A weird FA Cup 3rd Rd day.
Middlesbrough 1 Spurs 1 FA Cup third Rd.
Yes, a
weird day, more ways than one. It all started off with me changing my schedule
because my mum (who is 92) was rushed to hospital with cancer, so instead of
going to London on Saturday, I left for London on Friday evening. The next day,
with Hanna, we went to visit my mum (in Lowestoft), then on Sunday, I got up
early to get a coach to Middlesbrough (from Lee Valley). My phone satnav packed
up and the car one gave me wrong directions. Then google map tried to send me in
a different direction. But as I roughly knew my way, I got there in the end.
My
coach left (four coaches in all) at 5.20 am. A dark and miserable morning. We
did, however, stop on the way at a Service Station for an hours break. There
was, however, an incident with alcohol on the coach (you are not allowed on
football coaches with alcohol). Somebody smuggled it on and got caught. The
driver wanted to throw them off, but the Spurs Stewards refused. No doubt they
will be reported, and sanctions will be imposed against the culprits. Moving
on…
About
fifteen miles away from the stadium (about 12ish), we pulled into a service
station where there were four police cars and three police motorcycle waiting
(I bet some heads ducked!). We thought, what is happening here? Intriguing!
What was happening was that they were there to give us an escort to the
stadium. Now, I’ve travelled all over Britain and Europe to watch Spurs play,
and it was only countries like Italy or Greece that gave you police escorts
(apart from the bad old troubled days where you got a police escort wherever
you went… violence was part of the fabric of football back then… oh, I remember
those days well!). I am not talking about the standard police presence here. We
all thought it was over the top. They obviously had nothing better to do and no
criminals to catch in that part of the country.
On the
plus side, we got to the ground quicker (traffic was held up to let us pass as
if we were royalty!). Once off the coach, we mingled (nobody came to ask for
our autographs, a bit of a let down). As for the stadium security; no bag
checks, no body checks. We just had to show our ticket and through.
Usually,
I complain about standing, this time around it there were many seats unoccupied
(that was for home and away supporters), so we could sit and watch the game in
peace. Obviously only a game for the hardcore supporters. What other idiots
wanted to travel to an away match on a cold January day when you can sit
comfortably at home and watch it on the box? Yes, I’ll put my hand up as being
one of those idiots.
Jonathan
Woodgate and assistant Robbie Keane were in charge at Middlesbrough (ex-Spurs).
Our talents spread, that is the players, not mine (oh, I wish!).
The
game kicked off to a scrappy affair. But by the second half, we were better,
but not winnable better though.
Jose
Mourinho admitted we were "in trouble" but praised the players'
reaction as they came back to draw at Middlesbrough and force an FA Cup
third-round replay. Weren’t we all!
We
named a full-strength team, bar the injured Harry Kane, but trailed to the
Championship side when Ashley Fletcher ran on to George Saville's ball and
slotted home. Lucas Moura saved us with a fine header from Serge Aurier's
cross.
Mourinho
thought Fletcher was offside for Boro's goal, but actually seemed pleased that
the video assistant referee system was not in action. "The Middlesbrough
goal is offside. VAR would give [the offside decision]. But the game was good.
The referee was Stuart [Attwell], not some guy in an office 200 miles
away," he said,
Moura
twice went close to a winner, with goalkeeper Tomas Mejias stopping his
long-range shots.
Aurier
could have won the game for Mourinho's side in the closing minutes but fired an
effort well over the bar. Fletcher had an earlier chance to make it 2-1 to
Middlesbrough - managed by one-time Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate - but shot
straight at Paulo Gazzaniga.
After
the game back to the coach, another escort part of the way, a bit later a
10-minute stopover and then we were back at Lee Valley by 9.15 pm. From there
to Goodmayes to pick my dog up and then drive home (got home at about
midnight).
Overall,
bad result, not an excellent performance, but we’ve got another crack at the FA
cherry. As for the rest of the day; very enjoyable. Interesting discussions,
friends met and terrific camaraderie (as you get with Spurs supporters). Just
wish that the team bucked their ideas up. There is talent there waiting to
dazzle us (and the world).
The
replay at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be on Tuesday, 14 January.
"We
wanted to win, but we knew it would be difficult. We managed to bring the game
to our stadium. It's a game we don't need, our squad is short with so many
problems - but it's a game at home, and we have to go for it," said
Mourinho.
Our
next match is in the League this Saturday at 5.30pm against Liverpool.
All the
best, Glenn Renshaw
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