👏👏👏 Sssoooo... yeah. Job well done! Great management, resilience, maturity, and intelligence. 👍

🤨 But, bad refereeing and poor sportsmanship did leave a bitter taste. Johnson's debut brought a lot of excitement. A lot can be said about the game yesterday. More superlatives than negatives, for sure. 🎉

🤔 And somehow, I just don't know why I can't get all worked up over the win... Maybe, after being on the Heart Attack Hotspurs ride for a while, you learn to keep your blood pressure homeostatic. 😅

🙌 I guess, just as much as I admonish against overconfidence, I really went into that match with nothing less than high expectations. The Blades were also recently promoted, and we had dispatched Burnley convincingly, so the expectations were reasonable. 🤷‍♂️

⚽ But some teams get the job done by pumping them into the back of the net, while others keep them out. Looking at Sheffield and Burnley, it's obvious which is which. Or to spell it out, Burnley is more of an attacking team, whereas Sheffield has a more defensive setup. 🥅

📊 But analyzing the games so far with comparisons to the League Champions and the only team with a perfect record so far, Manchester City, the distance really looks just as it is, by a mere two points. 📈

🔵 City also beat Burnley by three clear goals, albeit without getting their net ruffled, and had exactly the same margin of victory over the Blades. Albeit that City scored first against Sheffield, and after a late equalizer also completed their victory with an extra-time winner. So, on the statistics, we are at least competitive with the front runner. ⚽

🔴 By contrast, although we carry a slim edge in the standings over Liverpool, I would have to say they have faced arguably tougher opponents, and have defeated Aston Villa quite comfortably and Newcastle, with a man down for almost three quarters of the match. 🏆

⚪ We have both faced Bournemouth with similar margins of victory (2-0, 3-1), but those prior teams all finished way above us in the standings last season, and Liverpool also didn't return to the Champions League. 🌟

🔴 Although we have faced off against Manchester United at home, I will still contend that it was a far less comfortable victory than the scoreline says, albeit wholly deserved. ⚪

⚡ What Liverpool does have is a bit more depth in attack, although from what we saw from young Johnson, that factor may have swung a bit more in our favor. Two goals ruled off, whereas not desirable, show he definitely knows where the back of the net is. ⚡

⚽ We were very effective in attack. Son, Sarr, and Bissouma well-tested the Sheffield United keeper, among others. As a matter of fact, it was perhaps the quietest game James Maddison has played in the colors to date. Manor Solomon and, of course, Kulusevski, showing all good offensive intent. 🥅

⚽ And we can't even fairly comment on all of the ramifications of Richarlison's goal. Both for him and in the context of the match. But I perhaps feel vindicated in that I still think another speedier quality attacker would be optimal, especially in the almost inevitable eventuality of injury. 🤕

🤔 But I have also been saying recently that Richarlison has a player in him, without question. And perhaps he has made a mental adjustment to no longer be concerned with how he poses for the cameras after scoring but actually scoring. I mean, does anyone think that ridiculous pigeon celebration that will most likely become a source of mockery for Brazil that he authored would ever be something to be admired? 🤣

🧠 And his difference in attitude is reflected in how he conducted himself after scoring yesterday as opposed to his posing and preening for the cameras at Liverpool last season. He was still in celebration mode while Liverpool were busy winning it at the other end. That's maturity. 🤝

🤕 But another major concern is his injury history. But that should also be considered in light of the fact that the number and rashes of injuries that beleaguered the team last season were perhaps more related to some training methods than any inherent individual weakness. 🏋️‍♂️

🤷‍♂️ But I must be honest. Even if he starts to come off, I will still consider if an early sale, hopefully at a profit, and again go for two faster, more efficient strikers wouldn't be the best-case scenario. 🔄

🌟 But one of his best assets looks set to be exploited with his height giving him an edge in aerial battles in front of goal. Something that was so effective and a major part of the repertoire of the erstwhile King Kane. A thought, not exactly a side note. 👑

👏 Again, excellent management. Game, and man. Postecoglou has set himself apart as a true savant of the game. Taking off Sarr and Van de Ven for offensive reinforcements, but also refreshing the defense with Emerson Royal was really the most optimal substitutions possible. Moreso was the decision to bring on Johnson and keep Kulusevski in play. And proven right, even down to the timing. ⏱️

🤔 An interesting side note is that we've conceded most of our goals from the right-hand side but have also scored almost all of ours from the left facing goal. I'm not sure what that exactly means, but it does warn us that there is something to our defensive vulnerability that can perhaps be fixed with just the right tweak. And I would count on the Big Angel to figure it out. 👼

⚽ But what I can say is that City's new boy Doku will rip any holes there apart, as I see the replays from their somewhat comprehensive defeat of West Ham also yesterday. 🕳️

🔴 So, we will watch out for later today to see how the goons fare against the other boys from Merseyside. Although they well beat Manchester United in the end, I feel more than match for the NLD next weekend, which is, of course, our primary concern. (Dele Ali really seems to have fallen off the map.) 🧐

🔵 But I have a feeling (ok, perhaps wishful) that Everton may be worth a point. 🤞

🏆 But in the bigger picture, I also confess, we're well in the mix, but far from the finished article... Which is both good and bad. We aren't particularly defensively worse than anyone else out there, but we cut it dangerously close yesterday, and Burnley showed that we suffer from a lack of concentration in defense that can well be fatal, in top-of-the-table clashes or even elsewhere. ⚠️

⚽ And offensively, with considerable tools at our disposal, there is more than our fair share of spit and polish to apply to have a truly well-polished and shined finished article with glistening boots that put all comers to the sword. But it's there, to be done. 🛠️

👏 Great job, players! But full marks go again to the Big Ange Postecoglou. (And throw in a more than just an honorable mention to Mr. Daniel Levy, who at least seemed to get that right.) 💪

COYS!!! 🔥🙌

About the Author: Andrew Campbell is a devoted Spurs fan, lawyer, and journalist. His passion for football and analytical approach make for engaging insights into the world of sports.

Published: September 18, 2023