Looking back at the NLD

Respect to the current king of the animal kingdom, a cockerel crowing from the heavens, looking down on all below.

There’s still an evolution playing out. It’s worth noting again that the first half counter attacking masterclass was followed by the grind of the second forty-five, which seemed to be far more reactive in that we sucked up the pressure and didn’t really find a way to get studs on the ball and defuse the pressure the visitors were attempting to assert. But it was a comfortable discomfort. I know this because I re-watched the game without having to endure the aforementioned ‘fear’.

Yes, there was less control over the containment tactics post-half time, but Spurs were hardly getting smashed up by it. We defended brilliantly, for all of Arsenal’s stats they did nothing. 69% of the ball, 32 crosses etc etc. I’m repeating myself here again, I’ve covered it already but it’s worth illustrating that you don’t take a machine gun to a two team Battle Royale. You get hold of a sniper rifle and you assassinate with clean clinicality. It’s the type of edge Spurs need to win the title. Can they? Perhaps. It’s worth checking out the Premier League odds to work out if the current form will retain longevity.

Son Heung-Min has now scored 10 times from 13 shots. The man doesn’t waste bullets.

Harry Kane is omnipotent.

Both goals were utterly delicious in execution and beauty. Kane once more assisting for Son to send the ball into the Arsenal net like a shooting star curving to gravity as it surfs a planets atmosphere before it dips into the earth. The second saw us out number them on the counter a moment after they squandered a half decent chance at the other end of the pitch. Son this time playing in Kane at an angle, who hit the ball so hard, it died and got reincarnated as itself in the same moment it died.

We still have to work at owning a bit more possession, especially when defending a lead (REPEAT KLAXON). To find a way to kill the game off with us possessing the ball. However, this isn’t the Mourinho way. After-all, one of his principles is that if the opposition has the ball – they are more likely to make a mistake with it. I’m not sure I fancy that philopshy when we visit Anfield.

But alas, this is Jose’s first full season at Spurs and something is happening that perhaps none of us expected. Which is usually how Spurs gatecrash things.

Other things of note;

Kane now the all time leading goal scorer in the NLD. History making in your lifetime. He absolutely loves dishing it out to the gooners. It’s the only type of bullying I condone. The only ones getting cancelled are the Arsenal. In the social media journalistic aftermath of the game, Kane is once more being singled out for his ghost jumping. That’s when he positions himself for the ball, doesn’t jump and the opposing player does – and lands on Kane’s back. Apparently Harry might end up killing someone. Cry me a river. He’s literally not jumping. That’s his crime.

Great shifts from Serge Aurier, PEH, Sissoko. Serge was tremendous and played a key part in the origins of our second goal (threading a ball through a calamity of gooners) and Højbjerg was once more a leader and cheerleader of men. Honestly, take a look at how he celebrates the most mundane passages of play like a kid getting a PS5 on Christmas Day. He’s played every single minute in the league. The man is a menace.

Hugo Lloris, rumoured to have passed two COVID tests to play in the game made two important saves. Remember the concern when we all believed Joe Hart might have to start in his place?

No Gareth Bale. That’s now zero minutes in the last three massive league fixtures. And yet, his exclusion from the dramatics raises my confidence in this team even higher. He’ll play a vital part in our season, I’m sure of it. Perhaps it’s rude to call him a luxury. Once he’s fully fit, he’ll provide another dimension to our attacking options. Jose has no time for sentiment, to sub him on, and disrupt the balance of the team when the three points is the vital objective. He needs his players to track back constantly and I doubt Gareth can offer that just now (if at all).

The Thomas Partey incident, walking off before Kane scored, pretty much sums up the plight of our fallen neighbours – and I’m all here for it. He was injured, he walked off, was told to run back in desperation by his manager. Sat in 15th spot, it really is a delight to see them finally settle into a downward spiral. About time too.

Also, lovely to see a vocal and animated 2,000 Spurs fans back in the stadium. It still seems surreal, a bit offbeat that having spectators – supporters – in the stands is a special moment.

Love it.

Also love Spurs being held accountable for having an edge and not being soft because they ain’t playing expansive football that would probably have them sat in 4th spot instead of 1st.

I’m repeating myself again. I can’t help it. I have an agenda.

Two massive games up next. In fact, three massive games. Every game is massive because we have made them into important cogs in the ultimate machine of glory. Be it unfashionable glory, a bit of this that and the other. But that’s how it works. Momentum doesn’t have to be exclusively pretty. Our goal difference is pretty attractive though.

This is what title challenging football looks like. Give it a kiss, slip in a tongue. Don’t be shy. It’s time to try something new.