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How my Tamworth teammates and I were able to go toe-to-toe with Spurs – explained with science

Submitted by daniel on Fri, 17/01/2025 - 16:45

To the match itself. Spurs played a strong side, including England international James Maddison among others. By all accounts, we matched Tottenham for 90 minutes, holding them to 0-0, and even having chances to nick the tie in the final late on – in which case we which would have etched ourselves into FA Cup folklore.

For extra time, Spurs turned to the cavalry. They brought on club captain Heung-min Son and Dejan Kulusevski – the last thing I personally wanted to see when cramp had started to set in. Spurs’ fitness, and the introduction of those top-quality players, eventually saw them break our resistance. They ended up strolling to a somewhat flattering 3-0 win. It had almost been one of the unlikeliest shocks in modern FA Cup history, but wasn’t quite to be.

Making a match for Spurs

So why were a part time team, who train twice a week, with most players working full-time, able to match international footballers for 90 minutes? Undoubtedly, an important factor was the game being played at Tamworth’s home ground. Much was made of the fact Tottenham’s players, who are used to world class facilities and luxury, had to get changed in portacabin changing rooms.

But perhaps the biggest leveller of all was our artificial 3G pitch. Most teams, even at our level, find it difficult to play on if they don’t use one regularly – let alone Spurs’ players, who are used to playing on surfaces like grass carpets akin to a billiards table or bowling green.

Previous research has defined home field advantage as “the consistent finding that home teams in sports competitions win over 50% of the games played under a balanced home and away schedule”. It found that football teams whose home games are played artificial pitches have a distinct advantage.

Then there was the added motivation of it being the game of our lives. We all love an underdog right? For David v Goliath, read Tamworth v Spurs. Research suggests that when you are labelled as the underdog it can serve to increase the emotional psyching up for the event and motivate the underdog to exert an even greater effort to achieve victory.

More than thinking about winning the tie, before the match we told ourselves we just wanted to do our team and our fans justice and at the very least make it competitive. This helped us to more than match Spurs over the course of the game – and, for a few minutes at least, believe the most unlikely of wins was possible.

Back down to the ground

So, what’s next for us? As I discussed in an interview with ITV straight after the match, for me and the rest of the players, it was back to the reality of work on Monday morning. To say that was quite a comedown is probably a fair understatement. I was asked by a colleague, “How are you feeling?” and I found myself struggling to answer, as I couldn’t really make sense of that myself.

You often hear the term “post-Olympic blues” from Olympians who have achieved a lifetime ambition by winning a Gold at the Olympic Games, and wonder what’s next or how anything else in their life will compare to that one momentous moment.

Playing an FA Cup game against Tottenham is not quite in the same stratosphere as competing at the Olympics. But I was asked in an interview on Monday morning if it would be the highlight of my career, and it was tough to process that. For most of us in the team, that’s likely to be the biggest and best game we ever play in.

The UK Sports Institute, which provides psychological support to Olympic athletes, has coined the phrase “performance decompression” for the process of “embracing and making sense of what you’ve gone through at an important competition, and then moving on” after an Olympic games. Or post-Spurs, in my case.

As part-time players, we don’t have that chance to decompress. Instead we come crashing back down to Earth with the Monday morning alarm clock. But it’s starting to sink in what an achievement it was for a non-league team like ours to not only get to the third round of an FA Cup, but to more than match Spurs for 100 minutes or so.

A surreal day, amazing experience, and one that I’m so proud to have been part of. Memories to last a lifetime.

In addition to working as a sports psychology lecturer for Nottingham Trent University, Tom McGlinchey plays semi-professional football for Tamworth FC.

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Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur LIVE: Premier League latest score, goals and updates from fixture

Submitted by daniel on Thu, 26/12/2024 - 13:00

Nottingham Forest FC 1 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur FC

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Forest turn to their bench. Gibbs-White is replaced by Silva.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Substitution Heung-Min Son Timo Werner

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Substitution Iyenoma Destiny Udogie Pedro Antonio Porro Sauceda

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham are unbeaten in their last 16 league games played on Boxing Day since a 2-0 loss at Portsmouth in 2003-04 but that record looks set to come to an end unless they can score a late goal here.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs tee themselves up for a shot on the edge of the penalty area but Murillo blocks Maddison's effort.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Yellow Card James Daniel Maddison

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Yellow Card Diop Tehuti Djed-Hotep Spence

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Son's corner is headed clear the front post and that is another opportunity wasted for Spurs. Johnson then lunges into a Forest player and the hosts win a free-kick.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Substitution Anthony David Junior Elanga Felipe Rodrigues da Silva

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Like in the first half Spurs are seeing more of the ball than the hosts, 67% to 33%, but they have just the one shot on target in this second period to show for their efforts. The visitors continue to search for an equaliser.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Maddison makes room for a shot on the edge of the penalty area but he strikes an effort well over the crossbar.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Anderson plays a pass in-behind for Wood but Dragusin covers the situation well and Spurs quickly go on the attack. Forest win a free-kick though when Kulusevski makes a late challenge.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Yellow Card Murillo Santiago Costa dos Santos

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Substitution Pape Matar Sarr James Daniel Maddison

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Substitution Rodrigo Bentancur Colmán Lucas Erik Holger Bergvall

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Forest in confident mood and Gibbs-White plays a lovely pass to Elanga and the winger has his cross blocked by Udogie to win his side a corner.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Neat flick from Gibbs-White in the middle of the park to release Anderson. The midfielder strides forward and looks to find Wood but Spence comes across and makes an excellent challenge. The assistant referee does raise his flag once the ball goes out of play and Spurs get a free-kick.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Johnson is denied by Sels again. After a shot from Sarr was initially blocked Spurs keep the attack alive and Sels smothers an effort from Johnson from close-range. Spurs players appeal for a handball potentially by Murillo but the referee waves play on.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Kulusevski looks the liveliest Spurs player and the one forward who may drag his side back into this match. The Swedish international does well to win his side a corner-kick but Forest clear their lines.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

That is a big chance for Gibbs-White. Forster unconvincingly comes out for a cross and the ball falls to Gibbs-White who only has the goalkeeper to beat. Forster though makes himself big to block the effort and Forest can't scramble the rebound into the back of the net.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Two minutes after getting booked Dragusin goes into the back of Wood on the half-way line. The referee doesn't award a free-kick but the Forest fans feel that should have been a second yellow card.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Dragusin stops Hudson-Odoi advancing forward and the defender becomes the first Spurs player booked in this match.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

An early attack from Forest and Udogie is forced to head clear a Hudson-Odoi cross looking for a team-mate at the back post. At the other end Kulusevski hits a tame effort wide of the goal.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs get the second half started trailing 1-0 at the City Ground. Forest attacking the Trent End in this second period.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

The Opta Supercomputer is giving Forest a 61.3% probability of taking all three points from this winning position. Spurs are just 13.6% likely to turn this match around with a draw 25.1% likely to be the final outcome.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Forest lead Tottenham 1-0 at the City Ground at half-time courtesy of an Elanga goal. The hosts have looked threatening on the counter-attack and they scored from one in the 28th minute. After winning the ball back inside their own half, Gibbs-White strode forward and found Elanga with a precise pass and the winger finished past the goalkeeper. Spurs came closest when Johnson forced Sels into a smart reaction save and Son hit a free-kick narrowly wide on the stroke of half-time. The visitors have had an xG of 0.53 compared to 0.72 for the hosts. Forest heading up to third in the Premier League table as it stands.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

HALF-TIME: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-0 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

That was not too far away from Son. The forward whips a free-kick over the Forest wall but narrowly past the post.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

One minute of added time to be played at the end of the first half.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Anderson makes a late challenge on Solanke and receives a yellow card. Spurs have a free-kick in a dangerous position.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Spence plays a one-two down the right flank and whips a cross into the penalty area but none of his team-mates anticipate the delivery and the ball goes out for a goal-kick.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

A Kulusevski corner is headed away inside the six-yard box and the visitors are forced back into their own half.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Brilliant reactions from Sels. Johnson unleashes a powerful strike on goal from close-range but the goalkeeper is equal to the effort and tips it over the crossbar.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Son looks to wriggle his way into the six-yard box to get a show away but Murillo uses his strength to make sure the forward can’t test Sels.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Dragusin can't keep hold of a pass from Forster and Forest look to capitalise but a low cross into the penalty is intercepted and the visitors survive.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs remaining in control of the possession and Forest are happy for the visitors to have the ball.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham haven't won a match when conceding the opening goal away from home in the Premier League this season. They are currently ten points off the top four as it stands.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Forest have only lost one of their six Premier League games when they have scored the opening goal at home this season.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Assist Morgan Anthony Gibbs-White

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

That is a good save from Sels. The goalkeeper gets down well to push clear a strike from Johnson after Solanke initally had an effort blocked inside the penalty area. Forest counter-attack and Elanga sees his effort go over the crossbar.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Goal Anthony David Junior Elanga

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs content with keeping possession but they are lacking the creativity to create any chances on goal.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

No team has scored more first half goals in the Premier League than Tottenham this season but Forest are currently dealing well with the threat Spurs are posing.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Forest win a free-kick after Johnson fouls Williams and from it Hudson-Odoi dribbles forward and looks for Wood with a dinked cross inside the penalty area but the ball goes over the striker.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Gibbs-White isn’t happy with the referee as he was adjudged to have used too much force in a challenge with Udogie. Spurs have a free-kick mid-way inside the Forest half but Sels comfortable collects Kulusevski’s delivery.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Elanga turns away nicely from Bentancur to again launch a Forest attack. Wood gets the ball stuck under his feet but finds Hudson-Odoi who lays the ball off to Anderson who has an effort blocked.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Forest win the ball back inside their own half and within two passes Hudson-Odoi is running at the Spurs defence and curling an effort narrowly over the crossbar. That was close to the opening goal.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

The first yellow card of the match goes to Yates for a late challenge from behind on Son.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Former Forest player Johnson is briefly down with a knock before getting back to his feet and play can continue. It has been a cagey start at the City Ground.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

In recent fixtures Forest don’t have a good record against Spurs. They have lost their last six Premier League meetings between the sides. Meanwhile, Spurs have won their last three visits to the City Ground, keeping a clean sheet each time. If Forest can find a win in this contest they would move up to third in the Premier League table.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Early chance for Spurs. Kulusevski launches the attack before passing to Son who strides forward to the edge of the penalty area. He has the space to take a shot on goal but his effort is straight at the goalkeeper.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

A first counter-attacking opportunity for Forest after they win the ball back on the edge of their penalty area but Gibbs-White can’t find the run of Elanga in-behind.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Nottingham Forest get the game started at the City Ground.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

The teams are out on the pitch and kick-off is just moments away.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham make three changes from the side beaten 6-3 by Liverpool. Bentancur is back after serving a seven-game domestic ban. Udogie and Johnson also come back into the starting line-up as Porro, Maddison and Bissouma drop to the bench. At 36 years and 284 days, Forster is the oldest player to play for Tottenham in the Premier League on Boxing Day, overtaking Teddy Sheringham's record from 2002.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

TOTTENHAM SUBS: Brandon Austin, Lucas Bergvall, Yves Bissouma, Will Lankshear, James Maddison, Callum Olusesi, Pedro Porro, Sergio Reguilon, Timo Werner.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

TOTTENHAM LINE-UP (4-2-3-1): Fraser Forster; Djed Spence, Archie Gray, Radu Dragusin, Destiny Udogie; Pape Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur; Brennan Johnson, Son Heung-Min, Dejan Kulusevski; Dominic Solanke.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Forest make just the one change from their 2-0 victory over Brentford. Morato is the player to drop out as captain Yates returns to the starting line-up. Nicolas Dominguez is suspended after accumulating five yellow cards. Sosa replaces Dominguez on the bench.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

NOTTINGHAM FOREST SUBS: Taiwo Awoniyi, Willy Boly, Carlos Miguel, Jota Silva, Morato, Alex Moreno, Ramon Sosa, Harry Toffolo, James Ward-Prowse.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

NOTTINGHAM FOREST LINE-UP (4-2-3-1): Matz Sels; Neco Williams, Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic, Ola Aina; Elliot Anderson, Ryan Yates; Callum Hudson-Odoi, Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Elanga; Chris Wood.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham were left in the bottom half of the Premier League table on Christmas Day following a 6-3 defeat by Liverpool last time out. The defensive flaws in Ange Postecoglou’s side were brutally exposed and the Spurs manager needs his team to get back to winning ways. Currently eight points off a Champions League spot, Spurs cannot allow that gap to widen if they are to qualify for Europe’s most prestigious cup competition next season, making victory against Forest paramount. Spurs have enjoyed their past two visits to the City Ground in the Premier League, winning 2-0 on each occasion.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Nottingham Forest’s impressive season continued after a 2-0 victory over Brentford last time out left them sitting in fourth place in the Premier League table on Christmas Day. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side could further strengthen their position of qualifying for European football next season if they can win their fourth Premier League match in a row for the first time since 1995. In continuing their strong form at the City Ground, Nuno Espirito Santo could also leave his former employers well adrift of the Champions League places following his four-month stint in charge of the north London club back in 2021.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Hello and welcome to this live text commentary of Nottingham Forest against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…

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