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Behind
Enemy Lines: Pre-Match Chat With A Spurs Fan |
April 9th 2005
Newcastle-Online.com teamed up with David Soanes once again, the Editor
of a Tottenham Hotspur supporters website - THFC
Online - to get his views on Spurs, Newcastle United, tomorrow's
Premiership match at White Hart Lane and more. This is what David
had to say...
Q: How have Spurs reacted to the FA Cup Quarter-Final defeat
at St. James' Park?
Spurs have been distinctly average since that unlucky cup defeat.
Its the same as usual in which a good result is followed by a bad
result before picking up a point after failing to hold a good lead
away from home. The push for the UEFA Cup has tightened further and
the remaining matches are all massive games - none more so than the
Newcastle match.
Q: Are Spurs playing poor football or good football at the
moment?
Good and bad! Spurs were dreadful at times against Man City but sneaked
the win. A much better performance in the second half away to Birmingham
was then only rewarded by a single point. Before those two matches
Spurs slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Charlton.
Q: What were your initial thoughts on the Bowyer/Dyer-punch
up?
I was in Spain at the time and I found it quite funny. If I had to
guess 2 players that would do such a stupid thing during a football
match, Dyer and Bowyer would be first choice! I couldn't quite believe
what I was seeing to be honest. I'm surprised they remain at the club
when they behave that way - its hardly a one-off incident for those
two players.
Q: Would you like either of them at your club?
Not really keen on Bowyer because of his attitude although he is a
very good player and can be a driving force in the midfield. Dyer
would inevitably give Spurs great ability and pace down the flanks
and would be very useful. Unlikely to see him make a move to Spurs
though.
Q: Ill-discipline has blighted Newcastle for a number of seasons
now, is this a club thing? An individual thing? Or is football in
some way to blame for the disgraceful behaviour of players?
The fact that Newcastle suffer significantly more than other Premiership
clubs would seem to indicate a problem within the team. Buying Bowyer
made the situation worse and the club should think twice before purchasing
players with that attitude. With Souness at the helm, I would expect
matters to clear up in the summer - Souness showed his intent by throwing
out Bellamy so soon.
Q: Do Spurs have any good up and coming new talent we should
all be aware of?
This season has resulted in the emergence of several good young talents.
As ever, unless they are given a fair chance, they will never really
be able to develop at the highest level. Dean Marney is a perfect
example of this. He made his full debut under Martin Jol and scored
two goals including a terrific long range strike that gave Spurs a
breathtaking 5-2 victory over Everton. Since then he has made precious
few appearances and has therefore made no impression since. Stephen
Kelly has been the most impressive youngster at the club after he
has been given an extended run in the side.
Q: Is the Premiership overrated?
The Premiership is a great league. Three top quality sides stand out
followed by a handful of teams with potential. The whole league is
covered with excellent talent and particularly young England hopeful's
like Defoe, Downing, and Johnson all plying there trade at different
clubs. This is good for the league and the Premiership would be ruined
if they were all to sit on the benches at the big clubs. I don't feel
it is overrated.
Q: Jol is staying on, you must be delighted. Will he be handed
major funds in the Summer to strengthen the squad?
Spurs do spend money! Each year goes by and we greet new big money
transfers to inject fresh optimism for the new season. Arnesen has
already promised big signings and those in charge of the club like
Martin Jol can really be trusted to secure vital new signings. Spurs
seem to have finally shaken off the habit of blowing big money on
unproven talent like Postiga and Rebrov. Jol is a great character
to have in charge of the developing side.
Q: Who would you like to see at Spurs next season? And who
do you think will actually be signed?
Beckham!!! The rumours persist. I would like him here as it would
improve the club's image rapidly and add an excellent amount of ability
to the midfield. Nevertheless, this move is unlikely. Van Bommel is
perhaps the most likely signing in this position and would be very
welcome. So many names are linked to Spurs I just hope the right players
are brought in. A quality centre-half is needed to replace the ageing
Naybet whilst the club needs to consider attacking options down the
right flank. Strikers are always welcome although they will have to
be well managed to keep them happy.
Q: Where will Spurs and Newcastle finish at the end of the
season?
The fight and the crushing defeat was surely a major blow in the bid
to rescue the league position. I think the Spurs match will be pivotal
to how both teams finish. If Newcastle can take the three points they
may have the edge to finish above Spurs in 8th place. This would leave
us sitting in the usual 9th-10th position. However, if we win, that
sixth place is ever so close and is very much up for grabs as the
season draws to a close.
Q: There is talk of Man Utd being interested in Robinson and Chelsea
interested in Defoe, do you think they will be at Spurs next season?
Yes. I can't say for sure, but I feel both players are still young
enough to develop for at least another year before making any big
money moves. Defoe would hardly start at a top 3 club because of the
choice that they have in the final third. I can't see a move being
beneficial to either of them at this stage in their career.
Q: Would you welcome a buy-out of Spurs from a Russian billionaire?
Although I would hate the idea that the money is not being properly
generated, I wouldn't exactly be upset by the prospect of watching
Champions League football at White Hart Lane with top players are
at the club. Chelsea have enormous expectations which is the downside
of having unlimited transfer funds. I wouldn't welcome that kind of
pressure myself.
Q: Can Newcastle end that 36-year wait for a trophy this season?
Would you like to see Newcastle win a trophy?
Personally, I feel that your best chance is in the UEFA Cup. I feel
teams left in the FA Cup are too strong for Newcastle, although anything
can happen. The UEFA Cup seems to get less respected each year. Its
fair to say that Newcastle are comfortably favourites after the few
big sides like Valencia were knocked out in the early stages. I would
like to see Newcastle lift the trophy to end that terrible record
- that's as long as Spurs beat Newcastle!
Q: On every club message board or fan site there seems to be a big
debate brewing over seating and standing and the standard of atmosphere's
up and down the country. Every stadium has had their atmosphere effected
in some way or another, Newcastle and Spurs included, what can fans
and football do to improve things, to bring back some kind of life
to grounds? Your thoughts on this subject.
I love standing and chanting and it generates a tremendous atmosphere
in that section of the stadium. It seems daft that Spurs fans are
being threatened with being thrown out the ground just because some
sections of the ground choose to stand. A compromise needs to be reached
to avoid spoiling the game for the avid fans. One stand in the ground
should be allocated to those that choose to stand for the duration
of the match. This seems the only viable solution although safety
standards will still need to be met however possible.
Q: Sky Sports; the saviour of football or the disease that's
destroying it?
Interesting issue. I loved the traditional full fixture schedules
that made Match of the Day so interesting. Every club would be represented
and the league could change significantly over the days' matches.
There is nothing more infuriating than seven matches on Saturday,
two on Sunday and then one on Monday. If you love watching footie
on telly then it must be a dream. I think the sports packages are
overpriced and I would always attend the match for the atmosphere
and tension instead of sitting on the sofa watching the TV. As for
the interactivity, the player cam feature must be the most pointless
and daft idea ever! Who wants to sit there watching one player when
they rarely touch the ball… the beautiful game has been ruined.
Q: Finally, a prediction for the match?
Hopefully Spurs will make the most of the home advantage and grab
seventh place. It will be a tough game in which the key players like
Defoe and Carrick will need to provide the inspiration to seal the
win. I will always fear Newcastle on the attack. Dyer, Robert, Shearer
and Bowyer are dangerous players to have running towards your goal.
Spurs must make the remaining home matches count and will hopefully
realise this to grab a 1-0 victory.
(Ed: Dyer and Bowyer are suspended) |
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