banana skins?
After stuffing Pugwash’s shambles in the opening game of the league a midweek away trip to Hull, no matter their problems, had banana skin written all over it. But no, Spurs handed them a 5-1 thumping.
Sitting top of the Premier League, three wins out of three, a Wednesday night at Doncaster for the Carling Cup again had that slippery yellow item trying to place itself under ‘Arry and his team’s feet. But no another 5-1 scoreline. Previously this would have the look of giant killer job but ‘Arry seems to have cut a lot of the slip ups that create the most disappointment.
That’s not to say this was an easy thumping as the league game, Donny played some good stuff on the night and if they had taken their chances it could have been all so different. But for some excellent saves by Cudicini the South Yorkshire side could have been two up in the first few minutes. The Italian keeper has shown what a great capture he was by ‘Arry especially when considering the price, nothing, nowt zilch, a quality keeper who could be first choice at many a club round the world as a number two and standby for Gomes.
Still no clean sheet, work to do on the defence yes but it was a makeshift back four with a young rightback making his first start, Naughton, Corluka and Bassong in the middle and a rightback lacking in matches of late playing on the opposite side with Hutton. It’s not going to be a settled defence with Ledley in and out, but who cares about the odd one conceded here and there when there’s plenty going in the other end.
So that’s the difference between top league sides and those down below, taking the chances when you get them, something Spurs did with aplomb, have they scored a duffer yet? A night for those on the fringe to stake places and convince all and sundry they should stay part of the squad. And for the most part they did, admittedly against a bottom half Championship side. Dos Santos had some nice runs and touches, I’d like to see him be given a chance, hard I know with Modric being an automatic choice but here’s hoping the very talented Mexican keeps the little Croat on his toes.
The front two finally got a start and got on the scoresheet, which can only help. I can understand why Big Pav wants first team football with the World Cup coming so soon and his place with Russia being in jeopardy but ‘Arry has to keep him. Four quality strikers are needed and so far this season it’s shown that all four can work with the other three.
Bentley has the most to prove, he knows this and it showed, he put in one of his best performances in a Spurs shirt. The set pieces worked unlike before, passes were found with ease, he did some good wing work on both flanks and took his goal, his first since the screamer goal of the season last year, exceptionally well. But does it mean he should be seen as more than just a squad player at this time, no it has to be said. At this time the midfield four is picking itself, there is no place for him to start games, until ‘Arry starts to really rotate the squad not just for cup games. For now Bentley will have to bide his time.
Brum up next in the League, last time they were in the Prem they went down but did us at The Lane in the process, last second job was it? Got yellow peel written all over it…