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Spurs and The FA Cup
(Part 1)
Finals 1901 - 1962


Tottenham have won the FA Cup on eight occasions and in 1991 when they last won it by defeating Nottingham Forest in the ‘Gazza’ Final, at the time, it made them the club with the record number of wins in the competition.  In spite of twenty one years of failing to add to that total, they remain third in the winners’ list behind only Manchester United and Arsenal who dominated the competition for a period of thirteen years from 1993 to 2005.  Spurs first FA Cup success came back in their non-League days, less that twenty years after the formation of the club by the group a schoolboys gathered around a lamp post on Tottenham High Road.

Non-League Spurs Triumphant
1901 Final v Sheffield United (Crystal Palace) Draw 2 - 2
  Brown (2)
The non-League 'giant-killers' had reached the FA Cup Final but no-one expected them to win again.  An attendance of 114,815 watched as Spurs took on the experienced League team who took the lead after twelve minutes.  Spurs were under a lot of pressure but took control of the game and equalised through Sandy Brown thirteen minutes later, heading in from a free-kick after a foul on Kirwan.

Brown put Spurs ahead five minutes after the interval with a goal which involved all five Tottenham forwards as he fired a shot in off the bar. 

However, a dubious refereeing decision gave United an equaliser one minute later.  George Clawley, the Spurs goalkeeper, fumbled a shot but when challenged managed to scramble it clear for a corner as signalled by the linesman.  However, the referee awarded the goal that never was.   From this point the game drifted to a draw and a replay.

Two nights after the Replay, cinematic newsreel shots showed that the ball had not crossed the line and the United equaliser should not have counted.
  
Final (Replay) v Sheffield United (Bolton) Won 3 - 1  Smith, Brown, Cameron 
Only 20,740 were present for the replay at Bolton Wanderers’ ground, partially due to the cost of travel as the railway company had refused to make reduced price offers available to the fans.  Spurs took the initiative in the replay and took the game to United but they found themselves behind five minutes before half-time.  The United goal had been against the run of play but for the final minutes of the half Spurs had to defend desperately to ensure they didn't fall further behind.  

United's physical approach was making it difficult for the more intricate play of Tottenham but after the interval Spurs continued to dominate and equalised after 55 minutes through John Cameron.  Twice after this Brown had the opportunity to put Spurs ahead but the goalkeeper denied him.  Spurs then took the lead when winger Tom Smith scored fifteen minutes from time.  Brown ensured victory with a header from the third of three quick corners, with seven minutes remaining.   

Brown had become the first player to score in every round of the Cup, scoring 15 goals.  On the final whistle joyous Spurs fans invaded the pitch and at the presentation, the captain, Jack Jones, received the trophy adorned with blue and white ribbons.  Prior to the presentation the wife of a Tottenham director had attached the ribbons to the trophy, thus starting a tradition that has been maintained to the present day.  

When the team returned to London at 1.00am the next morning, the fans who had been waiting for three hours, gave them a tremendous reception as they paraded from South Tottenham station to the ground.

Tottenham had brought the FA Cup to London for the first time and while they appeared to be making a point for southern teams over their more dominant northern opponents, the Spurs team was comprised of five Scots, three Welsh, one Irishman and three English men, all from north of the Trent.
 
Team: Clawley; Erentz, Tait; Morris, Hughes, Jones (Captain); Smith, Cameron, Brown, Copeland, Kirwan.

Winning in the Rain
1921 Final v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Stamford Bridge) Won 1 - 0
 Dimmock
Spurs had won promotion to the 1st Division a year earlier and in their first season back in the top flight finished sixth but it was in the FA Cup that they were to display their best form.  The Final against Wolves who were in the 2nd Division was played in very wet conditions with pools of water all over the pitch at kick-off.  Spurs, however, weren’t prepared to allow the conditions to dictate their style of play as they continued to play with the ball on the ground trying to make use of their wingers as they had done throughout the Cup campaign.

Spurs took early control with Arthur Grimsdell and Bert Smith dominant and ensuring that the forwards had plenty of opportunity on the ball and it seemed that it would only be a matter of time before Spurs scored.  However, in spite of a few close calls, Wolves got to the interval on level terms. 

The rain stopped at the commencement of the second half and Wolves began to show their worth but on sixty five minutes Jimmy Dimmock scored the goal which secured the win for Spurs.  He picked up a pass from Bert Bliss and eluded two defenders who were close and from twenty five yards out at the angle of the penalty area he fired in a shot which zipped across the slippery surface and past a despairing goalkeeper’s dive and into the corner of the net.

A minute later Jimmy Banks almost added a second but was brought down on the edge of the box, with the free-kick going wide.  Spurs continued to create chances to increase their lead but in the final minutes as Spurs tired in the heavy conditions Wolves started to exert some pressure and Alex Hunter, in goal, was called upon for the first time to rescue them.  Spurs held on and the FA Cup returned to London for the first time since their 1901 success. 

Team:
 Hunter; Clay, MacDonald; Smith, Walters, Grimsdell (Captain); Banks, Seed, Cantrell, Bliss, Dimmock.

The ‘Double’ Success
1961 Final v Leicester City (Wembley) Won 2 - 0
  Smith, Dyson
Many teams had failed at the final step in their pursuit of the ‘Double’ and Tottenham were determined not to fall in to that category.  They had won the League a few weeks earlier but their form had taken a dip and they had missed out on setting a new record for the number of points won as they lost two of their final three games, including defeats at Burnley and at home to West Bromwich Albion.  Leicester City had finished sixth in the League and had the distinction of being the first team to defeat Spurs at White Hart Lane that season, achieving a 3 - 2 success in February.

The 1961 FA Cup Final didn't live up to the high expectations of the pre-match hype.  Bobby Smith played despite an injury problem but it was an early injury to Len Chalmers, the Leicester full back which had the greatest bearing on the match as Leicester found themselves effectively reduced to ten men, although the injured full back hobbled on the wing.  Spurs had started brightly and could have scored in the opening minutes but then they let Leicester have more of the ball leading up the injury after twenty minutes when Les Allen and Chalmers collided.

Tottenham now had the advantage but couldn't find a way to goal.  Cliff Jones had a first half 'goal' incorrectly disallowed for offside but it wasn't until twenty minutes from time that they eventually went ahead.  Allen and Terry Dyson set up Smith who turned and shot past Gordon Banks.  Seven minutes later, White dispossessed Chalmers and passed to Smith who crossed to the far post where Dyson headed home to secure Tottenham's 'Double' triumph.

Team: Brown; Baker, Henry, Blanchflower (Captain), Norman, Mackay; Jones, White, Smith, Allen, Dyson.

The 'Double' had been achieved and although the Final hadn't been a classic, the team had done what was required of them.  The players had produced many exhilarating, quality performances during the season but with the high level of expectation and pressure on the team, on this occasion it was a matter of the job had been completed as they became the first team in the 20th Century to win the elusive ‘Double’ as 1st Division Champions and FA Cup winners.

Spurs Supreme
1962 FA CUP FINAL v Burnley (Wembley) Won 3 - 1 Greaves, Smith, Blanchflower (pen)
Tottenham’s ambitions at the start of the season had been to win the ‘Treble’ adding the European Cup to their ‘Double’ success of the previous year.  They had missed out in the League finishing third, four points behind Ipswich.  They lost in controversial circumstances to Benfica at the semi-final stage of the European Cup and now faced Burnley who had finished second in the League in the FA Cup Final.  

Tottenham and Burnley were regarded as the two best footballing sides in the country and there were high expectations ahead of the game.  To add further pressure before the Final Jimmy Greaves had predicted that he would score an early goal which he duly delivered after three minutes.  Bill Brown’s kick was flicked on by Bobby Smith and Greaves was on his way towards goal.  He seemed to have lost the ball but recovered to beat his defender and slot the ball past the Burnley goalkeeper.  It was the prefect start for Spurs and had Burnley playing catch-up for the rest of the afternoon.

Down but not out, Burnley set about retrieving the situation and played some lovely passing football without really troubling the Spurs defence, although when they did create any chances, Bill Brown was equal to the task.  As the half wore on Greaves saw Adam Blacklaw save a powerful drive and the goalkeeper had to be alert to a dangerous cross from John White which he clawed out from under the bar. 

Burnley finished the half on the attack but without reward.  In the early moments after the interval they continued to press and equalised on five minutes when Bobby Robson poked the ball past Brown from a cross from the right.  Burnley thought they were back in the game but within thirty seconds Smith had cut their celebrations short.  From the kick-off White took the ball down the left and centred towards Smith who got to the ball ahead of the defender, turned and hammered a shot into the net.

Burnley were deflated and try as they might they couldn’t get back into the game.  Eight minutes from time, Spurs earned a penalty when Terry Medwin’s shot was handled and the coolest man in Wembley stepped up to ensure he would lift the FA Cup for a second time - captain, Danny Blanchflower sending the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Spurs had retained the F.A.Cup, only the second club to do so since the beginning of the 20th century. and secured a place in Europe which was to bring further success the following year.

Team: Brown; Baker, Henry; Blanchflower (Captain), Norman, Mackay; Medwin, White, Smith, Greaves, Jones.

Spurs Writers’ Club: Tottenham The Glory Glory Game
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Spurs and the FA Cup
(Part 2)
Finals 1967 - 1991


Spurs Win First All-London Final
1967 FA Cup Final v Chelsea (Wembley) Won 2 - 1
 Robertson, Saul
Cup Finals can sometimes throw up unexpected heroes and so it was for Spurs with their two goals coming from Jimmy Robertson and Frank Saul.  The eagerly anticipated first all London FA Cup Final was an anti-climax and Chelsea failed to do themselves justice with their performance.  Tottenham were comfortable throughout and did what was required of them.  Greaves found himself closely marked by Ron Harris and so proved less effective in front of goal while Spurs prevented Charlie Cooke from having an influence on the game.   

Joe Kinnear had a starring role, attacking from the right full back position as Tottenham became the dominant team.  Towards the end of the first half, Alan Mullery picked up a quickly taken free-kick and ran towards the Chelsea goal.  The defenders, mindful of Greaves, backed off allowing Mullery time to shoot.  The ball was deflected to Robertson who hit it first time and scored.  

In the second half Spurs continued to be in control and added a second when Saul received the ball from Robertson.  With his back to goal, he turned and shot and scored.  'Glory! Glory!' to Spurs.

Chelsea managed a late goal when Jennings misjudged a cross but the Cup had been won by Tottenham for a fifth time.  That made it five FA Cup Finals for Spurs and five wins.  It wasn't the most memorable of Finals or performances by Tottenham but they had done what was required of them and Dave Mackay lifted the trophy and his third FA Cup winners medal. 

Team: Jennings; Kinnear, Knowles; Mullery, England, Mackay (Captain); Robertson, Greaves, Gilzean, Venables, Saul.  Sub: (unused) Jones

Ricky Villa Wonder Goal!
1981 FA Cup Final: v Manchester City (Wembley) Draw 1 - 1
 (aet) Hutchinson (og)
In a game that was rather dour, Manchester City's non-stop commitment and effort denied Tottenham and they took the lead through Tommy Hutchinson after half an hour.  It was a disappointing display from Spurs who couldn't get their game going and with twenty minutes remaining Ricky Villa was substituted.  The lasting memory is of the Argentine forlornly and slowly making his way past the Wembley stands to the dressing room - dejected and disappointed with his contribution to the game.  However, eleven minutes from time, good fortune favoured Tottenham.  They were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area and when Hoddle struck it, Hutchinson in trying to defend it only succeeded in deflecting it into his own goal.  Tottenham had been given a second chance.

Replay: v Manchester City (Wembley) Won 3 - 2 Villa (2), Crooks
For the replay, manager, Keith Burkinshaw, made a brave decision to include Ricky Villa as many had expected him to be dropped after his poor display on the Saturday.  However, having been given a reprieve, Villa immediately set about proving the manager correct by scoring the opening goal after eight minutes, a good strike as the ball fell to him in the penalty area.  The lead was short lived as three minutes later City equalised with a well struck shot from the edge of the box.  In a game that was much more open than the first match, City went ahead with a penalty early in the second half.  Tottenham battled on and equalised with a goal from Garth Crooks.  

Level with twenty minutes remaining either team could have won but seven minutes later, Tony Galvin made a short pass to Ricky Villa wide on the left just inside City's half.  Villa set off on a run which took him around and past the City defenders on into the penalty.  He continued his mazy dribble with team mates waiting for a pass, until finally getting past the last defender he placed the ball beyond the despairing keeper to score the winning goal.

That wonder goal not only won the FA Cup for Spurs for the sixth time but it turned Ricky Villa into an instant Tottenham ‘Legend’ and provided supporters with a moment in their lives that they will never forget, whether having been at Wembley or simply watching on television.  The joy of winning the Cup for Tottenham and it was all about Ricky Villa.

Team: Aleksic; Perryman (Captain), Roberts, Miller, Hughton; Ardiles, Hoddle, Villa, Galvin; Archibald, Crooks. Sub: Brooke (unused)

Hoddle ‘Double’
1982 Final: v Queen’s Park Rangers (Wembley) Draw 1 - 1
 (aet) Hoddle
At one point in the season Spurs were campaigning for silverware on four fronts.  They reached the League (Milk) Cup Final losing to Liverpool after extra time, having been ahead until the final minutes of normal time.  They were beaten by a robust Barcelona team in the semi-finals of the European Cup Winners’ Cup and they had finished fourth in the League when fixture congestion in the final weeks of the season took its toll.

The FA Cup Final against 2nd Division, Queen’s Park Rangers, managed by Terry Venables was now their last chance of a trophy.  Spurs team was missing the influential Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa - Ardiles had returned to Argentina to prepare for the World Cup finals while Villa was omitted because of the on-going hostilities of the Falklands War.

Venables, the master tactician, set up his team to deny Spurs and the plan was carried out to perfection by his players but it was restricted when his leading goalscorer, Clive Allen, was injured in the opening minutes.  QPR stifled Tottenham’s creative midfield with man to man marking but Spurs still had enough chances to have won with ease but tiredness and injury were taking their toll on the players and they were unable to make them count.  When they did get shots on target the goalkeeper kept them at bay with a number of outstanding saves, while Ray Clemence had been a virtual spectator in the Spurs’ goal.

The game headed into extra time and in the 109th minute Glenn Hoddle struck taking a return pass from Graham Roberts.  Only now did QPR show an inclination to attack and with five minutes remaining Terry Fenwick, another future Spurs player, headed the equaliser when a long throw was flicked on to him at the back post.

Replay: v Queen’s Park Rangers (Wembley) Won 1 - 0 Hoddle (pen)
Spurs were unchanged for the replay but whereas in the previous season the excitement and quality of the replay made up for the tedium of the first game, this was not the case in the first half of this replay.  Spurs set out to gain an early advantage and achieved that aim with a goal after six minutes.  Graham Roberts won the ball in midfield and set off on a powerful run towards the QPR penalty area where he was brought down.  A penalty and Glenn Hoddle sent the ball into the left corner as the goalkeeper dived to his right.  

Spurs were unable to add to their goal as the game descended into a tedious midfield battle with neither side looking capable of scoring.  

In the second half, QPR showed their attacking intentions and Spurs defence was under constant pressure with Ray Clemence having to make a number of vital saves.  Spurs attacking moments were restricted to the occasional breakaway as QPR put everything into getting an equaliser.  There were many close calls but Spurs held out with last gasp defending and retained the FA Cup at the end of an extremely long and tiring season.  The QPR players had been the heroes of the second half but with no reward.  When the final whistle blew Spurs had completed their 66th match of the season and captain, Steve Perryman had led from the front for every single minute of those games which had included a sequence of 19 matches in under eight weeks from early April.

Team: Clemence; Perryman (Captain), Price, Miller, Hughton; Hazard (Brooke), Hoddle, Roberts, Galvin; Archibald, Crooks.

‘Gary Mabbutt’s Knee’
1987 Final: v Coventry City (Wembley) Lost 2 - 3
 Allen, C., Mabbutt
Spurs only failure in an FA Cup Final was in 1987 when David Pleat’s side who were firm favourites to lift the trophy fell to Coventry City.  Spurs were playing in their third Final in seven years while it was Coventry’s first time at this stage of the competition.  As in 1982, Spurs had been in contention in the title race and the League Cup only to fall short, finishing third in the League and losing in the semi-final replay of the Littlewoods Cup but on this occasion there wasn’t to be the ‘consolation’ of FA Cup success.

A goal after two minutes from leading goalscorer, Clive Allen who headed in a Chris Waddle cross seemed to justify Spurs’ position as favourites.  It wasn’t to be and Coventry were level within seven minutes.  Gary Mabbutt restored Spurs’ lead before half-time but Coventry equalised through a diving header from Houchen, that’s the goal that appears regularly in photographs and video shots of the 1987 Final.  After six minutes of extra time Coventry went ahead when a cross deflected off Mabbutt’s knee and went over Ray Clemence’s head.  There was no way back and Tottenham had lost their first FA Cup Final.

BBC Commentator, John Motson, described the game as ‘the finest Cup Final I’ve ever had the pleasure of commentating on’.

Team: Clemence; Hughton (Claesen), Mabbutt, Gough, Thomas; Allen, P., Ardiles (Stevens), Hoddle, Hodge, Waddle; Allen, C. 

Spurs Triumph Against the Odds
1991 Final: v Nottingham Forest (Wembley) Won 2 - 1
 (aet) Stewart, Opp. o.g.  
Terry Venables v Brian Clough, Tottenham v the Bankers, Paul Gascoigne v a young Roy Keane were all issues that this game brought to Wembley.  Spurs preparations for the game had involved negotiations over the club's future and a deal to sell their star player to Lazio for £8.5 million.

Tottenham were again relying on the inspiration of Gazza to bring them their eighth FA Cup success and he was pumped up for the game - in the opening minutes his boundless energy took him everywhere.  Unfortunately, that was soon to become a problem for Spurs and the player.  Early on he made a rash tackle that could have seen him booked and that might have calmed him down but the referee showed leniency and Gazza carried on, unrestrained.  He made another bad tackle on the Forest fullback, conceding a free-kick in a dangerous position but injuring himself as well.  From the resulting free-kick Pearce scored but Spurs were doubly penalised when Paul Gascoigne fell to the ground, his injury worse than realised.  He was carried off on a stretcher and went to hospital with a cruciate ligament injury which would sideline him for a year and jeopardise the deal that was to save the club.

From all of these set-backs Tottenham managed to recover but not until Gary Lineker had a goal incorrectly disallowed and then have a penalty saved.  It was looking as if it wasn't going to be Tottenham's day.  However, early in the second half Paul Stewart powered into the penalty area from midfield and equalised for Spurs.  No further goals took the game to extra time and after four minutes Tottenham got the winning goal.  It was an own goal from former Tottenham junior, Des Walker.  He jumped with Gary Mabbutt for a corner but only deflected the ball beyond his own keeper.  It was justice for Mabbutt who in 1987 had scored the winning goal for Coventry in Spurs only FA Cup Final defeat.  Mabbutt who had been with Spurs for nine seasons who fought a constant battle with diabetes was a loyal servant to the club and a real ambassador for Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs held on and Mabbutt lifted the Cup to give them a then record equalling eighth win in the competition.  To date, that is Tottenham's last FA Cup Final win or appearance.

Team: Thorstvedt; Edinburgh, Howells, Mabbutt (Captain), Van den Hauwe; Allen, Gascoigne (Nayim), Sedgley, Samways, Stewart; Lineker

As Spurs embark on another FA Cup campaign it would be a magnificent way to end the season if they were to make a further visit to Wembley with Ledley King lifting the trophy high into the London skyline.

'Glory Glory Hallelujah
Spurs go marching on.'

Spurs Writers’ Club: Tottenham The Glory Glory Game
Pre-order: http://www.spurswritersclub.co.uk/#/buy-the-book/4557790657

Use Code: LH1

 

 

 

Read Logan’s latest columns on his blog at:

http://tottenham-spur.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

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13th September 2011 - The Things Harry Says

Harry Redknapp is such a godsend for every journalist and media pundit that they must fight over the chance to get to Spurs Lodge for his press conferences.  No dreary mumbo jumbo over tactics at Harry’s regular sessions.  Harry, the cheery chappy with a cheeky smile on his face has a witty comment, a funny story for every situation and an opinion for every topic in football and beyond.  The headline writers have a field day - Harry could fill the sports pages on his own every day of the week if he were given the chance and more often than not he is.

However, is Rednapp treading on dangerous ground with an over willingness to have his say, especially at a club like Tottenham and with a Chairman like Daniel Levy who was only a few weeks into his position at the club in 2001 when he decided to remove the manager over comments he made in an interview about the club’s transfer policy.  The club stated that Graham had been issued "several written warnings prior to his sacking for giving out what was deemed by the club as being private information."  He then informed the media that he had "a limited budget" for new players and expressed his disappointment with it.  That was enough for the Board to dismiss him.  

Now, of course, at the time this could have been a shrewd move by the new regime at Spurs to win over the fans who were clearly unhappy with former Arsenal stalwart, George Graham, as their manager, not to mention his tactics.  The administration opted to remove the unpopular manager in their early days in charge and replace him with a White Hart Lane legend and hero, Glenn Hoddle.  Supporters had got their ‘Tottenham back’ and the new owners had bought themselves some time.

This has always been Redknapp’s way and with his years in football management he knows how to work the system and use the media to his advantage.  However, sometimes it might be better if he held his opinions until after a match or used them to motivate Tottenham rather than the opposition.  The repetition of old views can become tiresome and once again this weekend, we’ve had his views on the Europa League following the win at Wolves.

Of course, we’ve heard from Harry on that subject many times as well as numerous others, right from his early days as manager at White Hart Lane in 2008 .

‘Two points from eight games’  almost became his catch-phrase in his first season.  Everyone knew how badly Spurs had started under Juande Ramos that season but Redknapp used that comment so often that it became tiresome and you knew he was going to squeeze it in somewhere whenever he was interviewed.  He made it seem that that was the norm for Tottenham rather than a bad start to one season.  He liked the credit for turning the club round.  Not surprisingly, he hasn’t quoted the statistics for last year’s end of season form along with this year’s start which aren’t so flattering, ‘ Three wins from fourteen League games.’

Ahead of games against the top four clubs, Redknapp has a tendancy to provide headlines that really don’t help the team.   Sir Alex Ferguson has had years of successfully psyching out a team before a game.  He’s the past-master of this but unfortunately for Redknapp, he and his players are more likely to left with egg on their face.

‘You’ll never win anything with kids.’
In season 2009-10, ahead of the first North London derby at the Emirates, all the papers had comments from both Redknapp and then captain Robbie Keane on how Spurs were ready to take on Arsenal.  Redknapp taunted Tottenham’s nearest rivals by insisting they wouldn’t win anything with kids.  A comment which has ultimately proved correct but on that occasion it didn’t help Spurs.  There was no response in the press from their near neighbours, rather they waited to do their talking on the pitch as Tottenham produced one of their most inept performances that day and lost by three goals, conceding two in a minute, including one straight from the kick-off after conceding the first goal.  

It would have been much better to have held all such comments until after the game when if successful, some ‘crowing’ would have been more appropriate.  The positive thoughts could have been used behind closed doors to build up the players in preparation for the game, rather than fuel the opposition’s determination to maintain their stranglehold over Spurs.  Similar headline grabbing comments have produced no benefit for the team in matches against Chelsea, Manchester United or Liverpool.

‘You will never get a better chance to win a match than that.  My missus could have scored that one’  from a manager who is so lauded for putting an arm round his players, understanding and supporting them in order to get the best from them is a surprising comment for him to make.  Darren Bent knew that he had missed a great chance and didn’t need his mistake to be given the full glare of publicity that the remark gave it.  He didn’t  take kindly to it at the time and it obviously still causes him anguish as he continues to mention it every time he plays against Tottenham and it certainly fires him up for those games.  That remark made after Bent had missed a good scoring opportunity against Portsmouth in January, 2009 when he headed David Bentley’s cross wide, probably marked the certain end of his Spurs’ career.  His confidence which was low during his time with Tottenham was gone and although he did score another five goals for Spurs, he knew the manager didn’t have any faith in him.  He was transferred to Sunderland the following summer where he scored 32 goals from 58 games compared with 18 from 60 Tottenham appearances.  

Comments which appear to publicly lay the blame on individual players or dent their confidence is not going to benefit the team’s progress.  He has had run-ins with a number of players, including Aaron Lennon whose late withdrawal from the away game in the Champions League against Real Madrid, ‘as the team was about to go on to the pitch’ according to Redknapp was contradicted by the player who insisted he had been unwell in the days leading up to the game.

‘I haven't heard anyone moaning. They are idiots aren't they? What kind of idiot picks up a phone to ring a phone in. They are idiots and I don't listen to them.’

‘We have had an amazing season - it won't get any better, enjoy it. This is good as it can get.’

‘Anyone who has got any brains will know it's been an amazing season at Tottenham and that we've played great football. Anyone that does not enjoy it should go and support someone else.’

During last season a number of Tottenham supporters expressed their criticism of the team’s performances at the end of some games and by ringing in to radio stations.  Redknapp didn’t take kindly to their remarks and referred to them as ‘idiots’ and to go and support someone else’.  Such comments from an experienced manager won’t do anything to help his relationship with fans and probably leaves him open to more criticism in the future.  

Fans have views and every club has to put up with the radio phone-in shows after a few poor results.  Redknapp’s re-action showed a lack of tolerance and understanding of how the fans were feeling.  Supporters give greatly of their finances and time to support the club and for some they feel it is the only way to make their views known especially, if they see the team perform poorly in games they would expect to win.  

Tottenham supporters didn’t take kindly to the suggestion that ‘that was as good as it would get’.  There was total agreement that the Champions League experience had been above everyone’s expectations but equally some of the other League and Cup performances were disappointing when fans had seen what the team was capable of in the Champions League matches.  For fans to accept that that was as ‘good as it could get’ for Spurs suggested a lack of ambition at the club and didn’t go down favourably with supporters.  It wasn’t what fans wanted to hear ahead of the summer transfer window when they were hoping to keep their best players and sign some more players to strengthen the team.  Fans are realistic enough to know that for a club like Tottenham it is very difficult to compete with the finances available to Chelsea and Manchester City but they have to believe that the manager and the Board are doing everything possible to ensure that the club will be challenging those super-rich clubs every year.  Those end of season comments from Redknapp failed to give those assurances.

‘You can’t keep an unhappy player.’
‘I would have sold Luka Modric in the summer.’
The club struggled all summer to retain the services of Luka Modric.  The Chairman had rebuffed the first Chelsea offer with a strong statement of the club’s intentions not to sell the player.  However, during the Transfer Window the manager made comments in the press suggesting that Modric could be sold if a high enough offer was received.  This was in conflict with the Chairman’s stated intention and only added unwanted fuel to the summer long speculation.  To now renew comments about Modric will only start speculation ahead of the January transfer period rather than focus on getting the best out of the player and putting the team in a challenging position which makes the player want to remain at the club.

‘The young kids will get plenty of games in Europea League because, otherwise, I think it’s a killer.  Thursday and Sunday every week, you’ve got no chance in the Premier League with that.  It kills you off, it’s a nightmare.’
‘There won’t be many of those players going to Greece.’
Harry Redknapp’s opinion of the Europa League is well documented.  On arriving at the club, participation in the competition was a distraction, as far as he was concerned, from the club’s drive to avoid relegation.  This is understandable as the first priority for a manager is to keep their club in the Premier League.  However, even in that season, in the knock-out stages, Tottenham should have been able to focus on progressing in Europe and not solely on survival.  The weakened teams fielded in 2008-09 so nearly got a result against eventual winners, Shakthar Donetsk, that with some more experienced players available they could have progressed in the competition.

Harry Redknapp now regards any Cup competition as a distraction from his aim of Champions League football and some fans will be in agreement with those views but the majority of supporters want to see the team going out to win every game they play,  whatever the competition.  Poor displays in FA and Carling Cup matches have become familiar under the manager and his widely expressed views are a ready made excuse for a poor performance from the players.  The Fulham game last season was a prime example of players not fully committed or focused from the start and in such circumstances found themselves two goals down in under fifteen minutes and out of the match before half-time.

Even during last season’s run-in, there were doubts about whether the manager really wanted to finish in fifth place and the subsequent qualification for Europe.  For many seasons supporters clamoured for European qualification and all the managers who failed to achieve that goal were criticised but now it is regarded as a distraction and unwanted. That is a shame for a club of Tottenham’s European traditions whose greatest manager, Bill Nicholson, was of the view, 'It's magnificent to be in Europe, and this club - a club like Tottenham Hotspur - if we're not in Europe, we're nothing.’ 

Harry Redknapp played down the competition during the summer and insisted that it would be an opportunity to give his young players some experience. This is reasonable as along as they are not thrown into games without experienced players who can support them through the game.  They will benefit from such an experience but to be faced with opposition who are to strong for them would be a backward step in their development.  

Now, after the Wolves game, Redknapp has repeated his concerns about the tournament suggesting that few of the starting eleven at Molineux will travel to Greece as they have had too much football and have a difficult match against Liverpool on Sunday.  A number of the team on Saturday have had little football at the start of the season.  New signing Emmanuel Adebayor  has played little competitive football recently and didn’t look completely fit while Jermain Defoe didn’t play during the past fortnight while away wit England.  The fear of players picking up injuries is always a concern but Tottenham players frequently do that in training as with Michael Dawson.  In two consecutive seasons in the early 1970s and again in 1981-82 Steve Perryman played 64 games in each season.  The current players with all the improvements in training and recuperation have it much easier through their careers. 

 A balanced team of experience and youth is required to see Spurs progress in Europe in a competition they are capable of winning with the appropriate focus and application from manager and players.

The thoughts of Harry Redknapp are frequently funny and thought provoking with the good of the game at heart.  However, from a Spurs’ fans’ perspective they can appear to be dismissive.  Reporters love his remarks as he fills their reports with humour and controversy but supporters have heard much of it before and sometimes they find it difficult to accept.

When Harry finally retires, an obvious opening for him would be to set up a web-site to rival ‘Ask Jeeves‘ - it would be guaranteed to succeed - ‘Ask Harry!’   

 

 

 

 

30th August 2011 - Tottenham's Missing Players - The 'Lost XI'

Concerns are mounting over the number of highly paid international players who have been lost at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club for some considerable time.  These players continue to receive their highly exorbitant salaries without having to kick a football in anger - we'd all be up for a job like that.

Before the announcement of today's team, a few words of thanks to some former members of the Spurs 'Lost XI' who have gone off to pastures new.  First, the captain and founder member of this illustrious team, Robbie Keane who after many years of service and goals took off to his 'boyhood team', Liverpool, where they destroyed him and returned him six months later, as damaged goods.  His days became numbered when he masterminded the infamous Christmas 'golf' trip to Dublin.  Harry Redknapp was not best pleased so Robbie went off to his other favourite team Celtic on loan, became a Hammer but with even less success and is now plying his trade with David Beckham for LA Galaxy.

Vice-Captain, Jonathan Woodgate has been an outstanding member of the 'Lost XI' for much of his time with Tottenham.  Most consistently over the last eighteen months when he managed to play for only fifteen minutes in Milan in the Champions League.  Having travelled the world, possibly at Tottenham's expense, in search of a remedy for his numerous injury problems, he has now taken up service with Stoke City in both the Premier League and Europa League.  In a short period of time he has managed appearances at such exciting places as Aldershot, Stoke, Split and Norwich.  Perhaps he'll appear at a ground near you, any day soon.

Team News:
Heurelho Gomes is a recent recruit for the 'Lost XI'.  Last seen sitting on the bench at Old Trafford following his uncertain display in the Europa League game at Hearts.  Not seen for the return match when Carlo Cudicini played with Brad Friedel who had made his debut in the defeat to Manchester United, among the substitutes. One wonders, nay speculates, if Gomes is to be long with us or is he destined to return to Holland where his idiocincracies are less problematic.

Alan Hutton, a combative defender, is a long standing member of this squad.  He first appeared surplus in early 2010 when he went off to Sunderland but returned and while making an impression with a couple of goals, all was not well.  A few appearances for Scotland later, rumours persist of his imminent departure but he's still 'lost' at Spurs.

Ledley King has been part of this team for long periods of his Tottenham career.  For the past number of years he has struggled to play regularly due to numerous injury problems and operations but he did manage to captain Spurs to their Carling Cup success against Chelsea at Wembley in 2008.  Unexpected appearances in the final two games of last season saw Spurs win at Liverpool and against Birmingham to claim a Euopa League place.  Another operation and he has gone missing again but is the newly appointed captain of Spurs 'Lost XI'.

William Gallas is a new recruit for this team.  Having signed from Arsenal last year he put in many stirring performances in the face of seeming injury difficulties.  Hardly a game passed without Gallas limping off for running repairs only to return a few minutes later,  bandaged and strapped up ready for action.  Many commendable performances followed and they were greatly appreciated by the Spurs faithful.  Eventually, the injuries caught up with him and he missed the final two matches of a long season.  Now missing at the start of the new season, he takes his place in the 'Lost XI'.

Sebastien Bassong had a commendable debut season for Tottenham but on occasions last year he looked lost all over the pitch, especially on a cold evening in Blackpool last February when Tottenham's claims for a top 4 finish started to unravel.  Still looking unsure and uncomfortable, it looks as if his future at Spurs could be short as talk continues of a central defender arriving at White Hart Lane.

David Bentley has been a member of the Spurs 'Lost XI' for most of his Tottenham career.  A few short periods of action on the pitch have been followed by spells of inactivity.  Last season spent on loan at Birmingham didn't help and talk of inauspicious performances for the Spurs XI seems to guarantee his regular availability for our little team.

Jermaine Jenas is a happy member of our team who is frequently absent through injury for some time each year.  He failed to impress on-lookers when given a sudden opportunity on the big-stage against Real Madrid last April.  Injury once again has reduced him to sitting on the bench as the new season starts with younger players eager to show their worth.

Wilson Palacios, like Bassong made a commendable start to his time at Tottenham but in recent seasons he has found it more difficult to hold down a place in the team.  Even the intervention of his mother failed to inspire him and he has become more isolated as Sandro has become accustomed to Premier League football. With limited opportunities, he may prefer to forgo the pleasure of appearing for the 'Lost XI' to turn out in the Potteries.

Luka Modric, the recipient of the members Player of the Year award in May, has become an unexpected member of the 'Lost XI'.  He has either had his turned by Chelsea or has sustained a convenient injury, depending on which story you believe, as Tottenham's season has got off to an unconvincing start.  How long he will remain part of the squad is uncertain. 

Giovani Dos Santos was last seen starring for Mexico with wonder goals in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the summer.  He had a half season on loan with Racing Santander last year but has seen little action for Spurs in spite of his fine credentials on signing from Barcelona.  A move away to a team in Europa may be more may appropriate for his talent.

Peter Crouch is another newcomer to this select squad.  After making a goal scoring appearance in pre-season against Athetic Bilbao and with his understanding with Van der Vaart and his usefulness against Continental defenders, it appeared that he would continue to play a part at Tottenham for the foreseeable future.  However, after three games he has failed to appear and speculation of future dalliances with the Potteries continues.

Substitutes:
Ben Alnwick signed from Sunderland in a swap for Marton Fulop - Spurs didn't do well in that transaction.  He has spent most time on loan around the lower divisions of the Football League and will probably be off again on his travels very soon.

John Bostock came as a young player from Crystal Palace but has failed, to date, to live up to his early hype.  He became Spurs' youngest player when appearing in a European game in 2008 but has failed to impress in subsequent spells on loan at League clubs.  A young player who at present seems to have lost his way.

All clubs are facing the problem of players who are surplus to requirements, but for top clubs with big squads paying high salaries it is becoming more difficult to move players on as they see out their long contracts.  Tottenham have a squad of players who are earning high salaries but are not having to give anything to the club in return - it must be a great life for them, as long as they don't mind not playing football regularly.  It's something Tottenham have been trying to remedy in this current Transfer Window by removing some of them but now into the final few days of August, it would appear that there will be quite a number of them still available for selection for the Spurs 'Lost XI' in the coming months.

 

 

20th August 2011 - Tottenham Supply Answers in Europa Success 

Prior to the game in the Europa League, there were a number of unanswered questions which were concerning Tottenham supporters.  The emphatic victory over a disappointingly poor and uncompetitive Hearts team went some way to providing answers to a number of the questions.

How seriously will Tottenham take the Europa League?
Harry Redknapp realised that he needed to play a strong team to ensure Hearts didn't get the upper hand in the tie.  Tynecastle is a notoriously intimidating place and he needed experienced players who would re-act to the intensity of the pressure.  His team responded immediately to this challenge  and had quietened the home support within the opening minutes by starting the game with purpose and pace. .The early goal meant that the home side never settled and in the end Spurs had a comfortable win and a good workout ahead of their first Premier League of the season at Old Trafford on Monday evening.  The manager showed that in spite of his earlier words of concern directed towards the Europa League format that his team had to put up a good performance to ensure qualification for the group stages.

Will Modric leave Spurs this August?
Luka Modric and Peter Crouch were absent from the game which leaves the thought that they may not be at the club much longer.  They both were reported to have injuries but that always sounds suspicious to supporters who are constantly following transfer rumours in the media.

Who will be Number 1?
Gomes started in goal but in a game where he kept a clean sheet and was only required to perform for a short period at the start of the second half, he didn't fill onlookers with confidence that he has put his troubles of last season behind him.  He looked uncertain under the Hearts' pressure from corners and didn't look assured when coming to collect high balls.  The jury is still out as to who will be the first choice keeper and it wouldn't be a total surprise if Brad Friedel made his Tottenhan debut against Manchester United.

Will our strikers score this season?
First indications are that Defoe and Van der Vaart are looking sharp and pleasingly they linked much better last night than at any time last year.   Both took their goals well and were involved constantly in the game.  Defoe turned provider for the final goal when he crossed for Lennon and looked much more confident than last season.  He tends to start the season well but last year having looked bright in early games and scoring the hat-trick for England, he was seriously injured for the first half of the season and never seemed to recover from that setback.  Hopefully he will continue to show good application and score a few early goals to build on that confident start.  Van der Vaart struggled with niggling injuries last year so again if he can avoid these he will continue to be a vital element in the team.  Pavlyuchenko found it difficult to make a telling contribution in the short period that he played after replacing Defoe for the final ten minutes.

Unasked questions answered.
Kyle Walker started at right back and may well be ahead of Corluka for the start of the season.  He looked composed and wasn't intimidated by the hostile surroundings of Tynecastle.  H e attacks with pace and uses that pace when tackling back in defence.

Young players had an opportunity in this game and both showed up well.  Livermore played throughout in a composed, competitive manner and he deserved his well-taken goal.  He has developed since his disappointing performance in last season's Carling Cup defeat to Arsenal when he was substituted at half-time having looked out of his depth.  Townsend replaced Bale in the second half but used the opportunity to show that he deserves more time in the team.   On a couple of occasions he worked himself into shooting positions and he used his great speed to set up the break and a lovely pass which led to the final goal.  An encouraging night for these young players. 

Nico Kranjcar showed that he has the ability and skill to play in central midfield.  If Modric were to be transferred, Kranjcar would be a useful addition to the central midfield play.  He worked hard and controlled the game and received praise from Harry Redknapp after the game for his performance.

The result was very pleasing, ensuring progress to the group stages, barring an unlikely miracle for Hearts, and will ease the pressure on Spurs' difficult opening to the season.  The manager should be able to use squad players for the second leg so that the best players are ready for the home game with Manchester City on Sunday week.  The matches in the group stages will also allow some of the youngsters to get valuable European experience, vital if their development is to progress.  

The performance was excellent and all the players looked confident and the movement and passing was crisp and accurate throughout the team.  That five different players scored is a bonus and will boost their confidence for more demanding games in the coming weeks.

 

 

18th August 2011 - Tottenham’s Europa Game to Raise More Questions Than Answers

 

With Spurs about to make a belated start to their season against Hearts at Tynecastle in the Europa League, it had been hoped that this match might have provided answers to some of the questions that have surrounded the club for much of the summer.  However, the closer the game gets the more the Tottenham waters seem to become cloudier.

 

How Seriously will Tottenham take the Europa League?

 

For a club steeped in European and Cup winning traditions, it seems a strange question to   ask but manager Harry Redknapp has made it clear on many occasions that Cup competitions and the Europa League are not high on his list of priorities.  In his first season the manager found the Europa League a distraction in his bid to secure the club’s future in the Premier League.  A worthy motive but a club of Tottenham’s standing with experienced, motivated players with any professional pride, should have able to perform credibly in more than one competition.  In subsequent years the supporters have witnessed less than whole-hearted commitment from teams in both the Carling Cup and the FA Cup.  Last season’s performance against Fulham is just one of  a number of instances where the manager has aired numerous complaints about these competitions, providing the players with an excuse for the disappointing results. 

 

Earlier in the summer Redknapp made headlines with comments that the Europa League is a ‘killer.’  Quoted before the draw he said, “Thursday and Sunday every week, you’ve got no chance in the Premier League with that.  It kills you off.  It’s a nightmare.  You go to crazy places but we’ll give it our best shot and just give it a go.  The young lads will get plenty of games in the Europa League because, otherwise, it’s a killer, to be frank.”

 

Having experienced the rich pickings of the Champions league table last year, the Europa league is obviously not as tasty a morsel for Harry Redknapp.

 

With the postponement of last Saturday’s game against Everton due to the aftermath of the riots in Tottenham the previous week, the manager now has a dilemma.  His senior players are lacking match sharpness ahead of their opening League game at Old Trafford so will he use them in Edinburgh rather than the younger players that he had advocated in his earlier statements? 

 

In addition, the draw has not been as kind as might have been expected with an added injection of Anglo-Scottish rivalry to increase the competitiveness of this tie.  While many English supporters routinely dismiss Scottish clubs, Hearts will not be a pushover and there will be that added element of wanting to get one over the ’Auld Enemy” and Tynecastle will be a daunting, passionate ground on Thursday evening which will require experienced players with a cool head.  Hearts finished third behind Rangers and Celtic last year, running them close until the final weeks of the season.  The two Glasgow clubs have performed well in recent years when facing English teams in the European competitions.  So Tottenham have been warned and they can not be too casual in their approach and team selection for this game or Harry Redknapp may get his wish earlier than he expected.

 

Will Luka Modric be a Tottenham player come the end of the Transfer Window?

 

He won the Player of the Season Award in May but comments appeared in the media that indicated that he wanted to go to Chelsea.  Daniel Levy immediately made a statement that Luka Modric was not for sale at any price as he tried to prevent a repeat of the Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov transfers where Spurs accepted a huge offer later in the summer.  It all seemed clear but not to Chelsea and their media friends who have constantly stirred this simmering pot. 

 

Comments from Kevin Bond and Redknapp himself haven’t helped where it has been suggested that a ‘big’ offer might be acceptable.  So throughout the summer, this saga has rumbled on and it is now reaching its critical time.  Modric captained the side in South Africa and played against Atletico Bilbao with his usual commitment and application displaying the skills that are vital to Spurs. 

 

If he were to play against Hearts it would be a sign that he could be staying at the club but it now seems unlikely that he will be in the team in Edinburgh - he has picked up a ‘convenient’ injury.  A few days ago, according to Redknapp, Modric was the only midfield player who was fit - Sandro, Huddleston, Palacios and Jenas all out injured.  Now, apparently Modric has joined that list or is it just an injury of convenience so that he is available for Champions League football later in the season at his ‘new’ club?

 

Who will be No. 1?

 

Heurelho Gomes finished last season out of the team.  Brad Friedel signed in July with the intention of being first choice goalkeeper at Tottenham and extending his Premier League record of 275 consecutive games.  Gomes, Friedel and Cudicini shared the goalkeeping duties during pre-season and now a decision has to be made but will the player selected on Thursday evening be the manager’s number one choice?  Friedel has vast experience and is a very reliable keeper but will age suddenly catch up with him or does he have a few more seasons in him?  Gomes needs re-assurance and to be high in confidence to produce of his best but will this competition for the number 1 shirt inspire him or crush him?  At times last season Redknapp appeared to have lost patience with Gomes and seemed to yearn for a good reliable goalkeeper rather that one who interspersed flashes of sheer brilliance with moments that made every supporter despair.  If those feelings have remained with Redknapp through the summer, it might be Friedel who gets first crack in goal.

 

Will our strikers score this season?

 

For the third consecutive transfer window Spurs have been trying to acquire the signature of a striker who will consistently finish off the chances created by the wing play of Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale.  Throughout the summer, possibly signings have been identified in the media and indications are that significant signings may be nearing completion.

 

However, at the moment we will have to rely on the best of last year’s crop.  Robbie Keane has finally gone.  There is the thought that surely three international strikers couldn’t repeat their ineptitude in front of goal for another season but then we thought that last January when we considered their lack of goals during the first half of the season but there was no improvement.

 

Who will play against Hearts?  Peter Crouch who so often found his goalscoring touch in Europe last year would have seemed to be a likely starter but he now appears to be injured.  Could that be something to do with rumours of a possible transfer?  Roman Pavlyuchenko scored twice n the final game against Birmingham but so often looks disinterested and unable to link up with those around him.  It has been reported that Jermain Defoe has prepared well during the summer and the choice may depend on the formation that is decided upon and who can play best with Rafael Van der Vaart.

 

Two interesting games lie ahead in the Europa League alongside the double header with the Manchester clubs.  The decisions which are taken in the coming fortnight could shape Tottenham’s season for good or bad but a positive result in Edinburgh would help to lift some of the gloom that has descended upon Tottenham in the past week and lift supporters spirits after a summer when there has been so much talking but very little action in comparison to other clubs causing some Spurs fans to feel less than enthusiastic about the new season.

 

Logan Holmes 

 

 

 

 

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.