Search This Blog

Monday 28 February 2011

Defoe Fit.

Spurs have only minutes ago released a statement saying:

Jermain Defoe will return to training on the squad's return home this week after undergoing x-rays on his foot following his participation in today's (Monday, February 28) session.

The x-rays were clear and the striker is expected to rest tomorrow as a precaution to allow any possible soft tissue irritation to settle.

Worries over. Another player lying on the injury table is the last thing we need, but we still sit fourth.

Wolves next up.

Regards.

Saturday 26 February 2011

Spurs boys take holiday.

The first team squad have been taken to Dubai ahead of the break before the Wolves and Milan games taking place respectively on the 6th and 9th of March.

"We've travelled a bit recently and the boys have been absolutely flat out so we thought it was better to get them out of the place and come to Dubai to freshen them up a bit," Redknapp said during a surprise visit to Meydan Racecourse.

"We'll do a bit of light training, just to keep them ticking and focused. But by and large they're free to do what they want and perhaps even get a bit of colour."

Light training? Our strikers need shooting practice for atleast half the bleein' day to keep us sitting in 4th spot. Sunday's game at Wolves could prove crucial, especially if Chelsea pick up a win against United. Let's hope that Dubai sun does the boys a favour.

I could do with a holiday now.

Regards.

Dean Richards. R.I.P

In a shocking report this morning, our former centre half Dean Richards has died at the young age of just 36 after losing his battle with a very serious illness. The centre back, signed for £8m from Southampton in 2001 under Hoddle, went on to make just over 80 appearances for Spurs before retiring at just 30 because of medical reasons.

His most memorable moment in the lilywhite was scoring 15 minutes into his debut to put us ahead against United at White Hart Lane.

R.I.P Dean.

Regards.

Thursday 17 February 2011

Flamini Victim Given 4 Weeks

I don't quite agree with Tim Sherwood. I wanted Flamini sent packing. With Milan experiencing problems in midfield of their own, a red card for the old Arse boy and a suspended Gattuso could have only worked in our favour. Anyway, poor Charlie's got his results back today and in all honesty it could've been a lot worse.

"As we expected when my leg cooled down, everything about my ankle looked worse than just after the game," Corluka told Sportske Novosti. "My ankle is swollen. It hurts so much, but the doctors are saying that things are not as bad as it seems. Luckily nothing is broken, but I will still be out for at least four weeks.

Foreign referees. They'd book Crouchy for jumping to high and give the same punishment for a leg-breaking challenge. Still though, I'm sure Howard would've done the same.

Another defender injured. Anyone seen Hutton recently?

Regards.

Tuesday 15 February 2011

Hero's.

What a game, what a fantastic result. We really brought the game to Milan and showed them the true Tottenham spirit and what a real English football club is all about. The squad played for the badge on their shirt and supported one another. Aggressive in the challenge and keeping the ball well, we looked the business; a far cry from the game away against Young Boys.

As THEspursweb called it, the boys really were lions tonight. They played a good game and stuck to the plan fantastically. Sandro and Palacios looked again as though they'd been playing together for years. Dawson and Gallas were brilliant against Ibra and the City flop. Gomes pulled off a couple of fantastic saves and looked assured for 94 minutes. Did Pato touch the ball? Lennon was an architect and van der Vaart caused more problems than Milan did all night.

A memorable night saw that old Arsenal cnut show us even more that he can't play football; how he's not stuck in non-league is beyond me. Disgusting tackle. Thoughts are with Charlie. I'm sure I wasn't the only one that also wanted Tyson back in the day to show Gattuso just how pathetic he is, or give Joe Jordan just 30 second in a room with him. He wouldn't have a career left. Useless for 94 minutes but still couldn't stop moaning. Pathetic. You lost, move on. But still these guys will happily pick up their paychecks every week with a smile.

The boy's were hero's tonight and fully deserved the win. The Yid Army were fantastic up in the stands.

We deserved it, we stole it.. now let's show them a real atmosphere at the Lane.

Please join us on twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/InsideN17

Regards.

Monday 14 February 2011

AC Milan 2-0 Spurs

Let me begin by saying recently Rafa has tweeted: "Good news. Back on the pitch tomorrow, can’t wait to put on my shirt again!" Follow us on twitter here: http://twitter.com/#!/InsideN17 So the directions are pointing positively that our Dutchman will take part at the San Siro tomorrow.

But I'm afraid to say boys and girls that I can't look beyond Milan for this game. As good as our home form in the Champions League has been this season, we've conceded masses of goals on our travels and with a front line of Ibra, Pato and City flop Robinho for Daws and Gallas to defend against, confidence isn't high for this one.

Maybe it's the pessimist in me. We've played at the San Siro this season and if we have a first half as bad as we did against Inter there, then we could be kissing goodbye to our European adventure before half time. A slow start will cost us. We must ensure we look to park that famous bus we stuck in front of Mourinho's men against Chelsea a few seasons back and leave it there for 90 minutes.

I'm sure Harry will be telling Gallas to strap up his ankle properly before kicking off although I hear he's only taken the 8 pairs of boots out with him. The key to picking up a result will rest on our back four. If we tighten up the screws at the back then our ability to break on the counter could prove decisive.

But still, first leg, I'm going 2-0 Milan.

Your thoughts?

Regards.

Sunday 13 February 2011

Spurs star 'Working Hard To Be Back For Milan Game'

With a makeshift side yesterday that saw (or didn't see) Bale, Modric and Rafa all missing, we did well to grind out a result. Now our focus is on the San Siro on Tuesday with Milan awaiting us.

It's clear that with any one of these players back, our chances of stealing a half decent result in Italy would be far more likely. Redknapp has lately admitted Bale could play some part in our second visit to the San Siro this season and Rafael van der Vaart has kept us updated on his progress.

On his official twitter page, rafvdvaart, he tweeted: Hi guys, missed yesterday but working hard to be back for the Milan game. Thanks for all your support!

Oh the joys of twitter. Rafa looks set to have a late fitness test with every Spurs supporter having every finger and toe crossed that he'd at least make the squad for the trip to Milan.

Please follow us on twitter! Select the link on the right or simply select: http://twitter.com/#!/InsideN17.

Regards.

Saturday 12 February 2011

Pav's Performance

Let me just begin by saying what a fantastic win for the boys at a ground we've failed to pick up three points in ten odd years or something. The first half was a woeful display. The pitch didn't help, nor did Mike Jones who also had a poor game as the referee. Sandro looked as though he'd been playing for us for years and looked very assured in the middle of the park sticking in some big challenges, showing brilliant movement and a Brazilians touch. Niko popped up yet again with a fantastic volley to send us three points clear in fourth.

Pav played the whole game today after being in the press about as much as Egypt have this week. Again, not for good reasons. So what to make of the Russian that wants out? In all honesty, it wasn't a bad shift, but he hardly left us breathless. The technical ability is there but his lack of fight and hunger was frustrating.

It was hardly chances galore for our forwards and at such a difficult ground to come, I'll give Pav the benefit of the doubt. He did ok, compared to Jermain's form, he looked good. The boy clearly needs a run of games in the side and maybe a start in Milan on Tuesday wouldn't be the worst decision in the world for Harry to make.

Milan won 4-0 at home this evening with Robinho scoring a brace.

Please follow us on Twitter by clicking 'follow us' on the right or selecting the link: http://twitter.com/#!/InsideN17

Your thoughts?

Regards.

Thursday 10 February 2011

AC Milan Home Tickets

Milan at home in the Champions League 1st knockout round. I started interactively queuing at 8.48am this morning hoping that I'd get through and snare a couple of tickets, like I'm sure many thousands of you were as well. I was jumped back and forward many a time and my hopes of getting a ticket seemed to fade faster than our challenge for the Premier League. After 2 hours and 10 minutes of queuing, five minutes before I had to leave for work, I finally got through and purchased a couple.

Minutes after I'd completed my transaction, I started seeing comments concerning frustrated Spurs fans at being unable to purchase a ticket. The ticketing system has seemed to stem downhill from the original system that previously allowed us to choose exactly where we wanted to sit. Ticketmaster seem unable to cope with large surges in demand and it's costing unfortunate fans the chance to see the biggest game at White Hart Lane for many years.

Sitting in an online queue can be one of the most frustrating things I've had to endure, all be it paying off eventually. I was also a bit miffed at the fact that Spurs were advertising half-season memberships, making it increasingly more difficult to purchase a ticket to such a big game as all these new members fight to attain a ticket also.

I'd like to think that, after being a member for many many years, a small reward of the loyalty would be that I would sit in a better position to acquire tickets than that of someone that may have just signed up yesterday. But no, in this day and age money talks. It's something we have to live with.

Feel free to stick down your opinion on this morning. I also heard people were queuing outside the ticket office from around 4am this morning.

Please follow us on twitter by simply clicking the 'follow us' button on the right on selecting the link: http://twitter.com/#!/InsideN17

Regards.

Wednesday 9 February 2011

Follow Us On Twitter!

We have set up a Twitter page ensuring that you stay up to date with what's new concerning everything around White Hart Lane. A must for all of us Spurs fans out there!

Please follow us for up-to-date blog entries by selecting the link below, or, simply clicking the 'follow us' button.
If you don't have an account then sign up for one!
Simply select the link below or click 'follow us' on the right hand side and Twitter will take you through the rest.

Thanks a bunch.
COYS!



What An Idiot.

For the record. I like Pav. I do believe that he has a great eye for goal and we have seen, maybe not enough, moments of brilliance from the Russian. I understand his frustration. He's the only striker than can score a bloody goal and yet finds himself warming the bench every week; you must've had your head in sand if you can't see that he's not one of Harry's favourites.

What I don't like is the way he has ran to the press, made accusations concerning Redknapp and stated he intends to leave. With January just past us, Pav is here until the summer whether he likes it or not. Bringing on the negative attitude and lack of respect towards Redknapp and the club at this stage of the season has left me rather bewildered. If you want to leave, then have a quiet word at the end of the season; don't publicly announce how desperate you are to escape London when you know your stuck there for at least another 4 or 5 months.

As I said, I like Pav and I'd love to see him given more game time. Maybe banging in a few goals when given the chance will prove to be the easiest way to leave us. Then he can bugger off back to Russia. Right now we're still in a strong position to retain our Champions League status for another season and we could do without all the moaning for at least another few months.

Please follow us on twitter by clicking the link http://twitter.com/#!/InsideN17 or simply clicking the 'follow us' button on the right.

Regards.



Tuesday 8 February 2011

World Cup Finalist Wants Spurs Move

I'm sure by now that I'm not the only one sick of all the transfer talk surrounding Spurs after a hectic deadline day last week. You could almost smell the desperation amounting from Levy and Redknapp as they battled to bring in a forward.. oh, and of course, Phil Neville.

But one of the many targets has admitted that he would be in favour of a move to North London; coming in the shape of Mark Van Bommel. The Dutch midfielder has been a Spurs target for quite a few years now and the 33 year-old has hinted that he could make a switch to Spurs in the summer.

"We had some contact with Spurs," he told Sky Sports News. "Unfortunately it didn't work out in the end.

"It's one of my favourite clubs in England, that's all I really want to say.

"I really love the stadium. I know the training ground because I've been there with the Dutch national team.

"Rafael has told me a lot of good stories. I'd love to play for Spurs. I've told Rafael that as well.

"I don't know how things will go. I'm pleased with what Harry Redknapp's said about me. That's always positive.

"It's not good to look back. You've got to look to the future. I'm happy at Milan, but you never know what will happen."

Is he past it? Maybe he's pushing it, but I'd still love to see Van Bommel line up alongside Luka in the middle of the park. But we'll see, maybe he'd fancy another season in Milan next year. Your thoughts?

Regards.

Follow us on our Brand New Twitter! http://twitter.com/#!/InsideN17

Monday 7 February 2011

Hulk Open To Move

Porto's 24 year old forward Givanildo Vieira de Souza aka 'Hulk' has hinted he is open to a move from the Portugese side in the future.

"If a transfer appears good for all parties then we should consider it," he said. "There is always a lot of speculation about me but it does not bother me at all.

"The important thing is to concentrate on Porto and do my job. I'm already at a big club. Since arriving in Portugal I have improved a lot but I can still play a lot better."

Hulk has been in prolific form this season notching up 27 goals and 11 assists in 31 games; this including 19 goals in 17 league games for the Portugese side. The boy looks to be hitting his prime and it wouldn't be a bad bit of business if we were to move for the Brazilian in the summer.

Hulk in a Spurs shirt? Let's hope.

Regards.

Saturday 5 February 2011

What To Do With Pav

Wow. After Arsenal gave a new meaning to the phrase 'bottle job,' Niko got us out of jail with a late strike in the 92nd minute. I'm sure I wasn't the only one crying out the whole game for someone to take on an early strike instead of insisting on trying to walk the ball into the back of the net. The game was a largely frustrating encounter, which is typical against Bolton, whom themselves fed on our own sloppiness.

But still, 3 points wrapped up (thankfully) and now the pressure's back on Chelsea to pick up a result against Liverpool tomorrow. Still though, today saw Pav introduced with 20 minutes to go with the score standing at 1-1. The Russian, according to an article posted by ITV, has stated that there's a good chance of him leaving in the summer. I do feel for the boy. He's our striker that has knocked up more goals than Crouch and Defoe but is being given little to show his class each week.

I genuinely thought he worked his socks off for the side today in the short game time he was given and set up Niko for the winner; ok, Niko does get all the credit for the goal but it may never have occurred if it weren't for Pav. Jermain proved lastly frustrating again and let's hope he manages to find his form quick. I'm always confident Pav will deliver when thrown into the first team and I do believe that a run of games would do the boy good.

If Crouch and Defoe can form the ruthless front line they were a few seasons back at Pompey then it would be hard to displace either, but I would like to see Pav given more of a chance in the side.

Regards

Friday 4 February 2011

Offside!

Offside? An always controversial decision but none so more than when an oafish pair of TV studio so-called experts make the claim that it is gender that determines your knowledge or otherwise of the rule. Philosophy Football's handy T-shirt design provides the signals of the Assistant Referee as they wave their flag for offside together with the rulebook definition to start the argument. Complete with 'Lets Kick Sexism out of Football' campaign logo against dinosaur attitudes to wear on your sleeve. Available from www.philosophyfootball.com

Wednesday 2 February 2011

Fulham Game A Blessing

I'll be the first to admit that I could not see us winning today. In fact, I could see Blackburn nicking it 1-0 in a largely frustrating encounter on our behalf. But no, our boys battled well and deserved 3 points. After the Fulham game on Sunday, as embarrassed and humiliated as I was, deep down I really thought this would give the side a good kicking where it was needed and today may have just proved what a badly needed wake up call the Fulham game was.

The same happened last season. Wembley helped Pompey defeat us in the semi-final and suddenly we knocked up consecutive home wins against the Arse and Chelsea. Strange that. Today looked a reflection of that and, despite not a comfortable victory, there were a few names for me that really battled for the shirt in Blackburn tonight.

Gomes. I'm a huge fan of the Brazilian and his class was there to see as he kept us in it with a number of fantastic saves. Aaron Lennon was another. Thrown out on to the left wing in the absence of Bale and Pienaar, Lennon was a constant threat and a real weapon in the side today reminiscing that of his past form for the club. A very matured display saw him knock in some decent balls and link up well with others around him. Peter Crouch. Not just for scoring his goal but as much as I don't rate him much, I really felt the guy put in a good shift today. He got stuck in, played some nice passes and really worked his socks off for the side.

With Modric, Bale and Daws the key absentees from the squad that played at Ewood park today, the boys really upped their game from that of Craven Cottage. Jenas putting in a good shift for us today as well and saving us right at the death from a Chris Samba knock down.

5 points off of City with a game in hand and we still await the fixture at their place. Let's keep getting behind the boys and continue supporting them until the final whistle on the final game of the season.

Regards.

Tuesday 1 February 2011

What's Happened To Bongani?

I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking this, but when Redknapp gave the following interview all I could think about was what on earth has happened to our South African CB Bongani Khumalo?

"Michael Dawson got sent off at the weekend, Younes Kaboul was in great form and then he was sent off for against Newcastle at home and now he has to have an operation on his knee so he's out.

"Gareth Bale and Tom Huddlestone are both missing. They are big players for us so we have been pushed into pushing Woodgate in way ahead of what I should be because we have problems with the squad."

"It's a massive gamble for me the club and for Woody for sure," Redknapp said.

"He has not played a game yet of any significance but he is in my mind because he is such a fantastic player.

"I'm dreaming that he can come in and be somewhere near what he was straight away which is not easy."

With such a shortage at the back it would only make sense that our new young centre back is given the chance. This could be his big opportunity, so why isn't he being given any apparent consideration?

If anyone has any thoughts, feel free to add them.

Regards.