On the surface, it's a bloody silly question given Spurs currently sit sixth in the table, just three points off top spot. But that defeat to West Ham has suddenly put everything in to perspective.
It's not so long ago that Wenger was the manager under pressure and AVB was being hailed as the best thing since, well since Oneday Ramos. Bale had gone, but results wise, you wouldn't have noticed; and with 13 points from six games, Spurs were on course to finish the season with 82 points which would give them an outside chance of winning the title.
The trouble is, the fixture list had been kind and results in the Prem have not been great when you take into account the opposition: one goal wins over Palace, Swansea and Cardiff are nothing to write home about; the 2-0 victory over Norwich was no better than par; the draw at home to Chelsea was two points lost for both teams; and the defeat against Arsenal was a reality check. And then came West Ham!
Look at the respective goal differences of the clubs in the top 6 and Spurs are well adrift, with a positive credit of just one. And given the money spent on attacking players, the scoring return so far this season has been nothing short of pathetic.
Questions are already being asked. Is Soldado up to the job? Will Lamela hang around? Is Chamli anything special? Paulinho apart, young Townsend has been the star so far so it is looking as if the Bale money may have been invested poorly.
Of course, nerves will be settled should Spurs win emphatically at Villa Park; but should they lose, and slip to mid table, the mutterings will start and that word "crisis" will begin to loom large. AVB was found wanting at Chelsea and, maybe, just maybe, he is not as good as Levy thought. A top four finish should be the minimum expectation this season and even with Man Utd behind them, Spurs are already two places shy of that target.
Should there be another Claret and Blue humiliation for the Cockyfools this weekend, things could get very heated inside White Hart Lane!
Friday, 18 October 2013
Is Burnley's Dyche making Watford look stupid?
Compare the resources and the squads of the two clubs and there should be no contest. Watford have benefited hugely from the Pozzo takeover, mopping up surplus Udinese players and finding the means to pay them, irrespective of the impending Financial Fair Play rules. Quite what happens if Watford don't achieve promotion before the penalties cut in is another matter; but for now, every wasp in the garden is a hornet.
Burnley, on the other hand, are the archetypical "homely" club - smallish gates, smallish ground, smallish club, smallish squad, smallish ambition. It is true that the club has "history" but as I keep telling Leeds fans, history counts for nothing.
So the fact that Dyche has taken Burnley to the top of the division must surely be a cause for some embarrassment down Vicarage Road. The man axed to pave the way for Zola's appointment has done a brilliant job, assembling a decent bunch of players and motivating them to play out of their proverbial skins so far this season.
It makes you wonder what might have happened had Pozzo followed Tammy Wynette's advice and stood by his man. True Dyche does not look the part and does not sound the part either, and probably wouldn't have been able to make himself understood in any conversation that may have taken place with the new owner, but on the evidence of what he has done since joining Burnley, he may well have won promotion with Watford last season.
Personally I expect Burnley to burn out as injuries and tiredness take their toll over a 46 game league season, but Dyche deserves all the accolades for what he has achieved so far this season, with the Clarets sitting above QPR despite losing their best player to the Hula Hoops in the summer. And Zola meanwhile? Well he is doing no better than par by even the most generous assessment of his performance.
Burnley, on the other hand, are the archetypical "homely" club - smallish gates, smallish ground, smallish club, smallish squad, smallish ambition. It is true that the club has "history" but as I keep telling Leeds fans, history counts for nothing.
So the fact that Dyche has taken Burnley to the top of the division must surely be a cause for some embarrassment down Vicarage Road. The man axed to pave the way for Zola's appointment has done a brilliant job, assembling a decent bunch of players and motivating them to play out of their proverbial skins so far this season.
It makes you wonder what might have happened had Pozzo followed Tammy Wynette's advice and stood by his man. True Dyche does not look the part and does not sound the part either, and probably wouldn't have been able to make himself understood in any conversation that may have taken place with the new owner, but on the evidence of what he has done since joining Burnley, he may well have won promotion with Watford last season.
Personally I expect Burnley to burn out as injuries and tiredness take their toll over a 46 game league season, but Dyche deserves all the accolades for what he has achieved so far this season, with the Clarets sitting above QPR despite losing their best player to the Hula Hoops in the summer. And Zola meanwhile? Well he is doing no better than par by even the most generous assessment of his performance.
Thursday, 17 October 2013
Leeds simply must beat Birmingham
It is only mid October but, even this early, the game at home to Birmingham is a must win match. In truth, automatic promotion is already an impossible dream, with a gap of 9 points to the club in third and 12 to the top two. Okay, Burnley may burn out, but your money would then be on either Leicester or Nottingham Forest to join QPR in the top two; and that's before you factor in Watford, Reading and maybe Wigan, once Europe is out of the way.
But the playoffs remain a possibility. Blackpool are average, the younger Ince apart, and Burnley will probably finish closer to eighth in the table than first. So there are still two places to fight for.
Some will argue that it is foolish to make predictions so early in the season but I'm happy to be taken to task if QPR, Forest, Leicester and Watford don't fill four of the top 6 places. So who are the contenders for the other two places?
The Wally with the Brolly may take Derby on a run; Blackpool have points in the bank; Burnley have more; Reading are more than decent by Championship standards; player by player, Blackburn should be strong enough for the top six; with Europe out of the way, you would expect some sort of Wigan charge; and Ipswich have as good a chance as Leeds.
But if Leeds are going to compete, that 6 point gap to sixth place can't grow any wider. The away form isn't great, so the home games simply have to be won, especially against teams that sit even lower than Leeds in the table.
The trouble is, Birmingham aren't as bad as their league position suggests, and even if Leeds dominate possession, there is no guarantee that goals will be scored. The failure to recruit over the international break has simply focused everybody's minds - even the Yapping Post - on the lack of creativity in the team.
Unfortunately, the Birmingham game is televised so Elland Road is likely to be half empty again. Yorkshiremen aren't going to forgo the KFC Family Bucket for a game that can be watched on the box. And come Sunday afternoon, the gap to sixth and to the top two could be still wider, making the game seem somewhat irrelevant.
McDermott needed to make a loan signing to get the fans on board and, of course, he may yet do so. But so far it is the same old talk of "frustration" and now of "hurt". A win on Sunday could be the perfect balm, but a draw or defeat would pour acid into the already festering wound.
My prediction? 1-1.
But the playoffs remain a possibility. Blackpool are average, the younger Ince apart, and Burnley will probably finish closer to eighth in the table than first. So there are still two places to fight for.
Some will argue that it is foolish to make predictions so early in the season but I'm happy to be taken to task if QPR, Forest, Leicester and Watford don't fill four of the top 6 places. So who are the contenders for the other two places?
The Wally with the Brolly may take Derby on a run; Blackpool have points in the bank; Burnley have more; Reading are more than decent by Championship standards; player by player, Blackburn should be strong enough for the top six; with Europe out of the way, you would expect some sort of Wigan charge; and Ipswich have as good a chance as Leeds.
But if Leeds are going to compete, that 6 point gap to sixth place can't grow any wider. The away form isn't great, so the home games simply have to be won, especially against teams that sit even lower than Leeds in the table.
The trouble is, Birmingham aren't as bad as their league position suggests, and even if Leeds dominate possession, there is no guarantee that goals will be scored. The failure to recruit over the international break has simply focused everybody's minds - even the Yapping Post - on the lack of creativity in the team.
Unfortunately, the Birmingham game is televised so Elland Road is likely to be half empty again. Yorkshiremen aren't going to forgo the KFC Family Bucket for a game that can be watched on the box. And come Sunday afternoon, the gap to sixth and to the top two could be still wider, making the game seem somewhat irrelevant.
McDermott needed to make a loan signing to get the fans on board and, of course, he may yet do so. But so far it is the same old talk of "frustration" and now of "hurt". A win on Sunday could be the perfect balm, but a draw or defeat would pour acid into the already festering wound.
My prediction? 1-1.
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
Poland robbed by absence of Leeds centre back
So England have done it, qualifying for the World Cup in Brazil with a nail biting victory over Poland. No matter that the clown Szczesny played like Jan Tomaszewski, England were too strong going forward and were water tight at the back. Even Joe Hart couldn't throw this one away!
Polish fans with long enough memories will be rueing the failure of Woy Hodgson to select a Leeds man at the heart of the defence. If only, if only, there was a Norman Hunter to stand on the ball on the touch line, thereby allowing Poland to break away and score.
Mind you, the Poles can't blame Woy. Who in the present Leeds squad could get anywhere near an England team? Well actually that's unfair, half a dozen probably qualify for the Vets team!
Meanwhile, Woy has achieved what the so called "great" Don Revie couldn't achieve. He has guided the England team through to the finals of a major international tournament.
And a decent looking team is suddenly emerging. Whisper it quietly, but if Hart can recover his form, we might do rather well. Assuming Gerrard isn't tempted into a jewellery heist of course!
Polish fans with long enough memories will be rueing the failure of Woy Hodgson to select a Leeds man at the heart of the defence. If only, if only, there was a Norman Hunter to stand on the ball on the touch line, thereby allowing Poland to break away and score.
Mind you, the Poles can't blame Woy. Who in the present Leeds squad could get anywhere near an England team? Well actually that's unfair, half a dozen probably qualify for the Vets team!
Meanwhile, Woy has achieved what the so called "great" Don Revie couldn't achieve. He has guided the England team through to the finals of a major international tournament.
And a decent looking team is suddenly emerging. Whisper it quietly, but if Hart can recover his form, we might do rather well. Assuming Gerrard isn't tempted into a jewellery heist of course!
Sunday, 13 October 2013
Could Robbie Keane be heading back to Leeds?
With the North American Major League Soccer drawing to its October close, Robbie Keane will be kicking his heels for a few months, not knowing what to do with himself. His Premiership days are now well behind him - as his brief loan spell at West Ham proved - but he would still be a lively prospect in the Championship.
His 33 goals in 52 games since his switch to the States prove that he still knows where the net is, and at 33 he would still be regarded as a young chicken in this Neil Warnock recruited squad.
Of course a loan fee and high wage demands may put the mockers on any possible deal, but if GFH Capital have any serious intent whatsoever, this should not be allowed to stand in the way of bringing in the Irishman. Leeds are desperate for somebody who knows where the back of the net is, and Keane has unfinished business at Elland Road.
It may be a long shot, but maybe, just maybe, all those rumours about Leeds signing young Keane are as wide of the mark as a Complete Hunt shot on goal - maybe instead of the young pup Keane, Friar Brian is looking to bring in the old dog namesake instead!
His 33 goals in 52 games since his switch to the States prove that he still knows where the net is, and at 33 he would still be regarded as a young chicken in this Neil Warnock recruited squad.
Of course a loan fee and high wage demands may put the mockers on any possible deal, but if GFH Capital have any serious intent whatsoever, this should not be allowed to stand in the way of bringing in the Irishman. Leeds are desperate for somebody who knows where the back of the net is, and Keane has unfinished business at Elland Road.
It may be a long shot, but maybe, just maybe, all those rumours about Leeds signing young Keane are as wide of the mark as a Complete Hunt shot on goal - maybe instead of the young pup Keane, Friar Brian is looking to bring in the old dog namesake instead!
Saturday, 12 October 2013
David Weir to sue West Ham after Sheffield United sacking?
So, another one bites the dust, as yet another Shafting United manager is shown the door because West Ham United signed Carlos Tevez on an illegal Third Party Agreement.
Poor David Weir did everything he could to pull the Blunted Blades out of the relegation zone of the old Third Division, but no matter what players he selected, and no matter what formations he employed, the shadow of Carlos Tevez proved too much.
As one Sheffield United fan complained: "It is as if Tevez is in the starting eleven of every team we face. How else can you explain the way we keep losing to crap teams? I mean, the guy is a genius and wins games on his own, so is it any surprise that even with ten donkeys in the team, opponents in the third tier of English football keep defeating us?"
Weir has not yet commented on how Tevez cost him his job, but Old Big Gob Warnock will no doubt be on the blower soon, recommending legal action. Colin knows Tevez cost him his job and knows that Sheffield United would presently be playing Champions League football if not for West Ham's underhand cheating and the Premier League's failure to take appropriate action because of the way they favour London clubs and because they love Trevor Brooking.
Poor David Weir did everything he could to pull the Blunted Blades out of the relegation zone of the old Third Division, but no matter what players he selected, and no matter what formations he employed, the shadow of Carlos Tevez proved too much.
As one Sheffield United fan complained: "It is as if Tevez is in the starting eleven of every team we face. How else can you explain the way we keep losing to crap teams? I mean, the guy is a genius and wins games on his own, so is it any surprise that even with ten donkeys in the team, opponents in the third tier of English football keep defeating us?"
Weir has not yet commented on how Tevez cost him his job, but Old Big Gob Warnock will no doubt be on the blower soon, recommending legal action. Colin knows Tevez cost him his job and knows that Sheffield United would presently be playing Champions League football if not for West Ham's underhand cheating and the Premier League's failure to take appropriate action because of the way they favour London clubs and because they love Trevor Brooking.
Leeds United Keen To Become Manchester United's Nursery Club
With news breaking that Friar Brian is exploring the possibility of bringing in young Scum striker Will Keane, just a month or so after signing young Scum reject Wootton, the tantalising possibility of Leeds United becoming Manchester United's unofficial nursery club is emerging.
Of course, for this arrangement to work, the Manchester giants would need to be convinced that their young kids would start games - and former Everton boss Moyes will remember how the Yorkshire club couldn't find a starting berth for England international Ross Barkley last season - and would also need to be satisfied that Leeds will remain at the right level to develop their promising talent - which is, of course, the Championship.
The mid table position that Leeds presently occupy is, therefore, ideal. With Leeds seemingly going nowhere, Moyes can send his kids across the Pennines to play in games virtually devoid of pressure in half full stadiums. If they develop, Moyes can bring them back and ease them in to the first team; and if they fail to train on, like Wootton, he can offload them to the off Whites.
Despite the supposed rivalry between the teams, this would, in fact, continue a long standing, but unspoken, relationship, as Leeds have been a feeder club of Manchester United ever since 1978 when Jordan and McQueen made the step up to the Lancashire giants; and this arrangement, of course, was cemented when Cantona was allowed to make the same move, thereby opening the door for the Mancs to dominate the English game for the next two decades and more.
Leeds fans might be a little uncomfortable with the idea but if it provides them with the opportunity of seeing Premiership players in the once famous white shirts, they really shouldn't complain.
Just imagine how wonderful it would be, in future years, to watch an England team featuring Manchester United's Keane, and Everton's Barkley and say, "I saw those guys play at Elland Road in a Leeds shirt." And when Keane fires home the goal that wins the Mancs the Champions League, Leeds fans can share the glory, drinking a toast with the guys in red and white scarves whilst proudly announcing, "It was his time at Elland Road that made him the player he is today!"
And better still, there is the possibility that if Keane turns out to be a dud, Leeds might be allowed to buy him for a million or so pounds.
It's the perfect win win situation!
Of course, for this arrangement to work, the Manchester giants would need to be convinced that their young kids would start games - and former Everton boss Moyes will remember how the Yorkshire club couldn't find a starting berth for England international Ross Barkley last season - and would also need to be satisfied that Leeds will remain at the right level to develop their promising talent - which is, of course, the Championship.
The mid table position that Leeds presently occupy is, therefore, ideal. With Leeds seemingly going nowhere, Moyes can send his kids across the Pennines to play in games virtually devoid of pressure in half full stadiums. If they develop, Moyes can bring them back and ease them in to the first team; and if they fail to train on, like Wootton, he can offload them to the off Whites.
Despite the supposed rivalry between the teams, this would, in fact, continue a long standing, but unspoken, relationship, as Leeds have been a feeder club of Manchester United ever since 1978 when Jordan and McQueen made the step up to the Lancashire giants; and this arrangement, of course, was cemented when Cantona was allowed to make the same move, thereby opening the door for the Mancs to dominate the English game for the next two decades and more.
Leeds fans might be a little uncomfortable with the idea but if it provides them with the opportunity of seeing Premiership players in the once famous white shirts, they really shouldn't complain.
Just imagine how wonderful it would be, in future years, to watch an England team featuring Manchester United's Keane, and Everton's Barkley and say, "I saw those guys play at Elland Road in a Leeds shirt." And when Keane fires home the goal that wins the Mancs the Champions League, Leeds fans can share the glory, drinking a toast with the guys in red and white scarves whilst proudly announcing, "It was his time at Elland Road that made him the player he is today!"
And better still, there is the possibility that if Keane turns out to be a dud, Leeds might be allowed to buy him for a million or so pounds.
It's the perfect win win situation!
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