Spurs ease past Wigan.

Spurs dispatched Wigan with relative ease yesterday and have moved back into fifth position before Sunday’s games. Goals from Robbie Keane and Davids ensured we took all three points back down south.

We arrived in Wigan with plenty of time to spare so we did what a lot of Spurs fans seemed to be doing – visiting Wigan Pier. I’ve heard a lot about it before so was quite excited to see what it was all about. We arrived, looked around and finally found a sign that said: “The Site of Wigan Pier. Demolished in 1929 and sold for scrap raising £34 in the process” That was it!

Trudged back to the ground to enjoy a pie and the match. Before it had even started a man in a red mobile phone suit was wobbling his way around the pitch. The poor guy inside looked like he could hardly move – it reminded me of the robot from Lost in Space. What made it more interesting was the site of Robbo, Cerny and Segers taking pot shots at him to try and knock him over! Priceless.

The game started and we were soon in front thanks to Robbie Keane pouncing on a mistake so he could round the keeper and slot it home. Wigan never really threatened after that relying on long shots which were never on target. The second half was pretty bad but Davids scored a good goal on the counter attack that sealed the points. Wigan pulled one back to make it a nervous last six minutes but we held on for another three points.



Old Muther Riley was his usual useless, Spurs hating, self. He should have awarded two penalties in the first half but gave none. I suspect if they were in our box he would have been pointing to the spot.

Robbie Keane worked hard all game and fully deserved his place. He has done what Defoe has failed to do for a long time – scored a goal and his overall contribution to the team win will see him retain his place. Although Robbie likes a moan and he hasn’t quite got his match sharpness back after warming the bench he is not arrogant like Defoe and, in my opinion, will start a lot more matches in the coming weeks if he keeps up the performances.

COYS!

Wigan Vs. Spurs.

Spurs travel to Wigan tomorrow for a top six encounter. If you had told me that at the beginning of the season I would have laughed and laughed. And then laughed some more. However Wigan are there through merit and have played some good stuff. Although the team is full of people you have never heard off they are playing well, with good organisation and were clearly on a good run. However they were narrowly beaten by the Woolwich nomads last week and this could be a good time to play them. When teams like Wigan, who have been ona great run, suddenly get a bad result one of two thing usually happen. Wigan could bounce back with a great result against Spurs and then go on another good run cementing their place in the top six. However, it could be the start of a lousy run right through Christmas. If Spurs start well and get the early goal we should go on and win it. However, a first goal for Wigan could see Spurs struggle to get back into the game.

Pamarot is recalled into the squad for the first time since his knee injury. Apart from that I expect no changes to the team that drew with West Ham last week.

COYS!

Spurs Punished.

The worst performance by Spurs this season saw West Ham deservedly take a point back to east London. Mido set us on our way before Ferdinand equalised at the death. The West Ham faithful went mad, showing how much more this fixture means to them than it does to us, in London rivalry terms anyhow.

Spurs were better in both halves but there was not much in it. The midfield never really got going and the defending was shocking. How it has gone from so good to so bad in two weeks is beyond me and needs to be rectified ASAP. The inability to hold the ball up and use it wisely also cost us. Davids was keeping the ball well in the corner when Mido dived and gave away possession. A minute or so later we broke and should have gone right towards the corner again. Instead Defoe, the most offside player in the Premiership, was, you guessed it caught offside, and West Ham then won a corner. The ball was soon settling in the back of our net. Well done.

So a crap game with a crap score line. Will the inability to beat the promoted teams again come to haunt us come May? Wigan next.

Teddy returns.

Teddy Sheringham will be warmly welcomed back to White Hart Lane, probably the for the last time as a player, as Spurs entertain the east London wannabes West Ham. However, I thought that two or three years ago and he keeps on going so you never know.

West Ham comes to Spurs looking in quite good shape. When they were promoted I expected a real struggle for them but they have had an excellent start considering the players they have available. With the exception of Sheringham, Zamaora, Reo-Coker, Matthew, “Oops my cross is in the stand again” Etherington and Thomas Repka (for his comical defending that got them relegated in the first place) no one has heard of anyone else which shows just how far West Ham dropped before coming back up.

Spurs will start with Robinson in goal, Lee, Stalteri, King and Dawson across the back four, Lennon, Carrick, Jenas and Davids across the middle with Defoe and Mido up front.

Spurs took only two points from the last three games. Looking at the opposition we faced it is a point improvement over last season but we really should have taken probably 5, beating the scum and taking a point from Bolton so it is important we get back on into winning ways. The league is very tight still and any dodgy results, against the teams who have come up especially, will see us slip towards mid table, again.

Spurs should be looking to win every game between now and the New Year. It’s a tough ask but you need to beat the crap and that is what we face in our next sequence of games taking us into 2006. West Ham will be looking forward to this game as they have seemed to have taken a dislike to the mighty Spurs but I can only see one result tomorrow and that is a Spurs win. While West Ham sold the crown jewels of English football to pay for an over ambitious stadium-building plan Spurs have invested wisely (mainly on the very West Ham players they had to flog) and quality should show through. With only Chelsea and the Scum scoring at WHL and the ‘Ammers on a four match away losing streak it really should be three points tomorrow.

COYS!

Linesman sinks Spurs

A difficult game in difficult conditions saw Spurs slip to their first league away defeat this season. A great strike by Kevin Nolan won the game in what was largely a scrappy affair.

Bolton were better than Spurs in the first half and harried our midfield who found it difficult to supply the front men. Nevertheless we scored an equaliser just minutes after Bolton took the lead but the linesman, who was generally dreadful, ruled it out for offside. Even fat Sam, all credit to him, said it was a goal. Bolton then hit the post.

Spurs were much improved in the second half and played the better football. Bolton were pegged back but defended well. Robbie Keane came on and did ok but nothing spectacular. Jenas hit a great volley which was cleared off the line and Mido was unlucky to hit the post and not the equaliser and the Stalteri hit the bar with a cross turned shot, thanks to the wind.

If the linesman hadn’t being wearing his Bolton kit Spurs would have gone in level and I think would have then pushed on to win the game based on the second half performance. However it was not to be and we take away nothing when we deserved a point.

The next games for Spurs are West Ham, Wigan (A), Sunderland (H), Portsmouth, Middlesboro (A), Birmingham, West Brom (A) and Newcastle. Spurs should be looking to take at least 20 points from those games to get us back into a winning run and set us up very nicely as we go into the new year.

COYS!

Rantings and a match preview.

Spurs play Monday night up at Bolton. Why this fixture is never played at a weekend mystifies me as it is not like it is just down the road. We usually have to journey north on a miserable Wednesday night but this year we get a miserable Monday instead. Results have generally been miserable as well to go along with the miserable football Bolton play and the miserable supporters. Actually I’m amazed anyone will make the trip at all. However, as usual, the superb Spurs support will be there. While Kenyon over with the mafia shouts about how Chelsea are the biggest club in London he fails to back his argument up with any facts. However, I have some to hand and while I’m here I’d like to remind Kenyon that it is Chelsea that has to advertise in the Standard every week as they can’t sell out home fixtures, have 12,000 empty seats for Champions League fixtures and can’t sell out an away allocation at their favourite club (for results anyway) Spurs. Meanwhile we sell out every home and away game and look like to be the first club to sell out the 5,000-allocation Wigan give to away fans. I bet Chelski don’t have 12,000 away applications for Portsmouth away. Anyway, I digress.

Back to Bolton. Never a happy stomping ground for the Lily Whites I expect another tough examination as Bolton try to foul, hoof and kick their way to three points, usually the way of a well worked set piece. All credit to Bolton it works for them but it’s not push and run is it?

Spurs welcome back Edgar Davids and is a game we will need him. Bolton are all about power and Davids will need to work hard along with Carrick and Jenas in the middle breaking up any midfield play Bolton try. Lennon will compliment them on the right wing getting forward as much as possible and I think his pace and trickery will be the key to getting a result on Monday. Lee will provide the width on the left as he pushes forward but we have to be careful we don’t get caught out. King and the excellent Dawson will be the centre back partnership while the inconsistent Stalteri is almost certain to start at right back. After tipping Robbie Keane to start in the last few games I’m giving up. Defoe looked better against the filth but still hasn’t scored since who knows when but it looks like Jol will stick with the Defoe – Mido partnership.

Earlier in the week Jol claimed that there will not be a clearout but we cannot continue with the massive squad we currently have for ever. The wage bill must be enormous and players who don’t play for a while could get unhappy knocking morale of the squad so I expect some movement in the transfer window. This would also boost transfer funds for further strengthening. I expect Sean Davis could well be shipped on along with Michael Brown. Andy Reid, so ineffective against the scum, has had his chance and has not stepped up like his Forest partner Dawson and I wouldn’t be too disappointed to see him leave us in January. One person I do hope we continue to hold on to is Robbie Keane. People moan about him but he is still a quality player and getting a replacement of his ability will be expensive and not easy. Our last striker bought was Rasiak so you have been warned.

COYS!