Rantings and a match preview.

Spurs play Monday night up at Bolton. Why this fixture is never played at a weekend mystifies me as it is not like it is just down the road. We usually have to journey north on a miserable Wednesday night but this year we get a miserable Monday instead. Results have generally been miserable as well to go along with the miserable football Bolton play and the miserable supporters. Actually I’m amazed anyone will make the trip at all. However, as usual, the superb Spurs support will be there. While Kenyon over with the mafia shouts about how Chelsea are the biggest club in London he fails to back his argument up with any facts. However, I have some to hand and while I’m here I’d like to remind Kenyon that it is Chelsea that has to advertise in the Standard every week as they can’t sell out home fixtures, have 12,000 empty seats for Champions League fixtures and can’t sell out an away allocation at their favourite club (for results anyway) Spurs. Meanwhile we sell out every home and away game and look like to be the first club to sell out the 5,000-allocation Wigan give to away fans. I bet Chelski don’t have 12,000 away applications for Portsmouth away. Anyway, I digress.

Back to Bolton. Never a happy stomping ground for the Lily Whites I expect another tough examination as Bolton try to foul, hoof and kick their way to three points, usually the way of a well worked set piece. All credit to Bolton it works for them but it’s not push and run is it?

Spurs welcome back Edgar Davids and is a game we will need him. Bolton are all about power and Davids will need to work hard along with Carrick and Jenas in the middle breaking up any midfield play Bolton try. Lennon will compliment them on the right wing getting forward as much as possible and I think his pace and trickery will be the key to getting a result on Monday. Lee will provide the width on the left as he pushes forward but we have to be careful we don’t get caught out. King and the excellent Dawson will be the centre back partnership while the inconsistent Stalteri is almost certain to start at right back. After tipping Robbie Keane to start in the last few games I’m giving up. Defoe looked better against the filth but still hasn’t scored since who knows when but it looks like Jol will stick with the Defoe – Mido partnership.

Earlier in the week Jol claimed that there will not be a clearout but we cannot continue with the massive squad we currently have for ever. The wage bill must be enormous and players who don’t play for a while could get unhappy knocking morale of the squad so I expect some movement in the transfer window. This would also boost transfer funds for further strengthening. I expect Sean Davis could well be shipped on along with Michael Brown. Andy Reid, so ineffective against the scum, has had his chance and has not stepped up like his Forest partner Dawson and I wouldn’t be too disappointed to see him leave us in January. One person I do hope we continue to hold on to is Robbie Keane. People moan about him but he is still a quality player and getting a replacement of his ability will be expensive and not easy. Our last striker bought was Rasiak so you have been warned.

COYS!