Spurs Still a Few Steps Behind
By: Richard | September 17th, 2007
Let me just get this off of my chest right away. Our strikers looked like crap. Thank God we spent 16.5 on Bent so he can make an occasional super expensive cameo. Just think how nice a 16.5 million pound central midfielder would have looked alongside Huddlestone Saturday? A hell of a lot better then Jenas, I can tell you that. Jermaine Jenas stinks and when Martin Jol is unceremoniously sacked he can look at players like JJ and thank them for their half hearted play over the years… Anyway, nice job Darren, Robbie and Berba. You couldn’t score in a brothel.
Now that I have that off my chest let’s talk about something we all love, defensive tactics. When defending Spurs allow so much damn space to our opposition late collapses, like Saturdays, are inevitable. For the entire second half we failed to pressure the ball allowing yards of space. Fabregas’ goal seemed to be almost too easy. There were defenders in front of him but they were not in position to make him rush his shot resulting in a clinical finish, one that our players should take note of.
As the days go by I find myself jumping on the “sack Jol” bandwagon. The board has undermined his authority and it seems to me that his tactics have taken us as far as they can. Am I just overreacting? Perhaps, but at the same time SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE!! Perhaps upcoming cup games are the best thing that could happen to us. More players will see playing time and this might allow us to see some of the players that have been relegated to the bench in favor of the Jenas’ of the world. Let us know, is it time for change at WHL?
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Comments
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I agree that the money spent on Bent would have been far better spent on a hardcore central midfielder, but I don’t think sacking Jol would be good right now. He’s led us to Europe two seasons running; that’s no fluke. We’re in bad form at the moment but it will improve. Maybe Jol isn’t the man for Spurs in the long-term, but that decision should be made at the end of the season, not now. Look what happened to Charlton last season.
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United Kingdom
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I see your point Jay. The tactics do worry me though. We seem so heartless at times. I think talent wise we’re still looking very good but there are some changes that will need to be made at somepoint. A win at the Reebok Saturday would be nice and would get us on track, but very difficult.
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I like to think that Bolton are in a worse state than we are under little Sam. I fancy Spurs to win.
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Totally agree. 16.5 might have gotten you Sneijder in June. Maybe van der Vaart. But Huddlestone doesn’t seem like the answer as a DM in a 4-4-2. He would be better suited to a 4-5-1 where he is squeezed between a pure DM and an AM.
Also notice that Jol finally had a chance to play with two wingers and refused.
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United States -
Chris Murphy = Common Sense.
Well done.
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United Kingdom -
I have a soft spot for Big Tom, but you’re spot on Chris. His speed would not be as much of a liability if used as you described. I was pissed to see Malbranque on the pitch. I understand Lennon may not be in game shape quite yet but the frustration might stem more from Jol fielding the same selections week after week more then anything. That and the fact that Steed was non existant for the entire game. Why was Bale pulled for Lennon? Was it due to his ankle after that tackle? I’ve yet to hear but it makes little sense unless he picked up a knock or was just nackered out.
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Jenas. What can you say about him? He supposedly has the highest rating so far this season (Actim Index or whatever it’s called). But that is mainly because we can only score on corners and he mostly kicks the corners.
The Bent thing is ridiculous. The best I figure is that Jol (or probably Commolli) had enough with Defoe and wanted to sell him. He also knew that Berba would probably leave after this season and wanted to buy Bent when it was the best time to buy… (maybe?)
Where has Keane been? I dunno.
World Soccer Daily apparently thinks that Robbo is one of the worst English keepers in the Premiership. I disagree. He had a load of spectacular saves. But he needs a break. Is Cerny a viable option?
It all comes down to an undisciplined squad. There is no shape to our team. Chimbonda forsakes the right flank. Jenas shows up around the pitch like a wack-a-mole. I think T-Hud is to blame for allowing so much space between the midfield and defense. Dawson and Kaboul look like they just met.
You know who seem to be working well? Lee and Bale. Seriously, I think this is the first time in ages when the only part of our team holding its own is the eff-ing left side.
Alright, I’ve said my piece, but I have one more question about the sacking of Jol. It’s due to the fact that I’m American and we don’t go around sacking every eff-ing manager around. Why is there so much vitriol going off every season if we start poorly? Everything is always up and up and up and if you don’t finish better than last year, well, sack the manager! Sometimes it’s just not your year. (Is that way too stupid and naive for me to think?)Posted from
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Agree 100% with what whb mentioned about Bent. I looked at it when it was announced and scratched my head like everyone else. Then I got to thinking, this is the backup plan if Berbatov ends up wanting out (which looks eminent now). I thought it was smart as Spurs are always looking to find the best young talent and Bent fit the bill. Still thought we overpaid, though. I’m still excited to see what Spurs can do when they are at full strength.
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Alright, I’d love to hear what you think of my predictions:
Jol isn’t going anywhere. There are no mid-season manager alternatives and Jol will stay until the summer, when Ramos or someone else will come in. Is winning the UEFA Cup the only way for Jol to keep his job (assuming we strike back and get a top 7 league spot)?
Defoe is gone. Or Berba. I dunno. But Chelsea and Man U are desperate and if we have any brains we’ll make a big January trade. But, if we lose Defoe, we know we’ll lose Berba this summer and that will leave us with two strikers this summer.
I say we trade Berba or Defoe to Man U and get Michael Carrick back (plus some cash). T-Jenas isn’t as bad as we say he is (neither is T-Hud), but neither can hold up the midfield. Say what we want about the keeper, but our problem is the midfield. (and a lack of discipline in the defense).
So we need a strong, seasoned midfielder and then we can sub in the young, developing talent as needed. Who else is out there needing a home besides Carrick? It’s too bad Chelsea pays so much for Ballack or else they’d probably pay us to take him right now.
That and Keane needs to sit to give Defoe a chance to run offsides every 5 seconds. Keane is struggling.Posted from
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I have to be honest WHB, I don’t see Carrick playing at the Lane unless it’s on the opposite side of the men in white… Maybe I’m the only one that likes Thudd but I’m dying to see what he and KPB can do at central midfield. I just see them beating up less physical opposition. this might not work against the super skillfull teams but lesser squads could find it difficult.
Man, I have to be honest, the last thing I want to think about is losing Berba again. That was my worry all summer long! If he does go next summer I just hope he still has the same value to be honest because so far this term he’s looked like crap.
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