Got to the Lane early today and managed a great parking space, a few feet from the dual carriageway which takes us home. We soon learned after regular visits to Spurs, that there's no point trying to park as near to stadium as possible, because you just sit in traffic for hours afterwards!
Met up with Debs and Mick at the school behind the East stand for a Trust meeting there at 1pm. Never been to one before, and it's interesting to hear what's going on 'behind the scenes'. Most of the meeting was taken up with the big issue of increased ticket prices next season. Spurs are the first club to announce an increase this season, which is not a great advert and needless to say, the fans ain't happy! It already costs £61 for a class A game/European game in the East stand and £71 in the West stand. Other clubs have announced a freeze on prices which are already much lower than ours. You get the feeling our loyalty don't count for nowt?
Anyway...on to the match. Unfortunately I sat next to a young lad with body odour which was not pleasant, and not the first time that has happened! Reading weren't going to be easy. Before the start they were one point behind us in 8th place.
Despite a bright opening 10 minutes, Spurs failed to score when perhaps they should've done, and Malbranque came closest when he hit the woodwork inside 3 minutes. The first half turned into frustraton (yet again)! We had masses of chances, but shooting didn't appear to be our forte today. Reading equally came close hitting the post and Robbo also had to make a great save. Every time they got near or into our box, they did look dangerous, but our back four did a pretty good job today. Five minutes before half time, Keane was making progress into the box when the ball flicked up and wedged between Halford's hand and hip and the ref awarded a penalty. Keano confidently scored from the spot and stood in front of the fans which hands held aloft. It certainly was a feeling of relief.
Jenas was fairly poor in the first half but came out with a little bit more urgency in the second. Again, there were masses of chances each end, but Spurs always looked most likely to score, particularly when Defoe came on for Keane. However, it was a repeat of the first half where the ball just wouldn't go in. I have to say (reluctantly) that Berbatov disappointed me for the second consecutive game, despite my love for the man! He had a couple of shots but he just didn't have any drive - a few times he was seen casually trotting up the pitch when we were on the break, and you could say he looked lazy (God, I hate myself for saying that)! He has such a talent and when he doesn't use it, it's so frustrating to watch.
As much as I hate watching my team defending a 1-0 lead, that's the way it was and stayed, although Spurs did get the ball in the net twice, albeit offside. The second offside goal should have stood as although Berbatov was offside, Defoe was not. Jermain should have surely made it 2-0 near the end when, after a good move, he was in masses of space in front of goal and duly hit it over and wide. Man of the match for me today was Steed Malbranque.
Spurs today didn't play anywhere near their potential. The 3 points were vital - yes - but we've gotta start playing the style of football we were just a few weeks ago. We now have a very difficult week coming up (that's an under-statement) being away to Sevilla on Thurday night in the UEFA Cup and then away to Chelscum at lunchtime on Saturday. A complete joke if you ask me....I know Premiership players are supposed to be ultra fit, but come on!
Having just watched MOTD 2, the game looked absolutely fantastic which is the beauty of highlights. Spurs had more chances on goal than I actually remembered: 10 on target, 10 off target. Good stats - just gotta put em away!
(Posted 1 Apr 2007)
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