Tulips from Alkmaar and misery, while our match against Bournemouth saw sorrow.
Tulips from Alkmaar and misery, while our match against Bournemouth saw sorrow.
The trip to Amsterdam/ Alkmaar was a great success… and I’m not talking about the game. We flew in on the Wednesday from Luton…. We waited for Janet and Sue, who were coming from Heathrow, and then the four of us (and Janette) made our way to Alkmaar from Amsterdam by Taxi. It was half an hour’s ride. Janet had prebooked the taxi for us.
After booking into our hotel, we spent Wednesday afternoon and Thursday (up until the match) sightseeing in the beautiful town—and eating and drinking plenty.
Then to serious business… the reason why we were there. We got a taxi from our hotel to the stadium. Because I had a Spurs cap on, one of their security men snatched it off and put it in the bin. That is the first time that has ever happened to me. Janet was told to remove her Spurs jumper and put it in the bin. We protested, and after a while, common sense clicked in, and we were allowed to continue with our clothes back on, provided we covered up our Spurs emblems or, in my case, putting my hat in my back pocket.
Once safely in our seats, we chatted until the whistle went. We were on top from then until approximately a second later, when it all fell apart.
The saving grace was that they didn’t score against us… we scored against ourselves.
Yes, Lucas Bergvall’s own goal led to a flat Spurs losing the first leg of our Europa League last-16 tie at AZ Alkmaar, thanks to us.
We had one late shot on target – and only two inside AZ’s box all night.
The difference ended up involuntarily being Bergvall, who shinned an attempted clearance from Troy Parrott’s cross into his own net.
We owe thanks to Guglielmo Vicario coming up with three big saves to keep us firmly in the tie.
Rodrigo Bentancur won’t be playing in next Thursday’s home leg after his third booking in this competition.
We created little of note in a poor display. AZ keeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro carried away substitute Wilson Odobert’s cross-shot, and he headed over the bar right at the end.
I must add another thing: Ange claimed that the grass was unsuitable… and I understand that. I don’t know if anybody saw the film about the attack of the blades of grass and how it took over the earth… NO? Unsurprisingly, it is in Ange’s head and waiting to be written. Those blades of grass could be a lethal weapon if they got entangled in one’s boots and gradually took control of the players… you don’t know where it could end… world domination, maybe? Now, back to reality and away from the Twilight Zone of Ange’s excuses.
On Friday, we flew home to England and prepared ourselves for the unknown on Sunday against Bournemouth.
Bournemouth is a small club with an average home gate of approximately 11,000 supporters. However, they have acquired and developed an exciting squad of young talent, most of whom would walk into our current side. This is a brilliant advertisement for them in how to recruit in the Premiership, and it is also such a well-run club. We are currently 13th in the League, while they are 8th… They are not far from European football for next season. At the same time, we are in 17th place and not far from relegation.
We are a billionaire club, while they are not. They have a level-headed board, while Daniel Levy is taking £5 million out of the club to pay his wages and prioritises the stadium for his entertaining money-making enterprises.
Anyway… back to our game against Bournemouth at our Tottenham stadium.
Bournemouth were heading for a routine away win after getting the better of exchanges in a wide-open game. Marcus Tavernier latched on to Milos Kerkez’s inviting cross to set Bournemouth on their way before Evanilson’s lifted finish put the visitors firmly in control after half-time.
We hit back when Pape Sarr’s intended cross-looped towards goal and left Kepa Arrizabalaga clutching at thin air.
Substitute Son scored a late penalty as we came from two goals down to secure a draw against the mighty 8th-placed Bournemouth.
As for our supporters, they booed at halftime, and after the final whistle was blown, we could hear singing “Levy out” and more booing.
Next up will be the return leg against AZ Alkmaar. If we fail to win, we will be unceremoniously dumped out of the Europa League… as we have been dumped out of the FA and League Cup this season… and there will be no chance of European football for next season either… You would have thought that a money maker like Levy would understand economics; purchasing quality players, getting the right manager for the job, and not being too tight would create more chances of winning trophies, and getting into the Champions League would generate more cash… a win-win situation.
Fingers crossed for Thursday and a miracle!
Up the Spurs!
Glenn