Back to third, but hardly a performance to shout home about.
We have now won each of our last 10 home Premier League games against sides starting the day in the relegation zone, scoring 23 goals while conceding just three. As for Southampton (P13, W0, D7, L6) they are currently on their longest winless run in all competitions since October 1998 (also 13 matches).
We have won 11 and lost four of our 15 league games this season, meaning only Manchester United (17 in 2012-13) and Bolton Wanderers (18 in 2011-12) have opened a Premier League season playing more matches before their first draw of the campaign. So there you have it. Southampton bad, and us… Exactly.
Out of the top five teams, only Spurs have lost more games (4). Out of the top five, only Spurs have scored fewer goals (28). Conceding; only Arsenal has conceded more goals(20 to our 16). But we are sitting in third position (on 33pts). Chelsea and Arsenal respectively are under us and have 31pts each (let us hope that over the coming weeks the gap widens).
Thank God United are having a crap season (so far). I think that sums up our season (when you are glad that a top team is having a bad hair season). However, we are still in all competitions (FA Cup has not been played yet). The Champions league, we are there by the skin of our teeth. As for the League, we are more relying on other results to help us up the greasy pole. Wolves beat Chelsea, while Arsenal could only get a draw against United. See what I mean?
After Saturday’s disaster (we lost 4-2 to Arsenal) I thought I might need the Arsenal stress Teddy bear to take my anger out again… Our performance was dour. Southampton’s was even worse.
It is games like the Southampton game where we must try for the maximum goals. Those matches should be our bread and butter games. The likes of the top four are more chest strutting and skilled events (but just as important to win).
Pochettino stressed to the players that we mustn’t let our guard down. It is those that are struggling who will give you the most significant bite (as showed by the Saints sneaking a goal in). Thank God for Bill Nicholson is looking out for us, and knocking the wind out of Arsenal and Chelsea’s sails, to push us to third. Luck is an essential ingredient to any success… but we also need workmanship (not always there) and graft (not always there).
Kane scored the first goal after nine minutes, to get there, we made a hard slog of it. But that was it for the first half. The second half we seemed to have ants up our arses and went for it. Moura getting the second in the 51st minute. Four minutes later “Nice One Son” scored his fourth goal of the season. After that, we went back into our shells. So much so that we allowed the Saints to get a consolation goal. Fortunately for us, it was just one; it could have been more.
I can tell you that we were all pulling hair out of our heads in frustration. If there had been a little old Arsenal Teddybear around, we’d have kicked the stuffing out of it. Yes, we needed to win… but also show our intent. Did we win or did Southampton lose? Or maybe our thoughts were on the Barcelona game (let us hope not as we’ve got Leicester City next).
Three games in a week makes one exhausted. Not only for the players – even though they are professionals – but us; fans and those that work within the Spurs group. The last couple of weeks has felt like the Tyson Fury fight. Knocked down, nearly out (looked like he was out), and then up he pops for a draw, and then shouts robbed. Familiar?
That is me exhausted… now to the Leicester City game…
Until then… it has been a pleasure.
Don Scully
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