Defoe: Thank you for the memories

The ball was played quickly through to him, I knew what was going to happen, the whole of White Hart Lane knew it, the only person who seemed oblivious to it was Vincent Kompany. A second later the ball was in the net, the Lane exploded, Jermain Defoe and his right foot had fired Spurs into the lead. It was glorious, it was the last great thing he did at Spurs, but it was one of many.

There is no doubt that Defoe has divided opinion amongst Spurs fans for quite some time. When he first arrived I like many of you couldn’t believe it, what a coup. A young English centre forward who possessed an immense amount of talent. Unfortunately for us and him, he never built on that talent but he remained nevertheless an effective striker, until the modern game caught up with him.

However, today is not the day to talk about his weaknesses, about his failings and how he used to drive me and many others mad.

Today is the day we thank him. We can cast our eyes back over his career and remember his best moments.

These are my Top Defoe Moments:

Before Luis there was Defoe

You know how it is, you run around a bit, you burn some calories, you get hungry. For most of us we can just nip to our kit bag and grab a Kit-Kat from behind the goal at PowerLeague, for a PL footballer life is different.

Defoe got peckish and with no confectionary available he took a bite out of Javier Mascherano. For those of you who have been to Guacho or Garufin, you will understand why he did it. Argentine steak is tasty.

“5ive will make you get down now”

Scoring a goal for Spurs must be a special feeling. Scoring one, then another four at White Hart Lane under the lights must be orgasmic. Poor Wigan got hit by a second half thunderstorm as Spurs romped to a famous 9-1 victory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2fn0woJBj0

Perhaps Defoe’s finest moment in a Spurs shirt?

I kneed your loving

“Jermain Defoe is a word that certain individuals trying to promote themselves want banned” is a well sung chant at the Lane.

However, love isn’t always forthcoming for the little guy. After being brought back from Portsmouth, he was on the end of some rather serious abuse from the Pompey fans, Defoe responded in the only way he knows, by scoring.

Unfortunately one part of his game that has constantly let him down are his celebrations. Where is the heart? The kissing the wrist? The Thomas Brolin jump and spin, or the Mario Balotelli muscle flex?

Even Alan Shearer had a better celebration than Defoe. In this game though Defoe tried to create a signature move, he shouldn’t have bothered. Thankfully he styled it out what was a pretty poor knee slide.

Record breaker

Whether you consider him a super sub, regular starter, waste of space, Mr Neapolitan or the greatest striker ever, there is one fact that we must acknowledge, Defoe is Tottenham Hotspur’s all time European record goal scorer. FACT.

His penalty against Sheriff at White Hart Lane this season elevated him above club legend Martin Chivers’ haul of 28 goals. Defoe deserves his place in the history books and it can be argued his place alongside Spurs’ legends.

“When you swap him for Defoe and he can’t score a goal that’s Zamora”

I remember the pre-season we signed Bobby Zee and Helder Positga, it was another one of those false dawns. Thankfully though it worked out ok. West Ham eventually parted with Defoe and we managed to ship Zamora their way. Transfer brilliance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiZtATTKssk

Since leaving West Ham, their former striker has scored quite a few goals against them. The more they boo, the more he scores.

The highlights are collecting a horrendously brilliant back-pass from Carlton Cole at their ground and slotting home, scoring the winner in the Asia Trophy (GLORY!!) semi-final in 2009, a penalty in the famous 3-4 “Paul Stalteri” victory and a beautiful solo goal from last season.

This goal was made even more sweeter as many of the Spam fans were being rather anti-Semitic.

Goals. Goals. Goals. Goals

Defoe: 360 appearances, 142 goals, 23 in Europe, 29 in domestic cups and 90 in the league. That equates to 0.39 goals per game, he has his faults, he may not be everyone’s cup of tea but he remains one of the best strikers to pull on the Lilywhite jersey.

Thank you Defoe, I wish you all the best for the future. Yiddo!!

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