No,they were worried because this was the sort of game they’d typically lose. Beat Liverpool one week,then lose to newly promoted Luton Town the next. That is essentially the definition of ‘Spursiness’ – the self-characterisation of a mentally brittle team that,despite enviable human and financial resources,has a tendency to capitulate at vital moments. The idea thatPostecoglou is here to destroy.
This was Tottenham’s first trip to Luton since 1992,back when Postecoglou was still playing left-back for South Melbourne. Kenilworth Road doesn’t appear to have changed much since,which is part of its charm,and makes it possibly this team’s biggest weapon this season. It is intimidating,especially when 10,921 people are somehow jammed inside and baying for blood.
Here,it threatened to swallow Spurs whole. A brainless second yellow card to Yves Bissouma for simulation just before half-time reduced them to 10 men,and after 45 minutes of utter domination without end product,the locals had their eyes on a big scalp in their first home match against one of the Premier League’s ‘big six’ teams since their long-awaited return.
But Postecoglou’s men were not to be denied,and now they sit top of the table. At least for the time being. It really means nothing in October,but this is Tottenham’s best start to a season since they won the double in 1960-61,and this 1-0 victory was more proof of this team’s building character.
“We haven’t achieved anything,” he said. “All we’ve done is lay some really good foundations. Our goals and ambitions lay in improvement. Can we play better,can we become a better team? If we do that then we’ll see where that takes us.”
Two of Postecoglou’s signings combined for the goal. It was scored by defender Micky van de Ven,but crafted by a bit of brilliance by James Maddison,who made space out of absolutely nowhere from a short corner to set him up. Maddison,arguably one of the most in-form players on the planet currently,will now turn his attention to next week’s clash between the Socceroos and England at Wembley.Gulp.
Best on ground for the Hatters was their 12th man. They were in fine voice. Pre-match,they booed Postecoglou as he walked to his bench because that’s their job. “Harry Kane,he left ’cos you’re shit,” they later sang,along with a few other ditties that were,let’s say,slightly less than complimentary of various English football administrative bodies for historical and clearly unresolved grievances. They tried to will their team back into the contest,but at no point after the goal did they really test Tottenham.