Spurs fans arrived at the final game of last season unsure which – if any – of our strikers would reappear in the shirt. Would it be Rossi, Forlan, Hulk, Falcao or Leandro Damiao lining up come August? Surely not Emmanuel Adebayor.
We needed to win to secure a Europa League spot and Roman Pavlyuchenko delivered the goods in style with a long-distance brace that condemned Birmingham to the Championship and left us all thinking, "Why can't you do that every week?"
This was a player who had sulked most of the season about not getting enough games. The manager in turn would routinely question his attitude and focus, only throwing him on late as a last resort. So was Pav's performance against Brum a show for the shop window or had he just pulled his finger out and saved his skin?
"When he is on form he is fantastic," said Redknapp afterwards. "I have been to France to watch players three times this week and I’m looking at them and thinking they’re not as good as Pav is."
The summer seemed to herald a new dawn for the Russian, the gaffer was blowing his trumpet and even Pav's agent was claiming, "Roman wants to stay in London. His heart belongs to Tottenham." Strange for an agent not to be pushing for a lucrative deal elsewhere, we thought.
They say you're only as good as your last game and, if the start to this season has been anything to go by, the maybe agent Oleg Artemov was desperate to trade on his client's Birmingham brace and secure a lucrative contract extension before Pav shattered the illusion in his next game.
Last night, Roman was arguably the most experienced pro on the field. The opposition was, to put it mildly, rubbish, and the stage was his to shine.
Needless to say, Soo-pah Pav missed two decent chances and was twice flagged offside and got himself booked just to top it off. The sight of Adebayor in the stands was a huge relief.
Friday, 26 August 2011
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Harry plays peacemaker as Modric loses fans' respect
Harry Redknapp has claimed that he holds the key to convincing Luka Modric to stay put and that the situation can be sorted with a decent chat and an improved contract – but David Pleat says "sell up" and some fans already see yesterday's no show as the final straw.
"If anyone can pick him up, I can. I have a great relationship with him," the gaffer explained, but says that Modric's relationship with the chairman might need more work.
"They probably fell out a little bit over that first meeting," added Redknapp. "If they can have a meeting and resolve the whole situation and Daniel tells him we need him, he is important and that we are ambitious and will bring one or two players in, you might find the boy will be okay."
Former boss David Pleat says different. He says that Tottenham should face up to the fact that Modric doesn't want to stay and cash in before it's too late, even hinting at some underhand tactics on Chelsea's behalf.
"Spurs are being forced to lose a player because someone has done their business behind the scenes and now he’s seeing £150,000 a week or whatever Chelsea are saying they’ll pay him," Pleat told Talksport.
"With Modric it’s simple – he’s asked for a transfer so he doesn’t want to play there. He shouldn’t be a hero with the fans because he doesn’t want to play for the shirt.
“So Tottenham need to maximise the price and get every penny they can for him. And to pacify the supporters, they should take good money, plus a player. That would help."
Last night seems to have been a big turning point with the fans as a number of forums seem to suggest.
Nasri was willing to put in a good shift for Arsenal despite his Manchester City move looming large, and John Obi Mikel turned out for Chelsea even though his father had been kidnapped. Yet poor little Luka Modric has to stay at home because he can't get his own way.
The Croatian claims to love and respect the Tottenham fans but he was still willing to sit at home while thousands of supporters forked out for tickets and transport to Manchester only to see their depleated side outplayed in midfield, desperately lacking someone who could open up the defending champions.
Modric's head wasn't in the right place. Or so we are told. Well £60,000 a week should be enough to put anybody's head in the right place. Even Cesc Fabregas continued to play for his employer despite his head being elsewhere.
As Kevin Bond said, everyone has their price and, despite Daniel Levy's strong stance over the summer saga the simple truth of the matter may be that Chelsea haven't matched our valuation.
If the Blues don't come through with an acceptable offer in time, then Modric will have a huge job clawing back the respect of the White Hart Lane faithful.
Maybe that Monday-night trip up to Manchester doesn't seem such a bad idea after all, eh Luka?
"If anyone can pick him up, I can. I have a great relationship with him," the gaffer explained, but says that Modric's relationship with the chairman might need more work.
"They probably fell out a little bit over that first meeting," added Redknapp. "If they can have a meeting and resolve the whole situation and Daniel tells him we need him, he is important and that we are ambitious and will bring one or two players in, you might find the boy will be okay."
Former boss David Pleat says different. He says that Tottenham should face up to the fact that Modric doesn't want to stay and cash in before it's too late, even hinting at some underhand tactics on Chelsea's behalf.
"Spurs are being forced to lose a player because someone has done their business behind the scenes and now he’s seeing £150,000 a week or whatever Chelsea are saying they’ll pay him," Pleat told Talksport.
"With Modric it’s simple – he’s asked for a transfer so he doesn’t want to play there. He shouldn’t be a hero with the fans because he doesn’t want to play for the shirt.
“So Tottenham need to maximise the price and get every penny they can for him. And to pacify the supporters, they should take good money, plus a player. That would help."
Last night seems to have been a big turning point with the fans as a number of forums seem to suggest.
Nasri was willing to put in a good shift for Arsenal despite his Manchester City move looming large, and John Obi Mikel turned out for Chelsea even though his father had been kidnapped. Yet poor little Luka Modric has to stay at home because he can't get his own way.
The Croatian claims to love and respect the Tottenham fans but he was still willing to sit at home while thousands of supporters forked out for tickets and transport to Manchester only to see their depleated side outplayed in midfield, desperately lacking someone who could open up the defending champions.
Modric's head wasn't in the right place. Or so we are told. Well £60,000 a week should be enough to put anybody's head in the right place. Even Cesc Fabregas continued to play for his employer despite his head being elsewhere.
As Kevin Bond said, everyone has their price and, despite Daniel Levy's strong stance over the summer saga the simple truth of the matter may be that Chelsea haven't matched our valuation.
If the Blues don't come through with an acceptable offer in time, then Modric will have a huge job clawing back the respect of the White Hart Lane faithful.
Maybe that Monday-night trip up to Manchester doesn't seem such a bad idea after all, eh Luka?
Monday, 22 August 2011
Man United 3-0 Spurs: Initial reaction
I missed the first half of that. Two Manchester United fans have told me we played well in the first half. And the pundits said we played well in the first half. At least I didn't get my expectations up unnecessarily then.
Well nobody ever took any points off Manchester United by just playing well in the first half and it's scant consolation for a second-half performance that had the words "mid table at best" tattoed all over it in large "I told you so" letters.
Let's get one thing straight. Manchester United are better than us. It doesn't take 22 years without a win at Old Trafford to figure that out. But based on our showing in the last 45 minutes, we still look too similar to the side that won only three of our final 12 games last term.
We appeared jaded and impotent going forward. Early on, we kept possession well and we knocked the ball around confidently but we were bereft of ideas and never looked a threat to a largely inexperienced Man United defence.
Our centre backs and midfielders are still too happy to pump the ball up to nobody in particular, giving possession away too cheaply in the process. Then, when we did push into the final third, the ball was hit inaccurately at goal rather than dropped into the box to test a wobbly David De Gea in the United net.
There have been stories of Defoe looking sharper, stronger and more determined but he still didn't look the intelligent team player we are craving and Rafa Van Der Vaart still looks unfit.
All in all, we're left wondering exactly what we did with our pre-season other than counter act headline after headline of inaccurate Luka Modric speculation.
We may be missing a number of first-team players but a strong line-up still refused to press United on the ball and gave them enough time to appear the finished article.
We're not foreseeing doom and disaster. We're just making our disappointment clear.
After the Everton game was cancelled, we certainly didn't expect to start the campaign with a win. But lesser teams than us have beaten the Red Devils at Old Trafford in the past 22 years and it's fair to think that with this current Spurs team we can at least give them a game that lasts longer than the first half.
Well nobody ever took any points off Manchester United by just playing well in the first half and it's scant consolation for a second-half performance that had the words "mid table at best" tattoed all over it in large "I told you so" letters.
Let's get one thing straight. Manchester United are better than us. It doesn't take 22 years without a win at Old Trafford to figure that out. But based on our showing in the last 45 minutes, we still look too similar to the side that won only three of our final 12 games last term.
We appeared jaded and impotent going forward. Early on, we kept possession well and we knocked the ball around confidently but we were bereft of ideas and never looked a threat to a largely inexperienced Man United defence.
Our centre backs and midfielders are still too happy to pump the ball up to nobody in particular, giving possession away too cheaply in the process. Then, when we did push into the final third, the ball was hit inaccurately at goal rather than dropped into the box to test a wobbly David De Gea in the United net.
There have been stories of Defoe looking sharper, stronger and more determined but he still didn't look the intelligent team player we are craving and Rafa Van Der Vaart still looks unfit.
All in all, we're left wondering exactly what we did with our pre-season other than counter act headline after headline of inaccurate Luka Modric speculation.
We may be missing a number of first-team players but a strong line-up still refused to press United on the ball and gave them enough time to appear the finished article.
We're not foreseeing doom and disaster. We're just making our disappointment clear.
After the Everton game was cancelled, we certainly didn't expect to start the campaign with a win. But lesser teams than us have beaten the Red Devils at Old Trafford in the past 22 years and it's fair to think that with this current Spurs team we can at least give them a game that lasts longer than the first half.
Thursday, 18 August 2011
Hearts v Tottenham: Live
Welcome to Taxi For Maicon for text coverage of our first leg Europa League tie against Hearts at Tynecastle.
Starting XI: Gomes, Walker, Kaboul, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Livermore, Kranjcar, Bale, Van Der Vaart, Defoe.
We'll be providing a purely Spurs voice; totally biased and typically cynical. Keep checking back here for updates of the game.
7.45pm: Spurs kick off to a chorus of boos from the Tynecastle crowd. Some neat passing in the opening moments, interspersed with us giving the ball away far too easily before Van Der Vaart releases Bale down the left to no avail.
7.50pm: GOAL Hearts 0-1 Spurs (Van Der Vaart)
One-twos all round from Spurs, after threatning just moments before with a shot from the edge of the box, VDV exchanges passes with Defoe. He looks like he's lost posession on the edge of the box but it deflects back into his path through the middle and the Dutchman slides it easily under the keeper to open the scoring.
7.55pm: Ideal start for Spurs and Hearts haven't really hit back. VDV is dropping deep and looking to make things happen. Defoe looks quick and all our lads look reasonably assured in possession.
8.00pm: GOAL Hearts 0-2 Tottenham (Defoe)
Class goal. Absolutely class. Lennon changes pace quickly to come in off the LEFT touchline, plays yet another one-two with VDV before feeding Defoe's run into the box. Not exactly a close first touch from Jermain but he's onto it like a flash and tucks it away easily.
8.03pm: Hearts have nothing so far. Before the second goal John Sutton hit a wild effort at goal from a long way out. Surely it's a bit early for desperate measures. Maybe not.
8.09pm: Kyle Walker looking to prove himself at right-back this evening and, as Hearts start to press, he gets back well to challenge Templeton. Our defence is wobbling a bit the more the ball is pumped into our box and the home fans are regaining a voice as their team grows in confidence.
8.12pm: GOAL Hearts 0-3 Tottenham (Livermore)
Another man looking to impress is Jake Livermore; and he's done just that. Slick passing in midfield between VDV, Defoe and eventually Livermore who slams the ball near post and it goes in after a touch from the keeper.
8.15pm: Remember last year's Euro qualifier? We were on the wrong side of this scoreline by now. Our lads would do well to remember that and I'm sure Harry Redknapp will point that out at half time. But as yet, we're still on the attack and Jermain Defoe acrobatically directs Lennon's cross from the right onto the bar, only to be called offside.
8.21pm: Kranjcar finds Bale on the left. Hearts are well aware of his danger but that isn't stopping him. He flashes down the wing and wins a corner from which Kaboul drifts in at the far side of the box to control and volley over.
8.30: That's half-time and it's the end of a good half of football. A nice way to start the season if we can keep it up.
8.46pm: Hearts kick off the second half.
8.50pm: Pressure from Hearts as they force three corners. It's difficult to have any more confidence in our defence. Gomes gets a touch on the third corner, but Andrew Driver bundles into the box and gets a shot away only for his own player to eventually deflect it wide.
8.55pm: Our grasp on this game is getting slippery as a strong Kaboul challenge sees him booked. He got the ball but his studs were up, fair decision. The 35-yard free-kick comes to nothing.
9.02pm: On the sideline, Tom Huddlestone is getting a shirt on and his presence would be useful in the centre of midfield right now. Van Der Vaart gives the ball away and Templeton flies onto the ball and tears through the middle of our defence. But Walker makes another impressive interception in front of Gomes and Livermore. Huddlestone comes on for VDV, and makes an immediate impact running onto a Defoe pass but fires his shot wide.
9.05pm: GOAL Hearts 0-4 Spurs (Bale)
Huddlestone's made a huge difference and is controlling the midfield. Gareth Bale runs onto a chipped pass from the big man, his first touch takes him past the keeper as his pace leaves the Hearts back line looking for a flag, simple tap in after that.
9.11pm: Andros Townsend comes on for Gareth Bale.
9.18pm: Hearts are getting dirty. Not physical, dirty. Kranjcar, Assou-Ekotto and now Kaboul are going to be bruised tomorrow.
9.19pm: GOAL Hearts 0-5 Spurs (Lennon)
Counter attack. Townsend breaks clear, outside of the boot ping to Defoe on the left who swings it in for Lennon to tap in. The Hearts fans are leaving and the Spurs fans are singing for Super Pav, who comes on for Defoe.
9.26pm: We're still knocking it about and pressing Hearts into their final third. Kranjcar looks eager to make his mark on the game, although at 5-0 you can't help think it's a game he should already have made his mark on. He's been solid but not uber-creative. Probably not enough to push for a start at Old Trafford at the weekend anyway.
9.30pm: A goal for the home side probably isn't going to change the tie, but you'd prefer we kept a clean sheet. Ryan Stephenson comes forward onto a headed clearance and drives the ball hard and low. It fizzes a foot past the right of Gomes' goal.
9.35: Almost some champagne footy from our front line as Lennon, Townsend and Pav probe for the space to create a sixth. But that's it. Final whistle. Game over. You never want to say job done, but we're not just in the driving seat, we're sat on the bonnet.
That's it from Taxi For Maicon this evening. Thanks for reading and keep checking back for news and opinion pieces throughout the week.
Starting XI: Gomes, Walker, Kaboul, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Livermore, Kranjcar, Bale, Van Der Vaart, Defoe.
We'll be providing a purely Spurs voice; totally biased and typically cynical. Keep checking back here for updates of the game.
7.45pm: Spurs kick off to a chorus of boos from the Tynecastle crowd. Some neat passing in the opening moments, interspersed with us giving the ball away far too easily before Van Der Vaart releases Bale down the left to no avail.
7.50pm: GOAL Hearts 0-1 Spurs (Van Der Vaart)
One-twos all round from Spurs, after threatning just moments before with a shot from the edge of the box, VDV exchanges passes with Defoe. He looks like he's lost posession on the edge of the box but it deflects back into his path through the middle and the Dutchman slides it easily under the keeper to open the scoring.
7.55pm: Ideal start for Spurs and Hearts haven't really hit back. VDV is dropping deep and looking to make things happen. Defoe looks quick and all our lads look reasonably assured in possession.
8.00pm: GOAL Hearts 0-2 Tottenham (Defoe)
Class goal. Absolutely class. Lennon changes pace quickly to come in off the LEFT touchline, plays yet another one-two with VDV before feeding Defoe's run into the box. Not exactly a close first touch from Jermain but he's onto it like a flash and tucks it away easily.
8.03pm: Hearts have nothing so far. Before the second goal John Sutton hit a wild effort at goal from a long way out. Surely it's a bit early for desperate measures. Maybe not.
8.09pm: Kyle Walker looking to prove himself at right-back this evening and, as Hearts start to press, he gets back well to challenge Templeton. Our defence is wobbling a bit the more the ball is pumped into our box and the home fans are regaining a voice as their team grows in confidence.
8.12pm: GOAL Hearts 0-3 Tottenham (Livermore)
Another man looking to impress is Jake Livermore; and he's done just that. Slick passing in midfield between VDV, Defoe and eventually Livermore who slams the ball near post and it goes in after a touch from the keeper.
8.15pm: Remember last year's Euro qualifier? We were on the wrong side of this scoreline by now. Our lads would do well to remember that and I'm sure Harry Redknapp will point that out at half time. But as yet, we're still on the attack and Jermain Defoe acrobatically directs Lennon's cross from the right onto the bar, only to be called offside.
8.21pm: Kranjcar finds Bale on the left. Hearts are well aware of his danger but that isn't stopping him. He flashes down the wing and wins a corner from which Kaboul drifts in at the far side of the box to control and volley over.
8.30: That's half-time and it's the end of a good half of football. A nice way to start the season if we can keep it up.
8.46pm: Hearts kick off the second half.
8.50pm: Pressure from Hearts as they force three corners. It's difficult to have any more confidence in our defence. Gomes gets a touch on the third corner, but Andrew Driver bundles into the box and gets a shot away only for his own player to eventually deflect it wide.
8.55pm: Our grasp on this game is getting slippery as a strong Kaboul challenge sees him booked. He got the ball but his studs were up, fair decision. The 35-yard free-kick comes to nothing.
9.02pm: On the sideline, Tom Huddlestone is getting a shirt on and his presence would be useful in the centre of midfield right now. Van Der Vaart gives the ball away and Templeton flies onto the ball and tears through the middle of our defence. But Walker makes another impressive interception in front of Gomes and Livermore. Huddlestone comes on for VDV, and makes an immediate impact running onto a Defoe pass but fires his shot wide.
9.05pm: GOAL Hearts 0-4 Spurs (Bale)
Huddlestone's made a huge difference and is controlling the midfield. Gareth Bale runs onto a chipped pass from the big man, his first touch takes him past the keeper as his pace leaves the Hearts back line looking for a flag, simple tap in after that.
9.11pm: Andros Townsend comes on for Gareth Bale.
9.18pm: Hearts are getting dirty. Not physical, dirty. Kranjcar, Assou-Ekotto and now Kaboul are going to be bruised tomorrow.
9.19pm: GOAL Hearts 0-5 Spurs (Lennon)
Counter attack. Townsend breaks clear, outside of the boot ping to Defoe on the left who swings it in for Lennon to tap in. The Hearts fans are leaving and the Spurs fans are singing for Super Pav, who comes on for Defoe.
9.26pm: We're still knocking it about and pressing Hearts into their final third. Kranjcar looks eager to make his mark on the game, although at 5-0 you can't help think it's a game he should already have made his mark on. He's been solid but not uber-creative. Probably not enough to push for a start at Old Trafford at the weekend anyway.
9.30pm: A goal for the home side probably isn't going to change the tie, but you'd prefer we kept a clean sheet. Ryan Stephenson comes forward onto a headed clearance and drives the ball hard and low. It fizzes a foot past the right of Gomes' goal.
9.35: Almost some champagne footy from our front line as Lennon, Townsend and Pav probe for the space to create a sixth. But that's it. Final whistle. Game over. You never want to say job done, but we're not just in the driving seat, we're sat on the bonnet.
That's it from Taxi For Maicon this evening. Thanks for reading and keep checking back for news and opinion pieces throughout the week.
What have we learnt, if anything?
In keeping with Tottenham's season so far Taxi For Maicon is kicking off somewhat late and, in keeping Tottenham's transfer policy, we've also had a quiet summer.
The reason? Luka Modric. Every time we opened the paper, searched for 'Spurs' on Google or spoke football in the pub, it was the same old story. Certain publications were so desperate to push the story on that they've all now admitted that the Croatian never actually handed in a written transfer request.
We arrive at our opening game tonight, in very much the same condition we finished the season, so just what can we take from our summer?
Sales and strikers were top of the agenda at the end of last season and, whilst we wasted no time in securing some competition for the No.1 jersey, movement has been slow.
In the back of our collective mind, a concern manifested that the Modric saga would mirror the Dimitar Berbatov calamity of 2008, selling him at the last minute for a bumper fee but leaving no time to use the monies to fill the remaining hole – three months on and that concern has developed into a very realistic fear, as he's been left out the squad to play Hearts with a "groin injury".
Moving on, you would like think that after a full and successful pre-season, our squad would be in tip-top shape and raring to go but, to add to Luka's groin problem, we're missing Sandro, William Gallas, Steven Pienaar, Jermaine Jenas, Luka Modric, Tom Huddlestone and Wilson Palacios.
In fact it doesn't feel like we're in any stronger position than we were when the final whistle blew in our last game against Birmingham in May and today our first game back is soiled with the embarassment of the squad not being able to find a hotel in Edinburgh.
It's at least worth remembering that in May the bookies slashed the odds of Harry Redknapp joining Chelsea, so at least we still have our manager – for the time being.
Seeing some of the friendlies was also a reminder of the sort of quality we do have in the squad. Gareth Bale was back to business as usual, tearing down the left flank, Rafa Van Der Vaart, was scoring free-kicks for fun, even Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch found their shooting boots.
As far as building on last season goes, we all expected a bit more organisation, ambition and progress before the season kicked off rather having to wing it and take our chances with last-minute transfers again.
That said, progress is ultimately judged on the pitch and it'll be a relief to finally get the season underway. Next stop, transfer deadline day.
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