Sherwood's Master Plan.

Fresh off of consecutive wins at Old Trafford we arguably approached the Emirates with a false sense of confidence and a not so much a 'renewed' but a brief 'revitalisation' of the limited optimism that had dragged us through the season so far. Possibly unwanted. We'd just about scrubbed away the expectation. The brief strangle hold of financial net spend and squad settling issues keeping us from scenarios involving dark rooms and brandy. It's our defence mechanism. A mechanism I sincerely hope we lack next season.

I'm not knocking it, it's fact. Tottenham Hotspur: forever the 'next season' team. Not quite the soundbite notoriously heard at Anfield at the start of every season but you get the gist, it's frustrating. With Bale leaving and 7 players unknown to the Premier League, this year was always going to have atleast an element of settlement required. With AVB gone who knows how long it'll be before we can have a season with little change.

Confidence at your own peril. The DNA of Tottenham never changes, you never know what you'll get with us. The Enemy at their place on the back of Christmas was probably one fixture too much for us. The same 11 feeling the effects of 6 games in 17 days. Feet up and cotton wool were probably needed for the week preceding the win at Old Trafford, they deserved it.

Sherwood, not wanting to alter a short-term winning formula and a lack of options, was limited in selection and picked the strongest available names - bar arguably Bentaleb. Fatigue likely ripe within. We could see the car-crash on the horizon. Yet we remained hopeful. Somehow, someone would step up and become a hero. Contrary to our boss, we were overrun in midfield. Dembele given the job of three at the worst of times. Dropping Soldado and putting Capoue in alongside Dembele and Bentaleb would've given the protection the back four needed. What was more worrying was we could foresee this although our manager seemingly couldn't.

When in possession we were pressed high up the pitch, as expected. Walcott making up extra numbers in midfield. Arsenal were relentless without the ball. Again though, as expected. Sitting deep to counteract Walcott's pace made sense although as a result we couldn't press the ball as often as we may have liked. Eriksen was forced to stay out left far often than he'd have liked and we didn't set up as we should've done until after Rosicky had capitalised on our second defensive error of the night. Given, we sought to make the change before that blunder.

But it is how it is. Neither side were at their strongest. It's frustrating, of course it is. We made individual errors but, if anything, this game should encourage us to operate a different system. The short term under Sherwood made us far more unpredictable, as did 4-4-2, but it's so quickly sussed out & an easy system to play against with a rampant midfield. The space in front of the back 4 left Dawson and Chiriches with little protection but also fewer options to play the ball when in possession.

Hindsights a wonderful thing. It's perfection. We always question our decisions to lavish any hope on a performance at the Emirates worthy of 3 points. It's the hope that keeps us sane, but it's the same hope that can push you over the edge. You appreciate the smaller things in life and turn your back on football momentarily after a defeat.

Soldado reportedly came off with a knock. He's remained a regular fixture in the side despite the recent flurry of fixtures. He's looked better without quite turning it on just yet. If When he's not scoring he's contributing. There's a real ball of fire in him, but we're seeing just a flame so far. The tip of the iceberg. Time obviously not on his side but it's more promising than it was 4 months ago. But this knock may provide us the opportunity to tamper and test the 4-2-3-1 that Sherwood finished the Arsenal game with, albeit with different personnel.

Sherwood: When you lose the ball you are always going to be out of shape - otherwise you are going to be a rigid, boring team". You understand his point but that statement is incredibly naive. Eriksen's recent growth in confidence has allowed him more expression on the pitch. Taking away those final shackles pinning him to cover left midfield will grant him the freedom he so desperately craves in that number 10 role. With Dembele & Sandro sitting in behind him offering support in possession, we could still play with the same flair but have the stability we've arguably lacked under Sherwood. Ie. we could keep our shape though operate it a little deeper when not in possession.

Regardless of how this season turns out, you still get the impression we lack a long-term plan. Sherwood's steered the ship back on course in the Premier League but we look every part as likely to steer it back off it again. We've one competition left in which to compete for silverware and I hope we give it a go (again that word 'hope'). A fully fit squad will allow us to. But that's a feat rarely found but desperately craved in football.

Regards,
Ben

Renewed Hope.

Tomorrow. It's all about mentality. The mental edge of the side that wins tomorrow would be more valuable than the points on the board. Hopefully a fresh breed of players will breath mental resilience. All we ask for is fight from the side. The spirit that we know has been underlying in the foundations of the side all season and brought with it a good season on the league and European front.

It's been great to see a side buy into a philosophy so quickly. This especially after the public negativity that had surrounded it in the past. Focus is fundamental. The past is a reflection of how little taking the lead in these games can mean. Thankfully we seem to be able to play the game for 94 minutes instead of 70 minutes. Of late its been delightful to see a Spurs side actually steal games with almost the last kick and id more than happily grab that with both hands tomorrow.

Bales been hitting great form. But thats what it is, form. He needs this consistency for a prolonged period of time. The past has seen him to inconsistent and subsequently ineffective in many games. When he did get involved, his influence proved almost second to none. It's great to see a player that fits into a side so effectively yet have so much impact individually.

I mentioned in an article for goal before the start of the season that this was a big year for Bale. The expectation grows each year with him and, in all honesty, he's improved every year at Spurs. He's worked on his game to become so much more than a winger for us. He's adapted to fit into a variety of positions. Last year he was given almost a free role behind the forward at times but tended to look a little lost. There was no system in place. This year he understands what's required in a number 10 role or playing left of a 4-2-3-1. He mixes up his game to come deep, hug the touch line or, least favorably, stand on the last man.

For a player that was so quiet up until November, he's a player that now fills others with confidence in their own game.

It's ironic that the defeat at the Emirates has actually had a great effect on our season. We awoke from the shell we were playing in, worked on the weaker areas of our game and became more of a unit on the pitch.

These games can make players. You expect your best players to perform in both the biggest and smallest of games. The players seem to understand the importance of the game both on and off the pitch. I always feel form goes out the window with these games and find them incredibly tough to call. Both sides have the capacity to come out victorious but it depends on who turns up on the day.

We've a tough run of fixtures awaiting us. Hopefully we can ensure that we're on hand to prevent any cracks that maybe in the pipeline on the way.

Regards,
Ben - follow me on twitter - @InsideN17

*apologies for any mistakes, this has been done on my iPhone.

Anxious?

I haven't yet decided if I'm looking forward to Sunday or dreading it. I enjoy the fact we defeated Arsenal in our last outing and sit a rather smug 10 points above them in the league; who'd have thought 5 years ago this would be the case eh? I don't think we'll win the league. As a Spurs fan it's hard to put Premier League title and Spurs in the same sentence. Maybe it's the years of misery, maybe it's the morning effect of the endless beers I couldn't stop knocking back last night, or maybe it's because we're simply accustomed to disappointment. Yes, I am in high spirits today!

But then I take a different view. If this was Chelsea sitting in our position, they'd consider themselves knee-deep in the title hunt; likewise with Arsenal and Liverpool. I think I'm still in awe at what a fantastic season we've rallied through so far after a demoralising and flatter than flat beginning. One of those seasons. That's all I could think over and over and over again on the noticeably muted train ride home after City gave us a footballing lesson, or 5. But Levy saved our season. Keeping hold of Modders was an instrumental decision and at the forefront of why we've been able to craft such a brilliant season; tie that in with signing Scott and Ade and it leaves no surprise we're sitting in third.

I've spoken to a fair few Arsenal fans regarding Sunday's encounter. They find themselves in a similar situation to myself in the fact that they're unsure what to make of it. To my surprise, most would take a point. I mirror JD's words to an extent in that the pressure is all on Arsenal. They need to win, and if we as so much take our eye off the ball for a second they'll punish us. Form tends to go out the window in these games. We have the stronger squad, the stronger starting 11, but the stronger team doesn't always win. I can only envisage Harry emphasising the need to maintain focus, just as he is with all this E*****d talk.

We should look to play our natural game. Our natural game is with Bale out wide. BALE. OUT. WIDE. With Rafa sitting just in front of Luka and Scott, we're deadly as it is through the middle, no debate. We should look to exploit Arsenal's injury 'woes' at full back. Keeping Bale out wide, whether it be on the left or the right, should prove more than a handful; on paper anyway. I'd keep him left, he seems better utilised when he's stuck there. I'd also relish seeing Lennon involved. Him and Bale have a fantastic understanding and it further gives us the option for them to switch flanks for a different approach although I expect 'Arry to leave Aaron on the bench.

It's clearer than water that the heart of the Arsenal team right now is RVP. It doesn't really matter too much where they'd be without him. The fact is they have him, and we must ensure we suffocate him of supply and leave him starved upfront. Chamberlain has exploded on to the scene this season. His flair and creativity will give Walker one of his hardest tests of the season should the 18 year-old start, although I feel this is unlikely; this would leave Arsene with no real 'Plan B' should another derby go, with lack of a better phrase, tits-up. Frustrate the life out of them and soon enough the fans will turn, Arsenal style.

Am I concerned about Sunday? It's Arsenal away. 10 points looks pretty. Arsenal away; United at home; Chelsea away; Everton away doesn't. I'm anxious. I know that our squad is more than capable of knocking in a few on Sunday but I've supported Spurs for far to long to take any game for granted. Especially one at the Emirates. I feel that the best form of defence is attack and, as Arsenal will also try, we should look to get a stranglehold on the game early on and approach it in similar mould to Chelsea in December.

4-2-3-1 for me. Modric and Parker sitting in CM. Bale, VDV and Lennon in a three behind Adebayor. 4-4-1-1 when we don't have the ball. I'd keep things tight, stop them trying to play and enforce our game upon them. Make use of the wings. Everybody watching everyone else's back. I fully believe the tide has turned. The shoe is on the other foot. The years of watching us being an almost team are behind us. On paper, I feel we are the better of the two sides. But games aren't played on paper.

Whatever happens, win, lose or draw, we'll be right behind the boys for what is proving to be a very promising season.

Regards.

Oh, one last thing. Here's the cringe of the week. Enjoy.

Lukaku talks Tottenham

January is never an easy time to bring in a top player; Villa did well. Our search for a striker hasn't materialised with Redknapp claiming Forlan's wages would be a stumbling block in any prospective deal. Suarez seems set on mid-table side Liverpool and Fabiano is still sitting on Sevilla's bench. One player that has entertained a move to a Premier League side is 17 year-old prodigy Romelu Lukaku and has hinted Tottenham, along with other sides, as a potential destination.

"Chelsea and Arsenal tried to sign me when I was 13, 14," he said.

"Chelsea is my favourite team. I have always said it and I have never hidden it. But it is not because Chelsea is my favourite team that I have to go there.

"There is also Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. These big five are very interesting. Tottenham are also a good club.

"As a young kid you dream of playing in every big team. It is not because Chelsea is my favourite team that I have to specifically go there.

"I will see. It is something for my father and agent. There are so many clubs and big teams. For a young player sometimes you have to relax for a while and focus on your own team. I'm very happy with the situation at Anderlecht. I have the support of the club and other players. It is my environment and I've grown up here."

It would be hard to see us bringing a boy of this calibre to the Lane, especially as, despite his age, he'd command a substantial transfer fee and I'm sure Chelsea or Arsenal would infringe to scupper any move we'd make. Lukaku has knocked in 13 goals in just 20 games this season and has been playing first team football since the age of 16. Wow.

There's just over a week left of this window and we need to ensure we bring in a striker that could really push us back into the top four.

Regards.

I love Tottenham

Today's game was the sort of game that made me proud to be a Spurs fan. Years of frustration mounted on our backs and, before recently, watching Arsenal pick up point after point home and away against us was something we'd just have to cope with. It was all part of the 'Tottenham package'.

The first half needs little explanation. Woeful would be an understatement of how we played. You'll never be in the game for to long when you give Arsenal the freedom of the Emirates and all we did was watch as we conceded twice in half hour. We hadn't turned up.

It was far better and a different Tottenham in the second half. A lot more pressure and every yard of space was closed down. We played more as a team. Bale and Van der Vaart worked well together to pull one back, after Defoe had nodded it on, and soon enough the tension could be felt all around the ground.

For the second, credit where it's due, Phil Dowd did well to spot the hand ball and, for once, have the bottle to give such a vital decision. I'm sure Mr. Webb would've turned a blind eye anyway. The third saw a wonderful ball swung in from Rafael Van der Vaart and was one that was almost shouting to be nipped in at the back post.

We should thank Arsenal for squandering opportunities to salvage something and thank Arsene Wenger for giving us another comedy performance on the touchline. I guess they still have the Carling Cup?
Let's hope we can build on this because, as we've seen, even with a half fit Defoe and Lennon, no Dawson or King, we can still beat anyone.

Gallas had an absolute stormer today and without him Arsenal could've finished us off 3 or 4 nil in the first half. .

Please choose your Man of the Match on the right and your thoughts on the game are welcome.

Regards.

RVP: Spurs are a top team

With Arsenal at their place just around the corner, Dutch forward Robin Van Persie has heaped praise on fellow countryman and White Hart Lane hero Rafael Van der Vaart for turning us into a 'top team'.

The player, that spends more time on the treatment table than taking part, told NUsport: "He (Van der Vaart) is a great footballer, I know the quality he has.

"I would rather have him at Arsenal. I indicated a couple of times that Rafael would be useful for Arsenal but that advice was not followed.

"I regret the fact he was not signed, but it is the right of the club, this is just my opinion.

"Now you can see the result. Spurs were a good team but now they are a top team".

Arsenal away is never a fixture that gets me to excited. I'd rather Blackburn at home again in all honesty. Expect Rafa to be given little room and for Bale to come inside more as he will enjoy little freedom down the flank.

I'd stick my money on Arsenal to beat us 2-1.

Score Predictions?

Regards.

Theo Walcott is a joke

It may seem a little extreme but, admittedly, this thought has been on my mind for a year or so now. The boy has pace, real pace, but his final delivery, finishing and general clueless about what to do when given the ball at his feet is both obvious and frustrating

More often than not, it's exceedingly tedious to see him not look up and play a simple ball, but instead, punt the ball 30 yards up the pitch and chase after it. Inevitably the full-back in question usually deals with this effectively, if he's half decent that is.

I'm sure many people will argue his hatrick in Croatia 2 years ago but he hasn't found the net since then for England and his performances for Arsenal have been very questionable this season. I do expect him to make the last 23 for the World Cup this season as it seems as though you can't not pick an English player that plays for Arsenal, considering it's so rare.

Let's stop giving this boy so many chances and leave him at home where he belongs.
This is written before the Japan game.

Regards.

"Spurs can win the league"

Before Wednesday's North London derby against our foreign rivals in Arsenal our mathematical chances of claiming 4th spot shone favourably on us, although, our fixture list told a different story. With Arsenal still to come after their kicking in Barcelona and Chelsea closely following them, even our most optimistic fans may have admitted that we would come close but, resultantly, 5th spot looked to have our name printed on it.

Well what a big 4 days it has been.

I'm sure I wasn't the only one that prematurely took the assumption that we would fall short against the Arsenal, illustrating that 120 minutes at Wembley would prove to much for us to handle and, in the end, would fail to grab a result owing to masses of fatigue and injuries amongst the squad.
But still I was there, in Park Lane, block 35 next to the scum support, and witnessed a site that we haven't witnessed in the league for a fair few years.

How I loved mocking them, giving the Arsenal fans the grief that we have taken for so many years and not letting it die after the game. What a fantastic support, what a fantastic performance and what an absolutely brilliant result.

Most teams would point at the fact that 3 games inside 6 days would invite the 'tiredness' excuse, especially when those 3 games are in an FA Cup semi and against Chelsea and the scum.
I was preparing myself for this, a loss, but how Spurs like to get your blood pumping and give you that feeling of ecstasy. This was Chelsea's game, the game that would see them move 4 points clear and win the league in a few weeks. But how their misery proved our delight as we went on to consolidate another 2-1 win, even though it could so easily have been 3 or 4 or 5 or... you saw the game, I won't go on.

The satisfaction was imminent on our faces and how we will go singing all the way up to Manchester next week.

Ancelotti stated pre-match that he believes we "could challenge for the title next season"
Now, I'm not jumping to any rash conclusions, I'm far to pessimistic for that.

With City looking shaky, this is our 4th spot for the taking and we'll support them every step of the way.

Regards

A painful truth

Business resulted in me having to cross the water and camp out in the states for a while. Once I gathered my bearings I came across an English pub and thought I'd take a time out and watch this Spurs side that apparently is 'in the same league' as Arsenal. Did we not just lose to Stoke or had I misread that score?

So being in the same league I was expecting a competitive game of football to be played. For 40 minutes I felt I was given that. We cancelled them out well, shut down the short passing game that seems to irritate most teams the Arse play, and before we knew it, a reminisced frustration seemed to begin to kick back up from last year. At one point I thought I was about to smile and, in all truth, we would have taken a 4-4 from the start. Then reality hit hard.

Without Lennon, Defoe and Modric this game was always going to be like climbing Everest.. twice. We looked disciplined and well set out before Van Persie found a way past the impressive Gomes. From then we did in fact 'die'.

Once again silly mistakes have cost us goals. Before we knew it we were picking the ball out of the net, twice. Champions league? I'm sorry, but we will not get into the Champions league conceding goals of such a manner that maybe even Mrs Redknapp could've defended.

Concentration and discipline has to be maintained for 90 minutes not 40. Although you would've forgiven anyway who labelled us 'comeback kings' keeping clean sheets is vital.

It hurts, but we are not Champions League just yet. Losing to Arsenal and another CB injured, same old story really isn't it? Thoughts on the game welcome.

Regards.

3 Reasons why Veira won't sign for us

Gawd, I was going to keep quiet about this but it never seems die, so I couldn't help myself. Just when i find little dignity for the Mail they pop up with THE most ridiculous rumour of the summer. They seem to adopt the whole 'let's make up a story and blow it up all over the back page' approach; this is because the more of the paper the story covers the more likely it is to be true, of course.

Patrick Veira to Spurs. 4 years ago we would've been in laughing fits over this sort of rumour- I still am. Everyone needs to have a reality check. We won't sign this player:

1. We signed Wilson Palacios for £15m in January. He plays in the same position and had a successful 6 months with us, he's not getting replaced and Modric just isn't in the equation

2. His wages will halt any deal, we won't pay him top wages to 'play' on the bench.

3. He's scum. He was a success at Arsenal and therefore will not join us.

Everyone needs to calm down over this story. This move is about as likely to happen as Redknapp is to come in to work wearing an Arsenal shirt.

But as always, this is football, anything can happen- but we all know that!

Regards,
Ben

Sergi Rebrov signs for Arsenal!

The flop of all flops, the winner of losing and the not-so-favourite Sergi Rebrov is set to sign for Arsenal after terminating his contract with Russian giants Rubin Kazan. The 35 year old claims he will be missed by the Russian side; well that makes a first then!
As surprising as it sounds, this is not the Arsenal of the Premier League but FC Arsenal Kiev of the Ukraine. I mean, Arsene would never sign him- he's 35 for gawd sake.

Our former £11m signing claimed: 'My contract with Rubin has been terminated at my asking,' he said. 'But I don't think they're enthusiastic about it. I think (the manager) Gurban Berdiyew wanted me to stay.
'I wanted to be closer to home, to my family. I've already talked to the Arsenal coach Alexander Zavarovym and I don't think there will be any problems there.

I like how he states 'Arsenal' and not 'Arsenal Kiev'. Anyway, I think this speaks for itself and nothing more needs to be said. You can tell his career flourished after his brilliant impact in the Premier League, he's set to play for Arsenal.

Regards,
Ben