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Match Preview: Stoke v Tottenham Hotspur

December 9th, 2011 Posted in Articles, Match Previews, Premier League
Dec, 09 2011
1 Comment »

THFC1882 welcomes another guest writer on board. This time it’s Glen Bocking. Glen is an Essex boy but now lives in Stoke so is handily placed to attend this game. Glen’s first Spurs memories are the ’91 FA Cup semi and final! Great start to his Spurs watching! Glen’s favourite player of all time is Erik Thorsvedt, closely followed by Darren Anderton. His favourite current player is Michael Dawson. Anyway over to Glen for the preview of Tottenham Hotspurs visit to Stoke:

So, we take our fantastic run (wwwwdwwwwww in case you hadn’t heard) to ‘The Brit’, home of Stoke City, one of those grounds that always gets referred to as a ‘tough place to go’ and where visiting fans are generally happy to say ‘I’ll take a point’ etc etc etc.

But, given our recent run, should us Spurs fans just adhere to aforementioned standard visiting fan sound bite? Sure they are a tough team to play at their gaff but can their slow and cumbersome CM partnership and equally slow and cumbersome back line cope with the pace that we can put in front of them? Is Matty Etherington going to give their left back enough help with Lennon and Walker charging at them, likewise with Pennant and Wilkinson against Bale and ‘disco’ Benny?

I’m really not so sure to be perfectly honest, sure enough their wingers are decent and shouldn’t just be left to their down devices but other than that what do they really have to scare a team on the sort of run that we’re currently on (aside from the obvious threat that is Rory Delap’s high school javelin like throwing ability), their central midfield pairing of Delap and Whelan is not a patch on Parker and Modric. Stoke absolutely will not have come up against a team playing the kind of football we are at the moment and will have to go some in order to stop us, their highly regarded crowd will certainly be up for it and I’m sure the ‘apprentice’ Tony Pulis would love to put the mockers on our recent run and get one over on his old ‘master’ ‘Arry.

Danger Men

Sorry Stoke fans but this is a lot easier to pick for your team than Spurs, Crouch against his former club (where it all ended a bit acrimoniously if the papers are to be believe) is always one to watch out for, don’t give Whelan space to hit a shot from distance as he is half decent, aside from that it’s really a case of not giving them easy throw-ins where Delap can free his arms and don’t allow Pennant or Etherington to get a running start at our fullbacks

Now to Spurs danger man, erm…. Where do I start, it could be anyone couldn’t it? Modric is just pure class as we know, Lennon is showing the sort of form we all know he can (keep it up son), Bale has added a new dimension to his game, having a trick to get past defenders whilst also drifting inside on occasions thus making it hard for him to pick up, and what about the revelation that is Kyle Walker… while positioning is not yet one of his better assets, he has the pace (and then some) to recover when he caught out by a ball over the top. Also, with Bale now starting to drift infield more than we’re used to, Benny has used this to rampage forward every now and again, delivering a half decent cross or a ball to Lennon or Walker out on the right, he’s also no slouch getting back.

 Tactics/Team News

Neither team is going to spring a massive surprise in terms of tactics, we all know pretty much who is going to play (fitness allowing) and we all know how Stoke will set up and how we’ll play. Stoke will work hard as usual and their crowd will cheer all throw-ins as if they’ve just got a penalty (how many goals have they got as a direct result of a Delap thrown in lately anyway?) whereas we’ll look to carry on the fast pace stuff we’ve trotted out game after game after game.

For me the biggest decision for either manager will be ‘Arry’s choice about who to play up front, surely he won’t dare to leave Rafa out for a second game in a row will he? Rafa has come out in the press this week and says he fully understands the reasons for him being on the bench, which is all very good but you get the impression that now he’s had a week to rest his dodgy hamstring and an extra week of training with the team that he fully expects to be starting on Sunday, will the gaffer risk annoying Rafa by leaving him on the bench again? I think he should but I fully expect him to be lining up alongside the in-form Adebayor. Of course the only other bit of team news is a collective Spurs fans prayer that Ledley (he’s better than John Terry) is fit and recovers from the ‘minor knock’ he took in training.

Key to the game

I think the key to the game lays on the flanks, if we can push their wingers back more often than they can do so to ours then I think we’ll swarm all over them, aside from the route one stuff Stoke are ‘famous’ for, all of their creativity comes from Pennant and Etherington, stop them and I think we stop Stoke City.

Prediction

This is the part I dislike very much, I’m not one for predictions as it generally ends up with you looking like a fool or being blamed for a defeat in a game you should have won, that being said I’m going for a conservative 2-1 to Spurs and for the run to keep going for another week. This and the fact that living in Stoke as I do will mean for a much nicer day at work on Monday than if they win, although if Stoke lose then certain fans of theirs I know will invariably blame it on the ref as it’s always his fault if they lose….

 COYS

Glen Bocking (follow Glen on Twitter @gb2point0 )

Don’t forget, the Spurs Writers Club has launched and our first book – The Glory-Glory Game – will be published in early 2012, you can get your name in the book by preordering now!! Here’s the link don’t forget to enter code (SW1) in brackets next to your name on the order form. More info can be found here or on the website!

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Match Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs Bolton Wanderers

December 2nd, 2011 Posted in Articles, Match Previews
Dec, 02 2011
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THFC1882 gives a debut to Siva who previews the Bolton game for us.  Siva has been a Spurs fan all his life and as the man puts it himself  he was born with lilywhite in his vains! The first game Siva remembers was when he was 5 or 6,  Ledley King (or Mr Spurs for Siva) is his favourite player and he likes a drink in the Bell and Hare pre match.

Oh the joys of being a Tottenham Hotspur fan. Everything was going so well, unbeaten in 10 league games, winning 9 and top of the Premier League form table with very hushed mutterings of a title challenge. All that stood between us and another routine Premier League win was a home match against a European team whose name resembles that scrabble world your Dad pulled out of the bag, which vaguely resembled cheating. Yet here we stand.  After a shattering loss to the current 5th best team in Greece all those old Spurs instincts have come back. Is this the beginning of the inevitable collapse? That horrible sense of anxiety when we’re 2-0 up with 10 minutes to go and our opponent has a corner haunts us, worried we’ll suddenly remember this season’s run has been a sick dream and revert back to the Spurs of old… But it isn’t, we are 3rd with a game in hand, we’ve made our best start to a league campaign since we won the double 50 years ago and some of our players are on a list in every top managers desk draw with a big ‘?’ aside their name. I’m confused though, we are all but out of Europe yet I find myself not that bothered. Yes it’s an inconvenience to lose an outlet to give our reserve and youth players some games, and it’s a trophy that we would have liked to win, but it seems a small price to pay if it helps us cement a top 4 spot at the end of the season.

With that we look to Saturday and our match against Bolton Wanderers at White Hart Lane, incredibly our first 3pm Saturday fixture at home this season. The big fear is that Wednesday’s result may knock our momentum. In Modric, Lennon, Defoe, Walker and Bale, half of our outfield side that started against West Brom either began the game or featured and unfortunately tasted that bitter pill of defeat. We are generally excellent at home, especially in the league and against Bolton we have a record of 6 wins and a draw in our last 7 home match ups with The Trotters. Thanks to Opta I can also tell you that we have lost 1 of our last 22 home games in the league whilst Bolton have lost 15 of their last 18 away games, winning 2.

Whilst statistics can promise everything and mean nothing, those who attend WHL every week will know that there is something special brewing on that pitch. The feelings of expectation I feel when I get to the ground these days is like nothing I’ve experienced before - I believe its called confidence. We no longer have to fear the special weapons the opposition may have, because we know that if we play our football, even the best clubs have to spend just as much time worrying about our artillery and guile before they can think about unleashing theirs.

I actually have a lot of time for Bolton these days. They’ve moved on from the hoof tactics of Big Sam, as well as the anti football Megson brought to the table. Under Owen Coyle they try to play with the ball and really give it a go. Yes they still use the big lump of Kevin Davies as their focal point of attack, but he has to be respected. A crafty old fox at 34, when given the right service he is as effective a target man as there is in the Premier League. It has to be noted that Bolton are going through a horrendous injury crisis to an already thin squad, one which has stifled Coyle’s attempt to truly change the ethos of how they play.

So it comes down to how our loss on Wednesday has affected the mood in the camp and the mindset of some of the players who strived for the win but couldn’t find that goal. Given the state of Bolton and our current league form, I don’t think it is outlandish to suggest that if we turn up we should be looking at a strong home win. However we also know that we have that awful ability at any time to become the Tottenham of old again and struggle to break down well marshalled and disciplined sides - being hit on the break or from a set piece is certainly not out of the question. The bonus that Rafael Van der Vaart is fit and included in the match squad should help us. His creativity combined with his free licence to do as he pleases works well for us, especially at home (unless he’s in right midfield…). Hopefully Adebayor has rested up and is focused on continuing his good recent form; having played the 90 minutes on Wednesday, Defoe is likely to return to the bench.

I believe this season is going to signal a shift in the sands of the Premier League hierarchy. A big club is going to miss out on the Champions League at our expense, I have no doubt about that. This club has been looked after prudently, we have a chairman who has grown over time and is now strong enough to stick with his convictions and a manager who can get the best out of our creative talents by letting them go out and play as they know best. Referring back to Opta again, this is the fifth time in Premier League history that we’ve won five matches in a row, we’ve never won 6. This is a season to show the world (and more importantly the other big PL clubs) we mean business and I firmly expect us to smash this record to carry on our good form.

Prediction

I’m going for 2-0.  Bolton will be hard to break down and work nonstop for the 90. Brad Friedel will have to stay focussed with their aerial threat always a factor but I expect us to wear them down with a Lennon and Adebayor double whammy.

COYS

Siva

 

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Match Report: WBA 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur

November 27th, 2011 Posted in Match Reports, Premier League
Nov, 27 2011
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THFC1882 present a writing debut from Twitters @Brettsayid reporting on yesterday’s match:

West Bromwich Albion 1 (Mulumbu 10 ) Tottenham Hotspur 3 ( Adebayor 26 , 90, Defoe 81 )

Line ups : WBA – Foster , Reid , Olsson, Mcauley , Shorey , Brunt , Mulumbu , Morrison , Thomas , Gera ( sub , Cox ) Long ( sub , odemwinge )

Spurs – Friedel , Walker , Kaboul , King, BAE , Lennon , Sandro (sub, Livermore), Parker , Bale , Adebayor , Defoe .

With our two creative players unavailable for our game today at the Hawthorns ( Modric – virus , van der Vaart – hamstring ) Spurs came away with three very hard earned points and deserved them for putting in a 90 minute shift .
The first half was not very comfortable although Spurs did play there attacking build up style open game that we are accustomed to witnessing this season so far .
The first ten mins of the game saw West Brom take the game to us and Brad Friedel was soon to be picking the ball out of his net , when Mulumbu drifted in-between two defenders to head home the opening goal of the game , Steven Reid delivered the perfect cross for any team mate to nod home , even Darren Bent would have finished this one.
Spurs were struggling a little in midfield, Sandro looked very late and sluggish with his reading of the game and he paid the price, picking up a yellow card on 21 minutes for a clumsy challenge. Aaron Lennon was very static up till this point of the match and it took Kyle Walker to smash the ball against the advertising boards to send the message across, it worked too. Lennon then after some very well worked build up play on the right cut inside the penalty area and forced his way infront of left back Shorey to earn Spurs a penalty.
Adebayor stepped forward to take the pen for spurs and had a slice of luck when keeper Ben Foster dived to his right to parry the effort but he was able to get to the rebound first and poke home to level the scores .
Spurs were still working on winning the midfield battle and Sandro was again in the thick of controversy, he tackled a player from behind which led to a free kick to the Baggies, and also saw the second booking of the game, luckily for us it wasn’t for Sandro but that of goal scorer Mulumbu who waved an imaginary card to try and have our man removed from the field of play. Such a cowardly act was shared by the WBA boo boys and ref Kevin Friend was being accused of being a cheat and ” don’t know what your doing ” chants . Jermain Defoe tried hard to get involved in the game and had an effort blocked before half time, as van der Vaart’s replacement he really needed to do better, which was to come .

Half time – WBA 1 Spurs 1

The second half started with no changes although Bale and Lennon did exchange wings, this proved to be a very influential move. Kyle walker and Bale worked up a great understanding and it brought both wingers into the game more, it also saw our midfielders Sandro and Parker overpower the opposition and drive us on to win the game.
Spurs had at least 8 chances to score in the second period , even Sandro having an effort on goal. Jermain Defoe, Adebayor, Parker all taking aim but notably Adebayor missing the easier of the chances, although Ben Foster was there when called upon when the opposition needed him. There was one excellent build up in play started with Bale driving inside the right wing laying it into Adebayor who exchanged a one two with Defoe but the finish was lame and straight to the keepers palms. Chris Brunt picked up a yellow for chopping down Bale who went on a marauding run through the middle of the park and both strikers were on runs and awaiting a goalscoring opportunity.

Jake Livermore came on for Sandro who really had run his cause, and had done very well in the second half. Jake was very comfortable to sit and break up play which lead to Scotty Parker driving us on and looking every bit the boss as he has since putting on the Spurs shirt.
It took until the 81st minute for Spurs to secure the game with a great finish by Defoe from the edge of the box, which beat Foster to the bottom of his right corner.
West Brom bought on Odemwingie for Shane Long who gave Younus and Ledders a good game but not enough to put them out of there stride.

Spurs then allowed the home side to come onto them and played a good counter attacking game . Defoe and Bale both could and should have finished the game off, however in injury time Bale broke down the right and unselfishly lay the ball inside to Adebayor to net the winner and lead Spurs into a tenth unbeaten game streak, nine being wins . How good it is to be a Spurs fan right now .

Man of the match – Scott Parker

COYS!

Brett

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Match Preview: WBA v Tottenham Hotspur

November 24th, 2011 Posted in Match Previews, Premier League
Nov, 24 2011
2 Comments »

Saturday 26th November 2011, 3pm Kick-off. The Hawthorns.

It’s a rare Saturday 3pm Saturday kick off for Tottenham Hotspur this week. Not that the game time should faze Harry Redknapp’s dazzling Spurs side, on the face of it, not much could or should at the moment. Eight wins and one draw from the last nine, 25 points from 27 and after thrashing Aston Villa 2-0 on Monday night, up into 3rd place in the Premier League. With a game in hand. Truly outstanding form at the moment from this Spurs outfit. Heady times for supporters of the Lilywhites.

What may faze Spurs is a propensity to underperform at The Hawthorns. Spurs have won only one out of five attempts in the Premier League away to West Brom, losing two and drawing two. Redknapp’s good friend Roy Hodgson is also famed for constructing difficult to beat sides and it certainly won’t be an easy ride for Spurs. West Brom are 10th in the league currently and should not be underestimated. They were at home last time out against Bolton and grabbed a 2-1 win, although this followed successive defeats to Spurs rivals for top four, Arsenal and Liverpool. With Peter Odemwingie still sidelined – he tormented Spurs twice last season – Hodgson will look to Shane Long and Zoltan Gera to provide their main attacking impetus. Yousouf Mulumbu is also a forceful presence from midfield and it will be interesting to see him up against the unbeatable Super Scotty Parker. Winger Jerome Thomas could also prove tricky, with three goals from six games against Spurs in the Premier League he clearly relishes these games. At the back, Albion have a fairly settled back four, Reid, Olsson, McAuley and former England hopeful Nicky Shorey in front of Ben Foster. They form a reliable while not outstanding unit, if the Spurs front four hit top form then it could be a rough ride for West Brom’s back line. Manu Adebayor against Olsson could be a real physical battle to watch out for.

It seem’s unlikely that Harry Redknapp will make any changes to the Spurs line-up. There’s no need really is there? Every single player was at the top of their game on Monday night and will surely look to continue that this weekend. Brad Friedel had little to do against his old club and if Spurs play to their potential this could be repeated again on Saturday. Certainly if Younes Kaboul has anything to do with it. Kaboul tops the Premier League for headed clearances with 79!! His head must be made of stone! Alongside Ledley King, Kaboul grows and grows with each game and even his previous harshest critics are beginning to accept and appreciate the talent that he has always – in the view of this blog – had. Either side of the King/Kaboul axis, Walker and Benny will look to continue the form that see’s them rated as two of the best full backs in the league. On Monday night Aaron Lennon looked back to his electrifying best, if he maintains that, teams trying to double up on Bale will find themselves in serious trouble as Spurs now have an outlet either side. There’s not much to add about the Modric/Parker partnership that hasn’t already been said, it’s a joy to watch them work at the moment. Ahead of them Rafa van der Vaart had an excellent game against Villa without troubling the scorers. Not that it mattered with Adebayor rediscovering his scoring boots with a superb bicycle kick and the easiest goal he’ll ever score.

Prediction

It would be easy to get carried away with Spurs form and see this as a game that they will steamroller through. On paper of course that may well be true, but as any long standing Spurs fan will tell you, this is just the kind of game that could see the Lilywhites come unstuck. However this team looks different. They are a slick, cohesive unit who look to have great team spirit and unity and a huge amount of faith in each other. I’m going for Spurs to continue their good form with a 3-1 win.

COYS

Stuart Watts ( @THFC1882dotcom on Twitter )

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The Odds (from Oddschecker.com at 1630 on 24/11/11)

Tottenham Hotspur win: 10/11

Draw: 13/5

WBA win: 3/1

My prediction (Spurs 3-1): 14/1

First Scorer (Spurs players)

van der Vaart/Adebayor: 9/2

Defoe: 6-1

Bale: 13-2

Assou-Ekotto: 50-1

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Match Report: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Aston Villa

November 22nd, 2011 Posted in Articles, Match Reports, Premier League
Nov, 22 2011
3 Comments »

THFC1882 presents Rob’s guest report on last nights action:

Tottenham Hotspur team: Friedel; Walker, Kaboul, King, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Modric (Sandro, 89), Parker, Bale; Van der Vaart (Defoe, 69); Adebayor

Goals: Spurs – Adebayor 14, 40.

Harry Redknapp was welcomed back to the lane last night with a wonderful all round dominant display against a weak and abject Aston Villa side that apart from five minutes at the start of each half were never in the game.

Before the action got underway, members of the 1st and 4th Battalions of the Rifles regiment led the teams out on Tickets For Troops night at the Lane. The British Legion also received a cheque for £40k at half time from the sales of the poppy shirt Spurs wore against Fulham which is a great effort for a very worthy cause.

Spurs showed true class during the game and there were magnificent displays from all but in particular Modric, Bale and Adebayor ran the Villa team ragged all night and I’ll doubt you would see a better display from a centre back than how Kaboul played. Yet I walked away from White Hart Lane with something missing, when surely I should have been buzzing and singing we’re going to win the league. Don’t get me wrong it was a truly awesome display as we played keep ball and never let Villa settle or mount a challenge but maybe it was too easy for me and I was expecting the Jekyll and Hyde performances we have showed on occasions this season. It could be that I live on my nerves and felt uncomfortable with how calm Spurs made me last night but in any case the fact is that Spurs are a brilliant footballing team and showed the country how dangerous they are becoming.

Harry had the luxury of naming an unchanged team as Van der Vaart was passed fit. Aston Villa put out six defenders in their team with Hutton seemingly playing on the right wing and Chris Herd in centre midfield. How Stephen Ireland and Charles N’Zogbia didn’t make it into the team let alone get on the pitch is unknown to me. They feared us and rightly so.

For the first five minutes Spurs started slowly and Villa had the possession and they were looking to get at us. The usual outcries from the stands as a pass was misplaced or someone didn’t make a run were heard. That didn’t last long though as after that almost insignificant period of play was over the rest of the half was all Spurs.

We started to keep possession very well, something we did all evening, and Villa were being moved from side to side as we looked to carve them open. It didn’t take long for that to happen as Assou-Ekotto spread a glorious ball out to Lennon on the right, he skinned Warnock with ease and sent in a perfect cross for Adebayor to bullet a header in the back of the net from about 8 yards out. Well that was what should have happened but didn’t, as the big man didn’t connect properly and it drifted wide. He like the rest of us couldn’t quite believe he missed it. It wasn’t long before he rectified that miss though and what a goal it was. Just before it Kaboul thought he himself had opened the scoring as his shot from the edge of the box after a corner was deflected inches wide. From that resulting corner, the ball was deliberately floated to Bale on the edge of the box, he volleyed it into the ground and it looped up perfectly to Adebayor all alone on the 6 yard box, who spectacularly bicycle kicked it into the net. Why score the easy ones eh? From then on in to the half time whistle, Villa couldn’t get a real touch of the ball as Spurs played around them, as there players were mere spectators to the delicious football that was going on. Van Der Vaart tried his own spectacular effort after a neat corner routine with Lennon but hit the side netting, then Rafa tried to play in Adebayor with a superb ball over the top that the Togo man reactively tried a first time volley but didn’t connect properly and it went wide. Adebayor returned the favour and sent Van Der Vaart through and he saw Given off his line and tried the instant chip but that went over the bar. Villa’s only chance of the half came around the half hour mark as Heskey found room in the box but was reluctant to shoot and tried to play in Bent but because of his indecision the cross/shot evaded everyone and went well wide.

Spurs deserved a second goal for their efforts and it duly came on 40 minutes. Modric started the move as he shifted the ball out to Bale. Bale turned on the afterburners and breezed past Cuellar, as he had done all half and whipped in a dangerous cross that somehow evaded both Collins and Given and left Ade with a tap in from one yard out. His two goals a complete contrast. The half time whistle went with us very good value for our lead and another half of football to drool over.

2-0 at half time? Now where have a heard that before? This time though we built on and backed up our first half display. Villa had their five minutes at the start of the half with Bent having a header saved but once we woke up again the pattern of the first half returned with us almost toying with Villa at certain times. After all it’s very difficult to get back into a game of football if you don’t have the ball! Spurs passed the life out of them whilst making chances that really should have been taken.

The first of these chances came when Modric received the ball and turned and burst forward. Is there a better midfield player in the league with his back to goal? I doubt it. He then played an exquisite ball through for Adebayor, who look at tad offside, to run on to clean through on goal. Given didn’t commit himself and Ade put the ball wide when he should have completed his hat-trick. Kyle Walker then tried his luck from 25 yards out from a corner routine but his shot was always curling wide. Spurs continued to press for a third goal and the irrepressible Bale went on a run down the middle of the pitch, touched the ball out to Adebayor on the edge of the 18 yard line and his side footed curler went agonisingly wide. As he hit it I thought it was in. Breath-taking stuff! Adebayor had one last chance to complete his hat-trick after a goal mouth scramble but Given spread himself to deny him. Parker and Defoe, on for the trying Van Der Vaart, tried their luck from distance but their efforts went over or wide of the target.

The final whistle went and we made it 8 wins out of the last 9 games and climbed to third in the table. A fantastic night at the office. Aston Villa went home having been show how to play the beautiful game but their minds had probably been gone a while as they looked disheartened and uninterested for a lot of the game. Maybe I am doing Spurs a disservice though.

Spurs are growing as a side without doubt. We have the best all round midfield in the league, Sir Ledley is grooming Kaboul well and their own partnership is developing. Rafa and Ade are gelling as an attacking force and we have one of the best squads that we have ever had. Harry has also got them playing with such freedom and style but has also installed determination, self-belief and a winning mentality. So why have I got my cautious head on? Answers on a post card. For the time being though I will enjoy the ride we are on for however long it lasts.

COYS

Rob (follow Rob on Twitter @essexlad13 )

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Match Preview: Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa

November 19th, 2011 Posted in Match Previews, Premier League
Nov, 19 2011
1 Comment »

THFC1882 present another guest blog. It’s Rob again with his preview of Monday nights return to action

Monday 21st November 2011, White Hart Lane. 8pm Kick off Live on Sky Sports 1HD & 1

Another International break is over and we can get back to the important domestic business once again. What an International break it has been for Tottenham Hotspur’s  players though! They obviously took their confidence from our league run onto the international stage as there were Man of the Match performances from Super Scotty Parker and Kyle Walker (on his debut no less) for England, Modric for Croatia as they qualified for Euro 2012 and Bale for Wales. Even Corluka scored! If this was an Orange advertisement it would probably say the future is bright, the future is Spurs! The only down side was van der Vaart limping off for Holland with a hamstring strain.

On Monday night we welcome Aston Villa to the Lane, for what is usually an entertaining game between the 2 sides. I can still remember the 4 all draw against them four years ago when we came back from 4-1 down to claim a draw with a last gasp Kaboul equaliser. We have, in fact, only lost one of our last eleven games against the West Midlands club at home and we are undefeated in the last five league games against them, winning three of them. Last season we did the double over them as both result were 2-1 in our favour or as I like to call it Rafa Van Der Vaart 4 Marc Albrighton 2 as both got all their respective teams goals.

Within Villa’s ranks they have two old Spurs boys and one that is also on loan from us, Alan Hutton, Darren Bent and Jermaine Jenas. The latter is unable to play for them due to the Premier League rules preventing loaned players playing against their parent club. Bent and Hutton will take their place in the opposition’s line-up and I am sure they will get a good reception from the Tottenham faithful even though they have both been very vocal about their time at Spurs and, in particular under Harry Redkanpp, since they have left. Many still feel that Bent didn’t get a fair crack of the whip whilst with us, especially under Harry, and how useful would it have been to have him still in the squad last season, as he has always scored goals wherever he has been, including ourselves when given the opportunity. We also have to thank them for helping Kyle Walker develop quicker whilst he was on loan last year and I am sure Kyle views his time at Villa Park as an important phase in his career. Villa are currently sitting 8th in the league and whilst they haven’t quite clicked yet under their new manager Alex McLeish, who was installed after his predecessor Gerard Houllier was forced to give up the post with heart problems, he certainly has installed more steel into the side as they have only lost twice form their eleven games this season. They made a good acquisition in the summer by getting Shay Given to replace a certain Brad Fiedel and Gabby Agbonlahor is seemingly back to his scintillating best. If he has recovered in time to play from the hamstring injury that he picked up on England duty he will be their main threat to us. One player with bags of talent that Villa signed in the summer is Charles N’Zogbia. Whilst at Wigan he showed how good he can be, but up until now he has not repeated that form for his new club. If he does on Monday then Kyle Walker will be in for a tough night. Sillian Petrov is also in good form and loves to shoot from long range so we will have to be wary of that threat.

Whilst the International break was in full swing the news broke about Harry Redknapps impending court date. Whatever the outcome of that trial may be the talking about it is best left to the future and all I hope for is that Harry has recovered enough from his operation to take back the reins and be on the side lines on Monday night. Apart from the possible enforced absence of Rafa, who Joe Jordan rates as having a 75% chance of playing and Corluka who has an ankle problem, the rest of the side will be the same that took to the field at Craven Cottage two weeks ago, as all our other international players reported back fit. So I would imagine that Jermain Defoe will get his chance to shine in the side as I hope they won’t take a chance on Rafa, considering his problems this season with hamstring injuries. That means once again the spine of the team will be King Ledley, Scott Parker and Adebayor. Of course losing Van Der Vaart is a massive blow, especially in the form that he is in, but the squad is much stronger this year. Defoe would get in most teams first eleven and is himself in good form and we still have Modric, Bale and Lennon to be the creative force of the team as well as score some goals as they have been doing recently. Unfortunately Michael Dawson has suffered another setback in his recovery from his Achilles injury and could need another operation to clear up the problem which would keep him out long-term. Tom Huddlestone won’t be back until around Christmas and William Gallas is still recovering from a calf muscle strain he suffered on his own comeback from injury.

Prediction

Aston Villa are in a transitional period and in truth, whilst they are a difficult opponent, they aren’t anything special (famous last words) and I can see Spurs continuing their best ever start to a Premier league campaign and making it eight wins from nine games. Villa’s run of only two victories from their last nine games and the fact they haven’t won away from home this season back this up. Spurs have a real chance here to continue their momentum into a very winnable stretch of games leading up to the new year, with us only playing one other top four side, Chelsea, during this period. It won’t be a stroll in the park but I am going for the same score as in our previous 2 games and a 3-1 victory. Of course my little boy will be predicting his usual ten all draw!

COYS

Rob (follow Rob on Twitter: @essexlad13)

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Match Report: Fulham 1 – 3 Spurs

November 6th, 2011 Posted in Match Reports, Premier League
Nov, 06 2011
No Comments »

THFC1882 present Ciaran Griggs guest report:

“When is a win not a win?”

So yet another Sunday afternoon Spurs fixture and yet another fixture that 12 months ago would have struck fear into the heart of any Spurs fan. This particular writer has been accused of being overly optimistic towards Spurs results and performances this season. So let’s examine this for a second. I was born in 1982, I started following Spurs as a young Irish lad in 1990. I came to England in 1992 post the FA Cup victory. Since then, I’ve had my peaks and troughs as a fan. We nearly went down, we nearly got thrown out of the FA Cup, we had Venables, Sugar and Graham. We had Klinsmann, Ginola and Sheringham. We had Berti, Tremazzani and Doherty. We’ve had our ups-and-downs. I watched Arsenal and Chelsea overtake us in terms of the “London Hierarchy”. So, when we win, it’s amazing. When we have a season where we are, arguably, playing better football than both of those, I am going to be very optimistic. Optimism is what drives this sport, it’s the hope of the unexpected, the impossible, that drives us on!

So how does this translate to what we did today? Fulham had an early blow with Johnson out of the squad having picked up an injury in Fulham’s midweek Europe League tie. We had, on the other hand, risked none of the starting XI, naming an unchanged side from the QPR victory last weekend. So as the teams lined up, we had two 4-4-2 formations going against each other. Fulham had only one recognised winger in Duff, where Spurs had slightly more width through Bale and Lennon. Defensively, both teams managed to name consistent line-ups. In attack, Dembele and Zamora (no EPL goals for Spurs) were competing with Ade and VDV.

The game started out with both teams feeling each other out. After a tentative start, Spurs settled into a decent passing rhythm, with Parker again instrumental, whilst Modric was relatively quiet. Fulham had a decent chance with Murphy’s excellent corner headed on towards goal at speed. Friedel belied his years and got down sharply to make a decent stop at his near post. Shortly after this, Adebayor picked up the ball in a deep position in the Spurs midfield. Spraying the ball to our right, Spurs fans watched on as Walker ate up the ground to nick the ball past the labouring Riise. He showed excellent composure to halt, take stock and play the ball back to Lennon (wrong way round, right?). Lennon played the ball across and after a deflection it fell to Bale on the left. Bale, with no clear shooting angle, played a percentage drive across the goal which deflected over Baird into the waiting Fulham goal.

After that, the game meandered into mediocrity for much of the rest of the first half. The midfield battle ensued, with our width actually counteracting our ability to control the game and Fulham having the better of the possession. Spurs, as on many occasions this season, weathered the storm however and towards the end of the first half, demonstrated the qualities that have many pushing us for 3rd/4th place this season. We picked up the ball in the middle and Bale, receiving a ball slightly off the ground, performed an audacious back-heel flick to Lennon, pitching up on the left. Lennon turned his defender inside and out before dispatching the ball past Schwarzer for a 2-0 lead. The half-time whistle blew and a 2-0 lead was crystallised. During the half-time discussion, I won 2 games of pool so maintained a signficiant level of optimism going into the second half. Also, being a regular at my local, my glass never dipped below half full. An omen? Perhaps…

So the second half began and Spurs continued to match/dominate their opponents. Er, no. Spurs looked extremely tentative in the early stages, allowing themselves to be dominated by a resolute Fulham side. The pressure led to a Fulham corner in the 57th minute. An excellent delivery from a corner resulted in King heading against Kaboul’s back under pressure from Hangeland. The ball rebounded into the Spurs net. 1 own goal each and Spurs lead reduced to a slender 1-0 advantage. For the nervous Spurs fan, look away now…Spurs continued to bow under the pressure, sitting back, apparently looking to hold onto a 2-1 away victory at a typically tough ground. This resulted in an excess of Fulham pressure. Fulham had several chances to equalise during the half. After a passage of passing play late on, Dempsey rounded his compatriot Friedel, only to see his shot deflected around the post by our glorious leader, the ever magnificent Ledley King. Fulham continued to press and late on, had a significant penalty shout turned down. The ball dropped in the box and as Kyle Walker fell, the ball became trapped under his arms. For this writer, no intent was supplied by Walker and short of having no arms, Walker could not have avoided the contact. The referee had little choice with the decision, with the melee of players ensuring that his view was occluded and no real decision could be reached.

Spurs took some heart from the goal-line heroics. 12 months ago, this would have been signal for collapse. Now, however, it’s a signal that we need to finish our oppoents. Against the run of play, Spurs broke upfield and the quiet Adebayor hooked a ball back into play that late substitute Defoe ran onto and gleefully drove into the net via a deflection. 3-1 to Spurs and Fulham’s resistance was duly broken. 3 points to Spurs.

Conclusions to be drawn from the game? We didn’t play well. We allowed Fulham too much time in the midfield and we conceded far too much possession. BUT, we scored 3 goals away from home and we beat a decent Fulham side 3-1. We won our 7th game in 8 outings in the Premier League. Our wingers played significant parts, again. Yet again though, we made our subs too late and we had to fight for our victory. Last season, we fought and lost. This season, we fight and we win. Let’s stay positive Spurs, the future looks decent…

Lastly, a note to our stricken manager. Get well soon chap, we have our thoughts on your style and delivery but no Spurs fan can argue with the results. Today, we flirted with an ex and we realised that what we have now is much better. NEVER. GO. BACK.

The Spurs go marchin’ on.

COYS

Ciaran (@LordFIMM on Twitter)

 

 

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Match Preview: Fulham v Spurs

November 5th, 2011 Posted in Match Previews, Premier League
Nov, 05 2011
1 Comment »

THFC1882 presents a guest preview of Spurs visit to Fulham by Ciaran Griggs:

Premier League; Craven Cottage; Sunday 6th November; 1600 KO. Sky Sports 1/HD1

Before getting into detailed discussion about the likely lineups, tactics and outcome of yet another Sunday afternoon Spurs match, let’s get one thing out of the way first. Yes, Martin Jol is an ex-Spurs manager and yes, he was genuinely liked when at Spurs. Reading some of the tweets and Spurs comments from earlier this year though, you would think that he had taken us into the Champions League. He came close, but he didn’t achieve it. Coupled with that, when he left Spurs the team were an approximate 500 stone overweight, with 498 of those being Tom Huddlestone. Much like some advice I was given regarding girls many years ago, NEVER GO BACK. So can we move on now? Excellent.

Typically a tough match for us, despite the suggestion of recent results, Fulham are a team that swing through many peaks and troughs of form in a given season. For many years they are a team that are capable of beating the “big” teams quite comfortably at home. Equally, they have it within themselves to be demolished by a “small” team on a Saturday afternoon. So which Fulham team is likely to turn up on Sunday afternoon?

Fulham come into the match after a fairly average league run of 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats, including a credible 2-2 draw with Man City and a crushing 6-0 win over Premier League new boys QPR, our defeated opponents from last time out. Spurs on the other hand come cruising into the match with 5 wins and only a solitary draw marring our recent impressive record. Recent displays by the Lilywhites have been impressive and our front five is beginning to gel into a unit that is genuinely the envy of most of the other clubs in the Premiership. Which team wouldn’t be concerned about lining up against Adebayor, Van der Vaart, Bale, Modric and Lennon?

Fulham have a new front man for the fans to adore in their pre-season acquisition, Ruiz. A player that many Spurs fans coveted when he was signed, he scored plenty in the Dutch league but hasn’t yet fired in quite the same way in the Premier League. Fulham’s most dangerous player is likely to be their excellent attacking midfielder, Clint Dempsey. Dempsey has a proven track record of scoring in the Premier League, and his goal threat shouldn’t be discounted. Thankfully no Spurs fan is expecting a Rob Green-esque incident now that we have our own Mr Dependable, Brad Friedel between the posts.

Typically for a Jol side, Fulham play a fairly attacking team, going with a 4-3-3 last time out with Dembele, Johnson and Zamora spearheading their attack. Danny Murphy, an ex Spurs player, pulls the strings in the midfield. Though he is some way off his form of two seasons ago, Murphy still has the ability to hit a defence-splitting ball for his 3 strikers to chase down. If only we had a combative central midfielder to snuff out the Fulham threat…

Despite the absence of our own manager, Harry Redknapp, due to minor heart surgery (get well soon H!), the expectation is that Spurs will continue to line-up with a very attacking version of 4-4-2. Our defence should include The King in an unchanged back 5. In fact, the Premier League 11 pretty much picks itself at the moment. The back 5 and front 5 are anchored together by the new lynchpin of the Spurs side, the Duracell bunny that is Scott Parker. He gets more and more praise by the week and for this writer, that makes absolute sense. He gets better week on week and the confidence that gives the team is spreading. As Gareth Bale said after the QPR match last week, the knowledge that Parker is there to mop up allows our front 5 to attack with freedom and zest. The Lennon and Bale combination for the third goal last week was one of the best goals Spurs have scored in recent times, a combination of quick passing, excellent movement and a wonderful finish. With Modric pulling strings (and seemingly enjoying himself!) and van der Vaart in a brilliant patch of form, we have much to be expectant about as Spurs fans. Given Fulham’s midfield are relatively slow, I expect us to try and exploit the wings, using Bale and Lennon to stretch the Fulham defence. Bale and Lennon have been guilty of playing too centrally at times this season though I think a large part of that was a lack of confidence and form. Both are evidently “up for it” again so expect to see width. With Fulham stretched we have 2 possible angles of attack – hit the bylines and ping crosses for Ade to attack or cutting the ball back inside for our smaller, more mobile attackers to latch onto, a technique that has contributed 2 of Van der Vaart’s more recent goals.

I can’t see any reason to see anything other than a continuation of Spurs excellent run of form, with a 6th league win in 7 games on the card. Let’s also remember that whilst Fulham played a relatively strong side in their EL win over Wisla Krakow in midweek, we sent our kids and fringe players to Russia to see out a 1-0 defeat. Spurs are fresh and I expect to see some late goals as we win this away fixture 3-0.

COYS

Ciaran (@LordFIMM on Twitter)

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Match Report: Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Spurs

October 23rd, 2011 Posted in Articles
Oct, 23 2011
2 Comments »

THFC1882 presents guest writer Ralph Dixon’s match report:

Chickens 1 – 2 Cockerels

The previews for this match, the chat on Twitter and the fan forums were all spot on and the match hardly needs a report from me at all. You Spurs fans know it in your hearts already, even if MOTD manage to edit their highlights to give a different impression.

So yes, we did look unsure and un-coordinated in defence without Ledley and Sandro. Yes, when played in central midfield Luka Modric looks more like a £50M playmaker again. Yes, Van der Vaart is an extremely clinical finisher. Yes, there is something amiss with Gareth Bale. And, yes we should have wiped the floor with Blackburn Rovers ….. but we didn’t.

There are now two schools of thought amongst the 4,500 noisy away fans: one says that 3 points is what we required and is what we got, we’re in 5th place with a game in hand, there are no big games ahead for a while and the manner of today’s victory was unimportant. Newcastle won’t last the pace, Arsenal rely on Van Persie too much and Chelsea’s brittleness was proved at QPR today, so 3rd or 4th place in the PL is eminently achievable this season.

The other school, to which I belong, says that if we play like this Spurs won’t deserve, and won’t achieve, that all important Champions League place next May.

Blackburn Rovers FC have a funeral service as a major sponsor, and are by any standards a moderate side with something of a death-wish. Man for man (or by value) they bear no comparison with the world-class talents of Adebayor, Modric, Van der Vaart and Bale etc. Robinson is a competent keeper and as popular with Spurs fans as ever, deserving his serenades of “England’s England’s number one” from the away supporters and applauding us at the start and finish of the 2nd half. Junior Hoilett looked a good prospect, a fast, tricky and skilful forward, and Chris Samba – one of several impressive physical specimens in the Blackburn team – was unbeatable in the air in either penalty box. When he came on Yakubu, another huge presence, troubled our defence. Otherwise, despite some endeavour and occasional efforts at playing a passing game, Blackburn were in a word ” average”. Very average indeed, and when we were on song they couldn’t live with us at all.

Everyone at the ground would agree that Spurs would have won this match – just as at Wigan – by a margin of a least 3 goals if we had played to our potential. And we need those goals to repair our feeble goal difference from the mauling it received at the hands of the 2 Manchester clubs at the start of the season. As at Wigan we started well, playing quick intelligent football with all the movement we should expect from such a talented bunch. Van der Vaart scored neatly (it was at the home end, so I couldn’t see it closely & I’ve yet to see MOTD2) from a Walker cross after only 15 minutes, and that big win for us looked to be on the cards.

But then the tempo dropped (does this sound at all familiar?) we defended deeper and Blackburn started to come back into the game. Even Parker, full of industry and determination as always, made mistakes and seemed less influential. Our wing play was frankly awful, with Lennon only noticeable by his luminous green boots and Bale apparently incapable of running past a defender, any defender. Even the players who started so well, Adebayor, Modric and VDV, somehow drifted out of the game and lost impetus. There was too much shoulder-shrugging from the players, showing that they themselves realised that the quality of their play had dropped. Assou-Ekotto seemed distracted at times, even by his standards, possibly wondering why he didn’t think of staging a fireworks display in his bathroom before that even more eccentric player Mario Ballotelli tried it.

As Blackburn came back into the game it was no great surprise when Mauro Formica, unmarked on the penalty spot, volleyed past Friedel on 28 minutes following some disappointing defensive work when Samba beat two Spurs defenders in the air. Friedel had no chance of saving from that distance, but to leave a player unchallenged in that position was almost criminal. Same old same old with no King Ledley in charge.

The first half continued in a disappointing vein, with neither side looking likely to score again. Half time came as a relief and the general hope was that during the interval Harry Redknapp would re-organise and re-motivate the team.

In the second half the exact same pattern repeated itself. We started with more urgency, looked the better side by some way and once again Van der Vaart scored, this time with a precise unstoppable side-footed shot into the corner of the net after 53 minutes. Then little by little the same old failings manifested themselves: lack of energy, imagination and little movement, defending too deep and a complete lack of penetration on each flank. For a team which until earlier this year had the most exciting wingers in Europe it was incomprehensible that our only worthwhile attacking options were through the middle of the pitch, with Adebayor, VDV and sometimes Modric making sporadic efforts. Overall though we weren’t playing well, so much so that one voice amongst the away fans behind me shouted “you’re like cavemen, play some football”. I knew just what he meant.

In passing I must pay tribute to Adebayor, although it’s hard to find words which aren’t either a cliche (what a good first touch for a big man) or a comparison with Crouch (he so rarely falls over). I felt that he worked hard, made good runs and showed just the sort of attitude we need from our “centre forward”. He’s prone to being caught offside, although of course not as often as Defoe, but otherwise he is the business in my view & seems to enjoy playing for us.

Van der Vaart proved once and for all today that a 4-4-1-1 formation with him lurking behind Adebayor is a better option than 4-4-2 with Defoe alongside Ade. I think that debate is now ended. He is, probably along with Rooney & Van Persie, as clinical a finisher as any in the Premier League.

Kaboul played well, as did Walker, and Bassong was better than I feared. Assou-Ekotto was always available as an outlet and – allowing for his lapses as we must – did well enough. The sooner Scott Parker is made captain the better by the way, he’s ideal for the role: a tough, determined and intelligent player and a genuine leader. Modric? Good at times but not consistent enough. How much of his mind is still at Chelsea I wonder? Despite the fans calling for Sandro to come on (was he injured?) to shore up our defence the ineffective Lennon was replaced by Danny Rose, who after a time took up station on the left leaving Bale to play out of position on the right – not popular with the away fans Harry! VDV, whose movements looked uncomfortable to me from the start of the second half, was replaced late in the match by Defoe, and was deservedly cheered off the pitch.

Both sides had chances in the second half, and every set-piece was a worry for the Spurs defence, but there looked little prospect of a third goal for us. The fans were restless, shouting to Harry to “sort it out”, although opinions differed on exactly how he should have done it.

The away fans also contributed in our own way to the anti-Steve Kean protests after the end of the match by chanting “there’s only one Keano”, not that we would want him back from the US, but it’s hard to see this Blackburn side surviving in the Premier League on current form, so their manager’s days look numbered unless the Venkys chicken barons are unusually forgiving.

It was interesting to see that tickets for midweek matches at Ewood Park sell for £20 though, and even those for Chelsea on a Saturday are only £28. Don’t we wish White Hart Lane costs were comparable?

Finally, on a culinary note I yet again missed out on my choice of pies by being slow off the mark. The chicken balti and steak ones were sold out & I avoided the meat and potato ones, having learned from my Wigan experience. Buy your pies early!

COYS

Ralph Dixon ( Follow Ralph on Twitter @SpursDiver )

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A reflection on Newcastle 2 – Spurs 2

October 19th, 2011 Posted in Articles, Match Reports, Premier League
Oct, 19 2011
5 Comments »

THFC1882 present Gareth Johnson’s reflections on Spurs draw at Newcastle:

They say time is a healer, hence me writing this review having had a small period of reflection. We nearly had them. It was nearly the perfect victory. It nearly made me smug. It just about devastated me. While before the game I would have taken a point, to lose a goal in the dying minutes to Shola Ameobi just devastated me. Shola said after the match it was a “1 in 50″ shot .. He was being kind to himself, it was a 1 in 500 at least!

I must admit, as the teams took to the pitch, I didn’t think this purple strip would be a strip that would go down in memory as a winning shirt. I have loved all the shirts we have worn in victory at SJP but this didn’t have the same fuzzy feeling. So it proved. In the end it was probably a fair result .. But who said results had to be fair? Certainly not us three Geordies sitting high in the stand a SJP. Indeed, I was in row Y, there was, quite literally, nee one behind me. That’s a bit of Geordie for you, “nee”! The cockney also present, it wasn’t fair on him either.

To the game and the briefest of reviews. Rafa scored. So did Ba. Defoe scored. So did Ameobi. 2-2. We may have lost. We didn’t. Onward and upwards.

On my thoughts, should you desire them, I worried from the start. I sat next two equally nervous Geordies and one cockney who was so confused that he was in the away end, at SJP, with three Geordies next to him, he moved. I was even more worried when Gareth Bale lined up on the right. It may be a radical idea Mr Redknapp .. But playing a player in their natural position may actually benefit the team. Possibly. Then Luka on the left. Now OK, we may have used him there in the past, but alongside Parker in the centre, he has looked unstoppable. So, when on form, move him. Great work. Rafa and Ade rated 50/50 for the game. Now I thought that usually meant they were doubtful but clearly, Harry does sums and 50/50 is 100%. So they were guaranteed to play and so they did. And here was me starting to like the bloke.

To be fair to the team, injuries disrupted them, Bale got a kick early doors and Ledley departed from his farewell tour after 30 mins. If only a music mogul could reform Ledley’s knee in the same way they have reformed Steps, The Stone Roses and Backstreet boys the world would be a better place. So as I sat, telling all that would listen, “I can see my office from here” in the style of an Aussie drinking beer, I prayed to God for a victory. To be fair, one is so high up in the away end at SJP that you do not need to look to the heavens, just over to the right a bit will do.  To be fair to the big man, it was a ludicrous prayer and not worthy of his attention but he did bless me with a draw and a chance to go to White Hart Lane and trash the Geordies when their good form eventually drops off a cliff.

Of much encouragement was the fact that, once again, we didn’t played brilliantly but got a result. I thought we failed to get out of second gear against Arsenal and we did the same against Newcastle. Those games yielded four points. A good sign picking up points when not playing particularly well and something that will serve us well over the course of a season. With Blackburn away and QPR at home next in the league, I would like to get to the end of October with around the 17-19 point mark. That would be progress and our poor start to the season out of the way. I would like us to blast some of these teams away as goal difference will be important, but chugging along picking up points is never a bad thing.

Of much interest in the next few games is Rafa v Defoe. There is also likely to be more on Harry to England .. Stayed tuned to this website for more musing on those subjects in the come weeks.

Auf wiedersen pet .. As us Geordies says aal the time, like.

COYS

Gareth Johnson ( @GMMJohnson on Twitter )

You can follow this blog on Twitter @THFC1882dotcom

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