Teemu, We Salute You
This is a sad day for me. An old friend is saying goodbye.
It seems unlikely that Teemu Tainio will be inducted into any THFC Hall Of Fame. He didn't 'blaze' a goal scoring trail in his time at Tottenham. This eulogy must be prefaced by saying he wasn't the greatest player who ever wore Lilywhite. Hell, he wasn't even reliably a first squad pick. But nor was he a journeyman, some sort of undistinguished footballer who merely plodded a path. He will though be remembered as fondly as those who won us cups and stole our hearts with twenty five yard pin point passes.Mind you, West Ham away '06 anyone?
He'll be missed for who he was. A player who gave his all. As I barked at Berbatov, 'a man say, like Teemu Tainio, is worth ten of you in terms of what he feels he owes us, but he can only ever give us in terms of 'goals n' magic' a fifth of what you can deliver.'
We often glance fondly in the rearview mirror as Yids. Largely due to the absence of happiness to gawp at here in the now. Oh for a Stevie Perryman. What would I give to unleash a Graham Roberts right now. Not just on the other lot - but on ours.
""I've always been a Tottenham fan, so coming here is a really big deal for me."
"I used to love watching Gazza, Lineker, and I have videos of Hoddle."
Tainio was as devoutly loyal and committed as any of his notable predecessors. His ambition was clearly to wear the shirt and whilst in it give it his very upmost. Desire and passion in spades. Tottenham are crying out to win more and I maintain the belief that this will only ever be achieved when we add what men like Tainio had to what bastards like Berbatov have. Balance is the key.
Needless to say, when Keane brings Sunderland to The Lane I'll be on my feet to welcome the home one of our favourite sons.
We did as much for each other as we could in our time together - and that's no bad way for friends to say goodbye.
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If he didnt have as many injuries it might have been a whole lot differrent. I would rather a fit Tainio that a fit Zokora any day. Best of luck to him.
I agree with everything you say in that article Harry. Players like Tainio are the steel that must be allied to the silk that players like Berbatov bring.
My only hope is that Steed stays at WHL. I'd be very disappointed if we lost two hardworking, honest players that gave their all for the lilywhite shirt in the space of a week.
He will be a player that those who know their Tottenham will admire for years to come. He was a Spurs fan living the dream. Yes, he was limited but he always gave his all for us.
Farewell and good luck Teemu. You'll be welcome back at the lane anytime!
Missing you already, Teemu.
Just seen the pics of him in a Sunderland shirt on their website, and guys...im telling you that there is sorrow in those eyes. We've lost a Spurs man, a Spurs Fan and a player who was truly proud to wear the shirt.
Obviously the lack of First Team football at Spurs might have frustrated Teemu, but if it did, he didnt show it.
maybe the appeal of working with Roy Keane proved too strong after meeting the guy...i dunno.
but Mr. Tainio, i'll say this.
YOU'RE SPURS AND YOU KNOW YOU ARE!
Many Many thanks.
Couldn't agree more, I think he deserves the biggest cheer when he comes back to White Hart Lane.
I think BMJ once said that 'whenever Teemu plays we seem to win'. That's probably not very accurate, but you got the feelng that when players like Tainio turned out, they at least 'wanted to win'.
Here's to the second best squad player, and shame on Spurs for the selling the first in Malbranque.
76 Comments
Teemu is one of those players you don't miss until he's gone, a player you rarely make time to think about or give credit to.
He wont be mentioned in post match summaries and analysis, as he isn't a flair player, but look under "Honest Pro" in the dictionary and you'll see a picture of Teemu.
I never heard him complain, never saw a glimpse of any kind of childish sulking and when things didnt go his way he just got on with the job, rather than pointing and shouting at someone else.
Teemu is a man I'd have in the trenches with me, and I expect he'd be the first over the top.
Cheers Teemu, for those that took the time to know you, you will most certainly be missed at the Lane.
Well said, HH and PLN.