I've said this all season. I honestly don't think things have been anywhere near as bad as some have made out. The only thing that has been particularly bad, for me, is our record against the current top 4. Last season, overall, we had a great record against them, with not one of Chelsea, City, Arsenal or Liverpool doing the double over us. We took 10 points off them, and with only one game left to go this season against them , we've only managed one point against Chelsea, with Arsenal and City beating us twice. (We were unbeaten against United, but we have picked up the same points against them this season)

People can go on about losing to Norwich, or to West Ham, but all teams lose to teams they 'should' beat over the course of the season. Our record against the teams we want to be competing with is what's done for us.

Given the spankings we've had, this is quite revealing: again vs. the same opposition season-on-season:

In the same 31 matches last season we conceded 39 goals - this season it's 40. BOOM!

So, yep, pastings vs. Wet Sham, Citeh (twice) and Liverpool. But also 4 fewer conceded at the Effeminites, 3 less at home to Chelsea and a few where we were 2 goals better this season. Hmmm.

The bad news is - same criteria - we've scored 15 fewer.

Almost identical points tally (one point less this season) but scoring 15 fewer goals?

Just shows you that, in general, our much-maligned defence hasn't actually been all that bad. Especially when you consider that 23 of those 40 goals came in just 5 games, so it means only 17 conceded in the other 26, with 12 clean sheets. Only Arsenal (13), Chelsea (14), Man City (13) and, somehow, West Ham (13), have kept more.

Also, we've failed to score in 9 games, which means our 40 goals have come in 22 games. So when we have scored, we've averaged nearly 2 goals a game. I prefer to look at it that way "Lies, damned lie and statistics!"

... which, in turn, somewhat informs the 'highline' question ...

Also important to remember the Liverpool (h) and Chelsea (a) results this season were both seriously affected by red cards (6 goals conceded after the reds).

Given the defensive injuries, literally all season, maybe things aren't so bad at the back ...

Sshhh ... if you keep saying positive things, you'll wake Pee up .. and you know how cranky he gets

Between now and the end of the season we've got a pretty decent run of teams after Liverpool game. We've just got to try and win as many as possible because what the teams around us do is as important as what we do IMO.

I've always been quite happy with the run in after Liverpool. The only problem is, if it means we secure any form of European Qualification - which will of course be a good thing again - it could mean we'll still be saddled with Tim "You fackkin' slaaaaaag" Sherwood next season ..

If only Soldado's La Liga goal scoring ability had transferred to the Premiership !

The thing about the run in is - after Liverpool - against those particular opponents we won 6 of the 7 last season. It's okay having a nice run in but we have to win them.


He's been on Ignore for almost a year so not too concerned.

Couple of interesting pieces:

The writer who seems to have the hotline to Daniel Levy these days on the return of Caulker and Vertonghen going to Barca:
http://www.theguardian.com/football/...cardiff-summer

And an interview with John Bostock, who never quite got it right between the ears:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26715651

Interesting. Never really rated Caulker personally but I accept i'm probably in a minority there. Given a choice, if I was, i'd certainly prefer to keep Vertonghen.

that is known, round my way at least, as an absolute no-brainer, sir.

I'm not sure there is a choice. Given his demeanour eariler and the general upheaval, I wouldn't be surprised if Vertonghen has already been given 'a strong indication' he can leave.

Levy likes a quick profit so I'm sure he'll be tempted, esp. if he can get Caulker back for the same fee if Cardiff go down - which I think we can probably guess is something Levy inserted in the deal.

The profit might even pay for a proper left back ...

I'm way past the point of caring when it comes to Jan. As for Caulker, I'm with you. Although I don't think I've ever really seen enough of him to properly judge.

just putting this out there...

I wonder if Jan is in need of "The Sherwood Method" ?

He did seem a lot happier under AVB but his mood at least has certainly nosedived since Timmy has been in charge, so maybe he just needs the stereotypical "arm round the shoulder" ?

Apparently Vlad is turning out for the U21's tonight so he might play a part on Sunday. Unfortunately, Dembele has also trained all week so he might be involved as well ..


Nothing that idiot says really surprises me any more.

SPURS U21s beat The Gooners 2-0 this evening, Coulibaly with a pen and Harry Winks with a curler from the edge of the box. We absolutely bossed the game throughout. Chilriches played 90mins and almost scored after a mazy run from deep inside our half!

MoM was our Rueben Lameiras, young Portuguese ML/AML.

Good result for the U21's and good to see Vlad last the whole game - I can't imagine he'll start on sunday but i'd hope he features at some point.

Ade still doubtful apparently.

LVG to Spurs a 'done deal' according to Ruud Gullit

Please let that be true

The Beeb have picked up Gullit's comments

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26798631

To be fair, he actually says "I think it's a done deal but you never know".

Although the Metro story has a rather interesting slant on it with Gullit saying that Sherwood and Sir Les went to scout Suarez when they worked with Redknapp.


http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/29/ruud-g...tspur-4682384/

There's a large part of me that actually believes that, considering Sherwood's previous comments about certain players "not being his type".

I remember there being rumours about is being interested in Suarez when he was at Ajax, I think. Who knows if he would have turned out the be the player he is now if he had come to us though.

My understanding was that Harry turned down the chance to sign Suarez because he was a "second striker" and could not lead the line or play up front on his own.

Liverpool could be super motivated tomorrow with top spot on offer after Chelsea lost today.

I think they'd have been motivated anyway. But then in a weird way, it's almost like the United/Bayern game - everyone is expecting United to lose so if they pull of the upset, it's even more impressive. Same for this - I do tend to imagine that most people are expecting Liverpool to dish out another spanking.