Spurs Online

Tag: AZ

  • This is the end?

    This is the end?

    Preview:

    We have said it before but it feels like another “do or die” game for Ange.

    Fixture:

    Thursday 13th March, 20:00

    Tottenham Hotspur Vs AZ (Agg 0-1)

    UEFA Europa League – Last 16 (Second Leg)

    Available On:

    UK TV – TNT Sports 3

    IRE – Premier Sports 2

    Result: 3-1 (Agg 3-2) Tottenham Qualify

    W. Odobert (26′, 74′)

    J. Maddison (48′)

    P. Koopmeiners (63′)

    Match Report:

    I think Ange must have 9 lives or something as once again he survives another must win game. True it was only against 6th placed AZ at the end of the day, not exactly a great achievement, but for this Spurs team any victory feels like a hard fought struggle.

    Despite boasting 60% possession and managing 17 shots, Spurs only had 4 shots on target so it was a relief to see 3 of them go in! With the return of the centre back partnership of Romero and Van de Ven the team looked more balanced at the back with VDV bringing the ball out confidently on multiple occasions. It wasn’t until we saw VDV substituted in the 2nd half did things begin to go a little wayward. Nevertheless we weathered a mini storm from AZ and replied well with that vital 3rd goal.

    For much of the game we dominated in possession without being spectacular and when we did push forward to attack, early chances were either wasted from Sons solo efforts or they hit a red wall with a lack of movement in the final third.

    However whilst we may have been fortunate with the opening goal which rebounded off Son to Solanke, the 2nd and 3rd goals certainly had more class with the 3rd goal in particular starting at the back and finishing with an easy tap in from Odobert. Son, when he was able to resist the temptation to wastefully shoot, was actually involved in all 3 goals and Solanke too played a great part in 2 goals with a lovely flick on (yes I believe he meant it) for Odobert’s winning goal.

    All in all it was a job well done, we’re in the Quarters!

    Entertainment Value: 7/10

    Standout Players: Van de Ven gives us another dimension at the back and Bergvall is developing every week, but we shouldn’t get carried away with him just yet.

  • All the Eggs are in!

    All the Eggs are in!

    Fixture:

    Thursday 6th March, 17:45

    AZ Vs Tottenham Hotspur

    UEFA Europa League – Last 16 (First Leg)

    Available On:

    UK TV – TNT Sports 3

    IRE – Premier Sports 2

    beIN Sports English 2

    Result: 1-0 (AZ Win 1st leg)

    L. Bergvall (18′ og)

    Match Report:

    So great news on the return of Van de Ven, Romero and Solanke who all traveled with the team and were on the bench. Of course in typical Spurs fashion though in came 3 players and out went the 1 player Kulu, who ironically is injured after being given a rest against Man City. He’s out til April so that worked well. I’m guessing players are now being over rested?

    So with the bulk of players having returned from injury it is fair to say we no longer want to hear the injury and fatigue excuses. After 2 seasons of rebuilding it is time for this team to walk the walk!

    So it began….

    After 15 minutes of play I was beginning to wonder if Spurs would join AZ and make a game of it. 3 minutes later AZ go 1 nil up from a corner via a slice from Bergvall into his own net that he will not be forgetting for a while:)

    Clearly against there wishes Spurs now had a game on there hands and would need to find second gear or at least get out of reverse. Unfortunately the rest of the half passed with very little to get excited about if you’re a Spurs fan. There was a few comical moments however with an hilarious training ground freekick that went as well as it probably had all week they had rehearsed it. 

    And Bergvall seemed to have put on 2 left footed boots for this match with the ball going the opposite way it was meant to on several occasions as his brain and feet were about as in sync as the rest of the teams passing abilities to find one another. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Bergvall fan but sometimes it’s just not your day!

    At half time Ange made a change bringing on Odobert in place of Tel, with Son moving into the middle.  Playing Son as centre forward hardly gives me confidence but if Odobert could show the glimpses of form he did against Man City it really couldn’t be any worse than the first half display, could it?

    Despite my naive Spurs optimism it didn’t get much better. The midfield continued to be non existent and the defence was simply all over the place. The front line lacked any real threat and after an hour of play I was looking at the bench wondering who can change this around, even if Ange wasn’t.

    Danso and Udogie both looked tired and couldn’t cope with the pace of the game, which made me wonder just how many of our players were struggling to overcome there jet lag from the long trip over the channel. I like Maddison but he was having no impact in this technical game of pong. I’m guessing Mads is more of a Donkey Kong fan! His time was up in this game.

    70 minutes in, 1 nil down and Ange decides maybe he needs to make some changes. By this point I’m not even thinking of us rescuing a draw and a 1 nil defeat would be the best we can hope for from this pathetic display. On came Porro, Solanke and Sarr, at least we had a striker on the pitch, that should help us?

    With ten minutes remaining Spurs were passing the ball sideways across the back line making sure we didn’t slip up and give away this 1 nil defeat, although Danso was doing his best to help AZ double there lead. Someone needs to buy that guy a new pair of boots with studs that work, either that or teach him how to run without falling over. I’m sure I’ve seen a useful guide in a toddlers book for this.

    With the clock ticking I couldn’t recall a single decent chance for Spurs the entire game. And it wasn’t going to be as Solanke hobbles off the pitch after just 20 minutes with another injury, this team is cursed I’m sure! Solanke is done for the day and that pretty much sums up Spurs day, a complete anti climax!

    Each week I think we have produced our worst performance of the season but all credit to Ange, he manages to outdo himself game after game. 8 days they had to prepare for this 6th placed team in Eredivisie. Remarkable!

    Are you not entertained? No mate!