Spurs Vs. Liverpool

After the welcome win against 'Boro the games continue to come thick and fast as Spurs host Liverpool on Wednesday in the quarter final of the Carling Cup. Still very much a competition Spurs can win and a route into the Uefa cup this is an important game for Spurs. A Win here will add more confidence to the team for the tricky away game against Balckburn on Saturday evening.

I expect a similar team that played Middlesborough to start on Wednesday. Naybet is a doubt and Davenport is cup tied as he played for our feeder club ealrier in the season so Gardner could be put into the central defence along King. Atouba will continue down the left as Edman doesn't make to squad, his achillies still playing up. Hopefully Ricketts will continue on the right allowing Mendes into his stronger central midfiled position. Ziegler and Carrick will keep their places. Defoe will be the first name on the sheet up front and I think Kanoute will start with keane on the bench. Liverpool will ahve Mellor play up front and will be dangerous with Gerrard hitting top form against the scum on Sunday. This won't be an easy game but is defiently one we should go all out to win. A two legged semi final awaits and anything can happen from then on.

COYS!

Other News:


The club has revealed that it is actually Spurs who have opened fresh talks with Defoe and not the other way around. As usual the gutter press has tried to stir things up and should be ignored. This is a very sensible step by Spurs as defoe has been excellent since he moved from the Bongo club in Canning Town. Jermaine also stated how happy he is at Spurs and isn't looking for a move.

The ref was proved right on Sunday after all as Queudrue's red card has been upheld. He will now serve a 3 match ban and should shut up McClaren for a bit. Two footed lunges are awful and McCalren's excuse that he missed Pamarot's leg should rightly be ignored.

Victory at last!

Spurs recorded their first league win under Jol yesterday with a 2-0 win over 'Boro at WHL. It was a vital win and gave us a timely boost for the fixtures ahead which Spurs should be looking to get something out of all of them, especially at home where wins are still needed.

Spurs and 'Boro both started brightly with 'Boro looking dangerous from set plays and Spurs letting Defoe have a couple of good efforts on goal. The turning point was the sending off of Queudrue. McClaren whinged and wined about the decision but there was no doubt in my mind that it was a straight red card as he jumped up and went over the ball with a two footed challenge. If he had landed fully on Pamarot's leg it would of broken it. McClaren went on later to prove my suspicions that he was watching a different game to the rest of us when he said they dominated us completely in the first half. Considering they had one shot on target for the whole game and "complete dominated" the first half just proves to me he don't know nowt. Alright, they looked dangerous at set pieces but nothing much more.

The second half started and Spurs took control. Mendes was able to run into space and provide an excellent cross for Defoe to poke home. The celebrations led to Defoe receiving his 5th yellow meaning he will miss the Manchester City away game but for once we have players ready to come in and Keane and Kanoute will be able to do a job together while he misses his one game.

Ricketts started on the right in a surprise move. I had in fact forgotten he was at Spurs and wasn't too chuffed to see the arrogant swine start. He did nothing to impress but his inclusion did allow Mendes to go back into the middle. Mendes is far superior playing in the central position than on the right and I would have Ricketts start just to allow that to happen until we buy someone decent in January to replace him.

The second goal was set up by the King of the Pikes, Ray Parlour. A backpass to the 'Boro keeper was fine but Schwarzer didn't see Kanoute wandering towards him. He blasted it straight at him and the ball rebounded into the goal. 2-0 and job done. Spurs could of increased their league but either shot when they should of passed or passed when they should of shot.

Overall, it wasn't classic Spurs but a welcome and well earned victory against what was the form team of the Premiership. We now must build on this and take at least a point against Blackburn on Saturday.

Spurs Vs. Middlesborough

Sunday sees the fans of Middlesborough make the trip down to WHL. Not known for their traveling support 'Boro have only taken half of their allocation, something that wouldn't happen with Spurs. Typically they are on a great run but the fans don't appreciate it while us poor traveling Spurs fans see rubbish not only away but at home too!

'Boro are looking for their third straight win but travel from the Uefa cup match against Villarreal on Thursday. They are the most inform Premiership team while they face the team with the worst form not only in the Premier league but in the whole of the Professional leagues. Spurs desperately need something from this game to bring the confidence back but it's going to be tough on Sunday.

Jol will probably stick to a 4-4-2 with the usual defense although Atouba could play at LB if Edman fails a late fitness test. Davies also looks like he won't recover from a virus and will be rested for the Wednesday game against Liverpool. This will mean the same midfield that ended the game against Villa although if I was the boss I'd change things around. The players available do not include any real width especially on the right side so I would adjust the formation. Jol says we should play to our strengths and that means taking a risk and starting with all three strikers. Have Mendes, Carrick and Brown in a central midfield three, tough tackling and able to string a few passes together not only to stop 'Boro playing but get us going forward with Keane having a free roll to help link up the play with Defoe and Kanoute. However I am not in charge and this probably won't happen - expect the same team that played Monday or thereabouts anyway.

Whoever plays the WHL faithful will need to get behind the lads once again. We will need to go forward like we did against the filth but defend like we did against Chelsea if we are to take something from this game. A tough task I know but Tottenham need to take at least a point to stop the rot.

COYS!

Lost again.

6 defeats in a row - 6, that's right 6, we've lost 6 in a row and play 'Boro on Sunday. Not all was bad with the Spurs performance but I've been saying this for a while and I'd take a couple of real lousy piss poor performances where we somehow score a goal and steal the points like the Everton game earlier in the season.

The confidence is now dropping like a lead balloon at Spurs are we MUST get something out of the 'Boro game to stop the rot. The squad is still better than we have had in recent years but football is a lot to do with confidence. The scum play with confidence and is one of the reasons they went on that 49 game run. Everton are another example - confidence is running through what in my opinion is an average bunch of players and look where they are with a bit of motivation.

The 1st half was very even and Brown should of scored but the ball slipped away from him meaning he couldn't get the power he needed behind it. Defoe had a good run and should of tested the keeper. The second half Spurs were on top for the first ten minutes and were starting to put the pressure on until we were undone by Solano. It was a very good goal but why was Atouba the wrong side of him when he should of been much closer. Atouba just doesn't have it more often than not giving the ball away. He's not the only one mind and I must of seen at least 15 simple passes go straight to a Villa player under no pressure whatsoever. Mendes looked lost on the right and should either play centre midfield or not at all. After the Villa goal the stuffing was knocked out of us and only Kanoute had any real effort with a header over the bar when it should of been in the back of the net. The performance was average, not awful so I suppose it's something to cling onto.

Keep the faith Yids, It can only get better. I hope. Please.

"Bugger" 

Villa Vs. Spurs preview.

Monday night and Sky treat us to another Premiership match live and shifted from a Saturday to a Monday. I was planning on going but as I've got no chance of getting up their from work in time (unlike a Saturday) I will be remaining in the warm and looking forward to Martin Tyler instead of the M1.

Sadly Spurs head north after 5 straight defeats and this game doesn't look too easy on paper. Villa have been doing really well at home and the Villa faithful have yet to taste defeat at home. They will be looking to make it 3 wins on the bounce while we must ensure we don't head to our sixth straight defeat.

However, although 5 straight defeats sounds awful I think we can be optimistic. We murdered the scum for the first 44 minutes and only one slip up allowed Henry to score an undeserved, offside, equaliser. We also gave the filth 3 goals in the 2nd half so it could of been so different. Hoofing the balls up the pitch when in danger would of changed the result completely. It also shows that the team can score goals and we can still take positives from that game. We attacked with purpose, the ball was more often than not played out to the defense so we could build from the back and Carrick played. Defoe scored a great goal and King is unlikely to have another howler like he did last week. Kanoute also scored in the Premiership

The team could well be the same one that played against that lot. Robinson in goal, King, Naybet, Edman and Pamarot. With Tarrico gone to The Spammers we may well be stuck with the out of form (if he was ever in form) Frenchman. I would like to see Ifil make his third start after signing a new contract as Pamarot has looked all over the place in recent weeks.

After complaining about no width or wingers Jol could of started with Ricketts on the right wing but as he didn't make the squad he is obvioulsy not that concerned with our lack of width. IMO that's a good thing as Rickett's attitude is all wrong and just isn't good enough. Atouba is back in the squad but I would be disappointed if he was recalled in place of Ziegler as I think he has done well in recent games. Brown played one of his best games for Spurs against Viera but was awful against Fulham. I expect him to keep his place but he may make way for a rested Redknapp. Mendes will be on the right with Carrick filling the 2nd central midfield slot. Mendes on the right is not ideal but Davies has been rubbish recently and is complaining of not being match fit. Mendes also stays out on the right whereas when Redknapp played there he drifted inside.

Up front Keane and Defoe will probably start especially as we are playing the ball out from the back and not hoofing it up to them. Kanoute will feature at some point but will start on the bench.

If we can play like we did against Arsenal, without the stupid defensive errors, there is every possibility we can could get a decent result, even a win. However an ugly draw will do for me as it will bring a stop to the confidence draining run of defeats and get us moving in the right direction once again.

COME ON YOU SPURS!

News Round Up.

Dean Richards has received the very welcome news that it is "highly unlikely" that he has a brain tumor. I wish Dean well and hope he can make a speedy recovery and add competition for places at the back.

Further defensive news as Callum Davenport has been recalled from West Ham. West Ham fans loved him and said he was one of the best players down at the Canning Town Bingo and Social Club and Arnesen has recalled him. I hope he gets a look in as his form has been good in The Championship and maybe challenge Naybet for his place after an indifferent game against the filth. I hope he hasn't been recalled to sit back in the reserves and only time will tell.

Erik Edman was named best defender at the Swedish Football awards. Well done to Big Frank for picking up what could be a superb full back for Spurs, a million miles away from typical full backs like Justin Edingburgh and Dean Austin.

Sean Davis continues to recover from injury, the swelling in his knee has gone down but he is still at least 2 months away.

And finally, The Scum are at it again with reserve keeper Graham Stack charged with raping a girl in his South London flat. Oh, and Frank McKlintok has been slagging off Spurs managers referring to a book called "Ten Little Niggers". Nice one Arsenal.

Close but no cigar.

I thought the Spurs players did us proud today. Obviously the result wasn't to our liking but the team fought from start to finish and it could of ended 5-5! What an amazing derby game.

Spurs started ever so well and played Arsenal off the pitch for the first 45 minutes. We had them under pressure for the whole half. We hassled them off the ball, Brown stopped Viera from playing in what I thought was one of his best performances for Spurs. We scored a good goal from a well worked set piece (how often do we say that)and had them on the ropes. Then disaster struck. The linesman fell asleep and let Henry sneak through when he was offside and snuck in the equaliser on the stroke of half time. This was the total turning point of the whole game. Arsenal came back out of the blocks in the 2nd half and for the first 15 minutes played us off the park. We couldn't get back into the game and a awful mix up led to us squandering possession and Pamarot with an awful challenge gave away a Penalty. 1-0 to 1-2 in 20 minutes against the scum. It was 3-1 a bit later and I as worried we were going to collapse. However full credit to the boys as we pushed on and made a real game of it. Defoe's goal was top draw, the header from King well worked and it was pleasing to see Kanoute get back to scoring ways in the Premiership.

However the defending was appalling and led to our downfall. We gifted the scum at least 3 goals, 1 was definitely offside and there is a suspicion about another which I will have to look at to be sure.

Players wise, Brown impressed especially in the first half, but King and Naybet weren't great at the back. Robinson made a mistake that led to the penalty and could of made a better go at saving Pires goal but you can't criticise these players on one game as they have been magnificent this season. Mendes was quiet but stopped the attacking play on the scum left. Ziegler looked good and remember he is only 18. Keane and Defoe played well. It was good to see Edman back but I'm not sure Pamarot is the answer at left back. He was caught out a few times and what he was thinking of when he fouled Lunjeberg I don't know. A weak area where Spurs need to work on.

Overall, I hate losing against the scum. They cheated as usual diving left right and centre, especially Reyes, Viera moaning all the time, Bergkamp playing dirty, even Van Persie seems to have settled in knocking the ball out for a Spurs throw but diving theatrically and winning the goons a foul! But the lads fought to the death, played them off the pitch first half and can be proud of the way they took the game to them. Less defensive mistakes and poor decisions by linesmen would of led to a far different result.

Arsen*l, prepare to die! 

Spurs Vs. Arsen*l

Derby day looms as the Scum prepare to sneak down Seven Sisters Road to the world famous home of the Spurs. In the pre-game press conference today Jol continued to make promising noises such as this quote:

"We have some of the best strikers in the country but if you play with Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane you have to play football."

"If we hit long balls forward we look a bit ridiculous. It is all about the service, and that is not the service from the goalkeeper."

The last quote in particular is very pleasing and will hopefully lead to less hoofs up the pitch where we then surrender possession, something we don't need to do against the gipos as they attack with pace and could cause us difficulties.

Most of the team will pick itself. Robinson in goal, Pamarot on the right who looked much better against Burnley, King and Naybet in the centre and hopefully Edman as he played 60 minutes or so for the reserves. We need our most experienced back four to play well against the likes of Terry Henry and the thug Bergkamp / spotty Reyes. Naybet's lack of pace may be a worry but he is very experienced and is good at organising so hopefully that will make up for it.

Up front will be Defoe and Keane after Tuesday's performance with Kanoute on the bench just in case the Goons do something stupid like score.

The midfield will be the most interesting of all for Spurs due to a few injuries and how to counteract the pikes attacking with pace down the wings. Ziegler will play wide left as there is no one else. Central midfield will probably consist of Carrick with either Redknapp, Brown or Mendes. I say Redknapp because of his experience but his lack of pace against Viera and Lunjberg could prove his downfall. I would personally put Mendes next to Carrick so he can hassle the scum midfield with Brown on the right. I say Brown because screaming down the gits right wing will be that cheating, diving cant Pires who has a good scoring record against Spurs. Picking up his runs will be important. However Davies may get his chance but his form has been indifferent of late.

The scum will arrive with their usual bunch of cheating bastards who will harass the ref at every turn. Ashley Cole will be jumping on the floor everytime a Spurs player goes near him and the ref will need to be on top of the game from the start. One bonus, and it pains me to say it, is that Judas Cant Scumball is "injured". This can only be a good thing as Defoe and Keane get to play against that twat Cygan. Hopefully Defoe's pace and tricky will leave Cygan looking like a sad, sad man like Reyes.

The crowd will play an important part against the Scum as they always do. Arsen*l's disgraceful support will turn up and not sing, just observe as is the way at the shit hole, sorry The Library. They may muster the odd song so it's up to the WHL faithful to drown the idiots out. We really drove the team on against Charlton last week and we will do the same on Saturday.

The Scum first team are going through a rocky patch at the moment and there is no time like the present to turn the twats over for a resounding win for Spurs. However, anything can happen on derby day!

COME ON YOU SPURS!

Can Jol be our O'Neill?

I was just think about Martin O'Neill on Sunday. Santini had gone and the Express was running some stupid story about Levy wanting O'Neill to be our next manager. Obviously they had nothing else to write about and needed a story to shove on the back page. Ok, O'Neill is a good manager with a good record but Levy din't want him and I doubt he would of come to work with our management structure.

Anyway, Spurs did the right thing on Monday and appointed Jol. If you then look at Jol's record and compare it with Martin O'Neill's you will see many similarities.

O'Neill was a sucsseful player winning the European Cup with Forest among other things. Although Jol didn't win that particular competition he played for teams such as Bayern Munich and had succsseful times with Coventry and WBA in the old first division.

They both then moved into management. O'Neill had considerable success with Wycombe before making his name at Leicester where he won the league cup. Leicester also remained in the Premiership and were always a good side while he was there. He then moved to Celtic where he has won the league and cup in Scotland and helped to end Rangers dominance north of the border. Compare this with Jol and you have a similar story. Started small with non league clubs in Holland he finally took the job at RKC Waalwijk. Here he won the Dutch cup, manager of the year twice and took the club from relegation to European contenders. So, like O'Neill making his big move to Celtic, Jol has now made his to Spurs.

Finally, from what I've heard, Jol is a manager with similar attributes to O'Neill. He is a friendly bloke who has clearly won over the players. They appear to like him. He also has excellent man motivation skills and is apparently a good tactician, all traits associated with O'Neill who is seen as being one of the best if not the best young manager around. If these things all slot into place for Jol at Spurs there is no reason we can't improve this season and push on back to where we belong. I know managing Spurs is far different to managing Celtic where you only have one team to worry about in Rangers, and I'm not getting carried away, but all the early signs are that Jol can at the very least improve Spurs when compared to the last 3 or 4 years.

First win for Jol.

Spurs cruised to an easy first win in the end for new head coach Martin Jol last night beating Burnley 3-0 with two goals fron Keane and a screamer from Defoe.

This was a good solid performance with the two full backs given licence to push forward wherever and whenever they liked. This had the diseared effect helping create real width which we have lacked in recent weeks. However, the full backs are going to have to be a little bit careful against the Gipos on Saturday as they will get caught out if they go forward like they did today.

We had a couple of dodgy moments at the back and hopefully King and Naybet will tighten things on in training over the next couple of days.

In the midfiled Carrick played well and I would think he would start on Saturday. He produced a great cross for Keane's first goal and went about his business in a simple but effective manner. Ziegler looked much better on the left than he did against Charlton and showed he can take a pretty good corner, something we have lacked in recent years. Mendes was asked to play on the right and what was really pleasing about that was he actually stayed wide right, none of this drifting inwards like Redknapp and Davies leaving us exposed down the wing.

Up front Defoe and Keane looked sharp. Defoe dropped off a little bit pushing Keane further up field. He scored two simple tap ins which is great as Keane is often criticiised for scoring spectacular goals and missing the easy ones.

After the game Jol was brilliant. As he walked off the pitch he warmly applauded the fans and showed that he means business with Spurs. On Sky, when interveiwed, he was refeshingly honest. He knew exactly where the weakspots in our game had been in recent weeks and wasn't afraid to say it. He thought we were sloppy in the first 25 minutes where I thought we looked ok so hopefully it shows the high standards he has.

I'm not going to get carried away this time with Jol. We will have some great results I expect under him, hopefully starting against The Scum next weekend, but we will probably have a few stinkers along the way. But nevertheless this was a tricky start and one that Spurs and Jol passed well.

COME ON YOU SPURS!

Common sense prevails.

Thank goodness that the club has done the sensible thing and appointed Martin Jol as the next head coach. None of this waiting around for the right man nonsense this time. They have appointed the man Arnesen wanted in the first place. Good luck Martin, I hope you are as succssful as Bill Nic!

Meanwhile the perv, Pleat, has been mouthing off about our management structure along with most of the press. The logic behind it all seems to be that because it works abroad it can't work here. Bollocks, there is always a time for a first and I hope that this structure does take Spurs significantly forward to shut up the twats in the press. Pleat also recieved over £1 million payoff after wages and bonuses which was a joke. The club said he was entitled to it in his contract so the question must be asked why did he have such a lucrative bonus scheme in the first place. I expect that if he can recieve a million for nearly relegating us he would of recieved the keys to WHL for winning the league.

Finally Spurs treck up to Burnley for the league cup. I have no idea who Jol will play. Will he rest players with an eye on the game with the pikey invaders from Woolwich or will he go all out to secure a place in the quarter finals? Whatever he does I hope the team stay overnight in a posh hotel in Burnley instead of heading back down the M1 and arriving back in London in the middle of the night.

Whatever happens we must give Jol our full support not just for the next few games but for the next few seasons. 8 managers in 11 years or so is one of the main reasons we have been lagging behind the Premiership elite for too long.

Spurs Vs. Charlton review

Spurs slipped to their 4th straight league defeat but there were far more promising signs in the 2nd half than has been shown in recent weeks.

Spurs started poorly offering very little. Balls were going sideways or backwards as the lack of movement up front meant Charlton were always on top. Pamarot had what was possibly his worst game in a Spurs shirt. After being useless last week he became even worse. He sat back on the first goal allowing a cross to be put into the box which he could of easily closed down. Bunje over on the other flank was also poor but not as bad as Pamarot. I think it's time Ifil was given another chance as Pamarot just seems to be getting worse and worse. Tarrico should also replace Bunje unless Edman returns. King and Naybet had ok games at the back. Naybet was much better up from than he was at the back tho when he was thrown forward to win the high balls. Robinson couldn't do much about any of the three goals and actually passed the ball out to the defenders much more than usual. Davies was atrocious and that's being polite, not once being able to beat his man and repeatedly squandering possession. The 2nd half couldn't come quick enough and the team were rightly booed off.

Jol made a change at half time and brought on Ziegler in place of Davies. Keane became a free man and was far more effective than before half time. Unfortunately we let in a third goal early on and I had visions of us collapsing before the fans started calling for Levy's head. However we showed a lot of spirit. The hopeless Redknapp was replaced by Carrick who helped to turn the game. He was very good with surging forward runs from the midfield which is something we have definitely been missing. Kanoute hit a post before a goal mouth scramble which led to Bartlett handballing the ball on the line for a straight red card. Keane converted the penalty and it was game on. Spurs then camped out in the Charlton half for the rest of the game. Defoe scored a brilliant goal with 11 minutes to go and we should of had another penalty in my opinion when Naybet was sandwiched by 3 Charlton defenders. Defoe looked like he was about to score at the death but a great block saw the shot fly over the bar.

The team were actually applauded off because they showed some fighting spirit. If Spurs had been a bit better defensively we would of murdered Charlton but it wasn't to be. What was important was that the players can play for the shirt when they want to. I hope when Jol is appointed on Monday that he gives them a right rollicking and a kick in the right direction so against the Scum and other opponents we play for the whole 90 minutes and not just 30. If we can do that we will definelty approve on our poor run of late.

Come on you Spurs!

Appoint Jol now - Editorial.

This time last year Spurs had no manager, the fool Pleat was just keeping our head above water and everything was not quite right at Spurs. One year later Spurs have no manager, there isn't even a fool in charge and it could all very well go pear shaped.

However, I think Spurs are in a much better position than when Hoddle was given the boot last season. For a start we have a far more experienced Director of Football. Arnesen has denied that there was a rift between Santini and I think it's the media trying to stir things up that is suggesting there was a problem in the first place. I wait to be proved wrong but I think the "personal reasons" line is probably true.

Anyway, Arnesen was appointed to oversee all football matters. When he was at PSV I believe they won lots of things in 10 years, played in the Champions League etc but had 5 managers. That suggests to me that this continuity thing that Levy wants could work. So Spurs need to look for continuity right now instead of going on another 9 month search to appoint "the right man" leaving the club in limbo.

Thus, Martin Jol should be appointed ASAP to ensure continuity. It was no secret that he was being groomed for the job and Santini's resignation has just brought it forward. Jol knows the setup, is a well respected coach in Holland and has a good track record. He knows the team, the strengths and weaknesses and will provide the continuity that Tottenham Hotspur so desperately need. Doing anything else on Monday would be a disaster.

Was Arnesen to blame?

Rumors are rife that Arnesen was to blame for the departure of Santini. There has been lots of rumors about who actually wanted Carrick and who thought he should play. Santini clearly didn't like him as he was only getting a few minutes here and there. The rumor is that it all came to a head today with Arnesen saying play him or else so Jacques resigned. To be honest I think this is bollocks and Santini definitely has some personal problems. Him and his wife have still not settled and were living in a hotel and could be what has led to today's shock announcement.

However, if these rumors are true they we are in the shit. Who will come and work for a Director of Football who can't keep his nose out? Let's hope it's all rubbish.

Whatever happens we must get right behind the team tomorrow. Spurs fans need to stick together in times of crises especially with the press circling like vultures.

As always comments welcome :-)

Aurevoir! 

Santini has gone - What now?

Still trying to recover over the Santini decision earlier today. It is difficult to see this being anything other than personal reasons as I can't believe Levy would push someone out after being in the job only 4 months and taking 9 to actually appoint him in the first place. I wish Santini well and am very disappointed as I thought that he was the man to start to take us places.

However we can't live in the past and need to move on very quickly. I expect that Jol's team will be very similar to the team Santini's would of put out tomorrow if he was still in charge. Jol took training most of the time and was a key player at what is happening at Spurs. The advantage of the structure we have in place is there should be continuity. Arnesen is still here and Jol and I expect Jol to be placed in charge on Monday. I believe that this was the long term plan but unfortunatly it has been forced on us earlier than expected.

The forums over at Glory Glory and TopSpurs (See links) have been going into meltdown. The discussions of new managers is already heading for the same level we had in the 9 months previous to Santini being appointed. Various names have been banded about such as O'Neill, 'Arry Redknapp and even Hoddle coming back. The last two are definelty no nos. We got nowhere with Hoddle and Redknapp would just be a disaster and make us the laughing stock of English football. O'Neill has just been thrown in for good measure. If we did indeed want him in the summer we didn't get him and there is no reason to think we would get him now.

Spurs need to stick to Arnesen's plan and anything that doesn't place Jol in charge for good will mean the end of another season after two months.

SANTINI QUITS!!!

This is not an early April fools. Santini has resigned due to personal reasons. According to Sky there was absolutly no sign that he was leaving at yesterday's press conference even saying to the journalists that he will see them next Thursday.

The players were called to White Hart Lane this afternoon and Santini told them personally that he is leaving with immediate affect. The club will make a more detailed statement on Monday at what will now be a really interesting AGM.

Martin Jol is in charge for tomorrow's visit of Charlton.

More to follow.........

Spurs vs. Charlton

Things can only get better after last weeks display against Fulham, in fact things MUST get better. After only winning one game in the last seventeen London derbies this is going to be a tough game against a traditional difficult to beat Charlton team.

Things aren't going to be helped by the fact that Davis is out for 2 to 3 months after undergoing a knee op. Someone who knows all about dodgy knees is Redknapp who will probably hobble into the space vacated by Davis injury but you never know and Carrick may finally get his chance to impress. With Spurs having 0 (zero, none, zilch, nowt, nothing, nil) shots on goal in the last match you would hope that Santini takes an adventurous view to team selection especially with the midfield. However he may think Redknapp is being adventurous so we could be in trouble. Davies will remain on the right, Ziegler on the left and Mendes partnering Redknapp or Carrick.

Edman may be back but I doubt it so I hope Tarrico plays and not Bunje. Worse than useless last week, Bunje is not a left back and should be replaced. Tarrico is a full back who has played on the left many times and will rile the opposition which can only be a good thing. Naybet, King and Pamarot will make up the rest of the defense although Pamarot has been shit in recent league games.

Up front will be Defoe and Kanoute I hope. I'm not a massive fan of the Mali international but if I see one more ball hoofed up to Keane and Defoe against 7 foot tall defenders I will cry. At least with Kanoute we have someone who can win the ball so Keane could find himself sitting this one out for a while. However Santini is picking the team so Kanoute will probably be warming the bench again.

I want Spurs to more far more attacking at home than in recent weeks. We never got forward against Bolton, Fulham enough said, and only played for 10 to 20 minutes against United. We need to take a few more risks. Full backs supporting the wingers, wingers staying wide and using the width of the pitch. Central midfielders need to work box to box instead of box to halfway line like we do at the moment. Strikers should not be expected to drop into our own half to pick up the ball and will hopefully have the service on Saturday to stay around Charlton's box where they have a chance of doing something unusual like score.

I hope this will be the start of an improvement. It will be an interesting match to see if the players are motivated to improve our disappointing run of late and to actually look like they are playing for the shirt not the wages.

Come on you Spurs!