This is as probably a good a time as ever to take stock of where we are. I see Ossie has come out this morning and called for Arry to be supported in the next transfer window.
I’m not sure that was the problem. Noises coming out of The Lane were that Levy & Co. had no issues with issuing cheques. Remember Arry leaning out his car window telling us that was the case? The problem to my mind was that Arry was far to naffin’ hesitant and ought to have removed from his brain the notion that he could rely upon Crouch & Defoe ‘comin’ good.’
Which brings me neatly onto the rather en vogue line that Redschnapps has taken us as far as he can. Let me point out that I can see his weaknesses. I can see them a mile off. His warmth towards players I would regard as typical West Ham worries me. He is in his heart a West Ham man. It’s in his blood.
But has he taken us as far as he can? This was a charge that has been leveled at him before of course. I’ve referred to him as good fire fighter, but a man that lacks that extra certain something. I’m probably right. But does that mean he has to go?
But look at what he’s actually achieved. Last 8 of the Champions League propels him into the Top Ten managers list, doesn’t it? Spurs sit 5th in the league and they have been loitering in that area like they actually deserve to be there for the bulk of the season.
My very first thought when the INSERT NAME OUT! brigade rock into town is who are you intending to replace him with? ‘Cos I spoke to my dad earlier and he doesn’t want it…
There appears to be a an element of fans that sprinkle magic fairy dust above their heads before screaming for a manager’s head which renders them immune from having to solve the problem they have created.
Sure, if you’ve a lunatic on the premises, say a Ramos who’s clearly on a suicide mission and wants to take Spurs with him – then it’s for the greater good that you bin him at once and worry about the consequences afterwards.
But to seriously call for Arry to go now is madness. Like those who appear to have an irrational hate on for Levy. You want the trouble and pain of which you hint of? You won’t have to wait long.
THFC will almost certainly be flogged off to some Arabs or a conglomerate of Bond Villains within the next 5 to 10 years and then you will see ‘your’ club blaze a trail in the awfulness that City, United and Blackburn have got themselves embroiled in.
Mark my words, the Arry Aters now will look back fondly upon this era as a golden age of financial security with it’s moderate successes. The No To Stratford mob will live to regret that the Club didn’t move. The future of football is a sinister one friends beset with horrific risks.
There will be those who spend their time now wisely preparing for it and those who waste their days expecting Jose Mourinho to come and manage a second tier team in a 36,000 seater stadium to glory.
Now put out those lit torches and have some player ratings.
Gomes – 4 – I maintain he’s a top flight keeper. And not, repeat not a lobotomised oaf from the Planet Spaz. What he needs is a stable, good defense in front of him. Footballers, inc. goalies are fragile little butterflies these days. they like stability and routine. Or their trousers fall down for no apparent reason.
Charlie – 5 – He started at Spurs well but he’s fallen into a routine of the same overlapping runs that rarely produce much that is inspired. And he’s slower than a long wait.
Gallas – 8 – A damn good shift from a Champions League quality player.
Dawson – 8 – If you look back at how he was, which was a hope for the future, he’s developed so incredibly as a player he’s my next tip for a Manchester United bid.
A&E – 7 – One of his better games. My only niggle is his left peg which seems to have one setting. Hacking the the ball like a player who likes to use his 7 iron for every shot.
Azza Blud – 7.268 – Considering he’s been poorly and we usually have to wait three or four games for these ‘racehorses’ to regain their form, we were gifted a decent and committed performance.
Thudd – 7 – Began poorly but soon got into the swing of it. Nothing to blow our minds, but some very useful tackles and always looking to go forwards.
Modders – 8.37 – He’s one another one of those true Champions League class players we have on our books and ought protect and nurture around the clock for ever and ever, Amen.
Bale – 8.832 – A little known fact that he actually has the heart of a lion. Tragic illness as a child in Wales, Tory cutbacks in the local NHS, a local zoo made the offer. The rest is history.
VDV – 6.972 – This guy needs to stamp his names on games more often. This was an extraordinary game, but I mean more in Premiership games. He’s starting to lose possession too frequently. I want him to boss more.
Pav – 7.36 – I believe he’s an amazing player. He’s frustrated the hell out of me too frequently, but my man love burns on regardless. I’d like him selected routinely. He’s talented and smart, more please.
JD – Gave it socks. Really got stuck in. So desperate to recapture his form. Trying so hard on occasion he looks mechanical.
Sandro – Too little time to make an impact but clearly a superb player.
Niko – Difficult to see him with us next season, he clearly didn’t sign up to be a bit player.
I can’t see Capello going until after the Euros and frankly its probably too late for England to replace him at this stage (which of course is why they might being the total tossers they are). However assumining Capello stays for the tournament and Harry escapes a stretch courtesy of HM, he WILL be here next year. The squad needs to be kept together and tweaked…we all know where, but not butchered or cleared out as some are suggesting.
The voices of the players when they speak freely are talking about growing the group and many of the quotes from our top players are twisted or out of context answers from different questions. The group will grow stronger by staying together and adding to it rather than chopping it up.
Not so sure on the ratings Harry. Gomes can’t really use the defence as a scapegoat when they’ve all got 7s and 8s against their names.I thought they were all outstanding; the full backs did really well and the washer’s lad didn’t get a cross all night..in fact I thought A&E was one of the classiest acts on show.
VdV was very busy and imo did more creatively than Modders. Pav was pretty much what we expect a few nice touches but if he don’t score then he’s no better than the rest. I thought tho’ the decision to start him instead of Defoe was a clear signal of Harry’s patience being at an end with our diminuitive friend.
Bale – 8.832 – A little known fact that he actually has the heart of a lion. Tragic illness as a child in Wales, Tory cutbacks in the local NHS, a local zoo made the offer. The rest is history.
Brilliant, Harry
Watched the first half, realised at the end of that 45 mins we wasnt even going to get 1 fukkin goal, so I got my tart to give me a nosh while dreaming of getting 4th place this year to qualify for next years Chumps league!!! To say Im really fukkin disappointed at such a miserable exit from this year is an understatement!! The ref sucked Mourinhos cock on every major decision, but thats how football is nowadays with so many sh!t referees in the game! How the fuk can we go down 5-0 and not even score 1 legal fukkin goal in 3 hours on the pitch!!?? Crouch and Defooey need to fuk off back to the cockney pikey cnts and their new 60,000 half empty stadium as soon as someone opens the dressing room door and says, “Now fuk off you useless pair of cnts!!!” I think Crouch knows hes out at the end of this year, and his sending off in the first leg was payback to Arry. Defooey is and always will be a lightweight in the PL…hes just not physically tough enough to play with the real men! All I can hope for now is that McClunkey beats the Bolton Bumfighter in Saturdays title fight.
Now you might not agree with all he says but the boy can certainly paint a picture….
Top Tottys, you should be with Hansen and co on MOTD. I’d watch.
Tevez out for 4 weeks. Man City’s trip to Liverpool is the gift that keep on giving.
Firstly, I shall disagree with Modders’ high score. I thought he lost the ball far too much when in possession, and this was either in being tackled, or rushing a pass when harried. He was one of the worst players on the pitch for me.
Pav is not useless (I note Harry you didn’t say this but others before me have banged this drum) – and his count of 65 games is terribly misleading as any number of those appearances have been as sub, and he’s NEVER had a particularly solid run of games as starter.
As for the Harry out, well, I certainly am no massive fan of his, but even I can concede that if he can’t be improved on – then there’s little point wishing him away. Better the devil you know, and all that. I suppose – if he can finally work out that Defoe is shite, Crouch isn’t very good, VdV does not have to be played if not 100% etc., and that 65 minutes of an unfit player is not neccesarily better than having a Krankie, a Sandro or even one of the two aforementioned reject re-purchases in the Starting XI. Shit, I even think if Robbie Keane had not have been farmed out to the Hammers he could have played the stock VdV role. Anyway, onwards and upwards… hopefully.