Spurs News and Views

O/T Paul Stalteri - Canadian Legend

bankrupt — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:01:47 GMT

We all know Werder Bremen and Spurs meet next week, and a former legend of both clubs just became Canada's most capped player:

http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/story/?id=333020

MONTREAL -- Paul Stalteri has his record 83rd cap for Canada.

The right back surpassed defender Randy Samuel's record for appearances with the Canadian national men's soccer team when he took the field for a 2-1 victory over Honduras in a friendly match on Tuesday night.

Stalteri held his young children Izabella and Leandro as he stood with teammates for the pre-game national athems and was presented with a plaque by Canadian Soccer Association president Dominic Maestracci.

"The important thing tonight was not Paul Stalteri playing an 83rd game, but Canada winning 2-1," he said.

Samuel, a member of Canada's Soccer Hall of Fame, collected his caps between 1983 and 1997.

Women's team striker Christine Sinclair holds the overall Canadian record at 138 caps and counting.

Stalteri, 32, made his senior debut in August 1997 in a 1-0 loss to Iran at Toronto's Varsity Stadium. Since then he has played in different continents in different positions for seven different national team coaches.

The native of Brampton, Ont., began his pro career as a 19-year-old with the Toronto Lynx in 1997 before moving to Europe to play for Werder Bremen, Tottenham, Fulham and Borussia Moenchengladbach.

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In tribute, it's time to revisit:

And, not forgetting, the tribute that 'The Man' tried to ban....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQJLJKzkmrc

O/T Houllier new manager at Villa

Raziel — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 01:12:24 GMT

Didn't see it anywhere else, so here goes

Former Liverpool and Lyon boss Gerard Houllier has been appointed the new manager of Aston Villa.

The 63-year-old left the post of technical director at the French Football Federation to return to English football after six years away.

He takes over from caretaker Kevin MacDonald, who had been in charge since Martin O'Neill left on 9 August.

Chief executive Paul Faulkner said: "He [Houllier] understands the ethos of our club and shares our core values."

No announcement has yet been made on the future of MacDonald who stepped up from his position of reserve-team coach when O'Neill left before the start of the season

Happy New Year 5771

THFC6061 — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 05:29:28 GMT

I'd like to wish all members of GG a very happy New Year 5771.

Let's hope the new year brings success to Spurs both at home and in Europe.

st waiting list

whoopwhoop — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:32:48 GMT

was speaking to my cousin earlier and he was wondering is the season ticket waiting list going to be updated hes a bronze member and was 12000 and something but says he hasnt changed at all surely he would move somewhat? no?

O/T Van Persie

gazplayford — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:29:07 GMT

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie will be sidelined with an ankle injury until at least mid-October.

The Dutchman, 27, suffered the injury during Arsenal's 2-1 win over Blackburn in the Premier League on 28 August.

The Netherlands Football Association had forecast he would be out for "at least a few weeks", however, the problem is worse than first feared.

Van Persie missed five months last season after damaging ankle ligaments while on international duty.

His latest injury rules him out of Arsenal's first two Champions League group stage matches, at home to Braga on 15 September and away to Partizan Belgrade 13 days later.

It seems likely he will miss a minimum of five Premier League matches, including the north London derby at Tottenham on 21 September and away to Chelsea on 3 October.

The Dutch, meanwhile, will have to do without him for their Euro 2012 qualifiers against Moldova and Sweden next month, with Hamburg's Ruud van Nistelrooy likely to continue to fill the striking breach in the squad.

Van Persie's injury resulted in former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Van Nistelrooy called up by the Netherlands for the first time in two years, as the 34-year-old scored once in his country's opening Group E qualifier on Friday - a 5-0 win over San Marino.

After missing much of last season through injury, Van Persie was an ever present as the Netherlands reached the World Cup final, but he has had a frustrating start to the current campaign.

Lacking full match fitness, he made only brief appearances in Arsenal's opening fixtures against Liverpool and Blackpool before his first start of the campaign was curtailed by injury after 35 minutes on Saturday.

Marouane Chamakh, who led the line after replacing Van Persie on Saturday, is likely to continue to play as Arsenal's sole forward with Denmark international Nicklas Bendtner also unavailable because of a groin injury.

There was better news for Gunners manager Arsene Wenger, though, on midfielder Samir Nasri.

The Frenchman injured his knee in 1-1 league draw at Liverpool on 15 August - the opening day of the season.

However, according to a statement on Arsenal's website, Nasri "will return to training in the next few days", after initially being expected to be ruled out for a month.

Capello to quit as England manager after Euro 2012

Mumorn — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:22:26 GMT

Breaking news on Sky News.

Trying to find a link

VdV: Mr. Angry

Enter the Pitbull — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:52:07 GMT

Rafael van der Vaart left 'despondent' by snub from Holland coach

• Spurs midfielder unhappy with coach Bert van Marwijk
• 'If you play well you don't think you'll be taken off'

Press Association
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 8 September 2010 13.32 BST
Article history

The Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart is unhappy with the Holland coach Bert van Marwijk. Photograph: Reuters

The Holland midfielder Rafael van der Vaart is becoming "despondent" at his treatment by the coach Bert van Marwijk following his substitution during the Euro 2012 qualifying win over Finland.

The 27-year-old was left on the bench for Friday's match against San Marino, having endured an unhappy World Cup in which he struggled to compete for his place with Wesley Sneijder, and played in the unfamiliar position on the left wing last night. He was taken off after 64 minutes of the 2-1 victory.

The new Tottenham signing covered his mouth as he departed the pitch, clearly an unhappy man. Asked if he was worried about lip-readers, he laughed: "Secretly, yes. I was swearing a bit, but not specifically for [Van Marwijk] to hear."

He told onsoranje.nl: "If you play well you don't think you'll be taken off. I'm getting a little despondent. The substitutions are predictable. It's my 84th match. I think sometimes I deserve to stay on.

"If I play badly, you can take me off after an hour. That's my own fault. But in this case I trained hard, kept my mouth shut, did my best, and I was still taken off.

"I gave everything. Also I was playing in a position which is not comfortable for me, I'm not a left-winger. But I did well. I was involved in two goals, some good moves, and almost scored.

"I always try to be positive but I can't remember the last time I played 90 minutes. It makes me somewhat despondent. Maybe other people would not be angry, but that's how I feel at the moment."

Asked if he was too nice, he said: "Maybe. But in my time at Ajax I learned that arguing is useless. I just always want to play. If you play well you think you deserve to stay on and not be the first one taken off every time."

Nevertheless, Van der Vaart believes Van Marwijk rates him highly.

"I know he has great confidence in me, he's said so often enough. But with the regularity of the substitutions, obviously as a player I'm going to become unhappy."

Fingers Crossed for Defoe!!!!!!!

Southcote Spur — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:26:34 GMT

Just been watching the England game and yet another Spurs player departs on a stretcher!

I am really beginning to hate International football.

Robbie Keane: British & Irish Isles Record Goalscorer?

THFC6061 — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 08:47:26 GMT

Will Robbie Become the British & Irish Isles Record Goalscorer?

Robbie Keane's goal last night against Andorra in the EURO 2012 qualifiers was his 44th for the Republic of Ireland National team and came in his 102nd match.

Keane is now just five goals short of England's Bobby Charlton's total of 49 goals, which is the record for any player from the British & Irish Isles.

Charlton played 106 times for England and was 32 years old when he played his last international - the World Cup quarter final against West Germany in Mexico 1970.

Robbie Keane is two years younger than Charlton was when he retired from international football and the Spurs striker is still at the peak of his powers.

It's well within Keane's ability to become the greatest goalscorer from the British & Irish Isles - he has already surpassed Northern Ireland's David Healy who is currently on 35 goals, Scotland's Kenny Dalglish & Dennis Law who both scored 30 goals and Wales' Ian Rush who scored 28 goals.

Robbie Keane's full goalscoring record & statistics in domestic and international matches 1997-2010

Defoe as lone striker

elltrev — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:27:52 GMT

Watching England's last two games has made me even more sure in my previously-held belief that Defoe can be effective as a lone striker for us.

- He's a goal threat whether the opposition sits deep or plays a high defensive line (not true of Crouch).

- He has the ability to be the sole outlet when we win possession back: He's quick enough to get to the ball before other defenders, he's strong and tenacious enough to hold off any central defender (don't be fooled by his height) and he's technically gifted enough to be able to retain possession even when outnumbered (not true of Keane, Pav or, to a lesser extent, Crouch).

- He works his arse off and covers a lot of ground (not true of Pav).

For me, those three things are the most important attributes necessary for a lone striker to be effective, and I think Defoe has them all.

If we're playing defensively - defending deep with men behind the ball - then I think Defoe will be more than adequate at offering an outlet, holding up the ball and playing midfielders in whilst on the break.

If we're playing more attacking - dominating possession high up the pitch - then there will be less need for him to come deep and link play (which I think everyone agrees isn't his natural game), as our midfielders will be playing closer to him and can provide the link to attack themselves.

Ideally he would be taller - to provide an aerial threat in the box and to be able to win headers and hopefully retain possession from long balls / clearances - but I don't think that's an absolute necessity. And aside from that, I'm not sure if there's anything else he really lacks in order to do a decent job as a lone striker?

O/T - Laudrup diagnosed with cancer.

Mumorn — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:47:34 GMT

Ex-Rangers star Brian Laudrup has cancer

Ex-Rangers player Brian Laudrup has been diagnosed with cancer

Former Rangers and Chelsea footballer Brian Laudrup has been diagnosed with cancer.

The 41-year-old Dane, who played for the Glasgow team from 1994 to 1998, is suffering from a mild form of lymphoma.

The footballer scored 45 goals in his 151 appearances for the club, winning three Championships, a Scottish Cup and a League Cup.

A statement on the Rangers website said: "Everyone at Rangers Football Club sends their best wishes to Brian."

Optimistic reports

Speaking on Danish channel TV3, where he works as a commentator, he said he was determined to beat the illness.

He told the channel: "I am obviously shocked by the diagnosis, but also know that there is now a tough battle ahead of me - a battle I will win.

"Fortunately, I have had very optimistic reports from doctors to support me."

The former Bayern Munich, Fiorentina, Rangers, Chelsea and Ajax star said he wanted to spend time with his family to get over the shock.

Laudrup was named Danish player of the year on four occasions.

OMT candidates for the bremen game......

africanspurs — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:40:47 GMT

after seeing the joke of an OMT for our game against Brom...i think we need to tread carefully with our first CL game should be started by an OG

the poll will be set after we have a list of 10 names, names of established and seasonsed and successful match thread starters ONLY please

this game is delicate and needs the acceptance of the OMT gods

so please volunteer the name and a poll shall be started

O/T Ballotelli out for 6 weeks..

markysimmo04 — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:02:42 GMT

Injured his knee on his debut had surgery on his something menicus..

* OMT - Tottenham Hotspur v West Bromwich Albion *

Park Lane James — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 15:50:01 GMT

Date: September 11th 2010

K/O time: 3PM

Venue: The Hawthorns

Club nickname: 'Boing-Boing Baggies'

Weather: Probably rainy

Not sure whether VDV will make a start in this one, hopefully we go with our tried and tested 4-4-2 and bring him on late in the game to experiment/go and get us the win. West Brom try and play football, so that can only play into our hands. We should set up like a home game to get 3 points, and that mean throwing everything we can at Albion.

Gomes

Corluka Gallas Bassong Bale

Lennon Huddlestone Palacios Niko

Crouch Defoe

Gallas played for Spurs XI against QPR and will probably start on saturday since Ledley will be held for the away trip to Bremen midweek. Palacios to be drafted in since Modric is only just fit for the Croatia game and he offers some toughness in midfield. Niko to be brought in, as he has a knack of getting goals away from home against the 'lesser' sides.

Score prediction: 1 - 3 (Defoe x 2)

I shall call in the power of the King Cobra for this one:

... and a stoat pretending to be a cobra:

COYS

Sandro

Luka dos Santos — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:13:32 GMT

No Champions League footy for Sandro?

Bremen - Mertasacker

SuperHudd — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:22:47 GMT

Apparently out of this weekends game and the Tottenham game, broke his face last night for Germany

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11888_6364985,00.html

South Coast Club

Billyiddo — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:30:51 GMT

anyone know the story behind the Sun not calling Southampton by their real name ?

Just when you thought the Transfer Window had slammed shut...

1 8 8 2 — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 09:49:53 GMT

They open up the Football league one!!

Dunno if Spurs will be involved with any more Loans out... but I hear one of the Kyle twins may be going back to Sheff Utd for half a season... and I fully expect Alnwick to be nowhere near the club by the time the window closes... which is when incidentally?? I heard mid-November for League clubs... but not sure when Premier League clubs have to be 'done' by.

Spurs TV Canada

spurs1canada — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:31:50 GMT

Setanta Spurs v WBA delay 5.00pm E.T. Setanta Werder Bremen v Spurs live 2.45pm E.T. Setanta Spurs v Wolves live 10.00am E.T. Setanta Spurs v Arse live 2.45pm E.T. Setanta Wham v Spurs delay 5.00pm E.T. Setanta Spurs v Twente live 2.45pm E.T. Not Bad

1st visit to the lane

Jonners — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:23:00 GMT

evening all, im trying to get too my 1st visit to the lane this year, am i right in saying you can choose where to sit?

i was wondering what are the best areas?

thanks

ST holders application forms on OS for Champs league games

dawaxman — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:11:29 GMT

FYI

Flight and hotels booked. Milano anyone?

pastor_tim — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:41:20 GMT

Going down there on monday 18th from Oslo and leaving 21th. have you decided where to see Spurs away?

Television - Bremen fixture

Luka dos Santos — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:19:22 GMT

Is it on tele in England?

Ain't on in South Africa and I am thoroughly pissed off about that...

Whats your top 10 strikers of the premership years?

chichesterspurs — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 23:58:59 GMT

Whas thinking about this the other day. Im going to talk about ones i have actually seen live in games and that impressed me on those times.

1 Sheringham

2 Bergkamp

3 Klinsmann

4 Jansen

5 Zola

6 Berbatov

7 Drogba

8 Asprilla

9 Henry

10 Vialli

Im sure some might think that asprilla and matt jansen are funny ones but i saw them play and thought they were very very good, jansen im sure if it had not been for his injuries would have had a great career i think he was in the england squad till he got injured. We really were lucky to see sheringham at the lane. I never got to see cantona and i still have not yet seen rooney play live.

The 10 best premiership players outside of us and the sky 4?

Dean Austins left foot — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:50:10 GMT

Who are your 10 best players to have played in the Premiership but didn't play for Spurs, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea or United.

Juninho

Shearer

Di Canio

Okocha

Ravanelli

Gary Speed

Arteta

Kevin Phillips

Mellberg

Le Tissier

I'll admit, I struggled to name 10!