Review of the WBA v Spurs 5th May 3pm Saturday
This is a must need win game for us to have any chance of being in the top 4. But before we go onto that let us look at WBA’s season and how that will affect us this Saturday.
WBA started off the season pretty okish for a club in their position, then on the 20th of November, they started their merry-go-round managerial exercise by sacking Tony Pulis (who had been at the club for just over 2 years). Then they appointed Gary Megson for nine days before having a laugh and sacking him. All good fun so far for the West Midland club.
Alan Pardew was appointed in his place, he could only manage 3 wins in 21 games and therefore was released on 2nd April 18. By this point, they were at the foot of the Premier League and struggling to get out. In WBA’s wisdom they appointed Darren Moore. Moore did what Pullis, Megson and Pardew failed to do, he revamped them and since then hasn’t been defeated (2 wins, 2 draws). It makes you wonder why they didn't appoint him in the first place, after all he came from within (cheap). But these things happen. Anyway, one of those wins was against second-placed United, which was followed by a draw against Liverpool, who are currently in third place. All good stuff so far, and of course you do see the picture clearer now. After the United game, they faced fellow strugglers Swansea City, where they were held to a draw. Next up is us. With nothing to fear they will go all out to defeat us on their home ground (and don't forget about our match against Newcastle a few seasons ago, where they were relegated, but not before beating us 5-1 on the last game of that season). On paper we should win this match (as we should have won the Newcastle game), in reality, anything could happen, as we’ve seen with their games against United and Liverpool.
As I said previously, we need to win this to show intent and that we have a fighting spirit that will put us in good stead for next season.
We shouldn’t really have any injury problems, Harry Winks is still being looked at and Rose could be in contention. If we do win, and I hope so, then we will be waiting for the outcome of the Liverpool/ Chelsea game. Anyway, however that match ends it will benefit us, but if we lose, then it will be a different kettle of fish and it will show that shit does happen, and it will be happening to us. So, let us not get into that scenario... we want to sleep well at nights and dream of fairies and pixies, not keep tossing and turning with monster nightmares and Arsenal's Hell. God, wouldn't that put the willies up one... or two!! it doesn't bear thinking about.
There is so much riding on this match; what do we take to our new ground? Champions league football or substandard Europa league Thursday soccer? Even more so, what does that tell our fans? That we’ve reached the pinnacle and we are now sliding down the greasy pole into no man’s land (the abyss of shit and sludge). Fifth is unacceptable and I am sure that those that paid inflated season ticket prices will have something to say about it. It is no good saying that we are all good and we'll have a great stadium with great amenities... but that won't go well with being also-rans. Question marks will also be directed at Pochettino, such as, has he reached his limits? So far we’ve been on the up since he has come here, never looking backwards, this will be the first season that he will have had a blip in his Tottenham managerial career (even if we finish third). I have no doubt that if that did happen then he will be looking every which way put loose. He might decide to point the finger at Levy and jump ship or just grin and bear it and think what he can do next season.
Managers get to a point that they feel the club that they are managing have limits and start looking around to find other ways to enhance their careers.
After saying all that let us look on a positive side; moving to Wembley hasn’t been easy and has created some upheavals, but so far we’ve only lost once – in the league at home – so overall it will probably end up being a very good record. And don’t forget that when we go to our new ground we start those fears all over again as the new White Hart Lane pitch will be another new experience/ ground for us. It will take a couple of seasons before feeling it is indeed home… So Pochettino and Levy will have their work cut out pacifying the fans, then there is the debt of the club... it doesn't rain, put pours.
All the best, Don Scully
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