We finished another major project we’d had on the docket for awhile, and that was having a new driveway poured and redoing the front walk and stoop. All in all, it turned out to be a frustrating experience because the concrete contractor wanted to do the job quickly which meant some details got left in the concrete dust, but overall it turned out pretty nicely. Here’s what it looks like:

Right, so Tottenham lost again today, giving them their worst start to a season ever. That’s ever, as in “since 1882″ ever. I’ve been following Spurs since about 1990 and they’ve toyed with relegation a couple times but, unless things change quickly, this team could go down.

I’ve only watched them twice this season, against Sunderland and against Stoke, and it seems pretty clear that Ramos has got to go. He might be a fine manager and a wonderful fella, but the players looked sloppy and generally uninterested in playing. The idea was to get rid of the players who only wanted to collect their paychecks and make an earnest push for fourth, but that ain’t happening with this lot. Ramos clearly hasn’t inspired them, and they need to get inspired sharpish.

Over the years I’ve grown less and less fond of the club as business aspirations have trumped footballing decisions. One of the major blows was when Tottenham sold Michael Carrick after narrowly missing out on fourth; to me, that sent a signal that the club’s real goal was to be a broker for high-profile players, buying young and selling at great profit. The purchases made by the board in Jol’s last days were testaments to that, and I think they bought poorly heading into this season. They bought poorly but sold well, don’t you think? Shipping out their two highest goal scorers for wonga profits will look nice on the shareholders’ statements, but their failure to buy proven players in key positions may cost them dearly.

As much as I love the footie, the big boys have been working hard for the last decade or so to get a stranglehold on their domestic leagues, and it’s working. Sure, the season starts out a bit rocky but who rises to the top once again? Chelski, Liverpool, Man Ure and Ars*nal. Sure, Aston Villa looks like Spurs from a few seasons ago, but when they can’t break into the top five (and hence the Champions League) where will they be when Agbonlahor, Young, Barry, et al get lured away by clubs that can offer them that reward?

I would also say that the US’ display in Trinidad was not all that surprising and even though I’ve been barking for Bradley to give some of the younger players a chance, I didn’t necessarily mean he should give them a chance all at the same time. And for what it’s worth, I have yet to see Maurice Edu play a really good game, and the young man has a penchant for passing to the other team.

Current Mood: Feh |