Routine win against struggling Spurs…
In the build-up to the game I mentioned that it’s coming up seven years since Spurs played in the Champions League final and we haven’t beaten them in the last 15 meetings going back to 2010, but they hardly put a glove on us. We kept them at arms length while actually creating more good goalscoring opportunities than we have been of late.
Whether or not that was because we were playing Spurs, time will tell, but if there was an emphasis on being positive in the final third, it came through.
Back to the point though. Although some Spurs fans might disagree, they’ve still spent big. Maybe not relative to the City’s and Chelsea’s of the world, but they’ve still had major investment on the field - and it once again highlights how clever we’ve been in the market.
Look at Solanke for instance and compare the problems he caused us versus the nightmares Brobbey gave their backline. It’s not even comparable, but Spurs spent roughly three times the amount on their striker than we did ours.
Then there was the general workrate and the simple every day things like winning the 50/50’s. The character in our squad shone through and that is what we’re getting right more than anything. We’ve all seen players over the years who aren’t the right fit and don’t have the right character to buy into our identity - it goes downhill very quickly.
Yesterday’s game was a symbolic game where one club has done their job properly to build a side, and the other hasn’t.
Passports at the ready?
I’m writing this after our 1-0 win over Spurs and before the Chelsea take on Citeh - but at the time of writing, just six points separates Chelsea in fifth and the Visitors in fourteenth. Our three points against struggling Spurs means we’re just two behind Chelsea. It’s a bit nuts.
One thing has come through this season and that is we can compete with anyone. In the games against City and Arsenal they left the field knowing they’d been in a game and with the league being so tight a high place finish is there for the taking.
If we ever worried if this side would hit the beach after getting to forty points then the last couple of games has shown us exactly what the players think about the run-in. Considering how hard they’ve worked for that current position, you wouldn’t be surprised if those players are as excited as we are about how this season might end.
It’s been a great ride whatever happens, but after that Spurs result it feels like we’re chasing something in this final six games.
O’Nien Picks Up Where He Left Off…
We could pick a number of players out for praise after that win against Spurs but with the options available after the break a few people probably predicted O’Nien might take a place on the bench - but not only did he retain his place, he did his thing and we kept a clean sheet.
Players often say that they find their momentum after a few games in the side and O’Nien is doing just that. When someone as influential as Dan Ballard is missing from the line-up it’s bound to be a concern because of the size of character required needed to fill his boots, and in Luke O’Nien we have someone who is slotting straight in.
On current form you just couldn’t take him out, especially with the side keeping clean sheets, but a problem that I’m sure Le Bris loves to have.
Is There A Better Striker In Europe?
Bit of a loaded question because we all no doubt thinks there isn’t. But in all seriousness, with the job he’s asked to do for Sunderland, while we’re not one of the leagues most attacking and goalscoring sides, is there a better striker who does what Brian Brobbey is asked to do for Sunderland?
He’s the closest thing we’ll see to a striker that existed 20-25 years ago until the cycle comes back around for those types to be required. He simply does everything.
The Spurs back four all either ended up on yellow cards or went off injured and you can imagine in the dressing room after the game they would have wondered what hit them. Just like after the whistle went up the road a few weeks ago and pretty much whoever else he’s played against this season.
I’d hate to see him go and I hope he loves playing in this side - but if you were in the recruitment team of a side in the Champions League across Europe, you’d be offering silly money.