The stupidity of Tottenham sometimes astounds me

Date: 7th March 2010 at 8:06 pm
Written by Roy James

You would think sitting 4th in the league and with a cup quarter final looming that Tottenham would be doing their damndest to ensure that all their key players are wrapped up in cotton wool, especially given that injury has already decimated areas of the squad in recent weeks. Unfortunately that train of thought doesn’t exist inside the walls of White Hart Lane and the stupidity of the club’s decision to release Jermain Defoe for England duty astounds me.

I am certain that I wasn’t the only Tottenham fan inside Craven Cottage yesterday cursing the fact that we didn’t have Jermain Defoe starting due to him aggravating his hamstring in the recent and pointless friendly in midweek. I say aggravating as Defoe has had to come off in previous Premier League fixtures, having picked it up on the Somme that was the DW Stadium, and yet we allow him to play and start for England in a game that simply had no bearing on his overall selection in Capello’s squad for South Africa. Defoe has no worries about his England place, which made the decision to allow him to join up with the squad all the more baffling.

I am sure had we gone out of the cup last night then there would have been a greater uproar about whether we should have gambled on starting Defoe or not. The fact is that it should never have come down to this in the first place and with a chance to reach a semi final and some key Premier League fixtures coming up, then the club has to come before country on this occasion, especially in a meaningless friendly. Without Defoe we have nothing upfront and if we have any hope of succeeding this season then his fitness for the club has to be the priority.

Written by Roy James

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16 Comments

Comments pages: 1 2
  • JOHN says:
    Date: March 8th, 2010 at 10:44 am

    Walker should be right back and Corluka right midfield with Modric in the centre Palacois can play the destroying and breakdown of any attack , Bale is a left back not a left midfielder unless Fulham`s ground is far too small for him to play good football on and Bale could try again in the left midfield role at the Lane , the only people who can play football on fulham`s ground is ” FULHAM ” its far far to small its a ” BOG ” Fulham have beaten Liverpool and Man Utd at the Cottage little wonder eh !

    Reply

    says: Walker should be right back and Corluka right midfield with Modric in the centre Palacois can play the destroying and breakdown of any attack , Bale is a left back not a left midfielder unless Fulham`s ground is far too small for him to play good football on and Bale could try again in the left midfield role at the Lane , the only people who can play football on fulham`s ground is " FULHAM " its far far to small its a " BOG " Fulham have beaten Liverpool and Man Utd at the Cottage little wonder eh !
    JOHN
  • Foggy says:
    Date: March 8th, 2010 at 2:12 pm

    How right you are,Harry had commented in weeks leading up to the England game on Defoe’s tightening of the hamstring and how Tottenham were having to manage it’s progress,which inevitably was worsened due to him playing on a Wembley turf notorious for bringing on cramp and affecting already present injuries,

    Therefore surly a word in Capello’s ear could have saved a situation arising.The fact that Defoe did not play on Saturday shows that the England game had an effect on his fitness and that we would have been correct to make this plea,again the case of it being no worse is purely down to luck.In conclusion you are correct in your assumption well done.

    Reply

    says: How right you are,Harry had commented in weeks leading up to the England game on Defoe's tightening of the hamstring and how Tottenham were having to manage it's progress,which inevitably was worsened due to him playing on a Wembley turf notorious for bringing on cramp and affecting already present injuries, Therefore surly a word in Capello's ear could have saved a situation arising.The fact that Defoe did not play on Saturday shows that the England game had an effect on his fitness and that we would have been correct to make this plea,again the case of it being no worse is purely down to luck.In conclusion you are correct in your assumption well done.
    Foggy
  • Yid at work says:
    Date: March 8th, 2010 at 5:34 pm

    John…… Corluka Right mid ! Are yu sure ? I’ve seen quicker cart horses.

    I think Sat’s result was a good one. It shows we have strength in depth in the squad esp when it comes down to injury of players in all positions. Liverpool and Rafa Benitez wouldn’t mind our squad.

    Stop finding things to moan about. Get behind Arry and the players and the board.

    Reply

    says: John...... Corluka Right mid ! Are yu sure ? I've seen quicker cart horses. I think Sat's result was a good one. It shows we have strength in depth in the squad esp when it comes down to injury of players in all positions. Liverpool and Rafa Benitez wouldn't mind our squad. Stop finding things to moan about. Get behind Arry and the players and the board.
    Yid at work
  • Jim Croker says:
    Date: March 8th, 2010 at 7:10 pm

    Ha, do you think there was any chance that a fit Defoe would be withdrawn from te England squad? It just doesn’t happen. If you want to play at the top level you have to manage these situations like every other club.

    Reply

    says: Ha, do you think there was any chance that a fit Defoe would be withdrawn from te England squad? It just doesn't happen. If you want to play at the top level you have to manage these situations like every other club.
    Jim Croker
  • Yid at work says:
    Date: March 9th, 2010 at 7:27 am

    A fit Defoe didn’t even get on the runway a head of Theo Walcot not so long ago. Take nothing for granted !

    Reply

    says: A fit Defoe didn't even get on the runway a head of Theo Walcot not so long ago. Take nothing for granted !
    Yid at work
  • Bretto says:
    Date: March 14th, 2010 at 10:22 am

    You must be daft. FIFA rules state that if you do not release a player to play for their respective country, then they cannot play in your next game/s (depending on how long the fixture list is). So if Capello calls he must attend. That being said he could have easily tolf Fabs that his hammie is tight and could not play. But he didn’t.

    Reply

    says: You must be daft. FIFA rules state that if you do not release a player to play for their respective country, then they cannot play in your next game/s (depending on how long the fixture list is). So if Capello calls he must attend. That being said he could have easily tolf Fabs that his hammie is tight and could not play. But he didn't.
    Bretto
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