I'm dreaming of a White Christmas!

A month ago the Villa game would have looked easy, not now. Stoke never role over, if there was a game I would like Dawson starting that would be it. This is the kind of run of games that we usually mess up, it will be a good test of AB's management.

The most encouraging thing is that the boys are beginning to respond to AVB's training. I think if we have the boys with AVB for many full weeks with out cup distractions, we will see greater confidence & play from the players. Swansea from a tactical p.o.v. was great, we still need to improve our passing out from the back, but it won't be a white xmas since our next few games are away, and we don't wear white away- unless its against Ar5ena1.

So, this years Vital Spurs Christmas party at OX's then?!

do we ALWAYS have to play Villa on Boxing Day ? is it written in tablets of stone... hope Jahmene refrains from giving 1 of their centre-backs a 'present' this time around.... I'm dreamin' of a Black Xmas, yo yo, uh-huh-uh-huh

It is really unbelievable that we would be near no 1 had we not conceded late goals. But then this football,team can concede anytime. But the fact is stat shows a measurable goal to improve.
We are the only team not to concede in first 15 minutes in league till date-which means we begin well. And we have scored the most second half goals than any team, which says we respond well after half time too. So whatever AVB is saying start & at break is working. So, if we could improve the focus at last 10 minutes, we should do good.

I don't think you can just factor ion those incidents and say we'd be well ahead sydqcb5... other teams also have 'incidents' and luck always plays a factor short-term. I think 12pts from last 15pts since Arse game is consistently v.good. the returnees should add to the team's quality on any given day and I really think we will get a tallish, quick, cheap(ish) striker from Ligue.1 or Belgium in January to complement Ade-Defoe... like to see Townsend integrated more into team in games when wideys injured/subbed. Andros has the pace and ability to be the '3rd musketeer' when Lennon or Bale not playing. it helps keep our usual shape and tactical plays, especially when leading in games.

The all white kit, that's to do with the partnership deal with Real Madrid, in case we exchange player or players in the near future. Christmas!!! yeah moving on, biggest pain in the arse going, roll on boxing day, good racing a kempton and the footie at aston villa, happy days.

Does anyone else remember certain members posting a few weeks back how we've only played the bottom 6 plus a couple of the rest and we are rubbish, no flare, mid-table at best etc................................... Now we have 2 games before we have played everyone and we sit 4ths, level on points with 3rd. I guess this post will be missed by the likes of Raging as he won't be on this post because we won, AGAIN!!!

We have still has not quiet clicked yet as a team either. The midfield still lacks someone with real vision that can open up teams with his passing skills. I hope the rumours about not signing players in the new year are untrue. If it is this will worry me. It would prove that our owners only want to cash in on players and not spend only money being brought into the club from other venue or put their own money into the club. That would be fine if we were sorting the stadium out but we have not heard anything about this in ages now. For me we still have not replaced Modric and if Ade is injured then we badly need another striker. I would also like to see us bring in another left back. I think the owners have been blowing smoke up our arses for too long now. They need to invest in the team. Otherwise Bale will be sold next year.

I dont know about others here, I really fancy Gylfi to get a run in No10 role. The only thing he hasnt done this season is not score a PL goal. Other than that this season, he has played some deightful through balls, setpieces, hold up play. Over the last 3 games, he seems to have get his confidence back. With Ade out to possible injury , I believe we need to give him a run in the team. His goal scoring record is not a fluke, its just he is off form for some time. I believe he is back, he needs a solid run in the team,

Townsend was very impressive yesterday. His break out pace was what we have missed in previous games when we are under the cosh in the last ten minutes. We should have added two more goals to the scoreline because of townsend. Keep him on the right and use him to rest / challenge Lennon. Another positive is Siggy is starting to look like real player, his last few cameos have been very encouraging. Verts is a CB and controlled the game from this position. His control and pass selection is amazing and the long diagonal cross field pass onto Walkers toe would but Dawson to shame! The only worry was to see Defoe miss a couple of sitters hope he isn't heading into a barren spell on the run up to christmas!

All the money the owners spent was on player sales. Surely each season they have a transfer budget of X amount each season and then topped up by player sales. Not balance the books each year. With us selling our best two players last window I did expect us to bring in better quality replacements for them. I like Dembele but think Dempsey and Siggy are not fit enough to lace VDV or Modrics boots. With out better players in we will struggle to break teams down.

Have to admit that it is likely Bale will leave sooner rather than later. That may not have been the case......had the bricks been going down on the new stadium, as we speak. I.e...new stadium ready, not for next season but the season after. Plus of course gaining champions league status for next season and possibly more. A new stadium kept "Henry" at the arse'...that little bit longer. Bale progression needs to be copied by spurs progression or vice versa. New striker jan' transfer window...please Mr.levy....st'etiennes Aubameyang ..or walcott...or lloriente...or |Remy.......be brave Mr.levy !!!!..

No prem games are easy but these four are certainly not the hardest. I'd really like to see a big win against stoke, if they have it their way it'll be really boring but if we can score a couple they don't have the players to come back.

TR we made a net profit during the last if hot last few windows so personally I'd like to see us spend a little more. We've been crying out for 1 superstar signing a years now, Fernando Llorente!

one side note.......it's possible ( i hope not )...that adebayor may be "missing"....till the end of jan'13. I.e.....took a ankle / foot knock yesterday....and the african nations cup to come....(hopefully, he won't go)

All this talk of Christmas is turning some heads on here. Just in - there is no Santa Claus! If you want to have 4 top strikers to spend half their time warming the bench you need to a) be offering CL, and B) paying them mega money. Adebayor, Defoe and Dempsey are just fine for us if the midfield is working well. If by some miracle we were to sign a new £20m+ Modric who would you now leave out? Sandro or Dembele? They are too good not to play rotating with Scotty, so you would then have to sacrifice Lennon and completely change our shape. Once our defence is settled with the return of Kaboul and BAE, I believe that we will become very solid and able to grind out results. Not as pretty as I would like but sufficient to achive this year's goal - CL qualification. Then all things become possible.

love totty......hmmm.....evidence is in the history. Only Strikers get you top 4 qualification. Chelsea, city, arse', utd'......have all had adequate number of strikers. chelsea....have dipped this season......is it cos' they have only 2 strikers ?!........attacking midfielders don't cut the mustard. Chelsea will sign another striker in jan'.....i think !..lol

also...the ages of our strikers leaves a worrying gap.......i.e...they are all approaching the 30 mark. ( siggy excluded)

Slurms McKenzie, I agree that Townsend was very impressive in respect that he loves to take on the defence and has the pace and physicality, but what dod and still does worry me slightly is that he might not yet know when to take the man on or to pass and move. for me he was caught in possession a little too often and once or twice it nearly cost us

Agree to the positive sentiments, i'm hoping the avb patient build up will servr us well over christmas and the second half of the season compared to the all out pace approach. BAE, Bale and parker are almost additions to the current team

Yes, all we need is a top top striker and a new stadium...agreed. Enic / tavistock....mr.lewis..and all the other millionaires, billionaires.......get your money out, spend it on spurs......and stop making money out of us !!!!.....lol

Ox - We need to get Townsend a Premiership loan quicky. Surely Norwich, Wigan or Reading could do with a punt on him. It concerns me when people praise Townsend, because he still has yet to start a Premiership game...and I believe that it is because he does not know when to pass and when to go. Losing the ball at the wrong time could lead to going a goal down, and possibly defeat. Or it could lead to us losing attacking impetus when we need to ramp it up. Basically you can only judge the guy properly on his starts (in the cups of course).

TonyRich, you are right about not spending that sort of money (we can't possibly anyway) but we need more than a striker and a young LB. We could really do with wing competition, and by competition I mean real quality, not cover. Someone who's going to fight bale and lennon for a first team place. I hope Townsend can push on from yesterdays performance ( I thought he played very well) and add to that serious competition. We are also missing a pass master, that special midfielder who can unlock a defence with one pass and who also keeps the team ticking, (Modric). I believe Dembele is a quality signing but he isn't that type of player. I believe Siggy is getting better but again I don't think he's the kind of player to sit in the middle of the park and dictate like Modric did. And that is what I think we are missing. However we do not have to spend a stupid amount of money to get these signings and as long as we scout properly then it is feasible.

Will be interesting to see what happens over Xmas. Chelsea and Arsenal have similar winnable fixtures as us. Luckily we are by far the steadiest, most in-form team of the 3 so we can go into the Xmas period with confidence. Just as a general point, considering what a difficult situation AVB came into in the summer with injuries, star player sales and the negativity initially shown to him by the media and some fans as well as the players having to adapt to actually having to train properly and take on board tactics, he has certainly exceeded expectations. All credit to him. Stoke is a tough one - we need Dawson, Caulker, Ade, Bale back - anyone tall!!

In-spurs-ational - that's the best we can do? No offence mate but thinking like that will get us nowhere, we will constantly be that "what if" team, the almost team if you like. Yes, there isn't really anyone who is an exact like-for-like replacement. But there are players who play in that position/or similar, that are good enough to provide competition.

Thank God that Scotty is back. He is just what we need to sustain our challenge over this busy period. It is no exaggeration to suggest that this could make or break our season as we are just about hanging on to a 4th place challenge due to the ineptitude of our rivals and our own inconsistency. Not exactly the points total that we hoped for at the start of the season. Need at least 10 points from these 4 games imo.

well i was going to drop in for a drink Ox and give you a present but probably best all round now if i don't.... well we might get 5 points or we might get 12 i don't know - i do believe though if we can stop giving away as many goals and get the injured fit, we could be third this season.

As regards the Christmas and New Year period, count no points gained until matches have been won or drawn. Spurs face several clubs that feel impelled to turn around their season from now on in if they are to gain enough points to avoid relegation. In facing them shortly, we can only be grateful it isn't as late as March or April.

villa with an in form benteke and a very young hungry team will not be a walk over by any means. stoke's brand of rugby is never easy either, although i was interested to read that refs will look to stamp down on their ridiculous holding in the box so perhaps its a good time to play them

If you're a betting person, the answer to the above is Arsenal http://www.sportingpreview.com/football2012-3/2012466.php?

Personally, I thought yesterday was more of a tactical battle than it was a football match and it was nice to see AVB come out on top. Swansea came to keep it tight and nick a goal in the last quarter of the game. A bit like our 'Park the bus' match at Chelsea a few years back that saw us get a draw, only when we scored did they come at us. I'm still not sure about AVB's substitutions as yesterday he was forced into changes due to injuries, but as I've said before, he seems to be a lucky manager as well as an astute one.
Regarding our upcoming fixtures, I think we could quite easily win them all, Stoke will be tricky but we should have enough to beat them at the Lane. Sunderland and Villa away should see us get at least 4 points, hopefully all 6 and Reading at home is as close to a gimmie as you get in the Premier League.
I would say though that just because we are starting to see players coming back from injury, we should not assume that they will automatically solve all our issues, they won't. It's taken those who've been playing all season nearly 6 months to begin to get to grips with AVB's style and system, so it is fair to assume that those not involved so far will need time to adapt too.
As for our tightwad owners, it's now time for them to step up to the plate and invest properly in a couple of quality players that could well be the difference between CL qualification and a mid table finish. When you look at how squashed up the league is at the moment it makes you realise that we are only two games away from 8th if results go against us. Llorente and Erikson would provide us with a true world class front man and quality cover for Dembele. It would be nice to think that we could get a versatile winger who could play on either side to lighten the load for Bale and Lennon but that's probably being a bit greedy given our owners' history in January. Our business should be done early in January so somebody needs to tell Levy that the window is open all month and not just for half an hour on the 31st. AVB has earned the chance to be backed properly so come on ENIC, to dare is to do, the rewards could be massive or (as already mentioned) are they just words that look good on hoardings around the ground. Who knows, players may not be looking to move if they feel that there is a legacy to be created here. Ask yourself this, if at the end of your career you could say either " I worked for them" or "I helped shape what they are today". Which would you prefer? World class players can play for Barca or Real but true legends shape the future of the clubs they play for.Guess it depends whether you want a challenge or the easier option, I know which character trait I want at Spurs and I think AVB may well have it. COYS

1882whl.... so you think we should spend 20m+ on Ericsson so as to provide cover for Dembele.... nhow about we get Cavani to cover Defoe and all, and maybe Falcao to cover Ade's absences too... we will get ONE cheap and cheerful striker to backup/supplement Ade and Defoe in the January sales... and that will be it.

I hear Bent is available! On a more serious note, for the reported £7m? Ba might not be a bad option. I'm glad I'm not AVB

82spursdebut..... True, but we're missing a player in the centre with real vision. Granted we have quality but we all saw yesterday how difficult it can be to unlock a stubborn defence and as we get better we'll have to get used to more and more teams playing as Swansea did. Someone who has the bigger picture in their head and the ability to make that matchwinning pass will be needed very soon.

i thought we unlocked them loads......just our finishing was poor. plus we never made the most of our corners and can still do better at our set pieces. Also....we was slow for the first 8 mins. Just think new striker and new stadium. TBH.....i'm gutted that the new stadium completion date is now 2017 /18. I think that's a real cop out by enic and co'.

82spursdebut.... we created quite a bit from set pieces but it wasn't until they were chasing the game that we really got behind them in open play. 100% with you on the stadium farce though. ENIC identified the need for a new stadium 11 years ago and still we're not even at the tender stage. Guess that means we'll be waiting a few more years for a world class striker too, because they haven't even identified the need since Berbatov left.

Can anyone tell me how Parker manages to get into our under 21 squad? http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/spurs/News/villa-u21s-spurs-report-17122012.page?

Thanks for the info 82spursdebut. Kind of defeats the name a bit. I suppose it's like having a tournament where you haven't won anything to enter it, but you call the tournament Champions League anyway

Great article here http://www.cartilagefreecaptain.com/2012/12/17/3776874/tottenham-as-favorites-terrifying-favorites? " Tottenham Hotspur are better than Arsenal and should expect to finish ahead of them. Hopefully, this goes better than the last time that was a thing."

Big Ron, Villa would be stupid to sell him to us or anyone else in January. They need him to stay in the premiership. The cost of dropping to the championship is about £40m, so purely on financial grounds, selling him is not really an option

think about it yiddos for even 1 moment, Christian Ericson ??.... he is a midfielder which means dropping either Dembele or Sandro, unless you wanna spend 20m on a bench-warmer. simply never going to happen...NEVER... we will get a backup striker for around 5m (if that) or a loanee, we have BAE, Parker and Kaboul back so thats 3 new signings this season already... 1 cheap striker in January FULL STOP

Viyyash I want a winger who can play on both wings and will push Lennon for a starting place. Second player in then is a striker with proper pace and physical presence and crucially an eye for goal! Pa***** Cisse isn't really loving Newcastle at the moment and would be a nice addition to our team the only problem is the ACN! My only area of the pitch that needs a it of work is the left back slot. BAE is recovering from a long term injury and will need time to bed back in. Do we re-call Rose but then bench him from February on - or leave him in Sunderland for first team action? In which case do we struggle on with what we have until BAE is fit and then invest in this area in teh summer? I would concur that our midfield is well served at the moment.

The tournament was not a joke if you support Corinthians, mate. It was life itself to win this.

Total knobhead, You talk about Corinthian fans selling their cars, taking out mortgages, taking their children out of school to get to Japan etc! The vast majority of poor Brazilians don't have cars, or access to take out mortgages, let alone have bank accounts, nor passports... And you really believe poor Brazilian have the money to pay for private schooling? You ask would I sell my house to support Spurs? I don't own my home, cant afford one, and how many poor Corinthians fans own their own home to sell? I guess being one of those wealthy (in Brazilian terms) Corinthians fans who can fly into Brazil to hang out with friends, on a regular basis, you would have this deluded perspective... The vast majority of Brazilians will never have the money to ever leave their country in their life times. Official figure in the USA show that 75% of all Americans don't own a passport, because of economic reasons, so what is the percentage in Brazil?