Some thoughts on our defeat against Liverpool:

Spurs were simply outclassed when they met Liverpool on Saturday evening in an important league clash. However, the Lillywhites were not just outclassed they were outpaced, Liverpool’s intensity carved us right open and our vulnerabilities were brutally exposed by Jurgen Klopp’s men. As much as I am disappointed about Saturdays defeat I am not distraught, I wasn’t confident about this game in the slightest our poor record at Anfield had continued over the last few seasons and it’s one of the most intimidating grounds in English football. However, it was Liverpool’s poor run of form that frightened me going in to this game, the Reds were without a win in five matches before Saturday’s game, and with a manager of Klopp’s calibre you just knew that Liverpool would be back with a bang. And that sparkling attacking football which had been missing from Klopp’s side over recent months, returned in some style as their high pressing play caught us out early on and after two quick goals by Sadio Mane we were left desperately chasing the game. The electric pace of Mane had gotten the better of Ben Davies and we were helpless in stopping the Senegalese forward for the opening goal. Mane’s second two minutes later was as a result of some breathtaking football from Liverpool they were sharp and decisive, but Spurs let them play that way and despite making two fine saves Lloris was helpless in denying Mane’s second.

It’s too simplistic to proportion the blame on just one or two of our players for Saturdays defeat, the team as a whole just didn’t turn up, they failed to show what Liverpool had produced, which was fast attacking football. Our intensity was not evident at Anfield, we were slow out the blocks just like we had been a few weeks early against Man City where we were fortunate to record a 2-2 draw. Pochettino will be frustrated that his side hadn’t learnt from Man City game and were unable to cope with such a fast team, the fact that we produced just one clear cut chance will also frustrate Pochettino. When Liverpool came to the Lane back in September they played similar to yesterday, they were sharp out of the blocks they were slick and cut us apart in the first half with their box to box passing. Although we were fortunate to muster a 1- 1 draw on that day, we had shown on Saturday that we had not yet learnt from past experiences and I am sure that Pochettino will be hugely dissatisfied with Saturdays display. I think it’s key in highlighting who we were missing the most, Danny Rose. Rose is such a key player at left wing back his powerful attacking play was sorely missed. When Rose plays at left back our dynamics are completely different, in addition the absence of Jan Vertonghen was again felt. We’ve got nine very winnable league fixtures ahead of us and I’m confident that the team will bounce back well from this game. However, are focus is on to our next two cup matches away to Gent and Fulham respectively, both massive games in our season. COYS

My player review:
– Hugo Lloris: Lloris was superb in between the sticks making seven saves, Lloris was the reason we did not concede five or more goals. The Frenchmans diving save to deny Mane his hat trick was world class.
– Kyle Walker: Didn’t have his usual impact but this was due to the way the game panned out, though I did think Walker played well.
– Toby Alderweireld: Made some vital blocks/interceptions but he couldn’t withstand the rampant Liverpool attack.
– Eric Dier: Like Alderweireld he couldn’t stop Liverpool on his own, Dier was decent and his first half challenge was top draw.
– Ben Davies: Struggled to keep up with Mane on the left, Mane had acres more pace than Davies and the system just didn’t workout to Davies’s advantage. Davies is an intelligent full back and I’m sure he’ll come back from this game stronger.
– Victor Wanyama: Not his usual dominant self in the centre of the park.
– Mousa Dembele: I thought Dembele played well, made some nice powerful runs from the midfield and got back well.
– Son: Unable to make much of an impact down the left, his first half chance being Spurs’ best of the game.
– Christian Eriksen: The Danish international was quite anonymous, wasn’t able to really get in to the game.
– Dele Alli: Like Eriksen, Alli wasn’t able to make much of an attacking impact on the game but Alli did show some nice pieces of attacking play.
– Harry Kane: Just didn’t get the service.
– Harry Winks: Was tidy as ever when coming on, and provided some steel to the midfield.
– Vincent Janssen: Wasn’t on long enough to make an impact.

Liverpool (4-3-3): Mignolet; Clyne, Matip, Lucas (Klavan 82), Milner; Henderson (c), Wijnaldum, Lallana; Mane (Alexander-Arnold 90+2), Coutinho (Can 77), Firmino. Substitutes (not used): Karius, Moreno, Origi, Sturridge.

Spurs (4-2-3-1): Lloris (c); Walker, Alderweireld, Dier, Davies; Wanyama, Dembele (Sissoko 77); Son (Janssen 82), Eriksen (Winks 68), Dele; Kane. Substitutes (not used): Vorm, Trippier, Wimmer, Nkoudou.

Goals: Liverpool – Mane 16, 18.

Yellow cards: Liverpool – Henderson 53, Matip 56, Milner 68; Spurs – Son 28, Kane 67, Winks 71, Dier 78, Alderweireld 83.

Referee: Anthony Taylor.

Attendance: 53,159.

Some thoughts on Spurs’ 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough:

It was a match that may not live long in the memory of Spurs fans but the Lillywhites recorded a comfortable 1-0 victory over the Teesiders to stay in second place, three points ahead of rivals Arsenal. Mauricio Pochettino’s side dug deep to defeat a tough and defensive Middlesbrough team with Harry Kane’s penalty enough for Spurs, in what was a thoroughly satisfying performance. Pochettino again proved how flexible he is with his tactics, with Ben Davies’s covering at left wing back in place of the injured Danny Rose. Davies’s defensive stance allowed Son to flourish down the left, and the South Korean international won the decisive penalty which won the match. I was never worried about Middlesbrough scoring they showed little potency up front, failing to register single shot on target. However, it was clear that we’d have our work cut out if we were to break down Middlesbrough’s stubborn defence. What I found particularly impressive about our win today was the composure in which the players showed and the killer instinct they showed to win the game. We were defensively very good though we never seemed in danger, it may not have been the most alluring of matches, but Pochettino and his team won’t care in the slightest. We are now the only team that looks capable to challenge the runaway leaders Chelsea, we’ve been on a terrific run and I’m hoping it can continue when we make the trip up to Anfield to face Liverpool next Saturday. COYS

My player by player review:

– Hugo Lloris: A quite day for Hugo he didn’t have to make a single save.
– Kyle Walker: Yet another impressive performance from Walker, an industrious display.
– Toby Alderweireld: I thought Alderweireld had a great game today, he made some important interceptions. A very comfortable display from the centre half
– Eric Dier: Good in the air and defensively very tidy.
– Ben Davies: Covered Rose well at left wingback, his deeper style of play allowed Son to flourish done the left.
– Victor Wanyama: A terrific performance in the midfield tireless and persistence, Wanyama was a rock with in the centre of the park.
– Mousa Dembele: Such a strong and powerful performance from the Belgian, he glided past the Middlesbrough players like a skater on ice.
– Christian Eriksen: Covered 13 km, Eriksen was a bright spark and very unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
– Dele Alli: Started off well and passed the ball around well, faded as the game went on.
– Son: A superb performance from my man of the match, he sparkled down the left flank.
– Harry Kane: Not heavily involved but Kane took his penalty very well, his 63rd goal in the premier league!

My man of the match: Son Heung-Min. Son was the driving force behind today’s victory, his energy and pace was the main source of our creativity. Son also won the penalty which Kane despatched perfectly.

Spurs 4-3 Wycombe: My thoughts on Saturdays exhilarating cup tie

83 minutes into Saturdays FA cup fourth round tie against Wycombe at the Lane, the score was two a piece. A second string Spurs side were having a terrible afternoon against the league 2 side, despite drawing level after going two goals down in the first half, Pochettino’s side were shapeless and lacking in direction. After making all three substitutes, Spurs were dealt a blow when Kieran Trippier limped off injured late on. And Gareth Ainsworth’s fearless Wycombe side didn’t alter their approach, the chairboys exposed us on the right wing as Myles Weston surged past Eric Dier before putting in an inch perfect cross which veteran striker Gary Thompson headed into the goal. At this point I was utterly distraught, I couldn’t comprehend the fact that we were only seven minutes away from crashing out of this most special of cups in our final season at the Lane. Of course we didn’t, we fought back to record a dramatic late victory to send the lane into a scene of euphoria, with Pochettino showing great relief at the touch line on the final whistle. The match was emotionally exhausting for both sets of fans, but the elation at the final whistle was something quite special, it really emphasised how important the FA Cup is to the Spurs supporters.

Son’s dramatic late winner in the 97th minute of stoppage time was superb, Son played a one two with Janssen before firing a ferocious effort from inside the box. Son’s powerful effort came off the feet of Wycombe’s Jacobsen before hitting the back of the net. However, I felt bad for Wycombe they were robbed by our premier league stars, the chairboys deserved a replay. We got lucky in the end but our winning mentality got us through the match, we were disappointing. If Pochettino decides to field his strongest eleven in the next rounds, then our name may well be on the cup! COYS

 
My man of the match: Son was by far the best player on the pitch, his tremendous energy and intent going forward was rewarded with two valuable goals. We have a lot to thank him for after Saturdays thriller. Son’s brace on Saturday takes his tally to 11 goals this season.

Some thoughts on Saturdays dramatic 2-2 draw with Man City:
“Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.” (Danny Blanchflower)

 
What an emotionally exhausting match it was on Saturday evening in Manchester, as Spurs fought back from two goals down to rescue a 2-2 draw against Man City. It was a game in which we were second best for the most part, we were off our usual pace, lacking in intensity and looked uncomfortable on the ball. However, Pochettino’s side showed resilience as well as a fighting spirit, to gain a valuable point that keeps us in the title race ahead of two winnable league fixtures, against Sunderland and Middlesbrough respectively. We were torn to shreds by Pep Guardiola’s side for a large chunk of the game, it was always a case of when, not if city would take the lead. City’s dominance was rewarded early in the second half, when they scored two goals in the space of five minutes, both goals coming as a result of two unfortunate errors from goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris. We were being kept out of the game by a very good side, but not a side that we couldn’t defeat. Despite our poor performance we showed just how strong a side we really are, as Dele Alli headed the ball into the back of the net on the hour mark, and Spurs were inspired. We battled out the last half an hour showing great determination and courage, we were still second best. However, we had a go, we were fearless going forward. The introduction of Son provided much needed pace down the flanks, and 13 minutes from time Son scored what would eventually be the equaliser.

We had been second best and I’m not sure many would have backed us to get back into the game after being 2-0 down, but we did it! We sit third in the table after wins from Arsenal and Chelsea extended the gap at the top of the table. The truth of the matter is, that Man City deserved to the win the game, they dominated possession and had seven shots on goal to our two. Yesterday’s draw was a bonus point, I wonder if the match will be yet another turning point in our season and with winnable fixtures ahead, that point could prove to be imperative come the end of the season. I’m hoping Alderweireld’s injury is nothing to worry about, the Belgian centre back was immense whilst he was on the field, he saved us from being further behind. It is clear that Wimmer struggled yesterday, being taken off at half time. Wimmer has been lacking in game time but I’m hopeful that he will become sharper in the coming games. Finally, I’ve got to mention the impact that Son had on yesterday’s game, his pace and desire to go forward was clear to see. His composed finish from inside the penalty area was the reason we came back with a point. This team have a real hunger for success, despite salvaging a dramatic point the players were downbeat, they wanted to win! COYS

 

My man of the match: For me it has to be Danny Rose. Rose put his body on the line as he made some vital interceptions, including a world class challenge on Raheem Sterling in the Tottenham penalty area. As courageous as ever, Rose took a right clattering on many an occasion, his power and skill going to show just how good of a player he is.
One of the highlights of playing Man City away, their wonderful tunnel cam: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc2DDKQImBY

Some thoughts on Saturdays spectacular win over West Brom:

Saturdays victory over West Brom was a sight to behold, Spurs tore a normally structured West Brom side to shreds, playing some of the finest football that the Lane has seen in years. It was an absolute privilege to be at the Lane on Saturday, I witnessed some of the best football I have ever seen down the Lane. The first 45 minutes of football was breathtaking, Spurs were flawless, the intensity of their play and the way in which they moved the ball around, was magical. We were two up within 25 minutes courtesy of goals from Harry Kane and an own goal from Gareth McAuley, the minute Eriksen’s heavily deflected effort hit the back of the net, was the exact moment that we knew we had deflated West Brom, and that the game was effectively settled. After putting in a superb first half performance where we led by two goal to nil, the team came out for the second half, and did not rest on their laurels. Spurs reduced their intensity in the second half, but they didn’t once lose their concentration, as Kane grabbed two goals late on to get his third league hat-trick in a Spurs shirt. Kane’s third goal was special, Alli lofted a beautiful pass inside the area, which went over the defender and in front of Kane, who calmly volleyed the ball home with a precise finish, a truly spectacular goal worth rewatching, time and time again!

We now sit in second place in the table, seven points behind league leaders Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino’s side are maturing and showing many positive signs that will be exciting the Spurs supporters ahead of such a crucial part of the season. If I were to individually rate our players performances from Saturdays match then I would award every single player a rating of 10, so was the flawlessness of the performance that I could actually sit in my seat and relax and appreciate the performance as if it were a piece of cinema. Harry Kane was fantastic against the Baggies, he was so clinical and alert, it was without doubt one of his most complete performances of the season. However, the player who was my man of the match was Christian Eriksen. I thought that Eriksen was outstanding and that he was the most influential player on the field in my eyes. Eriksen dazzled at the Lane, his movement and vision was something else, the Denmark international registered two assists against West Brom, taking his league total for the season, up to 8. Moussa Dembele also played exceptionally the Belgian, was an engine in the midfield he simply overwhelmed the Baggies in the centre of the park. I could go on and on about the fantastic individual performances that were seen on Saturday. The only downside on Saturday, was the potentially serious ankle injury that Jan Vertonghen suffered, I’m hoping it’s not as worse as first feared though, his been immense this season.

The question that will be popping up now in the media, will be can Spurs challenge for the league? Well, Mauricio Pochettino certainly thinks so! “We have more belief now and we are much better than last season. We have nine more points than we had at at this stage of last season [after 21 games]”. After Manchester City’s 4-0 defeat to Everton on Sunday, Pochettino’s side will be relishing the opportunity to do the double over Guardiola’s side. Talk of us winning the title may be too premature, but personally I believe that we have a good chance to silence the doubters. Bring on Saturday! COYS