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What went wrong for Spurs at Stevenage?

February 20th, 2012 Posted in FA Cup, Match Reports
Feb, 20 2012
14 Comments »

For all the credit that Stevenage are due and will get, Spurs put in a disappointing performance at Stevenage and will now have an unwelcome replay at The Lane.

From the minute Harry Redknapp picked his team it was never going to go well. The England manager-elect decided to pick a team and formation to combat the strengths of Stevenage. If Spurs were the League One side we’d all accept that as good management. As it is, Spurs are the technically superior side and should have played to their own strengths not played down to their opponents level.

On the pitch the team compounded the managers failings with a sloppy performance full of naïveté.

From Michael Dawson’s first long ball aimed at strikers who were physically outmatched by Stevenage’s centre backs it was clear that Spurs fans were in for a long afternoon.

With manager and captain setting the tone the whole team was poor in possession, constantly misplacing passes. To Redknapp’s credit he obviously realized this and through the first half bellowed at his team to keep hold of the ball.

However keeping the ball was only half the battle. Without the rested Modric and injured van der Vaart, Gareth Bale was allowed the free role he hankers for. Despite his dynamism and forceful running with the ball he’s nowhere near the creator that Modric or Rafa are and Spurs lacked a cutting edge.

With Niko Kranjcar warming up at half time it was to be hoped that Redknapp had realized the folly of his 3-5-2. Alas it wasn’t to be. At least until 15 or so minutes into the second half. When Kranjcar was introduced it meant Bale being forced into a wing role with Niko starting from the opposite flank. The Croat instantly showed more incisive passing than had been seen for the previous hour and a bit but even so there was to be no breakthrough.

Spurs truly only looked like themselves when Redknapp was forced to take Danny Rose off – once again effective going forward against lower opposition but clearly not good enough to make it as a Premier League left back – and bring Lennon on. Lennon instantly threatened and created a couple of openings in the few minutes he had on the pitch.

Yes Spurs had the ball in the net from Saha but the referee and linesman were unfortunately competent and correct for once in ruling Parker offside.

Spurs attention will now turn to next weeks North London Derby. That is a game where Spurs must play to their own strengths rather than lowering themselves to match weaker opponents.

COYS

Stuart Watts

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Quick Preview: Stevenage v Tottenham Hotspur

February 18th, 2012 Posted in FA Cup, Match Previews
Feb, 18 2012
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THFC1882 brings you a quick FA Cup preview of Tottenham Hotspur’s visit to Stevenage.

During their non-league years Stevenage often hosted a pre-season friendly with Spurs. Now The Lilywhites visit a side who are chasing promotion to the Championship.

It’s the FA Cup and all bets are off with regards to divisional standings. The Cup may have lost some of its romance over the Premier League era but there always remains the chance of an upset to evoke memories from it’s golden era.

Stevenage are a physical side and will look to ruffle the feathers of their Premier League visitors. Spurs will need to be much sharper than they were last time out in the Cup at Watford. Spurs got away with a poor showing that day and cannot rely on luck and poor finishing every time.

It’s over a week since Newcastle were handed a proper beating at The Lane and a week until Spurs visit arch rivals Arsenal for the North London Derby. With that in mind Harry Redknapp doesn’t need to stress about players being overworked. That said however there are surely one or two who will be rested and not risked before the massive Premier League clash. Ledley King, Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Emmanuel Adebayor are those most likely to be given the week off. Coming back from injury, Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe will be keen to get 90 minutes under their belt. This game also represents a good chance for Jake Livermore to start and continue to show his impressive development this season. Louis Saha may get an opportunity to build on his two goal full debut and see how he plays alongside Defoe after impressing in his partnership with Adebayor. Ryan Nelsen is likely to make his first start in the centre of defence after impressing in training.

Stevenage won’t roll over and let Spurs have it easy but I fully expect Spurs class to show and to run out 4-0 winners.

COYS

Stuart Watts

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Spurs need Arsenal to be better

February 17th, 2012 Posted in Articles
Feb, 17 2012
27 Comments »

THFC1882 welcomes another guest post by Anthony Lombardi, this one may have some foaming at the mouth:

WHY SPURS NEED ARSENAL TO BE BETTER

As Arsenal succumbed to a humiliating 4-0 Champions League thrashing by AC Milan at the San Siro, a rather surprising thought came to me:

Should we really be celebrating the demise of Arsenal Football Club?

Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have been rivals since the Gunners moved to North London from their South London birthplace over a century ago. This rivalry was born through proximity and the infamous FA vote of 1919 that relegated Spurs and promoted Arsenal to the First Division. The rivalry despite the importance to those involved, historically has been fairly amicable, with the winners gaining only bragging rights.

The north London rivalry may lack the Religious connotations of the Glasgow derby, or the national identity of the Barcelona/Real Madrid derby, however for those involved it remains the important game of the season.

Over the last few decades there have been great moments for both sets of fans to savour.

For Spurs there was the Gazza Wembley freekick, the 5-1 demolition in the Carling Cup semi final and the Emirates comeback after being 4-1 down.

Arsenal meanwhile has the 1-0 revenge at Wembley in 1993, the Thierry Henry wonder goal at Highbury and winning the league at White Hart Lane.

When Bruce Rioch made way for Arsene Wenger in 1996 it started a period of north London domination for the Gunner. The Frenchman oversaw a stratospheric rise for Arsenal, whilst Spurs continued on a trajectory of mediocrity. The White Hart Lane faithful had to endure Arsenal facing off against Europe’s elite, the Double wins and The Invincibles.

The Gunners even made it to the 2006 Champions League final, Wenger’s Holy Grail. This final is a measure of how good a team Arsenal boasted, down to ten men against Barcelona for a large proportion of the game, it was only two late Blau Grana strikes that sunk them. It was a tough period to support Spurs.

The start of this decade however, a major shift hit North London.

Arsenal lost key players due to their age, ambition or discontentment with the club. Gifted individuals such as Henry, Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas left in search of trophies, glory or money. Whilst Wenger’s promising youngsters failed to develop, his youth system that he had ploughed so much time and faith into crashed around him.

In order to remedy the issues with his youth players, Wenger delved into the transfer market, without success. The players purchased to fill the gaps have either been sub standard or after initially impressing, have faltered badly.

It was a situation that the Emirates faithful were originally inclined to give Wenger time to address, but after Wednesday’s  mauling, time may be in short supply. Arsenal face a season defining set of fixtures over the next four weeks.

Whilst Arsenal’s power has eroded, Tottenham Hotspur have finally started to realize that they are a major team again. There has been plenty of false dawns, but now under manager Harry Redknapp they boast a team of youthful exuberance, mixed with experienced heads and an incredible technical ability.

This season Spurs are synonymous with graceful attacking football, their players revered in the same manner as Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg and Henry once were.

With Spurs finally ready to challenge at the top of the table, it is therefore a shame not to see their closest rivals pushing alongside them. The most powerful matches are those which appeal to a world wide audience. For the North London Derby to be considered important globally, both teams must be at the top.

The Manchester derby was once only important for the residents of the city, now it is almost the title decider and therefore a global attraction. Last weekend saw a derby which failed to ignite a spark of interest out side the Black Country: Wolverhampton Wanderers versus West Bromwich Albion. Had it not been for the 5-1 score line and the sacking of Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, the fixture would also have passed most of England by also.

The demise of Arsenal, as Twitter and Facebook revealed on Wednesday night brings great joy to the millions of Tottenham fans around the world, but surely the purest joy would be beating, over the course of a season, a great Arsenal team?

To see the current Spurs team go toe to toe with Wenger’s finest would be a true measure of who rules North London.

Spurs may well finish above Arsenal for the first time since 1994/1995 but it is a hollow victory. The Gunners are a misfiring and badly put together outfit. Tottenham go into the 26th February fixture as clear favorites, despite the game taking place at the Emirates, this is a measure of far Arsenal have fallen.

Come back soon Arsenal, some possibly great games await.

COYS

Anthony Lombardi ( Check out Anthony’s blog here and  follow Anthony on Twitter @ARLombardi )

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Match Report: Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur

February 7th, 2012 Posted in Articles, Match Reports, Premier League
Feb, 07 2012
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THFC1882 present a match report by Anthony Lombardi

Liverpool and Tottenham: Both Clubs Fail to Dare and To Do.

 

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur drew 0-0 at Anfield, in a tight Premier League encounter that neither team wanted to lose, or seemed determined enough to try and win.

The hosts seemed happy to limit the visitor’s options in attack and try to nick a goal through a moment of brilliance or luck. Unfortunately for the Reds, their starting 11 had both of these in short supply.

As both sets of supporters drifted off after the final whistle, there was no doubting the happier of the two. The Liverpool faithful have now had to endure eight home draws this season, a record that for a team aiming for top is well below par.

Tottenham came into this encounter shorn of Redknapp’s presence, due to adverse weather conditions at John Lennon airport, as well as key first team players. These factors clearly affected Spurs who lacked the swagger and style that has come to symbolize their 2011/2012 season

The White Hart Lane outfit has exposed countless teams this year by stretching them across the pitch. Lightening fast wingers Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon have forced teams to double up on them, leaving Luka Modric and Rafa Van der Vaart to expose the extra space. Last night however, with Bale central and Modric and Niko Krancjar offering no penetration wide, Liverpool were able to play narrow close the space, forcing Spurs into a long ball game.

Liverpool, who despite certain deficiencies in attack, are blessed with a wonderful centre back pairing in Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel. These two kept Emmanuel Adebayor and later Louis Saha in check for the entire game. Ably supported by Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly, the Reds back four was tested only once in 90 minutes, when a long ball sent Gareth Bale through one on one with Pepe Reina, who saved well from the Welshman..

The Reds will without doubt return to training today knowing that had they been braver and technically better in the final third, they could have claimed the two extra points. Target man Andy Carroll, who over the last few weeks seemed to be returning to his Newcastle best, was once again wasteful in and around the area. The £35 Million striker won his fair share of headers and on occasion caused some problems for Michael Dawson and Ledley King, but when a great chance fell to him, he blazed it into the Kop. Champions League qualification, League titles and cups are earned on the ability of striker to convert a half chance, unfortunately for Liverpool, Carroll doesn’t look like that kind of striker.

With 25 minutes left on the clock, the game threatened to peter out, disappointing the capacity crowd and the millions of Sky viewers, but fortunately, Liverpool have their own headline maker, Uruguayan Luis Suarez.

Returning to the side after serving his 8 match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra, Suarez was given a heroes welcome by the Anfield crowd, however, that was the highlight of his cameo. There is no doubting his ability or his commitment to Liverpool. With the ball he is has the skill to attack off either foot, and off the ball he is a man possessed hassling and harrying the opposition defenders. Last night though he reminded us why we haven’t missed him in 2012.

First there was the kick to Scott Parkers midriff long after the whistle that earned him a yellow card, then there were the on existent penalty claims, the screaming and histrionics. These may be accepted in South America, but as he found out when he called Evra a certain word, that is no defense in this country.

Redknapp and Dalglish will have a lot to ponder this week as their teams prepare to face Newcastle at home and Manchester United away respectively. With Chelsea and United sharing a point this weekend, there was a chance for both clubs to close the gap on the team above, but perhaps the biggest worry for both managers will be their teams inability to adapt over 90 minutes.

The Tottenham bench, for the first time in years looked lightweight. After the January departures of first team squad players and the loaning out of promising youngsters, the Spurs coaching staff had no real game changers to work with. This matter will be addressed once players return to fitness, but as last night proved, if Plan A doesn’t work, the Plan B is shaky at best.

Across the technical area, the same thought should have been settling on Dalglish.

In the early part of 2011, the legend reconstructed a stifled Roy Hodgson team in to a free flowing attacking unit. Maxi Rodriguez, Dirk Kuyt and former Red Raul Meireles were all grabbing goals both home and away. A Championship winning run of results reignited the hope within the club that Liverpool would once again be challenging rivals United at the top, but Dalglish’s masterplan has crumbled around him.

The purchases of Stuart Downing, Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson have failed to sparkle, each player has lost the attacking vigor that earned them the big price tags. Whilst captain and Talisman Steven Gerard, has become a shadow of the man that dragged his team to FA Cup and Champions League finals.

Perhaps it is time for Dalglish to give up on his summer experiment and revert back to his 2011 tactics, otherwise another year outside the top 5 beckons.

On reflection a draw was perhaps the fair result, but there remains the nagging thought for both set of fans, that had their club and manager believed, they would be two points better off today.

COYS

Anthony Lombardi (visit Anthony’s blog here and follow him on Twitter @ARLombardi )

 

 

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Match Preview: Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur

February 4th, 2012 Posted in Articles, Match Previews, Premier League
Feb, 04 2012
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THFC1882 brings another new guest writer. Football blogger and Spurs fan (obviously) Anthony Lombardi previews Tottenham Hotspur’s visit to Liverpool:

Liverpool v Tottenham: The Fab Four and Beyond.

 

This Monday Totteham Hotspur faces Liverpool at Anfield in a clash that is set to have far reaching effects across the top of the Premier League.

Man City’s failure to collect any points on Tuesday and the London duo of Arsenal and Chelsea being held by lower opposition has reignited both clubs seasons. Whoever claims the three points will be well on their way, whilst the losers may well have to Let It Be for the rest of this season.

For the last decade both clubs have had to endure life in the shadow of their fierce rivals, but now a change is sweeping across these sleeping giants. Liverpool’s victory over two legs against Man City, followed by knocking United out of the FA Cup has given fresh hope to a season that threatened to go off the boil. Spurs meanwhile have cruised to a 12 point gap over North London rivals Arsenal and once again find themselves back in the title race.

When the pair met in September, Spurs strolled to a 4-0 victory that was unfairly overshadowed by Liverpool’s two red cards. The Lillywhites, in the first 20 minutes at White Hart Lane played the type of football that has ignited the belief within the club and perhaps even in Luka Modric who grabbed the first goal with a spanking right foot drive. That result propelled Tottenham into a run of form that only some dubious refereeing decisions have stopped on occasions.

The North London club’ season started in tumultuous fashion, with riots disrupting fixtures and supposed player discontent filling column inches. However, under manager Harry Redknapp’s positive guidance Tottenham, have built a team spirit that promises to deliver them their best Premier League finish since 1990.

The Tottenham boss has kept to relatively the same starting 11 in each Premier League game, choosing instead to use squad and youth players in the Europa League, Carling and FA Cup. Redknapp may have sacrificed participation in two of these cups but there is no doubting that come Monday evening the Spurs starting 11 will have played rather less football than their counterparts.

In Liverpool’s last home game, the Reds rode out 2-1 winners against arch rivals Man Utd, however, despite the magnitude of this victory, Spurs can take heart from certain points.

The Champions were given an incredible amount of space in central midfield as the Reds sought to deny Man Utd space in behind them. In nullifying the speed and directness of Danny Welbeck and Antonio Valencia, United’s central midfield were given time and space, but they were unable to use it.

With Liverpool likely to counter act the speed of Gareth Bale, Kyle Walker and Aaron Lennon in similar fashion, Spurs will need to be creative in central midfield. The London club will need Modric and if he is fit, Rafa Van der Vaart orchestrating and creating in front of Liverpool. The duo will seek to commit players before slipping in teammate.

However, should Liverpool seek to shut out Tottenham, they run the risk of disappointing the home crowd and having to chase the game should Spurs break through. This season Spurs have been at their most threatening when one nil up and attacking on the break.

Since being destroyed at White Hart Lane, Liverpool have regrouped defensively and are now only a consistent striker away from Champions League qualification. Had they been sharper in front of goal against supposedly weaker opposition, then this clash would have been a direct head on battle, for the right to challenge the Manchester duo.

Manager Kenny Dalglish, who signed a full time contract hours before these two met at the back end of last season, faces some positive, but difficult selection decisions on Monday.

With Uruguayan Luis Suarez finally available again after suspension, one of Dirk Kuyt and Andy Carroll looks set to miss out. Dutch forward Kuyt, recently returned to scoring ways with a goal against Man Utd and a strike against Wolves on Tuesday. Carroll though shouldn’t be quickly dismissed. Against United last week, he finally started to look like the powerful striker that earned the huge price tag and his goal against Wolves with have boosted his confidence.

The forward that Dalglish selects will immediately give us an insight into his game plan. If he employs Carroll he will be going for the victory. Should he select the hard working Kuyt, a player more disposed to tracking back, then he will be searching to keep it tight and look to strike later in the game.

There are however, two attacking options that should not be discounted. Spurs striker Jermaine Defoe and Liverpool’s Craig Bellamy, both possess speed and the instinctive ability to score a goal from out of nowhere. The duo may start on their respective benches, but there is no doubt that if the game remains goalless, both managers will use what they hope is their trump card. Defoe of course may be struggling for fitness, if so, it could be a quick return to Merseyside for Louis Saha and the chance to get one over on his former city rivals.

It is difficult to see where the three points will go, but with Chelsea hosting Man Utd the day before, winning this fixture will give the victor a huge boost.

The team that scores first in this fixture should go on to win it. Should Spurs draw first blood and force Liverpool to seek out an equalizer, Bale’s ability to expose the space left behind the Reds defence will become a major factor. Whilst Liverpool are past masters at defending a lead.

Either way, Anfield will be intriguing viewing this Monday.

COYS

Anthony Lombardi (visit Anthony’s blog here and follow him on Twitter @ARLombardi )

 

 

 

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Scott Parker for England Captain

February 3rd, 2012 Posted in Articles, England
Feb, 03 2012
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The news broke this morning that the FA had finally taken some action over the John Terry racism affair. Terry has been stripped of the England captaincy with immediate effect. Of course the inadequate FA fell short of suspending him from playing for his country and it’s unlikely that Terry will be big enough or self-aware enough to remove himself for selection. It’s horribly hypocritical that the FA haven’t suspended him from duty, Lee Bowyer and ex-Spur Johnathan Woodgate were suspended from international duty whilst awaiting and on trial for their part in a racist assault.

With Terry gone from the job though, the talk is now of who will succeed him. It’s thought that Capello’s own line of succession goes Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. Through form and fitness or both it should be noted that these three stalwarts of the ‘Golden Generation’ should no longer be shoo-ins for selection, let alone the captaincy. Of the remaining options the only players seemingly guaranteed selection are Joe Hart and our own Brylcreem boy, Scott Parker.

Hart may well be the future, he’s sure to be England number one for a good ten years or so, form and fitness allowing. However he’s still young and has no experience of captaining a club side, let alone taking on the pressure job that is the England captaincy.

Which leaves Super Scotty. He’s captained many of his club sides, even wearing the Spurs armband already in his first season at the club. Over the last 12 months or so, Parker has established himself as a key player in the England side and is seemingly undroppable at the moment. His high calibre week in week out performances in Spurs impressive run to 3rd place and title contention would seem to have only cemented that place. Scott is sure to be one of the first names on Capello’s team sheet for the Euro’s in Poland and Ukraine. Should he now be thrown the armband too?

As a short term measure he is clearly the best option and lets face it, Capello will be leaving after the tournament so he’s not exactly in it for the long haul. Parker although short on caps when compared to someone like Ashley Cole, has never fired a gun at a work experience guy and must therefore be head and shoulders above the Chelsea man. Super Scotty is massively respected inside the England dressing room and unlike so many of the ‘bigger’ names, has no baggage, no media whoring ways and is not a trouble magnet.

There are downfalls to being named England captain, the increased expectation and scrutiny from the public and media can cause some to crumble under the pressure. Parker however doesn’t seem likely to succumb to the pressure, or as mentioned before, court trouble to further increase the spotlight on him.

All in all, Scott Parker for England captain seems the only sensible and logical choice available to Capello at the moment. He would wear the armband with pride and give it back the dignity that Terry has stripped it of. The nation as a whole could be proud of having a true gent as it’s leader on the pitch once more. Spurs could be proud that their man is the one to lead out an England team at a major tournament.

Fabio Capello, the ball is now in your court.

COYS

Stuart Watts ( @THFC1882dotcom on Twitter )

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Tottenham Hotspur: Transfers reaction

February 1st, 2012 Posted in Articles, Transfers
Feb, 01 2012
1 Comment »

So another transfer window comes to a close. This unlike many others was surprisingly quiet, mainly due to clubs now having to take into account UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. Another reason for the quiet was our gaffer’s appearances in court seriously restricting his ability to go on Sky Sports News every five minutes and tell the world which ‘top top players’ he was looking at.

So here’s a quick round up and reaction of the transfers from deadline day or Jim White Day as it’s become known:

Roman Pavlyuchenko has returned to Russia, going to Lokomotiv Moscow for around £8m. Super Pav has looked like he’s wanted out for some time and it was only a matter of a club meeting Daniel Levy’s valuation to grant him his wish. Many Spurs fans have rejoiced at his exit and it’s easy to see why. However what shouldn’t be forgotten is that he scored 42 goals for the club in 114 appearances (43 of those as sub), a strike rate that’s better than 1 in 3 and given the amount of times he came off the bench his goals per minute record stands up there with some of the best in the last few years of the Premier League. Sure he was sulky and lazy and infuriating but he also saved our skins on a number of occassions with crucial, late goals.

His replacement as striker that doesn’t play often is one of the real surprise moves of the window, Louis Saha swapping Everton’s treatment table for the one at Spurs Lodge. Saha is 33, seriously injury prone and has only 2 goals in all competitions this season (from a lot more games than Pavlyuchenko got for Spurs). It’s a strange move. As I wrote in the match preview for our game with Everton early in January, on his day he can be dangerous but those days are getting fewer and farther between. Harry Redknapp of course has a great record of coaxing the best out of aging players though, so if anyone can get Saha scoring again it’s Harry.

Stalwart of Tottenham Hotspur’s 09/10 defence Sebastian Bassong has gradually fallen further and further out of favour at The Lane and has been shipped out on loan to Wolves. Ouch. Bassong was frustrated by a lack of playing time and was clearly now Redknapp’s 5th choice centre back. He’s been itching to move away since the end of last season. This will be a good opportunity to put himself in the shop window for a permanent summer move.

In what is the most baffling of transfers, Vedran Corluka has been allowed to go on loan to Bayer Leverkusen. Obviously Charlie has been frustrated by Kyle Walker’s emegence as a top class right back and the big Croat needs to play to ensure his place at the Euro 2012 finals with his national team. However, his departure means that there is now no cover for Walker at right back. It was obvious that as soon as Charlie was on his way to Germany that Kay-Dub would pick up an injury. And so it came to pass last night. If Walker is out for any length of time then either Younes Kaboul or Jake Livermore will be shoehorned into the full back slot. This just isn’t good enough. Kaboul has been Spurs best centre back all season and moving him will weaken the centre of defence and it’s also a position he clearly dislikes. Jake Livermore is growing as a ball winning midfielder but looks a little lost at full back, as proven when Wigan scored from a move down the flank after he was shifted there last night.

A late move came through to warm the heart last night, Steven Pienaar has returned to Everton. It’s only a loan but it must be hoped that a permanent move can be arranged. That may sound harsh on Pienaar but he’s never looked a Spurs player and has just been a wages drain for the last 12 months.

A move that is still pending is the signing of Ryan Nelsen. The 34 year old Kiwi has been released by Blackburn and seems certain to get a 6 month deal at The Lane. A proper Redknapp signing if there ever was one. Coming in as 5th choice centre back he’ll likely do a job if needed but is hardly a long term fix.

Overall in this window, the right back situation aside, the squad is about the same strength it was before and the first eleven remains unchanged.  They’ve served us well thus far this season and we must hope they can continue their fine form through to May. Pav and Bassong clearly weren’t that keen on staying at the club and Saha and Nelsen (assuming he signs) probably can’t believe their luck in landing the moves they have and will look to prove they belong at a top four club and silence the doubters, myself included. It’s a shame that Junior Hoillett couldn’t be signed as I still feel that the squad lacks depth and competition on the wings. He’s out of contract in the summer and it would be surprising if Spurs weren’t in the race to sign him, however other clubs with less restraint on wage limits may pip Spurs to his signature.  The right back situation is concerning but if Walker can recover quickly it shouldn’t leave Spurs too short and The Lilywhites can continue the charge for the FA Cup and also look to have say in the title race yet.

COYS

Stuart Watts ( @THFC1882dotcom on Twitter )

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Match Report: Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Wigan

February 1st, 2012 Posted in Articles, Match Reports, Premier League
Feb, 01 2012
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THFC1882 presents guest writer Kenny Palmer’s report of Tottenham Hotspur versus Wigan:

A man of the match performance by Gareth Bale against obliging opponents Wigan helped reignite Spurs title challenge, as they now sit just five points behind the Manchester clubs following the leaders City’s defeat to Everton. The Welshman’s two goal brace capping an exceptional personal display and a perfect response from the team to Friday’s poor performance against Watford in the FA Cup.

The only change in the line-up to the team that faced Manchester City in the last premiership game was Niko Kranjcar coming in for the injured Aaron Lennon. It’s a puzzle as to why the Croatian international has been so rarely used this season even from off the bench when he started the season so brightly before picking up an injury.

An early run from Gareth Bale from the left wing position proved to be a statement of intent of what was to come from the Welsh Wizard. With Wigan not pressing the ball the Spurs midfield dominated possession an ideal game for Niko Kranjcar to start as he seamlessly interchanged good passing movements with Modric, Parker and Bale in his free role. As against Spurs last opponents at the Lane Wolves, Wigan retreated to their own half and defended in numbers making it hard for Spurs to break them down.

Tottenham’s best effort in the opening stages was a shot from just outside the D from Luka Modric after some good build up play. Bale and Kranjcar continued to swap flanks to create openings. Younnes Kaboul was unlucky not to score with a powerful header from a corner which was cleared off the line. Benoit Assou-Ekotto was seeing a lot of the ball from the left with Bale floating inside. Unfortunately his decision making was poor and delivery inconsistent despite finding himself in good positions high up the left wing.

The inevitable breakthrough for Spurs came in the 25th minute. Luka Modric floated an exquisite pass from the left midfield position, possibly the pass of the season, onto the chest of Gareth Bale who timed his run to perfection and dispatched it to the left of Al Habsi’s goal. A worrying sign for Spurs soon after was the sight of Rafael van der Vaart going off and being replaced by Jake Livermore, possibly another hamstring injury which the Dutchman has been plagued with this season. The change didn’t stop the team’s rhythm as they were soon two ahead after Modric’s drive from just outside the box, another goal in successive home premiership games following on from his equaliser against Wolves. A criticism of the midfielder is that he doesn’t score enough goals for a player of his ability. His tally is now three in the league this season.

Spurs controlled the first half against a poor Wigan team. Brad Friedel was not tested at all.

Gareth Bale started the second half in similar vein to the first. On 48 minutes he broke down the right wing and put in an excellent cross with his right foot to Emmanuel Adebayor who should have scored with the header. The Togo internationals industry and work rate cannot be questioned in the game but quality wise he took his poor performance against Watford into this game straying offside on numerous occasions and lacking sharpness in the box. The signing of Louis Saha to the end of the season should put pressue on the Manchester City loanee to up his game and maybe rested as he has played all league games when available since signing.

Inevitably after a poor first half, Wigan started the second half vastly improved, taking the game to Spurs. Moses had a good effort on fifty two minutes and Ledley King had to make a great tackle in the box to stop a Wigan attack soon after. With Wigan pressing more Spurs play became sloppier with stray passing. Gareth Bales second, spurs third coming somewhat unexpectedly finding space on the left he shot across the box alluding Al Habsi into the net.

Kyle Walker departed late on having picked up a knock replaced by Sandro himself returning form injury. It is hoped it’s nothing serious as with the club allowing Vedran Corluka out on loan to Bayer Leverkusen they have no cover at right back.

Wigan’s good play was rewarded on eighty minutes with a goal from James McCarthy. The relegation strugglers should have had a second when Connor Sammon could not convert a ball flashed across his path. The closing stages of the match were illuminated by the man of the moment Gareth Bale. Released by debutant Lancaster a great run right from the right was saved by Al Habsi with the crowd willing him on to score and get his hat trick. A final trademark run in injury time this time from the left resulted in a shot wide. The Welshman’s two goal haul now takes him onto nine goals as the team’s top scorer in the premiership along with Adebayor. Following on from his performance against Norwich he once again excelled in his free role, a constant threat in the final third, be it from crosses from either flank, surging runs from deep or his powerful shooting. On current form he’s arguably the Premier League’s best player.

With the early season momentum gone from a faltering Manchester City and United having to negotiate tricky games against Chelsea and Liverpool respectively in their next two fixtures Spurs are firmly back in the title race.

Injuries to VdV, Adebayor & Walker tonight will undoubtedly test the depth of the squad particularly as the departures of Corluka, Bassong, Piennar and Roman Pavlyuchenko have weakened the squad with only the injury prone Louis Saha coming in. February’s challenging games against Liverpool, Newcastle and Arsenal will tell us more.

To Dare Is To Do!

COYS!

Kenny Palmer (follow Kenny on Twitter @KennyPalmer )

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Match Preview: Tottenham Hotspur v Wigan

January 30th, 2012 Posted in Match Previews, Premier League
Jan, 30 2012
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THFC1882 welcomes back guest writer Kenny Palmer with a preview of Tottenham Hotspur versus Wigan.

A week is a long time in football, as Spurs two contrasting performances highlighted. Heroic in defeat against Manchester City earning plaudits for the character they showed in coming back from 2-0 down to level the scores before losing to an injury time penalty. They were then abject in victory against championship strugglers Watford in the FA Cup producing the most shambolic, disjointed performance in Harry Redknapps reign as Tottenham manager. A game in which only the goalkeeper Cudicini, defenders Michael Dawson, Younnes Kaboul, Kyle Walker and midfielder Jake Livermore can claim they played well.

Emmanuel Adebayor was particularly poor a fact he acknowledged after the game. His performance produced such a level of knee jerking it probably registered on the Richter scale in North London! The Togo international has been a pivotal part of Tottenham’s success this season leading the line and linking play. His industry and hold up play was greatly missed at the defeat to City at the Etihad Stadium. It was one bad game nothing more. Just as the darlings of the Spurs Twitter sphere Benoit Assou-Ekotto, whose decision to smash the ball up field rather let the ball run out of play for a Tottenham throw in and run the clock directly led to Spurs conceding the penalty against Manchester City and Rafael van der Vaart are allowed a bad game without opprobrium Adebayor along with all Spurs players deserves that right as well.

Tuesday’s opponents Wigan, who prop up the bottom of the league, provide the perfect opportunity for the team to put three points on the board before a challenging run of away games in February against Liverpool and Arsenal sandwiched in between a home game against a vastly improved Newcastle. Wigan come into the game on a dreadful run of form, they have not won a premiership game in their last seven matches. Their last win an away victory against West Brom in December. They have the distinction of the second worse defensive record in the premiership shipping forty three goals and the least potent attack scoring a paltry nineteen goals this season.

Roberto Martinez’s team will probably start with the same formation that played against the defeat to QPR. Hugo Rodellega a lone striker ahead of a five man midfield. The goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi a potential summer target of Spurs, who has been excellent this season can expect a busy evening in store. Wigan despite being bottom will still try to play an open brand of football. Wigan’s main threat will be the mercurial Victor Moses who they will do well to keep in this transfer window with his direct dribbling and shooting.

A hugely improved performance is expected from Spurs after the dreadful display against Watford. That game hopefully ended any notion that Luka Modric can be deployed from the flanks and influence a game. As the team’s best player he has to always be played in his best position central midfield!

Gareth Bale who missed the Watford game is the main injury worry but should be fit to start. With seven goals and seven assists he has been crucial to the team but has created a conundrum. Deployed as an orthodox left winger he is arguably one of the best in world. But his game has developed this season in a free role in which he is encouraged to come inside. Against Norwich he was devastating; in the first half against City it was less productive. But once positioned back to the left wing position in the second half he scored a stunning goal and produced a cross which Defoe was unlucky not to convert.

Redknapp is likely start with the same team that played against City with Adebayor coming in for Jermain Defoe or Rafael Van der Vaart. The Dutchman has been off the boil of late producing another anonymous performance against Watford despite the goal, Dofoe would be unlucky not to retain his place in the team. He has an excellent scoring record against them most notably his five goal haul in the 2009/10 season.

Prediction

Spurs still have a five point lead over fourth placed Chelsea and are looking to consolidate third. I fully expect Spurs to put the defeat to City, which effectively ended their title challenge, behind them with a comprehensive win 4-0 to Spurs.

COYS

Kenny Palmer (Follow Kenny on Twitter @KennyPalmer )

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Match Report: Man City 3-2 Tottenham Hotspur

January 23rd, 2012 Posted in Articles, Match Reports, Premier League
Jan, 23 2012
2 Comments »

THFC1882 presents Adam Nathan’s report of Tottenham Hotspur’s visit to Manchester City.

They are two time-old clichés, but not only is it a funny old game, it’s also one heck of a rollercoaster following Tottenham Hotspur. After a drab first half, the second period against Manchester City yesterday afternoon pretty much had it all. Having gone two down and looked like potentially being on the end of another Nasri-inspired hammering, a little bit of luck and an awful lot of drive saw us fire our way back on level terms, and probably look the most likely winners with twenty minutes of the game to go. What followed was a period fraught with tension from both sides, with some of it spilling over illegally-both Joleon Lescott and Mario Balotelli will feel extremely fortunate to step out onto the Anfield turf on Wednesday night-but more importantly manifesting in errors, all of which performed by players in mud-spattered white shirts. No sooner had Bale and Defoe conspired to miss one of the chances of the season, Ekotto, Parker and King all made uncharacteristic mistakes that saw a ball start in our left back position, have a brief soiree into the Manchester City midfield before looping, bouncing, and ricocheting out for what all Spurs fans hoped was to be a Manchester City corner. Sadly, Howard Webb’s arm correctly pointed to the penalty spot, and with practically the last kick of the game, Balotelli was able to dust himself down and slot the Etihad stadium into raptures.

Whilst the moment itself was depressing enough, Spurs fans will be further saddened this week when thinking back to all three City goals, which, with a touch more concentration in some areas and desire in others, probably would have been averted. With all that said, if this was to be the acid-test for Harry Redknapp’s men, they certainly passed as far as the performance was concerned. Unlike in August, the lilywhites matched their hosts from whistle to whistle, and will hope that as the season continues, they don’t have to face such heartbreak on any other occasions.

In terms of the first half, I’m not going to waste too much of your valuable time by talking about it. Ultimately, it was cagey and both sides were pretty flat. Milner did an excellent job marshalling Bale when he drifted inside which really halted our attacking progress, and Van Der Vaart spent a lot of time in a more central area than attacking, which left Defoe isolated. As always, people are split on the performance of the Duutchman, but in truth-and I am biased because I think he’s great-I felt that he was the only one of our players who was moving the ball around with intelligence. Yes, a lot of his passes were from side to side, but if you want to play possession football, you need players like that who just keep the ball ticking over. I daresay that if Modric and Parker had shown the same desire to be on the ball and use it quickly, we may have been able to leave Rafa in a more attacking position. In addition, Van Der Vaart ran the highest number of yards in the first half, and the more I watch him, the more of a leader I can see in him; say what you like, but he has carried us through so many games since joining, probably more than anyone else in the squad, and to give him the amount of criticism that he receives not only seems laughable at times, but ungrateful. Our whole club ethos revolves around players like Van Der Vaart, and whilst Modric and Parker are seemingly able to escape with below par performances on an all too regular basis at the moment, it never ceases to amaze me how often anything less than a perfect team performance is always blamed on Rafa.

And breathe.

In terms of the second half, it seems futile now to go through the moments that determined the mach in too much detail, so I’d rather look at the connotations, and perhaps what we could have done differently. In terms of the positives, I was really impressed with the efforts of Defoe up front, who was well rewarded with a goal that was indicative of his performance; not the prettiest, but earned through grafting and anticipating errors from the opposition backline. Naturally Bale’s goal is one that will be showed over and over again, and it’s no coincidence that it was created in one of the rare moments in the match where Lennon actually attacked a full back and created space as a result. The more I watch the speedy winger against good teams, the more let down I’m beginning to feel. I’m not sure if it’s a mental issue that still hangs over him after the World Cup, but if I were an extremely fast winger, the thought of my man being booked after 10 minutes would have me licking my lips; as it happens, Lennon didn’t take Clichy on once for the rest of the game, which was a real shame. I’m just starting to wonder if he’s got the bottle for the biggest games anymore.

In terms of the goals we conceded, I think there are two ways of looking at them, depending on the way you’ve been talking about the team this season. If your focus has always been on getting into the top four and giving it our best shot, then we were a bit sloppy in the main and thoroughly capitalized on by clinical finishing by the Citizens. If, however you have been talking us up for the title as many of the journalists have done recently, then you probably have to highlight a number of individual errors for all three goals that handed City the points. I know this sounds harsh, but sadly there are no concessions when you are in your first title race. Unlike getting free banking for a new business in your first year, in the Premier League it doesn’t matter if it’s your first or twentieth title race, the circumstances are the same. Having seen all the goals again, I couldn’t help but thinking how furious Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho or an early 2000s Arsene Wenger would have been with their teams had they given up such soft scores to their opposition. For the first, Silva has no right to get away from Bale and Modric, who seem to give up chasing him, Parker wasn’t in the position you’d expect from a defensive midfielder and of course, perhaps more lethally, Kyle Walker let Nasri run completely free to finish emphatically. For the second, Bale really has to win the ball at the near post from the corner-albeit it was excellent work from Dzeko-and on another day Parker may have won the battle with Lescott at the back post to prevent the latter from bundling the ball in.

The third goal, irrespective of timing and context, was the most disappointing thing to give up. Firstly, Ekotto could probably have let the ball run out for a throw, but in keeping it in, he simply has to send his clearance down the line. In aiming for Defoe’s head, he handed possession straight back to City, and with our midfield rushing out at the time, left a big gap between them and the defence, which is exactly where their forward ball landed. I’m inclined to point a finger at Parker here and say that the ball should have landed on his right boot, but I’m cautious about being too harsh on him; I do believe that footballing wise, Sandro is a better player, but to ignore Parker’s influence on the team mentally would be harsh on him to say the least. He has turned our season around, but it just doesn’t overly surprise me that he has put in his two worst performances this year against the top class midfields of Chelsea and Manchester City. Overall, I do think we should have done better for the goals, but I don’t think anyone ‘cost’ us any of them, or the game for that matter. We were just punished by the most clinical Premier league team I’ve seen since Mourinho’s Chelsea.

The only things left to talk about are the Defoe miss in the last minute and, sadly, refereeing decisions. As for the chance, I personally believe that Bale should have slipped Defoe in as soon as possible and give him a one-on-one with Hart. This isn’t to say that what he did was wrong necessarily, but if I was coaching a defender in a two-on-one situation, I would urge him to send the attacker with the ball wide, and if possible, make him cross it. Both Lescott and Bale did their jobs very well, and I am hesitant to blame Defoe for not getting there in time. From what I’ve seen of Jermain over the past seven years, I reckon he’d trample over his grandma if it meant scoring a goal, so I certainly don’t think it was a lack of effort. I just think it was one of those moments that confirm it’s just not going to be your day.

As for referees, I don’t actually blame Webb for not seeing the incidents on Kaboul and Parker. Ultimately, I blame the game. If you run a business where your employees are incapable of doing their job, you have to go to whatever lengths possible to make it easier for them. Until television replays are used, or there is one man watching the game on a screen and reporting to the ref, as in the majority of other sports, I almost find it pointless to chastise the referee for incidents that they only get one view of. None of the Spurs players appealed for red cards on either occasion, and they had as long as Webb to have a look at it. It’s really annoying, but I’ve popped too many blood cells and wasted too much precious oxygen bemoaning refs recently, when in reality, the reasoning is that they are not able to do their jobs with the game being as fast as it is currently. If you’re reading this Sepp, get your head out of your backside and sort it out, because it is killing the sport.

Overall, I think we’ve all woken up today wondering what might have been. To be behind, come back, nearly win and then lose it like that is stuff that even the nightmare goblins in your head wince at when you drift off to sleep, and to see it happen like that will take some getting over. With all that said, the lads showed an incredible amount of spirit to get back into the game; heck for thirty five minutes they really did play like potential title winners. In order to clinch the hallowed crown, they will have to turn thirty five into ninety five on sixteen more occasions this season. Do they have the talent? On the basis of yesterday, undoubtedly yes. Will they be able to put that ability into practice? That remains to be seen. Whatever happens, we are still ten points clear of fifth and everything is shaping up for a memorable run-in and celebration of some sort in May.

COYS

Adam Nathan (follow Adam on Twitterhttps://twitter.com/#!/adamdnathan)

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