Probable team:
Hugo
Walker Daws Verts BAE
Lennon Parker Mousssssa Siggy
Bale
Defoe
Forget about the chaos of Thursday night, forget about the calamities of last Sunday, today's game is just as big and in my opinion it's a must-win. If Chelski beat Wet Spam today, which they should, then we'll drop down to 4th, and Ars*nal won yesterday, so the gap between us and 5th is now just four points. As I've mentioned several times, we have a far harder run-in than Ars*nal and Chelski, so dropping points to a mid-table side like Foolham would be a disaster.
There's a couple of little sideshows going on in today's fixture. Two of our old boys, Martin Jol and Dimitar Berbatov will be making a return to the Lane. One will undoubtedly receive a warmer reception than the other. On our side, we've got Dembele, who spent two years with Foolham, and who Jol desperately tried to keep at the club. And you can't blame him, he's been the heartbeat of our team this season. Our other former Cottager, Clint Dempsey may have shaken off his calf injury in time for today's game, but is unlikely to start. Dempsey's been poor since joining Spurs, and now is not the time to give out-of-form players game-time.
Today's game will be Foolham's second and last game in March. If our boys are tired from a busy fixture list, then the Cottagers should be just the opposite. However Martin Jol has been frustrated with the lack of games. At a press conference on Friday, he said,
“It was very annoying to only have two games this month. It’s not what you want. It’s better to keep your rhythm.”
Which is why he thinks our busy schedule has been a positive for us.
“They’ve got a big squad and won’t have any problems. Aaron Lennon had been injured but came on for a few minutes so that will be positive for them.”
I've got to agree with him. All this nonsense about 'resting' players'. Every now and again, we have an extra match on a Thursday. I don't believe it's had any negative impact so far, and it won't be a good enough excuse, should we drop points later today.
Right, team news. The boy Bale returns (thank the lord, I hear you cry) having missed the 2nd-leg against Inter through suspension. We're not a one-man team, but we damn sure could have done with him on Thursday night. Kaboul and Sandro are still out. I know I'm not alone in thinking Sandro's been a massive loss since he got injured. He's a far more versatile player than Parker, and his partnership with Dembele makes for a better balanced central midfield.
I know I've banged on about Martin Jol a lot, and in truth it's because I'm being distracted by the Paddy's day cheer and I can't think of much else to prattle on about. But I'll justify it by reminding you all that he's the man who brought Gareth Bale to the club. On Friday he told the press,
“I saw Bale at Southampton when he was 15. We followed him after that and I convinced him to come to Spurs. In hindsight, that was very satisfying as he’s the best player in the Premier League. He shows that week in, week out. He’s getting stronger and stronger and in the hole he’s probably even better.
“I even tried to sign him on loan at Hamburg. He’d played 20 games without winning at Spurs but they knew he was an exciting player. They did well to keep him.”
Good man Martin, you big Mafioso looking mofo.
Anyway that's all for now. By the time you read this, I'll be face down on a parade float.
We need a win today boys and girls...
Prediction: 0-1. Fair play to Jol for signing our Welsh wizard, but I think it's going to come back to haunt him today. Bale to score the only goal of the game.
COYS!
Follow me on Twitter @hotshothotspur
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