Pre-season events, travels, surprised or not surprised dealings, news etc.

 Pre-season events, travels, surprised or not surprised dealings, news etc.

The pre-season, the friendlies, the events, all those anxieties before the start of our new season… and then… Leicester City away.

We can't help but be optimistic for the upcoming season, as we do at the beginning of every season (under Daniel, it has been a chore).

Casting our minds back to the last game of the season, where we faced Sheffield United and won, simultaneously pushed the Blades into the Championship to end their season; As for us: all that palaver for a Europa League placing. There is no Champions League or even silverware… it was just a hard slog to finish 5^th in the league. Ah, well, what do you expect from the board's philosophy!! We compete, but not as City or Arsenal do…. We just compete above the likes of the Spammers, Villa, etc. Will this season be any different? Well, I shall predicted a top four finish and fingers crossed. 

After the final game of the season, Spurs jetted off to Australia with Newcastle to give an exhibition game to the Bush Kangaroos, Kolas and Kookaburra’s, which we lost, and then home again. Followed by European Champions Nations games, where Southgate was humiliated, and we – as in England – were left trophyless once again…. At least our last silverware wasn’t as far back as England's. Anyway, Southgate resigned for his troubles (and not a day too soon), and now they are looking for a new manager (permanent, not the caretaker one we got). Some have suggested that Postecoglou will get the next England job while that prick gets Ange’s job. I don’t think so! I know Daniel Levy is supposed to admire Southgate, which is consistent with his other selections, but really, Southgate? Anyway, Ange-balls has poo-pooed the idea (as most sensible people would do). Wise man. In Postecoglou, we have faith; in Southgate, we would see more failure… as England did…. And Middlesbrough… in fact, didn’t they get relegated when he was in charge? Now the rumours are that Graham “Harry” Potter, with his magic spells, could be the man to change our country's fortunes, just as he did for Chelski… But enough of these boring shenanigans. As long as the FA pull the strings, we’ll just be doing the puppet thing. In the 60s, we won the World Cup, and on TV were Gerry Anderson’s puppets (Stingray, Fireball XL5, Captain Scarlett, Thunderbirds etc.); now the FA seem to have combined Anderson’s puppet with the FA’s insane dictatorial fuck-ups! This would be another imaginary inventive screenplay, playing out on the world stage to the humiliation of England, but that isn’t our concern!!!

My first summer holiday trip was to travel to Scotland… Yes, with Mel, we travelled to Edinburgh to see Hearts take on the mighty Spurs and get thrashed for their troubles (they lost 5-1). Then, three days later, we went to Shepard's smelly Bush – where beer and wines are served in plastic cups (so-troglodyte) to sample their wares before travelling onto our main target, Loftus Road (a ground I haven’t been to in a long, long time). That ended with our youngsters showing their abilities and winning the game 2-0.

Then aboard… not for me, but for the Spurs, where victories over Vissel and a K League XI by our youthful team.’ Finally losing to Bayern Munich… twice (second time at the Tottenham stadium). Well that is those pre season friendlies finished with.

Overall, I thought our youngsters performed well, and I saw a lot of potential there… hopefully they can be integrated into the main team.

So, who, to me, were the stand-out players among the younger ones?

1.   Archie Gray

I thought he was composed, bright, and courageous; Gray commanded the pitch straight away. This is evidence of how well-rounded a player he truly is at such a young age. He has also impressed further afield as well: commentators, backroom staff etc.

Personally, I think he could be another Harry Kane (a club superstar) in the centre of the pitch for years to come if he is handled right.

2: Mikey Moore

This academy player has exploded this pre-season after performing incredibly at youth level. In his last 16 games, Moore has contributed to 18 goals, returning in all but two of these games.

He has footballing intelligence beyond his years, technical ability and an eye for a pass or goal; he’s not just been one of the best youngsters this pre-season; he’s been one of the best players at the club

Ange Postecoglou has said of this young player; ‘‘Mikey has been fantastic since we brought him in. He’s earned his spot on the roster at the moment.’’

Tottenham have rejected offers made by champions Manchester City for this player. Because of this and eye-watching performances he is regarded as the biggest talent since Harry Kane; the upcoming season could prove to be a hugely important one for the Englishmen.

3: Djed Spence

Ever since Spence came to the club, he has been one of my favourites. However, there have been difficulties where he is concerned, which is why nobody suspected that he would be playing this pre-season; Spence seems to have completely turned himself around for the better since his loan move to Italian side Genoa.

it was his attitude that let him down. But in recent weeks, Spence’s notable performances have forced Ange to rethink his position.

He is capable of not just offering squad depth for European games and domestic cup games, but also being direct competition to Pedro Porro.

He can play off the right but is also able to be deployed at left-back, offering a huge boost in case Udogie were to be suspended or injured.

This season we could see the new Djed Spence.

4: Jamie Donley

This player has had a few excellent seasons at youth and when I’ve seen him play, he has impressed me immensely. He had a few appearances off the bench last season; these last couple of pre-season games were the perfect opportunity to show what he can do. This he did, just not in the position I would have expected. Nevertheless, I am sure those behind the scenes (trainers) and Ange know what they are doing with him.

Playing left-back this summer, Donley has astonished many with how rapidly he has adapted to playing in a new position. Given that Ange organises his full-backs to occupy the midfield in possession, Donley has offered a threat going forward in a space he usually plays in.

At just 19 there is plenty of time for him to improve and adapt. The club has a dilemma: will they keep Donley who could play an important role in Europe, or let him leave or just loan him out? Reports suggest there are many clubs checking him out.

5: Lucas Bergvall

This is a player everybody has been crowing about. Fans have started calling him the blond bombshell. When in action, nobody has been disappointed with him.

The 18-year-old took no time settling in, forming a close bond with fellow player Archie Gray while performing outstandingly.

From what I have witnessed in pre-season, Bergvall could become a young star in the Premier League. Possessing brilliant ball control, composure and passing range.

All these players were on show in our final friendly pre-season game against Bayern Munich at the Tottenham Stadium.

Kane coming on for Bayern to huge
cheers from around the stadium 

All the players above, plus some old stalwarts, played in that game. Harry Kane received a huge ovation when he came on. The crowd went berserk. Even though we lost that game (3-2), it was a good exhibition game before the start of the season.

Archie Grey and Dominic Solanke

Our new recruit, Dominic Solanke, came on before the start of the Bayern game and received a huge cheer. Hopefully, more newcomers will arrive soon.

What else happened this summer? Oh, yes, a predictable election-winning result (Labour), a predictable blue-eyed boys' humiliation in that election process (Tories), and a few surprise party victory jubilations (Reform, Greens etc.). All voted on by the barest minimum.

Hot weather dotted around here, there and everywhere. That was about it.

Now, the waiting game is nearly over.

What is my prediction for the upcoming season? Silverware, a Champions League placing, nothing. I’ll wait and see what we get in the transfer window before throwing my hat into the ring.

Other news: We will be getting more slots at the Tottenham stadium to show more sporting events and singing acts (30 more), which means more money pouring into the stadium. As a friend said, all this could mean our football team (pecking order) is relegated behind more important money-making happenings. I hope not! I would rather more money coming into the stadium benefit our team rather than the Mystic wand-waving money tree growers of our Board. But time will tell.

Leicester City v Spurs

I expect we will have a stronger, more exciting squad than last season. Of the youngsters I have mentioned, I expect some will be on the bench.

My possible Spurs lineup: -

Vicario, Udogie, Van De Ven, Romero, Porro, Bentancur, Sarr, Maddison, Son, Werner, Solanke.

My prediction

Leicester City 1 Spurs 4

Forty-six years ago (19^th August 1978), our first game in the top flight (we had previously been relegated), we faced Clough’s Forest. Two known signings joined us, Ricky Villa and Ossie Ardiles. You might have heard of them. Anyway, the match ended in a draw when Villa scored an equaliser. That was the start of an exciting run under Birkinshaw. I hope this season will be an exciting run under Ange, culminating in many trophies.  

See you all soon!

Glenn

Me, Michael Dawson, Janette and Michael Dawson