I can't wait for Walker

After away games at both Wolves and Blackpool we have returned having shipped 6 goals which included 2 penalties. Daws and Gallas looked unusually shaky at the back against Wolves, struggling to cope with bog standard whipped balls into the box that they've been thrown up against for many years now. Although, my current primary concern is that of right back. Once dominated for so long by Charlie, this position has become one of vulnerability and the lack of a quality player there has cost us this season.

Walker, currently on loan at Villa, has proved phenomenal for the Midlands side. At QPR he looked a natural, slotting into the first team and helping guide QPR to top of the Championship. Any neutral upon glance would've thought the boy had been playing there for years; he's not 21 this bloke.

I hope 'Arry sees sense and gives this boy a good run in the team next year. It's worthless loaning out younger and reserve players if they're not going to be used and this boy could be a real asset to Spurs next year. One marginal concern of mine would be that, with Lennon sitting in front, such an attacking right hand side of the pitch may leave us caught every now and then but that's football.

This boy will be a star.

Regards.

The special one at Tottenham

Oh where would we be without Rafael Van der Vaart. I love the guy. For a long time we as fans had been hoping a club of Tottenham's stature could bring in a genuine world class footballer. No "hot prospects" or "he'll be good in ten years time" jobs, a player that's currently enjoying his peak and would really push Tottenham to another level. We have that player.

It's becoming easier by the week to see this guy write his name into the record books at Spurs, one way or another, and let's hope he's found a permanent home at the Lane. The guy breezed home with the MOTM award today and despite our defence holding their nerve for a composed finish, there was never any doubt our Dutch magician would bring it home.

After Defoe saw red just half hour into the game, it was easy to see it being 'one of those days' where we'd walk away from Villa Park talking about what 'should've' and 'could've' happened. But the whole team pulled themselves together and today's game really highlighted our improvement over the last few years; and how poor Martin Atkinson is as a referee, and im not isolating Defoe's incident. Rafa further showing that depsite a month out he can still do a job upfront alone, you'd never guess that was out of position for him.

Three points leave us just a point behind Chelsea and 5 behind City, who've played a game more.

Rafa, we love you.

Regards.

A big applause for Harry

Now, I was at a cold wet Villa Park last night and after the first half I could see it being 'one of those days'. Conceding early away from home always feels like being slapped in the face. Irritating. Last year our response would have just been damage limitation, not, 'hold on we can still win this game'.

We played a good first half, finishing the game on top. Villa shut as well; I think I could count the number of times Lennon and Defoe touched the ball on one hand in the first half but Crouchy and the Niko showed their worth.

The second half was a much different story. Villa resorted to the long ball up to John Carew. Bad idea. We came out looking as though Harry had given them all a clip round the ear. Cheers Harry.

Cool, composed, we knocked the ball around beautifully. No panic in the team and played some lovely football. We deserved a point, lovely finish from Daws, and maybe should've grabbed the win.

How Harry as got us playing football, and playing well. Now let's do United at their place.

Regards.

Has Keane got a point to prove?

Two seasons ago Robbie was up there with Ledley as Mr. Tottenham Hotspur. So how did it all seem to deteriorate so quickly?


I rate Keane, but he's suddenly found himself turning into the Jenas of last season and is fast becoming the marmite for Tottenham fans. Some seem to love him, some seem to hate him. For some fans, when Keane moved up North, his success and near legendary status at Spurs was wiped from their minds, seemingly. Although, could he be blamed for wanting to play for his boy-hood club in the Champions League and fulfill a dream at the same time?

Keane lifted the Barclays Asia trophy today after scoring twice against Hull in a 3-0 win, his energy and determination were also present and, as a result, he was given man of the match. It was only a pre-season friendly but the performance was still there all the same. He played his heart out in all honesty.

What do you think. Does Keane have a point to prove for the season ahead, or are some of the fans just being to critical?


Regards.

Bent reacts to Twitter posts

Bent statement: "I appreciate that transfers are seldom straightforward and are often complex. However, after a long period of waiting following my withdrawal from the plane to China, I had become incredibly frustrated by the time these things take and I posted inappropriate comments on my Twitter site.
I allowed my emotions to get in the way of my better judgement. I regret my actions and did not intend to offend Daniel Levy or anyone with the nature or the content of my posting."

Seems this free speech act that was granted so long ago doesn't apply in the world of football, but I'm sure Darren has just saved himself a fine.

Do you think he's really sorry? Somehow, I don't think he is.

Regards.

The inevitable has happened

I thought I'd wait a while to see how many reports are saying that we have made a bid for Ashley Young, the player we could have signed 3 seasons ago for around £8m- painful I know. As expected, I couldn't count the number of reports on two hands, but Harry's seemingly dismal transfer window doesn't leave me to optimistic. He's either being really shrewd or it just hasn't been his day, everyday.

O'Neill is a clever man. I have the uppermost respect for the former Celtic boss and do not believe that he would replace Ashley Young, arguably one of England's brightest young assets, with Stewart Downing, a player that-in my opinion- would be lucky to make the starting eleven for Darlington. This is why I don't believe Ashley will be leaving this year unless he desperately wants to.

Still though, O'Neill has invited these transfer rumours upon Aston Villa and why they have splashed out on Downing seems a mystery to most; maybe Martin felt a lack of depth last season in the Villa side. But these rumours will continue to come and I can't believe Levy would be willing to spend a reported £30m straight off plus with the expectation of fairly large wages. Besides, we don't really have much of a transfer budget this year- do we?

Still though as Spurs fans we can hope; seems like we end up doing that for most of the season anyway. But, at the moment, it seems as though we are more likely to win the league before signing Ashley Young. Shame really.

Regards,
Ben

Martin O'Neill does Spurs a favour

'Aston Villa have agreed a £12m deal for Steward Downing,' this headline has made my summer. All along I felt uneasy and rather worried at the fact that Downing was still at 'Boro and just had to hope that Redknapp wouldn't get his man. Thank god for Martin O'Neill.

It seems as though the Villa boss wanted us to also make a push for the Champions League by ensuring we don't sign such a bad player and upset us fans in the process; lets be honest, the call for Harry's head would've come around in October should we have signed this player- and I'm an optimistic Spurs fan! Signing Downing would have left us scrapping for our Premiership survival -so no change there then- instead of actually looking above that of 10th spot. Yes, HE would have left us fighting relegation.

Here is a classic case of killing two birds with one stone. The fact that we won't be signing Downing, I'm sure, floods relief through N17; I can feel it running through me now. There is also the future of Ashley Young that comes into question, pulling off such a quality signing would complete our team in my opinion. But then again, there's the price issue, other clubs and so on, that's a whole different matter.

How Downing will/has passed his medical is beyond me; they seem to be easier to pass than 'GO' is on a Monopoly board.

Regards,
Ben

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

West Ham reject to replace Huddlestone

The writer of the 'Daily Mirror' must be a Spurs fan as, yet again, reports on their back pages are suggesting that Harry is ready to accept a swap deal with Aston Villa for Tom Huddlestone. So, is it the lightning Ashley Young, a player full of more potential than a young David Beckham of 10 years ago. Or is it the big John Carew, Villa's top scorer last year and a player that would fit nicely in the frame at Spurs? No, It is former West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker. Shocked? I thought so.

Nigel Reo-Coker, what happened to such a bright talent? He went from the iron in West Ham's midfield, to a Villa utility man filling in where there's space. Maybe a loan move to a Championship club and regular playing time in the middle of midfield would get his career back on the right tracks; otherwise he may as well visit the local job centre, good luck with that one Reo. I cannot see him enjoying more success at Spurs than he did at Villa, he'd end up in the reserves.

Although, a 'reliable' source told the 'Mirror' that the duo are “playing tennis, bouncing ideas off each other" and, should this indeed be factual, then I'm sure Redknapp will try and opt for a better deal than that of Reo-Coker. Tom Huddlestone is a far better player than what Redknapp seems to value him at and, typically, will turn out an England regular after we shift him up North.

Although, should this former West Ham star join us, I'm sure the reaction in East London would be welcomed with open arms..

Regards,
Ben

Bentley set for Villa

Well, let's be honest- we saw this coming a mile off. After Redknapp asked Bentley to look for another club and with the World Cup next year, the chances of Bentley staying were smaller than West Broms' chances of staying up this season just gone.

"I'm in talks with Villa at the moment," he told The Sun. 'I really don't want to say much more. But we'll see what happens. I'm hopeful of sorting it out as soon as possible."
I can't see this sort of move collapsing and O'Neill would be the perfect manager to get Bentley's career back on track.

Let's just hope we get around £7m-£10m for the right midfielder, the goal at the emirates was worth half that alone. Still though, this leaves us short in cover on the right side of the pitch but it is obviously a move Bentley has to make.

Any overpriced bench players about?

Regards,
Ben

Ashley's to young for Spurs

Ashley Young, great young prospect and future England star in the making. A year ago today you could stick David Bentley's name in place of Ashley's and their would be a sense of mutual agreement; his potential looked as though it could go beyond that of David Beckhams'. Now, he can't even make the England bench. In the past few season, Spurs have started off their season with poor results and were left to rot in the bottom half of the table at the start of the season. Since O'Neill took over at Villa, the Birmingham based club have been challenging for the European competitions and have never looked likely to be stuck fighting relegation.

So, my first point is that I would question why Ashley Young would even want to join us, even if Aston Villa made the biggest mistake in letting him speak to Tottenham. Let's be honest, to better Villa last season we'd have to finish in the Champions League- and that won't happen. To present, Spurs have ruined two of the brightest England prospects in that of Darren Bent and David Bentley- Jermain Defoe left at the right time and Mr. Lennon seems to have done alright as well.

Furthermore, this paper talk about us 'closing in' on Ashley Young is just not true. Only 2 weeks ago did Redknapp state that he was looking for 'three experienced players' at a cost of £30m; sorry, Ashley Young is hardly an experienced full England international, is he. So unless 'Arry was having us all on, he is not going for Villa's new best player.

We decided not to invest in Ashley 2 seasons ago, his loyalty to Villa and gratitude to Martin O'Neill for taking that 'huge' £9.75m gamble would be worth much more than that of an extra five thousand or so every week at a side that could end up in another relegation battle.

The lad would be silly to go, he's not an idiot.

Regards,
Ben

Swap deal involving Bentley and Barry

Reports this morning are suggesting that there could be a swap deal involving Gareth Barry and our Rolls Royce, David Bentley. Ok, I think it's fairly conclusive that this sort of deal would favour the 1-goal-wonder David Bentley as he'd be sure to get more playing time under Martin at Villa, and, for Spurs, due to a lack of a better word, this 'deadwood' could be shifted and contribute to lightening up our hefty wage bill each week.

Although, if I were a Villa fan reading this I'd be devastated at the chance of swapping our influential captain for a Tottenham bench man and this is why I really can't see O'Neill conducting this sort of move. But, as a Tottenham fan, I'd feel we'd have a complete team for the upcoming season (again). I'd relish the thought of having Gareth Barry lining up with Luka Modric, Wilson Palacios and Aaron Lennon.. oh and yes Jenas who seems to have a clause in his contract preventing him from being benched, *sigh*. Maybe we could actually challenge for the top ten? (Gasps).

It be a dream if this move were to concur, but seriously, I can't see Barry leaving a side that are in next season's Europa League after giving the Arse a good run for their money for that 4th spot to join a side that, until February, looked to be stuck in a relegation battle. But as a Spurs fan, my shed of hope and optimism will still be inside me, as always-
But let's be honest, this move ain't gonna happen.

Regards,
Ben

Manager of the season: The REAL contenders

Once again we come to May with the end of the season very much amongst us. Yet still, surprisingly, the bottom three and Premier League winner are still to be decided, and now Tottenham have safely survived the threat of being in the fizzy pop, I think it's fair to say it'll be an exciting end to it all. so we come to the end of the season and the awards that come with it; we've already seen glimpses that the FA have already engraved 'Sir Alex Ferguson' into one award, but, in the unlikely event that the manager of the season isn't fixed for this season and staying in Manchester, let's have a look at some real contenders for it.

To start, despite their poor run of late, Aston Villa's Martin O'Neill is in top contention; as, for much of the season, gluing themselves to that 4th spot ahead of familiar faces at Arsenal. O'Neill's worked wonders with a small, young and talented bunch of players and early results illustrated the fantastic man-management that he is renowned for. O'Neill's built a Villa team that are punching way above their weight- on a limited transfer budget- by making small improvements and small change every summer to the squad.

The benefits were clear in early season results, beating teams such as Arsenal at the Emirates was once personal highlight for me. O'Neill has developed and worked with young English players such as Ashley Young, who was signed for £8m a few seasons back, and mentioned that he was going to be one of England's greatest players. Ashley has quite obviously proved that this season after already picking up the PFA Young Player Of The Year award and deservedly so.
I truly believe that the lack of depth in the Villa team was the reason behind their recent slump. A young team cannot expect to defy the odds and keep hold of 4th sport for such a long period of time and I now believe that they are severely suffering a hangover much worse than a lot of us have had over the past year or so. I am sure, though, that the stamina will, in a few seasons, be present in this current Villa squad and one day will break into the top four of the Premier League. and that is why Martin O'Neill is a candidate for this award.

We move to East London for our next contender; West Ham's Gianfranco Zola. It is safe to say that when Zola took over from the manager less club, to my delight, West Ham really were in free-fall. Results went against them every week and, despite not even half the season had passed, West Ham were favourites for the drop. Zola, similarly to O'Neill came in, and, due to the financial crisis that was clear at West Ham, had no money to spend and so was left with the same squad to work with for the whole season. Zola has done a magnificent job despite injuries to key players such as top scorer Carlton Cole, Mark Noble and Dean Ashton and has managed to drag the Hammers not just from safety but within 3 points of a European place in the league.

Zola has only been at the club for 7-8 months or so but in that short period of time has clawed credibility back to East London and now their fans can start to believe in their team again. A key asset Zola has brought in was, notably, Steve Clark of Chelsea who's winning mentality and brilliant coaching skills have worked wonders with West Ham.
With injuries hitting the club, no transfer budget and the club in financial melt down, Zola has managed to turn West Ham into a force worth reckoning and look a real contender for that 7th spot and that is why West Ham's Gianfranco Zola is a contender for the award.

Our next contender may come as a shock to some, and not one that would immediately be thought of as a candidate for the award is Fulham's Roy Hodgson. Before Roy took over, Fulham's Premier League survival for the last 4 years looked uncertain and, at times, they looked down and out but jumped back at the death and grabbed survival from the claws of relegation. Roy's exceptional management of Fulham was present at the end of last season where Fulham managed to clinch 5 wins from their last 9 games to survive including one game where they came from 2-0 down to beat Man. City 3-2 at Eastlands to help them clinch survival. Roy has turned Fulham from a team that were just there to make up the numbers in the league to one that visiting teams fear.

Fulham are now in a position where one win could clinch them European football and achieve their highest ever finish in the Premier League and this is all fallen down to the man management of Roy Hodgson, he has invested a small sum over the previous transfer markets with the biggest being £10m spent on former Everton striker Andy Johnson. Hodgson has ensured that every week his players are fighting for their places and has made the club one in which players want to play for; one notable player is Brede Hangeland that looks a much more of an assured defender than he did last year and has been vital for Fulham's remarkable season.
With Fulham sitting 7th and looking hot favourites for a place in next season's Europa league, Roy has turned Fulham from relegation battlers to a safe and established Premier League side and that is why he is a contender for the award.

Our penultimate contender is in the shape of Everton's David Moyes. Now, there's a lot to say why Moyes should be in contention for this award a lot more than he is. After coming to Everton a fair few seasons back he has spent little and has only had a small squad to work with, but, each season Everton are challenging for the top 7 and more often than not achieve European football. Moyes continues to invest very little in the squad but keeps faith in the young English academy players that continue to impress in the first team. Players such as Dan Gosling have come on leaps and bounds and looking more and more comfortable playing against some of the best players in the world, the risk and faith Moyes has kept in this young English talent has clearly paid off and helping the national team out is always nice as well.

Everton are guaranteed a European spot this season, as they have been for the last few seasons, they knocked out Manchester United to reach the final of the FA Cup and Moyes has done this with a squad of tender age and with little depth in it as well. Moyes has spent little cash at every opportunity handed to him and continues to make small changes as he focuses on the building of the young team he has at his disposal. His faith in young English players is also very encouraging that we might actually have some decent players in the years to come for the national team and Everton are helping this cause. Because of this, Moyes is an obvious candidate for the award.

Our final contender comes to Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Redknapp. For much of this season, Tottenham had been fighting what looked liked a lost battle to stay in the league. The Ramos 'revolution' wasn't really meeting minimum expectations, by a long way and so Harry was drafted in to keep us in the league. Ever since, Harry has worked wonders with the club; his man management and the confidence he unleashed on the players was a breath of fresh air and ever since we have looked like a top side. Under Redknapp, Spurs have only conceded 9 goals at home all season, a current record, have only lost once at home since November and have only lost once to a side in the 'top four', a controversial loss at that as well. Spurs have also defeated the likes of Liverpool and Chealsea at the Lane and have held Arsenal on two accounts. Players such as Heurelho Gomes has come on massively after a horrid start to the season and is now one of the top keepers in the league. Players such as Modric and Ekotto are playing above expectation and looking different players to what they were at the start of the season.

When Redknapp took over, Spurs looked dead after taking just 2 points from the opening 8 games of the season. Since then, Redknapp's work with the defence have resulted in less goals being conceded and a real push for 7th spot is currently at hand. spurs are once again a real force in the league and wins against teams such as Chelsea and Liverpool at home and Man. City and Villa away mean that they can upset anyone. After saving Tottenham's season around, Harry is a contender for Manager of the season.

So there you have, it's been a long read but those are the managers that I believe should be in contention for manager of the season. I have no doubts though that the award will go to Sir Alex despite them almost bottling the league and guiding the current best team in Europe to, almost, another Premier League trophy.

Regards, Ben