|
Writing this in
international week, when the transfer window has closed for another
three months, there is not a lot to say really.
Players are away with
their national teams and Spurs Lodge is a place for the unwanted and the
injured. Oh, and for our new loan signing Stephane Dalmat.
Even the other loanee - Paul Konchesky - is away with the England
Under-21s. And what a strange time to bring him in for a month, when
there is no football for two weeks and there are only three possible
games for him to play in and one of them is a Carling Cup tie, so
Charlton might not want him cup-tied. I can understand it, if
there is a chance to extend the loan or sign him permanently, but
despite John Gorman's comments, it appears that loans should have been
for three months or a whole season. I would be surprised if he can
stay until Christmas. If he does, then I would foresee the end for
Taricco. Even though he scored a screamer against Leeds recently,
he just doesn't do it for me and a natural left footer in his position
would increase the amount of ball into the box, rather than having to
turn onto his good (right) foot before knocking a cross in. Also,
he is more of a defender than Taz, which will help shore up our
midfield's defensive ability.
As for Dalmat, I
don't profess to know a lot about him. From what I have read, he
is not short on confidence (as this is what has made him unpopular in
his home country), he has two good feet, can run with the ball and is a
big lad. He doesn't seem to relish playing the anchor role in
midfield, preferring a creative position on the right, allowing him to
cut in onto his left foot, but Tottenham might use him as a foil for
Redknapp and to give Davies a bit more freedom.
It is interesting to
see us using loan players, as Tottenham have been loathe to get involved
with them in the past. Booby Mimms being one of the few we have
resorted to, but perhaps this is a sign of the times, with money being
restricted and it is the chance to have a look at players without having
to make an immediate commitment. Whichever way you look at it, it
is a means of making two clubs happier about the employment of one
player in these cash-strapped times.
On the field, it
started badly, got better in the middle and then the bottom fell out of
our world at the end. Well, that is the story so far. But
like the prophets of doom who pronounce that Hoddle will be the first
manager to get the sack, everyone seems to be jumping the gun a little.
Spurs have yet to
field their best eleven ... yes, I know ... will we EVER be able to do
that ? I think Ziege is a crucial part of Hoddle's plans and with
Konchesky coming in, it might even allow Christian to play further
forward and not have to worry so much about getting back to
defend. He was probably hoping to play a new winger with pace in
that position, but he was knocked back by the ludicrous decision not to
grant Bobby Convey a work permit. Carr has played in more advanced
positions this season than he ever did last, so the two wing backs are
the major source of supply to the new forwards. With quite a few
newcomers, they have to settle in and Postiga is class ... mark my words
... he just needs some time to get used to his new surroundings.
The Fulham debacle
was just too many players having an off day at once. It should be
possible for Hoddle to shuffle his players around, now we have the basis
of a decent squad, so if they are not fit or tired, we should have
stand-ins for them. The other obvious aspect of the Fulham defeat
was that they had done their homework on us. They knew that they
had to close Spurs down and not allow us to play or they would get
passed off the park. Tottenham had turned up with an attitude that
seemed to say we have beaten Leeds and got a point at Anfield, so it's
only Fulham and that under-estimation cost them the points. Every
game has to be the one that they are up for. Not as and when they
choose to be ready to play at 100%.
I hope that the
players come back from their international duty none the worse for wear,
as the one game we all hoped we might win at last now seems like one
that the words "damage limitation" would be designed
for. Chelsea are an awesome array of talent and whether they click
or not, Spurs will have to be ready to contest every ball in every part
of the field. It may not be a win, but a showing that they are
willing to battle and as Glenn said "grind out" a result, when
things are not going their way. Not many teams will roll over for
us, so we have to make sure we can overcome them in other ways.
The money spent so
far has had to come from somewhere. I am not sure where that might
have been, but it is what we have needed. An input of funds to
make the squad more readily able to challenge somewhere near the
top. All I hope is that the club have not gone too far into debt
with raising these funds, as that is not somewhere I would want THFC to
go again.
The voices of Spurs
fans after the Fulham loss did not sound like the voice of reason.
It is one defeat ... no-one liked the fact that we lost ... at home ...
to Fulham ... but it happened. We have lost at home before and
will do again, the worrying aspects are not scoring and not putting in
the effort. What will be the true test, as Hoddle has said time
and time again, is how they bounce back from it. And Glenn, it is
time to deliver that bounce back and keep it going.
Although sometimes it
is hard. Keep the faith.
MY EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF THE CUPS AT WHITE HART LANE
MY EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF THE CUPS AT WHITE HART LANE
MY EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF THE CUPS AT WHITE HART LANE
AND THE SPURS GO MARCHING ON.
BRUCE
CASTLE |
