Spurs News
A look back at the disappointing defeat to Man City
Fan Articles, Match Reports, News, Our Season | MF | May 11, 2011 at 8:20 am
Row B of the away end at Eastlands isn’t the best position from which to perform an analysis of any tactical battle that may be unfolding on the pitch in front of you, it was though the perfect place for a close up view of Crouch’s stabbing of Milner’s cross past a helpless Cudicini. This turned out to be the only score in a match we thoroughly dominated and deserved at least a draw from. Man City were very disappointing in ambition and style and I for one won’t be making any efforts to watch their Champions League games next season if this muscular and physical offering is a typical display.
For once there was something resembling an atmosphere inside the City of Manchester stadium as the home crowd mostly ignored the desultory performance given by their side. There were though sounds of frustration from our right as well as unintelligible chanting as spells of pressure from us were often greeted by a hoof clear from a back four just desperate to get a breather. Their turning of their backs to the pitch in their imitation Pole dancing at the final whistle could be seen more as symbolic than celebratory.
Our makeshift line-up showed diligence and endeavour throughout gaining far more than their fair share of possession as they pushed the home side back into their own penalty area. There was though the familiar lack of a cutting edge as we were unable to make any of the good work count in front of goal. Lennon provided our main threat and it was he who supplied the crosses that Modric slipped just wide in the first half and Pienaar headed low to Hart’s left in the second forcing the keeper into an excellent save. These moments, plus two low passes across the six yard box near the end, were the closest we came to scoring.
Blunt as we are, finding a replacement won’t be easy if the performance of the very expensive Dzeko is anything to go by. What a hopeless lump. We obviously can’t afford to waste the millions that City do on players they can just discard without thinking. The awful and cringing sign ‘Thank you Sheikh Mansour’ that hangs along one side of the ground is a reminder of the cash still waiting to be burnt in the summer.
Modric as ever was excellent as was Sandro especially as he attempted to carry the game to City in the second half. Lennon was good and Pienaar did well once he’d got up to speed after half time. Danny Rose is such an improved player it is hard to believe it’s the same man as this time last year. He looked confident and mature as he completely ignored the baiting of the morons at the front of the home crowd when they refused to give the ball to him at throw ins. He was though nearest to Milner at the short corner that led to the goal and perhaps less dithering would’ve enabled him to close him down.
So, on the surface the season continues to ebb away with more whimper than bang. This result though disguises a performance to be pleased with. Whether or not it’s one that’s good enough to halt the charge of a currently rampant Liverpool is a different matter.
By MF
WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE DEFEAT AND OUR FAILURE TO QUALIFY FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?
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Not going to make many fans serving up that style of football which I guessed is proved by the fact that your most important game since the spurs decider last season failed to sell out and tickets were still available on general release on Monday.
Not sure whether this will be a lesson to be learnt in the new season !
Thought Spurs did play quite well last night i.e. kept the ball well (Modric and Sandro were excellent as ever), but were just toothless in the final third, like they have been since the Blackpool defeat in February.
Agree with Roy, you could go back to the defeat at Blackpool and then look at subsequent draws against Wolves, West Ham, Wigan and West Brom. Had Tottenham taken the amount of points they should've against these teams then they'd be pushing Arsenal for 3rd.
Anyway, still been a cracking season – great experience watching them in the Champions League.
Gutted mate
Well done. Well done to you.
You beat a team last night without scoring a goal. A team missing their "first" choice keeper, their "first" choice centre backs (yes I know Woodgate doesn't count but King for example played more games than Ferdinand last season), their first choice left back with a young, completely inexperienced, winger playing in his place. If you count Hutton that could be the entire back five, absent. And then two of our most important players in Huddlestone and Bale. Then, during the match we suffered injuries to Palacious and Gallas.
You're playing a team in terrible form, at HOME, and yet you still get largely dominated.
Well done. You're number one! I mean four. Well done.
Is it exciting as in the days of Hoddle and Greaves=No its not
Do I care bout some fuckin dick from outer Mongolia whose our next signing when I cant pronounce his name= Know I don’t
Why do I support spurs then=Its in the blood but thats the only reason because it is boring to be honest if we consider the whole of it like players who have nothing to do with the Uk let alone London. One day it’ll all disappear up its own arsehole.