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!