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Triffic Tottenham – Spurs News Blog and Forum

wishboner

Am I Bovvered?

17 Responses »

Sep 262010

Losing to West Ham yesterday has ended a week most Spurs fans would like to forget,after earlier being unceremoniously dumped out of the Carling cup at home to near rivals Arsenal, albeit fielding an under strength team. It was always going to be about prioritising for the coming season and Harry set his stall out on Wednesday when he appeared to write off the CC as a game too far. Thats fine, league game coming up followed by CL group game, you can’t argue with that…unless of course you lose all three?

Harry has done a fantastic job since taking over from Ramos and exceeded all expectations, despite that there are still those amongst Spurs fans who cannot or will not forget his past association with West Ham and other clubs. If there is one thing Harry can be criticised for, it’s his willingness to give good copy to the press often portraying him in an unfavourable light. Here are some of his comments as reported post match yesterday………

Tottenham manager H.arry Redknapp has admitted that it was good to see his old side West Ham United claim a much needed win, but admitted his disappointment that his side failed to score from any of their chances.

The Hammers ran out 1-0 winners in the London derby at Upton Park, thanks to Frederic Piquionne’s first-half strike.

And Redknapp, who spent eight years as a player at Upton Park, notching 172 appearances, before a seven-year spell as manager, praised the performance of the Hammers.

“It’s disappointing in the end but full credit to them, West Ham, it’s good to see them get a win, they needed a win, but we’re disappointed we didn’t get the three points as well,” Redknapp told Sky Sports.

“It was an exciting game for the neutrals I’m sure today. It was end to end stuff, it was like a basketball game: we attacked, they attacked, we attacked, they attacked.”

Tottenham missed a glorious chance to level the match in the second half, when, after rounding West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green, Tom Huddlestone blazed his shot over the crossbar with the goal gaping, and Redknapp conceded that football has a way of throwing these things up.

“There were chances galore for both teams and we had a great chance second-half, and Green’s pulled off a couple of great saves first-half for them,” Redknapp added.

“Their ‘keeper’s [Rob Green] pulled off a couple of world-class saves, so has our ‘keeper, but they stuck their chance away, and we had some great chances but couldn’t stick one away, but that’s how it goes.”

Very magnaminous of you Harry but a word of warning, even the most succesful of managers need only a few defeats for the fans to turn on them, for we of the football fraternity are a fickle, fickle bunch. Try and look the least bit bothered when giving the interview of the defeated manager and please give some indication you’ve identified the impotence in our strikeforce rather than suggest we were thwarted by another inspired display of goalkeeping.

Striker Light?

19 Responses »

Sep 232010

Now the Carling cup has been put to bed for another season we can hopefully concentrate on getting back to winning ways in the domestic league whilst at the same time trying to consolidate our position in Europe. To do that you need a squad who’s depth is capable of withstanding highly charged intensive fixtures, that often tend to give little or no let up in frequency.

My immediate concern squad wise, is our strike force who seem to be firing blanks at the moment. I heard one of the football pundits comment recently, although we have four ‘good’ strikers none of them can be regarded as ‘spectacular’ and I have to say I go along with that. All of our forwards would get in most PL teams but I don’t think any of them would necessarily be the number one choice, nor be courted by any of the so called bigger clubs either.

In no particular order lets firstly look at Jermain Defoe, currently injured he seems to be Harry’s preferred option when fit. Looked as if he was about to hit a rich vein of form when sustaining an injury while on international duty and is likely to be out until just before the next transfer window opens. Pros… a veritable pocket rocket if used correctly, prolific when in form, applies a shoot on sight policy and has often been described as a ‘natural’ goalscorer. Cons…His selfishness can be his downfall, opting to shoot when a pass might have been more fruitful. Sometimes criticised for only being able to score against the lesser sides.

Next under the microscope is Roman Pavlyuchenko , who some say has been unfairly treated when it comes to team selection. Purchased as a belated replacement for Berbatov, Pav arrived after almost completing an arduous Russian season and quite frankly looked shattered for his first few games. Pros…great striker of the ball, very difficult to stop when on a good run and has a good goals per game ratio. Cons…sometimes accused of being lazy and lethargic, looks isolated in the lone striker role, and needs to be loved.

Referred to as 2mp Peter Crouch comes in for a lot of unfair criticism mainly down to his appearance. A former Spurs trainee, Crouchie had to leave for further fields to establish himself before returning as a PL player in his own right. Pros… His presence can be very unsettling to the opposition and is a quite effective plan B, scored vital goals on more than one occasion (including the winning CL clincher) a target man capable of holding the ball up when required to. Cons…Loses the ball far too easily in the tackle, poor aerial ability for his height and his presence seems to invite us to play the long ball game.

Lastly we have your man Robbie Keane a one time hero and Spurs favourite who left us to play for one of the numerous clubs he seemingly supported as a boy. His return has divided opinion, though all agree he is no longer the player he once was. Pros..In his day he was the ‘dogs’ movement, passing, strike rate you name it, he forged a fantasic partnership with Berbatov one of the best seen at the Lane imo. Cons…a shadow of his former self who is now limited to the odd cameo role where he is shown up as a pointy shouty person who just seems to get in the way.

So what do yo think, do we persevere with them, or do we ship some out and ship some in, if so who goes and who stays? In any case, the window is months away, so who do you think we should be playing up front at the moment and what formation should we use?

‘Pay up Pompey, Pompey pay up’

1 Response »

Sep 182010

Seems like we are to benefit to the tune of one million pounds from a player we never even signed, according to reports. This latest information comes to light as Portsmouth’s cavalier and irresponsible approach to running the finances of a football club come once again under the microscope.

During last season’s ‘firesale’ of players to keep HMRC off their back it was thought a joint deal involving Younes Kaboul and Asmir Begovic had been agreed with a cash sum provided up front. Both parties were surprised to kearn the POMPEY no2 turned up at Stoke and a war of words ensued.

Begovic eventually moved to Stoke on deadline day in January, shortly after which Pompey went into administration, since when they have been disputing whether they actually owe Tottenham the money.

Now the Premier League have become involved and have been satisfied that Portsmouth are contractually obliged to pay Spurs the money. If payment still does not materialise, the league will top-slice it off the cash due to be received by Portsmouth at the end of next year in parachute payments and pass directly it on to Spurs.

Tottenham said in a statement earlier this year: “Our original agreement with Portsmouth was forthe purchase of two players for a combined, agreed price. The transfer of Younes Kaboul was completed and Portsmouth pressed for an immediate payment to alleviate their cash flow situation.

“To assist Portsmouth with their financial difficulties we paid Portsmouth an agreed sum of money, whilst at the same time concluding an agreement that, should Begovic be sold or loaned to any club other than ourselves, we would be repaid the sum of £1million.

“Portsmouth were keen to openly and freely agree to this surety.”

These revelations possibly shed some light on why the negotiations of a possible loan deal between the 2 clubs for Kyle Naughton have been so protracted?

Wolves at the Door.

7 Responses »

Sep 162010

After Spurs’ introduction into the Champions League on Tuesday its back to the business of the domestic league and time for Harry Redknapp to manufacture a cohesive strategy for this seasons assault on the top four. It’s a fine act to balance and will demonstrate if Harry has got that ‘something’ extra all successful managers need to be able to do well in Europe but at the same time maintain their hold in the higher echelons of the premier division of English football. Starting his managerial career at Bournemouth the ex West Ham player’s one wish before retiring was to have a chance of managing one of the ‘big’ clubs.

Breaking Spurs into the top four in his first full season was a triffic achievement when many thought he was merely a stop gap appointment, given the job for the sole purpose of saving the club from relegation. Harry won many fans over during that period transforming the team’s fortunes, turning the home ground into ‘fortress’ Lane and ending the season only just missing out on a European spot. ”Two points from eight games” became his catchphrase and given we only lost out to ManU in the CC final after extra time it was only fitting he be offered a new contract as a reward.

Over the years Spurs have gone through periods when they either did well against the so called lesser clubs, yet poorly against the bigger clubs or, like last season, do well against the bigger clubs and come unstuck against the lesser clubs. I mean no disrespect to any of these clubs and wouldn’t want to take anything from their victorys at the time but the secret of being successful is to stay focussed and get on with the job in hand regardless of who the opposition is. This happened at the Hawtorns last week and the same can be said of the impending visit of Wolves on Saturday (remember last season?), so come on Harry get the lads heads in the right place, these kind of games are bread and butter and should not be taken lightly. Lets play well for 90 minutes rather than only 45, I’m not even asking for pretty football, 3 points will do. COYS.

Friendly Fulham Pics.

9 Responses »

Sep 152010

No rest for some people… an arranged friendly took place at the Spurs Lodge earlier today between a strong looking Tottenham XI and Fulham, surprisingly included in the line up was Robbie Keane who featured for us in the latter stages of last nights game against Werder Bremen in Germany.

Robbie Keane opened the scoring early from the penalty spot and it took until the 82nd minute for Roman Pavlyuchenko to double the lead from 25 yards.

Harry Kane was then upended in the penalty area in the last minute and picked himself up to slot home from the spot for the final 3-0 scoreline.

Keane started up front with Giovani and coach Tim Sherwood switched the front two for the second half with Pavlyuchenko partnering in-form youngster Kane.

Stipe Pletikosa, Alan Hutton, Kyle Naughton, Sebatien Bassong, Sandro, David Bentley and Niko Kranjcar all started.

Sandro played the full 90 minutes and it’s also worth noting that young defender Steven Caulker, outstanding on loan at Yeovil last season, played 70 minutes on his return from injury.

Tim said: “We had a lot of experienced players out there and sometimes these friendly matches are all about their fitness.

“It was good to see Sandro play 90 minutes and Steven Caulker made his comeback. He was told to take it easy and therefore only played the 70 minutes.

“It was another good test and the players should all have got something out of it.”

Spurs XI: Pletikosa, Hutton (Byrne, 46), Naughton, Livermore, Bassong, Caulker (Durojaiye, 70), Bentley, Sandro, Giovani (Kane, 46), Keane (Pavlyuchenko, 46), Kranjcar (Luongo, 78).

Harry Kane impressed once again so don’t be surprised if Harry brings him in for one of the cup games as back up. Nice to see Sandro get a full shift in too, must have been an easy pick up for the arranged transport all they had to do was pick Keano up at arrivals then pop round to departures for Sandro? …..Enjoy the Pics.