leffe186

Finally got to see the Spurs match. Bit of what Dave and Daws both said really. Ankergren (?) terrific again, Snodgrass would be fantastic if he could do anything AT ALL with his right foot, Becchio looked good and held the ball well but didn't really click with Beckford, Beckford looked good when on the ball but barely got a sniff. Bentley played well but was up against one of Leeds' truly League 1 players. Leeds would be a good Championship side on those performances, challenging for promotion, but no more than that. Reffing team was very generous to Leeds over the two games (they got away with an awful lot of late tackles) but so were the Spurs forwards. Leeds will play much better football against teams in the Championship next year. They showed it in glimpses over the two games but weren't allowed too much of the ball and got very tired last night. Spurs should have been out of sight by half time in both games.

If you look at the Deloitte Touche surveys from the Levy/Jol era onwards, Spurs have consistently had one of the lowest two or three ratios of wages to turnover in the Premiership. For example, the last full breakdown I found (2006-7) had us first on 42%, Man U on 44%, Arsenal on 50%. Other included Newcastle on 72%, Everton on 75% and Villa on 82%. Levy ballsed it up with Jol, but he's running the place well. Spurs and Newcastle have consistently generated a lot of money without qualifying for the Champions League - more than most (e.g. Everton or Villa). The problem is maintaining that while keeping wages low. We seem to have managed it so far, but I'll be impressed if Levy keeps it going.

I actually, genuinely thought they had misspelled Noble in the match reports.

So much hangs on our game with them this week. If they win that then it's looks rosy, if they lose then I can see Rafa going.

I've played some mixed footy since I've been in the US and women are far, far better than they are in the UK.

Now don't screw it up.

Come on, hehehehehe.

Reina has been excellent again, surely the best keeper in the Prem.

Come on Stoke, put one away.

Every time Stoke try something cute they fuck it up. Just lump it and run at them, you fools.

I hope he didn't do that bloody rocking dance thing. He did Liverpool actually doing better now they've scored, look a lot more coherent. Stoke really are all blood and thunder without much brain.

I hope he didn't do that bloody rocking dance thing.

The atmosphere sounds magic. I'd rather gouge my eyes out than watch Stoke play, but it's great to hear their fans.

As the man says, Stoke let in a Stoke goal. Did someone say Lucas is suspended now? For the Spurs game? Not sure whether to be happy or not about that.

Bastards

The whole thing is completely bizarre. Have you heard the stories about Saha being available too? I still don't understand why you're not stronger, financially I mean. The long and the short of it is that Kenwright doesn't have the money, and he's painfully said this time and again. It is depressing seeing sides like Villa, City and Spurs, teams we realistically are (ok, not right at the moment) competing with, get ahead of us by simply having more money. I've heard of rumours, and I prey it is just that. Truthfully, I think he'll stay. It's not just that Kenwright doesn't have massive personal wealth though, that's a bit of a cop out. It's more to do with the piss poor way he runs the club from a business point of view. Our debt has spiralled under Kenwright despite zero investment in the team or stadium. That's what I was thinking. City are clearly a different kettle of fish, Villa have a wealthy owner but, in theory, Everton should be able to do what Spurs have done (to an extent). Deloitte had Everton's wages/turnover at 75% in 2006-7, bad, but better than Villa's (82%). I'd have thought that would have come down since then.

The whole thing is completely bizarre. Have you heard the stories about Saha being available too? I still don't understand why you're not stronger, financially I mean.

And there I was, pissed off because they'd managed to get our (Spurs) game called off to get Mascherano back. Magic. I hope that Rafa stays at least a couple of weeks. Would be lovely to do the double over them (the first time in ever).

Stenny used to be my third most local side in Scotland. Everyone should go to a lower division game in Scotland once in their life - to see how the other half live.

That's quite a rough sounding surname. Have you ever been to Paisley? Rough isn't the word.

Man u not winnning anything and Liv not getting in the Cl is the ideal scenario. Both clubs stacked with debt. Chelsea, Spurs, City, Villa top four. I can but dream.

I just love the declaration "I am the Milkman of Ricky Lambert". "I am the God of Hellfire".

Rhymes beautifully though.

damn it thats actually a good signing from lafa Quite, no wonder they cried off last week

Absolutely brilliant goal that was Brilliant finish, anyway.