I wrote it years ago - Kane is able!
After Sunday's dramatic 2-1 win at Villa Park, I was asked why I didn't use the headline "Kane is able". The answer is simple. I used it several years ago, probably in the 2009-10 season, when, as a 16 year old, Harry Kane was captaining the Spurs under-18 side, and scoring freely, usually by playing "in the hole".
Have a look through the Spurs Odyssey archives when you have a chance, and you will discover that Kane first appeared in our under 18 side late in the 2008-09 season as a 15 year old. The first goal by Kane I have on record is one scored against West Ham U-18s in a 4-1 victory in May 2009.
Harry did make his first team debut in August 2011 at home against Hearts, in a 0-0 draw. We were already 5-0 up after the first leg of a Europa League play-off game. Harry Redknapp then gave Kane several Europa League appearances, before he went to Millwall on loan. His very first senior goal was as substitute against Shamrock Rovers, when we won 4-0. Andros Townsend also scored that day, and had the assist for Kane's goal.
Look again at that celebration after Kane's late, late deflected free kick goal. Prominent in the celebrations were Ryan Mason, and Andros Townsend both of whom were in the Spurs Academy at the same time as Harry, although slightly older. Townsend was starting his sequence of loans when Harry was establishing himself in the youth set-up. His team-mates in that game against West Ham did include Mason, but also included Steven Caulker, an established Premier League player, and Nathan Byrne and Yaser Kasim, both of whom are having a great season at League One Swindon. Other members of that squad have also played or are still playing league football.
I've heard comments from non-Spurs fans who saw Kane's post-match interview on Sunday, and commented at how well-balanced he appeared, both as a footballer and as an individual. Harry was 21 in July. There is no doubt that he has a bright career ahead of him. Let's hope it is with Spurs, and let's hope he can continue his proven scoring prowess at the very top level. Harry was your Spurs Odyssey man of the match, awarded for his winning impact on the game. Sky thought the same.
Look again at the league table following this week's games. Feel relieved at the fact that we are in 8th place and not 15th, only above Sunderland on goal difference, which would have been the situation had Villa gained the win that was very much on the cards until late in the game.
That's two away wins we've managed now, both with hardly any time left to play. Add the fact that we've already lost three games at home, and we all know there is so much need for improvement in the performances of our team in Premier League games. Mark Hughes' Stoke team will prove tough opposition (in more ways than one) on Sunday.
P.S - This was Harry Kane's fourth man of the match vote this season, and his third in the last four games. Ryan Mason was voted our next best outfield player, and is proving consistent since his first team debut in late September. That Academy team in 2009 was not a bad batch, was it?
· Spursometer for Villa game
Results 01-03.11.14
Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool
Arsenal 3-0 Burnley
Chelsea 2-1 QPR
Everton 0-0 Swansea
Hull 0-1 S'hampton
Leicester 0-1 West Brom
Stoke 2-2 West Ham
Man City 1-0 Man Utd
A. Villa 1-2 Spurs
C.Palace 1-3 S'derland
Barclays Premier League
P W D L F-A GD Pts
1. Chelsea 10 8 2 0 26-10 16 26
2. S'hampton 10 7 1 2 21-5 16 22
3. Man City 10 6 2 2 20-10 9 20
4. Arsenal 10 4 5 1 18-11 7 17
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5. West Ham 10 5 2 3 19-14 5 17
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6. Swansea 10 4 3 3 13-10 3 15
7. Liverpool 10 4 2 4 13-13 0 14
8. Spurs 10 4 2 4 13-14 -1 14
9. Everton 10 3 4 3 19-17 2 13
10. Man Utd 10 3 4 3 16-14 2 13
11. West Brom 10 3 4 3 13-13 0 13
12. Newcastle 10 3 4 3 11-15 -4 13
13. Stoke 10 3 3 4 10-12 -2 12
14. Hull 10 2 5 3 13-14 -1 11
15. S'derland 10 2 5 3 11-18 -7 11
16. A. Villa 10 3 1 6 5-16 -11 10
17. C. Palace 10 2 3 5 14-19 -5 9
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18. Leicester 10 2 3 5 11-16 -5 9
19. QPR 10 2 1 7 9-20 -11 7
20. Burnley 10 0 4 6 5-19 -14 4
