Spurs are off and running. The rest have two games start but at least we are in the race. The season starts here.

Just as this new season had worked up a head of steam with the window closing, plenty of interest in how new arrivals and reinforced squads would fare, cracking football and lots of goals, the international break brought everything to a grinding halt. Like a train stopping sharply in the middle of nowhere when you are already running late for a party, for Tottenham fans it compounded our growing frustration. Even when we arrived, we hadn’t dressed properly or looked in the mirror and finished our make-up.

We weren’t ready. Without speculating over the reasons yet again (I’ve really had enough of the window), we did not sort out our business at a time when everyone knew the stakes were especially high. A couple of players and we truly had something. It wasn’t merely knowing who would be joining, it was also the possibility of a last-minute signing or departure hanging over the club that held us back. Two heavy defeats against the Manchester teams who both as it turns out are reaching new heights of brilliance didn’t help.

Now we know where we stand and can get on with it. Although I would have wished for more quality signings, this squad is more than good enough to compete in the league and all the cups, with cover almost everywhere, alternative tactical options are available and healthy competition for places. Post-match Redknapp sounded grumpy. He blamed the outgoing players as a disruptive influence but I wonder if subconsciously he was expressing that same frustration over failed purchases, an atmosphere of uncertainty and in his case the possibility that the chairman has not done as he asked. Like the rest of us, he just wanted to get on with it too. The Everton postponement was in hindsight a blessing in disguise because we clearly weren’t properly prepared.

For the sake of historical accuracy, Tottenham Hotspur’s 2011-12 season began about 57 minutes into the Wolves game. Our opponents just about shaded the first half and we had Friedel to thank for a few saves to keep us going, although we had a couple of chances ourselves. The messy beginning to the second period was resolved when we kept the ball for a few minutes and moved it around smartly. We had to wait another 10 minutes for the first goal. However, this was the moment when not only did we assert ourselves but a collection of talented individuals composed themselves into a confident, competent team.

No single player stood out: we have a solid team effort to thank for the win. No one man was at the top of their game, and that makes the victory more enjoyable as there is more to come. This proves the value of having the right men in the right place doing the right things. You don’t have to be all on perfect form to play well as a team.

Adebayor clearly wasn’t match sharp but he didn’t have to be to bring out the qualities of his team-mates. He can run across the line from side to side (or in his case stroll) or drop deeper if needed. Back to goal he can hold it up, facing it he causes trouble, it’s all the same to him. He’s there to make little runs in the box, either creating room for others or to pick up a ball into the channels. A toe-poke is all it takes sometimes, right place and someone being there on on the end of it.

Parker made some mistakes, losing possession unnecessarily a few times. He more than made up for this with his pass and move style that set us going, blending well with Modric: this could be a mouthwateringly tasty mixture in the future. He works hard and knows the needs of the back four when we don’t have the ball. He times his forward runs nicely, coming in the second wave so to speak when the gaps are clear in front of him.

Friedel had little to do in the second half but he exudes a sense of assurance in the box that we haven’t seen for so long now. King took 45 minutes to get into his stride – no criticism as I can’t recall a player who performs so well after injury disruptions like the ones he has had to ensure. An hour in and it was as if he’d never been away. It allowed Kaboul to do what he does best, to be decisive and commit himself. For the most part he did well – more of his trademark at-full-stretch interceptions in the box – and Walker is sufficiently aware and quick to slot into the gap left behind.

Bale didn’t stampede past defenders but he was unlucky towards the end and Harry’s decision to switch wings helped cover their left-side forays. Luka had a decent game, solid if not spectacular but he’s relishing this passing approach. He tucked in deeper to protect the lead for the final 10 minutes.

Two players that frustrate me, Defoe and Krancjar, did well. I don’t see much point in Defoe sitting behind the front man – he’s neither clever nor able enough to make the most of that. However, sitting left in the second half with Bale on the right made it harder for Wolves to start their attacks. My criticism of this so-called natural striker is his apparent reluctance to take up good positions in the box, so I was delighted to see his lovely finish to a delightful move for the second. A beautiful little goal, with the passing and movement that contributed to it. More please. Niko benefited from the solid platform behind and showed his best. For me the VDV role is his best position.

Ultimately the win was secured by 20 minutes of outstanding possession football after we scored. So often I’ve complained about how easily we give the ball away. Yesterday poor Wolves didn’t have a sniff and we closed out the win without any alarms. The shape of things to come – the team is the thing, keep the ball, work hard, concentrate and we can’t be touched.

Finally, a complement to Livermore’s growing stature is that Harry is confident enough to ask him to do a difficult job, DM to protect us from Wolves’ despairing attempts to get back into it, and young though he is, he knows just what to do.

Uncle Harry’s Long Arm of Comfort reached around the shoulders of one man who has complained about not getting away, Dos Santos. Shrewdly Redknapp put aside his obvious distrust of Gio’s abilities and brought him on for an ineffective but morale-boosting few minutes. I hope Gio got the message that now everything is settled, he’s a part of the squad too. Loved the way he looked up at the board before he came on. Me? Surely not? That is my number….

 

It’s not the indecent amounts of cash swilling around the game, or that we’re all now at Sky’s beck and call. Not obscene ticket prices, not even the player’s loyalty to the one thing that truly matters, their bank account. No, I’ve discovered what’s crucifying football – 5-0 victories. Absolutely fatal. The modern curse. Join me comrades on TOMM’s grand crusade to rid our great game of the evil within. Ban them from all football! NOW!

I’m certain that I could never be bored watching Spurs play football. That would be going too far. Suffice to say this may well have been the closest I’ve ever come. The disjointed nature of our play plus Hearts’ inability to score even if they played for another week gave the evening the feel of a testimonial, although it’s a puzzle who benefited. The stars were indisputably the Hearts fans, determined to have a good time. They sung for the whole time, loud and long, and I sincerely hope for their sakes that their chairman isn’t as bonkers as he appears to be and gives them a decent team for the season to come.

Regular readers and I have an unspoken bond. Although I like to think the 40 plus years I’ve been a Spurs fan brings a certain perspective to my observations, if I ever begin a sentence with the phrase, ‘In my day’, feel free to shoot me. All I’d say, though, is that we’ve taken big leads back to the Lane before in European competition and, well, made them bigger. Keflavik we added 9 to a five goal first leg lead, off the top of my head.

Times have changed. Organisation and fitness levels go a long way to even out the disparities. Also, whilst it’s ‘good to see the kids’ the boys on show were just that, boys, and we shouldn’t either expect too much or read anything significant into their performances last night. A team is just that, a team, and this lot had never played together before. On the field, Livermore played the old hand, encouraging those around him, and Corluka did likewise for Fredericks, consigned to a wide role and looking increasingly forlorn and detached as the evening passed him by. He’s quick mind, faster even than Lennon over 5 yards.

Carroll had the best debut, even though he looked like his mum had bought him a kit the next size up so he could  get another season’s wear out of it. Never mind, he’ll grow into it. I liked the way he wanted to be involved, probably risking the ire of the coaches by coming inside to search for the ball. Lovely pass for the Kane penalty chance.

Kane on the other hand has been eating girders since he could take solids, washed down with iron filings in his bottle. He’s quick as well as powerful with an eye for the half chance and good movement and control. Not his fault he experienced the same problems as his elders, the lack of good chances. The two he had, he moved onto them with purpose and poise. Never mind the miss – he had to wait a while, too long to think – he had the gumption to take it, on his debut, and that’s what’s important in the long term.

They chased back when the ball was lost and want to play the game the right way, all of them. Remember these are one level removed from the group who are next in line, young men like Caulker and Mason who are learning their trade in the league.

As the game wore on, it became dominated by the Pavyluchenko Parallax, an occasional but potentially dire phenomenon that at its worst can, like last night, empty a ground in a few short moments. Normally strikers get a sighter, then find their range. Pav is the opposite – a sizzling early left footer followed by shooting increasingly wayward, to the point where fans took evasive action when he moved onto the ball, not just those behind the goals but in the wings of the East and West. A final effort signalled a deafening banging of upturned seats as the ground emptied, or perhaps fans feared for their safety. For both he and Hudd, best said that they were playing their way back to fitness and leave it at that.

I welcome the arrival of Adebayor. More about him in the next couple of days, but provided he is motivated, he’s just the alert, powerful and mobile striker we crave. Strong in the air, Lennon and Bale at last have a target vaguely interested in what they have to offer, while Rafa and Luka will look to his movement. If Luka stays. No more about that. Wait until the deadline passes, we might have a respite of at least ten minutes before they start going on about January.

It’s good to be back at the Lane once more, easing gently into the new season. A warm welcome for those of us who got there early: pie and a drink, £5, pie and lager £6.50, bottle of water £2. The east stand bagels have shrunk in inverse proportion to their increased price. At what point does a smoked salmon bagel become just a bagel? They came close last night, whilst in front of me Janice’s seat, £900 or so for the season, encrusted in bird’s dollop. Baked on, by the look of it. They really don’t care, do they.

Half time from Tottenham’s own Smashie (or is he Nicey?) was for once worth a glance. Tom White, John’s brother, returned to the Lane for the first time since he played for Spurs in his brother’s testimonial in 1965 or ‘66. He looked genuinely touched, a reminder that football means something. Surely he is the subject of the all-time football trivia question: which player has spent the shortest time at a club? To comply with the regulations and play for Spurs in that game, he signed for us for the duration of the match and then Hearts signed him back when it was over.

Finally, a touching moment or two in the company of greatness. Frail and grey, unable to say even a couple of words, Dave Mackay walked out uncertainly but when he stood on the pitch where he and he alone once ruled, he stood  upright and proud as the ground rose. Age cannot diminish his achievements. The legs were unwilling but the glory days will never leave him, not when fans stand to honour the memory of a true master. Forever mighty.

New season, same old story. Good possession and passing wasted because there’s nothing going on up front. Unprotected defenders stretched out of shape, eventually reaching breaking point.  Free-kick routines that would be laughed off the pitch at an under 10s tournament. After coming back into the match before and just after half-time, by the end it’s relief that it wasn’t more.

Previews on the game focussed on the inexperience of the two sides in key areas. The game was won and lost because United exploited our weakness, centre midfield, whereas we put little pressure on their new back five.

Talking of previews, my pre-season effort implored Redknapp and his players to adopt a formation that gave the back four additional protection. Every other team in the Premier league does so. If it means a more cautious approach, so be it, especially away from home. It shouldn’t matter – we have the perfect players for a counter-attacking game.

So forgive me if regular readers have heard this before. I’m a fan of Bale, Lennon and Kranjcar in their different ways but their indolent approach to defending was inexcusable. Strolling back when United got past them high up the pitch, they left Livermore to do his best. Walker and then Corluka in the second half were more often than not left one on one with Young or Nani, two of the best wide men in the business, or else were outnumbered two against one as Evra raced past. Both did well, considering, Charlie turned this way and that but made four or five tackles to block Young. It was noticeable that our best period came in the second quarter when someone had obviously had a word. They worked back and we looked better prospects, the solidity at the back offering a platform for our best passage of play.

Up front, well, the preview said we need a striker or two. Revolutionary insight, huh. You know it. Defoe demonstrated why. Kind of him, not that any further evidence was required after last season. Maybe Harry put him up to it as another dig in Levy’s ribs to spend spend spend. I can’t think of another explanation as to why he was so lame. Even then, there was a might-have-been, unlucky with a volley against the post that could have given hope out of the blue.

I’m not too down on myself or the team. I can’t say I’m disappointed because I had low xpectations beforehand. We’ve learned nothing new – the only problem is the same old same old – but I’m happy to give them time and new players to sort that. It’s the first game of the season away to the best team in the land with our 6th and 7th choice central midfielders. At least we’ve got it out of the way.

Positives too. I realised Friedel was likely to be first choice not on pre-season displays but when Paddypower made him odds on to have more first team appearances than Gomes by the end of the season. Straight away there’s an air of assurance and command of the box, plus several excellent low saves that kept us in the game. I don’t know how Gomes communicated with his back four, or perhaps the question is whether he communicated in ways other than fear-laden grimaces, but the super new Sky effects mikes picked up Friedel’s stream of encouragement and authoritative instructions.

The back four did better than I expected. Kaboul had an especially good game. Every defender looks unsure at times against United and given how exposed he and Dawson were, I’ll give them the benefit. Daws might have come for the cross as Welbeck came in for the first but overall credit to United, there’s a limit to what a defender can do if a forward comes between two centre backs at pace and the cross is that good. Some goals are just good goals, this was one of those, although we gave the ball away needlessly further up the field in the build-up. The second was an example of what I’ve been saying about defending as a unit, centre half unprotected has to come out, they switch the ball one way then another, so quickly. Brilliant move. The third, Daws might have put in a better challenge there, on his heels as Rooney came in.

Rafa looks fit and eager, lasted 90 minutes and as the game progressed can be excused for all the long shots as he had nothing ahead of him. Livermore is a fine prospect with impressively quick feet, good control and enough poise to hold onto the ball when required, at Old Trafford, on his debut. Before he tired, his application was an example to more experienced team-mates around him.

United remain the benchmark in the Premier League and we could learn a thing or two from them. Much of what they do is comparatively simple. Our movement and passing was good when we could get on the ball. However, in advanced areas sometimes the easy ball is best. Cleverly had options, slipped it easily out wide for the ball before the cross that provided the goal. Time and again we held on to it in those situations, Defoe, Bale and Lennon jiggling around, waiting to be closed down.

Let’s leave it and move on. No time to bemoan our tough start. City on Sunday, let’s get on with it.