Looks like I was right to be pessimistic! And I think its going to continue for quite some time!
Seven more games to go and it’ll be all over!
PRE-GAME
The ladies of the house obviously had picked up on my pre-game mood and decided to vacate the premises, probably expecting some screaming, shouting and kicking of things.
The beers were cracked open early to try to relax me a bit and take the edge of the inevitable.
Team news announced and it was pretty much what I was expecting from my preview. Only no Wilshere nor Ngakia. Ngakia probably having played his last game for us.
THE GAME
We actually started the game well. When I say ‘well’ I mean better than we did against Wolves. We looked like we were up for the game which shouldn’t have been hard considering who we were playing!
In the 2nd minute we had a chance when Cresswell played a long ball into the box which Antonio held up well before laying off to Noble who failed to get a shot away. Although it did look like he took a bit of kick to bring him down. VAR? Wise up, it’s a decision which could maybe have went in our favour, so we’ll not bother with it!
The next chance for us came in the 20th minute, a free kick played into the box allowed Antonio to get a shot which was saved by Lloris. The ball came to Bowen whose shot was blocked and cleared away.
Fabianski was called into action a couple of minutes later when Moura got away from Rice and unleashed a shot which was tipped over the bar. A great save from Fabianski.
Just before half time, Spurs had the ball in the net from Son. But for once this season the VAR decision goes our way! Goal disallowed. Although it’s not getting away from the fact we completely switched off defensively to allow Son space and time to score!
Spurs had another chance during the 3 mins of stoppage time at the end of the half. Moura somehow missing what can only be described as a sitter. I reckon I would have scored it. Another let off, half time can’t come soon enough, we seem to be losing concentration!
Generally, a semi positive display in the first half. A little bit of optimism creeping in during the half time venture to the fridge for a beer. Spurs are here for the taking. Let’s go for it. Maybe a fresh pair of legs for the second half, a tactical formation switch? Nope, no changes at half time.
We had the first chance of the second half when Bowen worked well down the wing and gifted a cross into the box for Fornals but somehow the Spaniard scuffed at it and it went wide.
Another chance in the 60th minute, we intercept the ball in our defence, Rice comes charging out with it and plays a delightful long ball over the top for Antonio but the big man stretches to get his shot away and puts it over.
Disaster in the 64th minute. Spurs get a corner which they float into the box, somehow it hits Soucek and ends up in the back of the net. Replays show the ball came off Sanchez’s arm. It must go to VAR and be ruled out? Nope, the commentator says VAR rules it inconclusive! Seriously? Its as obvious as Moyes being a shit manager!
In the 78th minute, Cresswell whipped in a cross which God knows how Antonio didn’t head into the net, it came to Anderson who laid it off to Bowen who clipped the outside of the post. Almost 1-1 or 0-1 if VAR had of stepped up to the mark!
Then in the 82nd minute the moment we had been expecting all night. Antonio gets dispossessed very easily, Spurs counter and play Kane straight through and he scores – Game Over 2-0!
OVERVIEW
OK, so where do I start?
What is going on at our club? And when I say ‘our’ I mean ‘our’ club, it isn’t the owners, it isn’t the management, it isn’t the players club, it is OURS! We are the ones who put all the money in, we are the ones who have it as a massive part of our lives, we are the ones who can’t walk away with vast sums of money at the end of it!
I don’t want this to be a rant so I’m hopefully going to deal with facts.
Firstly, we did start a lot better than we did against Wolves. But what happened towards the end of the half? Two lapses in concentration and we could have been 2-0 down, should have been 1-0 down if Moura had of hit the ball correctly.
Problem 1 – We don’t seem to be able to concentrate fully throughout games. This has been all season! Surely, we have a sports psychologist somewhere who could fix that? It has to be addressed in some way. Is it even being highlighted to the players?
We then got the chance to regroup at half time.
Problem 2 – Our manager cannot review a game and make changes either in personnel or gameplay. Some of the players looked knackered, (probably partly the reason for lapse in concentration as per above). We could have replaced Noble with Wilshere to give us the fresh legs. Then as the game progressed changed things up tactically, give Ajeti a run out, let Antonio drop back and run at them. Just try something! We can make 5 substitutions now, does Moyes realise that?? We are so predictable in everything we do!
Our players seemed dead on their feet from the 65th minute onwards in both games so far.
Problem 3 – We are unfit and have been since going back to Bilic’s time. Do we have a fitness coach? There are very few players who like fitness work, that’s understandable, but it still needs to be done and it is only driven by the players themselves forcing each other to work hard at it. But I’m beginning to think none of our players do any. Name me one player who looks at Premier League fitness?
We don’t play cohesively as a team.
Problem 4 – For too long we have bought players willy nilly. Do we ever look at the team and think we need an ‘X’ type player and then go out and spend the money required for them? Nope, we buy the same type player over and over again. Then we try to put them all in a team together. It doesn’t work and never will!
There are 7 games left. Do we have enough time to get those problems above sorted? I don’t think so.
There are certain players who I wouldn’t let back into Rush Green at this moment in time as I think they are sapping the energy out of the squad because the manager keeps fucking playing them! Everyone who knows football can see they don’t perform and haven’t been for the majority of the season. Yet they are still getting game time.
I would bite the bullet and sack the manager, give it someone and hope we can get some of that ‘new manager’ bounce because we desperately need to get points from somewhere.
The way things are going though, under the present management we will be in the Championship next season. Unfortunately I believe that will mean we won’t get a change of ownership for some time either and all the problems we have will remain!
Somebody tell me differently!
COYI!
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