It could still all go horribly wrong, but for the moment at least our lot continue to make all the right moves. The threatened second half implosion did not materialise, and instead, after a fourth consecutive League win, we now have to come to terms with the fact that our glorious heroes have discovered some consistency, of all things.BAE vs Corluka
It was hardly Rocky Balboa vs Apollo Creed, but Messrs Corluka and Assou-Ekotto were notably unimpressed with each other’s conduct in the second half. Apparently Charlie lumbered over to deliver a pointed critique of Benny’s positioning at a corner; the braided one appeared to suggest in reply that he go forth and multiply. Given BAE’s permanently glazed expression of a hired assassin, this was quite possibly a moment for which he had been waiting his whole life (although in a fist-fight to the death I think I would back the Croat). Excitingly, there was even a level of push-and-shove that would have had Didier Drogba hurtling to the turf and screaming like a baby, but our two heroes both walked away unscathed.
Much ado about nothing ultimately, but truth be told we at AANP Towers are secretly rather pleased by all this. Tottenham players have typically seemed a little too precious and delicate in recent years, rather than ready to roll up their sleeves and fight for the cause, often giving the impression that they care more about their next haircut or tattoo than the cockerel. The sight of juices flowing and blood boiling out there on the pitch therefore elicits a silent nod of approval. We like the look of that around these parts.
As an epilogue, ‘Arry’s comments on Benny make frankly hilarious reading, although I do rather wonder about the lad:
“Benoit is a strange boy. He’s a bit highly strung and hardly speaks English. If you say something to him he’s hard work. He hasn’t improved his English in the couple of years he’s been here.”
[Asked why the player had walked off on his own, Redknapp replied:] “He didn’t know the result! He probably thought we’d drawn. He’ll turn up Wednesday and play great, but he won’t know we’re playing Fulham until someone tells him. That’s how he is. He’s unreal. He walks off and he’s thinking about the music he’s going to play when he puts his headphones on.”
It was a risky move, but resting Palacios and bringing in Younes Kaboul ultimately paid dividends. With Sergeant Wilson one booking away from suspension and Kaboul cup-tied, the latter took to the pitch yesterday, to ensure that Palacios will be available for the FA Cup game on Wednesday (keep up). The proof of the pudding was ultimately the result, and whatever the misgivings from various quarters about Kaboul’s ability as a midfielder, ‘Arry need not say a word, but can simply wave three points at all of us by way of justification.
Fourth Striker
In Gudjohnsen we may have the perfect fourth striker. Unlike, say, a younger tyro of the Darren Bent ilk, one gets the impression that Gudjohnsen is a darned sight more philosophical about starting regularly on the bench, in a manner vaguely reminiscent of Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, back in the day. Not that this attitude would count for much of course, if he were complete bobbins once on the pitch, but as he demonstrated on Saturday he certainly seems to know his way around.
We at AANP Towers have been fond of likening him to Sheringham, but the strength he showed for his goal, in holding off the challenge of Faye (I think), followed by the clinical, powerful finish, was more akin to Shearer. He adds much-needed experience to a young squad, which suggests that he probably has something to contribute on the training-ground as well as the pitch, and on the evidence of the weekend can still be relied upon to produce the goods when called upon. If anything, yesterday’s performance suggested that he may merit elevation up the ladder to something higher than fourth-choice striker, but if remains the man to whom we turn in an emergency we can’t be doing too badly.
Another Week, Another Injury
This time Pav hobbled off stage left. All vaguely reminiscent of one of those action/horror films in which the cast are killed off one by one, in various gruesome ways, until Sigourney Weaver is left to sort things out in the final scene. That we have kept churning out wins with personnel dropping like flies is mightily impressive, and to do so on Saturday without King, Palacios, Lennon or Defoe, as well as various supporting cast-members, really is thigh-slappingly good. With a bit of luck the situation might soon ease, as Bentley is supposed to be nearing fitness, while Hudd is also reportedly progressing well. This gearing up to be one heck of a season finale.
AANP’s first book, Spurs’ Cult Heroes, is now available in the Spurs shop, all good bookshops and online (at Tottenhamhotspur.com, as well as WHSmith, Amazon , Tesco, Waterstones and Play). But never mind all that – the new trailer for Predators is now out, and it looks awesome. Have a butcher’s here.All are most welcome to leave memories – and browse those of others – regarding the players featured in Spurs’ Cult Heroes: Danny Blanchflower here, Dave Mackay here, Cliff Jones here, Martin Chivers here, Alan Gilzean here, Pat Jennings here, Cyril Knowles here, Steve Perryman here, Glenn Hoddle here, Chris Waddle here, Ossie and Ricky here, Gary Mabbutt here, Graham Roberts here, Jimmy Greaves here, Clive Allen here, Jürgen Klinsmann here, David Ginola here, Paul Gascoigne here. Also featured in the book are Sandy Brown and the late, great Bill Nicholson.
You can become a Facebook fan of Spurs’ Cult Heroes and AANP here, follow on Twitter here
You can become a Facebook fan of Spurs’ Cult Heroes and AANP here, follow on Twitter here
16 replies on “Stoke 1 – 2 Spurs: We Like The Look Of That”
Am I dreaming it or did I once see an interview with Benny (post match?) and his English was not too bad? Harry worries me with some of his comments about our non-English players. Perhaps something nasty rubbed off on him at wet spam!
Have to admit I’ve never heard Benny speak, but Gudjohnsen’s English is perfect, and probably better than half the English lads. Nice line about “natural viking strength” on MoTD.
Nice line about “natural viking strength” on MoTD.
…..Yeah seems like a cool dude. Shame we didn’t get him before chelski got their claws into him. we were linked I seem to remember although thats not saying much!
I love Spurs, and I also love AANP.
I think it was just ‘Arry being amusing, nothing sinister, George!
Perhaps Cyril, perhaps
Benny speaks perfectly good English. Heard an interview with him once and he speaks perfectly understandle english. Whats Arry on?
The interview with him was on why he chose to represent Cameroon and instead of French..he had a choice HE chose to speak English.
Two thumbs up for the post. But I’m not without my (spurs-fan-typical) worries. While I know that the article was great, with valid points sprinkled everywhere like chocolate-chips, I still want to question the strength of the idea that
“With a bit of luck the situation might soon ease, as Bentley is supposed to be nearing fitness . . . ”
If we first reflect upon the quality of player Bentley is (as opposed to how he Was, playing for Blackburn), I want to ask, Would he have scored as Kranjcar did on Saturday? I couldn’t, even in sympathy, imagine him scoring from an identical position.
While his fitness might be something good for the Spurs SQUAD, because it gives the first-team another option on the bench, First-Team-Wise, would Bentley really give us another Scoring dimension to what we have now? I don’t know . . . But I don’t want to count him out! COYS!
Well, just to correct myself, Bentley would definitly give us ANOTHER scoring dimension, but I doubt heavily if it would be a Better one.
Did anybody notice a couple of wicked crosses delivered by the cannonbul.
Also can someone please tell me why our magical monkey does not take our corners on the right,he has such a fantastic left foot and If he whipped in inswinging corners they would cause havoc and plenty of goals,I really can’t understand we have a great weapon in his left foot and time and time again we see outswinging corners that come to nothing…..please can someone av a word with arry
Bales left foot has had to bad knocks and will take a few years to get back to his best and when it does we can rejoice in the new Giggs. Thats if we still have him Fergie is licking is lips right now and the fact he told Harry not to pick him a few months ago , bloody hell i dident no Fergie was picking our team as well shows me he still likes the player.I shit when the dirty swines where targeting him and i bet the little dwarf dopey Peter Ried was behind them tactics.Lets hope we polish the overachievers Fulham Flyers in the Cup 4-2 and sink Johnes Bell in the semis so Ohara and is wife to be and son can watch JERMAIN DEFOE WIN THE CUP .COYS
Agree 100% with the article! DAVSPURS, I like you and your comments but what’s with the strange spelling and lack of punctuation man. Very difficult to read! 🙂 No offence meant!
i think BAE just became my favourite spurs player!
how many points do you think we’ll get out of playing the top 3 all in a row?
BAE is certainly one of my favourites too. Excellent player who has not let us down -confident on the ball and willing to put in a tackle too.
We are going great guns under Harry – best manager we have had in years. Well done to Levy for bringing him to the club.
I would hope for three points from that tricky run of games. A win against the Arse would be my preferred option. Would three points be enough?
The legend of DAVSPURS resurfaces! I LOVE YOU MATE!