Opinion: So, where do we start?
Let us look at some statistics. Starting with our record defeat (away): 0–8 v 1. FC Köln, UEFA Intertoto Cup, 22 July 1995, ok… you might say, that was away and 24 years ago. But our second record defeat – at White Hart Lane – was much more closer to home. Yes, you’ve guessed it, our last home game. It was our record home defeat: 2-7 v FC Bayern Munchen, UEFA Champions League, 01 October 2019. It was also the most significant home defeat by an English team in any European competition. So, something to hang on our mantle… or not!
A few other record League defeat to get your juices running: 2–8 v Derby County, Division 1, 16 October 1976, then there was our 0–7 v Liverpool, Division 1, 2 September 1978. As for the Premier League, that was against Newcastle United, on the 28th December 1996. I don’t think we need to go on. But if you are interested, here are some other results: 0–6 v Sheffield United, 2 March 1993, 0–6 v Manchester City, 24 November 2013
Record cup defeat: 1–6 v Newcastle United, FA Cup, 23 December 1999
Record home defeat: 0–6
v Sunderland, Football League First Division, 19 December 1914
v Arsenal, Football League First Division, 6 March 1935
Record away loss: 0–7 v Liverpool, Football League First Division, 1 September 1978
Not good reading for any supporter.
We were awful in the second half (that is against Bayern Munich), the first half, at least 20 minutes of the first half, well, that was a different game.
The manner in which we subsided once we went behind will be of enormous concern for our under pressure manager. And all those who have detected underlying problems with the manager and his team since we lost the Champions League final to Liverpool in June.
As for Bayern, they gathered impetus and put themselves out of sight when former Arsenal youngster Gnabry scored twice in as many minutes shortly after the interval, taking full advantage of more poor defending to beat Lloris emphatically.
Kane gave us brief hope with a penalty after Kingsley Coman caught Danny Rose, but Bayern were in no mood to open the door, instead of running riot as Gnabry added two more, with another smooth finish from Lewandowski sandwiched in between.
It is the first time in our 137-year history that we have ever conceded seven goals at home in any competition. The players left the pitch to a chorus of boos. Of course, we reached the final after losing our first two group games last season – but this is the sort of beating that will take a long time to recover from. I can’t see us escaping our group if we don’t or can’t beat the Greek and Croatia sides.
But from first kick-off we had so much to commend us for the first 35 minutes as we resembled the side that reached the Champions League final so dramatically last season, playing with passion, urgency and pace to trade blows with this dangerous Bayern. But no matter how we try to look for the positive, the end result was that we were humiliated and then kicked in the grapefruits.
We play on days as if we are the best in our various groups, on other days we play very amateurish. It is a bit like that programme of old; “Matthew, Today I am going to be so-and-so. Tomorrow, shite, but today I will be something different.”
We can, yes we can, still get out of this group but serious damage will have been inflicted by this loss and its shameful manner. It is going to take many years to put this behind us. In the meantime, the donkey’s will be there for ribbing.
I said ‘Where do we go from here?’ Well, the team needs to get their heads straight, concentrate on the game and pull themselves together. The manager needs to identify the problems and sort them out double-quick, if not heads must roll, and fast.
As for Pochettino? He might not get until the end of the season to change things around if his bad luck continues. A lot of it is down to his own making. It also didn’t help with some of his stupid comments in the summer.
Brighton next, then a two-week break.
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