Players at both ends of the spectrum for Spurs
This week sees us focus on two Spurs players at opposite ends of their careers at White Hart Lane. Nabil Bentaleb, aged 19 (b. 24.11.94), in his first Premier League start for Tottenham was voted the clear winner of the Spurs man of the match vote by Spurs Odyssey readers. At the other end of the spectrum, 31 year old Jermain Defoe scored his first Premier League goal of the season, but his 143rd goal in all competitions for Spurs.
Jermain officially joins Toronto on February 28th, so there are still 7 games in which he could appear in Spurs colours, and yet add to his goal tally. Even if he scored in Luis Suarez proportions, Jermain cannot now overtake Cliff Jones (159) in the all-time list of Spurs goalscorers. Defoe remains fifth in that particular league table, and also needs four more league goals to take him into our top ten league scorers' list. Jermain has only made three Premier League starts this season.
Nabil Bentaleb made his senior Spurs debut for Tim Sherwood off the bench in our 3-2 win at Southampton, and made a good impression upon all observers. I've got no record of when a "rookie" player was voted man of the match in his first Premier League start. The last time such a player did win the vote was substitute Tom Carroll in last season's home defeat by Fulham. The vote for Bentaleb comes as no surprise after a performance in which he was so unlucky not to score off the inside of a post; had another good effort on goal; and played some very well-placed passes.
Tim Sherwood remains unbeaten in his 5 premier League games in charge, and after 7 games in all, he is better appreciated than was AVB in his managerial abilities this season. Sherwood has had to cope with the enforced absence of genuine key players. Jan Vertonghen has now missed the last six games. Paulinho has only appeared in two of the last nine games. Sandro has only appeared in one of those nine. Sherwood has not been able to select either Vertonghen or Sandro, or indeed Andros Townsend in Premier League games.
· See this week's "Spursometer in full
P.S:- A new guest blogger joins the Spurs Odyssey team later this week as we set out to add to our comprehensive coverage of Tottenham Hotspur.
He has watched and reported on the Lilywhites since Arthur Rowe’s Push and Run Spurs, is one of the country’s most prolific authors and – a big clue – he has written 20 books in harness with the one and only Jimmy Greaves.
Our mystery blogger will not only be giving his opinions and views on Tottenham over the years, but will also be testing you with a regular quiz feature.
He wants to stir memories as well as give his overview of today’s team. And he wants YOU along on his journey of nostalgia, news and knowledge.
Look out for his first Blog on Thursday here at your favourite website, Spurs Odyssey, where the name of the game is Glory. COYS!
Results 11-13.01.14
Hull 0-2 Chelsea
Cardiff 0-2 West Ham
Everton 2-0 Norwich
Fulham 1-4 S'derland
S'hampton 1-0 West Brom
Spurs 2-0 C. Palace
Man Utd 2-0 Swansea
Newcastle 0-2 Man City
Stoke 3-5 Liverpool
A. Villa 1-2 Arsenal
Barclays Premier League
P W D L F-A GD Pts
1. Arsenal 21 15 3 3 41-19 22 48
2. Man City 21 15 2 4 59-23 36 47
3. Chelsea 21 14 4 3 40-19 21 46
4. Liverpool 21 13 3 5 51-26 25 42
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5. Everton 21 11 8 2 34-19 15 41
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6. Spurs 21 12 4 5 26-25 1 40
7. Man Utd 21 11 4 6 35-24 11 37
8. Newcastle 21 10 3 8 29-27 2 33
9. S'hampton 21 8 6 7 27-23 4 30
10. Hull 21 6 5 10 22-27 -5 23
11. A. Villa 21 6 5 10 20-27 -7 23
12. Stoke 21 5 7 9 22-35 -13 22
13. Swansea 21 5 6 10 26-30 -4 21
14. West Brom 21 4 9 8 23-28 -5 21
15. Norwich 21 5 5 11 17-35 -18 20
16. Fulham 21 6 1 14 22-46 -24 19
17. West Ham 21 4 6 11 21-30 -9 18
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18. Cardiff 21 4 6 11 15-34 -19 18
19. S'derland 21 4 5 12 19-34 -15 17
20. C. Palace 21 5 2 14 13-31 -18 17
