Spurs Pies

Spurs season tickets UP by £3 a game - what do you think?

Jonathan Weinberg — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:03 GMT

I've been debating for the past few days with some mates about how much the season tickets will go up. And today the Club has announced an average £3 per match increase. That makes my Paxton Lower ticket £670 as opposed to around £610 this season, an increase of about 10 per cent. Now while that is well above inflation, it is the level I expected and accepted...

Can Jamie O'Hara make the grade at Spurs?

Jonathan Weinberg — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:03 GMT

He was named our Breakthrough star and Young Player of the Season and yesterday Jamie O'Hara sealed his future at White Hart Lane by signing a contract extension for the next three years. Jamie has had a decent first season at Tottenham, and made his mark in midfield when required. On Sunday against Liverpool, he had a poor match but was being played out of position on the left. What gave me a lift though was his professionalism and honesty. Coming onto the pitch to receive his awards after the final whistle he admitted he'd had a nightmare and pretty much apologised to the fans. There wasn't really any need for it at all, but his maturity and respect by doing so shone through stronger than the sun over the stadium...

Should Teddy Sheringham get a Spurs coaching role next season?

Jonathan Weinberg — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:03 GMT

We had this debate a few months ago when Teddy announced he would retire at the end of this season. I said Daniel Levy should offer him a job on the coaching staff straight away, given his love for Tottenham Hotspur. Many of you agreed with me that the former White Hart Lane hero would be a great addition to the backroom, especially as he's always wanted to go on to management and it's no secret he fancies the top job at our Club one day...

Spurs vs Liverpool Post-Mortem - An unfitting end to our rollercoaster season

Ashley Lawrence — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:03 GMT

A decidedly underwhelming end to the season, and no mistake. Our strongest available eleven on paper, but no reason to suspect that any one of them had a point to prove to Juande, though this must surely have been the case. Lacklustre showings from Jermaine Jenas, Jamie O'Hara and the departing Dimitar Berbatov, and no cause to rally around. Steed Malbranque must be sick and tired of covering blades of grass to no avail, especially in recent weeks, when he has been surrounded almost entirely by players untroubled by the dramatic tail-off in the club's season. As the sun shone, Liverpool were able to slowly go about the process of picking up the least vital three points of their season, treating the game with considerably less contempt than their hosts. Fernando Torres' absence would not have been noticed had he departed at half-time, yet he had still made more of an impact than his opposite number, who must surely have allocated the hours between 3pm and 5pm to weigh up the pros and cons of Barcelona, Milan and Manchester.

Who are your Top 5 stars that Spurs should sell off?

Jonathan Weinberg — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:03 GMT

I've been thinking long and hard about this since Sunday, because on the way back to the car from White Hart Lane we were discussing who we want to see the back of most. Tottenham has more dead wood than, well, a big wooden thing that is infected with woodworm. So there's plenty of players to choose from as Juande Ramos draws up a list of who is no longer welcome at the Club...

Caption Comp: What's Jonathan Woodgate up to?

Jonathan Weinberg — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:03 GMT

I was at the game on Sunday against Liverpool and saw this scene close up. It was very funny! Why people want to bring those stupid balls with them to a match though I don't know. It's so disruptive when you're trying to watch what is going on, only to find a stupid blow-up football or beach ball bouncing in front of your seat...

Why would Spurs swap one sulky Bulgarian for a Frenchman who sulks even more?

Jonathan Weinberg — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:03 GMT

I swore I wouldn't simply repost stupid rumours about players who may or may not be coming to White Hart Lane. But I think we need to raise this one, if only to send Daniel Levy a signal that we aren't happy. So let's collectively say a massive NON NON NON to any move by the Club to sign Nicolas Anelka from Chelsea. Not only is he an Arsenal reject, and a Liverpool, Bolton and Manchester City one, the 29-year-old Frenchman is a bigger moaner than Dimitar Berbatov. True, he does score goals but he is not a replacement for Dimi and would be a real waste of cash at £15m, if that figure is true...

The Spurs Pies 2007/08 Season Review: August

Ashley Lawrence — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:03 GMT

With the 2007/08 season now at an end, we can finally look back at one of the most eventful seasons in the history of Tottenham Hotspur. We'll be reviewing each month of the season individually, and we start, predictably, at the beginning. Here are all the events that mattered in August. Wednesday 1st August Leyton Orient 2 Spurs 4 The month began on something of a high note, as our impressive pre-season continued with a victory over League One Orient. More important than the result was the fact that three of our four strikers got on the scoresheet, with a Robbie Keane double, adding to goals from Darren Bent and a scorcher from Jermain Defoe. Thursday 2nd August King out til October As we were soon to realise though, good news would prove few and far between in the early months of the season, and Ledley King's latest setback was very bad news indeed. King would eventually return to the first team in December, making his first appearance of the season against Fulham on Boxing Day. The defence struggled hugely in his absence, with the likes of Younes Kaboul and Anthony Gardner proving to be utterly inadequate deputies.

Don't we have enough youth at Spurs without buying John Bostock?

Jonathan Weinberg — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:03 GMT

I don't know much about the Crystal Palace player, maybe one of their fans could fill us in as to how good the lad really is. Generally, these "next big thing" teens who are raved when they are still so young, often turn out not to be worth the paper they were written about on, within a few years. There are some notable exceptions of course, but I can't understand the logic of us spending time trying to sign a 16-year-old when we have such a lot of decent talent already in our reserves - who can't get a look in on the first XI...

Will the Dimitar Berbatov saga damage Tottenham's summer?

Jonathan Weinberg — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:03 GMT

Is he going? Or is he staying? The rumours around Dimitar Berbatov's future at White Hart Lane look set to continue for a while longer and that is going to cause Spurs no end of problems during the close season. For a start, it puts our transfer dealings in hot water. If Juande Ramos and Daniel Levy identify a new world-class striker like Samuel Eto'o, can they afford to put a bid in before a deal to flog Berbatov is completed. What if they go ahead only for the Bulgarian to commit his future to N17? Of course, that could be amazing for the fans but it might well over-stretch the Club funds to have them both on the teamsheet at this stage in our development...

What's Radek Cerny's goodbye message to Spurs?

Jonathan Weinberg — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:03 GMT

Well, he got the chance to show what he could do and no second string goalkeeper can wish for more. At the start of season 07/08 Radek Cerny could not have imagined he'd figure in goal for Tottenham as many times as he did. And he did pretty well on the whole with some fine saves, and was probably just as useful between the sticks as Paul Robinson would have been - had he been allowed to get back on a run of appearances...

Who was Tottenham's best Player of the Season 2007/08?

Jonathan Weinberg — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:03 GMT

A week on from the end of the season and it's time to begin our look back at the campaign that started with a defeat to Sunderland, ended with a defeat to Liverpool and in between saw some of the most excrutiating highs and lows I've known as a supporter in many years. So what better way to start than with our own Spurs Pies vote for Player of the Season. Can Robbie Keane win it again like he did the official Tottenham one or do you have someone else you'd like to take the award. Vote below, and leave us a comment as to why you chose who you did...

Ledley Kings says Spurs were found out this season - is he right?

Jonathan Weinberg — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:03 GMT

On Spurs Official there's a brilliant interview with our Captain Ledley King and one of the observations he makes is an interesting one. Rather than blaming our poor League campaign and exit from the UEFA Cup on the problems behind-the-scenes or the team's lack of mental toughness, he reckons the opposition have worked out our game. And I am inclined to agree with him. Ledley explained: "We went into the beginning of the season with high hopes of progressing from two fifth place finishes. Maybe over the last two seasons teams have become much more aware of us and it was tougher for that reason, but that's something we have to be prepared for."

Spurs Pies 2007/08 Season Review: August

Jonathan Weinberg — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:02 GMT

Pic Special: What's Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov trying to block out?

Jonathan Weinberg — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:02 GMT

Someone has obviously said something to our surly Bulgarian to make him cover his ears like that. Or perhaps it was a little bit cold for him at White Hart Lane and he was trying to warm his lugholes up. We won't know what's happening with Dimitar Berbatov for a while yet, I can't see his on-off move being solved until after Euro 2008. But it's fair to say there's not been a bigger hero and bigger villain playing for the Club in recent times...

The Spurs Pies 2007/08 Season Review: September

Ashley Lawrence — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:02 GMT

And so we move onto September, a month that saw points thrown away, an embarassing derby day defeat, and the start of our glorious Carling Cup victory. Saturday 1st September Premier League - Fulham 3 Spurs 3 When what should have been a routine victory over a poor Fulham side turned into an epic tale of comebacks and missed chances, Martin Jol must've known once and for all that only a miracle would save his job. An awesome performance from young Gareth Bale was the only real positive to come from a game that saw us throw away what was both a 2-0 and 3-1 lead, with Diomansy Kamara earning a point with his first league goal for his new club, a ridiculously acrobatic overhead kick deep into injury time. Thursday 13th September Chimbonda arrested The international break brought respite for both Jol and his beleaguered squad, but with just two days to go before a particularly daunting North London derby, Pascal Chimbonda managed to bring further shame on the club when he was arrested for alleged conspiracy to defraud. The issue seems to have since blown over, but many have suggested Chimbonda's inconsistent performances may have been in part due to the cloud hanging over his head.

The Spurs Pies 2007/08 Season Review: October

Ashley Lawrence — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:01 GMT

If there was one month that encapsulated everything about Spurs' 2007/08 season, then October was that month. Seven games that produced 26 goals and more highs and lows than most teams experience in a decade. Monday 1st October Premier League - Spurs 4 Aston Villa 4 In any other season, this match would have been by far and away the most ridiculous, remembered for years to come as a crazy one-off match that could never be repeated. As it turned out, Spurs not only managed to produce another 4-4 draw, but went one better with a 6-4 victory before the season was out. However, our 125th anniversary celebrations will still live long in the memory, and that fact has very little to do with the flags and commemorative kit. With Martin Jol's future very much hanging by a thread, a defeat did not bear thinking about. 3-1 down at half-time though, and suddenly it was all anyone could think about. The Aston Villa fans taunting us with a chorus of Happy Birthday was one of the highlights certainly, and who could blame them when they went 4-1 up with just half an hour to go. It's sad to think that our eventual comeback only delayed the inevitable for Martin Jol, and the glee we all felt as Younes Kaboul of all people fired home an injury-time equaliser now seems almost in vain, but nonetheless, this was a classic game, a classic fightback and the first of the season's true highlights. Thursday 4th October UEFA Cup - Anorthosis Famagusta 1 Spurs 1 The most nothing of nothing games, this match was so overlooked that the most exciting thing to come from it was the debut of summer signing Kevin-Prince Boateng, complete with the obligatory ridiculous haircut. It would soon emerge that his haircut was just about the only exciting thing about him, and that Anorthosis was just about the right level for the German misfit midfielder.

Spurs' new goalie coach saw his last side concede SIXTY goals! Have we gone mad?

Jonathan Weinberg — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:01 GMT

Erm, I'm not sure where to start with this. I had to do a double take when I saw the news on Vital Football, but yes it's true. Our new goalkeeping coach, announced last night, presided over a team last season who shipped 60 goals and finished with a goal difference of -20. His name is Hans Leitert and he comes from that famous Spanish club... Recreativo Huelva. I'm sure you all know that they play in the Primera Liga and finished in 16th position. Ok, now either the lunatics have finally taken over the asylum at White Hart Lane or someone needs to be fired! What on earth is going on here. Sure, perhaps their defence is a little rocky, but 60 goals! If even half of them are down to the goalkeeper, then what kind of coach can this man be!

Who was Tottenham's WORST Player of the Season?

Jonathan Weinberg — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:01 GMT

OK, well a few readers complained that our Player of the Season poll was pointless because Robbie Keane was always going to win. I say that doesn't make it pointless, because Robbie Keane deserves every bit of thanks we can muster for such a terrific season - and the more polls he wins, the better. Anyway, to keep things balanced, let's find out who you rated our worst player of the campaign. It can't be anywhere near as cut and dried as the Keano win - which was by 60 per cent. So you know how it works. Cast your vote below from the squad and then leave us a comment as to why you picked who you did. The results should make for some very interesting reading indeed!

Gus Poyet proves he's still got it - maybe he should start for Spurs!

Jonathan Weinberg — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:01 GMT

Our esteemed First Team Coach and former Hotspur Hero Gus Poyet was among the scorers in a charity match on Monday where his celebrity side beat a team made up of MPs. Gus's squad thrashed the poor Parlimentarians 7-1 with a hattrick from DJ Spoony, and singles from Hollyoaks actor Ricky Whittle, Darren Campbell and Cystic Fibrosis Trust supporter Harold Swanbrough. The sole scorer for the MPs team was Rob Wilson, MP for Reading East...

The Spurs Pies 2007/08 Season Review: November

Ashley Lawrence — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:00 GMT

Juande Ramos' first full month as Spurs manager saw us go unbeaten in all competitions, and there were clear signs of Ramos stamping his authority on the squad. Friday November 2nd Jol criticises Comolli's signings A week after the Martin Jol saga finally came to a head, Jol spoke out against the transfer policy of his director of football, Damien Comolli. With Jol brought in by Comolli's predecessor Frank Arnesen, it was always likely that Dutchman's relationship with Arnesen's successor would be strained, and so it proved, and as much as anyone tries to deny it, Comolli's record so far is decidedly unimpressive. Saturday November 3rd Premier League - Middlesbrough 1 Spurs 1 Ramos' first real test was certainly not passed with flying colours, but the Spaniard wasted no time in exhibiting his willingness to change things briskly when he feels they are not working out. Choosing to start with Darren Bent and Jermain Defoe rather than Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov, within minutes of Luke Young's equaliser for Boro, both Defoe and goalscorer Bent were made abundantly aware that their time was up, with Keane and Berbatov thrown on in search of what proved to be an elusive winner.

Pies Promotion Watch: Ex-Spurs stars in League triumphs

Jonathan Weinberg — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:00 GMT

Would you believe it - Nick Barmby could be back playing at White Hart Lane next season. Who'd have imagined our former midfielder would return to the Premier League at the ripe age of 34 after spending five years out of the top flight. Massive congratulations from all at Spurs Pies to Nick, another true professional who has proved that he is a real winner. When he returned to his hometown club of Hull City back in 2004, you could have accused him of looking for an easy life to see out his career in the comfort of the lower leagues. But not so. His ambition was to steer Hull to glory and he's done that. His diving header in the Championship play-off semi-final helped take the side to Wembley at the weekend where they beat Bristol City 1-0...

The Spurs Pies Season Review: December

Ashley Lawrence — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:16:00 GMT

Traditionally the most hectic month in the footballing calendar, December saw us play eight matches in three competitions, and by the end of 2007, we seemed to have improved beyond all recognition from the team that started the month with defeat at home to Birmingham. Sunday 2nd December Premier League - Spurs 2 Birmingham City 3 A thoroughly miserable afternoon, which started badly, briefly seemed to have brightened up, but then sank into full-scale embarrassment, as we were humbled by the less-than-mighty Birmingham City. It's a damning indictment of just how casually we approached our league campaign this season that Spurs were the only side in the Premier League to give up six points to Birmingham. That insult, combined with the injury suffered by Gareth Bale that would eventually rule him out for the season, and the dismissal of Robbie Keane that would put him out of action for three games confirmed that December could only get better from here on in. Thursday 6th December UEFA Cup - Anderlecht 1 Spurs 1 A trip to the delightful Belgian capital was next on the agenda, and though Brussels at Christmas time is very much a must-visit, the game that followed in the evening was perhaps not quite so appealing. Scrappy for the most part, but Spurs showed fight and determination to come straight back from going behind. Jermaine Jenas' surge forwards provided a chance for Dimitar Berbatov to level the scores from the penalty spot. The image that most sticks in my mind though, is that of Didier Zokora with his back turned, waiting for a response from Paul Robinson as to the result of the spot-kick. For all his faults, no one could ever accuse Zokora of not having the requisite passion for the club.

Have you renewed your season ticket or are Spurs rises too high?

Jonathan Weinberg — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:15:59 GMT

None of us like prices going up and let's face it, the cost of living is rising sharply these days. But while I'm slightly miffed at the 10 per cent rise in my Paxton Road season ticket for 2008/09, I'm not livid. I understand that for Spurs to compete with the best of the Premier League and Europe, then they have to raise cash. And if it means paying £3 more per game for the privilege of watching and supporting my team through thick and thin, it's not so bad - is it? Whether I get value-for-money for that cash though is another matter. I expect in return for my investment to see good football from a bunch of professional players who don't give up easily and let themselves down when things aren't going their way. That happened far too often during the most recent campaign...

The Spurs Pies Season Review: January

Ashley Lawrence — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:15:59 GMT

January 2008 will of course always be remembered for THAT scoreline, but quite apart from that, it was Spurs' busiest month of the season, as we crammed nine games into 31 days. As it turned out, we only managed to win three of those nine matches, not that anyone seemed particularly bothered after the night of Tuesday 22nd January. Tuesday 1st January Premier League - Aston Villa 2 Spurs 1 2008 began in inauspicious style for Juande Ramos' merry men. A visit to Villa Park for an 5:15pm kick-off on New Year's Day wouldn't be many teams' first choice for ways to start the season, and so it proved. Having fallen behind to a header from a corner, Jermain Defoe levelled with a spectacular finish, before we fell behind to a header from a corner. Can anyone spot the glaringly obvious problem? Friday 5th January Reports suggest Hutton deal dead Five days into the year, and the January transfer merry-go-round was very much up and running, with rumours aplenty. Reports at this point suggested that Alan Hutton had decided to stay at Rangers, and that the deal had fallen through. As it turned out, all our Alan needed was a little persuading.