We survived.

West Ham on the opening day. I've seen prettier sites checking the bottom of my shoe to see if I'd just stepped in dog shit. I wrote a piece detailing how, although pre-season results shouldn't be given an inch of your time (and they shouldn't), the style and system in which we approach these games inherently should. This game seemingly worked try and go out of its' way to contradict literally every word I wrote.

Although, that wasn't quite what was top of my mind when I was watching us play at West Ham. I couldn't help but imagining the dangerously unsettling comparisons between our performance across the 90 minutes and the regular drivel we had to endure under Sherwood. The notable thing that we did manage to avoid was an all too typical collapse at the first sniff of danger. The game almost reminded me of the Cardiff away fixture last season. We flattered to deceive for much of it before a new boy popped up and scored a late winner.

That first sniff of danger was our back four. Hands up at the end of last season who'd have predicted Naughton & Rose would be starting our first Premier League of the new season. Neither did I. Kaboul, sadly, is not the player he was in 2011/2012 & the wildcard that is Eric Dier could be hit or miss.

I must've watched this game with my hands over my eyes because up until Naughton saw red, I've been informed that we were doing admirably up until this point. I remember us being slack in possession and moving the ball at a snail pace. We looked a minor shadow of ourselves system wise that we saw more or less in every pre-season fixture. It wasn't the fact that we even put into practice this fresh approach and West Ham stifled it, it was more that we lacked the confidence to try and put it into practice in the first place.

We'd seen a far more pragmatic side that were more direct in their passing style but we struggled to get out of our final third at times on Saturday. We lacked that extra midfield option when the defence had the ball or lacked that option in the final third when Bentaleb came deep to collect that first pass. Maybe pushing Capoue back into CB affected this but we struggled even at 11 vs. 11.

We've big hopes for Lamela this year but I feel giving him this seemingly free role almost stifles Eriksen's effectiveness in the final third. Lamela consistently picked up the ball but struggled to know his next move when receiving and often tried too hard to impress. He'd miss the more simple-yet-effective ball more often than not and looked a little lost positionally when out of possession. I maintain that giving him a permanent role right would allow him to work on his game as well as a role that would exploit the best of Erik as well as the system we're trying to implement. This would further allow Eriksen to adopt a more permanent role centrally and allow him to flourish where he is arguably his most dangerous.

Maybe the system needs time. In fact, there's no doubt it does. One player that slotted like he'd been at the club for years was Eric Dier. His positioning, no-nonsense attitude and versatility were exceptional. Considering his debut was arguably made all the more difficult as he was forced to shift over to RB when Naughton did see red, he performed admirably in his first outing.

It's always satisfying to pick up three points on the opening day but I think it's understandable to expect the more pragmatic approach we'd seen in pre-season to be adopted more regularly as time proceeds. We've still to welcome back a host of players from the World Cup as well as a couple of weeks left of this window. The signals have definitely been quietly optimistic, but it's clear that time is still the most valuable thing Pochettino needs at his disposal.

Regards,
Ben

Luka set to return?

Portsmouth in Fratton tomorrow, on paper this should be and easy three points. In reality, yeah, it should also be a win in the south coast as well. In truth, it should be all smiles at Spurs lodge with Ledley and Daws available tomorrow and Jonny coming through a reserves game 'unscratched.' Good, finally.

But then the Honduran Government had to make things awkward. It seems as though ironically as it sounds, Sgt. Wilson has been told, in a nut shell, that he must party. The military junta has told he must attend a World Cup celebration so will not be in Portsmouth. That's a bugger.

That's a bad blow. Although, I do seem to recall Spurs saying that our Croatian maestro Luka Modric was intended to make his comeback tomorrow. Spurs report that he and Gio will 'continue rehabilitation.' I'm guessing that's a no to tomorrow then.

So, anyone who reckons they're''in the know' on the whole situation I ask you one thing. Any guesses as to how long until he will return?

Regards.

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

Cesar hits out at Tottenham

Our former 'keeper Cesar Sanchez, who never played a full game for us in the Premiership, has hit out at Pavlyuchenko claiming that it is "impossible" to speak to him.

“Pavlyuchenko didn’t speak a word of English,” Cesar told Don Ballon.
“Communicating with him was impossible.
“The club is about signing young players for the future, but it’s complicated up there because you must give them time.
“When I arrived they had got rid of half of the squad and many foreigners that can’t speak English came over.”
He continued: “With more time, Juande would have been capable of make of them a great team, like he did with Sevilla and Madrid."

The pint-size keeper was never given a real run out, even during Gomes' nightmare spell between the sticks. It was let known that he was frustrated at being left on the bench- as he was deemed to small for a goalkeeper. He soon left for Valencia just six months after signing for us. Still though, Pavlyuchenko's season wasn't the greatest but he scored goals for us when they were needed, including a big goal back at Turf Moor..

The 38 year old was never given a proper run-out and a random outburst such as this only leads me to one conclusion. Am I worried? No, it sounds like sour grapes..

Regards,
Ben

Why we shouldn't let England's brightest asset leave for peanuts

Tom Huddlestone. A name Spurs fans are all to familiar with, we even have a song for the young lad. He can a knock a ball from one end of the pitch to the other, player to player with his eyes closed, his left foot is better than Bentley's right and striking the ball to perfection is an understatement- and he's only 22. So, I ask, why is Redknapp willing to let him leave for a measly £8m (£16m for City)? He was a leading star under the early Redknapp era helping us pick up points faster than Lennon can run the 100 metre sprint. Then, without reason, was left to rot with the other 'stars' camping on the bench every game.

Left on the bench was bad enough, then Redknapp invests £12m in a more experienced version of Tommy in the form of Wilson Palacios, the first Houndouran to play for the lilly whites. Where does this leave Huddlestone? On the bench for the rest of the season. Why? Given the experience, Huddlestone can become a very talented player, his passing is already among the best in the league and a better fitness level and a higher technical level could see him become a future England leader, the rock in England's midfielder and the heart in Tottenhams'. He could be our Steven Gerrard our Paul Scholes or Gareth Barry (on the playing side and not the financial, of course).

So I ask, why is Huddlestone up for sale, surely even a loan would be more appropriate. I do agree with the FACT that Wilson Palacios is a very good player for the short term, but in the long term- Huddlestone's the man for us. We should show this guy some respect and make him feel wanted other wise he'll pop up and bite us right in the arse.
This guy has talent, but of course Spurs have to look to buy talent- as always our youth policy is a training camp for other teams, we are just the stepping stone that gets them there. I'm not happy with this policy and letting a potentially brilliant asset in Huddlestone leave would be a mistake- especially if it were to a rival club also looking to challenge for the Europa places. I hear Villa need a replacement for Barry?

When will the Spurs board open their eyes to the reality that Tom Huddlestone is a very good player. Let's not sell our good players perhaps? Then possibly in the future we'd have a squad that may actually achieve something- it just depends how long Redknapps there for, I guess.

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

Lets all thank Downing..

Why? Is the first question that comes to my head when Spurs are linked with Downing. This is a player that has hardly set the Premier League alight and claiming to be 'Boro's best player isn't exactly an eye-opener. Yet, he is still included in the England squad and played Premiership football week in, week out- are England really getting desperate to 'show off' their talent in our very own league? This is a player that in 37 starts this season, failed to score a single goal in the league and notched up only a few assists, yet, he would be better than Modric on the left- apparently. Do Tottenham really like frustrating their own supporters? I wonder this season after season and this summer is no different.

Therefore my head is constantly left spinning when Downing is regarded as a quality left winger, and, according to Steve Gibson ('Boro Chairman) is a top four player. Sorry, am i missing something here? You'd think Downing was in the running for PFA player of the year (I'm sure if he played for United he'd be up there anyhow) Do you see Man United and Chelsea linked with Downing every season, no.. any guesses as to why?

Now, after stating the rather blatantly obvious that Downing is not right for Spurs or for the Premiership in that sense, I find a rumour that there was a gentleman's agreement in place with Spurs and Downing for a £15m transfer this summer. I was left shocked when reading this and the thought of it still sends shivers down my spine, yes, shivers.

Although, God sent down a miracle to Spurs fans when it was reported that Downing needed surgery and could be out for up to 6 months, and is sure to miss all of the summer. I smiled. Surely, now, Spurs would not shed out £15m for a player that is likely to not play until January- but then again this is Tottenham we're talking about. So thank you Downing for getting injured and attempting to prevent a move to Tottenham, you could've not made me more happy at the moment.

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

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