Bring On The Boro...

1. I was impressed again by Gomes -- took charge on set piece, controlled his area and had quick reflexes when Thud was outmanouvered.

2. We desperatley need Hutoon and Woody by August 16th.

3. O'hara played a nice sweeping roll today and got forward well for his goal. (nice pass from the economist!)

4. Bale looked razor sharp.

5. Berba's did not want to play, his mind was elewhere.

6. COYS. I like wahet JR is building.

My one worry about the team so far is that Gareth Bale doesn't seem to have found a hair grip that stays in!! He stopped to push it back in at least 3 times!!

Agreed Harry. Great team spirit bar the wantaway sulk. Berba not really being part of the team, the only dark cloud taking away from the tournaments silver lining.

Gio is an amazing talent, bargain buy of the transfer window for me. Bent - another 45mins another goal. Nice cameo by Adam (who?) Smith - unlucky with the offside and lovely measured assist.

PS Glad to see Bale survive the nasty tackles he was being victimised with in the first half.

First silverware to Spurs.

Celtic going for their 2nd wooden spoon of pre-season....

Gio Gio Gio!!! Hope the lad gets his chance in the first game against 'boro. A good showing from him, a win for spurs and this kid could be what we have been looking for.. just look at the pass for Bentleys pen that we never got!!

Hi Harry,

Good post, but I'm still worried about the defence (yes - even after two clean sheets). If we have Hudd and Dawson against anyone except Hull or Stoke and we'll lose.

Also, I think we need either Modric or Berbatov in the team (both would be nice) to maintain possesion. We were giving the ball away for fun in the first half - it was just like the bad not-so-old days.

Not pouring cold water and I'm a spurs fan.
Watch the a5ena1 in the emirates cup and our afternoon stroll in Holland.We need to step up to have any chance to break into top 4.
All the fitness training is not going to make Huddlestone any faster.The same old problems with the same old players. Hopefully we are relaxing before the real thing.
Berbatov is not sulking ..lay off him.

Same old same old.

Berba sulks, Dawson still looks like an oaf even against weak attackers, and Zokora charges blindly into the space (holding onto the ball too long) when we have a promising counter.

On the plus side, Bale looks seriously good, O'Hara looks more assured than last year and might develop into the midfield general we need, GDS has world class potential and Bent is a predator without an ego problem.

But in this kind of fixture, I'm not getting over-excited by our performances. Despite two clean sheets, we look shaky at the back and (as yet) lack a true ball-winning midfielder.

Gio really is gonna be a star for us this season - totally agree with Trembly & Marky. Really pleased for Smith as well. Nice to see youngsters starting to get games.

Give Berba a break, he doesnt have to run around like a headless chicken. Almost on every occassion he kept possession when he had the ball, and a couple of smiles too. The guy is a class act whether you like it or not. Keeping him as our pinacle man up front sees us with a great chance of having a wonderful season. sure bent is getting the goals and we need that but everytime berba gets the ball it is poetry.

I think the lads are playing really well considering many of them haven't had a chance to gel yet and Modric didn't even play!

I like the tempo, making the opposition work for the ball, patient build up, pulling Dortmunds defence out of position and exploiting the gaps with the youngsters' pace.

I disagree about Berba. I think he played well, got a knock early on and was worried about worsening it. Dortmund were clearly worried bout him and kicked him, along with Bale and Bentley all over the park. Berba played some fantastic passes and showed good vision. Come the day of the race, lining up against Boro, I believe he will give 100%. I even saw him wink and smile at JJ (I would be careful doing too much of that!)

The Octopus, also proved his nickname. His reach is phenomenal, commands the box and is an excellent shot stopper.

I think we need a centreback, Woody and Ledley are well known by every physio at the club and they will need quality cover.

All in all, I dont think many teams will look forward to playing us next season, even the top 4.

Reply to J:

Not pouring cold water and I'm a spurs fan.
Watch the a5ena1 in the emirates cup and our afternoon stroll in Holland.We need to step up to have any chance to break into top 4.
All the fitness training is not going to make Huddlestone any faster.The same old problems with the same old...

Berba IS sulking...and playing at a ridiculously slow tempo. Forget his nice touches, he lost the ball more than most today and simply is not up for the fight.

Re: BruceCastle.
Ho Ho Smith-Economist-Nice .Still Think We Need a JM Keynes DM as Zokopops was poo poo again .Saw ramos give him lots of training ground hugs and stuff - worrying to say the least .Off to pompey with him and get in Gattuso or the like , only then can we spare any thought of the top four !!
Nice one benty working hard and flowing with confidence and apparent fitness , a reflection of the rest of 'em bar the 2nd greatest Living Bulgarian Footballer ! Roll On Boro !COYS.

Berba's brain has left the building.

Alex come and get him, £30m please.

All the pre-season served a good purpose - the togetherness of the team - everybody seems to be enjoying it. We just need them to perform like today and friday against the lower teams of the division where we gave up points last season.
BUT where is Hutton and another experienced centre half - is there another woody out there?

LORD OF THE WING
do you know what the bhoys chant about gazza was?


can anyone dismiss this orrible rumour about forlan?

How many times can we say "FUCK OFF BERBATOV YOU MOODY TWAT"?

There. Spurs looked pretty fluid. Nice to see some new faces being given a chance - Adam Smith, for example.

Anyway we all know my feelings on Berba. I was congratulating myself for not maintaining my venomous streak during the past couple of months, but I just don't want to see him in a Spurs shirt anymore. Even if it is as a substitute.

Who would have thought it? Did Berba really come on as a sub so we could wrap Darren Bent in cotton wool? Love it and love the way we are playing. Even if it's the way we're playing in "two bob friendlies".

Dos Santos is our new hero. And it is soooo nice to see a guy smile so much. Quite the opposite of Dimitar, very refreshing indeed.

Reply to summerspur:

LORD OF THE WING
do you know what the bhoys chant about gazza was?


can anyone dismiss this orrible rumour about forlan?

The one that was heard last season -albeit very briefly- was "Gazza's a psycho" repeated over and over...

Mart- 'he who must not be named' said at the beginning of last season that he had asked Berba to try and score a goal before Christmas. When he scored 4 against Reading at the end of December he doubled his goal tally. Berba is not likely to contribute much until 2009 even if he stays. Mind I agree he is not sulking thats just the way he looks. However if Darren makes him spend a couple of months on the bench he might get really moody.

Great result and some good finishing by the young guys. Was happy to see Smith not only get some minutes on teh pitch, but also a good assist in the process.


What do you guys think about Bent wearing #10? With his current form, I certainly won't argue...

Reply to J:

Not pouring cold water and I'm a spurs fan.
Watch the a5ena1 in the emirates cup and our afternoon stroll in Holland.We need to step up to have any chance to break into top 4.
All the fitness training is not going to make Huddlestone any faster.The same old problems with the same old...

fuck off.

the same old problems? what the fuck are you talking about. We are purring like a kitten beating everyone put in front of us and playing superb football to boot.

just fuck off. you piss me off you boring little twatty whiner.

for a complete egowank like Berbatov the distinct and sudden lack of interest in him from his suitors and his current club must be hard to take.

Hero to unwanted zero. yesterdays papers. i feel for him. poor little mite.

Yeah couldtn agree more, not the hardest ame for us but then we didnt field our strongest team. Things are lookin good for us at the moment but htne saying that we cruised through last years friendlys and then it went tits up.
I can see Berbs stayin now not because he wants to or the board wants to keep him but due to the fact we cant find a replacement!!!

Roll on Boro... 3 points me thinks~!!

BIOYFC

Agreed with dos santos, lovely seeing a smiling face wearing a Tottenham shirt. HOPEFULLY, that will rub off on some of the other spurs boys, berba even, come on berba even you had a smile today. Team looking young, fresh, dynamic, show them that you can lead the line up front and drop deep when you have to, show them that class, that vision, that ability to get out of situations with 3 around you. At United you will just be another star, playing with an all star line up. At spurs you can be the pinacle, in those big games when it matters turn on the style and do something special that not many in the world could do. Senor Ramos is building a young , fresh talented team here, players with flair, poise, ability, get arshavin to cover that left side and we have 4 midfielders that can interchange, mazing, will have managers and defences bamboozled. Tell ya, we are amassing a serious team now at the lane. I was never a fan of jol, nice guy and all but never had the tactical Know how, never had the ability to inspire players and make them believe that they are champions. Ramos is doing that, and delivering the carling cup in that short space of time is impressive, especially as there are only 4 prizes you can win, and we had not done so in 9 years.

This gaffer of ours is serious, he is a fair man and again proved that today with young smith. Who is that? I asked when I saw him come on.

And surprise surprise, comes out of now where from right back, (a position we could have trouble with if hutton is out( recieves the ball and puts it on the plate for o hara.

I dont think this season we will break into the top 4, but I have a tiny bit of hope, that says if things click and after 6 games we are in contention it could happen. Berba if we are not in contention by Jan will leave then. Ramos might have said look if we are not up here in Jan you can go, at least give me a chance to show you. And Ramos commands respect, a man of his word.

Benty arguably earnt his detractors last season. Arguably only in that we didn't see too much of him and statistically he wasn't a disaster.

Okay, JGM's 'Armstrong 2.0' last season was so bloody funny Bent could have scored every game and some of us would have still been saying, "Still waiting for the £16 mill to really kick in."

So Bent has earnt his praise. Nine goals. Thank you, I grasped they weren't against PL top four sides, but he must be feeling it's back.

No coincidence that his ability to shoot to kill policy has rolled out just as we have loaded our midfield with invention and class.

J2S. What a find. Looks about 15, be amazed if he lands as few goals next term. And well said on the smile comment. I know it isn't compulsory, but what a great sight. Someone enjoying it.

Bentley is a find. Not only wants to be there but briming with what can only be descibed as daring do.

We have won a second tier trophy, sure. But the manner in which we did so is the gig.

Lost your kitten? Kite stuck in a tree? Girlfriend doesn't love you anymore?

DON'T call JGM on 1800 666 666




Couldn't agree more. We are playing sweet push and run - and finishing like a really expensive Swiss finishing school. That finishes expensively. Er..

hypothetical question.

If Bent wasnt a 16m turkey does that mean Comolli is doing a decent job?

Never been a comolli basher myself but many Spurs fans have lower opinion of him than Myra Hindley - it is beginging to seem to me his list of pretty fucking amazing signings are growing by the week.

Can anyone tell me what is actually wrong with Hutton? I've heard/read nothing, which is very unusual these days. He's obviously injured, but what is it? Berbatov - silky but sulky vs Borussia. We need that matter settled one way or the other ASAP. My choice to replace him would be Huntelaar. We must find a holding midfielder (Albelda?) and a reliable centre-back (don't know) before the start of the season. Otherwise it's all very encouraging, esp if the remaining dipsticks (K-P B, RR, YPL, YK) all leave. But am I right in thinking we STILL haven't signed a left-sided midfielder? Bizarre.

Reply to Russell Hope:

Can anyone tell me what is actually wrong with Hutton? I've heard/read nothing, which is very unusual these days. He's obviously injured, but what is it? Berbatov - silky but sulky vs Borussia. We need that matter settled one way or the other ASAP. My choice to replace him would be Huntelaar. We...

Your right no natural left winger BUT!

We have signed Bently and Gio.

Gio can play left wing and with Bently in the team Lennon will be playing mostly on the left wing again.

Reply to jolsgonemental:

hypothetical question.

If Bent wasnt a 16m turkey does that mean Comolli is doing a decent job?

Never been a comolli basher myself but many Spurs fans have lower opinion of him than Myra Hindley - it is beginging to seem to me his list of pretty fucking amazing...

Last time I agreed openly with you twice in one blog I was accused of being you and equally unpleasantly it was suggested having some kind of 'bottom orientated relationship' with you, so I'll keep this brief.

The Comolli bashing eminates from a very narrow band of urchin who forgets both the good he has/is obviously doing and that the boy with the 1st from Cambridge is his immeadiate master.

Dont crucify Berba when we win, do it when we're losing and he's just walking around not caring.
As Usual he had some nice touches, his 1st touch was a perfect through ball for J2S which shouldve been finished.
Berba is class, he knew he didnt have to come out of 2nd gear.

IF berba had refused to play... then get on his back, but he came on & did what everyone expected him to do...the bare minimum. Im sure if he dont get his move he'll play for us happily and score 20+ as usual, Berba aint stupid, he knows Modric and J2S are class, and that he'd score a ton off Bale & Bentley crosses, and that Arshavin will be class also, he can see what Ramos is building, that's why he's not said a word & just done what's asked of him... so dont knock him guys.
If Ramos really wanted rid of him, he would be.

Gomes played well in goal.
Bale did well down left, would still like to see him play LB.
O'Hara did really well as holding Midfielder.
Disapponted with Daws and Hudd @ the back, not good enough today, same for Gilberto, I'd say Zokora was average.
JJ didnt do much apart from create the 1st goal.
J2S & Bentley did really well.
Bent got his goal, worked hard and deserves to start against Boro.
I wonder if JR was trying Mr Smith incase Hutton is out for longer and Gunter gets injured, he did so well, cant believe I aint heard of him before.

Harry:

The picture next to your name is that a picture of you mate?

We need a song for Gio

Oh Gio Gio
What ever will be will be
Your going to Wembely

ECT ECT

Celtic were awful the other day and the germans not much better. I am worried about our back4 apart from Gomes who looked good. Agree with Bale as left back rather than left midfield zokora ? right back god help us....

Harry, dont usually post just enjoy the read.
very optimistic about next season - Ramos was the key and will deliver. Do you have any knowledge on Arshavin...Agent saying it will be completed this week and others saying we have withdrawn?? Love it, if we got him too. Modric, Bentley, Dos Santos are very impressive signings and if we land Arshavin then i really think we will compete for top 4.

Reply to rice wirless:

Celtic were awful the other day and the germans not much better. I am worried about our back4 apart from Gomes who looked good. Agree with Bale as left back rather than left midfield zokora ? right back god help us....

We kept a clean sheet twice with a poor defence!!!!! FFS

Bale can play where ever he fuckin wants too!!!!

my take on the game...if anyone cares;

by keeping possesion we tire and almost bore the opponents into pushing up against our midfield to try and get the fucking round object back, very tiring, hence why with our quality midfield holding the ball htye are too shattered to keep defending well. this is proved by our 2nd half goals in pre-season. Ramos and his team have finally made Spurs realise by keeping the ball (and that includes the boring stuff across the back four)they almost drain the life out of teams.

Now if we can keep the ball this well in the PL we are seriously onto something. The key I am afriad to say is not just our midfielders but Berba or someone as good with a first touch that allows us to re-shape, we need to keep the sulky twat; it fuckin pains me to say it.

anyone else out there who could do what he does?

please educate me?

am inpressed with the signings Ramos has made, there is real star quality about them. However we need a defensive midfielder badly in my opinion and we need reinforcements in defence- every spurs fan can see this, surely the manager and board can see this as well?!!! Also need to repalce keano and berba and if im really greedy can we have capel on the left as well?! So thats at least five more players to make us a top 4 team in my opinion........will also mean we dont have to watch the lieks of jenas and zorkora in midfield anymore!!!! lets face it the liske of these two aint gonna get us into top four are they? COYS!

Reply to danny:

Harry:

The picture next to your name is that a picture of you mate?

No, you lunatic.

It's Peter Sellers.

The movie is Dr Strangelove.

Bruce Castle is actually his pic though. And don't lend him any money.

Reply to HarryHotspur:

Reply to danny:

Harry:

The picture next to your name is that a picture of you mate?

No, you lunatic.

It's Peter Sellers.

The movie is Dr Strangelove.

Bruce Castle is actually his pic though. And don't lend him any money.

I was thinking as i was typing that question

"this is going to bite me in the ass"

LOL

Reply to stupot:

Harry, dont usually post just enjoy the read.
very optimistic about next season - Ramos was the key and will deliver. Do you have any knowledge on Arshavin...Agent saying it will be completed this week and others saying we have withdrawn?? Love it, if we got him too. Modric, Bentley, Dos...

Listen mate, you're very welcome because you constitute part of the 40,000+ pwk that are now clicking on this guff.

The Arshavin deal is a real mess. All the nonsense of my undercover stuff etc barely goes to prove how big.

Will he sign? I sincerely hope so. Will Levy find his way thru the maze of double talk and avarice?

Ha.

No better man.

Reply to becks_the_yido:

Reply to HarryHotspur:

Reply to danny:

Harry:

The picture next to your name is that a picture of you mate?

No, you lunatic.

It's Peter Sellers.

The movie is Dr Strangelove.

Bruce Castle is actually his pic though. And don't lend him any money.

I was thinking as i was typing that question

"this is going to bite me in the ass"

LOL

No bottoms munched on my shift.

We were playing lovely football keeping the ball on the floor whenever possible. Apart from Dawson, who is too prone to hoofing it forward when an easy pass will do.

I thought Berba's commitment was a lot better today, he tracked back well and made an effort to get the ball rather than for the ball to find him - maybe he now knows that the tactics are not centred around him anymore.

The Boys are looking great I am so glad not to see the goalie banging the ball long to one striker hoping he can knock it on to the other one. HH any idea whether the Diego Forlan or Ashton Rumours are true I do think we need another striker incase Berb does go. also any news if we are gonna get some cover for Leders and Woody.

Reply to Chingford Spur:

Reply to J:

Not pouring cold water and I'm a spurs fan.
Watch the a5ena1 in the emirates cup and our afternoon stroll in Holland.We need to step up to have any chance to break into top 4.
All the fitness training is not going to make Huddlestone any faster.The same old problems with the same old...

Berba IS sulking...and playing at a ridiculously slow tempo. Forget his nice touches, he lost the ball more than most today and simply is not up for the fight.

well they say its a game of opinion and mine is i simply cant agree, Berbs has ALWAYS played the smae way, when he is scoring and not linked to Manure his attitude is considered fine, when he is not scoring etc etc hIS attitude apparently stinks. can we please lay off him till he has gone?????

personally when i saw him, GDS and Bentley knocking it around together i was loving it, just wanna see Modric and maybe an Arshavin or Capel with them too.

Also agree with the comments about needing another centeback, no question, but im guessing Ramos is waiting to sell Kaboul and Rocha before anything happens there.

Amyway HH love the site (been watching from afar LOL) keep up the good work.

One thing that beats me is why are we not playing Kaboul/Rocha when we are so short of defenders due to injurys and players needing to be rested....?

Surely if they play if helps when trying to sell them?

Don't want to get too carried away, but it's becoming harder by the game, if you know what I mean?

As others have already pointed out, it's all about possession and loads of it out on the wings.

Nice to see the goals going in from different players as well. GDS is beginning to erase the memory of that Irish bloke quicker than the Haitian fella from Heroes.

Gomes is looking more assured by the game, I can't remember him lumping the ball up field more than twice since being in the team.

A little bit worried about the fitness of our back line, but I'm sure Ramos won't leave anything to chance.

Can't wait till Sunday, let's hope Arshavin is a Spur by then too.

Its all been said but as I'm not quite ready for bed and dont want to watch the repeat of the goons' superloyal striker finally managing to get a shot (pen) on target, I was pretty impressed with all positions bar the back four. The ones that started simply dont have the pace/positioning/nous for the premiership - lack of woody/king/hutton and any explanation is worrying - more so than whether we keep berb or let him go and replace him. I really think BD were poor - if Modric had been on the pitch we'd have scored hatfuls.

Reply to becks_the_yido:

One thing that beats me is why are we not playing Kaboul/Rocha when we are so short of defenders due to injurys and players needing to be rested....?

Surely if they play if helps when trying to sell them?

Problem surely is a BUY ONE GET ONE FREE stickers...?

Reply to becks_the_yido:

One thing that beats me is why are we not playing Kaboul/Rocha when we are so short of defenders due to injurys and players needing to be rested....?

Surely if they play if helps when trying to sell them?

good question but Ramos must have his reasons, with Kaboul i think he burned his own bridge by slagging off the boss, with Rocha?? i just dont think Ramos rates him.

but YP Lee, Kaboul and Rocha gone we shold have the xtra cash/saved wages to get an experianced centre half.

COYS

Reply to TMWNN:

Don't want to get too carried away, but it's becoming harder by the game, if you know what I mean?

As others have already pointed out, it's all about possession and loads of it out on the wings.

Nice to see the goals going in from different players as well. GDS is...

What Irish bloke m8???

Reply to jolsgonemental:

Reply to J:

Not pouring cold water and I'm a spurs fan.
Watch the a5ena1 in the emirates cup and our afternoon stroll in Holland.We need to step up to have any chance to break into top 4.
All the fitness training is not going to make Huddlestone any faster.The same old problems with the same old...

fuck off.

the same old problems? what the fuck are you talking about. We are purring like a kitten beating everyone put in front of us and playing superb football to boot.

just fuck off. you piss me off you boring little twatty whiner.

Firstly, watch your language towards fellow fans. Secondly, get a grip. The poster was right in my opinion - it was only a freidnly, sure, but I was thoroughly depressed at half time and the familiar relapse into a bunch of softies, weak at centre back, careless pasing from JJ and O'Hara (why do both constantly underhit passes?). I'm not moaning, just saying what I think. Say what you like mate, but if we start with that centre midfield and centre back pairing against Boro, they'll take us apart. On the plus side, Bent looks good (personally I never had any doubts about him), Dos Santos exciting, Bale is back and Berba is still at the club - a class act (there are some serious half-wits out there if they couldnt see his quality today). And of course Modric to come - special player for sure

Cheers for getting the goal links up HH.

Sadly I have been stuck in Aberdeen for the a whole long weekend for a wedding thereby missing out on 2 delightful looking friendlies.

Goals look great, play looks exciting, lets just hope it all carries on in the league!

Reply to WhiteyThomson:

Cheers for getting the goal links up HH.

Sadly I have been stuck in Aberdeen for the a whole long weekend for a wedding thereby missing out on 2 delightful looking friendlies.

Goals look great, play looks exciting, lets just hope it all carries on in the league!

LINK
LINKvkbpu9nbtzz#

I dunno if anyone has asked or mentioned... But whats the score with Alan Hutton? Is he injured or what?

Harry,

I was thinking about the timing of the Arshavin news stories and I got a suspicion that the whole media circus around the spurs bid was a way of getting 'Harry Redknap' to close on his deal. I think it was the day after you told your agent you weren't interested that the story came out that the spurs bid had been rejected.

Just a thought, but it would be funny if it were true.

Reply to Paul:

Reply to jolsgonemental:

Reply to J:

Not pouring cold water and I'm a spurs fan.
Watch the a5ena1 in the emirates cup and our afternoon stroll in Holland.We need to step up to have any chance to break into top 4.
All the fitness training is not going to make Huddlestone any faster.The same old problems with the same old...

fuck off.

the same old problems? what the fuck are you talking about. We are purring like a kitten beating everyone put in front of us and playing superb football to boot.

just fuck off. you piss me off you boring little twatty whiner.

Firstly, watch your language towards fellow fans. Secondly, get a grip. The poster was right in my opinion - it was only a freidnly, sure, but I was thoroughly depressed at half time and the familiar relapse into a bunch of softies, weak at centre back, careless pasing from JJ and O'Hara (why do...

Oi Paul. Do lighten up. And while you're at it, why not fuck off? Berba played with 100% total uninterest; for you and those who can't see it - fuck off.

Hutton anyone?????

Reply to theoriginaldannyboy:

Reply to Paul:

Reply to jolsgonemental:

Reply to J:

Not pouring cold water and I'm a spurs fan.
Watch the a5ena1 in the emirates cup and our afternoon stroll in Holland.We need to step up to have any chance to break into top 4.
All the fitness training is not going to make Huddlestone any faster.The same old problems with the same old...

fuck off.

the same old problems? what the fuck are you talking about. We are purring like a kitten beating everyone put in front of us and playing superb football to boot.

just fuck off. you piss me off you boring little twatty whiner.

Firstly, watch your language towards fellow fans. Secondly, get a grip. The poster was right in my opinion - it was only a freidnly, sure, but I was thoroughly depressed at half time and the familiar relapse into a bunch of softies, weak at centre back, careless pasing from JJ and O'Hara (why do...

Oi Paul. Do lighten up. And while you're at it, why not fuck off? Berba played with 100% total uninterest; for you and those who can't see it - fuck off.

My langauge won't be quite as strong, but it was fucking obvious....Berbasoff is no longer with us in his mind. Face it.

Reply to Longlivetheking26:

Hutton anyone?????

hutton has gout from what i heard
dunno how long that means he out for...

even though last night was a friendly it's clear to see that berba needs to do one. there is some fantastic team spirit being built, evidenced by the play on the field and all the media published from the players stating their admiration for the cause.

berba has, like keane, said nothing and his body language is more obvious than ever. yes it's a meaningless game but smith still gave everything, as did o'hara and both of them know their chances will be limited come actual season start. berba really should be trying.

the other thing is that bent is on fire and i really wonder whether ramos has a nads to put him on from the start. there was a lot made of his team over star preference but deep within all of us we know we'd rather start with berba than bent, even if the sulker can't be arsed in the slightest.

berba either knuckles down and does a total reverse on his moody attitude or does one to the continent. i love the guy and hope he realises he can do great things here. someone mentioned he give it until january which could be the best answer.

BAAAAAAAA

nice game guys,congratulatons

berba plays for himself. he's not sweatin for the team.
if he's benched, his price will go down, if he plays, he's not gonna give 100% for the team & cause.
he'll only be a plague if he stays.

Hmmmmmm. Its good to see us winning and its a good habit to adopt in pre-season although a fighting Boro' might just be like a bucket of cold water after a cruisy tournament.

I still worry we are a soft touch, especially straight down the middle. We've shored up the flanks a bit but our spine is still suspect and with all the Arshavin/Pav'ko speculation, we've overlooked THFCs biggest perennial weakness, a defensive midfield guv'nor. I'm talking the Roy Keane/Dave Mackay/Viera type player and I'm far from convinced that either Hudd or Zakora can do the job. Hudds got the passing skill, Zakora will run into people: neither seems to be able to do both.

We also look potentially soft in depth in central defence, whilst Ledders or Woodgate with each other or Dawson is fairly solid, it is unstable and will prove to be inconsistent in a spot where consistency is a building block of any good side.

Berbatov, Keane and the Russians are distracting us from these key areas (IMO) to the extent that the apparent spend required up front, will make spending on a quality backbone that much harder to justify to the beancounters.

Until we fix this we will be too easy to beat by route one football, doing well and even holding our own against the top 4 does not make up for losing points to the sides who end up relegated who just turn boot us around a bit and play kick and run.

63.jme

Berba can stay until January? What, until he changes his mind you mean and disrupt our plans half way through the season? NO. He either plays with a smile on his face and commits at least for the next 2 seasons, or he can fuck off. NOW. Someone else mentioned it - team spirit - everyone else is playing with a smile on his face, if we aint careful, he will have a negative influence on the rest of the players. So my message to Berba, who on his day, when he wants, is pure class - either grow up, smile, knuckle down or fuck right off. NOW. Personally, I'm sick of having to keep writing and reading the same old shit.
COYS

Just saw this interview with Benty on skysports LINK
He looks like he's keeping his cool, and then talk about team spirit - Zok looks over the moon as he busts in on the interview holding his jubilaeum medal, hopefully not the only time we see them do that this season.

Dannyboy I agree. 100% Bollocks to any January talk. Berba is perfectly sulking his way to a move as I and others have mentioned before. Benched = less money. On the pitch = not bothered/detrimental.

However I think Ramos is playing the game just as well. None of the management are showing any signs of being pissed off with him. From Clive Allen sharing a joke on the bench, to Ramos leaving the door open for him to still be a part of the team, by playing him and saying "look you're still in my plans even if everything is up in the air at the moment". I think we've played this much better than Villas approach to Barry who's a cert to go now, but Berba's still in the air, and if he does one - then we'll be quids in, through the grace and business nous of Dan Levy.

Although Berba is still pissing me off, it didn't seem to affect the team as much yesterday as it did last season. It was like, they knew they had to work harder with him in the team because he wasn't giving it his all, sort of like a kid is told by his mum to ignore the sulking child in the corner. This interview piece shows the team is still intact and either way - we're going to have a hell of a season.

Reply to Jo:

BAAAAAAAA

THFC would like to thank our Welsh supporters for their kinds words.

And yes Gareth Bale will be available to sign autographs once we've completely combed the Feijenoord Stadion and found his missing hair clip.

Great results over the weekend!

Firstly.. We put the deluded celtic fans in their place with a display of dominant, confident, passing football that they never even came close to matching. Bent looks as sharp as a tack and was majorly impressed with his strength and speed, Bentley & Luka look assured and quality signings. Zokora played well at RB and Gomes looks like he wants to come and claim every ball into the box.

Secondly... The dortmund game was another impressie show. You had the feeling that we had around 2-3 extra gears to go through if we wanted to but obviously didnt need against a poor Dortmund side. Gio played fantastically again & took his goal with aplomb, O'Hara impressed in his holding role in CM, Zokora had another assured game in the RB position and Bale looked really good despite the RB trying to hack him to bits!!

Things we learned from the Feyenoord Jubileum Tournament:
1: Berbatov - Please go now. His whining and moaning when passes and touches didnt go his way was so frustrating to see. Especiall when Bent is running his nuts off for the team at present.
2: Bent deserves a start against Boro and deserves the full backing of every Spurs fan. His committment and work rate has been fantastic this last week and the confidence he is showing in taking his goals has been amazing.
3: Bentley & Lennon will fight it out to the death for the RW slot. I've been the little mans prime enemy in recent times but he has looked good in the friendlies so far. Bentley's delivery and versatility will probably shade it though.
4: Zokora should be kept and we should exploit his versatility more often, impressed at RB and CDM over the weekend.
5: Modric & Gio are fantastic signings, and on their way to being WHL greats. Gio's finish highlighted what a sfabulous player we have, while Modric's knitting together of play against Celtic was brilliant.

Cant wait for the season to start! Middlesborough are you ready?????

You gotta love Zokora:

"Benty's confidence keeps growing and I was also very happy for David Bentley to score in his first game.

"He, Luka and Gio have all scored for the Club already but I am still waiting after two years! But the most important thing is the team doing well."

By the looks of his shooting and crossing over the weekend he'll have to wait another two years just to get an assist yet alone a goal!

Reply to HarryHotspur:

Reply to WhiteyThomson:

Cheers for getting the goal links up HH.

Sadly I have been stuck in Aberdeen for the a whole long weekend for a wedding thereby missing out on 2 delightful looking friendlies.

Goals look great, play looks exciting, lets just hope it all carries on in the league!

LINK
LINKvkbpu9nbtzz#

Genius!

Kwakspur
"JJ didnt do much apart from create the 1st goal."
Really? Who played the killer pass for GDS' second? Who was named "player of the tournament" by the unbiased organisers? I can recommend a good opticians - though removal of blinkers requires surgery.

Hey, Paul - I take you're fairly new to this site (and, especially, the previous incarnation). JGM has history - he's 100% Spurs, but his tone has been twisted by the failure of his marriage guidance counselling business and the rejection of his application for the diplomatic service.

Given the fact that JJ attended the press conferences, collected the trophy and held on to the armband after King came on the other day, I'd have to assume he is now our "On-Field" Captain. With Ledders being the Club Captain.

Reply to PLN:

Given the fact that JJ attended the press conferences, collected the trophy and held on to the armband after King came on the other day, I'd have to assume he is now our "On-Field" Captain. With Ledders being the Club Captain.

I'd say that makes sense.

But then ask everyone.... Is this either normal /or can anyone tell me a of a similar scenario that occured at any other club?

I agree with most of the post here, we played some nice fluid football, and I really feel we could have stepped it up a gear if we wanted to.

But Zokora!!! Can someone tell him he does not have to do a 180 every time he gets the ball!!!

If his job was to break up the play, he did it with aplomb but against his own team!!

His enthusiasm for the game can not be ever be in doubt, but he realistically can only be used as back up.

I can think of one other situation where it happened. Redknapp at Liverpool.
If Jenas does get the captains job at least it'll tell us that King is winding down now.

IMO if JJ gets the Captaincy then 2 things.

1) Well done JJ. You have the job that all spurs fans have dreamt of since childhood.
2) It seems a strange choice as JJ is one of thos players who can go missing for large parts of games (and I'm a JJ fan! lol)

After watching all the pre-season games bar the Orient friendly I'm still struggling to see where JJ fits in to the new midfield. Against Norwich he started as a CDM then pushed on to CAM in the second. Last night he played more right of the midfield but again more of a CAM.

My Preferred midfield:

Hudd

Bentley - JJ - Modric - J2S

JJ & Modric have shown they can stick their foot in when needed and both seem to have good engines, which would enable them to drop back and support Hudd when needed.

He's gone!

I've asked if anyone knows for sure what's up with Alan Hutton. Someone's said he's got gout. Now, if that's not a wind-up, I can tell you that, while excruciating, it can be vercome by pain-killers and anti-inflammatories. It shouldn't prevent him playing footie. So, come on guys, someone must know what's going on. Harry - you said a while ago he'd hurt his ankle - is that true?

Reply to Juande_Pablos:

We were playing lovely football keeping the ball on the floor whenever possible. Apart from Dawson, who is too prone to hoofing it forward when an easy pass will do.

I thought Berba's commitment was a lot better today, he tracked back well and made an effort to get the ball rather...

good point about Daws hoofing it .. in fact one thing I really like about Spurs in pre season is the fact our keeper is not prone to the same shite .. likes to spread it accross the back .. patient. Proper footy.

Reply to PLN:

I can think of one other situation where it happened. Redknapp at Liverpool.
If Jenas does get the captains job at least it'll tell us that King is winding down now.

Good point.

Well impressed with Adam Smith, want to see more from this kid.

Just one thing I want to add that I don't think anyone else had said so far.

Martin Jol winning a trophy at the emirates this weekend.

i agree with you Dannyboy.. we need the Berba situation sorted right away.. but anyone who didn't think he was class yesterday knows nothing of football..
if he came on yesterday and scored a hat-trick people on here would still say he was sulking... it's becoming a bit comical.. the man is class. the game yesterday was an absolute bore until he came on in the second half..
and he winked and smiled at JJ - the moody bastard.. and check out that picture of him smiling during the presentation of the trophy..

Bent never smiles after he scores a goal.. so by the same token he's obviously not playing with his heart and is a moody so and so and wants out..

GOMES: (10)
get's ten not because he outstanding but for being flawless..

ZOK: (7)
good defending, good fgoing forward but a worse final ball than Lennon of last year.

DAWS: (7)
sure he looks panicky but was undeniably solid..

BIG TOM: (7)
positioning was good bar one slip up in the 1st half..

GILBERTO: (5.5)
forgot he was playing..

BENTLEY: (6)
alright..

JJ: (6.5)
largely invisible again but two fantastic assists.. somehow awarded player of the tournament?? figure that one out..

O'HARA: (6.5)
energetic and eager and a good goal but he won't get anywhere near the team come August 16th..

BALER: (6.5)
was ok.. he's undeniably class but may have been phsyched out of it a bit by those early challenges..

BENT: (7)
a goal but not a whole lot else.. i'm slightly worried but then again with the service he's likely to be getting all season, there's no better man to bang them in..

GIO: (7.1)
a star..

BERB: (7.05)
no sulking, just great play, offers so much more than anyone else on the pitch

LENNON: (6)
same boat as O'Hara.

GUNTER: (6)
meh..

SMITH: (6.
refreshingly good.. fair play..

We still need a total ba5tard of a DM; and a pacey, seasoned CB. (Although I've heard Ledley's actually ok, despite the knees-to-crockery rumours. Personally, I used to think the aliens would land on the White House lawn before Ledley got back to full fitness. But I don't believe in aliens any more, either.)

Berbatov looks so last season. Out on a limb, stranded, lost. Like all his friends went on holiday and he had to stay at home. It's now about a team, not a hierarchy. In fairness to Berbatov, he's under pressure as a national icon of his ambitious country. In fairness to us, we don't need to be part of that.

This is off topic, but I was looking at some of the PL pitch dimensions and how they vary. WHL is 110 x 73 yds, Emptycrates is 124 x83. Out of interest, I also checked Seville's pitch - it's 105 x 70.

Will the pitch size in a redeveloped WHL be governed by PL rules, or will it be a club decision? What are the pros and cons of a larger playing surface? The Arse pitch is almost a full 20 yds longer than Seville's, providing for more expansive play, but also more distance to cover.

9.37

I think our pitch being roughly the same size as Sevilla's is a good thing. They were brilliant under Ramos and if we can play the same type of football I'd be very pleased.

Reply to Bimmi:

i agree with you Dannyboy.. we need the Berba situation sorted right away.. but anyone who didn't think he was class yesterday knows nothing of football..
if he came on yesterday and scored a hat-trick people on here would still say he was sulking... it's becoming a bit comical.. the man is...

You are either Stevie Wonder, a vegetable, deluded, or all three. Berba was useless and his heart is not at Spurs any more. HE LOVES US NO LONGER. Some of us have dealt with it and moved on. I suggest you do the same. Or get therapy.

well that sure showed me..

Chingford Spur

Do you not see all the trouble Bimi would have to go through if Berbatov left??

He would have to change his profile pic, his profile name, all whilst dealing with the loss of a player who obviously loved enough to choose as his profile name and avatar! lol

Be kind to him, he is in the DENIAL stage of a relationship breakdown! Next step revenge or is it the going out sleeping with anything that moves stage that comes next??

Berba-bashing is all good fun, until someone gets hurt.

He's still our best player by a country mile.

Apologies Bimi. It was supposed to be tongue in cheek but didn't read that way! I do feel sympathy - he was my favourite player too. But now it's all about Gio! Trust me, rush along to the hatred/revenge stage. It's much more satisfying.