By Deep Blue
August 22 2005

This is the first, of what hopefully will become, a regular summary of premiership fixtures as they go past. Purely from a Spurs point of view, looking at the games and how they impact on Spurs. This is the first, of what hopefully will become, a regular summary of premiership fixtures as they go past. Purely from a Spurs point of view, looking at the games and how they impact on Spurs. This weeks is obviously quite late but I felt it was best to wait until the (ill fated) England friendly was over to fully asses the weekend.

Grip under his breath "Sven you are a rubbish manager, but you dont half get some tit.."

So first the friendly fixture, that was a “disaster” for England under Sven, but thankfully not so bad for Spurs and a good sign of the progress spurs are making. To begin with James’ excellent second half display has all but cemented his place as backup to our man Paul. Truth be told he should even be behind Green now (or maybe the resurgent Kirkland if he can stay fit), but Sven does have his favourites….

This could of course help to explain the bizarre substitution of Defoe at half time, which, on the face of things, is a blow for Defoe’s international ambitions (something that is not only good for his career/profile, but also great for Tottenham and their ability to market themselves to future England hopefuls). But when you consider the fact that Sven chose not to try any other striker combination and that Owen, after he came on, did little to prove that Defoe’s quiet performance was anything other than a malaise affecting the whole team (apparently Rooney wasn’t aware of this fact, or that it was a friendly game). Had Owen come on and played magnificently and scored, Defoe’s stock would have fallen, as it transpired Owen was quiet and Defoe can be assured of starting the next competitive game in the absence of the want away Real Madrid man. The fact that no Spurs man was on the field when England capitulated was strangely comforting, if truth be told. But it would have been good to see Carrick get a run out after his exploits in the “Good Old US of A”

"dont worry lads I’ve got this covered....******, maybe not"

A glance through the squad after it was announced showed that only Chelsea had more players represented than Spurs. Without having King missing through injury we could have quite possibly equalled that amount (I will for now ignore the “add Jenas to that” thought that passed through my mind), who would have thought that was possible a couple of years ago, to be better represented in the England team than Arsenal?! (Actually quite possible bearing in mind they are a French team and Judas suffering from bad Karma). Looking to the future we have Dawson and Davenport making up the first choice CB pairing of the U21’s, Huddlestone and Routeledge assured a place in the absence of injuries and young Ifil continuing to impress. Soon wanting England and Spurs to do well will be the same thing!!

As for the premiership, beginning with Portsmouth away, you would have to concede that securing the points was the important thing here. The first game of the season rarely has much bearing on the season ahead, anyone can beat anyone and it is always a scrappy affair. It was this in mind that I had steadied myself to accept a draw away at an unknown quantity of a team we haven’t beaten away in my life time. Especially as they had recently procured a certain Frenchman, with a flair for stealing points out of nowhere, with a free kick or a set piece.

With our own big summer signing out injured after falling over his clogs and (fake) captain King out along with (real captain) Naybet, there was extra cause for concern. As expected the game was a scrappy one, but one in which we rarely looked stretched or under great pressure (a great achievement in itself when thinking back to our away form last year). We also stuck to good passing and flowing moves that could easily have been hampered by the awful weather (it did, however, increase the amount of sliding challenges, to the delight of resident psychopath stalteri) and negative posturing of the opposing team. We stuck to it and took our chances when they came, Defoe delighting the casual observer and Mido and Tianio impressing those studying closer.

"Clap if you dont rate Kanoute.."

As stated it is the type of game where the points are what count, 3 points away from home on the opening game, is a great start to build on and gives an insight into the new grittier and experienced Spurs, who in a scrappy game kept a clean sheet and took their chances when they arose. Robinson didn’t always punt the ball long (faint…), Gardner didn’t let the side down (pick myself up and faint again..) alongside an imperious (serious contender for future Club Captain and will be an England squad regular) Dawson. All behind a midfield with energy, guile, bite and shock horror PACE! This is a squad that looks deserving of the (heavy) praise the press are giving it. We will play better football as the season progresses, for now I am sure Jol is glad to start with a win and it will only help to increase the already buoyant squad.

Looking at the other fixtures (again bearing in mind you can’t read to much into opening day games) you can get a feel of the attitude certain clubs will take this season.

First up Chelsea showed the first signs of arrogance and complacency towards other teams in the prem. They (luckily) still got all three points and judging by Moanrinio’s response in the media the team will be changed for the next fixture and far less complacent. Arsenal, with a fair slice of good fortune, also picked up three points. They still looked sharp and incisive but they no longer appear to have that grit and graft in them in the absence of Viera , hopefully this will become their Achiles heel that will see them drop points (and hopefully league places) this season.

Man U looked the biggest threat to Chelsea this season based on the way they played away against a hard to break down and dare I say negative Everton team, who will have to pray Cahill will repeat last years heroics, to finish anywhere near last years final position. They genuinely look like they will struggle to score this year, but will probably be happy with 0-0’s anyway (miow)

Charlton showed in their gritty 1-3 win at Sunderland, whilst only having 10 men, signs that they will again grind out the results this year and will again be there or thereabouts in the fight for Europe. London rivals Westham may be in the premiership but they are by no means premiership quality, their win only showed the frailties of the Blackburn side who look like they could well struggle this year (despite being tipped as my dark horse).

The result from the games involving probably two of our greatest rivals for Europe and I think most would agree the two most entertaining sides (sarcasm, is a low form of wit, but so easy) in the premiership Bolton and Middlesbrough. Both ended in, wait for it, draws. Both good results for us but the way in which they earnt these singular points (Bolton offering nothing but long throws and set pieces and Middlesbrough choosing to time waste and take the massive 1 point with minuets left on the clock) does not bode well for the campaign. These teams will grind out point all season and will be a pain to play against. The news that Nakata will grace the Reebok may encourage some more dynamic play for Bolton.

"Watching Boro is like watching Italian football....dull"

So in summary, all in all this was a good opening round of fixtures for spurs. Slightly sullied by the news of Routeledge’s injury as I feel this was one area we will be weakened in bringing in a makeweight. Also the news, greeted by many, but not me of the departure of Kanoute (it remains to be seen if he will be replace, but I would say he left so we could bring a target in) and the continued absence of King. We do however look to the next fixture knowing that a win again Boro at home (hopefully aided by Davids return) will really put us in the driving seat for Europe. We will also start to get that tingly “we will beat Chelsea this year” feeling again, with a second successive win against a much tougher opponent.