SATURDAY 19TH AUGUST, 2000, FA CARLING PREMIERSHIP

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR    3 – 1    IPSWICH TOWN

Anderton (pen) 30                               Venus, 9

Carr, 31

Ferdinand, 82

Referee: - Alan Wiley, Attendance: - 36,148

Spurs (4-4-2): - Sullivan; Carr, Perry, Campbell, Thatcher (sub Taricco, 89); Anderton, Freund, Sherwood, Leonhardsen; Rebrov, Iversen (sub Ferdinand, 76)

Subs not used: - Walker; Vega, Clemence         Booked: - Carr (foul)

Ipswich (3-5-2): - Wright; Bramble, Venus (sub Brown, 76), Hreidarsson; Croft, Holland, Magilton, Scowcroft (sub Reuser, 69), Clapham; Johnson, Stewart

Subs not used: - Branagan, Wilnis, J. Wright    No bookings.

Another day of Sunshine and a win Tottenham at the Lane - it was soooooooo good to get back. First things first -Top marks to the people who put the Inspurations video together - some of the best moments from the Club’s history - Hoddle against ManUre 79, Crooksie at Anfield, Parks and Robbo 84 & Gazza 14/4/91 12.06pm Even Bleat’s programme (still £2.50) notes made some sense

The game started moderately for Tottenham with a stupid foul by Sherwood resulting in Scales look-alike Venus having his shot deflected by Nutter giving Sullivan no chance. Spurs looked ponderous at times lacking width and most importantly pace. I never thought we’d lose (I never do though!) but little did I expect the 5 minutes of magic that led to us turning a goal deficit into a lead,

It all started with Nutter playing a good pass to Rebrov who took the ball first time on the outside of his right boot from about 25 yards which gave Wright no chance before thudding against top of the bar A minute or so later, Rebrov played a great pass in for Carr who was upended for a certain penalty. Anderton changed his style by smashing it passed Wright’s left hand Within a minute we were in the lead another great pass by Rebrov put Freddy Carr in and for a moment as he bore down on goal I thought he’d taken it too far, but he cheekily slipped it between Wright and the post.

I missed Carr’s first away at Brentford, but his others Wimbledon away, ManUre and Sunderland at home along with today are all really special goals. Spurs eased off after going ahead and coasted much of the rest of the match were a 2-1 lead seemed a lot more secure than it usually does despite the lively performance from Spurs fan David Johnson, who could possibly Ipswich’s best hope for survival.

 Ferdinand replaced Iversen and Les produced a fantastic header from a neat move by Spurs that went across the park to Carr who passed it inside for Anderton to place it on Les’s head. A finer header, we may not see at the Lane for the rest of the season.  Spurs did enough to beat the playoff winners, but more is required for the rest of the season.

Too much is asked of Campbell and Perry in terms of distribution, and too much is being required of Carr on the right when his majesty Anderton drifts inside. There were also occasions where the players looked a little uncomfortable with the new system, but while this should come with time, I am concerned about the lack of pace in moving the ball forward Rebrov had a fine debut - playing some excellent passes. He definitely not a penalty box forward and we need to get people in the box to support the other striker, but he looks a very exciting prospect Sullivan looked a little shaky at the start and despite some poor kicking had a fair debut, as did Thatcher. Both will have their real qualities tested in the next two matches This level of performance will need to be improved upon as we take on better sides - and we could still do with another quality central midfielder and out and out goal poacher - but you can’t do more than win