Welcome to the latest edition of Trending Up / Trending Down, where Hoddle Headquarters takes a look at what around Tottenham Hotspur is trending up, and what is trending down.
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It’s been a couple weeks since our latest installment, and certainly the first since the congested holiday fixture schedule. A lot has happened too! Most of it not great. But Wednesday’s fixture changed the vibes!
Nevertheless, we continue.
Trending Up
Lucas Bergvall: Felt like he deserved this inclusion even before this goal. There was a lot of hype around Bergvall heading into this season. For the most part, I think he’s delivered. And what a machine he was on Wednesday. All leading up to his first goal for Spurs.
Liverpudlian tears: Spare me the tears.
Ange Postecoglou had enough to say in his defense of Bergvall. But really, who are Liverpool to complain anways? Remember this?
Archie Gray: Hard to believe he’s playing at 18 years old and out of position. Honestly, he’s played in so many in recent weeks that I forgot what his position was. He’s look very well composed, too, and thus earns a slot in the Trending Up.
Dominic Solanke: He almost feels underrated. But I think Dom Solanke has been one of the better signings for Spurs in the last couple of years. I love the way he presses and he is a very capable striker. I feel like he has great vision too, evidenced by that assist to Bergvall.
Trending Down
Guglielmo Vicario and Fraser Forster: A pretty rough time for them both - most of it wasn’t their fault (yes, Forster had a shocker against United last month). Since December Forster’s gotten sick, Vicario remains out, and that’s left a vacuum. First Brandon Austin made a smart debut at the club. Then, Spurs signed Antonin Kinsky to challenge Vicario (pushing Forster down the order). Kinsky had an exceptional debut, and could very well be Spurs’ first choice until Vicario comes back.
But what happens when Vicario comes back?
My patience with AngeOut takes: Wild to think that Spurs are in a pretty poor place when you look at the Premier League table. A slew of injuries and disappointing results creaked open enough space for #AngeOut takes to creep through into Spurs discourse. I never bought it.
Appears the Spurs brass don’t either, as recently reported by David Ornstein who said he’s got the 100% backing of the board. The Kinsky signing seems to underline this.
Plus, who wouldn’t want to see Big Ange see through this project? Here’s a quote from him via Alasdair Gold:
“Name me another Premier League team that’s got two 18-year-olds and one playing out of position consistently. I’m so happy they’re at our football club and you know, in two or three years’ time, I just pray to God I’m the beneficiary of their talent, mate, because if somebody else is getting it, I won’t be happy”
How can you judge a manager who’s dealing with so many injuries? Spurs had 10 players out today, nearly enough to field an entire lineup. Let’s save the judgments for when Ange has a full squad for a considerable period of time (not including the offseason). Regardless, this team has picked up wins against Liverpool, Villa, United and City. That’s a hell of a lot better than last season, and feels a heck of a lot better than they did under Mourinho and Conte (though please double-check the hoddler-in-chief).
Fitzie’s track of the day: I’d Rather Go Blind, by Etta James
And now for your links:
Five things Football London spotted during Spurs’ win vs Liverpool
Jack P-B ($$): Sonny might be at Spurs for another year, but questions are not over
BBC: “Bergvall is headline act as young Spurs show incredible maturity”