What WHUFC-THFC taught and reminded me



Before I get the ball rolling, I'd like to point out that most of these comments have been formulating in my brain for months and are not just based on the proceedings of yesterday night. Disclaimer aside, here's what I noticed.

1) Caulker will be a proper goalscoring centre-half.

How many headers would he have scored if Jussi Jaaskeleinen wasn't having the game of his West Ham career? At least a brace you'd think. From his early appearances for us this season it became apparent that the kid is a real talent in the air, not only defensively but also offensively. There was a stage where we used to simply aim for his head at the back post, but as our play has developed, Caulker is now using his bowling ball-like cranium to really attack the ball rather than wait for it to come to him. I predict he'll get 4 or 5 goals for us next season.



This head should bring us a lot of joy.

2) Sigurdsson can be a class act still.

Gylfi Sigurdsson has got to be one of the unluckiest footballers in the world. Four times this season he's hit the woodwork from distance, virtually all of these shots looking destined for the net. I was so pleased he managed to grab his first goal last night, he really deserves it for his endeavors thus far. I personally felt he changed the game last night; his incisive passing from the left-hand side and overall energy levels added a bit more spark to our attacking play. I have high hopes for him for the rest of the season.



The Ice-Man Cometh

3) Lloris is truly world-class.

I've thought this for years, having followed him for quite some time I always rated him as one of Europe's top goalkeepers. I couldn't believe when we signed him. And recently, he's put in some incredible performances. His save to deny Matt Taylor was nothing short of outstanding; the sharpness of mind to react as soon as the ball was played through combined with fantastic agility and reflexes, he single handedly displayed why he is talked about among the greats of world goalkeeping. The best goalkeeper I've seen in the Premier League, let alone to wear a Tottenham shirt.



Too much class for one photo.

4) Tom Carroll will be a brilliant player in the future.

The highest possible praise I could heap on this lad is that he reminds me of an even smaller Luka Modric. Of course he's not as good as Luka yet, nor may he ever be, but from what I've seen of him is that he looks to be one of the tidiest central midfielders in the Premier League. His appreciation of how others want to receive the ball is already spot-on as shown by a couple of perfectly weighted passes last night. Without the slightest hint of bias, he's like a better version of Joe Allen in the sense that he can pass the ball forwards, too. Liverpool paid £15mil for Allen, we've paid nothing for Carroll. Well, except maybe the expenses for growth hormones. In all seriousness, I predict a very bright future for this player.



Despite looking pre-pubescent, this lad has real talent

5) We miss Sandro so, so much.

Scott Parker looks tired. Like, really tired. Without a proper pre-season under his belt, Scotty was thrown in at the deep end when Sandro was injured and has had to start every game since mid-January. That can't be easy, especially for someone of his advancing years. It's not that he's a bad player at all, but when you have a player of Sandro's dynamism it's always going to be difficult to replace him. I do think Parker will improve given time, and perhaps the loss of Sandro for the season won't prove pivotal.



The noise you're hearing is pain leaving Sandro's body.

It seems almost an injustice to go a whole blog entry without really mentioning the brilliance of Gareth Bale. So, yeah. He's the best player I've seen wear the shirt.

Oh yeah, and while you're there, give @OneHotspurWay a follow. Quality Spurs banter.