I think it's the easiest thing in the world to drop Defoe, after proving time and time again he can't play lone striker in the Prem to anywhere near the level required. There are no excuses surely now. If he starts Defoe again in the Prem then for me that shows AVB's out of his depth as a manager in this league, which I tend to think already that he is. Incidentally IF we beat Reading it will shut me up, because I think it will be a fantastic result and one that I definitely don't expect ATM. And IF we beat Reading AND Defoe starts as lone striker, I'll happily say I was wrong and that I'm the mug not Andre.
I like him as well, to be fair I didn't realise that Reading had produced so many famous people in recent years, quite a tribute to the town. Back to the football, I've no complaints abut Brad starting on Sunday. I thought in the press conference AVB came across well, in the bits I saw of it anyway. In ways it's quite refreshing to have someone more serious than Harry. I'm not saying that AVB is smarter than Harry but it's just more reaasurring in a way for a more 'solid spiel' from the coach. Of course if he plays JD up front on his own, then I couldn't care less what he sounds like, I'll still be very unhappy with him. As ever it's the walk not he talk that gets you points in football, let's see who's walking tall in the town of Kyle, Gervaise and Branagh come Sunday night..
What it doesn't tell you is what ungodly hour you have to get up (or stay up) to watch! Doesn't matter COYS anytime.
Here's a 4,000 word match presentation, with a later 20 articles up from the media on the Reading v Spurs match, and quite a few historical pics of Tottenham: http://royalsrendezvous.co.uk/topic/9701186/1 And here's a resumen of all that on Not 606 Reading board for more gentle reading: http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/168077-Reading-v-Spurs-16-09-2012-â-Match-Chat Hope it's a great match!
If we win the game I don't care what they say, I'll be deliriously happy and can maybe start to enjoy the season. I've barely watched any Prem football at all so far apart from us, and can't face programmes like MOTD when we're doing so badly. So please, please Spurs win today.
The media want Spurs to do well, but fundamentally want AVB to fail. Once AVB leaves Spurs they'll start to like you again but any manager stepping in after media darling 'Arry was always going to have it tough.
Defoe starts again and Naughton starts ahead of Benny. Other than that Dembele's in for Livermore as expected.
Our starting team today: Friedel, Walker, Gallas, Vertonghen, Naughton, Sandro, Dembele, Sigurdsson, Bale, Lennon, Defoe No Ade or Benny.