This always happens. Before an international break. Spurs always lose. So we have to spend 2 weeks now mulling over a terrible result for Tottenham. When the dust settled it may not be that terrible. In our last two visits to St James Park we got hammered by 4 goals and more. This time we were beaten 2-1 but that does not tell the complete picture. Spurs were all over Newcastle for the entire 90 minutes. Just like they were all over Leicester (draw) and Everton (Win). Any other day we would have 9 points from 9 and be at the top of the Premiership. Spurs are playing great football and have plenty of shots on target. But they are not going in. So what is it? What are we lacking
Our 3 Centre Forwards at Spurs are currently injured. Solanke was injured in the Leicester game and is out. Richarlison "Felt Something " in training last week so he is out. Don't know what the story is there but I think Richy is mentally gone from the game and can't hack the pressure to be honest. A trip to Riyadh for him I expect sooner rather than later. And even our kid Will Lankshear was injured so Spurs had no front man going into Newcastle. Ange decided to play Kulusevski up top for the first half at Newcastle. There were a number of other changes. Sonny went back on the left and Johnson was dropped as they play Odobert on the right. Sarr came in Central Midfield as a result. VDV was injured as well so Dragusin came in for him. Spurs started shaky enough but after 10 minutes we had our high line out and were moving the ball comfortably around the Newcastle defence. Newcastle had Dan Bun in the CB position which was not naturally his position but he played well and got his body in the way. Spurs had 65% of the possession in the first half but the opening goal came from Harvey Barnes who left Romero flat footed and it was 1 nil to Newcastle. For all the chances Spurs had it meant nothing. Spurs took Sarr off at half time and went for the game bring Johnnson on who looked very lively. Our first goal came when Pope parried the ball into Johnnson's path who launched it into the goal only for Dan Burn to convert the goal which ended up and OG. 1 -1 Spurs.
Spurs were still on top but misplaced passes or no passes at all to players through on goal ended up being a big problem. It took 1 pass from Joe Linton to split our defence. Udogie and Romero could not keep up with Isak who converted the 2nd. It was too easily for Newcastle. The stadium went wild although they were defending the whole game. But this is what Eddie Howes Newcastle do. Spurs kept attacking but the lack of a Central Striker to get on the end of balls was gone and time ran out. It was a sickener of a game as Spurs played well again but did not get the result. Some say the absence of VDV was clear as he has the speed to chase defenders if our high line is very high. Dragusin does not have the same pace but I think Dragusin did very well against Newcastle.
Ange said in his presser what everyone was feeling. They had plenty of chances but just could not give that killer blow. With Arsenal up next Spurs need to start having that Killer instinct but who better to get that against than Arsenal. If we achieve a win against our enemies then all will be forgotten about but there has been grumblings in the Spurs fanbase of being to open at the back. We have conceded 3 goals now and one could argue that Romero has been the fault of all of them. Maybe Dragusin played Isak onside but it was still Romero that was caught out.
In my opinion we are still on the right track and this problem with finishing off chances. Spurs are playing great football but the absence of Solanke is clear. But this is the reason we purchased the player. It is just unlucky he gets injured in our first game.
So with 4 points from 9 as opposed to 9 points from 9 (where we should be) we play the Gunners at home next in two weeks time after those pesky internationals. So I have to stew now for 2 weeks on a loss which has me a ball of depression.
The good news is Maddison did not get selected for England, Bentancur is suspended for Uruguay after him and Darwin Nunez fought fans in the Copa America Match. VDV is out of the Dutch side due to injury and Richarlison will hopefully "Not feel anything" this week. VDV will be back then for the Arsenal game we hope so this is all good.
Spurs have an interesting League in the Europa League
Roma H
Rangers A
AZ Alkmaar H
Ferencvaros A
Qarabag H
Galatasaray A
Elfsborg H
Hoffenheim A
So the new format is that you only play a team once either home or away which is good. 4 home ties and 4 away ties. One away tie is Rangers which is handy. The same can't be said about Galatasaray who will be tough. In all fairness it is a tough group but there are stronger teams in the Competition but I think we cannot face English teams until the knockout stages.
Spurs go to Coventry in the 3rd Round of the League Cup. Remember Coventry who nearly knocked out United in the semi final last year. Yep Them. They also beat us in the 1986-87 FA Cup Final which was a game we were clear favourites to win. My father's best friend put money on Spurs to win and never heard the end of it. Even last week down the boozer , my father was still wagging his finger at his friend who has never left it down. This was 35 odd years ago like!!
So plenty of games to come. Just get this international window over with and hopefully the Woolwich will have calmed down about Declan Rice's second yellow the other day. For those of you that know you football, it is important to note that Rice did not get send off for kicking the ball away. He got a second yellow which resulted in his sending off. Big difference. He has played 270 Premiership games so he should know the rules by now.
