Match Report: Spurs 2 Saints 3 & Match Review: v Wolves (Sunday)

Match Report: Spurs 2 Saints 3 & Match Review: v Wolves (Sunday)

I took Janette to the game on Wednesday, and even though she had a brilliant day, the game wasn't in the bracket of what she calls a poor moment. And I concur. I would imagine that the majority of those that witnessed the game (live or on TV) thought the same. Not that Janette had a brilliant day, just that we were not up to the standards of what one would call part of a brilliant day.

Janette thought we played as if we were Away, not at home. Again, I've got to concur. We had no midfield (or they didn't turn up), no creative maker…  nothing. After the Brighton game, a total poor performance. We could have gone above Arsenal and be even on points with United… but we are still in seventh place and seem to be trying to fortify ourselves there, not fighting as challengers for a right to be in the top four. On our performance on Wednesday night, we didn't deserve to be with the elite of the Champions League.

The day started on a high, gym and then at 12.30, I went to pick Janette up in Cheltenham (from Berkshire). Left a bit late, but got to the ground just after the doors opened… traffic was pretty good for that time of evening.

Once in – Mel was already there – we got drinks and food, others arrived, and we partied… well, a party is a euphemism for just drinking and chatting our way through the three hours before kickoff. At the start, we were all confident… I said we would win by 4 and no returns… we were better, I thought… then everything started to cave in. Granted, it was 1-1 at halftime, but that didn't stop a not brilliant team from humiliating us, and humiliate us, they did. As Janette said after the game, good day, poor performance… As for Terry; what he said was unprintable and left straight after the match… so did Mel. Which left Rick, Beverely, Steve, Janet and a few others soaking their/ our misery in our sorrows/ drink (of course, I didn't drink as I was driving.. and no, I didn't kick the cat.. l left that to the Spammers player Zouma… and he did… granted, it was before our game against the Saints… but he kicked it so hard that the kicking sounds reverberated even while we were being embarrassed at the Tottenham stadium and no doubt beyond).

But let us get the humiliation over with:

Ralph Hasenhuttl says his team produced the best performance of his tenure; Maybe, but it was because our team was crap and made his team look good. Our forwards were better players than theirs (or supposed to be). Looking at both teams, we should have won this game, hands down.

Their Che Adams headed the winner in the 82nd minute; three minutes after Mohamed Elyounoussi beat our keeper.

Jan Bednarek had earlier turned the ball into his own net to open the scoring when under pressure. Then their Armando Broja levelled soon after in a powerful first-half performance from them in which Romain Perraud also struck the crossbar.

Second half

We struggled to contain the Saints in the first half, but after the break, Son put us in front… then tragedy struck again when they scored twice in 2 minutes.

My thoughts

We failed to clear a Ben Davies' miscue; Perraud zipped a pass to Broja and intuitively turned a side-foot finish into the corner. Where were we to allow this to happen? Was this the point our downward spiral started?

Southampton had not won at our ground since a 2-1 victory at White Hart Lane in May 2016 and looked to be heading for their sixth successive defeat when they suddenly turned things around, and before you knew it, it was over, the laugh was on us!

Our win against Brighton on Saturday was one good performance since Conte's arrival, that is why I expected us to build on that result and go out and thrash the Saints… but we did what we always do… have a couple of great games, expectations high, then we go and lose it (Spursy).

We did open the scoring, with Hojbjerg's low ball turned in by Bednarek and then for Son to score. From there, we should have continued to press and have taken the initiative away from Southampton… but they reversed everything and took control.

I thought Rodrigo Bentancur had a good game; he showed he could be a helpful addition following his arrival from Juventus. Winks was hopeless, and it showed we needed Skipps back.

I am sure that Conte will be furious and will kick a few arses (not cats, we leave that to Spammers players). He has been working with them for three months and indeed expected better… more so after the Brighton game, but instead got shit kicked in his face.

It is the manager's first home defeat as Spurs boss but a second on the bounce in the Premier League and one that leaves us four points adrift of West Ham in fourth, albeit with three games in hand. So, let us leave that sorry affair behind and do what we always do, hope things will get better next time around… then, no doubt, the cycle starts all over again…

Janette and I got back to her place at 1.30 in the morning… we had to stop a few times on the way to get mouth refreshments. I stayed the night and got home at 9.30 am.

Match Preview: Spurs v Wolves

After that shambles against a poor Southampton side, we now face Wolves at home (three home games in a row). If we can't beat them, then they will go above us, and we will fall further behind.

No Janette with me this time around… as I couldn't get her a ticket. Usually, my seating neighbour at the ground can't go so he offers me his ticket. Janette will have to wait until the Everton game (Monday night) before she can grace the Tottenham stadium once more. Instead, it will be Mel and myself that will be travelling together again. However, it will be different as I will be picking him up (as I will be staying in Cheltenham); usually, he drives to my house, and I go from there.

Team News

Too early to say, but I believe Skipp could be ready, and if so, he will replace Winks. There will be a few other changes, going by our result against Southampton. But as my review is a lot earlier than usual, I'll pass on that one for the moment (more information will be in the press nearer the time).

My thoughts and score prediction

I am expecting us to win against Wolves at our Tottenham stadium. I am also going for a 3-1 result… the same as we beat Brighton at the same venue.         

Wolves are sitting 2 pts behind us, and if they should win, they would push us further behind… by going above us… but we don't want that, do we? Yes, I am predictable (going for a win)… but at my age – and somebody who has seen real glory at Tottenham, that is all I've got… optimism and hope!

Tottenham Hotspur v Wolves

Met 89 times in the league before, Spurs 44, Draws 17, Wolves 28

Already met in the league this season, Wolves 0-1 Spurs

Also met in the EFL Cup this season, Wolves 2-2 Spurs

Last season's repeat fixture ended, Spurs 2-0 Wolves

Both teams scored in 9 of the previous 12 head-to-heads (all comps)

4 of the last 11 head-to-heads ended in draws (all comps)

Spurs are unbeaten in 10 of their last 12 vs Wolves

Spurs have scored in their previous 12 vs Wolves

Spurs have lost just 3 of their last 15 home games vs Wolves (all comps)

5 of the last 8 head-to-heads went OVER 2.5 GOALS (all comps)

 

We still have a fair few games in hand on the other teams around us in the Premier League, so we are very much in the race for a top-four place… but we are pushing our luck. If we do get into the top four spot, a Goddess will be looking down on us and guiding us in the right direction. Amen!

Coys!

All the best, Glenn