Tottenham Hotspur: N17

Pre-Season 2013/14

Maupay (55, 89) - Chadli (10), Soldado (21), Dembele (53), Kaboul (67)


Diabate (45+1), Planus (50) – Eriksen (34, 54), Soldado (71)


Ibrahimovic (16) Marquinhos (46) – Soldado (40)


Feret (35)

Player of Pre-Season 13/14

Roberto Soldado

Soldado looked very sharp in pre-season and I have decided to stick with him up front as opposed to selecting Leandro Damiao for the first few games. He got three goals to his name in the three games he played in and his absence in the final friendly was felt hard. He’s looking an effective signing already. Thanks AVB!

Paddy’s Verdict

Our tour of France could have gone a little better but overall I’m happy we played well at least. There are many new players in the squad so we won’t be firing immediately. Give it a few games though and we should pick up. Our first two games were what I’d like to call “typical Spurs”. We attacked well but were a bit messy at the back and we paid the price against PSG and Rennes.

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HODDLE: “SPURS NEED BRITS!”

Tottenham Hotspur favourite Glenn Hoddle has called for his former team to sign more British players if they are to mount a title challenge this season.

Hoddle, who represented Spurs as a player and manager, wants to see Tottenham trust in domestic players in order to preserve the meaning of playing for the club.

“I think it’s great the direction the club is going in but Spurs have lost three key figures in Gareth Bale, Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon; two players who knew the importance of wearing that Tottenham shirt.

“At the moment, Spurs only really have Dawson and Walker because Rose doesn’t seem to be exactly in Paddy’s plans after he nearly moved to PSG.

“Two Brits aren’t enough and I think if Spurs are serious about their chances, they need more British players who will understand the passion of the club and convey what the fans give back onto the pitch.”

Paddy has made three signings on top of the seven already made by Andre Villas-Boas before his sacking, none of which are British and Hoddle as the English Football Association commissioner feels this also affects England as a footballing nation.

“England is going through a pretty barren spell when it comes to player growth in comparison to our competitors.

“Brazilian, Spanish and German clubs all give their utmost to young players, which is why they do so well internationally. There is no denying that when a club brings in too many foreign players, that disrupts and limits the chances for younger player.

“That’s what is happening in the Premier League right now and we can’t afford to have a club like Tottenham join this trend.”

August 2013

Griezmann (68), Soldado (86)





Coentrao (90+3)





Dawson (2), Eriksen (28), Holtby (86)





Walfridsson (38) – Leandro Damiao (93, 102, 116)





Capoue (39) Terry (O.G) (70) – Terry (59)

Spurs’ Player of the Month

Christian Eriksen

Once again, I’d like to thank Mr Andre Villas-Boas this month for bringing Christian Eriksen to the club. The boy is marvellous and should be a big hit this season. Potentially, Eriksen is easily one of the better players we have here at Tottenham and has settled in very well.

Paddy’s Verdict

Our start to the season was always destined to be a tricky one because of the Europa League qualifiers. Five games in half a month is no joke for a team which isn’t 100% physically. We’ve been solid at the back however and won every single one of our games, including the major clash versus Chelsea. We can build on this so I’m delighted with this month’s outcome.

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PADDY: “MOURINHO'S A BAD SPORT”

Tottenham Hotspur manager Paddy has branded his Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho a “bad sport” following Spurs’ 2-1 win over ‘the Blues’ at White Hart Lane.

Paddy and Mourinho continuously exchanged words throughout the London derby and the Portuguese manager failed to shake the hand of the 26 year old, opting to shake the hands of assistant manager Steffan Freund instead.

Mourinho appeared to be unimpressed with Paddy’s attitude when he approached the fourth official but the Spurs manager soon responded to the snub.

“You’ve probably replayed Mourinho’s swift exit a few times so I don’t think I can bring much more to this debate. I waited for his handshake but sadly I was left hanging.

“I can’t tell you why he decided to do so but it was obviously a big game for all concerned so I can understand a certain amount of frustration.

“This isn’t a new occurrence. Mourinho has history with being a bad sport so I’d rather celebrate my team’s win.”

The post-match handshake wasn’t the only thing Mourinho avoided after Chelsea sent assistant manager Steve Holland in his place for the post-match press conference.

MOURINHO SENDS A WARNING

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has sent out a reminder to his competitors of his achievements after his public row with Tottenham Hotspur boss Paddy.

Mourinho failed to shake hands with Paddy after his Chelsea side were defeated 2-1 at White Hart Lane, leading to Paddy branding the Portuguese manager a “bad sport”.

The 50 year old explained his decision not to shake hands with Paddy, reminding all how far his outlooks had got him.

“I’d like to say sorry for not shaking hands in the heat of the moment but I will not apologise for my attitudes towards losing.

“I don’t like losing because winning is in my blood. I’m a two time Champions’ League winner, I’ve won the UEFA Cup (Europa League), I’ve won two league titles in Portugal, England & Spain, one in Italy and I’ve won another ten domestic cups. I am a winner.

“I wasn’t happy with the decisions during the Spurs game and with the Tottenham manager, but who would be after they have achieved what I have achieved?

“I cannot understand or explain the motions of certain managers but this is my way of managing football. It is what won me games in the past and it will serve me well for future successes. I won’t change for nobody.”

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