Archive for the ‘Premiership’ Category
Will Spurs reach the pot of gold?
After 28 minutes in Switzerland last week Spurs’ Champions League dream looked well and truly shattered.
However, goals from Sebastien Bassong and Roman Pavyluchenko dragged the Londoners back into the game against Young Boys and crucially gave them two away goals heading into this week’s second game.
Part of Spurs’ struggles in the first leg was the awkward plastic pitch in Bern. Their early failure to get to grips with the surface nearly proved fatal to their ambitions of progressing but credit has to go to the players and boss Harry Redknapp for clawing themselves back into contention. The Champions League odds now make them favourites to progress.
The return game back at White Hart Lane should be more straightforward, they are playing on grass for starters. Tough to beat at home, their two strikes away in Switzerland also mean just a 1-0 victory will carry them through, though I’m sure they will be aiming for a much less nerve jangling win that that.
This brings us to the one thing that could scupper their hopes - the pressure. After such a momentous effort to pip Liverpool and Manchester City to fourth place last season their hopes of making the lucrative Champions League now rest on one 90 minute match. The football betting suggests they’ll win, but that won’t make it any easier.
The nerves will be evident in the stands, especially if there isn’t an early goal, so the players will have to keep their heads and hold their nerve. If they do that then Tottenham should progress, on paper they have the better players.
But as we know football isn’t played on paper, but as it isn’t played on plastic either I predict the green, green grass of home will help Spurs on their way to the riches of Champions League football.
Tags: Ambitions, Champions League Football, Contention, Green Grass Of Home, Green Green Grass, Green Green Grass Of Home, Harry Redknapp, League Dream, Londoners, Manchester City, Nerves, Pip, Pot Of Gold, Return Game, Sebastien, Second Game, Spurs, Two Strikes, White Hart Lane, Young Boys
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Benayoun ‘is better than Joe Cole’
Yossi Benayoun is tactically a better player than Joe Cole and his arrival should improve Chelsea’s team, according to manager Carlo Ancelotti.
There were a few raised eyebrows when the London club allowed Cole to leave on a free transfer, but the man who was happy to see him go appears to think he has the perfect replacement.
Benayoun actually joined the club before the England man departed, but it was fairly obvious he had been lined up to take Cole’s role on the left hand side of midfield.
Commenting on the deal, Ancelotti seems convinced that he did the right thing.
“Joe Cole at Chelsea had a fantastic career but this year is another story,” he said.
“We are happy to have Yossi here. Joe was quicker, with respect to Yossi, but tactically I think Yossi is better.”
Cole has since hooked up with Benayoun’s old club Liverpool where he is likely to become a fan favourite very quickly. You can follow his progress on Bets Player.
The Israeli, on the other hand, will need to ensure he puts in some quality performances to win over the Stamford Bridge faithful. Ancelotti’s word, although obviously well intentioned, will only add to the pressure on Benayoun’s shoulders.
Some fans have voiced concerns about the decision to spend £5.5 million on a 30-year-old and he will have to work hard to justify his price tag.
A close eye will be kept on the comparative performances of Cole and Benayoun as fans and pundits try to work out who got the best deal.
Tags: 5 Million, Bets, Carlo Ancelotti, Chelsea, Club Liverpool, England, Eyebrows, Fans, Joe Cole, Left Hand Side, London Club, Midfield, Price Tag, Pundits, Quality Performances, Shoulders, Stamford Bridge, Yossi Benayoun