Ramping Up for the Run-in
We're not technically in the true "run-in" period near the end of the season, but it does feel like a new stage of the campaign is getting underway thanks to the return of injured players (with more still to come). I can't say we made it through the injury crisis unscathed since we were knocked out of both domestic cups, and the league position is still well below where we'd like to be—but there's plenty left to play for.
In this issue: Ipswich Town recap | Previewing Manchester City
The Europa League knockouts start next week, but first, we have another chance to keep our perfect record against Manchester teams this season intact. It's a home game, too.
Spurs Women won't be back in action until this weekend, so I'll hold off on fully wrapping up the international break until the next issue. But it was good to see Hayley Raso get an assist for Australia in their 2-1 loss to the USWNT, and Becky Spencer earned a clean sheet for Jamaica in their 2-o friendly win over Peru.
PL Matchday 26 recap | Ipswich Town 1 - 4 Tottenham
Hutchinson 36' | Johnson 18' • 26', Spence 77', Kulusevski 84'
One of the trends during this in-between period with the squad availability is that we haven't put in perfect performances (hence the lack of a clean sheet in this one) but have still shown moments of exceptional skill. Nearly all of the forwards/ACMs got involved with the goal contributions against Ipswich, including two assists off the bench. Having that depth to call on has been a big boost in the last few games compared to the worst stretch of the injury crisis.
On a minor note, I thought I was losing my mind when I noticed the match ball and didn't recognize it at all, but they did indeed introduce a new one (modeled here by the club's best model, Son Heung-min):
Apparently the minimalist circular design is inspired by one of the past Premier League match balls, used from 2004 to 2006. Fun fact!
Anyway, the players didn't have any trouble adjusting to the new equipment and fired four goals past Ipswich Town, only giving up one on our end.
Starting XI:
There were a few changes from the previous lineup that beat Manchester United. Ben Davies has picked up a knock and got to rest for this one, so Ange Postecoglou gave Kevin Danso a try out at left centerback while Archie Gray lined up on the right side of the CB partnership. Djed Spence also swapped sides as Destiny Udogie made his first appearance since December 29 at left fullback. Pedro Porro also got a rest as a result of Udogie's return. And up top, James Maddison was on the bench to start (for minutes management) and was replaced in the playmaker role by Dejan Kulusevski, while Brennan Johnson got the start at right winger.
Notably, Ange opted for the same midfield pivot(ish) of Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur. Bergvall has earned the trust of his manager over the last few weeks by showing steady progression. In this game he was looking almost fearless, including one daring run from box to box.
Top three things:
- Winger mind meld. Son and Johnson displayed the strong linkup that has been missed in the latter's injury absence. Johnson spoke in his post-game interview about how often they practice similar moves in training, as well as his keen understanding of Son's strengths (like his both-footedness).
- Defensive resilience. The brand-new centerback permutation of Danso on the left and Gray on the right had some growing pains, but after a shaky start and a conceded goal, they both recovered to find the balance and shut out Ipswich Town for the rest of the game. Ange was wise to save this experiment for a match in which we could reasonably be expected to outscore our opponent and make up for any defensive mistakes.
- Patience pays off. Djed Spence has been working tirelessly (from both sides of the pitch) in his run of starts and finally got rewarded with his first PL goal. It wasn't a flawless effort, needing a deflection to go in, but I'm sure he'll take it. Spence had already registered his first PL assist earlier in the season, and I would expect to see his goal contributions tally grow over the last few months of the season.
We didn't move up the table with this win, but we maintained the 12th-place spot and improved our (already strong) goal difference advantage. To that point, we have the joint-third-best goal difference in the league.
SAtP Player of the Match: Kevin Danso
There were plenty of obvious options for the player of the match, but y'all know I love a player who works hard and shows spirit. Danso had those qualities in spades in this game. After a dicey start to the game, he put his head down and settled into a better rhythm alongside Gray to lock down the defense. He was also popping up all over the pitch to get involved in the attack and on a better-officiated day might even have earned us a penalty. Unfortunately, the PGMOL did not send their finest.
He already looks to be popular amongst his teammates and hasn't needed much of an adjustment period, which is always a concern for January transfers. While it feels a bit callous to compare him to Radu Drăgușin when the latter is just beginning his ACL rehab, Danso does seem to be a more consistent backup option for the Angeball system.
Notable & quotable:
• Son has reached the milestone of 20+ goal involvements across all competitions for his ninth straight season. Not bad for a player who some fans think has nothing left to give. Please also note that we have a minimum of 14 games left for him to add more goals and assists!
• Ipswich Town have the unhappy distinction of being the only PL team without a win in 2025.
• The aforementioned comments from Johnson about his partnership with Son:
Sonny was unbelievable today. Straight from the off, Sonny and Destiny were working really well, and I could kind of smell that they were getting in a lot, so it was up to me just to be on the end of it. You know when Sonny gets into the moments where it's easy to feel the pressure, he stays so cool, it’s a great pick out and I was just happy to be there.
We do a lot of work on it, looking at each player individually, what they like to do and it's more just being there just in case, because with Sonny, for example, he’s just as good on his left foot as he is with his right, so once he shifts it to his left, I know I have to be there because the ball's going to be in the right position.
• Ange also assessed the game:
We had to work hard today, we knew we'd have to work hard. Ipswich are one of the hardest-working teams in the league. At home, they're fighting for every point.
I always felt we were a threat when we had the ball. Sonny was unplayable in the first half. So good to get Brennan back in those areas where he's always a threat. All four of our goals were quality goals. We had to do the hard things, but the fruits of that labor was that our front-third play was super, exciting, and clinical.
He also had strong praise for Danso, including his ability to battle through the physical challenges from Ipswich and to take on some of the leadership burden:
I think he enjoys the whacks! He's been great for us since he came in. He's really taken to the club, taken to the group of players, taken on the challenge. It's not easy when you're coming into a new club, and we're asking him to come in and almost be a senior member. We still had three teenagers out there starting today, and a fourth coming on. It's still a really young team. I think Kevin's been a super addition for us.
Previewing PL Matchday 27 — Manchester City
Easy work, eh?
It's easy to joke since Spurs have somehow become Manchester City's bogey team in recent years, but they really aren't in a great run of form heading into this matchup. They have more losses than wins in their last six games, including a Champions League exit courtesy of Real Madrid.
They could also be without Erling Haaland, though Pep Guardiola is hopeful he will be fit in time. Manuel Akanji and John Stones will definitely be out after suffering injuries in the last game with Real Madrid, adding to their list of long-term injuries (Rodri and Oscar Bobb).
For Spurs, Ben Davies is still being held out precautionarily, but Timo Werner is available for selection again. Lineup-wise, I think it would make sense for James Maddison to get the start at the #10 over Dejan Kulsevski since the latter could use some rest. Otherwise, Ange Postecoglou will probably play the hot hand for many positions, including Brennan Johnson at right winger and Lucas Bergvall in the midfield.
Postecoglou downplayed the idea that Spurs have some momentum after winning three Premier League games in a row, noting that there were two cup exits in between. But it does feel like the positive vibes are on Spurs' side for this fixture. And for what it's worth (a lot, from recent experience!), we have a one-day rest advantage since City played on Sunday—against Liverpool, no less (a 0-2 loss). Still, you can never underestimate a team with the level of squad quality that City possesses.
It was a slow news week, but I did want to share a bookmark for the feature Spurs did on Ash Neville to celebrate her 100th WSL appearance.
It’s a proud moment for me. There are players who I looked up to that were at the Club previously for a long time and paved the pathway for where we are now and for what we have achieved as a team. It’s kind of a thanks to people like Jenna [Schillaci], Karen [Hills] and Juan [Amorós], who used to be here and have helped me achieve that. So, I’m really happy to be in the history books for a Club as big as Spurs—that means a lot to me.
The feature also has the list of the top 10 appearance-makers for Spurs Women, and it's interesting to see that Jess Naz and Rosella Ayane are tied for second!
That's all for this midweek issue. Fingers crossed we will have a second treble over a Manchester team by Spurs Men to celebrate, and then we can shift focus to preparing mentally for Spurs Women's tough fixture against the same club on Sunday.
COYS
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