For today, at least, it's good to be Steve Nash (even more so than usual), Jeff Beck, (suddenly) Bill Simmons, my buddy Suppe and yes, even according to this website Andrew Ridgley.
Granted it's a mere two games into the marathon that is the 2009-10 Premier League season, but there is reason to be excited about the heady days at White Hart Lane as Tottenham -- the classic tease if there ever was one -- is 2-0-0 with six points in the bank with seven goals scored in those matches. Yes, it seems like Spurs fans celebrate ever August until drifting falling back into the ether, but there's a decent chance this season could be different.
The other day I was talking to Suppe on the phone and the topic of Spurs came up and he wondered why Alan Hutton didn't start vs. Liverpool? I speculated he wasn't that good. Of course, Hutton -- purchased from Rangers for around $18 million -- is a quality player. Is he a difference maker game-to-game? Absolutely not, but it's a testament to the overall depth at the club where Benoît Assou-Ekotto and Vedran Corluka started outside on defense.
Look at last Sunday's game home to Liverpool for an example.
True, this particular match its a bit of an outlier since how often do you see Liverpool lose essentially its entire central defense and have to call on an 18-year-old Argentine late because Martin Skrtel had to limp off with a possible broken jaw? Yet don't dismiss the quality Tottenham had on the bench for the match -- Peter Crouch, David Bentley, Hutton, Jamie O'Hara, Manu Ginobli, Kyle Naughton and from Russia with Love, Roman Pavlyuchenko.
None too shabby.
Also not of the shabby variety? A proven Premier League difference maker in the form of Bentley as surplus requirements. (Yeah, I slipped Ginobli in there just to make sure you're paying attention.)
Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe's joint insistence on trying to bring back, as Suppe put it, "the lines shaved in the dome like Anthony Mason."? The jury is out on this alarming trend, which makes me want to go down to the local video store bargain bin and mine for some old Kin 'N Play tapes.
Back to the topic at hand, sometimes we forget how managers need the ability to mix-and-match during a game and have options to inject some life into a team or take a difference approach. Spurs have a little bit of everything, it seems, and its spread across the field. You have midfielder crushers in Wilson Palacios and Tom Huddlestone, who can also chip in with the occasional goal. You've got a pair of forward with speed to burn in Defoe and a pesky, getting older Robbie Keane. (If worst came to worse, Spurs could attempt to play Gio Dos Santos, the club did play Barcelona for around $10 million.)
Maybe most important, Spurs have reserve in defense. Jonathon Woodgate (surprise) is out with injured, Michael Dawson might be too. No matter, Spurs still had Sebastien "Just Forget I played at Newcastle" Bassong to pair with Ledley King on Sunday and then Vedran Corluka in the midweek 5-1 win over Hull City.
And then there is Luka Modric. How I went so far into a puff piece on Tottenham without mentioning the club's version of a teen idol. He makes Spurs fans swoon. For as talented at the Croatian international is, he more than anyone at the club, needs to remember a season isn't defined by two games in August.
Regardless, it's a lot of players. Most importantly, it's a lot of varied players at different positions. Comparatively, which other Premier League club can match that depth? Manchester City probably has as many attacking players, but lacks on defense untill they beam up Jolean Lescott to the Klingon mothership. Chelsea has a stacked midfield, but a derth of wide players. Arsenal and Liverpool have a lot of players, period, but how many can be counted on? And Manchester United? The Red Devils remain a work in progress.
For certain, if you select Tottenham in 'FIFA 10' you'll probably spend a few good minutes trying to shoehorn every player onto the field at once. It's only a video game, but it's a good problem to have, and in real life Redknapp has shown a keen enough eye to get the right combinations for the right opponents.
One thing I thought about over last weekend with depth and injuries.
Every club, almost to a man, suffers at least one or two "key" players being sidelined during the course of the season. Yes, the big clubs all have reserve and youth teams to pull from, but it's not like this week when the Texas Rangers needed a catcher and traded for Pudge Rodriguez. Once the transfer window closes, teams are pretty much on their own, unless they can finagle a loan or pick up a free agent.
But getting back to Spurs, the question is can they maintain this kind of pace through the thick and thin of the season? Impossible to say at this point. Spurs' track record says this is simply another example of the club teasing its fans, like a Hollywood starlet doing a nude scene and only later it's revealed she used a body double.
One things for certain, there's a chance one of the 'Big Four' might scuffle this season. Manchester United is clearly in a sea change season as it adjusts to life A.R. (After Ronaldo). Odds are that Sir Alex Ferguson rights the ship and salvages at least fourth place, but maybe that doesn't happen, especially if the defensive situation never stabilizes. And what if Fernando Torres or Steven Gerrard spend time on the sidelines for Liverpool? (Sorry Ace)
Spurs should put themselves in position to pounce, assuming they can fend off Manchester City.
Yes, to once again reitorate, with Spurs the other shoe usually drops. And matches with Manchester United and Chelsea loom in September.
Something could conceivably happen. And right now there is hope with Tottenham.
That's why we play and watch sports, right?
Saturday:
* Arsenal v. Portsmouth -- (Live, Setanta USA, 10 a.m.) Could you possibly find more of an extreme entering this match? The Gunners are still taking bows for the 6-1 demolition of Everton, while Portsmouth enters off a 1-0 defeat at Birmingham on a 90th+ minute penalty kick. Ouch. Arsenal supporters might need a little alone time to calm themselves after this one. It's going to be a lot of Sexy, err, Cescy Football. ... Arsenal 4, Portsmouth 0
* Sunderland v. Blackburn -- Darren Bent is one player clearly playing with a chip on his shoulder. Even with him in the fold, though, Sunderland remains one of the league's most anonymous teams. As for Blackburn, good luck with the Miguel Salgado signing. Yeah, Sam Allardyce has a track record with ancient veterans players on free transfers (Fernando Hierro, Youri Djorkaeff, etc.) here's one thing to consider, last I saw of Salgado he was posing for a FourFourTwo feature about his love of surfing. Lanchashire doesn't strike me as a place to hang ten. ... Sunderland 1, Blackburn 0
* Birmingham City v. Stoke City -- Without looking, what are the odds this one finishes 0-0? 50/50? Higher? ... Birmingham 0, Stoke City 0
* Hull City v. Bolton -- If Hull can get Stephen Hunt, Jimmy Bullard and that Altidore kid (work permit/swine flu permitting) on the field together, maybe the Mustard Tigers might be downright frisky. That might be some time down the road. ... Hull 1, Bolton 1
* Manchester City v. Wolves -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) If City were a stock, it'd be creating a fury right now on the trading floor. If they thrash Wolves, it'll only add to that, especially in Manchester United stumbles a bit. If it were me, I'd sell high. Then again, I'm a blogger, not a trader. ... City 2, Wolves 0
* Wigan Athletic v. Manchester United -- (Live, ESPN2, 9:30 a.m.) The JJB in High-Def? Probably not the most ringing endorsement for the technology. United at least get their version of the Jose Cancesco slump-buster, because to say the Red Devils own Wigan is an understatement. Whether its a dubious penalty and or offside call, no way Sir Alex walks away from this match pointless, right conspiracy theorists?... Wigan 0, Manchester United 1
Sunday:
* West Ham United v. Tottenham -- (Live, Setanta, 8:30 a.m.) Absolutely a litmus test for both clubs. Is West Ham going to be sneaky good once again this season? Are Spurs for real? West Ham does have a deceptively crafty defense and the homeless man's Gerrard/Lampard type in Scott Parker, but Tottenham is rolling. Maybe I'll buy into the hype this time. ... West Ham 1, Tottenham 2
* Burnley v. Everton -- Now here's a true test for the mettle of Burnley. Winning against Manchester United is one thing, but that's a match full of adrenaline both with the team and perhaps more importantly, the stands. That was a night game, this is a mid-afternoon affair. You're not going to be as up for Everton as Manchester United, it's fact. Can Owen Coyle's team manage to get a result against a suddenly in turmoil Everton side that can't afford to stutter out of the gates. Watching both teams, I give Burnley a puncher's chance. It's a team that isn't reliant on one player and will be tough for Everton to break down in the run of play. ... Burnley 1, Everton 1
* Fulham v. Chelsea -- (Live, FSC, 11 a.m.) What's with Fulham adding Damien Duff and Jonathon Greening? Are these good moves? One trend to eye with Chelsea is the Blues have let in goals in their first two matches. And unless they pay Bayern's ransom for Franck Ribery, Chelsea's width will remain an issue. (Wait, that sounds a little too sexual.) ... Fulham 1, Chelsea 2
Monday:
* Liverpool v. Aston Villa -- (Live, ESPN2, 3 p.m.) Is anyone, at least stateside, a fan of these Monday afternoon games? Anyway, at least it looks like Rafa Benetiz made a transfer from within the league who can make an immediate impact in the form of Glenn Johnson. The ex-Portsmouth player is a perfect player for these type of matches where he can worry more about getting forward into the attack, as opposed to defending. (In other words, don't expect too much of him on big European night.) Villa, if it doesn't get back on track, there could be a lot of player discontent and follow Gareth Barry out the door. ... Liverpool 3, Aston Villa 1
* Finally, here's an interesting nugget, through the first three matches in the English Championship, how many of the 22 teams went 3-0-0? ... That's right, zero.
Midweek: 3-3
Season: 7-9
Granted it's a mere two games into the marathon that is the 2009-10 Premier League season, but there is reason to be excited about the heady days at White Hart Lane as Tottenham -- the classic tease if there ever was one -- is 2-0-0 with six points in the bank with seven goals scored in those matches. Yes, it seems like Spurs fans celebrate ever August until drifting falling back into the ether, but there's a decent chance this season could be different.
The other day I was talking to Suppe on the phone and the topic of Spurs came up and he wondered why Alan Hutton didn't start vs. Liverpool? I speculated he wasn't that good. Of course, Hutton -- purchased from Rangers for around $18 million -- is a quality player. Is he a difference maker game-to-game? Absolutely not, but it's a testament to the overall depth at the club where Benoît Assou-Ekotto and Vedran Corluka started outside on defense.
Look at last Sunday's game home to Liverpool for an example.
True, this particular match its a bit of an outlier since how often do you see Liverpool lose essentially its entire central defense and have to call on an 18-year-old Argentine late because Martin Skrtel had to limp off with a possible broken jaw? Yet don't dismiss the quality Tottenham had on the bench for the match -- Peter Crouch, David Bentley, Hutton, Jamie O'Hara, Manu Ginobli, Kyle Naughton and from Russia with Love, Roman Pavlyuchenko.
None too shabby.
Also not of the shabby variety? A proven Premier League difference maker in the form of Bentley as surplus requirements. (Yeah, I slipped Ginobli in there just to make sure you're paying attention.)
Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe's joint insistence on trying to bring back, as Suppe put it, "the lines shaved in the dome like Anthony Mason."? The jury is out on this alarming trend, which makes me want to go down to the local video store bargain bin and mine for some old Kin 'N Play tapes.
Back to the topic at hand, sometimes we forget how managers need the ability to mix-and-match during a game and have options to inject some life into a team or take a difference approach. Spurs have a little bit of everything, it seems, and its spread across the field. You have midfielder crushers in Wilson Palacios and Tom Huddlestone, who can also chip in with the occasional goal. You've got a pair of forward with speed to burn in Defoe and a pesky, getting older Robbie Keane. (If worst came to worse, Spurs could attempt to play Gio Dos Santos, the club did play Barcelona for around $10 million.)
Maybe most important, Spurs have reserve in defense. Jonathon Woodgate (surprise) is out with injured, Michael Dawson might be too. No matter, Spurs still had Sebastien "Just Forget I played at Newcastle" Bassong to pair with Ledley King on Sunday and then Vedran Corluka in the midweek 5-1 win over Hull City.
And then there is Luka Modric. How I went so far into a puff piece on Tottenham without mentioning the club's version of a teen idol. He makes Spurs fans swoon. For as talented at the Croatian international is, he more than anyone at the club, needs to remember a season isn't defined by two games in August.
Regardless, it's a lot of players. Most importantly, it's a lot of varied players at different positions. Comparatively, which other Premier League club can match that depth? Manchester City probably has as many attacking players, but lacks on defense untill they beam up Jolean Lescott to the Klingon mothership. Chelsea has a stacked midfield, but a derth of wide players. Arsenal and Liverpool have a lot of players, period, but how many can be counted on? And Manchester United? The Red Devils remain a work in progress.
For certain, if you select Tottenham in 'FIFA 10' you'll probably spend a few good minutes trying to shoehorn every player onto the field at once. It's only a video game, but it's a good problem to have, and in real life Redknapp has shown a keen enough eye to get the right combinations for the right opponents.
One thing I thought about over last weekend with depth and injuries.
Every club, almost to a man, suffers at least one or two "key" players being sidelined during the course of the season. Yes, the big clubs all have reserve and youth teams to pull from, but it's not like this week when the Texas Rangers needed a catcher and traded for Pudge Rodriguez. Once the transfer window closes, teams are pretty much on their own, unless they can finagle a loan or pick up a free agent.
But getting back to Spurs, the question is can they maintain this kind of pace through the thick and thin of the season? Impossible to say at this point. Spurs' track record says this is simply another example of the club teasing its fans, like a Hollywood starlet doing a nude scene and only later it's revealed she used a body double.
One things for certain, there's a chance one of the 'Big Four' might scuffle this season. Manchester United is clearly in a sea change season as it adjusts to life A.R. (After Ronaldo). Odds are that Sir Alex Ferguson rights the ship and salvages at least fourth place, but maybe that doesn't happen, especially if the defensive situation never stabilizes. And what if Fernando Torres or Steven Gerrard spend time on the sidelines for Liverpool? (Sorry Ace)
Spurs should put themselves in position to pounce, assuming they can fend off Manchester City.
Yes, to once again reitorate, with Spurs the other shoe usually drops. And matches with Manchester United and Chelsea loom in September.
Something could conceivably happen. And right now there is hope with Tottenham.
That's why we play and watch sports, right?
Saturday:
* Arsenal v. Portsmouth -- (Live, Setanta USA, 10 a.m.) Could you possibly find more of an extreme entering this match? The Gunners are still taking bows for the 6-1 demolition of Everton, while Portsmouth enters off a 1-0 defeat at Birmingham on a 90th+ minute penalty kick. Ouch. Arsenal supporters might need a little alone time to calm themselves after this one. It's going to be a lot of Sexy, err, Cescy Football. ... Arsenal 4, Portsmouth 0
* Sunderland v. Blackburn -- Darren Bent is one player clearly playing with a chip on his shoulder. Even with him in the fold, though, Sunderland remains one of the league's most anonymous teams. As for Blackburn, good luck with the Miguel Salgado signing. Yeah, Sam Allardyce has a track record with ancient veterans players on free transfers (Fernando Hierro, Youri Djorkaeff, etc.) here's one thing to consider, last I saw of Salgado he was posing for a FourFourTwo feature about his love of surfing. Lanchashire doesn't strike me as a place to hang ten. ... Sunderland 1, Blackburn 0
* Birmingham City v. Stoke City -- Without looking, what are the odds this one finishes 0-0? 50/50? Higher? ... Birmingham 0, Stoke City 0
* Hull City v. Bolton -- If Hull can get Stephen Hunt, Jimmy Bullard and that Altidore kid (work permit/swine flu permitting) on the field together, maybe the Mustard Tigers might be downright frisky. That might be some time down the road. ... Hull 1, Bolton 1
* Manchester City v. Wolves -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) If City were a stock, it'd be creating a fury right now on the trading floor. If they thrash Wolves, it'll only add to that, especially in Manchester United stumbles a bit. If it were me, I'd sell high. Then again, I'm a blogger, not a trader. ... City 2, Wolves 0
* Wigan Athletic v. Manchester United -- (Live, ESPN2, 9:30 a.m.) The JJB in High-Def? Probably not the most ringing endorsement for the technology. United at least get their version of the Jose Cancesco slump-buster, because to say the Red Devils own Wigan is an understatement. Whether its a dubious penalty and or offside call, no way Sir Alex walks away from this match pointless, right conspiracy theorists?... Wigan 0, Manchester United 1
Sunday:
* West Ham United v. Tottenham -- (Live, Setanta, 8:30 a.m.) Absolutely a litmus test for both clubs. Is West Ham going to be sneaky good once again this season? Are Spurs for real? West Ham does have a deceptively crafty defense and the homeless man's Gerrard/Lampard type in Scott Parker, but Tottenham is rolling. Maybe I'll buy into the hype this time. ... West Ham 1, Tottenham 2
* Burnley v. Everton -- Now here's a true test for the mettle of Burnley. Winning against Manchester United is one thing, but that's a match full of adrenaline both with the team and perhaps more importantly, the stands. That was a night game, this is a mid-afternoon affair. You're not going to be as up for Everton as Manchester United, it's fact. Can Owen Coyle's team manage to get a result against a suddenly in turmoil Everton side that can't afford to stutter out of the gates. Watching both teams, I give Burnley a puncher's chance. It's a team that isn't reliant on one player and will be tough for Everton to break down in the run of play. ... Burnley 1, Everton 1
* Fulham v. Chelsea -- (Live, FSC, 11 a.m.) What's with Fulham adding Damien Duff and Jonathon Greening? Are these good moves? One trend to eye with Chelsea is the Blues have let in goals in their first two matches. And unless they pay Bayern's ransom for Franck Ribery, Chelsea's width will remain an issue. (Wait, that sounds a little too sexual.) ... Fulham 1, Chelsea 2
Monday:
* Liverpool v. Aston Villa -- (Live, ESPN2, 3 p.m.) Is anyone, at least stateside, a fan of these Monday afternoon games? Anyway, at least it looks like Rafa Benetiz made a transfer from within the league who can make an immediate impact in the form of Glenn Johnson. The ex-Portsmouth player is a perfect player for these type of matches where he can worry more about getting forward into the attack, as opposed to defending. (In other words, don't expect too much of him on big European night.) Villa, if it doesn't get back on track, there could be a lot of player discontent and follow Gareth Barry out the door. ... Liverpool 3, Aston Villa 1
* Finally, here's an interesting nugget, through the first three matches in the English Championship, how many of the 22 teams went 3-0-0? ... That's right, zero.
Midweek: 3-3
Season: 7-9
Labels: Premier League, premier league fantasy, Premier League on ESPN, Soccer, tottenham hotspur
Fulham beat Chelsea, mark it!
If nothing else, it took Spurs two months (and Juande Ramos' scalp) to earn as many points as they have thus far.
If they are on the verge of a top 4 finish, we can only hope Harry hires a food taster before the final match.
Random off-topic thought: Could the USSF buy Portsmouth (or some other financially troubled team) and stock it full of USMNT players? What better way to guarantee playing time in a top league than owning the team. Is that against the rules for a national federation to own a club team? I think the US taxpayers would get behind this idea too. We always like an 'us against the world' story.
They did that one year in the 80's in one of the MLS precursors (probably the one with the NY Cosmos, NASL). I think the money wasn't really there then, and relative to the scale between the NASL and the Premier League, I'm guessing it still isn't there.
Doubt it would go over so well with the locals, either.