I was keen to put the Leicester draw behind us as it was a disappointing start with 2 points dropped to a team that will most likely go down this season. Everton were up next and Spurs fans were weary. It was a Sean Dyke team, a team that drew with us last year after an entire game of outclassing them. Sean Dyke had injuries and Everton are in big trouble as it looks like they will run out of money in November and will have to sell players. Relegation is also staring them in the face. Their new shiny stadium will be ready in the summer and they do not plan to be in the Championship so Spurs expected a fight.
We as fans were disappointed to here that Big Dom Solanke was injured at the Leicester match. He missed no games for Bournemouth last season and 1 game in and he is injured for Spurs. Such bad luck so Ange had decisions to make. Who was he going to put up top. I was sure it was going to be Richarlison myself. Why wouldn't it be?? Ange had come out and said that Son was much better out on the left and he did not want to play him in the Centre. Also the number 6 role was up for grabs after Bentancur received concussion in the Leicester game. Was Ange going to go with new signing Archie Gray or was he going to put his trust back in Bissouma who was suspended for posting a snapchat of him on the hippy craic. The line up came out before the match and everybody was taken by surprise. Bissouma got the nod in number 6 but the major shock was that new signing Odobert was given a start on the left. Sonny pushed into the Centre. Kulusevski and Maddison both got the nod in midfield which was strange. Two creative players. On the right was Brennan Johnson. Sarr was dropped for this line up.
To me it reminded me of an Ossie Ardiles team. Collecting up all your fire power and just playing them all. For this tactic to work Bissouma needed to be on it. Ange had explained that Bissouma was like a child after his mischief with the hippy crack. He was 1st to training, 1st to the team meetings, staying behind at training etc. His life outside of football was rubbing off on his game. He was wishy washy and he was not consistent enough. So the jury was still out on him. He was unplayable before the Luton game last year and then he got sent off and his form dipped as a result. The game started and we saw after a few minutes that Yves Bissouma was back to his best.
The first ten minutes was probably the best I have seen Spurs under Ange. They were relentless and Everton could not cope with our attacks. Ogobert looks like some signing. He had a great 1st half and he got the crowd off their seats. He took on players and this is missed on this side. Sonny pressed really well in the Centre which was great to see. If Sonny played like this every game then he would not have the fans divided. After Bissouma got the first goal which was a cracker he hugged the manager but the second goal was interesting. Jordan Pickford the Everton goalie was chased down by Sonny at speed. Sonny got the ball from him and Spurs had a second. It was a great move by Sonny and his pressing resulted in a goal for Spurs. Happy days. The game ended at half time on 2 - 0 but Spurs could have had more.
Being a Spurs fan 2 - 0 is a very dangerous score line. We need to be 4-0 up before we can relax. The game lulled for a bit after the relentless 1st half. This might be a problem in the future for Anges team. There is a reason why Spurs dipped at the second half of the season. The running and the complete chaos with our full backs ending up as number 10's take its toll and this is why we need a large squad. Our first 11 get tired. The break came when Romero headed in the third goal to put the game to bed but that was not all. Van Der Wien got the ball in his own box and ran the length of the pitch and put it on a plate for Sonny. Sonny got his second and his 4th of the match and Spurs went 4 - nil up. The whistle blew. A great result with loads of positives.
The two new boys Gray and Bergval got on the pitch again as the breaking them into the team continues. Spurs were good. very good and Kulusevski and Maddison played great as well which is a big plus. The only problem now is that Ange has a headache for Newcastle on Sunday. Solanke is rumoured to be back in training and will be fit for Sunday so who do you drop. Newcastle will be the first decent team we play this season and St James Park is a nightmare to go to. We lost 4 - nil there last season and were pretty much out tactic'd by Eddie Howe. This year will be different however but with Arsenal after then at home it will be an important two weeks for Tottenham heading into the international break. Newcastle are beatable and Spurs have the fire power now to hurt them but with the likes of Gordon and Isak they will be dangerous. Also Bruni Guimaraes prowling the midfield we face a tough game.
On saying that the home team need to attack us and this is where we will excel I think. There will be space and I am hoping our full backs in Porro and Udogie will capitalise on this. The starting line up will be intriguing. We have a decent squad now so we are more flexible.
Transfers wise we look to be done but rumour has it United are sniffing around Reguilon seeing that Shaw is injured as well. Rumour has it was asked around Sancho but I am not sure would this work. A loan for a year maybe would be good for all parties but United will have to subsidise Sanchos massive wages. They need Reggy more than we need Sancho.
Los Celso is also rumoured to be going but he is holding out. However if we do say goodbye to these two players before deadline day then we would have been successful in our outgoings during the summer. Spurs always found it hard to get players out the door but this year we are after saying goodbye to half the squad which is after making a huge hole in our wage bill. If these two players go , I can see Spurs getting in one more player. Maybe a left back or a left centre back who can also play left back. We will see what happened but for the meantime everyone is fit so bring on the magpies.