To get my anger out of the way first (and I am not the only one) the Spurs team again failed on a massive level yesterday, but it was in fact Thursday that the problem begun.
Thursday we had to go all out for a win. I highlighted my disappointment at the time but did not want to unload as to how pivotal the draw was in the lead up to their fixture congestion.
The full first team were needed to play Fiorentina and likely would have won the game. Then against WH (not that I would have wanted it) but the second team could have achieved a draw yesterday (when 3 points were expected with the best 11). This would have allowed the second team to play again on Thursday (having been won in the first leg it would have made sense) and the first team would have been fully fit for Sunday's Cup final.
Instead MoPo went about this the wrong way and we must now face a very different prospect.
Thursday MoPo now must play the first team in order to have any chance of progressing into the next round of the Europa League meaning that they will be lethargic or tired for the cup final. HOW HAS THIS HAPPENED?
Back on track yesterday's game.
There were 2 talking points for Tottenham and 1 talking point for West Ham.
Firstly was West Ham's second goal. By the letter of the law if a player in an offside position becomes active in a goal scoring opportunity the goal should be given as offside. I believe it was Valencia that was in an offside position jumped to head the ball, which made him an active player and the goal is offside. There are no if buts and maybe's it is by the letter of the law. Second point was that Mark Noble should have been sent off. Me made more than 2 bookable offenses and still remained on the pitch.
West Ham felt that the penalty was essentially a dive, however again by the letter of the law it was a penalty as Song made contact in the back of Kane.
So based on those 3 points alone yes Spurs should have recorded a win, however based on the game itself the team were well off. It was the same lethargic display that was shown against Fiorentina in the second half! we can sit here and be happy with a point, but Tottenham's best 11 should have won.
I hear the word character mentioned a lot in regards to Tottenham, but it's not what I would interrupt as character. A team that simply looks lethargic, struggles to produce an end product and a defence that is more inconsistent than Darren Anderton's fitness (sorry Darren) it is not character. Grinding out a win would have shown character. For me I am concerned. The team did not get going until West Ham scored their second. There were moments, but they faded quickly with the team's inability to land the killer blow.
Unlike some of the fans I refuse to celebrate a draw, yes the team came back to draw but it was 2 valuable points dropped. A win would have seen Tottenham draw level on points with Southampton (in 5th), 1 point off of 4th and 2 points off 3rd. Instead they have dropped down to 7th (3 points off a CL spot), must play their first team this Thursday and Sunday and with no momentum behind them will likely again struggle to deal the lethal blow required.
My concern is really whether MoPo is changing his targets. If the intention was to finish the season challenging for CL you either go for 3rd or 4th, if you are set to win silverware you go for the 2 cups we are left in. The issue is whether these have been changed as we go along? We are now in a position where we will have to choose between the League Cup or the Europa League. Issue is that one finishes this Sunday and the other continues until the end of the season.
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