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.