Our second away win under Mourinho, it can only get better!
Since
Mourinho came to our club, he has managed to stop or nearly stop our miserable
decline (but he is getting there).
We
have had seven games under him. Including two Champions League games, one of
them (Bayern Munich) was basically a non-game as we were already through to the
next stage (and that will be against FC Leipzig). We’ve beaten West Ham (away),
Olympiacos, Bournemouth and Wolves (away). The only league team to beat
Mourinho’s side was United away. So not
a bad record from a man who has inherited a team from Pochettino and hasn’t
been able to purchase his own players yet.
Next
up will be Chelsea, Mourinho’s old team. To beat them will mean that we
leapfrog them into fourth (fingers crossed). Before he came to the club, we
were looking at a dismal season with the possibility of a relegation dog fight.
Now we are talking trophies and a continuation of a Champions League top spot. Hurray
(again, keep our fingers crossed)!
Our
game against Wolves was no pushover. They planned to fight us all the way and
did exactly that. To be honest the match could have gone either way,
fortunately for us, it went our way. We’ve shown that bit extra grit that has
been lacking for over season for us, under Pochettino.
On
the subject of Pochettino; where are all those clubs that were interested in
him? Or have they sussed out, what we finally did? That when things start going
wrong, he begins to lose it. Anyway, we are not here to talk about our Ex’s.
No, we are here to talk about our game at Molineux.
Mourinho
made clear his belief that Spurs will qualify for next season's Champions
League via a top-four finish in the Premier League. That is what I like,
optimism and a clear road ahead. Contrast that with Pochettino’s ranting (at
least near the end).
After
allowing Wolves to equalise, Vertonghen became our hero of the night. His late
header has suddenly turned that into a very realistic prospect (finishing in
the top four), with us set to welcome the Chelsea - who slumped to their fourth
league defeat in five against Bournemouth on Saturday - to Tottenham Hotspur
Stadium this coming weekend.
Aiming
for a fifth consecutive top-four finish, we have reduced an 11-point gap with
four wins from five league games since Mourinho's appointment.
We
made a purposeful start as “Nice-One-Son” saw an attempt stopped by Rui
Patricio, but it did not take long for our early eagerness to pay off as Moura's
fast feet and durable finish stunned the Wolves pack.
A
second goal always appeared crucial for Mourinho's side, who had conceded at
least two goals in five of our six games under him prior to kick-off, as Wolves
dominated in possession and territory.
At
the back at times we were unconvincing. Still, we weathered the storm and
allowed for counter opportunities - but Dier was unable to provide the finish
that Alli's inspiring pass over the Wolves defence deserved.
However,
Traore's equaliser came as no surprise as they kept battling for that goal.
What
will pleasure coach and fans alike, however, was the determined manner of our
response to conceding, and a confidence-boosting late winner that puts our
top-four hopes firmly in our own hands.
Before
the transfer window opens we face Chelsea (home), Brighton (home), Norwich
(away) and then Southampton (away), which will be on the 1st
January. Will the beginning of the new year bring us the players we want (to
fill the gaps that badly need filling)? I suppose it all boils down to what is
available.
But
as I have said in numerous articles, the future looks brighter than it did
under Pochettio. Mourinho, THE MAN, has won silverware at every club he has
managed. Come On You Spurs!
Before
I depart from you (or is that you from me?), I always like to look at some
stats, as I am sure you, the reader enjoys reading them (providing they are in
our favour!).
We
have won two of our three Premier League away games under Jose Mourinho, as
many as we did in Mauricio Pochettino's final 14 away from home in the league.
OK, sorry for rubbing it in, but we deserve something positive from previous
uncertainties. To be honest, and I am not the only one, it has been a while
since I’ve been smiling and optimistic where Spurs are concerned. And to put an
extra smile on my face, there is Arsenal. Isn’t it nice to see our neighbours
doing so well? Let us wish them luck and hope they give Freddie Ljungberg the
job, he deserves it, in fact, they – Arsenal – deserve it. Their last three
games finished in defeat… It couldn’t happen to a better team… but we are not
here to gloat… well, maybe a little… but back to statistics.
Since
a 3-1 defeat as Chelsea boss in October 2015, Mourinho has not lost any of his
last 54 Premier League games when his side has scored the opening goal. A good
omen. And may that continue.
As
for Lucas Moura, well he has scored three goals in five Premier League
appearances under Mourinho after managing only one in 10 games under Pochettino
earlier this season. But to be fair, he never seemed to be a Pochettino
favourite. Maybe that was his downfall, favouritisms.
Our
superman Jan Vertonghen scored Tottenham's first 90th-minute winner in the
Premier League since Harry Winks against Fulham in January.
I
hoped that has warmed you up before Christmas? And there should be more to
come.
So,
that is it. Enjoy your day and let us look forward to a bright and optimistic
second half of this season. We’ve got Mourinho, and he is magic, you know! Yes,
he will win us trophies.
Comments
Post a Comment