So, where do we start?
Let
us look at some statistics. Starting with our record defeat (away): 0–8 v 1. FC
Köln, UEFA Intertoto Cup, 22 July 1995, ok… you might say, that was away and 24
years ago. But our second record defeat – at White Hart Lane – was much more
closer to home. Yes, you’ve guessed it, our last home game. It was our record
home defeat: 2-7 v FC Bayern Munchen, UEFA Champions League, 01 October 2019.
It was also the most significant home defeat by an English team in any European
competition. So, something to hang on our mantle… or not!
A
few other record League defeat to get your juices running: 2–8 v Derby County,
Division 1, 16 October 1976, then there was our
0–7 v Liverpool, Division 1, 2 September 1978. As for the Premier
League, that was against Newcastle United, on the 28th December
1996. I don’t think we need to go on. But if you are interested, here are some
other results: 0–6 v Sheffield United, 2 March 1993, 0–6 v Manchester City, 24
November 2013
Record
cup defeat: 1–6 v Newcastle United, FA Cup, 23 December 1999
Record
home defeat: 0–6
v
Sunderland, Football League First Division, 19 December 1914
v
Arsenal, Football League First Division, 6 March 1935
Record
away loss: 0–7 v Liverpool, Football League First Division, 1 September 1978
Not
good reading for any supporter.
We
were awful in the second half (that is against Bayern Munich), the first half,
at least 20 minutes of the first half, well, that was a different game.
The
manner in which we subsided once we went behind will be of enormous concern for
our under pressured manager. And all those who have detected underlying
problems with the manager and his team since we lost the Champions League final
to Liverpool in June.
As
for Bayern, they gathered impetus and put themselves out of sight when former
Arsenal youngster Gnabry scored twice in as many minutes shortly after the
interval, taking full advantage of more poor defending to beat Lloris
emphatically.
Kane
gave us brief hope with a penalty after Kingsley Coman caught Danny Rose, but
Bayern were in no mood to open the door, instead of running riot as Gnabry
added two more, with another smooth finish from Lewandowski sandwiched in
between.
It
is the first time in our 137-year history that we have ever conceded seven
goals at home in any competition. The players left the pitch to a chorus of
boos. Of course, we reached the final after losing our first two group games
last season - but this is the sort of beating that will take a long time to
recover from. I can’t see us escaping our group if we don’t or can’t beat the
Greek and Croatia sides.
But
from first kick-off we had so much to commend us for the first 35 minutes as we
resembled the side that reached the Champions League final so dramatically last
season, playing with passion, urgency and pace to trade blows with this
dangerous Bayern. But no matter how we try to look for the positive, the end
result was that we were humiliated and then kicked in the grapefruits.
We
play on days as if we are the best in our various groups, on other days we play
very amateurish. It is a bit like that programme of old; “Matthew, Today I am
going to be so-and-so. Tomorrow, shite, but today I will be something
different.”
We
can, yes we can, still get out of this group but serious damage will have been
inflicted by this loss and its shameful manner. It is going to take many years
to put this behind us. In the meantime, the donkey’s will be there for ribbing.
I
said ‘Where do we go from here?’ Well, the team needs to get their heads
straight, concentrate on the game and pull themselves together. The manager
needs to identify the problems and sort them out double-quick, if not heads
must roll, and fast.
As
for Pochettino? He might not get until the end of the season to change things
around if his bad luck continues. A lot of it is down to his own making. It
also didn’t help with some of his stupid comments in the summer.
Brighton
next, then a two-week break.
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