Spurs spending spree - We should be so lucky

I recall the summers of 1988 and 2004 as a Spurs fan, because they were notable for being those with major spending sprees.

In 1988 I was only a year into supporting Spurs and while we had waved goodbye to Waddle, Hoddle and Gough, we welcomed Paul Stewart and most notably Paul Gascoigne into the team.

In 2004, in a team led by new manager Jacques Santini, assistant Martin Jol and sporting director Frank Arnesen, we made a huge number of signings including left back Erik Edman, left winger Reto Ziegler, central midfielder Timothee Atouba and centre back Nourridene Naybet. The latter was the most notable as he filled the position in the centre and taught Ledley King all he knew (his words).

Now we can mark summer 2013 into that list too, with seven new names in the squad. Not major world stars (yet) admittedly, but the price tags of Soldado, Paulinho, Lambela, Erikson, Chadli, Caboue and Chiriches (thanks for nicking my original headline Spurs Show btw) show that the management mean business.

Yes we have had to say goodbye to a world class player and some other loyal players to afford them, and analysis has showed that despite being the Premier League's top spenders this summer, we have actually ended up in credit by around £2 million.

As they arrived it was rather unbelievable to see the transfer record broken three times, especially on Friday August 31st when three players all signed on the same day.

How these new players fit together with the existing team is a bit of a mystery not only to us fans, but also to the players themselves I expect. I write this 48 hours after Spurs lost the north London derby 1-0 and at times, looked like strangers.

With no opportunity for a pre-season together, this may take time to figure out and it is a harsh comment, but 24 hours after we saw last season's first choice left back and our most promising youth player loaned to QPR, this team may look a lot different come the end of the season as formations and combinations are sorted out.

However there is no doom and gloom, as this is exactly what we have been calling for as we have a new striker, midfielders who can score and a viable central midfield. With an international break now upon us the team has opportunity to train together ahead of a busy schedule on late September, but I have faith in AVB and Levy, and I'm never gonna give that up.

Bye Bye Bale

Sunday the 1st September brought to an end one saga which has dominated the summer's sporting headlines - Gareth Bale's transfer to Real Madrid.

Six years after the Welsh wizard moved to N17 from Southampton, where his talent as a left back was being noted as the reason for a £10 million transfer, he leaves White Hart Lane for more than eight times that amount. Obviously I am disappointed to see him leave; his form over the last two seasons has been incredible and his heroics in the Champions League a couple of years ago, mainly against Inter Milan, will live in the hearts of Spurs fans for a long time.

In the same vein, I don't think Bale will be hated for this transfer. Like Cunningham, Beckham and Ronaldo before him, they left English clubs to go to the Spanish royals and walk in the shoes of Eusebio, di Stefano, Puskas and Zidane, and I hope that moving from the medium sized pond to the enormous water of the Bernabau will benefit him.

The other reason Bale will not be hated is because his transfer fee has permitted the signing of seven new players (at the time of writing) and generally, his fee has covered that of Roberto Soldado, Eric Lamela and Etienne Capoue. Last season we were accused of being a one man team; this season we have almost filled the gaps that were so evident in our squad and look stronger than ever. Yes on the last day of Bale's employment as a Spurs player he saw us lose the North London derby, but would we have won with him? 

The final reason Bale will not be hated is because he chose to play abroad. Had he moved to Chelsea, Man City or Man United (my suspicion was the latter due to him being a natural replacement for Ryan Giggs) he would have faced the reception that Sheringham and Berbatov did, or the many departing Gooners to the Etihad. Instead he has gone to Spain, a move overall that is bad for the Premier League as it loses one of its leading lights, and for commercial reasons as Bale was one of the faces of BT Sport's promotions. 

I'll remember Bale fondly as the generation before me remembered Glenn Hoddle - a natural talent who saw a move to the continent as the way to improve himself and not as a sly upon Spurs. The 2012/13 season will be his Spurs epitaph and it will be a strong one, ending with Footballer of Year of the awards from all.

In the words of Freddie Mercury, Gareth Bale "You made us laugh, you made us cry, you made us feel like we could fly."

It's been a while

The FA Premier League returned Saturday lunchtime with Liverpool's victory at home to Stoke. The game saw Liverpool debuts for some of the summer signings and the first league appearance for Daniel Sturridge since his injury,  in a week that saw the Suarez situation seemingly come to an end.

The game at Anfield also saw the return to management of Mark Hughes, who had been out since his departure from QPR. A deserved win for the home side although were it not for Begovic being on top form, it could have been much worse for Stoke City. A well taken shot from Sturridge was what it took to beat the Stoke keeper. A handball from Agger late  on saw a penalty given to Stoke. Walters v Mignolet for what would be a home win or an away point. Mignolet dived right and pulled off a penalty save and then was on hand to pull off a rebound save to keep a clean sheet for his Reds debut and an opening win.

For Arsenal it all started brightly as they took the lead but then like their summer transfer chasing, it all went downhill. Villa though were helped by questionable refereeing decisions. Villa who were hoping to have a better season got their starting wish especially with Benteke committing to the Midlands club. The Gunners though will hoping of a signing and a first win next week.

Everton under the guidance of Roberto Martinez came back from a goal down in their trip to Norwich, they weren't though strong enough to hold on to the lead and their opening game saw two points dropped as Van Wolfswinkel netted on his Premier league debut.

Having the better stats in a game proved for Sunderland that it counts for nothing when they were at home to Fulham. Failing to convert possession and shots into goals enabled Fulham to steal a winner and all three points.

West Brom looked like following up last seasons Liverpool victory at the Hawthorn'opener, with another clean sheet at home to Southampton. Sadly for them a last minute converted penalty from Rickie 'It's a wonderful week' Lambert saw the Saint's walk away with a fortunate three points.

New boys Cardiff were welcome to the Premier League with a thump as they lost 2-0 away to West Ham. A goal in each half was enough to secure a win for the Hammers against a team that failed to trouble Jaaskelainen in goal for West Ham. For Cardiff they would have hoped to have come away with some result as they face Man City at home this coming weekend. For West Ham its a positive start as they look to have a positive season.

Champions Manchester United had seen their manager David Moyes previously complaining about the fixture list. I would imagine complaints disappearing after Welbeck and Van Persie each put two past Swansea to start their defence with a win. Alleged want away striker Wayne Rooney appeared for 30 minutes and received a reasonable reception for the travelling United fans. The lack of big name signings by Moyes seems a bit of a  over concern but of course an away win at Swansea doesn't guarantee anything.

Chelsea hosted newcomers Hull on the Sunday and the first Premier league game with Mourinho back in charge saw the blues open up with a home win despite a missed penalty from Lampard. Lampard did net the second in a 2-0 win although Lampard's free kick was fortuitously won after Fernando Torres dive.

Hull weren't the only new boys playing on  the Sunday. Crystal Palace entertained high spending Tottenham. Whilst the visitors were piling the shots in, they couldn't put them away and at times seemed that they wouldn't get that breakthrough but then a penalty was awarded after a Moxey handball. Defoe missed a chance for a second, but could only send his shot wide.

The final game of the opening weekend saw Manchester City take on Newcastle. The Magpies hoping for a better season would at least be disappointed by their start. City of course in their first Premier league start under Manuel Pellegrini off to a great start. Within 20 minutes City were  2-0 up. Things weren't helped for Newcastle when they lost Guiterrez through injury and Steven Taylor sent off just before half time. The visitors  who left Premier League survival last season late on, saw their opening game go from bad to worse to even more dismal. They say it has to get worse to get better, well they'll be hoping that next weekend will be better for them. Next Saturday sees the first of two home games where they notched up nine home wins compared to  the dismal away form. If they can get two wins in their first three games, the Toon may very well look like making some progress.

They say the title is not won after one round of games but you can often tell by the minor things how a team will look. United seem their usual self, Chelsea off to a home winning start, Spurs doing an Arsenal and winning 1-0. Arsenal on this basis whilst the world seems to be against them starting off slowly. Liverpool with an opening day win for the first time since 2003 in a game that had it been last season may have seen a draw or a last minute defeat. Newcastle looking bleak but who knows if they can turn it around. 

Out of the newly promoted teams, all of them lost but Hull and Palace did give some trouble to their opponents. Cardiff will hope next week to get some shots on  target and even maybe hitting the back of the net

 

Almost here - Part One

With the Community Shield done and dusted, we are now on the final straight to the start of the FA Premier League. The opening games sees a changing Liverpool against a Stoke City with a new manager. Liverpool of course will hope the new signings will give Liverpool a better start to the new season. Of course Brendan Rodgers will be hoping that the Suarez saga is closed before the transfer deadline day although the Northern Irishman will be hoping to add a couple of more signings before the transfer deadline. 

Stoke on the other hand will be heading into new territory with Mark Hughes in charge. Stoke have been quiet in the transfer market with two players in and Pennant signing a new deal. It will be interesting to see how Stoke fair under the leadership of Hughes and a different move in tactics.

Arsenal fans will be hoping to see Wenger acquiring some new players before deadline day. Summer target Luis Suarez looks certain to remain a red past the 2nd Sept. Failure to sign Suarez or a big signing before deadline day will leave Arsenal fans wondering what is going on especially with Wenger having money to spend. 

Aston Villa fans will be hoping to have a better season especially knowing that Benteke will be in their side. Lambert made a few signings but none will be as vital as knowing Benteke put pen to paper. They will be hoping that they start the season with at least a point.

Norwich City host a Martinez lead Everton. Hughton was busy in the transfer market. Hughton may have raised eyebrows allowing Grant Holt to go but he brought in Ricky Van Wolfswinkel and Gary Hooper to bolster the striking line. 

Everton under Martinez may look to head into the season still with Fellaini and Baines in their squad. Martinez signed Kone from Wigan and Deulofeu on loan from Barcelona. The Blue half of Merseyside will be hoping to continue their upward progress but it will be interesting to see if Everton will be a Wigan type of Everton or a Moyes style Everton or whether the club will also lose two key players.

Part two to follow in the week.

Farewell Tevez

This week saw the end of a saga in English football which has dominated the last seven years.

Arriving on transfer deadline day direct from the 2006 World Cup from Corinthians to West Ham, Carlos Tevez has remained an enigma since that day.

Why gritty east London? Why there, and the questions we would ask later - why did it take you so long to score your first goal and who actually owns you and your contract?

The former seemed to be sorted once he scored his first goal against Spurs, the second resulted in a £5 million fine and some would argue, the relegation of Sheffield United.

His move to Manchester United was undoubtedly a success, paired with Rooney and Hernandez he was a part of the team who won the 2008 champions league and he played in the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.

His move to noisy neighbours Manchester City didn't work out so well; yes he scored, but he lost his crazy man image to Mario Ballotelli, had to battle for first team places with Aguero and Dzeko and the Bayern Munich incident and subsequent strike lost him more fans.

Now he will be wearing the black and white of Juventus, and he will wear the number 10 formerly worn by legend Alessandro Del Piero. It's a loss to English football no doubt, as he leaves a mould of a scarred, battle hungry footballer who most teams (mine included, rumour was Spurs tried to sign him in early 2012) wanted in their starting eleven.

More than 30 years since the Falklands war, it seems that we love Argentinians again - from Ardiles and Villa to Aguero and Messi, not missing Maradona, they bring a certain panache of dogged spirit to the game without the career decline seen in so many brazilians.

Farewell Carlos, here's hoping you keep the silverware coming back to Turin.

Things are on the up - an optimistic look at Liverpool this past season and future.

Cast your mind back to last summer. Liverpool had parted company with Kenny Dalglish. Finishing eighth,winning the League Cup and reaching the FA Cup Final was clearly not enough for the Liverpool owners and so a search for a new manager had begun. Many names were mentioned but it came to being the manager of Swansea FC, one Brendan Rodgers. Many people saw it as a strange choice but ultimately a brave choice.

He took some risks during the summer and notably the transfer deadline day debacle which saw Andy Carroll go on loan but no other striker brought in albeit not for the want of trying. This had left Suarez as the main goalscorer.

Rodgers had a vision and wanted to restore pride to the club. The famous This is Anfield sign from the 74-98 era was back up on the tunnel. This vision to restore the club back to the dizzy heights of success may not be an overnight return but a journey that even took the great Bill Shankly a period of time.

The season ended with Liverpool finishing seventh but ultimately another striker purchased before deadline day would have seen Liverpool further up the table. In fact from the start of 2013 Brendan Rodgers Liverpool side suffered only three Premier League defeats which saw Liverpool finish on a run which included sticking 6 past Newcastle United in one of the games with Suarez banned.

Liverpool's home record seems to be steering in the right direction. Whilst the loss column may have gone up one to four since the departure of Benitez, the win column appears to be more than the draw column. This may be Rodgers first season, but the signs are optimistic. Anfield remains a tight ship defensively. The goalscoring issue that helped to cause so many home draws looks like disappearing. Liverpool bagged 33 which was more than the previous season where the reds at home only managed 24.

The away form which hadn't seen a positive win loss record since the club finished second in 2008/09 season, saw Liverpool under Rodgers halve the defeats and finish with a record of 7 wins, 7 draws and 5 defeats. Notably though was the number of goals scored. Liverpool bagged a record 38 goals scored on the road. This was two more than the Benitez side that finished second.

Despite all those willing to aim cheap shots at Liverpool during the last season, Liverpool's transition upwards may well be comfortably in that direction.

In a season which saw Fergie retire, Mancini sacked, Mourinho return to Chelsea from the Real Madrid saga, Moyes appointed Everton manager. I wouldn't be surprised to see Liverpool pushing their way through.

To those Everton fans who think that the blue half of Merseyside is the dominant force in Liverpool, I would think again. 

It's not the end of the world

It's hard to summarise an entire football season or the emotions I am feeling 24 hours on (at the time of writing, it is 5.25pm on Monday) but in word it is: positive.

In truth I didn't expect Spurs to finish 4th, there I've said it. We are better away and Arsenal are better at home, but they did what was required and so did we.

As usual we can pintpoint the problem of not finishing in the Champions League qualification spaces to several factors: not signing a striker in January; Adebayor's poor scoring form through 3/4 of the season; too many draws when we should have won; too many dropped points at home; the loss of influential players like Kaboul and Sandro - I could go on.

I'm positive because we did what we had to do and win, Bale's finish was utterly sublime. We left ourselves hoping Newcastle were going to do the job, they didn't, and should have scored more against a very mediocre Sunderland side.

I was at the game and saw what we were up against from pitch side, including 2 legitimate penalty claims, the first of which was seen by all.

Overall I am positive about the huge points haul of 72, enough to have comfortably secured a top 4 spot in previous seasons. I am also positive about the overall form we showed under a new manager who is now among the longest serving in the premier league. 

Finally I am positive about Gareth Bale staying at the club. We showed determination to build a side around him, to play the best football in years in an improving squad. 

I am also confident that Bale will see Spurs as the best option in England for him - the top 3 all change their managers this summer and aside from a step down to Liverpool or Everton, his only option is Arsenal. That would never happen, would it?