James Trembath reflects on the North London Derby as Tottenham and Arsenal shared the spoils, plus looks ahead to the different type of threat Liverpool will cause this weekend.
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00:00 James, the North London derby ended in May 2-2 draw, Spurs very much worthy of the point they got, perhaps one of their best results at the Emirates in recent memory as well.
00:10 There was lots to talk about that game, a lot of decisions that perhaps didn't go Tottenham's way, but Tottenham were very much worthy of that point, coming back twice from a goal down and then 2-1 down.
00:20 What did you make of it and the decisions that occurred in the game?
00:23 I think the overriding emotions were Spurs were brave, we were committed, we showed lots of character, heart, desire, resilience to come back from being behind twice.
00:35 And as you say, we just showed real fight and real desire and we just didn't stop playing our way.
00:41 We played the Poster Coglu way, yes, we made mistakes along the way, playing out from the back, high risk, high reward.
00:47 We were slightly fortunate, I think, probably not to go 2-0 down when Madison lost the ball on the edge of the box.
00:53 But the very next pass, he was taking it in exactly the same position because he knows that Poster Coglu will take responsibility.
00:59 He wants Tottenham to be brave, show that heart, show the quality to beat the press.
01:04 And once we got a foothold in the game, after weathering that fast start from Arsenal, we knew they'd come out of the blocks very, very quickly.
01:11 They were a great side when they set the press, they play with a real tempo, but I didn't think they'd be able to keep it up for 90 minutes after having a tough game in midweek,
01:20 albeit they ran out of comfortable winners in the Champions League.
01:22 But it still takes it out of the legs as the game wears on.
01:26 And midway through the first half, we really got a foothold in the game and obviously we got back into it.
01:32 Really, really nice goal from Son.
01:35 And then, you know, we were very unlucky to go behind with the penalty that was given, really.
01:41 Once VAR got involved, I think the writing was on the wall and I can see why it was given.
01:46 You know, it was handball. It was a shot, potentially a goal-bound shot that was blocked on the line.
01:52 You know, it could have even been a goal-scoring opportunity.
01:54 So begrudgingly, I think once VAR got involved, I think I can see why that one was given,
02:00 albeit not really sure what Romero could have done from that distance, you know, a yard away with his back turned to it.
02:06 He was lunging for the ball to make a block. You've got to use your arms, haven't you?
02:09 But flip of a coin, that one.
02:12 But we showed brilliant, brilliant character to come back into it, literally 30 seconds after they got that goal.
02:18 I think one or two people, pundits-wise, were saying that they over-celebrated and perhaps they were still celebrating when we nipped in.
02:25 Madison, excellent putting the press on Jorginho and a perfect way to pass to Son to get another really, really good goal.
02:32 And that's his 150th for Spurs.
02:35 And, you know, I've said before, Sonny is the one who steps up in the big games and he delivered again, you know, two really, really good goals.
02:42 Real smart finishes. And then, you know, it could have gone either way, to be honest with you.
02:46 I think, if anything, Spurs had the better chances.
02:49 The move where we brought down the right-hand side and we got Poro in,
02:52 he was just agonisingly close to putting that cross in for Son to tap a winner in, wasn't he?
02:57 And then, you know, you could argue that Mkheti was lucky not to be sent off.
03:03 We were speaking off camera, weren't we, about that one.
03:05 And I think the more you watch that, the more, you know, it looks dangerous.
03:08 It looks out of control, extremely reckless, potentially leg-breaking that on Vicario
03:13 had he not managed to raise his leg, I think, during the challenge.
03:16 So, yeah, key decisions, perhaps, you know, not going with us in terms of Lady Luck on the day.
03:22 But we were more than worthy of the draw, as I say.
03:24 We grew into the game. Some outstanding individual performances as well.
03:27 I mean, you know, you look at Son and Maddison, but I think I'd like to call out Micky van der Veen.
03:32 I thought he was absolutely outstanding. His first North London derby, 22 years old, you know, composure,
03:38 the way he gets back and his ability to sort of win the ball without conceiving the foul.
03:44 You know, his ability to play out. We know about his pace, but he showed maturity beyond his years
03:50 in terms of his first North London derby performance.
03:52 And Vicario, very, very solid in goal.
03:55 And I think another unsung hero on the day was probably Pedro Porro.
03:59 You know, lots of people talking about Destiny Odogi, and, you know, he had a torrid start.
04:03 You know, he was booked early on, then nearly gave a pass back away for a chance.
04:07 I think it was Enketia, actually, who brought the save out of Vicario.
04:10 But he grew into the game and rightly took a lot of plaudits.
04:14 But Pedro Porro on the other side, surprising a few people, including me, with his defending.
04:20 We know what he can do going forward.
04:22 He played one or two terrific first-time passes, and he will bring goals and assists down the right-hand side.
04:27 But his defending, I think, was, you know, really stellar on the day.
04:31 Made lots of blocks, interceptions, and, you know, his passion as well.
04:35 You know, he was the epitome of Spurs' character on the day, really.
04:39 So, you know, well worth calling out Pedro Porro.
04:42 But, as I say, overall, happy with the draw, delighted with the performance, you know.
04:48 And it just shows how far we've come, to be honest, in such a short space of time under Andrew Prostokoglou.
04:53 And just on James Madison, he had quite the afternoon, didn't he?
04:57 Of course, whether it was copying his England team-mate, Pikaio Saka's celebration,
05:02 the darts through, two assists, of course, in terms of the game, very much involved.
05:07 And then, perhaps, escaped quite a serious injury as well at one point in the second half.
05:12 What did you make of his performance?
05:15 Well, he was brilliant again, wasn't he?
05:17 And he's fast becoming, you know, a real talisman, integral for this Spurs team.
05:21 And, you know, you know my thoughts on him.
05:23 I think he's a world-class midfielder.
05:25 Spurs are now giving him the platform to really excel in that iconic Number 10 shirt.
05:30 You know, who knew we won't be missing Harry Kane at this stage of the season?
05:33 But, yeah, hats in mouths for sure.
05:35 When he went down, I said to both my kids, you know, we were getting very, very panicky,
05:40 thinking that he could have done a serious knee injury.
05:42 Fingers crossed, he did play on, albeit he did go off very, very shortly afterwards.
05:47 But seemed to be walking fine after the game.
05:50 He certainly didn't leave the ground in any kind of brace or on crutches or anything like that.
05:55 He managed to do, I think, six or seven media interviews before he even saw the physio.
05:58 So, I'd like to think that's a good sign because he is absolutely crucial to everything that Spurs are going to do this season.
06:04 And, you know, I think not only the way he's playing, you know, he's got two goals, four assists in six games.
06:11 But it's his leadership qualities as well.
06:13 I think we're really starting to see, you know, a player mature,
06:17 a player who wants to sort of take the top of the mantle on his shoulders.
06:20 And him and Son are really striking up a brilliant relationship as well.
06:24 So, yeah, we hope that he's OK.
06:26 I think, fingers crossed, it looks like he will be.
06:28 But obviously the training pictures will no doubt be out later this week ahead of the Liverpool game.
06:32 But we need to keep him fit and wrapped up in Cottonwall for sure.
06:35 And finally, just looking ahead to Liverpool at the weekend.
06:39 Liverpool certainly have had a decent start to the season.
06:42 They've picked up a lot of victories, although they have looked at times vulnerable, in my opinion.
06:46 Certainly in first halves of games, they've sort of not got going until the second half of the match to turn things around.
06:51 So, if you can get ahead in that first half, then perhaps the game is there to be won against Liverpool.
06:57 But they still pose threats, though, don't they?
07:00 Yeah, I think they've been the perennial slow starters, haven't they, this season?
07:03 Very much in the mould of Spurs last season.
07:05 It took us until the second half to get going and actually come out of our shell and try and win a game of football.
07:11 So, I certainly know how Liverpool fans might be feeling around that one.
07:14 But they'll be another big test for us, no doubt.
07:18 I mean, they've started the season very, very strongly.
07:20 I'd expect a similar game to the Arsenal contest, to be honest with you.
07:23 I think it will be end-to-end. It will be exciting.
07:25 Both teams will try and play 'our ways', inverted commas.
07:29 I think the slight difference with Liverpool is that they've got more of a threat in front of goal.
07:33 I mean, Arsenal, quality side, credit where it's due, but they do lack a goal scorer, I think.
07:39 You know, Jesus obviously missed a big chance at the weekend.
07:42 And Ketia, you know, he can be in and out.
07:45 Whereas Liverpool have got real threats up at the top of the pile.
07:48 You know, obviously the likes of Mo Salah.
07:50 Darwin Nunes has been in good form, hasn't he?
07:52 And he's very, very direct, very quick.
07:54 So, it'll be a slightly different test, I think, for Spurs in terms of the defensive side of the game.
08:00 But I think, you know, again, we won't change.
08:03 I don't think Liverpool will be thrilled with the prospect to come into Tottenham this weekend.
08:07 I think we'll see lots of goals, probably at both ends.
08:10 But it'd be nice to get one over on Liverpool, because we've got a horrendous record against them.
08:14 And we all know what happened at Anfield in the last kick of the game last season,
08:18 when we'd come from behind and then we were heartbroken when Jota nipped in after the Lucas Moura mistake.
08:23 So, we certainly owe them one.
08:25 Obviously, we've got history with them after the Champions League final as well,
08:29 where, you know, you could argue we pretty much outplayed them that night,
08:32 but never really looked like scoring a goal.
08:35 So, yeah, it'd be nice to get one over on them, but it'll be a tough test, one that we have to overcome.
08:41 I think it'll be 51 games, Poster Coggle wasn't lost at home, if we can avoid defeat in this one.
08:47 So, fingers crossed.
08:48 And then, you know, the fixtures on paper at least start to ease off a little bit for us in October.
08:53 So, we can hopefully continue the progress.
08:56 But yeah, it'll be a tough game, this one for sure.
08:58 this one for sure.