The season starts here!

Spurs 4 Derby 0

The day started with a meet up with mates Debs & Mick in the Coach and Horses beer garden. The Welsh contingent were also there, as was Craig. A good old laugh pre-match was exactly what a bunch of Spurs fans needed - after all, we have to maintain a sense humour when it comes to our recent history.

This was my first outing to White Hart Lane this season. I am usually a good omen, as I only witnessed one defeat all last season - to Newcastle 2-3 (I still don't know how we lost that)!

Based on our appalling first two games, fans were naturally disgruntled and today was a must win, even a scrappy 1-0 would do - just to get some points on the board. Stupid articles have been written that the sacking of Jol could be on the cards if Spurs didn't perform today. But, honestly, what were we all worried about?!

The first good news was that YP Lee was back from injury so at last we could welcome the return of one of our left backs. He replaced Stalteri. Zokora was dropped to the bench to be replaced by Huddlestone and Routledge got a start on the right of midfield. With Berbatov another casualty with a recurring groin injury, Jol started with Keane and Bent up front.

Full line up: Robinson, Lee, Rocha, Gardner, Chimbonda, Malbranque, Jenas, Huddlestone, Routledge, Keane, Bent.

Subs: Cerny, Defoe, Taraabt, Stalteri, Zokora

We hardly had time to start a song when on 1 minute 13 seconds, Jenas took a free kick and instead of his usual effort over the bar, he laid it off short for Malbranque who shot it low into the net from just outside the box. What a perfect start! It looked like a rejuvenated Tottenham who had had a severe kick up the arse. And too right!

In the sixth minute, a good move involving Chimbonda, Bent and Malbranque, led to the latter hitting his and Spurs' second of the game with a good curling shot into the corner. 2-0! Was I dreaming? Was this the same Spurs I watched playing Sunderland and Everton?

You hardly had time to breathe as our lads moved the ball swiftly around the pitch, showing good control and touches. The difference was that they looked like they actually wanted to play this time. You could see some effort and players were hassling for the ball.

Things got even better with only 14 minutes on the clock. Jenas broke through the midfield, kept on running, and kept on running....it almost looked like he was going to stumble on the ball but just managed to squeeze a bobbling shot past the outstretched hands of the Derby keeper, and off the post. A great individual goal which will surely silence a lot of the fans (including myself) that he should be dropped. However, I will not be quite so kind to him later in this blog. (!)

So after only a sixth of the match had been played, we were already 3-0 to the good. It was like time was standing still - it was quite surreal. Spurs continued at the same pace - the pace at which we saw so much last season and it certainly was exciting to watch. Derby simply didn't have a clue; they created nothing, they made mistakes all over the pitch and if they continue to play like that, they will definitely be returning to the Championship.

The second half started a bit disappointingly. The play went flat and the pace went out of the game. Come on lads - don't sit back! This is the part where I criticize JJ as it seems to me that it is fast becoming a trend that he disappears in the second half. Huddlestone noticeably came off the boil as well. We really can't be doing this, even if we are 3-0 up as it's a dangerous game to play as we have found out in the past *cough* Man Utd and Man City *cough*.

Fortunately Derby were really dire, and when our defence was asked to do its job, it succeeded. Robbo was hardly challenged but when called upon, his hands were very safe indeed today. The fans of course, are still singing "England's no1, England England's no1". To be honest, I couldn't fault him. Martin Jol had most songs dedicated to him today, which shows how much the fans love him. And when asked to give us a wave on two occasions, he duly obliged. :-)

The fans were getting a little agitated as the hour marked passed and a substitution hadn't been made. Most unusual. Considering the pace has gone out of the game, I would have had Taraabt on the pitch sooner rather than later, and my wish was granted on 71 minutes. Well, you just had to be there at that moment. What a reception! Everyone has been calling for him to get a start in a match based on his impressive pre-season performances, and we weren't to be disappointed. Only on the pitch a few seconds, he picked up a pass, twisted and turned a defender and took a shot at goal. Not accurate but what an immediate impact! Suddenly the whole team were 'spurred' on by this young man and the fans went mad for him. A minute or so later, he went around three opponents and had another shot, this one sliced wide from 20 yards. Defoe then replaced Keane, who will be the first to admit that he had a pretty poor game.

Derby were committing fouls all over the place, not knowing how to handle Spurs and another yellow card went against them when Tarrabt was hacked down. Our fourth goal came on the 80th minute after Huddlestone chipped a free kick to the far post, and Chimbonda headed across the underside of the crossbar. Both Defoe and Bent went for it but it was Bent who bundled the ball over the line. His first Premiership goal for Spurs and not exactly the tidiest, but it doesn't matter how they go in...as long as they do!


The points I picked up from this game:

Malbranque could have had a hatrick - he again gave 100% effort, he never stopped battling. Man of the match for me.

Keane was disappointing and needs to find some form quickly.

The defence were noticeably stronger as a result of Lee being back. He had a terrific game, considering he's been out for so long. He's what we've been missing so badly on the left, giving us some width. His contribution going forward was also commendable.

Making a change in midfield was a plus. Huddlestone was strong first half and gave us extra power going forward. Routledge unfortunately wasn't really in the game and didn't play to his potential. Taraabt was the star of the show despite only playing 20 minutes. If he had been on the pitch longer, I would have given him the 'man of the match' award without a doubt. This young man is the future. The way he leaves opponents for dead, his skill and sheer confidence (arrogance even), is just amazing. This kid ain't scared of nothing! The cheers he received will tell Martin Jol exactly what we think and if he doesn't start against Man Utd next weekend, I will eat my shirt! However, if he plays a whole match, he will quickly have to learn that he can't play at that pace for 90 minutes - he will just die of exhaustion otherwise.

So 4-0 was the final score and what a huge relief. Shame we can't erase the other two games and start the season here. The only two things slightly worrying me are these. 1) Did Spurs only look this good because Derby were so terrible? 2) Why didn't we play at the same tempo in the second half? However, the team most certainly played 100% better than the last two games and we have to build on this. We can't rest on our laurels as we have Man Utd away next week. They have Rooney and Ronaldo out which is good news but they are still defending champions. Hopefully we will have Dawson and Berbatov back by then to strengthen the squad.

I posed the question yesterday whether after this game, I would be smiling or ranting. I am so glad to report that I am beaming ear to ear and have a nice tingly feeling inside. I hope everyone else has too. :-D

COYS!