It’s been a long time since I have had the time to write one of these but with newly found evening freedom and a team that doesn’t require a match preview that simply requires you to state that they will lose and the only guessed variable is by how many.

Well Harry has landed. In 4 days he has turned an absolute joke into a football team again. Ramos had 2 points from 8, Redknapp has 4 from 2. So far this season despite all its troubles has seen a good record against the ‘big 4’ with good draws at Chelsea and Arsenal and I recently saw a post that showed we have a good record at present with 3 of the ‘big 4’ with recent draws in the league at home to Man United, away to Arsenal and Liverpool and both home and away to Chelsea.

So the late Saturday fixture. Liverpool visit the lane and probably the keynote of this fixture will be the return of Robbie Keane. However that is getting overshadowed by Redknapp’s introduction at Spurs, the new ground announcement etc. After the issues with Sol Campbell this year the press will be out watching how we treat another former favourite son. Liverpool sit top of the Premiership going into the weekend and we, as everyone knows sit bottom so expect to hear the old ‘top v bottom’ and ‘as far apart as teams can be’ lines from the press this weekend. After beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last week and ending an 86 game unbeaten spell of Chelsea, Liverpool are as high with confidence as you can get. But then so are we right now so it should be an interesting game.

Spurs change around under Redknapp comes down to two key issues. First is a renewed self belief and the Second is a return to basics. Under Ramos the team had stalled since March and imploded this term. A fresh start was needed and you can see exactly what has happened with a manager that the team has faith in. Probably being able to talk to them is a big help as well. Goals scored are also a big thing. Bent is scoring goals right now and Modric given time on the ball can deliver passes to Bent that he can use to the best of his ability, more so than Pavlyuchenko.

Key notes for Saturday’s game will be to hold firm in midfield, defend against the counter attack, defend set pieces and take chances and utilise goals from midfield as we did on Wednesday.

Team news: Torres absence is a big plus for us, but other than Dawson’s suspension and a few niggling injuries that no doubt will have cleared up it’s as you are.

HABD’s predicted team line up:
Gomes, Corluka, King, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Lennon, Huddlestone, Jenas, Modric, Bent.

HABD’s predicted score – Confidence is high so 2-1 Spurs.

I will leave titling this blog until the very end. This is because I’m not quite sure where it is heading yet. That’s a terrible way to start writing, I know, quite unorthodox, potentially unsuccessful. Sound familiar?

I feel like perhaps an introduction is in order, but I will refrain from anything too formal. I would hope my name is ringing bells on here by now, but as an infrequent poster, I understand that I’m an unknown quantity. I’ve been a member of JSG since the rebellion from FF, although I prefer to sit back and read discussions and articles rather than participate in them. Perhaps that was down to a lack of confidence in speaking to strangers. Perhaps I didn’t really have anything interesting to say. Whatever the case, I enjoyed observing the musings of what I would sum up as quite a down-to-earth, intelligent and bold group of posters. I even quite liked Samspurs (forgive me).

But then the observer can often pick up a different view, perhaps inaccurate, compared to those involved in the action. We all know how it feels to be an observer, overtly so this season. It’s been quite terrible. I’ve felt lost, confused, infuriated. Ever since Jol was sent packing with a hand carved sayonara sword shoved roughly into his back, fresh from the depths of the boardroom, this feeling of confusion was one I found difficult to shrug off.

Last year, after walking back from the Aalborg game (we won 3-2 after going 2-0 down in the first half) with my old man, he said something which has plagued the Spurs related box in my brain ever since.

‘It’s not the players that are the problem, half of them would walk into most premiership sides, it’s that as a team, they looked effing clueless.’

My dad is a sorry, sorry Leeds fan, and this was his first visit to the Lane, having never watched us play live before. And he saw our problem straight away. At the time, I had faith that Ramos would sort it out, but you know, I don’t think he ever did.

And now our allegiance lies with Harry Redknapp. I’ll be honest, when I first saw his ugly mug on the main page of BBC sport and the word ‘Spurs’ next to it, I nearly smashed the computer screen in. Lucky that I didn’t, because I was using someone else’s at the time. It was a massive shock to the system. But I’m over it.

I’m not sure why I was so naturally upset at the time. It doesn’t seem half so bad after marching on unbeaten in two. In fact, I feel all warm and cuddly inside when I think about Spurs now. Everything is going to be OK! The Tottenham relegation party hosted by my Gooner friends has been postponed until further notice. The absolutely cracking photo of Bentley on Skysports has been plastered around several of said friends’ room’s, hidden under pillows, in book covers, stuck to windows and wrapped up in jean pockets. I want them to see it and know that the boys are back in town.

Because that is how I feel. I feel strong and confident again. A bizarre part of my brain is convinced will we beat the Scouse on the weekend. That part of my brain has been out of service for so long (after ridiculously predicting a solid start to the season for Spurs and wins over Boro, Sunderland and Villa) that I feel reborn. My ‘crazy-Tottenham-anything-can-happen-I-hate-and-love-Jenas’ feeling is back. And with any luck, back to stay.

Sometimes I think I’m a schizophrenic when I think about Spurs. Because sometimes I feel like we can beat anyone, and then sometimes I think we will be beaten by everyone. This may ring true with many fans out there.  I’m not sure what Harry will bring to Tottenham right now, and I won’t be forced into making any rash judgements. I’m as hotheaded, naive and knee-jerk loving as the next fan when I want to be, and sinisterly over analytical at times too.

But right now I just want to watch Tottenham climb the table. I don’t care about performances, not yet, I want points and I want confidence. We’ve been to hell this season already, and I don’t feel like heaven is the right place for us just yet. Perhaps just like this first blog of mine, and similar to my Peugeot 206 Zest sitting at home, we will just have to wait for things to warm up a bit before we go making any judgements.

Well, I guess that is why we love football. I am struggling to think of a team who has as many rollercoaster matches as Tottenham. In the last 12 months we have seen 3 4-4 draws, a 6-4 win, 2 5-1 wins - crazy! People often talk about “the Tottenham way” referring to entertaining, attacking football but even for Spurs this is mental. This match had everything - a North London Derby, goals galore, passion, pride, good football, amazing goals, awful defending, sell out crowd and points to play for.

The previous game between Spurs and Arsenal saw Spurs thrash Arsenal 5-1 so this game had a lot to live up to if it was going to be as memorable. However, despite the odds, it did just that. It all started with what I can only call one of the greatest goals I have seen from a Spurs player. Before kick off I watched Gazza’s free kick on youtube, don’t know why, maybe to remind myself what we can do. Anyway, I would go as far as saying Bentley’s volley was every bit as good as it. Not only was his technique and execution ridiculously good, but his awareness was brilliant. To know the keeper was off his line, to tee it up and then loop it from fully 40 yards and with so much swerve that Almunia look more stupid than Seaman, well, all I can say is wow. 1-0, thank you very much.

However, in many ways, the goal didn’t do us a favour. We sat back too deep, we left too big a gap between Pavlyuchenko and the midfield and we allowed Arsenal to run at us. Although their equaliser shouldn’t have come about due to Bentley being fouled in build up to the corner, I have to admit it was deserved. Gomes should have stayed on his line but I was happy with 1-1 at the break. A thoroughly entertaining first half with all the makings of a classic derby meeting.

The second half started in the worst way possible. Huddlestone gives a way a free kick for daring to breathe on Van Persie’s neck and once again we concede from a set play. 2-1 down and you can sense the confidence starting to drain out of the team. Despite this, we pressed on and although Arsenal had more possession, Gomes didn’t have too many saves to make really. It took a fantastic ball to split open our defence, Adebayor eventually tapping in from 2 inches and then celebrating as if he had just won the world cup. 3-1 down, some would say game over.

Enter Darren Bent. I think it was his first touch which brought us back into the match. Huddlestone’s fierce drive could only be parried by Almunia and like all good strikers, Bent follows up for a tap in. 3-2 down. Then comes Alan Hutton’s moment of madness. Only he will know what he was attempting to do when he laid the ball off to Adebayor, who in turn found Van Persie, resulting in another goal. 3 goals in 4 minutes and once again, Spurs shot themselves in the foot.

The game trundled on, the clock ticked down, I sat looking bewildered, frustrated and upset. It is the hope that kills you. The hope of turning up and beating our greatest rivals. It got to the 89^th minute and I was finally resigned to our fate. We were not going to get anything out of the game. Bentley’s wonder strike was going to be in vain. That is until Gael Clichy falls flat on his face, Jermaine Jenas dribbles the ball onto his weaker left foot and then precedes to curl it beautifully into the top corner. Suddenly, we only need 1 goal and the 4^th official says we have 4 minutes to get it. That hope comes creeping back, just a tiny little bit of it, edging it’s way back into me, surely only to make the defeat more painful.

The ball falls to Gomes who launches it up the field. Woodgate, now playing as a target man, flicks it on and it falls to Huddlestone via a deflection. He plays the ball to Modric who takes a touch and unleashes a spectacular effort which cannons off the upright. For a split second that hope reared it’s ugly head and laughed in my face, but little Aaron Lennon reacted quickest and slid the ball into the net. Cue madness. I don’t know what you did but I did 3 laps of the room, fell over a chair, hugged an Arsenal fan and danced with a Spurs fan. 4-4, against all odds.

I know it is only a point, only a draw. But it isn’t. This result will breed confidence, commitment and belief from a squad which is desperately short of it. It should be the stimulus, the start of a long climb up the table. We live in hope.

It may be the hope that kills you, but it is matches like this that remind us why we love football. I for one will live in eternal hope.

Around 2 weeks ago I decided that JSG needed a new look, and finally gathered the inspiration to get going.

So here you go, its not drop down super duper amazing, but I like it, and prefer it. Indeed, it’s not just a layout redesign, we now offer a few more features. You may have noticed that little Highlights button on the navigation, I think it’s title pretty much explains what’s inside!

I’ve also improved the wallpaper system, given more exposure to CockneyParmisan’s Swingometer, added a Poll system, redesigned the RSS subscribe feature, added social networking bookmarks, blah blah blah.

It’s still not finished though, I would expect a few more changes in the forthcoming weeks. That’s the great thing about the layout though, it’s much more easy to work with than the previous design.

Thanks for reading, I’m over and out.

I have been quiet over the last year since the board’s disgraceful treatment and handling of Martin Jol but I now feel I have to get it off my chest. Where do you start, what can mere fans do except pay through the nose?

I have broken it down into sections.

The Board
Good Points
They have made money available, lots of money and they are looking to improve the ground.
Looking at the current financial situation, at least ENIC looks to be reasonably stable & debt is controlled.
Just look at WHU at the moment and the debt at the usual top four. Only Chelski have the owners cash, two of the other owners owe huge debts with multi million pound interest repayments per year.

Bad Points
Poor decision making.
No continuity of management, back room staff and players.
The sporting director!
Transfer policy. (Is there one!!!!)
Poor decision making (sorry this gets in twice as it’s so important)
Too bigger turn over of management and playing staff.
What has happened to our once brilliantly scouting and youth policy.
To busy talking up a team that’s won nothing and which is only consistent in one thing, its inconsistency!

The Sol Campbell, Berbatov, Keane, etc; dealings, poor decision making (oop’s sneaked in again!!)

The Board may well have to change, but is this the time?
Except for the sporting director, he can go, let the manager stand by his own decisions.

Anyone know a kind multi billionaire who supports Spurs and doesn’t want to pick the F&%$*@G team if he puts cash in?

Playing Staff.
This really goes back to previous points; you can only play what’s there.
We have too many flair mid fielders, no balance.
We are short in some areas that have not been remedied.
We lack players with maturity and a winning mentality to mix in with the youth and flair players.
This season’s team are all strangers; it’s likely some probably can’t talk to one another let alone the management and vice versa.

Ledley, if he can only play limited games, why was he in Warsaw and not playing the other Sunday, a home match against a promoted club which was a must win 3 pointer???? (See bad decision making)

Much of the above does not only relate to this year. (see above)

Why have we got first team players on the books without a squad number? Answers on a postcard please.
Look throughout the premiership, how many clubs are full of recent spurs players, many rejected by the club and doing very well at their new clubs, why? What is wrong back room that causes players to underperform at spurs? Is the whole expectation thing corrupting the club?

Hands are tied now until January, even then there are no guarantees, would you want to join spurs at the moment?.
The current squad may have to do the job. We certainly don’t need more wholesale changes.
The worst thing of all is we may well end up with yet another bloody manager (any thoughts)
Levy won’t be able to sit back and do nothing if things continue.
Ramos looks to me like a man who doesn’t want to be there and appears not to have any idea how to solve the problem or what his best team, system, etc; is!
The press are now reporting unsettled players. Nothing changes.

Fans.
I have supported Spurs for about 45 years, since the seventies we have had so many false dawns, new beginnings, clean brooms, you name it. The results always the same, huge amounts of money, big name players, inconsistent squad, occasional cup success.

If we do show signs of getting it right, disaster is never far away, Irvine Scholar and the club nearly going bust, Terry Venables and his team before the troubles, Martin Joll’s treatment.
I admit Martin was sometimes slow to change the team if things were going wrong, but generally a good sort, honest and we were starting to get a little more consistent. Shame the board didn’t get the players he wanted or have the courage to back him.
I thought the whole episode was a disgrace to the club.
I think it’s to Martins credit that he hasn’t crowed about it.
Lets hope if we get through the UEFA cup group, Hamburg don’t await us.

Now this is where I might upset a few of you (no apologies)

Let’s stop this pre occupation with the other north London club and players.
I hate them as much as the next spurs supporter, more probably than some; I have had a long time to suffer it.
But let’s get over it, yes during the period I described above I think they have had three managers and a far too successful team but it’s got to stop.
Shame they got rid of Rioch!

When things are tough we all need to get behind the team, forget the rest, don’t get on the players or managers back, they are visibly lacking in confidence and understanding (both footballing and language wise) already.

The rot has got to stop and very soon, we all need to play our part, all hands to pump, etc:

So to sum up, a few cliché footballing truisms I have picked up over the years from various people, cliché they may be but they often turn out to be true.

Footballs often won or lost between the ears.
A game of decisions and mistakes, the team making the best decisions and fewer mistakes normally wins.
A team of all flair and stars doesn’t normally work; you need the worker bees as well to glue it all together.
You have to win the battle first before you earn the right to play your football.
Consistency and continuity are key.
Brian Clough at a meeting with his first chairman when a manager, “lets have a deal Mr Chairman, I won’t tell you how to run your chain of butchers shops, you don’t tell me how to pick a football team”

Lets stop having unrealistic goals (although a goal would be nice) and settle for some consolidation, get a win, play ugly if necessary, start getting some points and climb out of the bottom three.
We don’t want to be there, we certainly don’t want to go down because it’s bloody hard getting back now.

It does not have to be pretty, or clever or well played, results and points is all that count in May.
Oh, and I won’t hear of “to good to go down” or “to big a club”, etc:”

IT’S GET FINGERS OUT OF ARSE TIME, GET BEHIND THE CLUB, THE TEAM, SUPPORTERS, ETC; PULL TOGETHER AND BOY THE TEAM UP.

Come on you Spurs.

PS, is it only me that thinks there are too many foreign owners, managers and players in the Prem’? Can’t be good for the England team? And another thing, we’ve now got foreign adverts at the ground! I am not a xenophobe but it is a sign of the time, The English game should mostly involve the English for me, sod the Champs League and UEFA cups, the TV companies and sponsors have to much say now, about time they were reigned in. Who’s got the bottle to put a stop to it?

God I’m glad I got that off my chest.

Written by HABD Snr.

A very large tombe could be written regarding tottenham hotspur so far this season and I really cant be arsed to add to it as it only makes me angry to see the way this club is going under with little direction, poor mangerial decisions, bending over backwards to any financial offers and a squad that is far, far from balanced.

Well 4 games.

The first was passed in the away leg of the first round of the uefa cup. It wasn’t good but it was enough and if you ain’t in it you can’t win it, as they say.

Anyway the key is the next 3 league games.
Hull (h), Stoke (a), Bolton (h)

9 points minimum from those 3 games. 7 at the very worse. Any less and were making Derby look good. 9 points and thre season maybe savable even though savable right now is not a relegation battle. So its up to Ramos to actually work out what the fuck he wants to do with the players we have, and most important is for the players to give a flying fuck and attack with enthusiam and take chances.

Most important - take the lead, take the pressure off, make the opposition chase us for once and exploit those holes.
Most disasterious - concede/ play an unbalanced team/ play one up front.

I have seen a lot of football, i know when its shit and i know when its good, and i still have that hnch that all we need is one win to get some confidenced back and get us off the bottom of the league. Cup football is one thing but most of our squad have forgotten how to win in the league. Looking back if not for JKeane and Berbatov that stat of 1 point a game since Feburary would be a lot, lot worse. Those players have gone and someone, anyone has to step up and fill it.

Come on you Spurs.