Spurs friendy wins over Reading (4-1) & Birmingham City (1-0)

 

Spurs friendy wins over Reading (4-1) & Birmingham City (1-0)

Friendly: Spurs 4 Reading 1

The first match was scheduled for 3pm but ended up starting at 3.30 because of holdups on the M4 (for Reading).

Once the kick-off started the first half was a good game, the second was more of a tryout. Son marked his fifth birthday at the club with a goal in a 4-1 friendly win over Reading. Son, who signed on August 28 2015 (from Bayer Leverkusen) showed his worth with an excellent display. He was sharp and always eager to go for the ball. We brushed aside the Championship opposition.

Yes, the magnificent Son was on the scoresheet in the first half, along with Dele Alli and an own goal, with Erik Lamela adding a fourth after the break. George Puscas scored a late penalty for Reading.

Own goals were our second-top scorer behind Harry Kane following the Premier League's restart last season, and our luck continued with Omar Richards miskicked a clearance into his own net after just after 5 minutes.

Alli produced some excellent football in the 21st minute as he elevated the ball over Readings goalkeeper Rafael after Lucas Moura's through-ball. Moura, himself, was involved in a beautiful third goal six minutes before the break as he passed to Steven Bergwijn, who gave to Son to fire home.

The interval came for that much-needed refreshment (me, not the players) and then ready for the second half.

The Half-time brought changes, and one of them, Lamela, made an immediate impact as he lifted a free-kick over the wall and into the corner for the fourth goal.

Reading weren't to be left out as they got on the scoresheet in the final 15 minutes when Puscas powerfully converted a penalty; this was given for handball on the line by Cameron Carter-Vickers.

As I said, an excellent first half, but more of a kick-round and a showcase for Mourinho to pick or dismiss for the up and coming season. Next up will be Birmingham City, tomorrow (Saturday at 3pm).

A good amusement for a Friday afternoon (when most were at work) for the supporter starved of football. Granted, this wasn't a substitute, but a starter for things to come.

Now we can have a good nights sleep, knowing we have won another friendly positive result. All done in the best possible Spurs taste.

One side note; at half time they showed you the game from 2007 against Reading (at White Hart Lane) where we won 6-4, I remember it well. And it was nice to look back at the old stadium and some great players.

After a good nights rest and 24 hours later we have another game, this time against Championship side Birmingham City.

 

Friendly; Spurs 1 Birmingham City 0

Within the dying minutes, Steven Bergwijn secured a third win for us in this pre-season game. A win also in as many days with a 1-0 victory over Birmingham City.

The first half wasn't a pleasing sight as Spurs struggled to get through—Birmingham were happy to sit and defend. After beating the Royals 4-1, 24 hours earlier, our coach made many changes for the Birmingham game. Joe Hart was handed the goalkeeper's jersey, with Dier captaining a side of mostly kids still in their Spurs training nappies.

After the game, Jose Mourinho spoke to Spurs TV. He was pleased by the way the youngsters handled themselves, along with more senior players, persevering right to the final whistle. Of course, some may have forgiven them if they had eased off, but no, the new Mourinho outlook-boys have been taught to stick with it right to the end, and it paid off. All in good stead for the beginning of the season. Next week we play Watford away (no TV)… so none of us will be voyeurs for that match.

We have now scored eight and conceded just a penalty in our three pre-season tryouts to date. Mourinho must be feeling happy and looking forward to the start of the new season.

The mixture of experience and youthful enthusiasm that was on display over the last three games, I am sure, Mourinho will take a lot of positiveness from it and feel content with the up and coming season ahead of him. I also have no doubt that there will be a few more players coming in and maybe one or two go.

As for Birmingham, they tried to hold out for a draw and conducted themselves well.

I am surprised that Kane didn't get a look in, but in the end, we won, and that is what counts, oh, and the youngsters showed their mettle.

So there you have it. A bit of a mixture; boring, from the point of the viewer, but well worth it from Mourinho's standpoint.

So two days of Spurs entertainment and it didn't cost the punter a penny, unless, of course, you were a none member then you probably would have had to fork out £10 per game or go without and save your pennies for a trip to the shop for ice cream treats. Or had both.

Next up Watford away (friendly) September 5 (Saturday) 3pm.

Until next time, all the best, Glenn