Spurs ‘not good enough’ for Keane – as Wright says Solanke should have started in the FA Cup
Four-time FA Cup winner Roy Keane felt Tottenham showed a “lack of quality” as the Premier League side struggled to break down non-league Tamworth in the first half of their third-round tie.
The occasional National League hosts immediately caused Spurs problems through Beck-Ray Enoru, whose angled shot was tipped over the bar by FA Cup debutant Antonin Kinsky as part of an impressive first period for the Tamworth striker.
James Maddison knocked over the visitors’ goal to test goalkeeper Jas Singh, but Tamworth were untroubled by other opposition players as they erased the 96-place difference between the teams.
Nice save by Jas Singh! 🧤
It’s the first time Tottenham have truly tested Tamworth, 31 minutes #ITVFootball | #FACup pic.twitter.com/dCtBexUX61
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
FA Cup Third Round: Tamworth v Spurs
“It’s a lack of quality,” former Manchester United captain Roy Keane told ITV Sport. “Spurs got into some decent areas, but the good, established players didn’t pick the right passes or overshoot. Not good enough from Spurs.”
Tottenham fielded a strong starting side, although the likes of England striker Dominic Solanke, South Korean talisman Son Heung-min and Swedish midfielder Dejan Kulusevski were initially kept in reserve.
The Lambs have lost their last two games, are 16th in the fifth division of English football and are fifth in goals conceded in their division.
Arsenal icon Ian Wright has called Tottenham “very wasteful”. “The way this game is going, I would probably start Solanke,” he added. “I’d like to see Spurs play into him and then play over him.”
Jas Singh denies Tim Werner!
What a performance @tamworthfcthe goalkeeper has 👏#ITVFootball | #FACup pic.twitter.com/ubP2kP2NCI
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
Latest match Tamworth vs Tottenham
Kick-off was delayed as Singh wanted clearance between the top of his net and the crossbar fixed at the 4,000-capacity Lamb Ground.
The 34-year-old made another good stop early in the second half to keep out Tim Werner’s shot, and defender Haydn Hollis then did well to clear Werner’s header off the line.
Spurs have taken a point from their last four Premier League games but were looking for back-to-back cup wins after a 1-0 win at home to Liverpool in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.
5 ⭐️ skills of Haydn Hollis 😍#ITVFootball | #FACup | @tamworthfc pic.twitter.com/cX20517nhI
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
Tamworth, who had two quick successions blocked later in the half after Tom Tonks’ long throw, beat third-tier Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion to reach the third round.
“Not enough is coming from Tottenham’s front three,” said former Scotland striker Ally McCoist. “They need more movement on the right through Brennan Johnson, and certainly more in the center from Tim Werner.”
Extra time and penalty kicks will be used to decide the match if necessary.
