It probably seems weird to say “no worries” about a match where Spurs conceded the first goal, but Wycombe were never really a threat after they scored. Spurs were the dominant team throughout and had an incredible 28 chances on goal. It would have been nice to have the win secured sooner than the 86th minute, but it was mostly down to ridiculously unlucky finishing that it was left that late. The goal frame was Wycombe’s best player!
Although it would be unfair to lay most of the blame for Wycombe’s goal on Joe Hart (the entire defense was a mess on that play), I would still feel more confident with Hugo playing every game going forward, regardless of which competition we’re playing in. I mean, you don’t see Manuel Neuer resting for German cup matches. I realize the irony of this statement after the Holstein Kiel disaster, but my point stands! If it comes down to a penalty shootout, who would you rather have in goal, Hart or Lloris? Enough said.
Let’s back up to Gareth Bale’s equalizer just before half-time. He had missed basically a hat trick’s worth of chances earlier in the half but did well to stay onside and make the run to score from Lucas Moura’s through ball. Sure, this was only a Championship side as our opponent, but Bale still looked the best he has all season. Could he finally be on the upswing? The fact that he was able to play the full 90 minutes was promising, too.
Mourinho only made one change to the side at half-time, bringing Højbjerg on for Tanganga, who’d had one of Tottenham’s many chances on goal but was also involved in the defensive breakdown for Wycombe’s goal. The game-winner still wasn’t coming, so Kane subbed on for Vinícius in the 58th minute. Vinícius was the biggest disappointment from the game, for me. He struggled to stay onside and time his runs correctly and didn’t offer much else going forward. What happened to the energy from his very first match in a Tottenham shirt, where he was an assist machine? More of that when he’s having an off day for scoring, please.
Things really started to heat up when Son and Ndombele came on as a double sub for Moura and Lamela (who actually works better himself as a super-sub, in my opinion). Moura had looked better today and did have that key assist for Bale, but otherwise put in a frustrating performance. The energy is there, the control—not so much. So I was quite happy with these substitutions. Rodon didn’t have much to do when he came on in the 90th minute for Davies, but still good to see him getting game time whenever he can. Hats off to José for a round of subs that didn’t make me want to scream for once!
Finally, in the 86th minute, we found our winner—from a Winks screamer! Well, maybe screamer isn’t the right word (I did scream at my TV), but it definitely came from outside the box. And according to post-match interviews, Mourinho has been encouraging players like Winks and Sissoko to be taking more of these shots (or just shots period). I’m all for it! The more goals we’re getting from players who aren’t Kane or Son, the better our chances of legitimately challenging for the title (and the cup trophies).
I want to quickly say a piece on Harry Winks. A lot of Tottenham fans had counted him out this season and welcomed a move away from the club, but I think he should be commended for taking the chances José has given him and running with them, proving his worth to the team—even if it’s as a squad player. We’ve seen an improvement in many aspects of his game this season, his passing vision especially. There was a moment in the Wycombe match where he had some space but was about to be closed in by a trio of Wycombe players; the old Winks would have passed right back to Toby or Davies, but he composed himself and made the progressive forward pass. I’m not even from Tottenham, and I still know how huge it is to have a literally homegrown player on the team (same goes for Japhet Tanganga). Winks’ Man of the Match award yesterday was well-deserved, and he’s earned his place in the squad, as far as I’m concerned. On the opposite spectrum, Davinson Sánchez has consistently failed to make the most of his opportunities to play. I would not be surprised to see him leaving the club in the summer.
And speaking of getting goals from non-Kane/Son sources: Ndomballer, goal machine! He’s definitely hitting his stride these last few matches, and no fitness concerns in sight. He’s been scary good. Practically unplayable!
So in the end, it was a 4-1 win for Spurs, and we’re on to the fifth round matchup at Everton. It will be a decidedly more difficult match than Wycombe, but one that Spurs are fully up for. Let’s just hope we sort out our set piece and header defense before facing Dominic Calvert-Lewin again. Mark your calendars for February 10!
News bits from around English football
Frank Lampard was sacked. You may have heard. While I think we all saw it coming, it’s still a sad state of affairs to see a club legend put out to pasture, even if it’s at a rival club. I’m sure Thomas Tuchel will be a big improvement, tactics-wise, so I may have to reassess where I put Chelsea on my mid-season power ranking… Lampard wasn’t using the formidable assets at his disposal to their full effect, but Tuchel will know what to do with Chelsea’s German contingent, at the very least. I’m looking forward to seeing what lineup he selects when they play Wolves tomorrow—Mason Mount exiled? We’ll see.
Most of the games in the WSL were postponed due to weather conditions, so no Spurs Women game to report on, unfortunately. Though it did leave me free to devote all my Sunday morning attention to Bayern’s shellacking of Schalke. On the real though, it’s a bummer to see Spurs Women missing so many games when we’re in a good run of form. Hopefully, it can be maintained despite all the interruptions. At least they had fun with their snow day!
Round two with the defending champions
Honestly, it’s coming at a good time. Mo Salah may have scored two goals in Liverpool’s defeat to Man U in the FA Cup this weekend, but the rest of the team don’t seem to be firing on all cylinders—they’re goalless in the PL since the festive fixtures.
We also have a (not so) secret weapon for this match that we didn’t have last time we faced Liverpool at Anfield: Ndombele. Well, he was on the bench that day, but he didn’t play. Unless he picks up a freak injury in training before Thursday (*knocks on wood*), he will be starting against Liverpool. And the way he’s been playing, they should be afraid. Very afraid.
Kane & Son got the perfect amount of playing time at Wycombe; not enough to be fatigued for Thursday, and just enough to not be rusty from the long break since the Sheffield match. It’s hard to see Mourinho making too many changes to our lineup from that game. Alderweireld is having a bit of a rough patch, so I’d be happy to see Rodon stay in the starting XI for the PL games.
I guess my main wish for this match is that we play on the front foot. They’re weakest in defense right now. It’s a home match (for what that’s worth these days, sans fans), the run of form is on our side, and damn it, we can’t let Salah keep the lead in the Golden Boot race!
Win this match, and we leapfrog Liverpool (and West Ham) to get back into the top 4.
COYS