The race for 1st,2nd,3rd or 4th (delete as appropriate)

Hatch99 · 10-04-2012 7:12am

KingdomYid wrote: »

Apart from how poor we are playing and the poor results we have been getting, does anybody else feel everything is going against us. As in late goals and dodgy offside decisions and penalties for other teams chasing top four.

Maybe, but in saying that, Norwich could have had a pen yest which would have made it 2 nil so it swings in roundabouts. Im not sure what to think, I was very confident going in to yesterdays game, we have murdered sides at WHL playing 442 plenty of times recently, yet Norwich caused us loads of problems at the back.

2nd Row Donkey · 10-04-2012 9:27am

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp says his team have to win their remaining five league games to finish in the top four and secure a Champions League spot.
Redknapp's side remain fourth after a loss to Norwich but Newcastle are only behind them on goal difference, with Chelsea also chasing them.
"We have got to look to win all five games really," said Redknapp.
"Now it is a case of the team which has the best last five games and we have to make sure it's us."

Tottenham have to play Chelsea in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on Sunday as well as having to face four teams, in QPR, Blackburn, Bolton and Aston Villa, fighting for Premier League survival.

Spurs' remaining league games:

QPR (a)
Blackburn (h)
Bolton (a)
Aston Villa (a)
Fulham (h)

2nd Row Donkey · 10-04-2012 9:31am

Looks like Harry has changed his mind.

This is from the Sun.

HARRY REDKNAPP insists Tottenham are now fighting for fourth place not third after Elliott Bennett’s winner for Norwich.

Spurs have won just one of their last eight games and Redknapp admitted:

“It’s going to be close, it’s the team that wants it most.

"There are still five games to go but I don’t think we have to win all five.

“Chelsea have to play Newcastle — they can’t both win.”

Spurs’ defeat left them two points behind third-placed Arsenal — who play at Wolves on Wednesday.

But they are only ahead of Newcastle on goal difference and two points clear of Chelsea.

Kiith · 10-04-2012 9:45am

I wish he'd just shut the hell up and get on with it. No time to be talking to the press when your team is in an absolute state.

Pacing Mule · 10-04-2012 12:55pm

Hatch99 wrote: »

Maybe, but in saying that, Norwich could have had a pen yest which would have made it 2 nil so it swings in roundabouts. Im not sure what to think, I was very confident going in to yesterdays game, we have murdered sides at WHL playing 442 plenty of times recently, yet Norwich caused us loads of problems at the back.

Issue there though is that Norwich won the game anyway so it wasn't a lucky break that gave us any points.

golfball37 · 10-04-2012 2:00pm

The players have to take the blame for this, they've been in holiday mode since everyone patted them on the back for nearly winning at Man City in January.

if the harry for England speculation has effected them then they are not top class professionals. I suspect it hasn't and its just a fall back for them to cover their ineptitude and in some cases a downright lack of effort.

The performance against Norwich over xmas [incidentally our last away win] was lauded, it was so one sided it could jave been 8-0. Yet the same 2 teams play 3 months later and there's a 180 degree turnaround. This has nothing to do with Arry sadly, the same 22 or so players took the pitch yesterday that did in December.

I'm beginning to think that no matter what happens we need to cash in on Bale & Modric this summer no matter what happens. When the going has got tough they have been found wanting imo. I'm not singling these out as the attitude of most of our players has been shocking in recent times but these 2 would yield the most money.

Emoran · 10-04-2012 7:59pm

golfball37 wrote: »

I'm beginning to think that no matter what happens we need to cash in on Bale & Modric this summer no matter what happens. When the going has got tough they have been found wanting imo. I'm not singling these out as the attitude of most of our players has been shocking in recent times but these 2 would yield the most money.

If bale and modric aren't the answer ( our two best players ) and they can't get us champions league football in all honesty who do you think we could replace them with and improve us providing they would EVEN come to us.

Leinstersqspur · 10-04-2012 11:48pm

golfball37 wrote: »

The players have to take the blame for, the same 2 teams play 3 months later and there's a 180 degree turnaround. This has nothing to do with Arry sadly, the same 22 or so players took the pitch yesterday that did in December.

Can't agree with you mate....

Tottenham v Norwich in December: Friedel, Walker, Kaboul, Gallas, Assou-Ekotto, Modric, Sandro, Parker, Bale, Van der Vaart, Adebayor

Tottenham v Norwich in April: Friedel, Walker, Kaboul, King, Ekotto, Bale, Lennon, Modric, Livermore, Saha, Defoe

Harry sent Livermore out to do the job of both Sandro and Parker i.e. protect the back four and break up the opposition play. Naive tactics from HR cost us the game.

golfball37 · 11-04-2012 9:24am

Emoran wrote: »

If bale and modric aren't the answer ( our two best players ) and they can't get us champions league football in all honesty who do you think we could replace them with and improve us providing they would EVEN come to us.

Of course they can get us CL football, they have done before !

Do they really give a sh1t is what I'm more concerned about, not their ability.

mushykeogh · 11-04-2012 9:55am

2nd Row Donkey wrote: »

Spurs' remaining league games:

QPR (a)
Blackburn (h)
Bolton (a)
Aston Villa (a)
Fulham (h)

Find myself looking at that and thinking "Balls, no easy games left"! QPR game is vital now, a loss there and it really could be curtains, on the other hand, win all 5, job done for 4th at least.

Hatch99 · 11-04-2012 10:26am

golfball37 wrote: »

I'm beginning to think that no matter what happens we need to cash in on Bale & Modric this summer no matter what happens..

Please please please tell me this is a joke :eek:

golfball37 · 11-04-2012 11:27am

Hatch99 wrote: »

Please please please tell me this is a joke :eek:

Is it worth keeping Modric really? he doesn't want to be at WHL and if he perfoms like he has done since January his price will continue to plummet.

Bale is class but the money being talked for him is so outrageous we should accept it imo. He is nowhere near worth 50m as he has one foot and can't cut it through the middle against decent opposition.

I don't think we should sell either to a rival EPL club but it wouldn't be the end of the world if we sold them imo. Hopefully they'll both prove me wrong over the next 7 games [hopefully].

Kiith · 11-04-2012 11:30am

golfball37 wrote: »

Is it worth keeping Modric really? he doesn't want to be at WHL and if he perfoms like he has done since January his price will continue to plummet.

Modric has been fantastic for us again this season. Not as much in the spotlight, as everyone know's he's excellent and Parker is getting so much praise, but you see how different the team is when he's playing. And you can't complain about his attitude. He wanted to leave, fair enough, but when he was told he wasn't going anywhere he put his head down and played.

That's saying a lot considering how the modern game has gone.

golfball37 · 11-04-2012 11:32am

Kiith wrote: »

Modric has been fantastic for us again this season. Not as much in the spotlight, as everyone know's he's excellent and Parker is getting so much praise, but you see how different the team is when he's playing. And you can't complain about his attitude. He wanted to leave, fair enough, but when he was told he wasn't going anywhere he put his head down and played.

That's saying a lot considering how the modern game has gone.

Up to Xmas I'd agree with you 100%. He hasn't tried a leg since Harry has been linked with England job however, certainly not in the games I've seen and I've seen most of them.

Bodie Doyle · 11-04-2012 12:44pm

I think Harrymay drop Modric. He doesn't offer enough going forward. 16 goals in 141 appearancers says it all for an attacking midfielder. He has scored an average of 3 goals per season in the league in the past 4 years. He never looks like scoring. He cannot shoot- my 5 year old girl has a better shot.
Harry has stated that we were too open v Norwich and will not play a 4-4-2 again. With Lennon back and Bale on the other wing it will be interesting to see who gets dropped. If we are going to play with Parker as our Dm will Harry play Sandro or Livermore and drop the Croatian?

Hatch99 · 11-04-2012 12:45pm

golfball37 wrote: »

Is it worth keeping Modric really? he doesn't want to be at WHL and if he perfoms like he has done since January his price will continue to plummet.

Bale is class but the money being talked for him is so outrageous we should accept it imo. He is nowhere near worth 50m as he has one foot and can't cut it through the middle against decent opposition.

I don't think we should sell either to a rival EPL club but it wouldn't be the end of the world if we sold them imo. Hopefully they'll both prove me wrong over the next 7 games [hopefully].

If Modric starts the same shi*e this summer as last summer, I'd sell for 40m, preferably to another country. As for Bale, I wouldn't sell him for 50, why sell our best player ? Well and good having money in the bank, but you'll be hard pushed to get another Bale for 6/8 million or whatever we paid for him.

Leinstersqspur · 11-04-2012 1:04pm

Fingers crossed the mighty Wolves do us a favour tonight!:rolleyes:

Leinstersqspur · 11-04-2012 7:34pm

Bassong sent off and an Arsenal penalty. You couldn't make it up!

Emoran · 11-04-2012 7:49pm

Bassong was always my favourite player and tonight he just proved why he deserves to be loved :rolleyes:

2nd Row Donkey · 11-04-2012 8:42pm

C'mon lads, Modric and Bale didnt turn into average players over night. Before xmas we would have kissed the ground they walked on!

The talk of the england job has affected the players. Or more specifically, HR has allowed it to effect the players.

The other reason for our poor form is that nearly all the players have hit a dip in form at the exact same time. Most teams can affors 1 or 2 of their players to below par but nearly 70% of our team are struggling - bar Walker, Freidel and maybe Kaboul.

Tactically HR messed up big time on Monday night.
How many game sahve we played without Parker or Sandro this season and got any sort of a result? I can think of any.

KingdomYid · 11-04-2012 9:13pm

2nd Row Donkey wrote: »

Tactically HR messed up big time on Monday night.
How many game sahve we played without Parker or Sandro this season and got any sort of a result? I can think of any.

Everton at the Lane in January. 4-4-2 with a 2-0 win

Leinstersqspur · 11-04-2012 9:36pm

KingdomYid wrote: »

Everton at the Lane in January. 4-4-2 with a 2-0 win

Technically 4-4-1-1:p

KingdomYid · 11-04-2012 9:45pm

Leinstersqspur wrote: »

Technically 4-4-1-1:p

True enough was just pointing out it was Livermore and Modric with Lennon and Bale on the flanks

2nd Row Donkey · 11-04-2012 10:39pm

okay, Im abit surprised by that fact it was everton who are in fact usually very tight and combatative across the middle.

mushykeogh · 12-04-2012 7:10am

Modric has been poor over the last 5 or 6 games now, no denying that. Wouldnt be looking to sell him or anything but he definitely has hit a poor patch of form compared to his usual standards.

Every season a club in the bottom half of the table beats utd., we have only ever beat them once in the prem, that was a last day victory when they already had won the league and were playing the cup the following weekend.

There is something in the spurs psyche, a softness, a weakness, too many times in every season we get out fought by inferior teams, happens all to regularly. Cant blame it all on Harry, its happened with Ramos, Jol, Hoddle, Francis, unfortunately the culture at the lane is not a winning one, the stigma of being a team without bottle doesnt seem like it will be erased anytime soon.

p.s. I feel sorry for scott parker, i think he is just banjoed at this stage of the season. He simply cannot be expected to do our dirty work for every single game of the season.
QPR won last night, might give them a confidence boost, might give them a little false sense of security and might not be as desperate for the game when we play them. Going to be a bloody tough game at Loftus road.

Up the spurs.

SuprSi · 12-04-2012 9:36am

I can't believe we're in this situation. The players and manager should be bloody ashamed of themselves. I find it very difficult to see past Newcastle getting 4th now, purely for the reason that they have momentum. They are in great form with strikers scoring goals for fun. And if they get it I will congratulate them as I didn't think they had a hope.

I think all confidence and belief is gone in the team. Something happened a few weeks ago, be it the Harry to England crap, or something else, but ever since then we've been mostly ****e. I can't see how we're going to go away to QPR, Bolton and Villa and win. It's fortunate that the two home games we have should be straightforward enough, in Fulham and Blackburn. I say should, as the Norwich game should've been straightforward too.

Newcastle have 3 tough games to finish the season, after their next 2 easier games - away to Chelsea, home to City and away to Everton. Chelsea still have to play Arsenal, City & Liverpool away, so I can't see them getting much there.

I'd like to believe we'll need just 10 points to get 4th, but it's difficult to guess how many games Newcastle will win. All that we need to do is match their points total and we're into 4th. Simple eh?!

Sugarlumps · 12-04-2012 9:46am

Well were still 4th, although I don’t know how? We need key personal involved in the remaining fixtures. Gallas to lead as captain and Parker to put the boot in like he’s been doing all season.

Modric really needs to shown some decent form, Silva for City went through a quite patch so I suppose it happens. Bale needs to stay out wide, it worked so well all season why change?

Redknapp needs to start managing, he’s pitiful excuses of late have been driving me demented. Why wait so long to change formation or make a substitution if things aren’t going in our favour?

Newcastle have been red hot. Didn’t there chief scout Carr not work for Spurs not so long ago? Jaysus we really could of done with his services.

KingdomYid · 12-04-2012 10:31am

Quazzie wrote: »

Jog on!!

2nd Row Donkey · 12-04-2012 2:44pm

Sugarlumps · 13-04-2012 6:24pm

VDV Interview http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/football/rafael-van-der-vaart-the-chairman-wants-us-to-finish-in-the-top-four-but-i-want-to-win-the-fa-cup-7643329.html

keane=cock · 13-04-2012 6:37pm

Sugarlumps wrote: »

Bale needs to stay out wide, it worked so well all season why change?

cant understand why he palys him central or on the right
????

mickman · 14-04-2012 2:35pm

keane=cock wrote: »

Sugarlumps wrote: »

Bale needs to stay out wide, it worked so well all season why change?

cant understand why he palys him central or on the right
????

It's because that is too predictible. Teams will double up on him

Kiith · 14-04-2012 2:36pm

mickman wrote: »

It's because that is too predictible. Teams will double up on him

I understand why he comes in, but it should be that he stays on the left, and occasionally comes in. Not vice versa.

keane=cock · 14-04-2012 4:49pm

mickman wrote: »

It's because that is too predictible. Teams will double up on him

but that will leave someone else spare!
two passes and it can be switched to the right to lennon and drag them across the pitch. do that all day and someone will switch off.

thats my thoughts anyway im not a prem manager

mickman · 15-04-2012 9:22am

I am predicting now that we will finish 5th and win the FA cup

Luca and Harry will then say " ok, no champs league next season but i won a trophy with spurs so now im off to pastures new for the next chapter"

This summer could be the most important for the next 10 years, if what i predict above comes through then we wont be able to attract the big names in players or managers, our cash will be way down so we will be back to fighting for top 8 in the league instead of the top 4.

Its a very worrying time.

I understand where people are coming from when they say that winning the FA cup is great but realistically its nowhere near as important as coming 4th and getting champs league.

we NEED to be in the champs league next season, its imperative for our continued momemtum and upward progress. Failure to get back in next season will kill the momentum and set us back years mentally and financially.

Of course we are well able to win the cup and finish 4th and that will be a great season (even after throwing away the huge lead we had over arsenal).

Kiith · 15-04-2012 6:44pm

This could end up being a catastrophic season for us. After all the talk of us being title contenders, we're now out of the cup, and looking like we're going to lose our Champions League spot. Harry gone in the summer, along probably with Modric. Not going to be able to sign any big players if we don't get the CL spot either.

Absolute nightmare.

indiewindy · 15-04-2012 6:57pm

Kiith wrote: »

This could end up being a catastrophic season for us. After all the talk of us being title contenders, we're now out of the cup, and looking like we're going to lose our Champions League spot. Harry gone in the summer, along probably with Modric. Not going to be able to sign any big players if we don't get the CL spot either.

Absolute nightmare.

Harry and Modric will be no loss on current form
Hope Ade is sent back to City
sell VDV,Gallas,Dawson(too injury prone) Gomes, release Ledley

2nd Row Donkey · 15-04-2012 7:04pm

Lads, if you think the we are experiencing the pain now, wait until the next 4-5 league games.

In good ole' typical spurs fashion we will somehow manage to hang on to 4th place or maybe 5th (but within 3 points of 4th) until the last game of the season.

They'll give us false hope and we the supporters will be fooled and drop our gaurd enough to believe in them again. And then just when it seems we cant fail - we will. In comical, farcial circumstances we will be pipped at the post and HR (and the players) will blame lady luck, the groundsman, the canteen lady, the chef, or the linesmans dog when we get undone by a bad decisision, unlucky own goal, offside or whatever.

Mark my words, we have been here before and we know whats coming!

2nd Row Donkey · 15-04-2012 7:06pm

Kiith wrote: »

This could end up being a catastrophic season for us. After all the talk of us being title contenders, we're now out of the cup, and looking like we're going to lose our Champions League spot. Harry gone in the summer, along probably with Modric. Not going to be able to sign any big players if we don't get the CL spot either.

Absolute nightmare.

To be fair, even if we did finish 4th because of the downhill momentuem and uncertainty of HR who we would we sign that would be decent?

We were in the CL before and we thought it would open up a whole new market of players but that never materialised.

keane=cock · 15-04-2012 7:15pm

indiewindy wrote: »

Harry and Modric will be no loss on current form
Hope Ade is sent back to City
sell VDV,Gallas,Dawson(too injury prone) Gomes, release Ledley

we will be left with no team?

keane=cock · 15-04-2012 7:19pm

we must get 4th.

anything else is a failure of a season.

harry must earn his wages now and rally the troops.

even 4th is an achievement at this stage.

COME ON YOU SPURS

indiewindy · 15-04-2012 7:43pm

keane=cock wrote: »

we will be left with no team?

We would replace them of course
A good starting point would be to poach Newcastles French scout
We need more winners like Scott Parker

bradolf pittler · 15-04-2012 8:08pm

indiewindy wrote: »

We would replace them of course
A good starting point would be to poach Newcastles French scout
We need more winners like Scott Parker

we had our chance in jan to nail down CL qualification by bringing in some decent players,samba,cahill,klasnic maybe even cisse before newcastle got him.instead we get nelson and saha.....says it all really

keane=cock · 15-04-2012 8:54pm

indiewindy wrote: »

We would replace them of course
A good starting point would be to poach Newcastles French scout
We need more winners like Scott Parker

getting rid of our most influential and flair players and playmakers for more battlers???

totally disagree.

i like parker i really do but you call him a winner. what has he actually ever won?? (genuine question im not being smart)

bradolf pittler · 15-04-2012 9:23pm

keane=cock wrote: »

getting rid of our most influential and flair players and playmakers for more battlers???

totally disagree.

i like parker i really do but you call him a winner. what has he actually ever won?? (genuine question im not being smart)

it was mentioned in ITV's commentary the amount of medals won between the 2 sides today,i think they said that terry and cole have won more than the whole spurs team combined and that shows another real weakness in the current side......we have no real winners.

mickman · 16-04-2012 6:09am

bradolf pittler wrote: »

keane=cock wrote: »

getting rid of our most influential and flair players and playmakers for more battlers???

totally disagree.

i like parker i really do but you call him a winner. what has he actually ever won?? (genuine question im not being smart)

it was mentioned in ITV's commentary the amount of medals won between the 2 sides today,i think they said that terry and cole have won more than the whole spurs team combined and that shows another real weakness in the current side......we have no real winners.

It was something like spurs have 8 medals and those were with gallas and cudicini from the Chelsea days !!

Sugarlumps · 16-04-2012 8:01am

indiewindy wrote: »

Harry and Modric will be no loss on current form
Hope Ade is sent back to City
sell VDV,Gallas,Dawson(too injury prone) Gomes, release Ledley

Why would you want VDV sold, he's accounted for a number of goals this season, we'd be far worse off without him.

I would agree with selling Modric, City would gladly pay over the odds for him as would Chelski. It pains me to say that Ledley's days are at an end tragically. If Barca come knocking for Bale, then you can't blame the lad for bailing. Ade see ya.

I’ve been positive throughout the season, but for the life of me I can’t see where the next win is going to come?

SuprSi · 16-04-2012 8:24am

I think we're all feeling a little low today. I'm actually not too upset by yesterdays result tbh, even though I can't explain why. Maybe I've become a little numb thanks to our ongoing slump. Obviously not making the CL this season has massive implications for next season, but for quite a few seasons after that as well because no matter how well the team is playing coming into the last 3rd of the season, everyone will just expect Spurs to bottle it - fans, opposing fans and maybe even the players.

We must win our next game. If we don't beat QPR, and just as importantly put in a decent performance, with players like Bale and Modric showing what they're made of, we're done. I'd imagine QPR & Bolton must be thinking that Spurs should be there for the taking and could realistically be looking at the team as 3 points towards safety. It all depends on how the lads respond to yesterdays result.

Sugarlumps · 16-04-2012 8:25am

I wasn't bothered with the loss either, OPR game is on ESPN.

Bodie Doyle · 16-04-2012 9:40am

Sugarlumps wrote: »

Why would you want VDV sold, he's accounted for a number of goals this season, we'd be far worse off without him.

I would agree with selling Modric, City would gladly pay over the odds for him as would Chelski. It pains me to say that Ledley's days are at an end tragically. If Barca come knocking for Bale, then you can't blame the lad for bailing. Ade see ya.

I’ve been positive throughout the season, but for the life of me I can’t see where the next win is going to come?

Totally agree with Sugarlumps. Vdv is class and we would be far worse off without him. I have said it many times before that we should have taken the 40m on offer last season for the little girl from Croatia and now we should take whatever they put on the table for him. I would love Bale to stay but if any of the big European clubs come for him then good luck to him.
I thought we had turned the corner after the Swansea result but that now looks like another false dawn. Poor v Norwich, very poor yesterday for the last 20 mins. We have a lot of players heading off to the Euros who may not want to risk injury over the last 4 games ( yes Modric I am looking at you- ). Harry will need his motivational powers to be at their best over the last few weeks.

I wish this season could finish today as I would take finishing 4th even if it is behind Arsenal.

The race for 1st,2nd,3rd or 4th (delete as appropriate)

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