Kevin Toms Blog » Premier League

Tottenham Hotspur Nerve

Kevin Toms — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:10:41 +0000

Of course they lost it, a bit, it was to be expected. Great though that it is a 4 way race now, with Chelsea still in touch, it’s going to be an exciting season at the top of the Premier League. Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool, can still catch up, but realistically it’s unlikely that the 4 leading teams will all stumble by 12 points, so I think it is down to the top 4 now.

Tottenham Hotspur Champions

Kevin Toms — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 09:26:05 +0000

The style of play, the positive attitude, the very astute manager, the continuous good form. – There are a lot of things that point to Spurs becoming champions this year. It seems unlikely only because Manchester United are so established and Manchester City are so rich in players.

But Spurs have been building to this for a long time, and it’s only the points table that now highlights it, so people are talking about it.

Personally I think they have the best chance to win it. They only have to hold their nerve!!

Pub football watching

Kevin Toms — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:46:35 +0000

I watched a couple of games in the pub today. Food and cider on tap, people from both teams in the pub giving it atmosphere. Reminded me of doing the same thing last year during the World Cup, with all different nationalities, so good!

Big screens in your living room give you a good view, but I like the pub football time.

Alex Ferguson Anger Management

Kevin Toms — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:54:42 +0000

Not everybody handles anger well, and I was reflecting on Alex Ferguson’s success. It always strikes me that he often seems angry, and he is well known for his “hair dryer” dressing downs of players at half time. – Another expression of anger.

Yet he is very successful. So he could be an example of expressing anger in a very positive way, like using anger at losing to drive for success. Anger can be destructive, but it can also lead to determination and drive to correct and improve. Maybe that is what Alex Ferguson depicts so well.

Dumb Fergie?

Kevin Toms — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 07:19:51 +0000

In my Clever Fergie post I was right it seems to question his mind games with Manchester City. It did not pay off and maybe wound up the very talented players that City has to show him how important they are?

Football remains forever fascinating…

Clever Fergie

Kevin Toms — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:05:31 +0000

The Biggest Club Game in World Football- he said. And he pointedly ignored the upcoming game against Man City by saying that. Is it clever though? Often Managers and coaches wind up opponents. But, managers also get better results by winding up their players so they perform with more fire, more determination.

So the question is, was Fergie being clever winding up the City players, indirectly? Does this mind game work? We shall see.

Do you remember free football?

Kevin Toms — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:13:56 +0000

There was a time when you could watch top flight football from the UK on normal TV. BBC and ITV. No satellite subscriptions, you didn’t have to go to a pub to watch. When you saw news items about a match, they showed the action, – they weren’t barred from doing that.

Is it better now? Did the money that poured in from exclusive licensing of TV coverage make football better? What have we gained? In Germany the local communities, the fans, own the clubs. Isn’t that the way it should be. Isn’t it the fans that count in the end?

F*&#ing transfer window!

Kevin Toms — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 07:33:26 +0000

- I am sure that is the way many managers talk about it. An artificial pressure and rush. Brinkmanship by players and agents to extract more money, and no time to get the strategy right.

Does it really help as intended? I doubt it, it’s just created different problems.

I’d abolish it.

8-2 Arsene Wenger is a worry

Kevin Toms — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 08:34:43 +0000

Seems I was right to be worried about Arsene Wenger. He does look like a man up against it. It’s a tough road when it looks like your failing whilst running one of the best teams in the country. It looks like your failing even though you built it.

I think maybe a bit more positive thinking is needed. But, that won’t come from the press!!

I am worrying about Arsene Wenger

Kevin Toms — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:06:47 +0000

He is looking angry and frustrated too often. He has done great work at Arsenal, but maybe feels he should have won more. But, he needs to relax, man!

That stress gets through to players…

Or… he could try Alex Ferguson’s approach, just look relentlessly grumpy and no-one can tell what is going on.

(Not the most relaxing job, Football Manager!)