Spurs 2 Royal Antwerp 0; and I was there!

 

Spurs 2 Royal Antwerp 0; and I was there!

Yes, I was there and what an exciting day it was. Christmas came early for me.

When you go to a game, you often see those people who come to Spurs once in a lifetime,  as a treat. They get their two-team scarfs, kitted out etc., and are very excited, and it will probably be the highlight of their day or even year? Well, I felt like that going to Spurs after such a long time absent (no, I didn’t get a two-team scarf). After 10  months of starvation, I was finally there. The last game I went to see before the lockdown was against Leipzig in Germany.

I left home at 12.30. It took me nearly a two-hour drive to the ground (road works made it longer). As I drove down White Hart Lane, the hairs on the back of my neck started to prick up. Then the stadium came into sight, and my emotions tried to take over, but self-control won out in the end (just!). I then parked in Sainsbury’s car park and contacted  Shannyn – a Premium member – who I met outside Lilyhouse and surprise surprise, she brought Steph with her (another Premium young lady). We had a great chat; Spurs, lockdown etc. I hadn’t seen them for 10 months (but often spoke on the phone).

After meeting the two young Spurs ladies, I went to the Spurs shop and purchased some stuff. I must say the shop was a letdown. It was dead and not that much new stock in. You usually get flooded with Christmas items etc. I left with two calendars, a mug and two beanie hats. Anyway, after that (I wasn’t allowed in until 6.30, and it was only 4pm) I drove around for an hour or so, to kill time. Then I parked up near the stadium. On my way, I saw another member – a box holder – who asked me if I wanted a lift. He parks underneath the stadium. So off we went to the back off the stadium (Worcester Avenue). There we were confronted with security and roadblocks, and his car registration was scanned. Security dogs sniffed around his car (in case there were explosives hidden or maybe an Arsenal fan trying to get a look at a real team and stadium!), we then had to queue up along the wall until let in (at 6pm). Once allowed in, it was amazing. The car park underneath the stadium was massive. I’ve got a Sainsbury’s superstore near me with an enormous car park, Tottenham’s underground parking facilities seemed more gigantic than that.

Once we left the car, we had to be checked in (temperature, tickets etc.). There I parted from my friend. I made my way up to ground level. Got my programme. My emotions were working overtime. I couldn’t believe I was back. I’ve been going to Spurs for over 60s years. And in all that time – apart from going to live in Australia for a couple of years in the late 60s/ early 70s -  I’ve never been this long away from Tottenham game.

Up to the third tier and was greeted with familiar faces (from the staff), but not, sadly, from supporters I knew (unless they were hiding behind their face masks). I then was guided to my allocated restaurant area. Then directed to my “alone” table. Just me, myself and I (in case I infected anybody else). There I was shown how to order from the menu by using my phone (excellent). The food was free and as much as you want. Drinks, you had to pay for (but not in the interval). So I had two meals and a pint. Followed by a soft drink and crisps. The restaurant manager, who I knew from Wembley and the Valentine’s dinner, came over for a chat. After that, I was left alone to digest the reality of my situation. After sitting on my own for a while, and feeling like a spare whatsit in a house of ill repute, I decided to make my way to my seat. I am usually in Block 311, but this time I was in Block 308, Row 1, seat 168. Again, the distant code was in force, as if I was a rabid dog that had to be isolated. But once the game kicked-off, it felt all familiar, and everything fell into place.

So, that’s it and bye… Oh, yes, the most crucial part, the game. Silly me!!

To the match:

Jose Mourinho said after the game that it is impossible to keep his whole squad happy after his second-string side beat Royal Antwerp. We now have progressed to the last 32 as Group J winners in the Europa League. Hurray!! But there was really no doubt about the result.

As you all know, Mourinho has stuck to a relatively consistent first eleven in the League this season and has been pleased by our current situation at the top.

Some players were rested from the League game for this match, which included Harry Kane and Son, thus allowing players like Gareth Bale, Carlos Vinicius and Harry Wink’s to get a crack at the whip. However, and for the last part of the game and hopefully push our goal tally upwards, Kane and Son were brought on to great cheers from the crowd. Some of the players rose to the occasion, with Vinicius tapping in the opener after the visiting goalkeeper Alireza Beiranv had palmed Bale's dipping, long-range free-kick on to the post.

Giovani lo Celso was the best player on the pitch, capping his display with a neat finish for the second, laid on by substitute Kane. Others endured an unsatisfying evening, such as Harry Winks, who departed down the tunnel straight after being substituted, and Dele Alli, who did not participate at all and also left the bench briefly after Mourinho had made his fifth and final change. All under the gaze of us 2,000 watching supporters, oh, and the TV cameras.

Mourinho told BT Sport, "I can't keep the squad happy. I believe they are happy because we are winning, but they're not happy because they're not playing. Every player that left the pitch I told them to go to the shower because it was cold. Some decided to go, and some decided to stay. It's an impossible job to keep every player happy and if you go to every club people who don't play aren't happy."

On the subject of Alli, he added: "Let's not run away from reality. A player on the bench who realises all five subs have been used of course is not a happy player, and I would not expect him to be happy."

Alli and Winks have started just four games each this season.

My thoughts on the match.

It was apparent how much more dynamic and dangerous we were when Kane and Son were introduced, resulting in the second goal and the two thousand crowd going berserk, dancing, chanting and enjoying the occasion.

We will now be in the seeded pot for Monday's draw, which should bring us a more sympathetic tie in the last 32. Antwerp will join us as unseeded group runners-up.

As you all know Antwerp beat a very lacklustre Spurs in our away fixture in October, in which Mourinho made four changes at half-time and voiced his displeasure. In spite of this, we were a better team in our home match, nevertheless, the first half we yielded few chances and little evidence that those on the periphery of the first team were deserving of a Premier League start.

Our second team were able to take the lead thanks to Vinicius' third goal for us, all of which have come in the Europa League, but it was interesting that Mourinho turned to his big guns almost immediately to ensure that our lead was in no doubt.

As for Bale; we were all glad to get to see him play, which those who went to the Arsenal game didn’t manage. When he was eventually subbed, he was given a standing ovation.

On Lo Celso

There was a noticeable lift from the substitutions, with Son drawing a good save from Beiranvand before Kane headed just wide from a corner. Lo Celso ensured the win, capping a man-of-the-match display in which he was at the heart of.

The Stats

Harry Kane has 13 assists in all competitions this season, the most of any player within Europe's top-five leagues - three ahead of Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne with 10.

Including qualifiers, we have won seven of our nine European matches in 2020-21 (D1 L1).

We recorded six consecutive home wins in all competitions for the first time since December 2018.

In all competitions, Harry Kane has been directly involved in more goals in 18 appearances this season (27 - 14 goals, 13 assists) than he was in 34 appearances in 2019-20 (26 - 24 goals, two assists).

Carlos Vinicius has been directly involved in six goals in three Europa League appearances at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (three goals, three assists).

Jose Mourinho has won 18 of his past 19 home matches in games played on Thursday (D1), winning all five with us.

We have won 15 of our18 home Europa League group-stage matches (D2 L1).

Before I leave you, let me add; in the interval, I left my seat to go back to my table in the restaurant where I was given free doughnuts, popcorn and my complimentary pint. Then back to my seat to cheer the players on to victory.  

We got behind the team with our cheering and singing. When the goals went in, we did our usual ritual of cries, ovations etc., sadly, no back-slapping or hugging (I bet some were disappointed, as it could have been the highlight of their day). Then the final whistle was blown, and we got to our feet to applaud the team to the regular Spurs anthem. Then it was all over!

On the way out I saw my friend, and he offered me a lift to my car. We went down the steps to the car park. Instead of departing from where we went in, we exited on to the High Road side. The stewards held up the traffic to let us out and onto the road.

Upon reaching my car, I made my way home. Usually, I would get home at about 1.30 pm. Because we couldn’t really stay afterwards and not much traffic on the road, I was home by 12.

So, that was my Christmas present, and an enjoyable one it was, and of course a great result. The next day it all hit me, I felt exhausted; eventually, getting up at 8am.

What next for us?

Our next game is against Crystal Palace on Sunday (14:15 GMT).

That is all folks, enjoy, stay safe and see you all soon.

Glenn