AVB's Christmas Party.

2012 did what Spurs did best. Offer so much promise for it to only crash and burn. Any fond memories deceive me. I won't riddle you with finer details - what went wrong, who was to blame. Everyone has their own opinion  and mine has been available online for months now.

Although, what I have enjoyed, is a resurgent Tottenham Hotspur. We seem to be grabbing games by the scruff of the neck more as the season has worn on. Last year it was tough to identify a real problem area. Sure, another forward would've been nice - a convenience. The true strength in depth we'd craved for so long. But with Ade proving pinnacle up top and with JD waiting in the wings when needed, even then it would've proven more knit-picking than priority.

We've actually addressed our problem of conceding late and all credit to AVB for making changes when they were needed - and they have been needed. I put this down to the side growing into the pressing game that AVB has encouraged the side to pursue and, as a result, we find more and more sides falling into our offside trap. Earlier on in the season, we found ourselves sitting on the edge of our own 18 for large chunks of games. We gave the opposition an open invitation to enjoy possession at our own ground and, at the same time, giving them free access to lump balls into our box. Of late, I've noticed that we press the opposition in midfield far quicker and far smarter than we had. We've cut out their killer balls. We're quick to press opponents' first touch and force them backwards.  Previously, we'd allowed the opponent far more time on the ball before a lacklustre and disappointing attempt at shutting out said opponent. We've grown into this pressing game and are far more intelligent with it.

AVB was given Tottenham with the spine torn from the body. A retired Ledley King, an injured Kaboul, a Modric that fancied more Sun and trophies than wet nights away in Stoke, an injured Parker and - to begin - a missing Adebayor. Not one tear was heard (or seen) dropping from the glorious eyes of our newly appointed Portuguese boss and, instead, like great managers do, he adapted and worked with what he had given.

He redefined the lone striker role. The Portuguese convincing Levy to offer Defoe not only a two year deal but the confidence and belief that any forward craves. He's shown us that the one forward player doesn't need to be a big target man when you have both pace and an eye for goal. Given, Defoe has his faults. He'll one day admit to being born offside. Although standing on the shoulder of the last man is part of Defoe's game and, inevitably, offsides will come. Last year I remember the tirade many of us had with the side for seemingly being to shy to shoot and this is partly why I don't mind Defoe looking for goal before the pass. He will get it wrong, at times, but more often than not he'll find the target.

We find ourselves half way through the season and have enjoyed a successful Christmas that offers a fair summary of AVB's current tenure at Spurs. He's brought the best out in players who seem to be playing more as a unit and with far more belief than what the start of the season seemed to offer.

Aaron Lennon is one that has brought so much more to his game in the last 4 months than he has in the last season or 2. Not only has his crossing impressed but also his variety of crossing has been something that has impressed me. Whether a whipped in ball or a little 'dink' to the far post, he's put in more successful than unsuccessful crosses this year. He's also finding himself with far more space this year, roaming from left to right and, at times, in the centre, to drive at the opposition. He looks for the ball far earlier and constantly finds himself tracking back to help out at the back. Often unnoticed, this is something that can ease the pressure on the full-back and also offers a great opportunity in which to counter.

We'll have days in which the inevitable questions will be raised from those short-minded of you regarding AVB's position (again, oh and again) and, of course, Andre Villas-boas finds himself just 21 Premier League games into his Spurs season.

But, at the moment, he's smashing expectation - and we're loving it.

Regards,
Ben - Follow me on Twitter here

Harry on Lennon

I'd read lately of some sort of divide between Harry and Aaron Lennon. It caused little concern but concern it did cause. Lennon is a player that we should be looking to keep hold of and not look to cash in on.

Despite not an amazing goal scoring or assist record this season, the guy is still a phenomenal threat down the right. Our strikers haven't been taking their chances so there's argument that Lennon's record would look a lot more appealing had our forwards been finishing.

Anyway, Harry looked to ensure any concern was dampened when question on the subject today.

"Aaron's got a good future here. I've never had a problem with him. What problems were they? I must have missed them.

"The kid wasn't well he couldn't play that night he was ill. It wasn't Aaron's fault it wasn't anyone's fault.

"10 minutes before kick-off he'd been feeling ill in the aft. He went out for the warm-up, came back and didn't feel at all well. He said 'I might last only 10 minutes'.

"What can you do? I've never had a minute's problem with Aaron Lennon. He's good as gold."

We have a fine midfield. A midfield that compliment one another and we shouldn't look to disrupt that. Just a forward would be nice. Maybe even a new keeper?

Regards.

The Aaron Lennon 'problem'

I'm sure I'm not the only one that has noticed a rather more subdued Aaron Lennon this season than the one we are normally use to. The usually flamboyant winger is currently looking a shadow of our new left sided prodigy in Gareth Bale; so, what has caused such a sudden change in form?

Aaron struggled with injury towards the back-end of last season missing significant games from February to May. This was soon followed by vital remaining games in the Premier League and then a World Cup.

The World Cup hangover saw many of England's usually fine players significantly under-performing for their clubs and Aaron is no exception from this. The player that usually looks to attack the right back looks short of confidence and has noticeably held the ball up much more and prefers giving possession to another player than hug the touch line and attack the opponents goal.

Could this current form be pinned on injury and the World Cup? A player as young as Aaron needs time to rest and a steady progression back into the side. It's still early days in the season and Aaron has years ahead of him. Plus, this could also be just a lack of form that players inevitably suffer from.

So whether Aaron is taking time to find his feet and his confidence again only he knows; but all we can do is continue cheering him on for the mighty Spurs and hope for the best in the coming future. Let's give him all the support the past seasons have warranted.

Regards.

Now please Tottenham, don't let this go to waste.

So Villa away next week, this meant 3 points today were the minimum. 1-0 at the break and a positive performance to go with it. 9-1 at the end of 90, yeah we'll take. In fact, I would've run all the way up to Wigan and back for this result. Thankfully, I didn't have to.


Robbie Keane. He doesn't start and we score 9, maybe the same line-up next week Harry? Or must Keane return to a side that totally ran riot today.


Jermain Defoe. How sharp did the boy look, every chance created he turned into a goal. What more can you want from a striker?


Aaron Lennon. Now he has that final ball let's hope he can keep it. If so, I wouldn't be surprised if he's starting on the right hand side of that England midfield in South Africa. Phenomenal game today, I counted 3 assists and a goal.. forgive me if I'm wrong.


Niko. Beautiful touch and a joy to watch. Much prefer to see him start over Robbie and a cracking goal to go with it.


Huddlestone and Palacios played a good game. The service was brilliant and they followed that by canceling out what little Wigan had to put forward.


Crouch played well up top with Defoe and the back four were solid, although a little sloppy for the goal even if it was a handball.


Now, let's keep the momentum up. Let's not bottle it and throw away silly goals and points. Let's push the top four for the whole season. Champions League? Maybe, just maybe, we may not be ''avin' a laugh''


Regards.

A tribute to Lennon: Our boy's done us proud, again

How long is the fantastic form of our players going to last? A similar side from last year that couldn't buy three points to begin with are now unbeaten in the league and performing at international level. Yeah, I know what your thinking; I just jinxed it didn't I?

Pre-match today brought great anxiety but emotions were contrast and not due to the result. My greatest fear was not a defeat at the hands of Croatia, but injuries to our players. Sod's law would see Defoe, Lennon and new boy Kranjcar pick up injuries and miss the United game this weekend.

And then how Aaron Lennon stuck two fingers up to his critics. Us Spurs fans have been praising Aaron's final ball this season and finally the whole nation can see that we were right to blow our own trumpet. He can cross, there's your evidence.

The first twenty minutes saw Lennon show what he's all about. He beat a player and won a penalty. His next decision then saw him decide to cross the ball first time without taking on the player. This resulted in Gerrard nodding in for two. Two phenomenal attributes of the player. How this guy has developed and progressed over the years. His final ball has really come on.

I should also acknowledge Lennon's work rate. Yes, on some occasions Aaron should've looked up more and, as a consequence, lost the ball; I guess it's not easy when you have three players all trying to tackle you at once. But I appreciated Lennon's work ethic, and I'm sure Johnson did to! He helped him out at the back when he needed it, and boy, did he need it more often than not.

To top it all off, Aaron was awarded the man of the match, unsurprisingly.

I think there's only one last thing I need to say.

Thanks Capello; you gave Lennon the chance we have all been dying for you to give and how it looks to have paid off.

Regards.

How today's win reflects the improvement under Harry: Report

Birmingham at home. Many would've look at this fixture and expected our 100% start to continue through week four of the Premier League brushing aside any false Midlands hope that may have leaked in to the Lane. Of course expectations are rising as we pick up more points, why wouldn't it? I'm sure Harry wouldn't expect it any other way.

Birmingham started out how we expected. Eleven men behind the ball looking to frustrate and cut out the killer balls from Tommy and Luka. In truth, they did this well. Modric enjoying yet another field day, as he seems to every game. Brilliant. Let's hope Sir Alex keeps his dirty hands off.

Boy, did we look top four material. There, I said it. Balls being knocked out to either flank, possession kept well and the midfield playing as a bloody unit. It looked to be the summary of the season so far, and would've been if we'd hit the back of the net.
But still the first goal didn't come. We were playing like a top four side but we weren't finishing like one, of all people, Defoe blowing out best chance of the half.

The second half saw a rejuvenated Brummy side. IMO the score did not reflect the second half that was played but did illustrate the improvement in the Spurs side under Redknapp.
With King off injured at half time and Modric hobbling off about 5 minutes later McLeish's lot seized the initiative and pushed forward. Well, any game would be a challenge without that pair anyway.

Although, it was good to see a positive substitution bringing on Crouch in place for our Croatian magician. Thankfully, the substitution paid off. Crouch came close on a few occasions and tucked his header away nicely floating it to the back post from a tight angle. Many more of those please Pete.

Birmingham's goal was a poor one to concede. A familiar mix up at the back saw Lee Bowyer score the simplest goal of his career. At Spurs problems in the defence are always going to occur, it comes with supporting Tottenham, it's not the first mistake and won't be the last. This time Hutton and Cudicini the culprits.

The goal gave Birmingham hope who took a more optimistic approach to the game than they had in the previous half. Christian Benitez looking very useful up top. The game looked to tick away to a disappointing draw before our old friend Stephen Carr did us a favour losing the ball on half way resulting in Lennon smashing in our second of the match. Great finish cutting inside from the left.

In truth, the Spurs of old would've played out for the draw and may have even conceded in the last minute instead of scoring. Good to see we can break down the stubborn sides and achieve the result we deserve. Great attitude, great desire and a great win. Well done lads.

Regards.

Should David Bentley be given a chance?

Aaron Lennon was signed for a measly £1m from a highly regarded Leeds youth team and has since cemented himself into an ever-changing Tottenham side. David Bentley was snapped up for 15 times the price of Lennon and, to put it straight, has endured a torrid time with us. I'm sure Blackburn went laughing all the way to the bank.

Lennon's final ball has always come under scrutiny and you could say it has always been the wall preventing him from regular England starts. That wall just continues to get stronger for every poor cross that is executed.

Que David Bentley. Now this boy can cross, and, with our new 6ft something striker it makes sense for Dave to play a role in next years' team. Would it make sense to play Lennon left midfield and Bentley right?
Pace on one flank and decent deliveries from the other. Would this help our progression or hinder it?

Should Bentley be given a role in the team next year?

Regards.