Are we on an upward trajectory now? And the United game Preview (Cup).
Are we on an upward trajectory now? And the United game Preview (Cup).
Since my last article/ blog – drawing with Fulham 1-1 and our FA Cup draw – we’ve played Bournemouth away and lost to Chelsea (4-3), and in the Europa League, we were held to a draw against Glasgow Rangers, (1-1). All good stuff if you are an anti-Spurs irritate, but not so good if you are a hard-boiled blue-and-white army loyalist like me. You wouldn’t have thought that our heads could have sunk so low (oh, yes, we would! I hear you shout) … as for Ange and the team, they got their share of boos and abuses from the fans.
Personally, I don’t point the finger at Ange or the team but at the board for their lack of interest and financial support; granted, I can understand their position (but don’t agree) that they have created a money-making machine where the footballing side is just a small slice of that money cake. After all, it is the whole, not the individual part, that will make the money for the Levy clique.
At the Southampton game, new songs were formed to express the fans’ displeasure with Levy, but that won’t change his ruthlessness in the money trajectory.
Yes, the Southampton game… where we, in the first half, thrashed the Saints 5-0, only for us to revert to our “Spursy” image, albeit a more controlled Spursy, less lacklustre, in the second half. But even Spursy against a poor Southampton side would show a bit more oomph! And in the process, we got their manager the sack.
Because of all our ups and downs in the League and Europa League, mostly downs, we are currently sitting 10th in the Premier League and outside the straight qualifying zone for Europa. This is not good… but we are still in a powerful position and could easily turn things around (which I always say every year).
We are five points behind fourth-placed Forest (yes, Forest is in fourth place with our former failed manager). As for the Europa League, we could still turn things around, as the great optimist says!
As for the League Cup, where we face United tomorrow at home, again, anything is possible (keep repeating that phrase enough times, and it could become true).
So, do we have a chance to turn things around? Yes, but we need to strengthen our squad quite considerably in January, plus we need to sort out our injury crisis. But even then, it isn’t a done deal. We need to know what side of the fence Levy is on and his ambitions for the footballing side of his money-making enterprise. Then, there is all the talk about buyouts and buy-ins (which doesn’t help). And what about Ange? Will he tolerate a club starving him of funds to challenge for trophies?
Personally, I can’t see any changes while Levy dictates the footballing side of his business. At the moment—or it seems that way—Tottenham are there to make up the numbers (like the Spammers, Saints, Bournemouth, etc.), and not challenge for anything worthwhile.
Granted, and saying all that, this still can be an important season for us if Levy and Co. direct their ambitions and finances toward the team.
… while talking about the team… let us look at us and United in the Cup on Thursday.
Preview: Spurs vs United – prediction, team news and lineups
A place in the last four of the EFL Cup is up for grabs on Thursday night when we welcome the poorer side of Manchester (United) to North London for a quarter-final showdown.
Both teams entered this contest on a high note after picking up maximum points in the Premier League last weekend, with us hitting five past Saints and United beating City.
Ange Postecoglou was under pressure following a disappointing run of just one win in eight games across all competitions (D3 L4).
Spurs EFL Cup form:
WW
Spurs form (all competitions):
DDLLDW
United EFL Cup form:
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United form (all competitions):
WWLLWW
Team News
Rodrigo Bentancur will serve the sixth of his seven-game suspension, while Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Richarlison, Ben Davies, Wilson Odobert (all hamstring), Guglielmo Vicario (ankle) and Mikey Moore (illness) are all out…
Destiny Udogie is doubtful. Djed Spence was impressive with his first competitive start for us last time, and he could be forced to play on the opposite side of defence if Udogie is not fit to feature.
Yves Bissouma is available for selection after serving a one-match ban last time out, while Brennan Johnson could return at the expense of either Kulusevski or Dominic Solanke.
My Spurs possible starting lineup:
Forster; Porro, Gray, Dragusin, Spence; Bissouma, Sarr; Kulusevski, Maddison, Johnson; Son
My Prediction…
We win 3-2.
We cruised to victory in our last meeting with United three months ago, but anything is possible given our team’s unpredictability and inconsistency.
That is it for now! Up the Spurs!
Glenn