A Week For Tottenham Old Boys And Local Heroes
By Alan Hill
Alan’s 2014 Summer Diary – No. 5
Friday 23 May 2014
The Curse of Wenger
Has it struck you that walking out on Arsenal is not the best move to make? Arsene Wenger seems like a really nice guy and has invested much time and effort in turning players with potential into superstars. I can’t imagine many of his protégés doing a YaYa and crying out that they don’t feel loved. Nevertheless some players show little gratitude and have jumped ship in the hope of more success and money elsewhere. He usually fights to keep them and never shows any resentment when they leave. It often doesn’t seem to work out that way though, at least not for sustained periods. Wenger has even shown a forgiving nature by welcoming them back like prodigal sons; Henry, Flamini and even Bendtner. Robin Van Persie jumped ship after finally turning in one exceptional season for Arsenal. He starred in Manchester United’s last Premiership win but finished the season in 7th place and out of Europe. Cesc Fabregas went “home” to Barcelona, won the league title in his second season, nothing last season and is now rumoured to be surplus to requirements and wanting a return to the Premier League. Even Samir Nasri, who has just won his second title at Man Cheaty has been dumped from the French national team for apparently being too selfish, with the manager saying,
"I have not picked the best French players, l have picked the best French team."
If those three had hung around a bit longer Arsenal would have probably swept everything before them over the last 3 seasons. Was the grass in the end really any greener? Good luck then, to Baccary Sagna who is the latest to follow the trail of gold to Manchester.
Saturday 24 May
Old boys and local heroes
Great to see Harry Redknapp’s QPR come through and win the Championship play-off final with a last minute goal from Bobby Zamora having spent the last 30 minutes down to 10 men. He said that win or lose he’d be down the road from me tonight with wife Sandra having some pasta in his favourite Italian restaurant. The man has something of the fairy dust about him, doing it the hard way but usually surmounting setbacks and coming through by the skin of his teeth. It’s turned out to be a good week for him what with his grandson 7 year old Harry junior being signed by Bournemouth this week.
Talking of local heroes from Bournemouth, Adam Lallana is the first player from Bournemouth’s Littledown Juniors to represent England – and at a World Cup, no less. Then tonight we have more Spurs old boys in the Champions League final; Bale and Modric. As Logan says, a tale of what might have been.
11pm Gareth Bale had a nightmare, missing chance after chance but like a true champion he kept going and got himself into position to score the headed goal that broke Atletico’s hearts in extra time. So pleased for him. Less than a year after leaving White Hart Lane he has scored the winning goal in the Copa Del Rey and the decisive goal in the Champions League final. Living the dream. What an example for the young kids of today.
Another Goal of the Season
Sunday 25 May
More from Tottenham News
- Storybook ending after difficult period for Tottenahm’s Richarlison
- Tottenham comeback showcased invaluable intangible Ange has cultivated
- Tottenham player ratings in 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield United
- Tottenham projected starting 11 for Sheffield United
- Tottenham’s Richarlison says he’s going to seek psychological help
I complained in my previous diary that the goal of the season awards took place too soon and gave as an example Joe Garner’s superb League 1 play-off semi-final goal for Preston against Rotherham. Despite his fantastic individual effort Rotherham came back from that setback to reach the final. I nominated Garner’s strike as the real goal of the season and typed, “Of course, someone might score a better one in one of the play-off finals, or the Champions League final but I doubt it.” Guess what? Bobby Zamora’s left foot last minute winner for QPR in the Championship play-off yesterday was described by Harry Redknapp as a “worldie”. Now Alex Revell has scored a magnificent volley from distance for Rotherham to rival Shelvey’s goal for Swansea that topped some polls. Two, if not three contenders in the last two days-and still the League Two play-off to go.
See what I mean?