Close Season and Back Trouble
Yes, we’re still here in the bakery. What happened to June and most of July? Well they came and went.
I was frustrated by the last game at Liverpool (our last chance of Europe for at least one season). Others helped us, but we didn’t put our heart and effort into trying to beat Liverpool again.
So, a season with the worst start ever finished ever so slightly disappointingly.
Then we had to endure most of another close season with the big fish going to the whales and the rest just watching (didn’t mean it to sound Cantonish, cos I’m not looking for him). Then instead of us having our new season squad in place early on, we’re still scrabbling over the last few pieces. We’ve bought a couple of right backs (you never know when another might come in handy), a beanpole who could make a good centre back who can come up for corners (we don’t seem to have many others available at the moment) and just working on those other gems to complete the set! I’d have been happy with Michael Owen.
Dear Daniel, you’re trying hard and a new stadium will be good as soon as this can ever be built, but in this daft football world I’m not convinced you’re the man who can ever take us to the promised land?
I hope you can prove me wrong before I’m in my dotage!
COYS.
The Platzel.
July 30th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Hurrah - nice to hear from you, Platzel.
I agree…not at all sure about Crouch - Time will tell.
Another season, another window, and still no left-footed players arrive.
As for Ledley/Woody - really, has the time not come for us to look, and get, a future replacement??
July 30th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Yeh welcome back Platz.
Totally agree, we should be looking to cover Ledley. Bassong is still on the radar if rumours are to be believed. I am beginning to think Spurs have some curse against left footed players. Bale is our only real choice and look at his record.
Crouch will be fine. He gives us a different option and he is someone Defoe loves playing with. Plenty of goals for the yiddo this year.
July 30th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Big rumours from a (admittedly tabloid) journo acquaintance, that ‘Arry is happy to offload Keane this summer, which may explain the persistent interest in Huntlaaaaaar.
Would really rather he didn’t go to Villa…Unless Young got his return ticket…
July 31st, 2009 at 4:26 pm
We want Huntelar so we can bring back Jol
He should be given more CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANCES. (Apologies to the Spurs Show podcast).
After watching us demolish West Ham and then Hull I’m feeling a lot more optimistic about the coming season. Keane, Defoe, Lennon, Palacios and most of all, Modric are gelling terrifically.
July 31st, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Welcome back Platzel and welcome back Bagellers!!
let’s make it a Glory Glory 09-10!
And what a half-Twit that Darren Bent is eh!
Did it not occur to the numbskull that slagging off his current employers would end up on all the sports sites within hours and possibly scupper his imminent transfer?
Sure it’s embarrassing to board a plane and then have to get off it in front of all your team mates, tail between your legs before you’ve even chosen the chicken over fish .. but hey, that’s football !
Oh - and both ‘Arry and MY missus would probably have more chance of keeping Crouch out the team ..
Come on you Spurs!!
August 3rd, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Its August - looking forward to becoming reacquainted with the Bagel, although whilst the Ashes are on its hard to concentrate fully on friendlies against Hull City and the like.
My tuppence worth:
Crouch is good - another option. He’s not a world beater, but we have to get real. We are in the market for players who are top 6 material. If they are top 4 material we either won’t get them or they will have to be unknown gems (to sell on to man city a year or two later!). The only chance we have of overachieving in the league is if we gel as a team and a squad a la Everton, but with a bit more quality than they have. To that end, Crouch is a good addition to the squad. My test for players that we sign is: could I imagine Everton or Villa wanting them, because thats who our competition is this season.
I don’t see the need for a left midfielder. I don’t see Modric as a central midfielder in the premiership and unless someone can tell me where we play him if we bring in an out and out winger, I don’t see it as a priority.
Central defence - We need at least two central defenders on top of last years squad. That means that either we sign two, or we sign one and harry is happy with Chimbonda, Corluka or Dervitte as cover. Personally, I think Corluka is fine as 5th choice central defender but if Woodgate is going to be injury prone from now on, and ledknee continues to be unable to defy medical science, this has to be THE priority.
And lastly - we can dream of top 4, but we don’t have the money so unless we suddenly get some, top 6 has to be seen as a success this year. Or the best we can achieve, anyway. Personally, I’m just waiting for wage caps because it is. all. about. money. now. Waiting for a sheikh is soul destroying. If we get one, great, but whichever side of the fence we are on, I have lost faith in the EPL. The German league is a better model in a sane world.
That said. COYS!
August 4th, 2009 at 11:59 am
I’m hoping that our low key approach to the transfer window (OK, not limbo dancingly low, but lower than previous windows) might auger well for the coming season. Hopefully, not being touted as the team that might break into the top 4 will take the pressure off. Not being in Europe will help too.
oog is spot on about the team / squad needing to gel. Look how well Everton have done on limited resources and injury problems with a team and a management all wanting the same thing.
I still think that we have a few too many egos in the team for it all to go smoothly. What happens when Keane gets left on the bench for a couple of games? Or Defoe? Or Pav? Their reaction to it will be revealing.
Maybe ‘Arry should also refrain from comparing his Sandra’s footballing abilities to anyone in the squad? I’m sure she is brilliant at “3 and in” in the garden but lets keep a lid on it.
COYS
August 6th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Is the Bageliga going to run this year?
August 6th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
“3 and in” Hornchurch?!!… Surely what Harry and his missus get up to is their business!
August 7th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Sputnik
You are right. Apolgies to everyone for any offence caused.
I meant to say “Twos Up” .
August 7th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
oooh, Bageliga?
Good-ish news about Bassong - though V expensive really. Would still like to see Distin arrive. I know they’re both Injured (again) but a little healthy competition for Woody and Ledders would certainly aid recovery times in the treatment room.
I do feel sorry for Bent, a little. But it is time for him to stop running his mouth off.
I wonder if the Bagel himself still reads these pages…
August 8th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Yes, bageliga?
August 10th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
The Bagel told me once he couldn’t bring himself to read this site anymore. He finds it all too painful, bless.
So if there is no bagel, someone else will need to run the bageliga.
August 10th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Bagel
You’re a gooner!
Let’s see if this flushes him out for a comment?
Bassong is able to play on Sunday. It’s on the Spurs site.
PS. Only joking Bagel. We all owe you a debt of gratitude for this once brilliant, now meandering blog.
Abuse, followed by grovelling. Nice.
August 11th, 2009 at 7:59 am
Sounds like my marriage, Hornchurch…
August 11th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Toby
The state of your marriage has to take a back seat now that you have a new love in your life.
How is the little one doing?
August 13th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Lords, Bagellers.. lend us a quid..
no seriously … if you haven’t already, check out the new and very funny award winning Spurs podcast from Phil Cornwell on itunes..
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4883028678
COYS!
August 16th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
yes!
August 17th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Hull away. More important than Liverpool at home. we all know we can do well at home against the top 4 these days. Can we become a half decent away team?
If we want to become a properly good team, the team has to start playing like one. And that means not thinking they are gods gift after one performance. It means not losing at places like Hull and West Ham (ok so we won all three of our corresponding fixtures last season, but those were probably three of only a few isolated good results all season).
That said - what a cracking game, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. COYS!
August 17th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Cracking start to the season. More points then we had in 8 games last season. I agree with you Oog, away form will be the key to whether we push on this year.
Not to put a dampner on our performance yesterday but I didnt enjoy the way we played when Crouch was on. Think we stopped playing football and chose to just pump it long to the lanky fella.
All in all though, I walked away from WHL a very happy man.
August 17th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
What a cracking start but let’s not get carried away, Oog is spot on (as usual) we need the away form to compliment what should be Fortress White Hart Lane. COYS!
August 19th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Well, well, Spurs do exactly what we all wanted, especially big thanks to Defoe, congratulations on the hat trick. Nice to see Keano get one in the net too. A bit wobbly for a large part of the first half when Hull hit back, but the third goal just on half time was just the tonic needed. The second half was ours, all ours.
Bring on the spammers on Sunday, we must be feeling up for a scrap.
COYS!
August 19th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Forgot to mention, the defence was causing me squeaky bum time, but our creation & goals got me excited in the little boys area!
COYS!
August 19th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
I will take those two opening results - Get in!
Good away result, and something to fade Phil Brown’s tan a little. Trying not to get carried away, but at the very least our confidence levels will go right up, and that can only be good, especially when I think back to exactly a year ago…
Hornchurch - Little one doing great thanks - she can even say ‘football’ now. I haven’t tried to teach her ‘Assou-Ekotto’ just yet…
August 20th, 2009 at 8:08 am
So, fantastic start, I could hardly sleep last night at the excitement of seeing Spurs top of the table
My question now is - what does ‘arry need to do in the last week of the window?
To my mind, we seem to have a really strong squad now. The team last night wasn’t particularly week in any area; ok, corluka looked a bit vulnerable at CB, but we’ve got both Daws and Woody to come back there, and Bassong’s already looking like a good buy. Wilson’s developing into an impressive cental midfielder and with the Little Yid in this form, our striking options look (once again) second to none. I guess the only real weakness is a lack of cover in left midfield (I’m of the opinion that Modric works out there and to play him more centrally would upset the balance of the side) - but maybe Bale could provide that when he’s back (lets face it, he won’t be displacing Benoit any time soon at LB).
So, I’d be happy if we didn’t spend another pound this summer - what do you guys think?