The TT Football Club

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by crosscourt

It seems amazing but they have brought in either a Spaniard or an Argentinian, I can't remember which. No doubt a capable manager but not the obvious match for Southampton. We might think that it is a club that has done very well in the last few seasons and now needs to consolidate its position in the Premiership. The club management on the other hand seems to think that world domination beckons. I may eat my words when they become the new Barcelona of course but they seem very ambititous. I suppose there are similarities between Barcelona and Southampton -- both are by the sea, for example. But there also important differences -- Barcelona has a legendary football academy, huge support, an international brand, has always been one of the biggest clubs in Spain and is nowhere near the Isle of Wight. Only a small number of clubs can dominate world football at any time and there are many trying to do it.

That made me

[Feña14]

I wonder if sorting the Cole contract out means Abramovich already has a manager lined up for the summer. Obviously he wanted to clear out the bigger ego's to make way for a new manager to make his mark, maybe discussing the future with the new manager lead to him wanting Cole to be part of it. Mourinho certainly would want Cole, here's hoping!

[norbac]

Arshavin .

[PureAlph4]

Originally Posted by norbac

Arshavin .

Originally Posted by norbac

Arshavin .

Haha. Pretty much sums up where the club is - plenty of talent, high wages, no desire, no fight, no drive, no sense of responsibility, easy excuses, poor organisation, poor discipline, non-existent leadership etc etc. It's all well and good saying "Arsenal looked better in the 2nd half against City, Chelsea" etc, but the end result is the same every time. Any team will get at least two easy (if not 'free') goals against us, and most can get away with playing for 30 minutes or less to get a result.

You can see what difference buying the real quality players make, with Mata and Hazard able to keep the ball and beat players when under pressure. Obviously we can't afford them, but you don't get the same from 'above average' PL players, and 'good' Ligue 1 signings.

Sagna's fall from grace since returning from injury has been staggering; he's constantly losing possession, always being caught out of position, and his delivery is embarrassing. Giroud has started to go backwards since his slight improvement earlier in the season - the look on his face after he loses the ball / misses a chance every time is that of a loser (i.e thinks he's been hard done by, rather than being self-critical, or looking to rebound). Ramsey and the Ox seem to have stalled in their development (less worrying in Ox's case, as he's young, and been injured). In the defensive third it's as if there is no prior gameplan - shambolic nonsense, where there is no collective responsibility for keeping the opposition at bay. Throw-ins are a joke - we seem to lose the ball EVERY time within 3 seconds. Our only attacking option on the bench in a vital game today was Arshavin, a player who doesn't care, and who we've desperately been trying to get rid of - and that was only thanks to an even worse player, Gervinho, fortunately having departed to the African Cup of Nations.

West Ham next, and then Liverpool. We could be below Liverpool sooner rather than later. At least the next few games offer the possibility of turning over a new leaf and trying to build some consistency.

[norbac]

Originally Posted by PureAlph4

Haha. Pretty much sums up where the club is - plenty of talent, high wages, no desire, no fight, no drive, no sense of responsibility, easy excuses, poor organisation, poor discipline, non-existent leadership etc etc. It's all well and good saying "Arsenal looked better in the 2nd half against City, Chelsea" etc, but the end result is the same every time. Any team will get at least two easy (if not 'free') goals against us, and most can get away with playing for 30 minutes or less to get a result.

You can see what difference buying the real quality players make, with Mata and Hazard able to keep the ball and beat players when under pressure. Obviously we can't afford them, but you don't get the same from 'above average' PL players, and 'good' Ligue 1 signings.

Sagna's fall from grace since returning from injury has been staggering; he's constantly losing possession, always being caught out of position, and his delivery is embarrassing. Giroud has started to go backwards since his slight improvement earlier in the season - the look on his face after he loses the ball / misses a chance every time is that of a loser (i.e thinks he's been hard done by, rather than being self-critical, or looking to rebound). Ramsey and the Ox seem to have stalled in their development (less worrying in Ox's case, as he's young, and been injured). In the defensive third it's as if there is no prior gameplan - shambolic nonsense, where there is no collective responsibility for keeping the opposition at bay. Throw-ins are a joke - we seem to lose the ball EVERY time within 3 seconds. Our only attacking option on the bench in a vital game today was Arshavin, a player who doesn't care, and who we've desperately been trying to get rid of - and that was only thanks to an even worse player, Gervinho, fortunately having departed to the African Cup of Nations.

West Ham next, and then Liverpool. We could be below Liverpool sooner rather than later. At least the next few games offer the possibility of turning over a new leaf and trying to build some consistency.

Not a bad fixture list going forward. But yeah, Sagna has been pretty miserable lately. His crosses are way off. There is still a glaring need for a defensive midfielder so Wilshere and Arteta can have a bit more freedom.

Wilshere seems to me the only one that cares about the club nowadays....

[NickC]

Hey Ross,

No more ripping on Dempsey! He's saved your asses twice this season against United!

[Ross K]

^^^ I'll never say a doubting word about him ever again!

Actually, having not said much here about Spurs here for a while, just want to say - and in contrast to quite a few other Prem teams who you may have expected a bit more from, like, eek! Newcastle, for example - I'm pretty impressed with how AVB has begun to imbed his tactics, philosophy, whatever and got us playing - and not only that but also playing with real spirit too - today being a great example as IMO we not only deserved the point with Utd, we quite possibly deserved all three.

In a basic way, you do get the sense he is molding the younger players to play a very certain way, and the ones he's brought in have to compliment and be in line with this. An exciting off-shoot being the (delayed but secured) capture of Lewis Holtby from German football.

There are a few other things I've liked the look of... not least the IMMENSE form of Vertonghen (what a superb signing)... the way Defoe has reemerged, Dawson too actually... the way our ripped apart side (VdV and Modders sold) has relatively quickly found a new personality and authority... Sandro, Bale and Lennon's form under AVB... etc.

Anyway... yeah, I was one happy bunny when that goal went in.

[Mr Topspin]

Originally Posted by Ross K

^^^ I'll never say a doubting word about him ever again!

Actually, having not said much here about Spurs here for a while, just want to say - and in contrast to quite a few other Prem teams who you may have expected a bit more from, like, eek! Newcastle, for example - I'm pretty impressed with how AVB has begun to imbed his tactics, philosophy, whatever and got us playing - and not only that but also playing with real spirit too - today being a great example as IMO we not only deserved the point with Utd, we quite possibly deserved all three.

In a basic way, you do get the sense he is molding the younger players to play a very certain way, and the ones he's brought in have to compliment and be in line with this. An exciting off-shoot being the (delayed but secured) capture of Lewis Holtby from German football.

There are a few other things I've liked the look of... not least the IMMENSE form of Vertonghen (what a superb signing)... the way Defoe has reemerged, Dawson too actually... the way our ripped apart side (VdV and Modders sold) has relatively quickly found a new personality and authority... Sandro, Bale and Lennon's form under AVB... etc.

Anyway... yeah, I was one happy bunny when that goal went in.

Hey Ross, fellow spurs fan here. I was screaming like a baby when that goal went in and i was urging us forward to try and take all 3 points like Everton did to us last year. By all accounts we dominated possession and had 3 times many more shots than united so we at least deserved a draw although they had a penalty claim.

I agree that despite my reservations about AVB he has done a solid job and has made us more tactically sound. With Redknapp we would have never taken 4 points of united. In fact this is the first time in 20 years that united have not beaten us since the Premier league began. That in itself is a testament to the work AVB is doing. IMO AVB is head and shoulders above Redknapp in tactics and strategy.

Take for example the way we restricted united to 4 shots on goal while having 24 shots ourselves and despite this we maintained a solid shape. In years gone by we would have taken a 2-0 lead and crumbled 3-2 or 5-2. This time we have a plan and stick to it so i am very pleased with AVB and think that with further investment of players like Holtby, and hopefully Jao Moutinho and a solid striker we could make a splash at the league in a few seasons.

[Ross K]

^^^ Yes, indeed.

Although, being a Spurs fan down the years (too many miserably lean years to recount), if there's one thing I've learned re optimistic forecasts, it's to tread cautiously... VERY cautiously.

[Rafter4ever]

Originally Posted by Ross K

^^^ Yes, indeed.

Although, being a Spurs fan down the years (too many miserably lean years to recount), if there's one thing I've learned re optimistic forecasts, it's to tread cautiously... VERY cautiously.

Hard to see Spurs drop points in the second half of the season again like last year, where you guys finished the final 16 games with 23 points. Dont see that happening TBH.

Spurs have gunners/pool in the first 2 weeks of March, think that could be the decider for 4th. If Liverpool can maintain the current 7 point gap till Spurs visit, 4th could be well within reach if we manage a victory. But we have 2 tough games coming up and the 7 point gap could potentially be 10+, if thats the case, we can kiss 4th goodbye regardless of the result that day.

[Feña14]

I didn't see the game tonight, but when I heard Hazard got sent off for kicking a ball boy, I was pretty embarrassed.

I got home and saw it, what's all the fuss about? A 17 year old was lying on top of the ball to stop Hazard getting it, he dislodged it with his foot and carried on. Good on him I say.

I saw the ball kid saying he would be doing it during the game on Twitter. Chelsea had already complained about them not giving the ball back and informed the referee. Obviously Swansea had told them to not give the ball back, it happens. Just a shame nothing was done about it when it first happened and it was brought to the attention of the referee earlier.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by Feña14

I didn't see the game tonight, but when I heard Hazard got sent off for kicking a ball boy, I was pretty embarrassed.

I got home and saw it, what's all the fuss about? A 17 year old was lying on top of the ball to stop Hazard getting it, he dislodged it with his foot and carried on. Good on him I say.

I saw the ball kid saying he would be doing it during the game on Twitter. Chelsea had already complained about them not giving the ball back and informed the referee. Obviously Swansea had told them to not give the ball back, it happens. Just a shame nothing was done about it when it first happened and it was brought to the attention of the referee earlier.

It's ridiculous. I just read about the idiot ball boy being on twitter before game saying to watch out for his time-wasting antics... WTF?! Shouldn't HE be disciplined and investigated? Actually, maybe the likes of Villa or Newcastle should sign him up?

Anyhow, you do have to say big congrats are defintely due to the highly impressive Laudrup and Swansea.

[Feña14]

Originally Posted by Ross K

It's ridiculous. I just read about the idiot ball boy being on twitter before game saying to watch out for his time-wasting antics... WTF?! Shouldn't HE be disciplined and investigated? Actually, maybe the likes of Villa or Newcastle should sign him up?

Anyhow, you do have to say big congrats are defintely due to the highly impressive Laudrup and Swansea.

Maybe they should! He could do a job for Liverpool too probably, take the load off Suarez and his diving the way he rolled around on the floor was classic. Hazard toe poked it out from underneath him and he acted like he'd taken a shotgun round to the stomach. It wasn't a one off, they were keeping the ball all game, as you said you have to give Swansea great credit and it's very much deserved, but they should take alot of criticism for the instructions they give ball kids.

As for the Tweet.. 'The king of all ball boys is back making his final appearance #needed #for #timewasting'.

What a little pr!ck

[PureAlph4]

I don't even see why Hazard should have been sent off. The ball boy is 17, and was wilfully obstructing the game, and rightfully was roughed up for his trouble by a player trying to get on with it. Had it been a sub-16 year old, or there actually been real force used, then I would understand, but all that's happened here is a gobby kid been taught a largely painless lesson for p!ssing about.

[SempreSami]

Originally Posted by PureAlph4

I don't even see why Hazard should have been sent off. The ball boy is 17, and was wilfully obstructing the game, and rightfully was roughed up for his trouble by a player trying to get on with it. Had it been a sub-16 year old, or there actually been real force used, then I would understand, but all that's happened here is a gobby kid been taught a largely painless lesson for p!ssing about.

Are you suggesting that every player that feigns injury to waste time should get kicked in? I find myself almost in agreement.

[PureAlph4]

Originally Posted by SempreSami

Are you suggesting that every player that feigns injury to waste time should get kicked in? I find myself almost in agreement.

The equivalent in that case would be an opposition player hauling them off the floor by their shirt, which I don't think many fans would take exception to. Same goes for divers.

Ashley Williams might not be able to punch Suarez, but he should be allowed to hoist him by the throat from the spot at which he has pathetically collapsed in the penalty area.

[Cesc Fabregas]

The kid was 17 ffs! Hazard should have booted the ***** in his head.

[SempreSami]

So much for M'Vila coming to the Premiership, he's joined Rubin Kazan.

[PED]

Originally Posted by PureAlph4

Sagna's fall from grace since returning from injury has been staggering; he's constantly losing possession, always being caught out of position, and his delivery is embarrassing.

Giroud has started to go backwards since his slight improvement

West Ham next, and then Liverpool. We could be below Liverpool sooner rather than later. At least the next few games offer the possibility of turning over a new leaf and trying to build some consistency.

So true especially re these two. Won't be sad to see Sagna go. Carl can fill his place.

Nice start against Hammers yesterday. Theo has great all year but has a swagger now that he's signed da ting.

Just think how good we'd be with RvP and how bad Utd would be.

[norbac]

Podolski was very good yesterday. Working very hard all game, nice to see some fire in the Arsenal players.

Also good to see Giroud back in the score sheet.