Starting 2023 11th in the table, with 6 wins and 6 losses, doesn’t seem too shabby but what will the year ahead bring? More inconsistency? More Zaha rumours?
Who can say, but before all of that we welcome Spurs to Selhurst on Wednesday evening. Ahead of the match I caught up with long time Spurs fan Yaser El Borgi to see how that fanbase is feeling…
Q – So Yas, before it completely fades into the distance, what is your abiding memory of the World Cup?
YEB – Top two have to be… the Atlas Lions of Morroco roaring into the semi final – was a real moment of progress for African and Arab football. Amazing.
But also watching La Albiceleste (The White and Sky Blue) soaring to take top prize on the wings of Messi was a perfect moment.
Q – And back to Spurs, what’s your perspective on the season so far? Are you positive,negative or indifferent about where you are at?
YEB – I’m a bit indifferent but perspective is important here. At the 10 game mark we had made our best start to a season since the 60s. Despite giving two goal leads away and patchy performances we are still in a good place. We’ve shown glimpses in games but you can’t keep overturning two goal leads every game. We need some consistency.
Q – And what’s the ambition for the season? Is it entirely about the top 4 or..?
YEB – For me the ambition is bringing on and cementing some of our younger players into the first team. I would like to see Spence, Skipp and Sarr all given a chance. I think top 4 may be unlikely. Chelsea and Liverpool haven’t really got going. They will improve. Brighton and Newcastle are making things interesting too.
Q – Who has been your player of the season so far?
YEB – Bentancur. He’s shown some steel in central midfield with an excellent goal return too. He’s tackled, he’s worked hard, he’s scored big goals – winners at Bournemouth and home to Leeds as examples. Crucially he has managed to cut out complacency on the ball that was so prevalent in his performances early in the season. If he ticks we seem to play well. Kulusevski needs to be mentioned too, he’s been a strong impact player when fit.
Q- If you had a magic wand who would you be signing in January?
YEB – Kim Min-Jae from Napoli, Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio and Barella from Inter. You did say a magic wand.
Q- What’s your perspective on Palace this season?
YEB – Consistently inconsistent. I thought Palace were excellent at Liverpool away. A blueprint for any team wanting to compete at Anfield.
Q – To the game, where will it be won or lost?
YEB – As is mostly the case in the Premier League, it will be won or lost with individual errors. We’ve conceded too many goals through a lapse of judgement or a timid clearance. I don’t see that changing in this game. Zaha or Kulu to be the driving force behind those errors.
Cheers Yas, anything else?
Just to say happy new year.
