What had started out as quite a promising campaign has definitely turned into a topsy turvy year for Tottenham Hotspur, and this week has been no different as we backed up a poor performance against Arsenal in the North London Derby defeat with a quite incredible performance that saw Dinamo Zagreb fight back from a two goal deficit to unceremoniously dump us out of this season’s Europa League competition.
Opinions amongst Spurs fans have always been torn when it comes to manager Jose Mourinho and this last week has done nothing to temper those thoughts, and it probably feels even more frustrating as ahead of Arsenal it looked like we were again playing ourselves into some good, attacking form and leaving the more defensive and pragmatic approach behind us.
We will be missing Erik Lamela after his sending off, and Son Heung-Min continues to be out. In other potentially good news, there’s mixed talk about Jack Grealish returning so he might miss out for them, but in any event, we know we have the firepower to take all three points, it just again comes down to how we play and, well, how we play.
The question that no one can bet on ahead of a match this season.
can’t defend to save his life.
A win is a win. However,it was pretty boring as usual and we were saved by the fact that Grealish was watching and that we got a fortunate pen and tap in. Some skilful touches from N’Dombele to break the boredom ( reminds me of Moussa Dembele at his best although different in stature). At least, Tanganga and Rodon were given a chance and desperately claimed a clean sheet.
Worst news is that Mourinho gets a stay of execution. Surely he cannot last longer than the summer, regardless of what happens from now on. We were a proud club that relied on attractive football played with a swagger. Players with a smile on their faces. An encouraging, attacking coach that brought the best out of all players.
Even though we won, I am still disillusioned and worried about the future. Nothing will change until he is gone.
I will also respectfully agree to disagree LT. As I think Reguilon is a very good defender. ………….
By the way all… I’m still not happy with Jose and I still want him gone, asap. But today I’ll give him the day off from all of my criticisms of him. Which all still remain…
But we won! And for that I’m happy.
Well we won, does me, long may it carry on.
Its amazing how many different view points there are from the same game. My view is…..
3 basically unknowns, lol!,rookie, inexperienced Prem players in…Tanganga, Rodon n Sid Vicious (Carlos) in the side.
Defence….2 rookies in, so stuttering start in the first 20+ mins, getting to know/work out how it was going to go, as the game went on confidence, “where with all” began to blossom, desire to play for the team and shirt shone/stood out, quote “putting bodies on the line” how many times did they throw their bodies at shots? thus blocks/clearances, so for me the start of a very good defensive sett!
Midfield….Iceman and Donbo, thumbs up, knowing each other, good to great partnership forming, then add Lo-Celso, how long has he been out, yes a bit rusty but hey did his job, add the “darling” South American Lucas, left everything on the pitch, MOM no two ways about it.
Forwards….1st time partnership “Our Arry” n “Sid”, Harry had a great game playing striker and no10, but my praise has to go to “Sid” himself, basically he was a “pain in the arse” to their 2 CB’s, never giving them a chance to breath, add that he was there to be a target man in the pen area, why we held back with crosses I do not know, to be chatted about later I suppose.
Take our 1st goal and Sid’s involvement, started by chasing down a no hope of getting there, forcing their Gk to kick it out, poor control by Villa player, with Lucas snapping at his heels, wins ball moves forward, one two with Harry, into box, square pass played across into the 6 yard area, who was waiting, you got it “goal poacher “Sid” not to mention Lo-Celso being there as well, so for me a very good all round goal, simplicity in itself.
The Pen, for you deniers, how blatant do you want it? ok Harry tried a “Cruyff” type pull back of the ball but effed it up big time, well Cash, Villa FB, didn’t know that, so went for where the ball “should!” have been, opps! brings down Harry, going to ground rashly without any hesitation, so a pen, all this is in quick time.
For me in general then, after the first 20 to 30 mins we bossed the game as the confidence grow and blossom, plus started to look like a good team that we are when let off the hook, long may this way of play continue, and with a lot less tinkering.
On JM, I notice todays headlines had Jose “blooming” is back etc jesus!
Now in the Mail on Sunday there was an article by their Chief Sports Editor Oliver Holt, titled….
THE SPECIAL ONE? ALL TOTTENHAM HAVE GOT IS A DINOSAUR IN A DESIGNER COAT! well worth a read.
Come On You Spurs.
And “Line of Duty” was pretty good too!
PY, You have summed it all up as pretty much how I also saw it all yesterday,
HT, PY pretty spot on, as I said a decent away performance, I suppose it could be inspiring as the “younger” players stepped up to the mark and perhaps showed the experienced players how to play with a bit of passion. Re the pen, guess what, we didn’t need it, but it was a pen. But if it hadn’t have been given we still would’ve won.
As I said we limited them to half chances, I’m just not “cock a hoop” probably more to do with the earlier results in the week.
Can’t remember who said about Bergs, agreed, he just runs with no great end product, I thought Lo Ceslo was pretty anonymous but I will give him a “by” as he’s just back.
Good away performance.
LT …. Not sure why you say Dier should have played when we won the game 2-0.
I was pleased to see Rodon and Tanganga start. As I have dug Jose out on many occasions, I have to give him credit for these selections. I thought after a nervy start the whole defence performed very well. I wonder if Jose will continue with them once Aurier and Toby are available. I was also pleased to see Tangay, Le Celso and Holjberg as the midfield three. Quite a potent trio once Gio gets his fitness levels up. Some of Tangay’s football was absolutely sublime.
Other than that, it wasn’t a great match but we got the job done – three dirty points as Klopp would say.
Thinking about it, we have a pretty hand first eleven and some decent back-up. Shame about the manager though!!! COYS
Given the drain on energy levels from extra time in Zagreb, the blow to our morale from the two previous defeats and the absence of key members of the squad this was an excellent win, whatever the usual naysayers might say. Although I had doubts about Jose’s team selection it worked out in the end. A special mention for those who played in much of the Zagreb game, particularly Lucas and Harry , for giving their all in this game. Their performance and that of those who stepped in and up for this game rather contradicts the theory that the squad is rubbish and they don’t want to play for Jose anymore. My one concern is that this result gives us hope for the rest of the season and of course it’s the hope that kills you if it fails to deliver.
Jesus wept! I know I said in my last post…we all see things differently, well on that basis anyway, but now I read we “got a lucky pen” and a “tap in”, my god a specsavers visit is required here LOL!
“got a lucky pen” nothing lucky about it, blatant, as I said Harry tried a Cruyff control of the ball. effed it up, but Cash, Villa FB, in rash over active tackling took Harry out, simple as that.
“tap in” of course it was, because it was the result from start to finish, of pressure put on the opponents and great one two football, adding the movement of the player who started it all so he could achieve a tap in, I want that sort of goal 3 or 4 times a game, its mean good football is being played, simple as that. COYS
Spot on PY. And if there was anything lucky about those goals (which there wasn’t) it’s about bloody time!
Hi Geoff, hope you are well. Two years now since I have seen my son and grandson in Brisbane. Yes we won and credit goes to the two rookies selected for working it out with only shaky Sanchez for support and Reguilon all over the place. My point is that it was a hell of a risk to take with their embryonic reputations when an experienced defender was available to limit that risk by playing one and not both together. We’re you not squirming in your seat for the first 20 minutes of comedy hour?
Hi LT …. I’m well thanks as, I hope, are you and yours. I’ve been squirming in my seat for most of the season and expect to continue squirming until May! I actually think that Sanchez has been playing well lately. I must admit that I was somewhat surprised when I saw the starting eleven. I don’t know if the team selection was luck or good judgement but the reality is that all the squad need to get game time.
Long distance air travel won’t be a good idea for quite some time I imagine so, sadly, it might be a while before you catch up with family in Oz.
Lt, the only thing I agree with you is the “squirming in your seat!” but that was from taking a chance on the up and coming Sanchez with 2 rookies plus Reggie of course, but in the end after a stuttering start the defence did themselves proud, so chance was the right call, and could be the start of something special. COYS
Hi PY, yes relieved it worked out OK so you could say it was the right call in the end. But we’re you confident before kick off? Thing is, I can’t make up my mind if the players are not good enough technically or if Jose is a crap coach and motivator. I agree with his comments about attitude and remember how bad the team became under Poch too. Personally I don’t think we have got over the losses of first Dembele, then Eriksen and Vertonghen. They were players.
Mourinho said he didn’t know why it took the team two horrible performances before they woke up to play well yesterday. Should we take up a collection to buy José a mirror so that the answer to his question is obvious even to him?
It’s hard to believe that THFC is only three points off the top four, but a look again at the table confirms this. Wow. COYS. Even though it might save Mourinho’s job, I still want to see us make a push that brings us above Chelskum in the end. My soul is split, but in the end I want us to win every point we can no matter what. Even if it keeps an evil presence associated with us. Such a dilemma of competing desires. No wonder the medieval monks fled from desires.
Hi folks, it’s so hard with so many false dawns, particularly this season.
I think it is because we have been like a team with Bi Polar, when we’re good were good when we’re poor we’re bloody awful and you just can’t predict which team we’re going to get. (apologies to any bi polar sufferers).
Stan,
Good call on the personnel from the Zagreb game, I never considered that.
I think you’ve nailed my feelings m8, after the game, with so many ups and downs, I don’t dare hope.
I think PY was referring to me about the pen and tap in. It was a lucky pen. The guy dived in when the ball was going out of play. It was not a scoring chance. The tap in was a tap in. Vinicius is not a top striker. He tapped it in.
I will always stick with my verdict on Mourinho. One swallow ( sparrow) does not make a summer. I was devastated when Mourinho was appointed knowing that he would drag our club down with his negative, outdated approach. There will be odd moments of success. We have two of the best goalscorers in the world. Mourinho was box office. Boring but able to manipulate the media with sound bites.
We can do so much better than a name from the past. Huge mistake Levy. Eat humble pie. You will sack him in the end. Go for it now.
ww, I cannot believe you that you really believe what you wrote when answering me, ok! Sids “tap in” agreed it was, but he basically started it all, the movement/play that resulted in him getting into a position for the “tap in”, goal poach if you like, he was there! also I never said he was a top striker, anyway scoring screamers doesn’t make you a top goal scorer, plus how many of Sterlings or Aguero’s goals for MC are “tap ins” over 70%, I am not comparing the 2, but surely you must see what I am saying.
The “pen” since when is a penalty only given when its a scoring chance? the pen occurred because of a rash, rush of blood, poor decision by Cash, simple as that, plus any foul anywhere in the 18yd box = Penalty simple as that. COYS
A problem I had was Mourinho giving John Terry a massive cuddle. Pretty sickening really. A fist bump would have sufficed.
ww, we agree there, Moaninasaurus has Chav Blue blood in his veins, a double agent planted on us lol!