DISQUS

Weston · 1 year ago

My excitement for this season has now been fully deflated - it looks like it is going to be a long winter. Youre right, Woody isnt the guy who should be wearing the armband and frankly I dont know who should - I dont see any natural leaders on the pitch other than Gomes, but the No.1 can only do so much from his box.

Modric and Bent both need to grow a pair and Zokora should be banished from playing in lilywhite.

Kyle · 1 year ago

If you can blame a loss on one goal, what about Bale's poor marking that led to the first?

Michael · 1 year ago

To be quite honest with you, I think it's a good thing that Woodgate is " no John Terry" with the armband on. I understand your point, obviously, Chris, but saying Woodgate is no Steven Gerrard or no Michael Ballack or no Fabio Cannavaro would be more accurate. John Terry certainly shouldn't be the standard for captains.

The Gaffer · 1 year ago

Michael,

What Spurs needs is someone to inject some grit into the squad and to get fired up when the chips are down. While I agree with you that John Terry is hardly a model captain, Spurs are in need of someone with his balls-to-the-walls energy. Screaming at Petr Cech last Saturday was a good example.

Someone should be doing the same thing to the back four to keep them in line.

Cheers,
The Gaffer

ihuy01 · 1 year ago

I think darren bent has had a harsh beating from media pundits/journas all round. His barely been given a sniff and he was scoring like no tomorrow in pre season. Case in point he gets once chance against Chelsea and he puts it away. He was winning balls in the air yet there was no support. To preface my point i didnt see this particular game but Darren Bent's greatest trait is his pace, he loves the space behind the back four. Yet noone has given him any decent service in all the games ive seen this season. Pav? the other russian bloke who injured his knee pre euros is apparently a much better player. Pav misses bags of chances but no doubt has potential.

I've followed modric for years since he starred for Zagreb v Arsenal in UCL qualifying, and his best position is up close like a number 10 to the strikers. He likes to play in that little hole playing his delicate passes and shoot. I've seen him play way too deep at times for spurs.

The real missing ingredient in my opinion is the defensive midfield position. Zokora played his best game against Chelsea but has been useless (and that's not being harsh) for Spurs since he has signed. His been found missing in action countless times. Add to the mix Dawson is shambles, King who is a great defender cant get himself fit and they still havent signed a good enough left back (gilberto? assou?) well you can tell why defensively they have problems. Bale is a phenomenal talent and he has done reasonable well playing at left back. He has a big physique, technically very good which means he can play in various positions. I dont think Ramos has found him his best position.

artist formerly Alex Hleb · 1 year ago

looks like st totteringham day will come extra early this season, hopefully before christmas so then i can celebrate even more.

knock on wood

artist formerly Alex Hleb · 1 year ago

their results make me smile.

ls7 · 1 year ago

I agree with your article Gaffer, Gomes bailed out Tottenham on several occasions prior to the mistake on Villa's winning goal. He was getting almost zero help from his back four. To be fair to Spurs they've changed a lot of players over the summer and were changing right up to the deadline...it's going to take a while to get up and running. I don't think they'll finish in the bottom spots but at this rate a 7th or 8th place finish would be a big achievement.

i disagree with your assesment of Ramos though. I think his response is appropriate. He's not ready to hit the panic button just because of a few reporters/pundits/fans calling for wholesale changes and sounding doom all around. There are plenty of points still to be had and he knows it'll take a while for the squad to gel.

I also agree with Michael that John Terry should not be the standard for captains. You want someone who has experience and is a calm head in the midst of a storm. I think Woodgate has that potential and no one else on Spurs jumps out as a natural replacement at the moment, maybe Huddlestone in the long term view?