In? Out? Remember: Spurs' issues predate Postecoglou.
I’m not sure exactly where we are on the Ange Postecoglou Hokey Cokey. In, out or just shaken all about. His Tottenham Hotspur side showed some spirit in fighting back from 2-0 down against Bournemouth in the Premier League. Postecoglou’s got some of his injured mainstays returning. He has to be “in” - for now. Spurs’ season depends on the Europa League, and overturning a 1-0 deficit to AZ Alkmaar at home on Thursday. Even if Spurs do crash out, and the fans really turn on Postecoglou, who are they going to appoint at this stage of a season? They’d be better off waiting until the summer. Unless the pressure rises further on chairman Daniel Levy and the manager gets sacrificed, as is often the way with clubs.
Postecoglou does not seem particularly inspirational, but injuries are a mitigating factor as is an inhibiting culture at the club that long predates him. It is a culture of an obsession with style over substance, of life in a comfort zone instead of a club with a warrior mindset. Spurs have a great ground, training ground and support but not a great DNA of relentless hunger to achieve. Until Spurs change that, they can change as many managers as they want.
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Like the rest of the country, football clubs marked the fifth anniversary of the start of the Covid pandemic yesterday. Back in 2020, clubs and players were initially criticised by politicians over their perceived slowness in helping. The reality was much different. Clubs immediately opened up their medical facilities for NHS use.
The dressing-rooms at Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park were used by NHS nurses dealing with antenatal patients. The city’s Derriford hospital was almost overwhelmed by the pandemic and needed space elsewhere. Argyle immediately came to their help. The conference hall in the stadium became a waiting room for patients.
Manchester City, Watford and Forest Green Rovers were also quick to hand over facilities to the NHS. The Etihad became a training centre for doctors and nurses. Footballers and club staff across the 92 clubs hit the phones, calling fansm checking on those isolating. Clubs have databases, so they first contacted the elderly to check they were OK, whether they needed anything, prescriptions collected or food dropped off.
They also formed #PlayersTogether to raise millions for the NHS. Mark Noble, then West Ham’s captain, was one of the driving forces. I spoke to him at the time and he’d just come off the phone with another organiser, Jordan Henderson, Liverpool’s captain in 2020. Noble was marvelling at how Henderson was juggling all these calls while powering along on his running machine at home. Multi-tasking.
Players stayed fit, got back playing behind closed doors as the Government wanted football on TV, as well as raised fortunes for the NHS. As a nation reflects on the pandemic, and mourns more than 200,000 who passed away with Covid, football can reflect that it played its part in the recovery. More than some politicians did.
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It's good having keepers as pundits on Match of the Day. Joe Hart again gave excellent expert insight on Saturday night over Ederson’s involvement in Nottingham Forest’s goal. The Manchester City keeper was criticised for allowing Callum Hudson-Odoi’s shot to go between him and the post. Hart, though, spotted a nick off Josko Gvardiol which ruined Ederson’s correct starting position to intercept the shot.
The following evening, Shay Given brought his knowledge to bear during the discussion over David Raya’s starting position for Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick at Old Trafford. There had already been talk of the wall being measured too far back, 11.2 yards. What Given noticed was Joshua Kirkzee pushing Thomas Partey into a gap by the wall to obscure Raya’s view of Fernandes.
It was still a mistake by the Arsenal keeper, being too far to his right initially. But Given shed some light on Raya’s mindset, trying to play a game of bluff with Fernandes. More good insight. Goalkeepers are proving keepers as pundits.
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Stuart Pearce is recovering in a Canadian hospital after falling ill on a flight returning from the United States. He’s been inundated with countless supportive messages and no wonder. Pearce is one of the most interesting characters in football. Complex, likeable, intense at times, very funny and engaging at others. All wrapped up in a great curiosity for travel (he’s holidayed in North Korea, and just been to Vietnam) and for music (he’s seen the Stranglers 300 times, and whenever I see him he tries to educate me by giving me another list of new bands to listen to, many with names I can’t even spell). He has a great curiosity for sport (rugby league as well as football) and for history (I went round the Operation Market Garden museum in Arnhem with him). Pearce has a great curiosity for life. I wish him a speedy recovery and to get back on his travels and adventures again soon.
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Another game, another quiet tactical masterclass from Nuno Espirito Santo. Nottingham Forest’s head coach made life even more difficult for Manchester City by altering his team’s configuration. He moved Anthony Elanga from wide to more central, playing off Chris Wood, disrupting City’s supply lines into midfield, contributing to victory and taking another step towards the Champions League. Seemingly minor tweaks bring major triumphs.
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Adam Wharton has always been known for his timing as a player, and he’s certainly timed his run back from injury and into the headlines perfectly. Thomas Tuchel announces his first England squad at 11am on Friday and he must be impressed by Wharton’s form. The Crystal Palace midfielder has this almost effortless way of threading passes through to his forwards. Eddie Nketiah wasted one glorious chance against Ipswich Town. Wharton’s exciting to watch and, having only turned 21 last month, will become even more of a force. A must for Tuchel’s squad – if not yet the team.
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Mo Salah’s penalty technique is seen regularly. He steps straight back from the ball and then moves to one side so he can make a curving run in to the ball. He disguises his intentions. This also allows him more options when the keeper commits himself. He can whip it across the keeper and in or place it the other way - as he did against Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale on Saturday.
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I’m surprised that more wasn’t made of Nathan Collins’s challenge on Youri Tielemans. The Brentford defender is having a very good season but he risked endangering the Aston Villa midfielder with his studs-showing challenge, skimming the top of the ball. The 23-year-old was booked for the foul on Tielemans, and was fortunate that Jarred Gillett did not deem it worthy of a red. Tielemans was fortunate he wasn’t injured.
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Enjoy the week.
Excellent Monday column as usual. Covering all areas. Well pointed our bout how good clubs were during Covid. They did a great job. Can’t believe that was 5 years ago. Amazing. Not good days those. Can’t believe I never got it. Touch wood.
Being very generous to Ederson there Henry. He should not have been beaten by that shot. No chance. Hart playing the keepers union card there. I think he is a decent pundit to. Raya despite three great saves should have done better for goal regardless of the wall. Keepers always look at things differently. Never blame each other if you notice.
Nuno is just perfect for Forest. Not every club suits a manager like Spurs didn’t for him.
Right about Ange. Why on earth would, you make a change now. No one out there at the moment so access again in the summer. Massive game on Thursday for them but they should get through. They can win that tournament without a doubt if they are at it.
Nice words about Stuart Pierce. Good pundit and lots of varied interests.
Nuno got a 1-0 win over City in his first game as Spurs manager. With the benefit of hindsight I am embarrassed at how underwhelmed I was at his appointment. Yes Conte took Spurs into Europe, but maybe Nuno would have become Burkinshaw redux….we will never know, but I like the cut of his jib.