After being stuck in a snowstorm David Patten takes inspiration from celebrated sports journalist Peter King and thinks about things he thinks he knows.
Things I Think I Know
A snowstorm and blast of Arctic air and ice here in Denver meant an unexpected day off work, and an equally unexpected opportunity to watch Spurs hang, draw and quarter a dire Fulham team. Or so I thought.
With the game long over, I sit here with a mug of hot tea, ready to share some things I think I know:
- We don’t appear to be a whole lot better than a team mired in the relegation zone. Fulham were actually more creative and incisive, and should feel rightly aggrieved at getting nothing from the game.
- Michael Dawson is a thoroughly nice chap, but not the quality of defender you’d feel confident with against Europe’s best teams.
- Vlad Chiriches most certainly is.
- Paulinho isn’t really Brazilian. Brazilians don’t miss open goals so flagrantly.
- People shouldn’t use the word legend on social media when talking about Jermain Defoe. Jimmy Greaves was a legend. So was Glenn Hoddle. Defoe does not merit that accolade at all.
- Lewis Holtby is our kind of player. Tenacious, committed and with a healthy degree of skill to boot. I like the fella.
- His piece of magic got AVB out of jail. Not winning would have had the knives sharpened further.
- Erik Lamela must miss Italy something rotten. He looks like a homesick lad in a very foreign land.
- Not addressing the left back situation properly last summer was abject mismanagement. It’s little wonder the team lacks balance.
- And thus, poor Jan Vertonghen. His whole demeanour is that of a high school boy forced to retake chemistry for the third time. A man not enjoying his football one bit.
- I really have no idea why we bought Nacer Chadli. No idea at all.
- I wish I felt more exuberant. A win’s a win. Three points, even if the opposition wasn’t dispatched with aplomb. Deep down I still believe we have too much quality in the ranks for it not to eventually click. Yet, I don’t feel confident ahead of the Sunderland game, and that’s a team that has lost 10 of 14. I should be feeling full of confidence, shouldn’t I?
That finishes the things I think I know, however there is one certainty, the snow covering my driveway isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Like Spurs, it’s time to dig in.
[author name=”David Patten” avatar=”https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000667908973/6247e20800d579732745eca69e480129_bigger.jpeg” bio=”Tottenham fan since the 60s, currently an ex pat in Denver, Colorado.” twitter=”davidpatten61[/linequote]
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13 Comments
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05/12/2013 @ 12:55 pm
chadli is looking poo lamela needs time to settle…id like to see him as CAM or played LW seeing as lennon is pissing all over anyone who is trying to claim his RW spot at the mo
05/12/2013 @ 3:30 pm
Why are you actually differentiating? Because Lamela cost more? Because he is younger? Because he is considered to have greater potential? Other than these criteria I see no reason for labelling one as ‘looking poo’ and the other ‘needing timeto settle’.In fact, if anything, I think Chadli has looked the better of the two, and I know quite a few Spurs fans who feel the same.
@OP:
1) You do realise that Fulham, a team with some decent players, are fighting to avoid being cast adrift, were fighting for a new manager, and were at home?
4) If I direct you to a vid of Pele missing an open goal from a few yards out, will you scrub four?
7) Holtby scored. Other teams have players who score. Deal with! Otherwise you might as well say that Suarez got Liverpool out of jail with 4 pieces of magic last night, or Hazard got Chelsea out of jail at Sunderland.
9) I agree. But you have to admit, it was pretty damned unlucky for Rose to get injured so quickly and then Fryers being injured, too.
11) May I direct you to the top of my post.
12) We have sixteen players who have had one and bit years less, in many cases very much less, playing under AVB and, again in most cases, one another. We finished with our highest ever points tally last year, this year we are a few points off second, and are still in all cup competitions. We shouldn’t be going into the Sunderland match feeling anything, and expecting anything, other than a severe bluddy test. Like Fulham, they are fighting for their lives and despite being thoroughly outplayed last night they still fought (FOUGHT – some teams do that) to within a whisker of salvaging a point against Chelsea! We need to be up for a battle, and grateful for anything we can get from a game like that, not moaning beforehand in case we don’t win with enough ‘style’.
13) See Tryme, below.
05/12/2013 @ 3:31 pm
Damn, no edit – 13) should be TommyHarmer :)
05/12/2013 @ 4:18 pm
1) Sure. How about last year when they beat us at home? Or the times Wigan beat us 1-0? There’s a pattern, isn’t there?
4) Paulinho has to do better, sorry. He missed a clear chance to draw level against City also.
7) Neither Brendan Rodgers nor Jose Mourinho are on the hot seat, with the media waiting for them to be sacked. It seems you missed my point here.
9) You have to legislate for those things. Why on earth loan out BAE for example?
11) Sorry, but Chadli’s acquisition remains a mystery to me.
12) Again, I think you’re rather missing my point in terms of the broader picture. And last year’s points haul: how many were directly attributable to just one superstar player? Do not suggest the record haul was down to anyone else but him. That would be disingenuous.
05/12/2013 @ 12:58 pm
13. Abject negativity never solved anything. Reduce your list to about three, develop some loyalty and become a Spurs SUPPORTER. BTW ……….. Fulham actually played well, and that’s what a new manager brought them.
05/12/2013 @ 4:27 pm
It’s disappointing you choose that phrase to be a simple summary of the whole piece. I disagree.
I don’t have to prove my loyalty or depth of support to you or anyone. I’m simply posting some unedited thoughts on a fanzine site. Take it or leave it, it’s cool.
Being a loyal supporter doesn’t mean leaving objectivity at the door, in favour of ra-ra cheerleading. I went to my first game at 8 years old in 1969 and was a season ticket holder until emigrating to the USA in the early 90s. I never miss a game, sometimes getting up at 4:30am to watch. My family back in the UK are still season ticket holders. I have SUPPORTED this team my whole life and have earned the right to voice an opinion, whether or not it’s one you personally like or agree with.
05/12/2013 @ 12:58 pm
I disagree with everything you said because… because… well I can’t think of a single reason right now, but as soon as I do I’ll let you know!
05/12/2013 @ 1:02 pm
Yeah Man, I hear where you’re coming from. On an up-note, those Broncs are looking classy, and Peyton has the polish of rich, old veneer that makes that team shine brother! That mile-high air is working magic! Our boys could sure use some of it.
05/12/2013 @ 4:35 pm
Bobby, it’s Super Bowl or bust here in Denver. The main thing is to secure the #1 seed and avoid having to go back up to New England in the playoffs…as we all know how that goes…
Go Broncos!
05/12/2013 @ 2:14 pm
For a yank, you’re talking a bit of sense, but,.. Almost every single time a new manager comes in to a club, the first 5 games see an up-turn in results. With this in mind, this was a good result against a Fulham outfit who played far better last night than they have at almost any other time this year.
That’s purely down to a change in management and being able to blow the mental cobwebs away, so from our point of view, job done, get on the bus and go home,..
A few further observations from a dis-illusioned fan: (Perhaps you boys can help me cheer up a bit!)
I agree with all your points, but in reference to Chadli, I think his best position is as a No 10.
I also think the same about Siggy, considering he made his name as a No 10 at every other club hes played for, (Hoffenhim Reading & Swansea) can someone tell me why AVB sticks him on the LW??!?
The FB situation is a complete mess:
Our best CB plays as a LB because we released our only fit LB. (Who sat in the away end last night!)
We only have 1 RB as the cover for RB has been used as cover for LB. (Naughton)
The cover for LB is longer deemed good enough as cover for LB. (Naughton)
The cover for LB has only had 1 chance of playing his best pos of RB…. (Naughton)
The other LB we signed has not been given a chance and only played 1 cup game?!? (Fryers)
I will repeat… What a f*****g mess.
As is the striker situation, which has been a mess since Jol & Berbatosser left:
We have 2 of the same player in Defoe & Soldado.
We only play one of them at a time, all the time.
We play a system that requires a CF… NOT a striker.
We only have 1 CF at the club and he is an absolute joker.
Soldado made sooo many runs at the start of the season,.. He doesnt bother anymore…
Inverted wingers work fine…. If you have the FB situation right to offer the width in their place – This is why SOldado’s runs get missed, he play son the last man, and darts in behind from 20 yds or so out,.. Unfortunately, every time our players check back/cut inside, it buys the defence a yard to step up and he has to check his run.
Holtby is not a No 10.
Paulinhio is not a No 10.
Yet to be convinced Eriksen is ‘the answer’ – I really hope he is.
Chadli Lamela Siggurdson are ALL no 10s that get played on the f******g wing?!?!?!
(Lamela can play anywhere across the front 4, and should be getting played so he can settle!!!)
Anyway,. If we can get Rose fit, pull another LB out of our arse and sort our front line out, well be alright. This won’t happen until next season at the earliest, due to cup eligibility/our targets wanting to play CL/lack of value in Jan window,. Take your pick for reasons, but until next summer, we will be stuck with a hugely expensive tourist in Adebeyor and 2 of the same player until next season..
Too many midfielders, not enough FB’s, too many similar attacking players, we really needed another ‘CF’ and not another striker!!
Ultimately, I am bitterly disappointed at the players bought and the lack of balance,. Especially after the board took the bold decision to spend the Bale money when they usually bank it,.. But they just didnt sign the right players!!
I’m really worried the likes of Capoue and Lamela will bugger off and leave, as those 2 are absolutely awesome!!
I hope we get top 4 this year, but I do NOT expect us to.. There is a lot of work to be done.
I love my boys and my club and have supporeted em all my life, just hope we actually achieve what we want to after so much cash being spent and the new stadium on the way.
COYS!!!!!!
05/12/2013 @ 4:32 pm
For the record, I’m not American. See my response to Tommy Harmer above. Cheers.
05/12/2013 @ 4:39 pm
Ha! – Just seen it. As I said, I think you raise some good points. Hopefully the Dec/Jan run has come at the right time to show off our huge squad and pick up some points. COYS.
05/12/2013 @ 5:00 pm
Cheers Borris. Yeah, I really hope so too!