Spurs did their job, and set about it early with a second minute goal by Adebayor. The atmosphere around The Lane was electric over the first quarter of an hour, especially when we heard that West Brom had equalised against Arsenal, then had taken the lead. For a while it looked like Spurs' dream of third place could be achieved, but ultimately Arsenal came through to win 3-2 and snatch third. Former Spurs reserve keeper Marton Fulop had a mare for West Brom, and once again played his part in Spurs’ recent history. He was a loan keeper at Man City when Peter Crouch put us into the Champions League two years ago. Now he had to replace Ben Foster at a very late stage, and was exposed badly. Elsewhere, Newcastle lost at Goodison, so our fourth place was never threatened, but our season isn’t over yet, as we all become Bayern Munich fans for next week’s Champions League Final. Otherwise, as we all know, Chelsea would condemn us to another season of Europa League football..........more........
As you all know, Spurs legend Steve Perryman was taken ill last Saturday (5th May, 2012) during Exeter City's final game of the season, and he has been in hospital since that time. Earlier this week, we were told that Steve had had some heart surgery.
The Exeter City site gave a lunchtime update today (12th May)that said Stevie had "another comfortable night" and that there "had been a further slight improvement in his condition".
I do not feel it appropriate to write any more about Steve's present condition here, but I do very strongly feel that we should all put our former Club Captain, and leader of one of the great Tottenham Hotspur teams, very, very high in our thoughts before, during, and after tomorrow's game against Fulham.
Stevie is about the same age as me, and I am very proud to have seen him make his Spurs debut, and to have played his heart out for the team we all love (and he does too) week-in, week-out. I am also very proud to have met Stevie in recent years, to have heard his honest, down to earth, but well-mannered views about Spurs and other football-related issues.
So, come on Steve! Come on Skipper! We are rooting for you, as we have never rooted for you before! Let's see you on the mend really soon!
We arrived at Villa Park in an optimistic frame of mind, after Arsenal had surrendered a point yesterday at home to Norwich. All Spurs had to do was to win against struggling Aston Villa, and they would be in control of third place, and their destiny on the last day of the season next week. That optimism was heightened by the news that Villa would be led by 34 year old Emile Heskey, alone up front. Heskey has managed just one Premier League goal in 17 starts all season. We knew that Darren Bent was injured, but Villa’s next highest scorer, Agbonlahor, was also missing, along with midfielder Marc Albrighton.
Villa are a team low on resources, and low on morale. Two of their three mis-behaving players started today, as expected. The level of their sanction had to be pragmatic, as Alex McLeish desperately needed something out of this game. We knew that they would be likely to play a defensive game, and so it proved. Although their shape was a 4-3-2-1, N’Zogbia and Ireland were needed to support the defence more than they did Heskey. Spurs started with an unchanged team, and the only change to the bench was Scott Parker replacing Ledley King. The game was there for the taking, wasn’t it?
It didn’t work out that way, and in some respects, what could go wrong for Spurs went wrong.............more...
This was a tough test for our young players as Loughborough were a good side who don't just play in the University league. Some of them experienced the physical side of the professional game without the protection of an Academy referee for the first time. They coped well and kept going to rescue a draw. McEvoy had a good game on the right with Loughborough having to put two or even three players on him. Bentaleb also did well in the middle considering the big age difference.
I am looking forward to seeing some of these lads in Germany later in the month when Spurs play in an U-19 tournament at Stemwele.............. Read Ray Lo's full report here...
Spurs Odyssey Match Report - Bolton v Spurs - 07.04.12
In the end, Spurs didn’t just win their first league game at The Reebock Stadium, they beat relegation-fighting Bolton out of sight! In doing so, they held fourth place on goal difference (above Newcastle who beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge), and got to within one point and one goal of Arsenal. That third place could still be attainable if Arsenal slip up against either Norwich at home or West Brom away, whilst we still need to win both our games. Chelsea are four points behind and have surely conceded a top four place, but of course they have that Champions League final to play. Newcastle play Man City on Sunday, and we are surely now favourites to hold fourth. Spurs won their first back to back league games since the first two games of the year, at home to West Brom and Everton. This was also our first away win this calendar year..........more...
Spurs Odyssey Match Report - Spurs v Blackburn - 29.04.12
Kyle Walker secured the points for Spurs against a very poor Blackburn side with an absolute pile-driver of a free kick, power-driven and curled beautifully into Paul Robinson’s top left corner in the 75th minute. It was an unstoppable shot and a moment that was celebrated around the ground more than any other in a subdued game, and a subdued performance. Walker’s other goal this season was equally memorable of course, against Arsenal. Spurs moved back into fourth place, one point above Chelsea, and above Newcastle on a significantly better goal difference. Should they manage a win at The Reebock on Wednesday (and they have yet to achieve such a feat), then they would be within a point of third placed Arsenal with two games to go. Despite the general depression amongst Spurs fans about this end of season slump in form and results, it is still all there to play for.............more........
The Spurs Odyssey message board is often the first place to hear genuine "ITK" information about our beloved team, and it also has an off-topic section where non-football matters are discussed.
There is also a great archive of filed material with links to some great Spurs history and goals.
If you would like to become even more involved, then please e-mail me (webmaster@spursodyssey.com) stating your full name, address (Town and Country will suffice!) and desired user name, and I will do the rest.
