Nah, I'm in the Arkells stand, with free tickets from work, and I'm taking one of my many bosses, who's over from Holland to experience English football for the first time. I have to behave myself.
Not wishing to detract from Sigs and Carrolls contribution last night but it was a different game when they came on for the last 30 and 15 minutes. After the Spammers went ahead they changed their gameplay and sat back looking to break, allowing a bit more space in the middle of the park. This somewhat played into our hands - thanks Sam - as it enabled us to completely dictate the pace of the game. Now I agree that Sigs also added an extra dimension, but it was Holtby who had put in the hard yards for the first 55 mins. And to a lesser extent that goes for Parker and Lennon as well, who also appeared to get into the game after we went behind. If you add in the x-factor of what appears to be an exceptional team spirit, determination not to be beaten and Bales amazing impact, you have what looks to be a very decent side....... The one tactic that really didn't work out for me was playing Verts at LB. any benefit that we might have gained by playing another 6 footer at the back was lost in the generally uncomfortable performance that he put in there. But frankly, after a win at that **** Hole, it would be churlish to complain!!
I thought Lennon was average and fairly quiet, I hope Woy thought so too in the stands with Internationals coming soon!
Agree on both counts - particularly the latter one. Although I do think that he came into the game more in the last 20-25 mins. But for me his last two games have been below the level that he has set this season so far.
I doubt he noticed as he was no doubt too busy being charmed by the wisdom of Ms Brady who was sat next to him.
Haha!...Hello mate, yeah, there were some funny shapes under a blanket over their laps!...free gifts from Gold maybe!
Behave? Well, you'll be ok in the Arkell's. Don't you get hefty penalty fines if you make a noise in that stand?
Just a quick plug for our Academy, how encouraging to see Tom Carroll, Jake Livermore and Steven Caulker all on the pitch last night. Nice to see some good work away from the 1st team getting some reward.
Indeed. There was no less than seven English players in Tottenham's team last night - eight British players if you include Bale. please log in to view this image Tottenham Hotspur Player's Statistics 2012-13
To be fair, there aren't many of those anywhere south of Hadrians Wall these days...... Long may it continue!!
I might well be taking a chance here ., but I would like to give a shout for Hugo. I believe he saved us on at least two, maybe three occasions. He even took one in the face , which was for me, the the best save of the night, despite Jaaskelaniens' heroics.
My view of the game from the stands last night maybe slightly different to some mentioned. I think that the result has masked some poor performances from some of our players Lloris, great save and very commanding in the area. Top drawer keeper we've got here. Walker, good steady performance although his attacking threat was curbed last night. Caulker. Again steady but should of done better with 2 of those headers. Daws. Steady and solid. Jan. Poor game last night, out of sorts from the off. Lennon, went missing for most of the game. Holtby, ran his heart out but far too many wayward passes. Dembele, ok but lucky to stay on the pitch I thought. Parker. Daft penalty. At times in the 2nd half he drove the team forward with his runs but poor end result. I feel he's getting back to his best. Bale. Enough said, class act. Number 10, shocking miss and another lethargic game from him Glyfi, added some urgency and composure. Gave more balance to the side when he came on. Tom, simple balls, always found space and most importantly played the ball on the deck. Jake, lucky mascot. Big plus for me is the team spirit, they look like a really close bunch of lads unlike this team last season. COYS
I agree with most of the player assesments but I still don't agree that Ade's lazy, I thought he put a lot of effort in yesterday but was just poor, as he has been all season. Dembele was harshly treated, he was fouled before being given a somewhat harsh booking and the Joe Cole foul later on was very much a case of Cole "winning" it. If Webb was consistent he'd have given Holtby a lot more fouls, in particular. It was great to see the team all celebrating together at the end, they wanted that result as much as every fan.
I'd agree MD was lucky not to get carded for the Cole foul, he put his arm round him to drag him back, foul in anyones book, and he kicked the ball away. Ade, well, where do you start, quite simply having a stinker of a season so far, it happens, but I don't think its for want of trying. Imo, despite what he might display outwardly his confidence is as low as could be. I've had those games you can run all over the place, but the game just carries on around you, and it can last a season, I've had dreadful ones. All you can console yourself with is that your runs and presence at least occupies a defender or two and creates room for others. I appreciate he is a player that divides opinion with his baggage, and a lot only tolerate him in Spurs shirt, which stays under wraps like last season when he played very well for the most part, and was an integral part of our front line keeping JD on the bench. He's running out of time to cement a starting place ahead of JD is the stark reality for him, he needs goals...like all forwards, how things change in 12mths!
