| S |
|
69.14% |
| P |
|
72.14% |
| U |
|
60.28% |
| R |
|
62.71% |
| S |
|
64.14% |
| = |
|
65.37% |
Form Guide November 2010
P W D L F-A GD Pts
7 5 1 1 18-11 7 10
Pos:- 5th
2 Cup Matches
· October 2010 figures
· Last year's figures
November2009
Plenty of highs this month!
Tuesday 2nd November, 2010
Spurs 3 Inter 1
Spurs Man of the Match - Gareth Bale (9.7/10)
Harry Redknapp rated:- 8.9/10
Referee - Mr. V. Kassai rated 8/10
The Tottenham Flyer – Gareth Bale – dominated the headlines two weeks previously with his sensational and historic second half hat-trick in the San Siro, but in my view, his performance in this game was even more accomplished, and was displayed throughout both halves of the game. Such was Gareth’s domination of Brazilian right back Maicon (one of four Inter players nominated for the FIFA World Player of the Year) that in the second half Spurs fans were chanting “Taxi for Maicon”. I haven’t seen Bale so consistently make mincemeat of any right back, as he did here.
However, the win was not just about Bale. It was truly a team effort, with solid performances from 1 to 11, or 23 to 15, whichever way you want to look at it.
Saturday 6th November, 2010
Bolton 4 Spurs 2
Spurs Man of the Match - Alan Hutton (6.8/10)
Harry Redknapp rated:- 4.8/10
Referee - Mr. Chris Foy rated 5.5/10
I said before the game that I was concerned about Harry Redknapp’s wholesale changes in midfield, where three of the personnel differed from Tuesday night’s glorious victory over the Champions of Europe. There had to be changes for the injured Van der Vaart and Lennon, but Tom Huddlestone was also kept on the bench, and Palacios and the rarely used Sandro took on the central midfield berths. There was an even rarer appearance by Niko Kranjcar, who actually made his first start of the season for Tottenham. Sadly, Kranjcar did not take the opportunity to shine and was arguably the most disappointing of our players.
Bolton don’t often score four goals against any team, and the last time they scored four or more against Spurs was in November 1996 when they trounced us 6-1 in the Coca-Cola Cup. You have to go back 8 months earlier to find the last league win by Spurs at Bolton, and the record of never yet winning a league match at The Reebock stands, only to be further discussed the next time we all make the trip to this northern outpost.
Tuesday 9th November, 2010
Spurs 1 Sunderland 1
Spurs Man of the Match - Rafael van der Vaart (6.9/10)
Harry Redknapp rated:- 5.86/10
Referee - Mr. Howard Webb rated 3.6/10
Rafa van der Vaart was a welcome presence in the starting line-up, and by scoring he extended his record by scoring in his this, his sixth home game. Unfortunately, Spurs also extended a record, and that was a run of 4 Premier League games without a win. Despite dominating possession at least in the first half, and bringing a number of saves from Gordon, Spurs lost concentration and allowed a quick equaliser to Van der Vaart’s 64th minute goal. They never really looked like regaining the lead in front of their frustrated fans.
A number of factors can be held responsible for this failure to secure three much needed home points. Spurs had plenty of possession and won many corners, but they lacked penetration and a killer touch. Gordon was busy and had to make a number of saves, but he was rarely over-stretched, I would suggest. Bentley and Hutton saw lots of ball down the right, but Bentley often took too many touches and as so often has been the case, his delivery was not as good as it could be. Having said that, on the other flank, Bale had yet to match the form he displayed against Inter.
Saturday 13th November, 2010
Spurs 4 Blackburn 2
Spurs Man of the Match - Gareth Bale (8.4/10)
Harry Redknapp rated:- 7.26/10
Referee - Mr. Andre Marriner rated 5.8/10
With an army of players missing, including Jermain Defoe, who we thought might have made an appearance on the bench, Harry Redknapp set his team up to attack, attack, attack Blackburn with a very welcome return to 4-4-2, despite the lack of a striker in reserve. Rafael van der Vaart held the nominal right wing position, but of course had licence to roam. He and skipper Luka Modric featured in several intricate moves as Spurs entertained their fans, but it was that man Gareth Bale who once again dominated an ageing International right back to lead Spurs to victory with two goals and an assist to boot.
That International right back was Michel Salgado, once of Real Madrid and once of Spain, with whom he won 53 full International caps. Salgado suffered at the feet of Bale in March, when Spurs ran out 3-1 winners, and he suffered again in this game, being replaced after on 37 minutes.
Saturday 20th November, 2010
Arsenal 2 Spurs 3
Spurs Man of the Match - William Gallas (8.7/10)
Harry Redknapp rated:- 7.86/10
Referee - Mr. Phil Dowd rated 7.7/10
To the best of my recollection, I personally have never witnessed a Spurs win at the home of Arsenal, wherever that may be. Spurs came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and thus gain their first meaningful win at their place since the Littlewoods Cup in 1987. Yes, we won there in 1993, but they fielded a weakened side in anticipation of the FA Cup Final, and our team wasn’t so strong either. This was a momentous day for Spurs and their fans. Not only did we put paid to the long record of failure to win at Arsenal, but at long last we put an end to the 68 game run of failure to win at a “Top Four Ground” whatever that may mean. After all, Spurs may have set themselves on the road to regaining a place in that coveted area of the Premier League.
Say what you will about Harry Redknapp, but in the space of little more than two short years, he has taken us from “2 points from 8 games” (had to mention that) to the brink of European qualification in that first season; to qualification for the Champions League in his first full season, which included wins over Arsenal and Chelsea at home, and Manchester City at their place! Now in only his second full season, Harry has given us an aggregate win over Champions of Europe Inter Milan, and our first win over Arsenal at The Emirates.
Wednesday 24th November, 2010
Spurs 3 Werder Bremen 0
Spurs Man of the Match - Luka Modric (8.2/10)
Harry Redknapp rated:- 7.8/10
Referee - Mr. O. Benquerenca rated 6.6/10
Spurs maintained their recent surge of form, and their great European form with a comfortable 3-0 win over a decimated and crisis-torn Werder Bremen side that has now failed to even score in five games, despite the presence of their star player Marko Marin. A 6th minute goal by Younes Kaboul, after some early Spurs pressure and corners set Spurs on their way, and once Luka Modric scored a Van der Vaart type goal in first half added time, the result was never in doubt. Peter Crouch added a deserved third goal, but Spurs could have scored three more, as Gareth Bale had a penalty saved, and hit the woodwork twice. Both Spurs and Inter won and thus ensured their passage to the knock-out phase, and as long as we at least match Inter’s result in our last game, we will qualify as Group leaders, which would give us a potentially easier passage to the quarter-finals. Mind you, this is the team that has beaten the reigning Champions of Europe, so why should we be afraid of anybody?
Sunday 28th November, 2010
Spurs 2 Liverpool 1
Spurs Man of the Match - Luka Modric (8.3/10)
Harry Redknapp rated:- 7.36/10
Referee - Mr. Martin Atkinson rated 6.9/10
Not for the first time, Aaron Lennon popped up to score a vital last minute/added time match winning goal. I clearly remember him doing the same thing early last season, when we beat Birmingham at home. Not for the first time, Spurs came back from a losing position to win a game this season. They did it most famously last week at The Emirates; over the Champions League ties against Young Boys and Inter; at home against Wolves and Aston Villa, and away against Fulham. Not for the first time, Spurs beat Liverpool 2-1 at home in the Premier League. In fact they’ve done it on three consecutive occasions now, and if you add our 4-2 Carling Cup win of 2008, that’s four consecutive home wins against Liverpool – a former top four side. Winners do things like that, and Spurs most certainly are winners! Oh, and by the way, not for the first time did a Liverpool defender score an own goal! This time it was Skrtel, and not Jamie Carragher, after a great burst into the area by Luka Modric.
Conclusion
Whilst clean sheets are still a rare commodity for Spurs, it is significant to note that the back four have been ever-present throughout November, and that Gomes played in 6 of the games, only missing the Inter match, due to his suspension. William Gallas captained Spurs in the last three games, starting at his old club Arsenal. At the end of that game he sank to his knees with joy, and in those last three games he won over most Spurs fans, having been given a fairly frosty welcome when he first arrived.
Gareth Bale, Van der Vaart, Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko all scored 3 goals during the month. Crouch has made a habit of scoring Champions League goals this season, but he even got off the mark in the Premier League against Blackburn.
Luka Modric and Gareth Bale were also ever present this month and together with Rafa van der Vaart, the three vied with each other for the Spurs Odyssey Player of the Month award for November. That award goes (marginally) to Bale, who just pipped Modric. Gareth was also rewarded with International recognition when he was nominated as one of the 55 candidates for inclusion in the FIFA World Team of the Year and Player of the Year. Even to be given a mention in the most celubrious footballing compamny is a great achievment for Gareth, who has had a simply sensation calendar year. It isn't finished yet, either!
Don't forget to check out the cumulative appearances and grades for the players as the season progresses - below. The grades are based upon a mark out of ten.
...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 10 years!
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