The most unconvincing 3-1 home win in the history of the world, against a Forest side that made 7 changes to their first XI. But this was a useful game because we learnt a fair bit.
For starters, we learnt that Stuart ‘Psycho’ Pearce’s idea of a dressing for a big game, is to borrow a suit from the BBC wardrobe dept that supplied Life On Mars.
We also learnt that season ticket holders didn’t even bother to try and sell on their seats for this one. Looking at the availability on the club site yesterday lunchtime, there were few seats remaining on General Sale, however there were clearly hundreds and hundreds of empty seats last night.
The game itself was mostly a cavort. I made the point after the Partizan Belgrade, because of where we are in terms of building a convincing team, once we don’t pick our best XI, things begin to get shaky very quickly.
I watched the game with a Forest fan and as the second half began, we both agreed a that no matter who scored the first goal, it was needed to save what had become a patchy affair. And so that was the case. Although the plan backfired somewhat as it appeared to only wake up Forest.
It was Ryan Mason who turned the game for us, with a truly exceptional strike. He was the catalyst. He was our saviour. No two ways about it.
The goal told Nottingham Forest Football Club that Tottenham Hotspur Football Club had woken up, and that Tottenham Hotspur Football Club felt they were worth more than the previous 71 minutes of toing and froing.
The last 20 0dd minutes of the game were almost alright, in places.
It was Vorm’s turn to bask in the glory of this week’s back four, but it has to be said, last night’s troupe of Davies, Verts, Naughton and Fazio weren’t too bad. Just how bad they may have been against better opposition is another matter.
Fazio’s timing on tackles appears to be ace. But there might be a small question mark over his pace. He’s brand new on the firm and will take a while to settle of course, but the early signs are promising eenough. He’s an immediate upgrade on Vlad.
At the risk of repeating myself, Ben Davies is a quare one. He’s a touch of the James Milners about him. Which is to say he pretty much does the job, but he has to be the most uniform, unexceptional looking player ever.
Naughton had a good game. The unkind, cheerless side of me might say that this is because he is a Championship player, so playing a Championship side would see him as happy as a pig in its own excretia. But the balanced and cheerful side of me might say that he’s obviously been working hard to get into the team, and it’s paid off.
Lennon and Townsend. I despair. Making Azza Blud your captain is on a par with making Peter Shilton your designated driver. You’ll probably get home alright, but why would you get into the car?
At one point in the second half, I swear I saw him pass the ball, then point along the line to where he wanted it to go. Stellar stuff.
Sir Blastalot has to be one of the most shamless characters on the planet. I’m not a fan of Mark Twain quotes, but the one about man being the only animal that blushes – or needs to, is too fitting not to mention here.
I can see him on top a double decker bus in a carnival parade, kicking free footballs to kids, but this guy has no future as a footballer.
If he were to ever listen, ever heed a single piece of the copious advice I am convinced that he has received over the years, then maybe, he could improve. But he clearly has zero interest.
Head down, find a yard, wallop. Repeat until dead. Selfish, self indulgent, stupid.
Paulinho is a puzzler. I think I stand by the suggestion to rest him, build him back up and reintroduce him at Christmas. There’s something missing there and given he didn’t come to us on a free, we need to sort whatever it is out.
Beyond Mason’s goal, his overral play was excellent. I’d like to see more of the lad. Given some of the alterantives kicking about, he make my bench for Arsenal, at the very least.
I loved Soldado’s goal and I loved the fact that he offers about 30 or 40 times what Adebayor does. But against the Arse expect our Vice Captain to start and the guy who offers some much needed link up play to be sat in a subs seat.
Lamela had a lovely cameo. I haven’t made an emotional investment in player since Teemu. I just don’t think I’m ready yet.
Bentaleb was busy. I saw a stat flying around this morning that he had a 91% passing accuracy rate. Such a pity that his performance was one that passed me by.
Kudos to Poch for the double sub. It worked.
