They Played for Spurs and Manchester United

Nine players have played for both Spurs and Manchester United with the most recent to move between the two clubs being Dimitar Berbatov who signed for United in the summer of 2008.  The most recent player to move from Old Trafford to Tottenham in a permanent deal was Teddy Sheringham when he resigned for Spurs in 2001.

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In recent times, it would appear as if Manchester United have viewed Totttenham as one of their feeder clubs as they have signed Teddy Sheringham, Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov to strengthen their trophy winning teams.  More recently, there has been speculation in the media of their interest in Luka Modric and with their ageing midfield, presumably, a further raid is something Spurs may have to ward off in the coming months.

The second player to play for both Spurs and United was a forward called Jimmy Brown (left).  He had spent two seasons with United and appeared to be a player of promise but after joining Brentford he failed to develop.  He spent two fairly unsuccessful years there before moving across London to join Spurs in 1936.  He made four League appearances without scoring and spent the rest of his time in the reserves before being released at the end of the season.  This raises an obvious question - in the light of his unimpressive time with Brentford, why did Spurs sign him? 

Jack Hall was a goalkeeper who had four seasons with United from 1932.  In season 1935-36, Hall impressed in the two games between the clubs, keeping a clean sheet on both occasions.  United were promoted but Spurs persuaded Hall to sign for them and he made his debut a few weeks ahead of James Brown.  He was almost an ever present in his first season but the next year, a loss of form saw him lose his place to Percy Hooper.  He was unavailable to Spurs during the War and when he returned in 1945 Spurs had Ted Ditchburn as a very promising goalkeeper and Hall was released.  In total he played 67 League and Cup games for Spurs.

Chris McGrath came into the Spurs team during Bill Nicholson's last full season, replacing Alan Gilzean.  From Belfast, he came through the Spurs youth team and made a good impression, especially in the European games as Spurs progressed to the UEFA Cup Final.  He made his debut in a 2 - 0 win over Arsenal in October, 1973 and played 22 League games that year with eight European appearances.  He scored 5 League goals and five goals in UEFA Cup, including one in the semi-final second leg game.  He made his international debut but after that initial successful run, it became more difficult for McGrath under the new manager, Terry Neill.  He joined United in 1976 for £35,000 having made only 47 League and Cup appearances for Spurs.  In five years at Old Trafford he made only 16 full League appearances.

Terry Gibson was another young player at Spurs who made a good start to his career but failed to develop.  He made his debut against Stoke City in December, 1979 while still an apprentice.  He was small in stature but an all action striker.  He made 26 League and Cup appearances, scoring 7 goals but being unable to get a regular place in the team, he joined Coventry City for £100,000 in 1983.  Three years later he joined United and spent eighteen months there but failed to make an impression. He joined Wimbledon where he had the most successful period of his career and was part of their FA Cup success in 1988.

Alan Brazil joined Spurs from Ipswich Town in March, 1983 for £450,000 after six successful years in East Anglia.  The Scottish international striker made 38 appearances for Spurs in all competitions and scored 13 goals.  He joined United in June, 1984 for £750,000 and spent eighteen months at Old Trafford.

Garth Crooks joined Spurs from Stoke in the summer of 1980 to form a goal scoring partnership with Steve Archibald which brought Cup success to Tottenham in the early 1980s.  He had a short loan spell with United in November, 1983.  He eventually joined West Bromwich Albion in July, 1985. He made over 180 League and Cup appearances for Spurs and scored 75 goals.

Teddy Sheringham joined Spurs from Nottingham Forest in 1992 and spent five years with the club before moving to United.  Glenn Hoddle brought him back  to Spurs in 2001 and he spent another two seasons at White Hart Lane.  He scored 98 League goals for Spurs in 236 appearances and his 27 Cup goals puts him combined total of goals, high on Tottenham's record goal scorers list.  in his time with United he scored vital goals as he helped them to League, Cup and European success.

Michael Carrick joined Spurs from West Ham in 2004 and became an integral part of Martin Jol's midfield.  After two seasons, and 64 League appearances, United made an offer for Carrick but Spurs didn't want to sell as he was important to the club's future development.   Eventually an offer of £14 million, rising to £18.6 million was accepted and he joined United in the summer of 2006.  He has made over 160 League appearances for United and added to his international appearances.

Dimitar Berbatov followed Carrick to United two seasons later in a similar but rather acrimonious circumstances.  Berbatov had joined Spurs in May, 2006 from Bayer Leverkusen and scored 27 League goals in 70 League appearances.  He helped them to their Carling Cup success in 2008, scoring the equaliser in the final from the penalty spot.  That summer United made an approach which was rejected but they persisted but after an official complaint by Spurs and as the end of the August transfer approached Berbatov appeared to be refusing to play for Spurs and on the last day of the month he joined United for over £30 million.  Spurs had accepted an offer from Manchester City but United highjacked the move in a chaotic day of transfer business.

Fraizer Campbell came to Spurs on a season's long loan as part of the Berbatov deal.  He made ten League appearances, scoring one, his first Premier League goal, after coming on as a substitute in the defeat at Fulham, the first loss after Redknapp became manager.  He helped Spurs reach the Carling Cup Final, scoring twice against Liverpool in the 4th Round, but was unable to play against United in that game.  He returned to United at the end of the season and joined Sunderland during that summer.
  
To ensure such transfers don't occur again, whereby United are strengthened to the detriment of Spurs, the progress that Spurs have made under Harry Redknapp must be maintained with Champions League football on a regular basis and trophies won as well.

Spurs Home record against United: Here

Spurs' Penalty Record - Hit or Miss

In the days of Jimmy Greaves Spurs never seemed to miss a penalty but in recent times Tottenham have struggled to find a consistent penalty taker since Robbie Keane had a fairly successful period up to 2005.  Since then various players have had the opportunity from the spot but their success rate has been rather 'hit and miss'.

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Jimmy Greaves

Most Spurs fans hide behind their hands when Spurs are awarded a penalty, convinced that they're going to miss.  This is Tottenham's penalty record since 2005 to see if it's really as bad as we all think and to see if the missed penalty has had an effect on the subsequent result of the match.

Note: Penalty scored is in bold/ in blue italics for a miss 
Score at time of penalty award is in brackets after the result with the home team's score first 
Penalty shoot-outs have been omitted: Tottenham's Penalty Shoot-out Record

2011 - 12
*Dec.  2011  PL v Stoke City (a)  Adebayor  Lost 1 - 2  
                                        (Score at time of penalty award 0 - 2)  Report
*Nov. 2011  EL  v PAOK Salonika (h)  Modric  Lost 1 - 2  (0 - 2)    Report
Nov. 2011  PL  v West Bromwich Albion (a)   Adebayor  Won 3 - 1  (0 - 1)  
                                                [Penalty saved but Adebayor scored from rebound]   Report
*Oct. 2011  PL  v Newcastle United (a)  Van der Vaart  Draw 2 - 2  (0 - 0)    Report
Aug. 2011  EL  v Hearts (h)  Kane  Draw 0 - 0  [Saved]   Report

2010 - 11
*May, 2011  PL  v Liverpool (a)  Modric  Won 2 - 0  (0 - 1)
Feb. 2011  PL  v Bolton Wanderers (h)  Van der Vaart  Won 2 - 1  (1 - 0) 
[Missed with re-take having scored with first attempt and from the first penalty awarded a minute earlier] 
*Feb. 2011  PL  v Bolton Wanderers (h)  Van der Vaart  Won 2 - 1  (0 - 0)
Nov. 2010  PL  v Liverpool (h)  Defoe  Won 2 - 1  (0 - 1)  (Missed)
Nov. 2010  CL  v Werder Bremen (h)  Bale  Won  3 - 0  (2 - 0)  [Saved] 
*Nov. 2010  PL  v Arsenal (a)  Van der Vaart  Won 3 - 2  (2 - 1)
Nov. 2010  PL  v Blackburn Rovers (h)  Pavlyuchenko  Won 4 - 2  (1 - 0)  [Missed]
*Sept. 2010  CL  v FC Twente (h) Pavlyuchenko  Won 4 - 1  (2 - 1)
*Sept. 2010  CL  v FC Twente (h) Pavlyuchenko  Won 4 - 1  (1 - 0) 
Sept. 2010  CL  v FC Twente (h) Van der Vaart  Won 4 - 1  (0 - 0)  [Saved] 
*Sept. 2010  PL  v Wolverhampton Wanderers (h)  Van der Vaart  Won 3 - 1  (0 - 1)
*Aug. 2010  CL  v Young Boys Berne (h)  Crouch  Won 4 - 0  (3 - 0)

2009 - 10
*Apr. 2010  PL  v Chelsea (h)  Defoe  Won 2 - 0  (0 - 0)
Feb. 2010  FAC  v Bolton Wanderers (a)  Huddlestone  Draw 1 - 1  (1 - 1)  [Saved]
Jan. 2010  FAC  v Leeds United (h) Defoe  Draw 2 - 2  (0 - 0)  [Saved]
*Jan. 2010 FAC  v Peterborough United (h)  Keane  Won 4 - 0  (3 - 0) (Last minute penalty)
Dec. 2009  PL  v Everton (a)  Defoe Draw 2 - 2  (2 - 2)  [Saved]  (Last minute penalty)
Oct. 2009  CC  v Everton (h)  Keane  Won 2 - 0  (1 - 0)  [Saved]
                                              [Penalty saved but Keane scored following a goalmouth scramble]
*Sept. 2009  PL  v Burnley (h)  Keane  Won 5 - 0  (0 - 0)                           

2008 - 09
*May, 2009  PL  v Manchester City (h)  Keane  Won 2 - 1  (1 - 1)  (86th minute penalty)
*Apr. 2009  PL  v Blackburn Rovers (a)  Keane  Lost 1 - 2  (0 - 0)
*Jan. 2009  FAC  v Wigan Athletic (h)  Pavlyuchenko  Won 3 - 1  (1 - 0)
*Dec. 2008  CC  v Watford (a)  Pavlyuchenko  Won 2 - 1  (1 - 0)

2007 - 08
*Feb. 2008  CC Final  v Chelsea (Wembley)  Berbatov  Won 2 - 1 (aet)  (0 - 1)   Report

*Feb. 2008  PL  v Derby County (a)  Berbatov  Won 3 - 0  (2 - 0)
*Jan. 2008  FAC  v Reading (h)  Berbatov  Draw 2 - 2  (1 - 1)
Dec. 2007  PL  v Reading (h)  Keane  Won 6 - 4  (4 - 4)  [Saved]
                                                                         [Penalty saved but Defoe scored from rebound]
Dec. 2007  PL  v Arsenal (a)  Keane  Lost 1 - 2  (1 - 1)  [Saved]
*Dec. 2007  UEFA Cup  v Anderlecht (a)  Berbatov  Draw 1 - 1  (0 - 1)
*Dec. 2007  PL  v Birmingham City (h)  Keane  Lost 2 - 3   (0 - 0)  (1st minute penalty)
Dec. 2007  PL  v West Ham United (a)  Defoe  Draw 1 - 1  (1 - 1)[Saved]  (Last minute penalty) 
*Oct. 2007  PL  v Blackburn Rovers (h)  Keane  Lost 1 - 2  (0 - 0)
*Oct. 2007  PL  v Aston Villa (h)  Keane  Draw 4 - 4  (2 - 4)

2006 - 07
May, 2007  PL  v Manchester City (h)  Defoe  Won 2 - 1  (2 - 1)  [Saved]
*Apr. 2007  PL  v Wigan Athletic (a)  Keane  Draw 3 - 3  (2 - 1)
*Apr. 2007  PL  v Reading (h)  Keane  Won 1 - 0  (0 - 0)
*Mar. 2007  FAC  v Chelsea (h)  Keane  Lost 1 - 2  (0 - 2)
*Mar. 2007 PL  v West Ham United (a)  Defoe  Won 4 - 3  (2 - 0)
*Nov. 2006  PL  v Blackburn Rovers (a)  Defoe  Draw 1 - 1  (1 - 0)
*Nov. 2006  PL  v Reading (a)  Keane  Lost 1 - 3  (0 - 0)
*Oct. 2006  PL  v Portsmouth (h)  Defoe  Won 2 - 1  (1 - 0)

2005 - 06
*Apr. 2006  PL  v Everton (a)  Keane  Won 1 - 0  (0 - 0)
*Mar. 2006  PL  v West Bromwich Albion (h)  Keane  Won 2 - 1  (1 - 1)  [89th minute penalty] 
*Dec. 2005  PL  v Birmingham City (h)  Keane  Won 2 - 0  (0 - 0)
*Dec. 2005  PL  v Portsmouth (h)  Mido  Won 3 - 1  (1 - 1)  [85th minute penalty]
Dec.  2005  Pl  v Sunderland (h) Keane  Won 3 - 2  (2 - 2)  [Saved]
Sept. 2005  PL  v Aston Villa (a)  Defoe  Draw 1 - 1  (1 - 0)  [Saved]

Statistics:
Over the past seven and a half seasons, Spurs have been awarded 52 penalties.  They have scored from 35 of them which is a success rate of 67.3%.

Over the past thirty months, however, that level of success has dropped to 54.2% with thirteen scored from 24 attempts.

Of the seventeen missed penalties, 14 have been saved by the goalkeeper with only three being off target.

During this period Spurs have been awarded more than one penalty in a game on two occasions:

Feb. 2011 v Bolton (h) PL (2) - 1 success

Sept. 2010 v FC Twente (h) (CL) (3) - 2 successes

Sometimes penalties seem to be awarded in batches -

• in November, 2010 Spurs were awarded penalties in four successive matches and only scored one, at the Emirates, but won all four games.
• in December, 2005 Spurs had three penalties in four games - scored two but again won all three games

The most vital penalty was probably scored by Dimitar Berbatov against Chelsea in the 2008 Carling Cup Final which levelled the score and took the game to extra time.

Late penalties (in last five minutes) to win the game: Spurs have had five chances to win a game through a late penalty - they have accepted the offer on three occasions.  Keane (twice) and Mido have been successful but Defoe has failed on two occasions in away games at Everton and West Ham United.

Three penalties have been missed but Spurs have managed to score from the rebound or in the ensuing scramble: Adebayor (at WBA), Keane (against Everton in Carling Cup) and Defoe saved Keane when he scored against Reading.

The longest successful strike rate from the penalty spot was from December, 2005 to April, 2007 when 11 successes were recorded - Mido (1), Defoe (3) and Keane (7).

Some of Jermaine Defoe's penalty misses occurred when he had come on as a substitute for Robbie Keane or Keane had already been taken off.

The longest unsuccessful run is two which has occurred on a number of occasions.

Dimitar Berbatov (4), Modric (2), Mido (1) and Peter Crouch (1) are the only players with a 100% record from the penalty spot.

Tom Huddlestone, Gareth Bale and Harry Kane failed to score in their only penalty attempt.

Roman Pavlyuchenko is the only player who has scored two penalties in one game.

[Thanks to Ossiebale on COYS who provided the details of the penalty misses and to SpursOdyssey match reports where I was able to check details and goal times.]

[As far as I am aware the information is accurate]

Spurs Home Record against Wigan

Tottenham's home Premier League record goes from one extreme to another - from the 9 - 1 victory in November, 2009 to last season's one goal defeat.  The clubs first met in season 2005 - 06 following Wigan's promotion and Spurs will be looking to complete the 'double' over Wigan for only the second time after their 2 - 1 success last September.

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Feb. 2006  PL  Draw 2 - 2  Mido, Defoe
The first game between the two sides had taken place the previous November with Spurs achieving a 2 - 1 victory with goals from Robbie Keane and Edgar Davids' first for the club.  The home game ended as a draw with Spurs having to come from behind on two occasions.  Wigan had gone ahead after ten minutes but midway through the first half Mido levelled when he touched in Paul Stalteri's low, hard cross.  Spurs had had the better of the first half chances but Wigan regained the lead after 67 minutes only for Jermain Defoe to bring Spurs level once again a minute later. 

Nov. 2006  PL  Won 3 - 1  Berbatov, Defoe, Lennon
Spurs had started brightly but it was Wigan who again took the lead after twenty five minutes and it was only two goals in a minute just before half-time which relieved the situation for Spurs.  Defoe equalised from a pass from Dimitar Barbatov and a minute later Berbatov took a long ball from Assou-Ekotto and cut inside to hit a great shot past the goalkeeper.  Aaron Lennon made victory secure with a goal in the final minute after good work by Berbatov.

Nov. 2007  PL  Won 4 - 0  Jenas (2), Lennon, Bent
Three first half goals set up Spurs for this comfortable victory.  Jermaine Jenas scored twice in the opening twenty five minutes and Lennon added a third nine minutes later.  Darren Bent scored the fourth with eighteen minutes remaining for only Spurs second Premier League win of the season.


Sept. 2008  PL  Draw 0 - 0 
This was only Spurs second point of the season in their fifth match and was to be the last gained by them under Juande Ramos, leaving the way open for the arrival of Harry Redknapp and his mantra for the season 'Two points from eight games'.  Spurs had won in the  UEFA Cup the previous Thursday but in a disappointing, lacklustre performance simply couldn't score and as the game progressed it was Wigan who looked the more likely to snatch the win.

Nov. 2009  PL  Won 9 - 1  Crouch, Defoe (5), Bentley, Kranjcar
Peter Crouch put Spurs ahead inside ten minutes but Wigan then had a couple of chances to level but there were no more goals before half-time.  Early in the second half Defoe scored twice in three minutes only for Wigan to pull one back three minutes later.  The goalscorer, Scharner, had clearly used his hand to control the ball but the goal stood and Spurs felt aggrieved and responded as Defoe completed his hat-trick a minute later.  Lennon added a fifth after 64 minutes and Defoe scored his fourth with just over ten minutes remaining.  Spurs then scored three in the final three minutes - Defoe scored his fifth, Bentley scored from a free-kick which struck the post and rebounded in off the despairing goalkeeper.  Niko Kranjcar completed the scoring in the final minute as Wigan had completely folded.


Aug. 2010  PL  Lost 0 - 1
Wigan's first victory at White Hart Lane brought Spurs down to earth following a midweek victory in the Champions League.  Spurs dominated the game and had all the early chances but as time wore on they simply ran out of ideas as Wigan defended in numbers, determined to avoid another humiliation following two heavy defeats in their opening two matches.  Late in the second half Wigan realised that the game was there to be won as a couple of attacks had Spurs defence in disarray and ten minutes from time they scored their first goal of the season to take all three points while Spurs supporters were left waiting to see their team's first home League goal of the season.

Jan. 2009  FAC  Won 3 - 1  Pavlyuchenko (2), Modric
Played on a Friday evening Roman Pavlyuchenko produced two goals and the kind of performance that persuaded Spurs to pay £14 million for him.  The first came from a penalty early in the second half.  Luka Modric scored the second with fourteen minutes remaining but Wigan pulled one back with two minutes left only for Pavlyuchenko to complete the scoring in the final minute.  This was Pavlyuchenko at his best but sadly it doesn't occur too often, although he does appear to like scoring against Wigan with another 'double' in February, 2010 at DW Stadium.

 * 31st January, 2012 PL Spurs 3 Wigan 1 Bale (2), Modric March Report *

Tottenham Continue to Talk Tough Over Modric

Luka Modric is NOT for Sale!

Luka Modric - Transfer Struggle

The Luka Modric saga has dragged on all summer since he made it known in a newspaper interview just before the end of the season that he might be open to a transfer for the advancement of his career by playing Champions League football.  It wasn't a direct, forceful comment about wanting to leave Tottenham but it had the desired effect among interested clubs.  From the outset Tottenham have made it clear that the player is NOT for sale but that has not put off either the player, his agent or interested clubs, particularly Chelsea. 
  
However, Tottenham have previous in this field so this has probably encouraged continuing interest in Modric.  Daniel Levy, the club Chairman, issued a very strong statement of his intent to keep Modric at the club but he has also done this before with Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov who eventually left the club and joined Manchester United when an acceptable offer was made.  Many thought he was employing the same tactic to increase the transfer fee and would then succomb when it became obvious that the player was becoming a distraction at the club.  However, this year knowing that Modric signed a six year contract with the club last summer he as rejected increasing offers from Chelsea and maintained his stance that he will not sell the player. 

So with the new season two weeks old there is an increasing impasse - Modric has not played in either of the club's competitive matches - he was either injured with a slight strain or in the words of Harry Redknapp, 'His head wasn't in it.'

Tottenham play Hearts in the Europa League but he is unlikely to play in that as they have a five goal lead and it would cup-tie him for other Europen competitions so they are looking to introduce him to the team for the vital game on Sunday against Manchester City.  Spurs can't afford another heavy defeat on top of their loss at Old Trafford so they are increasing the pressure on Modric by taking a tough stance on his availability for international duty with Croatia next week.

They are quite correctly taking the view that if Modric isn't fit enough to play against City then he certainly won't be able to play for his country in the European Championship qualifying games.

With Spurs increasing injury problems in midfield it is vital that they have every available player on the field.  It is only ten days ago that Redknapp when commenting on the injuries to Wilson Palacios, Sandro, Tom Huddlestone  and Jermaine Jenas - he was contemplating devising a system with only one midfield player as Luka Modric was the only one who was fit at the time.  Now that the season has started Modric has developed a convenient 'injury'.

Tottenham have taken a firm stance on this throughout and with a week to go to the close of the 'Transfer Window' they are hoping to sign a number of new players but they are also hoping to retain the services of their most skilful midfield player, Luka Modric.  Most fans will support the club in this matter, fearing that if the player goes the club will once again be regarded as a selling club or a 'feeder' club for the 'top 4' teams.  To sell the player at this late time would do a dis-service to Harry Redknapp because there would be no time to replace a quality player like Modric.  Such a move is unthinkable and Danile Levy would lose ace on this matter and any credibility that he had and his future comments  would never be taken seriously.

An interesting few days lie ahead to see who holds firm the Chairman or the player.

Sunderland Aim to Spoil Spurs' Party Again!!

Saturday’s game at White Hart Lane will be the 100th competitive meeting between Spurs and Sunderland with Tottenham holding a slight advantage in the overall record with 38 wins ahead of Sunderland’s thirty five.

Through that record, Sunderland have a history of spoiling Spurs’ hopes and ambitions.

Back in 1938, no I wasn’t there, Sunderland travelled to London for an FA Cup 6th Round tie. Sunderland were the 1st Division side and the FA Cup holders while Spurs had dropped down into the 2nd Division three years earlier and White Hart Lane recorded the highest ever attendance – 75,038 were packed into the ground as the players took to the pitch. Such a scenario, a record crowd, deserved a home win but Sunderland had other ideas, however their victory was not without controversy.

Today’s television commentators would have been in their element trying to assess if the Spurs’ forward had handled the ball before or after it crossed the line. It was into the second half of the exciting game when a cross shot from Colin Lyman was handled by Spurs’ Jack Gibbons as it crossed the line. Was it a goal? The referee awarded a goal but after consulting the linesman, he ruled against Spurs. Sunderland having escaped that scare won the game late on when one of their most famous players, Raich Carter, scored the only goal.

In September,1969 after a poor start to the season, Spurs manager, Bill Nicholson, gave a debut to a young home grown player for the visit of Sunderland. His name was Steve Perryman. Unfortunately, Sunderland rather spoiled his first game by again winning 1-0 through an own goal from Spurs’ Welsh international, Mike England. At least the early set-back to his career didn’t upset Perryman who went on to become Spurs’ captain and to be a vital member of the successful Spurs’ teams in the early 1970s and 1980s as well as make a record 854 appearances for Spurs in all competitions.

In 1961, 2nd Division, Sunderland almost achieved something that the top clubs of the day failed to do. They made Spurs fight all the way in the FA Cup 6th Round tie at Roker Park. Spurs had taken an early first half lead through Cliff Jones but after half-time Sunderland came roaring back, fully supported by their fans who created an incredibly atmosphere in the ground. Sunderland equalised through Willie McPheat and by the end Spurs were greatly relieved to escape Roker Park with a draw but they managed to win the replay in mid-week to continue on their way to the ‘Double’.

Spoiling Spurs’ ambitions – Sunderland don’t have to go back any further than last August, the opening day of the season and a deserved win with a last minute goal from substitute, Michael Chopra. Spurs went in to that game with such high hopes for the season but they fell flat in the face of a determined performance from Sunderland.

Sunderland will be hoping to do the same on Saturday and deflate Spurs’ tentative recovery under Juande Ramos. Roy Keane will demand total commitment and hope to add further misery to Spurs’ season.

Having remembered some of Sunderland’s finer moments against Spurs, I will just mention a Spurs’ legend. Jimmy Greaves loved playing against Sunderland – 10 goals in total, including four in a game in 1968. Perhaps, Berbatov could take over that role, if he’s in the mood.

Enjoy the game!!!!

Ramos - Tactical Genius or Lucky Manager?

Finding his team a goal down early in the second half, Juande Ramos took off central defender Ledley King and replaced him with striker Jermain Defoe. For the next ten minutes Reading spurned numerous opportunities to add to Spurs’ grief as the home side’s makeshift three man defence struggled to come to terms with their manager’s new tactical plan. Many a manager would have seen his team go under but Spurs somehow survived the Reading onslaught and equalised with Berbatov’s second goal of the game.

More inept defending from a corner, that was three goals conceded from set-pieces, and Spurs were behind again. Almost immediately Berbatov completed his hat-trick to keep Spurs alive in the game, a lovely goal from a corner when he got between two defenders and turned and passed the ball into the net.

More mayhem in the Spurs defence as Reading counterattacked to take the lead for the third time. Surely, Spurs couldn’t make another comeback. This time Steed Malbranque provided the goal to the delight and amazement of every Spurs supporter.

Was it going to be another 4 – 4 draw like the Villa game? No – Defoe scored from the rebound after Robbie Keane, previously so composed and assured with penalties, missed his second penalty in a week.

Up steps the manager to remove Keane and replace him with Teemu Tainio and resort to a back four defensive formation again. Berbatov scored his fourth to make victory secure and Spurs moved ahead of Reading in the league table.

The players showed admirable fighting qualities and endeavour to come back in a game that at one point looked lost as the defence struggled with any Reading attack and especially their set piece play from free-kicks and corners.

Ledley King looked bemused when taken off and many fans were equally confused. It makes sense to treat King carefully as he returns from injury but taking off the club’s best defender when a goal down looked foolhardy and the next twenty minutes of defensive frailties only added to that opinion. However, Spurs striking qualities and Dimitar Berbatov kept Spurs going to eventually achieve victory.

Ramos has shown in earlier games that he is willing to make substitutions in an effort to turn a game around and it worked to admirable effect against Reading. In previous games it also had the desired result where a nervy Kaboul was replaced with a more attack minded player in order to take the game to the opposition.

Are such moves the ideas of a tactical genius or is he a lucky manager?

Whatever your views, Juande Ramos is a brave manager – he has been prepared to make changes in an effort to win games rather than settle for a draw. Such dramatic changes won’t be successful every week so Ramos and Gus Poyet will be only too aware that their first priority must be to strengthen and steady the defence. The transfer window will give them the opportunity to add to that area and from a sound defensive base Ramos will hope that Spurs’ attacking options will continue to flourish.

'There's Only One Robbie Keane!'

Robbie Keane – Top Scorer in 2007

Six goals against Reading and the club’s leading scorer for the calendar year of 2007 doesn’t get on the score sheet, in fact, he misses a penalty at 4 – 4 but sees Jermain Defoe save his blushes as he heads in the rebound. He is then substituted as the team wins 6-4.

That sums up the enigma that is Robbie Keane. Love him or loathe him, as some Spurs fans do, you have to acknowledge that he has an instinct for goals and frequently goals of the spectacular variety.

Robbie Keane joined Tottenham in August, 2002 from Leeds United for £7 million as his former club slipped into financial ruin. Only turned 22 years of age, Keane had also played for Wolves, Coventry and Inter Milan. At the time there was newspaper talk that the signing was controversial due to a difference in view between the manager, Glenn Hoddle, and the Director of Football, David Pleat. Pleat was reported to be in favour of the signing while Hoddle was opposed to it, a view which could be supported as the manager left his new signing on the bench for the next game at Fulham which they lost from a winning position.

Keane made his debut in a 3-2 home win over West Ham United and scored his first goal for the club in an away win at Blackburn three weeks later. He has now scored 98 goals for Spurs in all competitions and his second goal against Fulham on Boxing Day was his 100th Premier League goal, making him the thirteenth player to achieve that milestone.

Keane has developed his game to become creator as well as goal scorer and has developed a great understanding with Dimitar Berbatov as shown by the cross that led to the Bulgarian scoring the first goal against Reading. He also won the penalty which led to Spurs going ahead. Until the past week Keane had been so reliable and shown such composure when taking penalties, able to focus on the task and exclude all distractions from the opposition. He had previously only missed one penalty for Spurs, saved by Spurs now reserve keeper, Ben Alnwick, when he was playing for Sunderland at White Hart Lane.

Keane has shown great commitment to Spurs and has been the leading scorer for a number of seasons and even when omitted from the team, he has battled back into contention. Able to play a variety of roles he has also combined well with other strike partners, Teddy Sheringham, Fredi Kanoute and Defoe.

For the early part of last season, manager Martin Jol rotated Keane and Defoe with Berbatov but eventually sided with Keane who could provide greater support to midfield as he often came to collect the ball before moving forward in attack. On occasions this was a fault in his play as when Spurs were under pressure Keane came further and further back leaving Berbatov isolated and Spurs brought more pressure on themselves.

Keane has many memorable goals – hat-tricks against Wolves and Everton, his juggling goal against Blackburn Rovers and the super strikes against Fulham in the Cup and in Europe. One other memorable moment was his dribbling and bamboozling of the Chelsea full back, leaving him on the ground, as he tricked his way up the line to eventually set up Aaron Lennon for the winner at White Hart Lane in November, 2006.

Martin Jol showed great faith in Keane, making him vice-captain, and he has accepted the responsibility as he did when appointed captain for the Ireland team. He is now their leading international goal scorer.

This past year, 2007, has seen Robbie Keane score 31 goals in all competitions, 19 of which were in the Premier League from 32 appearances, keeping him ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo (18 goals from 31 appearances) and other strikers including Benni McCarthy, Carlos Tevez, Yukubu, Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba.

Last year started slowly for Keane who didn’t start a game in January and his first League goals didn’t come until late February when he scored two against Bolton Wanderers but was then sent off before half-time for handling the ball on the line following a corner. In his final seven League games of the season he scored nine goals and after a slow start to this season he scored another ten, bringing his total to nineteen.

To date, fourteen players have scored one hundred or more goals for Spurs, Robbie Keane is about to join that elite group headed by Jimmy Greaves. Given his age and continued good form and avoiding injury, Keane could very quickly move well up that list.

Hopefully, Robbie Keane will continue to head Spurs’ goal scoring lists as the club move forward to claim some long awaited silverware.

‘All Hail King Berbatov!’

Dimitar Berbatov reminded Spurs’ fans of why they so loved him last season. In the enthralling encounter with Reading at White Hart Lane he scored four goals to ensure Spurs took the three points in a 6 – 4 victory that took them ahead of Reading and in to twelfth place in the Premier League table.

The match had started so well for Spurs with Berbatov’s first goal giving them a sixth minute lead as he scored from Keane’s well placed cross.

Spurs’ defensive frailties then came into play as Reading equalised following a free-kick after a quarter of an hour. Level at half-time, no-one realised the late Christmas cracker that was to be served up after the interval.

Further defensive woes saw Reading go ahead from a corner and have chances to increase their lead. Berbatov kept Spurs alive when he levelled the score with a powerful shot when a cross from the right fell to him, only for Reading to regain the lead from another corner. Berbatov responded again with his hat-trick scoring a lovely goal from a corner as he got between two defenders and carefully stroked the ball into the net.

Spurs fell behind again as Reading scored on the break. This time it was Steed Malbranque who rifled in a shot to bring the score to 4 – 4. So much excitement as every attack seemed to bring a goal.

Spurs weren’t satisfied and when awarded a penalty for a foul on Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe headed the rebound home after Keane missed his second penalty in a week.

To make the victory safe, Dimitar Berbatov powered past a Reading defender to smash home his fourth and Spurs’s sixth for a win that had seemed improbable less than thirty minutes earlier.

Berbatov the enigma showed all his goal scoring prowess and was a constant threat to the Reading defence. Over the past months as Spurs’ season has struggled along, many have criticised Berbatov for his seeming disinterest and lethargic approach, convinced that he was wanting away to Manchester United or some other big club. However, against Reading, he responded in the most positive of ways and reminded Spurs of why they need him to stay and be part of the team that Juande Ramos is building at Tottenham.

‘All Hail King Berbatov!’

For the Record:

Spurs last Premier League hat-trick:
Jermain Defoe – 18th December, 2004 v Southampton Won 5 - 1

Last Player to score 4 League goals:
Jurgen Klinsmann – 2nd May, 1998 v Wimbledon Won 6 - 2

Ramos Proves Jol’s Case

Ramos Proves Jol's Case

[first posted on Topspurs.com]

The final weeks of Martin Jol’s tenure as manager of Spurs brought much vitriolic criticism of him and the team as messageboard fanatics came alive as a consequence of the team’s failure to add to their August success over Derby County.

The fanatics’ unreasonable criticism, apart from calling for Jol’s dismissal, poured blame on Paul Robinson for every goal that was conceded and called him the worst Spurs’ goalkeeper ever, called as usual for the removal of another of Jol’s ‘favourites’, Robbie Keane to be replaced by Jermain Defoe, called Dimitar Berbatov moody and lazy and a hundred and one other names, never wanted to see Jemaine Jenas pull on the Spurs’ shirt again and so it went on. Also the ‘experts’ wanted to see the Adel Taarabt and Kevin Prince-Boateng selected and despite their lack of experience these young players were seen as the ‘saviours’ of the team.

Such over the top criticism was unnecessary and way off beam.

To regard Robinson as Spurs’ worst ever goalkeeper – you either haven’t supported the club very long or you have a very short memory when in the past we have had to endure such goalkeepers as Mark Kendall and Bobby Mimms. The calls for Cerny to replace him were based on adequate performances in pre-season friendlies and early Cup games. However, when he met with the high pressure games at Newcastle and against Getafe, he was less impressive and failed to suggest he was the answer to the ‘supposed’ goalkeeping crisis. Such was an indication as to why Jol persevered with Robinson who was low on confidence behind a defence lacking an experienced leader.

On his arrival Ramos tried out a few players and then for the game against Wigan, a must win match, he selected his strongest available team.

How disappointed the Jol critics must have been – he selected the exact same team that Martin Jol would have selected – the team that Jol regarded as his best formation for most of last season (Kaboul apart) – Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, Kaboul, Lee, Lennon, Jenas, Zokora, Malbranque, Berbatov and Keane.

Perhaps Martin Jol actually knew what he was doing and what his best team was. I’m sure Jol felt vindicated when he saw that team selection – ‘his’ team was going out to play Wigan at White Hart Lane.

Then, of course, Jenas received plaudits for his two goal performance – ‘Ramos has got him playing well’ was the general opinion. Jenas has always been capable of performances like that in games when Spurs have been given plenty of space and time to display their skills – remember his Cup performance against Southend last season, his goal against Derby in August and many others. When Jenas puts in performances like that on a regular basis and against Arsenal, Chelsea or United, then will be the time to praise Ramos and Poyet for the influence they have had on the player.

Berbatov finally managed to show some interest and produce a performance akin to last season. Perhaps Ramos got through to him or perhaps it was his agent who had a word in his ear about trying to impress possible suitors.

Why did Ramos persist with Robbie Keane instead of Defoe – perhaps he saw, as Jol had done, that the team needed him to be creator as well as scorer and put in the extra work supporting the midfield.

Having watched the 125th Anniversary match against Aston Villa again, the performance against Wigan was similar to that earlier game but Wigan were unable to punish the defensive mistakes that Spurs made while Villa took advantage of every one of them.

In time Ramos will have a great influence on the team to get them playing in his way but for the present while the players will be putting in that extra effort to impress the new manager, Martin Jol can take some satisfaction that it was ‘his’ team that beat Wigan at White Hart Lane to bring Spurs three vital points.

Review of Season 2006-07

Spurs’ Season Ends on an Upbeat Note!
(from Topspurs.com)

In August’s season preview, I raised the following questions:

Was last season the best it was going to get for Spurs?
Did Spurs overachieve last year?
Can they maintain their progress this time?
Will Carrick be missed?
Will Berbatov score regularly in the Premiership?

The answers have come during the course of the season and while at times early on as Spurs stuttered through some indifferent displays and results, it looked as if the response to the first two, would have to be in the positive now on the final day (with UEFA Cup football achieved for a second successive season) we can answer that Spurs have improved and didn’t overachieve last season.

Spurs have maintained their progress - in mid-season after losing at Sheffield United they threw off the shackles that had restricted them for much of the season and produced a level and style of football not seen at White Hart Lane for some considerable time. They played exciting football during an impressive period that brought Cup and League progress, lifting them to the heights attained last season, fifth, but with a refreshing, more open, attacking style of football.

Michael Carrick was missed and we all knew that would happen. Martin Jol had built the team around him and it took some time for the players to become accustomed to his absence. Zokora, Jenas and Tainio have now taken over the central midfield role and shown more authority as the season has progressed. Numerous injuries prevented a midfield partnership being formed with Tom Huddlestone having to play far more matches than would have been expected at this early stage of his career but he will have benefited the experience.

Dimitar Berbatov has not disappointed. He has grown in stature and reputation throughout the season. The early European games gave an indication of his ability and class and as he became accustomed to the Premiership so his worth increased. Naturally, rumours abound of ‘big’ clubs looking to take him from Spurs. Look at the league table to see why he and Keane and Defoe have been so important to Spurs’ position this year. The goals against column is similar to those of the relegated clubs but Spurs have managed to score thirty goals more than the clubs in the bottom three – that’s down to the combined contributions of the three strikers, reliable, consistent goal scorers. Those goals have lifted Spurs to fifth position and overcome the deficiencies in defence and without them Spurs would have experienced a totally different season. Every team needs goals and would give a king’s ransom to have strikers of the ability of those three. Berbatov can not go – Spurs took the money for Carrick and made Manchester United a better team – Berbatov must stay to make Spurs even better next year.

The season has seen Spurs again unable to keep a clean sheet – only six in the Premiership through the season, only one club with a worse record in the League, Accrington Stanley. The injury to Ledley King obviously was a factor but individually the players come with some considerable reputation – the England goalkeeper, an England prospect, a French international, a South Korean international and others but as a unit they continue to concede goals. Midfield inadequacies haven’t helped but even in recent months when the team has been more settled, defensively the team has been uncertain and prone to lapses. A break through into the top four will only come about if the defensive frailties are resolved.

Highlights of the season:
The UEFA Cup experience – eight successive wins and not just scraping past opponents but doing it in style.

The exciting, winning football which started with the win over Fulham in the FA Cup.

The array of ‘goal of the season’ strikes from Berbatov, Keane, Huddlestone – quite exquisite, and so many of them.

Disappointments:
The poor start to the season and meaningless displays at Anfield, the Emirates Stadium and Reading.

Losing out in the Cups after promising so much, especially having been in a good position in all of the games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Sevilla.

Goal of the Season:
Which of Berbatov’s goals could you select and some of Robbie Keane’s volleys? But I’ll select Paul Robinson’s goal for its novelty value and to set him alongside Pat Jennings, goal scores extraordinaire.

Most Haunting Memory:
The big screen at White Hart Lane, glowering down at us with the score:

Tottenham Hotspur 0
Sevilla 2

After seven minutes of Spurs’ biggest European game in years, we knew the European dream was over and the screen just emphasised the point and mocked all of us who has arrived with such optimism.

Best memory of the season:
Berbatov’s goal against Manchester City (I wrote this on Saturday evening) to secure a European tour for next season.

Jermaine Jenas’ goal against Arsenal – such joy around White Hart Lane!

Spurs have proved themselves this season – Martin Jol turned it around when it was looking dodgy so here’s to next season – full of optimism. Don’t disappoint us by selling Berbatov or some of our other top players – remember Mr Levy, you said it, “Tottenham Hotspur are not a selling club!” Make sure you prove it this summer.

COYS

Berbatov – A Player for a Season at Tottenham?

Dimitar Berbatov

[from www.Topspurs.com]

I do hope I’m proved wrong but my over-riding impression after watching Spurs snatch a draw against Arsenal at White Hart Lane with Jermaine Jenas’ late equaliser is that Dimitar Berbatov will not be there next year. He has brought a class to Spurs that has been missing for some considerable time, he has lifted the team as Jurgen Klinsmann did all those years ago but ultimately the short-comings of those around him will lead to his departure.

Throughout the game and over the past number of matches there has been evidence for all to see that Berbatov is a player who is so frustrated.

Frustrated at the lack of support through the team’s style of play where he so often, even at home, is the lone striker.

Frustrated at the inability of the other players to provide a pass that will create a meaningful chance for him to strike on goal.

Frustrated at other players not reading the game and moving into space to receive a forward pass.

Frustrated at the lack of support as he chases across the field trying to close defenders down and then discovers that there’s no-one backing him up.

Frustrated with his own play that he hasn’t been able to get away from the three defenders marking him. When a defender takes the ball from him he does a jump of frustration or looks to the sky in annoyance. Opposition players know that Spurs play so deep that they can isolate Berbatov and limit his contribution.

Frustrated at refereeing decisions which go against him.

I’m not suggesting that Berbatov is playing to get away or that he’s not giving his all throughout a game. He created the opportunity for the first goal when winning the corner and he celebrated both goals with the same enthusiasm as everyone else but it’s been a long season and the lack of success and the disappointments of the last few weeks are clearly getting to him.

A telling image from the final moments of the game - with Spurs again looking unlikely to get any reward for their efforts - was Robinson wanting to take a free kick on the edge of his penalty area and desperately trying to attract Berbatov’s attention. Berbatov was just walking slowly forward, head down not looking to see what was happening - it was if he felt he had done all that he could on the day and had nothing left to give.

Of course, Berbatov can’t just announce that he’s going as Klinsmann did in 1995 but if a top club makes it known that they’re interested and offers a big transfer fee what chance have Spurs of keeping him? If an offer comes where the player will have the opportunity to play at the highest level in the Champions League, with the opportunity to play alongside other top class players, with the chance to win silverware and with a big salary on offer – he can’t be blamed for looking enviously in their direction.

What can Tottenham offer against that? Possible UEFA Cup competition and there’s no guarantee that that will be achieved and then more of the same just like this year. It was Spurs’ inability to provide European football that gave Klinsmann the opportunity to move on and it could happen again with Berbatov. The next four games will have such a significant bearing on Tottenham’s and Berbatov’s future.

As I said at the start I do hope I’m wrong – Spurs need Berbatov next season, not money in the bank or to spend on lesser players. Remember we replaced Jurgen Klinsmann with Chris Armstrong and Teddy Sheringham was unimpressed. Berbatov would be equally difficult to replace. Spurs’ future depends on keeping their best players and adding to the quality in order to make improvements year on year. It will be another long summer in the transfer market.

Spurs in History - 19th October

19th October, 2006

Besiktas (Turkey) 0 Spurs 2 (UEFA Cup - Group Stages)

Scorers: Ghaly, Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov

Spurs produced their best performance of the season in what had been regarded as a tricky UEFA Cup group game in Turkey.  A goal in each half saw Spurs win comfortably and in the latter stages if they had taken their chances, the win could have been even more convincing.  Spurs settled quickly and went ahead after 31 minutes when Hossam Ghaly was put through by Berbatov with only the goalkeeper to beat.  He delayed his shot and the goalkeeper blocked it but the ball rebounded onto Ghaly and into the net.  It was his first goal for Spurs and gave them a deserved half-time lead.

At the start of the second half the home team increased the pressure but with Michael Dawson and Ledley King comfortable in central defence and the midfield players working tirelessly, Spurs maintained control and after 63 minutes Dimitar Berbatov showed why Spurs paid the £11 million transfer fee for him.  Put through from a pass by Robbie Keane, he took on the defender and went round the goalkeeper and with defenders covering coolly scored Spurs second to secure victory.

A more convincing win could have been achieved if Spurs had taken all their chances.  Berbatov again pressured the defender and set up Keane who hit the bar, later Keane blazed over when through on goal and Jermain Defoe shot wide with his first touch in the final moments.

Jermaine Jenas worked tirelessly, covering acres of ground, Berbatov showed his class and Dawson and King controlled the defence.  Paul Robinson showed his class with comfortable saves and a great double save from a free kick late in the first half.

A very pleasing performance and result with Spurs top of the group and looking forward to more European success.

19th October, 1983

Spurs 4 Feyenoord 2 (UEFA Cup 2nd Round (1st Leg)

Scorers: Galvin (2), Archibald (2)

The game matched Glenn Hoddle against an ageing Johan Cryff in a head to head contest.  It was the younger star who was to stamp his class on the match as Cryff failed to live with Hoddle’s creativity and control.

Spurs were four ahead by half-time and Glenn Hoddle had played a part in all of the goals.  He controlled the game and Spurs were supreme, going ahead after eight minutes through Steve Archibald.  Ten minutes later a Hoddle cross was headed in by Tony Galvin.  Archibald scored his second five minutes later with Galvin getting his second five minutes before half-time from a forty yard Hoddle pass.

In the second half Feyenoord came more into the game but Hoddle had displayed his master class and Spurs were almost assured of qualification to the next round.

Team:

Clemence, Hughton, Galvin, Roberts, Stevens, Perryman, Mabbutt, Archibald, Falco, Hoddle, Brooke (Crook). Att. 35,404