Comments on: Spurs 1-0 Newcastle: Lamenting The Absence of Jenas (No, Really)

By: Who Framed Ruel Fox?

Who Framed Ruel Fox? — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:12:58 +0000

Great read,

I’m with you on the Keane situation; he definitely seems keen on a deeper role these days. It’s only natural he’d be looking for some companionship, though, after being giving the cold shoulder at the ‘pool. He just wants to be loved that boy.

Thanks for the add on the side bar. Very decent of you.

Stay Classy

By: Lawrie

Lawrie — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:25:37 +0000

Good article but cannot agree about Jenas. Yes, he might have got into their box once or twice but the reason that Spurs attacked so well and pressurised Newcastle so much was largely due to the absence of Jenas’s multitude of completely pointless backwards and sideways passes. The difference, yesterday, was that the midfield passing was always trying to attack. JJ demnds the ball but does nothing useful with it. I’ve been watching Spurs since the mid-60’s and I’d say that he’s most probably the poorest regular midfielder we have ever had. he just happens to have a long stride and a fair amount of stamina, so gets to, or near, the ball a lot.

By: Spooky

Spooky — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:00:36 +0000

Class write-up (as per usual). I reckon we could do with a player of the ilk of Berbatov. Not lazy mind, but someone who fancies themselves but has the quality to actually match their ego. I honestly believe Harry doesn’t have to do that much in the summer transfer window. We have a more than decent squad that simply needs tweaking in key areas.

Replace Bent with a top class striker.
Bring in an under-study for Palacios.

I’d start there.

As for Jenas, I reckon if he was on the pitch yesterday we would have scored more than the single goal. It’s a cliche - and one that is shared with most Spurs fans - but we love to be critical of JJ, and yet, like you said, if he isn’t playing we suddenly lack that bit extra. More so since Wilson signed.

By: Likeyourblog

Likeyourblog — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:39:39 +0000

I too see it more as a 4-2-3-1.

4 steps to top 4:

1. Buy a left footed attacking midfielder.

2. Drop Keane and move Modric into the middle.

3. Buy a real target man.

4. Buy another DM to partner Palacios.

By: Bill_Oddie

Bill_Oddie — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:51:53 +0000

Very nicely written. Good on yer.

Think you’re missing a couple of nuances of our current play, though. Keane HAS to drop deep as we are playing 2 deeper central players and asking Lennon and Modric to get forward. Essentially a 4-2-3-1. But with flexibility, of course (hence Modders picking the ball up as almost Libero at times, Lennon appearing on the left touchline, Keane getting beyond Bent, etc).

Also, as was mentioned above Hutton’s forward drives mean he’ll be much better with a Bentley in front of him. Charlie, however, has been magic at RB, so suspect he’ll get the lions share of games there.

In both cases, signing a Left Winger (which we probably will) won’t change much.

By: dRd

dRd — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 09:46:59 +0000

Sam-i-am - can’t win headers? Honestly…

By: dRd

dRd — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 09:45:08 +0000

Funny how when everyone could see that we needed a DFM player they were on about Tottenham (read Jenas) ‘flattering to decieve’ - we were all fancy this and that but without any result. What we needed was someone who could just get the job done rather than worrying about how it looked etc…

Bent scores more goals than anyone else in the team, and is in the top goal scorers in the Premiership (best leauge in the world etc)…but it seems that people would be happier with a player who looks more threatening and scores less goals!?

Give the man a song and blow some sunshine up his arse. If he can score when he’s being knocked every game by his own fans, maybe a little support would ge us the extra goals we want…you never know, it might make him play with a little more of the arrogence people seem to admire!

COYS!

By: Geoff H

Geoff H — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:52:31 +0000

Good article - my 4ps worth.

Corluka’s distribution when he was at right back left something to be desired. If Dawson is out for sometime that could be a problem - he has my sympathy as he always give the max.

Also, has anyone else noticed that, although the Hudd strikes the ball incredibly well his shots are often high. This trajectory is fine when he is firing the ball from one side of the pitch to the other but he needs to keep the ball down when shooting. Then, if the keeper can get to them there may well be rebounds for Bent / Defoe / Keane to finish. The man has the all attributes to become an England player (apart from pace) and Capello was watching yesterday - I wonder if he will give hem a go. In the early eighties Ossie would win the ball for Hoddle to distribute - there are shades of that with Palacios and Huddlestone.

Finally - Gomes is proving to be a top man - I hope he is given an assist for my Fantasy football team!

By: Sam-i-am

Sam-i-am — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:16:15 +0000

Good article. Well played all round except for Bent. I have never seen anyone purposely hide behind defenders (if you don’t believe me, watch the man and not the ball next time around). Yes, he may bundle in the occasional but given that he doesn’t create his goals, doesn’t have the vision to assist, can’t hold up the ball, can’t win headers, he is a REAL liability. With nothing to offer in attack, no wonder the ball keeps coming back to put pressure on our defenders!!! Get rid!

By: Yidsman

Yidsman — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:14:56 +0000

Good comments, especially re Hud and JJ I think Hud missed his chance to cement a place for the future at this time but bcause of age difference we should perseverve with him over JJ.
His main deficiiency was switching off after passing the ball. He should be watching videos of the best distributing mid fielder in the PL if not Europe IE Carrick. Always and I mean always in space.
Comparisons with with Hoddle Don,t be silly