that Ange can’t hide from.
The Greasy Fat Aussie Fraud didn’t like the post match questioning of the familiar story of Spurs being outclassed yet again by a relegation fodder side, as Spurs were again embarrassed, this time losing to Everton.
If anything was guaranteed this weekend then it was this game, its outcome and its main participants.
What wasn’t guaranteed was that starting line up from Ange, or that starting formation. It’s almost as if he said “I’ll show ’em mate… I can change mate”. Of course what doesn’t change is Ange’s inability to play Archie Gray in his actual position.
But with Johnson, Bissouma and Solanke now missing Ange went back three, with Gray as the right sided centre-back. He had a rightback as left wingback. With Davies back he could have gone with a back four. Dropping Sarr, you could have had Gray in his actual position, alongside Bergvall. Hell, he could have rested Porro, played Spence in his actual position and played an actual leftback, as one was sat on the bench.
What followed was a first half in which Spurs had the vast majority of the ball but were completely overrun. You have all the ball and yet the opposition are the only team in the game.
13 minutes for the familiar story to reach its first peak. A twin peak. Everton hadn’t scored in 4 league games, one goal in their last six league outings. Meanwhile their… “striker” had two goals in the season, the last one coming in September, 19 games without a goal and here comes Dr. Tottenham to make him look like reincarnation of Denis Law as he danced around the white shirts before putting the ball in the net.
A familiar story. One nil down and putting in a shockingly awful performance.
13 minutes and it was already Everton’s second shot on target, from their three attempts. Spurs hadn’t even had an attempt. It had already taken a Kinsky save for Calvert-Lewin’s to be the opener. Spence was down as having a chance. But the first real chance came 24 minutes in, when Kulusevski crossed to Son but his attempt was saved. He dithered, again. The decline of Sonny under Ange is such a scandal. Yes he’s lost a bit of pace but it’s not that, he’s just not sharp under Ange. He dithers and scuffs shots, where once he was quick and decisive.
But then who hasn’t declined under Ange? Some say Kulusevski but then they’d be wrong. He’s not as good as when he first arrived. And if they really looked at him they’d notice the amount of times he coughs up the ball, either with the wrong pass or just running into defenders. And they’d notice that he never has the ball under control, it’s always under his feet on the run, he’s always having to look down to drag it back in front of him.
It was taking more Kinsky saves to keep it at a one goal lead. They did double it on the half hour, as their player was allowed to just run from the halfway line to the edge of the box, before firing off his shot, as Dragusin made a feeble attempt to grab him, rather than play the ball.
A familiar story. Even more familiar with a defensive fuck up adding a third, in added time at the end of the half. Poor Archie Gray. Kid’s gonna be a wreck by the time Ange waltzes off back to some small pond.
The second half started with a change from Ange, Dragusin making way for Richarlison. Reverting to a back four. It also started with more good chances for Everton to extend that three goal lead. For 22 minutes Spurs had two thirds of the ball while managing just one attempt, Everton had mustered three. Oh, it’s so entertaining. This familiar story.
With the formation of 4-2-2-2, Spurs finally managed a shot that resulted in a goal. Son, on the right, played it into the box, where Maddison chased and got there ahead of Pickford, exceptional footwork from him saw him get enough space to play it to Moore, who had replaced Sarr a little earlier, the youngster’s shot was blocked out to Kulusevski, who brilliantly lifted the ball over five defenders into the net.
It didn’t matter. It didn’t matter if they got another two. It didn’t matter if they got another three and won. What happened before matter most and points from the game couldn’t paper over these cracks.
In the end they got one more. Moore playing in a glorious cross, that Richarlison got on the end of at the back post. Looked like he hurt himself in the process. A familiar story.
So Moyes got his first win on returning to Everton. All it took was a visit from Dr Tottenham and a tactical masterclass from Ange. Ange, who didn’t like the phrase “familiar story” from the interviewer. Which led to some good posts about the Aussie and his attitude. And how it doesn’t match his ability. The ego of Klopp, the CV of Gerrard. The ego of Alex Ferguson, the ability of Darren Ferguson.
And yet, when some wanted him sacked at half time, the board are backing their man. Backing him so much that with all these injured players – apparently Bournemouth have 10 first teamers out but are still in top form – they’ve given him one goalkeeper.
Top form. Well, Bournemouth are fourth in the PL form table over the last 10 games. Spurs are in the relegation zone, with only Southampton and Leicester below them. Five points from 10 games, with a minus goal difference. Make no bones this is relegation form. This is best stadium in the Championship form if they keep this fraud.
And I wouldn’t put money on Ange being up for a push at promotion…