Four in a row!

Spurs v QPR
Our friend Dave questions whether we are real football fans, on the basis that we tweet things like "Sun shining on the way up to WHL  ...". He reckons such a temperament does not sit naturally with the anguish of a true fan. We were in our usual sunny mood on the way to the QPR game on Sunday, however, and in an even better mode on the way home. 4-0. 4-0!

We looked like a different team altogether. In fact, we looked like a team. That was the real difference. Capoue and Chadli played better than we'd witnessed all last season. Lamela had a great game too. Eric Dier was most impressive - very encouraging. It's a long long time since we had such a comfortable win. Hey Dave - smile!

View at The Lane: one second before Dier scores

Spurs v AEL Limassol
Another great game, 3-0 tonight (agg 5-1). Harry Kane played some great football, despite missing a penalty. Andros Townsend didn't miss a second penalty. Moussa had a stylish game, Sandro was solidly beast-like. Even Paulinho scored a goal. Encouraging too to see another new signing, Ben Davies give a good performance, including a cracking shot on goal. Pochettino's style, having the team press forward and fight to get possession back seems to be working well.

Liverpool on Sunday. We'll be off up The Lane in sunny mood again. Hoping for a long sunny summer ...

Agatha and Mildred

New season, new start

The Girls From White Hart Lane have that tingly anticipatory start-of-new-season frisson. Looking forward to the first home game today, feeling hopeful. New season, new start.

Something had to change. A pivotal moment last season was the Liverpool game at home. The way the players' heads just went down - no spirit left. AVB was never going to survive. Tim Sherwood - well, nothing to be said.

So here we are with a new manager. Hope Poch can do it for us. He has the players - too many to choose from? (Agatha still reckons that was part of the problem with the arrival of the Magnificent Seven last season - too much new talent all at once, team not getting a chance to gel, players getting frustrated at lack of play...). Squad is looking good though: welcome to White Hart Lane - Eric Dier, Ben Davies, and Michel Vorm.

And "Fare thee weel" to two of our favourite players who have moved on: Gylfi and JD. Wishing both of them well. Thanks for the memories xx

Agatha and Mildred

Yid Army to lead attack on antisemitism?

In between games, we've been wondering ...

Is it time to drop Yid, Yiddo, Yid Army chants?

Last week a survey questionnaire popped into the inbox of Spurs season ticket holders and members, part of THFC's consultation on the use of the "Y word".  We commend THFC for initiating a conversation with fans, and for taking a responsible leading role in this important conversation. The issue has been rumbling around in a pretty high-profile way for a couple of years now, and it will keep coming back if we do not address it and deal with it.The FA has issued a statement, and even the Prime Minister has commented on it. It is better that we take a proactive role and lead and steer the conversation, rather than being pushed onto the back foot, constantly having to explain, defend, justify, or deny. 

As to whether "Yid" should be dropped, I can see both sides of the argument. On the one hand, "we'll sing what we want". The problem is not with our use of the word Yid: Spurs fans have taken ownership of what has been used a racist term of abuse and reclaimed it with pride. Other communities have done the same with the word "queer" and the "N word". We do not use the word with intent to offend; quite the reverse. The problem lies with others - it is illogical that Spurs fans are being criticised for using the word, and it would be downright perverse if a Spurs fan were to be arrested for "using threatening, abusive or insulting words" simply for chanting Yid Army or Yiddo. The FA and the Metropolitan Police are being naive if they think this is the way to deal with the issue.

On the other hand, racism is abhorrent and society has to challenge it. Words do have power; the fact that Spurs fans are not being antisemitic does not stop other people from using the word in a racist fashion. Personally, I have always felt uneasy hearing the word Yid in chants, and I don't use it myself (lily livered, middle class, wuss that I am). On one level, the Y word is used simply because it is part of the songbook. I wouldn't use the "N word" either; over time that word has become clearly unacceptable. And if we're thinking about chants and songs, consider what has happened with "Eany, meany, miny, mo ..." (if you're old enough to remember the original words).  During one of the recent flurries of online debate, Twitter revealed that some Spurs fans did not even realise what the word Yid meant. (Truly). 

My own view is that we should stop using the word Yid now, but we should drive the change ourselves from within.

But how? I do get annoyed that some individuals present the issue as if it is straightforward and clear cut. It is not. It is complex, and is tied up with issues of club history, identity, loyalty, traditional rivalries, and pride, as well as race. As a football fan, David Baddiel must know that. Baddiel's film, part of Kick Racism Out of Football, would be more powerful, and more likely to succeed, if it explicitly acknowledged that there is a significant difference between Spurs fans' Yid chants and the despicable antisemitic songs from some West Ham or Chelsea fans. David - you'd be better trying to get Spurs fans on side, rather than antagonising them.

Is it really a sensible strategy to antagonise Spurs fans and try to force change from the outside by threatening arrest? That will simply rile loyal fans, increase stubborn defiance, and make the desired outcome all the more difficult.  If we Spurs fans decided ourselves, voluntarily, to drop the word, we could get such massive R.E.S.P.E.CT. Show that Tottenham Hotspur has awesome, intelligent fans, with a respectful club heritage. Show that we are better than the racists and we are proud of our diverse community. Show integrity and dignity, and claim the racially aware and socially responsible high ground.

Agatha

Exciting times, but loyalty cuts both ways

View at The Lane, Spurs v Swansea

Agatha and Mildred love the tingling anticipation that is the start of a new season. Great opening games in the League and Europa: four wins, a clean sheet, and new players. Lots of new players. The Magnificent Seven (so far): Paulinho, Soldado, Chadli, Capoue, Lamela, Chiriches and Eriksen. We are excited at the prospect of these considerable talents joining the squad. It already feels a very different team. Amidst the anticipation and the excitement, two important questions are nagging Agatha:

1. How long will it take us to compose chants for all the new players?
2. What effect will it have on the club and our tradition of growing young talent internally, that the balance of foreign and British players has shifted significantly?

There has long been discussion about foreign players in the Premier League. Paul Wilson reports on Roy Hodgson's expressed concern about highly rated young players, like Tom Carroll, not getting enough play in the first team. One of the reasons we've always loved supporting Spurs is that we're not like Chelsea or Man U, who simply buy their way to the top. Success is so much sweeter when it's hard won. And the satisfaction of competing at the top with home-grown players is hard to beat.

And there's also the associated question of loyalty. Not only the loyalty of players to clubs (consider our own Ledley King, and see Stephen Gerrard's interview comments in today's Observer), which comes to form part of a club's spirit, but the loyalty of fans to players. Where should fans' loyalties lie, when hard-working, long-serving, still-talented Spurs stalwarts lose their place to expensive new players? We will not be the only Spurs fans sorry to have said goodbye to players like Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore, although you could argue they had their chance to really shine last season and maybe didn't quite cut it. And it's true that Jermain Defoe - who we have always staunchly supported above Adebayor - just seemed to stop scoring midway through last season. However, Agatha is already fretting most on behalf of Aaron Lennon, who has been such a solid, skilful, loyal player for Spurs. And Dawson?

Don't misunderstand: we are hugely looking forward to seeing our fabulous new players at White Hart Lane and anticipating the joys of a successful season. Let's just make sure that we duly appreciate the loyal service our lads have shown over many years, and that we continue to value and nurture our young talent and our very ethos.

This is going to be an amazing season for Spurs. AVB has been given the goods, and surely it is not just a Champions League place but a serious title challenge he will be expected to deliver?

Bye bye Bale
At the beginning of last season we said goodbye to Luka Modric on our blog. This year he will joined at Real Madrid by Gareth Bale, and we can't let that departure go without comment. In a brilliant piece, @spursblogger Alan Fisher says goodbye and good luck to Bale, expressing our thoughts far more eloquently than we could. In his first matches at White Hart Lane, we remarked how he was like a super keen wee boy at school sports day, legs and arms pumping as he ran up and down the wing, leaving everyone else standing. The level of natural skill he demonstrated begged early comparison with Gazza. It has been an honour to watch him develop into the world-class player he has become. All best wishes Gareth. xx

Agatha and Mildred

January review

A quick review of games during January reveals a good start to 2013, which saw us still in fourth place at the end of the month.

1st January: Spurs v Reading (3-1)
A lovely sunny day in north London, Agatha and Norman went off up to the Lane in sunny mood. We went behind in the fourth minute, but controlled the game overall. The win took us back to 3rd place. Happy New Year!
Goalscorers - Dawson, Dempsey and Adebayor
A&M's MOTM - Aaron Lennon, who was phenomenal
Best photo - Dawson celebrating his goal
Game in a word? - Comfortable

5th January: Spurs v Coventry, FA Cup (3-0)
Work commitments barred Agatha and Mildred both from watching this one. Great result. Scott Parker was in starting line-up after absence - good news - and Bale was back after suspension. Agatha most upset to have missed the lovely Benoit's return to the side too.
Goalscorers - Dempsey, Bale, Dempsey
Best commentary moment - "Bale's 'go-go-gadget' legs" (BBC London)

12th January: QPR v Spurs (0-0)
Agatha in pub for this one. We started strongly but faded a bit when goals were not forthcoming. Sandro sadly went off injured after 25 minutes, (and he's still out). Cesar had a great game, unfortunately.
Game in a word? - Frustrating

20th January: Man United v Spurs (1-1)
Sooo glad Dempsey managed to put away the equaliser in this evenly-matched game. Enjoyed the irony of scoring in "Fergie time" too! Lots of Spurs fans moaning about not signing another striker, but, for the seocnd game in a row, it was great goalkeeping that kept the score so low. Good game; we were happy with that performance.
Game in a word? - Snowy. Made for great pictures - see the photogallery on the Spurs' Facebook page.

27th January: Leeds v Spurs, FA Cup (2-1)
Dempsey scored our only goal in this unsatisafactory game. We had more possession and more chances, but could not convert that into a lead. First time Agatha and Mildred have seen Jon Obika; shame he missed a half-chance towards the end. Could have been a real glory moment for the young player. Agatha was quite taken with the young Scot in the Leeds team, Ross McCormack - can't we sign him then?
Game in a word? - Horrible

30th January: Norwich v Spurs (1-1)

Photo: tottenhamhotspur.com

Victory continued to elude us in windy conditions at Carrow Road. Thank goodness for the brilliance that is Gareth Bale. Just scraped a draw here. Pleased to see our new signing Lewis Holtby make his first appearance, a very assured one too. I think we may seeing - and liking - more of him ...


We're looking forward to the rest of the season. See you at The Lane!

Agatha and Mildred

Festive cheer!

On Boxing Day Agatha and Norman got to the pub midway through the first half of the Aston Villa v Spurs game. The performance and the stats (15 corners?) were clearly demonstrating dominance but no goals. Agatha was a trifle unnerved at half time, fearing a frustrating second half. Couldn't have been more wrong! An hour later the festive cheer was mightily enhanced by the 0-4 scoreline.

The first goal came from Jermain Defoe, thanks to a perfect through ball from Kyle Naughton. Adebayor and Defoe are not linking well together at the moment. In Agatha's humble opinion, Ade is just not doing it this season. Defoe would be better up front on his own, with Sigurdsson or Dempsey behind him.

The second goal was not far behind: Bale strolled past Guzan and popped the ball away comfortably. With an assist from Aaron Lennon, Bale's next goal went flying straight into the corner. Another lovely build up involving Kyle Walker and Gylfi Sigurdsson (who had come on to replace Adebayor), and Bale got his first Premier League hat trick. Loved his photo on Twitter later that evening! He is such a talent, Bale. Happy to be reminded so emphatically of that fact.

All in all, a very satisfying victory. Great to see Scott Parker playing for some of the game after having been out most of the season with injury. He is a galvanising presence and seems to get the team passing well. Agatha was also impressed by Kyle Walker getting forward so effectively. The defence was solid - Gallas and Naughton starting instead of Dawson and Caulker. And Super Jan played a blinder, as we have come to expect.

Boring Stoke

Saturday's game against Stoke

The play against Aston Villa was a pleasure to watch. Which is (a whole lot) more than can be said of Saturday's game against Stoke City. A goalless, guileless, graceless draw. Stoke are such a boring team. Reminds Agatha of Wimbledon FC in the 80s. Frustrating, is the word that summed the game up, as Ben Pearce described in the Ham and High.

January transfers

There's much interest, as usual, around the January transfer window. Agatha and Mildred are generally happy with our squad at present (especially when we get Kaboul and the lovely Benoit back). It would be handy to get another striker, (let Adebayor go). Agatha is sticking with her staunch support of JD. Do we need a midfield playmaker? Maybe, maybe not. Lots of hype around January transfers; might we not be better working with, and perfecting, the talented team we have?

Season's greetings from
Agatha and Mildred

Normal Service Resumed

White Hart Lane on a crisp sunny Sunday afternoon - you can't beat it! Especially when you come home with 3 points and a clean sheet: a 1-0 win against Swansea City.

Man Of The Match must be (Super) Jan Vertonghen, and not just for his goal from Kyle Walker's free kick in the 75th minute. He is a real presence on the field, especially when playing in his preferred central defending position. We had lots of other chances on goals - Kyle Walker's belter of a shot was particularly memorable. Swansea had a worrying couple of chances as well, but didn't manage to convert. Michu did look good for Swansea, but Agatha was so relieved at Lloris's punched save in the dying minutes of the game that she didn't even notice how Michu got caught up in it. With Michu flat out on the ground, and play continuing, it all ended in a bit of a confused shambles. Will need to wait to see it all again on Match of the Day 2 tonight.

Today's view at The Lane

Naughton had a good game in defence, alongside Walker, Gallas and Vertonghen. Lennon, Dembele, Sandro and Dempsey worked well in midfield.  In the past, Agatha and Mildred have expressed support for playing both Defoe and Adebayor up front, but not sure that worked so well today. What was pleasing to see was Andros Townsend's performance, when he came on to replace Adebayor with 20 minutes to go. He acquitted himself very well, and must surely be in contention for a start soon. Another highlight of today was the return of Scott Parker, who came on in injury time to a standing ovation. We have sorely missed his organisation. Great to see him back after injury. Wonder how Benoit and Kaboul are doing?

Agatha was sat next to a German fan today at The Lane, a Bayern Munich fan over in London for a weekend to take in a few football games. He reckoned football in England was very expensive, about twice the price he pays in Germany. Reminded her of this interesting article by @David_Conn about affordable tickets, standing areas, and member-owned clubs in the Bundesliga.

Technical problems at Agatha's have scuppered blogs over the past few weeks, which is a shame given our winning run of late. Mildred particularly enjoyed her first away match, winning 0-3 against Fulham at Craven Cottage on 1 December. And our shelfside view of the 2-1 midweek win against Liverpool before that. And our UEFA Europa League 3-1 win against Panathinaikos (love young Tom Carroll!). We won't mention the Everton result. Normal blogging service is now resumed.

Agatha and Mildred

Best Game at The Lane This Season

It all came together today. We've known all season we had top class individual players, and today they played together fantastically well. Great passing, great confidence, and great goals. 3-1 against West Ham at home - 3 much needed, and well deserved, points.



Today's view at The Lane

Defoe's first goal was possibly the best goal Agatha has witnessed at White Hart Lane. Pure class. (Norman has long said that Harry never gave Defoe enough play). Dempsey's lovely chip and Bale's finish made for a sweet second. And Lennon's skilful run and selfless pass for Defoe to score the third, was a joy to behold. Add to that, two shots against the woodwork (Bale and Dempsey) - the boys looked hungry today! Bit of a shame that Andy Carroll's header got past Lloris (who had a really impressive game today). Agatha chuckled when the Tottenham fans responded to the West Ham fans' chant "He scores when he wants ..." with "He scores once a year ...".

Loved the atmosphere at White Hart Lane today too. The supporters really got behind the team and spurred them on. (Didn't hear the reported abuse from the West Ham fans, but another blog coming shortly on the whole issue of (alleged) anti-semitic chants and the (re)claiming of the "yid" label).

But for today, Agatha and Mildred are smiling sweetly at a team who played to their potential, individually and together. We liked: Dawson as captain - keeping the team together; Lloris - sound performance; Walker - back to his confident best; Caulker - a solid presence; Vertonghen - real class, fast becoming Agatha's favourite; Sandro - our rock (hope he wasn't badly injured when he was taken off); Huddlestone - safe and solid; Lennon - speedy and spritely, as always; Dempsey - some lovely touches; Bale - AMAZING! all over the field; Defoe - what a finisher; Dembele - fab to see him back! (came on as substitute towards the end).

A busy week coming up. We're looking forward to coming back to The Lane on Wednesday for the Liverpool game. And we'll also be at Craven Cottage on Saturday. Come on You Spurs!

Agatha and Mildred

A Week of Two Games

Last Saturday's game against Wigan, it has to be said, was a pretty lacklustre affair. With Mildred on holiday and Norman away for the weekend, Agatha was accompanied to White Hart Lane by son number 2 - normally a lucky charm. Not this time. He's not been to The Lane for a while, and he was struck by the bad tempered, dejected atmosphere in the crowd. I could see what he meant. There was a sense of resignation present throughout. A few bursts of vocal support from the Park Lane/Shelf-side fans, but pretty subdued overall.

Saturday's view at The Lane

On the pitch, there was a distinct lack of urgency and we looked devoid of ideas. AVB played 4-2-3-1, his preferred lone striker position being occupied by Defoe, with Bale (back from paternity leave), Lennon (on good form), and Dempsey behind him. Bale and Defoe played well, and there were some flashes of creativity and hope - Jan Vertonghen is looking better all the time. He had the best shot on goal, about 20 minutes in, and was tireless and persistent in defence. Despite decent performances too from Walker, Caulker and Gallas, and some fine saves from Friedel, Wigan scored the only goal of the match early in the second half. Agatha's inexpert opinion is that our main problems lay in a lack of imagination and skill in midfield. Unfortunately Sandro had to come off injured fairly early on, to be replaced by Sigurdsson, who is skilful on occasion but frustratingly inconsistent. Huddleston is just, well, a bit too slow. Nobody looked as though they wanted the ball. The crowd was cheering Adebayor warming up, but I don't think anyone expected Defoe to be taken off. Wouldn't it have been better to substitute Dempsey? Wigan played far better than we expected. Their back five kept a strong defensive line, and they also demonstrated some impressive passing midfield and nimble attacking play. Kone, particularly, and Maloney had us worried on quite a few occasions.

Rushing home from work on Thursday to watch the Maribor Europa League game on TV, Agatha and Mildred were struck by the different atmosphere - lots of vocal support. Did it just come over louder on TV? And it was like watching a different team altogether. Jermain's hat-trick was a joy, Bale setting up two of them so sweetly. Young Tom Carroll, who had come on towards the end of the Wigan game, was in the starting line-up. What a treat to see this young talent, who had a great game in central midfield and fed a lovely pass through to Defoe for the second goal. (We won't mention Naughton's dreadful pass back to Lloris that gave Maribor their goal). Agatha and Mildred do like playing Defoe and Adebayor up front with Bale and Lennon wide. More of this please! A completely different match to last Saturday. Agatha was musing over cause and effect - was the support more vocal because the team was playing well, or was it The Lane in full voice spurring the lads on? Or a virtuous circle? She's since discovered (via @LustDoctor's blog post) that there had been a concerted campaign by the 1882 movement to show vocal support at the match. Well, it worked. Let's all get behind this, and bring the atmosphere back to White Hart Lane.

A final note on the appearance of Fabrice Muamba at half time. Agatha and Mildred were at the game against Bolton last March, sat down near the pitch opposite where Muamba collapsed. The eery silence as doctors fought on the pitch to save his life will stay with us forever. It was clearly emotional for him to walk back over to the spot on the pitch where his heart had stopped. So glad to see him fit and well. Thanks for coming back Fabrice.

Agatha and Mildred

Spurs v Chelsea

It was actually a really good game. Both teams played some great football; it was exciting; and the atmosphere at White Hart Lane was the best it has been all season - for most of the second half anyway. Sure we missed Bale (expectant father) and Dembele (midweek injury), but we played well, mostly. Both sides missed chances. The 2 - 4 result was definitely harsh though, not to say frustrating. It could all have been so different. One goal behind coming out after half time (a scorcher from Cahill),  two goals from Gallas and Defoe (his 200th club goal) in the space of the first 10 minutes put us in front. Not for too long unfortunately: Juan Mata then scored twice in 5 minutes. Livermore replaced Huddleston (why?) and Adebayor came on for Dempsey (who hadn't looked comfortable in Bale's position). Tottenham continued to fight, but then Mata took the ball from Walker out on the touchline and his pass to Sturridge gave Chelsea their fourth goal in the 89th minute. Game over.


Agatha loves being at the Lane when it's LOUD. And it was for much of the second half. (Mildred couldn't make it today). It's great feeling the crowd getting behind the team. Sadly, there was evidence on Twitter after the match of some "fans" not getting behind individual players. Kyle Walker was excoriated for his mistake towards the end, and such was the tone of it that he closed his Twitter account. Seems a bit extreme. Ignore the idiots, Kyle. But this does again raise the question of "fans" v "supporters". Walker has been a great presence in defence, really solid for Spurs. He doesn't deserve the vitriol that was being directed at him.

Not only were we without Bale and Dembele today -  as we've said before, we are also still missing Parker, Kaboul and Assou Ekotto. We have  top class players. Agatha and Mildred have high hopes for the season, and they are supporting our boys 100%.

Agatha and Mildred

Football memories

International break. Time for Agatha to come clean: she's not an England supporter. So Bale 2 - Scotland 1 brought mixed emotions last night. What a corker of a goal from Bale. (She doesn't want to get into a discussion about the penalty, being more upset about Fletcher's disallowed goal). Expecting similar mixed emotions on Tuesday too, when Scotland meets Belgium, assuming Vertonghen and Dembele will be appearing for their country.  In truth, she doesn't really follow Scottish football much these days, and World Cup qualifiers are always painful for Scots. But it has got her reminiscing about the (really) old days ...

Photo:Neil Carnegie

This is where it all started - Ardrossan Winton Rovers. Winton Park shared a wall with my first primary school (that's it in the photo). Watching games on Saturdays, wandering freely around the ground to get different vantage points, swinging on the rails, out in the elements, squashing into the enclosure when it was really pouring. (The Stand was for the posh folk). Me, my sister, and the girl cousins watching the first half of the game from Cannon Hill next to the ground, and getting in for free at half time. (The boy cousins' entry paid for? I don't recall. Hrrumph). My Uncle Jackie cut the grass and helped count the takings. Loved the action - the closeness and immediacy of it - and the sense of attachment and belonging. And going about with my dad and the grown ups.

Moving to the newly built primary school up the road, I was asked in the playground "Who do you support - Rangers or Celtic?" "Winton Rovers" says I proudly. "Naw. That disnae count. Rangers or Celtic? You've got to say". I didn't know the answer, so asked my dad. "Just say you support Kilmarnock". Somehow that did count, or at least the boys stopped bothering me in the playground about it. It wasn't until years later that I understood what the question was all about and appreciated the wisdom of my dad's suggested response. I really hope that question is not asked any more in playgrounds in the West of Scotland. It's an embarrassment we've lived with for too long.

Later still, in my teens and having moved to Glasgow, I would have responded to the playground question with a different answer  - Partick Thistle. Or, should I say: Partick Thistle FC. (As Billy Connolly rightly points out - you have to give them their full title otherwise folk think they're called "Partick Thistle Nil").  One Boxing Day, we took the young daughter of a friend to Firhill for her first football match. It was a 5 goal thriller against Motherwell, 2 goals scored from the penalty spot. Come on you Jags! We had to explain the nickname: Partick Thistle, thistles are jaggy - the Jags! Back home, recounting the excitement of the experience she told her mum - "And they've got a nickname ... emmm ..." [thinks] "... the Pricks!"

Having defected south of the Border in the 1980s, and pitching up initially south of the Thames, I skirted with Wimbledon for a while. Then, in 1990, visiting White Hart Lane for the first time (with new boyfriend Norman) I witnessed close up from the lower tier of the West Stand the genius of Paul Gascoigne and the skill of Gary Lineker.  I remember the frisson to this day. Smitten.

What are your early football memories?

Agatha and Mildred

Happy Returns!

Many happy returns to Jermain Defoe, birthday boy today!

And continuing our happy return to top form, winning 2-0 against Aston Villa!


Today's view at The Lane
 

Agatha and Mildred were happy to return to White Hart Lane, hoping for good things at home after last week's triumph at Old Trafford, and notwithstanding a disappointing midweek performance against Panathinaikos. Also returning to the West Stand for the first time this season, down near the pitch, towards the Park Lane end. Agatha likes it down there: you get a real sense of how fast and physical the game is, although you do miss out a bit on the overall shape of the match (and on a decent view of any goals at the other end). So, sadly, we missed a close-up view of Tottenham's two second-half goals - but we're not complaining!

Great game today. We are looking good! Lots of clever play from the lads - Dembele and Vertonghen are undoubtedly superb signings. Bale and Lennon did what Bale and Lennon, respectively, do so well. Lennon worked so hard throughout the whole game; he deserved his goal (and his place in the England squad).  Gallas and Walker were solid in defence, as was Caulker, who is looking really promising. He even contrived to get in the way of Defoe's shot to score his first goal for Spurs. Sandro was class, mostly, but a bit inconsistent today, Agatha thought. And Dempsey wasn't quite as sharp as he had been in previous games; Sigurdsson came on to replace him in the second half. But again, both good signings on the evidence of their performances to date. Adebayor also came on in the second half to replace Defoe. All in all, a really talented squad. And remember, we still have the return of Kaboul, Parker and Assou-Ekotto to look forward to. Spoilt for choice!

Hugo Lloris at White Hart Lane

The big news today, however, was the first league appearance of Hugo Lloris in Spurs' goal. Agatha and Mildred are both great fans of Brad Friedel, who has been brilliant for us at Tottenham. As Amy Lawrence wrote in the Observer today, Friedel has had an unbroken run in the premier league for 8 seasons, being picked by whichever team he was with, playing in 310 consecutive matches. What a record. Respect! Amy assumed that he woud be playing today (as did many of us given his fine form of late), but the rumours that started circulating shortly before the match proved right - Lloris  got his first league game for Spurs. He acquitted himself admirably, as you would expect of France's No. 1 keeper, reading the game well and making some great saves. It will be interesting to see what happens now - Brad and Hugo both proving they are a safe pair of hands. Maybe a smart move on AVB's (and Brad's) part: introduce Lloris while Brad's performance and reputation are at a high.

Bring on Chelsea!

Agatha and Mildred

P.S. Euan the Octopus could so easily have been right - and more!

Man oh Man (U)

Yesterday morning, looking forward to the big game against Manchester United, Agatha enjoyed reading Daniel Taylor's (@DTguardian) Saturday interview with Gareth Bale. Further cheer was to be found in an article on Villas-Boas's support for Jermain Defoe. Norman (Agatha's other half) has long felt that Jermain has been underappreciated, and didn't get played as often as he should. On the other hand, you can always rely on  The Sun and The Daily Mail to pen spurious reports, this time on supposed dissent in the Tottenham team and the players' dissatisfaction with Villas-Boas. No sources or quotes, just general sniping. (The #DailyFail also picked up the Bale interview and ran with a ridiculous headline about Bale wanting to leave Spurs to play abroad).

What better way to counter such mendacious reports than to go to Old Trafford and play a blinder! From the opening goal two minutes in - Vertonghen's first for Spurs - it was sizzling! Agatha loves to see Bale outrun players like a wee boy at school sports day; he left Ferdinand standing to slip a second goal away. Half-time whistle came and we were still 2-0 up! Man U were always going to come out fighting after Fergie's half-time bollocking. Three further goals in 2 minutes kept the excitement up. Lovely to see Dempsey also get his first goal for Spurs. And then the lads dug in, and stood up magnificently to the relentless pressure from United. It was a long nail-biting half, and then the 4 extra minutes on top (isn't Ferguson a laugh? denying teams time to win!). Amazing result. We were brilliant! So chuffed. Happy, happy Lilywhites! We have such talent in individual players - old and new; the team is really shaping up fabulously.

Vertonghen Chant
Agatha and Mildred, we do like our chants. Interestingly, the "Super Jan" chant appears to have been supplanted, as foreshadowed on Twitter. Altogether now (to the tune of Volare):
Vertonghen, Oh-oh
Vertonghen, Oh-oh-oh-oh
He came from Amsterdam
To play for Tottenham

Mildred is now joining in the tweeting - follow us on @TheGirlsFromWHL

Euan the Octopus
And finally, watching the game with Agatha and Norman on ESPN yesterday was the son of friends, six year old Euan (a Chelsea supporter - we blame the parents). Before the game started he had predicted 3-2 to Spurs. Apparently he had a pretty good run predicting scores last season. So if you fancy a flutter, he reckons 3-0 for Spurs against Aston Villa on 7 October.

Agatha

Dembélé Debut

The White Hart Lane crowd gave Mousa Dembélé a warm welcome when he made his first appearance in the second half line up in our game against Norwich City today. He looked eager for the ball, and obliged with a lovely goal in the 68th minute. However – again – we couldn’t hang onto the lead; within 10 minutes Snodgrass had scored the equaliser, and we had to make do with 1 point.

As well as Dembélé, Brad Friedel and Jan Vertonghen both had great games, in Agatha’s humble opinion. She’s still not sure about Bale’s roaming role, but she did like Sandro playing deeper. Adebayor coming on in the second half also injected some spark into the play. It has been a bit of a frantic transfer window week, and it is going to take some time for our new manager to shape his team. Remember, we’ve lost Van der Vaart and Modric, Leldley has gone, and Scott Parker and Younes Kaboul are both out with injury.

Agatha felt uncomfortable at the match today, but it wasn’t the action on the field that was the problem. Don’t you hate it when you are sat next to so called fans, who complain loudly throughout the match about how effing useless their own players are? Substituting Huddleston for Defoe did seem an ill-judged decision, and Villas Boas sure got a lot a lot of stick for that from Mouth Man and mates (after the equaliser went in). And the referee and one linesman did make some dubious decisions. But booing at the end of the game? Not in my name, please. All that negativity floating around – so wearing. What's the betting that when our season tickets (eventually) come up, we’ll be sat next to them …

Agatha and Mildred

Good Luck Luka!

We couldn’t let the signing of Luka Modric to Real Madrid go by without saying a few words of fond farewell. This is only Mildred’s third season as a Spurs’ fan, but she saw that the skill and mastery of Modric was special, and marked him out as a class player. His midfield role was crucial in the team; so what if he didn’t score many goals himself?

‏@EPLStatman: Luka Modric created 96 chances for Spurs last season - this was more than any other Spurs player #THFC #RMFC

There are lots of writings (and puns) floating around today about the diminutive Croatian, who has been a giant of a player in the team. We have collected together a few of the good ones that appeared in our Twitter stream this morning.

ITV (@itvfootball) gives you all the facts on the player’s history – Factfile: Get the Lowdown on Luka Modric

Paul Smith (@SpursOdessey) looked back over his time at Spurs – The Last of the Croatians

@Lustdoctor wrote this piece – Luka Modric: A Strange Goodbye - raising the question of the "partnership".

Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) to Sky Sports News praised Levy for making a shrewd deal and negotiating the partnership - Modric Move "Smart".

There’s been a bit of discussion over what the partnership agreement means. The official Club announcement  says “The partnership agreement will see the two Clubs working together in respect of players, coaching, best practices and commercial relationships.”   Even Gary Lineker and Lord Sugar had a Twitter exchange about it. We'll see.

Anyway, what was noticeable on Twitter was the good feeling among fans toward Modric. (Agatha’s Norman always thought he was a bit moody). Here's a selection of some of the wishes winging their way over to Spain via the Twittersphere -

‏@VanDerWard: I know there are a lot of trollers, but seriously. All the best to Modric at RM, class player going to a triffic club.

‏@bghayward: My favourite Modric moment: assist for VDV in 3-1 CL win over Inter at White Hart Lane. Wonderful.

‏@SamVasserG: Gutted to wake up to the news that my beloved Luka Modric has signed for Real Madrid. The best player I've ever seen in a #thfc shirt.

‏@AntPlas: weve all known its been coming for a while, so im genuinely suprised i feel this gutted. Modric is an unbelievable player. he will be missed

‏@LiamHoughton128: I'll miss watching Luka Modric play in the Premier League, he's a fantastic player.

@morgoroth106: Thank you and goodbye Luka Modric, you have been world class for us as you will be for Madrid, All the best Modders!

‏@TheGirlsFromWHL: RT @realmadriden: Luka Modric already in Madrid! http://twitpic.com/ao8b4a  Good luck Luka! We had a ball!

@AmAnVaJa: Good luck to Luka Modric! You will be missed at the lane! All the best at your new club! Now its time to spend Mr Levy!

‏@jase7t2: Well looks like #Luka is finally going to #realmadrid but I'm not bitter, Thank you for some good memories & good luck‏

@Ali0Fawaz: Luka Modric thanks for everything & hope you all the best with Real Madrid

And finally, one last rendition of Luka’s chant (although Agatha couldn't understand why “My name is Luka …”- you know, Suzanne Vega - never caught on):

Na na na na, Na na na na, Hey he-ey, Luka Modric!

Buena suerte, Luka!

Agatha and Mildred

 

Bitter, bitter sweet

Far more bitter than sweet. Drawing 1-1 at home against West Bromwich Albion in the second game of the season, having outplayed them throughout. Hitting the back of the net three times, twice disallowed. Conceding the equaliser in extra time after a goalmouth shambles (what was Friedel doing just standing on the goal-line?). And Agatha lost her new glasses in the East Stand.

Sweet was Ledley’s reception at half-time, and Benoit’s corker of a goal in the second half. (Have we mentioned that Agatha has a bit of a crush? She likes to call him by his first name.)



A brief few moments of sunshine today

Mildred couldn’t make it to the match today, but we are both still hopeful for the new season. Livermore is growing in confidence and linking up well with Walker. Sandro was solid (mostly), and Friedel, aforementioned shambles apart, was otherwise safe.  Vertonghen was a bit shaky at the start and got turned a couple of times by Lukaku, but he looked pretty tidy overall.  We like Bale playing wide, and he had a good game today.

And anyway, we’re usually here or hereabouts at this stage. Sigh. Onwards and upwards.

Agatha

And so it begins ...

Good game, shame about the result. First game of the season, away to Newcastle – much better than our first game last season. That thrashing from Man City is still painful. Agatha and Mildred agree with the general post-match observations – result did not reflect performance or shots on goal, and, obviously, we need a striker.  On the positive side: the team looked comfortable,  Defoe and Bale both hit the woodwork, and Sigurdsson looks like a stylish player who could fit in well. Last season Modric was a crucial linchpin in the team, but now - new season, new players, new manager … we’re looking forward to a new team shape, and Mildred has a good feeling about it all.  

And, despite the less than overwhelming response to our challenge yesterday, here are all the players we could think of who had played for both Tottenham and Newcastle:  Sebastien Bassong, Sol Campbell, Stephen Carr, Rio Ferdinand, Ruel Fox, Paul Gascoigne, David Ginola, Jim Iley, Jermaine Jenas, Kevin Scott, Chris Waddle, Jonathan Woodgate. Have we missed any?

Till next week!

Agatha and Mildred

To Dare Is To Do

We meant to do this all last season. Start a Spurs blog. We know there are lots of them (and we'll review some over the next few weeks). This one is a wee bit different, maybe. Written by Agatha and Mildred - one long-time Spurs fan, one recent adopter - it is a serious (well, not too serious), bronze members',  female view from The Lane.

Agatha and Mildred are looking forward to the first Premier League game of the season today, away to Newcastle. Has Mildred got ESPN now though? Agatha was at St James' Park just a couple of weeks ago in fact, to watch an Olympic football match - Brazil v New Zealand. "Not so much a defeat for New Zealand, more of a total humiliation" she reports. She is getting a bit dotty, it has to be said;  she thought it was a women's match she was going to - Howay the lasses! It was only when the (rather butch) players came out on the pitch she realised her mistake. She had been wondering at the full stadium ...

Can you name 10 players who have played for both Spurs and Newcastle?  (Answer in tomorrow's blog post).

Also to come: Agatha and Mildred's brief summary of last season; early impressions, hopes and fears for this season; match reports; best chants; OHOTT (Overheard on the Terraces) gems; photos (mostly from the West Stand, probably); anything we find interesting about our following of the Mighty Spurs.

We Are The Girls From White Hart Lane!

Agatha and Mildred