MDF+Trivia Spurs v Luton Town. 30/03/24

[shatter2]

Ok strap yourselves in for the first of nine Cup Finals when we go to the new Spurs stadium tomorrow afternoon.
They've been inconsistent of late so all to play for.
We get a player back from injury and another one goes on the list. My thoughts are that without key players being absent we'd have had a great chance of staying up, but we've a good group of squad players so who knows? COYH!!
 
Spurs Trivia          Back in the early 60's a few friends and myself would take the train to London and watch a game at White Hart Lane. The Spurs "Double" team were a terrific outfit.
What I remember though was the man selling roasted chestnuts outside the ground a small paper bag of hot nuts for a couple of pence. Not very keen on them but always bought a bag!!

Not a picture of the Spurs seller but you get the idea.

[8two]

Since the 1921 FA Cup Final the Tottenham Hotspur crest has featured a cockerel. Harry Hotspur, after whom the club is named, was said to have been given the nickname Hotspur as he dug in his spurs to make his horse go faster as he charged in battles, and spurs are also associated with fighting cocks.



My employers for 20 odd years were Gestetner who were by far the largest employer in North London with a massive factory in Tottenham. Although I had many locations over the years a regular visit to the Tottenham site was necessary. That's where David and Jonathan Gestetner were based in what was known as the Golden Corridor. A tad before my time but . . . 

Which London Club for me? Born nearest to Selhurst Park, Tottenham important for me  and pre-war my Dad was manager of the Blackstock an Arsenal pub. Best stick with Surrey Cricket Club, south of the river perhaps

[8two]

[8two]

No worries, it was only to be expected and a certain pride can be taken from a weakened team that went to Spurs and gave them a competitive game.

Look to the future and we are yet another two players probably missing in Burke and Chong. Those two spare keepers are likely to be on as outfield players at this rate.

The Bournemouth game is near to being season defining.

Any medals today? For me Mengi yet again, Kaminski was mostly solid, Chong looked a threat and Clark looked lively but with a new baby just arrived he'll possibly be a complete wreck come the Arsenal match.

[Wimbo]

I thought we gave it a good go yesterday with a tremendously depleted group of players to select from to form the squad. On the bench, we had two goalkeepers and three development squad players & only four seasoned outfield players.

This season was always going to be a tough ask in terms of avoiding the drop and a trip to the likes of Spurs formidable even with a fully fit squad. It’s true enough that other teams have injury issues but they are in the fortunate position of having talent in depth supported by eligible high-quality development squads. One of our challenges with the development squad is that the club itself has outpaced in terms of our rise through the pyramid yet our development side of things is still catching up: if you have the cash you can sign quality first-team-ready players in the window but it is not that fast a process with the development of young prospects; just one of those things.

Turning to injuries, my theory is that our willing but less talented players compared to the average premier player, have to run at maximum effort all the time whilst the other more gifted players at the top clubs can cruise a while in a game: a bit like a Ford Fiesta racing a Jaguar; works for a while but as the miles clock up the Fiesta need serious attention as parts wear; in our case hamstrings.

Whatever happens at the end of the season, I will be looking forward to next season. No real moans if it’s back in the championship and indeed if we can keep the majority of the squad together we should do well.

[rutlandhatter]

The game turned when Burke went off. We were holding them till that point but not after. The shape went. Chong played well and put in a lot of effort. I'm told the weather has caused the grass at the training ground to become very heavy which could be contributing to the injuries; they trained at the Kenny recently.

[bms]

Wimbo -'our willing but less talented players compared to the average premier player, have to run at maximum effort all the time'

My son went yesterday on my behalf and although full of praise for our terrific efforts said 'Dad, they just looked totally knackered towards the end'

[biscot boy]

I agree with Wimbo as to the reason for our high injury list. His reasoning is backed up by the fact that we have more hamstring injurues than any other premier club. No alternative at present than to soldier on. We can only hope that the injury to Burke is not to serious and he is back soon.

[shatter2]

Mar 31, 2024 13:52:59 GMT Wimbo said:

I thought we gave it a good go yesterday with a tremendously depleted group of players to select from to form the squad. On the bench, we had two goalkeepers and three development squad players & only four seasoned outfield players.

This season was always going to be a tough ask in terms of avoiding the drop and a trip to the likes of Spurs formidable even with a fully fit squad. It’s true enough that other teams have injury issues but they are in the fortunate position of having talent in depth supported by eligible high-quality development squads. One of our challenges with the development squad is that the club itself has outpaced in terms of our rise through the pyramid yet our development side of things is still catching up: if you have the cash you can sign quality first-team-ready players in the window but it is not that fast a process with the development of young prospects; just one of those things.

Turning to injuries, my theory is that our willing but less talented players compared to the average premier player, have to run at maximum effort all the time whilst the other more gifted players at the top clubs can cruise a while in a game: a bit like a Ford Fiesta racing a Jaguar; works for a while but as the miles clock up the Fiesta need serious attention as parts wear; in our case hamstrings.

Whatever happens at the end of the season, I will be looking forward to next season. No real moans if it’s back in the championship and indeed if we can keep the majority of the squad together we should do well.

Spot on Bill.👍 Also good to see you Saturday enjoy Wednesday at the Arsenal. I'm giving that one a miss not keen on bloodsports! 😉