How The Passion Of One Man May Scupper Deal.

With silly season set to get even sillier for the next day and a half or so; the familiar reporters spending their summer holidays in tent's and sleeping bags outside Spurs Lodge waiting to catch the next big thing emerging from a 4x4 sporting a mild grin and blacked out shades matching the tinted windows in the 4x4; they may even give a little wave to the press. The daunting reality was that at this moment in time it only looked as though Scott Parker would be that big signing we were all desperately clutching at straws we'd make, weren't we?

Even now, the desire of one Jake Livermore may put a halt to any deal to bring Parker to the Lane as it's 'understood', Sky sports does a lot of understanding each summer, that Livermore has rejected the opportunity to drop down to the Championship. To me this reaffirms Jake's desire to really push for a run in the Spurs team, and why not.

Where most may arguably take the opportunity to drop a league in the hope of securing a more first team squad status, we have one boy who fully believes that he can be a valued member of our first team this year. What a fantastic attitude. If only all our players shared half the passion of this boy. He looked confident against Citeh and gave a top performance. Probably should've started.

After being linked with a host of players not even fit enough to make my cuppa every morning, in Jake we have one boy that isn't half bad at the ripe age of 21 and could be a gem in the season's to come. Parker would be a good addition to the squad, as long as it's not the last of the window, but I bare no grudges on Jake for potentially scuppering the deal. He has every right to want to fight for his place.

Top lad.

Regards.

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Silence! We've all gone quiet.

Mancini turned up with a squad pinched from Football Manager '11 which oozed quality. The absence of Sandro was almost a gutter blow in itself. With no steel across the middle it was there on paper that our midfield would get overrun. Kranjcar guilty of helping to lay out the red carpet towards Friedel's goal with Dzeko taking full advantage.

Against top sides every chance given is a holy grail. They cannot be wasted. At 1-0 down and with a little belief in the fans shedding onto the pitch Bale volleyed a dream ball to Crouchy who managed stick a free header wide of Hart's net. In truth it brought about as much surprise as Arsenal's defeat up in Manchester today. Get the bloke out. I read somewhere there was one guy offering to run him up to Stoke himself. If you read this please contact the customer service team at White Hart Lane. Prior to that was an excellent passage of play that Bale managed to put over with the goal gaping. Punished. 2-0 at half time and all I was hoping for was that it wouldn't get embarrassing.

They were far better than us and we have to accept that. We couldn't cope with the quick give and go's City played on the edge of our 18 yard box. They moved the ball well and found pockets of space that we proved inferior to. We needed a Sandro/Diarra/Parker type player in there. An intelligent forward with good feet which we now have in Adebayor would've been invaluable today.

We have to look at the facts on paper that we cannot compete with City; they're challenging titles, we're challenging (hopefully) 4th place. We've played two sides which have an excellent chance to finish 1st and 2nd in the league this year. It was hard to imagine us getting anything from these 2 games, realistically anyway. Had we kicked off our first three against Sunderland, Arsenal and Bolton then I'd be confident to say we'd probably be sitting in the top 6 saying how good this season could be. There'd be the belief there to kick on, but instead we're clutching at straws and hoping that a few more players sign. It's tough not to make excuses, but Liverpool wouldn't have enjoyed their week had they had our fixtures to kick off with.

I've now jumped on the get luka outta here bandwagon that seems to be growing in the numbers by the day. That is IF. A big IF. We have realistic replacements, yes plural, to come in. There does seem to be a lack of passion for the shirt, a bit of a negative atmosphere around The Lane. It was all a bit quiet after conceding the first, just like up at United- it deflated us. Coming back from the internationals to find 3 or 4 new faces may give the place a lift. If I had a magic wand at Spurs I'd bring in a quick Centre Half - we've missed the pace of Ledley complementing Daws, two Centre midfielders notably in Diarra and possibly a more creative player and a wing attack- a Silva, Nasri or Mata type player.

But of course, I have no magic wand and whatever team we're left with Thursday we'll give 100%. We've arguably the toughest few months of any side and a slow start, to me, looked almost inevitable when the fixture list was printed.

Kaboul top scorer, two of the hardest teams out the way. Don't panic.

Onwards and Upwards.

Regards.

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Defeat May Help Our Progression

So during my temporary suspension from the golden cup of Spurs news that is Newsnow, we've drafted in a couple of temporary players. Not quite by the skin of the teeth but almost. Queue any temporary panic that may have been starting to kick in to ease off a little as we now have another forward in Manu Adebayor. Good. The boy knows the Premier League and has shown he can score at The Lane more than we would have previously liked.

The other boy is one Yago Falque on loan from the Old Lady for a season. I'll be frank and state that my encyclopedia, ahem, of players doesn't stretch as far as this boy but hopefully he'll give Lennon some competition on the flank. Yes, hopefully.

But recently we found that our Carling Cup fate is a tricky tie up in Stoke. This competition has brought the highs (winners 08), the lows (defeat at the first hurdle last season) and the laughs (Arsenal falling in the final at the hands of Brum after a comical error). Although, it's one cup that we find we're pretty split on. In modern football for us there is this perception that finishing 4th would come priority over winning the FA Cup, the Carling Cup or the Europa League. Some of you may argue against this but I do find, as disappointing as it may sound, that this is the general consensus. Such is it where the financial rewards of a place in the Champions League vast exceed winning any three of these competitions should mean that our progression as a club would be boosted should we make 4th. Again.

It still brings a frown and a sigh of disappointment when I see the Scots given a chance to secure a sacred place in Europe's most prestigious competition and then come September seeing that side fallen out of European competition altogether. Yeah I know, FIFA's brilliant idea of spreading the brand of football to all countries and that. I'll still reserve my own opinion about it all though.

With the Carling Cup now seen as more of an irritant more than anything, and with the Europa league having the effect of playing two seasons in one, it could prove a blessing in disguise should we fall short at Stoke. Give our younger players another competition in which to prove their worth, throw them into the rough for a taste of a typical English Premier League game and see how they cope; we may even see one bright light emerge.

I'd never not support Spurs wherever and whoever they play, but giving the youngsters and fringe players a run in the Carling Cup as we should in the Europa League may reveal a star in the making and help the first 11 focus on the fight to regain 4th once more. With Arsenal looking incredibly vulnerable this season, this could well be our last hope to climb into the promised land of the Champions League before another monopoly is reborn.

Regards.

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It's Not Gonna 'Appen

(Yesterday's post that failed to publish due to a temporary suspension of my account, apologies for the information being a day old, although still valid I believe!)

Morning all. A familiarly quiet Sunday at Spurs Lodge, the usual no in's or out's and therefore proving another unsurprising transfer window day. Although, we do look set to tie up a couple of Ex-Goons before deadline day but then again we've 'looked set' to sign them for a week or so now. Just keep those fingers crossed boys.

Another report that was doing the rounds and also by one @Agent_ITK via twitter was that Spurs were meeting Bayern officials today to discuss the possibility of bringing one Arjen Robben to the Lane. Yes, the same Robben who's dad denied his son any possibility of joining us in Norf London because well, he felt his son could do better; In truth, I guess Munich aren't half bad. Parents eh, they just don't know when to let go.

Despite all this and before a monumental amount of false hope is built up, this is one deal that I can almost categorically reject will happen. It's no surprise. Robben still finds himself a crucial member of the Munich first 11, is on a more than decent wage packet and looks likely to play Champions League football this season. Levy's a shrewd businessman, but this is one deal that I doubt would even touch the surface of the water before being blown out of it.

There was also a small mention that Citeh would let Adebayor sign for us on a free. A player valued at £25m nigh on 2 season ago and suddenly even if he paid his own match fees wouldn't get a look in. Again, this looks unlikely. Unless if Ade agreed to a more modest wage packet of the £60k-£70k bracket, yes I know 'modest' eh, then he'll find himself slouching around taking a cool £170k a week watching Citeh's new heroes on Sky every week or so. If I'm honest, I'd take £170k a week to do nothing. It would certainly pay off the mortgage and then I'd possibly consider taking the missus out for that meal I promised her a few years back.

Oh I am the optimist aren't I.

Regards.

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Where The Niblets Did That Come From?

Well well well. What a way to kick start this season eh? A temporary break given from the groans aimed toward the lack of transfer activity as we travelled to Arts for the ITV Cup qualifying round first leg.

The performance was one that we hadn't seen for a long long time. Massively overdue imo. After a good search we finally overturned a stone and found our form. It was a delight to be playing football that was an ease on the pupils. The accuracy and the speed of which we passed the ball was more than impressive. The game was read better than a novel and the awareness of others from each individual was evident, summed up through Bale's goal for 4 as Tommy chipped a delightful ball over the back line for the Welshman. Gaww and doesn't that Jake Livermore look a natural. Raw talent and a real passion to play for the lilywhite. Love 'im!

Despite not being the strongest opposition we will face this season, nothing can be taken away from the quality of the performance. None of the 5 goals were belted in from 30 odd yards but were well worked. We showed why we achieved a spot in the Champions League quarters last year and were very good value.

We played as a team and we gave the Scot's more than a good kicking. Their attempts were in vain as we ran riot. More of the same please boys.

'Arry must've given them an 'ell of a team talk prior to kick off. Enjoy below

Regards.

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Where The Eff Did That Come From?

Well well well. What a way to kick start this season eh? A temporary break given from the groans aimed toward the lack of transfer activity as we travelled to Arts for the ITV Cup qualifying round first leg.

The performance was one that we hadn't seen for a long long time. Massively overdue imo. After a good search we finally overturned a stone and found our form. It was a delight to be playing football that was an ease on the pupils. The accuracy and the speed of which we passed the ball was more than impressive. The game was read better than a novel and the awareness of others from each individual was evident, summed up through Bale's goal for 4 as Tommy chipped a delightful ball over the back line for the Welshman. Gaww and doesn't that Jake Livermore look a natural. Raw talent and a real passion to play for the lilywhite. Love 'im!

Despite not being the strongest opposition we will face this season, nothing can be taken away from the quality of the performance. None of the 5 goals were belted in from 30 odd yards but were well worked. We showed why we achieved a spot in the Champions League quarters last year and were very good value.

We played as a team and we gave the Scot's more than a good kicking. Their attempts were in vain as we ran riot. More of the same please boys.

'Arry must've given them an 'ell of a team talk prior to kick off. Enjoy below

Regards.

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Reality is a b*tch.

I awoke this morning to the unsightly words from a certain Mr. Aljai that Niko was in fact knocking on the door of Sunderland bright and early with the player close to agreeing a move to the Stadium of Light.

"Why are we selling Niko when we've still got bloody Jenas in our squad" A statement that I read rather frequently from some of you on Twitter this morning; one that makes sense. The reality is that, how do I put this, Kranjcar is class. He's divisions above JJ in ability. Despite spending the majority of the last season watching us fail to overcome the heavyweights of Blackpool, West Ham, Wigan and so on, he still turned up and saved us on a number of occasions, sticking in performances worthy of a start.

Here, we have a player with raw talent, a real eye for a pass and a hell of a strike on him but yet fails to make the side on a regular basis therefore queuing a vast interest in the Croatian where most, if not all, clubs can guarantee him a place in their first 11 i.e. Sunderland.

Then there's Jenas. Oh Jermaine, where did it all fall flat? His Spurs career is reminiscent of a certain Leeds United F.C, so much promise but it's ended in tears. I still remember believing that we'd made a real coup when we brought him down south from St. James'. A player that in his debut season for the club looked a magnificent signing. Since then, well, it hasn't quite worked out. A few goals against the scum have kept us persisting but, in the end, his position in the first team is met with more groans than cheers.

This sums up a classic Spurs situation. It's an easy feat to simply state 'sell the deadwood and get a few top top players in' but the reality is that no one wants our 'deadwood'. No one wants players that haven't performed to well for however long. We were lucky O'Hara really showed what he could do given half a chance otherwise he'd still be on the books. Jenas' inconsistency and demise down the pecking order at Spurs isn't without reason and everyone can see it. Seeing him captain us in Madrid still gives me nightmares.

The point is, as much as I don't want Niko to leave if it means we get a half decent fee and actually start pushing ahead in bringing in a forward and progressing then it's a deal that must be done. The boy himself doesn't deserve to finish another Premier League season with only 2 starts under his belt. No one wants a player that hasn't performed for a season or two and with Levy appearing to ask the Earth for some of them we're left in an impossible situation.

Onward and upward.

Regards.

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He'll sign. 100%.

So, I predict, 7 days previous to this one you pictured yourself cheering on the mighty Spurs. Whether in the comfort of your own home, down the local, or standing proud at the Lane. My prediction would be that we'd come out of the game with a frustrating 1-1 and once more reveal the anarchy of failing to secure a quality centre forward as of yet. Maybe one more rant-free week or so will do us all good. Early season optimism eh..

Whilst the teams above and around us battle to gain an early advantage and find their stride for the forthcoming season in the Premier League, reports have suggested we're on the brink of brining our old enemy Emmanuel Adebayor to the Lane for a season. We've been linked with arguably 12 teams worth of players this summer, inevitably, although the Adebayor deal is one that I am confident will go through.

Adeabayor's situation is a difficult one. The poor old sod finds himself surplus to requirements at Eastlands after a few season's in Manchester.

Let's take a minute to sympathise.

The Togolese boy enjoyed a 6 month holiday in Madrid. Knocking in 5 goals in the process in a campaign that lasted 14 games for him. There's no prizes for guessing why he wanted a permanent move to Spain. It hardly raised an eyebrow when both Tevez and Balotelli admitted their disgust of Manchester, for obvious reasons. But poor old Ade; Mourinho looks to have ruled out any possible move for the Togolese forward. If they wanted him, they'd have signed him by now. With no other firm interest bar our own Levy's needs to adopt the classic grabbing-of-the-ankles-and-pleading tactic and send a kindly written letter to Mancini to take care of atleast half of Adebayor's wages. I'd make sure it was sent first class as well.

With Adebayor set to miss out on Citeh's 25 man Champions League and Premier League squad and with no other club bar our own even showing a sniff of interest, this is a deal I'd expect to go ahead within the next week or so.

But then again, how many times have we thought that eh?

I hope your Saturday is bringing more joy than mine is.

Regards.

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Modric Drops Spurs Hint?

Maybe just maybe I'm reading a little to into this statement, apologies if you believe so. But one of our all time favourite boys Luka Modric released this statement regarding Robbie Keane.

“Robbie is a great player, he showed last night how important he is for the Irish team,” said Modric. “He's a great lad. I would like him to stay but he wants to play.

“That's not possible at Tottenham, so he will probably try to find other options. “But I'd like him to stay and play for us.”

The furthest Robbie's made it away from Spurs this summer was Dublin last night and I'm sure he'd have relished playing for a side that actually value him. Despite this, at first glance it would appear that Luka's very forward looking about staying at Spurs. This has come after Rafa declared that even the Spurs boys had been trying to convince our good friend to stay in North London, for another year atleast.

A rare glimmer of optimism on my half is telling me that i do thoroughly believe Luka will stay one more year at Spurs. On the other hand, If Robbie's still here come September the 1st then my hope in this sport will have taken a rather large dent.

Regards.

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Spurs Robbed As We Go 1-0 Down In Our Opener.

When a quiet protest first broke out in Tottenham following the death of one Mark Duggan, who's name seems to have been lost amidst the chaos that has hit the country of late, many of us struggled to even consider that our Premier League opener was in danger of being postponed. Little did I believe that this protest would be escalated by a minority of youths keen to endanger lives of the innocent and vandalise the property of others.

But we were determined. We weren't prepared to let a youthful violent minority of people continue this destruction of our beloved community, or any other. In the end, the damage was too much and, despite our brave efforts to rid these people off of our streets, our Premier League opener is now cancelled.

Official word from Spurs was:

"Following ongoing discussions with the necessary authorities regarding this weekend's Premier League home match against Everton, it has now been confirmed that this fixture will be postponed due to safety concerns relating to infrastructure of the High Road and access to the stadium caused by last Saturday's riots.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused to supporters due to matters outside of the control of the Club. We shall update fans on when this fixture will be rearranged in due course.

Supporters who have purchased tickets for this match are advised that tickets will remain valid for the re-arranged date. Anyone requiring a refund should contact the Ticket Office via email at ticketoffice@tottenhamhotspur.com"

"Disappointed the game has been called off after 6 weeks of hard work for it! But people's safety is more important. Let's hope no more games are called off this weekend or in the future" Tom Huddlestone had to say.

Michael Dawson added: "It is frustrating as we worked for six weeks trying to get fit and unfortunately the first day of the season isn't going to be happening for us,"

"But the most important thing is the safety of all the people involved, the police won't have called it off too lightly."

Should we qualify for the Europa League, then the chances of seeing a 3pm kick off are about as likely as Wenger is to lift a trophy with the Arse this season. These kids have left thousands and thousands of fans out of pocket and it wasn't just TV's they've done a runner with, they've robbed us of our Season Opener.

Respect goes out to all those that battled for their communities and I sincerely hope that people have been able to slowly start rebuilding their lives. Our game with Everton will eventually be giving to us, but some people's lives will never be the same.

Regards.

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He's almost a yid!

It appears the ball's been rolling off the pitch as well as on as Levy finally looks set to wrap up some steel in midfield in the current absence of Sandro. Despite the disturbing scenes that have casted shadows across Tottenham, Lassana Diarra looks set to jump on a flight back to London to stick his signature on a contract with Spurs.

Although a striker is a must, it really really is. This brings a slight sigh of relief. A player with a fantastic read of the game and excellent positional sense that we know can stick in a tackle and pass the ball. A much needed upgraded on the unfortunate decline of the once irreplaceable Wilson Palacios. There was a time when I genuinely believed he was irreplaceable. I do call this decline unfortunate as he was never the same player after the tragic death of his brother.

Diarra knows the Premier League. At 26 he's at the prime age for a midfielder, for Madrid I rarely saw him stick a foot or two wrong and believe players with a far superior reputation being paid a few extra notes was the primary issue that resulted in Diarra's time in Madrid being spent soaking up the sun from the sidelines. He also brings a vast improvement on both JJ and Hudd.

Let's hope the boy's happy with the princely sum of a 5 figure salary every week. One thing's for sure, we'd bite Levy's hands off for that. Hey, I'd take minimum wage to play for my beloved Spurs.

Nota Bene. Thank you to all those that gave Luka a fantastic cheer on Saturday. That's exactly what the boy needed. He still has a home here and I'm sure he slept a little easier that night.

Regards.

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Darkest Depths of Mordor Avoided

Mordor. It's almost how I pictured this tie being drawn. Travelling to the darkest depths of Eastern Europe on a Thursday night in a bid to earn the right to play in the Channel 5 cup in Europe's second string European Competition. Well, it seems lady luck has shone a glimmer of light over N17 as we pulled Hearts out the bag. No long flight out for a Thursday night with the usual and expected hangover that would hit us like a train for a Sunday game. No surprises if we still played like we had one though.

Instead, it's a short trip to the exotic country of Scotland. Never have I ever felt so much happiness at the thought of travelling to Scotland. Even now I'm reflecting at the joy of this draw. You get my drift, it could've been worse.

For 'Arry, this brings a similar sense of satisfaction as buying a new TV for only then to see the same model on offer the next day. The way I see it? The fact our forwards made finding the back of the net a more difficult task than finding Waldo in a picture of Where's Wally mean's effectively we made this coffin so now we must lye in it.

But, it gives the younger players the limelight and, more importantly, our Thursday nights to prove to us they are worth all the fuss and a place in the first 11. It gives us more games in which to cheer on the mighty Spurs and that's something I refuse to complain about. Mason, Kane, Parrett, Souleymane, Bostock and many more could thrive this year if they're given a chance in this competition

In the words of our good mate Kev, "this is a proper tie."

"It's magnificent to be in Europe, and this club - a club like Tottenham Hotspur - if we're not in Europe.... we're nothing. we're nothing." Never forget.

Regards.

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Levy Receives Another Blow

Another move about as dead in the water as Osama is right now, but it won't bring the greatest of surprises. Well, not as big a surprise as when we saw a certain Grzegorz Rasiak arrive at Spurs for a medical anyway.

One Guillem Balague, the name needs no explanation, has shed a dim light on our hopeful move for Spanish prodigy One Matter. This has all arrived packaged and sealed first class from Twitter:

"Mata's clause to sign player cheaper (20-23m euros) finished yesterday. Clubs agreed fee, player happy to go but money didnt arrive...

Spurs tried to get him but he only wanted to go to Arsenal or Barcelona. Without Cesc money, Arsenal didnt want 2 pay.Now he costs 60m euros

Only a superoffer of 30m euros plus will get him but now the most likely scenario is a new contract with Valencia"

So, in reality and as predicted, a move for Mata was never on the cards. Reports are Shakira's expected to perform her single 'No' to Levy at his own personal home, he's used to hearing the word enough this summer.

The clouds are already darkening the day over WHL and the season's 12 days prior to kick off. Oh I am a joyful one on this sunny day aren't I.

Regards.

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