Well I guess it was all over in the first eight minutes. Basically Sevilla tore us apart - our defence was all over the place; disorganisation at its best. Ledley was back to a roarous reception but with so many injuries, Chimbonda was again on the left where he doesn't look comfortable, and Tainio on the right. 2-0 down (Malbranque og & Kanoute) meant Spurs had to score four to win, having lost the first leg 2-1. An impossible task.
The referee stitched us up in Seville and the one tonight wasn't much better! Fooled time and time again by Sevilla players rolling around in apparent agony - it was pathetic. You couldn't fault the fans for trying to gee the team up - it was constant chanting from before the game kicked off right up to the final whistle, and of course I was right in the thick of it in the East Upper Block J. The 'Martin Jol's blue army' chant went on and on and on - it must've been a record. My hands were stinging!
I dunno what MJ said to the players at half time but Spurs returned to the pitch several minutes before Sevilla and looked up for a fight. Suddenly the game was on and they started playing with some energy and enthusiasm. Lennon was darting all over the pitch like we know he can, leaving the opponents for dead, and the majority of the possession was Spurs. Berba came close twice, the second chance hitting the post.
On 65 minues, JD came on for Zokora (much to the amazement of the fans) but what an impact - instantly he popped into the box and scored. One minute later, the stadium erupted when Lennon scored a second. So we had 20 minutes to score two more. However, despite more chances from Berba and Dawson and a much better display of football, it just wasn't to be. The referee wrapped up the night sending off Tainio, after another Sevilla player appeared to play-act. (Will need to watch tv highlights, although it'll probably be unbearable).
Needless to say I am completely gutted. I was really expecting Spurs to get through to the semis. Oh the hurt; football is such a cruel game sometimes. We just have to make sure we qualify for Europe again next season which means winning the majority of our last six Premiership games: Wigan (A), Arsenal (H), Middlesbrough (A), Charlton (A), Blackburn (H), Man City (H).
COYS!!!
(Posted 13 Apr 2007)
No comments:
Post a Comment