Please kick a football
Hypocrisy, illegalities, embarrassment, this has turned into one hell of a circus. I don’t remember such a strange summer of sales in my life. In fact this is the first year there has really been such a different feel in the air. It’s one thing for Dimitar the Great to be on his way, we expected that but Keano is another kettle of bananas all together.
We’re over a barrel with Berba or at least we will be soon. The man’s got a year or two left on his deal and he’s wanted to go to United from nearly the moment he set foot on English soil. MJ said it himself in one of the many quotes we get now he’s no longer holding the reigns. So, what can you do. If we don’t sell him now, he’ll go on a free later. We know this and it makes sod all difference whether or not the Chewing Gum Machine is tapping him up or not. Dimi tapped himself up a long time before.
As it stands, according to Harry Hotspur and the translation of an Old Trafford sanctioned Norwegian United site, Red Faced Fergie was specific in his public desires of our star striker. He said:
“We have submitted a bid for Berbatov, and we’re optimistic about the prospect of signing him. He’s impressed over a long period of time and would make a good addition to the squad.”
So much for Sir Ally Boy’s claims that Daniel Levy will be embarrassed as he reports both United and Liverpool to the Premier League. I don’t know if it ever be possible to register that emotion on Ferguson’s face but at least the egg dripping down it will be nice and clear.
But as I say, so what? It’s unlikely to stop the deal going through and it’s not as if Fergie’s words through the media were what sparked off Dimi’s interests but I don’t think that’s why General Levy is going to the transfer police. It’s about not being bullied. It’s about making United pay and it’s a warning to other clubs they we won’t sell our best players without a fight.
The more upsetting and morbidly fascinating situation is that of Keano. Robbie. “How could he?” is pretty much the first reaction. How? Are you really trying to tell me that Champions League football is the reason he wants to be a bit part player for a non-competitive club? Liverpool did something amazing when they were crowned kings of Europe have ever many years ago that was now but what do you think is more likely: the Scousers winning the league or Spurs breaking the Big Four?
We’re fast becoming very much like Liverpool - a team good enough to beat any other on our day. We proved that last season, if nothing else. Robbie is a god at Spurs. Is he really so short-sighted as to give up a genuine opportunity to achieving something special, to finally ride the crest of that wave that he’s worked so hard to catch up with? I don’t expect Berbatov to understand but to quit a club after six seasons, to pick up sticks after taking so long to find his true home and to leave for a team that we might even displace, all for the price of a few games on ITV 1.
For the record, I don’t buy any of this boyhood Liverpool fan business. Celtic was Keano’s club from what I had always heard and I can only imagine he followed Liverpool through the likes of John Aldridge and vague proximity.
The only other reason I can think of that might make our man want to jump ship would be if he wasn’t happy with our club and our staff. Did Juande’s 66 minute substitutions really do that much damage? Does he not get on with our new boss? Perhaps it’s just he’s no longer the favourite as he was under Jol, or maybe it goes higher? He could have issues with Levy or Comolli but, again, it just doesn’t sound like Robbie and this is where Rafa’s tapping is so much more damaging because Robbie just wouldn’t have asked for a transfer if he hadn’t of been told about some place on the horizon where pitch is paved with gold and where there’s a special peg with his name on it.
We’re all too familiar the words of our chairman’s statement on the official site and the particularly ominous final few paras:
“I have absolutely no wish to sell either player and to date we have not accepted any offer for either. However, when a player’s head is turned and their commitment is absent, particularly when they occupy key positions such as that of striker, they become a negative influence in a team dressing room in which they were once a positive addition and influence. This is the situation we now have on our hands, with both Dimitar and Robbie having made it clear that they wish to leave for Manchester Utd and Liverpool respectively.”
It doesn’t exactly say that we’re going to sell them but it doesn’t suggest that we won’t and, taken with Juande’s comments in the press over our transfer policy, you’ve got to think they’ll both be moving on.
I still see a glimmer of a chance than Robbie will remain where he belongs. As Toby the Yid and others have said, we’re under no pressure to sell Keano. We can say ‘no’. He’s still got around four years left on his contract and what makes him so special is that he would still give 100% to every training session, every game and every minute he spends under Tottenham badge, because that is what he does. And it’s not just about Keano. What better way to show that we’re not a selling club - certainly not to Liverpool and certainly not when we don’t have to?
I find it all too much as well. How can so many of my these column inches - of our column inches, right here - be made up for not only transfer talk but talk of just two main players and a clutch of supporting roles. What the hell happened to kicking a ball around a field for 90 minutes? That’s why I’m going to a place tomorrow with no Keanes, no Berbatovs, no Capels and no Kabouls. I’m going to Aldershot to watch a Spurs XI have a kick around with some locals. I’m going to watch some football, and I too look forward to finally writing a few match reports.
Courage is when you’re the only bagel who knows how shit-scared you really are.
The Bagel.
July 21st, 2008 at 2:18 am
Very well written, now if you don’t mind, I’ll go on a rant covering two topics that I’m sure the english readers will enjoy: American Football and how much better we are at this sort of thing in the US.
There is a player on my beloved Chicago Bears named Lance Briggs, an all-pro caliber linebacker. In 2006 the Bears made it all the way to the Super Bowl but lost, and in the following offseason Briggs made it clear he wanted to be traded away, going so far as to say “I’ll never play another game in a Bears uniform”. Why he was so dead set on leaving I still don’t know, but he wanted out.
He had a year left on his contract, so the Bears weren’t forced to let him go, and so they didn’t. They called his bluff, waited him out, and in the end, he showed up at training camp hat in hand and rejoined the team. He has since had his contract extended and continues to be a great player for us.
Anyway, as it pertains to Berbatov and Keane, neither one has been quoted as saying anything near as severe as Briggs did, so why not just force their hand and refuse to sell them? Remember, these are professional athletes, they’ve dedicated themselves to excelling at their sport from a young age, its just not in them to sulk in a corner and wait for a move to greener pastures. They will play, and they will play well.
Then, rather than playing russian roulette on the transfer market, take these two obvious champions league caliber players and sign them long term and champions league-type salaries. Spurs may not have the money to buy players like Chelsea, but they certainly have the money to pay the ones they do have. From an American perspective, it seems totally backwards to send sums of money to buy a player that dwarf the amount the player will be paid. Spend that money to keep the considerable talent you have and you’ll never have to worry about your star striker waking up and deciding he’s a lifelong liverpool fan.
July 21st, 2008 at 3:58 am
Another ripper of an article Bagel. That quote is from Tigerland and what a great quote it is. Keep it up.
I was shocked when I read what Levy had said on the Spurs site. Fair enough Berba’s been whinging to go and be a glory hunter for ages…..but Keano??? I can’t believe it. If anything, this coming season it going to be our biggest and best chance to crack the top four. Ramos is a proven winner and I’ve enjoyed watching him shape our team into a force to be reckoned with, not just in the EPL, but in Europe. Why would Keano go to the club who we are trying to knock off for their comfortable 4th spot? I’m hoping to make it to the Lane early next year to witness my first Spurs game and I will be shattered if I am forced to shout “Judas” rather than sing “Team of Robbie Keanes” once I arrive. I guess we’ll just have to wait a see what happens.
I hear that Valencia are keen to offload Villa. He could replace Keane, but we need a forward with a bit of height. I haven’t seen much of Milito, and he’s 29 !!!! I think we need to look at someone who’s a bit younger.
By the way……I can’t wait to see Capel and Bentley in Spurs shirts !!!!
Just for shits and giggles….here’s a quote for you to work out Bagel. It’s not from a movie. It’s from one of my favourite songs at the moment. Enjoy.
Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.
Such a heavy burden now to be “The One”.
Born to bear, and bring to all the details of our ending.
To write it down for all the world to see.
But I forgot my Bagel.
Shit the bed again.
Typical.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:26 am
Do you think its possible that Keane knowing Berbatov wants out, has made him think the same too? After all, Keane loves Berba. After we won the cup last season Keane was running through the crowd of players with tears in his eyes seeking out one man… Berbatov. A massive hug and grope ensued.
I think, that would be one of the factors in it all. Added, with the doubt of who will replace his best mate. You would fancy running alongside Torres as opposed to a striker we havent signed yet.
I personally think we tell Rafa where to stick it. As you said Bagel, we dont need to sell him. Berbatov yes but Kea-NO.
July 21st, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Isn’t it all very simple, and we need to stop kidding ourselves?
Any player will leave us if a regular CL club comes in. They have to give us enough money (which is why the Barry deal fell down) but subject to that - they WILL leave.
The only chance a team like us has of keeping our CL standard players is to get a group together who gel within a year or two and turn us into a top 4 team, before the CL teams come hunting. Because the CL and wages are all that matters these days to players good enough to take advantage of them.
We have come to the end of a two year cycle now (the Berbatov cycle) and not done it, not even come close. Now its the Modric / Dos Santos cycle, and we have a max of two years to get somewhere from now before we lose them (if they turn out to be as good as we hope). Its an optimistic view I admit - but this summer we may have just gained three CL standard players and lost two, which means a net gain!
And even if we do achieve top 4 two years in a row (which is what I think establishes you as a top 4 team, not an Everton style rise and fall) you still risk losing your best players - a la arsenal who have lost a couple of first teamers, look likely to lose another one this summer and who will inevitably lose Fabregas at some point. But the difference is they can attract established quality to replace the players they lose (even if, because of some weird psychological kink, Wenger doesn’t actually ever do this).
I’ve seen a few comments along the lines of “surely Keane won’t leave just for CL” or “is Keane really so short-sighted” (sorry Bagel!)
unfortunately, the answer is yes he will, and yes he is “short-sighted” enough to join a team that regularly gets to CL finals! And so would you, if you could, if you were players rather than supporters!
Depressing rant over. For what its worth, I still think its going to be a very very interesting season with all these squad changes and the flipside is that for all the financial muscle of the top 4, there is a chink of an opportunity if one of them (ok arsenal or liverpool) don’t quite meet their normal points tally, which happens every so often. We are one of the clubs who could just about take advantage of it if we get our act together. Oi oi no need to send a tedious plotting out of our points tally and position last year, I acknowledge it would require a radical improvement and all I’m saying is we are one of the three or four teams outside the top 4 who most people would say have the financial muscle and the beginnings of a squad to be the one who could break the top 4 if any club actually manages it.
If our revamped midfield is much improved this year as we all hope it is, I don’t think we need to replace Berbatov and Keane with equally gifted touch players - we “just” need a couple of out and out goalscorers. Easy ;o)
July 21st, 2008 at 12:15 pm
on the keane/liverpool fan issue - he said it himself on the jumbotron when a junior spur won a competition to interview him
i’d hate to see him go, but there definitely seems to be a liverpool draw for him
July 21st, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Some good points here but 1 main point everybody seems to have forgotten.
Last year we finished out of the top 10, behind West Ham!!!
So I can’t blame these players for wanting to play in the CL, and in Berbatov’s case to have a one in two chance of winning the League.
When Wenger leaves Arsenal a space may become available in the Top Four, until then if a non-competitive tournament is what tickles your fancy = keep watching football and pumping your hard earned into it.
For now I am going to dedicate more of my time (and money) to those nearest and dearest and hopefully by the time the Little Diaz has grown up Spurs may be competitve again over a season, the League will no longer be a two/four horse race and ticket prices will no longer be a complete rip off.
I have a dream!! or should that be Bagel?
July 21st, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Was perplexed and disappointed with Keano like everyone else. I cannot understand his decision - the boy may have been a liverpool fan, but the man is a spurs fan. As you point out Bagel, keane can just as easily not win the PL at spurs, why go Liverpool where he will be played out of position in the kuyt role? Player for player, liverpool have absolutely nothing on spurs, he must see that - and coupled with the fact we have signed Modric and Gomes, Bale is back, its Hutton and Woody’s first full season why is he doing this? After all, it was keane who was saying towards the end of last season “next season you will see the real spurs” - its Ramos and Poyet’s first full season as well. Maybe he thought about it and said ‘I’ve scored over 100 goals and i’ve won a trophy for/with them’. New chapter.
This doesn’t stop him being a lying little judas bastard who may have scrubbed his name out of tottenham legends.
He may just have ruined his career. Liverpool, as i understand, are unable to afford him. They are still waiting for next months giro to clear before buying Barry. Keane will cost more. A friend of mine (a charlton fan) had a theory - fuck barry and keane for villa and spurs, tap them up, make them useless for their team (as barry now is for villa) knowing full well they cannot afford either. If they’re not playing, their value will drop - cut price buys in January window, by which time liverpool will already be out of the title race, by the way. Thoughts?
Personally, i would not sell keane to liverpool, they are a direct competitor and we will never get top 4 in this way. If keane really wants to go and gets the berba strops of not turning up - then let him. Put him in the reserves. I believe he has 4 years left on his contract? Just in time to retire.
It makes more sense to lose 20 million than to strengthen a rival whilst weakening ourselves - besides, we’ll make the money back when we get 4th over liverpool!
July 21st, 2008 at 3:55 pm
My thoughts are: Keane wants to go to a team playing in the Champions League.
Look - I’m as sad about him wanting to leave as anyone else, and those who know me know I love Tottenham, but we have to acknowledge what is going on here!
Diaz’s point - we finished outside the top 10 - is surely more powerful than - Liverpool won’t win the league either and man for man we are as good as Liverpool.
No - we aren’t as good, man for man, as Liverpool, otherwise we’d be doing as well as them and we aren’t. And Keane gets to play and maybe win the Champions League at Liverpool.
We can’t bang on about wanting to get into the top 4, and then pretend that the CL isn’t a major major sell to players who have a chance to play in it! If its not a major sell - why do WE so desperately want it!?
Its non competitive and its boring, but its true - the CL spaces are nearly a closed shop. It takes one of the top 4 to mess up to let another club get in there.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:06 pm
I’m on a roll today - sorry!
Its all very well complaining about tapping up etc. - but we have done it in the past, and it goes on. That isn’t going to change.
I don’t blame Man Utd, I don’t blame Liverpool, I don’t blame the players in question. I blame the system that set up the Champions League and completely skewed the competitive nature of the league and of European competition itself.
Once you do that - of course clubs are going to use that power to their advantage. Of course top players will want to go to CL teams. I can’t waste energy getting angry about it, but we might as well all admit that thats whats happening - rather than thinking the players feel the way we do, or that they are daft if they think Liverpool have something to offer that we don’t!
I’d also like to see how a plc would explain letting a £18million asset rot in the reserves rather than realise its value! I don’t like it - but thats how it is.
I’m with Diaz - the sensible thing to do is to stop spending money on football and do something more productive instead. Luckily I have nothing more productive to do so I will carry on going to the football!
July 21st, 2008 at 4:16 pm
By the way
Adie - I SAW what you were UP TO yesterday outside Clapham Common tube…
July 21st, 2008 at 4:53 pm
oog,
Sommat wrong here, I actually agree with you, there, I said it.
I did feel you missed another point though from your first rant, you may have exchanged 3 CL quality players for 2, but you haven’t factored in whether they would be able to replace the 2 quickly?
Lord Wenger of Arsenalshire suggest that players need a good 6 months to adapt to the english game, depending on position of course, Sagna needed no time, but how different are full backs across europe. Will modric adapt as fast as you need him, thats the big question.
Oh yeah, and where do you get 2 premier level strikers from.
July 21st, 2008 at 5:00 pm
True - it might take a bit of time for quality players to bed in. Its a risk.
As for where we get two premier level strikers from - thats probably an easier question to answer once we get the £70million or so that we seem likely to receive in transfer funds in the near future!
Santa Cruz? Some dude from Spain that Ramos rates? Darren Bent - who knows!
July 21st, 2008 at 5:04 pm
According to the press:
“After rolling Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov up in a carpet and throwing them into the Mersey and Manchester Ship Canal respectively, Tottenham’s Juande Ramos will have £57m in unmarked notes burning a hole in his swag bag. Real Zaragoza’s Diego Milito, Spartak Moscow’s Roman Pavlyuchenko, Blackburn’s David Bentley and Sevilla’s Diego Capel will all join him in his north London hideout.”
Well, I think it’s a nice fantasy…And what was that statistic, Richest club outside the CL? Perhaps looking at the ‘cycles’ as Ooog said is right - if we don’t capitalise, then fuck it - cash in on your assets and start again…
July 21st, 2008 at 5:39 pm
If keano wants to leave and liverpool can pay his price, which I dont think they can if they want barry as well, then he can leave.
Although, considering the fact that he is still in spain with the team while berba was nowhere to be seen in the last match against some third league team, is evidence enough that he may be staying while berba might be leaving.
Levy should sell berba to some european club, even if it is at a loss. That will teach that red face a lesson.
Btw, did anyone read the qoute from a club insider about them having a lot of evidence against the two managers? That might make that scum think twice before going to courts.
July 21st, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Oog, i concede your point about the riches of CL football for footballers, but you have completely missed the point of the rest - hence oi oi agreeing with you. Levy wants CL football because of the revenue it brings.
You seem to be under the impression we paid 18 mill for keane and need to recoup the money. We didn’t and we don’t. We paid a relatively modest fee for keane which he has more than re-couped in prize money he has helped deliver to the club. We have already made a profit regarding keane - his current value (20mill) is irrelevant as we cannot lose money we did not spend.
Furthermore, a successful business does not sell it’s ‘employee of the year’ to a direct competitor - this is bad business sense my friend. In doing so, you weaken your company, whilst strengthening theirs. Letting him rot (by no means the best-case scenario) we do not strengthen the competitor. It represents the lesser of 2 evils.
Also, player for player we are as good as liverpool - just look at the squads. Hence why we drew 2-2 at anfield - i never said we were as consistent as them. We had a hideous amount of injuries to key players last season and have since strengthened. In case you missed it, we also changed manager.
Have your roll, sweetheart, i’l have a bagel.
July 21st, 2008 at 5:52 pm
More fantasy football, this time from The Mirror:
“”With Tottenham we have contacts,” said Zenit sporting director Konstantin Sarsaniya. “This English club is really interested in acquiring Andrei but, as I understand, 27 million Euros (£21.5 million) is too high a price for them.
“For Spurs it is unacceptable. Tottenham are ready to pay in the region of 20 million Euros (£15.9 million) for Arshavin.”
How many midfielders will we need?
July 21st, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Law of averages, Toby, we’ll find a few decent ones eventually!
July 21st, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Liverpool fan here, I agree it would be a major blow for you to lose Keane, he is top class and the kind of professional must clubs need.
Though, if you get in the region of £18m for a 28 year old that’s pretty good business.
Some Liverpool FC thoughts below about Keane maybe coming to Anfield and other stuff…feel free to have a look and comment accordingly..
http://www.luketraynor.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/07/wheelin-and-dealin.html
http://www.luketraynor.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/07/friendly-thoughts.html
July 21st, 2008 at 9:29 pm
South London Yid… I’m not under any misapprehension about how much we paid for Keane! I’m just saying that any board of a plc that has an asset worth £18million (which is what we seem to be saying Keane is worth) and then not only doesn’t make the £18 million but continues to pay out another £2m per year (or whatever) on wages is going to come under serious fire from its shareholders. Whether we have recouped the money or not, there’s still a £20 million difference or so between selling him or sticking him in the reserves.
I’m not saying I like the situation, or that I’m glad things are like that. Thats just how they are. We could put Keane in the reserves and then in a couple of years he could do a Webster and leave for comparitive peanuts. If we sell him now, at least we get the chance to re-invest.
Fair enough, don’t sell him to Liverpool - but if we do that, play him! He hasn’t said he won’t play for us, and I’m not about to start slagging him off for being a typical footballer and wanting a move to a CL team.
We also lost 2-0 at WHL to Liverpool as well, remember. Man for man they are better than us. Principally because of their central midfield. But fair enough, there’s an argument to be made there. I don’t think it particularly matters though - the point is that next season Keane has a realistic chance of winning the biggest prize in club football if he goes to Liverpool, and none if he stays at Spurs. I don’t like it, but there it is. Thats the point I’m making, and if I’ve missed yours - sorry, but I stand by mine!
July 21st, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Are you idiots really wasting your time writing about Keane in the reserves?? What fucking planet are you clowns on to even discuss something so stupid??
As for Palyuvchenko, he can take on defenders from the wing and win long balls, sure he blows some chances, but creates many from his positioning, speed and size. If Berba goes, when he goes I should say, Palyuvchenko will be as good a replacement as we’re going to get at the big striker spot.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:52 pm
A lot of comments on here. Glad to see it’s not just me that has taken this summer’s transfer palava to heart.
Dimi and Robbie will both leave, if we can get 50m for the pair that is great business, something we have not always done in the past.
But by selling our best players, and main source of goals over the last two seasons, we will become weaker in the short term and depending on the replacements it could be another season written off.
If we do move to a new stadium the board know we need to be competing in the CL, or at least regulars in the UEFA semi’s and above. To achieve this we need to have a very good football team rather than a financial book that balances.
And with this in mind take a look below at last season’s starting 11 against Sunderland. It will be an almost entirely different team that starts our first match this season and that is not usually condusive to footballing success.
If you can guess the line up Well done!, if you know the 11 you need to get out more.
If 4 players start the game against Boro who played last year I will be surprised. Possibility of 1 = Jenas.
Robinson, Stalteri, Gardner, Kaboul, Chimbonda, Tainio, Zokora, Jenas, Malbranque, Berbatov, Keane.
No wonder we lost.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:59 pm
you have great blog mate…is it OK to use your feed as a source at my site with tottenham news? Can you send me mail to discuss this as I could not find your contact form?
Considering Arshavin, he is not a midfielder…or at least not one who is capable to defend anything. Russian is extremly good player, but if you give him all the freedom he can get. If not, he is average.
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:02 am
If we kept Keano I don’t think he’d rot in the reserves, this is the guy who came out and played his hardest every day. Pride alone I think would make him work hard, not to mention the feeling that being 29 and looking washed up probably gets him a lot less cash from whatever team we’d eventually sell him to than 29 and flying high having just helped his team into CL.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:36 am
I’m all for selling keane if he wants to go, same as berba. However, rokinaar- you complete fuckin moron- selling to liverpool is the stupid thing here. What fuckin planet are you on if you think selling our player of the year to the team who’s place in the league we desire is a way to go? Best case scenario - they cant afford him, keane apologises, he stays. Next best thing is he goes abroad. Bad fuckin news if he goes to liverpool.
By the way, Pavluychenko is SHIT. The Cameron Diaz look-alike is a fuckin donkey. Why waste money on this joker when we have Bent - who is much better than Pavluychenko.
Not sure if Arshavin would come to the Lane - he’s no spring chicken himself and has made it clear he wants CL football if he leaves Zenit.
Oog - you do have a point and i take it onboard. Just dont sell to a direct competitor!! That is my point. The thing i love most about the new season every year is the anticipation and expectation. The hope that this could be our year to achieve our relatively modest aims (how many fuckin times have we heard/thought that as spurs fans?!) By selling to liverpool, it would take that away from me before the season has even started. See you at the Lane Aug 23rd!!
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:40 pm
SLY, putting Keane in reserves is the part that is stupid!! And regardless, if Liverpool wants to give upwards of 20 mil for a 28 yr old , I say good bye. Se la vie. Move on and upward. I’m not so sure that Arshavin/Bent or Arshavin/Palyuchenko wont outscore Berba/keane. With all the new midfield/attaking toys Ramos has to play with, we just need a couple guys that can finish.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:56 am
Rokinaar. Thats maybe the post you should have sent first time round. instead of the one calling us idiots on some other fucking planet ;o)
Keane seems to really have divided people. For what its worth, I’ll applaud him when he comes back to the lane (assuming he goes, and assuming he leaves without running off to the press etc.).
Anyone who will boo - lets get a meaningless internet argument going…
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:00 am
maybe u are right, but even bringing up keane in a reserve squad is a bit out of this world, no?
This whole thing is just annoying to all of us.
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Bagel,
Are you doing the bageliga again this season. The guardian FF is meant to be good though it wouldn’t accept my team name. Whats wrong with Dynamo Crackwhore?
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Local paper said today that we’ve agreed a deal of 23 million pounds with Sunderland for Steed, Chimbonda, Kaboul and Tainio. Seriously?
And where did Sunderland get 23 million pounds anyway?
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:25 pm
were being linked to alot of forwards what about defence! fuck berba and keane! they wanna go fuck them! we survived before them we will carry on. i thought more of keane tho let him get on with it hes a good player but theres better out there i agree we cant sell to liverpool oh can we look to getting 4th if we just just bolster there squad.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Well, on other news very briefly, Tainio’s gone to the Black Cats for £5m. Sorry to see him go on a personal level - I shall never forget his performance in the historic 5-1 - but he’s not what Juande wants, so there you go.
Bonders is set to follow the Finn shorty and everyone’s reporting that Robbo’s gone to Slackburn for a knock down £3.5m. Now we’ve seen more shit printed this summer than ever before, so that could be nonsense but this time it seems like the real deal. I feel it in my crumbs.
As for the great Keane debate: his price tag and all the other economics of it are irrelevant apart from one fact. If we make him stay we may lose out on £20m but if we keep him a place in the top 4 is far more valuable. It’s good to make a net gain in CL quality players but we’re far more likely to reach critical mass as a squad if we keep as many as we can.
We’re weren’t better than Liverpool man for man last season but right now, without either striker sale, we’re pretty damn close. These cycles come and go but there has to be a time when you take a chance, when you throw your hat into the ring. To keep both Keane and Dimi and go for broke is one hell of a gamble but it’s the kind of chance we’ll have to take eventually if we’re to break the cartel.
Oh, and Bris Yid, very pleased you got Tigerland. Excellent film. Can;t say I’m as good on song lyrics. Do tell?
The Bagel.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Oh, and Ryan, drop me a line on thebagel@beefbagel.com as anyone else is welcome to do any time.
And yes, the Bageliga Fantasy Football League will be available soon. I’ll take a look at the Guardian one. Still got prizes to give out from last season.
The Bagel.
July 24th, 2008 at 6:01 am
Is anyone else a little concerned about the possibility of losing Malbranque? His workrate has been good, and he’s always a great backup. I actually think that 5mil for Tainio was a pretty good price, I do love the look on his face when he gets carded for time wasting in the Carling Cup Final, but he definitely doesnt belong in the first team with the midfield we picked up.
July 24th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Yeh I thought much the same Lily White. I hope we dont lose Steeeed, love his work rate and committment. Would suck to see him working his arse off against us.
Just seen half-a-Keane in the latest round of ‘Spurs in Spain’ on the Spurs site. First I’ve seen of him in any pics since Rafa opened his mouth.
July 24th, 2008 at 10:42 am
I notice The Sun (not sure how reliable you think they are Bagel) are reporting Berba to AC Milan for £25m, to stop him going to Man U. Personally, I think losing out on £3m or so to see him not go to red-faced Fergie is a damn good bit of business.
And as it now seems we can do our own bagel lines, i know you’ll enjoy this one Bagel (apologies if you’ve already done it!):
Not this time, Gal. Not this time. Not this fucking time. No. No no no no no no no no no! No! No no no no no no no no no no no no no! No! Not this fucking time! No fucking way! No fucking way, no fucking way, no fucking way! You’ve made me look a right bagel!
July 24th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Sorry to see Steed leave. He has done well for us. Obviously, Gio will be his immediate replacement and maybe Capel too if he arrives. Maybe Ramos has faith in Lennon to improve for us? I suppose Ramos will now figure that Lennon and Bentley (if we get him) will fight it out for the right side? So, Modric and Jenas in the middle?
Teemu was solid for us and a proper pro but we have to want for better players than that.
I’m all for selling Berba to Milan even for a few quid less.
I think our “new” team is starting to take shape.
July 24th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I’m sure I’ve done that one in the past, G; Great film, great quote, great performance.
“I gotta change my shirt, it’s sticking to me. I’m sweating like a bagel.”
I’m such a terrible sentimentalist. I can’t bear the thought of Steeeeeeeeve leaving. Such a wonderful worker and such a complete midfielder. Surely there’s room for him in the squad somewhere? Not a bad utility player to have.
As for the Sun and Berba, I reckon we’d all sooner lose the £3m but as for their accuracy, well they’re usually pretty gutless and tend to report after it’s already happened but seeing as eveyone’s getting it wrong this time around, then your guess is as good as mine.
I still reckon he’ll go to Man U because both Fergie and Dimi want the union so much.
Any moves happen, then remember to Twitter that shit. It goes straight to one’s phone wherever one is.
The Bagel.
July 24th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
prizes??? - hai chi mamma top at christmas and the end i do believe
bagel the fantasy premier site is up and running all you have to do is login and re-activate the league all those who played last year will be automatically entered (if they want to) once they log in and pick a team
July 24th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Can you tell me what the details are of the fantasy league. I wouldnt mind getting involved.
July 24th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
you must have 3 Spurs players.
No players from the Scum, the Scum, the Scum and the Scum. (top 4)
And absolutley no Scum players past or present. (That’s the real scum)
Hope this helps.
YIDS!
July 24th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Except for O’Hara. And possibly Bentley.
July 24th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Soiled goods if you ask me.
Tainted.
The only way they can ever be forgiven is for them to score the winner against the scum and also puch Wengers teeth in. Then we might be able to forgive and forget.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
CRAP!!
I’m in Malta so the aftershock hasn’t reached us yet - did anyone else feel the Richter-Scale-Smashing earthquake that just shook the North of England? Kaboul has signed for Sunderland!
July 25th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Bad , well, inevitable news:
The transfer of Robbie Keane to Liverpool moved closer last night when the Ireland forward was omitted from the Tottenham Hotspur squad for a friendly match in Spain, with the Merseyside club hoping to conclude an £18million deal this weekend.
This could be arse, however, as Berbatov DID play. Gosh, I really am a bit gutted about Robbie leaving. Fucking Benitez.
July 25th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Just a reminder to Bagel re. the fantasy league.
Bentley is an ex-Mighty Arsenal player - dont pick him this year !
July 25th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Saw Far East Stereotype in the resturant I work at last night. Guess he’s off then especially as Assou-Ekotto seems to be getting some playing time out in Spain.
July 25th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
HH reporting that Bale and Hutton both injured - Hutton for 12 weeks! If true, this will be a massive kick in the balls. Don’t think King has played in any of the matches so far either……
July 25th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
SLY
He is reporting it as a rumour doing the rounds so maybe take with a pinch of salt. Ekotto and Gunter played so maybe it was that Ramos wanted to see his 2nd string full backs in action. It would be rather unlucky if both our first choice fb’s got injured at the same time.
Wilson
What did he order?
July 25th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Fillet steak, medium-well. Very nice.
July 25th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
medium-well? an aristocrat..
July 25th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Medium-well…? everyone knows a steak should be cooked medium-rare, anything else is just arse-water!
July 25th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Hornchurch
I’m aware it’s a rumour, hence the “if true” segment. Whilst it would be unlucky, it certainly wouldn’t be out of the ordinary where spurs are concerned, would it?!! Good to see Gunter get a run-out. Ekotto is shit and will have to have improved a massive amount to change my opinion of him. He must be doing something right to still be there though.
July 25th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Sorry to repeat, but all this transfer talk is bananas. Here are my thoughts:
We have BALE BALE BALE! back. If he stays fit, he will wreak havoc on his side of the pitch and have a big year. He’s class.
Sort this striker mess out. Soon.
Arshavin. Great name, especially if he comes to us. I’m somewhat skeptical though, considering the price tag.
Don’t trust the fitness of our lads in the middle of the defence. Sort that out (i.e., sign someone who can step in). Soon.
Diego Milito will be a decent third/fourth striker option.
Can Modric run the show?
July 25th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
SLY
Like Oddball in Kelly Heroes, I’m just trying to put out some positive vibes man! Hoping for the best!
I know in my heart that he is injured. With everything that is going on at the moment it seems to fit in.
I dunno about you but this has to be the weirdest fucked up pre-season for a long while - and it aint over yet by a long chalk.
July 25th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Ah yes, Hornchurch - but we had a belter of a pre-season last year, and then it all went belly up in September!
Perhaps we are getting the bad stuff over and done with now? Unless those injury rumours turn out to be true…
July 25th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Hornchurch
GREAT FUCKING MOVIE!! Love that film.
I agree, without doubt THE most fucked up pre-season i can remember. Was going so well, seems to have a taken a turn for the worse, lets just hope we end it on a high - as i’m sure we will. I don’t think Ramos/Levy are done spending yet!!
On a positive note, I’ve seen some rave reviews about Dos Santos this week. Apparently, he has been outstanding - linking up play intelligently, good passing, quick, deceptively strong. Robbie Who?!
July 25th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Toby T Y
It’s not so much the actual practice matches. They seem to be going OK. It’s all the comings and goings. Every other transfer story seems to involve a Spurs player or a player coming to Spurs. At the start of the year we had Keane, Berbatov, Bent and Defoe up front. There is a chance that they will all be gone or at least we are left with our 4th choice striker.
SLY
There you go with those positive vibes for Dos Santos. Like it. Keep the faith! Positive vibes everyone!
Now, here’s a tune for Berbatov, Keane and any other fucker that turns his back on THFC
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4XOEI0E7vKk&feature=related
July 25th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Nice one Hornchurch! Might have a play with the lyrics in time for the new season!!
July 26th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Obviously baby Scarlett theYid is incapable of sleeping past 5-fucking-45 am- however this morning, I have thoroughly enjoyed sitting in the sun reading ALL about how David Villa is well up for a move to the lane
Could be bollocks, but I’m not so sure - fully story in the Guardian…
July 26th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Interesting comments by Villas agent, although I reckon he’ll end up at Madrid. Oi Oi will no doubt ignore these comments, but jump on those made by players/agents to ’snub’ Spurs.
July 27th, 2008 at 7:07 am
Enjoyed all the comments about the Bagel, almost as entertaining as your copy.
July 29th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
http://www.luketraynor.merseyblogs.co.uk/2008/07/the-irish-gunslinger.html
some thoughts on the keane transfer from a LFC perspective. any thoughts for the blog?
he’s a legend at tottenham but for £19m you’ve done more than well financially.
July 30th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Davey
It’s down to Benitez now. If he plays Keane in the right position and also gives him the right role then he will do great for you. But with Benitez you never really know?
Personally, I’m gutted that he has left. He has always given his all and you can’t say that about too many players these days. I won’t be applauding him or booing him on his return to WHL. He’s a cunt for leaving but then at least you overpayed which sweetens the pill. Hopefully, we invest the money wisely in some young new talent ( and I don’t mean birds!)
You might wanna be careful that Keane doesn’t keep popping over to Dublin to see his old mates in Tallaght. He’ll be pissing it up on cider and joy riding before you know it.
Good luck.