it was all a case of deja-vu all over again.
The start of the new league season and as Spurs stumped up to play Man Citeh with a starting XI consisting of 10 of the team that put Citeh out of their misery last season – just Corluka instead of Kaboul at right-back – it wasn’t the only thing on the day that had a familiar ring.
How many times last season, indeed in the last few seasons, have Spurs come out of the blocks like a bullet? How many times have they battered a side at The Lane in an invigorating opening 45 minutes. How many times have you seen a shell-shocked opposition who barely have a touch of the ball in that opening half?
And how many times do so see Spurs coming in without scoring because some goalkeeper has decided today is the day he’s going to make save after save?
Saturday was Hart’s day. His day to show up the onlooking Fabio – who of course decided Green and James were better options at the World Cup – his day to stick his hand left, right and centre to stop shots from Defoe, Crouch, Huddlestone, Assou-Ekotto etc. etc. Can anyone say Boaz Myhill, does anyone remember who Boaz Myhill is?
Though Hart as much more of a future than the aforementioned ex-Hull ‘keeper, who may get a look in at West Brom if Carson keeps shipping six with ease. And in a weekend of some ‘Keeping howlers it was left to Liverpool TV oh sorry MoTD2 to state that Reina before shovelling the ball into the back of his net made the save of the season. Well maybe the save of the season by a Spaniard playing for Liverpool at that end of Anfield as Hart produced about half a dozen that were of equal standard if not far better.
Saying all that Spurs still should have scored, Defoe still not quite on it. Bad miss by Bale at the end, though again the Welsh kid was excellent on the day, Big Pav needed a bit more conviction with his finishes. Should Keane have started as he was finding the back of the net in pre-season?
With my England hat on I was glad to see Hart installed as their number one but this is nowt to do with England and I’d have much preferred Given had been given the shirt on Saturday, maybe he would have been a bit more complacent, might not have thought he had as much to prove to two watching managers.
So the one difference from last season is the lack of a flying start with 3 points against a close rival. Well a perceived close rival. After all last year the Scousers weren’t in it and in reality does anyone really believe Citeh will be this year How long will it take that side to gel and play as a team? Never really figured Silva, thought he was a weak link in the Spanish side and I can see him getting nudged off the ball by many a player bigger than Modric. How long before Martin O’Neill is favourite for Mancini’s job?
But it’s still two points dropped against a team we should have beaten with ease, a result that should have seen us up there with Chelski and Blackpool at the top of the table A nice lift before playing with Young Boys at the Wankdorf…