A Weekend Off and Postponements of Yore

/ Alan / 5 Comments

We looked good on Sunday, in my imagination at least. It felt like a good time to play them. Liverpool are formidable opponents but we have the talent to take them on plus invaluable momentum, whereas they are stuttering and uncertain. With the rearranged date likely to be at the end of March/early April, they may be mired in a Europa cup campaign but this is less about their problems and much more about the positives of our good form. I was burning to see how we faced up to the test of chasing a top place, away at Anfield.

Despite our preoccupation with the weather, trust the Brits to get the forecast wrong. The news was full of dire warnings about travel but ironically Sunday’s weather was better than expected. I spent the day whizzing around roads in the south-east that my radio was telling me were virtually impassable but it’s better that the match is postponed on the basis of the balance of probabilities than have those late postponements when loyal fans travel hundreds of miles only to find at 2.59pm on a Saturday that the game’s off.

On Saturday 5Live interviewed a senior partner from a large law firm (a proper one, not http://www.chasingambulances.com or ‘Whayhey You’re Hurt! PLC’) about personal safety and the liability issue. He said that basically it is indeed up to the individual whether or not they choose to attend a football match (or go shopping), that it is the individual’s responsibility to stay safe and that a club would not be liable if someone fell over outside the ground. Inside the ground, the club would be covered too, provided that they had stuck to the safety rules, but this was not an issue yesterday as the stadium was OK.

So this is about a police decision on crowd and public safety. They have to consider the worst scenario, e.g. someone in the crowd falls, others slip around them, pressure from people behind who don’t realise there is a problem….

There’s also the traffic issue – many of the problems on the roads in this cold spell have been caused by accidents that block the road. One of those on a busy route and thousands are stacked up behind.

In the end, this is little to do with a so-called PC approach to personal safety and everything to do with our total unpreparedness for bad weather. It’s also a function of our lousy transport system, where normal roads and public transport have to cope every two weeks or so with massive crowds.

In years gone by, postponements were a more common feature of watching Spurs not because of the travel arrangements but because of the state of our pitch, which for a few years was a notorious quagmire, cutting up in wet weather like a country field after the village ploughing competition. This is the real reason why the Perrymans and Pratts of the midfield had to roll up their sleeves and run forever, just to stay above the surface.

Walking down a wet High Road for a match in the seventies, which I’m sure was in fact against Liverpool, I reached the old Whitbread brewery before a few stragglers coming in the opposite direction suggested the match was off. But I had to press on and find out for myself, just to check. It was about 1.30pm, so not many there but still there was no official sign. Eventually enough people seemed to have the same message but I circled the entire ground in an adolescent fug of paranoia. The thought of leaving the ground and then reaching Ealing Broadway only to hear the half-tine score required detailed personal investigation in order to rule out this frankly far-fetched possibility.

Also around that time, although I confess that far back is a bit of a blur sometimes, a home fixture against Sheffield Wednesday at a fog-bound Lane was saved by issuing pass-out vouchers at the turnstile. The gates stayed shut until quite close to kick-off, then as we went through the vouchers entitled us to re-admission for the rearranged game, should today be called off if visibility worsened. I read afterwards that this saved the mach, which was completed, because otherwise the referee would have erred on the side of caution and called it off.

The only other time that I actually set off for a game that was then postponed was at the beginning of 1988-9, when the opening fixture against Coventry was called off at about 1pm because building work in the East Stand had not been completed in time for a safety certificate to be issued. This was a major cock-up and highly embarrassing: a top division team not having a safety certificate when it had all summer to finish the building. In the event we were fined three points, if memory serves, and although they were eventually reinstated, Venables’ team got off to a poor start and we were down the bottom in October, only to gradually pull round.

Finally, one game that did take place in the snow was in February 1969 versus Leeds. My mother had promised to take me but we had to wait until almost 1pm before the club confirmed it was on. No media information assault in those days. We kept ringing (turning the dial on the old phones, that’s why it’s called a dialling tone, kids) until the voice dispensed with all pleasantaries, said the magic words, “It’s on” and off we went on the 207.

The pitch was covered in snow, with the lines brushed clear, and the pitch was rock hard. Over forty thousand saw a 1-1 draw, the crowd swollen by neutrals attracted to the only top division match on in London that afternoon. It’s small details like that which highlight how much the nature of football has changed. It’s inconceivable in these tribal days where ludicrously expensive seats have to be booked months in advance that large numbers of fans would make the effort to watch another team play, just for the pleasure of seeing a game.

Liverpool v Spurs Preview. And A Bit of a Rant About Ticket Prices

/ Alan / 9 Comments

To be truthful, although Tottenham is always on my mind, I have paid more attention to other matters this week, mainly how to avoid sliding under a German artic on the M25.

The Liverpool game, should it go ahead, provides a wonderful opportunity to strike at one of our main rivals for the one Champions League place that is available. We should grab that with both hands, taking a positive and bold attitude to Anfield without being reckless. That mindset has not come naturally to us in the past but a run of decent football plus five clean sheets could not leave our confidence any higher, and it would be a telling indictment should our motivation fall short in any way when tested.

Much has been said in the media about Liverpool’s over-reliance on Gerrard and Torres but when you have two players that good, I’d rely on them too. King and Dawson will probably start in central defence, although there’s a slight chance Bassong could replace Dawson because his mobility might be better suited to combating Torres. I don’t think changes will be made.

Bassong could be in the frame for left back too, where a more defensive minded player, away from home, could be better protection. Harry has used centre halves in this role very effectively at other clubs, although I would like Bale to have a chance with a few games to prove himself.

Redknapp seems to be adopting his protective paternal approach, which has always seemed to be the right way for young Gareth. Listening to the radio is not the best way to judge a player but a while ago 5Live provided an insight into how his lack of confidence affects his game. The commentators sit at the back of the press box and when Bale was brought on as sub in a midweek game against lesser opposition (can’t recall who, I’m afraid) on his way back from injury, they reported that the Spurs bench were repeatedly screaming at him to get forward, but he was not responding. This uncertainty has been apparent and an arm round the shoulder will work better than scaring the living daylights out of him.

Gerrard does his business in front of the back four, an area where we do not close players down or track the runners as well as we should do, so here is where the match could be won or lost. All the signs are that Palacios is playing his way back into form, and Hud will have to be on his toes. Not a ballet dancer is the big boned one, so first instinct should be to drop right back when Liverpool threaten. Their 4-2-3-1 means they do well in midfield but can be stifled closer to the box.

Liverpool in defence could be vulnerable down their flanks – I would have liked to have seen Lennon take them on – but Modric and Kranjcar do their best work linking in the centre. If the fullbacks can get forward, dangerous against that formation, they could link up too. In summary, so much is in the balance but keep up our form and we can do well.

Last Saturday we held the distinction of the highest crowd of the day, a healthy 35,000 plus. Much has been made of the poor attendances elsewhere, an indication so the argument goes that the Cup is losing its magic.

In comparison with other clubs, our figure was artificially inflated because it was the second of the two cup ties included on our season ticket. I don’t think this was the case at places like Middlesbrough and Wigan, whose paltry crowds were embarrassingly low. However, the loyalty of our fans would ensure bigger gates whoever we played. We also had a sensible pricing tariff and credit is due to the board for not unduly cashing in on the Leeds game, arguably the tie of the round. £30 and £25 with £10 for kids is fair enough.

Although the Cup’s appeal is in danger of being strangled by the all powerful tentacles of the Premier League, it is deeply embedded in the psyche of football fans, certainly those of my generation. Younger people, I’d be interested to hear your comments. This is less about the Cup and much more about money. Being a supporter is so expensive these days, fans have to prioritise and if the cup games are extra then obviously they will be the ones to fall by the wayside.

I’ve done so myself in recent seasons, for the first time ever. I am fortunate in being able to stump up for the season ticket, so I’m not asking for any sympathy here. I have a reasonable income but like everyone the outgoings are substantial too. I estimate that watching football takes up 95% of the total amount of money I spend on entertainment in the course of the year. Going to the pub or to gigs, buying music etc, all of these interests have been sublimated to the ticket credit card bill.

The Premier League clubs have less need than ever for the cash from a cup run, because their income is generated primarily from TV rights. Put a little in the way of the fans and keep down cup tie prices to fill grounds, provide a still decent income and perhaps most importantly allow the new generation of young fans to experience the joys of live football, just as I did at their age. And here I still am. It’s an investment.

Smooth Spurs, Nice and Easy Does It

/ Alan / 9 Comments

Swiftly into our stride against Peterborough, Spurs banished any thoughts of giantkilling with an afternoon of smooth attacking football, four goals being scant reward for our dominance.

It was an inauspicious start as a pigeon had unloaded on my seat. A quick search revealed the sole toilet that actually had some paper towels but frantic pre-match scrubbing was only partly successful, as clearly a major proportion of the refuse had been baked on in an industrial oven. I’ve seen some crap at the Lane over the years but never before sat in it.

Defoe responded in kind, with an early astonishing miss from under the crossbar, not quite as shocking as the legendary Acimovic effort against Fulham but seen by many around me as an omen. Cue solemn muttering about, “it’s going to be one of those days”.

It became one of those days that we are seeing more frequently, thank goodness, where we played some delightful football. Once we realised Lennon’s absence and stopped looking to feed the ball down the right (it took a few minutes), Modric and Kranjcar asserted their midfield authority and were irrepressible. They cut in alternately from the flanks to find space in front of the Boro’ box and directed a steady flow of passes into the channels or out wide, where they found Bale in particular a willing ally.

Just as the excellence of their keeper Lewis provided more ammunition for the glum ‘one of those days’ theorists, Modric’s sweeping cross field pass allowed his mate to cut in and slam a sizzling curling shot into the far corner. I leapt up to salute a superb goal but the reaction was out of keeping with the eerily muted atmosphere. Only Peterborough I know but I can’t recall such a lack of response to a Spurs goal at the Lane, given that it was the first and was of such high quality.

Spurs’ onward march was temporarily hampered by an outbreak of flickiness, sometimes seen when we get too big for our multi-coloured, individually signed and ludicrously expensive boots. Suddenly it was all back-heels and one-touches over the head with the outside of the foot. However, complacency did not take hold. Learning lessons from other games this season, we kept the tempo high and continued to make chances throughout. Harry became anxious at 2-0 when our opponents forced a couple of corners, rising from seat to offer a few well-chosen words, but there was little to worry about as we set about achieving Cliff Jones’ half-time prediction of 4-0.

Without wishing to kick someone when they are down, I haven’t seen a side who defended in depth with five in midfield and who worked as hard as Boro to so little effect. There was space all over the pitch. Their superb keeper kept them in the game. I suggested that here was the second keeper that our squad needs (see my preview), then the Park Lane took up the cry of ‘Tottenham’s number two’.

Bale had a fine game, raiding down the left with determination and pace and delivering regular crosses at full tilt, setting up our second and third with classic precise pull-backs for Niko and JD (impudently with the outside of his foot) to touch home. Sterner tests will provide solid evidence of his suspect defensive qualities but he couldn’t have done more today. He was certainly not short of confidence. A great talent that needs to be nurtured.

Rose came on for a nice cameo. The only time I have seen him play was for the Under 21s when he had a more central role. On the left he was well-balanced and lightning fast, schooled to move and deliver a quick ball. He and Lenny have been working together, clearly. Naughton joined him. On first sight he too is upright and confident on the ball but he saw little action, although he could have conceded a penalty before Rose whizzed up the other end to be brought down for our fourth.

In my preview I suggested that the non-appearance of Pav and Hutton would most likely signal their imminent departure but on second thoughts league position is the target for any club thinking of buying.

Defoe went off early and may have a hamstring problem, the only bad news on a cold but pleasant day as thoughts move to the clash against Liverpool next weekend.

Spurs v Peterborough Preview

/ Alan / 6 Comments

It’s 2010, time for an all-out assault on a place in the Champions League. This blog has deliberately refrained from any CL talk: I’m thoroughly enjoying our season but whatever a top four team looks like, somehow we’re not quite there. If pressed (go on, press me then, oh all right…), it’s that resilience and strength in adversity which is missing from our play. In the words of that great seer Billy Ocean, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. And rough, but we don’t. Always.

Except that we are there. In fourth. There it is, in the table. Defensive frailties? Four clean sheets in a row. There’s one place available and we have as good a chance as any of our rivals to make it ours, so hang the doubts, put the pedal to the metal and it’s flat out until May. We are going to have some great games, ladies and gentlemen.

I only hope my nerves can stand the strain. It’s bad enough at the moment because I want us to win so badly anyway, but when something as potentially life-changing as Champions League football (or should that be CL income?) is on the agenda, then I will likely dissolve into a frenzied froth of anxiety for the next few months. I trust the stewards in Block 28 have had first aid training. I’ll ask the club to move those stretcher bearers to the East Stand. They are quicker off the mark than vultures on the Serengeti plains. My recent medical examination showed I am sound in body but then again the doctors have never had to see a body withstand the forces exerted on flesh and blood when Spurs are defending a one-nil lead.

Peterborough should provide some light relief. Dear sweet little Peterborough, or to give them their official title, Cup Minnows. Bottom of the Championship, number of away wins this season – nought.

No. No no no no no. The FA Cup is a worthy competition and we should go all out to succeed in it. Also, you can’t turn that winning mentality on and off at will – it is either there or it is not, so a strong team and 100% effort sends the right message to the players, never mind anyone else.

Banish complacency and all thoughts of playing a second team. We should field the strongest possible eleven. BAE and Lennon are injured but otherwise I don’t see why anyone should be rested, unless they have a little niggle that would respond to a weekend in front of Sky Sports. The one exception is Palacios. To be consistent, I’ve been suggesting that he could do with a break but Harry’s policy of allowing him to find his form by playing through a bad patch seems to have worked, judging by his excellent display against West Ham. And as this blog predicted, Benny’s injury requires treatment and rest just as the African Cup of Nations comes into view. Coincidence is a funny thing…

Ledley will not start, so Daws and Bassong in front of Gomes, a midfield of Kranjcar, JJ, Hud and Modric with Defoe up front alongside Crouch, although Keane may get the nod. There is a huge opportunity for Gareth Bale, a highly talented footballer who needs to learn the art of defending, as do many young defenders. This is hardly surprising, yet Bale has been subject to a great deal of criticism on the boards, something that is undeserved for a player with so little first team experience – he’s started fewer than 40 games in his years with us.

It’s tough for youngsters at Spurs. Consider the case of Charlie Lee, now a popular member of the Peterborough squad but formerly captain of Spurs reserves. I saw him play a couple of times, the outstanding performer in the match with a good tackle and pass and a great attitude. Watching the reserves you can spot talent but never quite gauge if that will be good enough for the first team. Maybe Lee lacked a couple of inches for centre half or the weight of pass for centre midfield, so he moves on and will play well today…but there wasn’t much in it.

The right back selection and the bench may offer some clues as to our transfer policy because if anyone is on the move, their value will diminish if they are cup tied. It’s unlikely therefore that Hutton will appear and a loan back to Sheffield has been mentioned for Naughton, although I look forward to seeing him play.

Talking of transfers, the icy blast of rumours, lies and misdirection is already blowing through the open window. Wrap up warm to protect yourself from several inches of guff. Harry says he’s not in the market for players. This is a lie. It’s fine, I don’t mind him lying because that’s a good place to open negotiations, just don’t take much notice of what he says.

We have money for the right player. The only major gap to plug is the lack of a decent second goalkeeper but this will not prevent Harry from improving the squad if he feels he can. If a top quality all round centre midfielder is available, one who can defend, pass, score and run all day, then by all means buy him. It’s just us and rest of the footballing world that is searching for the same mythical qualities. Sandro seems odds on to join us and I understand this is his position but he’s young and we should not expect too much too soon.

Decent players are seldom on the market in January so the demand may push up the price for Pavlyuchenko, Hutton and Bentley, all of whom will depart. We will lose money but maybe not as much as some suggest. Several English clubs are desperate for quality and Levy will make them pay for it.

Our most pressing problem in this and subsequent windows is not the search for new blood but keeping our quality players. We’ve done everything possible to keep them. The policy of buying players for whom Spurs is a step up is paying off as many of them take a step closer to maturity. Woodgate, Keane and Crouch have played in the CL – anyone else? Gomes? The rest will be motivated to use that as a target.

Others owe some gratitude to the club for the progress they have made, like Lennon, whilst Crouch and Defoe clearly feel understood and content with HR.

So I don’t see what else we could do to keep them. If ManU, Chelsea or even Man City (think of the salary) come in with a determined offer, it’s nigh on impossible for the player to resist. Fergie has his beady eye on Luka, I can sense it.