Jol addressed the issue of Defoe's petulant display upon being substituted by Keane in the Carling Cup victory over Middlesbrough. It's worth noting, of course, that Keane's introduction was the sparkplug that led to our two late goals.
Audio
Friday, September 28, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Taraabt to Start Against Middlesbrough Today
The Daily Mail is reporting that Taraabt will make his first start today in the Carling Cup match.
He will likely play on the left. His preferred position in the center behind the two strikers. You may recall in the West Ham match last year he played in this area of the pitch and helped turn that game around. He earned the free kick from which Berbatov scored the equalizer and played some great balls through to the strikers.
He has great skill on the ball, but when we have brought him on as a substitute this year, he has run around like a chicken with his head cut off in search of goal. Hopefully, a start will enable him to settle in and demonstrate the distributing prowess he appears to possess.
He will likely play on the left. His preferred position in the center behind the two strikers. You may recall in the West Ham match last year he played in this area of the pitch and helped turn that game around. He earned the free kick from which Berbatov scored the equalizer and played some great balls through to the strikers.
He has great skill on the ball, but when we have brought him on as a substitute this year, he has run around like a chicken with his head cut off in search of goal. Hopefully, a start will enable him to settle in and demonstrate the distributing prowess he appears to possess.
Encouraging Words from Berbatov
It's worth knowing there is some good news to report for Spurs. This comes from a Sky Sports Berbatov interview in which he expresses his loyalty to Tottenham.
Remarkably, he suggests he wasn't sure he would be a success in the Premier League."Loyalty is important to me and there is a debt to be repaid. Spurs wanted me no matter what - where were these other clubs then?
"If I leave it's because I'm no longer wanted. I won't ask for a move. I'm very settled here."
Monday, September 24, 2007
Rank Amateurs?
The news of the weekend was that Levy rushed together a 5 million pound offer for Mourinho just hours after his resignation. Some papers are reporting that Levy called the Special One's agent five times to present the offer. While this is confounding for a number of reasons, perhaps this provides a little bit of hope.
For anyone who has followed the transfer history of Abramovich at Chelsea, it is clear that he does not allow his players to move to his rivals. Spurs fans should be well acquainted with this process as Damien Duff's transfer mysteriously hit a road block. Consider also the number of other players that came to Chelsea seeking to play in the Premier League and have had to move to other leagues upon departing Chelsea.
The confirmation of such a substantial severance package for Mourinho could only mean that the manager had to give something back in return. That something likely includes a non-compete clause restricting his future employment by competitors for a period of time. While there are varying suggestions as to the length and the extent of these restrictions, it would not be surprising if the term was a couple years or longer. 17 million pounds is a lot to pay for anything less.
Which brings us back to the purported Spurs offer. If true, this would represent an astonishing level of naivete or desperation. Levy should know Mourinho would never be allowed to manage a London rival. And that an agent would only gladly trumpet the approaches to his client.
The one thing that makes this type of desperate approach seem likely is the word that Levy is trying to lure a top flight manager to make the imminent sale of the club more appealing to potential investors. We can only hope this is true.
The clumsy boardroom machinations at the start of the season have disrupted the team and probably dashed any chance to break into the top four. Maybe the approach to Mourinho was a fabrication by an opportunist agent willingly reported by a careless media. The problem is, because of the boardroom's recent poor form, this story is believable and that severely compromises the ability to attract a new manager and transfer targets.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club deserves top-flight professionalism at all levels and the boardroom has let down its supporters badly in this regard. Let's hope they can recover or yield to another management team to allow this team of great talent reach its potential.
For anyone who has followed the transfer history of Abramovich at Chelsea, it is clear that he does not allow his players to move to his rivals. Spurs fans should be well acquainted with this process as Damien Duff's transfer mysteriously hit a road block. Consider also the number of other players that came to Chelsea seeking to play in the Premier League and have had to move to other leagues upon departing Chelsea.
The confirmation of such a substantial severance package for Mourinho could only mean that the manager had to give something back in return. That something likely includes a non-compete clause restricting his future employment by competitors for a period of time. While there are varying suggestions as to the length and the extent of these restrictions, it would not be surprising if the term was a couple years or longer. 17 million pounds is a lot to pay for anything less.
Which brings us back to the purported Spurs offer. If true, this would represent an astonishing level of naivete or desperation. Levy should know Mourinho would never be allowed to manage a London rival. And that an agent would only gladly trumpet the approaches to his client.
The one thing that makes this type of desperate approach seem likely is the word that Levy is trying to lure a top flight manager to make the imminent sale of the club more appealing to potential investors. We can only hope this is true.
The clumsy boardroom machinations at the start of the season have disrupted the team and probably dashed any chance to break into the top four. Maybe the approach to Mourinho was a fabrication by an opportunist agent willingly reported by a careless media. The problem is, because of the boardroom's recent poor form, this story is believable and that severely compromises the ability to attract a new manager and transfer targets.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club deserves top-flight professionalism at all levels and the boardroom has let down its supporters badly in this regard. Let's hope they can recover or yield to another management team to allow this team of great talent reach its potential.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Bolton Game - Viewing Options
NONE. Nowhere.
Lucky Bar, Summers: No.
Setanta Broadband: No.
Sky Sports UK: No.
We're going to have to wait for the highlights.
Lucky Bar, Summers: No.
Setanta Broadband: No.
Sky Sports UK: No.
We're going to have to wait for the highlights.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Goals from the Spurs UEFA Cup Match
In case you didn't see the action in the Spurs 6-1 thrashing of Anorthosis Famagusta, here are the goals. Keane's goal was set up by a pretty good pass from Benoit Assou Ekotto. It's good to see that we have him back and that he is attacking well down the left side. If Bale stays healthy, I believe we are well set with Lee and Assou Ekotto overlapping down the left.
The two goals from Defoe were top notch. He's definitely making his case for a run in the first eleven.
Online Videos by Veoh.com
The two goals from Defoe were top notch. He's definitely making his case for a run in the first eleven.
Online Videos by Veoh.com
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Defoe and Everyone Else Scores
Entertaining White Hart Lane, Spurs put up six against an overmatched Cypriot team in our first UEFA Cup match. We can only hope that the Spurs follow up this victory like they did last year when our UEFA Cup successes led to movement up the table in the Premier League.
From the Daily Mail comes the story that Defoe found himself in Jol's doghouse because he thought it was more important to watch the TV show Big Brother instead of attending a team meeting. Perhaps even more disconcerting was that the coach actually tried to schedule the meeting around Defoe's TV viewing schedule. Really.
The news that Mourinho is due a 25 million pound payoff as part of his severance package, complete with a confidentiality agreement, likely means that the Special One has agreed not to coach any other big team. Including Spurs. One would expect the Portugal job would be available. Or the England job.
From the Daily Mail comes the story that Defoe found himself in Jol's doghouse because he thought it was more important to watch the TV show Big Brother instead of attending a team meeting. Perhaps even more disconcerting was that the coach actually tried to schedule the meeting around Defoe's TV viewing schedule. Really.
The news that Mourinho is due a 25 million pound payoff as part of his severance package, complete with a confidentiality agreement, likely means that the Special One has agreed not to coach any other big team. Including Spurs. One would expect the Portugal job would be available. Or the England job.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Jol Seeking Legal Guidance
There is a Daily News story that Jol is seeking legal guidance from the League Managers' Association regarding what he believes is his imminent departure. An interesting tidbit from the piece is that the six games that Tottenham has given Jol to prove himself is actually the amount of time they expect to elapse before Juande Ramos can free himself from Sevilla.
Of course, Mourinho's sudden departure from Chelsea will prompt all kinds of speculation that he is the next Tottenham manager.
Of course, Mourinho's sudden departure from Chelsea will prompt all kinds of speculation that he is the next Tottenham manager.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Ramos Stirs the Pot
While in town for Sevilla's midweek Champions League fixture against Arsenal, Juande Ramos has revealed his interest in managing in the Premier League. Of course, this is read by most to mean Tottenham. Is he really trying to unseat Jol? Signal his continued interest to Spurs? Put pressure on Sevilla? Difficult to be certain, but it must be unsettling for Jol. It appears the Dutchman has one less vulture to worry about, however, as the Daily Mail reports Klinsmann is holding out for a Champions League club and fancies his chances at Chelsea.
Having a continental structure separating the manager and player acquisition means that when the manager is in trouble, you never run out of news and rumors about transfer activity. So here's the latest on the player front.
The Sun has been reporting that Spurs are after the top scorer in the U17 World Cup, Nigerian Macauley Chrisantus. Apparently Real Madrid and Liverpool have joined Spurs in pursuit, but Tottenham has bid 1.5 million for him.
Having a continental structure separating the manager and player acquisition means that when the manager is in trouble, you never run out of news and rumors about transfer activity. So here's the latest on the player front.
The Sun has been reporting that Spurs are after the top scorer in the U17 World Cup, Nigerian Macauley Chrisantus. Apparently Real Madrid and Liverpool have joined Spurs in pursuit, but Tottenham has bid 1.5 million for him.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Fallout from another crushing defeat
The defeat to Arsenal was hard to take, but it did confirm that some of the problems bedeviling the team have not been worked out yet. Despite Jol's admission "I am sh**ting myself every time someone has a corner against us," we have not improved our defense in deadball situations and gave up another cheap goal with Adebayor's header. Our center midfield also failed to put the necessary pressure on Fabregas and Flamini and gave them enough time on the ball to dictate the game. We also failed to close on the ball outside the box and continue to give up those long range shots that trouble Robinson.
Yet, it seems that after the devastating loss to the Arse, Jol will still be around for a little while. Sky Sports reports that the board is committed to the Dutchman and is giving him one more month to prove himself. The Guardian says he has until the next international break. Other stories are making the rounds that Jol sought to leave Spurs before the beginning of the year and sounded out opportunities at Dutch clubs and another Premier League club. This was attributed to Sky's Sunday Supplement (their version of ESPN's Sports Reporters), but I haven't seen it in print anywhere.
An interesting twist is that Seville's Juande Ramos will be arriving in London tomorrow. For the Champions League fixture with Arsenal. Don't expect any new negotiations between the board and Ramos, however, as some reporter is likely to be tailing him wherever he goes.
Yet, it seems that after the devastating loss to the Arse, Jol will still be around for a little while. Sky Sports reports that the board is committed to the Dutchman and is giving him one more month to prove himself. The Guardian says he has until the next international break. Other stories are making the rounds that Jol sought to leave Spurs before the beginning of the year and sounded out opportunities at Dutch clubs and another Premier League club. This was attributed to Sky's Sunday Supplement (their version of ESPN's Sports Reporters), but I haven't seen it in print anywhere.
An interesting twist is that Seville's Juande Ramos will be arriving in London tomorrow. For the Champions League fixture with Arsenal. Don't expect any new negotiations between the board and Ramos, however, as some reporter is likely to be tailing him wherever he goes.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Derby Eve and Spurs Defender Arrested
On the eve of the London Derby, as speculation abounds around Martin Jol's future, comes the news that Chimbonda was arrested and questioned in the government inquiry into football transfers. Spurs were certainly eager to deflect negative press coverage with this story about Chimbonda's trip to a primary school and Jol's decision to select him tomorrow suggests the club is confident it will not affect his play.
The Guardian reports that police are interested in Chimbonda's move to Wigan not Tottenham. The Times suggests that Chimbonda is not a target of the investigation and, while unfamiliar with the British legal system, I wonder if he was arrested or simply brought in for questioning.
The Independent has a description of the alleged targets of the investigation:
Wenger will go with second-choice keeper Almunia, as Jens Lehmann has been ruled out with an elbow injury.
The Guardian reports that police are interested in Chimbonda's move to Wigan not Tottenham. The Times suggests that Chimbonda is not a target of the investigation and, while unfamiliar with the British legal system, I wonder if he was arrested or simply brought in for questioning.
The Independent has a description of the alleged targets of the investigation:
The police have been investigating suspected tax fraud and money laundering – which covers such matters as tax evasion or taking a back-hander in a deal – in relation to player transfers. The inquiry is thought to focus on two deals in particular: Amdy Faye's £2m move from Portsmouth to Newcastle United and Jean-Alain Boumsong's transfer from Rangers to Newcastle for £8.2m. Both took place in January 2005.Better news is that, for the first time this season, Spurs will have their first options available to start on the wings. Against the Gunners the pace of Lennon and Bale will probably not provide a great advantage, but their attacking speed in future fixtures should be lethal.
Wenger will go with second-choice keeper Almunia, as Jens Lehmann has been ruled out with an elbow injury.
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