Fire Sale
Monday, 29 June 09, 01:10 AM · Comments (118)
How we laughed. Newcastle United relegated. The 'too big to go down' mantra still ringing in their ears as Elbows led the bonny barcodes into the Championship. That particular bout of schadenfreud could well prove to be short lived.
Yesterday of saw the first witness take the stand. One Sèbastien Bassong. Whilst a source close to the player said we were shy on the money, The Shelf disagreed and in bold move claimed the deal was in fact, done.
And now it's Obefemi Martins. Stoke are allegedly going 'all out' to get their man. With us and Everton hot on their heels. Well at least we're chasing the talented carthorses early this window. So much more respectable than begging for them at half ten at night on the closing day, hey what?
As Yids globally twitch and torment, slowly the opposition houses begin to actually act.
Manchester City have engaged one Samuel E'to. 'Give me a reason to love you' said Sam. The men beneath the bedsheets offered him two hundred thousand reasons a week. All with the Queen's head on.
The People are adding to our angst this morning with a story that erstwhile target Arjen Robben may also be another Eastlands target. So where does all this leave us? Me? I'm scared Ted.
I have a recurring nightmare whereby we recruit Damien Duff and this Bassong bloke. There were some laudable views expressed on here yesterday in defense of taking on reduced to clear Geordies, but I remain hesitant to put it mildly.
Why are we even considering players who failed to make the grade when basking in the love and the lavish loot up there? Why would they suddenly deliver performances that would boost our ambitions when these injury room loving money pits weren't even capable of galvanising themselves to avoid the drop?
Levy needs to pull one out of the hat here. Sooner rather than later.
Fire sales are not the answer. Sand buckets are however, freely available at Reception, just in case.
BIOYC!
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"Just remember one thing my son - no-one is bigger than the club. The club will be here long after you go. Us supporters ain't mugs (well, not too many!). To end - if you don't want us and our club ain't big enough for you, then f*ck right off." Dannyboy
"We're very lucky in the band in that we have two visionaries, David and Nigel, they're like poets, like Shelley and Byron. They're two distinct types of visionaries, it's like fire and ice, basically. I feel my role in the band is to be somewhere in the middle of that, kind of like lukewarm water." Derek Smalls
"Can you hear me! Tommy Trinder, Johnny Haynes, Dodi Fayed, Wolfy Smith.......your boys took a hell of a beating!" Sydney Wale
"Each season, there is a team that goes into freefall and gets sucked into the relegation scrap. losing becomes a habit, like winning and if we ain't careful, that team could be us." Dannyboy
"Clearly my words have gone to the highest level. Expect him gone in May" Jolsgonemental
"As a Spurs supporter of no half-measure, I will continue to support Jol, Hughton, the squad and the entire club, to the best of my ability and at all times" Yid 15
"I hear Glenn Hoddle has found God. That must have been one hell of a pass." Jasper Carrott
"White Hart Lane was always a place where I felt I belonged." David Ginola
"I would run through brick walls for Spurs." Graham Roberts
"Even now, when I go over to my mother'S house and dig out the old tracksuit tops I wore, it makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I like to think i am part of a special family. I am no longer connected with the club on a daily basis, but i'm delighted with every win and sad about every defeat." Steve Perryman
"Any player coming to Spurs, whether he's a big signing or just a ground staff boy, must be dedicated to the game and to the club. He must never be satisfied with his last performance, and he must hate losing." Bill Nicholson
"Bill did so much for his beloved Spurs that we must never let his legacy fade. He must be our inspiration as we strive to ensure that a new era dawns here at White Hart Lane." Daniel Levy
" 'Oh dear, it's f*cked', is what I've always taken it to mean. I do have O-level Latin. Now they've stuck up a literal translation, in large letters: 'To dare is to do.' The words just stand there, on their own, not making much sense." Hunter Davies
"When Gazza came to the Spurs training ground for the first time got the ball, went round 8 players as if they were not there and then smashed the ball into the net. Just to see him play like that made the hair stand up on the back of your neck. Everybody stood there and applauded him." Terry Venables
"We will not be pushed around by a bunch of north London yobbos." Rupert Lowe, Southampton chairman, shortly before his manager Glenn Hoddle left for Spurs.
""I earned the right to be in the team and fought every game to be in it." Graham Roberts
"The worst thing Spurs ever did was get rid of Keith Burkinshaw. They never replaced him." Graham Roberts
"When you've finished playing football, young man, which is going to be very soon, I feel, you'll make a very good security guard." David Pleat to a 17yr old Neil Ruddock
"If someone wants to give you a bum steer on who we're after, then so be it. If you want to know, ask me, because I have a list of players we want and Robbie Keane isn't on it." Glenn Hoddle, then Spurs manager, shortly before paying 17 mill for ... Robbie Keane.
"The biggest regret of my whole football career was leaving White Hart Lane in 1970.....my interest in football weakened after that. I was heartbroken" Jimmy Greaves.
"I know more about smalz herring than I do about football." Sir Alan Sugar
"The trouble with Christian Gross is that no-one had heard of him. The communication wasn't brilliant and as captain I decided to explain to him how things worked and what the players liked and were used to. I do not believe he listened to a word I said." Gary Mabbutt
"Always had a bit of time, make a little bit of space, look up, bang. And you know he could put it on a postage stamp from 40 yards. Mmmmmmmmm...." Ron Manager aka Paul Whitehouse, Spurs fan on Glenn Hoddle
"I'm a miserable sod." Sir Alan Sugar
"The great fallacy is that the game is first and last about winning. It's nothing of the kind. The game is about glory. It's about doing things in style, with a flourish, about going out and beating the other lot, not waiting for them to die of boredom." Danny Blanchflower
"Man in the raincoat's blue & white army." Spurs fans unable to use George Graham's name, 1999.
"We like a tackle at Tottenham. we're not pansies, you know. " David Pleat
"I was sitting just a few feet away from David Pleat at the World Cup. He's a nice fellow, but the man is mad: certifiably, eye-spiningly mad." Danny Kelly
"The only thing wrong with White Hart Lane is that the seats face the pitch" Les Dawson
-
"Just remember one thing my son - no-one is bigger than the club. The club will be here long after you go. Us supporters ain't mugs (well, not too many!). To end - if you don't want us and our club ain't big enough for you, then f*ck right off." Dannyboy
"We're very lucky in the band in that we have two visionaries, David and Nigel, they're like poets, like Shelley and Byron. They're two distinct types of visionaries, it's like fire and ice, basically. I feel my role in the band is to be somewhere in the middle of that, kind of like lukewarm water." Derek Smalls
"Can you hear me! Tommy Trinder, Johnny Haynes, Dodi Fayed, Wolfy Smith.......your boys took a hell of a beating!" Sydney Wale
"Each season, there is a team that goes into freefall and gets sucked into the relegation scrap. losing becomes a habit, like winning and if we ain't careful, that team could be us." Dannyboy
"Clearly my words have gone to the highest level. Expect him gone in May" Jolsgonemental
"As a Spurs supporter of no half-measure, I will continue to support Jol, Hughton, the squad and the entire club, to the best of my ability and at all times" Yid 15
"I hear Glenn Hoddle has found God. That must have been one hell of a pass." Jasper Carrott
"White Hart Lane was always a place where I felt I belonged." David Ginola
"I would run through brick walls for Spurs." Graham Roberts
"Even now, when I go over to my mother'S house and dig out the old tracksuit tops I wore, it makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I like to think i am part of a special family. I am no longer connected with the club on a daily basis, but i'm delighted with every win and sad about every defeat." Steve Perryman
"Any player coming to Spurs, whether he's a big signing or just a ground staff boy, must be dedicated to the game and to the club. He must never be satisfied with his last performance, and he must hate losing." Bill Nicholson
"Bill did so much for his beloved Spurs that we must never let his legacy fade. He must be our inspiration as we strive to ensure that a new era dawns here at White Hart Lane." Daniel Levy
" 'Oh dear, it's f*cked', is what I've always taken it to mean. I do have O-level Latin. Now they've stuck up a literal translation, in large letters: 'To dare is to do.' The words just stand there, on their own, not making much sense." Hunter Davies
"When Gazza came to the Spurs training ground for the first time got the ball, went round 8 players as if they were not there and then smashed the ball into the net. Just to see him play like that made the hair stand up on the back of your neck. Everybody stood there and applauded him." Terry Venables
"We will not be pushed around by a bunch of north London yobbos." Rupert Lowe, Southampton chairman, shortly before his manager Glenn Hoddle left for Spurs.
""I earned the right to be in the team and fought every game to be in it." Graham Roberts
"The worst thing Spurs ever did was get rid of Keith Burkinshaw. They never replaced him." Graham Roberts
"When you've finished playing football, young man, which is going to be very soon, I feel, you'll make a very good security guard." David Pleat to a 17yr old Neil Ruddock
"If someone wants to give you a bum steer on who we're after, then so be it. If you want to know, ask me, because I have a list of players we want and Robbie Keane isn't on it." Glenn Hoddle, then Spurs manager, shortly before paying 7 mill for ... Robbie Keane.
"The biggest regret of my whole football career was leaving White Hart Lane in 1970.....my interest in football weakened after that. I was heartbroken" Jimmy Greaves.
"I know more about smalz herring than I do about football." Sir Alan Sugar
"The trouble with Christian Gross is that no-one had heard of him. The communication wasn't brilliant and as captain I decided to explain to him how things worked and what the players liked and were used to. I do not believe he listened to a word I said." Gary Mabbutt
"Always had a bit of time, make a little bit of space, look up, bang. And you know he could put it on a postage stamp from 40 yards. Mmmmmmmmm...." Ron Manager aka Paul Whitehouse, Spurs fan on Glenn Hoddle
"I'm a miserable sod." Sir Alan Sugar
"The great fallacy is that the game is first and last about winning. It's nothing of the kind. The game is about glory. It's about doing things in style, with a flourish, about going out and beating the other lot, not waiting for them to die of boredom." Danny Blanchflower
"Man in the raincoat's blue & white army." Spurs fans unable to use George Graham's name, 1999.
"We like a tackle at Tottenham. we're not pansies, you know. " David Pleat
"I was sitting just a few feet away from David Pleat at the World Cup. He's a nice fellow, but the man is mad: certifiably, eye-spiningly mad." Danny Kelly
"The only thing wrong with White Hart Lane is that the seats face the pitch" Les Dawson
118 Comments · Add yours
You've hit the nail on the 'ed, there.
Can't agree more. Not sure why we need another centre back anyway. You have ledders (sometimes), Woody, Dawson and Dervite has been getting rave reviews in the lower leagues. BUY A FUCKIN LEFT WINGER. Aaaagh
As the meercat said 'simples'....but he was referring to Daniel Levy lack of talent.He is rubbish..how many more years will we hear...about the wage structure at spurs..yet spend millions upon millions on crap...Levy...please quit...your crap
I'm with you on this one Harry, although Bassong looks like he could mature into a top defender and he wouldn't walk into the starting line-up at our place, so of their whole squad, he may be the exception worth a punt. The only fire sale I'me hot on is happening in Madrid allegedly. Even their 2nd string players are good enough to improve out 2st team imho.
I still say - shut that window down to a month...
)
Why bring in more wood - when what we need a fireworks...
I need to see signings with visions - and yes we might not have the cash - like UAE City, Chelski and buy out the potential crisis. But we should be in the market anyways.
Don't sell players that are better than the once we are targeting...
The longer people play togehter - the better they'll understand each other (hopefully). We're not going to win the league next season anyway - so make the team play as a team (or we'll fire the team as a team
*1st team* that should read!
Lets try to be realistic. We have no European football to offer and do not have the cash that clubs like Man City do at the moment. Lets remember that the team we have already had a great second half to last season and with 'Arry doing the buying a few cheap surpises could well happen. No point buying rubbish from Newcastle I agree but they were not all bad players just not a team that worked together at all.
lets wait and see what was really happening as the papers always say we were after this player and that and in the end most of it turns out to be complete twaddle.
I would like us to sign coloccini, owen, the thug etc etc .....then set fire to them!
lol, spot on m8, although you have to see Bassong to understand what a quality player he could be for you, he's very calm reads the ball superbly and would fit in nicely with woody. he's much better than dawson, who's a decent player but not a natural like woody.
Duff, I wouldnt even go there..
I think you have got this all wrong. I don't think Spurs need to desperately go out and spend money as you suggest. We have dont this for the last few seasons which result in disasterous openings to the season because of an unfamiliar squad. Thus far, this has been the most encouraging transfer window of recent years (albeit one that hasn't opened yet), with the Spurs board seemingly looking to tweek an already good squad in areas that have previously been overlooked. It is inevitable that they will have to let high earning players leave in order to bring in a couple of high quality signings.
I really hope we don't see another brnad new squad at Spurs at the beginning of the season.
COYS
I think i'm more frustrated now than the first third of last season... ITS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE - BUY A COUPLE OF "CL EXPERIENCED" 27-31 YEAR OLDS TO IMPROVE US. We have enough 18-23 year olds that are not given the chance, why more? For the million and first time - LM, CF, CM (who can tackle), CD/LB (versatille). I know the market ISNT easy right but this is TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FOOTBALL CLUB and there are shed loads of players out there that would come with the RIGHT (SENSIBLE) wage structure. Here's a thought, for example, sell Bentley for 12m and put that money to top up 3/4 wages from 60 to 80K a week (1.04m/year per player) that equates to approx 3 & 1/2 years of wage increase for 3 players (inc. accrued interest on amount)... Get where i'm going? Possibly somewhat short term - but in regard to this exercise this would enable 3 players 20K a week more on a 4 year contract...It aint rocket science.. Gotta be worth more than Bentley????????!!!!!!!!!!
i think a move for a central deffender is a necessity, along with a LW. Can't rely on King, unfortunatley, every week, never knowing if he'll be playing or not. we need stability in our deffence. Get Bassong/Upson/Whoever in ASAP so there's loads of time to "gel".
Wouldn't mind getting that Guttierez in from the barcodes, he looks handy, maybe not as a nailed on first choice but a definite improvement in an area that we are lacking in. Other than that, the rest can rot in the championship, passion-less, money-grabbing pricks, fuck 'em!
On a different note...the wife got me tickets for the Exeter pre-season friendly next wednesday (only 40 miles away and more within my price range than getting up the Lane), but unfortunately she put the wrong start date from her credit card when paying and they haven't processed yet...isn't she a darling!
Same shit different year - have we signed Torres, Veloso, E'to.....
E'to would have come to us last year if we'd paid him 125k or more a week. We can't because I think we'd probably go bust within a week or two.
I have never seem such an unrealistic transfer season and to be honest I'd rather Levy and Harry shuffle off to stage left, try to get some sensible business done if it happens.
200 grand a week for E'to...that'll have the whole Chelsea squad scrabbling to check their payslips and agents phone numbers. 80m for Ronaldo - I really do hope that Real team don't work together.
Its not lack of ambition, I want to see Spurs top3 and proper europe, I want to see Barcalona at the lane in a match that matters.
I don't want to see Spurs turn into Leeds
and if i hear one more bloody Jackson song i'm going postal
Yes you won the Carling Cup but that was because Chelski had their eyes on the Champions League & didn't put out their 1st team... You've not even broken into the Top 4 yet, something the Geordies did 4 times in the last 16 seasons, so until you actually play in the CL, beck the fuck off yeah!!
I live 10 mins walk from Exeter Stadium and am on chuffin holiday. Moved from London 23 years ago. Pleased I booked holiday early to avoid disappointment. What a cock
Reply to Pete:
Pal
potter off mate, go play with your new friends down there in Coca Cola land.
you blew it
Reply to Pete:
Yawn
spot on harry. very worried about our potential signings when man city appear to be continuously stealing our targets from under our noses.
'For the million and first time - LM, CF, CM (who can tackle), CD/LB (versatile).'
It does seem so blindingly obvious doesn't it.
If the Board/Management/Coaching staff don't rectify the bleeding obvious this time around, I say burn them.
The 'it's refreshing not to hear anything', 'only a minor tweak' brigade are in cloud cuckoo land.
It's not because we keep wanting to add new players that is the problem, it's a mixture of adding players that aren't all that, selling the better ones and keeping the cack.
Reply to Pete:
I can't hear you from up here.
Martains, Downing, Van Nist, Robben, Duff - Have we got shares in PPP???
As long time NUFC fans we get used to soft southerners not understanding football or the concept of passion. We also have our own uneducated fans who just automatically repeat garbage and couldn't spot a decent talent if it kicked them in the face.
First of all - No-one at Newcastle ever even suggested that they were "too big" to go down. It wasn't expected, but it was never ruled out.
Secondly, Bassong is a huge talent and there are very few, if any centre backs of the same age in the premier league who are as good.
But hey, why let the truth get in the way of your little kindergarten story telling session.
Duff has improved substantially - admittedly not difficult considering how bad he was playing - and had a couple of decent games at left back.
Watch your backs boys - if it wasnt for harry you lot would be down here too.
There's always next season.
Obafemi f*cking Martins FFS! When are we gonna buy Merry and f*cking Pippin. Has someone in the club got a midget fetish.
LINK
'Championship' Pete
Thought about several comments in regard to the Championship, how much your club is worth, the fact every neutral fan in the prem wanted you to go down (as per PREM forums) etc etc etc.. But the simple fact is..............
Your shit and you know you are, your shit and you know you are, your shit and you know you are and so say ALL of us.... Enjoy the Champ my friend, may it be a long time till we meet again.. (and it will..)!!!
Reply to Archie Brand:
i think you forgot to mention something about geordies being the 'best fans in england'
its good to see at 42 and in the championship Duff is 'improving substantially'. lucky for you eh.
Reply to Archie Brand:
It's no use, I still can't hear you down there.
THFC
I would look at the similarities on weakness at NUFC last season. If you're honest you got the right side of the cracker with redknapp, that's all. 'EPL' has no charachter.
Your 7th/8th hoping for a cup and your players know it, and you know it's unsustainable. Barcelona ?. Enjoy YOUR campaign.
My apologies for commenting on this site but I see similarities between our teams. I think supporters will allow academy to come to readiness, it is the only way to win things, from within, and then people want to join for the right reasons. And of course continuity, that Nicky Butt in 5 years has played under 8 managers.
Reply to trex:
'EPL' has no charcater'
so, what, you decided to seek a league with more class?
no reaaly going to miss you boys
Reply to mcspurs99:
i'm gutted that we wont be seeing that fecking awful kit at the lane
Let's be honest with our expectations. All we can offer for this coming season is hope - just like every year about this time. I agree we don't need any injury prone rejects from elsewhere but not all of the Newcastle team are shite. Didn't West Ham once get relegated with a team full of people later sold for top money?
I have only seen Bassoung a couple of times so its difficult to say but he does look quick. As for Martins; well we have always found him a handful and he is far too good for Stoke.
I think we are exposed at centre back; with one player fit for alternate games and another with a medical history.
So while I think a left sided player and a revamped strike force are probably more important, I can well see why we are looking at the two Newcastle players.
Bassong is a maybe - I've heard decent things (but money? he thinks he's the shit and should be first team first choice)
Duff - even Commolli was'nt that stupid, paper talk (let us pray)
and Martins - We've got Defoe, why do we need an uglier stunt double?
While I'm not overjoyed at being linked with the relegation pack, I'd be very, very, VERY suprised if a certain number of deals of varying quality were not done and dusted already and waiting to be announced.
Don't be getting upset at signs of activity elsewhere, we wont have been sat round twiddling our thumbs - Comolli isn't in charge anymore.
Not sure what happened there?
Reply to KayBee:
praise the lord
I think you're painting with a bit too broad a brush there, HH. Not every player on a relegated team is crap. Look at it the other way: not every player in a top four side is 'triffic. Bendtner and Eboue for the Goons come to mind. Lucas for the Scousers? Dreadful.
If there can be roughage amongst the diamonds, surely the converse is true as well. Bassong could prove to be a very clever pickup. Similarly, if Bent goes I wouldn't mind seeing Tuncay brought in as a 3rd or 4th striker.
The other thing about snatching a couple of these "bargain" types who can still do a job is that it frees up resources to (fingers crossed) go big on one or two classy signings. Let's assume that Redknapp's got about £30M to spend, including whatever he raises from player sales. Should he buy three £10M players or two £5M players and one £20M player?
Reply to Archie Brand:
Because, of course, nobdy else can possibly be as passionate about football as a Geordie, can they?
It's one thing SKY hyping your lot up as the most passionate fans in England (until they come to a Liverpool home match, and their tongue then firmly and insistently explores the nether regions of the Koppites bunghole), it's a whole 'nother thing you actually buying into it.
Every team has its passionate and not so passionate fans, and if you think you've got the monopoly on passion then I'm afraid you're just as deluded as if you'd claimed you were too big to go down.
Enjoy that away kit next season - I certainly will.
Reply to Archie Brand:
If it wasn't for our manager we would be down with you?
Isn't that the point of having a manager? Where would Manure be without Rudolph, Bindippers without the waiter or Woolwich without the paedo?
You lot were like Oman City in that sir John Hall bankrolled your lot, you still won squat. You and Leeds are the example that every other club who tries to buy success needs to look at. Unless you get another suger daddy pronto you'll be down in the depths for another 30 years or so like last time. The last time you won anything we still had an Empire FFS (was Tv even invented then?)!
On another matter,
I have to disagree with HH , no one player makes a team and a rudderless ship (CarToon Army) would have gone down with Ronaldo playing for them if the other 11 were useless cack. As such SB looks a decent prospect and depending on the asking price might be worth a punt.
Morning harry.
I have a theory that may or may not hold any credance whatsoever.
Is there a chance that Mr Levy's mantra is one of costs down, profits rolling etc without any aspiration to attain any thing other than a steady share price?
I have had my suspicions for some time and I just do not believe that the man seriously wants anything more than to float along in the prem and keep the shareholders happy?
£50,000 a week is not enough to entertain Ronaldo shoe shiner, let alone any serious fire power.
I remain as always, optimistic but the pre season anxiety is nothing short or wearing now.
COYS
Reply to trex:
anyway. you have said your goodbyes now best jog on to the little boys room.
LINK
this sort of big boy discussion need not involve you anymore.
Reply to elfranklins:
i think you may be right, Harry redknapp is a manager build to attain mid table security at bargain costs.
maybe levy has decided it just aint gonna happen, lets just run a tight ship, and keep the revenue ticking over nicely.
Thursday - good ridance Keane
Friday - Lennon is Shite
Today - Levy and Harry have no ambition
cant wait for tomorrows "support" !
I went to the Confed Cup final last night in Johanneburg.
Was good to see Gomez in the warm ups. He should be in goal for Brazil, that Sanches is crap.
My point. We have a great keeper.
Reply to KayBee:
I think you're right
Reply to davspurs:
At least 3 will come in, with 6 out.
Reply to Pete:
Chavski put out their first team you fat geordie cunt!
Now go back to playing in the joke league where you belong fat boy...
Reply to JoeyDeacon:
Thats a very good point. why is keane still here?
cant wait much longer to crack open the bubbly I have set aside.
Reply to jolsgonemental:
Mine's on ice till Jenas is moved on. It has a vintage now.
Reply to Archie Brand:
Idiot. what is it with this cliche southern thing? Do they still believe that up north"? I suppose the fat cunts still belioeve the world is flat and that the moon is made of cheese.
With or without arry, we wouldn't have gone down. We just wasn't as shite as you, Boro and Brom.
A club that "thinks" it has the best fans but the only thing they win is the deluded trophy.
Won little over the last 50 years, played some good footy ten years ago for a couple of season and they still harp on about that.
Keep to antagonising Barnsley, Plymouth etc. They're more your level but a little thinner. Fat boy!
...and I don't like the new shirt.
Can we have plain white please Mr Levy? Go on, please...
i didnt say harry didnt have ambition, but it appears that Levy knowing Harry can get lidl priced players to a comfortable and safe position is happy to shop for these. and tick along.
you and i know we wont break top 4 with Duff, Jones, Downing etc. but we will be organised and safe. and maybe that will be the mission statement.
if we want to break the top 4then there is no point trying to tempt champs league players with some peanuts. what was expecting them to say? seemed a bit half hearted to satisfy the masses.
i dont care much for 5th. nothing comes from finishing 5th.
No 5th is not a stepping stone to 4th. In fact its the opposite. Ipswich, Newcastle, Leeds, WestHam and ourselves have all finished 5th in the last 10 years and none have gone anywhere other than backwards.
The teams that have finished in the champs league spot generally are the sky 4 or a team completely out of the blue - Newcastle, Blackburn etc..
falling a little short just puts your few good players in the shopping window. look at Berbatov, Carrick, Barry, Young etc..
The stone cold fact is it is 4th or nothing. We finish 5th and Wilson and Modders feet wont touch the ground as the vulture descend. and then we start again.
Arry was bought in to save us from relegation. the last thing Levy was thinking when we got harry was CL.
Reply to TMWNN:
I've got a case waiting.
Re: the above conversation, I can't see us being in a position to make any sort of top 4 challenge until we're getting gates of 50 odd thousand every match. The players to get us there are simply out of our financial league and as the distance between the top 4 and everyone else grows, the possibility of a 'greater than the sum of their parts' type team breaking through seems evermore unlikely without the assistance of at least two or three obscenely overpaid sphere kicking ponces.
I love this game, I fcuking hate this business.
Reply to el:
sort of what i said.
either we pay these tosspots what they want and see if we cant just crack it.
or we accept the current equilibrium.
I dotn think there is a happy medium.
I think if we could somehow snap up a couple, and shitty continue to build a poor mans galacticos side, everyone could end up taking enough points off each other than we can get our toe in the door.
You could say the Confed Cup was a testament to that as well. The four teams that went through from the group stages, despite having talent levels that varied wildly, all showed that willingness to work for the team and for each other.
Contrast that with Italy, who played the game like it owed them something and were punished for that attitude.
Our Spurs of last season were somewhere in between. In the early going, we had far too much Italy about our play, but under Harry some of the tenacity, work rate, and selflessness began to emerge; those being same values that people will remember about the USA and South Africa in this tournament.
If Harry can get the lads to match the energy and desire of any team we play, then he's halfway home. In the end, though, the class of Spain and Brazil won out in their respective final games of the tournament; a lesson that energy and desire can take you a long way, but you need some class to take you all the way.
I believe we have the beginnings of the necessary will to win. Will we add that little bit of class in the right places to help us take those last few steps? I hope so.
Morning all (well, it is for me).
What a fantastic day yesterday.
Just want to congratulate Team USA on a fantastic run in the Confederations Cup. This was a team in crisis, written off and left for dead. But they reached inside themselves and found something in the past week: an improbable 6 goal swing to reach the semi’s; a fantastic team effort against Spain, and playing with heart like I can’t ever remember seeing from USA against the Samba Boys. In the end, Brazil’s quality and quality in depth told. We have a decent 11, but few answers when subs are called for. I think the team will learn from this and can maybe surprise a team or two at the WC.
So, it was after several pints and swollen with Team USA pride that I rushed from my local to the Xbox to see Sounders thump Colorado 3-0. The forwards were the story with Nate Jaqua netting 2 goals-both assisted by Fredy Montero-and Fredy scoring the other, assisted by Nate. The two have developed a nice “little & large” partnership, with 6’3” Nate battering forward and the speedy trickster Fredy causing havoc. They are playing off each other very well. It’s great to see.
Again, a traffic day.
COYS
COYSS
USA!USA!
Reply to SeattleSpursGuy:
Yeah...but was it bangtidy?
It's more a case of the gap between the top three and ar5ena1 growing in the past two seasons, causing them to drop back to the chasing pack. They've spent the least of the top four, because of stadium debt and their attempt at organic growth. The more acquisitive growth model of man ure and the chavs has prooved more effective. Citeh are attempting to gate crash the party and have a reasonable chance of success.
Reply to Longwell:
It doesn't get bangtidier
Maybe that will be Redknapp's new parrot-like refrain for next season.
"BRAWK! Big Four! Ten points from eight games! BRAWK! Harry want a cracker!"
Are you saying Harry is Long John Silver's parrot, Captain Flint."Two points from eight, two points from eight"
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
I love this article its so funny, especially the bit about buying Martins and Bassong, must be the same comedian who was spouting off about you replacing Arsenal in the top 4 this time last year, quality.
I would have thought if either were to leave it would be for a top 4 club, not a mid table one, should stop reading the Star mate, its all made up you know
Reply to Super Al:
they play for newcastle.
they will sign for wigan if it gone them free of that laughing stock.
either way i reckon they arent going to be at a club in the second tier of their national league.
whens Doncaster away? big day.
Reply to jolsgonemental:
Yawn, your lot werent much better for most of last year, luckily you got a manager before it was too late.
Looking forward to next season, be nice to get see some old grounds again, its about following your team, i allways had a soft spot for Spurs, its a pity some of your boys have such a chip on your shoulders, i guess having a bigger neighbour doesn't help.
"Doncaster away"
Made me laugh to beat the band.
And I'm sorry. I respect all footy fans that come on to contribute, so no Toon bashing from me, but we were in fact much better. I concede that we were flushing down the toilet before Harry got here, but our form had us well safe long before the close of the season, in fact we were close to qualifying for Europe. I am of course looking at the season as a whole. 8th is a long way from relegation. Best of luck to the Toon, I'm sure you will be back in the Prem soon. I know I'll get some heat for that, but life is too short to be a dick to strangers in Cyber Space from the safety of an office cubie.
Reply to DaredandDone:
Well said, nice to see some decent fans about
Of course you pulled it around you have some quality players and Harry is a decent manager, should get the best out of them this season, wish we had got him, but then you haven't got a fat clown running your club, quicker he goes the better.
As for Doncaster, am looking forward to a new ground to visit.
We don't need anyone new this season. Left Winger? We have one... Has everyone forgotten Danny Rose. Lets play the Kids. There is nothing to lose. We have the experienced players to back them up. Obviously we need to sell the deadwood but we don't need to buy any. Maybe in January but not now!
Reply to Super Al:
Cheers. I'm sure you will soon be rid. As for new grounds, I'm stuck accross the pond, so any ground, anywhere would be a treat for me. Best of luck.
Reply to Archie Brand:
You two faced geordies tried to get Harry but he was,nt interested.You two faced geordies then worked yourselves through an army of managers.Alan shearer finally took the poison chalice and you went down,this was after the joke appointment of king Kev,that was allways going to fail but you buffoons could,nt see it.You two faced geordies have over the last decade spent a small fortune on players like many other teams in the league,so you had your chance and blew it.When you point the finger at my team and say you only won this or that because this team or that team were looking at this or that.Well just what have you fat ugly northern retards ever won.You are where you belong in the lower leagues long may you stay there
Reply to Tommy Harmer:
I'm coming round to the idea of just buying one top class player and no other changes.
Arry likes a targetman so let's get one. If the Hunter (or whoever) costs 25m, OK, get him. It seems inevitable that Bent or Pav will go, so sell one and shift the rest of the deadwood. That's more than enough cash.
Just bringing in one, who is likely to be a class contributor, will not unsettle the squad like the 4-5 so-so's we usually get.
What say you all?
More than likely the target will be Bellamy as there is a lot noise about a Bent for sale, Bellamy in scenario
Reply to DaredandDone:
Thanks, the rumor here is that the new owners could be Yanks, anyone to be honest.
As for having a go DoubleVision, im only replying to some of the stuff directed at us, childish to be honest but not surprising.
I think you're talking sense and I agree that supply was a problem and that our strikers can stick in goals if served.
My thought stems from the fact that Arry doesn't seem to have what he wants in Bent or (maybe) Pav. And if he doesn't rate one (or both), move 'em and bring in the striker he wants. Damn the cost!
I know, should just ignore it.
People up here just want to know whats going on, Ashley and friends just dont tell us anything, the 1st year was fine but since then has been a nightmare, i wouldnt wish this p---k on anyone.
Started traveling in the early 80s so have been to most of these grounds, have some good memories so will be nice to see how some have changed.
Will be strange to be an outsider to the top flight but will be interesting to see how things go, good luck too, hopefully without some of our better players.
Reply to el:
Save the bubbly for when we've got CL quality replacements and have a team with performances that defy belief
Mind you the league performances at the end of 07/08 and the start of 08/09 were beyond imagination.
Reply to Super Al:
Have i missed something or wasnt it actually you that came on here twatting off?
Balance is a universal part of anything that is considered good. From art to science, mathematics to literature. Occasionally imbalance is beneficial, but it's effects can only be considered so if it is to achieve the desired equilibrium. In this, I am in complete agreement with DV.
Some of you have mentioned that we'd be lucky to achieve CL positions, through a team greater than the sum of its individuals. I disagree. Every team that has had success has done so because it happened to be a good coherent team, and not simply because it was full of stars.
Newcastle were full of 'stars' and Chrissie Houghtons coaching skills aside (Forget Elbows Alan or those men from Wimbledon/QPR/Palace etc), they were simply not moulded to fit even a vague semblance of a balanced side.
All these shit players being linked with spurs is the stuff of fiction I think, if I was an agent and was looking to get my player a move and/or a pay rise I would try & link him to spurs to gee up interest and stir the current club into maybe paying up a bit more.
The madrid clearout is another matter altogether - I hope Levy is out there trying to close some deals, if he pulls 1 or 2 gems from there I'll stop knocking him for now.
If we sign the shit we are being linked with we'll do nothing.
I also agree that top 4 in the premier league is all that's worth getting - the rest is just a booby prize.
Reply to jolsgonemental:
I think its because they live in Sunderland's shadow. Better stadium, more money, better fans, better players etc, etc.... The Mackems can't be arsed with the so called banter of the nothing clubs so he's on here seeing if we'll bite.
What about that Al, he's super isn't he, great manager too!
Reply to jfdit:
"I also agree that top 4 in the premier league is all that's worth getting - the rest is just a booby prize"
Fried eggs in a wet t-shirt competition
This England Under 21 lot (under 25s???) are pants. Our reserve/academy squad with Townsend, Mason, Obika, Jansson, Smith etc are much better.
Game is lost so I'm hoping Walcnut gets kneecapped. That would be a result.
Reply to Trembly:
I was disappointed only 1 yid in squad, pearce ain't got a clue, if these players are the so called best in europe we better start looking over the water in north & south america for our prospects.
What did you think of the american players donovan & bradley?
Reply to Trembly:
he's bob average, let him stay fit, the goons are worse with him. I'm hoping they bring Rose on so we can have a look
Reply to jfdit:
It's not that I don't think that they're not ok or couldn't play in the prem. It's just that I think it'll still be a few years before the USA produce a real football star. If SSG and co are to be believed, the game is coming on in leaps and bounds over there. Surely it's only a matter of time until their best athletes start realising that it's better to compete in a real world sport rather than a 'world series' of a game that basically comprises of themselves and no one else. My fear is that one day, they'll start to get their act together and beat a Brazil or even worse an England
Reply to Ginge1:
That's it isn't it? I've only ever heard about Rose. and have never seen him play. On the other hand I've seen Townsend and Mason and they're very exciting.
Reply to Longwell:
Please don't let that £20m player be Kenwynne Jones.
This should interest you if you are a bit portly especially in the hot weather
LINK
we only took two strikers
same cnut who gave peter taylor the boot and pearce his job I believe.
I always try & see the u21's when they play, that performance was the worst they've been for a while. No positives whatsoever and time for change, pearce will never make it as a top manager IMO - I'd get hoddle to coach them
Reply to Trembly:
To stick my oar in...
The US game is nowhere near Europe and S. America but it is growing.
US has a long football tradition. We were one of the 1st members of FIFA and appeared at the 1st World Cup. But, as a sport outside the US mainstream, it lacked the grassroots support to grow and develop top players.
Think of it this way. In Europe and S. America, many small towns, cities, areas, had a football team enjoying local support. These teams prop up the higher league teams, right up to feeding the top flight.
Same in the US with different sports. In the 1920s 30s etc. many towns had a local baseball team. Each highschool had a gridiron team. These fed into minor league and college teams and all the way the big professional teams.
Soccer never had this. Foreign, so not to be trusted, right? It was mostly a sideshow. But 30 odd years ago, it caught on as a sport for kids. Huge numbers of kids have played soccer since the 70s, but there was no organized system of spotting & developing talent. Nowhere for kids to play as they got older. After all, how would you make a living at soccer? Pick up a baseball or a golf club, son.
This has been changing slowly. Those kids in 70s have grown up knowing and enjoying the game. We want to see top level games. We look to Europe because that's where the game is at a high level. We also want to develop our own game and our own stars. The success of Sounders shows there is a hunger for this.
Realistically, we're 10-15 years from being a force in world footy. There are some fantastic athletes in this country, so having the horses isn't the problem. Providing opportunities for them is the challenge.
Sure, we've cracked the top 10 a time or two and moving up would be great. We have a good team in our region and pop up with a good result now and then. But we aren't a force in the sense of being long time significant competitors in world football. We don't have the strength in depth for that.
True, only a few teams have this: Brazil, Argies. Germany, Italy, Spain, England, Holland, maybe France. Who else? Russia maybe someday.
The common thread, imo, are fairly strong, well established domestic leagues, feeding the national system. US needs that to move up.
Reply to Trembly:
Of course not. Don't be silly. Only one striker we've been linked with is worth that kind of money.
And that man's name is Kevin Doyle.
It's getting there, but support isn't deep yet. Broad, but not deep. In 10 years, the 3rd generation of Yank kids who have always known about football will be on stage. Football in this county has just recently got to where it isn't considered god-awful strange for a grown man to play the game and that someone like me pays to watch
DV, you seem like a nice bloke, but..
if you mention balance (in depth) once more, I've a good mind to seek you out over there in Catalonia and slap some much needed sense into you.
Granted, the service has been far from top notch, but you continuously visiting the realms of fantasy just won't do.
Pav has been piss poor in the league, I'll give him (perhaps Redknapp won't) this so called much needed rest; if things haven't improved up until January, get shot.
Your persistent and myopic stance regarding Bent bellies belief. Do you watch the games?
At the risk of going over ancient ground: The bloke can't head; can't hold the ball up and has such an abysmally poor first touch that legendary Spurs strikers' of the past can be heard turning and vomiting in their graves.
'It takes time for a team to bed in fully',
Maybe so, but if we only add 'balance in depth' rather than replacing the 3 or 4 first teamers (I'm tired of repeating the positions') that need upgrading, then we'll be waving goodbye to the likes of Modric, Palacios and Lennon next season.
..and who cares about the US game?
Reply to TMWNN:
A growing group of Yanks.
Reply to SeattleSpursGuy:
My point exactly.
One more thing, the 7th and last European spot of last season you mercilessly remind us of, never actually materialised FFS.
Not you SSG, my mate DV
Reply to TMWNN:
Cheers
Those sad bar codes paying a visit here earlier must be so proud of the latest offer for their club. According to the Beeb, Sir John Hall has offered fat Mike £60mil, yes 6 0. It must be heartwarming knowing that your club is worth 3/4 of a Ronaldo.
Reply to dustin de duvet:
It will incur plenty of debt, but what did he sell it for?
Oh, I forgot to mention that the Beeb news anchor said it was likely to be accepted.
Fat Mike is like Midas in reverse, everything he touches turns to shit. £250 million into £60 million, great business fat boy.
That means that Bassong must be worth £3 or £4 million tops.
Reply to TMWNN:
Hall sold to Ashley for £134 mil and Ashley paid off £100 mil plus of debt. Shrewd.
Reply to TMWNN:
I mean to say, what did John Hall sell it for initially?
Reply to dustin de duvet:
He must be mad to buy it back. It'll be going free with 5 gallons of petrol soon.
I must say I'm underwhelmed by an ambition to loot the newly descended, however the point should be made that their club was awful, the owners and managers alike. Kinnear lifted them a bit as did Keegan but they were hamstrung by surely the most inept management of a club since Ridsdale. Another point is that as a Central Defender at Newcastle, Bassong probably had more on-the-job training last season than most others!
Nonetheless and I've said it before, we cannot compete with the top clubs with an inferior wage structure. We might 'sell' them on the club and its ideals and future but we have compensate for not being there yet (and needing their help to get there). Compensation will not cut it by offereing 20K a week less.
Its not great, but its the way it is!
Reply to TMWNN:
If Levy has a 'big shop' at Tescos, the club card points should be enough for Bassong and Oba Martins.
Reply to Finn:
I've not seen much of this bloke, but by all accounts he'll do a job. If we can pick him out cheap from the jumble sale of the north, then fair enough.
There are far more pressing positions to fill next season.
Any ideas Finn?
Reply to corlukas-veruka:
Cheers, the orders in!
Reply to TMWNN:
I hate all this ITK stuff and bollocks rumours, however in the last couple of days all these sources seem to be very quiet. As such I seem to be having withdrawl symptoms for "Spurs to sign Rivaldo" and "RVN in talks with Spurs" and other such shite.
With this in mind I would be happy if people could start posting some rumours. HH maybe you could post a new page on the subject. It could work like it does in the papers (or Spurs Community) something along the likes of;
My mum's best friend works in the kitchen at Spurs Lodge and she says she overheard Daniel Levy speaking to Arry while ordering their pie n mash saying "the offer for Xavi has been accepted".
Reply to Ginge1:
In other words it should absolutely no truth in any of it!
im normally the most anti ITK on here but seeing as in this case im the ITK you can take this as gospel.
A personal friend who works at the Belfry Hotel confirms that a conference room was hired out yesterday and he personally saw ONeill, Huddlestone and Ashley Young at various times enter/leave during the day - along with some random other suits who he presumed to be Spurs/Villa men.
Reply to Ginge1:
Apparently we're in the running for this swedish under 21 star Marcus Berg then? At least he'd be comfortable wearing yellow.
Reply to jolsgonemental:
My mate's the manager at the Belfry and he said it was just a sex thing. He's posting the phone vid he took from the outside on the balcony through the curtains, on youtube this afternoon.
Surprisingly it's O'Neil who's got the monster, Thud's a button mushroom boy.