Match Report: Forest 2 Spurs 0 (what is the crack? A rant!)
Rant
Yes, what is the crack? We were woeful last night (Wednesday). It was more of a ping bong ball backwards and forwards… changes, taking Kane off when we were on the ropes… Is this some sort of conspiracy where all the top clubs; Chelski, Woolwich, and Spammers, didn’t want to try, so they all sent out weaker sides… as for the Scousers, Arab-Newcastle and Southampton, only getting through on penalties… so what is the crack?
Our team looked like they were running around like headless chickens… knew what they wanted… but didn’t know how to get it.
Too much back passing and not enough penetration.
Forest deserved their win because you could see they wanted it… Were our minds on more important things like the League, Champions League and eventual FA Cup?
When the League cup came into existence, most of the top clubs never participated in the competition; eventually, one by one, they entered… now it is compulsory. But it is a good way to send out your juniors to test the water and show their mental (obviously, we didn’t last night).
If the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup are the priorities… then fair enough… but they must try harder in those competitions… not first half, crap, second half, a few gears up!
Whatever way we look at it, we were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by the Premier League’s bottom-placed side. They were the better team and took the lead on 50 minutes through a Renan Lodi goal. Jesse Lingard headed home following a swift counter-attack to double their lead.
Even though Conte claims he put out a strong XI, including Harry Kane, the side were outplayed at the City Ground.
On the other hand, Steve Cooper made nine changes from the side that drew with Brentford on Saturday; his team played much more flowing football before finding the goal early in the second half to put the frighteners on us, the fans… and they did!
Insult to injury!
To add insult to injury, in the last 15 minutes, they only had 10 men. Their Orel Mangala was sent off after getting a second booking for a clumsy challenge. The team that are struggling at the bottom half of the league table managed to knock us out of the League Cup.
We haven’t won a major trophy since 2008, and this, along with questions about our form despite reaching the Champions League knockout stage, may have played a role in selection (but still couldn’t). And going on this performance, it will be a few more years before we see silverware.
Conte said after the game: “It’s very frustrating. We tried to play the game the right way, and I can’t complain about the commitment of my players.” He can’t complain, but a few thousand travelling and home supporters could.
The fans at the ground were pissed…, and you can’t blame them. We travel from all over Britain… some further… to watch a team that doesn’t seem committed to trying in the League Cup (and some would say the Premier League as well). Some may disagree… but what they can’t disagree on was that we lost a good chance of getting to a final. More so with Chelski, Woolwich and a host of other Premier League teams also being knocked out early.
Now to Saturday and Leeds… let us hope that the commitment has been restored and we go on and beat them… then we can rest for the next six weeks dreaming of the Glories and possibilities that Conte’s team could bring us in the second half of the football season. Dream on!
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
If you wish to read more of my blog, please click “here”