Still the Lane

On the opening day at Brentford we were the side two passes behind. At Old Trafford, for long spells, we were the side two passes ahead. It finished 1-1, with Solanke heading in a stoppage-time equaliser after Bentancur’s red card, and for an hour we were much the better side.Why the goals still aren’t coming, what Steve Perryman says about how Keith Burkinshaw’s side finally clicked once Crooks and Archibald arrived, and why a season of consolidation wouldn’t be the worst thing after finishing 17th twice.The full piece is at stillthelane.co.uk

Manchester City are reported to have been found in breach of Premier League rules on almost all of the charges about their finances, covering the years we were trying to become a regular Champions League club. There's no trophy to hand back to Spurs. There is a table to look at again.

Most of the spine that has started to take shape is away on international duty. De Zerbi has two weeks at Hotspur Way with several of the players he says need more work. That might be exactly where this break can help.

Spurs lost 3-2 to Aston Villa after another promising start, another loss of confidence and two late goals I didn’t even see. I still think I can see progress. I’m just less sure how long that can be enough.