The post-Levy era begins with an away derby at West Ham. Our last three visits there have ended 1-1, and our last league win there was in 2019, which happened to be Jose Mourinho's first match in charge. It should be a testy environment, their support are not happy with their board, half-and-half scarves have been banned, and Mohammed Kudus is sure to get a hostile reception upon his return. Thomas Frank has ruled out Dom Solanke for this one, but everyone else returned unscathed from international duty. It will be interesting to see what kind of lineup he puts out for this one, with new signings Xavi Simons and Kolo Muani now in the fold.
Now we are getting into the dilemma of having two games a week, and every game is important, so no weak lineups! It will be interesting to see if Frank can pull this off with the thin squad we have. Here's who I would start: Vicario, Porro, Romero, VdV, Udogie - Romero and VdV should be fresh, as Romero was suspended for Argentina's second game and VdV only played 25 minutes in Netherlands' second game. Start Porro and Udogie with the intention of using Spence for one or the other on Tuesday. Simons, Bentancur/Palhinha, Sarr - Obviously Simons. Bentancur and Palhinha are the best "defensive" midfielders, but the attack is rather anemic if they are both playing. One starts tomorrow, the other starts Tuesday. Sarr is in good form, scored for Senegal. Bergvall and Gray should get some minutes off the bench. Kudus, Richarlison, Johnson/Tel - Sounds like Muani isn't ready to start, but I expect to see him get some minutes. Solanke out. So Kudus and Richarlison are the obvious choices. Interesting decision on the left. Do you use Tel, since he can't play Tuesday? He scored two goals and was MOTM for France U-21s. Or go with Johnson, who has 2 goals in 3 games but kinda sucked last time out (as did most of the team)? Good to have options.
Here is the team: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence, Palhinha, Sarr, Bergvall, Simons, Kudus, Tel Substitutes: Kinsky, Danso, Richarlison, Udogie, Johnson, Odobert, Bentancur, Davies, Kolo Muani
That second goal was poetry. Just sweetness with no fluff. Sadly, I missed the first goal because I was rousting my teenager. #parenting
Goal from w̶a̶c̶k̶y̶ ̶p̶i̶n̶-̶b̶a̶l̶l̶i̶n̶g̶ intentional passing in the box. Quite nice. (edit after watching replay, initially looked like a defensive block rolling fortunately)
NBC announcer: They [Spurs] are a club of many false dawns over the years, so we have to speak cautiously here.
Truth. I'm hoping the new administration does not look towards the January window thinking, "How can I create profit." We need, "How can we improve the team."
CBS Sports' Chuck Booth's take on the game and Coach Frank: How Tottenham manager Thomas Frank is effectively masking Spurs' weaknesses
I've not read the article yet, but I'm guessing we're hiding our weakness by putting him up top and not passing to him all game?
There was no reason to chalk off Romero's goal, there was no foul, if anything Walker-Peters was grabbing Romero. Then later in the half, from another corner, their defender wrestled Vdv to the turf, a clear penalty, but the malaka VAR said no foul. PL officiating is diabolical. Still, always enjoyable to beat those tossers in their place. Plus my youngest son's team hung on for a 14-2 win later in the day.
The new Tottenham mafia was in the director's box: Viv and Charlie Lewis, Peter Charrington, and Johan Lange.