Déjà vu as City Slickers Inflict Pain at The Lane

The good news is Spurs will not play Manchester City again this season. The bad news is an aggregate score of 11-1 against City means that for the first time in over half a century, a league opponent has put more than ten goals past us in a season. That’s a record Tim Sherwood will not be proud of as his unbeaten start came to a crashing halt. More damagingly, the harm done to our goal difference by City is almost our exact deficit to Everton and Manchester United and means that Spurs are effectively an extra point down on our rivals for Champions league qualification. The tin hats didn’t work out so well after all.

Tim Sherwood bravely, heroically, gamely or stupidly depending on your point of view kept his promise to go toe to toe with Manchester City. With Moussa Dembele and Nabil Bentaleb up against the impressive Yaya Toure and Fernandinho. In truth the only way to stop the City juggernaut if you do not have a better team than them is spoiling tactics: man marking, packing the bus etc. styles which are anathema to the Spurs DNA and probably no guarantee of a result against players of the calibre of Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure, David Silva and the magnificent Vincent Kompany. Saying that, Sherwood’s apparent aversion to defensive midfielders will inevitably be the source of much lively debate in wake of what the Americans would call a ‘shellacking’.

City it has to be said, were much the better side throughout while Spurs struggled to get a foothold in the game. By the time Aguero scored yet another sublime goal in the 15^th minute, there was a palpable fear that this could become uncomfortable viewing. Spurs to their credit, refused to lie down, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris produced one of the saves of this or any other season to stop a goal bound header from the irrepressible Aguero and roared on by a belligerent home crowd that dared to believe, gamely scrapped their way back into the match. Michael Dawson was unlucky to have his equalising goal ruled out as Adebayor was marginally offside and at half time, with two City players on yellow cards, Spurs were definitely still in the contest despite City’s undoubted superiority.  

An uphill task was however made even harder after a contentious and ultimately incorrect decision was made for the referee by the assistant official to award a penalty to City and a red card to Danny Rose after what was undeniably a desperate and risky tackle. Replays however showed that Rose marginally got the ball before catching City striker Edin Dzeko. More than the penalty, which Toure converted with the minimum of fuss, the red card meant Spurs had a mountain to climb. The game then got further away from Spurs as City scored a third. Spurs battled gamely on and substitute Etienne Capoue, ironically a defensive midfielder then scored for Spurs to spark hopes of an improbable recovery. City were however too good, kept attacking with intent and gradually the advantage of the extra man told as they scored two late goals to give the score line a humiliating look that does not reflect the efforts of the Spurs players.  

To revisit his selection and tactics, the issue for me was less about defensive midfielders as most midfielders on Spurs’ books are good box to box players, capable of staying back. It is more about organising the positional play when not in possession. Despite effectively having five midfielders (which in itself reflects some tactical variety on Sherwood’s path), there appeared to be no plan for defensive, organised, collective pressing when City had possession. This meant that Bentaleb and Dembele found themselves constantly bypassed when City were attacking which was far too often for comfort. This is area Sherwood and his coaches must work on as they recover from this setback. The selection of Gylfi Sigurdsson was also flawed. Apart from one good game against Norwich earlier in the season, he has not really stamped any authority on Spurs attacking play. Perhaps Lewis Holtby (probably Spurs answer to James Milner), who despite reservations about his value to the squad often produces energetic performances could have done a better job while also offering defensive discipline. Maybe even Nacer Chadli (who despite having a build like Cristiano Ronaldo often plays infuriatingly like Jose Dominguez) might just have given the suspect Martin Demechelis a more testing afternoon. No doubt in future games, the likes of Andros Townsend and Erik Lamela would have an important role to play these types of formations.

Manchester city had better win the league now. If there is any consolation in being trashed so comprehensively, it is losing to record breaking Champions. It was a sign of the crazy times that City’s bitter rivals, Manchester United had gone from hoping Spurs beat City to help their quest for the premiership to hoping City beat Spurs to help their quest for Champions league qualification. Arsenal would not have minded a draw or a win for Spurs as it keeps the league alive. Even old Machiavelli himself, Jose Mourinho got in on the act, mischievously suggesting he would prefer a City win to reduce the number of teams fighting for the title. Be careful what you wish for Jose. Messrs Mourinho, Wenger, and Moyes, How do you solve a problem like Manchester City? Your problem, not ours anymore. We haven’t been much good at solving it.

 

Spurs at Liberty with another Welsh Takeaway

While I was away, not much appeared to have changed. Spurs went out of another cup competition, tactically outclassed by Arsenal, albeit with a helping hand from Danny Rose and then laboured to a crucial win against palace. Now an impressive away win at Swansea. While Sherwood is clearly still crap at knockout football, he seems to have got the knack of picking up league points. Although it is of course very early in his managerial career to make solid assessments on Tim Sherwood, he has made one heck of a start. The best start of any Spurs manager in the premier league era and the first Manager since the great Bill Nicholson to lead Spurs to five consecutive away victories. That'll look good on the UEFA coaching qualification assessment when he finally gets round to it.

He made a couple of bold calls for this game. The first was to drop £26 million striker Roberto Soldado in favour of the rejuvenated Emmanuel Adebayor as the lone striker and the second was to change from his instinctive preferred four, four, two formation to counter Swansea’s possession based football. Although the inclusion of Nacer Chadli in the reshaped midfield was questionable, given his underwhelming performances so far for Spurs, his line up reflected a tactical flexibility not associated with his mentor, Harry Redknapp and bodes well for his managerial future.

Swansea, despite patchy form of late, made the more confident start, settling into their usual passing rhythm quickly as Jonjo Shelvy tested keeper Hugo Lloris with a few shots and the impressive Wilfred Bony struck the bar with a powerful shot. Spurs took time to find their rhythm and as early as the 10^th minute, Tim Sherwood could be seen yelling instructions from the touchline as his side struggled to impose themselves on the game.  It would be another fifteen minutes or so before Spurs had an attempt on the Swansea goal.

Almost against the run of play, Spurs struck clinically to devastating effect in the 34^th minute. Christian Eriksson, having one of his more impressive games in a Spurs shirt whipped in a super cross, reminiscent of David Beckham in his pomp, which took out the entire Swansea defence and was gobbled up gleefully by Adebayor. Clearly rattled by the goal, Swansea stumbled, almost drunkenly through the rest of the first half, the Liberty stadium now subdued. Spurs, clearly lifted by the goal could have put the game almost out sight. Chadli wasted a glorious chance after Swansea gave away the ball carelessly and Danny Rose, having done the hard work was shaping up to score a belter before becoming a rugby player and belting a shot skywards, almost out of the Liberty stadium. His annoyance with himself was amusingly clear as he pounded the turf in frustration, clearly berating himself.

The second half saw Spurs continue in similarly dominant fashion and their composure was both typified and rewarded by the build up to the second goal as a wicked cross by the impressive Kyle Walker was turned in by Swansea defender Chico Flores in the 53^rd minute. Spurs continued to dominate, although the physically imposing Bony kept Lloris and his back four honest. Spurs domination of the second half was reflected when Adebayor, having vented his spleen at Moussa Dembele moments earlier for not passing to him when he was clear was presented with a glorious chance following good work by Danny Rose in the 70^th minute. He promptly swept hope his sixth goal in his last five games, followed by his now customary “salute” goal celebration. Although Bony added some respectability to the score by scoring a consolation goal, Spurs were largely untroubled as they saw the game out.

There is clearly a more confident feel around Spurs recently. The handbrakes seem to have come off and Tim Sherwood deserves credit for that. He also appears to be learning fast in this most unforgiving of leagues. With this recent good run, Spurs are right back in the mix for Champions league qualification, level on points with Liverpool, albeit with a vastly inferior goal difference that is realistically worth a point and still only seven points off top spot. No, Spurs are not realistic premier league contenders as there are two teams definitely better equipped in Manchester city and Chelsea. However, two more Champions league places are up for grabs with slight favourites Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs, Everton and Manchester United still in play. In this tightest of seasons, consistency, confidence and energy or a lack thereof will be the deciding factor as we head towards the business end of the season.  Are spurs in contention because of the new coach bounce or has chairman Daniel Levy stumbled on the real deal. We are about to find out just how good a manager Tim Sherwood can be. Next up? Manchester City, scorer of over 100 goals in all competitions already who put six past Spurs in November. No pressure.

I am sure all Spurs followers will join me in wishing Spurs legends Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa speedy recoveries after they were recently involved in a car accident in the Falklands. We hope to see you both back at the Lane soon.

 

 

 

 

Ade and Eriksson Kick off 2014 with Big Win in Manchester

Different season, different manager, mostly different team, same result. Having waited twenty four years for a win against Manchester United on their own turf, Spurs have really gotten the taste for playing at Old Trafford after winning at the theatre of dreams for a second successive season. On a wet and windy northern evening, Tim Sherwood’s dream start to his managerial career continued as his bold, attacking strategy was rewarded with his biggest scalp to date. Tim Sherwood had made it his mission to release the handbrake from Spurs’ restrained play this season and he picked a team to go toe to toe with a Manchester United side coming off the back a six game winning streak. Capoue for the injured Paulinho was enforced while in Kyle walker and Danny Rose, he had his best available full backs. With Adebayor and Soldado continuing their promising partnership upfront and Lennon, Dembele and Eriksson in the side, Spurs’ attacking intent was clear.

United made the better start and dominated the play early on as Spurs tried to get in the game. However, as Spurs settled, their threat became apparent and was highlighted when in one lightening counter attack, Adebayor and Soldado combined sweetly to free Lennon for a glorious chance which goal keeper De Gea saved. Danny Rose was having an intriguing battle with Antonio Valencia on the left flank while Kyle Walker kept a watchful eye on the dangerous Adnan Januzaj. Rooney, who has a good scoring record against Spurs, had to come deeper to get the ball which reduced his considerable goal threat. Lennon was giving United full back Patrice Evra a difficult afternoon. Eriksson probed intelligently while Adebayor and Soldado linked up well. When Adebayor scored, it was not undeserved as Eriksson had found space intelligently to cross and Adebayor guided his header past De Gea. As half time approached, the tension could be sensed around this huge stadium. Spurs looked reasonably comfortable and only an error or flash of inspiration would get United back in the game. Hugo Lloris provided his customary heart in mouth moments with a few flaps at crosses and the occasional rushed clearance while United players resorted to diving for penalties at the lightest contact.

As the second half started and United introduced attackers, Shinji Kagawa and Javier Hernandez to the fray, we waited for the inevitable siege on Spurs’ goal. Instead, the opposite happened as another searing counter attack ended with a second goal for Spurs as Eriksson, enjoying one of his best games, stooped and headed home Aaron Lennon’s cross despite the extremely close proximity of Valencia’s boot to his head. True Viking bravery that. Spurs were in dreamland at the theatre of dreams. However, this is still Spurs. They don’t quite do easy and most Spurs fans were still celebrating when sixteen seconds of play later, United had scored and a previously deflated Old Trafford crowd had been given its voice. Now it was really squeaky bum time. Adebayor had been injured mysteriously and left worryingly on a stretcher. Ashley Young joined the fray as United threw the kitchen sink at Spurs in a frantic attempt to salvage the game. A now frenzied crowed, used for so long to late, heroic comebacks under Alex Fergusson roared its encouragement. Five extra minutes of added time meant more chewed fingernails in addition to the squeaky bums for the Spurs faithful, up alone in the stands and millions watching in pubs and homes around the world. Spurs defended resolutely to the end although Hugo Lloris created one more heart in mouth moment with a reckless lunge at Ashley Young. Old Trafford bayed for a penalty and probably some of Lloris’ blood! Such was the tension. Thankfully, referee Howard Webb stood brave and resisted the vociferous penalty appeals. For all his recklessness, Lloris had not touched Young until he was mid-air and his reputation for diving probably went before him. I've seen them given though. Alas, there was to be no more ‘fergie-time’ and at the final whistle, the roar of elation from Spurs fans and players could probably be heard back at White Hart Lane and perhaps as far as a little corner of Porto, Portugal where a certain Andre Villas Boas would perhaps have watched, scarcely able to recognise the team stuffed at home by Liverpool just two weeks ago. He would know how it feels to win at Old Trafford of course, having achieved it just as impressively last season, one the highlights of an ultimately unfulfilling tenure.

It used to be said that to win the league, you have to finish above Manchester United. It is a measure of United’s own struggle that this win, sadly for their fans in not unique as West Brom, Newcastle and Everton have all won at Old Trafford this season. Spurs still face a battle to finish in the top six never mind the top four but they are most definitely in the mix in a season where most teams are dropping points like confetti. It has to be said though that the top three of Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea are starting to look ominously consistent.

Nonetheless, this was a big win for Tim Sherwood. He may not have been the exotic, continental Adonis of a manager that some fans wanted after AVB and his style is more Harry Redknapp than Pep Guardiola. He may not have a coaching badge but certainly has tons of self-belief. It takes belief and balls to throw on youth team players Nabil Bentaleb and Harry Kane as substitutes in the white hot atmosphere of Old Trafford even if his hands were forced a bit by injuries. His biggest success so far though has been to get Adebayor firing in the first team. Some of his forward play was magnificent and it was no coincidence that Spurs threat was greatly reduced when he was injured. One hopes the injury is not too serious. Watching Adebayor, one can’t escape the feeling that AVB really missed a trick by ignoring Adebayor’s attributes so dismissively. A great coach finds a way to get the best players in his team playing at their best. If Tim Sherwood can achieve this, there are enough good players at Spurs to offer a season of real promise. A good start however will count for nothing if his team falters as we enter the business end of the season with cup games and league fixtures coming thick and fast. Speaking of cup games, Tim only has a FA cup tie at league leaders Arsenal to look forward to next. Not much time to savour one fine win. Welcome to the big time son.