Losing to Stoke: The Autopsy
Sunday, 25 October 09, 01:02 PM · Comments(34)
Watching a Spurs fan piss in the sink of the South Stand toilets at White Hart Lane yesterday, I couldn’t help but make the frank analogy between his act of porcelain defiling and our failure to claim maximum points. Against a team of a vagabonds and thugs, the game trickled down the plug hole and out of sight. Never to be seen again. And let’s not mince words, Stoke were awful. Their stubbornness to clatter their way through the ninety minutes rather than string a pass or two together was a testament to Tony Pulis and his regime. It’s a brand of football I’d like to see chartered up the Trent and submerged until the bubbles have stopped. Horrible stuff.
So what happened then?
Well, for all our incisive attacking football in the first half, the game didn’t start well. Woodgate’s untimely exit would, in the end, be the undoing of us. With all three subs used after an hour, Lennon limping off down the tunnel led to the understandable groan from the stands. ‘I don’t fancy this much,’ was the mood. Psychologically, down to ten men and countless opportunities missed, you had the sense that we were already beaten. It was one of those infuriating days. I’m not even sure why Woodgate started when Dawson, who was excellent, appeared to be the fitter of the two. Maybe his seemingly limber routines last Saturday night were a touch misleading.
Wilson looked knackered. He sat deep for the second half and failed to impose his bullish charms as he did in the first. As the game wore on, his influence wavered to the point of being obsolete. Stoke had him boxed in so far, you could see the packaging tape attached to his sock. I’m not sure if he’s fit. Are you fit, Wilson?
I bloomin’ hope so.
We’re clearly missing key elements to our offensive unit; Modric, Defoe and, to a lesser extent, Keane when he came off. It seems patent to say, but that triumvirate (plus Lennon, of course) is the cornerstone to our attacking threat; without them we look discernibly two-dimensional, resorting to soaring cross field balls and fairly predictable jaunts up the flanks. Which are inevitably architected from the head of three-metre-Peter. We can be more inventive than that, can’t we?
That’s a bit unfair, actually. Some of our football in the first half was great. It was only when the game looked to be escaping us that we resorted to the ‘find the big man’ approach.
Right, I might wrap it up there. This is sounding a little bit too much like a match report and I’m not really into all that. A disappointing result from a game we really ought to have won. Probably best we don’t overreact too much, though; we’ve been in worse states and played a skip load poorer. Sometimes luck just has a dastardly way of kicking you in the plums.
The mistress that she is.
Arsenal next.
Bring it on, I say.
COYS!!
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Posted by WhoFramedRuelFox
| Comments (34)
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WhoFramedRuelFox
GB
A hearty expedition into the mind of a troubled, easily swayed Tottenham fan.
34 Comments · Add yours
In reply to the previous thread. I had a lovely time at the wedding reception thanks, Trembly.
My friend, the groom and fellow Yid, bought his newly found wife a Spurs shirt with 'Wifey' '24' on the back in relation to the date of their marriage.
Magic touch.
Top bloke.
We had a bad day. Teams have them, so I hope the supporters aren't going to over-react. Even on an off day we played some good stuff, and I counted 7 decent (or better) chances in the 1st half alone.
But never mind that. The important thing is if you scored with a bridesmaid?
Sadly, I fear, THFC, as a whole, will not be happy until they've put me in an early grave.
I've gone from counting the days until the upcoming NLD to now absolutely dreading it. Without Defoe, Lennon and Modders all confidence has drained away.
I'm thinking of getting a bottle of Blossom Hill White Zinfandel Rosé in tonight to comfort myself with. The combination of aromas of strawberries, raspberries and watermelon, coupled with the crisp fruity finish make it a devilish and easy-to-drink wine, as my recyclers can verify on a Wednesday morning (Click clink). Typically I have this with a hot jalfrezi style curry, a pasta dish, or perhaps jerk chicken with rice n pea...
Sorry, I seemed to have become the Good Food Show.
Poor old Magic Juandé as well.
We lost, Move on.
I hope that this is the team's attitude otherwise they might not even turn up next week.
We outplayed them on every available statistic, 65% posession, nine shots on target to one, and so on.
They got lucky, it happens.
If offered fourth ten weeks in with major players missing you would have kissed Arsene Wenger.
I wont be discussing that here, SSG...
...Do you have an e-mail address?
I tend to take my recyclers out in the dead of night to avoid those 'clinking' embarassments with the neighbours.
After I've rummaged through thier bins, of course.
Smelly Fox.
Yep, just one of those games i'm afraid. Reminded me of the game at home to Newcastle a few years ago when we pummelled them and Martins smashed one past Robbo late on and we lost... however Saturday was as one-sided a game as you'll ever see. Was also in the south stand but didn't bear witness to the sink urination. I feel I missed out.
We've had a bit of luck nicking the wins at the spammers and home to brum, and an inspired Gomes giving us all 3 points last week at Pompey, so perhaps we needed our equilibrium re-balanced.
Would definitely be far more pessimistic if we went to the goons without Lennon but if Liverpool can beat United without Gerrard, we should have enough to go there and get at least a point. It'll be a test of our mettle but good teams dig in and get results aginst the odds! COYS.
get a life you spurs dick,typical moaning premier league stuck up boys,can't take it when you lose,are you wenger in disguise,1-0 to the stoke city
NO-ONE LIKES US,WE DON'T CARE
go back to bed silly boy,your going to win FUCK ALL
most big dogs dont bark so much, have you got a small penis?
Can't take it when we lose??
CAN'T TAKE IT WHEN WE LOSE?
You know we're Spurs, right?
I'll have you know we have a very fine and proud tradition in losing. We're one of the best at it in the country. Why, only a few years back we were nailed on 4th until the very last game, where we lost to West Ham and a dodgy lasagne. Even as close as last season, we got off to our worst league start ever, with a ridiculous succession of losses, so don't you come on here acting all Billy Big Bollocks "you can't take losing and I can't fully grasp punctuation" styley.
And, I might add, you mention how nobody likes you; nobody is going to like you with a pissy attitude like that. Grow yourself a sense of humour, learn some grammar 101 basics, come back and we'll banter.
Love youuuu love yoouuuu xx
So much more succinct than I managed.
Oooh a heckler. Fun.
Let's have a look shall we.
''Get a life..blah..blah.. no-one likes us, yadda yadda...'
Oh, that's a shame.
Mr. Dog:
Fair play to your team. You took the points on the day. It was on us to break your side down and we did not. Or, more on point, we broke down a lot but couldn't finish things off with a goal(s)
I think you'll find what most of us here in Spursville find galling is being unable to regularly put away the more--oh, let's call them 'limited'--teams in the league. You know: teams playing a 9-1 formation, hoping for a 0-0 and maybe a nicked goal. Sound familiar?
This has been an ongoing issue at Spurs. We had some good outcomes with the Brum, Hull, Burnley and the like, so I thought a corner had been turned. That is why people are upset.
Honestly, did you think we would be praising Stoke--Stoke!--as the second coming of 1970 Brazil? You won, and did it "your" way, so enjoy it. Allow us to debate our team's performance. That's what supporters do.
'Arry opens the door for Pav to go and Sandro to come in:
LINK
I do like the idea of a Kop at the new Lane:
LINK
OK ya'all. I have friended who-framed-ruel-fox on Facebook and you should too. C'mon and remove the cyber masks we use on the blog.....and take up a different cyber mask. It's all part of that global village guff.
Heh. I would if I could be bothered, but I've resisted joining any social networking sites up til this point, I'm not about to start now.
This is about as close as I'll ever get!
Request happily accepted. Although, I must warn you I'm rubbish at Facebook.
As am I, but striving to improve.
No TV and not even any dodgy internet for the match. No matter, let's call it 5-1, since we seem to usually score 5 in the CC:
Pavlova with 2; Bassong header; Crouchy, AND...the forgotten man David Bentley with a screamer and 2 assists.
TEAM v EVERTON: Gomes, Hutton, Dawson, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Huddlestone, Palacios, Bale, Keane, Pavlyuchenko. Subs: Button, Jenas, Naughton, Corluka, Dervite, Parrett, Kane.
Anyone able to see this, anywhere?
Good result from our lot. Sadly I fear no-one in the free world was able to watch it.
Sounded like Bentley did well. Good to hear.
True dat, true dat.
With Azza Lennon out for the weekend it would be nice to call off the missing persons search and get Bentley involved.
He's due a 'Goal of the Season' any time soon, too.
Yep. Tell him playing for January.
"he's" playing
The commentators on BBC Radio London singled out Bale & bentleya s our two best players, which is nice.
I must admit, I was worried it was going the way of the Stoke game at first.
Having said that, it's all about Saturday, as far as I'm concerned...
WFRF still waiting for the non-sordid details of the results for the bridesmaid challenge
As for the Emptycrates, Bentley to score must be worth a punt?
I'd sell my soul, if I bought into the notion of a higher power, for a result come saturday.
As it is, I'd sell my GHD Gold IV Straighteners on ebay for a win on saturday.
Any takers? They're well nice...
I'm determined not to get myself in trouble here..
The non-sordid version is that I arrived- after a long, ultimatley frustrating day at the Lane- two hours late to the reception, ate lots of sausage rolls, drank many a Jaegerbomb before returning to the homestead.
Anything else I'm afraid you'll have to provide an e-mail address lest I get myself into hot water.
Hit my oleole message box with sordid bits. I'm a divorce lawyer, so I wallow in the dirt.
In reply to the previous thread. I had a lovely time at the wedding reception thanks, Trembly.
My friend, the groom and fellow Yid, bought his newly found wife a Spurs shirt with 'Wifey' '24' on the back in relation to the date of their marriage.
Magic touch.
Top bloke.
We had a bad day. Teams have them, so I hope the supporters aren't going to over-react. Even on an off day we played some good stuff, and I counted 7 decent (or better) chances in the 1st half alone.
But never mind that. The important thing is if you scored with a bridesmaid?
Sadly, I fear, THFC, as a whole, will not be happy until they've put me in an early grave.
I've gone from counting the days until the upcoming NLD to now absolutely dreading it. Without Defoe, Lennon and Modders all confidence has drained away.
I'm thinking of getting a bottle of Blossom Hill White Zinfandel Rosé in tonight to comfort myself with. The combination of aromas of strawberries, raspberries and watermelon, coupled with the crisp fruity finish make it a devilish and easy-to-drink wine, as my recyclers can verify on a Wednesday morning (Click clink). Typically I have this with a hot jalfrezi style curry, a pasta dish, or perhaps jerk chicken with rice n pea...
Sorry, I seemed to have become the Good Food Show.
Poor old Magic Juandé as well.
We lost, Move on.
I hope that this is the team's attitude otherwise they might not even turn up next week.
We outplayed them on every available statistic, 65% posession, nine shots on target to one, and so on.
They got lucky, it happens.
If offered fourth ten weeks in with major players missing you would have kissed Arsene Wenger.
I wont be discussing that here, SSG...
...Do you have an e-mail address?
I tend to take my recyclers out in the dead of night to avoid those 'clinking' embarassments with the neighbours.
After I've rummaged through thier bins, of course.
Smelly Fox.
Yep, just one of those games i'm afraid. Reminded me of the game at home to Newcastle a few years ago when we pummelled them and Martins smashed one past Robbo late on and we lost... however Saturday was as one-sided a game as you'll ever see. Was also in the south stand but didn't bear witness to the sink urination. I feel I missed out.
We've had a bit of luck nicking the wins at the spammers and home to brum, and an inspired Gomes giving us all 3 points last week at Pompey, so perhaps we needed our equilibrium re-balanced.
Would definitely be far more pessimistic if we went to the goons without Lennon but if Liverpool can beat United without Gerrard, we should have enough to go there and get at least a point. It'll be a test of our mettle but good teams dig in and get results aginst the odds! COYS.
get a life you spurs dick,typical moaning premier league stuck up boys,can't take it when you lose,are you wenger in disguise,1-0 to the stoke city
NO-ONE LIKES US,WE DON'T CARE
go back to bed silly boy,your going to win FUCK ALL
most big dogs dont bark so much, have you got a small penis?
Can't take it when we lose??
CAN'T TAKE IT WHEN WE LOSE?
You know we're Spurs, right?
I'll have you know we have a very fine and proud tradition in losing. We're one of the best at it in the country. Why, only a few years back we were nailed on 4th until the very last game, where we lost to West Ham and a dodgy lasagne. Even as close as last season, we got off to our worst league start ever, with a ridiculous succession of losses, so don't you come on here acting all Billy Big Bollocks "you can't take losing and I can't fully grasp punctuation" styley.
And, I might add, you mention how nobody likes you; nobody is going to like you with a pissy attitude like that. Grow yourself a sense of humour, learn some grammar 101 basics, come back and we'll banter.
Love youuuu love yoouuuu xx
So much more succinct than I managed.
Oooh a heckler. Fun.
Let's have a look shall we.
''Get a life..blah..blah.. no-one likes us, yadda yadda...'
Oh, that's a shame.
Mr. Dog:
Fair play to your team. You took the points on the day. It was on us to break your side down and we did not. Or, more on point, we broke down a lot but couldn't finish things off with a goal(s)
I think you'll find what most of us here in Spursville find galling is being unable to regularly put away the more--oh, let's call them 'limited'--teams in the league. You know: teams playing a 9-1 formation, hoping for a 0-0 and maybe a nicked goal. Sound familiar?
This has been an ongoing issue at Spurs. We had some good outcomes with the Brum, Hull, Burnley and the like, so I thought a corner had been turned. That is why people are upset.
Honestly, did you think we would be praising Stoke--Stoke!--as the second coming of 1970 Brazil? You won, and did it "your" way, so enjoy it. Allow us to debate our team's performance. That's what supporters do.
'Arry opens the door for Pav to go and Sandro to come in:
LINK
I do like the idea of a Kop at the new Lane:
LINK
OK ya'all. I have friended who-framed-ruel-fox on Facebook and you should too. C'mon and remove the cyber masks we use on the blog.....and take up a different cyber mask. It's all part of that global village guff.
Heh. I would if I could be bothered, but I've resisted joining any social networking sites up til this point, I'm not about to start now.
This is about as close as I'll ever get!
Request happily accepted. Although, I must warn you I'm rubbish at Facebook.
As am I, but striving to improve.
No TV and not even any dodgy internet for the match. No matter, let's call it 5-1, since we seem to usually score 5 in the CC:
Pavlova with 2; Bassong header; Crouchy, AND...the forgotten man David Bentley with a screamer and 2 assists.
TEAM v EVERTON: Gomes, Hutton, Dawson, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Huddlestone, Palacios, Bale, Keane, Pavlyuchenko. Subs: Button, Jenas, Naughton, Corluka, Dervite, Parrett, Kane.
Anyone able to see this, anywhere?
Good result from our lot. Sadly I fear no-one in the free world was able to watch it.
Sounded like Bentley did well. Good to hear.
True dat, true dat.
With Azza Lennon out for the weekend it would be nice to call off the missing persons search and get Bentley involved.
He's due a 'Goal of the Season' any time soon, too.
Yep. Tell him playing for January.
"he's" playing
The commentators on BBC Radio London singled out Bale & bentleya s our two best players, which is nice.
I must admit, I was worried it was going the way of the Stoke game at first.
Having said that, it's all about Saturday, as far as I'm concerned...
WFRF still waiting for the non-sordid details of the results for the bridesmaid challenge
As for the Emptycrates, Bentley to score must be worth a punt?
I'd sell my soul, if I bought into the notion of a higher power, for a result come saturday.
As it is, I'd sell my GHD Gold IV Straighteners on ebay for a win on saturday.
Any takers? They're well nice...
I'm determined not to get myself in trouble here..
The non-sordid version is that I arrived- after a long, ultimatley frustrating day at the Lane- two hours late to the reception, ate lots of sausage rolls, drank many a Jaegerbomb before returning to the homestead.
Anything else I'm afraid you'll have to provide an e-mail address lest I get myself into hot water.
Hit my oleole message box with sordid bits. I'm a divorce lawyer, so I wallow in the dirt.