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After a lacklustre performance on Saturday we host an inform Tottenham that are serious contenders for the Premiership.
Wining 3 and drawing 1 of our last 6 games against our North London rivals I would certainly hope to see effort levels better than our game last November.
Should be an entertaining and hopefully memorable for the right reasons night under the flood lights at Upton Park.
We have the pleasure of a fellow WHO'ers friend answering the questions this week and I would like to thank him for taking the time to answer our questions.
What your views are of your season so far and how you think the rest of the season will go?
It’s been so much more than any Spurs fan could have hoped for! We cleared a lot deadwood out in the summer, and I think most Spurs fans expected this to be a season of transition with such a young squad. But we’ve really been fantastic, ever since the first day of the season when we were the better team against Utd. Eventually results followed the performances, and we’ve gained so much confidence and momentum from there. Spurs teams are notoriously flaky when it comes to the business end of the season, but as a fan, you can certainly feel a backbone within this side which has been missing in previous teams. I’m trying not to get over-excited, but it’s doubtful we’ll have as good an opportunity to win the league again. It’s wide open.
The “Y” word…. Does it really cause offence if others call you it, seeing as you call yourselves the YID army, or is it modern day PC gone mad?
The context it’s used in really isn’t offensive at all, but I guess the Jewish community decide whether it’s offensive or not. Maybe now Spurs are flying high it’ll be used as a compliment in everyday life instead!? “look at that majestic yid!”
Do you think you'd be any higher in the league had you signed Berahino in September? (Andy 12345)
No. Poch expects a great work ethic from his wide men, and for that reason I think he always saw Berahino as a backup striker as opposed to a winger. Kane has managed to stay fit all season, and with the money we’d have spent, you would feel obligated to give Berahino games that he hadn’t necessarily warranted. He’s still a very talented player, but when you look at the team ethic Spurs have at the moment, he would seem an odd fit. Fate worked out for the best…..
The champions league qualification can be a big stepping stone to bigger and better things for a club, so although the lasagne gate game is looked back on with hilarity by us, just how much has losing that one game affected you for years would you say? (Mr Polite)
It was massive. It was the first real chance we had of making the Champions League, and I do wonder whether recent history might have been slightly different if we had finished 4th that season. Psychologically, it would have helped the club to know it was achievable, and also to finish above Arsenal. We’ve come close so many times recently, and the more close-misses you have, the more you think there’s a mental block. We also lost Carrick to Utd that summer too, and I wonder whether he might have stayed had we qualified.
You obviously have an exciting time with a new stadium move. Are you happy that the cost we are paying to rent our new stadium for 25 years is about the same as you will have to pay to rent Wembley for the brief time you have to move out?
Brady must have worn one hell of a filthy skirt to that meeting
Your new stadium is being designed for use by the NFL as well. Do you think that's a good thing or a bad thing overall? On the assumption there's no formal agreement, what if the NFL doesn't bother using the stadium after it's finished? (El Scorchio)
The NFL have announced the agreement too, so I’ve no doubt that games will be played there. The modern game dictates that you have to be flexible with stuff like this. White Hart Lane is probably the biggest detraction from us joining the elite. Capacity is well behind the clubs we’re aiming to compete with, and that also means our wage ceiling is well behind too. The new stadium is huge for us.
Would you prefer to spend a few million on a new ground or hundreds of millions? (Branded)
Could be worse. Could be Orient.
Of the following three options, which do you think best describes the fire at Archway Sheet Metal Works? (Stranded)
A) Clearly the work of someone employed by spurs.
B) Obviously the work of someone employed by spurs.
or C) Definitely the work of someone employed by spurs.
All of the above
Our board can talk quite embarrassingly at times. But Levy? Engaging in "industrial espionage"? What do you REALLY think of him? (Geoff Pikey)
I have mixed emotions about Levy. He’s obviously a very savvy businessman, but sometimes I think he puts winning in business above winning on the pitch. If you look at our recent history, we’re notoriously bad starters to the season, and it’s generally because there is still so much going on off the pitch in the way of transfers. Levy doesn’t like to do his transfer dealings until as late as possible, and it’s clearly having a negative impact. If we miss out on the title by a narrow margin this season, I’ll remember the loss against Utd and draws with Stoke and Everton early doors. He’s moved the club on a lot though.
There is no denying the great job that Pochettino has done for you this year. Why do you think he has settled in so well at Tottenham, and what are his main skills?
He has done so much right it would take me all day to respond to this question in full! He’s gotten rid of anyone not 100% committed, he has tightened us up defensively, he has trusted youngsters, he has instilled a great work ethic, he has fostered great team spirit and he seems to have an excellent relationship with the players. He’s totally selfless too. All of his answers are about the players. Compare that with AVB (or dare I say BFS), and you understand why the players respect him so much.
In which game do you think you are going to begin your choke and then completely blow your chances of winning the League? (Staffs Hammer)
Can only assume this is about the Europa League as the Premier League is practically sewn up.
Do you fear you manager will get poached in the summer? (Bertie)
I feel fairly confident that he will stay for at least another season. I don’t think Chelsea would be a good fit for Poch with their reluctance to embrace a long-term project, and god willing Utd will be in the Europa League again. I understand he’s a hugely ambitious bloke, but it would seem premature to move on so quickly, and there’s no obvious place for him to go.
What are your thoughts on West Ham and our fans?
Apart from the obvious geographical differences, my hate for West Ham over the last few years has mostly been for BFS and the style of football he adopts. His football just bored me senseless, and he always comes across as incredibly arrogant. Whenever I’ve seen you this season (apart from the Spurs game) you’ve been really entertaining. Good mix of solidity and flair players. Spurs and Leicester have been the “stories” of this season, but I should imagine it’s quite an exciting time to be a Spammer right now.
Like all teams, you have some knowledgeable supporters and some absolute mongs. More of the latter.
What Player do you have that would make our first 11 and what west ham player, apart from Payet, would you like to see with a cock on his chest?
From watching you lot this season, it seems pretty obvious that Kane would be the player you would most want from us. Sakho has done a job, but you’re undoubtedly lacking a top drawer striker, and they’re so hard to find. I’ve really liked Reid for the last few years now. Spurs don’t necessarily need a CB but he’s such a good player. I’m shocked some of the CL clubs haven’t been after him within the last couple of seasons – I’d have him in the top 5 CB’s in the league. I actually thought he was going to join us when he looked like he was running down his contract last season. He’d be good backup for Toby and Vertonghen now!
Why do you pretend not to care about West Ham when your websites are full of vitriolic abuse for them? (Saul Bollox)
You’re like the Scotland to our England. Instead of watching Braveheart you watch Sam’s “masterclass” at White Hart Lane from 2013. Marco Boogers is your William Wallace.
How do you view West Ham as rivals honestly? Has the irritation or hatred grown over the years? (Holyhandgrenade)
I get called not a real fan for this, but I honestly care more about the football a team play than all the rivalry stuff. I’ve detested West Ham for the last few years because you took away my enjoyment of watching Super Sunday for 90 mins, but I feel that way now when I watch West Brom. There’s so much foreign investment and so many “sugar daddies” in football, it’s quite admirable to see a team growing organically. I have to say I don’t think that’s a view reflected by the majority of Spurs fans though. Still hope you lose to a 90th minute pen in the FA cup final, but I can have a rational discussion about West Ham and what they’re doing well…..
How much of a smaller club are you compared to Arsenal and us? (westham13)
I guess winning the fair play league and the intertoto cup in the last 20 years really has pushed you above us historically!!
You nicked your main song from Southampton, you call Harry Kane one of your own, when he started at Arsenal. Isn't it about time you forged your own identity? (TheHumanStain)
No. We prefer that you nurture young talent and then we buy them off you at a discounted price. I’m watching your youth team closely….
What's your favourite Pasta dish? (MrKenzo)
Tough question to answer, we were spoilt for choice when playing away against both Milan clubs in the CL. Did you watch that game or were you playing Doncaster away that night!?
What's your favourite sized piece of wood? (AgentScud)
Big enough to wrap around your skull.
Why do you think all other clubs dislike Spurs? It clearly has nothing to do with success so what is it? (Vexed)
Jealousy.
What are your favourite crisps?
Monster Munch
Would you rather 4th in the Premiership or to win the FA Cup?
I’d have to say 4th. It’s our target every season so it would be good to actually achieve it! People will talk about history, but I’ll never forget our run in the Champions League. There were so many good nights. I’ll look back on that more fondly than winning the Carling Cup in 2008. I’m also sick of the Europa League.
What are your views on football ticket prices at THFC and what have your club done to help your supporters?
Prices are high, but it’s a common problem. Demand dictates it isn’t going to change, certainly not until the new stadium.
Do you agree with a set price for all away tickets? If so what price should they be set at?
Yes. Spurs do lots of travel incentives that they claim work out to saving more than reduced ticket prices - but I’d like to see a cap. Don’t know enough about what other clubs charge to suggest an amount though.
These are questions from our sunderland fan for you.
K- You're a big club, how much bigger are you than West Ham?
Like the U.S and Puerto Rico.
B- You’ve done well so far this season. What’s changed to improve the team?
More winners and leaders. Spurs have always been susceptible to a 5-0 thrashing at least once every season. This group seem to take losing personally. We have a stronger character.
Up next we have Everton, what question would you like us to ask their fan?
Is Martinez tactical naivety ruining the best squad Everton have had for a generation?
And finally your prediction for the game?
1-2
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