Tottenham Hotspur

One Touch Too Many

/ Alan / 14 Comments

One touch too many, a phrase that sums up Spurs’ performance last night. A radically altered team seldom captured the flowing passing style that’s been a feature of our season and we couldn’t score against 10 men despite having all the possession and territory in the second half.

This was like a trip back in time, all the way back to, oh, last spring at least. Players wanting three or four touches on the ball when one or two would do. Turning back into their man when a simple lay-off would keep the ball moving and stretch our already beleaguered opponents. Haven’t they learned anything from playing alongside Parker the master?

As a result we were continually caught in possession and allowed PAOK time to regroup after half a break had been made. Their massed ranks meant our one-twos in and around the box bounced off knees and ankles as well as feet but they didn’t mind as long as it stayed far from their goal. Many like Defoe and Pienaar tried too hard, setting the ball up for the perfect effort rather than catching them unawares with the early shot. Pienaar in particular failed to exert any authority – let’s be kind, he was finding his way back to match fitness and leave it at that.

The fact that it looked so dire is a tribute to how far we have come since last season. We play at pace, in set patterns that rely on Walker and Bale as well as Lennon to be quick and direct out wide and for Modric and Parker to shift it swiftly and accurately in the middle. On three occasions in the second half, we played a ball wide right from about 30 yards out and there was no one running on to it. Not making excuses for shoddy passing (there was plenty of that), but this sort of move is rehearsed in training and encouraged on the night, barely look up because that’s what has been coached. Yet Walker wasn’t there, not until later. We’ve grown into comfortable patterns and couldn’t readjust in time.

It’s not so much the individual, it’s the blend. Quality players in an unfamiliar line-up are just that, individuals and by the time the worst of the shambles was over, we were two down and beaten, despite the penalty and sending off that brought us unexpectedly back into things. We couldn’t finish them off, that old familiar Tottenham. Balls into the box, no one to finish it off. Their keeper was excellent but seldom tested. Ah, the good old days.

I say it’s not so much the individual, that doesn’t excuse some of the desultory efforts on show. Rose showed why he has so much to learn about the art of the full-back, especially positional play. Corluka, a defender I have a lot of time for, was appalling. Looking to him for basics of good positioning and solidity, he failed with the basics of passing and covering all night. I realise he wants out but we looked to him for leadership by example and there was none. However, twice it was the defensive line up that left acres of space between the four of them, twice the Greeks scored. The guy with the first goal seemed almost apologetic that such a gentle header should count. Where was Livermore and the midfield cover? Where was the tracking back?

Sadly I wasn’t at the Lane last night. I say sadly – this is my foolishness, I would rather have been there to witness a defeat than stuck on my sofa. Anyway, Graham Taylor rightly picked out the ‘one touch too many’ refrain several times. He wasn’t so sure about what to do about it. When asked he chortled, ‘That’s up to Harry!” It’s a cracking gig, being a pundit. They get £2 or £3k a match, I think. I’m available. It’s true that I haven’t actually been England manager or played football at a level higher than the Oaklands Road Primary 1st XI but at least I have an opinion.

I would have played an almost full-strength team from the start. I’m old-fashioned enough to think that a European competition is worth winning and that winning something is better than coming 4th in something else. I’m also calculating enough to say that on the balance of probability, it was worth the risk, despite Liverpool’s example from earlier this week where Lucus was crocked for 6 months. I’ve praised Harry for easing us on to the outside with the minimum of effort, two furlongs to go and a clear run ahead without breaking sweat. Win this one, effectively play one match at anywhere near full tilt, and we were through to the stage where over 2 legs we could beat anyone. Get there, then take a view depending on how we doing in the league and the FA Cup. Stamina is not a problem for this team and we could have coped with this game.

Credit to PAOK. Unlike the away match, they were organised and determined, refusing to be shifted from their Alamo positions behind the barricades.

So I’m disappointed today, but onwards and upwards. Harry’s heart was never in it and in the end that was the attitude of several players. If we had been 5th or 6th in the league, maybe he would have taken a different view, but we’re third and deserve to be so Bolton it is and three points.

Finally, I’m also disappointed with how many people on the boards and on twitter have written off a few of our young players. I know we all get grumpy after a result like this but to dismiss Harry Kane’s chances totally as many have done, or Livermore’s for that matter, is ridiculous. Kane is just 18 years old, our central striker in a key European game, he worked hard and could have scored on two occasions, would have if it were not for a handball on the line.  It’s hard enough as it is for young players to make it, never mind a reaction like this.

The Real Deal

/ Alan / 15 Comments

i suppose this is what it feels like. Supporting a top team. I mean Spurs, always a top team to me, right up there, don’t anyone try to tell me different or I must ask you kindly to step outside. But this real. Third place, two points behind Manchester United with a home game in hand. Playing the best football I’ve seen for thirty or so years. Lauded by other fans and the media because we have goals, victories, and above all, style. People want to watch us play.

We’ve done top four in the recent past, of course. We were fourth because we deserved it over the season before last, but be honest – there was a big gap between us and them, the top three. They played classier football, the way it should be played. Now there’s no us and them. We are them.

It’s taken me a while to get used to it but I’m fine with it now. A little stunned at first, waiting for the wheels to fall off, just like they always do. 40 plus years of support, it will surely go wrong soon enough, just when that sense of false security creeps up on you. Even on this run, we had a bit of luck at Blackburn and Fulham. Yeah yeah, winning ugly, I know, but come on, between you and me, luck, huh? But this week we slaughtered a decent mid-table side and overcame West Brom yesterday. Hey, what the hell. We’re brilliant, exciting, fluent, beautiful, did I say brilliant already? Top three, doing things in style. I can handle that.

I watched the Villa game with someone who likes football but has never been to a Spurs match before. She said she was ‘dazzled’ with the live experience, being close to the players, the crowd, the ebb and flow of the play with the fans being part of it. I replied that I’m on my way to half a century and I was dazzled too. Yesterday we showed some of those breath-taking moves, movement of players into space faster than we spectators can keep up with, the ball shifted from one end of the pitch to the other in the blink of an eye, we saw these on a few occasions, especially towards the end when our redoubtable opponents were pushing on and left gaps. The example was Defoe’s goal, a memorable and stunning moment, one pass from Benny, a deft flick that opened up acres, then a thirty yard run before a bludgeoning finish. Pace and delicacy capped by a sudden eruption of power.

But the real deal manifests itself in other ways too, and that’s what has really hit me. The ball’s played upfield, no worries, we’ll get it back soon enough. Stretching for it, it’s OK, kept it. Always someone available to touch it on to. Long ball down the middle of our defence, meh, Kaboul’s sorted it. Or Brad’s swept it up. Sweet. Any Spurs fan will tell you, we are not used to that feeling. Uncharted territory. I’m still exploring but I kind of like it.

This week we faced two new challenges. On Monday we resumed after a long break against a decent side. How many times have these matches been our downfall? The ones we are supposed to win. Our opponents keep it tight, we go down to a late winner. Not so long ago this was Spurs. Stoke, Wolves, Blackpool. Yet we destroyed Villa. Moreover, they came to the Lane and they were scared. They didn’t see Spurs as beatable if you put in a shift and get stuck in, but intimidated.

Yesterday we faced and overcame a new and different challenge. For the first time this season we were confronted by a well-organised team who pressed us mercilessly, leaving us no time to settle and play our football. Time and again we were pushed back, back passes when we are used to sweeping onwards. No time to set any rhythm or tempo. Modric’s true influence apparent in his absence. Then a goal down, Bale’s ineffectual defending gave Reid too much space, then we failed once again to deal with a cross, albeit a fine one, placed between our centre halves. Not for the first time – it’s a weakness that was nearly exploited by Odemwingie near the end. I’d be interested to hear if anyone reading this is a coach. It’s a tricky decision for defenders – centre forwards have been trying to set themselves up in the gap since football was first played – but I assume Kaboul as the man who can see the forward should leave his station and come to him.

We’ve faced such challenges before and folded. Not now. We have the ability to change and a manager able to get the message through. Under pressure, we shifted slightly, same shape but more attacking. Defoe pushed up to get closer to Manu, who worked magnificently, his movement opening up the defence throughout but he was isolated in the first half. Parker moved up, just a bit but he lead us whereas earlier the match largely passed him by. Full-backs pushing on – Benny superb today, dominating that flank, more passes than anyone else. Bale on the right stopped Thomas’s advances and shut down that attacking option for the Baggies. Sandro, booked and surely one foul away from red, remained diligent and composed. Fearless, he did not shirk a tackle or physical challenge. Such poise and bravery is top class.

We introduced width and upped the tempo. The second half was ours despite West Brom’s continuing efforts. The players responded with relish but Redknapp deserves full credit. Manu got a late third after missing other chances, including a penalty but we make so many chances these days.

So a fine win and a glorious week. Fabulous football, enjoy it with me. I can’t recall a spell quite like this one. Quality yes, plenty of that over the years despite what we Spurs fans might say, but never the consistency. In 82 we might have cracked the league but for a crazy fixture pile-up that left us worn out and with only a dull cup win to show for it. That came close but this is right up there. And the best thing is, there’s more to come.

Redknapp Moves With The Times, Spurs Prosper

/ Alan / 8 Comments

Harry Redknapp is the quintessential English manager. Working class roots, played football since he was a kid, steeped in the game, worked his way up in management from the lower leagues. Close to his players, he preaches the virtues of hard work and character. He has prospered in the modern era but his teams would look familiar to fans from any era of English football – big men at the back, tough tackling midfielders and wingers with another big bloke up front.

He’s often scornful of tactics, preferring or so he claims, to assemble good players and let them express themselves on the pitch. John Giles, a shrewd man not easily fooled, concurs: “You don’t see him complicating it with big tactics or formations.” Yet our success this year has come about precisely because of a different approach to tactics. Like the players, he’s absorbed a few lessons from our European experience. A couple of changes have made all the difference.

Teams play from the back – get it right there and everything flows. That’s true for us, of which more later, but the crucial difference is up front. Redknapp has jettisoned his faith in a centre forward as target man in favour of mobility. Manu Adebayor is not performing to the best of his considerable ability but he doesn’t have to, because he brings out the strengths of those around him. Crouch was a target for Bale and Lennon’s crosses. Manu is that and more. In particular, his runs open up space for others to either move into themselves or to slide in a pass through the channels.

As a result, Van der Vaart has prospered. Harry has him in a free role, working across the pitch and in the gaps between the opponent’s back four and midfield. He can hang back or make a little run himself, feed Adebayor or a runner, all these and more are possible. Bale is encouraged to make diagonal runs into the box. When all three are firing, Lennon is stretching them wide and Modric is hanging around, any defence will struggle. Before we leave Rafa, note how hard he’s working this year. His ‘ground covered’ stats rival anyone on the pitch when he plays well. He’s no longer a luxury.

The other major development is our centre midfield. Whether they are called a half-back, defensive midfielder, midfield destroyer or ‘a Makelele-type’, English teams have revolved around the energetic, tough-tackling midfield player. Times have changed and Redknapp has moved on. Positional play, the ability to pick up the ball and distribute it, to keep possession until team-mates are in the right place and defence can become attack, these qualities are more valuable at the highest level of the game. Spurs fans owe a huge debt of gratitude to Wilson Palacios but he doesn’t possess these abilities and so, like Crouch, has become part of our past. We know Modric can do this. Now we have Parker too. Both can tackle but that’s a bonus.

The modern game is so much about possession and movement off the ball. The great Italian coach and theoretician Arrigo Sacchi talked about formations but in the end the most important quality was the player’s ability to understand where he was in relation to his team-mates and to the ball. It was as if the game is about thousands of these micro calculations, re-calibrating constantly as the game flows. Put it all together and you have a team functioning as a unit, adapting to the ebb and flow of the match, to the conditions, to the opposition’s pressure or the need to score or defend, and above all to whether or not you have the ball.

Scott Parker is good at many things but this is finest quality. He knows where he should be at any given time. In defence he will shield the back four or slip back into a channel, leaving the defence to mark opponents. He’ll pick it up and wait. Not dither or procrastinate, but wait, a touch or two here, shielding the ball as others move around him. Then he’ll release, short or long, short mostly, keep it moving and allow more time to readjust into attack from defence. No space, well, knock it around, get others moving or move it himself. Sometimes he will inject some pace, either with a run upfield, jabbing strides and low centre of gravity, or with a sweetly timed through ball.

At his best, the game moves at his pace, hums to his tune. Add the traditional English virtues of toil, sweat and tackles and you have the perfect midfielder. He’s been outstanding, both in himself and in the way he gets the best from others. His intelligence means he knows what’s best for them, where they might be and how they want the ball, and again Redknapp’s coaching has been instrumental in getting the pieces to function as a whole.

Last season I said similar things about Luka Modric. Put the two of them in the same team and they complement each other perfectly. I would go a step further and include Sandro, a world-class prospect in my view, alongside Parker. They would lie deeper, although as I’ve implied that’s not a rigid demarkation, with Bale, Modric and Van der Vaart ahead. Lennon would miss out.

This isn’t about straight lines, remember. Rather, flexibility, intelligence, mobility and an ability to respond to conditions are key. All these five can run all day. They will have to, to cover, press and chase when we don’t have the ball. If we are short, one of the two DMs can slide across whilst others make a direct run straight back to cover. This allows Walker room to plunder on the right. If he’s forward, another stays back. Doesn’t matter who, they work it out according to where they are and the positions of their team-mates. Each player takes these same decisions, hundreds of times a game.

Choose Your Own Match Report!

/ Alan / 12 Comments

An exciting new service from TOMM to you, dear reader! Choose a match report from the two options available! No need to argue or comment, just read the one you agree with and carry on with your day happy in the knowledge that you were right all along!!!

Option 1 Gritty Spurs Rearguard Action Sees Us Through

In the old days, stretching back as far as, oh, 6 or even 7 months ago, Spurs would have let this one slip. Emerging from the half-time break two goals to the good, we were forced back on our heels, partly by surrendering the initiative but mainly because of a determined comeback effort by our opponents Fulham that would have shaken any team in the league. Under intense bombardment, we bent but refused to buckle. Inspired by an heroic performance by our keeper Friedel, we held out and stole away for a last kick of the game breakaway goal to seal a fine victory. Umpteen games unbeaten, the top four are looking over their shoulders: they are worried and they have every right to be.

Acting manager Kevin Bond was worried about the effect Fulham’s intense pressure had on Harry Redknapp, convalescing in front of the television after his heart operation. However, he had few doubts about his team, praising them for a resilience that has developed over the past year or so that saw us through some frantic moments.

The first half saw us start brightly. Although we had less of the possession, we were sharp and clinical in front of goal and took the few chances that presented themselves. Bale forced an own goal by attacking at pace and hammering a low cross that Baird, with only a fraction of a second to react, kneed into his own net. Lennon, who had a good first period, showing an intelligent use of the ball and decent workrate, made the second for himself and took it superbly, a well-placed left-footer (left foot!!) into the far corner after his trickery made space.

Fulham emerged transformed for the second half but couldn’t find a way through. Friedel was superb throughout and the only way he was beaten was via a fluke, an own goal after King headed the ball onto Kaboul’s shoulder. As they desperately sought an injury-time equaliser, Spurs bravely threw their bodies between the ball and our goal, a ‘they shall not pass’ attitude that will serve us well during the rest of the season as we march onwards and upwards.

 

Option 2 Lucky Spurs Get Away With Daylight Robbery

In the old days, stretching back as far as, oh, 6 or even 7 months ago, Spurs would have let this one slip. Emerging from the half-time break two goals to the good, we were forced back on our heels, partly because of a determined comeback effort by our opponents Fulham but mainly because we surrendered the initiative far too easily. Under intense bombardment, we were buckling but have an heroic performance by our keeper Friedel and a generous helping of luck to thank for the win that was sealed by a volleyed but totally undeserved third by Defoe. Umpteen games unbeaten, the top four are looking over their shoulders but have nothing to fear.

Acting manager Kevin Bond praised the team for their resilience but good old Martin Jol had a far more accurate assessment of the match when he said Fulham deserved at least a point.

The first half saw us start brightly. We had less of the possession, denied by a hard-working and well drilled Fulham side. We took the few chances that presented themselves. Bale forced an own goal by attacking at pace and hammering a low cross that Baird, with only a fraction of a second to react, kneed into his own net. A shame that once again we couldn’t get any of our own men to the near post, where they should be. Lennon, who had a quiet first period, unable to make headway, came to the left and made the second for himself, taken superbly, a well-placed left-footer (left foot!!) into the far corner after his trickery made space.

Fulham emerged transformed for the second half but couldn’t find a way through, despite the fact that we unable to prevent a steady stream of shots and chances. Friedel was superb throughout but once he was beaten via a fluke, an own goal after King headed the ball onto Kaboul’s shoulder, it seemed to be only a matter of time until Fulham scored. We were constantly giving the ball away, a crime for a team as skilful as ours. Even after Sandro came on and their threat diminished, we contrived to let them back into the game for one last effort. As they desperately sought an injury-time equaliser, Spurs used up a large portion of the season’s good fortune. Scrambles, goal-line clearances and a blatant penalty, all of these and more conspired to deny Fulham who were terribly unlucky.

 

In reality, both and neither are true. If luck balances itself out over the season, we are due a cataclysm sometime soon. No doubt against Chelsea we’ll lose 5-0, two own goals and an earthquake will shatter N17. I swear I didn’t draw breath for most of the last 10 minutes.

Yet this imponderable characteristic ‘resilience’, I can’t figure it out and as you know, I certainly like a ponder. It’s real but you can’t touch it, feel it or know how it got there. At the start of the season, I hoped that our European experience would forge a greater strength, both mental and physical, and there’s no doubt something lasting has affected the team for the better. Young men like Walker have picked up the feeling from the others. Trying to put my finger on it, although we were pulled all over the place by Fulham, especially by Zamora’s movement in the second half, our shape never fully disintegrated and our workrate was mostly pretty good. Motivation is good – Walker, Kaboul and Parker all different players but determined in their own way, and that attitude not only spreads to others, it leads to tired legs making one final effort and packing bodies in a human goal-line barrier.

Friedel has made a huge improvement. He makes the saves he should make, alert to come off his line and sweep up the through-balls, thus negating Murphy’s clever angled efforts for Zamora and the others, or quick to get down low. As a result, a sense of assuredness spreads through the defence. A highly accomplished performance yesterday and full credit to Harry for not only getting him on a free but fearlessly playing him as first choice from the beginning.

A word of praise for King too. He was lax with a  couple of clearances and frankly should have done better with his clearing header for the goal. However, several times he pushed Zamora wide, he and Freidel sorting out the angle so there was no way through, plus a couple of great blocks. Of the 15 goals we have conceded this season, only four have gone in when Ledley was on the pitch.

The first half was pretty dull in all honesty, fine by me as we were two up for most of it. Fulham could close us down but at the expense of diluting their own attacking power. Most of their efforts were looping crosses from deep, easy enough to handle.

Bale had a good first 45. He benefits from receiving those sweeping cross field passes. Good tactics – knock it around on one side then if there is no way through, pass out wide where Bale has some space and is not double marked. Clever tactics – who says the coaches don’t do anything at Spurs? He popped up all over the place and doubling up with Lennon on the left for the second was a masterstroke.

Fulham were good in the second and old habits die hard – I found myself hoping Jol would have a smile on his face at the same time as I released this would mean we would not win. I pulled myself together quickly, mind.

We gave the ball away far too easily in the second half especially, even when not under pressure. Their threat subsided after about 70 minutes – Sandro helped – but we let them back into it when we should have closed it down tight. Walker’s attempted touchdown at the end was a certain penalty, although Parker should have had a free kick a few moments earlier. Adebayor was too isolated from the midfield. This has to improve if we are to maintain the challenge for the top four.

To be realistic, luck will indeed even itself out but holding the ball is something under our control. Better teams will slaughter us if we make that easy for them. This isn’t about a jammy win, it’s about handling the pressure of being at the top of the league. We cannot lose two goal leads if we are to stay competitive. We can afford to smile, especially after Defoe’s volley, but the reality is, the pressure’s on and it’s going to be this way for the rest of the season. next time we might not be so fortunate.