Wednesday 25 September 2013

In My White Heart Lane.

"Dude, why Tottenham?",asked a friend of mine with an astonished look.And I was compelled to think-Hmmm, why Tottenham?

Okay, it goes something like this. It was the summer of 2006, the World Cup year. I was only 11 and being an Indian child, I grew up watching and playing cricket. Then the World Cup came around and took me completely by storm. Having enjoyed the FIFA World Cup ever so much, I was looking forward to the Barclays Premier League. That's when I really wanted to find out what football is and why is it so popular,  particularly, the English Premier League.

Being an impressionable boy, and owing to some so-called fans(not referring to those who actually support United in the true sense), I would be influenced to watch Manchester United play. After a few weeks, I asked myslef, "What's so great about football?What am I really doing?". I couldn't answer myself then, just when Tottenham came along. That easy on the eye football, those lovely fans, those committed players, those lilywhite shirts, those loud chants(my favourite being-Oh When The Spurs) and that grand stadium,  WHITE HART LANE. I did not find the need to answer my questions. They were already taken care of.

It's a shame I never got to watch Berba and Keane play together, but who really stole my heart was Luka Modric. Seeing him was always a delight as he flawlessly glided through players. Soon I found myself playing football for my school, and later for my junior college. I realised my passion for football was growing exponentially. It was Spurs who showed me another dimension of PASSION and HAPPINESS. It has been a treat to watch some of the players grace the pitch at The Lane with their mind blowing footballing skills. Apart from Modric, Rafael Van Der Vaart, Gareth Bale, Jan Vertonghen and Aaron Lennon have been players who certainly caught my eye, to name a few.

At home, I instantly turn up the volume when I  hear 'Oh When The Spurs' and sing along. The mere thought of it gives me goosebumps. My dream is to go to The Lane, with the India Spurs flag wrapped around my back, with my hands thrown up in the air, and sing this sensational chant. I know for a fact that'll send chills to my spine even in my coffin!

I believe horror movies, adventure sports and supporting Spurs should not be meant for faint hearted people. Supporting Spurs, obviously has never been easy. But it's this one thing I'll always have my entire life to hold on to. It's this one thing my heart would always beat for.

Now, here I am, a part of India Spurs, an official supporters club of Tottenham Hotspur, living my dream and writing for them. I can't thank these two people enough : Suraj Sharma, the chairman and founder of India Spurs to have given so many of us a chance to  be a part of the supporters club and my friend, Mahika,  who constantly pushes me and motivates me to do things she knows I'm capable of.

And now whenever someone asks me, "Dude,why Tottenham?", I don't find the need to answer him. I just shrug my shoulders and secretly pity him knowing he would never know what this really is. In my heart, I know, it's not just football, it's not just Tottenham Hotspur, it's my LOVE, PASSION and RELIGION.
The future is bright,
The future is Lilywhite.
COYS!

Friday 13 September 2013

SPURS VS. NORWICH PREVIEW-Team News.

After a long international break,we are finally set for some Barclays Premier League action this weekend.







Ex-Tottenham boss,Chris Hughton is up against Andre Villas Boas this Saturday!

Good news is that almost everyone has returned without an injury except for Gylfi Sigurdsson who returned with a dead leg,but still took part in the initial training. Kyle Walker certainly didn't have his best game against Ukraine after his recent media problems. Hugo Lloris did have a bad time in his last game for France ,but the French shot-stopper will be hoping to keep a clean sheet this Saturday.

Spurs have had a good start to the season, taking 6 points from the first 3 games. Spurs would definitely want to bounce back after that 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates. On the other hand,Norwich City have had a mixed start, winning 1, losing 1 and drawing 1.

Both the fixtures last year ended in a 1-1 draw,and the match is expected to be as tight this Saturday too.

Tottenham and Nowich ,both have strengthened their squads heavily. The Canaries have signed Gary Hooper,Leroy Fer, Nathon Redmond and club record signing Ricky Van Wolfswinkel.

Expected Line Up:



Prediction: I'm going for a 2-0 win to us. Soldado and Townsend with the goals. What are YOUR thoughts?

 

AVB has the entire squad to choose from, except Aaron Lennon, Adebayor and Capoue, while  Gylfi Sigurdsson is a doubt.

K.O. time: 3:00pm GMT 
Venue: White Hart Lane.

COYS!!!


Monday 9 September 2013

International Round-up

International break folks. Here's how our players did for their respective nations in the first game of the International break.
Qualifiers: 

New signing, Christian Eriksen scored the winner as Denmark edged past Malta 2-1 in Ta'Qali.

Nacer Chadli and Jan Vertonghen both played out 90 minutes for Belgium in their 2-0 victory against Scotland. Mousa Dembele got a few minutes under his belt as he was brought in late in the game.
Full back,Kyle Walker played 90 minutes for England in their 4-0 win against Moldova. Andros Townsend and Jermain Defoe were unused substitutes.

Hugo Lloris captained France in their 0-0 stalemate with Georgia.

Vlad Chiriches captained Romania in their 3-0 win against Hungary.

Roberto Soldado was an unused substitute as Spain came out victorious against Finland, beating them 2-0.

Gylfi Sigurdsson played 90 minutes for Iceland in their breath-taking match against Switzerland ending 4-4.

U-21:
Tom Carroll played 90 minutes for the England U-21 side and Harry Kane was brought on as a substitute for Zaha as England drew 1-1 with Finland.

Friendlies: 

Paulinho was instrumental in helping Brazil ease past Australia,6-0. The midfielder played the first  60 minutes for his nation,later being substituted for the  Lazio ace,Hernanes.


All the best to our players for the second game!
Fixtures:
ROMANIA vs  Turkey
Ukraine vs ENGLAND
BRAZIL vs Portugal
Belarus vs FRANCE
Armenia vs DENMARK
SPAIN vs Chile

COYS!!