Tottenham Hotspur Season 2008/9

[Tooting Bec]

Good to see spurs smash the boro last night 4-0. Taking us well away from Relegation and with Keane back and scoring, pav and lennon scoring a double it looks like there is some cohesion coming back to the line up.

[devilsadvocate]

Good to see spurs smash the boro last night 4-0. Taking us well away from Relegation and with Keane back and scoring, pav and lennon scoring a double it looks like there is some cohesion coming back to the line up.

Robbie Keane.....I apologise. He was immense. One his all time best performances for Spurs, he was that good. Only criticism is that he def should have scored the header from Jamie O'H's corner and possibly could have netted the dink over Brad Jones in the first half, but that was a top drawer save.

Modric is starting to fire. Jenas actually played some balls forward.

The there's Aaron Lennon, who continues to make opposition defenders look silly. 2 great finishes and some great runs. Unfortunately, I can see him getting poached in Summer.

BTW, did anyone else see Modric's jibe at Ronaldo saying his theatrics get him nowhere and that he should play the game in the correct spirit - that it's a man's game . Great call Luca!

COME ON YOU SPURS!!!

Beat that small team from Scotland on the weekend and we're well back in touch and well out of relegation trouble.

[Bully]

there might be north london derbys in the premiership again next year ! the way you guys are playing you will finish in the top 5

[JK]

Robbie Keane.....I apologise. He was immense. One his all time best performances for Spurs, he was that good. Only criticism is that he def should have scored the header from Jamie O'H's corner and possibly could have netted the dink over Brad Jones in the first half, but that was a top drawer save.

LOL, it's a beautiful thing when you fall in love all over again huh mate?!

[devilsadvocate]

Robbie Keane.....I apologise. He was immense. One his all time best performances for Spurs, he was that good. Only criticism is that he def should have scored the header from Jamie O'H's corner and possibly could have netted the dink over Brad Jones in the first half, but that was a top drawer save.

LOL, it's a beautiful thing when you fall in love all over again huh mate?!

Let's not get carried away! Jermaine Defoe is back at the Lane. My love for the little man never ceased!

[devilsadvocate]

there might be north london derbys in the premiership again next year ! the way you guys are playing you will finish in the top 5

Maybe 7th! If you look at all EPL games played since 'Arry took charge and taly the points, Spurs would be 7th:


TEAM Played Pts
Manchester United 19 51
Aston Villa 20 38
Liverpool 20 38
Chelsea 20 38
Everton 20 37
Arsenal 20 33
Tottenham Hotspur 19 29
Fulham 19 27
West Ham United 20 27
Wigan 20 27
Bolton 20 26
Manchester City 20 25
Newcastle United 20 22
Stoke City 21 22
Sunderland 19 22
Middlesbrough 20 17
Blackburn Rovers 19 16
Portsmouth 19 16
Hull City 20 15
West Bromwich Albion 20 12

And 'maybe' NLD's next year......more like it will be the year of the double....Spurs will take 6 points from the scum!!!

[Tooting Bec]

interesting to see how far man u are in front in that same period. Gee I hate those bastards but they are on fire at the moment.

[devilsadvocate]

interesting to see how far man u are in front in that same period. Gee I hate those bastards but they are on fire at the moment.

Over 2.5 points per game average. That's quite remarkable.

I think over his career with Man U, Fergie has achieved an average of something like 2.2 ppg, which is unbelievable in this day and age.

Will try to dig up a stat for that.

- EDIT -
I couldn't find a points per game figure, but found the following HERE
In all, United have won 702 (58%) of the 1210 league games played under Ferguson to
the end of May 2008. That surpasses even the record of Matt Busby: 576 (50%) wins
out of 1141 games. And Ferguson’s teams lost only 18% of their competitive games,
compared with 26% under Busby. Since the inception of the Premier League,
Ferguson’s record has been even more remarkable, beyond belief in fact.

In the 16 years of the Premiership, United have totalled 155 more league points
than Arsenal, their nearest challengers, 221 more than Chelsea and 244 more than
Liverpool. That’s nearly 10 points a season better than Arsenal on average,nearly
14 points better than Chelsea and more than 16 points better than Liverpool -
astonishing margins. In the process, United also played the more attractive
football consistently, averaging 1.97 goals per game (compared with 1.69 for
Arsenal, 1.58 for Chelsea, and 1.6 for Liverpool) and defended better (conceding
0.87 goals per game compared with 0.88, 0.98 and 0.98 respectively for their main
rivals).

If all that were not enough, Ferguson has also brought United two European Cups, a
European Cup-Winners Cup, five FA Cups (a record for a manager) and two League
Cups, 20 major trophies in all. Against that, Michels won a total of 14, Paisley
13, Capello 9, Busby 7 and Chapman 6. But there’s more. Before joining United in
1986, Ferguson led Aberdeen to 3 league championships, 4 FA Cups, one League Cup
and a European Cup-Winners Cup in Scotland.

From wikipedia, if you simply total the points Man USA would have received based on 3 for a win, 1 for a draw for all games played (I know this isn't accurate given cup games etc), you get just over 1.98 PPG.

I think the stat I saw related only to the premier league, so excluded Fergie's dodgy periods in the '80s.

[RoosterMarty]

With a game in hand too....

But that 'dodgy' period in the 80s shows how important stability is. Where would United be if they had simply sacked him all the way back then? Some managers just need time.. but with the amount of money going around these days if you don't get instant results you are lining up at Centrelink. Especially when you get clueless rich businessmen buying up the clubs. Chelsea have had 4 bosses since Roman took over, even though Avram was only a caretaker.

[Bully]

there might be north london derbys in the premiership again next year ! the way you guys are playing you will finish in the top 5

Maybe 7th! If you look at all EPL games played since 'Arry took charge and taly the points, Spurs would be 7th:


TEAM Played Pts
Manchester United 19 51
Aston Villa 20 38
Liverpool 20 38
Chelsea 20 38
Everton 20 37
Arsenal 20 33
Tottenham Hotspur 19 29
Fulham 19 27
West Ham United 20 27
Wigan 20 27
Bolton 20 26
Manchester City 20 25
Newcastle United 20 22
Stoke City 21 22
Sunderland 19 22
Middlesbrough 20 17
Blackburn Rovers 19 16
Portsmouth 19 16
Hull City 20 15
West Bromwich Albion 20 12

And 'maybe' NLD's next year......more like it will be the year of the double....Spurs will take 6 points from the scum!!!

still behind us tho

[devilsadvocate]

With a game in hand too....

But that 'dodgy' period in the 80s shows how important stability is. Where would United be if they had simply sacked him all the way back then? Some managers just need time.. but with the amount of money going around these days if you don't get instant results you are lining up at Centrelink. Especially when you get clueless rich businessmen buying up the clubs. Chelsea have had 4 bosses since Roman took over, even though Avram was only a caretaker.

Exactly. Today's turnover of managers is a joke, and my lot are the absolute worst for it. Clearly Fergie was a good manager, evidenced by his achievements at Aberdeen. When he got to Utd, he openly slated the players and culture, saying players drank too much and weren't fit enough. With time, he's changed all that, implemented a great winning culture and got the right people around him to get the best out of his players.

The thing I constantly wonder with Fergie and Arsene in particular, is 'what if' with regards to some of the talent on other clubs lists. For example, on our list at present, we have a bunch of about 6 u/19's, who are probably in the top 10 most exciting prospects in the country - Bostock, Parrett, Obika, Smith, Mason and Townsend. All of these blokes are currently showing the potential to become world class. However, is the program and management at Tottenham capable of nuturing these players through to achieve their full potential as effectively as Man U or Arsenal? I doubt it.

Evidence against - Huddlestone, Lennon, Taraabt, Ghaly, Danny Rose, Thomas Peckhart. Now obviously, Lennon is having a great spell, but there's still question marks over his final ball, particularly his crossing. My question is, would Ferg/Arsene have ironed these out by now? Then there's Huddlestone and Taraabt - both have exquisite skills, but each has their own specific problems which stick out like dogs balls. Again - would Fergie and Arsene be able to iron these out? I think yes in all cases, simply because of stability and their ability to implement a solid foundation and culture for these players to develop into.

A culture where you have a new manager each year, spend millions on dud new recruits, require instant success at the expense of talent development and most damagingly, sell your brightest talents the second someone comes knocking is NOT the way to run a football club.

So, reluctantly, I Fergie and Arsene.

Finally, on Avram, he'd have to be the most successful manager to ever be sacked? (Although I guess he did lose the Carling Cup, screw up the FA Cup, and lose the Champions League)

[devilsadvocate]

Posted about a minute ago on a Spurs forum by a fellow Yid, who knows FAR more about football than I:

Continuity Counts!
The age old notion that continuity is a major factor to the continued success of a top flight club is only backed up by 2 of the most successful clubs of the last 10 years in the EPL having retained the same manager for this period.

After watching a very enjoyable match last night at the lane, something struck me. Whilst we all view a manager as the man responsible for the first team, this is by no means where his role ends. Watching the Arsenal youth team last night, you can see the same footballing philosophies that Arsene Wenger instills in his first team, embedded deep in the way that these teeneage sensations went about the business of breaking down our own very telented youth setup.

It strikes me that the style Arsenal play football in the first team is the style that flows down through all the teams in the club. The whole philosophy of interchanging, quick passing football, with excellent off the ball movement was there for all to see last night. I also think that if you looked down the heirachy at Manchester United, the same consistency in footballing style would be seen, right down to the youngest team.

The consistency over the past 10 years of having the same manager in charge, with his own distinctive style, that he has been able to instill in all areas of the club means that by the time players get to the first team, they are used to the style in which they are expected to play.

With Spurs, the lack of consistency at the top of the clubs coaching staff must have an effect on the way in which the club brings through their array of young talent. If every couple of years, the message from above is changing, how are young players coming through the ranks expected to consistently develop. Every time a young player moves up to the next level, they have to learn to adapt to a new style of play and a new footballing philosophy. This cannot help our youth players education in playing the game, and must have an adverse effect on how they progress as players within the game.

This is by no means the only reason why all bar a few of our youth players never make it at this level, but it must have an impact when trying to turn prospects into the real thing. The opposite can be said for the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, where not only have players successfully made the transition into the first team over the past 10 years, but the ratio of their youth players successfully integrating into Premier League sides is miles better than our own, where players often see out the remainder of their careers in the lower leagues.

I guess, it's not ******* rocket science. It's like the stockmarket. There's an old adage that says, the stockmarket is merely a tool for the transfer of money from the impatient to the patient.

[devilsadvocate]

BTW, the match he's referring to at the Lane last night was the U/19 FA Cup, where the filthy Arse scored 2 late goals to beat us 2-1.

[johntheclaret]

Good to see spurs smash the boro last night 4-0. Taking us well away from Relegation and with Keane back and scoring, pav and lennon scoring a double it looks like there is some cohesion coming back to the line up.

Scored one and has 3 assists. Robbie is back where he belongs imo. good bit of business by that twat Arry. (I hate to say it) He knew Robbies ability and more where his heart is.

[johntheclaret]

Beat that small team from Scotland on the weekend and we're well back in touch and well out of relegation trouble.

And I thought we were friends

[johntheclaret]

With a game in hand too....

But that 'dodgy' period in the 80s shows how important stability is. Where would United be if they had simply sacked him all the way back then? Some managers just need time.. but with the amount of money going around these days if you don't get instant results you are lining up at Centrelink. Especially when you get clueless rich businessmen buying up the clubs. Chelsea have had 4 bosses since Roman took over, even though Avram was only a caretaker.

Exactly. Today's turnover of managers is a joke, and my lot are the absolute worst for it. Clearly Fergie was a good manager, evidenced by his achievements at Aberdeen. When he got to Utd, he openly slated the players and culture, saying players drank too much and weren't fit enough. With time, he's changed all that, implemented a great winning culture and got the right people around him to get the best out of his players.

The thing I constantly wonder with Fergie and Arsene in particular, is 'what if' with regards to some of the talent on other clubs lists. For example, on our list at present, we have a bunch of about 6 u/19's, who are probably in the top 10 most exciting prospects in the country - Bostock, Parrett, Obika, Smith, Mason and Townsend. All of these blokes are currently showing the potential to become world class. However, is the program and management at Tottenham capable of nuturing these players through to achieve their full potential as effectively as Man U or Arsenal? I doubt it.

Evidence against - Huddlestone, Lennon, Taraabt, Ghaly, Danny Rose, Thomas Peckhart. Now obviously, Lennon is having a great spell, but there's still question marks over his final ball, particularly his crossing. My question is, would Ferg/Arsene have ironed these out by now? Then there's Huddlestone and Taraabt - both have exquisite skills, but each has their own specific problems which stick out like dogs balls. Again - would Fergie and Arsene be able to iron these out? I think yes in all cases, simply because of stability and their ability to implement a solid foundation and culture for these players to develop into.

A culture where you have a new manager each year, spend millions on dud new recruits, require instant success at the expense of talent development and most damagingly, sell your brightest talents the second someone comes knocking is NOT the way to run a football club.

So, reluctantly, I Fergie and Arsene.

Finally, on Avram, he'd have to be the most successful manager to ever be sacked? (Although I guess he did lose the Carling Cup, screw up the FA Cup, and lose the Champions League)

I don't understand why club boards don't see this. It's not just the big name clubs either.

Look at what Dario Grady did at Crewe. A minnow of a club but with him at the helm for, what was it, 14 years or something, he kept them punching way above their weight for many of those years. I have said it many times, Curbishley was at Charlton for donkeys years and he also kep the punching above thir weight in the EPL for years. now look at them.

As they say, it takes time to turn around an oil tanker.

[devilsadvocate]

Beat that small team from Scotland on the weekend and we're well back in touch and well out of relegation trouble.

And I thought we were friends

I didn't realise you were a closet Mackem?

[johntheclaret]

Beat that small team from Scotland on the weekend and we're well back in touch and well out of relegation trouble.

And I thought we were friends

I didn't realise you were a closet Mackem?

Bugger I was getting me Arsenals and me Spurses mixed up there for a minute. It was that post by TN3 about our owen

[devilsadvocate]

Beat that small team from Scotland on the weekend and we're well back in touch and well out of relegation trouble.

And I thought we were friends

I didn't realise you were a closet Mackem?

Bugger I was getting me Arsenals and me Spurses mixed up there for a minute. It was that post by TN3 about our owen

Ahhhh, so you've actually confused me with an Ar5ena1 fan........maybe we aren't freinds...

[johntheclaret]

Sorry mate. I just realised what an insult that was.

Found this on aunty Beebs site

Defoe accused of driving offences

Jermaine Defoe denies the three motoring offences
Tottenham and England footballer Jermaine Defoe has denied a series of motoring offences, including letting someone use his car without insurance.

Mr Defoe, 26, from Cuffley, Hertfordshire, did not attend a hearing in Southend when it was decided the case would be sent for trial.

Another man, Ryan Edgar, 23, of east London, also denied charges which include driving without insurance.

The trial will take place before magistrates in Southend on 1 May.

Mr Defoe is charged with permitting the use of a motor vehicle without insurance, aiding and abetting the driving of a motor vehicle not in accordance with a licence, and that the vehicle was potentially dangerous because of the tinted windows.

Mr Edgar, of Plaistow, who also did not attend the hearing, is charged with using a motor vehicle without insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and using a vehicle in a condition likely to cause danger.