Just
back from the game so I thought I'd let you all know
what happened.
The
first thing I noticed was how trim everyone looked ...
and yes that does include Tom Huddlestone ! The
local papers had been saying that Spurs have been
training three times a day. Ramos is a local boy
having played for a number of clubs including Elche and
Hercules, so that's why Spurs were up here and not down
in La Manga, where most teams go.
The
team looked fairly much as you'd expect, but no
programmes were produced for the game.
The
team was:- Spurs: Gomes, Gunter, Assou-Ekotto, Dawson,
Woodgate, Lennon, Jenas, Huddlestone, dos Santos, Bent,
Berbatov.
Subs: Jansson, Zokora, Archibald-Henville, Bostock,
O'Hara, Townsend, Taarabt, Pekhart
It
was about 25 degrees at kick off and the team did well
to play in that heat. The only one who looked like
he was suffering was Lennon. Keano wasn't there,
not playing nor on the bench, so read into that if you
will.
Up
front was Berbie, but he wasn't interested tonight,
having one of his sulky days !
He
was up front with, I guess, Dos Santos. He looked
sharp.
The
first half started with us giving away a sloppy goal and
there were a few tasty tackles mainly on Lennon.
Hercules were giving it their all, whereas Spurs were
playing on half throttle.
Spurs seemed to control the ball better. Having a
touch, then the confidence to beat a player, followed by
a neat crisp short ball to someone else in white.
It was when our passing became longer we were giving it
away. The Hercules centre back had a storming game
and won everything in the air and by the same token,
Dawson was very impressive by doing the same for us.
During the second half O'Hara came on and went straight
to left back and immediately started passing the ball to
Lennon, who started beating players and running with the
ball. We looked a lot better with this set up.
About 10 minutes to go Lennon came off and looked
knackered, along with Jenas, who as usual covered the
entire pitch.
The
pressure was really on and it was one way traffic.
The
final whistle went and the Spurs players who played the
full 90 minutes did exceedingly well, as it was hot and
humid. None of them looked at death's door and had
all been running around quiet well.
Fairly good crowd of both sets of fans.
I
can say I have not seen Spurs lose this season ... can
you ?
COYS!
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