Season 2009-10

Monday Meanderings – Should Have Brought the Deckchair

/ Alan / 7 Comments

A routine win. Routine and lovely and ordinary and superb and standard and welcome and oh-so-average and brilliant.

Routine. Let it roll around around the tongue. Roooo-tine. Roo-teeeeeeene. Savour the word, luxuriate in each syllable, rejoice in the concept, because nothing is ever routine at Spurs so this was such a relief. Enjoy every moment because the rest of this fantastic season is a white knuckle ride into the unknown. We won a game we were supposed to win, in the end at a canter. We didn’t play well, but well enough. It’s not usually as straightforward as this, but nothing went wrong, no mishaps or calamities, plenty in reserve. I’ll never get used to this sort of thing at Spurs.

We had a go a few times. Gomes saved well close in, once in each half, a tangle of long arms and legs and the ball bounced to safety. Excellent work, he gets down so quickly for a man able to touch the crossbar with his armpit. And Pompey helped. When you’re down, you’re down. Last man standing as the vultures with the stretcher had their best afternoon of the season. As ever, I was plutzing whenever they had possession, at least until the last few minutes. Maybe the air disturbance caused by three pigeons taking off at the Park Lane at the just the wrong moment could subtly alter the ball’s trajectory as it flies towards Gomes…

I’ll always be like this, it’s too late to do anything about it. There was, however, real potential when Portsmouth went 4-3-3 and it is as well that Huddlestone, diligently dropping back, was more alert to the danger than the crowd. The huge cheer that went up when Birmingham equalised (I assume, as apparently I was the only one looking at the ball not the screen) could have choked in the throats of a good many spectators as it coincided precisely with one of Portsmouth’s rare forays into the box. Nothing came of it but it’s not as if I want to spend £40 to watch Soccer Saturday. The Pompey fans’ quip about ‘is there a fire drill?’ greeted a deafening rumble of seats thwacking back in unison. It was funny and I wish them well for their loyalty and continued enthusiasm under impossible duress. From April 12th onwards. Until then, keep those injuries coming.

Spurs went through the motions but the spark was missing. Hud and Luka were quiet for the most part, Hud’s perfectly timed left footer aside, but the big boned one’s value is in more than just the spectacular. He works with energy and growing intelligence, particularly in the way he makes himself available for team-mates. Nice touch in the first half. Lumbering forward to join an attack, as he ran he turned and told Luka to stay back. Only one forward at a time, the right decision and more importantly he took charge of that moment.

Perhaps not the game to judge too harshly, but Bentley’s second half performance illustrated one of the faults in his game. If he does not release it fairly quickly, he tends to take it too far, right into the clutches of the opposing defenders. He doesn’t have the pace to beat them and usually not the skills either. What he does so well is whip the ball, but to do so you don’t have to beat your defender. Rather, you can push it a yard ahead and away from your man, he can’t reach it but you can wrap your foot around and curl it in. That needs to be drummed into him. Maybe he’s better in games with more edge and pace. Also, he did not link well with Walker, although that can be excused as this was presumably their first outing together. My first look at Walker in a Spurs shirt. He had a promising debut, holds himself in a well-balanced manner so he can move well and shift balance if he has to turn or move in for the tackle, tackles firmly and is decisive. Sometimes that meant that he made the wrong decision but overall I’d rather see a young man have faith in his own ability that hesitate for fear of making a mistake. His run to set up the second goal was a fine piece of play, showing also his awareness of first the space and then of better-placed team-mates as he pulled it back.

Our Saviour was another on cruise control when he came on but Superboy has only two settings, off and maximum. That move he’s working on, where he brings down a pass and leaves the ball a yard or two in front so he can run onto it. that’s real skill because some of those crossfield passes from Hud and Daws are fairly fizzing in towards him. He was absolutely terrific again, thrilling on the ball.

As relaxing an afternoon as it ever will be at the Lane and now close your eyes and dream of the glory ahead. Whatever happens at Sunderland, week beginning April 11th is the stuff of magic and mystery. It’s why we go through the rubbish and the pain, for moments like these.

But for now, Spurs stopped playing towards the end and so this column will just

Still time to enter the competition to win a copy of the book everyone wants to read, ‘Spurs Cult Heroes’. Answer 3 questions about cult heroes that might have been… see ‘Recent Posts’ opposite or scroll down a bit.

Spurs v Fulham. Can’t Sleep, But There’s Plenty To Dream About

/ Alan / 15 Comments

No column planned for today, not time…but have to write. Something has to be said about our team, our infuriating magnificent frustrating spellbinding team. Something must be said.

Battle of the English managers. Honours even, one half each. My goodness, they know this game. The difference in the first half – movement. Fulham pass and move, short passes mostly, nothing ambitious, get it, keep it, allow men to move forward in support. With five in midfield and mobile, there’s an advantage in beginning the movements from a deeper position because you can see the space in front of you, and the Fulham players moved unerringly into the gaps.We are still, expectant, strikers looking on from the area’s edge.

Kranjcar coming inside, good idea, overload them in and around the box. But he’s not effective and leaves a gap out wide behind him. Konchesky and Davies into that gap, help each other out. No worries, Sgt Wilson is patrolling, he cuts them off. But if he moves right, then there’s no one in the middle, so that’s where Fulham moves end up. So clever.

Benny has one of his vague games where the effort is there but the concentration absent. Not so much away with the fairies but under the headphones. Bale’s not sure where to be, Luka should come back more quickly, and it’s the old failing of Spurs leaving too much room in front of the back four. Bassong is drawn out because there’s no one to protect him, not really his fault but he’s late, betwixt and between, Fulham not closed down and there’s a gap….Zamora sees it, a fraction later, a perfect interval, a plain simple perfect pass is inserted into that gap and beautifully taken. All that work for a single moment. Worth it.

Yes, Crouch is playing well with the long ball, staying near his team mates and finding them well. That’s what he needs, don’t drift too far away, keep it simple. Not his fault, but the long ball is not our game. Pass it and move. Only one side doing that, so frustrating, maddening. We can do better, we know better, nothing learned over the season, nothing, all thrown out of the window…

Two eager young men dance enthusiastically on the touchline. Optimism and anticipation mask the knowledge that neither is famed for their ability to seize the day. Modric told in yesterday’s Times of Harry’s fearsome half-time team talks. The paint must be blistering on the walls. The act of a brave man, substitutes this early, carrying injuries and callow youth on the bench. Or desperate.

First touch, first touch you cocky little sod, you cocky little loveable sod, believe your own hype for a while, I’ll let you. Charlie offside, Fulham fans, the ones watching on TV at any rate, must be bitter. Bentley right, Modric left, Hud passes, Wilson covers. Suddenly there’s balance and shape, comfort in this warm familiarity. Gudjohnson is right at home, welcome and step right in, it’s nice here, you’re one of us. Shrewd, canny, pass and move, look for those little chinks in the massed ranks, get behind them, they can’t see you until it’s too late. Crouchie’s working, one of us, part of the team. That’s the way.

Bale, rampaging from deep, he slots into the role like a veteran but with the enthusiasm of a puppy. Coming from there, he can’t be picked up so easily, two men on him now, one, Duff, can’t get forward any more, out of the equation so their attack is blunted and the ball doesn’t get in our half for 30 minutes. Another young full back, Kelly, shows that he did not fulfil his early promise also as an attacking defender, nervous, broken, booked then substituted.

An injury threatens to disrupt the momentum, and the shape. Pav on, where is everyone supposed to be, no defenders…sod it, attack, it’s what we do. Daws looked nervous but if the ball stays in their half, he’s OK. Pav, not fit, runs around like a pit pony released from the depths. You weren’t really that hurt on the weekend, were you? Far post volley, ridiculous from there, from nowhere. Brilliant, just brilliant.

Beautiful slaughter. Fulham picked apart. Eidur completes a breathtaking team move. The TV shows only the coup de grace, obscuring the best and most fulfilling elements, of how this goal was created from way back.

There could have been more but lest we forget, Fulham are back in it, makeshift defence, tired legs, not fully fit many of them, we’ve played our hand. One goal, perhaps that Duff shot a yard to the left, Fulham may not realise but we’ve crumbled before. But Gomes sound, finely timed interventions from Daws and Seb, and so to Wembley.

Got to give it to you, Harry, and Hud in the middle, unspectacular but you did all that was asked of you, pass it and move, the others worked around you. Running out of defenders but leave that one for another day. For now, enjoy. City lost, Wembley, and a game of two halves. Enjoy the morning after a special night. If you ever wonder why we do it, pay the money and take the grief, that’s why.

WIN a Copy of Spurs Cult Heroes!

/ Alan / 2 Comments

Win a copy of ‘Spurs Cult Heroes’ by Michael Lacquiere, known to the likes of you and I as the author of the fab blog All Action No Plot.

The stories of 20 fans’ icons, the book is often remarkable and always entertaining. I hope there’s not too much about fake boobs, though.

My first ever freebie as a blogger and I am giving you, dear reader, the chance to win it. Not that I haven’t been offered items, oh no, but selflessly I’ve turned them all down, keeping TOMM advert-free and as pure and innocent as a new born babe, with a bottom to match.

In order to send this to you in pristine condition, I’ve not been able to review it, although I might peek inside after buying a pair of those white gloves that David Dimbleby uses to handle medieval manuscripts or ancient maps with the land of the dog-headed men, now known as Chatham.  If it is half as good as the blog, then it will be the best read of the year.

To win a copy, answer these questions. Replies to tottenhamonmymind@gmx.co.uk, closing date next Wednesday March 31st at 8pm. First one out the hat wins. I’ve always wanted to pick a name out of a hat, you know.

The Hat. Just think, your name could be in it this time next week...

Spurs have been blessed with many cult heroes, but can you identify three more that you so nearly adored but in the end they never quite made it. We were seriously after these players but the deals fell through.

  1. A bona fide stone cold hero for country and club, in the mid 60s he could not wait to join Spurs and get away from the London team with which he will forever be associated. But his board said ‘no’ and punished him by keeping his wages down.
  2. This saintly hero was rumoured to be on his way for a couple of years and even the bloke behind me confirmed the deal. His style was perfect for Spurs but then his fiancée said she didn’t want to come to London, so he stayed a one club man on the south coast. All I can is, I hope she was worth it.
  3. This man achieved iconic status in the 70s but for one of our bitter rivals. Medicals completed, he was on the point of joining us when one of the cult heroes featured in the book pinched him at the last moment. See how it all fits together?

Spurs v Fulham, Daniel Levy and Happy Clappers

/ Alan / 4 Comments

No messing about. Fulham are good but tonight’s match is there to be won, because we are better. The path has been laid out for us: one match from a Wembley semi-final where we will start as favourites, two league games against teams below us in the league, then the fireworks begin…

I’m in an upbeat rather than complacent frame of mind. We have to go out and win those matches, which is not straightforward. What I do believe, passionately, is that we are capable of linking high quality football with the strength of character that will see us through, even that will enable us to look forward to the challenge as opposed to fearing it. Without playing superbly, and certainly not playing with our best team, far from it, we are unbeaten in seven, five wins included. Disrupted team selection, defensive tactics, the physical approach, we’ve taken them all on lately and sent them packing.

Wilson is likely to return tonight: the rumours circulating round the boards that he is unfit appear to be unfounded. Otherwise, the same again with Eidur starting up front. I suspect he’s not ready for 90 hectic full-on minutes, so there’s just the merest thought that Harry could leave him on the bench until half time and allow the game to open up a little before he comes on. Possible but unlikely. Gudjohnson’s preference for hanging back off the very front could unsettle Fulham’s back four who when defending do not like to come too far forward. They will therefore be presented with a dilemma – do they desert their post to follow him, thus leaving a gap for Luka, Bale or Kranjcar to fill, or stay at home and thus provide Eidur with a bit of space. Whatever, Modric and Krancjar are once again our key men. Nico can drift in from the right and use that sledgehammer shot while Modric will buzz in the middle to move the well-organised Fulham midfield around.

On Sunday our opponents rested a few of their best as a mark of respect towards us. Although they were easily beaten in the league fixture at the Lane not so long ago, the fact that they will be sterner opposition this time is due largely to one man, Bobby Zamora. I had written him off as terminally average but relatively late in his career has been given the target man role by the canny Hodgson, thus making the most of his limited abilities. Here, expectations are clear and horizons narrow, i.e. staying fairly central, often with back to goal and hold it up or knock it off to a grateful and always willing midfield. By restricting his game, he’s become more effective. He was poor in the league match but was just coming back from injury. In the away tie he tried to drift left towards Bassong rather than Dawson, but Seb did well enough. Further danger will come from Murphy’s probing and Dempsey’s desire to get forward.

Spurs have as ever been active in the community, and so to publicise the events there are two good interviews today with Modric  in the Times and Kranjcar in the Standard. Both are enjoying life at the Lane. Luka provides an insight into Harry’s methods, describing his half- time talks when things are going badly as scarier than those of Bilic, his national coach, who I had always thought of as one hard case. This lays to rest once and for all the image of cuddly ol’ Uncle Harry that he cultivates so assiduously with his media mates. I’m not bothered: I want a tough man as a leader, and Redknapp allows his men to play their natural game, once they are favoured. If not, then as Bentley, Pav and Bent all found, life can be hard.

And before I go, a word in praise of Daniel Levy. He’s not been in the headlines this week, or last for that matter, and that’s just the point. Although I have been heavily critical of his past dealings with managers, he knows how to run a business. That’s something that cannot be said for most football clubs but years of prudence have left us financially sound. In stark contrast, Davids Gold and Sullivan are seldom more than a few feet away from a microphone and camera intoning their mantra that everyone at West Ham is rubbish, including their manager which is eminently helpful in their campaign against relegation, and that there is a rising groundswell of opinion that the club need to move to the Olympic Stadium. West Ham have fast become a byword for bad judgement under the Icelanders, the nation not the shop, although the lowliest checkout operator could have told them not to buy Dyer and Lundberg on 70k a week. I’m not that bothered about where they play, and although they hate us, I expend all my energy despising the Arse and Chelsea. And it was clever of them to pay for 30,000 clappers last night that made a booing sound.

However, when I heard Gold talking last night about ‘what a good product’ it was, this sticks in the throat. Football is passion and glory, joy and pain, everlasting love. It’s a business too, I don’t doubt that. But the idea of it being ‘product’ is simply abhorrent and revolting. Never, whatever your colours, never.

Look out for the Tottenham On My Mind competition to win a copy of the spanking new book ‘Spurs Cult Heroes’ – unsigned!! You never know, if I finish my report his afternoon, it could be up by this evening. Must get on.