| S |
|
54.16% |
| P |
|
65% |
| U |
|
47.5% |
| R |
|
55.83% |
| S |
|
53.33% |
| = |
|
55.16% |
Form Guide October 2008
P W D L F-A GD Pts
6 1 2 3 8-10 -2 4
2 Cup Matches
Pos:- 20th
· September 2008 figures
· Last year's figures
October 2007
Another dramatic month in the life of Spurs began on a reasonable note in Krakow, Poland, when Spurs put their league form behind them and successfully defended their one goal advantage in the UEFA Cup first round tie. It was an own goal (of which we have now had three already this season in our favour) that gave us a two goal lead in the tie, and Brozek's late goal and the pressure of the home side was just about resisted. Gomes had made a number of good saves to keep us in this tie, and good performances also came from Luke Modric and Fraizer Campbell.
Back home though, and we just became the latest victims of the fairy-tale start to the season by Hull City. This was the third successive league game in which we had failed to score. Spurs had made history with their worst ever start to a League season, and the Titanic jibes surfaced.
We couldn't go to Stoke and lose to another promoted side, could we? Of course we could, but we didn't help matters by having Bale sent off and conceding an early penalty, then Michael Dawson getting sent off in the closing stages. The game was lost by then. The powers that be wanted more blood, as Dawson was alleged to have taken too much time to leave the field. He could have got an extra match suspension, but in the end got a slap, and will be eligible for the next league game. Mind you, Dawson has been marginalised recently, and faces a battle to win the respect of new manager Harry Redknapp.
Juande Ramos's last game in charge was in Italy, where the loyal travelling fans were overtly policed as usual, and had to endure a dismal game and performance in another rickety European stadium. How do these fellow EU states get around the rigid Health and Safety rules we have imposed upon us here in blighty? Little did I know, when casting aspersions in the direction of Damien Comolli and using an Italian Job analogy regarding the manager, that by the next game they would be gone, along with Gus Poyet and Alvarez?
We were toasting each other with the thought of better times, and before the appointment of Harry "Houdini" Redknapp, I was in genuine fear of the drop. So was Daniel Levy, which is why he acted so decisively. Let's hope he has got an appointment right for the long term this time.
Initial decisions by Harry have been to give Modric his natural role behind the striker. We were rewarded with two excellent performances against Bolton and at Arsenal. Zokora has been dropped and Huddlestone installed next to Jenas. Those who had been disenfranchised by Juande Ramos (Stalteri, Ghaly, Taarabt, Boateng and Rocha) have been granted squad numbers, whilst yet to take part in a game. Harry has already indicated he'll be in the market for a defensive midfielder come January, but in the meantime he is working with that he has, and doing a great job too!
The month of October ended on a high note with Bentley's stupendous goal, and a late come-back at The Emirates. Thus the spirits of the team and the fans were revitalised within days of Redknapp's appointment. This review has been written after the first game of November, and you already know what a good start that got off to!
Don't forget to check out the cumulative appearances and grades for the squad below.
...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 8 years!
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