John Motson shared that he was blown away by how Tottenham had managed to stay in the title race as he pointed out they were only currently two points behind second-placed Manchester City.
The legendary commentator revealed that it had taken him by surprise and impressed him that Spurs were in that position given they hadn’t improved their squad in the transfer window.
Motson then predicted Spurs’ upcoming clash with Newcastle United and shared he expected Rafa Benitez’s side to push the London club to their limits in the match.
“Well that’s the amazing thing that after Wednesday night, you suddenly have to pinch yourself and think crikey Tottenham are only two points behind Guardiola’s team now, that means they’re still in the title race,” said the commentator on talkSPORT (Friday February 1st, 14:38pm).
“Despite not buying any players again in the transfer window, and amazingly Vincent Janssen has come back in out of the blue, been collecting mothballs and we thought he was going to be loaned to somebody and he’s in the squad tomorrow.
“So difficult one to call this as Spurs have done so well, well not in the cups, to keep their league form going without all this injured players and it’s a great team but I think they’re going to meet a Newcastle team who will be firing on all cylinders.
“So erm I don’t know I’ve got a strange feeling at the back of my mind that Newcastle will push them all the way.”
OPINION
It seems Motson has predicted a hard day at the office for Tottenham when they face Newcastle United on Saturday, but has boldly avoided sharing how many points, if any, he thinks they will drop. It’s hard to see why Motson is convinced that the Magpies will be firing on all cylinders when you consider they won’t have new signing Miguel Almiron to call upon in that match. As reported by the Chronicle, it’s understood that the 24-year-old attacking midfielder is ineligible to play against Spurs due to being yet to collect his work visa. Therefore without Almiron to call upon, you do feel Spurs will have enough to successfully win the battle with the Magpies on Saturday. Also it’s fair to say while Motson prediction for Spurs’ clash with Magpies may be misguided, him being blown away by the season Spurs’ have had in the Premier League this season is understandable. So many pundits wrote Spurs’ chances of doing well in the Premier League off after they signed no one in the summer, but at the end of the day they are breathing down Man City’s neck.