Complete Spurs down City with high powered performance

Let's get it out of the way first shall we? The penalty was a shocker of a decision. An absolute howler but the ref was poor all game. Toure should have been sent off for 2 bookable offences early on and Mr Clattenburg had a howler.

Right, that's out of the way, now let's discuss what was an absolutely magnificent Tottenham Hotspur performance.
Spurs dominated the 1st half and when they lost the ball, they won it back and City just couldn't get it off them. Dembele was a man mountain in midfield, Eriksen was in imperious form, floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee! Kane didn't really get into the game but he's so good that City spent their time focusing on him, allowing Alli, Dembele, Eriksen and Rose to bomb forward.

The problem and only fault was that we couldn't create that clear cut chance. But this Spurs team is patient. Half time came and City hurried down the tunnel like scolded cats. This Super fit Pochettino Spurs had just run them ragged for 46 minutes.

Spurs started where they left off in the first half and passed around City looking to create the breakthrough. Then the controversial incident happened. Rose got the ball on the edge of the 18 yard box and attempted to cross. The ball hit Sterling in his ribs but the referee blew his whistle and pointed to the spot. The City players raged, the Spurs fans couldn't believe their luck. Up stepped one of our own and it was a hugely deserved lead for Spurs.

The injustice of the penalty woke City up and they bombed forward at pace but still the leagues meanest defence stood firm. Spurs didn't help themselves and Dembele became slack with his passing and Walker was woeful. In fact the only blight on the game was the performance of Walker. Whilst Rose on the left was class, putting body and soul on the line for the cause, Walker was a liability and showed why Trippier should start ahead of him.

Eventually City got down the left and City were level. And Spurs fans around the world bit their nails, finger tips and hands right down to the wrist.
City kept coming but this Spurs defence held firm. Spurs of old would have crumpled in a heap. 1-1 would have become 3 or 4 to City but this is Poch's Tottenham Hotspur now. Kane was shattered. He scored the penalty, hadn't seen a lot of the ball but his play off the ball was workmanlike. He is the complete striker.

Poch decided to freshen things up and brought Lamela on for Son. That freshness was to pay dividends. Lamela picked up the ball, took it round one and slipped a beautiful, silky ball between the City defence and Eriksen slotted Cooly home as the Spurs faithful went bonkers!!! Absolutely bonkers!!!

When Eriksen scored, the mild mannered Pochettino was ecstatic and his reaction at the end of the game told you everything. This man has fallen in love with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. Today he is our Valentine.

Second in the table and what a North London Derby at the Lane in March!!!!

Whatever happens this season, this is the future. Energetic, hard, skilful, brilliant team work. This is Pochettino Hotspur.

Long may he reign over us!!!

 

Wonderful result, and 1 that will do wonders for the mentality of the players (i sound like the Ram) but it will indeed give us the type of steely belief we'll need in the coming months against big opposition.
We dug in and got the result away even after an equaliser which shows great character.
Poch's reaction at the end said a lot he is installing a winning mentality and belief in this side/club what a breath of fresh air.
So we close in on the leaders as the Spurs go marching on !

 

Huge huge win. We must beat Goons and Utd at home then Chelski away.

Ever the pessimist, I note that we are 10 points clear of Utd in 5th! Anyhow, I will now promise to become a glass half full man and look up, not down for the remainder of this mad and enjoyable season.

Today, you couldn't fault the shift the lads put in and you earn your luck in this game. For me, I thought Son had a poor game but Carroll and Lamela carried out their roles efficiently during the latter part of the match. As for Danny Rose and Mousa, just unbelievable at times.

Lamela's assist and Eriksen's finish... Oh yes, let me watch that again!

COYS

 

Such strength and belief. Any doubts I held about Poch have gone. Long term contract now Mr Levy

 

In fairness to Son, he was asked to play a role he's not use to and although not his best game, he got stuck in.
Walker was abysmal.

 

Granted Matt. Son did work hard but his passing and control was woeful today; we all have off days!

Even Mousa had a moment of madness - the attempted clearance in the left back position... Remember that- Oh my days! I'll let them off though.

 

Rose involved in a penalty decision against Man City - deja vu! The only difference being that the away-team players did not surround the ref waving imaginary red cards and the man in black did not send off the home player. Whilst we are about it, he did not disallow the home team's good goal either. All that money and they forgot to buy the ref.
I often criticise Lamela but he did exactly what was asked of him today.

 

Walker wasn't that bad. He was up against quality players and I remember 2 timely blocks he made in dangerous areas around the goal

 

The only weak point was Walker he should have been on the bench with Trippier starting Chadli and Lamela should stay as impact subs,Son should keep his place..The team were out standing today a bit of luck yes,but how many times have we been victim to Luck.;COYS..

 

AUDERE EST FACERE

 

Could hardly watch the 4 mins injury time. I've often criticised danny rose but today he was absolutely superb and wimmer doing a great stand in job for vertonghen and the fitness of the side is unbelievable ....now we must continue to beat the teams we are expected to so that we can ignore what the goons are doing....hes one of their own he's one of their owwwwn piers Morgan he's one of their own...

 

Walker did OK. He gets caught 'out of position' because his 'position' is to be marauding up and down the line, and that is a risk management issue that does create space for the other side.

The goal was down 100% to slack or to be precise NO marking in the area: look at Dembele and Doer just lamely standing there, back and away from the marauding forward

Lamela terrific when he came on - I'd have had him on earlier. He never dominates and lunges in a bit, but he also adds that touch of freakish unexpected outlandish skill that almost no-one else can do, hence his outstanding assists record.

Basically its down to the spine: Hugo --> Toby --> Dembele --> Kane. That is now so strong and well organised. Nothing quite like it since Graham Roberts' day in the 1980s?

 

I was so keen earlier that I posted this on the previous blog......
Brilliant brilliant performance. How good was that. Ran our hearts out and more. COYS

 

I think my nerves have just about stopped jangling. Going to have to wait for MOTD till tomorrow....can't take any more, even if I do know the outcome. What a day.....early night needed......sleep tight all, if your adrenal glands will let you....COYS

 

Now I'm sober enough to actually think about the game, here are my thoughts:

1) first half was faultless. When you go away to a big team, I actually think it's far better to score late in the game, limiting the effects of half time. We settled down quickly, quitened a crowd who are possibly only marginally better than the library across the road, and played our own game.

2) the penalty. Clearly wasn't, but - Sterling's arm DOES shift outwards, if only slightly, and this is what Clattenburg sees (I hope so anyway, otherwise it's a shocker). Yes we were lucky, I'm explaining, not justifying, the call.

3) subs. Okay, we all have criticised Poch in the past for not getting subs right, and I thought this would continue when Tom Carroll arrived - but then he proved why I shouldn't manage a football team! I thought Carroll was good, but Lamela's ability to drive forwards was brilliant today and resulted in the winner. Great decision.

4) the aftermath. Whilst the last 10 minutes were not good at all for my general health, I thought the players and staff's antics today were brilliant. I love that we applaud the travelling fans, I love that half the team gave their shirts to supporters, that Poch celebrates in front of them, that we celebrate goals together as one with the crowd - somebody pointed out that City didn't celebrate their goal together - and it really makes me feel that we have a proper football club. And I love it.

5) resilience and character. Spurs teams in the past, as you said, lose these games. Title winning teams of the past concede a lead with 10 minutes to go and still win the game! And that's exactly what we've done today. Real statement of intent. More of the same would be lovely!

I think the Eriksen-sen-sen song will be pleasantly ringing in my head for the next week or so! COYS.

 

That's a bit harsh on Walker, he missed one play with Clichy getting behind him. Before that at the beginning he had few key interceptions back tracking....wasn't his best game but not his worst either. The defense all together played well, Rose stepped it up!! Wimmer's calm demeanor gives the whole team confidence even though Jan isn't at the back. Dembele killed it in the middle, definitely put Yaya in his pocket today...lovely football. Lastly it's great to see Eriksen scoring again with a nice feed from Lamela, he really works hard for the squad especially with the high pressing.

Let's keep taking it game by game, but there's lots to be very excited about!!

 

Been holding my breath waiting for this one, a disciplined and mature young team brimming with self belief and confidence, a stunning victory at this stage of the season. Agree that the penalty was a shocker but who cares that's their problem, anyone remember Balotelli winning the game for City with a dodgy penalty after getting away with stomping on Scott Parkers head just minutes before ?
A lot of posts talking us up as title contenders which I've left alone as we've won nothing yet and there's still a long way to go but after this, start believing, this could be our year. COYMFS....
Agree about trippier but didn't think that Walker was woeful. Dembele masterful.

 

Yeeeesssssss!!!
what a performance!
Wimmer showed that it wont be easy for Verts to get back in the side with a commanding performance. Rose was wonderful and won us the penalty (albeit a shocking decision), and Toby again showed why he is the signing of the summer.
The mouss did what he does best and Dier was solid and made key blocks late on.
Kane dispatched his penalty with aplomb and ran his socks off, Eriksen finished off a brilliant pass from Lamely on his birthday to win the game.
Oh, and what a save from Lloris in the last few seconds
COYS!

 

not sure I've come back down yet! ....so much to be positive about.
I think the comments about Walker are a bit harsh. the lad won't change....the trouble is that the players around him are soo good that he looks a little less so. But he did okay. yes he could have done better for their goal....but others could have as well (in the box).
But lets take nothing away from the hunger and desire to win the game. as noted above...our teams before would have folded....but these guys wouldn't even settle for a point....they came for 3 and went home with 3

some tough games to come....but these guys really believe they can take on anyone!
....exciting times ahead

COYS

 

The 2015 - 16 version just continue to prove the doubters wrong. Before this game I posted on another site that whatever the result we will be proud of the effort our boys put in.

This game shows more than most that you can buy names, you can buy class and yeah you can even buy a trophy. However you cannot buy, heart, you cannot buy will and can not buy spirit, these are developed on the training ground, as Poch himself says "the players are played to train".

The scenes at the end remind me when we beat the Arse a while ago at the library, and after the game the same things happened with the team celebrating with the supporters - queue hairs standing up on back of neck.

This time we have the Poch. Never in all my life of supporting the mighty SPURS have I felt so indifferent to the end result, it's the effort that goes into it that gets me in and makes me believe that we can achieve anything.

As many have stated above you can see what today meant for the Poch....and this is just the beginnings of his time at our club. As much as I cringe to say it as a long time supporter we have to look up instead of down, we REALLY are going that good. COYS.