Today’s result saw Tottenham up to 14th place with 28 points. Not quite out of the Relegation scrap yet, but hey… it was a little bit uplifting to get a win in the league after our miserable result against Shakhtar.

Lennon scored the first goal 17 minutes in, followed by Michael Turner pulling one back for Hull. The game stayed level all the way until Woodgate scored the winner in the 85th minute.

Darren Bent got the start that he so desperately pleaded for, and did absolutely nothing to prove his worth. Wilson Palacios continued to impress me, and Keane again looked motivating but still hasn’t scored since his return.

Cudicini started over Gomes once again, despite reports stating that Gomes is still the teams #1.
There’s a big surprise…

Our game against Sunderland has been postponed, so we face ‘Boro next. Hopefully we can take some momentum from this win into it.

Still no left winger, Still no prospects for left winger, Still no word about Appiah(who to me seems like a much better deal for a Mid than Palacios).

All of this craziness before the tie with Pompey this weekend, and coming off the tail-end of our defeat last week should make for an interesting tie at the Lane. Not to mention the vengeance that most Portsmouth fans will wish to inflict on Defoe and Redknapp, but we all knew that would be coming.

Most reports on the progress of England international Stuart Downing’s move to Spurs have been less than motivating as of late. The most recent of which stating that ‘Borough have rejected the 3rd(That’s right 3rd!) bid for the player, this one said to be valued at 14.5 million. Officials from his club have stated that Spurs should not hold out hope for a last minute transfer, as they are quite stern on keeping the player. Stating that “he owes it to the club to help fight clear of relegation”. I personally still see this deal being totally up in the air. I doubted the Defoe deal was gonna go through and sure enough Harry went and proved me wrong.

So what other options do Spurs have right now? I’ve said before, and I’ll say it again, I like Jamie O’Hara in the left winger spot. Not to mention Giovani Dos Santos could also play up the left side in an attacking role but it would seem that Harry wants someone who has a lot experience, and who could blame him? So could N’Zogbia be the answer to our problems?

At 22 years old the winger has definitely seen his share of games in the Prem. Since joining Newcastle he has been capped 116 times. But after 4 years he has stated that he has “…ambitions that can not be met here.” Enter Spurs, Villa, and supposedly ARSEnal(but 22 seems a little old for the voyeurs taste). Martin O’Neil’s side seem a little far-fetched as well considering James Milner has been playing quite well on the left side. Tottenham seem like a nice fit to me albeit a little unlikely to happen, but again stranger transfers have happened. What do you guys think?

Another one to add to the rumor mill is our supposed link to Brazilian striker Fred from French side Lyon. The Player has been linked with a move away from France with Spurs seemingly the highest likelihood due to his aspiration to play in the EPL. The 25 year old has been valued at 4.5 million, and has a decent scoring record with 34 goals in 81 appearances.

Again, I don’t see this one going through. We got Defoe, and already have Pavlyuchenko, Bent, Dos Santos, and Campbell(till the end of the season). Unless we see our summer Barcelona signing go to Club America I don’t think we should spend the money.

If any more updates about whether Stephen Appiah or Sebastian Przyrowski will actually sign for Spurs appear, I’ll be sure to let you all know. Also whispers of Joe Cole coming to Spurs have recently surfaced here, and here. Interesting story, but isn’t January full of them?

Until then COYS!!! Wigan repeat this weekend!?!?!

Let’s be honest… for anyone who saw the Uefa cup game today would have to agree that the two goals for Spartak Moscow in the first half were entirely on the fault of our backline. Gilberto’s brain fart on his first appearance under Harry let Artem Dzyuba sneak in a cheeky nut meg on Gomes. Then a little later on in the first half we got caught on a counter attack and our backline was left on it’s heels and Dzyuba snuck another one past Gomes in a 1v1 situation.

At the half it appeared that the side that most notably bore ManU’s Nemanja Vidic, Boroughs Emanuel Pogatetz, and our very own Roman Pavlyuchenko, might have been a bit too much for our experimental lineup.

Our starting 11 in the first half was made up of Gunter, Zakora, Dawson, and Gilberto in the back. Bently, O’hara, Huddlestone, and Bale in Mid. and Modric sitting in behind Campbell. Needless to say it wasn’t working for us, so Harry made the decision to sub Lennon in at the half to drop Bale back to defense and Lennon taking his position up the right wing.

The second half began much as most of the first half went with Spurs dominating possession all over the field, only this time the back seemed a bit more tidy. Then in the 67th minute Luka Modric met with a cross by Lennon in the box and rifled it into the back of the net. Ending his current goalless slump and making it 1-2, giving Spurs fan’s a glimmer of hope that we’d take at least a point from this match.

We continued to move the ball around well over the next few minutes when Tom Huddlestone met with a Cross sent into the box by Gareth Bale to make it 2-2 in the 74th minute.

Overall i would have to give the Man of the match to Jamie O’hara. He was all over the place and his close control was absolutely top drawer. In a close second would be Modric, only thing hindering him was his constant fading in and out during the second half. And on a second note Gomes’ continued mistakes may be overshadowing his past great clean sheets, this all begs the question on whether or not Harry will go looking for another keeper in window, what do you all think?

Elsewhere in the Uefa cup bracket we Saw Nec Nijmegen beat Udinese 2-0 which takes them through in third place right behind us with Udinese leading the group. Should be interesting to see who we draw in the Knock out round.

But in more important news we have a very important match with Newcastle this sunday, and the fact that we are tied with them in the table means we have to get a win away. And as previously stated The window opens up in two weeks, Who do you think would be a good purchase for Spurs this time round?

If we listen to Younes Kaboul, then yes, we should. A case of the Frenchmen’s sour grapes at a lack of first team chances? Maybe. But I am still concerned.

Something is wrong in the Spurs camp at present and if we listen to Kaboul, its effects could be devastating. For weeks now, ‘our season over’ has been the excuse for a string of poor displays. I fear the problems may be worse. We have won just two league games since the Carling Cup triumph. Alarm bells ringing.

There is plenty to be positive about of course with the recent signing of Luka Modric and instant addition of silveware, very true, but I am afraid a lot of what Younes says makes perfect sense and explains a lot.

We can brush aside his comments in the press with ease,
but it may not make them go away.

Ramos has a master tactical streak, for that there can be little doubt, but his communication skills leave a lot to be desired in my honest opinion.

Where is his bond with the players? I have yet to see it.

Where is his bond with the fans? I have yet to see it.

Kaboul has probably said too much and come this time next season the Spaniard may be hailed our very own ’special one’, but with Ramos keeping his cards close to his chest and positioning himself as an unknown quantity, it makes him hard to judge.

If you judge him on signings and trophies, he gets a big tick in the box.

If you mark him on results against the ‘big’ four, the same applies but as of yet so many other crucial factors to success appear grey areas.

Maybe I am still struggling to accept Juande Ramos is not Martin Jol. But not knowing quite what is happening inside the very Spurs camp, makes me anxious. And makes me worried.

Why would Kaboul lie?

He won’t be here next season, that is confirmed now. I hope he is wrong but respect his opinions even if expressed in the worng manner.

They are too strong to be ignored! We may have a problem and will have to wait months for the answers.

Is there even a shred of truth to what Younes Kaboul has said about his manager Juande Ramos over the past few days or does the entire thing just stink of ‘player upset over not being good enough to get first team football’?

Kaboul hasn’t appeared for the first team since Spurs were thrashed 4-1 away v. Birmingham. Let’s just say that again: Pissed player has not seen first team football since we lost 4-1 to a team we should realistically have a chance of beating on the road. With Kaboul and Dawson as the center back pair Spurs conceded goals left and right and looked unorganized during set pieces. Enter Jonathan Woodgate and exit Younes Kaboul and we suddenly allow less goals… and that’s without even mentioning how we have improved when defending set pieces, once our real Achilles heal.

Kaboul’s comments are just moronic and only serve to highlight his own ignorance. “I played the entire first half of the season but since the change of manager, I have not played.”…. Really? Does it even dawn upon him that it may well have been HIS play that made us a poor defending team? Here are a few more gems:

“Tactically it has changed a bit, perhaps,” said Kaboul. “But then, in terms of personality, Martin was a character. For us, he was a father-figure, whereas Ramos, it is just tactics and nothing else. In training, we do a lot of 11 v 0 and stuff on the blackboard to work on our progress with the ball. Ramos has brought us that, but nothing else. What has saved us this season is the Carling Cup. People say we won the Carling Cup because Ramos arrived at the club, but that has nothing to do with him. We would have won it with Martin Jol.” -Apparently Younes longs for some sort of father-son relationship. I can’t speak for what sort of programs are available in London but here in the States there are many big brother organizations for children that are fatherless. Perhaps Younes would be a prime candidate?

“I have had no explanation from him. He doesn’t talk, with anyone. Communication doesn’t exist with him. He isn’t playing me? That is his choice – I respect it, I am a professional.” -I was unaware that the term “professional” could be used to describe an unhappy employee who airs all his dirty laundry via the press. Great job here by Younes… Just hand in a transfer and do us all a favor. Spurs paid 8 million pounds for a defender that can’t defend, yet it’s the defender that is pissed?? Grow up please.

“Ramos has not really given me a chance. When a player doesn’t have the confidence of his coach, he can’t do much on the pitch. But when a coach has confidence in you, you take the handbrake off and you race away.” -Please… race far, far away.

I think it’s safe to say that we have a grade A flop of a signing on our hands. I think it’s also safe to say that Younes Kaboul will be playing elsewhere in 08/09. COYS!

Nothing like swooping in and grabbing the player you want right off the bat. If you missed it, Tottenham Hotspur have signed Dinamo Zagrab and Croatian Attacking Midfielder Luka Modric for a fee reported to be around 15.8 million on a five year deal, though many sources report the fee will climb a bit over the 20 million pound mark once a few clauses pay out.

So there you have it. We’ve begun to address the need for a few quality midfielders with Modric. He has the ability to play both on the left as he does with Dinamo Zagreb or in the middle as he does with Croatia. Odds are he will be playing in the middle for Spurs, where we need help desperately.

Modric pointed out Juande Ramos as the main factor for coming to Spurs. “I am very lucky and proud to be here in London at Tottenham. I am also happy that the coach Juande Ramos wanted me, it is the most important thing that the coach wants you as a player. I want to show that I have the quality for Tottenham and the English Premier League and help the club achieve big results.”

Spurs beat out Newcastle United for the signature of the 22 year old as well as a few other, as yet, unnamed teams (Chelsea?). ” It is right that many clubs in England were interested in taking me, but my favourite from the first meeting was Tottenham because I am a big fan of coach Ramos.”

There you have it. Spurs have yet again splashed the cash in hopes of breaking into the Champions League. Is Modric the answer? Well, he may be part of the answer as Spurs midfield is definitely the area of need. Now for a new tackling midfielder and left wing! COYS!

P.S. I’m not going to touch our fourth lackluster 1-1 draw in a row… Though I was upset with the play of Jenas in particular… Funny that news of Modric’s signing came the same day as yet another disappointing outing by Jenas…. hmmmmm

-The pitch at the JJB was just unacceptable Saturday. I have parks around the block from me that have a better quality playing surface. Still, Wigan have created a bit of a stronghold there making it surprisingly difficult for visiting teams to walk away with many points. I just wonder how much of that is created by their sub par pitch?

-Gus Poyet had made mention after the Middlesbrough draw a couple weeks ago that Spurs needed to take advantage of their chances and develop a bit of killer instinct when they are already up a goal. Well, they failed to add to the scoreline again Saturday. What ever happened to the team that couldn’t stop scoring but had a tough time stopping other teams? Remember the horrid defense on set pieces? Well, Juande, with some help from the arrival of Jonathan Woodgate and Alan Hutton, has remedied that ill. So why now are we struggling to put the ball in the back of the net with any regularity?

-Aaron Lennon looked great Saturday. It’s been awhile since he’s looked that confident and impressive overall. It seemed ridiculous that rumors of his departure had started circulating, after all, how many players are there (that Spurs could realistically acquire) that could be a drastic improvement?

-Spurs don’t have a single player (active/Gareth Bale) that can put a free kick on goal. The opportunities are wasted as soon as they’re given.

-Samuel Eto’o has been linked to Spurs… which means he’ll sign an extension to stay at the Nou Camp for four more years in a week or two.

COYS!

Goalkeepers:
P.Robinson; R. Cerney
Cerney’s contract is up and I’m sure Spurs would have extended him by now if they wanted to keep him. His goal-kicks are just horrid anyway but he did provide some stability when Robinson’s confidence was floundering. Paul Robinson needs to move on at this point. He may well provide some other top flight club with a solid presence in goal but his time with Spurs is really at an end.
Returning Players: 0/2

Center Half:
L. King; J. Woodgate; M. Dawson; R. Rocha; Y. Kaboul
Everything hinges on Mr. King. If he’s healthy I think he’ll be back. Should that be the case I think we’ll see Micheal Dawson move on as Spurs will undoubtedly make a move for a third central defender to work in with King and Woodgate. If King moves on there will be a more pressing need to acquire a top flight defender to work with Woodgate, this could well increase the probability that Michael Dawson will stay. In other words if Dawson is part of the three man rotation at the heart of the defense I can see him remaining with the club, if not he’ll be playing elsewhere. Kaboul is still young, so unless Ramos sees nothing in him he should be with Spurs. Last, has Rocha played this year? Or at the least under Juande? What a horrible signing. He’s gone.
Returning Players: 3/5

Full Backs:
G. Bale; A. Hutton; P. Chimbonda; C. Gunter; Gilberto; Y.P. Lee; B. Assou-Ekotto
Bale and Hutton are going no where and are our two finest young players. Once our weakness, full back looks to be a strength for years to come. Hard to figure out Chimbonda, but I’d say he’s done with us as he’s grown very inconsistent. Gunter and Gilberto, both being Ramos signings, will be with the team for the near future no doubt. Lee seems to be headed for PSV this summer as he’s featured less and less under Ramos. Benoit Assou-Ekotto should be done with Spurs… My happiness over this stems from never having to try to spell his name again… And the fact that he’s NEVER healthy. Adios!
Returning Players: 4/7

Midfielders:
A. Lennon; J. Jenas; D. Zokora; S. Malbranque; T. Huddlestone; J. O’Hara; K.P. Boateng; T. Tianio; A. Taarabt
I can’t even pretend to know what’s going to happen here but I think it’s safe to say that when it comes to the players that have featured most under Ramos in the midfield: Lennon, Jenas, Malbranque, Zokora and Huddlestone that at least a few will see fewer minutes or perhaps be on a different club altogether as new talent comes in. Lennon, though there have been rumors to the contrary, should stick. He’s too young with too much potential. Zokora has proved valuable, but more so as a defender during our mid-year injury crisis. Huddlestone may never develop into the player they envision due to his lack of quickness when defending. Malbranque should remain and is a constant worker. Hard to see Jenas’ future but he would make an excellent backup to the type of attaking midfielder Spurs will be looking to acquire this summer. O’ Hara has done all that’s asked of him under Ramos and it’s a plus that he’s left footed. Tainio has been a nice piece, should there be room for him on the squad is up in the air. Taarabt is still one for the future at only 18. Boateng seems to be a failed signing. New signings will definitely displace the spots of many players when it’s all said and done.
Returning Players: 6/9

Forwards:
R. Keane; D. Berbatov; D. Bent
Keane is a Tottenham Hotspur for life (I hope). Bent has been showing signs and it’s doubtful that Spurs could recoup much of what they paid for him, so he should remain. Berbatov seems set to force a move to a Champions League squad. If Spurs can get their valuation of the Bulgarian in return it would give Ramos a massive amount of transfer funds to work with. I just see it as an inevitable move and at this point I just hope he lands in Spain or Italy so that I can still cheer for him.
Returning Players: 2/3

So there you have it. These are all just my opinions of course, that being said I’m open to hearing from other Spurs fans. Do you see something I don’t? One thing is clear, moves will happen.

COYS!