"He will be 31 next birthday and they will want £15million"

'Arry has conceded that a move for Scotty Parker is not a likely one. Parker has been a shining light in another dark and dismal season at West Ham and letting Scott go would surely see the East London club fall into the second tier of English football, where they belong.

"I like Parker, but he belongs to West Ham. He will be 31 next birthday and they will want £15million.
"Daniel (Levy, chairman) wouldn't buy players of that age, on big wages with no sell-on." said Redknapp with a touch of disappointment at not being able to acquire a long admired target.

A good player, but at 31, the boy's certainly knocking on a bit. 'Arry further spoke on Jamie's future at Spurs, which has seen him spend the season nursing a back injury.

"O'Hara needs to play. He would be better off playing somewhere than not playing," he added. "He would do a good job for someone in the Prem."

I like O'Hara, but would he do a good job at Tottenham? Included in the team sheet every week would be a success for Jamie considering Luka, Palacios, Tommy, Sandro and Niko are all sitting comfortably above him in the pecking order.

His future at Spurs is looking more unstable than West Ham's position in the Premier League, although Redknapp further admitted that Jamie could move to East London to gain the playing time he needs.

Should we look to keep hold of him? Or look into the possibility of a Swap deal and funds for Parker?

Regards

A bizzare Saturday

Ahh that was frustrating. A soft freekick, an early goal and suddenly your chasing the game. In Redknapp's words we didn't play bad, Wolves just left that famous bus in front of goal that we once did at Chelsea, except they took off back to Birmingham with 3 points and not 1.

So, City, Chelsea and United all dropped points with Villa laughing their way up to 3rd. I don't know about you but I really couldn't see that one coming. Still, another week without a win and inevitably I'm not happy. I'm sure you're emotions are much similar.

Still though, good to see Luka back. We can smile at that.

Your thoughts on the game welcome.
Atleast West Ham lost again..

Regards.

An absolute joke

I'm fuming .
Your fuming.
I'm surprised that Harry wasn't taken to hospital due to high blood pressure.

I never thought I'd be writing this after 80 minutes had been played at Goodison. It's hard to not bellow the words that are running through my mind right now.

I don't wish to reminisce what we have all just witnessed. We played brilliantly, how did it all fall apart?

Meanwhile our thoughts are with Wilson whos been taken to hospital. Let's hope he's back on his feet in the near future.

Your thoughts on the game more than welcome.

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.

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.

Webb plays a blinder

Correct, it is sarcasm. Ok, we had our moments, we looked sharp and looked to be 'well up for it'. I thought the first half was a positive one despite going a goal behind at the Bridge. So things WERE looking bright. It was a poor goal to conceded but in truth old 'Cashley,' in the gooners terms, did tuck away a smart header at the back post.

Then Howard Webb remembered it was Spurs he was refereeing, away, once again. The memory of the whole United blunder clearly fresh out of his memory, of course. A new season, a fresh start. Somehow I got the impression that most of us still had the incident at Old Trafford fairly fresh in our minds. It wouldn't surprise me.

So 1-0 and Keanos away. Carvalho brings down the Pointy Shouty Bloke without the ball changing direction, either a penalty or a booking for 'simulation'. Neither were given. Now, I'm not a referee, oh wait yes I am and once more a-highly-expected-blunder from Webb; if referees were marked with points, he'd be level with Pompey right now. That's where he deserves to be.

An absolute shocker from Webb. but are we suprised? We shouldn't be by now should we; he was poor all over the park. I thought we knocked the ball about well, made space and the effort was clearly there. Then we lose King and Bass and end up losing 3-0.. I'm feeling a sense of deja vu from last season.

Let's hope this isn't a regular thing.

Regards.

Who would be in your first XI against Liverpool?

The season is just a couple of weeks away and with Peter Crouch looking to be one of our final signings for the summer (bar possibly a centre back) and dreams of Huntelaar remaining just that, dreams, who would you start against Liverpool on the 16th August?

In the current predicament my starting eleven would be the following: standard 4-4-2


GK-Gomes: No need to explain why, showed brilliant character to turn around his season

LB-Ekotto: Grabbed his chance in the first team with two hands when given, and we can win games when he plays.

CB's- Chimbonda and Corluka: A big talking point but if Chimbonda can reincarnate the formed he showed a few seasons back I think we should give him a go, I mean it is for only one game, isn't it?

RB- Hutton: Still unsure of Naughton and throwing him in the deep end against a team fighting for the league might be pushing him a bit at this stage of the season



LW- Keane: It may seem strange but he usually drops deep and I believe he could do a job out on the left. He works well as a playmaker.

CM's- Modric and Palacios: Unquestionable, both had good seasons last year

RM- Lennon: Need I explain?



ST's- Defoe and Crouch: I thoroughly hope this works and they can rekindle the partnership they had at Pompey. I will put my faith in Crouch.



-Gomes-

-Hutton-Chimbonda-Corluka-Ekotto-

-Lennon-Modric-Palacios-Keane-

-Crouch-Defoe-



Who would be your starting XI against Liverpool?

Regards,
Ben

Keane hates Tottenham

Ok, I do have an explanation to such an absurd title; Robbie Keane came out today and explained why he didn't celebrate his goal against Liverpool on Sunday.

"Over the years you would have seen that I never celebrate against my former clubs when I score against them, so this was no different," he said. "But as a striker its always nice to score, regardless of who it's against and despite the amount of hype around my return before the game."

Yeah, ok, that's 'fair enough' Robbie(the eyeballs roll) but how about a little thought for the 3000 Spurs fans that travelled up to a near enough meaningless game at the other end of the country?(lets be honest, we weren't going to win)

Ok yeah, right, you were there for 6 months, and to be honest, barely got through a whole game. We splash out the best part of £15m to bring you here and, despite some very mediocre performances, we stood by you and made you our leader. We accepted the fact that you left for a 'bigger club' and welcomed you back to your comfort zone when you career looked at an end.

Then we see a rare goal from you and you can't even pay the respect to the die hard Spurs fans that have splashed out their money to watch you play and who pay your wages then you cant even celebrate with them when you score our last goal of the season.

So yeah, thanks Robbie, keep your the respect for you previous employer but remember where your home is now. Show some respect.

P.S We still love you.

Regards,

Ben

(Picture Copyright of Tottenhamhotspur.com)

Jermaine Jenas, Heurelho Gomes and another 1-0 win

THE BAGGIES at home. Ok, they picked up one point for each goal they scored against Sunderland last week but sill i'd thought we'd do them 3-0; as did many other fans that were congrugated outside WHL eager to not miss kick off. I could see Robbie Keane, Luka Modric and Ledley King goals but after all that, it was Tottenham's scapegoat for the season Jermaine Jenas who popped up with a smart finish into Paxton Road on the stroke of half time. Since Redknapp took over, Iv noticed a change in JJ, he battles more and earns his 30 grand each week- well, to an extent. Still though, I pictured a fairly routine home win and not in the slightest could I see us losing our second home game under the Redkanpp era.

I respected West Brom, they played five in midfield and, at times, looked to play football. Their major flaw, though, was trying to play through our midfield. At a time when Palacios is looking better and better each week, not even the mighty Borja valero, Robert Greening or Chris Brunt could play through our Honduran tank. Still though, for 93 minutes, they tried and tried- I would say I felt sorry for them, but I didn't.
A fourth consecutive 1-0 win at home and I'm not complaining, yeah West Brom are bottom of the league, but, to be honest- they're no Derby County. They forced some wonderful saves by the in-form Heurelho Gomes, take a look on MOTD- they were stunning. Spurs are looking more and more confident at knocking the ball around and are beginning to be a joy to watch it week, the depression has passed and now as we get to the business end of the season it's exciting being the favourites for games once again.

The win today was Spurs' 6th consecutive clean sheet at home. Considering at the start of the season we couldn't buy three points; it brings such delight to now mention that we haven't lost at home since November and have won our last five home games, and this is on the basis of many players that have come on since Redknapp took over. The one to have come on the most has got to be the goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes; the Brazilian has gone from the World's worst to one of the Premier League's top 4 or 5 pulling off potential saves of the season and he continued that with another two today. Another player is former Geordie midfielder Jermaine Jenas. I'm fast becoming more of a fan of Jenas, as recent performances have proved, he's been sticking the ball into the back of the net more often and getting his foot stuck in for once- plus he's still got the excuse of being a younger member of the team; so that'l be another player that will leave us and end up at a bigger club, I hear Jose's back in for him?

Still though another 1-0 win against the worst team in the league, statistically, and I'm satisfied. We kept our cool, a clean sheet and we looked confident at the back; even though our 'keeper got us out of trouble on a couple of occasions. Woodgate and King looking strong at the back and as long as we score more than the opposition i couldn't care less how many we concede. And now as the cricket season is upon us *sighs* and the football season draws to a close *sighs more* it should prove to be a decent end to it all.

(Picture copyright of Tottenhamhotspur.com)
Regards, Ben

Darren Bent: What more could we ask for?

DARREN BENT, at times a hero at others a villain.. I needn't remind anyone the-then-relegation-battle-Pompey home game not so long ago where 'Arry claimed 'his missus' couldv scored the chance given to Bent, at the time. But then again, everyone has their off day, don't they? Bent is our top scorer with 17 goals, 12 in the Premier league; that makes him the top English premiership scorer and is only a premiership goal behind Fernando Torres, arguably one of the worlds' greatest strikers. Now, I'm not here to highlight the typical arrogance of a Spurs fan and argue how Bent is even in the same league as Torres- let's be honest, he's not. But on the other hand, what more can Spurs fans ask for.

In reality, Spurs are a decent club that do show signs of making a real push for the Champions League, during pre-season that is. Although, this optimism usually returns to the usual moans and groans of start of season and soon enough any optimism is soon enough pessimism and reality outside of 'silly season' hits us like a rocket. Ok so we make a fair push for European football; in the last 3 seasons we have finished fifth twice, and to be honest under BMJ, we over-achieved. Now in the summer of 2007 we purchased Darren Bent- formally of Charlton Athletic after they fell into the fizzy pop league. His first season proved a frustrating one as he remained fourth choice behind the arrogant Berbatov, club captain Robbie Keane and the favourite Jermaine Defoe. He only managed to bag 8 goals in all competitions.

This season with the departure of both Berba and, disappointingly, club captain Robbie Keane, Bent was given the chance to shine. Now, even through our losing streak, Darren still scored 4 goals in 9 games, including the equaliser against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, now, anyone that scores against that horrible lot have got to be given recognition, surely? From when Redknapp took over in late October and, up until January, Darren scored 5 goals including one against Arsenal in the epic North London Draw at the Emirates, by now he'd scored in both of Spurs' biggest and most important games of the season.

Now I could go on about another 4 months bragging about how many goals Bent has scored, but to be honest, strikers are usually mainly judged on goals and Bent has a fair few of them. Since January, he has scored more goals than both Keane and Pav, and ok, Keane's passion and footballing knowledge has enabled a formidable partnership with Bent and has helped contribute with his impressive performances since arriving from Liverpool. To be fair, Darren does have his fair share of horror shows- but don't all strikers. He's managed to bag goals against United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Villa- all away from home, now, can any of our other strikers brag they have scored against ALL of these teams? In fact, have many other strikers in the league achieved this? No. They've had their moments, Pav's winner against the pool and Keane's equaliser at the Emirates, but neither have scored as frequently against the top four as has Darren Bent.

So as I come to a close, need I ask, what is wrong with Darren Bent.. are Spurs really going to be able to get their hands on a real champions league winner that will bag us 30 goals a season every season, NO! So why complain with what we've got!!

Off the point slightly but might i add that Spurs have only conceded nine league goals at White Hart Lane this season in the league, two less than any other Premier League side!! STUFF THAT IN YOUR FACT BOOK

Regards, Ben

(Picture copyright of tottenhamhotspur.com)

Are we really surprised?

ONCE AGAIN the scoreline told what many other fans expected to see, a Spurs loss at United; to be fair we haven't won up there for 17 odd years or so. Although, I still believed my beloved Spurs would play fine football without the pressure that hung on us for much of this season, we'd beaten the drop- in my opinion a place in the Europa league and a 7th finishing spot would be pushing it a bit. But still I watched the game with the same rush of optimism that had hit me ever since i returned from Villa Park not to long ago.

After Darren Bent had become the top English scorer in the premiership and then our little croatian had put us two ahead I still felt as though, as I'm sure many of us did, that United would score and 'normal service' would be resumed. Although at half time i felt we'd played like winners against the best team in Europe. We'd passed the ball around calmly, played our own game and looked ever so dangerous when attacking the Stretford end, I'm sure many of the United 'fans' had regretted their long trip up from London and i'm sure many had turned to City, after getting their first away win yesterday. I felt proud to be a Spurs fan, 2-0 up at Old Trafford adding to our unbeaten run against the teams in the top four and having done the double over the hammers, that's bragging rights for us this season!Then reality hit us, it felt worse than being kicked in the bollocks by the powerful boot of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink back in the day..

The premiership's 'top' referee buckles under the pressure of 70,000 moaning fans as their team has looked to bottle it again against a Spurs team that had taken just 2 points from their first 8 games as-once our very own- Micheal Carrick goes down like his legs have been cut off. Now, as a referee myself I can understand that if Webb had felt the ball wasn't played and the linesman agreed with the decision, fair enough, penalty. The fact that Webb had a clear view of the brilliant goalkeeping by our very own Heurelho Gomes- who, despite conceding five goals, had one of his better games- plus the fact that the linesman also shared the view of Spurs fans across the country, shows that Webb has plain and simply bottled it, 'crumbled' under the pressure AGAIN and since that point, with the referee showing his true colours (the red of united) we didn't stand a chance of gaining anything at the 'Theatre of dreams'. We were then rapidly brought down to Earth as united scored their first, the 2nd, the 3rd and so on.. you know how the rest goes. I could also mention the foul on our little croatian left winger during the build up to the second United goal and the fact that Lennon was kicked by Ronaldo who was later booked for removing his shirt, but I could go on forever.

The fact is that once again we were robbed at Old Trafford; but are we really surprised? I seem to remember a certain Pedro Mendes scoring from Half way a few seasons back, but that's seems to all have been forgiven and forgotten, each season we talk about introducing technology but how long do we have to wait until the FA actually help the nation recover some pride and introduce video technology; but then again I can't imagine the FA acting upon this, I mean they thought Steve McClaren was best suited for the England job.. that's got to say something!

I read some suggestions such as bans for poor refereeing and this and that but this is always going to happen to the 'smaller' clubs in England, on the 58th minute the title was kept in Manchester and with referees giving the benefit of the doubt to the 'bigger' clubs in the country can we really be surprised that it is the same teams challenging the same top four places every season?

N.B Regards to all the 3000 die hard Spurs fans that travelled up to the theatre of dreams to see a nightmare of refereeing.

Regards, Ben