Match Report: Spurs 2 Brentford 0 (that was better!)
Yes, that was better! Lately, predicting scores for Spurs matches could go either way. We could have won this 2-0 or easily have lost it by the same scoreline, thankfully that didn’t happen, and Conte’s practices seem to be working on the team… but we still need to buy in the January transfer window If having any hope of onwards and upwards.
Mel arrived at my house, parked up and jumped into my car. There was an easy ride to Tottenham (no traffic problems), and we got to Tottenham at 3. Had to park up in Sainsbury’s because I needed to do some shopping (A Tottenham Christmas jumper and Spurs Handbook) and then parked up and went into the stadium.
Then others started arriving. When Terry turned up, he was pissed as a newt as he had been to a dinner engagement with Alan Brazil (yes, that Alan Brazil) and gave us all a kiss… that shows you how pissed he was. But at least he was merry (a lovely girl!).
The talk was about us going up to Burnley and then coming home because Burnley had called it all off. A Sunday wasted. We predicted the score for the game ahead, and we all said that we would/ should win.
T0 the match:
Antonio Conte’s unbeaten league start as Tottenham boss continued as we kept pace with the top four with a comfortable win over a lacklustre Brentford.
Anyway, a 12th-minute own goal from right wing-back Sergi Canos gave us the lead we warranted before Son finished off a fantastic counter-attack in the second half.
The first goal from a Son kick crossed after a short corner, with Pontus Jansson’s clearing header ricocheting off Ben Davies and onto Canos before shooting into the roof of the net. We continued to press for more goals, with Son denied from close range in the first half. After the break, Harry Kane saw a one-on-one effort well saved by Alvaro Fernandez. Son got the goal that his presentation deserved when he latched onto Sergio Reguilon’s cross to tap home from six yards.
As for our opponents, it was a poor showing, with their only shot on target in the whole game a tame left-footed effort from Ivan Toney.
Thoughts
What does all this tell us? That we are back with a bang? I doubt it, but it us that still has a long way to go, and Conte needs fresh blood… but I have faith we will purchase wisely and with what we need. Our problems lie elsewhere (financially). Levy must invest in the transfer window, or nothing will change, and we will continue to fluctuate.
Anyway, let us deal with our victory over Brentford. We climbed to sixth, two points behind West Ham in fourth. However, we’ve got a game in hand. If we win our game in hand, we are only six points behind Liverpool, in third and eight points behind Chelsea, in the lead.
Putting Chelsea, Liverpool and City to one side, this tells me – after an abysmal start so far for us – that all the other clubs are just as bad or are even in a worse position. If we still had Nuno, I could see us diving even further down… but getting Conte sends out a message (from the management) that Levy and co are not prepared to let things get worse, and he will (he has no other choice) put money into buying new players.
After last Thursday’s Europa Conference League defeat against NS, Mura Conte said we “have to do better in everything, everything, everything”. After Burnley was postponed because of heavy snow, he had a week to work with his team on the training ground. Despite his energetic and, at times furious behaviour on the touchline, he will be much happier with what he saw last night (Thursday).
We started all hokey cokey with Lucas Moura having a near-post drive tipped wide before we got a deserved breakthrough.
I must say, we deserved credit, though, with a solid defensive shape invalidating any possible threat from the bees. Remember, we lacked energy in our goalless draw against Everton (a game we should have won).
I did think our Son (nice one, Son) was brilliant throughout and was a constant threat on the break; I also thought Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was excellent in midfield and saw an effort saved before hitting the side-netting in the second half.
As for Kane, Conte said, I am “not worried” about Kane’s lack of goals: “He played an excellent game and had chances to score, but the goalkeeper was outstanding. He continued with, “To have a player like this and to play with his commitment, desire and passion makes me very happy with his performance. He doesn’t care if he scores or doesn’t score – if he plays in this way, I am happy and delighted. Tottenham is the first thing we need to think about. I’m sure Harry will score a lot of goals.”
Summary
I have to agree with our manager. We got the three points, and we are in a good position in the league (with a game in hand), and I see us improving in every game we play under the tuition of Conte.
Just a note on the Spammers. I think they had a good start, but now I think things are catching up with them (in all the competitions) that they are starting to have problems, while our players are more seasonal. What has that got to do with anything, I hear you ask? God knows, but that is the strange thoughts that come up in my head… a proper psychiatrist would have put me down by now!
Our next couple of matches; Norwich City at home on Sunday, then back to our unfinished business on Thursday in the Europa league against Rennes and then Brighton away. All clever stuff, all good points we can obtain. Over to you, Mr Conte.
All the best, 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, holidays, socialising etc.
I have been writing blogs/ articles since 1989
If you wish to read more of my blog, please click “here”