Clockwork Orange

Take the cup, Netherlands. Take the cup.

Why Berbatov Should Not Leave Tottenham Hotspur

There's so much nonsense surrounding the future of Berbatov at Tottenham that it's beginning to eat into his mind. Earlier in the season, Berba pledged his allegiance to Spurs. But lately, things are not the same. Berba's agent, and even Berba himself have indicated that we will not see him playing for Spurs next season. Here are some food for thought.

The main reason Berba should not leave Spurs is this. Yes, we all know Spurs is nothing compared to Manchester United, Barcelona, or Real Madrid. They are a growing club. And that's the ultimate reason why we need a big name here. The papers were right. Every time a growing club lands a big name, the rich and famous clubs would buy them over. And this leaves no room for competition. BPL is too predictable. The Big Four will always be the Big Four. There will never be room for breakthrough. Lets divert from Berba for a minute. Take Gareth Barry as an example. Aston Villa. No big club, but yes, given the chance, could be contenders for Champions League. Finished 6th for the season is a huge achievement for Villa, under the brilliant guidance of Martin O'Neill. And then in comes the Big Four with their plan to stop anyone from competing with them. We hear news of Arsenal, even Liverpool, with intentions of buying Gareth Barry, one of the talismanic figures there. And that's what the Big Four are doing to all the clubs in BPL.

Berba is a a unique, talented, creative, and intelligent player. With him in Spurs, chances of breaking in to top four in the league would be greater. But now, we hear news of Manchester United, and other big clubs wanting to buy him. And the nature of man is this - greed. Money can manipulate almost anyone. Berba stated he wanted to play Champions League football and cited that as the main reason he would be moving from Spurs. But Berba, why not give Spurs a chance? I am sure you could play Champions League football if you were to stay in Spurs. Why move to a big club to prove nothing? Just to be another Shevchenko?

You know, no clubs started off big. They grow over time, mostly due to great achievements, namely, trophies. And great achievements are made when you have a great team. And big names are made from great teams. How could any club grow when already established clubs cut off every single source of growth whenever their position is threatened? Am I giving biased opinions and comments? No.

Look at the season that has just ended. Against the Big Four, Spurs have produced unbelieveable results for a club of their size. In the Carling Cup competition, Spurs thrashed Arsenal 5-1 and eventually went on to win the trophy, beating Chelsea 2-1 in the finals. In the league, they drew with Manchester United, and they could have won, if it wasn't for Tevez who equalized in stoppage time. They came back from 3-1 to draw 4-4 with Chelsea in another breath-taking encounter. Spurs are a great club and they are meant for great things.

So, Berba, why not have faith in the club like all your mates do? With experienced players like Robbie Keane, Ledley King, Woodgate, Malbranque and talented young figures like Huddlestone, Lennon, and O'Hara, I am sure next season would be much more interesting. IF Berba were to stay with the team.

I hope you read this, man.

To Dare Is To Do

It's been ages since I blog, I know. But the blogging feel just returned lately, what can I do? Currently : very busy applying for scholarships and universities. I so wanna go UK. The IELTS exam is a pain in the ass.

Anyway, this post, is not about me. It's about my favourite club in the world : Tottenham Hotspur. I am a football fan. Over the weekend, I sat for 4 hours in front of the intelligent box, watching the MU Vs Liverpool and Chelsea Vs Arsenal match consecutively. It was breath-taking, especially the latter.

Well, it isn't easy, supporting a club that not many people do. It isn't easy, especially when PEOPLE ( I hate all of you ) around you are MU supporters, often taunting, mocking, and ridiculing you. But nevertheless, Tottenham Hotspur has proven itself worthy of my support and love, over time. It wasn't as beautiful before Ramos took over. Yes, Jol, we know you did hell lot of good with the club, but you just weren't producing results. So, it's sayonara to you, soldier.

I do agree though, that the true revolution of Tottenham did not begin with Ramos, but with Martin Jol, the former manager. Thanks to his many changes, ideas, buying and selling of players, Tottenham became serious contenders for the Top Four spot, for at least two seasons. That was before his downfall. But lets not forget, it was Jol who signed the genius Berbatov. And not just Berbatov, but Aaron Lennon, Jermaine Jenas, Steed Malbranque, Tom Huddlestone and even Michael Dawson, all who are part of the current first team, the core of Tottenham Hotspur. And while Jol's contribution cannot be brushed off, Ramos himself was a revolution and turned many fortunes around in Tottenham, in light of Jol's dismissal.

Ramos was a man of actions. Jol's downfall was his own making. What he did not do was take the right actions at the right time. Players who were not performing were not left out. Jol stuck to his first team in every game, afraid to make changes, afraid to antagonise any of his players. But when Ramos came to town, everything was different. He showed the players who's the boss around.

Changes that he made include introducing a healthy diet for all his players, which saw that fat and non-performing Tom Huddlestone turned slim and started taking beautiful free-kicks, corners and attempts on goal. Ever since the arrival of Ramos, Jenas was transformed from a slack midfielder, to a creative and clever playmaker. And of course, the combination of Berbatov and Keane was lethal, but again, Ramos often reminded these two that they are not the ideal pair even though they are favourites to start as first team forwards. With Ramos' principles in mind and Darren Bent fighting for a place, Keane and Berbatov would definitely buck themselves up in every training session.

For that clumsy, butter-fingered, Paul Robinson, Ramos used him as a substitute for a run of games after a series of poor peformances, to teach him a lesson that he had to earn his place to be in the first team, and completely wiped out the mentality of I-should-be-in-the-first-team-since-I-am-England's-top-goalkeeper. Not forgetting, that idiot Younes Kaboul, who cost Tottenham a few games with his slack defending, was left out and now, he is warming the bench. And of course, all credits to Ramos for the signing of two top-class players : Jonathan Woodgate ( who scored the winner in Carling Cup final against Chelsea ) and Alan Hutton. Tottenham's defence was strengthen with their arrival and the timely return of Ledley King.

The selling of Jermaine Defoe was a good move too, considering that he did not understand the idea of fighting for a place, but instead, kept demanding for a first team start, and not even performing when he came on as a substitute. He even missed a penalty. Now how about that?? Finally, even Chimbonda was punished with a fine for throwing his tantrum when he was substituted in the Carling Cup final. Now that's what we call a top-class, world-class, manager.

When Ramos arrived, many thought he was a selfish man, only acting in the interest of himself. Many thought he left Sevilla for Tottenham, tempted by the lucrative offer. As much as we cannot deny that, yes, Ramos was driven by money, we too cannot deny the fact that he is worth what he is paid for. Every game so far has further proven his credentials, especially winning the Carling Cup, Tottenham's first major cup victory in 9 years. And together with Gus Poyet, they form a formidable managerial team, which I believe, in time, would lead Tottenham Hotspur to greater glory. Yes, many will laugh, considering Tottenham's 11th position in the Premier League. But let's all remember that Ramos took over the mess that Jol made at the bottom of the table, and at least, pulled Tottenham up from the shambles that they were in and eventual relegation prospects. Ramos, you have my faith. It's the dawn of a new era, where a new Big Four would emerge.

Thank goodness it wasn't Keegan who replaced Jol. Hell knows what would have happened if he was.