Spurs ‘not good enough’ for Keane – as Wright says Solanke should have started in FA Cup
Four-time FA Cup winner Roy Keane felt Tottenham showed a “lack of quality” as the Premier League side struggled to beat the non-league winners in the first half of the third round of the competition Defeating Tamworth.
The part-time National League hosts immediately posed problems for Spurs through Beck-Ray Enoru, whose angled shot was tipped over the bar by FA Cup debutant Antonin Kinsky as part of an impressive first third from the Tamworth attack.
James Maddison fired a shot over the visitors’ goal, testing goalkeeper Jas Singh, but Tamworth were not particularly troubled by any other opposition player as they contested a 96-place gap between the teams.
A nice save from Jas Singh! 🧤
It’s the first time Tottenham really tests Tamworth after 31 minutes #ITVFootball | #FACup pic.twitter.com/dCtBexUX61
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
FA Cup third round: Tamworth v Spurs
“There is a lack of quality,” former Manchester United captain Roy Keane told ITV Sport. “Spurs got into some good areas but good, established players weren’t picking the right passes or hitting too much. It’s not good enough from Spurs.”
Tottenham fielded a strong starting team, although players such as English 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, sit 16th in the fifth tier of English football and have conceded the fifth-most goals in their division.
Arsenal icon Ian Wright described Tottenham as “very wasteful”. “The way this game is going, I probably would have started Solanke,” he added. “I would like to see Spurs play it into him and then play it over him.”
Jas Singh denies Timo Werner!
What an achievement @tamworthfcThe goalkeeper has 👏#ITVFootball | #FACup pic.twitter.com/ubP2kP2NCI
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 12, 2025
Tamworth vs Tottenham at the latest
Kick-off was delayed because Singh wanted a gap between the top of his net and the crossbar at the 4,000-capacity Lamb Ground.
The 34-year-old again managed to keep out Timo Werner’s shot well at the start of the second half 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 are aiming for back-to-back cup wins after their 1-0 home win over 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 saved two shots in quick succession later in the half after a long throw from Tom Tonks, defeated third division sides Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion to reach the third round.
“There isn’t enough from Tottenham’s top three,” said former Scotland striker Ally McCoist. “They need more movement on the right side through Brennan Johnson and certainly more in the middle through Timo Werner.”
If necessary, the game will be decided by extra time and penalties.
