Our best of the season so far!
As I write (1pm - 01.09.15), most Spurs fans are anxiously glued to computer screens/tablets/mobiles/televisions/radios available anywhere awaiting news of the players required to complete this summer's transfer window jigsaw.
The defence was shored by the arrival of Toby Alderweireld, and we kept our first clean sheet of this season, keeping Romelu Lukaku and co at bay without too much pressure on our goal. It was our first 0-0 since April, when Paulinho (one of our summer sales) astounded all with a shocking attempt at goal.
Despite an abysmal score ratio, with Harry Kane getting too little from his supply line, the overall team performance was our best of the season so far. Of course, it is dis-heartening not to have seen a win yet, and Pochettino now has the worse four game start since Ramos in 2008, but we can only hope that Son Heung-min and Clinton N'Jie will enhance our attack, along with that (at this time) missing striker to support "Our Harry".
Hopefully, I will write about our transfer day arrivals in my review of the first month of the season later this week.
Sadly, one of our more experienced players - Kyle Walker - got the lowest mark of the starting line-up. His errors were noted by the 200+ voters in our survey, and drew comment. I did note some good stuff from him though in my match report, but he hasn't made the England squad this week.
Kane has made that senior squad, along with Ryan Mason, whose presence as a "Number 10" has attracted comment in various circles. I've seen Mason play most of his career as a "Number 10", but most Spurs fans are used to seeing him just in front of the defence. If we don't get a defensive midfielder today, I expect we'll say Mason back behind Christian Eriksen.
Similarly, Eric Dier has been subject to some debate in the circles I frequent, accused either of being a "square peg in a round hole". I received one comment, as follows:- "Dier as central midfield for Spurs is incredible to an old timer like me." I'm not sure whether I should read that as a positive or negative remark!
Whatever the case, Eric was voted the Spurs man of the match, by some margin, and two weeks ago, in another home match, he shared that accolade with Lloris.
Referee Mike Jones attracted more comments than I've recently received, including "Worst referee ever", and "Worst ref I've seen since Foy". That's saying something indeed!
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Results 29-30.08.15
Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal
A. Villa 2-2 S'derland
B'mouth 1-1 Leicester
Chelsea 1-2 C. Palace
Liverpool 0-3 West Ham
Man City 2-0 Watford
Stoke 0-1 West Brom
Spurs 0-0 Everton
S'hampton 3-0 Norwich
Swansea 2-1 Man Utd
Barclays Premier League Table
P W D L F-A GD Pts
1. Man City 4 4 0 0 10-0 10 12
2. C. Palace 4 3 0 1 8-5 3 9
3. Leicester 4 2 2 0 8-5 3 8
4. Swansea 4 2 2 0 7-4 3 8
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5. Man Utd 4 2 1 1 3-2 1 7
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6. Arsenal 4 2 1 1 3-3 0 7
7. Liverpool 4 2 1 1 2-3 -1 7
8. West Ham 4 2 0 2 9-6 3 6
9. Everton 4 1 2 1 5-4 1 5
10. S'hampton 4 1 2 1 5-5 0 5
11. B'mouth 4 1 1 2 5-6 -1 4
12. A. Villa 4 1 1 2 4-5 -1 4
13. Chelsea 4 1 1 2 6-9 -3 4
14. Norwich 4 1 1 2 5-8 -3 4
15. West Brom 4 1 1 2 3-6 -3 4
16. Spurs 4 0 3 1 3-4 -1 3
17. Watford 4 0 3 1 2-4 -2 3
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18. Stoke 4 0 2 2 3-5 -2 2
19. Newcastle 4 0 2 2 2-5 -3 2
20. S'derland 4 0 2 2 6-10 -4 2
