| The Spur, a Tottenham Hotspur webzine, since '99. February 2010. |
Spurs on US TV
Wed., Feb 10. Premiership:
Sat., Feb 6. Premiership:
In the second half Tottenham Hotspur threw everything at Villa. The good news is we can get very aggressive at home and lay seige to the opposition goal. The bad news is that visitors, if armed with a decent keeper and a tight defensive strategy, have figured out how to shut us out. And we don't know, unlike say Man United, how to unlock that situation.
Wed., Feb 3rd. FA Cup fourth round replay:
Tottenham Hotspur went ahead and Leeds United bounced back. 1-1 half time.
A superb build-up by Spurs afforded Jermain Defoe the opportunity to rip the net with about 23 minutes to go, but the replay showed the raised flag was right, offside.
Didn't take long for Defoe to bury it again, however. Still the pattern was working out the same as the first encounter. This is where the pattern must surely stop.
It did. Dawson made up for his blunder in the first match with a big boot to Defoe, who also wanted to make ammends for that first match penalty miss, he broke away from his marker, raced goalward, and thumped in the killer goal.
Some quality goals from Defoe, and we won't miss Robbie Keane too much (no disrespect to the talented Irishman) if he keeps this level up, but it was a League Two side we have to remember.
The atmosphere was amazing, both sets of supporters in full voice. Elland Road one of the few places these days where the home fans still create a tremendous atmosphere for most of the game.
Spurs line-up: Gomes; Corluka, Dawson, Bassong, Bale; Bentley, Huddlestone, Jenas, Krancjar; Crouch, Defoe. Here we go.
Sat., Jan 29th. English Premier League:
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A well-updated link to English Premier League matches on US TV is via "EPL Talk homepage" and go to TV schedule. A great way to find out when the must see matches are on.
For all futbol on USTV LiveSoccerTV is worth a look.
Spurs in the FA Cup this season
Not an easy first half. Defoe missed a penalty in the ninth minute. But in the 42nd minute Peter Crouch poached on a rebound off the Leeds keeper from Niko Krancjar's first-time shot, set up by a fine Gareth Bale cross, to break Tottenham's scoring drought. An unmemorable but gratefully accepted goal.
Leeds srike ace Beckford replied with two dangerous attempts on goal, the second of which showed that Spurs keeper Huerelho Gomes is still in top form.
First half shots on goal 9:4 in favour of the Lilywhites.
Tottenham didn't feel Beckford was such a threat, however, that he was worth marking from a corner in the 52nd minute, and he duly bundled the ball home to nab a Leeds equalizer.
Well I criticized Harry's sub choices up at Liverpool midweek, but this time his selection was inspired. Two subs, Wilson Palacios and "Tottenham's forgotten man" as the commentator put it, namely Russian striker Roman Pavluychenko, combined to score the first good looking goal of the match to give Spurs the 2:1 lead. "Super Pav" chants finally drowned out the amazing Leeds vocal support.
Spurs could have easily seen this out but Dawson conceded a penalty some five minutes into added time and Leeds take the tie back to Elland road thanks to a successful spot kick from, you guessed it, Jermain Beckford!
Pre-match: In the previous round Spurs thrashed Portsmouth 4:0 at home, while the Yorkshire whites caused one of the biggest upsets in recent times by beating Manchester United at Old Trafford.
FA CUp at White Hart Lane: Spurs vs Leeds
This match is live on US TV courtesy Fox Soccer Channel.
Check back for build up and reactions to our FA Cup home match with Leeds United here.
Somehow I sense a display of pure quality from the Lilywhites including free flowing football as befits the mighty Tottenham Hotspur. Uh, yes....
The FA Cup run continues....!
--- Rob Francis
Spurs in the League Cup this season
Spurs ease past Everton 2:0 in League Cup
Tottenham Hotspur coasted to victory over Everton in their second League Cup match of the season (the fourth round, so Spurs are in the quarter finals), and although the match was overshadowed by the upcoming clash with Arsenal in the league, it was great to see Tottenham's "second team" looking good, albeit playing a severely weakened injury hit Everton outfit.
Players like Gareth Bale, Jason Bentley, and Alan Hutton all looked good, and first team regular Robbie Keane, working hard and scoring the second, seems to be on his way out of a slump.
But out of favour striker Roman Pavlyuchenko has lost all confidence and looks sadly to become our latest version of Sergei Rebrov! Hope not.
Check back for more match reactions here at The Spur.
Spurs win 1:5 at Preston in League Cup debut
Spurs led 0:2 by the half with goals from Crouch and Defoe, and Crouch claimed a second to put the Londoners in a commanding lead.
The Lancashire side, three down, pulled back a late goal but the game had been sewn up by then, and indeed Spurs were to strike twice more.
An intelligent Huddlestone feed to Robbie Keane, who duly netted with his outstep, made it 1:4. Then Peter Crouch claimed his hat-trick with a nifty backheel from a wonderful Lennon asssist, to make this, in truth, a thrashing.
The Spur's Premiership 2009/10
It looked to be a very nervy ten minutes to go until a sensational Jermain Defoe goal finally gave us the desperately needed second goal which came in the 81st minute.
The move had started with Wilson Palacios getting stuck in and dispossesing a Hammer just outside own own box. A string of quick forward passes ensued with Palacious to Modric to Lennon, who as usual turned on the jets to cover midfield in a second, in turn feeding Defoe on the left. Beating two players as he ran inside,
Great goal, and Defoe ran towards to the East Stand paddock to hugs and adulation from the ecstatic Lilywhite faithful. That a player gets booked for such a moment of pure joyous celebration beggars belief and is one more reason why I'd like to see that moron Sep Blatter dunked mercilessly until further notice.
West Ham had come out stronger after the break following an abject showing by the east London side in the first period. But when Tom Huddlestone's explosive shot hit the Paxton upright it was a clear statement that Spurs intended to continue to dictate, and the crowd chanted their appproval.
Spurs dominated possession and created far more chances but just could not kill off the game, yet West Ham showed few signs of capitalizing.
Luka Modric had scored in the 11th minute from a dazzling run by Aaron Lennon towards the Park Lane goal. Indeed England's World Cup hope from Yorkshire was running rampant.
A few days earlier Fulham managed to lock down the marauding wing-half but West Ham, already with two hamstring injuries early in the game, were on their heels as Spurs surged forward, whether via Lennon, Palacios, and even Corluka on the right, or Modric everywhere else.
The Hammers came off a win at home to Portsmouth but in the first half they showed almost nothing and their fans must be in shock at such a lame performance in what for them is their biggest London derby rival. For us, it's just a game against a small team in Millwall!
A beautiful display of football from Spurs with the only wish being that we could finish more often. But to complain after the way Spurs scored two top shelf goals would, in the end, be churlish.
Very good victory in the end and overall a good run for Spurs: ten points from four games, and four consecutive clean sheets.
Corluka
Lennon
Crouch
The Spur's Premiership 2009/10
An exhilirating match to watch and proud to support Tottenham Hotspur with a performance like this. It was like being at the Lane, such was the atmosphere conveyed through the screen's audio and video. You've read the reviews, and it was a night of pure celebration.
Shortly after, however, a potential problem looms with the players going off to party in Scotland, uh oh, it turned out to be Dublin Ireland, in contravention of Harry's Xmas party and alcohol ban! However our ensuing win at Rovers seems to indicate that the manager has it all under control, now he can work on his tax returns!
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The Spur's Premiership 2009/10
Jermain Defoe, the Premiership's leading scorer, had the whole world of Spurs in his hands as he stepped up to take what was almost the last kick of the match, a penalty no less, to seal a win for the Lilywhites. A victory that had seemed so certain but was callously let slip after being in a commanding two nil lead for most of the second half. He blew it. Or put more charitably, Yank goalie Tim Howard saved it, almost busting his offending hand against the goalpost in the process. Not, perhaps, the hand of God, but a handful of hurt for the not-so-hot Spurs.
This was the most unreal match of Tottenham's season so far and if ever two points were thrown away, this was it. The Londoners were two goals up and cruising, Everton were seemingly at a loss but suddenly storm back with two, and deep into injury time a Spurs penalty taken by Jermain Defoe was saved by Tim Howard after Wilson Palacios, trying to head at goal, was knocked over by Hibbert in the box. Palacios was taken to hospital with rib injuries.
But disappointment at two lost points aside this was a blood and thunder encounter that exploded in the second half, and what followed was some fifty minutes of memserizing back and forth, goals, punch ups, amazing turnarounds, and drama you just couldn't make up. Those veteran supporters watching couldn't help but picture themselves back on the terraces for a game like this: but like the old days, eh lads?
Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson scored for Spurs, then Louis Saha and Tim Cahill replied, and so it all came down to that penalty in injury time.
Second Half - as it happened: What the ****. Saha sweeps home a Coleman cross, then Tim Cahill lashes home in the 87th minute and it's level 2-2. 85th minute: Pinenaar crosses and Saha almost nets with an overhead kick. This is beyond stressful! 3 mins to go.
Whatever Harry said at half time worked. What did they put in the oranges? Spurs looking good to secure third place in the Premiership.
Since the second Spurs goal, Everton look somewhat demoralised. We just have to win this game now short of an absolute inexplicable meltdown.
Previous clock watch: 47th minute, the dynamic duo strike again. Aaron Lennon crosses and finds Jermain Defoe who just has to guide it over the line.
But that's not all, Spurs almost score twice again in the following minutes, especially in the 52nd with good interplay between Defoe and Crouch, yes it can happen we see, to keep Everton reeling.
59th minute, superb aggressively headed goal by Dawson from a Kranjcar corner kick. This man is just on fire!
First Half: Jo, supposedly an injury concern for the home side, magically appears fit to play in a blue shirt. OK, but seriously, they are a decimated side and Spurs are taking the initiative from the get go.
With ten minutes up, Jermain Defoe turns two Toffee defenders but his shot on the Gwladys Road goal is parried by American keeper Tim Howard to cheers from the home chanting end.
At the Park Road end, Pienaar breaks away and is pushed in the box by Assou-Ekotto but no penalty given.
Even stevens so far.
Injury problems rearing their ugly heads for EFC again, Joseph Yobo looks crocked, and indeed soon is replaced by Irish kid and Republic international Seamus Coleman, now handed the role of taming Peter Crouch, who surprisingly has been given a starting nod by Harry Redknapp.
Thirteenth minute Aaron Lennon makes his first run at the Everton defence and although it doesn't work out you can see the problems he could cause.
Jo, offside, misses an opportunity.
Can Tottenham take advantage of the home side's growing injury crisis, and the fact that their opponent's defensive is comprised of players who have hardly played together as a unit?
Hard tackling from Everton has the ref reaching for the card to the howls of disbelief from the Blue throng.
26th minute the best build-up of the game so far came from the Toffees with a great Rodwell ground pass to Jo, usually a bit part forward, who swerved to send one just past the far post.
28th minute Jo almost scores again, a move with Coleman to Pinenaar to Jo almost opens the socresheet. Spurs starting to get pushed back.
Regaining their composure, Tottenham trying to take the game back to Everton and the result is some more jarring tackles, will a red card ultimately be handed to a home player? At this rate, good chance.
33rd minute: This was supposed to be the opening goal. Tom Huddlestone feeds Krancjar who finds Defoe who steers it just wide of not only Howard but the post as well.
36th: a mean spirited encounter between Tim Cahill and Assou-Ekotto finally sparks a fight, earning both players a yellow, along with Felliani for his challenge on Assou-Ekotto seconds before the Cahill incident.
Beautiful feed to Defoe in the box but Hibbert comes in with a txtbook defensive tackle, meanwhile Fellaini has taken a pop at Peter Crouch which the ref did nor see but was advised off. That red card is getting closer and closer. Brutal stuff, but a must watch game so far.
40th minute: Misjudged back header by Michael Dawson almost lets Jo in, and Jo breaks clear moments later but once again, offside.
42 minute: Wow, all action stuff: defoe goes around Howard but the US keeper's outstretched hand tips the ball away from target. How is this still nil-nil?
Pre-match festivities: Spurs aim to continue their excellent Premiership form at struggling Everton and the match is live on US TV on the Fox Soccer channel.
Everton are under tremendous pressure to turn their league season around. This may actually play into our hands: we will surely be the more relaxed side and if we play like we did in the second half at Villa (if -- Ed.) we can win this one.
The Merseyside Blues were unlucky to lose at home to their neighbours across Stanley Park in the Liverpool derby but that bitter loss means they are slipping into a potential relegation battle unless they start getting full home points starting about now. Hence the pressure is on them to get something from another home fixture -- after all, Spurs are creating a fortress at The Lane but are still considered beatable or drawable by most teams away, as Manchester United proved with their 2:0 Tuesday League Cup win and Villa with their 1:1 draw against us last weekend.
During the week Everton qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League which is a big psychological boost considering their league travails, but even in Europe it's been a hard slog for them so far.
To think that, at the start of the season, Everton were considered one of the team "most likely" to challenge the regular top four alongside three other fancied candidates, namely ourselves, Aston Villa, and, of course, cash cows Manchester City.
Spurs will be looking to Jermain Defoe who has been in lethal form in front of goal, tallying eleven league goals so far this term.
Everton's outstanding players include American keeper Tim Howard, irrepressible Aussie engine room Tim Cahill instigating opportunties, the ever mercurial Fellaini, with Saha available for upfront effect (Jo and Yakubu possibly out).
The Toffees have a raft of injuries including Osman, Jagielka, Neville, Vaughan, and perhaps their most talented player Arteta, whose loss is posited as the main reason they are struggling.
On our form, League Cup flop at Old Trafford notwithstanding, we should be good enough for three points, but most pundits would probably plump for another away draw like we did at Villa Park, perhaps a more likely outcome. But this site is going for broke on this one, predicting a Lilywhite victory!
If we lose it's not in all honesty one of those crucial do or die games -- no club is going to go into despair by losing at Goodison Park, and it's not in the "crucial" category as are, for example, our upcoming home league games against Wolves and Manchester City at the Lane.
But it certainly would help to keep the momentum going, and we're going to need all the momentum we can get to face Citeh's rich kids, that match on the 16th is one of those pivotal matches that will go a long way to determining our fate ans testing our mettle against the club that right now are the most likely to nab a Champs League spot from one of the Big Four, probably replacing Liverpool.
The Spur's Premiership 2009/10
"It was a nice one, one to treasure!" crowed Michael Dawson on his sixth goal for Tottenham Hotspur, a sensational sizzler that earned England's most improved Premiership side a valuable away point.
No shame for the Lilywhites against an outfit that in many ways is the Midlands' mirror image of ourselves: both well managed, talented sides, capable of quality football and lurking just outside the domain of the so-called "big four" of current English club football.
Advantage super Spurs since we were on the road and Villa Park, like our own White Hart Lane, is a daunting place for visitors to play with away wins a real rarity.
Villa dominated the first half but after a few tentative minutes coming into the second, the Londoners gradually asserted themselves and by the end could have been favourites to nick the winner.
Indeed, in the waning minutes Spurs had two agonizingly close chances, most notably in the 87th minute when a typical Lennon run and cross from the right found Defoe who couldn't quite make the clean contact before a Villa defender hustled it clear.
This was matched about four minutes later, in stoppage time, by an even closer shave at the other end, a terrific Villa header from Emile Heskey that seemed certain to go in, but somehow floated inches over the Holte End crossbar beyond the reach of the Tottenham keeper.
As we probably should have been expected, if we weren't such myopic THFC fanaticos, the first half proved a major reality check for the men in white.
Villa largely tamed our attacking prowess, and when we succeeded in striking, American keeper Brad Friedel foiled us in commanding fashion.
The big systemic problem for us as usual away from home is keeping possession and then making use of that possession, in contrast with Villa who played the opening period with a much more focussed sense of purpose and made much better use of the ball.
It paid off for them with a messy goal in the tenth minute from James Milner's near post corner that wasn't properly cleared to run through to a goalmouth scrum and from that melee somehow got bundled in. Messy and just.... ugh. But Villa were on top and most likely to have nabbed the opening goal.
We started to find some shape and bite towards the end of the half, so could we get an equalizer? As The Spur said before this match, we should be well pleased with a point against a Martin O'Neil side that is very well organized at the back -- at least at home -- and like us, potentially explosive up front.
These Spurs are not for wimping out (other than at Arsenal earlier this season!) and within minutes of the restart, a move generated from the back by in-form Michael Dawson, who had been surprisingly good and accurate thus far, set up Niko Kranjcar who unleashed a blistering shot only for Friedel, once again Villa's saviour, to palm wide.
Moments later we saw again how vulnerable we are on the break, and the question became, could we keep our growing momentum going without getting sucker punched?
The answer was yes, and we finally responded in stunning fashion with an absolutely sensational equalizer from Michael Dawson, who'd been having a blinder even before this scorching net-ripper.
Assou-Ekotto looped a ball from the midfield into the penalty area which was headed out by a Villan only as far as Dawson, who controlled the ball (with his upper arm?) and lashed a half volley out-spinner into the top left hand of the net.
After that it could still have gone either way, both sides had dangerous chances in a match that proved superb value for money for neutrals and committed alike. Booming support from the north London faithful, as usual, seemed to spur on their heroes to the very end. Job done, a point well earned.
Vital Villa messageboard:
PREVIEW: We are on a major roll after the now famous obliteration of Wigan at home last week. That's the good news.
The reality check is that we are at Villa Park, something of a fortress these days.
Since their opening day defeat at home to Wigan, they have gone through their next five games unbeaten, winning four. In their last home game they hammered Bolton 5-1, and they have also beaten Chelsea, Fulham and Pompey at Villa Park and drawn to Manchester City.
Frankly, a point up there is a good result. A win and the unthinkable but welcome: we are indeed a great ******* side right now, and we'll make the top four!
THE INDEPENDENT PREVIEW: Come May it will be 20 years since Tottenham last finished a top-flight campaign nestled smugly among the best four sides in the country.
The nine goals they plundered against Wigan on Sunday served emphatic note of their potential to reclaim a place in the elite, and the coveted Champions League spot that goes with it, but that ambition will be more sternly examined this evening at Villa Park, where the home side have designs of their own on a top- four finish.
Tottenham and Villa are separated by three points, although such is Spurs' goal difference in the wake of their Wigan bashing they are likely to stay in fourth whatever happens today. Manchester City, who host Hull, are a further place and a point behind Villa. Given the problems surrounding Liverpool, this season would appear the chance to finally break up the big four.
THE DAILY MAIL PREVIEW: Says Peter Crouch 'We all believe we've got enough ability to get in the top four.
'The football that we play at Tottenham is exciting to watch and I think the fans who pay their money should be excited by what's happening.
'The Wigan result will make people sit up and take notice, and see that Spurs are flying. If you can't take confidence from a game like that, then I don't know where you can, it's the type of match everyone wants to play in.
'Jermain Defoe scored five goals, but we have other attacking players in great form.
'Aaron Lennon, Tom Huddlestone and Niko Kranjcar have all been fantastic recently. It's a pleasure to play with those kind of players.'
Stay tuned for more on this pivotal clash between the Midlands' most successful club and London fastest rising team of the moment.
--- Spurs have scored three of the six hat-tricks in the Premier League this season, with Defoe claiming two and Robbie Keane scoring the other.
--- Tottenham's league games have seen 50 goals so far this season, only Arsenal's (51) have seen more.
Wolves vs Tottenham Hotspur 
2pm Pacific [same day delay], Fox Soccer Ch.
Tottenham Hotspur need to get back to scoring ways because, even away, a top four side is looking to win against one of the weakest teams in the curent top flight.
Tottenham H. 0:0 Aston Villa
Match was live, Fox Soccer Ch.
No score during the first half with the White Hart Lane crowd chanting "boring boring Villa" for their uninspiring long ball approach. Hang on a tick, aren't we the team with Peter Crouch?
Leeds Utd. 1:3 Tottenham H. 
Started 12n [Pacific], Fox Soccer Ch.
A very similar game and scoring sequence to the first match until the final goal, getting Jermaine Defoe his hat trick.
Birmingham City 1, Tottenham Hotspur 1 
@ 7-9am [Pacific time], Fox Soccer Ch.
After an abject first half which had many of us questioning the meaning of life, Tottenham Hotspur took the lead in the 69th minute from a superb combination attack from Peter Crouch and the goalscorer Jermain Defoe. Worth the preceding stalemate just for that. Unfortunately Tottenham's propensity to give up the advantage proved true once again with an injury time equalizer form Liam Ridgewell after Spurs had dominated the game once their lead had been secured. Two points thrown away is the only way to look at this. But credit Dawson with an amazing headed clearance near the end, and, amazingly, a solid display from prodigal son David Bentley.
Jan 23. FA Cup, 4th round. Last gasp Beckford spot kick ties it. Spurs 2:2 Leeds.
[Sat, Jan 23]
On Tuesday, Dec 1st Spurs played in the quarter-finals of the League Cup. The result was Manchester Utd. 2, Tottenham H. 0, eliminating the Lilywhites from the tournament. Previously.....
Preston North End are off to a solid start in the Championship, and it would be nice to see them regain their ancient glory in the top flight next season, but this encounter only underlined the chasm between a good second tier side and a good Premiership team resting many of their first-choice players.
Festive cheer for Tottenham
Defoe hammers home Spurs superiority
December 28, 2009 (Ssn 2009/10)
Tottenham Hotspur (1) 2
West Ham (0) 0
Rob Francis watched on Fox Soccer Ch.
Jermain's first strike was a scorcher and all Robert Greene could do was to parry right back to the England marksman, who buried it at the second time of asking.
Gomes
Dawson King A-Ekotto
Huddlestone Palacios Modric
Defoe
Pride of London
Magnificent Spurs
Adebayor, what's the score?
December 16, 2009 (Ssn 2009/10)
Tottenham Hotspur 3
Manchester City 0
White Hart Lane
Jermain Pain
Howard saves injury time Defoe penalty
December 6, 2009 (Ssn 2009/10)
Everton 2
Tottenham Hotspur 2
We'll be training on Christmas Day for our Boxing Day trip to Fulham 
'Arry
MAN OF THE MATCH: To be decided. Time for Aaron Lennon to re-appear in this section, perhaps?
Awesome Dawson
Nice one Dawsy, nice one son!
Nov 28, 2009 (Ssn 2009/10)
Aston Villa 1
Tottenham Hotspur 1
Villa Park, Birmingham
US TV live: Fox Soccer Channel
What a fantastic character. He always puts in 100 per cent.
Harry re. Dawson
Oppo Fans: I thought they'd won the league when they equalised, bizarre!
MAN OF THE MATCH: Take a stab.... awesome Dawson, once considered by this site as a liabilty, seems transformed by Harry Redknapp's managerial skills!
The Spur's Premiership 2009/10
This is great news because now Fulham cannot hang about and we should relish the space that they will have to concede as they search for an equalizer. Lovely news for a damp afternoon in Spurland viewerdom.
Spurs have dominated this match and it pays off with a security goal in the 59th minute from a David Bentley free-kick that deflected off a Fulham head leaving FFC keeper Mark Schwarzer stranded.
Pre-match: OK so I got busy and I'm watching it delayed by a couple of hours. You have the gloating knowledge of knowing what happened no doubt. Did Spurs win? I'm about to find out.
Huerelho was the hero for our away version of this match-up not so long ago, but we are at home so he should not be so busy. We want their guy in the sticks to be busy, right? Mark Schwarzer innit?
OK here goes. The pasta is done, munch and watch....... back soon, pop pickers.
The Spur's Premiership 2009/10
A scorching first time shot by Jermaine Jenas in the 59th minute gave a glimmer of hope that Spurs could get back a goal, but the cutting edge that we had shown in our previous game against Hull, despite its 0:0 result, was almost completely absent at Anfield.
Our vaunted strike force is in a slump. Peter Crouch was okay, Defoe was out of sorts, and Keane came on and fizzled out! So one okay striker at Anfield isn't going to be enough.
Harry's substitutions seemed odd and they didn't work. Alan Hutton came on and showed how not to cross a ball, Bassong's inane challenge in the box gave up the second goal from the penalty spot, and Robbie Keane, though bright and bubbly as usual, made little impact for all his honesty.
Worse, we could not exploit Liverpool's defence, who in recent games such as against Reading and Stoke looked unbelievably frail. True, they tightened up and closed down effectively for the first time this season: it always happens like that against us.
They wanted this win more, which is not a great reflection on our side, and they took the steps to get it, including dominating the midfield, more thoughtful build-ups, and better passing.
Losing at Anfield in itself is nothing new or alarming, it was more the way in which we sank. Liverpool, nervous and desperately lacking in confidence in previous games, seemed to know we posed no threat and grew in confidence and swagger with each passing minute.
It's as if opposition dressing rooms still see us as "soft Spurs" and on this night we duly obliged.
Sat., Jan 16th:
The Spur's FA Cup 2009/10: Third round
Last time Tottenham Hotspur played Peterborough United in the Cup we laboured to two 1:1 draws before winning a penalty shoot-out. Under Harry it was a very different scenario. We were expected to win easily, and that's exactly what happened.
In their previous fixture, the Posh had clambered back from four down against Cardiff but there was no way they could do it again. In fact, the four-nil scoreline is flattering to a shambolic east Midlands aggregation that is in disarray both on and off the pitch. Which is a shame for their loyal fans, but for our superb support, selling out the Lane against opposition not quite up to par with Inter or City, this was a great way to start the new year.
Niko Kranjcar was back on form and PUFC had no answer to a player of his calibre as he took THFC ahead at the break.
Gareth Bale was making a rare appearance for the home side and his cut back set up Kranjcar's second. He was also instrumental in the third goal, deftly scored by Defoe, and finally Keane netted from the spot after Danny Rose, making his debut appearance for the first team, was fouled in the box.
In fairness to Peterborough, Heurelho Gomes did have to make a couple of class saves, but the gulf between these two sides was too wide to be bridged. Not even close.
Pre-match: Under Darren Ferguson, Peterborough achieved great things, culminating in their rise to England's second tier, the Championship, this season. Unsurprisingly, it would be a struggle for them to survive in that brutally competitive league this season, and impatetient owenership foolishly pulled the plug on Alex Ferguson's son and.... lo and behold, they're doing even worse: rock bottom of the table.
The blustery, colourful owner Barry Fry has piped down a bit and taken a backseat at the Posh to the great relief of all, with a new younger exec-looking dude taking over the day to day ops, and he has shown precious little of the acumen required to run a football club. Their best player has handed in a transfer request. Morale appears to be very low. Poor old Posh, they truly are pish.
They're ripe for the taking having failed to get a single win in their last twelve away games. In fact they've only won one in the last eleven games home and away. Ouch.
You have to feel sorry for a club that's put its fans through shuch bull over the years, despite their recent promotion. We've been through similar lows, but now we are entering what looks to be a golden era, whilst Peterborough, who should be excelling in a growing and thriving community that would love to get behind its all too unlovable club, are looking a bit shabby these days.
They did beat Watford 2-1 at their atmospheric London Road ground three games ago. Bullies! Then they lost 2-0 up at WBA. Their most recent match was a 4:4 home draw with Cardiff. An amazing turnaround occurred when, four goals down at the break, the Posh came back to tie the score with the equalizer coming in the final minute of regulation time. Their current manager seems a nice bloke so good for him.
The Spur's Premiership 2009/10
Acrobatic saves at both ends, and for the all the criticism leveled at his punches, the fact is that Heurelho Gomes is up there with our legendary goalie of yore Pat Jennings when it comes to reflex saves and I would be the last person to bandy about that kind of statement lightly.
Breathtaking stops to deny Damien Duff and Bobby Zamora were two that spring to mind before watching the highlights again, but you'll see plenty more where those came from, in just one game.
If it had not been for our Gomes and their man in the gloves Mark Schwarzer this would have been a festival of goals.
But it was far from a vintage performance from Spurs and there is no question that when you consider Fulham's motley collection of discards from "bigger" clubs, including former Spur midfielder Danny Murphy, who was the first to force Gomes into a fine save in the 11th minute, their manager Roy Hodgson has done a spectacular job in organizing the Thameside outfit. They outplayed us for much of the game, just like they did with Man United and Liverpool.
For example, the way they basically shut Aaron Lennon out of the game. They also zipped the ball around beautifully at times and we seldom showed that kind of flair, although our build-up to Peter Crouch's crackerjack shot in the 82nd minute was a joy to behold, with the introduction of Luka Modric onto the field making a big contribution, in addition to a superb first touch feed from Jermaine Jenas.
Spurs actually put the ball in the back of the Hammersmith End net, but the ref had already blown for a Lilywhites free kick. Thems the breaks sometimes.
Minutes later a superb free kick from American Clint Dempsey slammed onto the crossbar as Fulham, initially taken aback by a strong and confident Spurs start, began to assert themselves towards the half hour mark and thereafter always looked the more likely to nick it.
Unfortunately for Tottenham our hero of the previous game Niko Kranjcar was disappointing, and indeed most of our players were having an average day. Again, credit to the hosts for closing down the midnight-blue shirts at every opportunity.
So an away point these days at Craven Cottage is not a bad result at all, and if we can beat the Hammers at home it will be a satisfying holiday weekend for the resurgent Tottenham Hotspur.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR LINE-UP. Gomes; Corluka, Bassong, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Jenas, Palacios, Kranjcar; Keane, Crouch.
Next league game -- West Ham (h) Dec 28, live on US TV.
The Spur's Premiership 2009/10
Peter Crouch scored a brace to give Spurs victory at Ewood Park with goals in injury time in the first half and at around the 83rd minute. Not a pretty game to watch (it was my first match watched on Setanta Online, looked great on my Mac, an easy channel to become addicted to, methinks) and as the age-old saying goes, sometimes you gotta just grind 'em out.
This result is a huge relief after the media reports of bingeing players and the concern that Harry was losing control of player discipline, despite the excellent victory at home to Manchester City.
In fact unless Harry really does have the players reined in, they've now got another reason to mega-binge and celebrate this victory, no doubt pulling a few, in more than one sense, in Manchester or Brum en route to home.
Harry's patience will be, er, taxed even further if the lads don't sober up in time to take on Fulham at Craven Cottgae, coz the Whites from Thameside just did the Champions of England 3:0!
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR LINE-UP. Gomes; Corluka, Bassong, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Huddlestone, Palacios, Kranjcar; Crouch, Defoe.
Next league game -- Dec 26: Fulham (a) Live on US TV.
The Spur's Premiership 2009/10
A sensational goal from Tom Huddlestone finally finished off the Black Cats who had outplayed the hosts who seemed to be suffering from a post north London derby hangover.
Spurs had already taken the lead with a goal bundled in by Robbie Keane from a rebound of Peter Crouch's realtively weak header from an Assou-Ekotto cross. The whole move started in midfield when Huddlestone, who was to play an even bigger role in the second goal, stole the ball from a Sunderland player and slipped it left to Palacios who in turn played out to A-E on the left wing.
Nice move from Spurs, but it was against the run of play and the Wearsiders were creating chance after chance. By contrast, we scored on out first, and one of very few, first half attacks.
Only profligate finishing from the visitors and the now famous luck of 'Arry, which has returned to the Lane, kept the Londoners hanging on. How can a side be hanging on when they are a goal up after about twelve minutes? Well, we managed to do it! Weird.
The sluggishness of the Lilywhites was at times alarming, and the supporters in the stands were palpably nervous until Tottenham's second goal. And what a stunner it was: held up, and then teed up, supremely by Jermain Defoe for Huddlestone, barreling toward the edge of the dee, to lash the ball upward and in off the underside of the Paxton Road crossbar. An edgy Lane finally erupted in a mixture of glee and relief.
It's brilliant that we broke our two goal losing streak, but on any other day we could have been beaten by a wide margin with what was largely an insipid Lilywhite showing.
We have a raft of star players and a manager who has already made a huge impact at the club. The issue that many of us are debating is along this line: "so, after a very promising start to the season, why do we seem to have gone so flat?"
Strong contenders for best explanation include....
Luka Modric missing. Too much dependence on feeding the giraffe-like Peter Crouch. A midfield that looks unbalanced. Off days for key players. For example, Vedran Corluka, usually such a highly rated player, looked very dodgy at times today. Then again, he may not have fully recovered from an earier flu-like ailment.
On a final note: we played poorly, but Sunderland have been playing well lately, and although unlikely, they could give Arsenal enough of a run for their money to snag a point, or even win, at the Stadium of Light.
The Spur's Premiership 2009/10 It was an edge of the seat, nailbiting encounter that lived up to the ridiculous UK media hype based around 'orrible 'Arry's 'omecomin'.
The biggest crowd of the season at Portsmouth Football Club, including a vociferous traveling London contingent, assembled to witness Spurs go two goals up by half-time. Yes I know this reaction is late but owing to delay in US TV coverage, and other stuff, so I only got around to watching it late, late, late.
Towering above the fray, a truly commanding header from the King of White Hart Lane Ledley nodded Tottenham Hotpsur ahead from a corner on the half hour mark to make the visiting Spurs supporters go beserk inside a lively and noisy Fratton Park.
In the 45th minute, Jermaine Jenas' visionary pass sets up Jermain Defoe to give us the insurance goal that we yearned for.
So the second half would be a lot more relaxing to watch now that we're two up.
Or would it.........
Suddenly this fiery match gets turned on its head. Thuggish ex-Spur Kevin Prince-Boateng gets an equalizer as he beats unpredictable Spurs keeper Gomes on his near post, and Defoe, in a moment of madness hopefully never to be repeated, gets sent off! Game back on, unfortunately. Here we go. Any nails left?
Mainly thanks to the inability of Portsmouth's forwards to finish, one of their attackers by the name of Ding Dong or Dildo or something, managed to miss two sitters, and between them the rest of their side managed to miss two more.
Against the likes of Manure or, nirvana forbid, the Arse, we would have got buried in this game.
But we won, a man down for a significant part of the game, until ex-Spur Brown got his marching orders to even things out, so that's all that matters. After all, a truly successful side is a team who can win.... ugly, and with a lot of help from the opposition, if that's what it takes.
Pre-match: It never fails, does it! A team like Pompey who have sucked all season and looked like collapsing, suddenly sort out all their problems on and off the field and win their first match, just in time for an encounter with..... us. Stroll aboard.
Regarding the PFC crisis, the current Spurs gaffer tried to assist during their moment of despair. "Former boss Redknapp has admitted that he tried to speak to some wealthy friends in an attempt to help his old club out," says Come on Spurs. But now it looks like Portsmouth are bouncing back and if they can win their last game without a pay check.....
Tune back for all the thrilling build up that you know The Spur may or may not provide leading up to this game.
Spurs back in gear
Final: Spurs 2:0 Fulham
January 26, 2010 (Ssn 2009/10)
Tottenham Hotspur 2
Fulham 0
Rob Francis watching on Fox Soccer Ch.
Get in there! Around the 28th minute Peter Crouch puts us ahead. Credit to Modric for having the fight to keep the ball in play and get the ball back into the danger zone, leaving Crouch to poach the openning goal.
Harry Sub Par
Substitutions only made things worse
Jan 20, 2010 (Ssn 2009/10)
Liverpool 2
Tottenham Hotspur 0
Tottenham Hotspur 0, Hull City 0 
White Hart Lane, London N17
Tottenham Hotspur threw the kitchen sink at Hull but the visitors used a three pronged strategy to foil us: time wasting which began early in the second half (!), parking their bus in front of their goal, and above all, a flawless and inspired goalkeeping display. All this prevented the Lilywhites from scoring. It could have been a six or seven goal win on another day. Disappointing, but not the fault of Spurs. Just that Hull came with a plan that, on this particular day, succeeded. Would Chelsea have broken them down at home on their performance today? Probably. Most other sides? Probably not.
Posh celebrate promotion. It's been all downhill since.
Pish Posh
Peterborough a club in turmoil
Jan 2, 2010 (Ssn 2009/10)
Tottenham Hotspur 4
Peterborough Utd. 0
Goals here
MAN OF THE MATCH: Niko for most people, but what about Gareth Bale? Just when he seemed like becoming a Spurs super-flop, he starts to fly. Could the young Welshman play a key role in the team's future?
He's a Heuro
Brazilian stopper saves point for Spurs
December 26, 2009 (Ssn 2009/10)
Fulham 0
Tottenham Hotspur 0
Rob Francis watched on Fox Soccer Ch.
Heurelho Gomes
Heurelho
Heurelho Gomes
Heurelho
Heurelho Gomes
Heurelho
We got the best goalkeeper in the ******* land!
"When the ball
hits row zed
it's Zamora!"
Spurs still swinging
No hangover for partying Spurs
December 19, 2009 (Ssn 2009/10)
Blackburn Rovers 0
Tottenham Hotspur 2
Rob Francis watched on Setanta Online
"Feed the
giraffe and he
will score!"
That's Tom, Cats
Huddlestone scorcher sinks Sunderland
November 7, 2009 (Ssn 2009/10)
Tottenham Hotspur 2
Sunderland 0
After a very promising start to the season, why do we seem to have gone so flat? 
MAN OF THE MATCH: Heurelho Gomes made some "trific" saves as Harry pointed out, including a dodgily awarded spot-kick from Darren Bent.
Spurs hang on for precious win
Pompey create, but fluff, so many chances
Oct 17, 2009 (Ssn 2009/10)
Portsmouth 1
Tottenham H. 2
Fratton Park, Portsmouth, Hants.
Rob Francis gets excited
Gomes saved us from a draw or even defeat possibly. He proved that he is really our no.1 goalkeeper.
John Adam
The CAATS page still exists with a recent update for north American based fans. Sorry it's been away for so long, partly due to the fact it was "held hostage" by a rogue hosting service for a while! It will stay on the web for posterity but The Spur -- this page -- is where future updates will occur.