Category: Match Reports

It’s only City!
Fixture:
Wednesday 26th February, 19:30
Tottenham Hotspur Vs Manchester City
Premier League
Available On:
UK TV – TNT Sports
Optus Sport
Peacock Premium
Result: 0-1 (Manchester City Win)
E. Haaland (12′)
Match Report:
Looking at the lineup I cant say it gave me much confidence. With Kulu on the bench, Spence dropped for Porro and Udogie, Gray back in centre half position and a front line that was teaming up for the first time.
It almost felt like Ange had looked at the coming fixtures and thought bollox, lets not bother with this one! I am guessing that Ange was hoping a quicker front three would be more of a threat on the counter in a fixture we always expect to be open. And of course, it was!
It didn’t take long for City to score with a goal coming from very little effort on there part to be honest. Dans-no was so far out of position you would have thought he was playing striker in those opening minutes. When Danso does finally get back he is caught out completely ball watching and nowhere near his man who ultimately sticks it in the back of the net unchallenged. To be fair its an improvement on last weeks game when Danso was sat on the floor for the Ipswich goal.
If that wasn’t enough of a concern, Porro was getting run ragged by Doku and it made me wonder how Spence would be managing against him? After half an hour we could be three goals down with one way traffic offering no way out for Spurs. How City had not scored more at this point is incredible and the only question to ask was can we hold onto this 1 nil loss til half time!
Both Porro and Udogie were struggling down the flanks and Danso was resigned to wrestling his man down to the ground to stop City’s relentless attacks. It was poor, but not a surprise. After all we weren’t playing Ipswich or Brentford, this is a top 4 side and despite City’s struggles it was clear which side was in the top half of the league table.
Something had to change because City were being allowed to play how they wanted and Doku was given so much space you could have got a jumbo jet down that side. Despite this, we know from watching City this season if you put them under enough pressure they can crumble. A bit like Spurs lol.
After half an hour of attacking from City they looked to be finally taking a breather and a couple of fouls provided free kicks in some useful positions for Spurs which provided some half chances, but at the very least eased the pressure off the Spurs defenders. Minutes later we did it!! The half time whistle went and we were only a goal down, that was a positive for the first half.
No changes at half time but Spurs did come out looking a bit more lively. With Bentancur struggling with the pace, Bergvall still learning his trade (I don’t think he’s being played to his strengths but who is in this system), the reliance was on Mads to produce some magic in that midfield which had been largely overrun in the first half. But for every positive play we managed, City looked equally dangerous on the attack too.
However it was Spurs who made the best chance to score with Porro putting in a low cross in the 55th minute and Odobert looked a certain on the far post to find the equaliser. The chance was missed but Spurs were growing into the game. As Spurs grew in confidence City looked more willing to sit back and try hold onto the one nil lead. Not like the City of old but we weren’t complaining as the pressure mounted on City now.
On the hour mark Spurs made 4 changes with Spence, Kulu, Sarr and Son all coming on. Spence made an instant impact creating a great chance for Sarr but another chance felt wasted as he scuffed his shot wide. It was one way traffic in our favour with corner after corner and with City happy to sit back, it felt like we still had a chance of rescuing a point at least.
Despite such an open game and chances coming our way, nothing was ever clinical enough in the final third growing to frustration amongst players and fans! With only ten minutes remaining it was clear Ange was ready to throw in the towel as Timo came on for one final roll of the dice.
Johnson made a couple of excellent runs down the right and although his first cross went behind Kulu, the second cross finds Son who forces a save from goalkeeper Ederson. That was the chance! Spence looked a constant threat, Kulu was trying to make a nuisance of himself but time was running out. Now 4 minutes into injury time Haaland scores but there appears to be a handball? The referee rules the goal out and despite some VAR confusion the decision is no goal!
Before City could even digest what was going on Spurs were quick to go straight up to the other end only for Sarr to head over the bar from just a few yards out. It could have been 2 nil, it could have been 1-1, it finished 1 nil. Confusion at the end with VAR but it looked like handball in my opinion and made no difference to the end result.
Did we deserve a draw? Probably not as City sat back for most of the second half and we were still unable to find a way past a struggling defensive unit. But what is for sure is the damage that was done in the first half hour of the game.
Ange Postecoglou said after the game, “In the second half we dominated in all the areas but missed a goal to get something out of the game.”
Yes mate! We dominated a team that was happy to sit back and win the game. Yes mate, we didn’t score and we lost, he’s learning the rules at least:)
A defeat for Spurs but at this stage of the season it really doesn’t matter in terms of our position. What does matter is getting more players back from injury and finding some consistent form that’s been lacking for the last 2 seasons.
I’m not optimistic at this stage. Time for Change? Somebody call the A-Team!
February 27, 2025
Roll on the Tractor Boys
Fixture…
Saturday 22nd February, 15:00
Ipswich Town Vs Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League
Available On…
Optus Sport
USA Network HD
Result: 1-4 (Tottenham Win)
B. Johnson (18′, 26′)
O. Hutchinson (36′)
D. Spence (77′)
D. Kulusevski (84′)
Match Report:
Despite the disappointment of 2 cup exits in February Tottenham have managed to record 3 consecutive victories in the Premier League, moving them safely away from any relegation threat.
Playing at Portman Road, Ipswich came out swinging early on and could have gone 2 or 3 goals up very quickly had it not been for a goal line save, a shot off the crossbar and some quick reactions from Vicario. But it was Brennan Johnson who continued his goal scoring form this season as he bagged a brace giving Spurs an unusual 2 nil lead after only 26 minutes. Of course this did not last, not even till half time as Hutchinson pulling one back for Ipswich following some very poor defending. Spurs simply switched off, something we are all too familiar with.
It was a lifeline for Ipswich and it meant for some very nervous defending in the second half. At times it looked like we wanted to throw it away with Ipswich becoming more dominant again, a complete breakdown in the Spurs shape and a lack of activity on the sideline gave to concern. Nevertheless we managed to weather the storm, perhaps fortunate Ipswich lacked any real firepower to trouble even a less than impressive defensive display.
With less than 20 minutes on the clock Spurs woke up and it was last week’s man of the match Djed Spence who found the back of the net giving Spurs that vital 2 goal margin. That seemed to take the wind out of any Ipswich comeback hopes and after Dane Scarlett headed the ball on, Kulusevski curled in a wonderful goal into the bottom corner in off the post. A 1-4 victory probably flattered us a bit and there’s no doubt this is a Spurs team that is still not firing on all cylinders just yet.
It’s been a difficult month but a victory against Man city would be a nice way to end it. With players returning from injury we are going into the final few months of the season with the hope of a single trophy now, Uefa cup glory in Bilbao! However if you listen to Ange’s recent interviews you can see that is not where the focus lies, like all the previous managers at Spurs he has been well drilled and priority for the board remains climbing the league table to ensure future European qualification next season. This is why the cabinet is empty!
February 23, 2025
Battle of the Minds!
Fixture…
Sunday 16th February, 16:30
Tottenham Hotspur Vs Man Utd
Premier League
Available On…
UK TV – Sky Sports Main Event
UK TV – Sky Sports Premier League
Optus Sport
SuperSport Premier League
Result: 1-0 (Tottenham Win)
J. Maddison (13′)
Match Report…
The return of some key Spurs players proved to be the difference today in what was an important win between two giant clubs uncharacteristically scrapping for points at the bottom of the table.
It was one of those performances where you can interpret how you want, if you are a glass half full person you will look at the chances we created and say we could have won by more. However if you are more on the half empty side of things then you will have seen the gaping wide holes at the back and the chances Utd created without any great difficulty.
I’m trying to be fair and appreciate both opinions but you can’t ignore the fact we were up against a side struggling so much they are even below us in the table following that result. In Ruben Amorim’s post match interview he was asked about the result and his answer was clear, “they scored and we didn’t”. It may sound like stating the obvious but he is right, both teams had chances but only one was clinical on the day.
Don’t get me wrong, it was huge to get the three points and great to do the double over Utd this season (triple with the cup), but they are a struggling Utd side, with injuries of their own and a manager under even more pressure than Ange right now! You could spend all day dissecting Utd’s problems, their ageing midfielder Casemiro and defender Maguire, and striker Garnacho who obviously hasn’t been to specsavers.
Despite their struggles, Utd were still able to create far too many chances against us and had it not been for some heroic goalkeeping from Vicario, it could have been a different story. Nevertheless we have to acknowledge the flip side and when we had the ball, we did look dangerous, creating our share of opportunities as well.
Maddison was in the right place at the right time to silence his critics, who correct me if I’m wrong may have been aimed at Roy Keane the gob s£@te who in all fairness needs putting in his place! Djed Spence received the Man of the Match award and I don’t think too many people will argue with that one but it was the return of Vicario and Maddison that made the difference in my opinion in this close encounter.
Of course there was further positive news with Johnson, Odobert and Udogie all returning from injury and available on the bench. Whatever you may think of these players, the fact is we need them to bolster the squad, especially if we wish to dream of the impossible!
February 17, 2025
Need the Magic back!
Fixture…
Sunday 9th February, 17:35
Aston Villa Vs Tottenham Hotspur
FA Cup – 4th Round
Available On…
UK TV – BBC 1
IRE – Premier Sports 1
Result: 2-1 (Aston Villa Win)
J. Ramsey (1′)
M. Rogers (64′)
M. Tel (90’+1)
Match Report…
Well there was little magic from this Spurs outfit but for a spark late on after a lovely curling cross from Kulu and a nice finish from Tel.
This 90th minute goal was only ever going to be a consolation though after Villa took an early lead in the 1st minute when Ramsey was left clean through on goal and Kinsky was less than impressive with his save attempt.
Most people will point the blame to Porro for the goal as it did come from his side with him nowhere to be seen. Of course this is a fair argument and many of our goals have been conceded this way all season but if your 2 centre half’s choose to mark the same Villa player then it is inevitable their will be a spare Villa player on the far side. It doesn’t seem to matter which centre half pairing we have it is the same defensive mistakes being repeated so once again that can only point to Ange’s no clue football.
Kinsky was kept pretty busy for most of the game with Spurs constantly being found out at the back and it was a matter of time really before Villa found the back of the net again. This came following a failed clearance from Porro which left for an easy tap in and this will only add further fuel to the growing Porro critics.
Personally I like Porro when he’s going forward but it’s fair to say he’s not the best defender in the world lol and the fact that Ange hasn’t identified him as a defensive liability yet is beyond me. He would be better suited as a right forward with someone like Spence playing behind him at full back providing cover, in my opinion.
Kinsky is another player that looks under pressure at the moment after some difficult games but despite the early goal when he should have done better, for the most part he was pretty solid against Villa and at times he kept us in the game with a glimmer of hope.
But it was another poor performance from Spurs and when Ange decided to replace Moore with Bissouma at half time you knew the writing was on the wall. Gray was once again played out of position with the lineup making as much sense as the lineup did against Liverpool.
The players and coach looked as clueless as each other and confidence is clearly low, as the Spurs players spent more time chasing the ball around the pitch like lost school boys. In fact WeareTottenhamTV made a good point that by the time the BBC had finished showing the replay of a Villa shot, Spurs had already lost possession of the ball again from the goal kick and were back under pressure. Despite this onslaught Ange chose to make just the 2 substitutions in the game which showed you even he couldn’t be arsed anymore.
One small positive was Tel who worked tirelessly for the team and he got his reward with a goal late on, whereas it was reported that Son on the other hand had only managed 16 touches of the ball the entire match, which included missing a sitter early on in the game.
The score finished 2-1 to Villa and now all eyes are on the Uefa cup draw, as if we actually have a chance!
All credit to Ange though, he identified the players were over played and exhausted and after the last 2 matches Ange has found the solution, thus reducing their fixtures. Well done Ange!
February 7, 2025
Semi-Final 2nd Leg
Fixture…
Thursday 6th February, 20:00
Liverpool Vs Tottenham Hotspur
Carabao Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg
Available On…
UK TV – Sky Sports Main Event
UK TV – Sky Sports Premier League
UK TV – Sky Sports Football
UK TV – STV Scotland
IRE – UTV Northern Ireland
Bein Sports English 1
Result: 4-0 (Liverpool Win 4-1 Agg)
C. Gakpo (34′)
Mohamed Salah (51′ pen)
D. Szoboszlai (75′)
V. van Dijk (80′)
Match Report…
A tactical f@%k up and another semi final to forget!
Without even a single shot on target Liverpool ran out comfortable winners to put it mildly. We can only be grateful to the Reds team who took pity on us mid game and opted to play the remainder of the game with both legs tied together and hands behind there back. Even with this unified waddle from the reds they still managed to score again from a headed corner in which new signing Danso forgot his feet are actually allowed to leave the ground. Was a semi final really the right time for his debut? Archie was doing quite fine in that role.
On a night we got to witness all three of Levy’s new January signings, players who wikipedia have labelled under the category unknown and ‘proceed with caution’, they were not enough against a Liverpool side who in all fairness never got out of second gear. Not even the overhyped El Tel who apparently was in huge demand the world over was able to get anywhere near the reds goal. Maybe there’s a reason why he was just a bench warmer in the Bundesliga!
After starting the previous four games for Spurs, Richarlison took great offence in being asked of a fifth consecutive start and in response demanded an early hot bath with his favourite rubber pigeon in the 45th minute. Sarrs performance was division 2 standard, Bissouma was even worse and at fault with the opening goal with such a poor pass I suspect he was distracted by Richi splashing away in the bath. Once again, Bentancuur failed to deliver in the big games which leaves us without a single reliable holding midfielder. On top of this Ange chose to drop Bergvall, our only match fit creative midfielder, maybe that explains the zero shots on target! What do you think Ange?
Sonny simply looks broken at this stage of the season and would be more fitting in a home for the elderly. My 96 year old nan with dementia has more clue of what’s going on than Sonny right now, she probably moves quicker too. The poor guy looks lost and it’s a sad way for him to end his Spurs career but I’m sure the shareholders won’t mind.
More substitutions were made in the second half but it was so hopeless by this point they are not even worth mentioning. The players had absolute no belief from start to finish and in a cup game where you are only 90 minutes from a cup final, the difference in the mentality of these two teams couldn’t have been bigger. It was men versus boys and this performance was beyond embarrassing, it was an absolute joke. No belief and no conviction, probably our worst performance of the season although obviously there’s a lot of contenders there.
Kinsky made me nervous from the very start of the game and I wasn’t surprised to see him concede a penalty. From what I have seen of Kinsky since joining Spurs I suspect this is another signing that was meant to fill a hole like it was just a quick bodge job with zero attention to detail. Just get the hole filled said odd job Levy!
Every season teams around us in the Premiership get better as the league gets even tougher and you simply cannot expect to blag your way into the top 4 with a few half arsed signings anymore. The Tottenham ownership have recognised more than anyone over the last 20 years that football has evolved, it’s just a shame they haven’t understood that it’s changed on the pitch too. We have got too many players on the books who think it’s ok to turn up against the likes of Brentford where it’s easy to look good but then disappear against the top 4 sides. If we don’t buy players who believe they are good enough to be in a top 4 side then we will never be a top 4 side.
It’s alright sticking three goals past a bunch of Swedish elf’s and edging out a sub par Brentford, but it was obvious from the first minute Spurs do not have a winning mentality for the big occasion. And this is what happens when you keep buying average players who don’t believe they are good enough to get into a top team. Instead these players sign for Spurs for an easy wage where they find themselves surrounded by like minded players and staff!
One word: Shite!
February 3, 2025
New month, fresh start?
Fixture…
Sunday 2nd February, 14:00
Brentford Vs Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League
Available On…
UK TV – Sky Sports Main Event
UK TV – Sky Sports Premier League
Bein Sports English 2
Optus Sport
More Info…
connect@spursonline.net
Result: 0-2 (Tottenham Win)
V. Janelt (29′ og)
P. Sarr (87′)
Match Report…
With Dragusin now out injured and Van de Ven too unfit to manage another game this week, it meant Davies partnered Gray in the middle with Porro and Spence at full back.
Bergvall was also rested and instead Ange opted for the 2 holding midfielders of Bissouma and Bentancur. This reshape gave Spurs a much better base to control the game from the back and be patient with building up their attacks. Going forward we lacked a bit of creativity with only Kulu offering support to the forwards Moore, Sonny and Richi.
Nevertheless the team looked controlled and it was Spurs that were able to open the scoring on the 29th minute when another curling corner from Sonny found the back of the net via an own goal from Janelt. Slightly fortunate perhaps but we must be due a bit of luck and I don’t have any sympathy for a defender who’s not got his eyes on the ball when the ball is sent into the box. That’s modern defending for you 🙂
Moore was also unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty after great work from Richi allowed Moore to get through on goal, but the referee decided two hands directly in the back of Moore sending him crashing to the floor was a completely legal and acceptable challenge. That’s the modern game for you 🙂
I almost expected Spurs to fall asleep and concede before half time but we were able to hold onto our 1 nil lead. A half time substitute saw Bergvall come on for Moore which probably made sense allowing for a stronger midfield to help maintain control of the game.
Brentford attempted to apply pressure and managed over 30 crosses but the Spurs players never seemed panicked. On 68 minutes, Bissouma who looked steady in that holding position was replaced by Sarr, whilst Scarlett was also given another substitute appearance when he came on to replace Richi. Scarlett couldn’t add to that magical moment on Thursday evening but Sarr got in on the action instead with a nice counter goal and a wonderful through pass from Sonny.
It capped off a professional performance and an important win to stop the rot. Before the game Jamie Carragher had predicted Tottenham would lose the match by 2 or 3 goals so it was good to see the lads prove him wrong! The win takes Spurs up to 14th and with 2 wins and 2 clean sheets, this was just what the players needed before that season defining semi final against Liverpool this Thursday.
COYS!!
January 31, 2025
A bunch of Elfs!
Fixture…
Thursday 30th January, 20:00
Tottenham Hotspur Vs Elfsborg
UEFA Europa League – League Stage
Available On…
UK TV – TNT Sports 2
IRE – Premier Sports 2
More Info…
connect@spursonline.net
Result: 3-0 (Tottenham Win)
D. Scarlett (70′)
D. Ajayi (84′)
M. Moore (90’+4)
Match Report…
The biggest news of the night should have been the confirmation of Van de Vens return but that was soon to be overshadowed. Young Mikey Moore was also given another start alongside Richarlison and Son up front.
Spurs started brightly and Sonny showed plenty of trickery, beating his man on more than one occasion to get to the bar line and make the cross. Both Richarlison and Van de Ven had half chances with headers but it was Moore and Sarr who had the best chances of the half, forcing good saves from the goalkeeper.
Davies, playing on the left side this evening enjoyed the freedom of the inverted full back role to push forward and join the strike force on several occasions, leaving me to wonder what he could have done with that role in his younger days. But for all Tottenhams possession it was a deadlock at half time and Spurs were going to have to be patient to open the scoring.
At half time 3 substitutions were made by Spurs which were clearly planned and explains why Sonny was so lively in the first half, with Kulu coming on in his place. On came Dragusin, with 45 minutes deemed enough for Van de Vens return. Also back from injury was Bissouma who replaced Bentancur. Some sensible squad rotation in preparation for what will be another huge game for Spurs on Sunday.
Spurs started the second half relatively quiet and on the 52nd minute it was Elfsborg who came close to taking a shock lead with an overhead attempt just going over the bar. In all fairness it was probably their first attack on goal in the match. Moments later Porro burst into the box to provide a cross for a diving Bergvall, only to be denied by the goalkeeper once again.
However on 66 minutes Tottenhams injury problems continued with Dragusin hobbling off after only 20 minutes. Dane Scarlett was brought on with a rare appearance which meant a complete reshuffle with Davies coming into centre back with Gray.
With a reshaped front line too it was Kulu who provided a wonderful cross and after only 3 minutes on the pitch it was Scarlett would you believe who broke the deadlock in his first game for Spurs this season with a fabulous leaping header.
In the 80th minute another academy player Ajayi was given an opportunity in place of Richi who had worked hard for the team but never really looked like scoring. It was a night for the super subs because after only 4 minutes on the pitch Ajayi dribbled the ball forward towards the box and made a superb one two with Scarlett before striking it into the bottom corner like it was just another kick about at the park! What a debut and what a moment for the 19 year old.
If you thought that was special young Mikey Moore, determined not to be left out of the limelight made a solo effort from something out of the books of Messi, dribbling the ball forward from near half way line into the box and slotting it home effortlessly. That’s 3 academy players all scoring their first goals for Spurs and just what the fans wanted to see.
At 17 years and 172 days old, Moore has become the youngest English player to score in a major men’s European competition, breaking Jimmy Greaves’ record (17 years 245 days), set in October 1957. For Moore, that’s now 2 assists and 1 goal this month, not a bad return after a lengthy layout.
The final score was 3 nil and it was a professional performance with Tottenham controlling the game from start to finish. It might have only been Elfsborg but after such a poor result against Leicester it was good to see them bounce back. It also meant a guaranteed qualification spot in the Europa League.
It was a great result with a positive attitude from the players and the return of some injured players was excellent news too. But it was the young academy players who stole the show and will be giving the fans a buzz all the way home. Maybe there is hope yet!
COYS!!
January 31, 2025
Its a Must Win!
Fixture…
Sunday 26th January, 14:00
Tottenham Hotspur Vs Leicester City
Premier League
Available On…
Optus Sport 3
Bein Sports English 1
Astro Supersport 2
Hub Premier 1
SuperSport Premier League
More Info…
connect@spursonline.net
Result: 1-2 (Leicester Win)
Richarlison (33′)
J. Vardy (46′)
B. El Khannouss (50′)
Match Report…
Well I said it was a must win but I didn’t say it would be easy. When is it ever easy with us? As expected, it was a tough relegation fight with little separating the teams in the first half, but for a touch of extra class up front for Spurs to edge the battle.
In the 33rd minute a wonderful cross from Porro allowed Richi to head in from close range for a 1-0 lead. Spurs looked for a second goal and Son was unfortunate not to score when hitting the bar from the edge of the box.
The second half kicked off and it was yet another classic Spurs example of us switching off, losing the intensity in our game and allowing Leicester a free pass in front of goal. With just a minute on the clock Vardy scored with his 10th goal against Spurs. Moments later Porro hadn’t learnt his lesson and gifted Leicester a second goal with the sort of poor passing we have become accustomed to all too much under Ange. In a blink of an eye we find ourselves 2-1 down purely through our own stupidity.
Let’s face it, if a team is struggling, they want to come to Spurs, if a striker can’t buy a goal, they want to come to our stadium. We’ve seen it time and time again so it was no surprise to see Spurs crumble this way in the second half.
The Spurs players looked shell shocked with a “here we go again” feeling echoing around the stadium. We are playing a side that has only scored 2 goals in their last 7 Premier matches and have lost all 7 of those matches. Here we are 2-1 down looking rather desperate now to salvage even a draw from this game.
Ange made some changes and on comes Moore for Richi and Reguillon for Sarr, allowing Gray to move into midfield. Spurs push forward and chances are created, Porro hits the bar and then wastes a second opportunity when he selfishly goes for goal himself.
With the clock ticking it’s hard to see how this Spurs team can find their way back into this game and it looks to be another day Spurs regret not being more clinical with their earlier chances when the game could have been killed off. Have Spurs ever killed a game off? I’m not sure that’s even in Spurs vocabulary!
With just 15 minutes remaining it’s all Tottenham but they cannot break down this Leicester defence showing a lack of quality in the final third. As the minutes painfully count down, Spurs efforts look only more desperate and the writing is on the wall. We are looking at a home defeat against a struggling relegation team whose manager looks more clueless than Ange, or perhaps not.
Spurs continue to attack in all fairness and corner after corner the balls are swung in but without Richi on the pitch it’s hard to see where any header is going to come from at this point. Leicester are happy to do what Spurs should have done when taking the lead, they defend deep with numbers and it’s going to take something special to break them down now.
4 minutes into injury time and Ange decides to bring on Lankshear. His actions seem as desperate and hopeless as the atmosphere within the stadium. Not for the first time this season Spurs have been their own worst enemy and have thrown away another lead that will only ask more questions of what the hell is going on at this club?
Fair play to the loyal Spurs fans who keep turning up to support the team, week in week out. Going to home matches in that beautiful stadium must feel a bit like being told you are going to be picked up in a limo for your wedding only to discover Mr. Magoo is behind the wheel.
1 win in 12 Premier games now, it is what it is as Ange would say. What are you doing Levy? You are aware it’s January? Do something before it’s too late! We may be 90 minutes away from a cup final but we’re also just 8 points above the relegation spots.
I’m sure if Ange was put in charge of a school team they could do very well, they might even win something in their second season, but this is the Premier league and he is completely out of his depth with his lack of tactical knowledge. Sooner or later Ange has to go and Mr Levy will have to concede he has made another almighty error of judgment in his managerial recruitment.
It wasn’t that long ago Ange would complain our poor results were down to a lack of game time due to no European football. Now Ange tells us the poor results are down to the players being tired. Personally I have heard enough of the excuses.
Sean from “Spurstalkshow” summed it up well this week when he said “I think there’s 3 teams in the league worse than us”.
Well, one of those sides just beat us! That’s about all we can say on this current Spurs form.

January 24, 2025
Hoffenheim huge for Spurs
Fixture…
Thursday 23rd January, 17.45
Hoffenheim Vs Tottenham Hotspur
UEFA Europa League – League Stage
Available On…
UK TV – TNT Sports 2
IRE – Premier Sports 1
Bein Sports English 1
More Info…
connect@spursonline.net
Result: 2-3 (Tottenham Win)
J. Maddison (3′)
Son Heung-Min (22′, 77′)
A. Stach (68′)
D. Mokwa (88′)
Match Report…
With 14 players missing either through injury or being unavailable for selection it meant more changes to the Spurs lineup. In came Richarlison but out went injured Solanke and Johnson. In came Bentancur but out went injured Bissouma and Sarr. In came Davies to help strengthen the back (in theory) but out was injured Spence and our fourth choice goalkeeper Austin was also to get another rare start.
It was clearly going to be another big test for this Spurs team and so when Pedro Porro pinpointed a direct ball forward to Maddison after just 3 minutes it was just what the doctor ordered. Maddison did exceptionally well to bring the ball down with a single touch and with his second touch he smashes the ball past the stationary goalie. It was a clinical finish and helped settle those early nerves.
Just 20 minutes later Maddison became the provider after a break on the counter Mads released Son to go clear on goal with just the goalie to beat. Lacking in confidence Sonny looked to have scuffed his shot wide only for a deflection off a defenders lunge that saw the ball loop over the goalies head. We were 2 nil up and coasting, what could go wrong? The football was smooth and Spurs were playing with real confidence by this point but of course we know a third may always be vital. A wonderful piece of football saw Richarlison get through and just a simple pass across to Maddison was required and we would be looking at a 3 nil lead by half time. It wasn’t to be however with Richi taking far too long to make the pass and 2 nil it remained for half time.
The second half kicked off and Spurs now find themselves under constant pressure, unable to get hold of the ball for more than a second. However Spurs kept their line and Hoffenheim were resigned to long crosses into the box. Whilst I wouldn’t say Spurs were handling all of these crosses well, for the most part it was better than what we have seen in the past when Spurs throw themselves unnecessarily forward, leaving gaping wide holes at the back. At least in this moment Hoffenheim were going to have to break us down if they wanted to get back into this game.
Looking at the lineup you would have expected the likes of Mads, Sonny and Bentancur to show their maturity and get hold of the ball and just calm everyone’s nerves. But of course this wasn’t the case with both Mads and Sonny guilty of losing possession needlessly and putting us directly under pressure again. Another cross came in and this time Austin was forced into action, leaping in the air and attempting to punch the ball clear. It was a 50-50 challenge against Hoffenheims forward and in normal time it wasn’t clear from where I was sitting, but the referee had no doubt and pointed to the spot for a penalty.
Austin pleaded his innocence to the referee but only VAR could help him now. Looking at the replay in slow motion maybe Austin had a case. The goalie only needed to get a fingertip on that ball before colliding with the forward (with his fist) and we were saved. He did! Hoffenheims player is already stepping up to take the penalty but the referee is going to the TV screen. After seeing the replay in slow motion it was clear for all of us, most importantly the ref, no penalty!
Maybe this was what we needed, a bit of luck, a bit of a breather and time for the leaders on the pitch to get the team reorganised. Spurs get the ball and go on the attack and despite my screams at the TV for them to just hold onto the ball, we lose possession again and this time there’s a counter on for Hoffenheim. But it’s all fine I tell myself as I count the number of white shirts, surely we have this covered? Hoffenheim break down the left flank, getting to the line with ease and putting in a cross unchallenged. At least 3 white shirts in the box yet Hoffenheims Jurásek slots it home from just a couple of yards out. Incredible, had we learnt nothing?
At 2-1 we all know it’s going to get very nervy here on. But Hoffenheim fail to apply further pressure when to be honest, they probably have us on the ropes. Instead, Moore who has replaced Richi brings it forward and with a simple pass to Sonny he uses his trademark sidestep before hooking it into the far bottom corner leaving no chance for the goalie. It was a much needed third goal and maybe a sigh of relief for us all.
Lankshear comes on for Sonny up front who needs to be rested for the weekend’s action. With just 2 minutes of normal time remaining Spurs fall asleep again and Kramarić heads in to make it 3-2. Now we have to just hang on, why do we always do this to ourselves? Thankfully Hoffenheim had little more to give and a vital 3 points in Europe means we now sit in 6th place in the qualification spots.
It was a mixed performance but they did what they had to do and as they say, a win is a win! It’s Leicester City next, another relegation fight, lets just hope no more injuries before now and Sunday.
COYS!
January 19, 2025
Relegation Battle Confirmed
Fixture…
Sunday 19th January, 14.00
Everton Vs Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League
Available On…
UK TV – Sky Sports Main Event
UK TV – Sky Sports Premier League
Optus Sport
SuperSport MaXimo 1
More Info…
connect@spursonline.net
Result: 3-2 (Everton Win)
D. Calvert-Lewin (13′)
I. Ndiaye (30′)
A. Gray (45’+7 og)
D. Kulusevski (77′)
Richarlison (90’+2)
Match Report…
I’m not saying Ange read my last blog but possibly for the first time this season Spurs utilised a back three with Ben Davies joining Gray and Dragusin. Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut because it didn’t help a bit. Without a single holding midfielder on the pitch we were still wide open and so easy to break on the counter. Dragusin and Davies lack the pace required and the jury is still out on new goalkeeper Kinsky. I’m not sure if Kinsky is a good signing but I do find him entertaining and so I guess that fits the Ange way.
It didn’t take long for a team sitting close to the bottom of the league who’s struggling to score goals, to find themselves 2 nil up against Spurs. At the other end of the pitch Son missed an absolute sitter and after only half an hour Spurs looked in real trouble. By half time we were 3 nil down and the writing was on the wall in more ways than one.
With very few options on the bench optimism was low for any remarkable second half turnarounds. Youngsters including Lankshear and Moore were sitting patiently as was Richarlison, returning from another long term injury. It was Richy who got the nod and the back 3 was scrapped with Dragusin being replaced.
Spurs started the second half brighter but with such open play, the risk of conceding more was probably greater than us ever getting on the scoresheet. After 70 minutes Sarr was sacrificed for young Mikey Moore and that was about all we could hope for by this point. Another training exercise for our young players to gain experience.
However, on 76 minutes Tottenham were offered a slim lifeline when Kulusevski scored a wonderful little chip with the goalie off his line, but there were few celebrations from a much deflated Spurs side. A short corner and a beautiful ball in to the far post from young Moore in the 93rd minute allowed Richarlison to score on his return from injury and against his former club. With the scoreline now 3-2 there was a frantic last few moments around the Everton goal area but it was too little too late for Tottenham Hotspur.
With so many injuries it can be understood why we are struggling but questions still need to be asked of Ange’s system and Levy’s lack of activity in a time of crisis. If you don’t have the players to make the system work you have to adapt, it’s as simple as that. If you don’t know how to adapt then go back to your school boy league, because this is the Premier league and quite frankly you’re not only embarrassing yourself, you’re making a mockery of this club, which takes some doing after the last 20 years under Levy’s Spurs.
But what can we expect from a manager who refuses to change his high line defence when going down to only nine men against Chelsea, or from a chairman who refuses to buy a single player for more than 16 months.
We are now more than half way through the January transfer window and all we have added is a goalkeeper. What is this club doing? Get in Toney, get in Eze, get someone in who can make an instant impact. We have an abundance of players for the ‘future’ and we don’t need any more average players, we need a top class player who can come into this team and make an actual difference.
With regards to the injuries It’s no coincidence most of our injuries are hamstring problems and I don’t accept it’s just bad luck. If players are constantly overstretching or over trying these sorts of injuries can occur. For me this suggests the players are just not relaxed in their play and this over trying results from acts of desperation. A poor run of results and this set of players are looking both physically and mentally drained. Ange cannot get these long term absentees back quick enough I’m sure.
However I’m just not convinced that if we had a full squad available our performances would be any more consistent but we cannot ignore the fact that the injury crisis has gone from bad to worse and the results have followed suit.
If you were in any doubt before the Everton game about the threat of relegation, take a look at the league table, we are now sitting 15th in the league. Just 19 wins from 49 Premier league games now for Ange. Time is running out.
January 16, 2025