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August 2006

"Despite the loss of three of our opening four games, there was plenty of evidence in this game for Spurs fans to look forward to next week’s game, and the remainder of the season."

I wrote the above words after our narrow 1-0 defeat at old Trafford in early September last year. The "next game" was in Prague, where Spurs set out upon a path of 8 consecutive victories in Europe, and the next League game was against Fulham, who we face next Saturday. The words can be applied to our present position.

With the FA computer and similar criteria setting the fixture programme each year, it is no wonder that the fixture list does look remarkably symmetrical year after year. However, last year we first played Fulham at home, and although we won in Prague, it took longer (till October) to get back on the winning trail in domestic competition.

The story of August on and off the pitch will be only too fresh in your minds, as Spurs once again under-performed against Sunderland (yet to win another game) and succumbed at home to Everton, thanks to two very poor team performances, where we failed to show the correct degree of desire, effort, commitment and passion for what should be a united cause of Champions League football.

The mention of the Champions League brings to mind the all too public washing of Spurs linen, thanks to the exposure of a mysterious tryst in Sevill between Juande Ramos, Spurs Deputy Chairman Paul Kemsley and secretary John Alexander. Martin Jol has been put under intense pressure, but at least the team showed more of their true potential with the demolishing of Derby and another one goal defeat at Old Trafford, where we were denied even one of two good penalty shouts.

There was plenty of pre-season excitement about Spurs' 4-man strike force, but so far only Darren Bent has got off the mark, and that was a close range header from a rebound off the bar. Anthony Gardner made a weak start at Sunderland, but has progressed with more games under his belt to the degree that he and Rocha stood up well to the Old Trafford test. Anthony did score our goal against Everton too. Don't forget that our first choice defenders, Ledley King and Michael Dawson have yet to appear. Younes Kaboul has looked exciting, and we look forward to his prompt return from injury.

This season, I have introduced player grades after each game, and each month I propose to include the progressive average for each player in the "Spursometer". So, you can see the first report below, with full appearance and goal-scoring statistics included too. Of the players that have played throughout August, Malbranque has to be highlighted for his two goals against Derby, but Gareth Bale impressed on his debut in the most testing of arenas, and Adel Taarabt woos the crowd with his cameo appearances when allowed. Young-Pyo Lee made a welcome return to action, and with Dawson, Kaboul and Lennon to return soon, perhaps we can put this horrible start behind us.

The trouble is, there are some difficult games ahead, but with sad news such as the murder of 11 year old Everton fan Rhys Jones in Liverpool, and the death of 22 year old Seville full-back Antonio Puerta, I think we do need to put Spurs business into perspective.

...if you want to remind yourself of the matches played during this month, then See the Fixtures page here. By working your way back through the previous month's figures, you can review the performances over the last 7 years!

* less errors equals a higher mark

The Spursometer was brought to you by Spurs Odyssey in association with My Eyes Have Seen The Glory.