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DublinSpur Shane O’Sullivan: I think season predictions get easier with every season while the current structure of top-flight English football continues. When you strip away all the over the top hype and marketing machines, what is left is one of the most shallow and predictable leagues in the world. For me, (and
for most others I speak to that can remember when football was a man’s game
played at 3pm on Saturdays) the game’s integrity is at an all time low on and
off the field. On the field it is awash with players who are paid absolute
fortunes to run around pretending to care about the club they play for, you
know the ones (badge kissers, wannabe rappers, hello magazine featured, metro
sexuals etc…). Obviously every player doesn’t fit this profile, but what
saddens me is that we (Spurs) seem to have attracted more than our fair share
of these chancers in recent times. In addition to this we have the ridiculous
cheating and diving, then there’s the bitching and moaning to referees. These
spoilt brats simply cannot fathom anyone telling them off or making a
judgement against them. To be fair their reactions to referees is quite
understandable given that they spend the other 22 hours of the day being told
how wonderful they are by everyone they associate with. Away from
the football field I’m afraid it’s just as frustrating, I have come to
reluctantly accept that the chances of my club being champions in my lifetime
are getting less likely as each season passes. Regardless of what Rupert
Murdoch’s army tell us about how wonderful the PL is the real truth is that
it’s a total sham. For every “grand slam Sunday” there are 20 half empty
stadiums hosting the likes of Bolton v Boro, or Wigan v Hull. The top 4
places have been unchanged in years, Man City seem to be making a strong
attempt to spoil the party but I’m not convinced that they can see it all the
way through over 38 games. Hopefully they can take @rsenal’s at the top
table. This proves beyond any doubt that in order for any other club to put
together and maintain a challenge on 4th place requires massive
financial investment first and foremost. So what does this give you? just a
team with better quality horrible mercenary pricks then you had before,
nothing more nothing less. The real
excitement in the PL is at the bottom every season. The fight for survival and avoidance of
relegation is where the real entertainment is for me these. I’d much rather
watch Wolves v Birmingham in relegation scrap in April then 22 cnuts prancing
around Stamford bridge when Woolwich wanders visit under the “grand slam”
brand. So where
does my club fit in the overall scheme of things. I love Tottenham Hotspur as
much as ever but as you can tell by now I pretty much hate what the game has
become. In relation to our prospects for 09/10? I think I can say with
reasonable confidence that we will finish somewhere between 6th
and 9th. Maybe a cup Semi-Final along the way. I have learned the
hard way that aiming low and being pleasantly surprised is much better than
aiming high and being devastated. I like Harry Redknapp, I like the kind of
football his teams play and most of the signings he has made. If he could
manage to crack the nut that is our diabolical away record maybe I could
start to dream again. West Ham in 12 days would be I nice way to start. Bruce Almighty Cant see nothin in front of me Cant see nothin coming up behind I make my way through this darkness I cant feel nothing but this chain that binds me Lost track of how far Ive gone How far Ive gone, how high Ive climbed On my backs a sixty pound stone On my shoulder a half mile of line Come on up for the rising Come on up, lay your hands in mine Come on up for the rising Come on up for the rising tonight* For once, at least since the dawning of the computer age, I have kept my nose out of preseason. Too many hopes dashed, too many false dawns surrendered by October. I am aware we have signed a very tall fella and someone that sounds like a wind instrument from the frozen North. We've lost another midfielder who couldn't score for toffee. I am also aware that JD scored a couple of goals for England whilst I was being horrified in the cinema a couple of days ago. But that is it. So what might the new season bring? Missing the hype and the excitement should leave me feeling a little saner but it hasn't. My mind is now telling me that I will be surprised by our sudden rush to glory. From behind my back so-to-speak. I really am mental where Spurs are concerned. So predictions I will not make. How about my realistic hopes and dreams? JJ to silence his critics. Pav to fulfil the promise at least I've had. Citeh to crash and burn. Keane to fly to sunnier pastures. ...and realisitically we will win more than we lose and with a bit of luck maybe a third consecutive trip to Wembley will come along... maybe in May this time. I fancy the first game will be a repeat of a couple of years ago. A 1-1 draw with Mr Defoe supplying our goal again. Any more than that whilst in a moment of sanity will be the nonsense talking. The nonsense that 'rises up' when I hope Spurs will leave everyone trailing in their wake. Richard Pymont: New Season, Cause for optimism The new season is nearly upon us and the first game
against Following Arry steadying the boat last year after arriving at the club, and another final at Wembley (even if the result wasn’t what we wanted), we can definitely look at this season with a great deal of optimism. Modric and Corluka looked very settled into the team by the latter part of the season, Defoe is back in the fold, Woodgate has been a revelation at the back, and Assou Ekotto had a very solid season. In addition to last year’s successes, Pav can only benefit after his first season in English football, and if he gets regular games, I expect him to start scoring more regularly in the League (as a large number of his goals last season came in Cup games); Kyle Naughton looks a promising player after joining from Sheffield United and Crouch, a favourite of Arry’s, has returned to the Club where he was a Youth teamer many years ago. We have much to be optimistic about with Palacios giving us that bite in midfield that we have been lacking since, bless him, Steffen Freund was in the side. Fans are split on Robbie Keane returning to the club, but with Redknapp known to favour Defoe and Crouch as a partnership, could Keane be employed in a different, deeper role? Any negatives? Only a couple of things spring to mind. One being will Ledley’s knees hold up to another Premiership season? Perhaps if used sparingly and if Daws and Bassong are used to give Leds a rest here and there maybe he can be “nursed” through another campaign. That though remains to be seen. My other doubt? I have thought for a number of years that Lennon apart, our team does lack a fair amount of pace, though we like to pass the ball around, we are not, I think, known as being a quick counter attacking team. Lennon gives us an element of pace down the right but whether Modric or O’Hara or whoever is employed down the left we do not have the same balance on that side pacewise. Without being involved in Europe this season, I believe we will finish in 5th or 6th in the league, and will put my neck out and say we’ll get to the FA Cup final. Read more stuff by Richard on
his topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-richard.htm
RBS I am probably the clichéd Spurs
fan living by the TopSpurs motto "Hui tempori proximo anno, Roddere,
erimus millionari!" at this time of year I get fully sucked in by the
Spurs propaganda machine and I am normally predicting Champions League
qualification, cup glory and world domination. So perhaps I am not the best
person to provide a pre season prediction. However this year I am going to be
slightly more reserved. For me, Man City could become another barrier to
prevent us from that elusive top 4 position. Overall though I think we have
a good squad. We strengthened well in January and Crouch and Bassong could
also be useful additions. Almost just as importantly we have not lost two of
our most important players for another year at least in Modric and Lennon.
Indeed the players we have sold I am pleased have gone. I never took to Bent
and Zokora, well was Zokora. I am hoping for our first
strong start in four seasons, and come end of season I think we will finish
in the top 6 and enjoy a good cup run (maybe the FA Cup this year – as it is
awhile since we progressed to the latter stages). With a prevailing wind, a
bit of luck, who knows we could even finish above the goons, who are looking
worse than last season. Anyway I am looking forward to
it, let’s beat the scousers at the weekend and keep the early season optimism
going for a little longer! Up the Spurs! Read more stuff by RBS on his
topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-rbs.htm
Lilywhite McLenin, Sean Hurl: The view of the travails ahead from North of Hadrians Wall. There has, in recent seasons anyway, been such a stirring of enthusiasm in my soul that the once mighty Tottenham Hotspur Football Club could climb among the elite of the English game in terms of trophies, stature and glamour that I have too often been fit to burst. These feelings last as long as it takes Sunderland and Middlesbrough to puncture the balloon of my inflated hopes and dreams, by snatching points almost effortlessly away in the opening games of the season. Now the team are just the PR department of a multinational investment group it all seems so mundane this year. Especially given that the ‘most exciting league on the planet’ is pretty much done and dusted each year and all the sugar daddies in the world will never make football a proper sport again. There have to be surprises and changes, sublime skills and a lack of inevitability, outrageous turns in fortune and genuine competition for sport to work and become/remain interesting. Yes I have, in another place with the help of a certain Mr. Mutler, been immortalised by saying that I will never see my team win the top division in my lifetime. But I never thought I’d ever see a situation where the same cartel of faces would win the league every year ad nauseam. Witness the excitement in Formula 1 this year, where an unfancied team has managed to shake up the big team s and allow Jensen Button to take an unheard of lead in the drivers’ championship. Can you really say, hand on heart, this will happen in ‘Premiership’ football?? Barring the world revolution, the bankrupting of the odious Keith R. Murdoch and the return to a genuinely competitive league with clubs owned by their supporters, I will continue to support the players picked every week to represent my team. I will make occasional trips down the M6 in hope but in all honesty though my team are just bit part players in the further glorification of the Sky 4 – my team as a really competitive force died a long time ago – thank goodness for reality and – Come on You Spurs!!!! Lilywhite McLenin, Paisley Aka Seán Hurl
Leader of the Cork Spurs, Pat Healy: As usual Spurs being Spurs it's almost impossible to know how we'll do! On paper the squad looks reasonably strong although how long more we can depend on Ledley is a worry. Then again it's been a worry for a long time so nothing new there! Maybe Bassong is the answer? I think Crouch will do well for us. He's a good premier league player and at the moment he's as good a player as anyone we're likely to sign. He's an intelligent player and granted while he's no Torres he'll get his share of goals. I can't understand why some aren't happy with signing him and I honestly think that they'd be happier if he was an overseas import that we'd seen on You Tube named Crouchindinho! Hopes for the season. 1. beat the goons 2. win away at one or preferably all of last season's top 4 3. win a cup (preferably the FA Cup) David Hayes:Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One Before There seems a minimalist approach at White Hart Lane ths summer, almost as if apologetic for the bombast of the past; it’s like the soft acoustic introspective album a stadium rock band releases when their last one flopped. Selling Bent and Zokora went
someway towards exorcising the ghost of big money mistakes past. Twittering
aside both seemed nice sorts but for me they represent, alongside perhaps
Kaboul, our worst signings since the Premiership began (without actually
being all that bad). There were worse footballers, (far, far worse) but they
came during a very small window in our recent history when finding the right
player could truly have made a difference. Though only two years past that
seems like an eon ago now and the new benchmark is Villa or Everton rather
than But by and large I’m quite
happy with this transfer window. There’s been no aimless glamour signing
(unless you count Abi Clancey) and no one has been bought for exuberant money
simply because they are young and English. There were of course some of our
old habits; we signed two young players, Naughton and Walker, seemingly so no
one else could. Funnily enough both were right backs, another commodity we
simply can’t appear to get enough of (although being fair three of the
current four are as much utility players). We even signed a young foreign
defender no one really knows all that much about, (despite, or perhaps
because of, playing for And still we refuse to sign a left winger and I’m quite confident Modric will start there now (though I would rather him centre midfield a previous comment that would we should play him in the middle or sell him is the only thing I’ve written on Topspurs that makes me feel a bit ,well, silly). A midfielder, whether it be left or centre, is the still the prerogative as far as I’m concerned. O’Hara is not the part, not yet anyhow, Jenas is a classic ‘jack of all trades, master of none’, while Huddlestone I can only see as an impact player, used to pick holes in tired or disorderly opposition (for all the criticism of Jenas, his worst is considerably better than that of Tom’s, who, when confronted with even only average but organised opposition such as, say, Fulham, carries the helpless look of a schoolboy sitting an exam he never opened a book for). Whether the like of Parrett, Bostock or Taarabt are ready for such a role is really only speculation. At the same time, while trying not to contradict myself, I think the success of the season lies with the central defence. The midfield (and forwards) are relatively known quantities, their strengths and weaknesses are apparent. But the defence could perhaps go either way. It is easier to imagine Dawson and Bassong having to put in a combined 60+ league games than it is King and Woodgate playing a similar number. With the marshalling of the later, the like of Corluka, Hutton, Ekotto and Gomes could combine stingily whereas the uncertainty of the younger players could spread malignantly. But then there’s a possibility Dawson or Bassong, or both, could be a revelation, or even just quite good, as last season hinted. I don’t think we will come anywhere near the desolation of last season, nor do I think we will approach the giddy possibilities of the Jol years. At worst it will be the sort of expensive wavering mediocrity endured by Man City fans last season, at best it will be the eurphoicless high of Everton’s distant fifth. My prediction; between fifth and tenth depending on our centre backs and also whether another midfield, new or existing, steps up to the plate and fills the hole in between Lennon, Palacios and Modric. Between our four forwards some winning combination should be found but I imagine at least one will quickly find himself frozen out and deteriorating. A cup run may be likely, seeing as we have no grey European obligations to worry about, but I could imagine a lot of clubs having the same ambition seeing as there will be perhaps more good mid-table teams looking for something realistic to win than there has been in many years. And my saddest predictions of all, Chelsea to win the league while the good old ‘Big 4’ huddle together for one last season before Arsenal’s eviction. Fanzine Legend Mario: Harry has strengthened the squad, but there are still players that need to be shipped out, which will free up more funds. Missing out on Europe is a blessing. No Thursday game will mean that our squad will not be stretched and we should challenge for a top six spot.
Eric Mallia, Spurs in Hong Kong August is upon us again and the usual mix of optimism and pessimism stir in equal measures. Zokora and Bent out; Crouch, Bassong and Naughton in – a marginal, net improvement in the squad I would say. On a more positive note, we enter a new season with squad stability and none of the mass culling or last minute transfers out of big name players (I hope). However, all this slightly overshadowed by long term injuries to Woodgate, Dawson and the usual uncertainties over The King. A lot rests on Bassong. Time for a number of players to come of age and make a significant impact, none more so than in midfield. Time for Huddlestone, Jenas and O’Hara to deliver consistently. I have a sneaky feeling that Modric will shine, but for me, this can only happen if he plays a more central role rather than on the left. And so, who should play in left midfield? Bale? Rose? Bentley? Lennon even? The answer for me lies with Bostock. With a little patience, trust and perseverance, this guy could be the real deal. Up front we’re well endowed with 4 excellent forwards. But I suspect Harry still does not know his best combinations. I assume Defoe-Crouch would be his preferred partnership but I sense he will continue to attempt to accommodate Keane which will unbalance the side. And so to some predictions. Although the squad is more settled, I feel there are still question marks in a number of areas. I don’t see much improvement in our league position from last season - 7th or 8th is my guess. Better news in the cups however. I go for a confident cup double to restore us to where we belong – in Europe and in an open top bus down the High Street come May 2010. Glory Glory Alleluia! COYS. www.spursinhongkong.com Sean Morley Having relinquished the season ticket, I thought I might have experienced some withdrawal pains. However the build up for the new season has left me with a sense of relief if I am honest. A sense of relief that I don’t have to put myself through it all yet again. At this stage of the year, I usually hope Spurs will challenge for the league title, try to convince myself of the reasons why it should be possible (eg Zokora sold, Jenas really could be international quality footballer (one day), King (maybe) will be fit for the majority of the season, the new Defoe looks lethal etc etc. My usual pre-season optimism is also fuelled by the fact we still have Modric and the usual summer bring and buy sale seems to have calmed down -ironically under Arry of all people. However back in the real world, Spurs will probably finish between 5th and 8th, the best players will be poached by someone higher up the pecking order if Spurs do look like breaking into the elite, or even if not, there is always the Howard Webb factor to contend with. The only comfortable prediction I can make is Levy will be lining up Arry’s successor whilst coincidentally attending the same holiday resort with some other headline manager around this time next year. Spurs are better than they were at this stage last season, the club appears to be stable and pulling in the same direction, which should mean that they win more than they lose, score more than they concede and beat the goons home and away. If that do that, it will be a good season. Read more stuff by Sean on his topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-seanmorley.htm Diamond White A refreshingly sane transfer
window for us...unless there's a mental August 31st in store, which leaves me
quietly confident that we may now be building a balanced squad rather than a
collection of individuals. We'll win more than we lose at home, lose more
than we win away, but I think there will be an overall improvement in terms
of points and positioning come May. Sixth spot it is then and about time we
done something in the FA Cup again. Steve Edmunds in Mexico Vox once more … ayyyy, well, as I am a diehard, It’s got to be done.
Here goes … 2009/10: How do I see it? Moreover, how do I see it ‘in a different
light’? from 2008/9, 2007/8 and so on, and so on. A couple of reasons why I
just think it might be. One: ‘Arry. Two: Levy. Surprised at the latter? Me
too!! But I’ve got round to thinking our ‘top dog’ learnt a few important
lessons during last season’s early debacle. Firstly, that other dog, Comolli, was put down and we returned to a
football club management structure worthy of being called just that. In comes
my first point, ‘Arry, and he is able to open up the pathways for the right
decisions to be made, without Comolli fouling them first. Given that any
manager needs time to bed in, I firmly feel that the 30 games and 49 points
(let’s start thinking positively ‘Arry! And drop this 2 from 8 nonsense) is
king size, and has set us up for a magical run through this season. Secondly, another dog, this time Bulgarian, is not around to bark and
whine and our new, big, tall dog’s timely arrival will surely reap early
benefits, unlike the make-weight Campbell (1st Sep) and Pav (no
parle English) issues last season. Put this opportune signing alongside our
little whippets, AL and JD and it looks like the dog’s you-know-whats up
front. The time for reacting to the Central Defenders issue was also
pleasantly surprising; another spin off from the Levy Lesson of summer 2008?
By all accounts, we have got him for a Song and he already seems in tune
after seeing off the Bubble and Squeaks in such an easy fashion. When Woody
et al get fit …? A nice problem to deal with ‘Arry. Still a little worried about the lefties though. Still think Johnny
Two Saints has something to offer there. A run in the team may be the answer
to that doubt as he never really had one last term. Having said that, it
seems the Mexican national team is using him differently now, in the hole
behind the strikers. We have noooo room for him there, I am afraid. Worth
watching how he gets/got on in the Mex-USA quali on Weds 10th. I also, unfortunately, think our ins and outs are not over yet, and
grieve to feel that Levy may just drag his heels yet on one or two deals
stringing them out to the end of the month, just out of spite! The Shekel
effect? Me thinks: JJ out and a new partner for Wilson. Me thinks that is the
finest thing we can do! If that is Vieira, so be it. But I think the plug has
been pulled on that one. Me thinks: Gomes out and Calamity in. Me thinks that is not the finest
thing we can do but may make sense as the word Calamity may have shifted to
the former of the two stoppers. So, 2009/10: Gonna stick my neck out and say 6th, and no
worse. And we are due an FA Cup. The Squad is deep enough. The Squad is good
enough. Arry’s in from the start and Levy has learnt his lesson. COYS, plus … Dear Jim: ¡Animo! As they
say in Spanish. Don’t give up on the page. Keep it coming, keep it up to
date. It’s a must read for me and as you once said, “if it means that all our
ex-pat Spurs faithful around the globe can keep up with the goings on, then
the site is more than worth it”. That’s exactly what it does, Jim, If not,
where would I find the scribes of Mr. Meyer, who has me in fits!! So much so
I want to go to his Kent Pub and have a listen to the banter whence I visit
the shores anew. Keep up your great work Jim, and remember, you like me are Spurs
through and through. I know your beef, but the lilywhite is part of you. And
a part of all you other readers of this. We are truly a lucky bunch to have
seen the glory, and it will be back. Good luck to all and sundry Steve Edmunds Monterrey, Mexico
Guy Edema As long as we do not have to go
through the turmoil of last season, I'll be a happy man. Some Spurs fans
reckoned they enjoyed last season as a break from the norm - in my mind,
they're just masochists. I'm pretty pleased that we do
not have the distractions of Europe this term and believe it will give us a
chance to play with a bit more freedom. A good run in the league would see us
finish 5th or 6th. I hand on heart think that the coveted 4th
spot is still a season or two away. I think a 3rd consecutive
League Cup final appearance at Wembley is a realistic target, but more
importantly, would love a good run in the FA Cup. My top tip to you all - place a
few of your hard earned on Defoe to win the golden boot. He looks super sharp
at the moment and I see this as a massive season for him. Fingers crossed he
stays injury free, scores loads and gets the nod for the World Cup next
summer. All in all, this should be a
comfortable season for the Lillywhites. COYS!! Read more stuff by Guy on his
topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-guy.htm
Laurence Coss If you follow these 3 principals, you should remain a wise and contented individual: Don’t expect Spurs to get off to a good start Don’t expect pre-season games to mean anything come first game Don’t believe we will buy all the players we are linked with I’m not saying that we are destined to have a crap start, but sometimes we go too far the other way and believe we are ready for a push into Big Four territory. After three consecutive seasons with below average starts, it might be nice this season to just be undefeated after opening 4 or 5 games. It will be interesting to see how Crouch and Bassong settle, and hopefully Palacios will continue to shine in the middle. Will be interesting to see who exactly will be first choice up front, but more importantly, if Harry Redknapp can utilise our one genuine world class talent in Modric. I think most fans would sacrifice cup runs for a good season in the league, but it would be good to be more consistent in the league (especially away from home), and maybe we are due an FA Cup run. As always watch this space for the rollercoaster ride that is Spurs. It just remains for me to say; Unlike a former player who was bitter And voiced his thoughts like a twitter The rest of the team can’t wait For the points to accumulate At least ‘Arry’s wife wouldn’t miss a sitter! Read more stuff by Laurence on
his topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-lcoss.htm
TV’s Rabbi Crackers What used to be a football season and is now but a wallet waving freak show is once again upon us. Who will win it ? who cares really. Top flight football in England seems to have mirrored the life of Michael Jackson. Once natural looking, turning out fayre that was good value and memorable that has gradually turned into a horribly disfigured shadow of itself. Spurs under the tenure of in working mans terms a rich man but in the world of prem football but a pauper, will get nowhere near the top table to gorge on the junk food that is champions league. I think it will be another season of bumble along in with Everton Vile and the spammers; the inevitable away defeats to teams like wolves where we should be winning and the occasionally point or two at places like the emirates or the bridge to give a glimmer of lost love back. The coffin of football containing the brainless remains of the game that we used to love is carried a little closer to its final resting place every season. Farewell my summer love that used to be a thriller. its a plain as the nose that used to sit in the middle of you plastic face, that the working man's game has long since beat it. (when you are watching Spurs on Sky, make sure you
click on that red button to bring up fanzone when the great Crackers is on,
and what him run verbal witty rings around his co commentator, quite simply
the best thing on Sky – CLICK
HERE TO ACCESS CRACKERS PAGE ON SKY
- and make sure you click on those microphones to vote for the great
man as Sky’s number one – Jim Duggan) Jürgen from Belsize Park I'm afraid I fail to get
excited about yet another season that is guaranteed to end in mediocrity. With Man City effectively creating a Top 5
Spurs will be lucky to scrape into the Europa League alongside Aston Villa et
al. where Frankie Sky+ We are capable of beating any of the Sky 4 on any given day, so here’s wishing we become hard to beat and not an expected 3 points for anyone be it Home or Away. Beating Man U would be a joy only outdone by beating the Goons. Anyway the whole thing is a money-making sham but like any addict I just can't give it up. Get me a ticket for a day out at Wembley...."You know it makes sense"..............Frankie Sky +......... Martin Cloake Compared to many teams, there are plenty of plus points for Spurs as we enter a new season. We have a manager who appears to be in charge of the football team, whose targets seem to be based on football reasons rather than potential sell-on value, and who seems to have the board’s backing. And we have a squad of decent players who should be able to challenge for honours, and who showed in patches last season they could play proper football the Spurs way. But we’ve all said that before. How we do this season will depend on how the following questions are answered. Will we show some long-overdue character on the pitch? Will Redknapp and the board fall out? Will Redknapp feel able to try to win every competition he enters? All that’s without the questions on the playing side, and without perhaps the biggest question of all – will our bungling board come up with yet another way to mess things up even if we do start looking good? Much will depend on players stepping up. I still feel nervous any time the ball is near Gomes, but he did improve at the end of last season and we have to hope he becomes the reliable last line of defence we need. We’ve got six players capable of playing centre back, with any two from Woodgate, Dawson, Bassong and – assuming the saga continues, King being equal to most sides outside last season’s top 4. In Benoit and Corluka we have a couple of fine first-choice full backs, and a stockpile of right backs to draw on. Palacios should be the second name on the teamsheet, behind Lennon – last season’s star performer. With Modric also finding his feet, that’s a decent middle three. Keane is key – if he regains the form he had when he left us he should be able to link play and give us options to go with a 3-1-2 up front or a flat 4. I’m glad Redknapp is looking at a midfield role for Robbie, and with Jenas, the much-underrated Huddlestone and – who knows – even Bentley there’s plenty with which to explore options. Modric and Lennon can both play wide or through the middle, which gives some exciting options. Up front, I think Crouch will surprise a few people, and with Defoe he forms a partnership proven to work in this league. I’d expect more from Pavlyuchenko now he’s had some rest, too. Many clubs would love to have those players, but we’ve seen promise before. There’s no reason we can’t do as well as anyone, but Spurs being Spurs it would be foolish to put money on anything other than a top-of-mid-table finish. I’m still looking forward to some decent football though, and for all the pessimism around, I’ve always got the memory of the hopelessly dark days of Graham and Sugar to fall back on. Read more stuff by Martin on his
topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-martinc.htm
Brian Enos, all the
way from California Here’s a challenge to the top brass at Spurs to make this year the year to break the same old mid-table mould through which it fleeces its supporters year after year, and come up with an approach refreshingly different from running the squad considering only the short term bottom line. This means keeping Modric, and Lennon, and Wilson, keeping some consistency in the coach's stable, refrain from or cease altogether overpaying washed up hasbeens, and playing the best eleven regardless of salary. Or thereabout Greg Meyer: 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. Read more stuff by Greg on his
topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-greg.htm
JimmyG2: Watch and enjoy. 'The more sand that escapes from the hourglass of our life the more clearly we should be able to see through it'. That Machiavelli eh, he's got that right. Listen to the voice of experience. You never lose money betting against Spurs as one old guy once told me. He was broke too so like me he obviously found it difficult to take his own advice. First though I would like to point out that not one pundit, expert, fan, ITK, clairvoyant or Blogger forecast the 2pts. in 8 games scenario last year. No-one even got near it. No-one even hinted at it. Nobody had us toying with both relegation and Europe in the same season. Some didn't mention either Europe or relegation but referred to 'mid-table mediocrity'. Well fair enough they were more or less right but for the wrong reasons. I am often wrong but for the right reasons; an important difference. I am hesitant to reveal my predictions from last year but the phrases: 'good pre-season'; 'talented young squad'; 'top class manager'; 'challenging for the Top Four'; 'this could be the season', come embarrassingly to mind. But I didn't get where I am today by not learning from my mistakes. This year I am going to be more cautious, much more cautious. So, in positive mode: we won't get relegated. In negative mode: we won't get into Europe. So mid table mediocrity it is then. Any more for the roller coaster? Or in view of the returning players is it a roundabout? All the things I said pre-season last year were true but it didn't make any difference once the season started. Last year I leapt onto the barricades once more and shouted my defiance to the world. I was shot down in the first eight games. This year with the addition of Palacios we are probably stronger but the centre half difficulties might be our banana skin this year certainly for the first few weeks of the season. With limited changes, so far, we should be able to build on our performances during the run in last season and there are Naughton, Livermore, Bostock and other youngsters lining up. Normally I would be enthusiastic not to say over enthusiastic. But is this squad good enough to challenge for Europe in view of the improvements in other sides? Will we perform as well this year against the top clubs? I think we will hold our position from last year even if we make a better start which surely we must. But this is my 'Year of the Hedgehog', rolled up into a ball so they can't get to my tenderer parts. If we do better then me and Harry will both be 'over the moon' and I will end the season in a better frame of mind than I began it, instead of disappointed and let down. Strategic negativity we call this at Chez JG2. I've waited several decades for the renaissance at Tottenham so a few more years won't matter. 'Good football before success; success through good football' is JimmyG2's slogan. Although with the sand rapidly running out you don't want to be leaving it too long lads. Read more stuff by JimmyG2 on
his topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-jimmyg2.htm
Colin Ashby: The dawning of another season, same old hopes and aspirations, but the history of the past couple of seasons has tempered the euphoric thoughts about making the top 4 with a real kick in the arse realism. Harry has no excuse this time out, the 2 points from 8 games, could mean he will head the same way as Jol and Ramos, heaven forbid! I suppose I am happier and feel more confident that we haven't had another mass clear out of squad players and brought in a load of new names, nobody from overseas who will take half a season to adjust, so the squad with a bit of tinkering looks good enough to be part of the second league within the PL after the top four plus City. Consistency and confidence will help us, and the signs from the second half of last season augur well for this. I am desperate to see us win something, so once again I start a season full of hope, but this year it is tinged with, as I said earlier, "realism". So this season, I would love to see us
have 16 points from the first 8, see players like Rose and Bostock given a
chance and any other youngster. This is World Cup year so performances from
the likes of Lennon, Defoe, Crouch could not only enhance their value but
their value to the club as well. I want to see us play well, entertain and
give the so called top 4/5 a run for their money. I believe that on our day
we can beat anyone in the league, but sadly we can get beaten as well, so if
we can improve our away form, whilst maintaining our home consistency and
meanness about giving goals, then we will be alright. Read more stuff by Colin on
his topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-colin.htm
Il Falcone: At this time of the year it's expected that all football fans express renewed hope and excitement for the coming season - it's what the club owners, the media, sponsors, and advertisers demand of their malleable customers. However, in the spirit of a being a miserable old git, I'm not going to join the optimists' club and say Spurs are going to achieve this and that - too many times such positive thinking has been rudely undone by the reality of how our club and football in general both function in the modern era. The top four will remain unchanged, unless Man City's despicable new riches enable them to gatecrash the party. If neutrals are hoping that City make the breakthrough, then it's a sad reflection of where the game is that we feel the whims and indulgences of despotic oil billionaires rewarding grasping players, agents and assorted marketing execs is somehow ‘good’ for the game. Villa, Everton, and maybe Fulham as an outside bet will briefly threaten to upset the status quo before realising the error of their ways and retreating to their rightful place, tugging their forelocks as they go. The usual suspects will occupy mid table, and there’ll be a whole season's worth of everybody patronising Burnley for their 'plucky' but futile efforts to stay up. Tottenham? Who the hell knows. There are some positives: the potential is there, as always, thanks in no small part to some of the most loyal and financially generous fans in the world; the role of manager increasingly looks like living up to the name, now that the DoF system has been ditched, and Redknapp, for all his faults, knows how to spot a good player and appears to be addressing some long-standing weaknesses and imbalances. Crouch could be a good signing, even if the willing loss of our top scorer is a puzzle. But this is Spurs we’re talking about – the embodiment of a club that puts faith in hope triumphing over reality. Much depends on avoiding injuries that expose the thinness of the squad, and making a good start will be key. With Liverpool, Chelsea and Man Utd to play before September is out the indications are that someone will be repeating that ‘2 points from 8 games’ mantra soon enough, whether it’s Redknapp, or his replacement if Levy presses the panic button again. The irony is that Spurs players tend to raise their game for the big matches and fail against the dross, illustrating a perennial Tottenham problem: we are a confidence side, relying on millionaires to feel motivated to produce as the mood takes them. A sorry indictment of those currently privileged to wear the white shirt (now despoiled by some abysmal yellow flashing), but an observation borne out of cold reality. The likelihood is that, without the addition of the truly good players that the top 4 seem to have a monopoly on, paying the big wages such quality demands, Spurs and the rest of the also-rans will be left to compete for the scraps. It’s been interesting to note that this summer, the second-rank clubs, of whom Spurs are now sadly a member, appear to have been shuffling each other’s packs and looking for relative unknowns from the lower leagues and Europe. The notion that a non-CL club could sign a decent player from a current CL club they would prefer to keep is almost laughable. Only City, with their outlandish handouts appear able to buck that rule. The consequence is that, while Spurs are better placed than most to succeed, the probability is we’ll hover around the Europa league places and have a couple of good cup runs, but only if the draws are generous. And that’s about as good as can be expected. Welcome back to the greatest league in the world. Read more stuff by Il Falcone
on his topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-ilfalcone.htm
Slabber It’s that delusional time of year when we can get overly optimistic about what the season may bring. I wasn’t very excited until, strangely, we signed Peter Crouch. There’s not much between Bent and Crouch on paper, and Bent is the better goal-scorer. But for some reason I just think our permutations up front just now look far more potent. I suppose I just don’t fancy Bent playing with anyone. The pre-season form seems good, though we’ve been there before, but really, the only position that concerns me is a partner for Palacios in the middle. Jenas, Huddlestone, O’Hara… None of it quite hits the spot for me, especially away from home. But generally, we should see improvement from Modric and Super Pav, Bassong should provide enough options at the back, Gomes should be more consistent, and who knows, maybe even Hutton will turn out to be alright. There’s still a bit of time left for Harry to pull another rabbit out of his hat. He recently emphatically ruled out a move for Ashley Young, so there might be something going on there. I’ve done a bit of stat hunting and, by my quick calculations, I think we averaged 2 points in 3 from the end of January’s transfer window. That would put us right up in the top four. Read more stuff by Slabber on
his topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/thfccol-slabber.htm
Jim Duggan Its that time again…
seemingly earlier each year… for the start of another new season (the 100th
anniversary of the Spurs first season in the top flight of English football
should anyone give a monkeys Season
1909/10). If nothing else, I still know me history! Its traditional to
start these previews with some optimism (however ill founded and lacking in
conviction) and to finish off with some platitude along the lines of “well at
least its not going to be boring” (and apologies if any of my fellow
voxpoppers have chipped in with something similar) The thing is, the EPL
as a contest is going to be predictable… Spurs will finish somewhere between
5th and 12th with a somewhere between 62-53 points,
rolling over the real pony at home, winning/drawing most home games but struggling away and in all games the
elite... and predictable is boring. Just another second tier EPL franchise
going through the motions for another visit to the money trough, its modern
raison d’etre. We’re just paying First Class fares for a Premium economy
seat, and looking wistfully back to the golden age, imaginary or real. Even if the
defensively solid displays towards the end of last season are repeated and
improved upon… which for all the best will in the world is something that
must be open to question given the current injury issues at the back… Spurs
may bag an EPL record 70 points… which may not even be good enough for a
podium finish, just an extra wedge of dough. For all the bluster at the end
of the season about the race for 4th, 5th or even 6th,
if it ain’t got a medal, it’s does not have any intrinsic sporting worth.
There is not a reciprocal worse case as anything behind 8th to 15th
ish which is as low as Spurs could conceivably finish is just a homogeneous
layer of beige which is instantly forgotten, season on season. The paradox in all
this is that largely meaningless but expensive EPL games are sold out but cup
games, steps on the road to Wembley, a venue which still has glory
connotations and competitions Spurs can genuinely win which are at much lower
prices, are poorly attended. It just goes to show the power of
marketing/advertising That said, not even a
Wembley Cup final could tempt me away from the armchair last season to attend
a live game and I can’t see myself returning anytime soon. Apart from meeting
up with pals before and after the game, its an infinitely more rewarding
experience to watch a few games of Spurs a season when it suits other
commitments on the comfort of the sofa with a glass of Paul Masson California
Carafe in hand, with instant access to replays etc rather than shelling out
£50 for a ticket to be wedged into a plastic seat, not knowing what sort of
nutters you are going to be sat next to but almost certainly knowing there is
going to be someone within earshot who starts slagging Jenas from warm up
onwards, spied on by old bill, given a list of dos and don’t to restrict
behaviour by the club to be enforced by 100s of stewards and then having all
the travel issues of getting too and from the game. The test to see if you
still like the football for the football, is to go a game without going to
the pub… and if the cold turkey of realising how ordinary the matchday
experience is sober… why not just cut out the middle man and meet up with yer
mates in the pub watching the game on an arab channel as that £50 per head
ticket makes for a formidable whip. There have been some
funny comings and goings since Mr Harry took over but its fair to say he did
a great job in sorting out the shambles Wendy Random left him (I wonder if
those rowntree random adverts where inspired by Mr Harry’s predecessor).
Redknapp has followed a very similar path to Jol in his first steps in
sorting Spurs out – stop the goals going in. Spurs went from 57 goals
conceded to 41 under Jol’s first season and the 61 conceded with the zonal
marking under Ramos was down to 45 under Redknapp. I think its fair to
say its going to be more of the same next season as keeping it tight at the
back is going to be Spurs best chance of competing and hopefully with the
experience of unconvincing wins under Jol being better than unconvincing
defeats under the same manager when he was under pressure for style as well
as substance, Spurs fans (including myself) can be more forgiving of style if
results are coming. Redknapp brings common sense and style of play familiar
to the fans and hopefully the fans can reward this with some patience in the
sticky times, remembering his brief is to only win football matches In both cases, the
goalkeeper (Robbo/Gomes) was lauded as some sort of hero of the recovery but
this may have been overstated as the shutting off of the goals starts from
the forwards and is a team and organization success. Personally I still don’t
dig Gomes as he appears to have a flakey character when the pressure was on
but look forward to having my mind changed this season As mentioned above,
this solid platform is threatened by a defensive crisis which currently has
the real Spurs captain entering his 12th season in the first team
Ledley King, Woodgate and the reliable Dawson unavailable. In time honoured
fashion, Spurs have raided a relegated club… presumably the logic follows
that a player good enough for relegation one season is going to be good
enough to make the jump up to challenge the elite the next…er… with Bassong
who should have an early opportunity to show his worth. Hopefully he can
settle well at Spurs and establish himself as the long term successor to
Ledders and/or Woodgate. While Berbatov may have behaved like a wanka towards
the end, surely going to champions league outfits like Dortmund and champions
league players like the ‘cranky whore’ himself should be where Spurs should be
looking to position themselves to make an assault on the elite. That said, of
all the players available and likely to do well at Spurs, Peter Crouch should
be an excellent signing not just in terms of his contribution of goals but he
will be the first forward since Kanoute who should be able to form effective
partnerships with either Keane, Defoe or the Russian fella if he is not
discretely moved on. Of all the buybacks,
the £8m spent for one start and two subs that Willy McKay’s Chimbonda managed
in the league last season did not seem terribly good value and despite being
made captain on his return, it is not obvious that Keane will be the first
choice to partner Crouch. That said, he battled his way back into the team at
Defoe’s expense from the bench back in 2005/6 and the competition between the
two can only be good for Spurs. Either way, Spurs have a much better balance
to striking options with Crouch and.. and either Keane or Defoe starting with
the other ready to come on from the bench, a role that should not be
underestimated given the increasing number of goals coming from substitutes. This time last year I
was genuinely convinced that Bentley was going to be a special signing but
turned out to be useless and it was Lennon who finally converted all that
promise into performances which won him deservedly the the player of the
season. Bentley’s problem appeared to be mental and not ability and hopefully
it can be something Spurs can work through...although Spurs tend to throw
away rather than fix players who have lost form. In the middle, marmite Jenas
delights managers and frustrates fans wherever he goes while Palacios
industry and Modric guile should do very well against most sides, although
Palacios would do well to remember the failings of Zokora where being seen to
work hard is as important with the customers. For all the lack of
excitement about Spurs achievement horizons, there is plenty to be relatively
contented with. Spurs have a balanced squad of decent if not brilliant
players who should enable Spurs to go into most games as favourites and its
likely that Spurs will win more than they lose and score more than they let
in this season which is surely the broad barometer of what constitutes a
good/bad season, before all the added expectation of high prices and history
are factored in. With three elite sides
in the first six games and a possibly creaky defence, lets hope those dummies
who run the club (the spurs board, not the Icelandic bank who hold the shares)
are too busy counting their money to put early pressure on the manager should
things not go well early on as it should be remembered the last time Spurs
qualified for Europe through the league, they were 1-1-4 after the first six
games, a profile which has also seen three managers sacked over recent
seasons. And while it may seem far fetched, the dead hand of the Spurs
boardroom has been seen to have a long and often clumsy reach Enjoy the season and
remember its just a game! Read more stuff by Jim Duggan
on his topspurs column, http://www.topspurs.com/jmdview.htm
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