It was a strange game.
Have you ever watched those time lapse photography film clip things where you see a seed force its way out of the soil, grow into a plant of some description and then flower, but all in the space of about twenty seconds?
That was Spurs versus Stoke, that was.
One minute were trundling around – passing to each other – the next there’d been a hat-trick and another goal and everyone was home in time for tea and medals.
It would be easy to point out that Stoke were extremely mediocre, because they were. And that Spurs delivered 4 goals, but no masterclass, because it wasn’t. But I think that is quite unkind.
What we got was a very controlled, almost dispassionate performance from Tottenham. The Wembley had obviously business stung them as a unit. Which is a good thing. It shows they care.
What really helped of course was Poch astounding the Western World by unshackling himself from the laborious ‘4 at the back’ business.
There’s an unwelcome streak of AVB in in Pochettino. I’ve referenced this mentality previously.
You’ve all seen those home makeover programmes and the idiot couple that can’t sell their house tell the woman with 30 years experience in the business that they won’t be putting in a downstairs toilet (which would add £5,000 to the value of their home) instead they’re pressing ahead with a loft conversion (which won’t add a penny to the value of their home)… because they’ve decided.
Poch desperately needs to be more flexible. The 3 at the back tactic works excellently and yet he wheels it out like it’s usually behind a piece of glass marked ‘in event of emergency, break glass’.
One weakness was Bonzo yet again failing to have the mental capacity required to pass from advanced positions.
Tony and Verts were extremely good.
Wanyama is one of the best players we’ve bought in the last 20 years.
Eriksen had a good game, but then he always benefits from a touch of slow-motion.
Dele I’ve already thanked. His condition manifested itself by delivering his best game yet in the shirt. For those of you who had been cooing when he did naff all but score a goal in previous games, this is what I was on about. This is what the gripe was based upon. This was his first thoroughbred match as a team player.
Kane managed to score not just 3 times, but 3 very good goals. His second was sublime. All round Kane’s involvement was greater.
Top four is on, auditor my pals!
Janssen appears to be toast and there may be some ITK incoming on this later today.
