Berbatov, Villa, Arshavin, Keane, Eto’o, Villa, Berbatov, Keane, Eto’o, Villa, Arshavin…
Has anyone been following all the pre-season tours, all the Spurs in Spain and Marcos’ pre-season diary features on the official site? No, me neither. Utter waste of time finding out who’s doing what and how well people are gelling when we have no idea who the hell is going to be in the squad when the transfer window closes, let alone the 16th August.
What’s more, it’s a rather boring account. On the one hand, I am fascinated on what’s going on behind the scenes in terms of training and exactly what it is that former Sevilla fitness coach Marcos Alvarez does for us. Unfortunately, the guy’s not exactly a creative writing graduate and what we get is…
“TUESDAY was our final day with three sessions. (Obviously feels very strongly about Tuesdays, DON’T YOU MARCUS?) We started with sprints in the morning, specific to endurance over 150 metres. We then went to the gym and it was into football on Tuesday evening.” (Such techniques!)
“Wednesday and Thursday were all about football.”
Really? Wow. That’s incredible, and there was I thinking they were out there on a golfing holiday.
“We’ve worked hard for 20 days and we now need to transfer that to work with the ball and then into the matches.”
“We were happy with the fitness showed in the game against Hercules. We are looking for the players to step up their minutes in games and I thought they responded well to going behind.”
“Overall, the training camp has been a positive experience in terms of our fitness aims - the lads have trained very hard - and the spirit of the team.”
It’s so bloody vanilla. This is The Bagel’s version of the kind of current affairs that might interest me:
“TUESDAY was our final day with three sessions. We’d cut out that sangria business on day 1 and since we flogged Robbo there were no ringleaders for the midnight booze trips and there are still pastries left at the end of breakfast.”
“We started with sprints in the morning, specific to endurance over 150 metres and over 95 minutes to remind the lads to keep the work up until the whistle is blown next season. We then went to the gym and had a good laugh watching Little Aaron trying to bench press his own tracksuit top off. It was into football on Tuesday evening. The boys seemed to be glad to have the ball at the feet and even Dimi broke a smile. Maybe he’s going to stay after all?”
“We’ve worked hard for 20 days and we now need to transfer that to work with the ball and then into the matches. I reckon we’re looking better than last time/we’re in serious trouble.”
“We were happy with the fitness showed in the game against some Spanish team who we pummeled with the help of goals from a bunch of players that are never going to make the first team in a million years. We are looking for the players to step up their minutes in games and I thought they responded well to going behind. Holding onto a lead could be another matter though.
“Overall, the training camp has been a positive experience in terms of our fitness aims. It’s been bloody hot and if I can get the fuckers to peg it around like loons for 90 mins in 1110 degrees, C then I reckon they’ll crawl through glass with their flies unzipped should Juande ask them when the season begins.”
P.S. Ledley is at the peak of human physical condition, we’ve got Bentley’s bunk sorted for next week and Keano hates Liverpool.
Yid Army,
Marcus.
Now that’s some shit worth reading.
So, I’m feeling all positive all of a sudden. Don’t ask me why, I’m not even sure. It could have something to do with the weather? It could have something to with the enormous sofa that turned up at the Bakery on Friday - I’m telling you this son of a bitch is big, purple and there’s room for both LB and I to lie on it side by side. Huge I tell you. I’m of reasonable height but Big P, as it’s now been christened, is so deep that my feet barely touch the ground when I sit on it.
Anyways, enough of Big P. The fact remains that about an hour ago I was a little down on footy but suddenly I’m feeling good. So, let’s start with a few points of business and I’ll get to my thoughts in a tick.
Bonders is bye-bye. Teemu is toast. Robbo is a Rover but I’m ok about it and I’ll tell you why, because these three deals have made me face my sentimentality and I feel prepped for losing Robbie. I won’t like it but I can rationalise it. I can weigh it up and see not only the positive but the potential.
Robbo had to go. We all knew that by now. There’s a good chance he can revitilise his career but he can’t do that with us - too many memories, too settled a place and routine, and right now just not good enough to take us where we want to go. We may have lost a wonderful character and much loved Spur but we’ve gained £3.5m and just perhaps a bit of a sweetner for the bigger picture that is either the Bentley or Sant Cruz deal.
As it goes, I don’t put a lot of stock in that argument. Relations may be reasonable between the money men of our two clubs but I doubt Incy Wincy Guvnor would feel any sense of duty to sell his best players just because we gave him a good deal on an experienced keeper. Still, 3.5 is 3.5 and at the same time I don’t think we’ve done our competitors any major favours.
Sunderland, on the other hand, are doing very well indeed and thank God their ambitions do not conflict with ours. Losing Teemu now could well be a mistake for us; while we’re short on ball winning midfielders. Neither Didier Zee nor the Man Mountain are sufficiently better for us never to consider us using the tireless Finn. I only hope that a) we got some serious bucks and b) we’ve got another player lined up to take his place.
As it stands, we probably secured neither - £2m-£3m I should think- but on the other hand, as much as I liked him, Tainio was never going be the quality we’d be looking for even in a squad player.
Pascal Chimbondabonda I would have kept for the squad. However, we are a little more blessed in the full-back department and at 29 years old, it could be a good time to sell on the Frenchman while he’ll still turn a profit. I should imagine we at least made our £5m back. As for the reported injuries to both Hutton and BALE!BALE!BALE!, I’ll wait to hear it on the official site.
Which brings us to Keano. It seems generally accepted among the papers that we’ve agreed a fee with Liverpool, to the tune of £18m, for Tottenham’s favourite Irishman. Actually, to be fair, that’s mostly just the Star and a bunch of blogs that’ve picked it up. It’s not done and dusted yet. But let’s say it is for a minute. Sentimentality aside for a second, how would you feel if we sold Keano and used the money, plus the change from the others, to pick up Andrei Arshavin who has basically said he’s leaving St. Peterburg this window no matter whether he gets his dream move to Barcelona or not?
Let’s also say for a minute that Dimi’s going to stay. He may you know. The word from United is that they’re calling it all off. Apparently, they tabled some kind of comedy offer of £20m. So, we laid down a comedy price tag of £38m, but the situation seems to be that United are a little unsure of how to conduct a trade. Dimi wants to go and they think that means they hold all the cards. Well, it would do, were his contract up next summer. But it isn’t. It’s up the year after.
Sure we don’t particular want a moody sod amongst the ranks. The dude was already fined a week’s wages for whinging the other day. But if I know Berby like a do in the fantasy in my head where we sat and had a few jars together and I’ve persuaded him to stay at Spurs, then I reckon that grumpy young man would have a smile like sunshine after a few weeks playing with service from Arshavin, Two Saints, Modders and the cream of the usual faces. He’d be banging them. A scoring striker is a happy striker and a happy Dimi means a lethal team. The fact is that Dimi would be moody anywhere and equally he could be happy anywhere too. Give him progress, give him results and he’ll play for you.
When you think about it, Robbie’s heart and his character may be more unique throughout the game but Dimi’s skill is rarer. Practically speaking Robbie is more replaceable and Arshavin would be the perfect choice.
Now, I’m not saying that all this would happen, but it could. My head tells me that Arseshaven will probably go else where. Even if Barca don’t make the move that they clearly should, then the 27-year-old Russian is going to be very hard to accommodate with his £100,000 per week wage demands.
My first instinct when I read the reports was, “You money grabbing little shit.” Then I thought about it from his point of view. The dude’s 27. This is his big money move and he’ll never be able to command the wages like he can right now. He may be able to add 10k or 20k a week in the next few years but this is his prime. He’s not trying to say that he’s any more special than anyone at our club but what he does know is that players of his standard get paid those wages elsewhere. This is his retirement fund, his future and he wants his house in Dubai. Fair enough.
It’s hard to know how much truth there was in all the Eto’o talks a few months back but one rumour was that we were willing to go up to £95,000 to secure his services. It was still £30,000 short but, if it were true, I can imaging a similar offer being enough for the Russian No.10 and what’s more, there’s no way that arsenal would match it, which let’s face it, would probably be his preferred choice. He obviously knows little about their club.
So, I can see it. I can see how it could be, but this is where the headache comes. If Barcelona don’t want Arshavin, is it Berbatov they’re after? And if that’s so then what the fuck are they waiting for? It could just be that they want to free the money from the sale of Eto’o and are just waiting for the fucker to get used to the idea that he’s not going to be at the Nou Camp next year.
Just to really burst your brains and blood vessels, there’s also a very good chance that Man U are just playing a little cat and mouse with us - rather hard to tell who’s who in that analogy but if they end up paying more than £30m, I’d say it was us who are the ones to be licking our whiskers.
At the same time, David Villa’s agent, Jose Luis Tamargo, has obviously given his client a serious talking to. The Valencia player, who is looking for a move but also down the barrel of the reality that it won’t be where he wants, has come up with some rather nice words about our part of the world in order to make he and and Senor Tamargo some cash and to ensure that he’s playing for a team with a future - even if that’s only a future in Europe’s second competition.
“David likes London and likes how Tottenham play with Juande Ramos,” Tamargo said down the phone with Villa bound and gagged in the corner. “This is a club that excites him.”
See, it’s not that we’re not interested or that we’re too sorry about losing players that makes it so frustrating to deal with this conundrum. It’s because it’s just too bloody confusing. It actually begins to hurt to think about it. So, the way I see it is this:
There’s a bunch of clubs involved in all this; ourselves, Man U, Barca, Blackburn, Valencia and a few others that we don’t even know about. I have no idea which pair of strikers we’ll have come September but I reckon that between Berbatov, Keane, Eto’o, Villa, Santa Cruz, Arshavin and Milito, we’ll have a front line attack and that’s good enough for The Bagel.
Arf arf arf… That’s my other bagel impression.
The Bagel.
July 27th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
I fucking love your atitude, Bagel. I’ve been a bit ‘doom and gloom’ about it today, but you’re right - It’s all just a bit bloody confusing.
I am, however, mostly being excited by the recurring David Villa rumours. They’re my favourite of the current tabloid tales - Well, those and the whispers about Arsenal’s secret poverty.
If only both could come true…
July 27th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Mr Bagel, I respect your positive attitude and in recent days my faith in Senor Ramos has been growing. The sunstroke has probably helped.
Sentimentality - great point. Take off the rose tinted and look at the bigger picture. Realistically all the players we have sold (or are about to sell) have seen their best days in a Tottenham shirt.
Robbo, The Gloveman, Teemu give me Gomes, Hutton and Big Tommy any day of the week. Simply put Juande is building his own team. A Ramos outfit designed to play with the big boys.
I can believe he has used his time in the sun to chat up Villa’s agent and get an idea of what it will take to get his man.
Whatever happens in the next few weeks I trust him, the players he has bought in to date are all world class, and whatever forwards he brings in will be as well. I GUARANTEE IT!!!!
COYS.
July 28th, 2008 at 5:33 am
I have to agree, compared with the last few transfer windows, the players we have bought are all world class.
Keane going to liverpool may turn out to be a good thing after all. And after a bit of thought I think Ramos may not have wanted his services any longer. I mean if we are holding on to Berba, we could have surely held on to Keane as well. More easily rather, but most think it is a done deal.
Although I am still not sure Villa will be coming here. His agent might just be asking Real to wake up soon, indirectly.
July 28th, 2008 at 6:03 am
The worry I have is that we will lose both Keano and Berba, and not get any of the others. I have not heard anything about Milito in forever or Arshavin either. I don’t know why’d he’d want to leave for us, he has camps league at Zenit, doesnt he? I imagine it would be a hefty pay bump, maybe he just wants some exposure over here, spend a season knocking in goals for anybody, and then get the move to a big four club. I’d be fine with that as long as we got good return and a good replacement. I would be surprised if we got Villa, I’ve just learned too much pessimism in my time as a Spur.
I’d honestly rather keep the front two we have right now. When Berba shows up, they are the best front two in the prem.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Given the way the papers sometimes contradict themselves as soon as the very next day with these transfer rumours, I’ve come to the conclusion that 99% of sport journo’s have little or no belief in what they are writing.
I reckon the editor comes into their office and says ‘Mate, do us a story on *player* moving to *club*, there’s loadsa rumours on the internet you can use.’
The next day, big headline e.g. ‘Keane to Liverpool’. That paper sells like hot cakes, editor gets a pat on the back and all other papers adopt a ‘me too’ strategy to keep up, thus creating the rumour-driven frenzy were now seeing from pretty much every tabloid out there. It’s mad.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Good reads Bagel. Think you’ve got it right. Of course, if the striker situation isn’t sorted by the 16th, i may well have to dig my boots out! Me n Bent may match the Klinsmann/Sheringham tally!!
July 28th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Just bring in Palyuvchenko!
July 28th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
What happened to darren bent leading the troops ??
July 28th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
how about this one…
Mr Ramos is about to turn JJ into the best holding defensive midfielder in the premier league next season…. thats the latest rumour from my training ground pal…
July 28th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Brownpants - thats interesting. I put that to Bagel as a possibility the other day and he thought it unlikely. I was just putting it out there, and I’m not sure I’m convinced myself, but if your inside info is correct I will still claim kudos from the bagel.
July 28th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Wilson, I agree so now I only ever read this blog - forget the papers.
July 28th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I thoguth Brownpants was taking the mick?!
July 28th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
thoguth - Bulgarian for ‘thought’
July 28th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
JJ as a defensive holding midfielder ?
That should work and would possibly be his best position, would this allow modric to explore the offensive area of his game ?
One of modrics assets is his off the ball movement, if you were to squeeze malbranque and lennon / bentley in that midfield, perhaps you could use the pace and positioning to greater effect.
IF …..
JJ is as positionally aware as is necessary / can tirelessly harange the opoosing midfield, I’ve never particularly noticed his great positional awareness in that position for 6puds or newcastle, he seems fit enough to play the harassing / haranging position, but he also needs great discipline to stay back and he does tend to drift forward.
And
Modric doesn’t ask too much of jj by disappearing in matches or generally being heavy handed off the ball. He would also need to adapt to the pace of the english game and might find himself working very hard to get any time / space.
Also
A striker is the first defender, an old anfield maxim, does berbatov have enough trickery to pull defences apart, restrict time on the ball, and rush defenders’ forward play ? I expect he has the trickery, whether he would show the energy required is a different matter, he looks lazy, perhaps he is.
Bent could solve this problem, but brings his own.
Arshavin might be an alternative, one wonders why he hasn’t been spotted before though, he has been prevelant in the Mighty Arsenal forums for about a year or so now and clearly looks like hes after a bumper payday - can he cut it in the premiership? he looks tricky, but also lightweight, arshavin, modric and lennon / bentley in the same midfield? away from home you’ll never see the ball.
July 28th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
ahhhhh my eyes….my eyes…. helpppppp,
just seen robbie keane signing liverpool shirts outside Anfield on Sky sports news… Nooooooo!!!
July 28th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Oi oi, This might please you: http://www.sportingo.com/football/a9790_spurs-about-end-wengers-time-arsenal
July 28th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Keane’s on the Liverpool Website. Sad.
July 28th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Sad to see Robbie leave
Funny pic to cheer us up:
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/1820/coysja8.jpg
July 28th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Bitterly disappointed with the Keane saga but its done an dusted now. £20m to spend elsewhere.
July 28th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
JJ is the best athlete at the club, by a lot. He’s not the fastest, but he has the stamina to run all day. I think he could play defensive midfield, but as Oi Oi points out- his positional awareness may be up to debate. As long as he is running all day every day, he will do a lot of good wherever he is. The kid is genius on his day.
July 28th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Best midfield I have seen for Spurs in too long. Shame about King.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Bent stepped up tonight. Robbie who?
It may have been against Norwich but you can only beat the team that’s put infront of you and 4 goals from 6 chances is about as sound a beating as one player can give any team.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Bent, Gio and Modric turned a rather grim day into a delightful evening. I hope Red Keane took note. We didnt miss a step up front.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I think United is trying to jack us around on Berbatov - he is a perfect compliment to Tevez and Rooney (between the three there’s only 1 neck - astonishing).
The idea of Berba partnering with Villa is very exciting - but I don’t see it.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Lurked here for a bit, but this is my first comment, so take it easy on me.
Robbie leaving had me gutted today, but watching the match this afternoon made it a bit easier to swallow. Spurs played inspired football today. Sure it was against a Championship team, but the form they showed today, especially in the face of Keane’s departure and Berba not even dressing, was top-notch. When this midfield really gels, I think they will be a sight to behold.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
6puds to end wengers time….
Not convinced by that I’m afraid, the Mighty Arsenal ended last season 4 points off top spot, with more goal and alternative options up front and out wide this season, thats a target to be improved upon, with a decent central midfielder, who knows.
I expect to see Denilson and Diaby play there in preseason, but it’s a huge ask to see them playing there for the whole campaign, with bouma’s injury I cant see barry being allowed to leave villa, and obviously keane has gone there anyway, which means alonso might not be available, but no doubt Lord Wenger will pull another rabbit out of his magic hat.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
I do not think Wenger is going anywhere. I think Oi Oi would agree that arsenal are mostly lacking depth not in quality at the top. Last season if they had had even a half decent back up striker they might have been champs. I’m glad they didnt, but they are not likely to fall too far. I’d say they might drop to 4th, but I doubt Liverpool can overtake them. Otherwise, Everton or Spurs could come up into the top 4, always a possibility. I do enjoy the prospects of success this year, but pessimism always reigns supreme.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Is it just me… or is Oi oi sounding far more reasoned recently?
July 29th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Lily White - I’d say they might drop to 4th, but I doubt Liverpool can overtake them.
Why so? We finished above them 2 seasons in a row a cpl years back, it’s not that unbelievable that we can do it again. We’ve bought pretty well this silly-season except for needing a few wide players, we’ve managed to hold on to our quality players (except for crouchigol) and bought in some quality too.
Our problem, as with the Arse, is our strength in depth. Our first team can beat anyone but our second xi is somewhat lacking and thats where we fall down every season. Losing Agger early last season hit our defence hard, the january buy of Skrtel saved us somewhat and Hypia was immense but too old to play so many games back-to-back and it showed. Too many draws around the christmas period screwed us up. Same for the Arse, bad injuries at bad times with no decent back-up.
This silly-season has been a massive re-build for Spurs and, while the performance against Norwich last night was impressive, I’d be very surprised if you managed such an improvement to jump from mid-table to a CL position in one season. You also have the demands of european football to contend with which has fucked up many teams progression when they are not used to it every season (Everton for one).
I definately think you’ll finish higher in the table this season and probably end up in the euro spots but I very much doubt a CL place is up for grabs. YET!
Btw - While I’m thrilled we’ve bought Keano, I’m dissapointed, as a fan, how the saga went on and can only apologise for my clubs behaviour. It was tapping up, pure and simple, Benitez seems to be actively trying to make everyone hate us by being a bit of an idiot in the transfer market. Maybe he’s going for a ManU-type siege mentality or something, god knows but ‘In Rafa We Trust’ ™
July 29th, 2008 at 10:30 am
RedRum you don’t need to apologise. Its the world of football we live in these days. It happens everywhere; for and against every club. Liverpool have got themselves a quality player and we have got ourselves a lump of cash to spend.
The more I think about it now, the more I think Berbatov is going nowhere this season. Why would we let it happen now? He is even reappearing in the clubs marketting on the site as well as playing minutes for us. What do you guys reckon?
July 29th, 2008 at 10:34 am
p.s. I realise he didn’t play last night but we got 90mins from him the other day didnt we?
July 29th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
RedRum, whilst i think Benitez is a dick and slightly naive, you have nothing to apologise about. Personally, my beef is not with Liverpool, it’s with Keane. Enjoy him RedRum, he is a special player - this will become more apparent to you the more he plays for you. He is under-estimated by most fans of teams he has not played for.
I’m hoping Bent gets the chance he deserves this season, and whilst i had hoped it would be partnering keane (they were immense together againt reading last season), i think he will surprise a few people. A new Spurs legend in the making.
We went from 5th to 11th in one season, so there is no reason we cannot go the other direction (Ipswich went from championship to 5th in one season). Anyone who knows anything about football knew we underachieved last season and WITHOUT argument have atleast the 5th best squad in the Prem.
July 29th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Also, Wattson,
Forget Berba, i think it’s a matter of when, not if.
July 29th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Not sure why you’re pissed off with Keane tbh. Imagine if you were playing for, say, Slackburn Rovers, you were a fan favourite and everything was going really well. Suddenly you heard that Tottenham, the club you’ve supported since you were a kid and dreamed of playing for, wanted to buy you.
Would you really say “No, I’ve got a good thing here, fuck ‘em”? I’m honestly guessing not, I certainly wouldnt, I could be playing for anyone, Real Madrid - whoever - if Liverpool came in for me, I’d do everything in my power to get that move.
He’s given you six great seasons, i think it’s a bit harsh to blame him for this. It’s not like he’s done an Owen and run his contract down, claiming he has every intention of signing a new one, and then goes for a pittance to some other club but then misses out on the greatest European Cup win in Liverpool’s history (still makes me laugh that!)
Bit early to say you have the 5th best squad at the moment. Best to wait to see who you replace Keane/Berba with. Granted you’ve bought great talent *on paper* but not proven in the prem. Take, say - and I’m loath to mention this - Everton. The only team to have broken the top 4 in the last 6-7 seasons and consistently in the top 6, which you havent been. They’ve proven themselves to be the 5th best squad in the Prem. Beat them this season and I’ll eat my words.
Cant believe I just bigged-up the Blueshite….
July 29th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I agree with everything HighlyReasonableRum says…
He’s gone off to join the team he supported as a boy, he clearly loved his time at Tottenham, he’s a great character and I wish him well, except against us. I will applaud him back to the Lane even if everyone around me boos him, and even if he got carried away after winning the CC and saying that he would stay. Yeah, he’s gone back on his word, but he’s not gone to Arsenal on a free and we need a bit of perspective here!
Plus I also agree that Everton have a legitimate claim to saying they have been the fifth best team over the last five years or so. Doesn’t mean we can’t come fifth (again), or that we are definitely a worse team than them, but this Everton squad has proved they have the strength and resilience to grind out the results and this current Spurs squad hasn’t done that yet / had the chance to do it. If we make a couple of astute defensive purchases to go in our new 2-4-4 formation (or whatever it is Ramos seems to be planning) then I’ll start to get carried away, I’m sure… but if we underachieved last year, then there HAS to be an argument that we aren’t the 5th best team!
I’m also not going to get carried away by players we’ve signed until they’ve started to do it in the Premiership. I remember raving about Jose Dominguez when I saw his debut against Derby, look how that turned out! I also remember lots of people saying “Kevin PB is the answer” this time last year when in hindsight it seems quite likely they hadn’t seen him play!
July 29th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Actually - I didn’t see the game last night. What formation did we actually play, and who played where?
July 29th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
RedRum - My problem is that Keane came out sucking spurs off 6 FUCKIN WEEKS AGO!!! Sayin he loves it, wants to end career there, etc. If you don’t mean it, don’t fuckin say it. Is that OK? I will wish Berba well, he’s never blown smoke up our arse. Keane’s wife must be shitting herself having heard him commit the rest of his life to her! Don’t give me that 6 years of service shit like he did it for free.
Everton are a good solid team, but 5 years ago doesn’t matter. They cannot claim to have the quality we can - with or without Berba/Keane. We have had shit luck with injuries, plus 3 managers in those last 5 years. IF, and i admit it is a BIG IF, we stay injury free, we will have no problems getting 5th. Everton have beaten us like twice or something in those 5 years - and we have finished 5th in 2 of the last 3 seasons. We can all throw stats about mate.
July 29th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Oog - 4-5-1…ish
July 29th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
It looks to me like the keane transfer has weakened both teams, but nevertheless.
Once again 6puds enter a season with confidence bordering on arrogance based on nothing but ideals and possibility, certainly not fact or history.
Which is more correct:
The 11th place was underachievement
The 5th place was overachievement
July 29th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
5th place was an underachievment given the circumstances in which we lost 4th.
July 29th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
South - ‘Is that OK?’ Of course! I’m not trying to tell you what to think, I’m just offering a different perspective on the situation that you may not have considered. No offense intended
I think Everton have more proven premiership players than Tottenham have. For instance Cahill is the best box-to-box player outside of the top-four IMO and i include Barry in that. Arteta is simply world-class and just unlucky thats he’s Spanish and they have more world-class talent, especially in midfield than any other European country at the moment.
I would take those two any day over Modric or Dos Santos because they are proven in the Premiership, and that IMO is a big deal.
As for defense, quite frankly Ledly and Woodgate would be my England pairing but their both horribly injury-prone whereas Yobo and Lescott are amazingly solid, hardly miss a game and Lescott knocks in a hell of a lot of goals on top. An Everton win again.
As Oog says, this doesnt mean you can’t beat them, just atm I dont think your stronger than them.
Lets make one thing clear, I hate the fact that Everton are good. I wish they’d get in the relegation fight every year for me to laugh at but the reality is that they are (again, in my opinion) the 5th best team in the premiership at the moment and the one i think best equipped to break the top four. If you lot prove me wrong no-one will be happier than me.
July 29th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
As an Irish yid I’m doubley gutted about Keano leaving. My biggest gripe with him is this - if he was playing for Liverpool for the last 6 years and was a Spurs fan all his life and Spurs came knocking on his door would he move the earth to make the transfer happen like he did to leave us? I don’t bloody think so.
And South London Yid is right - I saw Keane do a press conference for Ireland during their end of season friendlies and he said how happy he was that this would be the first summer he could remember when his name wouldn’t be linked with any other clubs as he was happy to stay at Spurs. I can’t believe I missed that mother of all signs that he was a goner!!!
July 29th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Well said Wilson!
The fact that the bookies consistently have Spurs as 5th favourites for the prem, by a considerable margin in both directions, would support my claim. Also place us as favourites to break the top four - not saying we will, but are most likely to.
Arteta is no way world class. That is a ludicrous statement. World class is bandied about far too often. If he were world class he would play on world stage. He doesn’t even make the Spain SQUAD!!
Modric is not proven in Prem, but is at international level - so i’m convinced he will be able to handle the Prem, no probs. He got man of the match in every game he played in at Euro 2008, so not sure why you don’t think he can handle Prem?
I did say it depended on injury (king, woody), but just coz they are regularly fit (Yobo, Lescott) don’t mean they are good!!
July 30th, 2008 at 1:53 am
Erm, yeah, firstly, Everton are shit. Fans of Everton deserve to die of cancer.
However, fans of Liverpool who congratulate Everton. They deserve to be diagnosed with AIDS. And then go die of a cold.
I hope this happens to you RedRum, you fucking traitor bitch.
July 30th, 2008 at 5:49 am
RedRum, the biggest reason for me thinking that Liverpool won’t overtake Arsenal is that in recent history that it just hasnt happened. I also think the Hicks/Gillette saga is far from over. Out of the big four, you guys are the ones I like the best. None of the same sense of entitlement we hear out of the others. That having been said, right now I don’t know how well positioned you are to break higher. Any given game day you can beat anybody, but Chelsea and Man U could field two teams that would each finish in the top half of the table.
So, good luck this season, I’d rather you win than anyone else (Spurs excluded of course). I think Keano will link up wonderfully with Torres, since I see him as kind of a similar player to Berbatov (minus a lot of the moodiness). I am a little annoyed at Keano. I understand why he left, I have no problems with the reasons. It is just that Spurs are on the wrong end of all those reasons. Also, we all just had such expectations that Keano was the player who loved Spurs as much as we did. Now we know that that was not true, and it hurts some.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Really exciting to read about Bentley medicals and likely Arseshavin signings - especially to cushion the blow of Keano doing one. It’s 100% that Berba is off (and frankly - let him go - it’s gone on too long and must now be a negative influence on the developing squad - hence Bent’s remark on Berba’s moody figure on the sub’s bench at Norwich) - so, as great as the prospect is of Lennon, Modric, Dos Santos then, Bentley and Arshavin - are we going to rely on just Bent to bang them in? Looking at United - Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo are all more withdrawn but they can all score regularly - we need goals and I would still like to see a proven goalscorer in the team if we are to splash the Robbie/Berba cash on Bentley and Arshavin. It also seems to me that this Robbie saga has stunned the management in their planning as we must have been resigned to losing Berba for a long time now. But facing the prospect of losing our entire strikeforce has got to be destabilising. Goalscorers are at a premium and it isn’t a surprise Everton are after Bent, or that Fulham are prepared to pay some £13m for Johnson! I’m still impressed by Levy’s operations and sense he remains as determined as ever to turn us into a CL club - his media stance over Robbie sends the message out that our other players heads can’t be turned as easily in the future and that we’re no soft touch. He saved some face getting the tapping up apology out of Liverpool whilst securing what is a great price for Keane. Also, he is playing an admirable long game over Berbatov in holding out for the maximum price - probably reasoning that he would be prepared to hold out to January even if the moody one refuses to play. Just a balance of price negotiation over squad/morale disruption. Steeed must surely be off with Bale back, D-Santos, Lennon, Bostock and hopefully Bentley to battle out the wide positions and Ramos clearly doesn’t rate Kaboul (I’d like to keep him for another season of development plus we could be lacking in central defence). So, many reasons to be positive !– BUT – 1 striker please!!
July 30th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Unfortunately, desperation is gripping the hallowed shrine of football that is anfield.
A dark and gloomy cloud is rising toward them and dark times appear ahead.
This season is a centre point to a football-long saga that has engulfed our 2 most illustrious northern clubs.
18 - that’s the name of the hero and villain in this piece.
18 titles won by liverpool
18 years since they have won a title
18 titles will be claimed by manure should they retain.
Perhaps karma set the figure for keane to break the spell ?
It’s a real shame the Mighty Arsenal are going to jump in to break up this little 18 / rivalry love-in and snatch the title once again.
July 30th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
that would be a shame. But it isn’t going to be a real shame.
July 30th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Well, you have to win something this season - Those ‘dark and gloomy’ clouds, along with the bills, are looming over ‘The Library’ aswell…
July 30th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
It’s true, we have been there or thereabouts in the last 3 season and been pipped at the post for the title and 2 cups, I just hope that this season doesn’t end up barren for the Mighty Arsenal.
I’m, as usual, fairly confident about the season ahead, we have some fantastic players in the club and some phenominal fringe players, but as has been mentioned on here, our strength in depth might be an issue, especially in the middle of the park.
Lord Wenger has made last minute signings before with Gallas, so I’m not that concerned, the fact is, not many clubs are splashing the cash and those that are might need to sell.
I’d like to see Barry pull on the glorious colours, even Alonso, but I imagine it’ll be another no-name somebody to thrill the PL.
July 30th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Oi oi you best hope you win something if you want to keep Fabregas. You won’t be winning the title this season though my friend, no way. And nor will Liverpool, it’s sad but there’s only realistically 2 teams in it already.
2008/09:
3rd. Liverpool
4th. Arsenal
5th. Tottenham
July 30th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Oi Oi
“Pipped at the post”?
Don’t over do it. You didn’t get that close. You drew 2-2 with Birmingham at the end Of February and then went on that dazzling run of failing to win any games. Thus ending your season.
“Pipped at the post”??? You do talk shite. And you accuse us of being deluded.
July 30th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
so 3 more signing to come except bently who do want to see? me personaly arshavin,kompany, poldoski
July 30th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Barry is a Spurs fan and Vila have said he isn’t moving anyway.
Fabregas will leave if Arsenal do not win anything.
I would like to see Albelda, Arshavin and Capel. Maybe another CB.
July 30th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
*Villa
July 30th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
did anyone just see Sky sports News interview smooth bums agent?
Looks like we might get this Russian chap after all.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Pipped at the post, yep, cos we were 4 points off the top and ’til brum were pissing the league.
Finals in 2 cups, and taking the piss in one by playing reserves.
Cesc will leave if we dont win anything, maybe not next season, but he’s smart enough to know that 4 points can be gathered from a season easily.
Dont compare me to you, my hopes for the new season are built on fact, how many of you are spouting that just because you made 5th place with another manager, and the change over season you made 11th, you are entitled to 5th place.
I agree with Redrum, Everton are a better team.
Fact is the season before your 2 5th place finishes you were cheering because you scraped a draw with us at home, cheering ??!! when we won the title at your place!!!
You have an unproven team with potential thats unrealised. On paper it looks weak (physically) and I see nothing more than a scrap at the lower end of Uefa places only IF extra places become available.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Big mistake not to go for Palyuchenko if Berba leaves/
July 30th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Pipped at the post, yep, cos we were 4 points off the top and ’til brum were pissing the league.
Finals in 2 cups, and taking the piss in one by playing reserves.
Cesc will leave if we dont win anything, maybe not next season, but he’s smart enough to know that 4 points can be gathered from a season easily.
Dont compare me to you, my hopes for the new season are built on fact, how many of you are spouting that just because you made 5th place with another manager, and the change over season you made 11th, you are entitled to 5th place.
I agree with Redrum, Everton are a better team.
Fact is the season before your 2 5th place finishes you were cheering because you scraped a draw with us at home, cheering ??!! when we won the title at your place!!!
You have an unproven team with potential thats unrealised. On paper it looks weak (physically) and I see nothing more than a scrap at the lower end of Uefa places only IF extra places become available.
your just a arse why do you post here ? you must be a closet spurs fan! spurs 5 1 tonight not bad few more goals fo bent kinda make the whole keane thing not so bad.
July 31st, 2008 at 1:34 am
We’re beginning to take a liking to this 5-1 scoreline eh?
July 31st, 2008 at 2:40 am
Seems we have reached an agreement with David Bentley, and are close with Arshavin. Things are looking good. The thing is Oi OI, 4th place would be very good for us and a step in the right direction, only 1st would be any good for you. If I had a choice of betting on Spurs finishing in 4th place this season or Arsenal finishing top, I know where my money would be!
July 31st, 2008 at 3:10 am
ps. My hubby (RedrumPhil) reckons you are arsehole runs!
July 31st, 2008 at 6:29 am
Thank goodness, Dawson is safe! (For now…)
July 31st, 2008 at 9:53 am
Jayne, I’ll take that bet, how much do you wanna wager ?
Good work on getting bentley, even better for us, due to our standard sell on clauses we attach to sales of young players we stand to gain up to £7M cash from the 6puds coffers.
Thanks.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:40 am
No problem oi oi. I’m sure Arsene Wenger will enjoy spendin…
oh.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:42 am
Bentley has certainly said the right things in his press conf. Good boy!
Yido Yido Yido!!!!!!
July 31st, 2008 at 10:48 am
So…
Gomes (and Alnwick as back up?)
Defence: Bale / King / Woodgate / Hutton with Dawson, Gilberto, Gunther as back up
Midfield: two out of Jenas / Huddlestone / Zokora lying deep
With three out of Dos Santos / Modric / Bentley / Arshavin (possibly)and Lennon / O Hara as back up?
And up front Bent or whoever replaces Berbatov?
Is that about right? I can’t work it out, which makes it all very interesting. I think there IS a concern about the lack of height / strength in the attacking midfield areas, and I really want another central defender / central midfielder, but apart from that I do like the sound of it. If only because its going to be completely different, and in Ramos I trust.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:53 am
Rokinaar, looks like we have been in talks with pavlyuchenko so you may yet get your wish.
This has been the dullest transfer window in history - except for us!
July 31st, 2008 at 11:54 am
Oog,
Interesting that Dos Santos is listed on the player profiles on the Spurs site as a forward, not a midfielder - not sure if that’s just because that section would look a little light without him.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:04 pm
The average age of our first team must be coming down with all the comings and goings. I can’t be arsed to do the maths but quite possibly below 25.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I like what bentley has said too.
If he turns out to be a great signing for us but we don’t ever crack the top 4, I’m sure Man Utd / Chelsea / Liverpool fans will like what he says at the press conference to announce his signing for them as well……
July 31st, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Great to hear Bentleys comments! Legend.
Apparently we are getting Stephen Bywater as a backup to Gomes according to Paul Jewell.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Ilai - You prick. It’s pathetic fans like you that give this game it’s bad name. I deserve to die because I’m willing to admit whats infront of my face and not put my head in the sand and fingers in my ears?! I dont remember congratulating them for anything, I merely acknowledged them as being a very good side which is obvious to anyone who isnt blinkered by their own stupidity and lack of social graces.
Whether their the fifth best team is open to debate but whether their a good team is not.
Gratz on the Bentley signing, he’s got bags of potential and I was hoping we might have made a bid for him at one point as well.
July 31st, 2008 at 1:41 pm
i still think this is our season! what happend to dos santos last night he disapeard down the tunnel? i think we are better than everton…. all over the pitch! maybe we cant grind out results like them but we play free flowing football (the way it should be played) if we finish 5th we have under achieved! ps let berba go! i love him but we need people who are ready to bleed spurs …….
July 31st, 2008 at 2:50 pm
RedRum - agree mate. Whilst we do not share exactly the same opinion on everything, i do agree Everton are a good solid side (but that’s it, well-organised, nothing more) there is no need for Ilai’s comments. Those type of statements should be reserved for Ar5ena1 fans (!).
Bentley should be good - How the fuck are we gonna fit everyone in midfield?!! Hope Arshavin signs, but Pavlyuchenko is SHIT.
Can’t wait to fuck Whinge-atov off. Show me the money Barca!!
July 31st, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Anyone think we need extra cover at CB? Woody and Leds are known to pick up the odd injury or ten.
Maybe Hudd will cover that position? Or is Rocha sticking around?
July 31st, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Judging by the Norwich game, Zokora and Thudd! are covering centre back!!
July 31st, 2008 at 6:19 pm
SLY, Pavlyuchenko/Bent will score more goals than Berba/Keano ever did. What did Berba/Keane get? 28 or so in the league, about 44 overall? Wait and see.
I don’t think you have seen much of Pavlychenko to say he’s shit. Did you watch him against England? Netherlands? Sweden? Did you actually watch any of those matches? What had Berba done before Spurs? Not as much as this guy.
July 31st, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Best 11:
Gomes
Hutton Woodgate King Bale
Jenas
Bentley Modric Dos Santos
Pavlyuchenko Bent
Top 5 reserves: Arshavin, Gilberto, Huddlestone, Dawson, Peckhart
Also, could play 4-5-1 and drop Bent and add Huddlestone or Arshavin depending on opponent. But I like the 4-1-3-2 for this group. But who cares what i like!….
July 31st, 2008 at 6:43 pm
I think 5 men in midfield are essential given the physical calibre of the likes of Modric and Dos Santos.
July 31st, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Rokinaar- you are embarrassing yourself mate. Have you seen Pavlyuchenko play? His goalscoring record is SHIT. Just look at it!
Berbatov was scoring in CL before spurs, AND played in CL final at Leverkusen bell-end! Look at Berbatov’s strike rate for his country - 39 in 65. 39 IN 65!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I take it you haven’t seen Berbatov play EVER. What a dick.
July 31st, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Hmm. 75 goals in 145 games for his club, and 9 goals in 21 games for his country.
I’ve no idea how good he is, SLY, but that is NOT a shit goalscoring record!
For the record, I don’t think anyone is a dick or a bell-end on this site just because of the opinions they express.
(except oi-oi)
July 31st, 2008 at 7:09 pm
only joking oi oi!
July 31st, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Someone who implies I have not watched the guy before voicing my opinion of him, AND saying Berbatov has done less before joining Spurs, is a bell-end.
Granted, his record at Spartak Moscow is pretty good, but nowhere else, and tbh, the Russian league, playing for Moscow…… I could get that scoring record.
July 31st, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Please dont apologise oog - the feelings are reciprocated.
July 31st, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Interesting comments by rokinaar, bold choices choosing half of a team that has never played in the PL, and most of a team that has never played together.
Must be a cm4 addict.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:59 pm
i’d add Miguel Voloso to the line up as holding midfielder.
August 1st, 2008 at 1:32 am
As one who has been a dick to other fans on this site, and as someone who repeatedly posted how pathetic it is for people like Oi Oi to try and goad fans on this site, I should not talk, but I do not think wishing disease on others is justified in any way. Ilai, please go post on some other more angry website.
I cannot say that I share the optimism of some of the rest of the Spurs fans. I think that even with the Bentley transfer (which I like, mostly because his heart seems to be solidly with the Spurs), we are left with much to be desired.
Even if we get Arshavin, who admittedly was magical in the Euro tournament, I still think we lack size, toughness, and defensive grit overall.
All the signings we have made (apart from Gomes and the rumoured Bywater) - Modirc, Dos Santos, Bentley - are smallish and attack-minded. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but I think we have left a smallish and wing-play team.
I do not think that any of our players in front of the back line could win a header and/or push attackers off the ball - maybe with the exception of Huddlestone (who is big but I think more of a back-line playmaker like Pirlo with long-passing and free kick skills, rather than a hard man who can win the ball).
To me, and I could be wrong, Real Madrid a few years back proved that you can have a lot of speed and attacking flair, but when you lose do not have a player that can win the ball in the midfield (like Makelele did for Madrid), you will struggle to compete at the highest level.
Lennon and Bentley play the same position, which is awkward. I think Bentley obviously has a much better cross and finish, but are they going to play at the same time? How?
Modric will be very good at setting up the counter-attack and our forwards- at least as good as Carrick, I think, but is he really going to be a dominant two-way player? I think he is too small to ask that.
Dos Santos may score and set up several goals, but if he was really going to be the difference-maker that pushes us up into the Champion’s League level, would Barca have sold him? And for under 10m? I am not convinced yet. Plus, he still seems as though he will be a wing player, of which we have a surplus.
Arshavin seems less of a scorer and more of a brilliant attacking midfielder, but if we already have players like Modric, Dos Santos, etc. to fit that bill, why do we need him? This is not to mention that it was obvious in the game against Spain that either one of two things are true: He does not have an immense amount of stamina to prolong his brilliance over a stretch of many games, or he can be neutralized by a good defensive scheme. Either option does not sound like he will take us to the CL level.
Pavlyuchenko could be brilliant as the lone striker, as could Bent, if given enough service. I just have trouble thinking that we are going to be able to control the ball and defend enough for them to be a winning combination. Perhaps I am being too harsh, but I believe that you must be able to win the ball and prevent goals first - especially with this team who is notorious for having a good attack but not being able to defend - in order to be at the top of the league.
I think we need to strengthen our defense and our ball-winning capability before we can expect to be competing for the top four. I am not suer of the best option for this improvement, but I think it is a prerequisite for our chances to get into the top four.
August 1st, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Mitch I agree that we need some defensive steel if we are ever going to be a success. But if a manager is being paid €6m a year, I think he would have a plan for the team. I’m just sitting back, relaxing and watching some tremendous signings unfold and hopefully they will become more defensive-minded in the coming weeks. I have deep concerns as well but I think in Ramos we have one of the best managers in the world and I’m willing to put all my faith in him.
I am delighted with the signings Spurs have made and while I do not think they are grounds for optimism, I do feel that they are a giant leap in the right direction, and a great deal of ambition.
All we can do is hope that this ambitious frame of mind in the market can propel a challenge in the league next term.
August 1st, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Does anyone know if Hutton is fit or not? Wasn’t he supposed to be injured.
August 1st, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Also, Oi oi, to say that Rokinaar is making “bold choices choosing half of a team that has never played in the PL, and most of a team that has never played together” is a fair statement but I think, with the current dismantling of our squad we really can do little else.
August 1st, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Wattson, his lack of appearences in pre-season would suggest he is injured. But there has been no official confirmation of this and in my Premier League fantasy football team it doesn’t say he is injured (lol). I guess we’ll see tonight vs Celtic, eh?
August 1st, 2008 at 2:12 pm
REDRUM. FUCK OFF.
YOU EVERSCUM PIECE OF SHIT. YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT FOOTBALL.
August 1st, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Hiya Lads
Celtic will be playing a sort of 4-2-3-1 or a 4-5-1. Seemingly oor manager thinks it will be a good run out to try new things for the coming season.
I would expect Spurs to have plenty of the ball with Celtic allowing them to have it. We will try to counter attack but I’mr eally unsure if we have the players to play this way.
Would rather play a 4-4-2 and attack.
Hail Hail
KevinG
August 1st, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Sweet, gotta love Sky Sports
Means cricket on SP1, Spurs/Celtic on SP2 and Murray/Moya on SPX tonight. Not that I watch a lot of sport or anything…
Have you seen Arse-nal have got FC Twente in the the CL qualifying round? Never thought I’d actively want McClaren to succeed again until I saw that draw !
Do you reckon Berbatov will play?
August 1st, 2008 at 4:22 pm
SLY, sory to upset you so, but Palyv. is for real. And its a bit much to make so much of Berba’s 39 in 65 int’l tally. None of those goals came in meaningful tournaments. Most came in friendlies. Yes, of course, he’s a great player, but he’s leaving, so on to the next thing… Palyv. knocked out England single-handedly and turned in 3 outstanding, forceful performances under the glare of the Euros. Named to Best of Euro team for a reason. And his club tally is extremely impressive in a rough league with low scores. Led league in scoring last 2 yrs. He’s big and fast and very high work rate. Not sure how you can have so much against the guy considering all this…
As for us playing too many non-PL guys, well who sits? Dos Santos? Modric? Gomes? If we get the Russians, they’re playing, too. I mean would you really rather play Lennon and Zokora and O’hara or the new guys? Not much of a choice to me. May be a bit of a struggle at first, but get on with it. Once its all together, could be very top shelf stuff.
August 1st, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Pandy, (first name Andy?)
While pouring my standard scorn and vitriol on all 6pud sentiment, I was just pointing out that where you have squad that perhaps needed bolstering to maintain some ….erm …. momentum (?) what your new manager has done is, as you say, dismantled the entire squad and rebuilt with players he thinks can cut it in the PL.
The areas you need to bolster are in central defence and defensive midfield, the same areas you needed to strengthen last year.
This area still has not been addressed, and despite the confidence of some (rokinaar), the knowing weariness of others (oog) and the sheer cuntiness of the rest (Ilai) unless this area is tackled and a tackler brought in to tackle you will not see the ball for most of the game and will have to hope the flair players are better than the defence.
Last season (et al) you couldn’t hold a lead, will this season be any different ?
August 1st, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I think Arshavin would be one attacking player too far, but then again I’d much rather see us winning 4-3 every week than 1-0. Just aswell I’m not the manager eh?
August 1st, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Bagel,
Are you deliberately not posting in the hope you get 100 comments off a single post?
August 1st, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Well?
August 1st, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Are you?
August 1st, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Berbatov and Bent starting upfront in a 4-4-2
Jenas, The Hudd, Modric and Lennon in midfield
missed the defence but Octopus is in goal and no sign of King, thinks it’s woodgate and dawson in the middle.
August 1st, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Blimey, less than 2 mins and JJ missed an absolute sitter, I could have scored that and I’m shit at football.
August 1st, 2008 at 6:31 pm
defense was zokora dawson woodgate assou-ekkoto
biggest surprise for me is seeing zokora at right back. done a good job so far of keeping mcgeady quiet, and he’s got forward well.
modric looked a bit lost on the left, but once he moved more central he’s been sharp. he’s pulling the strings much better than jenas did and we’ve had more possession since then.
berbatov and bent still don’t look like they can’t play together. one or the other (assuming berba stays) in a 4-5-1/4-2-3-1. berba still looks like he doesn’t give a shit though.
August 1st, 2008 at 8:37 pm
‘Av some of that you boring jock twats.
August 1st, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Sorry KevinG. I’ve no problem with the Scots. Only the football, how do you support that drivel??
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:48 am
Kevin G. Is an honorable chap
August 2nd, 2008 at 11:49 am
Have not seen the Bagel since Keanes
departure. Do you guys think he is
taking it a bit Hard???
Or maybe LB is having him scrub
the pots and pans
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Maybe he’s grateful for her making him do that because it takes his mind off the pain
August 26th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Bertatov - ManU Ronaldo to Real Madrid finally resolved !
A very close friend of Darren Fletcher has said the Ronaldo to Real Madrid and Bertatov to ManU deals will be resolved by an amazing peace deal recently hatched in the last 48 hours. Spurs will get Darren Fletcher for £6.5Million as a much needed defensive midfielder sacrifice, Spurs will then drop the lawsuit and sell Berbatov to Real Madrid for 20 Million to replace Robinho who is being sold to Chelsea for £30 Million, swelling Spurs coffers for much needed striker reinforcements and scuppering any lingering hopes of Ronaldo leaving ManU to go to Real!
Everyone Benefits
Hope it is true ,
August 31st, 2008 at 8:20 am
Its the world of football we live in these days. It happens everywhere; for and against every club. Liverpool have got themselves a quality player and we have got ourselves a lump of cash to spend.
The more I think about it now, the more I think Berbatov is going nowhere this season. Why would we let it happen now? He is even reappearing in the clubs marketing on the site as well as playing minutes for us. What do you guys reckon?