Moore Of The Same Please Spurs

Part three of what will hopefully be a fifteen part series, this years Europa League adventure, came to a more than adequate completion last evening in N17. The result, a fairly rare one nil victory for Spurs over the Dutch side AZ Alkmaar leaves us alongside Italian team Lazio and Belgian side Anderlect as the only clubs in the revamped competition with a 100% record at this stage. 

As usual, Ange took absolutely no notice of my opinion / worry / paranoia and made nine changes from the weekends victory against the Hammers with only Destiny Odogie and James Maddison (captain for the evening) retaining their place in the starting line-up.

In a rather strange twisted juxtaposition the fourth minute provided both the best moment for the completely confidence adverse Timo Werner and worst moment for the full of confidence Player Of The Match, Mikey Moore. Werner put a beautiful cross right on the head of Moore who somehow managed to direct the ball wide from a yard out.

Mikey Moore, treating AZ defenders like traffic cones.

Normal service was resumed throughout the rest of the first half though as poor Timo went through almost his entire range, shooting straight at the keeper when put through by a delicious ball from Bergvall, losing the ball / his footing generally at the exact moment you expect him to and shooting high and wide when getting on the end of a slightly overhit pass from Richarlison. The only thing missing was the one where he goes around the keeper but misses the target.

During the first half, AZ had their moments. Unluckily though for them, when those moments occured they found Fraser Forster in the kind of form he hasn't been in since David Cameron was Prime Minister in the Coalition Government. 

Fraser Forster parties like its 2014

Obviously when there's so many changes Spurs play was a little disjointed but its definately improving as the 'fringe' players get more game time. After all, AZ only lost 2-1 to PSV at the weekend despite playing with ten men for eighty minutes. PSV managed a draw away at PSG in the Champions League this week. 

At half time Ange did the only thing he really could and replaced poor Timo with Brennan Johnson. He went to the right side of the attack and Moore switched to his prefered position on the left. Eight minutes into the second half, Bentancur floated a lovely ball from midfield to the onrushing Maddison, he slightly miscontrolled it and as Bergvall lined up to shoot he was bundled over from behind. Penalty given. 

We then had a debate between Maddison and Richarlison over who should take it. At one point Ange must have considered sending on Fiona Bruce to moderate although I'm guessing her choice would have been Brennan as he's both named Johnson and on the right-wing (little bit of politics there).

Eventually, Richarlison scooped the penalty into the middle of the goal and Spurs were ahead. He and Maddison cuddled affectionately afterwards so all would appear to be well.

Richy and Lucas celebrate the winner

In a post match interview James Maddison said "Between the 45th and 65th minute I though we had Neymar on the wing." Now he was obviously being slightly tongue-in-cheek in his assessment of that period of the game in reference to Mikey Moore. Every Spurs fan is excited about this young man and quite rightly so. I assume the lad Maikuma, who played right back last night for AZ woke up this morning in a cold sweat. Maybe its the naivety of his youth but he plays like he's over the park with his mates and not in front of 62,000 on European Night in N17.

He could easily have scored and had a couple of assists yesterday but I'm pretty sure that will come soon. Ange has a lot of coaching experience and I'm confident he will handle his development properly and use him when he thinks its right. Now Odebert is fit again I think he'll be in front of Moore and definately Werner in the Premier League if / when Son isn't available. 

An example of Ange's know how would be taking him off shortly before the end to allow the crowd to show their appreciation. He must have felt like a million dollars walking off that pitch last night.

 

Someone who could probably have gone for a consoling pint with Timo after the game was AZ defender David Moller Wolfe. The 22 year old Norwegian was sent off for a second yellow card for a tackle on Johnson late in the game. It was Wolfe who was sent off against PSV so he's has a very bad week.

David Moller Wolfe, more cards than Clintons.

So its now seven wins in the last eight with just the Brighton debacle as the outlier. The Tottenham bandwagon rolls into Selhurst Park on Sunday against a struggling Crystal Palace. I expect the main players to all return although this morning Ange said Sonny was doubtful and Spence is definately out.

Palace away is nearly always tricky. They have players like Eze and Mateta who we need to keep an eye on and obviously Mark Guehi at the back who's done well for England and was wanted by Newcastle in the summer. Can we keep the run going? Why not. Come On You Spurs!!