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Casual lobotomy is one of my less typical weekend pursuits, but I'm willing to hazard that were
one to pluck out the respective brains of BAE and Scott Parker, the two would be as dissimilar as
medically possible. At one point in the second half yesterday I'm fairly sure Benny executed a
scorpion kick, seemingly just to pass the time.
The big news ahead of this evening's game is that Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon are back in
contention and with Rafael van der Vaart ruled out, both could play from the start.
"Jermain has trained okay in the last couple of days and Aaron Lennon as well, he's coming back,
he's looked sharp," said Harry on Friday.
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.
While Harry continues to dominate the headlines there's the small matter of our Premiership
fixture against Newcastle United on Saturday evening as Spurs prepare to welcome their boss back
into the dugout.
Normally at this stage of proceedings we have an injury update and the club will be sweating on
the fitness of a number of players including Jermain Defoe, Rafael van der Vaart, Younes Kaboul and
Aaron Lennon.
Pepe wished he hadn't pulled Gareth's fingerMonday night was not Gareth Bale's.
While a 0-0 draw with Liverpool at Anfield is a good result for Tottenham, and the match itself was
arguably one of the better stalemates you're likely to see in terms of energy and commitment, it is
a game Bale might soon wish to put behind him.
Tottenham and LIverpool both have Champions League aspirations, and both can boost their place
near the top of the English Premier League standings when they face off at Anfield today (2:55pm,
ESPN2).
Today features the return of Luis Suarez from his suspension for making racist remarks at
Manchester United's Patrice Evra, and Suarez will be key to trying to help the Reds climb up from
their current seventh-place position in the standings.
It's widely expected that Louis Saha will make his Spurs bow this evening as there are injury
doubts concerning Jermain Defoe, Rafael van der Vaart and Emmanuel Adebayor. However, these are
only doubts and as we've seen before this season, these worries have a habit of failing to
materialise.
Poka, Pav
It has been one hell of a busy fortnight in the world of Tottenham Hotspur – and not a whisper of
any of it from The Boys From White Hart Lane. For shame.
So, in a desperate attempt to catch up - and stay relevant – TBFWHL is taking a look back at 14
days in which Spurs stumbled into the fifth round of the FA Cup, re-entered the title race after a
brief remission and brought in a couple of battle-hardened veterans at the expense of a cult hero.
Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur
6 February 2012
20.00 GMT
Anfield
History:
Total: 153
Liverpool Wins: 70
Tottenham Wins: 45
Draws: 38
Last Premier League Meeting: 18 September 2011 – Tottenham 4-0 Liverpool
Form:
Liverpool: The last three games have been perhaps the best run of three games Liverpool have had
this season, advancing in both cups with first a 2-2 draw against Manchester City in the League Cup
then a 2-1 win over Manchester United in the FA Cup, before pulverizing Wolves a weekend ago by a
3-0 scoreline.
Spurs assistant manager Kevin Bond revealed that Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe remain as major
doubts for Monday night's clash with Liverpool. Both players have been struggling with hamstring
injuries and while the timing of the game gives them an extra chance to recover, it looks as if
both will miss out.
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.
"Go on, touch it. I've put the safety on."Football on a Friday night? It's just not cricket.
Perhaps that was the reason for Tottenham's utterly distasteful performance at Vicarage Road as
they scraped past a plucky Watford. If you were to believe the general theme of the commentary and
post-match media reports, you'd be forgiven for thinking Spurs arrived in north west London, rudely
parked their giant team coach wherever they chose, shaped to headbutt anyone and everyone on their
way in and spend the entire game cheating and coercing the ref into allowing them victory.
I'm pretty sure the first time I saw Wes Morgan play for Forest was in a pre-season friendly at the
City Ground whilst he was still a youngster. He put in a thunderous tackle on a similar-unfamiliar
Rafael Van Der Vaart which left the Dutch midfielder without his boot on one foot. I think this was
back in 2003, unfortunately the Forest website doesn't seem to show friendlies on its'
retrospective fixture lists, so I can't check [.
Spurs took the concept of winning ugly to new depths on Friday night in a poor performance that
saw them edge past Watford and into the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Match winner Rafael van der Vaart conceded that this wasn't the best performance by this current
Spurs side but he was relieved to get through the tie.
By Chris Wright
With Tax-dodge McGurk back on the bench after a week in Southwark crown court, a single
against-the-run-of-play 25-yard pinger from Rafael van der Vaart saw Tottenham into the Fifth round
proper at Vicarage Road last night, despite coming in for an absolute shelling from Watford during
the second-half.
A brilliant Rafael Van der Vaart strike guided Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-0 win at Watford while
Marouane Fellaini's decisive second-half goal saw off Fulham in Friday's all-Premier League FA Cup
Fourth Round clash at Goodison Park.
Van der Vaart struck right before half-time from 30-yards out to stun Vicarage Road and give the
Spurs a slender advantage that the hosts were not able to overturn.
A cheeky chappie It was only a week ago that Arsenal and Wolves fans were loving the sight of
Emmanuel Frimpong cutting down Rafael van der Vaart to size by smashing the ball into the
Dutchman's face. Football karma, it appears, does not take long to act. Yesterday, in defending a
corner against Aston Villa, [.
Peace out until Monday, Kickettes. Image: The Telegraph.
Xavi appeared in his panties after El Clasico.
We're sure some other stuff happened too, but nothing else was as important or fascinating as
that.
GOOD WEEK
Click here to view the embedded video.
Bale living up to the hype for Tottenham - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
According to Castrol EDGE Performance analysis, Gareth Bale has been one of the Premier League's
best performers this season, with the Welsh winger both scoring and creating regularly for his
high-flying Tottenham side.
You know you've MADE IT in the Ballers Bitchy Books when even Rafael
van der Vaart can't stop himself from laughing at you! Unfortunately, that's exactly what
happened to Mario Balotelli before the City/Spurs kick-off last weekend he
ignored every single human being on his way out of the players tunnel.
Osi for the Giants...
When the New York Giants take on the the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday, it will be a battle of
the defensive ends that is a key to determining the outcome, positively or negatively, for both
teams.
For the Giants, a return of a healthy Osi Umenyori to support Jason Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul
on the outside means that the Giants can consistently collapse the pocket from the flank, contain
lateral runs, and basically wreak havoc.
By Richard Nash
Tottenham's victory over Everton last week left them level on points with Manchester United and
three points off league leaders Man City, confirming their position as genuine title rivals to the
Manchester clubs. Much has been made of the additions of Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor as a
reason for the club's success, but the biggest change since last season has been the use of their
wingers, Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon.
You know when you've been Frimponged Many Arsenal fans were not particularly happy when their
burgeoning cult hero Emmanuel Frimpong departed to join Wolves on loan. But even the doubters are
probably convinced that the deal was for the greater good after Frimpong took out Spurs star Rafael
Van Der Vaart with this clearance.
Any hopes we had of tiptoeing under the radar were swiftly punted into the Thames on Wednesday
evening after every man and his lame dog in the days following declared Tottenham of Hotspur as
genuine title contenders™. Alan Hansen, David Platt, S'ralex- even our own
Heemskerk Howitzer, Rafael Van der Vaart, has pitched his tent in the side of ‘why the heck
not'.
Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has sent a warning to Manchester City that Spurs are
ready to launch a push for the Premier League title after a 2-0 win over Everton. Spurs moved up to
joint second level with Manchester United and crept to within three points of table toppers
Manchester City after a [.
Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has sent a warning to Manchester City that Spurs are
ready to launch a push for the Premier League title after a 2-0 win over Everton. Spurs moved up to
joint second level with Manchester United and crept to within three points of table toppers
Manchester City after a [.
szólj hozzá: Tottenham H. 2-0 Everton
Benoit Assou Ekotto's spectacular 30 yard strike continued a tradition of Spurs long range bombs
in recent times - Danny Rose, Rafael Van Der Vaart, Tom Huddlestone, Kyle Walker, come to mind. The
first goal came from Aaron Lennon, cutting past Leighton Baines, after the left back completely
missed clearing a long diagonal ball from Ekotto, and then shooting past the diving Tim Howard.
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.
Jermain Defoe will be hoping that his recent performances have earned him a place in Tottenham's
starting XI tonight and if he does take to the pitch against Everton, the striker will hope that
Spurs can be more ruthless in finishing off their opponents tonight.
In cementing third place and opening up a five point gap over Chelsea, it's hard to say that the
club has been stuttering but fans would hope to see recent 1-0 wins turned into more comfortable
victories and that will be down to the strikers in the main.
But first the best news :-)! Yours truly is in talks with Rafael van der Vaart and his
management about an exclusive interview for this blog!! YEAH!!
Ramon van der Vaart, Raf's dad, will be the man organising it for us all. I'm stoked!
I will dedicate a post to this soon [read more]
For much of this season Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has argued that his options up front come
down to a straight choice between Rafael van der Vaart and Jermain Defoe. Almost without exception,
the manager comes down on the side of the Dutchman but is it time to give JD a run in the side,
even if it's at the expense of Adebayor up front?
It has often been the case this season that Tottenham have had to leave out the likes of Sandro
and Jermain Defoe, simply because we have had eleven players performing at an impressive and
consistent level. With both Emanuel Adebayor and Rafael Van der Vaart in great goal scoring form,
Defoe has repeatedly had to rely on injuries to come into the team.
szólj hozzá: l;v1-1mv9[Matchhighlight.com]
An effervescent Swansea side stroking the ball with ease pinned the Hydra headed Spurs attack
for lengthy spells. Against the run of play Spurs went up just before the half with Rafael Van Der
Vaart's goal after Benoit Assou- Ekotto had done all the spadework down the left flank.
By Alan Duffy
Swansea City 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur Premier League 31st December 2011
Swansea City battled from a goal down to secure a vital and deserved point against Tottenham at
the Liberty Stadium.
Rafael van der Vaart had put the high-flying visitors ahead just before half-time, converting a
deflected cross from Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
Recent games have dealt with the notion of ‘Arry as a tactical buffoon in no uncertain manner.
In days gone by the signing of VDV, the plan to loan Bale to Nottingham Forest and the instruction
to Pav to "go out there and f***ing run about" did little for our glorious leader's reputation as
tactical genius, and was grist to the mill of a whole army or interweb critics (mea culpa)
who lambasted him for doing little more than closing his eyes, pinning a tail on a donkey and
accepting the plaudits as his blind gamble paid off.
A couple of days ago, I happened to comment on Twitter following Man Utd's 5-0 thrashing
of Wigan at Old Trafford and Man City's 0-0 away draw with West Bromwich Albion, that the title was
now down to a two horse race as both Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool had failed to beat either
Wolves, Fulham or Blackburn respectively.
The Carlos Tevez saga continues to overshadow all potential transfer dealings of Manchester City in
the transfer window. City have rejected a loan offer from Milan for the want away striker while
there are rumors that Spurs might make an audacious bid for the Argentinian.
The issue of course is not the size of the transfer fee; Tottenham can afford that, but rather
Tevez's wage packet, which would break the salary structure at White Hart Lane.
Many a time and oft my Spurs-supporting chum Ian has peddled the theory that Gareth Bale should
be shoved right up the top, through the middle, and play as an out-and-out centre-forward.
Outlandish it may be, but last night actually provided a glimpse of how the world would be run if
Ian were King.
Still sitting in third place behind the two Manchester sides, who are leading the table,
Tottenham Hotspurs are feeling that they have a legitimate shot in competing for the title
challenge but in order to make things easier they need something more.
According to the Lilywhites' manager, Harry Redknapp, it would be much better for his team if
they can grab a big name signing this January, as that superstar can lift the team's performance
into the same level as the two Manchester teams.
Just when I had considered giving up on Father Christmas altogether, he fills my stocking with
dropped points by all of Chelski, l'Arse, Liverpool and even Man City. And – and - he
even un-twinges VDV's hamstring. I'm not sure there has ever been a Christmas quite like it.
No reason not to expect another high-class performance, missed chances a-plenty and ultimately
three more points tonight.
