I think the real positive for Spurs is continuing to pull something out of the bag with late goals when not playing well. That's four points gained from Everton (1), Wigan (1) and Soton (2) which could easily have been lost. It doesn't matter how you get the points. Having the character to keep going and not give up is a trait Spurs seem to have added under AVB, which was so obviously lacking in the past.
On fast versus slow play: last year we played our best with Modric getting the ball out quickly, usually wide, to start the break. This year the one player who can do that is Huddlestone, who wasn't fit till recently and is still slow enough you hate to risk him against a team with fast midfielders like Chelsea. We did okay (though not playing as attractively) with what I'd call a medium speed style this y ear, not as fast as last year, nor a hundred short passes either. More of a get the ball up to the box straightforwardly but without much rush, and take a potshot at either a goal or a dangerous pass or cross. Not the best style from many points of view, but one which worked fairly well when combined with pressing. While I agree the twenty passes and back to where you started style is no way to win a game you have to win, it has a place in taking the sting out of a game the other team is controlling. My biggest complaint last year was that we didn't do it when appropriate. About the one time I can think of is when Krancjar, subbing for Modric, led us to do it repeatedly away to Man U, and kept a game close we otherwise would have gotten overrun in.
I have seen several posts querying how we managed to get lumbered with Mark Clattenburg at the weekend. The original listings had Phil Dowd to do our game, Chris Foy to do the West Ham v Newcastle match and Clattenburg was the 4th official at West Brom v Wigan. During Friday, Chris Foy reported he had an ankle injury, so as the most senior official available, Clattenburg would normally have covered for him. But as Clattenburg is a Newcastle fan, he is not allowed to do their games. So, consequently, Dowd switched to Upton Park and Clattenburg was moved to our game.
It'd be interesting to see a list of which teams the Premier League refs support. If I remember right, none of them are from London.
Mike Riley is a Rotherham fan, Poll was a QPR fan. Whoever Wiley supported he didn't like Man Utd. Maybe previous recruitment suggests they opt for referees that proclaim to support lower league clubs.
Judging by AVB's comments on the OS this evening, I think it's fair to say that Ade, Holtby and possibly Sigs may be getting the nod for Weds night....... http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/spurs/News/bench-impress-andre-06052013.page?
