Match Preview; Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton.
Wednesday 21st April, at 6pm…
Ryan Mason will be the interim head coach for the rest of the season.
The 29-year-old, who retired from playing in 2018 after suffering a fractured skull, worked at the club’s academy, took first-team training on Monday after Mourinho’s departure.
There will be no rest for the young Mason as his second game in charge will be Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley. Chris Powell and Nigel Gibbs will be interim assistant head coaches, with Michel Vorm as interim goalkeeping coach. Ledley King will continue in his role as the first-team assistant.
Daniel Levy said: “We have great belief in this squad of talented players. We have a cup final and six Premier League games ahead of us, and we shall now focus all our energies on achieving a strong finish to the season.” So there you have it… out of the horuses mouth, so to speak!
TEAM NEWS
Spurs
Harry Kane is not expected to be fit as the club continues to assess his ankle injury ahead of the Carabao Cup final.
The saints
Southampton forward Michael Obafemi isn’t yet ready to make his comeback from leg surgery. Injured pair Oriol Romeu and Will Smallbone are sidelined for the remainder of the season.
My Thoughts and prediction
I had almost given up caring after our Everton game, then Mourinho was sacked, Mason put in charge, and I’ve perked up a bit. Don’t get me wrong, I am not expecting miracles from Mason… after all, he is an unknown quantity. But there is a surprise element there, and I’ll go with that, as opposed to the sinking feeling with Mourinho’s unpredictable changeable squad line ups.
We all could be clutching our Gooners Teddy bears (i.e. ripping them apart in anger) while we watch the disaster unfolding before our very eyes… then again, we could be raising a glass to him for his achievements… who knows? We will in just over 24 hours, though. And if he does lift our spirits, then a little bit of doubt might be lifted for our game against City-Titty on Sunday. Whatever he does it will only last until the end of the season, and Levy’s choice will ascend on the stadium for all of us to witness and marvel at… until he becomes another one who fucks it up for us (but hope not).
So, what is my prediction? How about 2-1… madness or a stroke of visionary genius?
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Tanganga, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Reguilon; Hojbjerg, Winks; Bale, Lo Celso, Son; Vinicius
Ryan Mason could decide to bring Carlos Vinicius back after he was dropped by Mourinho for tactical reasons against Everton; Lucas Moura is another option.
With Mason having just six days to prepare, further rotation could be on the cards as Giovani Lo Celso, Harry Winks, and Japhet Tanganga hope to impress under new leadership.
Gareth Bale will also hope to play.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
We could complete a league double against Southampton for the first time since 2017.
Son scored four goals in the reverse fixture when we won 5-2 at St Mary’s.
Southampton have lost 12 of the 17 Premier League meetings since returning to the top flight in 2012.
Saints have lost nine of their past 10 away games against us.
Tottenham Hotspur
We were top of the Premier League after 12 games but have won only seven of our subsequent 20 league fixtures.
We have dropped 18 points from winning positions this season. Only Brighton and Hove Albion have a worse record.
We have let the lead slip in three of our past four Premier League matches (D1 L2).
Eleven of our 26 away league goals this season came in their first two matches. Since then, we have only found the net 15 times in 14 away fixtures.
Forty-one of our 52 Premier League goals this season were scored or assisted by Harry Kane or Son.
We have only taken one point from the last five Premier League matches that Kane did not play.
Southampton
Southampton have lost 11 of their past 14 Premier League fixtures.
They have the division’s worst record in 2021, with 10 points from 15 games. Relegated Sheffield United have earned 12 points in the same period.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have lost seven of their past eight away matches.
Danny Ings has scored five goals in five appearances for Southampton versus Spurs in all competitions.
Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:
WLWDLD
Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):
LLWDLD
Southampton Premier League form:
LWLLWL
Southampton form (all competitions):
LLWWLL
So, there you have it. What a week it has been; the sacking of Mourinho, a Superleague proposed, Ryan Mason taking charge of the full squad and all ending in a cup Final. City-Titty against the Cockerels. You couldn’t make it up!
Take care and be safe,
Glenn
COYS!
My name is Glenn Renshaw.
I am currently a Premium Season Ticket holder (West Stand) in the new stadium. Before that – at White Hart Lane – a season ticket holder in various parts of the ground (mainly in the North stand).
Before becoming a season ticket holder, I stood on the shelf and various other parts of the ground since the 1950s. In 1987 I became one of the first to hold a Spurs Membership card. I was also a life long member of the Spurs supporters club (now defunct).
I go to all home, away and abroad matches.
I was born in 1955, Edgware, London (it was in the late 50s – as a baby – that my dad took me to Spurs to initiate me). I currently live in Berkshire.
I also collect all Spurs books (and have everyone printed), Spurs handbooks (from 1920s onwards, Spurs programmes (since the 40s).
Previously, I wrote for Spurs Fanzines: The Spur, Spur of the Moment, My Eyes have seen the Glory and various other Spurs fanzines’. I also wrote for the SpursWeb app & its website.
I currently write and work for spursnetwork.com and its website. I write its Reviews & Match reports and a lot more.
My other interests are; reading, history, social history, Politics, going to the gym, wine, going out for a meal, music (all sorts), writing, theatre, concerts, going on holidays, socialising etc.
I have been writing blogs/ articles since 1989
If you wish to read more of my blog, please click “here”
