Match Report & Preview: Woolwich & Burnley (it is Woolwich’s to lose)
We need to win our last two games, but not only that, Woolwich also need to drop points. A big task, but not impossible.
Spurs 3 Woolwich 0
Yes, we turned up the pressure on the radish coloured, shirted Woolwich players in the race for a place in next season’s Champions League with a resounding victory. In other words, we pissed all over their parade. Yes, Woolwich could have confirmed a place in the top four with a win at our Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but suffered a depressing night to now stand only one point clear with two games left. They now have to face Newcastle away and Everton on their home ground. Neither will be a pushover. All we can do is keep winning. Whatever happens, we will finish in the top 5, so either A Champions League or Europa league place for us, the Europa conference for failed European hopefuls will only be available for the likes of the forgotten half of Manchester, the Spammers or another such lowly team.
Harry Kane & Son
Harry Kane gave us the lead from the spot in the 22nd minute after Cedric Soares fouled Son, then added a second before the break.
Woolwich had been reduced to 10 men when Rob Holding was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Son, while he finished off any hopes the Plastick-Gunners had when he fired in from 10 yards two minutes after half-time.
It was a fantastic atmosphere inside the stadium, and I am sure it pushed us even further and rattled the cages of the Raddish-coloured-shirted-Woolwich players.
Thoughts
We were impressive, solid and organised in defence, with Kane and Son a permanent menace in attack.
We have two very winnable fixtures remaining at home to struggling Burnley and at relegated Norwich City. At the same time, cry babies-Woolwich must travel to Newcastle United before a final home game against Everton, who may yet be fighting for survival.
Full credit to Conte for bringing the best out of the team by applying his trademark tactical discipline while still getting the most out of Kane and Son, who have been boosted by the impressive January signing Dejan Kulusevski.
As we rose to the challenge, Woolwich-Radishes wilted, making for a commemorative atmosphere. All in front of a record crowd of 62,027 inside our magnificent stadium.
Before the game, I drove up on my own – as Mel was taking his wife (Liz) to a show the next day (she also came to the game). Before during, and after the game, it was a great atmosphere, I finally left at 10.20 pm and got to Janette’s at 1 am…
Now we move swiftly to Sunday’s game…
Team News
Cristian Romero is nursing a hip problem he sustained in the recent draw with Liverpool at Anfield.
Oliver Skipp, Sergio Reguilon, Japhet Tanganga and Matt Doherty remain out with their long-term injuries.
With Romero out, Davinson Sanchez will continue in an unchanged XI.
What I think will be our possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Dier, Sanchez, Davies; Emerson, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Sessegnon; Kulusevski, Kane, Son
Prediction 4-0
In the Woolwich game, I predicted we would win 3-1, and we won 3-0; it might have been different if Noddy’s Woolwichers hadn’t had one of their player sent off, but we would still have won. We were so positive and fresh, and I can see the same for the Burnley game at our magnificent Tottenham stadium.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
We are unbeaten in our past nine home league games against Burnley, winning eight of them and the last three by an aggregate score of 10-0.
Burnley are looking to complete a first league double over us since 1974-75, which was also the most recent season in which they won this fixture away. I remember both games well… Two years later (1976/77), we were relegated… but quickly came straight back up.
Tottenham Hotspur
The 50 points earned by us since Conte’s arrival, he has only been bettered by Manchester City and Liverpool. Similarly, only those two teams have scored more league goals than the 54 by Conte’s side over the same period. And don’t forget, we did the double over City and drew home and away against Liverpool… probably also preventing them from getting the league title. Come on, City! There are only two games left for you to claim the title over Klip-Klopp’s men.
We aim to avoid losing our final home game in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1993 and 1994.
Harry Kane has been involved in 11 goals in 11 Premier League appearances against Burnley, scoring eight and setting up three. He is the joint-leading Premier League goalscorer against them, Riyad Mahrez and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Son has 21 league goals this season, just one behind Mohamed Salah in the race for the division’s Golden Boot award.
Burnley
Burnley’s victory at Watford in their previous away fixture was only their second in 18 attempts on the road.
Their loss rate of 60% in games played on Sundays is the highest of any current top-flight side. They’ve been beaten in 37 of 62 such matches.
They have the chance to win consecutive matches on Sundays for the first time since September to October 2017.
Burnley could become just the fourth side to complete a top-flight double against a team managed by Antonio Conte, emulating Sampdoria (2012-13), Manchester City (2017-18) and Juventus (2019-20).
This season, Burnley’s only win in their 13 league games against teams currently in the top seven of the table was 1-0 versus us in February.
Maxwel Cornet’s eight league goals is more than double the tally of any other Burnley player this season.
Newcastle United v Noddy’s Woolwich-Radishes.
As for Noddy’s team… we will all be watching Monday night’s game where Woolwich take a trip up the Tyne to meet Newcastle United. The crack will open more expansively when they face the Magpies, so you’ll be able to see Uranus more clearly that evening as they – Woolwich – shiver and stutter their way to the survival of the dreary. All Spurs supporters – on that night – will be Newcastle fans. Actually, we will be supporting any team that faces the Radish-coloured-Noddy-Woolwich-Gunners. After all, North London is our home… the Woolwich Dial Squares sneak thieves stole into the night, like stooges, pitched up tents and tried to claim North London as their own home. We all know that once Woolwich-Dial-Squarers, always Woolwich-Dial-Squarers… likewise, born and bred in North London (Spurs) will always be North London… through and through our cockerel blue and white veins. So be warned, Woolwich cowboys!!!! We are the true North Londoners!
… so here is to a good weekend. I will have to leave at 5.45 am to pick Mel up, and then a two-hour drive from his house to the Tottenham Stadium. Remember; a noon kick-off.
COYS!
Glenn
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
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