Fri 27 November 2020, 11:45
Tottenham HotspurFor 30 minutes, it was the big question. Did he mean it, or didn’t he?
Harry Winks picked the ball up on the left touchline, on halfway, and pinged a shot – or attempted pass - that sailed over Ludogorets goalkeeper Plamen Iliev and into the top corner to make it 3-0 after 63 minutes of the UEFA Europa League encounter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Only Winksy knew the answer.. and Glenn Hoddle.
Co-commentating on BT Sport, the maestro spotted Gareth Bale’s dart into the box from the right and suggested Winksy was probably aiming that way. It was the midfielder’s first Spurs goal since a dramatic late winner at Fulham on 18 January, 2019, and his first for the Club in Europe as we put together a commanding 4-0 victory.
So, come on Winksy, did you mean it?
“I’d love to say I meant it… it’s one of those goals where I’ve overhit it, but the Gods were on my side and it’s gone in,” he smiled afterwards. “It was a really nice feeling. I was gobsmacked! It was a pass for Gaz, I overhit it, but, you know, I’ll take it. It’s a goal and I’m happy with that.”
With the quality we have in the team, it’s always going to be a good night if we apply ourselves in that way...
Already with 35 European appearances for us under his belt, Winksy was also happy with how we went about our business against the Bulgarian champions.
Carlos Vinicius scored his first Spurs goals to put us in control in the first half, Winksy’s third came out of the blue and Lucas Moura completed a positive night with the fourth – a night that ended with Academy graduates Alfie Whiteman, Harvey White and Dane Scarlett making their debuts, Dane now our youngest-ever player at 16 years, 247 days.
Winksy added: “We set out right with the right mentality, pressed them from the off, gave them no chance to hope or dream and when we do that, with the quality we have in the team, it’s always going to be a good night if we apply ourselves in that way.
“Carlos has worked hard, been patient for his opportunities, deserved his goals, took them well and we’re all happy for him. He’s a positive guy, always smiling, works hard and to score now, as a striker, that’s what they want, but it wasn’t just that, his hold up play, his work rate were exceptional, he did really well.”
