Is anyone else seeing a pattern developing here? It’s nothing new or complicated. We get thumped by a decent side, and then we thump a lesser side.
Bergvall and Gray stood out as wanting in both fixtures.
Charlton, who arrived hot on the heels of acquitting themselves very well against West Ham, swapped out most of that team and were forced to surrender both their centre-backs in the first 15 minutes.
You can only beat who's in front of you - but that does NOT mean that you’re allowed to beat a modest side and spin it as a memorable triumph.
Liverpool are the next side ‘who’s in front of you’ in this competition.
Possession: 73% Tottenham, 27% Charlton
Shots: 20-6 (on target 11-4)
Corners: 11-6
Passes: 618 (90% accuracy) vs 225 (74%)
Attendance: 49,008
PRAISE FOR SAVIO
Sávio was excellent in a short, high-impact cameo. He came on in the 71st minute with Spurs already 3-0 up and immediately changed the mood.
In roughly 19–20 minutes, he scored a sharp goal, cutting inside from the right and drilling a low left-foot shot into the corner after beating two defenders, created the fifth (his shot deflected in off Ben Davies), and generally looked the most dangerous attacker on the pitch.
He linked well with Pedro Porro, produced a couple of eye-catching dribbles, and even tried a backheel. Fans voted him player of the match (around 8.14 average), and media ratings clustered at 8s or 9s.
For me, there’s a big difference between the schlep out to the game and the long trudge home, which is made infinitely easier by an emphatic win - and suspecting that, say, Liverpool in the next round, for example, will be in any way comparable.
Still, after a modest goal return at Manchester City, the speed of his adaptation, the standing ovation on entry, and the directness of his play made it one of the most encouraging debuts a big-money signing could hope for. He looked like the exact type of attacker Tottenham have been missing.
FERNANDES SHONE
Fans online highlighted his composure on the ball, range of passing, ability to receive under pressure and turn into space, and link-up play. He delivered the free-kick (or set-piece delivery) that Kevin Danso headed in for 3-0 with his first touch.
57/64 passes completed (89%)
3/3 long balls
3 key passes
1 assist
3 ground duels won, 1 interception, 3 recoveries
He also had a shot saved in the first half. Roberto De Zerbi called him a “big talent” who can play as a pivot or No.10, praising his quality, dynamism and work in duels.
It was a composed, effective display rather than a flashy one. Savio’s cameo, and whilst Mikey Moore’s goal grabbed headlines, Fernandes looked like a player who can dictate midfield tempo and contribute in both boxes.
A strong first start, so more please.
Context matters. This was against a much-changed Championship side that had already lost two centre-backs to injury. It was not a 90-minute examination against Premier League opposition.
You literally can only beat what’s in front of you. We did, and emphatically.
You then analyse the performance on the whole team and individually.
For me, there are still big questions on Bergvall. He made it clear he wanted out. His performances suggest that still to be the case. It’s either that, or he doesn’t fit RDZ’s philosophy and tactics. I’d put Gray in that bracket too. They both seem a bit lost in it all.
For the record. I’m a Danso fan. I think he should be one of the first names on the team sheet. Where that Leaves VH & VDV is open to question. Personally I’d play VDV at LB like he does for Holland. He has pace to get forward too.
Yes there were some great debuts. Savlon looked comfortable. One game tells us zilch but the signs are good. The worry is the dross round him.
Saturday is the real test. The toon looked good against the bindippers. As for them. I didn’t see anything we couldn’t handle providing we turn up. They definitely ain’t prioritising the LC. RDZ has to go full strength in everything domestic. We need to put the last two seasons firmly in the past.