Mix 'N' Match Spurs Fail To Shine In Turkey

Going to the RAMS stadium in Istanbul to face Galatasaray in a European competition is always a tricky ask of any side, let alone a Spurs side short of half a dozen players that could possibly have started the match.

This however doesn't completely excuse the first half display which being kind could be described as disjointed. Some of the social media reaction at half-time would be a lot more cutting and direct.

Ange was in a difficult position selection-wise for several reasons. Not least the mounting injury list, but also the close proximity of the next Premier League fixture against Ipswich. For once, the International break which follows immediately after is quite welcome with regard to this.

He went with Forster in the nets, a back four with just one first choice Porro. Dragusin, Davies and Gray made up the quartet. Bissouma was the only remotely defensive midfield selection, sat in behind Burgvall and Maddison who both turned out to be equally ineffective.

Captain Son and Johnson were in the wide positions and starting at centre forward was nineteen year old Will Lankshear. What an evening it developed into for that young man.

The home side took an early lead when Akgun struck an absolute hummer into the top corner that two keepers would have struggled to stop. Gala were well on top and Spurs struggled to put two passes together, closely resembling a bunch that hadn't played together before which technically I suppose they were. 

With the experienced Icardi and the fabulous Osimhen up front the Turkish champions pulled Spurs makeshift defence all over the place. Forster made a couple of decent stops, but then out of nothing we equalised. Son was fouled on the wing but the ref allowed the game to continue. Gray picked up the ball and floated a beautiful cross field pass to Johnson who volleyed first time across the box for Lankshear who smacked the ball into the empty net. His first senior goal.

Lankshear celebrates his first senior goal. A great night for the youngster.

Parity however lasted only thirteen minutes when Dragusin dallied on the ball and was caught out  by Martens whose perfect through ball was despatched into the corner by Osimhen. It was no more than Gala deserved and eight minutes later the same players combined to put the home side 3-1 up. Spurs were getting over run and desperate for half-time which fortunately arrived with no further deficit.

Obviously Ange had to do something so he withdrew Son and Johnson (with an eye on Sunday I assume) and replaced them with Kulusevski and Bentancur. This reorganisation certainly led to an improvement. Whilst still under the cosh for large periods, Spurs at least made a fight of it in the second half.

Unfortunately, Lankshear took this slightly too far when thinking he should have been awarded a free kick and already on a booking he went in late and was shown a second yellow. Spurs faced around half an hour in this cauldron now with just ten men but strangely they got a bit more of a foothold.

Lankshear receives his first senior red card. A terrible night for the youngster.

The game became more even. I'm guessing Gala tired a little and thought they had the game won. Around five minutes after the red card, Ange removed Maddison and Burgvall, replaced them with Solanke and Sarr and within three minutes Solanke scored, cleverly flicking home a Porro cross. Former Spur Davison Sanchez showing he left at least part of his heart at the Lane by not bothering to track Solanke's run to the near post.

Solanke finishes skillfully. 

The home side were definately a little knocked back by this and even the vociferous local support seemed a bit nervous.

Unfortunately despite a couple of half chances Spurs couldn't quite find the equaliser. Kulusevski probably came the closest right near the end of stoppage time.

The out come was the first defeat in this seasons Europa League. I always thought that this would be the most difficult fixture in the opening phase of the competition and circumstances conspired a little against Spurs. The first half wasn't anywhere near good enough so there's definate room for improvement by the time we take on Roma at home towards the end of the month.

There's not much time to rest up as its Ipswich at home on Sunday. They haven't won a league game yet, a bit like Palace a couple of weeks back, but as we're at home I'm hoping 'Doctor Tottenham' won't be making one of his regular appearances. Ange revealed today that there's a chance Romero may be fit in time but also Richarlison faces yet another lengthy stay in the treatment room. With Odebert, Spence, Moore, van der Ven and Werner already in there it must be getting pretty crowded. 

CCTV footage from the Spurs treatment room

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From what I've seen of Ipswich this season they looked well organised and coached if perhaps a little naive. Liam Delap looks a handful upfront so whoever is at the back will definately need to be well aware of him. Unluckily Calvin Phillips is suspended because he looks a shadow of the player that looked so good for England not that long ago. 

We know exactly how Spurs will play. If we score first (heaven forbid) we could go on and win convincingly. We could go behind and win convincingly but we've got to stop that habit. We're bound to come unstuck at some point. Come On You Spurs!!