The Ted Lasso Impact

Article by Brent Weber (USA) Tue 27th Aug 2013

The season is off to a good start. Spurs have max points with two clean sheets. The transfer window has been successful thus far and we look to have a strong team regardless of whether Bale stays or goes. We are heading into a North London Derby and the last week of the transfer window. This week will be will be filled with nervous energy, so I’m turning to a lighter topic to alleviate some of our tension.

Of course, I am talking about the new fictional head coach of Tottenham Hotspur, Ted Lasso. For those who don’t know, Jason Sudeikis is starring as Ted Lasso, Coach of THFC, in the new NBC commercials advertising the Barclays Premier League. If you haven’t seen these commercials, I encourage you to go to the NBC sports website and view them immediately. Ted is no AVB, but he definitely brings an interesting perspective to soccer and a new approach to coaching the Tottenham Hotspur.

I do realise that these commercial have come in for a little criticism from the soccer faithful and some take offence because these commercials stereotype American’s lack of soccer knowledge. However, I encourage you to watch them for what they are, entertainment and advertisement. If you do, you will realise a few things. First, they are hilarious! Second, the commercials are helping to grow the popularity of the BPL and soccer in the states. Third, they are bringing positive publicity to Spurs!

Some segments of the commercials are actually educational and explain some of the basic differences between American football and football such as playing 2 halves instead of 4 quarters, no playoffs, and that matches can end in a draw. These are very foreign concepts to many American sports fans but in the end as Ted states: “football is football, there is grass, a ball, cleats, and a helmet!”

There are many funny parts, but my favourite segment is when Ted uses the flash card system to learn the competition. I love the Dallas Cowboys references to Manchester United and Liverpool. The Game of Thrones fans out there should love the Khaleesi reference for Cardiff. The Jennifer Lawrence / Manchester City joke was outstanding!

I was a little disappointed that there was no reference to the other north London team during the flash card segment but I would say that Arsenal reminds me of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders! However, NBC did make sure to include a FIFA game in which Spurs won with a 15-Nil result.

I’m glad that Tottenham chose to participate in the commercial. It is a good opportunity for Tottenham to be in front of the American TV audience and the old saying “there is no such thing as bad publicity” holds true in this case. Jason Sudeikis himself said in an interview that the Tottenham organisation was excellent, made making the commercial and incredible experience, and that he is now and forever will be a Tottenham fan. Americans are seeing the commercials, learning that the BPL is on NBC every weekend, and learning about a fantastic football club called Tottenham Hotspur! There is nothing negative about that! Maybe we will gain a few members in the Yid Army and if coach Lasso is right we should be beating the Cowboys, the Cowboys, Khaleesi, and Jennifer Lawrence this season.

With the north London derby quickly approaching, the Spurs will need to use some of coach Ted’s advice and give “60 percent effort, 4000 percent of the time!”

I will conclude with one last quote from the Coach because I feel the same way:

“I am in Tottenham and I am here to stay!”

South Houston Is White! COYS!

 

Brent Weber

 

Comment on this article below!

Get the latest Spurs news, articles written by other Spurs fans and match commentary - follow our Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/e_spurs

We are also looking for Writers to join our established team and Admins for the following e-Football Twitter accounts:

e-Manchester United
e-West Ham
e-Fulham
e-Crystal Palace
e-Chelsea

e-Manchester City

e-Liverpool

This is a great chance for aspiring football journalists to gain exposure and join the e-Football Family! email e-football@live.co.uk

Other e-Football Sites:

e-Football:
Site - www.efootballnet.blogspot.com
Twitter Feed - www.twitter.com/e_footballnet
Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/pages/E-football/529821593719736
Forum - www.e-football.freeforums.net

e-Spurs:
Site - www.espurs.blogspot.com
Twitter Feed - www.twitter.com/e_spurs
Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/pages/ESPURS/164631843709508

e-Manchester United:
Twitter Feed - www.twitter.com/e_ManchesterUnited
Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/pages/e-Manchester-United/202927566530790

e-Arsenal:
Twitter Feed - www.twitter.com/e_arsenalnet

e-Crystal Palace:
Twitter Feed - www.twitter.com/e_crystalpalace

e-Middlesbrough:
Twitter Feed - www.twitter.com/e_middlesbrough

e-Ajax:
Twitter Feed - www.twitter.com/e_ajax

e-Eredivisie
Twitter Feed - wwwtwitter.com/e_eredivisie

e-Ligat Ha'Al:
Twitter Feed - www.twitter.com/e_ligat_HaAl

e-La Liga:

Twitter Feed - wwwLaLiga

Share on Google Plus