For the benefit of Gary - Wigan v Spurs Report

By Dave P
November 28 2005

This was one of those games for the twitchers of the away fan fraternity. A new ground to tick off their list of places visited. We had never been there and so had no reference points to look back at.

For the benefit of Gary (and anyone else that was not at Wigan)

This was one of those games for the twitchers of the away fan fraternity. A new ground to tick off their list of places visited. We had never been there and so had no reference points to look back at.

A tidy little stadium with reasonable facilities and good views for the massed ranks of Spurs fans that had made the four hour drive up from London. And a surprise in hat Robbie Keane started again after what many perceived as his worst performance in a white shirt last week. Tainio and Davids having switched roles as well so the centre of the midfield had a bit more steel to it.

The game started with Wigan making the first moves and Robinson making an early mistake giving Kavanagh a chance from distance. In the early miutes the home side looked as though they had settled to the game fairly well until an individual error of schoolboy proportions gifted Robbie Keane an easy opportunity to put Spurs in front. 1-0 Spurs and now Wigan had to come from behind which would leave gaps for Spurs to exploit.

That was not the way of it though. Almost immediately Wigan were on the attack and threatening with McCulloch putiing his header over the bar. It was very easy to see why Wigan have done so well this season as well. They may not be a ‘good’ side but Paul Jewell has a bunch of players that work hard for each other and battle for every ball. Spurs for the remainder of the first half looked well up to the task and some clever interplay between Mido and Keane threatened to open Wigan up again but it jut never quite happened. One back flick from Mido in particular required a very alert keeper to deny Keane. This was the way of things though as the flicks and passes never quite came off and the hard work done in the middle by Tainio and Davids was being let down by a front line that just never quite gelled or was denied clear penalties by unsighted or lenient refereeing (interesting that the BBCs ‘refwatch’ gave him 8/10 for this one)

At half time it was mentioned by one or two of the travelling fans that we really needed to close this game out with the second goal and so the events of the second half became a bit concerning for the Spurs fans. We seemed to drop too deep at time and Wigans workmanlike ethic threatened to pay dividends. Spurs were almost reduced to desperate defending at times led in the major part by ‘They shall not pass’ Dawson. Every time the midfield players got the ball, their distribution was below par or the recipient, usually Mido, squandered the opportunity to do anything of note with the ball. As an observer this became very frustrating at times but credit has to be given to Wigans players. They were first to everything loose and Spurs were rocking a bit when a ball to davids in his own half set up the chance for the Dutchmen to run with the ball. He had the rare option of three players in support but chose to chance his own fortune and slotted the ball into the corner for a wonderful goal and you could sense a tangible relief that we had scored a second goal for a change and maybe wrapped the game up.

Once again though, full credit to a hardworking Wigan side who came back at Spurs and deservedly pulled a goal back. Perhaps the defending should have been better but after some of the frantic stuff that had preceded the Second goal it could be excused.

This set up a nervous last couple of minutes and Jol, for whatever reason, chose not to waste any time with substitutions and see the game out with the eleven that started. The fact that Robinson had very little to do bore testament to a hard working Spurs performance at the back and in defensive midfield but to my eyes it still showed that we need something added up front. Too many times the ball was cleared and possession wasted as attack minded players sat too deep. Ironic in a way that the second goal came from an individual effort in the only move in the second half when we had outnumbered the defence.

As for Wigan, they are not a great side but there are not many teams that will get points off them this season. Their work rate is superb and the team ethic is all there and they will expose the frailties of a number of sides that think they are comfortable with their ‘premiership status’. I can see them making a top six slot this season providing they stay lucky with injuries and suspensions. I for one wish them well and they have earned my respect.

And Spurs?. I really think we are almost there but there is that last large step that still need to be taken. It is a large step as well. We are on the fringes of greatness again and decisions/purchases/sales this transfer window and next summer could make or break our attempts to become the great side we all want us to be. We are not there yet by any means and the performances in the next few games will say a lot about our chances this season. There is that horrible feeling that we will revert to lowering ourselves to the opposition level and against the likes of Sunderland we must not do that.

We have a good run of fixtures before Christmas where the players have to stand up, be counted, and exert their seriousness to succeed. They have to kill games off and not just sneak 1-0s or late second goals. They need to (against lower opposition at least) get a three goal lead before trying fancy stuff, and show that they are a team that means business. No more West Ham last minute reprieves please.

To sum up – So close and yet still so far, but edging ever closer.