From West Ham to AEL Limassol and transfer news.

According to match statistics West Ham had 47% of the match, while Spurs had 53%. But either side could have won it; luckily for us Dier managed to get in first and score; even though he was out of position. But we mustn’t grumble and our defence looked good. The first game of the season is always the hardest (just ask Manchester United). Like all matches a percentage of luck helps in the final decision. However, most of the commentators thought that West Ham were the better side. But we must pay tribute to the man who never misses a penalty, but missed that crucial penalty against Spurs. That man being Mark Noble. And he only got that because Kyle Naughton’s handball, which got him sent off. This defeat will put pressure on Sam Allardyce and me things that West Ham have somebody already in mind to take over. After going through 10 managers in 12 years for Spurs let us hope the omens are finally on the manager’s side (and thus Spurs) and we’ve started as we mean to go on.

Pochettino was appointed to finish in the top 4 (even though he has denied this). So let us hop he instils in his squad the ability to play attractive, passing style that he had achieved at Southampton. The squad that he used in the West Ham game was largely unchanged from last season (one new recruit was the 20-year old defender Dier). Bringing on Kane instead of Soldado tells me that Pochetino is not sure of Soldado’s place at Tottenham. Whether he stays or goes we do need another striker at Spurs. If we don’t get one then I would be very concerned. But Pochettino has passed his first test. More so after Spurs humiliation by the Hammers last season. So now we move on to our Europa match against AEL Limassol. The first match will be at their Tsirion Stadium in Limassol, Cyprus. On paper this match might be seen as an easy match, but as we have learnt from past matches there is no such thing as an easy game (just ask United, when they played Swansea at Old Trafford).

While at Southampton Pochettino was critical of the Europa tournament; calling it “not an attractive competition.” But since then things have changed. If Spurs were lucky to win the trophy then this will give us a door into Champions league football. At a press conference he said: “The Europa League now gives the possibility to play in the Champions League and it’s now a more interesting competition than before. Before, if you won the Europa League you never had that chance – but now, with that change, it’s a more interesting competition.” He then went on and said “But it’s only one more chance – you still have the Premier League and our aim is to win every competition. We’re taking it game by game.”

Limassol only just missed out on winning their league title by one point last season. They had won it previously six times in their history, the last was in 2012. In other European matches they’ve never won a trophy or even got close. I would expect Spurs to win over the two legs. In between both legs they have to meet QPR at White Hart Lane.

Concerning transfers: I’ve been informed that Morgan Schneiderlin is still on Spurs’ radar. Spurs want him, Southampton want more money from Spurs. According to other sauces the Southampton midfield player has already agreed terms. From speaking to people who are in football I’ve ascertained that we are still in for a striker and maybe one or two other players. That is providing Levy can work his magic and save the club some money in the process. The striker, I am told, could be Wilfred Bony from Swansea. I am sure there will be a lot more names thrown into the ring before the transfer deadline is upon us.

After we’ve played Liverpool on 31st (of this month) we should have a better idea of Spurs chances for the hard season ahead. From where I stand at the moment I am hoping for a 4th spot placing.

On a side  issue, nothing to do with Spurs, I’ve heard that West Ham are just waiting to sack their manager, then Tony Pulis can step into the dead man walking’s shoes. How true that is we’ll have to wait and see.

COYS.

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