Intriguing reading these comments from Spurs fans both before AND after they faced Newcastle United yesterday.
Always an interesting comparison…
Spurs fans have seen their team avoid relegation by only one place in the table in each of the last two Premier League seasons and only stayed up under Roberto de Zerbi on the very final day of last season.
An incredible net spend this summer has seen Tottenham throw cash around for fun.
Yet Newcastle United have put them rock bottom of the Premier League when making it three away wins in a row when visiting Tottenham.
Whist Spurs fans have now seen their team lose at home 14 times against Newcastle United in the Premier League era.
Spurs fans commenting before and facing Newcastle United via their top supporters forum:
PRE-MATCH
‘They’re a pretty insignificant club but I always want to (and like) beating these
Strange fans, strange reputation given to them by the media as well. Always spoken about as a big club but they’ve been relegated more times than they’ve won trophies in the last 70 years
I put them on par with a Brighton or Bournemouth. Lots of local fans but you wouldn’t miss them if they go down, and they probably will within the next 5 years.’
‘Personally I think we’re going to improve massively under De Zerbi and his new squad.
Newcastle have been dismantled, and even though they had a good performance last week, it’s probably a tough pill to swallow, and of course we took Tonali.
Where we likely heading is in the opposite direction and a reminder of where they sit in the food chain probably stung as well.
Jealousy raised its ugly head basically.’
‘Geordies are no strangers to the second div are they. Only another 70 yrs to wait for the next trophy.’
‘They still have Elanga, Wissa, who looks fit again, and Barnes, so they have plenty of pace about them.
Onus will be on us but they look like they have re-stocked well despite the loss of some key players. They will be fine this season and have now got Gonzalez who will give them midfield calm.
It won’t be an easy game, even with Osula looking like he is out. Might depend how well Newcastle travel and what this new guy demands of them.’
‘Agree though Elanga and their new rb is apparently lightning quick.’
‘I think it’s very important how we win this. There needs to be flair and we need to make Tottenham and our stadium fun again. Newcastle are still a good side and will have spells but we need to put the football of seasons past behind us and get back to playing beautiful front foot style and being able to open teams up. COYS!!!’
‘Means Van Hecke, Van Der Ven and Woltemade can have a non-jump off with each other to see who’s worse at timing their headers.’
‘The match I dread with half my connected family coming from up there.
What I’ve suffered at her hands these last few years is borderline abuse.
Come on Spurs. You owe me.’
‘What, are we scared of Wissa and Elanga now?
Had one good game last week, what about the whole of last season.
‘My gut instinct says Tonali needs to get past this game, even though it’s at our ground, because their fans are bound to give him stick. No player can like or be unaffected by that.
Hopefully Tonali shows the Newcastle contingent what they lost, and then grows from there.’
‘This has got Tonali goal written all over it.
They’re pretty sh.. I fancy us to win this handily.’
‘Newcastle looked effective v Liverpool, particularly on the break and will press us aggressively which we don’t like (see last week). Their quick front line against our pedestrian one is another problem.’
‘Newcastle is a must win IMO more so for confirmation and belief that we are on our way back and to set the trend for our home form in this new era.’
POST-MATCH
‘For the first time ever can’t really fault the board.
I genuinely think this manager isn’t up to it. What evidence do we have that he’s any good?
And he’s splurged this cash on rejects with no strategy.’
‘None but plenty of evidence to suggest he’s not good…
Eddie Howe is available and I’d be on the blower tonight if I’m Vinai Venkatesham (CEO at Tottenham).’
‘Agree. Howe in.’
‘Top 10 should never be acceptable for a club like Tottenham Hotspur.
It isn’t acceptable for any other Big 6 club and it shouldn’t be for us.
Our aspirations should always be higher. Much higher.
Once the fans start lowering their standards then the football club will follow suit.’
‘Tonali definitely needs a rocket shoved up his backside.
I get the pressures of a big money move but he’s been truly shocking so far.’
‘He hasn’t even been that good.’
‘I thought he looked better in the second half. In all fairness, he couldn’t get much worse.’
‘Actually passing to our players is already a step up.’
‘I know it’s early season and I am still optimistic but…Gonzalez totally dominated CMF – and he’s half the price of Tonali.
Yes, it takes time to build a time for a team to gel…but Newcastle had a new head-coach who’s also new to the PL and they had 3 new players…’
‘Fans are fed up and resigned to it in equal measure.
Look how many left early today, soon as it went 2-0 I even turned it off because game was finished.
Many just don’t have the confidence or belief that the team can come back from being behind in games because the players ensure that remains the case.’
‘Trying not to be all doom and gloom, I thought we controlled the game after the first 10 minutes and it was a ash and grab for Newcastle. But the lack of creativity is a real issue for us.’
‘We can’t defend set pieces
Midfield lose too many battles
Front 3 completely toothless, marmoush will have to score a wonder goal.
All felt very frank like, get the ball to kudus and hope he does something .
Barely laid a glove on them after their second, too many scars off the pitch from the last 2 seasons but also de zerbi is making some very odd decisions.
Finally I’m sick of leaving that stadium having watched us bend over and let the opposition… It’s a depressing place to be a home fan.’
‘I have made the mistake of finishing work cracking open a beer and coming on here to get a handle on what’s going on in the world of Tottenham Hotspur.
I’m forever glad I never had to stand in the trenches with some of you melts.
Fun fact, before today we had lost 6 of our last 8 games against Newcastle. A betting man would have won today.’
‘People wonder why players aren’t loyal these days – and then you see fans abusing and ridiculing their own player for slipping over, on a wet pitch multiple other players slipped on today.’
‘Very disappointing afternoon , again.’
‘You’ll get used to it ….. eventually.’
‘On paper everything sounded perfect! If only we didn’t have to actually play games of football.’
‘Newcastle weren’t brilliant by any stretch of the imagination but they contained us well, keeper made a few good saves and took their chances
What i did find disheartening, was the large number of people who left, with more than 10 minutes left to play – obviously they didn’t think we would claw it back.
It still looks a bit disjointed and I’m trying not to get too despondent and having a bit of patience. But this run of defeats cannot continue for much longer’
‘I bet Newcastle won’t win more than a handful of away games all season.’
‘Not so sure about that. He has them set up as a counter attacking side with pace on the break. Think they might actually turn out to be a better side on the road than at Sid James.’
‘Jay-Z playing at the stadium next week.
Seriously though. Maybe it all comes down to the fact we’re just not a serious football club anymore.
Just a very successful multisports and entertainment venue that also includes a soccer team.
Something is very, very wrong with our club.’
‘Why are we weighing in on Tel. Tonali cost three times as much and was utter sh..e.’
‘Not sure about Tonali so far but he seems to be unfit?’
‘When you spend over £350 million but the refs hate you, it isn’t gonna work! Why are Spurs so afraid to call the referees out. They gave them no penalties last season and this season Michael Oliver gave a pen against Spurs in the first match! it’s gonna happen again this season only it will be worse. Unless the club speak out…’
‘Maybe the club don’t speak out because they realise there is no conspiracy against us.’
‘Commentary team deep into their “Spurs have spent all this money and are losing, and its great to see Newcastle lose their best players but bounce back” narrative.
You know at this point everyone pretty much hates us. And then cue to cameras on the mass exodus…’
‘I thought things couldn’t get worse after Frank… boy was I wrong. De Zerbi making Frank look like prime Mourinho.’
‘De Zerbi “there is no need to panic”
Just fu.. off.’
‘All I hear are excuses about it needs time but a Newcastle team with a new manager and a decimated squad just made us look like Championship fodder.
This club has got serious problems.’
‘Go through Newcastle’s line up.
Most of that team were there last season, essentially the core of it and the attack.’
‘I don’t think so… the core of their team are at Barca, Woolwich and Spurs. New keeper, new RB, new CM, three other players who were bench warmers for most of last season. You’re miles out… try again.’
‘Looking forward to relegation honestly, we’re a poor team and have been for years. Need a reset.
