SB Nation User Blog: Left Midfield

Comolli Out at Spurs

Left Midfield — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:11:20 -0000

That seems to be the sense of Sam Wallace at the Independent. Wallace states his belief that the French Director of Football will be out and that he will not be replaced at Spurs. If that happens I would be disappointed, I think the structure is fine - they just have the wrong individuals. Think about the funtime Frank and Martin Jol tandem, it worked pretty well - the problem here is that Como was not supportive of the coach (Jol) and made too many mistakes.

Check out these comments from Wallace (link to full story here):

The Tottenham chairman implemented the system in May 2004 when he appointed Frank Arnesen but four years on Levy is being told by those close to him that Comolli's role has become so marginalised it would not be necessary to replace him. Getting rid of the director of football role would be a major change of direction for Tottenham who became the only club in the Premier League to embrace the system of one man being responsible for recruiting the players and another to coach them.

Levy has been told by those close to him that it would be pointless to replace Comolli because it is the chairman who does most of the deals himself anyway. It was Levy who flew to Zagreb at the end of last season to tie up the £16.5m deal for Luka Modric personally. Often in negotiations Comolli now finds himself acting as little more than a go-between for his chairman who decides the limits of Spurs' buying and selling.

What do you think - good idea to scrap the system?

Open Thread: Modric is Battling an Injury

Left Midfield — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:56:00 -0000

Or so says Sky Sports - speaking of our Croatian I have wondered for a while whether it makes sense to play one striker up front Bent or Pava with one in the hole either Modric or if he is unfit GDS. Then with 4 in midfield we can afford to play Bentley on the right, Lennon on the left and Jenas in midfield with either Zoko or Hudd. I think that with Modric moving in that area between midfield and attack he could get free a lot and still assist the midfield pair when we lose the ball.

What do you think?

Spurs Link with San Jose

Left Midfield — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:14:18 -0000

This is an interesting development - see the Spurs website for full details - summary here:

The Club is delighted to announce the formation of an extensive partnership with MLS team San Jose Earthquakes.

The agreement will focus on football and commercial development that will see the implementation of a best practice exchange programme, with the objective of creating a lasting bond between the two clubs.

Tottenham Hotspur will invest time and resources into the development of San Jose Earthquakes on and off the pitch as well as working across charity and community based initiatives.

Our Development Coach Clive Allen, who was one of very few players ever to make the crossover into gridiron football, said: "The relationship will provide us with the opportunity to exchange coaches and methodology as well as providing a base for the Club in any future US tours. Our aim is to support the development of MLS by using our wealth of experience in the game on a number of levels. Football development will certainly be an integral part of the partnership, but other areas of our infrastructure will be beneficial models such as the work we do in the community with the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation."

Lew Wolff, co-owner of the San Jose Earthquakes, said: "The Earthquakes and Major League Soccer are delighted and excited with the creation of this professional soccer relationship with Tottenham Hotspur. We believe our partnership with a club of such great football tradition unites the Premier League in England with the soccer league in the US."

Platini Attacks EPL Ownership and Other Issues

Left Midfield — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:34:11 -0000

UEFA President Michel Platini has attacked some aspects of the EPL ownership core. Specifically Platini raised concerns about the fact that a number of the owners are from overseas - he suggested that these individuals should invest in their own countries. Platini went on to say that with lots of foreign players and coaches joining EPL clubs creates a situation where you lose the local connection.

My sense is that Platini has mixed too many issues together - for ownership the focus should be on "fit and proper" not on where they are from but you can make fit and proper tougher....for e.g. if the money is from a sovereign wealth fund whose owner (a country) as a human rights abusing record, they fail the test.

I also think that while Platini is right to go after the recruitment of young kids from abroad, he needs to work with gov. to get some regs passed.

What do you think?

Is Pavlyuchenko the next Rebrov or Berbatov?

Left Midfield — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:56:08 -0000

EPL watchers, and Spurs fans in particular, are curious to see whether Roman Pavlyuchenko will develop into a top EPL striker like Berbatov or a flop like the Ukranian Rebrov.

My sense is that Pava is much more likely to head in the direction of Berbatov because, like Berbatov, he is a talented player who needs a bigger stage at this stage in his career. Lots of fans forget how long it took Berby to get going, he was very quiet in his initial months at Spurs and his first goal took a while and came via a tap in against, I think Sheffield Utd, Pava has joined the club after a long stretch of games and will be fine once he is fit and adjusted.....unfortunately I'd say it will be around early Dec before he hits form. I actually think that his 3 week injury may actually help - he can rest a bit and get situated in London. He has shown on the international stage that he has a lot of talent - a bit of patience and he should be fine.

What do you guys think? Will he be a star for Spurs or a failure?

Positive Fan Songs (open thread)

Left Midfield — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:34:35 -0000

You Don't Know What You're Doing (Post Your Negative Fan Reactions Here)

Left Midfield — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:29:46 -0000

Spurs Surrender English ID - says Jol

Left Midfield — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:36:03 -0000

Spurs Surrender English ID - says Jol

Economic Crisis Hits Futbol?

Left Midfield — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:27:57 -0000

Economic Crisis Hits Futbol?

3 billion pounds worth of debt in the top flight....includes 950 mill in the top 4 alone.

SB Nation User Blog: Left Midfield

Comolli Out at Spurs

Open Thread: Modric is Battling an Injury

Spurs Link with San Jose

More from Platini

More from Platini

Platini Attacks EPL Ownership and Other Issues

Is Pavlyuchenko the next Rebrov or Berbatov?

Positive Fan Songs (open thread)

You Don't Know What You're Doing (Post Your Negative Fan Reactions Here)

Spurs Surrender English ID - says Jol

Spurs Surrender English ID - says Jol

Economic Crisis Hits Futbol?

Economic Crisis Hits Futbol?