Not only did we take it all the way, we did so with 10 men!
So to start we had an under strengthen team with a complete lack of pace. It’s not an excuse people it’s a fact. The team is so decimated that our subs bench was the worst that I have seen in years. Not a moan again its a fact. However T&T (the two tom’s did well).
For me we started off negatively everyone pulling into the middle of the park and Ade was dropping deep and having to come wide as there was no width to the game. So essentially we had no striker. Watching back on the good old Sky HD box I listened to the commentary and many had said that Ade was working hard, but in the wrong area’s (but he had no choice). So I will not accept any negative comments on him… AT ALL (and nor will I of any of the players).
It was luck that was on our side as Dempsey was in the right place to pick up a very poor "back pass" and took it round the stranded Sommer to slot home. However it was bad luck that Dembele had lost the ball toward the penalty box and Salah picked the ball up and had the time and space to shoot and score. Again I was surprised to see Dembele get pulled off for Carroll (although Tom was a great injection of young passion and agility). Dragovic scored from a corner that was again not dealt with at all and we had been caught napping again. On came Huddlestone who had pretty much an instant impact with a free kick to setup Dempsey.
Now this is where I become very, very negative, not toward our players, but I really do disagree with what the ref did and how he handled Vertonghen's tackle. Ok Jan fouled Streller who had turned well and would have had a sight at goal (not clear). My issue is that Kyle Walker who was not turning and was running at full speed would have caught Streller (and was level, so there was no last man). The word of the law is that it has to be last man and that there is “clear” sight at goal. This was not the case at all and I feel that the ref did not have the balls to make the correct decision, which was in fact a yellow. Experts, managers, players and fans may all disagree, but that is how I see it. Streller was turning and before he would have reached his top speed Walker would have cut him off and before the box, therefore Jan is not last man (they were level) and there was no clear sight on goal, yellow card. Then in injury time BAE brought down Schar (although it didn't look like it from where I was) on the edge of the box. Streller than raised his arms and head butted Walker. Now I am not sure in what world this referee lives, but this all happened in front of him and again he made the wrong decision. Yes he should have booked Walker, but Streller should have been sent walking. That was a far clearer card than Jan's. That’s not being bias that is having the time to go back and review things with a clear mind. So in my opinion the ref was given a numbered account before the game, that was shown in his decisions.
Ok from this point onwards I saw from the Tottenham players far more than I have in terms of digging deep. Huddlestone did very well to fill in at the back, Carroll showed some great composure for a chap of his age and Dawson made a fantastic tackle in the extra time build up. Ade made a great run trying to take on the whole team, but the issue was in fact that our team was so tired players were struggling to even pick themselves up from the floor, let alone support a run!
Then came the penalties, Huddlestone is a fantastic penalty taker and I was not surprised to see him step up first. However I was shocked to see Sommer pull off a top class save. Siggy took a great pen, but Ade..... oh dear. I think that sums it up.
Last night before the game I had said if we lose I am spitting the dummy out, but to see what those lads put in and to see how well they pulled together, there is no way that I can be disgusted with the team or the players.
There were a lot of idiots on Twitter last night and the one that stood out was that of Lord Sugar. He said:
"AVB should be fired. no tactics. Been lucky up till now with results. how can he put Huddlestone as pen taker, then Adebayor you knew would miss."
So let me get this straight Lord Sugar, AVB who has a squad without major players (Bale, Lennon, Defoe, Sandro, Kaboul and some others) and you sit there and talk a negative game up! Where is your moaning that we should have had another striker? That's not AVB's fault! The injuries are not AVB's fault, so the side he has and the bench he has is something out of his control and he played it to the best of his ability. Huddlestone is well known as a good penalty taker and a striker is not always the best penalty taker. Look at Jose Chilavert a goalkeeper that took Paraguay's freekick’s and penalties. Just because a striker doesn't step up to take one doesn't make them a poor player or a waste of space. Tactics are that you must go with the best penalty taker and AVB did choose right. For a chairman that brought our club the worst manager in premier league history in Christian Gross I would have kept your thoughts on AVB quiet! Please look at the managers you hired and compare their win ratio to AVB’s. I am not going to waste my time as I know AVB’s is far better. I had a lot of respect for Lord Sugar but last night after that I unfollowed him, waste of my time reading that negative and unfounded dribble.
I hope that this article reflects my true feelings. Any fans that are angry and disappointed... DON'T BE. Our lads gave me something to think about and you all too, that they have more grit and determination than we thought.
The battler Huddlestone even came out and said;
"Apology for today, was a great effort by the lads especially with 10men! Still a lot to play for, great support as always."
To apologise for that performance I am shocked that Tom needed to say that. No apology needed big man you deserved more and the ref should have supported you correctly.
So true die hard fans...... Can you really say that you didn't think we did enough. Did you really feel that the lads didn't put it all in?
Tottenham Till I Die was summed up last night by the die-hard fans and the players that almost killed themselves out there on the pitch.
Positives a plenty, players coming back and with that mentality and 11 men we can win the remaining 6 games, but I'll allow a draw against City.
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COYS!!!!!
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