Winners. The lot of 'em.

Citeh away. It's fair to say that there was optimism flowing through the squad and that flow was felt very much through the hearts of Spurs fans all over the country. We travelled up there with words of title aspirations; when a similar thing was said last year it came at a time we were sitting in fifth with the very team we played today always looking out of arms reach. A string of disappointing home results soon dashed any vague one man voice of talk of the title and with it ended our goal of finishing in the top 4 as well.

After we fell foul of a 5-1 drubbing by City at the Lane this was the game that we couldn't even begin to dread any more so. Did we really have to play them twice? With Luka seemingly uneasy at the colour of the top he was playing in and with no holding midfielder or forward in, how were we ever going to break back into the Holy Grail of the top 4 positions?

But the beauty of football is things change. Even the most optimistic of fans could hardly have pictured since the City game that we'd only lose one more game in 2011 and go on a run that pitted us 10 points ahead of Arsenal and 4 ahead of Chelsea in third. 3rd spot, back then, was delusional. Now, I hear whispers that we wouldn't take 4th if it was offered now. There's still just under another half of the season to go, but I'd take 4th if it was offered, not that we get that privilege anyway.

We started more comfortable than City. We soaked up the occasion as the home side seemed to begin with trembly knees. We kept possession well without creating too much and, in all, I was satisfied with our performance in the first half. We'd given a good account of ourselves on a pitch where no side had turned up and taken anything. For the 1st City goal the movement from N*sri was exemplary. Although, it was almost scary how easy our defence just seemed to be carved open. Knife through butter stuff. No matter how well Spurs are doing you can never rest when we're facing a corner. It's not our nature. Walker leaving Lescott and suddenly not 15 minutes into the second half we find ourselves two behind. Sh*t.

Ahh, that's more than a kick in the bollocks. This left us with a dilemma. Do we stick numbers behind the ball for damage limitation or do we do what Spurs and 'Arry love to do and have a go? Ironically, as great as our football has been, Kaboul's long ball over the top to Jermain was inch perfect. Savic was indecisive and, before City's owners had finished their glass of Perrier-Jouer we were back in it.

The goal brought with it a flood of optimism. Defoe looked incredibly sharp the entire game. He lead the line well and wasn't afraid to get stuck in. He exploited the Savic mistake and Hart's indecision to give us what our play had warranted. We never looked back since pulling one back and fully deserved to go level not long after. Bale was far to individual and didn't look a team player. His performance was poor and yet with one sweet strike he's put us level. It's what the best players do.

At 2-2 I was more than content. We'd taken the game to Manchester City and made them look incredibly ordinary. The City fans felt their knees starting to tremble. The Spurs fans couldn't stop singing. The game showed the mental strength we have in our squad to battle back as we did. It's unfortunate that we couldn't take one golden platinum opportunity before handing City a gift. It was unusual for Ledley to be so rash to go to the floor as he did. For a player that has been so consistent in the years he's battled through each game for Spurs, a rare error of judgement can be easily forgiven. The player who rolled in the penalty should've been sat in the stands suited up and waiting for the final whistle.

We should take more positives than negatives today. We had the best team in the country on the back foot for large spells. We had the mental resilience to not let the ghost of the 5-1 hammering striker fear into the side and just kept playing our game.

Parker also took a sore head.

When's this karma thing going to work in our favour?

Regards.

Whip Round Badly Needed!

I would begin by saying that this seems a fairly premature start for the usual 'silly season' but, to be honest, it's like insomnia- it never sleeps. I guess, to a rather short extent, it does bring a quick rush of excitement should the story appear to have some substance and a stable platform to stand on, as rare as it is.

Tevez. Carlos Ididn'trefusetoplayIjustrefusedtowarmup Tevez. It was these sort of rumours, back in the old 'Ibra to Spurs' days when it would bring joy to the eyes. It appeared to bring light to a usually below par season. Yes, it brought hope. Of course, they rarely came off. The only one for me was Rafa coming in last year. So upon reading "Tevez to Tottenham," I couldn't help but brush this aside with the old dustpan and brush. I'll be brave, stick the old neck on the line for not the first- and incredibly unlikely to be the last- time and say that this move is about as likely as Modric leaving in january. It. Ain't. 'Appenin'.

"But why, why couldn't we bring this fella into play for Spurs?"

First and most importantly, for Carlos anyway, I read somewhere that his wages are probably just a few quid over our wage limit. Not many folks are lucky enough to earn around £250k a week. £1m a month. £12m a year. This is of course an estimate, I'm not the blokes bloody accountant but I can't envisage his actual figure being far from this sum. I'm all for a whip round though.

My second issue would be to query why he'd join us. We are possibly looking at our best side since the double winning side of '61. We are having a good season. We are approaching Christmas and only 7 points of the league leaders with a game in hand. But I'd still find it hard to see Tevez itching to join a side that is not in the Champions League and, in all honesty, where he may not be guaranteed a start every week.

£20m? I can't see City letting him go for that sort of price. This guy has a market value of around £35m-£40m, possibly more. City are hardly short of a few quid and so can afford to hang on until they receive the right price for him. It would also raise an Ancelotti-style eyebrow if Citeh would allow Tevez to leave to a PL club, especially at a price under what he is valued at.

I'm sure it made pleasant reading. I'm sure it brightened the day up ever so slightly. It would be a very good signing, no doubt, but in all honesty the chances of this move going through are about as likely Arsenal are to win the treble. Sorry kids.

Regards.

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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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.

Dzeko set to sign

BBC Sport have today announced that money bags City have moved for Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko.

Wolfsburg general manager Dieter Hoeness has declined to comment, while club spokesman Gerd Voss told BBC Sport: "We will not speculate on this.

"The silly season has begun with the January window about to open. We had it in the summer with Dzeko and we have it now again but we will not comment."

The Bosnian forward has a buy-out clause of around thirty million squid and with City's pockets seemingly bottomless, a bit of change is always lying about.

It would be unclear on the motives for Dzeko to want to move to City; I'm guessing the boy loves the Europa League and wants to be part of the unrest in a team that has ruined the Premier League. I'm certain money would not be something he'd dare to even consider.

Still though, another good win yesterday and there's no reason why we can't finish above City this season.

Regards.

Harry rubbishes Ade rumours and admits Bale sale out of his hands

'Arry has stated that reports linking us with old Arse forward Adebayor are very wide of the mark and also insisted that Spurs are not looking to sell Gareth Bale:

"Absolute nonsense," Redknapp told TalkSport.
"I've never made any enquiries for Adebayor whatsoever. I keep seeing in the papers that we're after him. I've never ever asked about him or enquired about him."

"We don't want to sell Gareth Bale," he continued.
"At the end of the day it won't be my decision, it'll be above my head but it would take an absolute fortune one day to buy him.
"For me, at this particular time, he's got to be the Footballer of the Year in this country. I can't think of anyone who's done as well as him.
"He's not a player that we would really want to sell. You've got to hang onto your best players. If Tottenham want to be a club that's always looking to get in Champions League football you can't sell those players."

Although a striker does seem to be a growing need in Spurs' attacking department, finding and signing one that would bring a real difference to Spurs doesn't seem likely in January.

Any 30 goal a season strikers mooting about?

Regards.

"Can we win the title? I don't see why not"

All this title talk saw me go a little red-faced. For many years we've always been a club that never really exceeded expectation until breaking the top 4 monopoly last season, and now, Alan Hutton is the latest Spurs employee to big up our chances.

"We always hear about Manchester United and how they're not playing well, but still win. Well, we're the same. Can we win the title? I don't see why not." The Scot said.

I'm sure if given the opportunity of another fourth placed finish Harry wouldn't think twice but to take it and I'm sure the number of disappointed Spurs fans if we did finish fourth could be counted on one hand.

Although, there is no reason why we shouldn't be aiming high. We're a side that have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and with a bit of luck we could easily be pushing the 'big' teams of the Premier League. Even with City buying their way up the league, I still thoroughly believe we are more than capable of finishing above them and believe our squad is a stronger and closer one.

Will we finish top? I don't think so, but there's no problem aiming that high.

What do you make of our chances of winning the league this year?

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 poor silly season

Harry must have O'Neill on speed dial as yet again we are after another Villa player. This time it is front man John Carew, yet, once again I do feel a touch of Deja vu is at hand. I remember blogging on the 'speculation' that we were after the Villa hit man although this time the reports have been confirmed. On the other hand, it may come as a surprise to you the fact that Villa have stated they will reject any approach from ourselves; I believe our 'dreams WILL fade and die' after hearing this, well, certainly Redknapps' anyway.

This summer has proved a tough one and probably our most un-successful. Harry has failed to snap up any transfer targets in those of Santa Cruz, Barry, Carew, Young, Van Nistelrooy.. and so on, I'm not here to summarise the speculation. Consequently, Spurs have had to lower their transfer optimism and so therefore have been looking at Man. City's Richard Dunne- the defender of the team that couldn't stop conceding last season. Dunne would prove satisfactory cover for the formidable Woodgate and King but the bench would always prove to be his best position. Therefore, this could prove a shrewd signing and, if cheap, one that I'd be happy for.

So on that basis, I do hope that we continue our pursuit of both Carew and Young as I feel these are two players that would propel us to the next level- a solid mid-table finish. Furthermore, should we sign Richard Dunne from Citeh and he does only play a bit-part role for the club, I'd be generally satisfied. A start for the lad every week would just inhibit our Redknapp revolution and so should NOT happen.

On a last note, Adios Zokora, no player could be great and awful at any one time like you were in any one season.

Regards,
Ben

A worrying sign for any Tottenham fan

It seems as though old rumours die hard in this case as '5 goal a season' Welsh 'superstar' Craig Bellamy has been linked with a move to Tottenham, again. It was made fairly public that Redknapp wanted Bellamy in January but fell short of what West Ham valued the player at. Therefore, City popped in and took 'our' man for twice the price. Very shrewd Mr. Hughes.

The problem with speculation such as this is that it could quite possibly be true. Hughes' forth-coming and so far unsuccessful transfer spree could quite possibly see Bellamy's future outside of Manchester, eventually. Furthermore, the very public fact that Redknapp has admitted interest also provides a worry, let's just hope Harry has seen the light and therefore beyond that of Craig Bellamy.

Now it's obvious I'm not a fan of Craig. For me, a striker should be able to score more goals than assists each season; but maybe I'm being fussy. I understand the guy's aggression on the pitch can really lift any team he's in, but seriously, where would he fit in our starting XI? Bellamy is not the left winger we so desperately need and nor is he a capable replacement for any of our strikers. Therefore, a good signing? No.

I hope Harry sees through the aggressive nature of Bellamy and realises that the ability of the player is not fit to wear the Tottenham shirt.

Regards,
Ben