Cartilage Free Captain

Happy Tuesday, everyone! It’s my turn to fill in for Fitzie today while he’s away on his business trip, scouting new locations and themes for the Hoddle. We at Carty Free Towers salute him for his ongoing efforts to keep the Hoddle fresh.

The last time I guest-hosted the Hoddle I gave a quick update on my cancer booze, reporting on some of the bottles I had purchased and opted to try. Well, that continues today. Here are a few more bottles I’ve sampled recently. Again, I don’t drink regularly, just the occasional tipple, but my liquor cabinet is full to bursting and it’ll last me at least a good year so thanks to the efforts of you fine, outstanding people. Not all of these were in my initial Cancer Bottle Shopping Trip, but they are (or were) all in my cabinet.

The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14

The Balvenie DoubleWood was one of the first “serious” scotches I ever tried, years ago, and it remains one of my favorites. I thought about just getting that again, but was really intrigued by this expression, two years older and finished in rum casks. It’s a really tasty dram — the rum does something unexplainable to the juice and it’s not your typical Speyside. It’s sweeter, warmer, with honey, brown sugar, and oak. I really enjoy this.

Rating: 8/10

Rabbit Hole Cavehill Bourbon

I took this bottle to a men’s weekend to celebrate my recovery from cancer. It lasted about 30 minutes. Holy smokes is this smooth — perhaps one of the smoothest bourbons I’ve ever owned. I had exactly 1.5 glasses of it with the rest shared among my fellow male-presenting friends, and loved it so much that I went out and got a second bottle, just for me. Fantastic.

Rating: 9/10

Redbreast 12

Before my diagnosis I was just starting to get into Irish whiskey, starting with Bushmills and Buskers but not really getting much further than a bottle of Sexton (which I like). But Redbreast 12 was recommended to me by a buddy so I went and got a bottle. Very tasty. It’s like Jameson, if Jameson gave more of a shit. Smooth, fruit-forward, with a depth to it I didn’t expect. I wish the price were a little lower but this is a bottle I will go back to again.

Rating: 7.5/10

Green Spot Whiskey

This was a bucket list bottle — I’ve never been able to find any of the “spot” Irish whiskeys in my area (Green, Blue, Red, Yellow) but at that same men’s weekend I happened across a bottle and snatched it up like it was clearance-rack Pappy Van Winkle. It’s different from the Redbreast 12 — while Redbreast is also fruit-forward, Green Spot really leans into crisp pear and green apple, with a riesling-like acidity and a looooooong finish. Really, really good.

Rating: 8/10

Wyoming Whiskey

Someone told me I should try this, so I bought a bottle for more than I wanted to. I’m sorry I did. It’s a low-proof bourbon-style whiskey that just tastes flat — young and underbaked. A higher proof might have helped this (it’s bottled at 88 proof) but I’m just not a fan.

Rating: 4/10

Yoichi Single Malt

My first Japanese whiskey and I researched it long before I dove in. I really wanted the Hibiki, but it’s a) hard to find and b) stupid expensive, so I went with this instead. Peaty, malty, creamy, it’s like a Japanese Islay. Approachable and a tasty dram straight, but opens up with a couple drops of water. Unfortunately, it’s way overpriced in today’s market. It’s good, but I feel I could get plenty of equally smoky drams from Scotland for less.

Rating: 7/10

That’s all for today!

Song of the Day: “Gamma Ray” by Beck

And now, the news:

Carlo Ancelotti has been confirmed as the new manager of the Brazilian national team.

It turns out Transfermarkt squad market values might be... not actually ridiculously wrong?

In cricket news, the IPL will resume this Saturday in India after its postponement due to the armed conflict between India and Pakistan.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Korean superstar and club captain Son Heung-Min made his long-awaited return from injury in the second half of Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace. Spurs’ Premier League campaign has been miserable, with Spurs likely to finish in 17th place, just above the relegation zone, but the focus the past few weeks has been firmly on the Europa League playoffs. Spurs are now in the final, where they will take on Manchester United in Bilbao on May 21.

Son is no stranger to European competition — he is one of the few players still at the club that also participated in the 2019 Champions League final. Spurs lost that match, but as Son recently told Korean outlet Yonhap News, the drive to achieve success at Tottenham Hotspur is what is driving him, and the reason he has stayed at the club for a decade.

“I’m still here mainly because I want to accomplish things that others have not been able to. To complete the puzzle, you need every piece. Ultimately, I think the most important final piece is still missing. I think I’ve been chasing that piece for 10 years and I’d love to finish that puzzle this time.

“We have a much different squad now than we did [in 2019’s Champions League final team], but I think it will be important for me and others with previous experience to share that with our teammates. I really want to win. And there are fans out there who really want us to win, too. If we prepare ourselves well, then we can accomplish our goal.”

The Europa League final against United could provide Son with his last chance to find that puzzle piece. Spurs are a deeply flawed team to be sure, but they’ll be facing a United team that has significant issues of its own, and a team that Tottenham have already beaten three times this season. It’s a huge opportunity, the significance of which is not lost on Sonny.

“I think this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, something I may never have again. I think the entire focus has to be on that match. I have to get really locked in and prepare my body for that occasion. I hope I won’t have regrets afterward. When I return to Korea after the season, I’d like to give my Korean fans and our Tottenham supporters the biggest smile I can bring.”

Son has been recovering from a foot injury he sustained a while ago, and one that he played through for a period of time. He’s been back in training for a while now, working on stamina and fitness; Sunday’s substitute appearance was his first for Spurs since the Europa League quarterfinal win at Eintracht Frankfurt on April 10.

But Son isn’t interested in talking about his injury, or his fitness. His full focus is on being as ready as he can be in what will be Tottenham’s most important match in six years.

“You can count in one hand the number of times a football player takes the field in full health. Rather than talk about my injury, I think it’s better to discuss how I should prepare for the next match. Instead of dwelling on bad things from the past, I should stay optimistic and think about good things that will happen in the future.”

Tottenham Hotspur academy graduate Jamie Donley is coming off of a very promising season with Leyton Orient in League One, and that’s now put him on the radar of at least one Championship club. The Birmingham World is reporting that West Bromwich Albion has “enquired” about taking the 20 year old attacking midfielder on loan for the 2025-26 season.

In his first season on loan, Donley has been omnipresent in Orient’s lineup, amassing eight goals and 10 assists this season. That’s more assists than any other player in League One. It’s been an impressive campaign for Donley, and despite not currently having a permanent manager after the club sacked Gary Mowbray earlier in the season, are still working on their summer transfer business.

Interestingly, Tottenham assistant coach Ryan Mason is reportedly a candidate for the open head coaching position at West Brom, and if he were to get the job it would make for some natural synergy with some of Spurs’ more promising academy talent. West Brom took Spurs striker Will Lankshear on loan in January, but he was mostly a reserve player and had zero G+A for the Baggies.

A lot of Spurs fans are looking at Donley as a potential first team player at Spurs, but it might be a little too soon for him to make a significant impact. Tottenham need improved depth and that’s likely to come in the form of more experienced professionals. I can certainly make a good case that it’s better for Donley’s long term development for him to move up a division and get some solid minutes in what is one of the most competitive leagues in world football. There’s certainly no hurry, even if Spurs need a creative backup to James Maddison.

It’s an interesting rumor, and I’m willing to bet that West Brom won’t be the only Championship club interested in Donley this summer. There’s certainly no hurry to ship him out yet, so I wouldn’t expect anything to be decided for quite some time.

From the bright lights of Vegas to the sunny skies of Christchurch, New Zealand - Matty Flatt here, temporarily taking over from our favorite Hoddler-in-chief. Have fun, Fitzie!

While watching the Crystal Palace match in the early hours of the morning (and wishing I wasn’t, sorry to remind you all as well) I found my stress levels rising. I wonder why? I had been packing up a couple of bits and pieces I had sold over the weekend to ship, and so there was some bubblewrap within arm’s reach. As the match progressed, I found myself popping the bubbles, initially in an absent-minded manner, before I took out my wrath and frustration on the whole damn sheet.

It’s funny how therapeutic a simple sensation like that can be - “Pop!” - and the world just feels a little more calm. Peace from destruction and all that.

There are a number of sensory experiences people find soothing - some like their hair being played with, others like a hot drink, while some like the simple feeling of a weighted blanket to take the edge off. I’m not talking about vices here, though escapism of that kind can be nice - I’m referring to simpler pleasures and whatnot.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, though, there’s the sensations you dread and detest. Those that give you the feeling that somebody has just walked over your grave. I’m talking nails-on-a-chalkboard, knife-across-a-plate sort of thing.

When it comes to this, the thing that really gets to me is polystyrene. I HATE the damn stuff. I can’t touch it. I can’t be within 10 feet of it. Somebody touching it sends shivers down my spine. It’s annoying too, as it’s quite a common packing material. Whenever I’m unboxing an item and it’s encased in polystyrene, I have to have my wife unpack it while I put my fingers in my ears and yell “LALALALALALA” so I can’t hear the sound of it scraping against other surfaces. Hell, even typing this out is a weird kind of torture.

Maybe I’m just subconciously affected by its environmental impact. Who knows.

So what about you? What sounds, feelings, sensations do you find comforting? And what do you find does precisely the opposite? Enjoying torturing one another in the comments.

Matty Flatt’s track of the day: Solsbury Hill, by Peter Gabriel

And now for your links:

For those who are gluttons for punishment, here’s Ange Postecoglou’s post-match interview following the loss to Crystal Palace

Football London have a nice breakdown of the press conference as well - lucky you!

You could almost hear the collective groan around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the second time Dejan Kulusevski sat down on the pitch. Deki had been clattered by Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi a few minutes prior, landing on his back and getting up gingerly. Ange Postecoglu subbed him off after just 19 minutes and he walked gingerly down the tunnel to be seen by the Tottenham physios.

Not great, Bob! With James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall both out for the season, Deki is one of Tottenham’s sole remaining midfield playmakers. Losing him to injury and potentially having him miss the Europa League final newsagainst Manchester United would add a particularly cruel coda to what has been an awful season of poor results and incredibly unfortunate injury luck.

Thankfully, Ange Postecoglou says we hopefully don’t have anything to worry about. Asked about Kulusevski’s health at the post-match press release, Big Ange said the physios aren’t especially concerned, and that it was just a knock.

“[Deki] should be OK, just talking to him after. Medical team are not too concerned with him, more of a knock than anything else. So we’re hoping he should be OK.

Tottenham leaned on its depth significantly for this match, quite obviously resting players after the dramatic win last Thursday at Bodø/Glimt that sent them to the Europa final. Some fans questioned why players like Richarlison and Dominic Solanke didn’t play at all today, even as a substitute, but Postecoglou said he wasn’t willing to take a risk with them after playing on an artificial turf field in Norway.

“[Eight changes from Thursday] explains some of it but not all of it. I still felt we should have been better than we were today. So I can’t totally discount the performance today on the fact I’ve made a number of changes. We should have still been able to perform better than what we did.

“No, we weren’t going to [bring Solanke or Richarlison on]. The last time we played on an artificial with Tamworth, the game after we got two calf injuries out of it. Guys like Brennan, maybe Richy and Madders, so we were never going to risk those guys today.”

One of the more interesting tactical tweaks involved Wilson Odobert playing part of the 2nd half at the attacking midfield 10 position, something we’ve rarely seen this season. Postecoglou said this decision was because, again, he wasn’t going to risk playing some of the more natural players on the bench due to the (remote) possibility they might get injured.

“It was a needs must basis today, I put [Wilson] in there, he’s played there before because I didn’t want to expose any of the other guys from the other night so he had to play in there. But I think aside from all that, it’s still about performance. Guys had an opportunity today to put their name forward and put some pressure on the guys who played the other night. Fair to say there wasn’t any compelling evidence of that. That’s what I’m trying to push with these guys, that sometimes in football you’ve just got to take the opportunities there before you. They’re never going to be perfect. We made eight changes but there is an opportunity there and you’ve just got to take it when presented to you and I’m disappointed more didn’t step forward today.”

This match called attention to the wild extremes Tottenham have been experiencing. On the one hand in ten days they will play Manchester United for a European cup trophy and qualification for the Champions League. On the other hand, today’s loss is the team’s 20th, tying the record for Spurs’ most losses in a Premier League campaign. When asked, Ange again defended his players and the adversity they’ve had to navigate this season.

“Yeah, look and I get it and people are banging the drum about this record with defeats, but if people don’t see there is a correlation between the two, I am not going to sit here and, it’s not exactly Pythagoras’ theorem. It’s quite simple to understand we would have had much better results if we didn’t have to navigate this. So, either you understand or you don’t and beat us over the head, I get it.

“I am not happy with the way we performed today, so that’s what I look at. I think we could have performed better and irrespective of the result you can still lose a game of football and our performance level wasn’t anywhere near where it should be. That’s my responsibility to address.

“I just think we haven’t been able to cope with what’s been presented to us this year. A lot of that is because of the injury situation we had, particularly earlier in the year. It’s not just about getting players back, I’ve had to manage guys like Micky, Romero and Destiny. There is every possibility they could have played more than what they’ve played, but we’ve had to manage it and we haven’t been able to cope with it. We have got a lot of young players in the squad who we have exposed to a lot of football and fair to say a few of them are looking tired I think because we’re into our 60th or 61st game and because of the injury situation we had, we’ve paid a price for that in the league. So, that is the story as it’s been told.”

Another home match, another loss for Tottenham Hotspur. This time it’s against Crystal Palace, who got a brace from Eberechi Eze en route to a 2-0 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Dejan Kulusevski also picked up a heavy knock and was subbed off in the first half. Hopefully he’s okay.

But we did get major minutes for Mikey Moore, and Son Heung-Min made his long-awaited return in the second half.

It’s time to rate the players.

Rate the players from 1⁄2 to 5 stars. If the player doesn’t deserve a rating due to minutes played, DO NOT RANK. I will round the stars up/down to the nearest half-star for the player ratings later this week.

As Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League season trudges ever closer to an ignominious end, fans are still forced to sit through some decidedly lackluster performances with a glimmer of European trophy hope on the horizon. This match was no different, as Spurs slumped to a two-goal defeat against Crystal Palace. It was Palace’s first win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and it was well deserved, as the Eagles dominated proceedings throughout.

Spurs’ fluidity would not have been helped by heavy rotation in the starting XI, with Ange Postecoglou clearly opting to rest players following the second leg of the Lilywhites’ Europa League semifinal. Matters were made worse early in the match when Dejan Kulusevski limped off the pitch with an apparent knee injury, with Mikey Moore the Swede’s replacement.

The first half was a dominant one for Palace, with the away side having the ball in the net three times yet only taking a one-goal lead into the half. There were ominous signs for Spurs, as Palace played through Spurs easily and looked to open the scoring with an early chance. Some incisive passing cut the Tottenham defense to pieces and Jean-Philippe Mateta found himself on the end of the move for a tap-in. VAR soon intervened though, with the goal disallowed due to an offside player in the build-up.

There was another goal disallowed soon after, with a set piece kerfuffle resulting in a shot deflecting off Marc Guehi’s arm before hitting the back of Spurs’ net, with the onfield referee immediately whistling for handball. The referee’s whistle was unable to save Spurs late in the half, however, as Palace sliced through Spurs once more, breaking from their own area. Wingback Daniel Munoz exploited the acres of space on Spurs left, breaking into the penalty area before squaring to Eberchi Eze for a simple tap-in.

It only took minutes in the second half for Crystal Palace to double their lead. Eze was heavily involved once more, both starting and finishing the move as again the Eagles ran the length of the pitch to score. A cool, side-footed finish from Eze as he received Ismaila Sarr’s pass gave the attacking midfielder a brace and Palace an insurmountable lead.

From there, Palace were largely in cruise control. There were some bright moments from Spurs, including a gorgeous ball from Pedro Porro played in for Pape Matar Sarr that couldn’t be headed goalward; but it never really felt like Spurs were in the match as the match meandered to a close, Crystal Palace more than deserving of the 0-2 scoreline and their first win at Spurs’ new home ground.

Reactions

Hoddler-in-chief’s note: Your hoddler-in-chief will be taking a short break from hoddling duties next week. You will have a substitute hoddler-in-chief during this time instead. Please be on your best behaviour.

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Good morning from sunny Las Vegas, dear hoddlers.

Fitzie arrived in Sin City last night (although he’s typing this on a Wednesday) to check a fresh item off the bucket list: Catch a Dead & Company gig at The Sphere.

If you’ve read the hoddles, then you’d know I’m a huge Grateful Dead fan. And I’ve been lucky enough to see Dead & Co four times, but it’s been too long since I last saw them live.

All accounts I’ve been reading about The Sphere offer glowing reviews, both of the [drums/] space and the music produced by the band. Looking at their setlists, this second run feels like it’ll hold a special place in the troupe’s history.

We’re always chasing one song or another when we go to a Dead show. And there are a few I’d like to hear: El Paso, Dark Star, The Other One and so many more. Of course, a Bob Dylan cover is always welcome.

I’ve got a feeling we’ll be getting a Black Muddy River encore, since that song was played on three of the four Dead shows I was lucky enough to go to.

Anyways, your hoddler-in-chief will report back next week on his Vegas experience and on all things the Sphere.

Fitzie’s track of the day: Simple Twist of Fate, by the Jerry Garcia Band

And now for your links:

Guitar World: John Mayer and Bob Weir reflect on 10 years of Dead & Co

OK, I’m on a bit of an Ange Postecoglou love-fest tonight. What can I say, Tottenham Hotspur won a huge match today, are in another European cup final, and I’m flying high. But I think it’s important to listen to the guy when things are going well, and not just focus on the negatives.

Yes, there have been plenty of negatives, and those shouldn’t be discounted. But one thing I’ve always appreciated about Postecoglou during his two years at the club is that he, perhaps more than any other Spurs manager I’ve seen since I started following this stupid club in 2007, really and truly GETS what it means to be a supporter of Tottenham Hotspur.

Some of that comes through with how he deals with the English press. There’s a game of sorts that reporters play with football managers in press conferences. The rules are unspoken, but we all know what they are — reporters ask leading or irritating questions to try and provoke a reaction, after which a narrative can be created, or furthered, or changed.

Ange knows the game, he just doesn’t play according to the rules. That came through in tonight’s press conference in Norway after the 2-0 win over Bodø/Glimt that sent Spurs to the Europa League finals on May 21. A reporter started to ask Ange a question about the importance of the upcoming final to Manchester United in the context of what has also been a disappointing league season.

Ange, being Ange, didn’t want to hear it, and dismissed the premise of the question, while also giving one of the best defenses of the club explanations of what it means to be a Spurs fan I’ve ever heard from a Tottenham manager.

Here’s the full exchange.

United have constantly said that this competition won’t save their season. The manager has said it, the players have said it. Would it save Tottenham’s season or is it different?

“Why do I care what Man United think? Why is that relevant to me? Ask the Manchester United manager why he said that. Me, I’ve said all along that this is important.”

To rephrase, what does it mean for Tottenham’s season?

“Well, to be fair, you know better than me. You’ve followed this club for longer than I have. What do you think a trophy would do for this club?”

I think it would be massive.

“Exactly. That’s exactly right. So the question answers itself, it doesn’t need me to... but what’s happening now is people are fearing that. That it actually might happen and let’s see how we can tear it down somehow and diminish it somehow by saying it’s been a poor season and we don’t deserve this or we don’t deserve that.

“Or somehow comparing us to Man United. Maybe if we had Man United’s success then maybe I’d have a different view. But I came into this role, you know better than me, I could have been sitting here at exactly the same time in fifth position and I can guarantee that the commentary around me ‘well that’s great Ange but this club needs to win something’.

“That’s exactly what everyone would be saying. So of course it’s massive. Of course it is, because you have to frame it against what this club has been through over the last 15 or 20 years and what the supporters have been through.

“Man United have got their own journey to go on. Maybe if they go 15 years without winning something they’ll change their perspective on things as well.”

I know I keep asking you to watch videos tonight, but honestly — this exchange is even better hearing him directly.

Wow. WOW. That’s just fantastic. Utterly, utterly great. And you know what’s even better? Apparently the reporter in the exchange was none other than our good buddy Matt Law!

Outstanding.

Elsewhere, Postecoglou did what he always does and praised his players for their resilience and performance in what was an incredible atmosphere at the Aspmyra Stadion in Norway.

“The players were outstanding. They were well-prepared tonight, the staff did a great job of making sure the boys were really clear about what we needed to do. They executed it perfectly. It’s been well-chronicled in the last few days it’s a difficult place to come through, they’ve got a really imposing home record, not just with wins but with goals, I thought the lads just handled it really well, as they have throughout this European campaign, particularly the knock-out stages, and credit to them, I thought they did an outstanding job.

“[Reaching a European final], it’s a great opportunity. It’s my fourth year in European football, plenty of people have been in European football for longer than I have, they haven’t got to a final. So you understand it’s something that you need to appreciate. And I’ll certainly do that. I haven’t really thought a lot about it, because obviously the focus is on tonight. More importantly, just really pleased for the players and the staff, and particularly our supporters. There were a few hundred here tonight who I’m sure will remember this night. And thousands back home. We’ve given them some real hope and something to dream about, that we can do something special this year.”

This post is a little personal, but hey — it’s my blog, I get to be personal sometimes. It’s been a long, tough season. I’ve suffered along with every other Spurs fan as Tottenham has slipped from a club that we expect to finish in the top five or six in the Premier League table to one that will finish just above the relegation spots this season.

But while I too have wavered a bit in my support for Ange Postecoglou as Spurs have continued to lose and slip down the table, I’ve never fully gone Ange-Out. Why? Because while the league campaign is unacceptable and regrettable, and despite a whole bunch of unsubstantiated ITK crap that suggested otherwise, Ange has never once lost the dressing room. His players have repeatedly and vociferously stated, again and again, that they believe in him and his methods, that they believe in the project, and that they back him to the hilt.

I’ve never gone full Ange-Out because of the way he speaks. He’s forthright, clear, direct. And he’s unwavering in his support for the club and his players. He might needle the fans on occasion (especially the ones calling him a “fat fuck” from the stands or on social media) or get snippy with a reporter in press conferences, but I’ve never once thought that he, or the players, have given up.

Today, after Spurs’ 0-2 win at Bodø/Glimt that sent them to the Europa League final, the club posted a video of Postecoglou speaking to the players in the Aspmyra Stadion changing room. I’ve embedded it below. You should watch it.

To be fair, it’s a perfectly valid opinion to believe that Spurs need to make a change this summer no matter what happens on May 21 in Bilbao. That’s fine. There’s plenty of evidence to make an argument that he deserves to be let go for the diabolical league campaign. I may disagree with you and argue my point, but I’ll never say that people are stupid to have that opinion, or that it isn’t warranted. That said, this is a guy who has battled incredible hardships over the course of the season, including an injury crisis that’s unprecedented in my nearly 20 years as a fan, and has admitted it when things have been tough.

Take some time and watch the video below. Absorb what he’s saying, and listen to how he speaks to his players.

I think then you’ll understand why I’m still Ange-In.