From Spurs official site:
http://www.spurs.co.uk/article.asp?hlid=297422
Quite a welcome!
8 Aug 2005 18:33
It would be fair to say Edgar Davids was pretty much taken aback by his reception from the fans on Saturday - saying he has never been treated like this before.
The signing from Inter Milan was introduced half an hour from the end of the 2-0 victory over Porto at the Lane, following which two goals from Jermain Defoe settled the contest against the former European Champions.
His welcome would be difficult to top and his every movement - even warming up along the touchline - was met by rapturous applause and he was quick to offer his gratitude after the game.
"It was amazing, truly amazing," he reflected. "I have never been treated like this before and it gave me goose bumps - it was really incredible.
"The game was really intense, it is always hard to come in and I did my best. It was really good to win. Jermain took his goals really well, but it is about the whole team and we have a very talented one," he added, before saying he is very much aware of the challenge that will be presented when the Premiership kicks off for us at Portsmouth on Saturday.
"Absolutely, I think there is no such thing as a small club anymore - especially in the Premiership. That is why when we go there we have to be very focused and give our all."
While agreeing that confidence is ticking along nicely with a productive pre-season, the experienced Dutchman pointed out that real belief can only be taken from success in games that really matter.
"Yes, but it has to be based on something though. We have had some good results but I think we will be stronger when we win a couple of matches in the league."
Thanks!
6 Aug 2005 22:08
Martin Jol thanked the White Hart Lane crowd for making Edgar Davids feel right at home on his Spurs debut against FC Porto on Saturday.
The Dutch midfielder made his first appearance as a substitute for Andy Reid after 60 minutes of the 2-0 friendly win.
A packed house of 36,112 cheered his every move - from his name being read out in the team line-ups to when he joined the pre-match warm-up and then warming up on the touchline in the first half - and raised the roof as he entered the fray.
The former Ajax, AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona and Inter Milan star didn't let the fans down either with a few crunching tackles before forcing a fine save out of Vitor Baia in his first 10 minutes on the pitch.
Two minutes after that save and we were ahead via the irrepressible Jermain Defoe's magnificent lob, a trick the striker repeated 12 minutes later to secure the 2-0 scoreline. Michael Carrick and Teemu Tainio provided the assists.
"It was so pleasing to see so many people here," beamed Head Coach Martin. "Last week we had ten thousand fans at Reading and now we have a full house.
"Edgar came on in the second half, he hadn't played for a couple of months so it was good for him and the fans gave him a good feeling when he came on.
"That is always important for a player, to know he's welcome - and Edgar knows he is welcome at Tottenham.
"He's seen that atmosphere now and he must know there aren't a lot of 'friendlies' in England! The crowd always lift us here and I don't think many clubs would have 36,000 for a friendly. They were terrific again."
10 years of FIF
