UEFA president today said that the rule only allowing four clubs in any one season to compete in the Champions League is not a punishment for Tottenham. While I agree with that view, this rule is anti English.
The rule change which occurred in 2005 due to Liverpool winning the Champions League and finishing fifth was to prevent more than four teams from one nation playing in the Champions League.
Of course this rule can only apply to three countries at present. England, Spain and Italy. Looking back at the last ten years or so the winners have been: Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter, Manchester United, Milan, Porto and Real Madrid.
It is the result of the Premier League's success that it would be possible to have a winner from any of six teams, whereas other nations such as Italy, Germany and Spain are very limited. Having a strong league therefore penalises sides for their success not reward them.
Platini has shown his anti Premier League hand on a number of occasions and it is no coincidence that the first time this rule has applied, it has effected an English team. He will use the excuse of the Champions League containing 32 teams and there would not be room to accommodate one more team. This is a ridiculous notion as I am sure it must be very important to have national champions of countries like Albania, Andorra, San Marino, Luxembourg etc. to retain their position.
To me the Champions League should contain the best teams in Europe against each other, and love then or hate them, Spurs are one of the best.
Please UEFA put football first and your political posturing second.
Thursday 24 May 2012
Sunday 20 May 2012
Where was the goal that cost Tottenham their place in the Champions League?
Ultimately it was just a single goal that would have made all the difference. Having spent the majority of the season in third place, not only did Spurs have to be content with fourth position but also after Chelsea won the Champions League final, a place in next seasons Europa League.
But it was all about that one goal. At home against Norwich, Wolves and Chelsea, lets not forget Adebayor's ruled out goal which should have been given! Then there was the games away at Sunderland, Queens Park Rangers, Manchester City, Stoke and Aston Villa.
Just one goal in any one of these games would have brought Champions League football back to White Hart Lane.
And what of those other moments. One less Fulop blunder or an other Arsenal late winner, perhaps Robben to not miss a penalty, or even lets blame Liverpool in Istanbul 2005, that was the game that caused UEFA to change the rules on the number of teams able to qualify for the Champions League.
So now is the time recriminations. Who cost Spurs their place?
First of all it has to be the referees and officials. Going back to the game away at Stoke in which was the worst refereeing I have seen. That Peter Crouch handled assist, the ruled out (again) Adebayor goal and the very numerous penalty appeals which any one of four should have been given.
Then there was the game against Chelsea at White hart Lane and that goal I have already mentioned that was disallowed. Finally the game away to Manchester City. Had Balotelli been correctly dismissed, then he would not have won the penalty which he ultimately scored. Of course Manchester City would also not be Champions.
The second issue to look at is the performance of Harry Redknapp. Yes at the start of the season we would all have taken fourth. But that is not taking into account the Chelsea decline and the failure of Kenny Dalglish to galvanise the Liverpool team. Redknapp's indecisive management to me was summed up at Aston Villa when he failed to bring on Jermaine Defoe and preferred to bring on Parker instead. When you need the win to ensure Champions League football, why the hell settle for what you have?
Tottenham will now have difficulty in signing the players they have targeted, which may not be such a bad thing if we are able to invest in youth, but knowing our manager's lack of faith in youth.
All I can say is, "a goal, a goal, my kingdom for a goal".
But it was all about that one goal. At home against Norwich, Wolves and Chelsea, lets not forget Adebayor's ruled out goal which should have been given! Then there was the games away at Sunderland, Queens Park Rangers, Manchester City, Stoke and Aston Villa.
Just one goal in any one of these games would have brought Champions League football back to White Hart Lane.
And what of those other moments. One less Fulop blunder or an other Arsenal late winner, perhaps Robben to not miss a penalty, or even lets blame Liverpool in Istanbul 2005, that was the game that caused UEFA to change the rules on the number of teams able to qualify for the Champions League.
So now is the time recriminations. Who cost Spurs their place?
First of all it has to be the referees and officials. Going back to the game away at Stoke in which was the worst refereeing I have seen. That Peter Crouch handled assist, the ruled out (again) Adebayor goal and the very numerous penalty appeals which any one of four should have been given.
Then there was the game against Chelsea at White hart Lane and that goal I have already mentioned that was disallowed. Finally the game away to Manchester City. Had Balotelli been correctly dismissed, then he would not have won the penalty which he ultimately scored. Of course Manchester City would also not be Champions.
The second issue to look at is the performance of Harry Redknapp. Yes at the start of the season we would all have taken fourth. But that is not taking into account the Chelsea decline and the failure of Kenny Dalglish to galvanise the Liverpool team. Redknapp's indecisive management to me was summed up at Aston Villa when he failed to bring on Jermaine Defoe and preferred to bring on Parker instead. When you need the win to ensure Champions League football, why the hell settle for what you have?
Tottenham will now have difficulty in signing the players they have targeted, which may not be such a bad thing if we are able to invest in youth, but knowing our manager's lack of faith in youth.
All I can say is, "a goal, a goal, my kingdom for a goal".
Wednesday 9 May 2012
Do my eyes decieve me? Are Tottenham going to finish above Chelsea?
This has been the day I have been waiting a long time for, and its funny but it is somewhat of an anti-climax. To finish above Chelsea I saw as being just as important to finsh above Arsenal, because surely that would mean being close to the top. So for the first time since 1996 we finish the season ahead of Chelsea.
How we found ourselves in this position I don't know as we are here every week it seems coimplaining about how poor our side is and how useless our manger is. I think it is a combinaton of a decline in both Chelsea and Arsenal together with an upturn in our own side.
In the days of Juande Ramos and Martin Jol, Damien Comolli received a lot of criticism. It is worth noting though that he was instrumental in bringing the likes of Bale, Modric and Assou-Ekotto to the club. Much of the clubs success belongs to that period when so many players were brought in to limited success at the time but have later come to fruition.
I hope the boys can finsih the job next Sunday and see off Fulham, although Martin Jol I am sure will do his best to stick it up Levy. Of course Chelsea may still get the last last laugh on Spurs by winning the Champions League, but just like thirty years ago against Aston Villa, I shall be supporting Bayern Munich.
So this Sunday brings the end to a frustrating, heartbreaking, pulsating season and I just can't wait for next August!
How we found ourselves in this position I don't know as we are here every week it seems coimplaining about how poor our side is and how useless our manger is. I think it is a combinaton of a decline in both Chelsea and Arsenal together with an upturn in our own side.
In the days of Juande Ramos and Martin Jol, Damien Comolli received a lot of criticism. It is worth noting though that he was instrumental in bringing the likes of Bale, Modric and Assou-Ekotto to the club. Much of the clubs success belongs to that period when so many players were brought in to limited success at the time but have later come to fruition.
I hope the boys can finsih the job next Sunday and see off Fulham, although Martin Jol I am sure will do his best to stick it up Levy. Of course Chelsea may still get the last last laugh on Spurs by winning the Champions League, but just like thirty years ago against Aston Villa, I shall be supporting Bayern Munich.
So this Sunday brings the end to a frustrating, heartbreaking, pulsating season and I just can't wait for next August!
Sunday 6 May 2012
Yet another chance blown!
Why oh why, do we keep doing this to ourselves. We should have third place wrapped up by now but yet again we have blown our chance.
I seem to have made this a slag off Redknappp blog of late, but for gods sake, Parker for Van Der Vaart? You are seriously having a laugh.
When our manager shows no imagination when he needs to, how can we expect the players.
Levy, whatever happens, please no new contract for this serial bungler.
I seem to have made this a slag off Redknappp blog of late, but for gods sake, Parker for Van Der Vaart? You are seriously having a laugh.
When our manager shows no imagination when he needs to, how can we expect the players.
Levy, whatever happens, please no new contract for this serial bungler.
Thursday 3 May 2012
It looks like we are stuck with Harry
Interestingly when it became apparent the FA wanted Roy Hodgson as the next England manager and then his subsequant appointment, Spurs win back to back games. Good news for this season maybe that we can finish the campaign with a little more certainty. The bad news is that we will be stuck with Harry Redknapp for a while yet.
This summer we can expect more thirty plus signings and high wages swallowing up our transfer budget. That is not to say that his all of his signings have been poor, but they are uninspiring and for a man with a vast knowledge of English football, the wheeler-dealer is unable to unearth any young talent.
In the past we have gambled on young talent, there were plenty of misses on players such as Andy Reid and Wayne Routledge, but plenty of hits. If Redknapp had been in charge would we have ever signed the likes of Bale, Dawson, Huddlestone, Lennon etc. I think not. Redknapp has taken Spurs back to the days when we paid silly wages for players past their best with no real investment in the future.
It is time for Tottenham to return to buying young talent and promoting young talent through the ranks. Give the likes of Carroll, Smith, Parrett, Townsend etc the chance to show they have a place at this club. What is the point is keeping these players if they will not be developed into first team players.
Redknapp to me reprsents jobs for the boys, play your favourites and forget the rest.
This summer we can expect more thirty plus signings and high wages swallowing up our transfer budget. That is not to say that his all of his signings have been poor, but they are uninspiring and for a man with a vast knowledge of English football, the wheeler-dealer is unable to unearth any young talent.
In the past we have gambled on young talent, there were plenty of misses on players such as Andy Reid and Wayne Routledge, but plenty of hits. If Redknapp had been in charge would we have ever signed the likes of Bale, Dawson, Huddlestone, Lennon etc. I think not. Redknapp has taken Spurs back to the days when we paid silly wages for players past their best with no real investment in the future.
It is time for Tottenham to return to buying young talent and promoting young talent through the ranks. Give the likes of Carroll, Smith, Parrett, Townsend etc the chance to show they have a place at this club. What is the point is keeping these players if they will not be developed into first team players.
Redknapp to me reprsents jobs for the boys, play your favourites and forget the rest.
Wednesday 2 May 2012
Judas hangs up his boots - good riddance!
Ther man played in more than 600 games, represented his country on over 70 occasions and won FA Cups, Premier League Titles and featured in a Champions League Final. However all of his playinf achievements will be over shadowed by that one decison he made in 2001.
Sol Campbell, Tottenham captain, club hero and lynchpin crossed the divide to Arsenal. He could have gone to Liverpool, Manchester United or AC Milan. But he went to our oldest enemy. Only weeks before he said he would never play for Arsenal. Had he not left, the £9 million Spurs spent on Dean Richards could have been spent on other areas of the team, who knows what would have happened.
I will never think of Sol Campbell in the best of ways, I will only ever think of this man as a swear word. So good riddance to bad rubbish.
Sol Campbell, Tottenham captain, club hero and lynchpin crossed the divide to Arsenal. He could have gone to Liverpool, Manchester United or AC Milan. But he went to our oldest enemy. Only weeks before he said he would never play for Arsenal. Had he not left, the £9 million Spurs spent on Dean Richards could have been spent on other areas of the team, who knows what would have happened.
I will never think of Sol Campbell in the best of ways, I will only ever think of this man as a swear word. So good riddance to bad rubbish.
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