Sherwood: Disliked, disloyal and the blood will be on Levy's hands

"The Club can announce that Tim Sherwood has been appointed Head Coach with a contract to the end of the 2014/15 season." 

I never like to put gut reactions into articles. However, for the purposes of this article, I will describe to you my gut reaction to the news of Tim Sherwood's appointment as Tottenham manager. 

Picture Anakin Skywalker burning, writhing in pain, screaming, completing his transition into evil. It seemed like the world around me, already built on unstable molten rock and pain, was falling apart. In just one week, we had gone from Andre Villas-Boas, an image of class, of method, of intelligence, Tim Sherwood, a man who has discredited himself in his time at Tottenham. In my eyes, the only man who had any favour for this appointment was Daniel Levy (conveniently the only man necessary for the appointment to happen). I was distraught.

Meltdown: My reaction to Sherwood's appointment on Monday

Since Monday, I've taken time to mull over this move, assess whatever pros and cons I can muster up. Bear with me.

Under AVB, Tottenham's style of play became stagnant. It lacked rhythm, had very little cutting-edge in the final third and primarily, it lacked goals. With 15 goals in 16 matches in the league, Liverpool fans were quick to point out that Luis Suarez alone had scored 17 goals in 11 league games this season. Due to this lack of attack, the team could not respond when our defence capitulated (cite West Ham, Man City and Liverpool games as proof). Critics would label Villas-Boas as 'stubborn', 'arrogant' and 'tactically-rigid' in his final months. Can the same be said of his replacement?

Sherwood seems willing to play two upfront, introducing Emmanuel Adebayor back to the first team with immediate results. He has also abandoned the holding midfielder role, a short term measure to deal with injuries to Sandro and Paulinho, hoping to create an attacking intent. The team is looking more free and open, guaranteeing goals and more movement in the final third.

It is clear that Tottenham must possess a bigger attacking threat and something more in the final third to challenge for the top four this season. A big change was needed. From two games under Sherwood, it is evident that we will see more attacking intent. Change is guaranteed, at least in the short term. In the long term, this will not work. With an 18-month contract, Sherwood would be wise to factor in the long term.

Across AVB's tenure, the man was given the task of modelling a new squad after losing key players of Redknapp's regime, notably Rafael van der Vaart, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale. In 18 months, 15 players came in and 17 players went out. AVB modelled his transfers to a 4-3-3 formation, focussing on a three-man midfield and one upfront. In this sense, there is no way that Sherwood can accommodate for the entire squad by playing 4-4-2. Sherwood's real aim should be making 4-3-3 work to Tottenham's gain.

Off the pitch, Tottenham are in a state of crisis. Fans are being overpriced and priced-out under the categorisation system, criminalised by over-zealous stewards and the police, dealing with legitimised ticket touting under StubHub, preparing for the effects of the new stadium in a few years time. The club have dealt with nine managerial changes across twelve years under Daniel Levy. Constant change. No stability. 

I tell you this in an attempt to explain why any manager will struggle with this job, why a completely inexperienced coach in Sherwood, already disliked by a large section of the support for ratting out the Tottenham staff to the media and tensions with Glenn Hoddle in his managerial tenure, will struggle to succeed at this club. 

Don't get me wrong, Sherwood has things going for him off the pitch as well. After being heavily involved with the youth setup since being appointed to Redknapp's coaching staff in 2008, Sherwood has spoken about his desire to promote more youth team players into the first team, something always pleasant to see. Sections of the media have praised Levy's willingness to give an English coach a chance at the top level, giving him the media backing that AVB never seemed to have.

Despite these things, despite weighing up both sides, despite the chairman's support for this appointment, I can only see Sherwood ending one way. The competition for the Champions League places this season is the most competitive ever. Many of the teams competing are in some sort of change, but none more so that Tottenham, on and off the pitch. The likelihood of a sustained challenge this year is unlikely. It'll all end in tears. It always does. 

The appointment of Tim Sherwood was a massive gamble; the man even admitted it himself. To give a coach with no professional managerial experience whatsoever, a tainted history at the club and all the problems and instability of Levy's regime and expect him to deliver is madness. I never saw Villas-Boas' sacking as a positive; I don't see Sherwood's appointment as a positive.

Come June, the blood will be on Daniel Levy's hands.

On AVB

Andre Villas-Boas has been sacked by Daniel Levy. No 'mutual consent' nonsense. He was ruthlessly sacked. The cold stare of Levy's bespectacled face was telling. His fate was decided on a cold, wet day at the Lane. With it comes the end of yet another era for Tottenham Hotspur.

I find myself experiencing a plethora of emotions - negative emotions - mostly anger. It's anger because this decision changes everything; our cracked season is now in ruins; any plans in place before has been swept away. It's anger because our club will have to go through further transitional phases to seek an end we may never even reach. It's anger because I don't know where we're going. 

However, some of the stress and anxiety that we have had to endure as Spurs fans this season has been unbearable. People isolate the West Ham shock defeat, the City drumming and the more recent Liverpool rape as big reasons for the stress and anxiety. These results were humiliating and traumatic; no fan wants to be humiliated by their own club. I'd rather consider AVB on a wider scale though. It's important we do as isolated results can be very misleading. 

AVB brought us our first win at Old Trafford
since 1989

AVB won 44 out of his 80 games at Spurs in all competitions. I needn't remind you that this is the highest win percentage of any of our managers since 1899. We gained a record points total of 72 points last season in the league, missing out on Champions League by the skin of our teeth. AVB's influence in molding Gareth Bale cannot be understated. He shaped the Welshman into the most expensive footballer in history. A difficult feat, but a feat very few people want to recall.

To me, this does not look like a tragic case of a doomed manager, an image the media have tried to promote throughout the past 18 months. I feel the problems AVB have had at Spurs are much more deep-rooted than that.

Some people were never supportive of AVB. They saw a failure at Chelsea come to the club, lambasted by every area of the press. They saw a young manager, a sign of inexperience, vulnerability. They refused to believe AVB could have a developed knowledge of the game, despite his successes at Porto. They saw the antithesis of his predecessor, Redknapp. Nothing AVB could have done as manager within reality would have changed their opinion. 

To the 'AVB out' moderates, who only really started to appear after the West Ham defeat, their opposition was rooted in Tottenham's playing style (argument that we were playing exactly the same way last year, but only started mentioning it when we were losing). It could have worked. It didn't. But there was signs of change, United, Fulham and Sunderland matches. Europa League matches. If we didn't lose yesterday, I doubt we'd be even having this discussion. Fickle football.

When people cite our transfer policy (£100m spent in summer, Erik Lamela, Soldado blah blah blah, football clichés), I think in my mind that this is no reason, that there was no other way. When you lose £85m worth of talent in Gareth Bale, perhaps the best player we've had in the Premier League era, you cannot not sign replacements. Failure after that would spring questions of 'reinvestment' and a clearly weak squad. We would be a threat to nobody if AVB didn't sign the players we did. I repeat, there was no other way. 

Elation: The height of AVB's era

AVB's comments about the fans were correct. Those who do not see the ailing atmosphere inside White Hart Lane are probably the ones content with sitting down, refusing to sing and giving out abuse at the players (you know who you are). Villas-Boas said this out of good intentions, a sense of encouragement to the fans. This shows a bit of inexperience as fans are fickle like fate and fortune and cannot be scrutinised for some reason that alludes me. 

This analysis is looking at the bigger picture, the wider scope to way 'AVB out' grew and grew during this season. It cannot be a case of simple black-and-white results; we are only 6 points off 4th. Hardly dire, is it?In the culture that is modern football though, the idea of 'the bigger picture' is rarely a factor in these decisions. Football is rife with knee-jerk decisions. Just this week, we've seen Steve Clarke sacked at West Brom, a club who would do well to finish in the top half this season, because of a recent bad run of form. Madness, utter madness.

 

I will repeat this word because it is the word I'd label our fans, the media, the directors and football in 2013: fickle. It is a word I detest. It is a word that will stunt the development of our club.

AVB came to Spurs as a successful and respected manager in Europe but damaged from his time at a detestable club. Hopes of a new Spurs, of progress and a future tinted lilywhite entered my horizon. He leaves 18 months later with fans dreaming of the past,  nostalgic of rose-tinted times, times rife with as many problems as times present, and demanding and expecting more and more and more. The man that represented the future to many fans has left Tottenham; our future is clouded.

Despair: AVB after the Liverpool defeat. The end was nigh.

1882: An account of Thursday night

I waited outside the turnstiles last night and I was scared. I wasn't scared of the fans, the police, the stewards - no, none of that. I was scared that I'd be alone. If I were alone, I could never have enjoyed the night, and if I didn't enjoy the night, my journey would have been wasted.

Thankfully, I was not alone. I had 1882.

We entered the ground after some odd delay. My out-of-place black tie and crombie combination received some funny looks and comments, however I managed to convince myself that that's how they all used to look 'back in the day'. I entered Block 35 some 10 minutes before the start, and, staring at the pristine green of the White Hart Lane pitch, the troubles of my daily life filtered away.

Perhaps it had something to do with my age, but occupying White Hart Lane is still a cause for many feelings of joy. I'm a proud cynic in real life, yet when I pass through the turnstiles, joy and positivity enriches my blood and tones my voice. This is why I feel the urge to align myself with 1882 ideology; there is no other way I can support my team.

It wasn't long before Block 35 began to fill. I couldn't tell you how many people came under the banner of 1882. We were just fans standing in a block, holding scarves and waving banners and flags; singing for the shirt. And, oh boy did we sing.

From the first song, I could tell this would be as fulfilling as I hoped it would be. Long, never-ending versions of 'Oh When The Spurs' till the point of laughter. Infectious renditions of 'AVB's Blue and White Army' (of course, followed by the fierce bellows of 'Yids'). Toing-and-throwing with the Shelf and 'Stand up' songs to engage with other parts of the ground. All the old songs like 'Glory Glory Hallelujah' and 'Hark Now Hear' as a reminder of our past. Judas songs. I could go on and on and on but you know the deal. This is 1882.

I saw at a few points throughout the evening fans being forcibly removed from the block for chanting our Yid songs. This made my blood boil. It could have easily tainted the event. However, the fans responded by chanting the word twice as loud. We got behind those victimised fans. They are us and we are all the same. 'Being a Yid' was the song of the night as a result.

I screamed at the stewards, "I'm a Yid! Arrest me!" This was part of a lot of talk between me, the stewards and the police last night. They were cooperative, but they seemed confused. When asked who told them to victimise the fans, I got told they were ordered from the club, the police, lawyers and the FA - all separately. When asked about over-zealous stewarding, they referred to safety certificates and guidelines. When asked if they knew who their boss was, they had no idea. Sadly, there's nobody to make accountable for the crime of criminalisation.

This is why groups like 1882 are vital to the fans. Who is going to back the fans given 'verbal warnings' when the club turned their back on them like they did on Thursday? This may sound cliché, but sometimes, we only have each other to turn to. We had that at the Anzhi game and I was proud of us for that. I implore fans to keep a dialogue with our Supporters' Trust, THST, for these reasons.

More about the game. It was very entertaining and the positive performance certainly helped get some of the fans off their feet. When we sang the name of particular players, you could tell they were loving it. The big smile in Holtby's face. The appreciation from Eriksen when he warmed up. Even Friedel's response to our questions about the score. At those very moments we sang their names, the fans loved them, and they loved the fans. Backing the players in this way help establishes this connection, I feel. Don't you agree?

The final whistle came and we headed out of the Lane, albeit slow, reluctantly and anxious to do more. I wanted to do this all over again. And soon. An explosion was heard at one point late on. None of us cared. I never felt a better sense of escapism than in that block on Thursday. I've had a lot of trouble and stress in my life recently, but it didn't matter when I was singing, when I was loving my club.

My lungs were aching. My throat was scratched. My head was addled. My voice was gone. But it didn't matter. None of it mattered any more. All that mattered was that I belonged. All that mattered was Tottenham Hotspur.

If you think I'm exaggerating, join us in Block 35. I dare you. 

Defoe must go: Tottenham should sell Jermain Defoe in January, for the good of the club

This is a sensitive subject. He's a man that a lot of people regard highly, very highly, chant about, even deify, a 'legend'. Even for those who do not regard him so much, most still have an utmost respect for the man. However, the time has come to face facts: Jermain Defoe faces the prospect of leaving in January.

Defoe has become a problem. His frequent outbursts to the media whenever the spotlight turns to him has become commonplace. Defoe's demands to be placed above Roberto Soldado in the striker pecking order at Spurs seems to come out every week, most recently after England's game to Chile. The debate over his place in the squad rages in the pubs and on the social networks. We all have an opinion on it.

What is Defoe as a player? Constantly throughout his career, he has been branded as a 'natural finisher' by the British media, even in 2013. Spurs fans know this branding is false. We know that in his years at Spurs, he has gone through spells of either intense form or complete disappearances from the side. Under Jol and Ramos, the combination of Berbatov and Keane was preferred. Under Redknapp, the likes of Crouch and Adebayor were preferred to him upfront. Last season under Villas-Boas, Defoe failed to overcome competition from Adebayor, despite the ex-Arsenal striker's massive lack of goals.

Amongst Defoe's on-field problems include his lack of wider contribution to the team; he refuses to bring other players into the attacking third, instead choosing an individual pursuit. True, his best games make him appear tenacious, a true finisher. His average game, however, is nothing of this sort. Defoe becomes a ghost, frequently found offside, failing that, squandering clear-cut chances. I highlight Defoe's only league appearance this year as proof of that. Just after half time, Defoe managed to get one-on-one with Jaaskeleinen, only to tamely squander the chance. Moments later, we went a goal down.

Knowing these facts, Daniel Levy invested money on another striker, a reputed striker, one of Europe's most prolific strikers: this was in the form of Roberto Soldado. The Spaniard has failed to hit the ground running, but his overall contribution to the team, awareness and movements surpasses Defoe. We did not spend £26million, beg for it to happen in the summer (#SignSoldado), condemn our current strikers, just to have Soldado undermined due to reactionary critics.

Don't get me wrong, I do have massive respect for Defoe. His goal in our 3-1 win to City last April was one of the highlights of the season. He is our highest scorer in European competitions. He is our 5th highest goalscorer of all time. Outside White Hart Lane, he has overcome personal tragedies, losing his father, brother and cousin unexpectedly. To overcome tragedy to that degree takes a lot of courage, and I applaud Defoe for that.

But his demands to play for the sake of his last chance to shine in an England shirt in Brazil massively undermines our manager. It undermines his ability to make decisions, something that destroyed his tenure at Chelsea, giving risk to alienating the fans, the media and even the other players against him. If AVB's tenure in undermined at Spurs, we will see a massive disruption in the club in this crucial season, where we have a chance to break the league mould, just as we did in 09/10.

With interest from West Ham growing due to the long term absence of Andy Carroll, there will definitely be bids for Defoe in January, with or without a transfer request. Therefore, the club would be wise to accept the right offer, stick with the strikers we have, and reinvest it on a young striker in the summer. This is for the good of the club.

AVB cannot bow to pressure. He saw Defoe's incapabilities this season and last, as have every Spurs fans. No matter how many pundits big Defoe up, how many goals he scores against teams like Tromso and Sheriff Tiraspol, or how many more of his personal claims of ability appear in the papers, his inabilities will remain and only more problems will be caused.

For the good of the squad, the tenure of the manager, even our league ambitions, it is time we face the prospect of parting company with Jermain Defoe. As the song goes, time to say goodbye...

Inverted wingers IS the answer

After intense note-taking and debating on twitter, I have found the right team. It’s a long time coming, and my goodness, AVB needs to find the right team before our lack of goals becomes harmful to our league position. However, I believe this team for today’s match against Newcastle will work.



The main debate regarding the formation has been over inverted wingers. Many people believe inverted wingers makes the midfield congested and harms free-flowing creativity. However, that does not explain how teams such as Bayern Munich have reached dizzy heights operating a similar system.

I have kept Sigurdsson and Lamela as the inverted wingers. Lamela has shown in midweek what he possesses, taking the full back with distinct forward attacking play, either posing as a goal threat or a creative threat. Sigurdsson has scored 4 goals in this spot and, although not the most involved player, his qualities will pose useful in sorting out our goal problem. They will still cut in and take shots, but with an added twist.

The No.10 spot has been much debated, and frequently talked about as the reason for our goal drought. Central in creating chances, the No.10 is vital in winning games. However, for Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City (No.10′s being Oscar, Ozil and Silva respectively), their most creative threat is not fixed in the middle. He interchanges with the wingers, providing crosses as well as through balls, offering different angles for the striker(s).

Eriksen gets the pick for today’s match, much becuase he better suits the system as a two footed player. Holtby shows glimpses of creativity, alongside work-rate and aggressive play, but it is not his main focus, unlike Eriksen. At home, often in front of a back 9, the focus of the No.10 must solely be breaking down the opposition. Eriksen, therefore, has the most ability to complete this should Sigurdsson or Lamela be central.

The demands for width have been loud and clear, and natural wingers seems the most obvious answer to this. However, looking at our summer activity (Lamela and Chadli, Townsend in the squad), inverted wingers appears to be the system AVB will keep with as a primary option. Therefore, the width, I believe, intends to be provided by the full backs (wing backs in this purpose).

Walker is naturally a wing back and revels in hugging the touchline. Under AVB, he has refined his play to become more defensively sound, and has been one of our best players this season. Before injured, AVB stuck Rose at left back, and did a fantastic job after playing regular first-team football for Sunderland last season. His wing play suits the formation, but owing to his absence, Vertonghen has to fill-in. Although less effective, the professional class the Belgian possesses will more than make up for Rose’s play.

There is no question who starts upfront. It is the £26million striker. It is the man with one of the best goal scoring records in all Europe last season. It’s the No.9 that we begged for in the summer. Roberto Soldado. If we create chances for him, the kind of chances he thrived on last season, he will flourish.

Ultimately, we have to play football against Newcastle. Attack them. Pepper the goal from all angles. Create chances for the front man. We have commanded possession, but not commanded the final third. We have solidified the castle walls, but our artillery is inaccurate and wasteful. Over time, these problems will reduce, the ‘gelling process’ will give a greater abundance of goals.

Till that moment, I ask for patience, as has AVB. There’s a reason why glory football and tactics of our has never actually brought much glory since the Premier League’s inception. There’s a reason AVB’s football has.

Atmospheric Pressure

It was a horrid display of football. Tottenham, trying to split the 10-man defence of Hull, exhausted every possible means to get that first goal. Nothing worked. The possession-orientated play that Andre Villas-Boas has drummed into the squad wasn't enough to break the deadlock, just as it wasn't versus Swansea, just as it wasn't versus Crystal Palace. When Soldado converted his third penalty of the season, a gust of relief swept around White Hart Lane, and the match was won.

After the game, the main complaints about the football was a wide judgement across the season.

• "Our football is too cautious. It shouldn't be based on possession, but on unrestricted swashbuckle."
• "Soldado doesn't get enough chances. He's only good for penalties."
• "This is not the attitude of a top four team."

The football could have been less cautious this season. We certainly have the players to be more attacking and have more bite to it. It's just a case of gathering the right eleven players for it, and that will come with time (that benefiting to a large squad). If we play unrestricted attacking football a la Redknapp, we abandon a fantastic defence (6 clean sheets in 9 games) and I doubt Spurs could last till May. A conundrum, but 'patience' is word of the day. 

The 1882 Movement may be the answer to the dying atmosphere

AVB was surely thinking about tactics on how to improve the football. When faced with problems, he has clearly demonstrated an admirable pragmatic nature, a readiness to solve problems on the pitch through off-the-pitch tactics. AVB did tell the media the cause of the problem, quite explicitly:

"We looked like the away team. We played in a difficult atmosphere with almost no support,"
"Away from home their support has been amazing; we play with no fear and we need that atmosphere at White Hart Lane."
"We spoke about it at half-time. I told the players that we would have to do it on our own. They had to dig deep and look for the strength within themselves. They also believed that it's not easy to play in this stadium when the atmosphere is like this."

"We have a wonderful set of fans but they can do better."

To many Spurs fans (probably the ones inside the ground that day), this was a shocking statement. Their argument was that the team did nothing to get them going, that it was up to them to do their job and we cheer when they complete it, that forking out hundreds gives them the right to complain about it. If they have been quiet, it's because of AVB and the players.

The other camp to this argument supported AVB's verdict, not only supported, but knew it for many years. Their argument was that the Spurs fans have become too expectant, that the high ticket prices has brought in the wrong type of fan (I pay x-amount to watch this shit), that young, energetic fans have been skimmed out White Hart Lane due to the ticket prices. The argument was that White Hart Lane is just another product of modern football.

There's is no doubting that there is a massive atmosphere problem within the Lane. I remember Basel at home last season, where the silence of the Spurs fans was chilling, and the only voices that could be heard were Basel fans. It was no advert for White Hart Lane; it was not the way it should be. 

If the atmosphere has become so negative that the players had to talk to the manager about it, then it seems clear  that something has to change. The supporters don't do enough supporting. The fans are not fanatic enough. If you love your club, you have to do more than pay x-amount to show that. Paying £9 to watch Captain Phillips in the cinema doesn't make me a die-hard Tom Hanks fan. Paying £20 to watch Othello doesn't make you a Shakespeare ultra. You owe Tottenham Hotspur more than what you are giving them.

A 'fan', inside White Hart Lane, playing Candy Crush. Wow.

The majority of fans have become spectators, theatre-goers who would rather criticise the performance than get behind the team. The energy these people have exercising criticism could easily be put into singing 'Oh When The Spurs' or any other song. Why has the players turned you cynical? I idolise them.

I have heard some horrific stories. Fans starting songs, only to get glaring looks from the people around. I've heard of people standing up together, only to be told to sit down and shut up by the overpowered stewards. I've even heard of people reporting other fans for swearing, resulting in a three-game ban for the 'guilty' fan. Does this sound like support to you? 

Why have 90% of Tottenham fans become nihilistic? Why can't they go to the Lane, absorb in the moment and forget about negativity? Why can't they sing their hearts, show their colours, enjoy the moment? What good can criticism possibly achieve?

There are things the club need to do to help change the atmosphere, definitely. Reducing ticket prices, reducing steward and police presence, stop criminalising the fans and supporting safe-standing trials would all contribute towards an improved atmosphere. Outside of England, fans laugh at how stale we have become. Perhaps the 'product' is better, but what's the point if you can't enjoy it? 

Football is not a product, and fans are not customers. You have a duty to your football club. Stop fearing the fans around you, join arms and sing for the shirt you claim to love. AVB has given you a message, and it's time to listen, time to learn: 

Stand. Sing. Support. 

England Expects: Part 2

England are off to Brazil this summer, and I am as happy as anyone else at this moment in time. The prospect of the World Cup finals in one of the great homes of football is mouth-watering, and for England to be a part of it is honourable. There won't be more anticipation for a world cup till it returns to its first home, Great Britain herself. Although this is an inappropriate time for querying and inquisition, it is my moral duty to stem the tide of optimism.

How England decided to approach qualification this time pestered much of the public (I went into some detail in England Expects). We finished top and we finished unbeaten, and those achievements cannot be cast away and taken for granted. However, what irritated the fans above anything else was the cautious, reserved approach Roy Hodgson took in qualification, despite the distinct lack of quality in the rest of the group.

The best reflection of Hodgson's approach was in his selection policy. He persisted on selecting players that were completely out of form or out of contention at club level at the expense of untried players or players of bottom half teams. Of Roy Hodgson's selections, the stand-out examples are as follows:

• Danny Welbeck, despite only scoring 2 goals in all competitions for Manchester United last season.
• James Milner, a player who fails to impress or make an impact at club or international level.
• Tom Cleverley, heavily preferred to Anderson and Fellaini at (again) United.
• Ashley Young.

Of course, this was somewhat masked by Hodgson's 'big gamble' in the last 2 qualifiers: Andros Townsend. Townsend played out of skin in both games, taking on his opposition with the fearless inspiration and limitless passion which us fans appreciate more than any record or statistic. However, anyone who has watched Tottenham play this year would not have been surprised by Townsend's performance; he is in such a purple patch that he is keeping the internationally-acclaimed Argentine Erik Lamela out of the first team.

When England came into a group with the teams we had (Poland, Ukraine, Montenegro, Moldova and San Marino), coming first place is expected. Anything less would have been a failure. For much of qualification, the risk of failure became too high. Even though it brought the best out of all of our players, the pressure of the last two games should never have existed. Despite this, the most important thing is that we did come first and we were not beaten.

There is an argument that England has lost a lot of reputation since South Africa. Our national team can no longer align ourselves with the best of the best. Spain, Germany, Italy and Holland are in a different class to us. Rising above them would only be a complete accident. Their squads are filled with world class talent in every position, a prospect we can only dream about. We are not in the top 10 of the world. We are not even close. 

Therefore, the best way to approach this world cup is to go into it with no goals. No 'this is our year' speeches. No 'we have as much chance as any' logic. The players should go out there and enjoy the occasion. Fight for their pride, nor for a quarter final spot. 

The shroud still surrounding this much anticipated tournament will clear in the coming months. The media, being the bloodthirsty cannibals that they are, will ask the impossible over and over again, but it is up to the FA and the national team not to buy into it, not to succumb to the pressure of idiots.

It is obvious that the Greg Dyke and the FA are building towards a bigger future, but their intentions for the here and now should be clear: make the country proud. 

Sir Alex's shadow will curse Moyes' tenure

This is not a reactionary article. This is not a knee-jerk response to recent events, a hyperbolic statement of concern. These are opinions that I'll stick with for years to come.

David Moyes arrived at Manchester United with a whole new world in front of him, a massive opportunity, the greatest he'll ever have. His future was decided years ago, chosen by Ferguson as the man that he trusts the most to keep his Titanic afloat. 'Back your manager' were the words that resonated from Fergie's mouth at his farewell appearance as United manager. More eyes are looking at him than ever before. More hopes are pinned on his tenure than ever before.

What is the situation now for David Moyes? Well, much the same really. Millions of glass-eyed United fans are staring at him for results, expectations seem to be humungous but it's taking time to click. Fans can be quite reactinary nowadays, but nobody has condemned him to the sack this early (nor is there a case for such condemnation anyway).

Ferguson's legacy will ghost Moyes for years to come

It takes time, they say; it took time before and it will take time now. Comparisons are being drawn out between Ferguson and Moyes already: players used, formations, tactics, even press conferences. A picture of the defeated manager against West Brom, the focus directed to the object that shadows him, the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, says it all.

What Sir Alex Ferguson did in Manchester was exceptional, and it will never be replicated again. Ferguson entered United in 1985, when they were shadowed by the great bolstering club of Liverpool, right in the middle of their glory years. It took five years after his appointment for him to claim his first prize, the 1990 FA Cup, and from then on, glorious prizes became a commodity at United. 27 years, 38 trophies.

However, times have changed since 1985, since the 'glorious 90s', as it has been dubbed the Red fans. Managers at the highest level are not given time to prove their worth. Clubs don't evolve over a period of 5 years, nor do clubs slowly sink into relegation. Football today is about instant success, revolutions and powerful owners.

You merely need to look at United's neighbours for proof of how much times have changed. Manchester City had a revolution in 2007, very much overnight when they signed Robinho for £32.5million, a Premier League record. Four years later, they beat United in the FA Cup semi-final, going on to beat Stoke in the final. The year after that, they pipped United to the title by goal difference.

Money dictates the game nowadays, not tactics, not individual talent, not a winning mentality. In my eyes, Ferguson was the last remnant of football before the inflated market.

For David Moyes, expectations dictate that he will have to match or come near to matching Alex Ferguson's tenure. This will be an expectation he will never fulfill. This is because money has such a sphere of influence on football, that the only way Moyes can bring glory to United is by spending huge amounts, matching his rivals. Not at one point in Ferguson's tenure has there been spending revolutions akin to the blue side of Manchester.

Moyes is not an idealist, a manager with a tactical mentality, a style of football. He keeps a ship afloat; Everton is proof of that. So his individual mind cannot drive United solely to glory.

I am not condemning Moyes to absolute failure. He will be given a minimum of three years at United in my opinion. Moyes will never move away from the casting shadow of Sir Alex Ferguson. It is too big, too sublime. This would be the case for almost any manager. In this, Moyes' job is a poisoned chalice.

The Sir Alex Ferguson Stand dominates Old Trafford. It is the foundation of their Theatre of Dreams. It is perfection. David Moyes is, and will always be, belittled by its grandeur. The long climb down from this summit has begun for Manchester United. I hope they are prepared.

This.

Soldado's strike gives Spurs the victory

Club record signing Roberto Soldado scored the winning penalty for Tottenham Hotspur on his debut, beginning Andre Villas-Boas's second season at the club with a win against promoted club Crystal Palace.

The first game of the season is always a special occasion for any club, whether that be a club challenging for European honours or a club appearing in the top division for the first time in eight years.  The vibrant reception that the Crystal Palace team received throughout the game, however, made this meeting particularly special. With any luck, this atmosphere will carry the Eagles this season in their attempt to avoid relegation.

Like many games last season, Spurs held most of the possession in midfield between the strong middle pairing of Mousa Demb ele and £17million-signing Paulinho, also making his first appearance for the Lilywhites. Both impressed throughout, controlling the tempo of the game and at times threatening the goal, with Dembele's shot in the first quarter almost breaking the deadlock.

Other close chances from Gylfi Sigurdsson and other debutant Nacer Chadli in the half were promising for Spurs, while the Pally's saw very little of the ball. With the surprise appearance from injury-threatened Jan Vertonghen in defence, this would be a common feature of the game. Despite this, the half ended all square.

However, the chance to break the deadlock came in the 49th minute when Dean Moxey handled in the area after blocking a cross from Aaron Lennon. Referee Mark Clattenburg did not hesitate in giving Spurs the penalty. The clinical Spaniard Soldado, who scored 30 goals last season in 46 appearances for Valencia, slotted the penalty in the keeper's right-hand corner with ease.

The Spurs defence proved a brick wall for Palace, one that they could not break down, despite the appearance for the wily Kevin Phillips and ex-Gunner Marouane Chamakh. They held the match for a 1-0 victory.

The most impressive display, however, did not come from any of the Spurs players, but from Aussie Mile Jedinak, Palace's skipper. Jedinak, a holding midfielder, patrolled the pitch with ease, breaking up many of Tottenham's attacks with strong tackles and interceptions. He received many plaudits during and after game, despite missing out on Man of the Match, which was given to Paulinho by Niall Quinn.

Spurs may not be fully happy with their performance. but they can be pleased that they got what they deserved. Whilst in many ways this victory away from home was reminiscent of Spurs last season, they also had something else in their style, a certainty that they would not be beaten. Should this be the case for the season, their target of a place in this years top four is likely to be achieved.

England expects

"England expects": the words that are repeated over and over at every single international tournament; the words that represent our desire to see our country play and play well; the words we all stand by. Last night, English football lost all expectation.

Ukraine away was played up as the most important fixture in our search for qualification. A win would all but guarantee our ticket to Rio next summer. A loss would be devastating. A draw would keep qualification most definitely alive going into our home games at Wembley, if not neccessarily setting it in stone.

To my utter dismay, it was the latter of those which our manager decided to aim for from the first minute.

Ukraine are not a nation known for their footballing class, nor will they ever I doubt. The Dombass Arena is, no doubt, an intimidating ground due to the loud eastern European, with loud cracks of flares and fireworks going off at random points, silencing the England faithful in the opposite corner of the ground. The England team though, full of professionals well-paid and well seasoned, should be prepared for such grounds. No matter what situations, England expected a win against the team in yellow.

The England team that former Fulham, Liverpool and Albion manager Roy Hodgson took to the Dombass was a weakened one, not at first by choice due to 'injuries', but certainly such weakness was increased due to the selection of James Milner.

Milner, now (regretably) a regular international and Premier League winner, is a consistent player, no doubt, but consistent at being average. Sure, tags of 'high workrates' and 'puts in a good shift' are ones Milner has earnt. Yet I have never seen a player so less befitting to the tag of 'world class' than Milner. He posseses no finesse, no style, no distuingishable talent, nor is he a game changer or match winner.

In that sense, James Milner is Roy Hodgson's playing representative. Hodgson is a manager who has never even come close to the heights of management, failing at his highest post at Anfield, nor has he won a domestic trophy. He is not known for any specific style of play, except perhaps grinding out satisfactory results.

What does this show for English coaching, or indeed the FA, that a man with very little credentials or talent in his profession can elevate to the highest post in Enlgish management?

Am I harsh to criticise Hodgson? Well, let me dissect the Ukraine game and we'll find out.

From the first minutes, England looked dodgy, with England's number one making a rash challenge on Ukranian striker Roman Zozulya in the box, the referee pointing for a corner and not to the penalty spot.

A flatly driven long pass into the box from midfielder Edmar opened up another chance for Ukraine in the box, to which England only just defended.

England's chances, however, were limited to a few long range shots and corners, with zero creativity coming from Jack Wilshere or Steven Gerrard. Rickie Lambert, a classic number nine, did not profit as a result and barely made a shot in the entire game.

As the game wore on, you would expect teams to settle down and become more confident on the ball. On the contrary, both teams became insufferably poor in midfield and with very little football played by England in the final third.

Ukrainian winger Konoplienka was by far the stand out player from this match, terrorising Spurs full back Kyle Walker all match. His bursts of pace and moments of skill, however, results in many clear cut chances. Walker, however, was suspect throughout the whole game. In fairness to him, the entire team were just as poor, even if England's faithful do like to scapegoat the Sheffield-born man.

Hodgson made some unconvincing substitutions in the second half, bringing on Ashely Young for Jack Wilshere and Tom Cleverley for Theo Walcott. As you would, neither contributed anything notable to the game.

The game finished all square, with most people struggling to pinpoint the exact words to describe the performance. Whatever it was, it left me ditraught at the ninety minutes of my life I would never get back. As ever, cheers Roy.

Many Englishman understood the slightly positive implications of the result, in a whole 'job done' attitudes whom many adopt. Many, however, expected more.

Me? I have lost all sense of expectation. Ever since Hodgson took charge at the Euros, England's football have resembled the same negative style of football. Players from the 'best league of the world' lacked flair and composure, often outdone by Ukrainians. Players who have been in the international setup for years and years lacked cohesion with thier teammates, as if they had been thrusted together for the first time. No creativity. No depth. This is what I have come to expect from England now.

English football is near beyond any treatment. While countries even as small as Belgium overtake us in every sense, England remains in purgatory. Hope? What hope? Expectation? What is there left to expect? We have been left for dead due to the attitudes of the FA. And yet, it is up to them to revive English football. Or else, The only thing "England expects" will be disappointment.

Born To Play For Spurs

On the 1st September 2013, Gareth Bale completed his move from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid for a reported world record fee. Whilst Madrid followers from all around the world rejoice in the glory of another galactico signing, Tottenham fans are left in a flurry of emotions. As a Spurs fan, it's up to me to unravel this situation.

In Bale's first season for Spurs, he was playing left back and the only thing I can remember for certain is his immaculate speed down the flanks. Was he destined for greatness at that point? Of course not. Bale's debut season was very depressing, potentially soul-destroying for the young man, especially when he hadn't won a fixture with the Welshman in the side for his first 27 starts. Safe to say, I wasn't expecting much from him.

The first time I really began to notice Gareth Bale as anything as a player was midway through the 2009/10 season. That season as a whole is littered with glorious moments, but the most promising player out of all the bunch was our skinny Welsh left back. Bale was beating players down the left flank like no other, and creating problems for almost every team in the league. He showed drive and ambition; he wanted to succeed. To think, he could've been outed by Harry Redknapp to Nottingham Forest or Birmingham in January if it weren't for a few cameos in December! Funny old game, football.

Bale excelled the next season. In October, the man was the leading star in our Champions League debut season. After Bale put three past Julio Cesar and Inter Milan with his left foot, he put in a world class performance in the return fixture at White Hart Lane, known to all the Spurs fans by the song we sung that night, 'Taxi for Maicon'. That was one of the great European glory nights at White Hart Lane. Seeing that moment makes me long for Champions League again. As for Bale, I said that night that he was destined for greatness and that soon, all the top teams would want him. He went on to win PFA Player of the Year for the first time that season.

The 2011/12 season was not one where he wowed the millions, but one where he tried to find his place in the team. He was first put in a central role that season, but quickly shifted back to the left flank when Redknapp could not bring the best out of him. I always found Bale was at his best when he drove through defences, whether it be in the centre or the left, torturing them, ripping them apart. From an early age, he always had that in his locker. Proof? Goals last season came usually from a drive through the defence or the more majestic long shot.

In the 2012/13 season, Gareth Bale started it as a world class player and ended it a superstar. 31 goals in all competitions, many games and points won for Tottenham and many YouTube-compilation-worthy moments, drew comparisons between the Welshman and Cristiano Ronaldo, to many people the best player in the world (in my opinion, he is the most exciting player). From the very start, Bale set the house alight, scoring a wonderful free-kick against Croatia for Wales. The moment that will live in many Spurs fans hearts will be the last minute winner against West Ham at Upton Park, leading him to embrace Andre Villas-Boas on the touch line. Both manager and player admit their partnership brought the best out of the Welshman. To me, it was one key element that allowed this to happen: confidence. How confident must he have been to take that shot at Jaaskeleinen from 30 yards out, rather than chip it in the box? How confident must he have been to step up to that free kick against Lyon, winning the game and the first leg for Spurs? How confident must he have been to think he could curl in shots from all places, impossible to 99% of the football world? AVB gave Bale the confidence to deliver the impossible.

Bale's transfer saga has left a bitter aftertaste in the mouthes of many fan. The non-stop coverage from Sky Sports bored most football fans from the first minute, reporting any story from the most unreliable of sources, including many of the Marca, despite admitting it is Madrid's mouthpiece, a tool to engineer transfers. Real Madrid approached this transfer thinking they could claim Bale without any questions asked, known from the moment Florentino Perez said the player was 'born to play for Real Madrid'. The transfer rumour mill was non stop, all the papers looking for a breaking news exclusive. In the middle of it, there was a young Welsh boy who just wants to play football. I will never blame Bale for the way he had to leave. I blame the rotten way the media report transfers. From the gossip columns to the Deadline Day with Jim White, the whole thing is enough to drive you suicidal.

I hoped for most of the window that Bale would wear the Lilywhite shirt again, but that hope vanished when we began looking at Erik Lamela, expensive and talented to be touted as Bale's replacement, sought with money that could only come from one place: Madrid's back pocket. For 100 million Euros, I believe it was out of the best interests of the club for Levy to accept and reinvest, make the squad stronger with players that can drive Spurs to the top of English football (...hopefully).

Bale leaves White Hart Lane after six years, four of which will live in our hearts forever. In his statement to the fans, Bale said 'I have had six very happy years at Tottenham but it's the right time to say goodbye. We've had some special times together over the years and I've loved every minute of it. Tottenham will always be in my heart.' As a young Spurs fan, writing this with warmth in his heart and a tear in his eye, I can safely say that no player in my lifetime has brought more ecstasy and glory that Gareth Bale. My only wish that in his wake, Tottenham's future will be filled with moments of glory akin to last season. The club move forward, and we, as fans, will have to as well. But as Danny Blanchflower said many years ago, the game is about glory. There is no player that lives up to that mantra than Gareth Frank Bale.

I wish him well.

Where does this leave Ade?

Last season, there were two players in our squad that Spurs fans failed to tolerate last season and would not never succeed in meeting expectation. Last season, the same two players in our squad once played for Arsenal. William Gallas made notable errors in defence last season, and with the clock ticking on his successful career, he would surely not regain form as quick as our other centre backs. Emmanuel Adebayor scored a baron 8 goals in all competitions for Spurs last term, symbolising our never ending goals problem, our lack of dinner-finishing between the posts. Whilst Gallas is no longer at the club, Adebayor very much remains a Spurs player.

With the introduction of Roberto Soldado to the squad, where exactly does Ade fit into AVB's plans? Will he feature at all this season? Will Ade have to pay the price for his lack of goals?

At the end of last season, a reporter posed a question to AVB: 'How would you rate Emmanuel Adebayor's season, bearing in mind his lack of goals?' AVB calmly replied 'very good'. Ask the average punter down Tottenham High Road the same question and they probably would reply with the much more negative 'Sh*t, get the lazy tw*t out of Spurs, AVB is a mug to play him'. This appreciation from AVB made me conclude that he does believe the Togolese striker fits a role in his side, just not the role that satisfies fans, as clearly shown by the hashtag '#ThingsMoreUsefulThanAdebayor' trending after our exit to Basel in the Europa League.

Adebayor's role last season in his starting position was not of a direct number 9, probably a role which appeases fans a lot more (hence Jermain Defoe's popularity), but rather of a striker that creates space by making distracting runs, drifting wide to keep possession of the ball and dropping into midfield to keep the flow of play going. Perhaps the most telling games of this style was Inter Milan away and Fulham at home (both played in the same week). Against Inter, we started both Ade and Defoe; whilst Ade was making runs, holding up play and trying to cope with the solid Inter back line, Defoe did... nothing. Defoe's inaction was met with his substitution after half time, leaving ex-Arsenal striker to score the vital away goal that put us in the next round. Against Fulham, all the players noticeably lethargic, Adebayor made many good runs for Defoe, worked his arse off on the wings and made chances... Defoe missed a sitter in the final minutes that would have gave us the draw. After almost every match, Adebayor was criticised by fans and by pundits alike.

But what about this season? Roberto Soldado is our record signing and, even on a simple PR basis, AVB will have to select the Spaniard above Adebayor and Defoe (he is after all the superior player). This will confine Ade to the cup matches, probably shared out between him and Defoe, leaving the two to fight for their place in the team. Many people have called for one or the other to be sold this summer, disregarding what happened last season when we went in with only two recognised strikers, claiming we ought to replace the sold striker. This, to me, seems pathetic. Why sell a striker comfortable in the squad just so he can be replaced? Some people would have rather had the accused rapist Loic Remy than Adebayor. Let that sink in.

Defoe will always be the fan's favourite, no matter how low a conversion rate he has (one of the lowest in the league at just over 10%) and how little of a supporting role he chooses to carry out. Adebayor will always be a gooner to some fans' eyes. That's how football fans are (until they score of course, then it's irrelevant). But I don't see Ade being forced out of the door in these last few weeks, not when searching for a replacement would result in a lot of unnecessary effort on the club's part. Perhaps that's because I don't despise him like many of you do. Perhaps it's because I remember what he did for us in the 2011/12 season. Perhaps it's just a moment of optimism. However, should he stay, Emmanuel Adebayor will influence Tottenham's season in some way, as he had done last season too. His appearances will continue to divide Spurs fans, but as the saying goes, the end justifies the means. Who knows? We might even be singing this number again.

"Adebayor, Adebayor... This is the best club you've ever played for."

Soldado

Let me take you back to September 1^st, 2008. Dimitar Berbatov had just signed for Manchester United for £30million. Meanwhile in North London, Tottenham Hotspur had just been forced to sell the most talented striker in the Premier League. Although not out of pocket, Tottenham would find it hard to replace the Hungarian. Who would have known that the search for Berbatov's replacement would have lasted almost five years, three managers and £83million to find?

The journey begins with Juande Ramos and the signing of Roman Pavlyuchenko from Spartak Moscow for £14million. Although clearly a talented player, the Russian's three-and-a-half seasons at Spurs were mixed and inconsistent, struggling to fill the role Berbatov left behind, scoring 42 goals in 113 appearances for Spurs.

Jermain Defoe returned to White Hart Lane in January 2009, despite only leaving Spurs the year before for Portsmouth, for almost £16million. A fan's favourite, Defoe had a fantastic 2009/10 season, scoring a whopping 24 goals in 43 appearances, key to the Lilywhites finishing fourth place. However, similar form has alluded Defoe since then, a modest 41 goals in 111 appearances.

Robbie Keane was the second player to resign for Spurs for £12million in 2009 after an unsuccessful spell at Liverpool. Before leaving, Robbie Keane was one of Tottenham's most liked and most consistent strikers, scoring 107 goals in 282 appearances. However on his return to the Lane, Keane only scored 14 goals in 49 appearances. He left Tottenham for good in 2012 for LA Galaxy for £1.5million.

Peter Crouch signed for Spurs in 2009 from Portsmouth for £10million. Crouch scored some very memorable goals for Spurs in his time there, including the goal against AC Milan, putting Spurs in the quarter final of the Champions League in their first attempt, and the goal that put them their in the first place against Manchester City. Crouch was never a regular scorer for Spurs, representing a serious goals problem for Spurs at the time.

Emmanuel Adebayor became Harry Redknapp's next striker signing in 2011 on loan from Manchester City for the 2011-12. He enjoyed a great first season for Spurs, scoring 18 goals in 37 appearances, as well as 12 assists. He made the deal permanent in August 2012 under the new management of Andre Villas-Boas. AVB did not enjoy the same success with Adebayor up front, with the striker only scoring 8 goals all season, despite playing a very important forward role in the side.

I've had to take you through the whole plethora of Spurs strikers since 2008 so you can truly grasp how much of a struggle it has been to find Berbatov's replacement. The main problem has been finding a striker who can score 20 goals a season whilst being consistent. As we saw with Defoe in 2009/10, if you could find that striker, you could get into the Champions League. Adebayor would have worked in 2011-12 if it weren't for the freak accident of Chelsea's Champions League win, denying Spurs their place. Last season, the problem was not as nearly as intensive as previous seasons due to the goal scoring record of Gareth Bale; Spurs made their highest total points tally of 72 points. Due to the impeccable form of other club, this problem still managed to cost us Champions League football.

With the signing of 28-year-old Roberto Soldado from Valencia though, I feel this problem will finally cease to exist. The Spanish striker has scored 20 goals or more for the past three seasons in La Liga, as well as scoring 6 goals in 11 appearances for Spain. What's more, Soldado will not need to adapt to the Premier League; the type of player he is already relies on positioning and physicality. He possesses the ability to lead the forward line, as well as beating the final man, something many strikers in the England lack. Complaints with age will be quickly put to bed when I tell you how old Robin van Persie was when he signed for United: 29. RVP's signing won United the league.

Roberto Soldado will bring to Spurs what they have lacked since Berbatov, what would have pushed them on to bigger and better things, what would have put them with England's elite. He will be a regular goalscorer. He will make good out of Tottenham's fantastic midfield. He will be a game changer. My prediction is simple: should Soldado score 20 or more goals this season, Tottenham will be in the top four.  

Change (Revive The Lane)

I rarely go to the lane, but when I do, I feel the same excitement every time. Walking up to the ground, pictures of the players lining the streets, the hooky merchandise shops, watching the hundreds of fellow fans walk by me, or simply seeing the cockerel on every piece of clothing – home. But, more than anything, it's the White Hart Lane itself that stirs my emotions. I look upon that beautiful green grass as if it were my home, where I truly belong, where I'll always belong. That will never change.

I recall the last time I went to White Hart Lane. Basel at home, 4^th April 2013. There was an air of expectation going around the ground. I thought we would outclass them, I won't lie. After all, we had just beaten Lyon and Inter Milan, and romantically I thought this would be our year for European glory. The game itself was poor, with most of the chances going to Basel, but I'm not going to dissect the game. It's the fans that stood out from that game.

It was just so flat. I heard a lot of talk about silence at the lane, a lack of atmosphere, but you can never get a grip of how silent it is till you go. The few songs that were song that night were quiet and were very distant from where I was sitting. I tried to join in but only a whisper came out. Even our supposed anthem 'Oh when the Spurs' was sung very lightly. When they scored, I could only hear the Swiss in the away stand, leaving us staring blankly at the pitch – that silence could've lasted a lifetime. For 95% of my experience, all I could hear was the murmuring of fans. Let me share with you a few inspiring quotes:

'Gallas is shit, why doesn't he just retire?'

'Adebayor is fucking useless. AVB is a mug if he can't see that.'

'That Icelandic, what's his name, useless (said just before he scored the equaliser).'

'Why are we even the Europa League? Pointless competition.'

'I pay (x-amount of money) a year for this.'

As a young fan going to the Lane, this is about as depressing as it gets. What's worse is, these people calls themselves fans. Supporters who don't support and just complain can't be supporters at all, just pricks. It was a nauseous atmosphere, toxic and contagious. This has been the attitude for the last few years now. Now it's time for change.

Why should people pay literally hundreds to watch Spurs, turn up and be greeted with such a negative atmosphere? How is it fair on the young fans going to the Lane for the first time? Do they not deserve the right to hear the roar of the Lane? Consider these questions when considering to join this movement.

Revive The Lane is a plethora of ideas new and old, but mostly it's about change. It's about converting the sickening silence and the leering judgement of the present into songs, chants, happiness, an expression of love for the game. It's about going to football matches and escaping the rottenness of reality. Past the turnstiles, our lives didn't matter any more: it was all about the beautiful game. It's about letting the glory and the shite unfold, not like a theatrical production, but like we're part of it as well, like we have a hand in the glory and in the shite. It's about realising that our support does influence the players. Think about Fulham and how little we did to get the players going! Revive The Lane is about putting the 'support' back in supporter.

But it's more than that. It's about thousands of us coming together and uniting for the common cause. Since the conception of the Premier League, fans have increasingly become a commodity, customers that come and go and are always replaceable. Clubs don't look to fans for guidance till they're deep in the mire (look at Portsmouth, look at the Plymouth). It's time for that to change. We must become a mass again. Lowering ticket prices, safe-standing and bringing back the drum can only happen if we unite, say 'YES' and say 'NO' to the club. Revive the Lane is about bringing us together.

I implore you all to join us. These ideas have been furiously discussed on The Fighting Cock Podcast (@LoveTheShirt), formulating in the 1882 movement who want to bring the escapism of going to football matches back to the Lane. I implore you to become involved in 1882 events (such as the Espanyol pre-season game at the Lane on the 10^th August). The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust (@THSTOfficial) are the only legitimate voice of fans inside the club, so it's vital that you become involved with them.

If you truly want change, make your voices heard in more than one way. Stand. Sing. Support. Your club needs you.

  

Chadli: Bitter-sweet for some

News about Nacer Chadli's transfer to Spurs coated my timeline today like a delicious chocolate fountain, and boy did we need it. With the addition of the Belgian winger and the continued strengthening of our squad, we can begin to boast the best midfield in the country. And yet, a taste of bitterness, just a hint, lingers on the tongues of some Spurs fans.

Chadli versus the old defence. 

A bit about the player. Chadli was primarily a winger for Dutch club FC Twente. Quick and skillful, the Belgian can play either side of the field, but mostly on the left. For his national team, Chadli has gained 14 caps alongside a very star-studded team, and has played a lot of time in the centre of the midfield for them. He has become Twente's most important player, however, he had his sights set elsewhere, running down his contract in search for a transfer this summer.

One of the things that Spurs were lacking last year was options on the wing past the diminutive Aaron Lennon. Without him, Spurs always look weaker, out of sorts, like a portrait leaning slightly on on
e side. We tried to sort out this wonky portrait with various midfielders, unfamiliar with the position, but the structure was never the same without our No.7. I hope, with Chadli and Townsend in the ranks, that this long term problem will cease to exist.

So what was the reactions of the Spurs fans? Delight at signing a very exciting, young, skillful midfielder who comes right under the Spurs ethos? Satisfaction at the strengthening of our squad? At the very least, delight to see money being spent earlier this summer? Mostly this, but like I said, with a hint of bitterness - bitterness at the fact Spurs have yet to sign a striker.

This one's for the ladies.

I understand the concern. After all, the lack of a typical No.9 cost us many times last season when we needed a goal. Chances and crosses were frequent, the corner count ridiculously high, but with no one to finish it off. The meal was prepared, cooked, plated up, but there was nobody to deliver it. What a waste of good food.

However, to call this signing unnecessary, or a distraction, or wasteful when we should be pursuing a striker, is ridiculous. This was a key issue that had to be addressed, and for £6-7million, the issue may have been solved without putting a dent in our budget. Some people though... If we didn't sign anyone other than a striker for £25million, they would be happy. If we signed Iniesta, Schweinsteiger and Robben, but not a striker, they'd start burning pictures of AVB. Punters eh? As much a part of football as the game itself.

The Belgian Brigade that has swiftly invaded the Premier League has a new recruit. As for Tottenham, I must say that the added ingredient of Belgian chocolate has really made our team much more tasty. Leave out the bitterness guys, I prefer milk chocolate to dark.

Can Roberto Martinez elevate Everton into the Top 4?

After being appointed Everton manager yesterday, Roberto Martinez promised the chairman Bill Kenwright 'I'll get you in the Champions League', an ambitious target from a young and intelligent manager. Is it possible, though, for the Toffees to break the Top 4? Is it possible for the Merseyside club not only to compete with Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal but to better them throughout the whole season?

Great manager, great appointment.

Roberto Martinez is a young manager, one of the new generation of coaches who favours the modern game, known by its proper title, the beautiful game. He teaches a passing game with slow build-up and complex formations. Martinez truly made Wigan Athletic his own his own, using what little funds he had to make a s
tylish side that went on to win the FA Cup. During his tenure at Swansea, he was the first to introduce the beautiful game there, laying the foundations for Brendan Rodgers to build and make the Swans into a successful Premier League team. So at Everton, should he bring in the right players, he can transform their traditional style of football into something attributing to the beautiful game.

However, style of play does not always guarantee success. Every method has flaws. Wigan fielded a weak defence, week-in, week-out, leading to them getting hammered against many teams every season. Defensive problems plagued the Latics for years, and with all his intelligence, Martinez never found the right solution to these problems. Wigan are not a team capable of gathering a squad of players that are fit for purpose. Everton, though, are half-way there.

This season, Everton have competed for the Top 4. They caused problems for all of the top teams, beating United, City and Spurs, siting at 5th and 6th place for most of the season. For the first time, they not only finished the season well, they also started the season well, only losing twice in their first 19 games. They also finished above their Merseyside rivals Liverpool for the second consecutive season for the first time since 1937. There is no doubt that Roberto Martinez is inheriting the healthiest Everton side in years.

Moyes and Martinez, passing on the baton.

When thinking of the best players at Everton, Leighton Baines, Marouane Fellaini, Steven Pienaar, Kevin Mirallas and Sylvain Distin come to mind. I rate them alongside some of the best in the league. However, the rest of their squad are not on that level. Like Wigan, Everton are not blessed with a talented squad, something a Top 4 team demands. Martinez must build a squad, not just a team, that can compete throughout a whole season. With 4th place Arsenal finishing on 73 points, it has never taken so much consistency and so many wins to get into the Champions League.

The one thing above all that I believe is needed to make the Champions League is investment, and a small mixture of good management, style and talent can come with that one factor. It is well publicised that Everton are not a wealthy club, and David Moyes' success there was somewhat of a miracle considering that. With Financial Fair Play being introduced next season and the further inflation of our league, poor Everton will find it near impossible to compete with the six other teams for the Top 4.

I don't doubt for one second that Everton will be a strong team next season. Given time, Martinez's style of football will make them feared alongside some of the very best in England. Despite that, it will require some more magic to come out of the hat of Roberto Martinez and Everton F.C to make that coveted Top 4.

Mourinho: Never go back

Jose Mourinho is the most successful manager in Chelsea's history, winning multiple trophies including two league titles. He is one of the most revered managers in current times. He is two time Champions League winner. He is an undeniable character. And yet, I do not believe Jose's second tenure at Chelsea will last long.

He is, most certainly, The Special One.

In the last 10 years, Chelsea has transformed from a top table London club into a European heavyweight, a superpower in the modern game. 10 years ago, the club was bought by Russian oil baron billionaire Roman Abramovich. As we have seen in this century, injecting money into a club is a surefire way to success. Chelsea Football Club will always be the perfect example of this. Their fans have their oil baron owner to thank for that.

But they do not worship the billionaire, oh no. They wouldn't dare, nor would any reasonable fan. They worship the little Portuguese man self-proclaimed as 'The Special One'. In their eyes, he is the man that created the team that brought to that superpower status. He represents success, silverware, pure and utter glory, and arguably genius.

For a legendary figure the Chelsea fans have described him as, he was sacked by the football club in 2007 after only three years in charge. The itchy trigger finger of Roman Abramovich fired the first bullet on The Special One, one bullet of a fully-loaded magazine. Since his sacking, Abramovich has shot down many managers, all hoping to build at Chelsea but only given time for a quick fix: Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink, Carlo Ancelotti, Andre Villas-Boas, Roberto Di Matteo and, most recently, Rafa Benitez. 7 managers in 6 years...

Stalin, the Chelsea fan

Roman Abramovich is an impossible man to please, a tyrant to say the least. He demands success from the word 'go'. Like Joseph Stalin of Soviet Russia, Abramovich operates by the basis that no man is immune to being removed, and the best way to fix a problem is to remove the man. No man, no problem. Jose Mourinho is a manager that will demand large control of his club. At Real Madrid, he demanded control of his transfers, but as we have seen with the Gareth Bale situation, the man in control of the transfers is the President Florentino Perez. This element combined with the Russian owner does not bode well for Mourinho's second tenure at Chelsea.

To me, this appointment is one not just to bring success, but to appease some of the discontented Blues fans. Aren't they all ecstatic about their God coming back? And it may turn out fine. Abramovich will provide huge amounts of money to make a title-winning squad. If Jose buys well, his first few seasons may be successful. But football is ever changing, and success, at any level, is never permanent. This is something the Vozhd will never understand, and as long as he controls Chelsea FC, no manager, not even The Special One, is safe.

They say you should never come back to your old club. But to me, that's more of a teaching of sustaining legacy and reputation. Whilst Mourinho's reputation will never be tarnished, the least can be said for his tenure. As much as I love the character of The Special One, I fear his second tenure at Chelsea will be much more short-lived than his first.

The Great Chelsea Purge, and it's not over yet.

Reviewing our season: The Manager

Andre Villas-Boas came to Tottenham Hotspur as a disgraced manager, his reputation damaged by his 8-month tenure at Chelsea. When he was sacked after Chelsea's 1-0 loss to West Brom in March, I laughed at the club and the chairman for living up to their monstrous reputation and, I won't lie, I laughed at Villas-Boas as well. Too bold I thought. Too idealistic, could never be respected by English football.

AVB on his first day as our manager. 

So my reaction when he came to Tottenham? Confusion. Distress. I questioned why Levy removed the first manager
to put us into the Top 4 and replaced him with what I thought was a joke of a manager. I thought to myself right there 'we're losing key players, we don't have the funds, other teams will capitalize: sixth at best'.

11 months later, I feel ashamed of myself for what I thought in July.

We did not start well (but when do we ever?). Three last minute collapses against teams we would usually pick up points against. Analysis showed slow play, long balls, poor final balls. Compare this to last year's football and the future looked bleak for Spurs. I was swiftly proven wrong.  Four weeks later, we beat Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time in 23 years. From then on, I believed in AVB.

What a day. 

Throughout the course of the year, we have seen AVB utilize the players at his disposal and turn them into a solid team, a team with a backbone. He made Mousa Dembele, an attacking midfielder, into a defensive midfielder who could abuse the opposing midfield. Wilshere, I believe, is still firmly lodged in his back pocket. Partnered up with Sandro, the beast, labelled by AVB as 'the best interceptor of the ball in th
e Premier League', you had a feared midfield pairing.

He chopped and changed the centre backs: Gallas-Kaboul; Gallas-Vertonghen; Vertonghen-Caulker; Caulker-Gallas. It turned out that Vertonghen-Dawson was the right partnership. Maybe it took him three-quarters of a season to work that out, but it was no easy feat, considering last years pair of King-Kaboul was no longer an option. Vertonghen was the best centre of the season and the skipper is on the verge of being England's centre back.

Bale started on the left, with the option of switching to the right if things looked stagnant. But throughout the season, AVB has gave him more of a role in the team. At the start of the year, he was not the player we boast as 'world class'. AVB understands Bale, his strengths, his limitations, his ambitions, his limitations. He could not be just chucked in the middle and told to have some fun, take some shots, or else last year he would've scored just as much. Under AVB, he is a goal-scoring machine, the best player in the league. He will do even more next season.

When it came to strikers, it looked like Defoe upfront could do the job. With 14 goals in the first half of the season I think, he looked liked the striker we had always wanted. He has scored just one goal in all of 2013. Inconsistency is Defoe's limitation. Adebayor has scored 8 goals all season, despite starting many of our games. He and Scott Parker are two players who have not benefitted from AVB. Yet in the final stretch of the season, we have seen the excellent player Adebayor can be. The funds were never there to go out and buy the striker AVB wanted. It was either buy a Louis Saha for half a season or wait till the summer. He made the right choice, although if it were me, I would have been tempted to resign Gregor Raziak.

Everything about this moment was glorious. No league
 position can take that from us.

Some of AVB's team selections this year have been brilliant, pure and utter class management. Bringing on Holtby, Huddlestone and Defoe against Manchester City changed the match on its head. It broke apart the best defense in the league. Sigurdsson's selections in the second half of the season won us vital points, especially against Arsenal, where he looked for large parts the most comfortable player on the pitch. He understands every player in the squad, their strengths, their limitations. Let's just say some have more than others...

In other seasons, 72 points would've been more than enough to get Top 4 and we'd be labeling AVB's first season as the best of the lot. We have lost only 3 games in 2013, 2 in the league. Compare that with last year's collapse, and we know just how solid we have been this season. However, AVB could do nothing to prevent our opponents' form. Arsenal didn't lose a single game since losing to us on March 2nd and picked up 39 points out of a possible 48 since January 23rd. Chelsea's overload of games never led to the collapse we predicted many times. I guess £90million buys you that at the very least.

You have some football fans out there that have said us losing a 7 point gap over Arsenal in the last 10 games warrants AVB's first season being labeled a failure. Believe me when I say it does not. He has exceeded what has been expected of him from after his appointment. Some pundits predicted us to finish below Newcastle and QPR this year! AVB took a broken squad, struck with long term injuries, retirements and big-money departures, and turned it into one of the most feared in the league. We competed for the Top 4 from the first day to the final day. 72 points is the most we have accumulated in the Premier League. And yet somehow, we expect more. It can get better.

Andre Villas-Boas did not want to come to Spurs to restore his reputation. It's just a happy coincidence then that it has turned out that way. I believe he can take us further as a club than we have ever gone before. I believe in AVB.

AVB's Blue and White Army

Jonny Walczak's guide to Dubliners

The Sisters - Has pretty much nothing to do with sisters. Little kid gets molested by a priest. Priest dies, but the kid still can't get over being molested by a dirty old bugger.

An Encounter - Two kids play hooky and come across another dirty old bloke (literally?) on the street. He rambles about a load of shit. Has a wank in a field. The kids have the intelligence to dash off. 

Araby - Teenage boy has a boner over Mangan's Sister, but has no idea why. He goes to the market to find her. She's not there. 

Eveline - Eveline meets this really stand-up bloke called Frank, really top bloke, promises her a life away from shitty Dublin in the nice and sunny Buenos Aires. What a guy, right? Nope, Eveline would rather stay and take care of her family for the rest of her fucking life. Dumb bitch.

After the Race - Rich bloke hangs around rich blokes, races around in some really nice cars. Has great education. Plays poker. What an easy and happy life? Nope, he's unhappy too. Ungrateful little shit.

Two Gallants - Two guys called Corley and Lenehan goes out and shags a bunch of women, steals money from them and resigns them to a life of poverty and prostitution. Should be called the Two GalLADs. (Shit joke).

The Boarding House - Mrs Mooney is a bitch. Polly is a bitch. Mr Doran gets fucked over (literally, again). 

A Little Cloud - Little Chandler is a bitch. That's right, a bitch. He bitches about Gallaher, even though he's done well for himself. He bitches about his wife, even though he lets her abuse him every night (not literally). And he makes no attempt to change his life for the better. Reads poetry.

Counterparts - Gotta feel for Farrington. I mean, he beats his kid for cooking him dinner, but he really has a shit life. Full marks if you mention 'cycle of abuse' in your essay.

Clay - Don't get me started on this bitch. Buys cake. Loses it. Crys about it. Expects death. What a pointless existence. 

A Painful Case - Poor woman has a shit marriage and flings herself in front of a train. Morale of the story? Joyce hates marriage.

Ivy Day at the Comittee Room - If this comes up in the exam, you're gonna fail. Shittest story in the whole fucking book. 

A Mother - Really caring and considerate Mum dominates her husband but tries to dominate some musicians and fails. Why? She's a woman.

Grace - Drinking's bad, m'kay. 

The Dead - Gabriel, a socially-awkward rich guy, can't take banter and rambles on about shit even though nobody listens to him, but really wants give his wife a good seeing too at the end, only to get completely rejected. 

Michael Furey dies because he had a boner over Gabriel's wife, Gretta. 

Freddy Malins is funny as fuck but he's completely out of it. 

Thank God Joyce never made the sequel, Dubliners 2: Dubliners-ier. 

Here's a fun lot.