It was all slightly akin to a chess game, n'est ce pas? And not one of those awesome chess games either, in which one lad loses his rag somewhat, dashes the pieces across the board and clobbers his opponent with the clock, leading to a mass brawl involving spectators and allsorts. This was one of those chess games in which white thoughtfully strokes his chin for a good seven or eight minutes, before moving his bishop a few diagonals backwards whence he came, prompting black to ponder for four minutes himself, hover his hand over his queen, retract hand, ponder some more, and then move his knight back into its starting position.

After another frustrating draw at Anfield, this time against Spurs, Liverpool had to settle for a scoreless draw with the Londoners.
Despite taking the game to 3rd placed Tottenham, Liverpool failed to break down a stubborn defence in which Dawson, King and Parker at times excelled at repelling everything Liverpool threw at them.

Spurs played for a scoreless draw, Spurs got their scoreless draw.
While Liverpool's attackers could and should have done more, Tottenham's defending merited the scoreless draw. King and Dawson were outstanding, with Parker almost as important. After a paucity of clear cut chances for both sides, each could have scored the winner in the last five minutes, with Friedel and Reina making huge saves on Bale and Suarez.

THFC1882 welcomes back guest writer Kenny Palmer with a preview of Tottenham Hotspur versus Wigan.

A week is a long time in football, as Spurs two contrasting performances highlighted. Heroic in defeat against Manchester City earning plaudits for the character they showed in coming back from 2-0 down to level the scores before losing to an injury time penalty.

So here we go, without doubt the biggest game since our last eye-catching fixture for which three points were at stake. While the win over a pretty inept Everton had all and sundry proclaiming this lilywhite vintage the greatest thing since Danny Blanchflower sliced a loaf, the draw with uber-negative Wolves had Hansen imploring all Spurs-supporting MoTD viewers to find their nearest cliff-top and hurl themselves in anguish – so whatever the outcome against table-topping City the reaction will presumably border on the apocalyptic.

We all know that Harry likes to throw Ledley King into the big occasions if he possibly can and if there is a remote chance of the club captain being fit for Sunday's match with Manchester City, you can be fairly certain that the manager will use him.

The early prognosis on King's troublesome Hamstring was grim and it was expected that he would be out for another six weeks at least but after responding well to intensive treatment, he could make the final cut.

('Dances with Wolves' dances with Wolves)We could have danced all night and still not scored the winner against Wolves The JimmyG2 Column In this Bumper Edition a legend resurfaces; Wolves recaptured; Man City fail to impress; transfer window ignored and all, like the National Health Service, free at the point of delivery and we're still six points clear in third.

THFC 1882 present Kenny Palmer with a report on Tottenham Hotspurs latest match.

After Wednesday's victory against Everton which propelled Spurs to just three points behind leaders Manchester City the team went into the game with expectations of going joint top with a victory over Wolves.

A frustrating day at the lane saw a hemmed in Spurs drop two points and miss the chance to go joint top. Wolves came out with the intention of pressuring us all over the pitch and maintained it for 90 minutes. A point well deserved for them but very disappointing for us considering how well we dominated Everton Wednesday night.

Luka says that's one for definite Harry. We like a theme over here at The Musings as you may have noticed. And while most of you are still surfing on cloud nine after Wednesday let me lay on you something which has stood the test of time: 'Don't count your chickens before they hatch'. Or to put it another way: don't cackle if you haven't laid.

THFC1882 presents another guest writer. This time it's a guy I've known on Twitter for a while and he's always got something to say on our beloved Tottenham Hotspur. It gives me great pleasure to present Kenny Palmer with a preview of this weekend's game:

Wednesday's victory over Everton in the postponed game in hand from the start of the season has left Spurs level on points with Manchester United and 3 off leaders Manchester City.

One of the most pleasing aspects of Tottenham's play at the moment is the number of clean sheets being recorded. While new goalkeeper Brad Friedel has played his part in these statistics, our occasionally patched up defence deserves most of the praise so does it really need reinforcements this month?

So finally this much-vaunted "Game in Hand" is upon us. Truth be told, I will be a little sad to see it go. It has practically become part of the family, like a scruffy, uncouth urchin discovered in the wreckage of the summer riots, and adopted by the cheery folk of White Hart Lane. And let's face it, this Game in Hand has proved more useful than the Sword of Omens when it comes to pointless bickering with fans of l'Arse, Chelski, Liverpool and the like.

Talksport: England Watch: Fabio's fab five, starring Rooney, Gerrard, Defoe, Dawson and Carroll

Who were the Three Lions' top performers in the FA Cup third round?

View the full story here: Talksport

A news article on 2012-01-10 09:15:08 from: Talksport

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

So the Premier League season is finally here, it's Tottenham Hotspur's opening game versus Everton..........

That's how the preview for this one should have started, but the unfortunate and unseemly rioting of early August put paid to Spurs opening fixture. Now this is the game in hand it's vital that Spurs get maximum points if they want to be taken seriously as title challengers.

THFC1882 returns from it's Christmas and New Year break. Whilst we were off, Tottenham Hotspur collected 7 points from Norwich, Swansea and West Brom, happy days. Today, the FA Cup 3rd round was the focus and we have a special guest reporter for you. Here's Danny Carrier from the Camden New Journal with his report:

This was the chance for Harry Redknapp's fringe players to step up to the plate and show what they could do as well as give Michael Dawson and Aaron Lennon some much needed game time to get their match fitness back.

As part of the 2011 Thanksgiving Interregional, the U.S. Under-14 Boys' National Team will hold a domestic training camp from Nov. 23-23 in Chula Vista, Calif. Of the 36 players called into camp, 23 were identified through U.S. Soccer Training Centers.
George Braima
Eric Calvillo
Kevin Coleman
Luca de la Torre
Michael Gutierrez
Julian Hall
Sebastian Henao
Lagos Kunga
Weston McKennie
Logan Panchot
Michael Pimlott
Christian Pulisic
Juan Ramirez
Juan Riley
Elijah Rice
Abraham Romero
Andrew Romig
Kevin Silva
Raheem Taylor-Parkes
Trey Vinson
Derek Waldeck
Kees Westra
Haji Wright
Also, six players are currently listed as members of a Development Academy team roster: Braima (Crew Soccer Academy), De la Torre (Nomads SC), Dawson McCartney (NJSA 04), Weston McKennie (FC Dallas), Rice (Chicago Magic), Romig (Richmond Kickers), Silva (PDA).

Wales vs Norway 4-1 Highlights Goals Video 2011 Friendly Bale Bellamy Vokes Huseklepp is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Wales vs Norway 4-1 Highlights Goals Video 2011 Friendly Bale Bellamy Vokes Huseklepp is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Wales v Norway 2011 ( Wales vs Norway friendly video below) Final score and result:- Wales vs Norway 4-1 ( Bale, Bellamy, Vokes*2/ Huseklepp) 12 November, 2011- Cardiff City Stadium Sam [.

England vs Iceland U21 Highlights 5-0 Goals Video 2011 Sordell Kelly Dawson Gardner is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

England vs Iceland U21 Highlights 5-0 Goals Video 2011 Sordell Kelly Dawson Gardner is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter England vs Iceland 2011 ( England U21 vs Iceland U21) ( Vid Below) Final score and result:- England U21 vs Iceland U21 5-0 ( Sordell, Kelly, Dawson, Gardner*2) Weston Homes Community [.

1. Collect Underpants
2. ?
3. Profit
As the South Park Underpant Gnomes so crucially failed to diagnose, some things are a dashed sight more difficult in practice than they appear on paper. Nota bene, ‘Arry and the assorted Hotspurs, for bottom of the table Blackburn may be, but alas it is unlikely that they will simply roll over and allow us to tickle their tummies before disappearing into the night with three points.

With Ledley King's latest injury, it seems obvious to most Spurs fans that a central defender is a priority when the transfer window opens again in January. However, that view is at odds with Harry Redknapp's latest comments after the draw at Newcastle.

Asked if he would go back in for Gary Cahill, Harry said: "I'm not looking to strengthen in defence, really.

Luka Modric hit the headlines again last weekend as stories emerged about the Croatian's alleged criticism of Spurs' training methods.

Our old friends the Daily Mail were among the first with the report in which Luka suggested that training at Spurs was old fashioned and inadequate.

A scrappy first half in which both teams seemed content to pass to the opposition for 45 minutes was interrupted when Livermore pressured and poked away at the dithering Cabaye, which sent Adebayor chasing then tumbling. Which left VDV to despatch the penalty. 0-1.
Modric easily skinned, the limping Walker unable to cut out the cross, defenders marking all the wrong people, Ba unchallenged.

Norway U21 vs England U21 Highlights 2011 1-2 Dawson Henderson goals Video is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Norway U21 vs England U21 Highlights 2011 1-2 Dawson Henderson goals Video is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Norway vs England 2011 ( Norway U21 vs England U21 2011) Score and result:- Norway vs England 1-2 ( Berisha/ Dawson, Henderson) Marienlyst Stadion, Drammen- 10 October, 2011- 18.

Pearce praises bloody hero Dawson

West Brom defender 'does a Terry Butcher' in England U21s' win

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-10-10 23:40:31 from: The Mirror

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Jermain Defoe put last week's illness behind him against Shamrock Rovers and showed that he is ready to face Arsenal this Sunday.

That would suggest that Harry might be looking to renew JD's lethal partnership with Emmanuel Adebayor, but that would mean leaving out one midfield player from last week's win over Wigan and it's not easy to see who would miss out.

A show of hands then, for all you honest souls who just a couple of weeks ago had descended into a panicked frenzy, charging around wailing prognostications of doom before leaping headfirst through the nearest window, as our lot lost the opening two games with all the gloomy emphasis of gravitationally-obsessed lead balloon.

Ka-boom!! For all Spurs fans Younes Kaboul's 85th minute winner at the Emirates last season was a moment to savour. It wasn't the first time the French international had scored a crucial goal in a big game. Spurs 125th anniversary game had turned into a bit of a nightmare, being 4-1 down to Aston Villa certainly didn't point to a glorious birthday celebration.

Toumba Stadium, Thessaloniki, Greece. 6pm kick off. ESPN.

Spurs start their Europa League Group A campaign with a tricky visit to Greece where they take on PAOK. While it would be easy to dismiss the opposition as not in Spurs class it would be foolish to underestimate them.

As we saw on Saturday, Harry's transfer dealings have made first team selection just that little bit easier and after several departures from the Lane at the end of August, the temptation to slot in Jenas or Crouch has now been removed.

Injuries also played their part in the final line up against Wolves with Sandro, VDV, Dawson and Pienaar ruled out while the likes of Bassong, Corluka and Pavlyuchenko were left out for other reasons.

England U21 vs Azerbaijan 6-0 Highlights Goals Video Euro 2013 Qualifying is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

England U21 vs Azerbaijan 6-0 Highlights Goals Video Euro 2013 Qualifying is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter England U21 vs Azerbaijan U21 2011 UEFA U-21 Euro 2013 Qualifying- 1st September 2011- Vicarage Road, Watford Final score and result:- England U21 vs Azerbaijan 6-0 ( Dawson*2, Lansbury*2, Henderson, Waghorn) England begin [.

Dawson had chosen competely the wrong moment to unleash his sex face on CorlukaIs this the end of it all? Is this the conclusion of an epic three year journey from two-points-eight-games to the dizzying heights of the Champions League and back again? Are those halcyon nights in Milan and Madrid and afternoons at the Emirates and Anfield to be consigned as a thing of the past?

Optimism to follow, but it would be remiss to begin proceedings with anything other than the nasty business of a post-mortem...

The Arnie Approach

In the absence of our recognised midfield enforcers, our glorious leader adopted the cunning tactical ploy of leaving the back-four without any protection to handle a City front-line so shiny and expensive they had Tevez on the bench, while the rest of our team was crammed with attacking types .

White Hart Lane. Sunday 28th August. 1.30pm Kick off. ESPN.

Spurs kicked off last season with a 0-0 draw against City at The Lane. City were lucky that day as Joe Hart was their star, keeping Spurs at bay in a match that the home side should have won easily.

Thursday nights 2nd leg of the Europa League playoff was hardly a memorable affair. In all honesty with a 5-0 lead from the first leg and both teams looking to rest players there was always the possibility that it would go the way it did. With the much bigger news of Adebayor signing along with a massive game in the Premier League on Sunday I'm not going to go into too much detail but would like to make a few points about the match.

Supporters' etiquette dictates that we ought to be mightily supportive of the emergence of home-bred talent into the first team, but here at AANP Towers constructive criticism of the various whippersnappers is obscured by outrage at how unfeasibly young they all are. With their trendy haircuts and no doubt listening to music that would simply sound like noise to the bastions of AANP Towers, Townsend, Fredericks and Kane appeared to have been plucked from the fresh-faced crowds milling around collecting their GCSE results earlier in the day.

United were just out of reach... A valiant attempt that fell apart after 60 minutes. Goal one, Wellbeck found space between the floundering Dawson & Kaboul. Goal two, the back heel assist was just class. Goal three, Dawson out smarted by Rooney. Still, you go to Old Trafford expecting the worst, hoping for the best and being content with not getting battered too much.

Spurs team: Friedel; Walker (Corluka); Dawson; Kaboul; Assou-Ekotto; Lennon; Livermore (Huddlestone); Kranjcar (Pavlyuchenko); Bale; Van der Vaart; Defoe.

Losing to this Manchester United team at Old Trafford isn't the cause to call the Samaritans, in spite of what some Spurs fans would have you believe.

Rejoice, all ye fellow lilywhites. Admittedly it is also with a degree of trepidation (Old Trafford will do that to a Spurs fan) but goodness me it is wonderful finally to be able to look forward to Spurs in Premiership action tonight. ‘Tis with delight therefore that I invite you to gather round and peruse with me the permutations of team selection for the evening's festivities.

There appear to be no new injury concerns for Spurs ahead of tonight's game against Manchester United and with Luka Modric ruled out, manager Harry Redknapp may well stick with the starting XI from last week's Europa Cup Tie against Hearts.

The back five look set to stay as they are unless Harry decides to change the keepers around, otherwise Walker, BAE, Dawson and Kaboul should start ahead of Gomes.