111 Take-Ons But ZERO Goals! Why Spurs Must Embrace "Stinky" Football

Jack and Baker reunite to unpack Tottenham's agonising 407-minute goal drought and figure out exactly where the attack is misfiring. We dive deep into the underlying numbers, revealing that despite leading the league with 111 take-ons and dominating penalty box touches, Spurs have generated an abysmal 2.22 xG from open play. Baker argues it is time for fans to embrace "FC Stinky" and rely on grinding out set-piece goals, especially with centre-backs Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke currently topping the squad's expected goals charts. We also put Dominic Solanke's lack of aggression under the microscope, asking if he possesses the killer instinct required to lead the line. Attention then turns to Roberto De Zerbi's shifting demeanour. We debate his performative on-pitch scolding of Mathys Tel, analyse his defensive defiance regarding consecutive clean sheets, and question his decision to field an entirely new starting eleven for the upcoming cup clash against Liverpool. Finally, we close out the show with a bizarre detour into the viral Chinese Hyrox event to discuss the true meaning of a win. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack jumps on to discuss Tottenham vs Everton, the first goalless draw at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. Spurs controlled the game for the most part, but still, no goals. Is it the lack of a quality striker? Is it the lack of a creative number 10? Or is it becoming ever more apparent that the ground is built upon a Saxon burial ground and vengeful, disturbed spirits plague our fortunes? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack sits down with James Maw from The Athletic for a Thursday catch-up and a huge listener mailbag. We kick things off with Mauricio Pochettino's latest comments, as the former boss claims he would return to manage Spurs in any division. We also unpack his explosive demand that Chelsea be stripped of their 2016-17 Premier League title for financial breaches and the trophy be handed to Tottenham. James shares exactly how he would feel about a retrospective title parade, before giving his verdict on Roberto De Zerbi's start to the season. The second half of the show is dedicated to your questions. Sean Leahy asks James to explain his tendency to self-edit his opinions on View From The Lane, Houston Reveaux flags Keith Hackett's bizarre social media meltdown over the Forest match, and THFC Podcast asks whether the media's double standards towards Spurs have reached breaking point. We also ask sidford20's question on whether Mykhailo Mudryk is already the worst loan signing in club history, and DM wants to know if James has heard from Danny regarding his thoughts on Tottenham's slow start. Finally, we look at the tactical dilemmas facing De Zerbi. MJBhotspur asks for Dejan Kulusevski's best position, Matt Cipolla wants to know the ideal front four to get the attack firing, and Jack C alongside James Reed address the collective fan PTSD by asking what run of results is acceptable against Everton, Liverpool, and Aston Villa before the international break. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is back behind the mic! After recovering from throat surgery, he joins Gavin to recount his viral away-day experience travelling from Tottenham to Nottingham ONLY using public buses. Attention then turns to the pitch, where Spurs finally stopped the rot against Nottingham Forest with a largely controlled performance. We break down Rodrigo Bentancur's standout display, exploring how an injury-free run and Sandro Tonali's combative presence helped him thrive in midfield. We also discuss Conor Gallagher's impressive outing, whether the online hate he receives is forced, and why the omission of Mateus Fernandes felt strange given De Zerbi's pre-match comments. Elsewhere, we examine Oliver Glasner's pre-game mind games and debate whether De Zerbi's emotional volatility is becoming a concern. Finally, we praise Savio for getting up to speed and ask where it is going wrong for Mathys Tel amidst unwarranted abuse. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack shares his thoughts on Tottenham’s first point of the season at a hostile City Ground. The scoreline doesn’t really convey what was a fairly good, tense affair. Plenty of positives for Tottenham to take from that, despite the lack of cutting edge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Jack taking a cautious approach to his recovery, Tom Foins is joined once again by long-time collaborator Dan Kilpatrick (The Athletic) for a special reunion to dissect a historic £400 million transfer window. The duo look back at the chaos of the summer and ask whether this unprecedented spending spree is a genuine statement of intent or simply a necessary correction to keep Spurs competitive in the modern Premier League. We discuss the early impressions of Jan Paul van Hecke following Daniel Levy's alleged comments on his fee, heap praise on the massive potential of Mateus Fernandes, and question whether Sandro Tonali's lack of fitness is a legitimate cause for concern. Attention then turns to the bizarre deadline day loan signing of Mykhailo Mudryk from Chelsea. Tom and Dan debate whether this is a Roberto De Zerbi vanity project that risks blocking the pathway for young homegrown talent. We also look at the notable departures, asking if the club bungled the Kevin Danso exit, before analysing the massive gamble of placing all our faith in Antonin Kinsky as the undisputed number one goalkeeper. Finally, we hand out our overall ratings out of ten for the window and discuss what a realistic and successful season looks like from here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack returns to the microphone following emergency throat surgery to deliver a raw, honest debrief on Tottenham's disappointing home defeat to Newcastle and the chaotic final days of the transfer window. We break down what went wrong against Newcastle, examining why teams still arrive in North London believing Spurs can be easily turned over. Jack questions whether Antonin Kinsky is ready to be a Premier League number one, raises fitness concerns around Sandro Tonali, and reflects on the frustrating injury to Savio alongside the bright spark of Omar Marmoush. Attention then turns to deadline week drama. We discuss the exhausting circus surrounding Richarlison, the potential arrival of Iliman Ndiaye, and Kevin Danso wanting out, which exposes a glaring lack of aerial dominance across the backline. Jack also shares his heartbreak over Pape Matar Sarr departing for Juventus. Finally, we address the lingering cultural scars of the past two seasons, explaining why Roberto De Zerbi's side must ditch the "Soft Touch FC" tag, embrace a nastier edge, and start laying down markers against the rest of the league. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Jack sidelined recovering from throat surgery, Oly and Rosa of Hometown Glory take the reins to dissect a hectic week of Tottenham Hotspur action and transfer business. We kick off by reviewing the confidence-boosting 5-1 Carabao Cup victory over Charlton. We dish out heavy praise for Matheus Fernandes, ponder Mikey Moore's place after an impressive performance, marvel at Savio's instant goalscoring impact, and ask whether conceding a late goal highlights a lingering aerial vulnerability in the squad. Next, we look at the arrival of Omar Marmoush from Manchester City. We discuss whether his time stuck behind Erling Haaland has masked his true potential, and analyse De Zerbi's glowing praise for the Egyptian's tactical intelligence. We then unpack De Zerbi's latest press conference. With the boss hinting at one final signing, we ask if Cody Gakpo is the missing piece. We also read out De Zerbi's ruthless, no-nonsense quotes regarding player departures and squad discipline, debating whether this is exactly the culture shift fans have been begging for. Finally, we preview the crucial clash against Newcastle United, asking how Sandro Tonali will handle facing his former club and who should fill the third midfield spot alongside him and Fernandes with James Maddison out injured. Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is joined by Windy from The Extra Inch podcast to digest a miserable opening weekend for Tottenham Hotspur following a heavy defeat to Brentford. We dissect everything that went wrong. Are we simply watching a rebuilt team suffering teething problems under Roberto De Zerbi, or did the physical mismatch expose a deeper cultural rot that still lingers at the club? We look closely at Lucas Bergvall's struggles and ask whether De Zerbi deliberately threw him into the deep end to prove a point, before discussing the ongoing concern of Archie Gray having to fill in as a makeshift right-back. We also examine the worrying lack of dynamism in defence, as Jan Paul van Hecke endured a shocking debut alongside Marcos Senesi. With Micky van de Ven's injury record, how does De Zerbi fix this partnership going forward? Finally, we turn to the transfer market. With the Brentford game exposing a desperate need for attacking reinforcements, we react to Fabrizio Romano's "here we go" for a massive double swoop for Manchester City's Savinho and Omar Marmoush. Are they the right profiles to elevate our front line, and with Cody Gakpo still linked, do we need even more firepower before the window slams shut? Theme is Ghost Cat by Gillen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack is back to pick apart that opening day defeat to Brentford. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices