StubHub: Empowering the rich, extorting the common man

News about the arrival of a company called StubHub at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club would normally have gone straight under the radar, considering nobody had heard of them or would care that we had become associated with yet another company. Far f
rom it, the news of StubHub's arrival at the Lane has been heard across many of the regular match-goers. The reaction has not been positive.

I have been fully informed about what exactly StubHub does, its purposes and its consequences. StubHub are an eBay-esk ticket market, where season ticket holders can put up their tickets on open bid or on a set price and sell it to anyone (Spurs fans, neutrals, away fans etc). Selling your ticket requires no contact with the new recipient, apart from the exchange of money.

So what can we interpret from this?

Many people use eBay as a legitimate way of selling goods for profit. My mate used to do it and he earned a veritable mint out of the auction and buy-it-now system. I even considered doing it myself, but really didn't have the cash to get it up and running. StubHub, therefore, could be used in a similar sense to make money out of fellow fans. Say I had a season ticket, what does it cost, £1000? I could sell each of my £50 worth tickets for £60 or £70, maybe £100 for derbies, and across a season I could make a substantial profit. And it could all be done legitimately and according to the rules. I could leech off my fellow Spurs fans and not a single consideration would be given by StubHub. How does that make you feel?

What else?

So, say I put a £50 ticket on open auction. The ticket, like I said, would go to the highest bidder, the person with the most money to spend. If people weren't already being priced out of matches due to the extortion of current ticket prices, StubHub would enable more people to feel redundant and left to watch the match on a stream at home, alone. As a result, the Lane would be filled with more of a higher class of person, a person with a comfortable wealth.

Football is the common man's game, well, at least it is still that in our minds. We all as kids kicked around a deflated white ball in the playground, thinking we could all be the next Ronaldo (fat Ronaldo, always fat Ronaldo). We grow up, rid our selves of those dreams, and instead, put our faith that the pros playing the game could satisfy our childhood dreams in a way we could never do ourselves.

The wealthy man, the privileged man, has had his dreams met and is comfortable. Football fans should not be privileged like that. We are the discontented masses, perhaps unhappy by the cards we have dealt, but happy to spend all our emotions in a football ground and on the shirt we love. StubHub would empower the privileged, not the common man.

StubHub should not be allowed at football. Ticket touting is condemned by us football fans and should not be tolerated in any form. This is simply legitimized ticket touting. The owners have allowed StubHub to enter the club because they have been financially rewarded by them, only that.

Daniel Levy said on the final day of the 2012/13 season in an open letter to the fans that 'you [the supporters] are what this club is all about'. Bound by these words, he must listen to our protests, against this money-making company, existing only to empower the wealthy and extort the common man, and he must meet our demands.

Let us all remember, football without fans is nothing.

Duel of the fates

I don't believe in fate. I've said so before on this blog. So the deadlock between Spurs and Arsenal right now at the end of the league is just a stressful coincidence, however entertaining it may be for the neutral. Somebody who would believe in fate would argue it was always meant to be like this: North London rivals deadlocked till the final match, for their seasons' ultimate goal.

Oh the temptations of the Champions League! How much we would all curse and shed tears and sweat for the prospect of hearing that music (Adebayor's favourite music, I hear).

When we were on the peak of our form, it looked like we could 4th, 3rd, even 2nd. It wasn't foolish not to factor in the (many would argue inevitable) drop in form. Our rivals were always gonna step up their game at the back end of the season. Chelsea, benefited with a large, talented squad, could not only cope with the extra games but also managed to go on a impeccable run of form. Arsenal have also gone on a run of form after being knocked out from all competitions, the quality of one of the league's most experienced managers proving vital now. Can't hear the #WengerOut's anymore?

I'm talking like it's the end of the season. It's not. Not yet. But if you're pondering the big question 'How have we come to relying on Wigan and Norwich to beat Arsenal?' well I'm only trying to offer some clarity. And the pressure of the last few months is a factor we have yet to conquer at Spurs. If we had a few injured players at our disposal, things would be different, but then again, the possibilities are endless if we discuss the conditions.

Let me be brief. Come Sunday, I will smile at what we've accomplished this season. If this is a sign of things to come, I will be eager to go through all this shit again next season. May rupture a few blood vessels though.

TOTTENHAM TILL I DIE.

Keep the Faith

Last night, we drew against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Good result, eh? You know, considering what they're fighting for the same thing as us. Objective 1: Get into the Champions League. Objective 2: Stay there. But you know as well as I do that the draw was not good enough, that the draw leaves us one point behind Arsenal with two games to go, a difficult position to where we could've been given a victory.

Nothing in it

I can't say much about the match. Adebayor had a fucking amazing match by his standards, definitely the best he's played all season. The big Togolese striker still has only scored seven goals all season, but it's good he's finally putting in some performances at this time in the season. His goal made me laugh, so cheekily done. Great shot of the ball going straight at the camera behind the goal, perfectly placed up and over Megaman Cech. His backheel-flick into Gylfi 'The Iceman Cometh' Sigurdsson was godly (an adjective I really didn't think I'd describe Ade with this season). We showed solidity when we conceded, something I'd label AVB's Tottenham with this season: the willingness never to give up, right till the final minute.

I thought about the different circumstances Spurs could find themselves in at the end of the season. Here are a few of them.

1. Arsenal win all their remaining games and Chelsea get points from theirs, leaving Tottenham 5th and without Champions League this season, another Europa League campaign ahead of them. Disappointment.
2. Arsenal drop points in one of their games, whilst Tottenham win both and make Champions League, finishing above Arsenal, leaving them with a Europa League campaign. Elation.
3. Arsenal drop points, but Tottenham fail to capitalize on their chance to get one over L'Arse. Grief. 

The last circumstance is the one I fear the most. I don't want our season to end as it did last year with us listing all the "What if"s we can think of. I don't want us to feel like our dream was right in front of us, only to slip away at the last moment. We would grieve and slump into a corner as fans, resigned to another year of hurt. 

Think of Circumstance 2 though. It's still on the table. Perhaps it's not up to us to claim it, but it's there, tempting us in with our unheard prayers. What emotion could come from finishing above the nomads? What emotion could come from snatching it from them in the final games of the season? I called it 'elation' but I have no idea what it would feel like, what it would taste like. 

I will say this though. Come the end of the season, when the inevitable post-mortem is carried out, I ask you to consider as a whole what this season was, what we expected in the early parts, the quality we were competing with, the quality we have had compared to others, and the luck we have had to even still be in it in May. 

I cannot wholly define our season yet, sadly, but I still feel an air of positivity will come from whatever circumstance we have dealt to us. And as ever, keep the faith; it's never over till the final whistle is blown.

My Top 5 BPL Signings of the Season

Before I go through my top 5, I'm basing it on a combination of price and influence, not the club or level they play at or past reputation.

5 - Steven Pienaar

To many, this will be a surprising one, but I can quite easily justify this. After signing for Spurs for around £3million from Everton in January 2011, he spent the next year and a half on the bench, suffering under the un-rotational, un-pragmatic managing style of Harry Redknapp, making only 10 league appearances. He went back to Everton on loan last January and completely excelled. He later resigned for the Toffees in January and played like he was back at home. 

This season, Pienaar has been instrumental to Everton's successful season, playing 38 times and scoring 7 goals with 8 assists. But his influence, Everton fans tell me, goes beyond more than stats. The attacking creativity comes from Pienaar, combining with Baines and Fellaini in the buildup and often playing off the striker in the final third. 

He has wowed me this year, mainly because he never showed that flair in a Spurs shirt (of course, like so many under Redknapp, he was never given the opportunity). So for £4.5million, I'd say resigning Pienaar was a sensible decision by David Moyes. At the age of 31 though, Pienaar's influence may begin to decline. 

4 - Philippe Coutinho

As part of the Inter Milan cleanout, which saw Wesley Sneijder, Maicon and Sulley Muntari leave for cut-price deals, young prospect Philippe Coutinho was shown the door as well. Wanted by teams across Europe, he eventually signed for Liverpool for a relatively low fee of £8.5million in January. 

I was very curious about this transfer, Inter being a big team and the hype that surrounded this player, and I had a feeling he'd have a good impact. He's turned out to be a really tricky player, quick with the pass, energetic, useful in the final third and a talented supplier. He's not restricted to his positions, having the ability to play on the wings or in the middle of the park. His size does not influence his play, very common in technical midfielders nowadays (thoughts turn to Modric, Ozil, Gotze, Iniesta). 

He looks the exact type of player Brendan Rodgers would cherish, a manager who's strict passing-possessional play is very well known in the Premier League. For his age (twenty years old, TWENTY) and ability, Coutinho definitely has the potential to be a brilliant player.

3 - Christian Benteke

Benteke apparently went on strike to get his transfer to join Aston Villa this season for £7million, and I'm sure he's glad he forced that move through. He has had a fantastic debut season for the midlands club.

After replacing the on-and-off England striker Darren Bent at the start of the season, Benteke has proven himself to be one of the Premier League's hottest prospects. He looks like a model Number 9 in today's lone striker formations. Tall. Strong. Good with his feet. Great positioning. With attributes like that, there is no limit to what he can accomplish. Well... as long as he keeps getting the supply. 

Villa fans tell me Benteke's form is very much attributed to his combination with Andreas Weimann, who looks like a proper second striker every time I see him play. I feel these two will keep Villa in the Premier League, and, if they can keep both of them, can get them back into mid-table comfort. 

Benteke will move to a better club soon, but probably not this summer. Young players need time to mature in a team and in a league, to develop consistency. Potential buyers will need to consider this before thrusting their millions into Villa's pockets. 

I feel Benteke will become one of the best strikers in the world if he can continue to show the form he has produced for Villa this year. Belgium are certainly blessed with some fantastic players.

2 - Michu

Who the hell is this? was my first reaction to Michu's brace in his first Premier League game in August for Swansea. He didn't mess around with transitioning or easing into the league; he scored 7 goals in his first 9 games! Michu looked like the buy of the season at only £2million from Rayo Vallecano.

He fits perfectly into the Swansea style of play, and it wasn't just goals and assists. Michu understands that he must drop back and let others into the game, hold up the ball for Swansea's pacy attackers to press the attacking third, and keep the possession and flow of passing in tact.

Striker wise, Michu looks the part, especially in today's passing-possesional tippy tappy game, you know, how the game should be played. Not every passing team can have a Messi or Messi-like player, so the other option is to have a big guy up front. And Michu is that guy. Any team could benefit from Michu.

I'm fully aware that Michu's second half of the season has been average, but his early season form led Swansea to their first ever major competition win in the League Cup. He stunned us all; everything he did looked so simple. If he was discovered earlier in his career, I think he could've been a top class player. I hope Swansea keep a hold of him and allow him to prove into a really good footballer.

1 - Robin van Persie

Robin van Persie was easily the best player of last season. 30 league goals for Arsenal established him as one of the best strikers in the world. After giving Arsenal the middle finger, he became hot property in Europe, wanted by all the top teams from all the top leagues. Eventually though, he signed for Man United for £25million.

I worried that they overpaid for van Persie, known for being extremely injury prone, and combine that with his age, you're looking at a potential disappointment.

I could not have been more wrong.

Like Michu, RVP did not mess around, scoring for United like he's been there for years. He looked every bit of the player he did for Arsenal. Ferguson didn't build around RVP, but Ex-Gooner still dominated the team and stole every headline. When you have a player as good as that in your team, it's hard not to become dependent on his goals.

You must be wondering though: how can a £25million transfer be a signing of the season? Surely you expect a player of that worth to play well? Well normally I'd agree with you. Everyone knew who United were signing, and that was the best striker in the league. But the implications of the signing is more than just goals.

Signing Robin van Persie won them the league.

The two Manchester clubs finished on the same points last season over 38 games, separated only by goal difference and an Aguero goal. Both teams had to strengthen their squads in the summer if they were to win this season. Whilst City bought Javi Garcia and sold Balotelli, United bought van Persie and Shinji Kagawa. The modern game is dominated by money and transfers, with an obvious correlation between money spent and league positions (unless you're QPR). Fergie realised that and spent top dollar for the best player in the league.

The whole season hinged on this transfer, making it obvious to me why it should top of the list.

Honourable mentions

• Julio Cesar - For a free transfer, QPR bought one of the best keepers in Europe. He brought QPR many of their 25 points this season, but sadly, similar performances hasn't been produced by the rest of the QPR mercenaries. 
• Mohamed Diame - On a free transfer, West Ham looked like they signed a solid holding midfielder, skillful, quick, not afraid of a tackle. 
• Matija Nastasic - Nastasic has shown what a composed and intelligent centre-back he can be, and at only 20 years old, he will go on to be a top defender. Swap deal with Stefan Savic. 
• Jan Vertonghen - Money well spent for Spurs. Vertonghen has proven to be a great signing for Villas-Boas. Has had a fantastic debut season for the Lilywhites.

Incredibale

I remember the first time I watched Bale play. It was a pre-season match some time ago in 2007 against a random team I'd never heard of. That was the year he signed the Spurs, still a teenager at 17. I didn't think much of him, apart from the fact he looked pretty quick in that position. After that, my attention towards Bale was scarce to say the least, certainly not like Giovani Dos Santos, a young player I would always be eager to see (never did happen for him, did it?)

Bale in 2009/10. The oddest No.3 there ever was.

About half way through the legendary 2009/10 season, BAE got injured and  was replaced by this young player I had heard so little of in the two years since his arrival. Bale became a player to watch, bombing up the left flank on a regular basis, making things happen, even scoring goals. From then on, a Tottenham team was incomplete without the name 'Bale' on it.

His Champions League exploits in 2010/11 made Bale a player to watch in England, including the unbelievable hat-trick at the San Siro and the reverse fixture at the Lane, memories that all Spurs fans cherish. He won PFA Player of the Year that season and signed a new contract with us, ensuring there would be more of these memories to come. And boy did they come.

Over the past two seasons, Bale has shown us how versatile he is, how much of a threat he can be in the middle, on the wings, on the counter attack or even on free kicks. There were times last season where the team didn't quite look right, probably due to some spontaneous tactics by former manager Harry Redknapp. He was still without doubt the star of our team, even with bad egg Luka Modric wanted by Real Madrid.

Nothing like mugging off the Champions of Europe.

This season under Villas-Boas, however, Bale has excelled, becoming the third highest goalscorer in the league and more than just a defensive nightmare. I can't understate how influential AVB has been to Bale's form this season. When he moved into the middle, he wasn't just told to free roam around the midfield like last season, but has been played in a specific role behind the striker. He is no longer leaving large gaps on that left wing, now replaced by technical and supplying midfielders.

There is no player in the world that gives me more excitement when I see them play than Bale. When he has the ball, an air of expectation and excitement rises in the hearts of every yid. The best of players, the most memorable, the most legendary, do not need to be studied, analysed or backed up by stats: you watch them and you know they're good. Only a handful of players have that kind of quality.

I want Bale to stay at Tottenham, not just to benefit the club, but to benefit the league. Why should a player feel the need to move abroad to fulfill his ambitions? Bale can become a Premier League legend, as well as a Tottenham one, if he sticks around. I have said many times that I want him to stay at Spurs so he can become a legend like Hoddle, Greaves, Villa, Ardiles, King...

Wherever his future may life, I am confident Gareth Bale will continue to show the footballing world what a young lad from Cardiff can do.

 

BRING ON THE ACID

I said yesterday how Spurs needed the confidence of LSD users to get passed City today. Whether or not AVB slipped a few blots of acid in their water-bottles at half time is debatable, but all I know for sure is that that confidence and ability were in abundance today.

What a win. I mean what - a - win. When that final whistle blew, I was in a state of shock. What the fuck did I just see? We beat one of the best teams in England IN APRIL. How anti-Spurs, I thought.

The first half was very naff, I'm not gonna lie. We started alright but the goal completely knocked the shit out of us; nobody could believe it. It was a really well worked goal, very little blame attached on the players, but it's still disappointing to concede so early on. Lesbian vampire killer and ex-gooner Samir Nasri should've got his second after some nifty passing. We didn't really pick up our passing after that apart from a few chances  here and there.

What was that? Come on Spurs. This is our season here.

60 minutes in and we really weren't going anywhere. I said that City have one of the best back fours in the Prem. I thought a draw would do, if I'm honest, but it wouldn't come naturally, maybe a fluke goal or a free kick.

Great moment in our season. Cherish it.

Then AVB brought on Holtby, Huddlestone and Defoe, and I was delightfully proven wrong.

The passing improved. We kept possession really well. Players made runs. Chances were coming. Bale gets the ball in the box in acres of space, crosses it with the outside of his foot straight into Deuce's path. He's a big game player, Dempsey, and definitely knows how to score.

Moments later, Holtby picks up the ball on the half way line, dribbles it a bit and puts in a gorgeous through ball into Defoe. Puts it on his right. Buries it. That's the Defoe I loved at the start of the season.

City's heads start to drop and somehow Big Tom 'bursts' into their half, takes his time and delivers a pass that splits up the City defense. Bale, of course, finishes his dinner. He may have the energy of a diabetic American, but there's very few better passers than him.

We've won this match and we've won it well.

Big shout out to the genius, the tactician, the pro that is Andre Villas Boas. He doesn't stop thinking, that bloke, and pondered his Plan B from the minute City scored. He's got sheer balls of steel, and the ability to change the game from his technical area. I'm so happy he's our manager.

Winning this game is vital to our season. Chelsea dropping points again gives us a lifeline that we were
desperate for. This result, I hope, gives the players the belief and the confidence to win our next 5 games, including Chelsea away, who must be a little more frightened at this Spurs team.

I wish I was there, living in that moment. One of the best matches of the season.

It's a celebration

Sex, Drugs and Tottenham Hotspur

We've had ten days to mull over many things about our season: collapse, disappointment, passion, success, failure, and all the implications they bring. I've been wondering and pondering this pretty much all season, even when we were seven points clear. 

Do you remember that? Do you remember how much joy and confidence we had? Players, good all season, became stars. Other players, normally absent, stepped up, and boy did they step up. And Bale, our talisman, was failing on all cylinders. We looked like we wouldn't lose another game all season. It was like sex in football boots.

Seven weeks later. Defeats at Fulham and Liverpool. Four points out of twelve. Out of Europe. Fans nationwide call this the 'Tottenham collapse' but I just call this an unfortunate turn of luck (if you believe such thing exists). It all levels itself out in the end, even for a club like ours where nothing ever happens the easy way. We've had strokes of luck this season; a couple of one-nillers here and there kept our form going. We seem deprived of such moments now, but like Dan Louw says after every Away Days, 'it's all swings and roundabouts'.

More on the game tomorrow. We have key players back, players we don't seem to function well without. Whether or not they'll be match fit is a different matter, but half fit or full fit, Bale and Lennon can rip teams apart, even Man City. 

Whatever happens, yids: stay away from Beachy Head

City, despite their somewhat disappointing season, have a strong team and are in a strong position. Their defensive four is one of the best in the league (Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy). World class midfielders in Silva and Yes Yes Conservative (not Milner though, never Milner). And Aguero, Tevez and Dzeko as their strikers are enough to make you where adult diapers either in excitement or fear.

This is the most important match of the season. Note: I will probably repeat this phrase frequently till the end of the season. But it is though. This match could completely change the momentum of our season. A win would give the squad a confidence boost like an LSD trip. Suddenly, they'll think they can fly off Beachy Head and get to White Castle. If we could beat City, we could beat anyone...

Don't end up like poor Chris Whelpdale with your ballsack split
in two

ON THE OTHER HAND, a loss would damage our squad like a scrotal tearing. Nothing will be in our hands for the rest of the season. 

It's never as simple as that, I know, but it sounds like the right plotline in this bipolar soap opera of a season. It's all down to the team though. They'll need hallucinogenics to get through this.