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Play The Way You're Facing

By Sam Mollison
For THBN

I woke up yesterday morning astonished at the article upload and the comments total that followed. Thinking wow, maybe I AM MAKING A DIFFRENCE BY ENTERING THE WEBLOG NATION. Yeah, whatever!

I made the choice of scrolling backwards and read some utter BS from people who are obviouslyArsenal supporters.

Comments from people like “Top Yid”, “ManicSpur” and “Rackny” are what I am all about but when we lower ourselves to respond to the anonymous dross that can’t even show who they are or individuals that have names like “Reidssafatyock”, it takes me to a position that reminds me of one of the age old sayings in the universal footie coaching book, PLAY THE WAY YOU’RE FACING.

Meaning, don’t let these idiots wind you up and suck you in. Ignore their pathetic bum holes and communicate with people who really care about Yidland. Stay positive and work towards a future that has THFC amongst the elite…

Let me tell you about my passion and why I am a Spurs supporter first and foremost before I am even a parent.

I was born in Hackney east London in 1966. As a pre-teen you either supported Armpit, West Sham, Orient or Spurs. When Spurs got relegated in 1977 things changed dramatically for a lot of football followers.

My Best two friends were Mark O’Sullivan and Gary Harris at the time. We had all just moved up to secondary school to Hackney Downs (yeah, the roughest, toughest closed down school in the country) from Baden Powell primary School in Clapton. In primary school, we all supported Spurs. Sang loud, sang proud and as O’Sullivan was the school bully, we enjoyed the lions share of protection and the right to playground dominance.

Well, relegation apparently change all that.

When we were able to get together after all the new school formalities, O’Sullivann corrected me on a release of our normal expression towards Spurs by telling me that he no longer supported Spurs as “he goes where Pat Jennings goes. Gary Harris had a boyhood friend named Kevin who recently moved to Archway and that is why he now supported Arsewipe.

Look, this was the single most devastating occurrence since my Mum and dad said “see ya”’ in the winter of 74 so I was pissed and let down, but never fail, Gary’s brother Roy, 5 years older persuaded me to hold my corner and stick not twist. Turncoats were scum that was that bro or no bro. We came up the next season and Roy Harris promised me that he would sneak me into White Hart Lane because of my loyalty. The turncoat issue instilled a worth and purpose into me that couldn’t be shaken. Thank god.

We drew 1-1 with Forest the first game, Villa scoring at the city ground. Thrashed 4-1 by Aston Villa at home and 2-2 with Chelsea at the lane. 7-0 at Liverpool soon after, gutted from Clapton.

My first game at the Lane was against Bristol City and we finally won via an own goal from a Peter Taylor’s through ball that defender Rogers passed into his own net.

I remember 55, 000 fans in the ground with the old West stand just about standing. Park lane boys taking the piss, Paxton boys re-filling their flasks and Shelf side boys trying to get into the Park Lane with songs that sounded straight up wrong but funny.

I can remember the smell of cigar smoke and the effort to try and tip toe to see what was going on in the game. John Lacy, Barry Daines, Gerry Armstrong, Peter Taylor, Terry Naylor and Steve Perryman just to name a few and thinking, heroes one and all. HEROES ONE AND ALL.

I live in Orlando Florida now. My last game at White Hart Lane was Spurs vs Southampton in the FA CUP 94 (I think). Gordon Durie giving us the chance to play them at their place whilst watching from the West stand.

In between Bristol City and that game, I was fortunate to see Hoddle blast a shot past Shilton from 28 yards in 79. Ossie scored against United when Glenn was in goal. Spurs beat Wolves in the FA cup semi-final at Highbury. Spurs beat Man City after having gone through two finals at Wembley. The side of 82 which was two minutes from winning the domestic cup double with Ronnie Whelan posing ball bags in the Milk cup of 82 with a rifle shot and Souness putting a boot up Villa’s ass. Roberts lifting the UEFA cup 84. Mark Falco missing a header against Everton, which cost us a Championship in 85. Gazza’s debut against Armpit in 88 3-2. FACUP 91…

Let’s forget the 14 years after that.

What I am trying to say is I have never waivered from my support of Tottemham. Because of my experience with turncoats, I have never swayed from the belief that Spurs are the best team on the planet. That’s why comments from the idiots make me realize that Arsenal supporters have infiltrated ourconversations. Why facilitate them. Don’t let them get under your skin and if you are a “Top Yid” you wouldn’t even acknowledge them. People like “Flying Scorpion” are just embarrassing because they have no tradition or understanding and I would like to show them what it’s all about but I don’t think I have the time.

The good people who have started this blog deserve better from us. Go back and read some of the BS and I am sorry for their efforts.

Andy Reid has one of the most cultured left foots in a generation and armpits are afraid of that. Look at pictures of Tony Galvin and then of Andy Reid. Reid has just us much pace if not more, and a cultured left foot, but I hear you bitching all day long. Pathetic…

Marney could be as good as Guti. Tianio is as good as Hleb, but will you idiots recognize that? Probably not.

Just play the way you are facing and that is upward and onward.

Ignore the idiots.


Molly

75 comments

  1. i am from the same era molly,great read, makes sense to me and was close to bringing a tear to my eye. well said.
  2. If you agree, why do you remain with the anonymous signage?
  3. We will delete all the dross. Unless you don't want us to.
  4. Hi Molly. While I am sure it is nice to grow up in the Spurs neighbourhood and be very close to the successes (and failures) of the club, spare some thoughts to those supporters who grew up and live many many miles away, supporting Spurs from far, even from the other side of the planet.

    These fans who might not have the exact "tradition or understanding" as you would have put it. But is it not surprising, as they dont even speak English as their first language. Before the internet, there had been very little information on Spurs to chew on. And still their support for Spurs remain as strong as ever.

    I am one of them.
  5. I too am an ex-pat of long standing, but in sunny Sydney, not Florida. 23 degrees C today, not bad for mid winter. I have been a Spurs fan since 1961, when Spurs ruled north London & the Bastards were shite, as they still are. I agree that as a forum, we shouldn't give them that infiltrate this site the time of day and just ignore them, for they are just jealous French twats that will realise that in 3 or 4 years time, when they are cheering England on, that 50% of the team will be from Tottenham.
  6. Where did you get your info about us signing Boa Morte from?
  7. I poo on all supporters of scum. chelscum and arsescum = alot of poo.
  8. Perhaps this is tradition.
  9. it's on the Fulham website, accessed via Newsnow.
  10. I dont fancy Boa Morte at spurs. Not because he played for the goons before. But because I dont rate him enough. I still remember his ridiculous misses in the arse shirt, which didnt take arsene too long to ship him out after that.

    Has he really improved that much?
  11. Figlio,

    Boa Morte played for the Bastards, therefore is not good enough to wear a Spurs shirt! The hatred must be worse than Liverpool/Everton ,Celtic/Rangers etc. I'm all for live and let live but to take an Arsenil reject just sticks in the claw, don't you think?
  12. Has anyone considered this other news that keeps popping up, Marney being loaned out to Norwich? Is there any truth in this?
  13. Arsenal reject... Rohan Ricketts.
  14. He would not be welcome by a portion of the fans. The booing would definitely affect his performances, in turn, making his play worse than before.

    No Arsenal player will ever be welcomed at Spurs.

    I wouldn't mind Henry though.
  15. No, I never booed Rickets. I don't boo any players, unlike some who sit in the row behind me.

    Rickets is a different story. He made a couple of appearances for Arsenal only.
  16. You guys aren't too smart are you?
    I watched Reid in the Peace Cup and he was top class. I would pick him over Ginola any day. Take your heads out of your asses and watch him play rather than watching his diet...

    Brad
  17. Boa Morte isn't a central experienced midfielder is he??

    No.

    Jol has said that we will sign one more player only, an experienced central midfielder.

    Jol is a very honest man. If he has said that he wants to sign an experienced midfielder, then that would rule out Boa Morte wouldn't it?

    Yes, it would.

    Expect a player like Davids to sign on a short term contract.

    If we hear any conrete rumours, then we'll post them here.

    We haven't heard anything concrete about Davids yet, so that is why nothing has appeared.


    Regards

    THBN Team
  18. Why does everyone slag off reid just coz hes short and stocky, i dont remember gazza being skinny but he wernt bad .Unless you want to date him or something what does it matter about his appearance he gonna be class and wernt bad on sunday had a hand in two of the goals
  19. My name is Matthew and I live in Cape Town, South Africa (no longer anonymous). I post (rarely) as an anonymous poster simply because I'm to lazy to register. Not all anonymous poster's are idiot's, just like many of your registered poster's ("FLYING SCORPION" "THE REAL ANGRYMAN") seem to be wearing the wrong colour shirt!

    People like them seem to have forgotten the traditions of spurs as a club for football purist's. People who know and appreciate good football and stylish football.

    There is a certain amount of culture that goes with being a spurs fan, you may be seen as optomistic (as we have all been over the last few years) but you still get a certain amount of respect and we need to live up to that.

    I have been a spurs fan since I was introduced to the game at about 8 or 9 years old. I have lived in South Africa my entire life but did make the trip to N17 once, in 1999 to watch us beat Newcastle 3-1 at the lane. It was brilliant!

    Having only do…
  20. Spamming of any kind is not permitted on this site, nor is advertising your own blog.

    If you wish to advertise, then please use the proper ad tools such as Google or Yahoo, or whichever ad tool tickles your fancy.

    THBN is a Spurs debate site, end of!

    Regards

    THBN Team
  21. Matthew 11.56

    Well said.
  22. i agree a players weight is not the most important thing. Gazza was a miracle worker, so his weight was irrelevant, but as soon as his performances went downhill, people blamed it on him putting on weight.
    the FACT is that reid put in over a dozen totally indifferent performances last season, and much of that can be put down to him carrying too much weight. he has had months to address this issue and hasnt. he's had his chance
  23. To be completely honest, know one but the Spurs board actually know how much money is available.

    We may only have a couple of million, or we may have more than £30 million, nonE of us know.

    And as for Baptista, we don't believe we even tabled a bid for him. We may have enquired only.

    Nothing was mentioned on the clubs site either. It was a ploy by there supremo to milk Arsenal, which they have.

    We are currently writing an article on Dean Marney. Have any of you got anything to add?

    If so, please email your brief comments to

    THBN@Copiwrite.com


    Best Regards

    THBN Team

  24. To tell u the truth i think u all have good reasons but i have to agree with topyid he has the right idea about Ziegler he is young and skillful and your all saying that bringing in a ex arshole like boua morte in is ok i think u r not 100% spurs supporter and if u really think about it Sol Campbell is an idiot 4 going there hes bin injured half the time to win anything with them so i dont want boa morte in he is crap in my opinion and i dont think letting in player that wernt even good enough to play 4 arsenal then i ask all of u do u want those kind of players at spurs i dont think so
  25. Reid has had half a season!! how much longer does he deserve to prove himself. getting ridiculous.
    you can be any weight you like if your performances are superb (eg gazza, rooney et al).
    BUT, if you cant keep up with the pace of the premiership u need to trim down. he has NOT done this. how much passion has he got to play for spurs then? not enough in my book.
    dawson took weeks, not months to settle down, so why is reid allowed so much more time
  26. Good article Molly.
    Yid4Life.
  27. Davids would give us street cred in Europe again.
  28. PoshSpur is right. Davids is not only the type of player that will get the young lads going, but will influence other top players in Europe to sit up and take notice.

    Imagine if you are Huddlestone, Ziegler, Reid, etc and you know that in training today, Edgar Davids will be there.

    I would turn up early and get his autograph. He apparently is a pretty decent guy.

    Don't read too much into him having trouble at Inter, the player is still very talented, even at 32.

    He can offer us a new dimension. I would be happy if he was the only signing we made until the January sales.
  29. Roz, all you seem to do is slag other people off. Well, if you are to continue in that manner, then everything you post will be deleted.

    That goes for anyone else planning to spam this site with your boring dross and retarded comments.


    Regards


    THBN Team
  30. Davids would be good for the profile of the club and would be good for our young lads as he has lots of experiance, would have to make sure he fits in the dressing room tho as we dont need any big time charlies rocking the boat as this is the best team spirit in ages and teams win things not players
  31. We would like to commend both figlio di lupo and reid'safatyock on your commenting today.

    We and everyone else on THBN are happy that you have stopped talking about non-Spurs matters and are now concentrating on matters relating to Tottenham.

    Keep up the good work


    THBN Team
  32. boa morte is not going to improve our team so what is the point in signing him to warm the bench
  33. Reid should be given until january to see if he can step up if hes no good and hasnt shut up some of his critics by then i might just agree with them, we've only had him half a season and spent a bit of doe on him so got to give him a good crack or would be just throwing our hard earned cash down the kazi
  34. Which paper angryman?
  35. What paper was that Mr. Angry?
  36. I agree if hes shit hes shit just seen him quite often play for ireland and hes class for them, but agree if he dont reproduce it for us then bye
  37. You will all eat your words when the season starts.

    So many managers wanted Reid, but we signed him.

    So what all you Reid critics are saying, is that you know best, your judgement is better than Martin Jol's, Redknapps, O'Leary's etc??

    Come off it!

    This isn't Championship Manager, this is the real world.

    Reid has probably the best left foot in the Premiership, but his own fans can't see it.

    What does that say about Spurs fans?

    Are we giving off the right impression?

    Look at the Newcastle fans. They have Bramble, who in my opinion is the worst defender in the league by a long Newcastle mile.

    The Geordies love him to the point of where they have even said that he's better than Ledley. Now that is support.

    Stop wasting your time by slatting any of our players. If they wear the badge, then they are good enough.

    Get behind the team for goodness sake!

    You all sound like a bunch of 12 year olds with nothing better to do.

    Here's a tip...write constructive comments.

    Ok, am I getting through?
  38. easy with your bold writing ive been sticking up for reid i think he plays well with keane has got a good shot on him also free kicks class (ireland , forest) and is a good player and i hope he shows it before the boo boys (which should keep away from the lane) really get into him.
  39. I wouldnt mind having Davids at the lane. He can be our big celebrity-player. But he will have to fight for his place in the starting 11, just like the other players. There should be no guaranteed start for anyone in the team.
  40. TopSpur - Hear, hear.

    Having read Molly's post this morning, I was born in Islington in '64 and even at that tender age I knew I wasn't going to support the scum. My first game at the Lane was against Coventry, which we lost, but NOTHING has made me waver in my support of Spurs.

    Let's get behind them - This is an important season for us, and for MJ - his first full season in charge.

    Quick comment on Boe Morte - IMHO, I'm not convinced that we need him really. We already have four good strikers. What we need is an attacking midfielder.

    Cheers!

    Tubzter
  41. I never once said that we should blindly support Spurs.

    But I do think that anyone who thinks Reid is no good needs their head checked.
  42. molly, great read, I'm a bit younger than you lot, (sorry to rub it in), but I was brought up on Stories of Spurs games. Dad telling me how he hitchiked across England to get to away games and across Europe. I listened in the hope that one day I'll be going to games like my dad did, going to see Feyenoord in the Semi final, and getting pissed on from above and battered after, luckily most of that has left the game, but it's the atmosphere and passion that he talked about, that Spurs fan don't see to have in this generation..... but then, who can blame us, what in the last 15 years have we had to be passionate about!?

    anyway thank you to Stefan Iversen for scoring the goal that one us the only trophy I can ever remember

    Molly the only thing I disagree with is that you said Tainio is as good as Hleb! Sorry, but I disagree, however much it hurts to say, Hleb is an amazing player, where I think Tainio is is good!

    Just heard Spurs have put in a £4mil bid for Boa Morte, not a …
  43. your opinion is fine fig but just as long as ya dont bring it to the lane because i would rather have people there that maybe do have a bit of blind faith than the negative unhelpful boo boys, sites like this fine at the ground you aint needed
  44. We doubt there is any truth whatsoever in the Boa Morte saga.

    We have been in contact with our sources at the club and have been told that it's nothing but media tittal-tattal
  45. figlio shut up mate!
    The reason the top three didn't sign him is because they're left wingers are as follows:

    Giggs, Robben and Pires! We needed a left winger they didn't so we went and bought one and they didn't.
    Stop talking bolox, just because one of the top three didn't sign someone doesn't mean they are shit!
  46. i was really looking forward to seeing reid this season. i thought he would have lost weight like mido has but he is still his fat self. he must be eating alot at home because i dont think the coaching team would allow himto be that size at a prem team
  47. I can't believe you can't see the potential Reid has!!!

    What, don't you watch him play??

    Please start this debate in January. At least wait until then to judge him.
  48. Reiadsa.....Can't be bothered
    sorry for my gramatically incorrect response. I will be sure, in future, to double check all spelling ad punctuation before forwarding on my views to the site, as you are clearly offended by my mistake. I sincerely apologise for my loss of concentration and hope all is forgiven!! also apologise for stating that Iversen scored the winner, not Neilsen, I retract the statement!

    Figlio, see what you mean mate (Dean Austin), (Stuart Nethercot). But saying that just because the top 2/3 didn't want him that, that shows how little talent he has, was a bit of a stupid thing to say.

    Can't believe no one on this blog has mentioned Rosicky yet!?!
  49. spurs should loan reid out to a first division club if he gets fit and learns how to beat a player we will take him back. if not, sell up
  50. well said figlio but instead of reserves he could have 1st team in the championship
  51. if we buy a decent left winger there will be no need for an AM because we can attack down the wings.
  52. what paper sed about andy johnson for 9mil and thbn team do your spurs sources have any news about new players?????
  53. figlio di lupo, now you are being stupid.

    We have a young team, out of which nearly all of them have the potential to become stars.

    Is Reto world class? No, not yet, but he has the Potential to become world class.

    The same with Reid. What attributes does he currently have:

    A thunderous shot, superb vision, long distant passing and is versatile.

    Please give the lad time.
  54. what paper sed about andy johnson for 9mil and thbn team do your spurs sources have any news about new players?????

    COYS
  55. reid can fulfill his 'potential' somewhere else
  56. daily star
  57. how would u know
  58. Can we agree to disagree on Ried, he's getting boring, he's doing a job for us, all the attributes he needs, he's only had 6 months in top flight football. All that said he DOES HAVE to produce this seaon. He's had his warm up and preperation for the prem las year from Jan, now he has to BE good enough, not world class, yet though!

    Only time will tell!
  59. We have been informed by one very reliable source that Davids will sign on a season long loan from Inter by Friday.

    But then we have conflicting reports from our other very reliable source that says the story is totally unfounded.

    Both agree that no one at the club has even taken a sniff at Boa Morte. It's his agent that has been banding his name about so that Newcastle offer him a bigger signing on fee.

    It's a shame about Rosicky. We haven't bid for him as Arnesen was the fan, not Jol.

    Nevermind.

    We are pretty confident on Davids though.

    Regards

    THBN Team
  60. one of ur very reliable sources arent very reliable then team
  61. hey THBN team do your spurs sources have any other news about who we may get....???

    i think Davids would be great and im glad Boa Morte crap is just tabloid talk

    shame about Rosicky i bet Chel$cum will get him now.
  62. fair enough Figlio, on Riedy's birthday the discussion should be re-opened, but onloy for the day though!

    Did anyone see the peace cup games that Huddlestone played in?
  63. have the very reliable sources told you correct info..???
    if so i will be pleased about Davids but sad about Rosicky..

    do they no anyone else that we may be getting.

    what do they say about the Andy Johnson story... he would be good cos he links up well with routledge.

    thank you for the gossip its much appreciated

    COYS
  64. can your sources tell us if we actually put a bid in for Baptista or if we were being used so Arsenal would increase their bid? Either way not too bothered, anything that makes them pay an extra few mill is fine by me!
  65. We have been informed that we will only sign one player until the close of this window.

    We haven't been told about any names during the January window unfortunately.

    We are very sure that the one player we will sign is Edgar Davids of Internationale.

    Jol has stated now on three accounts that we need an experienced central midfielder.

    His wages won't be a problem if he signs as he will only be on loan and we will pay 65% of his £58,000 per week salary.
  66. thank you much apreci8d.

    shame we wont get AJ but probably will in January.

    shame you dont know about that.

    what position do your reliable sources have at the lane?

    are they as reliable as u say
  67. We asked about the Baptista situation but they wouldn't tell us anything.

    As regards Andy Johnson, we did table a bid of £7 million for himself and Routledge with Gardner going in the other direction.

    Palace chairman Simon Jordan turned that down. We haven't made a bid since as Jol views Johnson at not more than £6 million.
  68. Good Johnson's Shit, Cahill scored more from midfield, than Johnson scored up front, from open play last season!
  69. Don't need the stats book mate, one of my mate's (who's a boring prick) is Stato!!

    Just stating the obvious though mate, what do we need AJ for scored more goals from the spot than he scored from open play, if they had a diff pen taker, no one this year would even give a shit about him!
  70. We cannot disclose any information on our sources.

    We can tell you that one of them is at White Hart Lane (not the tea lady or the cleaner) and the other three are non-related to Spurs, but are related to the Footballing World through their everyday work.

    We believe the Davids deal hinges on a loan-fee with Inter.

    We have been told that Inter want 1 million Euro's for the deal to take place.

    Inter are currently in England on tour and along with them is their Financial Manager Mario Beltrammi who is in discussions with Levy over some sort of compromise.
  71. why the fuck only one more signing - probably loan - when there is 20mil in the kitty
  72. don't know how young you think I am Figlio, just read the GCSE bit, left school 6 years ago though mate...
  73. How do you know there is £20 million in the kitty, have you counted it?
  74. GO TO A SPURS MATCH POSHSPUR AND THEN ILL TALK TO YOU.

    I ONLY WANNA TALK TO TRUE FANS
  75. The comments section will be disabled for a few hours as we test our new servers for the new THBN site.

    Regards


    THBN Team
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