin "got away". We
hooked Pavlychenko instead. The touted two or so extra million needed for
Arshavin which Mr Levy and co couldn't find looks very unfortunate. The
Croation passenger liner will certainly need help in dealing with the quick
turning and agile Russian winger. Whilst all battles are vital it does leave
one other interesting cash. Crouch vs Gallas. Crouch has excellent previous against Arsenal particularly
whilst at Liverpool. Our pub just pray the ball is kept predominantly on the
deck. That way the predictability factor will be overcome. When his height is
in the right spot then is the time to use it. Key Worries. As ever our banker, the pessimistic one, mentions a couple. Mark
Clutterbug ( he of the Mendes goal) is to officiate. Huddlestone in midfield
will be stretched for pace. Keane scoring in the big ones is worrisome. All with some credence says our journalist but who's next shout
... At A Halloween Cave Near A Kent Pub. Last weeks column made reference to a possible smash and grab
raid. Bloody Stoke. Last time out at Emirates same ending. Perhaps those
portents are lining up again. A Spurs smash and grab at Arsenal would be
third time happenstance. A smash and grab Spurs win would make it a famous Halloween
pub party. Cheers ... we'll need all the luck and more ... magic wands
crossed ... Greg Meyer. coys. Saturday 24 October 2009. Spurs Go Top In London ... Time: 5.00 pm today. ... A
Birthday Wish. If Blackburn do us a huge favour in the later game ,
beating Chelsea at home, then it really would be a fairytale story all round.
Our pub will settle for 2 hours worth this week with a win against Stoke
City. If we find faires in the bottom of the garden then you never know about
the Chelsea result. Its the clash of the Bournemouth boys this afternoon with Harry
Redknapp and Tony Pulis renewing a friendship that started at Bournemouth in
the 1980's. Just before addressing the niceties of the Spurs game a quick
look over the fence ... Balloons, Bankruptcy and New Scientific Help for Aaron Lennon. The Balloons a Hoax. Seems the authoritories finally worked out that the six year old
Colorado boy never bought a ticket regards the trip. Does appear that dad
will receive an actual ticket from the police. What some people will do to
obtain a reality tv gig. The Balloons a Beach Ball. Our pub will take Liverpool dropping points anyway you want in
light of our newfound challenge for the stratosphere of the top four. Our
lawyer thinks Rafa Benitez handled a referee shocker with dignity in the
circumstances. You'd think the Anfield pitch this sunday might be akin to a
swift graveyard for any wayward beach balls. Even those, or particularly
those, flying in from Manchester. The Balloon Goes Up. Poor old John Barnes was still coming back to earth after his
ejection from the managers office at Prenton Park when news of his
bankruptcy hit the airwaves. Our Tranmere accountant not being so afflicted stood
us all a round this week . A comiseratory ale. Any excuse says Mine host. Our
banker couldn't help noticing the reason given by the Barnes camp was
something to do with a "tax oversight". Where have we heard that
before? At least those rumours relate to Peter Storrie and not his good mate
'Arry so far. Science To The Rescue. Good news for Aaron Lennon fans this week. A couple of Bayern
Munich boffins now suggest that it will be possible to travel at more than 186,000
miles per second. If so the Albert Einstein's theory of relativity will be
down the plughole. Our pub reckon the Spurs winger can probably get by in the pace
department as is. As well we think noticeable improvement in the end product
is coming along fine. Pity people like Jermaine Defoe cannot head a goal
. Okay at tap dancing but that first half miss from 5 yards at Portsmouth
nearly woke up Sandra Redknapp again. Stoke City at The Lane. Our Lawyer is great mates with a Police Inspector based in
lovely Stoke on Trent. The police view is predominantly pessimistic
about this weeks match. Policing is probably the key word. If Ryan Shawcross measuring 6 feet can control Peter Crouch (
all 6 feet 7 inches ) then Stoke will start to put a foot in the door.
No Robert Huth helps Spurs of course. Elsewhere however surely the
home side have too many quality attacking options. Last year at the Lane our challenge to science Aaron Lennon tore
Andy Wilkinson apart. Even allowing for a Pulis gameplan ( three up
anyone ) surely there'll be enough space elsewhere to allow for sufficient
Spurs opportunities. Stoke are currently ninth. Given the League table never lies our
inspector mate is hoping blanket Stoke security will stifle home town
hopes. Hopefully come 5.00 pm the Potters haven't performed an unlikely
smash and grab raid. Should be celebrations again ... At A Kent Pub. As our run continues and the heady elixir of top three ranking
permeates our happy little bar it would be churlish to look too far ahead
surely. So long as the Stoke game remains a fruit free zone (particularly bananas) then
planning for "that derby" can be a timely game plan for the coming
week. Yes there is the small matter of a Carling game on tuesday.
Hopefully our touted squad depth will prevail against a resilient Everton. For now lets hope we spoil Roman Abramovich's bithday today on
both fronts. A win over Stoke and c'mon Blackburn. Cheers... the first wish would do ... Greg
Meyer.
coys. Friday 16 October 2009. A Reunion Party ... A Party At The Presidential Palacios ,,, The
Mind Boggles. Not Lasagnegate But Palaciosgate. If its not a dodgy lasagne bringing Spurs undone and providing
one of those ...
"It couldn't happen here " stories Then what other Football club could produce the Wilson Palacios
no show pantomime at Fratton Park on Saturday. Yep Spurs have been advised
that Wilson has been ordered to attend the Honduras World Cup qualification
party. Hard to ignore a smoking gun particularly when the man at the
other end is El Presidente Roberto Micheletti. Roberto achieved his present
position as team captain heading up a junta style formation after
overthrowing the previously democratically elected incumbent. So off we go to Portsmouth without our midfield enforcer owing
to another enforcer having his way. It could only happen at White Hart Lane. 2009 Reunion Party. By invitation only, seems with all those invitees in Portsmouth
town that rumours of a slap up do at the Royal Beach Hotel,South Parade
, Southsea may have some credence. I mean look at the guest list.Take Crouch, Defoe, Krankcar,and
the Redknapp family including coach Jamie. Some either started at Spurs then
left then returned from Portsmouth. Others arrived at White Hart Lane from
Fratton Park. Seated about the palatial banquet room we see the likes of
Kaboul,Mendes, Michael Brown,and Jamie O'Hara. As well there's Sol
Cambell arriving at Portsmouth, after leaving Spurs, a little more circuitiously . Rhymes with controversially. Nothing
surprising there then. Even Steve Davis , ex Spurs, ex Portsmouth and now of
Fulham receives a gold embossed letter. So with all that bon homie and familiarity I guess come 3
o'clock on Saturday it will be hugs and kisses all round, hangovers
permitting. Not on your nellie says our banker. A sentiment universal
this week ... At A Kent Pub. The Guinness is flowing tonight courtesy of mine host. Nothing to
do with Robbie Keane though. Another famous Irish birthday. Great to be back in the real world of football after the
International Bore. Maybe thats why they were invented. Certainly the break
whets the appetite even if it is a journey to the porta loos of Fratton Park.
Still there is now a cover of sorts over the Away end ( couldn't call it a
stand) . Luxury! Our lawyer still reckons its one of your better away trips if
you have time to stay on a day or so. The port fairly reeks of naval gunfire,
Horatio Nelson, Hms Victory, the Mary Rose ... great stuff. The Isle of
Wight is but a ferry ride away as well. With Harry Redknapp turning a blind eye to the expected
vitriolic "homecoming party" so long as Spurs apply themselves then
they should have too much firepower up front for Portsmouth. Cheers ... raise your glasses to Wilson ... even if he
doesn't drink ... not forgetting our Irish birthday boy ... Oscar Wilde
.... Greg Meyer coys.
Saturday 3 October 2009. Tsunami Hits Bolton ... Spurs To Surf To Victory. Admiral Henry James Redknapp ( formerly of Portsmouth
amongst many ports in a storm ) and his merry band voyage to
Bolton for a 3:00 o'clock launch at The Reebok today. Thats presuming
there's no man overboard call on the way. More in a moment. The horrific devastation occurring in the Pacific this week
won't be repeated at Bolton, geographically speaking anyways. The last
earthquake there ( a mild 5.2 ) was at 1:00 am on 27 Febuary 2008.
Before considering the visit of a Spurs tidal wave ... A Quick Look Back. Burnley were swamped by a classy team playing in second gear at
times. Mine host had thought a three goal gap was realistic. Oops the
gulf was even wider. Burnley were rather nice about it. No real on ball pressure and
a seeming death wish by persisting in an attempt to play football. No
disrespect but we even saw Tom Huddleston give an assured display of
playmaking from centreback. Our lawyer reckons a rude shock awaits at the
Reebok. Ahead of Bolton the press has been awash with rumours of Harry
Redknapp jumping ship. It verges on the ridiculous when the odds of him
leaving the Lane (variously at evens ) are considerably shorter than a team
in red hot form winning away at Bolton. Our banker, a man well versed in
recent crisis, trusts its a beat up. Still with Harry's form the warning may
be as short as the arrival of that wave in Samoa. Tabloidal gushings. Our pub
fervently hope so. Taking the Plunge At Bolton. This game has the feelings of a sink or swim clash. Probably
because we are in the somewhat unusual spot of fourth and hoping to hang on.
Every game is important, blah blah, but if the 2009 New Spurs can negotiate
this difficult encounter successfully then talks of receeding false dawns may
have some foundation. Jermaine Defoe has been fitted with a waterproof cast and so its
all hands on deck as per last week. Our Tranmere accountant thinks most Spurs
fans factor the name Kevin Davies into the away equation here. His
physicality, legal and otherwise, needs to be doused. Usually scores against
us, 4 goals in his last five against Spurs. The Palacios effect may help in the physical stakes. Indeed it
was against Bolton he made his debut for Spurs. Just hope he has the passing
radar operating a little better than lately. No surprise that all of Bolton's eight goals this season have
come from setpieces. Not Spurs strong point in defence. See what we mean
about sink or swim. Certainly a steep test but confidently awaited by
all ... At A Kent Pub. Weatherman predicts light rain for the game. Of more effect
perhaps will be Referee Mike Jones of Chester. The good news is that he has
no previous with Spurs. Seems never to have refereed the Lilywhites before. If Gareth Bale can break his hoodoo, last week's win at the Lane
saw to that,then surely thirteen years since we won at Bolton in the League
has to go today. Our pub vote for a narrow away win to a team who may still turn
out top four contenders. With the international break giving added
recuperative time to Luka and Ledley that clash on 31 October at the Emirates
looms ever more invitingly. Cheers ... waving not drowning ... Greg
Meyer.
coys. 25 September 2009. Lucky Harry ... Normal Viewing
Resumed. Don't change channels yet.
Don't adjust your set yet. Put that remote down. After the Stamford setback not
helped by web(b) problems, howards way, the boys romped home in style
away,away,a live oh. Lucky Harry. Okay lots of onfield space
available at Deepdale but even so the finishing was clinical and rather
classy at times. A backheel volley into the bottom left corner . Not an
everyday viewers occurence. Thanks Peter Crouch. Our pub enjoyed the
classy Spurs stuff that was mainly just that. Deck height and not much higher
than your proverbial heel. Crouch to start on Saturday . A managerial
puzzler. Lucky Harry. Armchair Viewing. Armchairs galore here at a Kent
pup. Probably likewise at N17 Medical. Currently occupied by Jonathon
Woodgate , Ledley, and the Mexcan wave fella. Among others. Michael Dawson
escaped to Preston and hopefully Sebastien B. doesn't know what a Medical
Room TV looks like. Back Saturday is great news. Mind apparently the King
spends more time poolside at the Levy house than anywhere much else apart
from roll call at Chigwell on Friday. Held mainly just to check if our
Ledley is alive and ready. Lucky Harry. Rewind To Last Sunday ... Just
Briefly. Yep I know its water under the
Bridge but having overcome the post match trauma, or was it work on Monday
morning, did enjoy the headline ... " Come Back Rob
Styles All Is Forgiven." ... source apologies but cannot
remember ... you know who you are anyway. Styles is at the very least
inept to all. He plays no favourites when dishing out referee shockers. Webb
on the other hand professes Wengeresque atrophyism ( Specsavers
anyone) or as in Old Trafford and Gomes, apologises after the event and
the three points. Big deal. Sorry whilst Chelsea were professional and likely
winners, the Martin Cloake playing field tilt theory did seemingly
sneak its head above the foxhole again. Oh for a level playing field against
the top four. Fast Forward To ... Burnley At
The Lane. The Turf Moor travellers are
the first of 4 winnable games before you know who away at the Airport.
Emirates nearly caused the worst Australian air disaster ever recently.
Thankfully a major crash was avoided. On the law of averages are Spurs Air
due a result at Emirates. You never know with Lucky Harry. Provided we can close recent
defensive gaps through which our pubs long distance haulier would
adroitly manoeuvre a Mack truck then we should have enough goals in the right
column on Saturday. Looking ahead Hutton does seem
an accident waiting to happen ( even at Deepdale on Wednesday ). Corluka at
times does seem a charactature of slow motion viewing. Our pub doctor
maintains you can see the Croation cogitate over which gear to engage .. before
your very eyes. Most worringly there does not always seem to be a fifth gear
in the home town Skoda. Still our lawyer reckons despite the casual style he
remains integral to the team and after all he is Luka's best mate. Lucky
Harry. Blimey says mine host if we
cannot turn over Burnley by the odd three goals then where o' where top four
are you. Indeed some will be ... At A Kent Pub. A lot of us will be at the Lane
live. Apart from MOTD highlights not sure of TV broadcasts. Our team meetings this week
have been very enjoyable. Despite Howard, and even in spite of Mr.
Webb, we were pushing proverbial goods up a steep hill to gather
anything against Chelsea. However in times past the Preston banana skin would
have provided great skidding viewing. Nope this new Spurs played like a team
with class and mental resilience. No wonder optimism still
abounds in Kent. Just finally whilst Harry may
be showing some managerial skills proper there seems no getting away from
another essential quality becoming more evident. Arsene Wenger and "
Lucky " Arsenal are professed to possess it in spades. Just lately
perhaps the full force of a long managerial career may be looking like
compulsory viewing for all Spurs fans. Lucky Harry. Lucky Spurs. Cheers .... about time ... Greg
Meyer. coyluckys. 11 September 2009. The Cockerel Has Landed ... Runway N17 Hosts Manchester
United ... A Reality Check. Tomorrow commemorates the first landing at Heathrow airport of that
other famous bird, Concorde, in 1970. It's almost that long ,May 2001, since
Spurs defeated United. Glenn Hoddle was your pilot on that flight. Certainly Spurs Air with Captain "Bigggles " Redknapp
controlling the joystick are maintaining heady altitude lately. Whether said
elevation remains certainly depends on who is aboard... Team Manifestos ... Arrivals and Departures. Missing from the Spurs passenger list is our key playmaker Luka Modric.
As big a loss as it appears our lawyer reckons the name King appearing in one
of the back rows is more crucial. Bassong banged his knee in Gabon on
Saturday but is likely to feature for Spurs. Thank goodness. The other Centre
backs all currently have aerophobia. Our pub believe Captain Redknapp will replace like with like.
Croat with Croat. Kranjcar for Modric. All other seats to stay the same from
last time. A certain forward occupying two seats for obvious reasons will
appear from his considerable altitude as a sub again. United Airlines look formidable as usual. Mine host having just
flown in himself from holidays does suggest Ronaldo having flown the
coop along with Tevez leaves the chookhouse door somewhat more ajar. No
Portuguese magician able to create illusions in penalty areas which lead to
unfairly declared escape routes. On that point traffic controller for the 17:30 flight will be
Andre Marriner. Our lawyer says it could be worse. Webb, Styles, Walton
spring to mind. One significant arrival on the United sheet will be Rio
Ferdinand. Recovering from injury Alex Ferguson rated his chances of
playing as ... " a chance.". Read that as code for he'll
certainly be there at take off. The Match ... Key Dogfights. The United defence including Vidic and Rio means the world's
current no one super sub Jermaine Defoe will have his work cut out.
Elsewhere the value of everyday aviational equipment regards aircraft and
football looms large. Read wings and Lennon in that order. The former
indispensable and the latter's electric wingplay just as pivotal to
Spurs recent and hopefully ongoing success. Will the canny Scot have
engineered a plot to overcome the past dominance, read skinning, by Aaron
Lennon over Patrice Evra. Triple teaming anyone. With Palacios playing our banker thinks we are unlikely to be
overun in midfield. Hopefully the Barcelona effect as evident very much
against Liverpool will be evident early. Tremendous pressing by Keane, Defoe
and all further up will help to keep United on the hop. The threat of Rooney and the Bulgarian curse of an ex player
scoring should just about be containable so long as the King is present. The
Cameroonian team mates Sebastien and Benoit plus a rested Corluka ( an
international suspension meant he did not start against England ) give us
some solidity. Albeit it all seems to evaporate with no King. Ergo Birmingham
second half. A game that always puts you on cloud nine one minute ( two up
before the Webb howler at Old Trafford last time) and then a crash dive to
losing despair. Still we wouldn't miss it for the world and particularly the
post match drinks ... At A Kent Pub. Casting about for inspiration our Tranmere accountant mentions
the big victory by the Croation Spurs supporter over the well known
Scot. Yep Marin Cilic did upset Andy Murray at the US Open tennis
earlier this week. Not sure if Sir Alex owns a tennis raquet. Our pub reckon that so long as we avoid referee induced
turbulence and there are no Webb or Clattenberg howlers then the Cockerel may
well be still climbing high towards Stamford Airport at 7:30 pm on Saturday
evening. Cheers ... fasten your seatbelts for another roller coaster
saturday ... Greg
Meyer.
coys. 28 August 2009. Diving Down The High Road ... A Brazilian, A
Frenchman and A Ghanaian ... Bonjour Birmingham. Most of the attendees at our regular Kent Pub team meetings see
water as part of the morning after antidote. Water sports are not usually
high on the agenda but after the events at the Emirates Olympic Pool on
Wednesday night the profile of ground based belly floppers has increased
enormously. Greg Louganis, Tom Daley and Eduardo Alves Da Silva. Only one is apparently gay. Only one is English. Only one plays
professional football with diving as a sideline. Only two are legitimately able to execute a twist, pike and
radical landing. No splash. Mind the third is certainly skilled in the
springboard art and indeed on wednesday night received the official imprimatur
from referee Manuel Ganzalez for his effort at minute 26 in the North London
Emirates Pool against Celtic. No coincidence that they are sponsored by
a specialist in aeronautical matters. Louganis won multiple Olympic gold for the US while our
own Tom Daley , still only 14, is diving out of Plymouth, where
else, and very successfully so. Reports vary as to whether a selectively myopic French manager
saw the Eduardo double pike but perhaps he's seen it all before anyway. The Robert Pires School of Diving has a distinguished list of
graduates. None more so than Emmanuel Adebayor. Another Emmanuel, Eboue in
fact, also completed the course with honours. Curiously when he transgressed
the previously mentioned Spec Saver client roundly condemned his player's illegal
plunging. The Champions League final against Barcelona. Arsenal lost 2-1
despite a penalty goal from the Eboue dive. Surely the loss didn't colour the
managerial pronouncements post game that time. This time though they did beat Celtic. A balanced perspective of course sees honourable mentions in the
available pool of contenders being awarded to Didier Zokorra and Didier
Drogba. Emmanuel, Didier ...is there a theme here ... hmm. As well the great Jurgen Klinsmann, Stephen Gerrard and Michael
Phelps are distinguished and acomplished divers. UEFA have decided to join the judging panel and may well mark
down Eduardo's 10 out of 10 effort to perhaps a two game ban. The irony of
sport as always ... it will not have the slightest impact (splash) on
wednesdays football result. Sandro Ranieri ... Momo Sissoko ... Sully Muntari. With the window but days off closing tabloidal speculation is at
fever pitch. Still our lawyer and others here at our pub cannot resist dreaming.
What a partner for Palatial the Inter Milan Muntari would make. Informed gossip suggests Daniel Levy is in Brazil chasing
Claudio's nephew. Our banker reckons both the chance of signing and there
being a family connection are remote . Even more so the frenchman Sissoko
arriving soon in North London and not far from .... A Kent Pub. On paper, beer coasters and used pub bath room papers
towels surely Birmingham are not a realistic chance against the current table
toppers. Crikey its great to be able to write that! For how long? Surely
we can salivatate upon the prospect of going into the Manchester United
match unbeaten. What fun. Cheers ... hope its a Home Banker on a Bank Holiday Weekend
... Greg
Meyer.
coys. 26th August 2009 - The Perils Of Being Atop The Premier League. ... After all the Dream Speech is 46 years old this
week. Condolences to Martin Luther King and Sir Bill Nicholson. With tongues partly in cheek and shaking hands on palpitating
hearts our Kent Pub Spurs faithful are downing some euphoric pints. Purely
for medicinal purposes of course. I mean this top spot stuff could become a
health hazard. We wish! By the by there is a doctor in the public house
and his hearty endorsement of our prescribed dosage of fine ale is very
welcome. Being top of the Premier league has its responsibilities
legally, medically and otherwise. Expectations are considerably heightened
thereby raising the emotional stakes and in some cases stress levels. See you
thought it was all enjoy,take and no give. A quick example. Our bank manager is far more worried about the
present Spurs position than the global financial crisis ( gunners football
crisis to some ). He seems very closely aligned to the Bill Shankley school
of football philosophy... "Some
people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you its much
more important than that." No wonder Mine Host here at the Pub has fled to Tenerife after
watching the Ashes triumph live at the Oval.. Can the heart , or liver, stand
all this heady success. Back to basics says our doctor ... So How Did We Find Ourselves Here In This Predicament At The Top A Quick Look Back ... A Blind Spaniard Leaves The Lane Looking
For His Spectacles. Rafa Benitez probably threw more than his specs about at the
post match press conference. Particularly in the Pool dressing room after the
Spurs win on opening day. Great memories of a profoundly clean strike by Bennie A-E and
then as he walked off at the end did you catch the beaming smile and the
emphatic V sign.We just love his infectious enthusiasm and revelatory play at
left back. As well both our gesticulatory challenged Captain Keane and
Jermaine Defoe harrassed the Pool defence magnificently. Lots of pointing,
shouting and importantly endless running. Hull Ahoy And Away. Captain Robbie had a blinder in the first fifteen minutes and we
did set out a very confident attacking stall for a tricky ? away day game. A
determined Defoe hatrick , a team determined not to fold, all added up to a
proper result demonstating a gulf in class. Previously we beat them in China.
Yes the gulf could be from here to China. On To A West London Derby. The beers went down very comfortably at our pub after a deserved
result. Challenged at times but team play between Carlton and Jermain made it
easier. Aaron Lennon's end product was very useful and the goal was an
electrifying moment. So out of all that lot we found ourselves top of the pile,
however temporary, which led to some uncharted waters of discussion here
at our pub ... Traps Ahead For Young Players and Some Old Ones Too. Across the
great Spurs divide opinions vary from enjoy it while it lasts to yes we can
push on and stay there at the top. Here at Kent Pub there are feet in both
camps but general agreement regards traps that can be avoided and flaws that
can be addressed. Altitudinally Challenged. Height does seem a problem, you know who Peter aside. Short
corners were the order of the day against Liverpool. Worked reasonably well
but we did seem to suffer the jitters against Hull at set pieces. Frozen to
the spot in the case of their goal. Doesn't seem a terminal flaw when you
revisit the prowess of our Ledley and the promise of Bassong who did head one
home against the likes of Carragher and all. Double Teaming On Lennon. A tactic of 2 seasons ago which may have worked then but Aaron
has matured somewhat. Very apparent West Ham had studied the videos of recent
Lennon. An automatic double team when he received the ball. Solutions
of give and go and cutting inside rather than a consisten byline journey are
available. Indeed the Lennon goal shows a recognition of how to beat the
double team trap. Hardly a classic inside run but with a stumbled assist from
makeshift left back Spector nothing was going to stop a deadley left foot
finish that remains memorable in our lawyers mind. Ledley. Simply can he continue to feature for most premier games. Still
our talisman let alone good luck charm. Kept Fernando Torrid quiet, no mean
feat. Hull was no real challenge and did cope with a physically difficult
carlton Cole. The Cole shot in the foot helped of course. Bassong as well was
handy. Still injuries will happen and so are we sufficiently covered .
Seemingly reasonably so. Four decent strikers, a plethora of right backs,
perhaps a little thin if Palatial is missing. Climate Change. Apparently a scapegoat for most things, rightly or wrongly. What
is for certain there is an emerging change in the football outlook ... At A Kent Pub. Some notable pundits are talking of Spurs being up there this
year. Our Tranmere Accountant reckons he might even drink with Alan Hansen on
his next visit to the pub given Alan's kind words on Spurs potential. Even the enemy are taking notice. Ken Sansom ( an Arsenal great
) is doing the tv rounds with Spurs a top six pick. He opines Henri was
to Arsenal what Modric is to Spurs. Both run the team. Elsewhere a much less published pundit earns our Kent Pub quote
of the week . Tabloidal rumours of 23 year old Mario Mandzukic from Croatia
and Osman Chavez , an international Honduran teammate of Wilson Palacios,
both signing for Spurs evoked the following comment on the famous
From The Lane messageboard ... ... " It's great see our new scouting network is
just asking Palacios and Modric if they know of any good players back
home." Thanks Yeti. Sean Connery, the real James Bond has a birthday this week, and
as mentioned at the top Martin Luther King made that famous speech on 28
August 1963.. Not long after the Bill Nicholson dream had come to pass a
year earlier. Cheers ... I'm betting its closer to the dream of at least top
four rather than fading and false dawns ... fingers crossed ... Greg
Meyer.
coys. Saturday 15 August 2009 The 2009 Spurs Vintage ...Tasting Notes On The New Vintage
... A Preview From The Kent Pub Cellars. Just left Folkestone , having survived the Eurotunnel not to say
our annual wine tour, and bound for the KentPub about 60 miles away.
Shame to leave the vineyards of France as the place has gone mad celebrating
the birthday of the first chairman of Arsenal Football Club. Napoleon Bonaparte is 240 years old today. They may need his
tactical acumen in a difficult opener away at Goodison Park. Before we turn
to matters of far more immediate importance regards some of our Pub off
to N17 arriving 4pm this Sunday, a quick look at whats in the wine
trolley this year. Reds,Whites ,Not A Bad Mixed Eleven Plus Some Worth Risking A
Chance On.. Mine Host is an ebullient host and given his profession ( centre
forward for Colchester Academicals a long time ago he keeps telling
us) no mug as to provedoring on matters wine and perhaps football. His
tasting notes plus contributions from other regulars are presented with the
rider that no accuracy is warranted , hopes galore are intended and if it all
goes up in smoke and tears then another round of drinks and another season
beckons next year. The Back Shelf ... Whilst ageing apparently enhances your average red there
is surely a limit ...
Ledley King ... elegance assured and defying the march of time ...
just.
Jonathon Woodgate ... same vintage as Ledley ( 1980) .. hopefully the
recent doctoring means he's not long away.
Sebastien Bassong just turned 23 years ... a veritable quaffer by
comparison to the others and our lawyer says fingers crossed for a Ledley
successor. Some other promising stuff including Kyle Naughton and yes a
genuine French red from the vineyards of Lens, our Benoit Assou-Ekotto may
continue last years parsimony at the back. The Middle Shelves ... Probably the most exciting possibilities for our Pubs Sunday
lunch apart from the fizzy, bubbly stuff.
Luka Modric ... a 23 year old midfielder about to take this years show by
storm. Initially thought to be far too lightweight by a certain French
cognoscente.Our banker thinks Monsier Arsene should stick to an uncomplicated
Beaujolais. Great quaffer and no risk of convenient blindness. Thats what it
says on the label. Aaron
Lennon ... probably like a Tesco wine of the week. Fast, fizzy, crisp
with a definite aftertaste. The end product has been somewhat suspect but
additional cellaring seems to be helping with that deficiency.
Wilson Palacios ... Honduras is not known for wine.Gin is the national drink.
The way Wilson plays who cares. Adds much needed sediment and solidity to the
sparkle of the above two. Other old faithfuls are still on the shelf with tasting notes
and opinions varying. Certainly Jermane Jenas adds some inventiveness and
goals when served at the right temperature. The Fizzy, Bubbly, Expensive Top Shelf Stuff . Having avoided the last minute Bulgarian disaster of last
year we do appear to have an interesting selection on the Drinks menu.
Peter Crouch ... 28 years since budburst and perhaps his best will
blossom at the garden where it all began. Returning home amid mixed fans
expectations our Tranmere Accountant reckons a bargain buy.. With England
aspirations should not lack motivation. Surely anywhere is better than
Portsmouth. Only joking Horatio.
Jermaine The Religious ... definitely a champagne vintage ... lets hope the
latest fizzing continues. Goals and menace galore.
Robbie Keane ... the only drinkable wine on the shelf in a lack lustre
Irish attack against Australia midweek. A connundrum as to who he plays with
and where according to the head Vigneron "Arry, he fits in.
Roman Pavlyuchenko ... nearly been in the bottle as long as Crouch, (27
years old),but has shown sufficient quality to threaten some good drinking
this season. Perhaps the beverages best left on the shelf this year are those
most associated with potential heart seizure and flutter. A few less whisky
Gomes moments would be very welcome ... At A Kent Pub. Excitement is running high here this week. Suddenly the pre
season apathy, the floss that is friendly matches, now turns to the real
thing. At home
to Liverpool in the late late show on Sunday. Mine Host has proved up to the task with everything from Tequila
( our Mexican Giovani ... Ole) to fine Scottish Whiskey ( we think if
he cuts down on the product our pacy full back Alan Hutton ) has a great
future at the Lane. Marvellous how inventive pub drinking games are. Perusing a pre game menu we are a particular threat on Sunday.
So long as we don't leave the pre season form back in the night clubs and
other Bently haunts, so long as Torres is kept sufficiently quiet,... then in the words of Songster Jimmy Webb of McArthur Park
( 63 years old today), it may well be ... "Up
Up and Away for 2009 Spurs Vintage and beyond. Cheers ... all aboard and see you there ,,, Greg
Meyer.
coys. August 13th 2009 - From A Kent Pub .... We Enjoy Voxpop. I enjoy reading Colin Ashby ( one time south coast
resident and now happily esconced in La France ) ... I enjoy reading Sean Morley ( formerly of White Hart Lane
and now further north ... mind his heart still lies in North london ) ... I enjoy reading Jim Duggan , still where he started (
thank goodness ) ... I enjoy Jimmy G ( nearer South Africa than NL.) ..
nothing wrong with that .... and all the other Topspurs Columnists. The Spurs Family is entirely global, just ask Steve in
Mexico, or our Hong Kong people... Suffice to say from a Kent Pub we reckon Harry is not the
Messiah nor is he a Ramos ( sponsored by Daniel Levy in another life. ) Long game short .. Modric for class ... King for
elegance despite aged knees ... Lennon for pace and exciteability... anyone
of the front four to bang in lots of goals ... After lengthy deliberation ... code for lots of drinks ... our
best guess, a good go at fifth or fourth .. and hopefully some enjoyably
classy football. Cheers from all at a very optimistic Kent Pub. Saturday 8 August 2009 ... The Week They Invented Champagne ...
A New Vintage ... Past Vintages Revisited. From A French Vineyard ... Not Far From Moussa
Sissoko Territory. In the week that champagne was invented by a sometime
Benedictine monkish midfielder ...
" Come quickly I am drinking the stars."
Dom Pierre Perignon August 1693. Some 316 years later the corks were certainly popping at Chez
Bent and the Bassong house this week. Likewise at Harry and Sandra
Redknapps. Sandra ever remembered for the goal that never was after Darren
missed "that" header. Pragmatic transfer business by Spurs
according to our lawyer. Again almost unspurslike given our scattergun
approach in recent years. Perhaps the Redknapp influence should not be
underestimated. Players leaving with that area relatively covered (Bent
out leaving Defoe, Crouch , Keane and Pavlyuchenko.) and
replacements being found with round pegs in round holes ( the Centre
Back hospital having a fit, young pacey recruit report for duty.) Some of our Kent pub regulars have come ashore from the
Mediterannean yacht and are scouting the French transfer market for Harry.
Such is their dedication that a lot of research seems centred at various
cellardoor establishments. Certainly the french flavour has been prevalent regards our
transfer aspirations this window.Bassong aside two other names have been
prominently linked as cover for our remaining centre midfield area. Changing Tastes and Changing Times .. Are Arsenal Really
Slipping. Probably just tabloidal twitterings ... Patrick Vierra 33 years dumped from the French
national team a reputed signing back to Arsenal. Moussa Sissoko 19 years into the French team
replacing Patrick a reputed target for Spurs. If it all came to past then is it the mumurings of the changing
of the North London guard. Our Arsenal mate at Kent pub looks a more worried
man as each day of Arsenal departures ( Adeyoubayer and Toure ) and lack of
arrivals happens. A New Vintage. This time each year a new crop of youngsters are heralded as the
answers to our prayers. Hopes and expectations abound only to wither on the
vine and find themselves still trying to keep the dream alive in less exotic veineyards
such as Prittlewell, Essex. This years crop include, Jake Livermore,
a 19 year old midfielder, Dorian Dervite, a 21 year old defender, Danny Rose,
a 19 year old midfielder, John Bostok aged 17 years, Dean Parrett aged 17
years, Jonathon Obika still an 18 year old striker, and Ryan Mason just 18
years old. Terribly hit and miss but perhaps Livermore has the best chance
this year. The rest may certainly go the way of ... Recent Years Crop Failures having included, Chris Gunter, Lee
Barnard ( yes now at South End United in Essex), Philip Ifil, Mark Yeates and
others too obvious or boring to mention. Back to Livermore and he does seem
to have the physique, composure and technique. Time will tell and many a beer
will certainly pass as we watch on ... From A Kent Pub. Nine days to go. Seems longer than that. Perhaps summer holiday
mode here at the Pub is still with us. The transfer window has produced a
measured Spurs effort. Thank goodness the brinkmanship of the Berbatov window
has become passe. Perhaps a pre season round of champers is not too
presumptive. Apart from the war zone that is our centre back department (
with the loss of Woodgate and Dawson plus Ledley's prognosis dodgy as always
) Spurs do look somewhat settled. Cheers ... still love to break out the bubbly with a
Sissoko signing ... yes champagne dreaming ... Greg
Meyer.
coys. Saturday 25 July in the Mediterranean ... Ahead Sunday 16 August ... Liverpool at The Lane ...The Anniversary of the Transfer of a Lifetime.
From A Yacht In The Mediterranean.... Not far From Patrick Viera Country.
This edition is being penned from a comfortable ( not comatose ) deckchair floating in sunny Mediterannean climes. Forgive the occasional nautical reference.
Given a starless, pointless , Messiless Wembly Cup, no one here on the holiday yacht SS Kent Pub Spurs thinks we are missing or messing much. Perhaps a great excuse to catch up with mates over the summer break but as far as real football ....our banker wonders.
A somewhat unspurslike transfer window thus far. Nothing signed to spur the imagination nor expectation. Our pub do not look forward to "stellar" signings a la Viera or old boy Crouch. Yes an old youth boy and now 29 years hardly a Twelve Million buy. The return of an Arsenal Captain. No Thanks.
Seems our pub weatherman is spot on. Spurs in a holding pattern. Whilst our lawyer is salivating at a sensational transfer ... Huntelaar anyone .. Diarra still perhaps...Young too good too be true ..
Perhaps the greatest concern is the middle at the back.No Ledley, No Woodgate, No Dawson is troubling.Hmmmm.
Snapshots From Berbatov Lane.
We at pub kent lean towards a philosophical approach. Following Spurs that tends to be mandatory surely.
So when the Ronaldo to Real news came through there was a little smug satisfaction. Man U turned the head of Berbatov with money .... Real repeated the exercise.
We think the loss of Ronaldo will prove gigantic when compared to the departure of Berba. In goal terms and player terms. However nice to know your average smug Man U fan is feeling the same we did when his silky skills left the Lane for money. Our banker still has difficulties accepting the Berba departure. He is certainly not alone.
Still on Departures.
Casting about from our holiday boat , we hauled in a few football gemfish .... purely of a scottish nature... the Gordon Strachan that got away...recently left Celtic and so won't be at the Wembley Cup. Probably another reason why he is held in high esteem at our pub.
Quotes you might enjoy ..
Reporter : Gordon,can we have a quick word please.
" Velocity" walks off quickly.
Reporter : What is your impression of Jermaine Pennant.
" I don't do impressions." Remember Pennant being tabloidally linked to us in an earleir transfer window. Gone nowhere.
Reporter: So Gordon, in what areas do you think that Middlesborough were better than you today?
" What areas? Mainly that big green one out there ."
Returning To A Kent Pub.
Enjoying the cricket immensely here. We love Freddie and loathe the South Afrikan. None of us going to China but saving for a super sunday start against Liverpool.
And therein lies the clue to the greatest transfer ever ... musically speaking with a pool flavour....
August 16 ... We play Pool at the Lane ...same day ....
Ringo Starr replaces Pete Best ... George who .. not another Mancunian stumble surely ....in possibly the Galacticos Group of all time musically speaking.
See ... as another famous Liverpudlian opined football is greater than life ... not entirely in agreement with that here at a kent pub .. but it does keep us sane and interested filled with sometimes improbable expectations and ever optimistic hopes and dreams for that coming Saturday game ...
Cheers .... looking forward to that Lane opener on Sunday versus Liverpool ... Greg Meyer. coys.
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