Feelings already!

[JuicE]

What's your feeling already after this display against Bolton?

[laspur]

Everything that could go wrong did. Yet I don't feel panicked, s-hit I knew Bolton wouldn't be easy but buying into the pre-season hype just makes it hard to swallow. We have the players to get it together, I just know we will see a different performance come this tuesday.

[suBerb]

Last season we started well and finished badly.

THIS season we started badly and will finish well!



WE simply cannot play well vs Bolton. We beat them last season at WHL, but they were the better side...Two victories vs Shef and Evert will make the things look much better.

[Danishspurs]

Yeah. We'll come back on tuesday with a totally different attitude. Hard working and with the will to win.

[Welsh Spur]

When Bolton come to WHL I want to see them annihalated, before this game I hated them, now I hate them even more. They are such a shite side! Call it being a bad loser, but their first goal was in fact, a joke, and the second was a pot shot by Campo, that had no direction, he just rammed it and hoped. Robinson completely misjudged it and should have saved, that's the kind of goal I let in when I play in goal. And I suck at being a goalkeeper!

The encouraging thing was that overall possession must have been 75 Spurs 25 Bolton. They sat back coz the knew we were better, they just cheated on a set piece, then got lucky with a pot shot. Credit where credit is due, they didn't let us play our game, and I think the two early goals stunned the whole team, I think they were expecting to win as much as we were expecting them to. Anyways, put it right, Stuff Sheffield United, they've got no excuse it's at home and if they're serious about this season then this is a must win game. Simple as.

[mjbmedia]

same old slow midfield, we had loads of opportunities to break faster but seem to love passing 3 times sideways and losing the initiative, can Jenas actually run in a forwards direction ??or does he just turn to the defence cos he fancies Dawson??
we can only lose 4 games this season if we truly want to compete, weve got two guaranteed loses to Chelsea to come due to our club loving keeping traditions going, so theres not much more room for error.

to be honest i got bored halfway thru the 2nd half when i saw the same old crap that we had to endure last season , slow,slow ,slow and more slow zzzzzzzz o and since when is Dawson our main playmaker and have none of our players heard of putting backspin onto a longer pass to stop it running away, elementary but seemingly above us for now

still in the words of that crap D'ream song fron whenever it was
'Things can only get better'

[MACCSPURS]

With our current squad and injuries we still have enough to beat Bolton so yesterday was down to a lack of fight, simple as that. Bolton wanted it more and to be honest they out played us in every department. Can you remember one great move we had for a goal scoring chance?

Like the stats showed, we had all the ball so anyone who did not watch the game would think Bolton were lucky, but the truth is we had the ball in our own half and Bolton were just saying "we are 2-0, come on then Tottenham if you think you are good enough"

and we were not...

[spurs61]

My turn for a (rather long) rant. A bit early in the season but I've got to get this off my chest;

I thought yesterdays performance of the entire side was abject from Robinson through to Berbatov.

TBH, I though Jol got the set-up of the team and the tactics totally wrong. You do not go to Bolton and play a three man midfield, especially if two of the three are not up to any sort of physical confrontation. It was apparent against Sociedad that Jenas hasn't got a clue what his role if in the team, Jenas continued from last season by effectively holding Zokora's hand as he did with Carrick. I assume Zokora's role is to sit deep and spread the play, what does Jenas do, other than get in Zokora's way??? He never supports the front two and doesn't get into areas which hurt the opposition. When he does get the ball he tends to play 5 yard nothing balls which are just an abdication of responsibility. If MJ really thinks Jenas should be playing from deep why the hell did we pay £8 million for the deep lying Zokora?

After the game Jol said that we started off playing a "midfield diamond", I saw no evidence of this, we were actually playing a suicicdal 4-3-1-2 and played straight into Bolton's hands. When teams go to Bolton they must be prepared for a physical battle both within and outside the laws of the game. At no point did Spurs attempt to match Bolton's thugish performance. Ok, it wouldn't have made for a pretty game, but it would have sent out a message to the rest of the league. As it is, we are already in a situation whereby the hard work put in on the road last season have been somewhat undone by a spineless and inept display.

Whilst we clearly must address the glaringly obvious problem left side, we have a much larger dilema in defence. The full back position is well documented but at centre half we also have an issue. Ledley's absence allowed Davenport to show what he really is, a very poor player and certainly not good enough for the Premiership. Having been bullied all game by Davies why did Dawson not take over the responsibility of marking him? So clearly we now need another centre half who can come in and play ten games on the spin without becoming a liability. Which brings me to my final point and one which is essential but lacking form this club for at least two seasons. Namely the complete lack of a leader on the pitch. Whilst King is a fine defender and footballer, he is not a leader in the mould which we require. We need someone who is prepared to wave his fist under other players noses and drag them into the fight. Where was the passion yesterday? Where was the will to roll up the sleeves and get on with another long season? Until we have a genuine Captain in this squad we will never be in a position to push on and become a top side.

[Indianspur]

With Bolton bullies in mind, i believe Gardner may be a stronger player to have at the back due to his presence. I know he can be a liability against more technical teams, but long balls and im aggressive players maybe handled better by Gardner than Davenport. Id prefer another centreback though as it seems we always lose points when dawson or King is missing.

[whistler9027]

well said spurs61.....spot on.
I take it you have,followed spurs for many many years..and like myself have long got over getting carried away with the hype that often surrounds our club...even when we buy a new tea service for the boardroom.

Yes it was disappointing not finishing 4th after being their for so long..but we weren't good enough over the season to be top 4 team...and this year was about taking another small step towards that and having a run in a cup or two...One of the reasons we were'nt good enough was that we often started games just strolling..and trying to knock the ball about like we are world beaters.Well we r not..and at the moment our history and tradition counts for nothing when the players wearing the shirt can't be arsed to roll up their sleeves and compete for the right to play.I've watched the re runs of the games this weekend an apart from Man Citys effort against chelski..ours was the most dismal and lethargic...Spurs61 your right we lack a real leader on the pitch..and that is crucial to a winning team..Davids isnt the player he was..but he will fight and scrap....the new signings have to bed in..but the other players know what its about..it was frankly embarrasing...losing i can take..its hard but it happens ..but when the players go thro the motions its a ****ing insult to the club and those in the past who built the club i..we love.

tactics..formations etc etc counts for shit if you don't compete....we have young players which is positive but they need leaders on the pitch..apart from Davids only Robbie Keane seemed to realise this and look a bit concerned and passionate...

I'll be there week in week out this year as always iv'e seen to many false dawns..don't get me wrong i'm optimistic about this teams potential..but we need to realise its harder this year..we'll get no favours.

We need to be firing on Tuesday night..cos Sheff Utd will compete for everything.Jenas can't be there on this showing...and Davenport needs a rocket if he's gonna play...if not stick huddlestone there he can play there if needs be.

Bolton away is tough...but which prem fixture isn't?..break into the top 4..we need to break into a sweat first.

COYS

[sundancer]

My big worry is that allthough I think both Dawson and Davenport are good players they are not what I call mean, against teams like Bolton and Sheff.Utd we need to be as hard as they are and we must give and do what they do, at the moment we can't do that. King is better but even he has to knock a few at certain times. Don't get me wrong I don't want us to be a teem of thugs but we have to stand up to the aggressive tactics of certain teams if we want to be winners.

[TomMcLaren]

Don't forget Davenport is still learning his trade in the Prem, so let's give him the benefit of the doubt for now. Although they do both look too nice to be in there mixing it.

[choda]

I don't think that's far go on Dawson. I think he's in the mold of Terry. I think he can mix it, I think he's a tough lad. I reckon he'll have a great season and I think he'll emerge as a real leader. He's captained England u21 don't forget and I see those qualities in him.

[TomMcLaren]

Difference between Terry and Daws is, if you stamped on Terry's foot he'd give you a slap - Daws would just look annoyed.

[choda]

I've never seen Terry give anyone a slap, and each situation is different. If your saying you think Terry is harder I'm not sure about that. He's older so maybe he is right now, but I think Daws will get tougher and tougher. This is a big year for Dawson. We'll see exactly waht he's made of... I think it is stern stuff, but I could be wrong.

[JuicE]

A couple of you have mentioned the lack of leadership and i totally agree with those sentiments. I don't recall a successful team playing with a goalkeeper as captain. When i played i always thought the Skipper should be a strong midfielder to bark orders and see the play, maybe a CB at least but not a goalkeeper! We need a midfielder that can take the game by the scruff of the neck when its needed and not allow the team as happened saturday, to be bullied of the field. Otherwise it will be good bye to the cups and mid table medicority, i've been there before! No Thanks!!!!!!

[spurs61]

well said spurs61 I take it you have,followed spurs for many many years

Yup, this will be my 20th straight year as a season ticket holder. (It's an expensive habit! :mad: ) Too bloody long to be suckered by all the hype as you well say. I do think we have brought in quality player but there are some serious flaws in the side which must be addressed in the coming fortnight or we will be looking at yet another season of discontent.

[spurs61]

I've never seen Terry give anyone a slap, and each situation is different. If your saying you think Terry is harder I'm not sure about that. He's older so maybe he is right now, but I think Daws will get tougher and tougher. This is a big year for Dawson. We'll see exactly waht he's made of... I think it is stern stuff, but I could be wrong.

Hope you're right about that Choda. I think we do have a problem with neither of our first choice centre halves being what one would deem a "commanding" defender. I am not in any way questioning either players capabilities or their outstanding contibution last season. What I am also slightly concerned about is that they don't defend as a partnership, but as a two individuals relying on their excellent reading of the game and their own defensive attributes.

[choda]

Yup, this will be my 20th straight year as a season ticket holder. (It's an expensive habit! :mad: ) Too bloody long to be suckered by all the hype as you well say. I do think we have brought in quality player but there are some serious flaws in the side which must be addressed in the coming fortnight or we will be looking at yet another season of discontent.

Spur61 mate you generally talk a lot of sense but let's not get to pessimistic after one bad game with an awful start in a difficult place.

Sure, there are also things to be addressed and I think and hope Jol will see to them.

Was last season a season of discontent? We made significant strides and got europe via the league. That was what we realistically hoped for last year and to push for fourth. We did that and in the end were unlucky not to get the cl. I for one was happy with it.

This is not a false dawn, but if it does take longer than we thought then so be it... relax. We have not risked everything like Leeds, slowly slowly catchy monkey.

I think a lot of people are having a major knee jerk to a disappointing start. But it was only the first game of the season.

[singapore spur]

we do have an awful record against bolton , but agree with most of the comments about lack of leadership and service not being quick enough u[p to the forwards .
our central defensive pairing just dont look strong enough physically
i thought it was the wrong move taking zakora off , should have been davids or jj as they were really making no impact , and i do despair when i see davids constantly whinging over every decision , when are players going to learn that the refs are not going to change their mind , holding your hands up and moaning just a waste of time and also can make us vulnerable to a quick counter attack.

not a great start but after the 2 early goals , one should have been disallowed and the other was a bit of a freak , bolton then put everyone behind the ball , ok we didnt break them down at all but games like this will happen . just a shame was the 1st game

im not too dispondant , the next two games are much more important .

[derek zoolander]

at first i wasnt in favour of someone like ayala but now i can see that he would be a decent signing, especially if he was free.

i just hope that unless jenas starts performing brilliantly we buy a creative midfielder and the stubborness doesnt come through, someone like riquelme or juninho from lyon but odviously these players are out of our league, just someone who will create and score goals (a free kick taker wouldnt go a miss either)

for me the perfect signings would be pedersen and wesley sneijder, can both take free kicks and score lots of goals plus pedersen would sure up that left wing area

[whistler9027]

Yesterdays result in itself isnt something to get pessimistic about overall...but i kno we all love spurs ,and we get a bit carried away...But we cant blame Bolton for beating us..they had the drive and will to win ..it got them goals...ok Davenport got a tug on his shirt..shit happens..it happens every week....we kno it happens..we can't be that naive..also yes we look like we have a decent squad..on paper...better than Boltons..yes..but they still beat us..and have done regularly for the last few seasons.

I still don't think we have a team capable of breaking into the top 4..of course i want to..but we don't..we need to consolidate 5th or 6th positon and go for a cup success...preferably uefa....we also need a leader out there..ledley is a great defender..but he aint a leader...not a mabbutt..a roberts or perryman or a mackay....for all the quality u need a leader.

Chelsea have a top squad..but Terry he makes a difference drives em on...

Keane at Man Ure.. lived and died for em week in week out..

and the scum suffered more than they thought losing Vierra...

we are a young team and a player in the mould of one of the above would make a huge difference ....i think we'd see the best of the likes of Jenas,and the other pups.

Davids is full of heart but past it now.....

Zokora can do a good job..but only time will tell if he can really boss games and intimidate the opposition...

I love the game to be played in the right way..great football..but you have to win the ball first and let the other lot know u mena business...

we lack that...and after last year teams onkw our qualities..

If I was another teams manager..playng Spurs ..the message would be clear..get at em early ...be physical...bully em...thats what Bolton did....

Sheff Utd will be a good test..of whether we learnt a lesson saturday...cos if we haven't....


Coys

[whistler9027]

Yesterdays result in itself isnt something to get pessimistic about overall...but i kno we all love spurs ,and we get a bit carried away...But we cant blame Bolton for beating us..they had the drive and will to win ..it got them goals...ok Davenport got a tug on his shirt..shit happens..it happens every week....we kno it happens..we can't be that naive..also yes we look like we have a decent squad..on paper...better than Boltons..yes..but they still beat us..and have done regularly for the last few seasons.

I still don't think we have a team capable of breaking into the top 4..of course i want to..but we don't..we need to consolidate 5th or 6th positon and go for a cup success...preferably uefa....we also need a leader out there..ledley is a great defender..but he aint a leader...not a mabbutt..a roberts or perryman or a mackay....for all the quality u need a leader.

Chelsea have a top squad..but Terry he makes a difference drives em on...

Keane at Man Ure.. lived and died for em week in week out..

and the scum suffered more than they thought losing Vierra...

we are a young team and a player in the mould of one of the above would make a huge difference ....i think we'd see the best of the likes of Jenas,and the other pups.

Davids is full of heart but past it now.....

Zokora can do a good job..but only time will tell if he can really boss games and intimidate the opposition...

I love the game to be played in the right way..great football..but you have to win the ball first and let the other lot know u mena business...

we lack that...and after last year teams onkw our qualities..

If I was another teams manager..playng Spurs ..the message would be clear..get at em early ...be physical...bully em...thats what Bolton did....

Sheff Utd will be a good test..of whether we learnt a lesson saturday...cos if we haven't....


Coys

[whistler9027]

Yesterdays result in itself isnt something to get pessimistic about overall...but i kno we all love spurs ,and we get a bit carried away...But we cant blame Bolton for beating us..they had the drive and will to win ..it got them goals...ok Davenport got a tug on his shirt..shit happens..it happens every week....we kno it happens..we can't be that naive..also yes we look like we have a decent squad..on paper...better than Boltons..yes..but they still beat us..and have done regularly for the last few seasons.

I still don't think we have a team capable of breaking into the top 4..of course i want to..but we don't..we need to consolidate 5th or 6th positon and go for a cup success...preferably uefa....we also need a leader out there..ledley is a great defender..but he aint a leader...not a mabbutt..a roberts or perryman or a mackay....for all the quality u need a leader.

Chelsea have a top squad..but Terry he makes a difference drives em on...

Keane at Man Ure.. lived and died for em week in week out..

and the scum suffered more than they thought losing Vierra...

we are a young team and a player in the mould of one of the above would make a huge difference ....i think we'd see the best of the likes of Jenas,and the other pups.

Davids is full of heart but past it now.....

Zokora can do a good job..but only time will tell if he can really boss games and intimidate the opposition...

I love the game to be played in the right way..great football..but you have to win the ball first and let the other lot know u mena business...

we lack that...and after last year teams onkw our qualities..

If I was another teams manager..playng Spurs ..the message would be clear..get at em early ...be physical...bully em...thats what Bolton did....

Sheff Utd will be a good test..of whether we learnt a lesson saturday...cos if we haven't....


Coys

[mjbmedia]

sorry i didnt hear that, can you repeat it ;-)

[whistler9027]

ooops...dont know wat happened there...

soz guys

[TomMcLaren]

I've never seen Terry give anyone a slap

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1921671.stm - someone has! :D

[mjbmedia]

lol seen him down ROmfords club (wahts it called nowadays, no not hollywoods, the adult one)

coming out the mens loos pissed out his head asking for a row, the ladies all ignored him , mind you that was about 5 years ago , now theyd probably drop at his feet for the money :-)

[choda]

LOL, I'm pissing myself here, this forum is the business.

I get an article reminding me that he slapped a bouncer and another eye witness account of him pissed and wanting a fight in a club.

[Spur]

I know someone who heard him and SWP have a conversation and said both were ****ing dumb ****s.

[JuicE]

So the general view is that although disapointed and / or a bit shocked, we as a rule think that the team can put the blip behind us an move on.

Very optamistic! :D

Hope your right coz i nearly topped myself! :(

[singapore spur]

Yesterdays result in itself isnt something to get pessimistic about overall...but i kno we all love spurs ,and we get a bit carried away...But we cant blame Bolton for beating us..they had the drive and will to win ..it got them goals...ok Davenport got a tug on his shirt..shit happens..it happens every week....we kno it happens..we can't be that naive..also yes we look like we have a decent squad..on paper...better than Boltons..yes..but they still beat us..and have done regularly for the last few seasons.

I still don't think we have a team capable of breaking into the top 4..of course i want to..but we don't..we need to consolidate 5th or 6th positon and go for a cup success...preferably uefa....we also need a leader out there..ledley is a great defender..but he aint a leader...not a mabbutt..a roberts or perryman or a mackay....for all the quality u need a leader.

Chelsea have a top squad..but Terry he makes a difference drives em on...

Keane at Man Ure.. lived and died for em week in week out..

and the scum suffered more than they thought losing Vierra...

we are a young team and a player in the mould of one of the above would make a huge difference ....i think we'd see the best of the likes of Jenas,and the other pups.

Davids is full of heart but past it now.....

Zokora can do a good job..but only time will tell if he can really boss games and intimidate the opposition...

I love the game to be played in the right way..great football..but you have to win the ball first and let the other lot know u mena business...

we lack that...and after last year teams onkw our qualities..

If I was another teams manager..playng Spurs ..the message would be clear..get at em early ...be physical...bully em...thats what Bolton did....

Sheff Utd will be a good test..of whether we learnt a lesson saturday...cos if we haven't....



Coys

you can say that again :)

[TomMcLaren]

LOL, I'm pissing myself here, this forum is the business.

I get an article reminding me that he slapped a bouncer and another eye witness account of him pissed and wanting a fight in a club.

Allegedly. ;)

[Gino Ginelli]

Completely stunned by the first 20 mins, and I think the players were too. The first goal shouldn't have stood, and the second was so ludicrous no-one could have expected it. As a result the players looked shell shocked and had the wind completley blown out of their sails.

Can't help think that we would have performed much better had the first goal been disallowed.

Anyway; can't dwell on whats done, just look forward. Plenty of good stuff to come!