Goal or No Goal?
Was it a goal? Wasn’t it a goal? Does it even matter? Well, I suppose the answer is yes, but not to the scoreline. We had enough chances to bury Reading. JJ missed two one-on-ones, the second being criminal and as for Keano’s sitter at the beginning, we had all ready reached the the “Ye…” of “Yeah” before dumbstruck we noticed he’d missed, the goal at his mercy like a drunk chick in freshers’ week.
Who would believe Dimitar the Great would fluff his hat-trick shot at point blank range but then it does add some credence to his words as quoted by the papers this morning but more on that in a bit. Incidentally, if he had slotted that third he’d be one consecutive hat-trick away from equalling the record of some bloke in the 1920s, whose name escapes me, of three in a row for Spurs. I half know this shiny gem of trivia through the most excellent Tottenham festival that took place on Friday night round at my mate Charlie’s (a Yiddo through and through). There were Tottenham Top Trumps, screenings of the 1962 FA Cup Final, the 5-1 mauling of Chelsea in the Worthington Cup and, of course, a the Tottenham Trivia game as won by The Bagel. My prize was being pointed at in time by Charlie and Jimmy Wii (nee Roast) as I was haled by chants of “Yiddo! Yiddo! Yiddo!”. I added a round of “I’m Spurs and I know I am” to myself for good measure.
So, why does it matter about the free kick goal, because it’s further fuel for the Robbo witch hunt, the poor little mite. I was going to offer no opinion on the matter as I haven’t as yet watched MOTD and I thought, being in a public library - with only 30 mins of writing time left I might add - I wouldn’t get access to the online clip due to such sites being blocked for the purposes of stopping these machines being covered in tooth sucking youthes spending their truent days on youtube, facebook et al before going off later to sniff glue at the climbing frame. Does anyone sniff glue any more? More likely they smoke crack on the back of a bus before deciding which passengers to “shank”. A cheery thought.
Nonetheless, I have now viewed the incident and I conclude as Robbo does. He said:
“I have seen the incident eight or nine times on TV and there is no angle where you could clearly say ‘Yes, it’s over’.”
Whether this means that it went in or not is another thing but you certainly can’t tell. My instinct, and I am entirely biased here, is that 90% of the ball crossed the line but I reckon Robbo was in the right by rubber lip of the bladder valve. “No goal” says The Bagel but as I say, we should have won that game twice over regardless but chins up lads at least we’re not out of the Cup and for that I’m grateful.
Better news of the day, if you paying much heed to all the Berbatalk are the words from the man himself.
“There are too many speculations around my name, but most of them are foolish. It’s absurd and I’m tired of seeing my name in the newspapers. I want to live in peace. It is getting too much,” said the Beautiful Bulgarian.
“I am a Tottenham player and I’m trying to give my best, so I can help my team. I’m happy when we play well and I’m miserable when we lose our games.
“I’m happy at the moment. You can win titles and medals with every team and I can win with Tottenham too.”
Glad to hear it Dimi and just in case we weren’t sure of his ethic…
“It’s ridiculous, I don’t think that I’m worth so much money. I just have to do my job and score goals. I’m not a one-man team. Everybody in the team supports me and I’ve never heard a reproach or felt envy.”
What excellent use of the word “reproach” for a foreigner and curious line with which to finish it…
“Juande is very good, both as a man and as a coach. He sees even the small details that remain hidden from most people.”
I like to believe that this means that Ramos is an excellent manager but we can only be the judges on this after a few seasons’ work or an over-inflated opinion should we manager to overhaul the filth in the Carling Cup.
Right 5 mins left, so I’d best be brief. Ajax coach, Martin van Geel (no time for name gag), has said that there ain’t no way he’s letting go of Urby Emanuelson this January, so that’s our hopes of what looks like a top notch left-sider down the toilet at least for now. No major tears though as no major necessity. But worst of all is the rumour that we might be in for Tal Ben Haim for a staggering £8m. Please God, no.
The Bagel.
January 7th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Well from where i was sitting(west lower block 16) the ball deffinitely crossed the line: and as for hunts goal, couldn’t robbo have pushed it round the post? A dissappointing result, but it was a great game to watch..
COYS!
January 7th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
In that case, I’ll hand it to you. Block 16 basically puts you on the line. Glad someone could give us the official verdict.
The Bagel.
January 8th, 2008 at 2:09 am
Frank Osborne was the guy I was trying to remember.
The Bagel.
January 8th, 2008 at 10:26 am
I don’t understand why Ramos wants to get rid of Dafoe the supersub. I think he has been great this season plus he WANTS to stay.
January 8th, 2008 at 10:53 am
I have no problem with what Ramos has apparently said to Defoe. There are two players who under no circumstances (except injury etc.) would I want to leave WHL - Berbatov and King. And even then, if we got silly money for Berbatov I’d be ok with that. Maybe Keane goes into that category too, but even with Keane I don’t think that he is TOP class whereas I do with King and Berbatov.
I suspect Ramos knows what he is doing, and if Defoe isn’t in his plans thats ok by me. Defoe has been ok recently. He’s a good striker, and I like him (I never thought I’d say that about him when we signed him!). But is he so good that it would be disastrous if he leaves? No.
But in any case the main point is surely that for all that he says he doesn’t want to leave, he hasn’t signed a new contract. And if he won’t sign it, then we have to sell him before he leaves on a free. And for all that its a shame he doesn’t get more games, he doesn’t deserve to play ahead of berbatov or keane so I don’t see any other solution.
January 8th, 2008 at 11:11 am
I just think he is worth more to us than the money we would get for him though I suspect that Ramos does know more about football than me…
January 8th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
It just depends on who we get in as a replacement if he does go. A player Ramos wants, or a player he has foisted upon him.
I reckon Villa will pay pretty good money for him…
January 8th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
At some point, Ramos has to start building the team he wants. It’s unrealistic to think that he will be happy to keep every player that he has inherited.
Defoe’s argument that why should he sign a new deal if he is not first choice is bollocks. It’s all well and good saying that you want to stay at the club but he should prove it by signing a new deal.
We have to trust Ramos in all of this. I trust him more than I do some of the prima donna players.
January 8th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
I agree with HY about Defoe. Sign the contract. If he still doesn’t get in the team, we all know Villa or someone will want to buy him anyway. But if he doesn’t sign the contract, then of course his days are numbered.
January 8th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
i have often wondered in the past if it is just me but i’ve never been cock a hoop about defoe - sure he does and has scored some crucial goals but i have never really felt he contributes enough to the team how many times have we seen him blast a shot 6ft over the bar when an easy 3 yard pass would have guaranteed a goal sometimes it comes off of course but i think mj and juande both had his number - he is a luxury player one who normally has to be carried by his team mates - we already have one sublimely (to a lesser extent) luxuriant player and this has led for my mind to defoe’s late sub role for some time - i think we can afford to let him go and if we get something for him i feel its good business
January 8th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Let’s not sign Tal Ben Haim for 8M. Please.
January 8th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Maybe Dafoe’ll make the trip to the Mighty Arsenal ?
I’m sure we could find room for a player like him for the right money - personally I would employ him on the wing. And perhaps being surrounded by such gifted players would improve his game no end.
January 8th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
What is it about Defoe’s game that you thing would make him suited to being a winger? You’ve offered this theory before, I seem to recall, in a different incarnation. I didn’t agree with it then, and I don’t agree with it now.
Is it based on anything more than “Henry and Walcott are both ’strikers’ who Wenger has played on the wing”?
January 8th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Jermaine Defoe is a proven goalscorer, as his production of 1 goal per 2/2.5 games started indicates, but he does not provide much else to the squad. He does not create opportunities for his teammates, nor does he get on the ball often to help his team in general.
Look at his numbers in detail at http://soccerstatistics.blogspot.com and then make your decision on whether Tottenham should sell the player.
January 8th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Yea ‘cos Defoe’s known to have a great cross on him, word on the street is it’s even better than Lennon’s :-O
Next!
January 8th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_3031183,00.html
Just a little reminder for my Flid chums, to know your place, tomorrow night!
OOH TO BE A, GOONER…
January 8th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
From the website, Jenas on his hair:
“I just fancied a change, I’ve had short hair since I was about 16. It is hard work and I don’t like it at the minute! Hopefully the eventual stage will be alright or it will just come off again.”
Blokes gonna end up looking like Chris Kamara.
January 8th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Not sure really why I like Dafoe on the wing, he has pace and trickery, and seems unable to play as a striker. I reckon if he were given a chance on the wing he would shine.
No concrete evidence, just wild speculation.
Perhaps I should buy championship manager and show you how great his stats are on there?
As for Walcott on the wing, well, whenever I see him he always looks like the ball is bigger that him, bless him.
January 8th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Where did you get a dvd of the worthington cup 5-1 from?!
January 8th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
im sorry but edgar davids is a cunt, i’ll never forgive him now, wat a stupid prick!
January 9th, 2008 at 3:06 am
Errrrr…… seriously??
“Press reports suggest that Juventus have rejected a £9m bid from Tottenham for Tiago Mendes… Portuguese midfielder Tiago hasn’t managed to settle in Turin and has received harsh criticism from sections of the Bianconeri faithful.
Having been linked with a number of European sides over the last two months, he poured cold water on speculation that he could call an early end to his time in Italy and stressed that he wants to earn a place at Juve.
However, certain Press sources insist that Tottenham are still keen to lure the former Chelsea man to the Premier League and have offered around £10m.”
(From Channel 4 Football Italia)
January 9th, 2008 at 3:11 am
Don’t worry about Edgar. Emanuelson was misquoted. Read the real deal…
http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=72833
We’re not Milan and we’re not Real but we are a beautiful club and that’s ok by me.
As for the Worthington Cup it was on VHS, probably on released for a short preiod after the game itself. I’ll find out what Charlie has to say about its purchase.
The Bagel.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:14 am
This rumour about Tiago…
I’m quite happy to have a player who is unspectacular, uninspiring and who breaks up play sitting at the base of the midfield.
Its exactly this kind of untottenham like player that we need!
Whether Tiago is the man or not, I don’t know, but if we actually sign a defensive midfielder who does that job well, it will be hard evidence to back up the idea that Ramos actually knows what he’s doing!
January 9th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
ah, VHS how retro… i’ve really wanted to get hold of footage of that game for ages - there’s only like one bit on youtube.