Match report: Burnley 1 Spurs 0 (“Spursy” or just a blip – another blip! -?)
When we had three defeats in a row, I said that we would beat City… that is what we do… collapse against weaker opposition and then surprise everybody with a win over a top team… then we drop back to earth with a bump (By being beaten by Burnley… a team that is struggling at the other end of the table). I hoped it wouldn’t be so, but it was… it is called being “Spursy”.
After the game, I heard Spurs supporters cursing the team, Levy and Conte. One fan suggested that we should change our emblem from a Cockaral to a Penguin. Another said they wanted to kick the cat… then thought better of it, as he didn’t want to be associated with the Spammers. There was banging on the toilet walls and other such shows of anger. “Levy out,” some shouted. Some even shouted, “kick him his accountancy balls.”
To be honest, all roads lead back to Daniel Levy. He had about 18 managers, all sacked, under his tuition and only one trophy to show for his years in charge. Twenty-two years in charge, and for that, he got Spurs into the dictionary with the word “spursy”.
I also heard people shout, “We want Scholar back,” or “bring back Sugar.”
I won’t point the finger at Conte, but Levy. He has built a profitable money-spinning machine for him and his wealthy cohorts … for the fans, he created failure on the pitch.
Our trip to Burnley.
I was picked up at 12.30, and we did 4 hours of travelling to get to the ground (stopping on the way for refreshments), finally reaching the ground at 5 pm. Parking at the Burnley cricket ground and then going to the Cricket building to mingle with other Spurs supporters. Then into the ground.
The match
Struggling Burnley secured back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time in 13 months over Brighton and us. Their skipper Ben Mee scored the only goal to beat us on a rain-lashed Turf Moor. Mee rose above Cristian Romero to meet Josh Brownhill’s and past Hugo Lloris and into the far corner.
That goal secured a victory that takes Burnley to within two points of safety given their better goal difference – and within striking distance of three of the four sides immediately above them. We are still in 8th position, but with our games in hand, gradually dwindling away.
This was an inordinately upsetting night for our fans and diminishing any chance of a top-four spot.
Thoughts
After a poor opening period, Harry Kane hinted at better when he headed against the bar at the start of the second half. Dejan Kulusevskialso went close just before Burnley’s opener, with Nick Pope saving from Steven Bergwijn’s search for an equaliser.
This game was supposed to be played in November but was called off 45 minutes before kick-off after heavy snowfall. This rematch survived extreme conditions, but the rain contributed to an awful opening period in which there was just a single shot on target, from Burnley’s Brownhill, that was easily saved by Lloris.
Rodrigo Bentancur lost his footing as he turned to chase Brownhill and doing the splits. He was able to continue, although he was replaced at half-time.
After watching the match on TV afterwards, I noticed the cameras were on Conte at the final whistle, walking alone down the same touchline as Burnley fans celebrated a famous win.
After the game, Conte said that he might not be the right man for the job following a fourth defeat in five Premier League games that have left us eighth and seven points off a Champions League place. The problem isn’t him, but Levy and Lewis, who have never back their managers in the transfer window. They’ve only backed themselves.
It was only the second time in 13 meetings that Burnley had beaten us. If people can remember the previous occasion, which was exactly three years ago, it triggered the collapse in our form under Pochettino that marked the start of the chaos we are still to emerge from.
But more can I say? After the game and witnessing the anger from our supporters, we trudged back to our car in the pouring rain and then a 4 hour drive back home. I finally got to bed at 2.45 pm.
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”
