Tottenham Fan Interview
The Martin O'Neill era continues this week and his first away match is at Spurs who have only lost once in 12 league games. I spoke to Irish fan Tracy about supporting 'The Other Side' and for her opinions on SAFC......
Spurs went into their game against Stoke City last Sunday 11 games unbeaten in the Premiership, and considered by many as outsiders for the league title. Defeat to the Potters followed by an exit from the Uefa Europa League on Thursday has spelled a bad week for Harry and his boys this week and they will be looking to bounce back against Sunderland on Sunday.
I spoke to Tracy; An Irish woman now living in London, and a season ticket holder at the lane. I was given her details by a friend of the site, Ben the Wigan fan who I have interviewed on a few occassions.....
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Hi Tracy. Its not often we speak to female footy fans so its a nice change. Tell us a little about yourself, and why you chose Spurs as your team?
I was brought up in a small village in Ireland with a population of 40+ people. The only kids my age were boys so I became a massive LAD! The only thing we knew about was football, we played everyday. I had a childhood dream to have a season ticket at a football club, something that seemed a big thing when you live in a remote area of Ireland. I moved to North London in 2003 and in 2005 having attended a few games at The Lane in previous seasons I finally signed up for a season ticket and I still have it today.
What were your pre-season expectations for Tottenham?
Without the signature of a top striker I felt we would struggle to be in the top four and that has to be the priority if we are to keep our best players such as Modric at the club. I never thought I would say it but I was chomping at the bit for the deal with Adebayor to go through!
Given their season so far, are your expectations still the same?
I have more belief now. If we don’t sustain any major injuries then we can finish top four. Recently (with the exception of Stoke!) we have performed better that the other teams challenging for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th places.
Which players have impressed you most at your club this season?
Scott Parker has been pure quality. Brad Friedel is solid as always. Modric, Bale & Van Der Vaart have carried on their top form from last season.
Who has been the biggest disappointment so far?
To be honest no player has let the team down so far, Jermain Defoe as long a servant as he has been to the club, has a reputation of only scoring against poor opposition. So I’ll look forward to his hat trick this Sunday!
Do you consider the balance of power to be changing from Arsenal to Spurs these days?
For sure. Spurs are competing with Arsenal now; we go into the North London Derby with a belief that we can beat them.
Which young players in the Spurs youth set up are the most exciting prospects in your opinion?
In terms of young players breaking into the first team, Kyle Walker has been very impressive although he didn’t come through our ranks. In terms of players currently in our youth set up then Harry Kane, Jack Barthram, Shaquile Coulthirst & Kevin Stewart.
What is your opinion of Sunderland and their fans?
My grandparents have been living in Bridgehill, Consett for 30 years and all our family holidays have been to that very exciting part of the world. The first stadium I saw as a kid was Roker Park. My grandad took me there, not for a game but to look at the stadium from the outside. So I’ve always had a soft spot for Sunderland and their fans helped on by the fact that I dislike Newcastle and their fans!
What is your opinion of their new manager Martin O'Neill?
I have full respect for Martin O’Neill. He is a quality manager and a top bloke.
Where do you expect both clubs to finish this season?
Spurs 4th. Sunderland 14th.
Do any clashes between our two clubs stand out for you over the years?
Not really actually! Last season’s 2-1 win was very important at the time to put us back into the top four. Kranjcar’s winning goal was quality. That was the kind of game the Spurs of old would have lost but we showed great spirit to come back and win.
SAFC have signed a number of Spurs players over the last few years. Malbranque, Chimbonda, Bent, Hutton (loan), Fulop, Tainio, etc. Which of those did you most regret Spurs getting rid of and why?
Bent, if we had a fully confident Darren Bent in our team now with the balls our midfield would supply him it would be quality. However when he wore the Spurs shirt he was completely lacking in confidence, he had to leave us to rebuild his career.
Who would you like to see Spurs sign in January and do you expect anyone to leave?
I would like us to pursue and unsettle a few players such as Craig Gordon (when fully fit), Phillip Bardsley, James McCleanand Sebastian Larrson!
(Yes I read a couple of questions ahead before I answered this one!).
Do you reckon Harry Redknapp could be the next England manager, and if he did leave, who would you like to be the next Spurs boss?
Harry would be a brilliant England manager but I would be very sad to see him go. I’m soft as a bag of tits so I may even cry!
Next Spurs boss……Martin O’Neil!
A lot of SAFC fans over the last few years have taken a dislike to Tottenham, and in particularly Daniel Levy & Harry Redknapp in the way they have seemingly unsettled our players such as Jones & Richardson. Would you appreciate Spurs are the masters of this?
This can be said of any club. Berbatov changed from a perfectly happy and adored by the fans Spurs player to a sulky want away player who in the end refused to put on the shirt and play for us because Alex Ferguson spent months unsettling him. We almost lost Luka this summer in the very same vein. I know its not fair but every big club is doing it to clubs smaller than them.
Onto the match on Sunday, how do you see the game going?
3-0 to Spurs with Defoe taking the match ball home!
And finally, is there anywhere you could recommend for a pre-match drink for the travelling Sunderland fans?
The Bell & Hare right next to the stadium is my favourite pre-match pint location.
Thanks Tracy, and best of luck for the remainder of the season.....After Sunday!
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Chestermackem's Conclusion: "Interesting read and good to see O'Neill is wanted by Spurs once Harry heads off to the England job. Haha. This game is going to be a tough one and I would be very naive to think we could go to White Hart Lane and stuff them but with our new gaffer and new found confidence, maybe we can sneak a result. I expect Spurs to play a very strong side so we will have to be at our defensive best and take advantage of counter attacks.
I think a draw is our best bet and that is my prediction. A 0-0 draw but plenty chances."