Sublime to Ridiculous and back again- The World Cup saga

So two games of the Brazil World Cup remain, albeit one be the most pointless game of all, the World Cup has been a tournament of goals galore, mistakes, amazing performances and big guns busted in the group stage. When we saw the Semi Final line up we had two mouth watering prospects to look forward to. We did though go from one incredible game on one night to an abysmal painful game ended on penalties. In the various conversations Ive had about the World Cup, no one was expecting quite the scoreline that Germany and Brazil provided. Given the performances of the hosts and the fortune that the German's had ridden on, many people might have expected a close win to the European nation. Brazil from the opening game against Croatia had seemed to be rolling the lucky sixes. This was not the Brazil that we had come to expect, far from it. It was abject and unspiring compared to Brazil of previous World Cup Finals tournaments. The penalty shootout escape against Chile proved that surely the game was up. In the semi finals, Brazil's plight was summed up by the fact that the home fans were shouting ole each time Germany had the ball. A sad indictment of a team with such football heritage. 

Running upto the World Cup, a handful of good performances showed that this Germany side might edge it in games. The USA ran Germany close and could consider themselves unlucky not to take a point. I guess though we should expect Germany to start quietly and then provide the magic. The Germans who had not won a major competition since Euro 96, turned up against Brazil. They werent the steam rolling German side that we had known previously, but there were warnings of what was to come in the European Championships in 2016. A goal rush in as many minutes, saw a good start turn into a wonder scoreline. One friend on facebook during the game said "If this was a game of FIFA, the losing player would have quit by now. Of course the only time you would have expected to see a half time scoreline of Brazil 0-5 Germany, would indeed have been on a console game of some sort. This is Brazil, no Brazil side ever gets hammered let alone being 5-0 down at half time, but it came to be that the pain would not be over.  

The other semi final was always going to have a lot to live up to as the Netherlands  faced Argentina. Sadly it failed to live up to anything and to be honest anyone hoping for some Dennis Bergkamp's style magic were clearly hoping for too much. The game petered out and just when you hoped that the pain might ended with a mistimed challenge by Mascherano to give away a penalty, much disappointment would be heading your way.

If many had known that the impending dullness would last 120 minutes and a penalty shoot out, I assume even the most hardened of football fans might have given this one a miss. This time there would be no Tim Krul shoot out hero as the Dutch missed their opening penalty. Vlaar of Aston Villa stepped up and saw his saved. It would seem the fallout from the penalty shoot out was that some Dutch players refused to take a penalty. The opportunity to send your nation to a World Cup finals against your neighbours and rivals obviously wasn't enough to want them to stand up and be counted.

Of course it wouldn't be surprising in the game of football to have the just plain crazy results. The early tie of the group stage saw current champions Spain lock horns with the Netherlands in a repeat of the 2010 World Cup Final. Many probably expected a draw or a sneaky win.

Spain hit first blood with a penalty from Costa, but that would be their only joy. A missed opportunity by Silva to put Spain 2-0 up, would prove costly as just before halftime, Robin Van Persie grabbed the leveller with an amazing header which at the time was being labelled goal of the tournament. What would follow was the capitulation of the Champions. The Dutch it seemed were making their intent known and every other challenger on notice. Unfortunately they didn't repeat their on pitch strolling and would find themselves battling through matches. This though I imagine would be the mark of possible champions.

So to the penultimate game. Netherlands face Brazil in the 3rd and 4th place playoff. Why do we have to put up with this nonsense. The only other competition to have the playoff as far as In aware is the Olympics. This being necessary to award the bronze medal.

The World Cup doesn't need it. The fans don't need it, the fans, manager's and players don't want it. Having just lost in the World Cup semi finals, why would anyone want to face another match which has no bearing on anything. Who could blame Louis Van Gaal, sneaking back to England and starting business in his new role of Manchester United manager.

Brazil could do without it after the battering they received. Saying that though, I imagine Brazil will maybe want to go out with a win in their final match of the 2014 World Cup tournament.

Whatever happens, most eyes will be on the final between Germany and Argentina.

You're so unpredictable

I imagine just before the World Cup, in offices up and down the country, those who had pulled Spain out, may have been thinking top choice, they would have been thinking a point against the Dutch, three against Chile and three against Australia..... Oh how we were all wrong. The Netherlands took the World Champions apart 5-1 and then in a win or bust match against Chile, the Spaniards went missing. Players who had lit the domestic season, had seen their grace and glory ripped apart. Their final game against Australia doesn't bode well. The Australians who opened with a defeat against Chile, were unlucky against the Netherlands. If Australia turn up and play, Spain could find themselves routed to the bottom of the group.

Hosts Brazil had a fortuitous opening win against Croatia, thanks to assistance with a poor refereeing decision. The Brazilians failed to show the host favourites tag when they played Mexico, who to be honest could have beaten Brazil had they  taken their opportunities. 

Uruguay opened up their campaign with a shock 3-1 defeat against Costa Rica. Pre World Cup was all about Suarez and will he be fit. He made the bench but didn't play. The problem was in the end, sloppy play, sloppy defending and red mist. The possible South American dark horses looked far from being a threat and England may very well take three points in the winner stays in group match.

England who played well in defeat could really go somewhere should they get out the group stages. The way things are going anything could happen and predictions could be thrown right out the window. 

It's either that the Dutch or those calm as  anything Germans.

Poke us higher Poch!

With a busy few days at work, I guess the news about Pochettino (I hope that is spelt right) has not really sunk in yet.

In a way, it reminds me of the hiring of George Graham in 1998 - everyone knew it was going to happen so it was only a matter of when. I'm a bit ambivalent on it to tell the truth: he has proven his capability in building a team of some good English players, shown a keeness to work with the youth team and taken an average promoted team and finished 2 places below Spurs in the league.

So why am I not happier? Well, two things - one we know little of his ability to take this team on and push them further up the league, what we were expecting from AVB I guess, and secondly what is his ability to work with under performing and obviously quality players - Paulinho, Soldado and Lamela.

The other name in contention was Frank De Boer, who has won 4 back to back titles with Ajax. Yes he has won at a high level but in truth, is he capable of delivering at this higher level? The word is the smart money is on De Boer and Dennis Bergkamp becoming a managerial double act at Arsenal some day.

I suppose as a Spurs fan I am going to be sceptical. We've seen big name management come and go, and the last manager showed some potential with his getting the best from Adebayor and Eriksen, but failed in his ability to communicate with the media and ultimately, the fans. Sherwood will be fine I suspect though, a championship club would be a good next position and I suspect we'll see him in the Premier League sometime soon.

As for Pocchetino, well what needs to be done has been detailed and despite the claims of £100m being "wasted", with the right moulding he could turn the squad into something interesting with a full pre-season ahead of him. Let's hope he brings Luke Shaw and Ricky Lambert with him to plug the left back and up front problems, sells what needs to be sold and makes a valiant effort to bring Steven Caulker back and identifies a decent solution to the left wing issue. Then we'll be satisfied.

One more thing before I finish, there was a lot of Spurs hate going on in regards to Gareth Bale's champions league win last weekend. Some said that the money we made was wasted, I say wait and see, others suggest what could have been. I just say congratulations Gareth, never been more delighted to see a former player succeed so well so fast.

The Spinal Countdown

This post was originally going to be about the lack of Tottenham players in the England squad and then Spurs went and sacked their manager.

Yes Tim Sherwood only ever was an interim and his lack of media training and lack of a plan B ultimately worked against him. In a way those two stories do work together as Sherwood did do more in getting the youth team up to standard than any other manager in recent history. The addition of Bentaleb was a good move but ultimately it wasn't clear when the player's form had gone and how much this affected his confidence.

Also other youth team players saw their chances come in the last 8 months and wherever their playing careers lay, at least they got an opportunity.

This ties into the England idea as most of these players are English and could present good opportunities for England at future tournaments. However it was with a heavy heart that I looked at the England squad for the 2014 World Cup and saw not one Tottenham player.

Our four most viable options were Kyle Walker (injured), Andros Townsend (also injured), Jermain Defoe (sold to Toronto FC) and Aaron Lennon (a huge lack of form this season). Sadly only Lennon was a Spurs contender and to pick him would see the absence of a worthy player like Sterling or Milner (the only Englishman to score for the English Premier League Champions this season). 

There were days when the Spurs spine was that of the English team, and last night I attended Ledley King's testimonial at White Hart Lane, where notable players of King's Spurs career played including Englishmen Sheringham, Anderton, Robinson and Crouch. Sadly those days are gone, for this summer at least.

There will be plenty of speculation about who comes into Spurs to replace Sherwood; the smart money is on Frank De Boer from Ajax, Southampton's Pocchetino, but Napoli's Rafa Benitez or (shudder) David Moyes, but whoever takes the hotseat, youth has to be a priority. 

Last summer the club spent over £100 million on some players who came good, some who we will wait and hope on and some who may go, but I would love to see the 2014/2015 squad be one made up of experience, 1 or 2 marquee signings and the cream of our youth team. Only this way will Spurs dominate the England setup once again. 

The final straight - The Premier League run in.

Barring some miracle or footballing scandal, the title race will see Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City battling for the Premier League crown. City are favourites as Liverpool take one game at a time and Mourinho intends on ruling out his side to take the glory.

Liverpool who have shown a desire and attacking belief not seen for quite sometime, will find themselves with the destiny in their own hands. Both Man City and Chelsea have the trip to Merseyside and given the performances of late, the red half of Merseyside will be in no mood to lay down for anyone who visits their patch. Liverpool have been returning their home to the fortress it once was. With three games to go, they could be heading for their best home record return in the Premier League era. Not since the early days of Rafa Benitez have Liverpool looked so dominant at Anfield. Whilst they have been notching the wins at home, they have also been bagging the goals. Not since the home win against Manchester United have home wins been narrow 1-0 victories. It would also seem that Liverpool like to beat their London opponents with great aplomb. In the games against Tottenham, Arsenal, West Ham, Fulham and Crystal Palace, Brendan Rodgers' teams have notched 20 goals and conceding just 3.If Liverpool can avoid defeat against Man City and Chelsea, a first title in 24 years will become very much a reality.

Chelsea, who have inflicted City's first Premier League defeat of the season at the Etihad, have found themselves looking like they dont necessarily fancy winning the title. Defeats either side of the 6-0 thumping against Arsenal, have causes Mourinho to give up any hopes of bringing domestic silverware to the Bridge this season. A win at Stoke though has kept their ambitions very much alive as they head to Swansea next week. Does Mourinho really think it's over or is he playing mind games.

Title favourites Manchester City smashed Southampton at home as they closed the gap on Liverpool to one point. They blue half of Manchester look to win their second Premier League title in three seasons, as they also look to make themselves the dominant force in Manchester as their neighbours united struggle. City will be hoping to take the form to Anfield and get a result that helps steer them to a League and League Cup double. They hope to have Aguero for the trip to Liverpool. It would seem that they would need them as Liverpool have the knack of outscoring their opponents.

Whoever wins the title, we will be seeing one of the most exciting title races for quite sometime.

Hey Bobby

In the recent media melee, the guns have been firmly pointed at Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas, and generally unnecessarily in my view.

Yes results have not gone in the right way, and some questions have to be asked about why the £100 million worth of new signings have not settled yet and why there is no idea of the best first eleven or a plan B when things go wrong.

However there is no escaping the fact that the problem is a lack of goals. Last season Spurs fans were clambering for a new striker; there was huge frustration when no one was signed in the January transfer window with the board and management seemingly happy to persist with Adebayor and Defoe. It was this move that many fans put down to the failure to achieve Champions league football this season.

However the problem was partly solved this season as £26 million was spent on Valencia's Roberto Soldado. He started brightly, proving his capabilities from the penalty spot, however his prowess in front of goal is yet to be proven.

Firstly there is the obvious point - he has no service and is often isolated up front on his own. This is easily solved and in the recent Manchester United match, Chadli and Lennon were played to offer that service. 

However he still didn't manage to score, and now questions will be asked of the man. Jermaine Defoe has proved more than capable of scoring against lesser opposition in the Europa league, while Adebayor has had a viewing point for the most of this season.

Questions will continue to be asked of AVB and his best eleven, and also on whether a 442 can be played with A partnership of the three out and out strikers. However as was sang about striker Yakubu at Everton and Blackburn among others, "feed the Yak and he will score". If the Spurs midfielders feed Bobby, will he score? If not there may be comments of "Hey Bobby, what's the Spanish for score a bloody goal?"

13 seconds of fame

I write this a few days after the delight of the Manchester City game.

I call it a delight, well I don't need to explain my sarcasm, but instead you have to look at what you can learn from a mauling such as that by City. Yes Spurs lost 6-0, yes we played well for 10 minutes and yes, we had excellent possession considering.

However the negatives take too long to write and are well covered elsewhere - AVB's lack of a plan b, the mistakes made by an otherwise excellent goalkeeper, defenders who cannot defend, midfielders who don't know each other and a striker who relies on service and gets none.

As for me, well as I tweeted during the game I had no plans to switch off as the torture will weigh heavy until we can turn it around. I saw lots of comments around giving up, switching over to the F1, and attention being elsewhere. Ok so I am guilty of the last one, but Twitter is permitted!

You stick by the team you chose. Whether it is Barnet languishing in the conference, or Arsenal surprisingly at the top of the Premier League, you have to take the rough with the smooth. 

For Spurs fans, the late 1990s were a process of endurance of bad players and misinformed management who seemed out of touch on what Campbell and Co could achieve.

For the current crop, the excuse will long be used that the current team with so many new names is still "bedding in", well three months in and we need to see progress. We have looked organised and are scoring goals in the Europa league, but we took Hull City to penalties in the league cup and looked assembled in the league before Sunday. 

This weekend champions Manchester United visit, another team in transition. If we can put the right team out and play as a unit, as United seem to be able to do so far this season albeit not as impressively as they were under Ferguson, then this will be a success. Lose, and we'll be a long way off the lead.