Tag: Conte

  • Yes, Another Tottenham Blog

    Technically, the season is over, and I should stop talking about Tottenham until the season starts up again in August, right?

    Before I do that, I wanted to share the strange feeling I had when my optimistic wishes came true. I think it’s called confirmed happiness. Going into Sunday, all Tottenham had to do was win or tie against Norwich, and lowly Norwich was at the very bottom of the table, already destined to be relegated. So, the bar wasn’t very high. But still, at the end of the season, crazy shit can happen, and great teams can lose in spectacular fashion.

    And that’s not what happened. Spurs won 0-5, with two goals from Kulusevski, one from Kane, and two from Son Heung-min, and that second goal from Son tied him with Mo Salah for the Golden Boot, the top goal scored in the Premier League. Most importantly, Tottenham finished in fourth place, which qualified them for the Champions League next season.

    Now, we all go into the offseason happy and excited for next season.

    Except I won’t. Though their manager, Conte, has a contract through the end of next season, he has not committed to returning in the Fall unless Spurs owners can all agree on Conte’s vision for the team. I am sure that means signing Kane, spending the money to bring in experienced players, and I just read a rumor that they might attempt to get Erikson from Bretford. (Personally, Tottenham was playing their best when Erikson was on the pitch a couple of seasons ago.) This is the moment that the owners can show if they are serious about winning trophies.

    Yet, the most amazing aspect of all of this, for me, is the fact I have started giving a shit about what happens to a team in the off season. I have never been like this. When the season ends with a team; I’m done. And I really don’t think about them again until training camp, or spring training or whatever. I have been that way with the Cubs, and Cowboys, and even when I was really in on the Stars – didn’t care about the off season. Whoever showed up at the first game of the season was the team I supported, and I didn’t care how they got there.

    Now, I want to know how all of these moves will play out, so I can figure out if I’m going to have a good next season or not.

    I think I’m becoming a full-blown supporter now. I might need to find the local Tottenham bar for next season.

    (Say, don’t forget to like this post, or share it, or leave a comment. I got bills to pay, you know.)

  • ODDS and ENDS: Tottenham One Last Time, Sarah Sherman is Damn Funny, and Naps

    (things happen, and i talk about it)

    It’s the end of the Premiere League season, and yes, it does actually come down to the final matches. Lucky for me and the Tottenham loyal, with Arsenal’s loss to Newcastle, Spurs are sitting in the driver seat of their own destiny. All Tottenham has to do is win or tie against Norwich on Sunday. Lowly Norwich is at the very bottom of the table, doom to be relegated back to the Championship League. This would imply that Spurs should have this in the bag, and I for one, totally do not believe that. If sports have taught me anything, it’s that the last placed team can play like champions on the last game of the season. But if for some reason Tottenham does win or tie on Sunday, then I am quite positive that Harry Kane and Conte will both be receiving huge contracts in the off season. And I have never been wrong about this team.

    Sarah Sherman is my favorite new person on Saturday Night Live. I only found out about her last September when SNL announced its new cast, and as a lark, I looked her up. Sarah Sherman also goes by Sarah Squirm, which I started following on Instagram, and I have been enthralled with her. She’s weird and quirky, and funny, and has this whole sense of style that is unlike anyone. Her work on SNL this season has been a complete standout, and she carries herself like she’s been on the show for years. Go hunt her out, and pay attention.

    I’m going to take a nap.

    (Say, don’t forget to like this post, or share it, or leave a comment. I got bills to pay, you know.)

  • Arsenal Lost

    I can’t believe it myself, but Arsenal lost to Newcastle yesterday 2-0. Tottenham is in fourth place in the Premiere League, and if they can win or tie on Sunday, Spurs will earn a spot in next season’s Champions League. The thing I had hoped for might actually happen. And if they hold on to fourth place, then there is a good chance that Harry Kane will stay, and so will Conte.

    Ah, but it’s an “if.”

    If they can do it.

    And I have been around the block enough times to know that nothing is guaranteed until its over. Too many years of watching the Cubs blow it, and the Rangers, and the Cowboys, and the Stars, and the Mavericks, and pretty much any sports I have taken the time to follow.

    Do you really know what love is if you heart has never been broken?

    That’s kind’a what this feels like; my heart is about the be broken.

    But it’s also kind of thrilling as well.

    This season has been a roller coaster. From Harry Kane holding out, and the lack luster start of the season. Nuno getting hired then fired, and Conte coming in. Letting Dele go, and picking up Kulusevski, which has worked out great with Kane and Son. The defense is playing better, and it seems like things are going well.

    Which is why something awful may still happen.

  • ODDS and ENDS: Tottenham Wins, Hiking, and Crypto

    (What time is it? SHOWTIME!!!)

    I have no faith in the sports teams I support. I blame the lifetime of following the Cubs for that. Yesterday, going in to the North London Derby, and even though Tottenham was playing at home, I was not confident that the Spurs would beat Arsenal. Clearly I was wrong, as the 3-0 win was rather resounding, and Harry Kane was playing like he had something to prove. Tottenham is still one point behind Arsenal for fourth place, and they have to win their final two matches, and hope that Arsenal ties or loses at least one match. Looking at the schedule, Arsenal is playing the more competitive teams, but Tottenham has a habit of playing badly against bottom of the table teams, which is what they will be facing in Burnley and Norwich. I still stand by, that if Tottenham doesn’t place fourth, thus not making it into the Champions League next year, Harry Kane is gone, and I will add that Conte will take off as well. So, there is a lot on the line.

    Tomorrow, Saturday the 14th, my little family kicks off Hiking Season 2022. I am actually very excited about this, as this will be our third year. I have a feeling that we are working our way up to going camping next season. (In fact, I was looking for a place to rent this summer for a vacation with the express purpose of being near hiking trails.) But in the meantime, we are aiming to go for two hikes a month through the end of October, and expanding our range to further from the City, and hiking trails longer that an hour. Soon, I’m going to be that guy that gets up at the crack of dawn on the weekend to get a jump on the day. Three years ago, I never thought I would be here, and excited about it as well.

    My crypto is tanking. But I will buy low and sell high. I have a cunning plan.

    (Say, don’t forget to like this post, or share it, or leave a comment. I got bills to pay, you know.)