Match report: Burnley 1 Spurs 0 ("Spursy" or just a blip - another blip! -?)
Match report: Burnley 1 Spurs 0 ("spursy" or just a blip - another blip! -?)
When we had three defeats in a row, I said that
we would beat City… that is what we do… collapse against weaker opposition and
then surprise everybody with a win over a top team… then we drop back to earth
with a bump (By being beaten by Burnley… a team that is struggling at the other
end of the table). I hoped it wouldn't be so, but it was… it is called being "Spursy".
After the game, I heard Spurs supporters cursing
the team, Levy and Conte. One fan suggested that we should change our emblem
from a Cockaral to a Penguin. Another said they wanted to kick the cat… then
thought better of it, as he didn't want to be associated with the Spammers. There
was banging on the toilet walls and other such shows of anger. "Levy out,"
some shouted. Some even shouted, "kick him his accountancy balls."
To be honest, all roads lead back to Daniel
Levy. He had about 18 managers, all sacked, under his tuition and only one
trophy to show for his years in charge. Twenty-two years in charge, and for
that, he got Spurs into the dictionary with the word "spursy".
I also heard people shout, "We want Scholar
back," or "bring back Sugar."
I won't point the finger at Conte, but Levy. He
has built a profitable money-spinning machine for him and his wealthy cohorts …
for the fans, he created failure on the pitch.
Our
trip to Burnley.
I was picked up at 12.30, and we did 4 hours of
travelling to get to the ground (stopping on the way for refreshments), finally
reaching the ground at 5 pm. Parking at the Burnley cricket ground and then
going to the Cricket building to mingle with other Spurs supporters. Then into
the ground.
The
match
Struggling Burnley secured back-to-back Premier
League wins for the first time in 13 months over Brighton and us. Their skipper
Ben Mee scored the only goal to beat us on a rain-lashed Turf Moor. Mee rose
above Cristian Romero to meet Josh Brownhill's and past Hugo Lloris and into
the far corner.
That goal secured a victory that takes Burnley to within two points of safety
given their better goal difference - and within striking distance of three of
the four sides immediately above them. We are still in 8th position,
but with our games in hand, gradually dwindling away.
This was an inordinately upsetting night for our
fans and diminishing any chance of a top-four spot.
Thoughts
After a poor opening period, Harry Kane hinted
at better when he headed against the bar at the start of the second half. Dejan
Kulusevskialso went close just before Burnley's opener, with Nick Pope saving
from Steven Bergwijn's search for an equaliser.
This game was supposed to be played in November but
was called off 45 minutes before kick-off after heavy snowfall. This rematch
survived extreme conditions, but the rain contributed to an awful opening
period in which there was just a single shot on target, from Burnley's
Brownhill, that was easily saved by Lloris.
Rodrigo Bentancur lost his footing as he turned
to chase Brownhill and doing the splits. He was able to continue, although he
was replaced at half-time.
After watching the match on TV afterwards, I noticed
the cameras were on Conte at the final whistle, walking alone down the same touchline
as Burnley fans celebrated a famous win.
After the game, Conte said that he might not be
the right man for the job following a fourth defeat in five Premier League
games that have left us eighth and seven points off a Champions League place. The
problem isn't him, but Levy and Lewis, who have never back their managers in
the transfer window. They've only backed themselves.
It was only the second time in 13 meetings that Burnley
had beaten us. If people can remember the previous occasion, which was exactly
three years ago, it triggered the collapse in our form under Pochettino that
marked the start of the chaos we are still to emerge from.
But more can I say? After the game and witnessing
the anger from our supporters, we trudged back to our car in the pouring rain and
then a 4 hour drive back home. I finally got to bed at 2.45 pm.
COYS!
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