Friendly: Watford 2-1 Tottenham & our opponents in the Carabao Cup competition.
By any stretch of the imagination, was this was a good game. Most of our squad was on international duty, which rendered the whole thing pointless. Well, ok, not totally pointless as Mourinho managed to get a look at some of the squad members in greater detail and against tougher opposition.
We travelled to the northwest corner of London, yes, Vicarage Road. It was the last of our pre-season friendlies and the only one we lost.
We played with a rotated side. We came out flatter than a pancake, conceded two goals in the first half and lost the bloody match (2-1). Son scored our only goal, firing home a penalty after Lamela was fouled in the box by Watford’s new signing Glenn Murray. However, we started the match with, bad boy, Tanguy Ndombele in midfield, his first appearance in a preseason game, after coming out of a virus enforced quarantine. Joe Hart began the game in goal, while youngsters Dennis Cirkin and Harvey White also got a few minutes.
Their goals were in the 5th minute and 39th minute. Domingos Quina and Andre Gray scored for the Hornets.
Halftime subs: Gazzaniga, Foyth, Clarke in for Hart, Cirkin, and Ndombele
A yellow card for Dele in the 73rd minutes after clashing with Joao Pedro.
Our goal came in the 79th minute, Son converted a penalty after naughty boy Glenn Murray charges down Lamela in the box. Hope yes, we thought… but no. In the 91st minutes, they nearly got another goal, to make it three, but Gazzaniga, who replaced Hart and who was challenging for No.2 jersey caught high up the pitch, but strangely doesn’t seem to have the forethought of chasing back to retrieve the ball. Luckily for us Son kicked it off the line and the whistle blew shortly afterwards.
My thoughts; As workouts go, it was better than nothing.
Bad boy Ndombele had a good 45 minutes. But he did look like he didn’t have enough gasoline in the tank. White, Cirkin and Clarke had some good minutes under their belts in our preseason games. However, I doubt that you will see them on the bench any day soon unless it is in an insignificant game. Young boy Cirkin made one big mistake that led to the penalty, but otherwise, he can look to the future with a smile on his face.
Joe Hart had a chance to shine but ended up shite. Good old Hart, carrying on where he left off at Burnley. Paulo Gazzaniga won’t have any worries, going by Hart’s performance.
Cameron Carter-Vickers probably played for shop window purposes, the same for a few others. More money in means more money for new players.
Did Mourinho learn anything from this match? I doubt it. We didn’t show anything going forward or even going backwards. Watford came out of it better. They obviously hope to bounce straight back. Watford were probably in the best pre season opponents we’ve had.
Carabao Cup draw.
We have been drawn away to Leyton Orient or Plymouth Argyle in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Next up will be the start of the Premier League, where we face Everton at home next Sunday. But no fans, just another empty stadium, oh, plus Levy and his chosen disciples.
Best Regards and COYS!
Glenn
My name is Glenn Renshaw.
I am currently a Premium Season Ticket holder (West Stand) in the new stadium. Before that – at White Hart Lane – a season ticket holder in various parts of the ground (mainly in the North stand).
Before becoming a season ticket holder, I stood on the shelf and various other parts of the ground since the 1960s (the season of the double). In 1987 I became one of the first to hold a Spurs Membership card. I was also a life long member of the Spurs supporters club (now defunct).
I go to all home, away and abroad matches.
I was born in 1955, Edgware, London. I currently live in Berkshire.
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Previously, I wrote for Spurs Fanzines: The Spur, Spur of the Moment, My Eyes have seen the Glory and various other Spurs fanzines’. I also wrote for the SpursWeb app & its website.
I currently write and work for spursnetwork.com and its website. I write its Reviews & Match reports and a lot more.
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