Chris Cohen

@henrywinter I'm not a Spurs fan so I have no skin in the game, but out of interest, who is a viable alternative as Captain? I don't see anyone else who who could do it and do it well.

There has to be sympathy for Cristian Romero because of his knee injury, and the manner in which it was caused (pushed into his onrushing keeper, Antonin Kinsky). Romero cried, whether for his Argentina World Cup dream or from a desire to help Tottenham Hotspur in a relegation dogfight. Let’s hope the problem is not serious and Romero’s back asap. He’s a good player – a world champion with 49 caps for Argentina - but a poor leader of Spurs, especially for a team and club in Tottenham’s predicament. Clearly, Spurs have many more problems than an indisciplined captain - recruitment, board, culture, injuries etc. Which is why they needed good captaincy and leadership even more, a beacon of hope in dark times. Romero hasn't provided it enough. Frustrating as Romero could be part of the solution but he’s actually part of the problem at Spurs. He embodies the lack of leadership of those charged with leading team and club. The game is about glory - of the team, not the individual. He's 27, yet lacks discipline too often. Romero, Romero, where art thou, Romero? In the stands, probably. Suspended for 6 games this season after being sent off twice (+ 12 yellows). That’s not being a leader. That’s not a captain representing a famous club properly. Danny Blanchflower, Steve Perryman, Dave Mackay, Gary Mabbutt, Ledley King, Hugo Lloris, Son Heung-min and others were leaders (Harry Kane was a leader but not often captain of Spurs). Romero posted comments on Instagram critical of his own club about travel, spending, leadership. He may well have had a point on some of these issues, and recruitment flaws obviously need addressing. But it hardly helps the club, or the head coach at the time, for the captain to criticise the club – and do it publicly. As Thomas Frank said in February, “it is good to keep it internal”. "Cuti" was linked with Atletico Madrid last summer. He may well leave this summer – especially if Spurs go down. Any accountability, responsibility? Romero’s defending is very good at times, especially aerially and when he times tackles and interceptions well. He also brings a goal threat (13 in 156 appearances). But Romero's version of leadership won’t be missed. And it sums up the lack of leadership at Spurs that there are few alternatives as captain. #THFC

@henrywinter Henry - in your opinion, what has been the catalyst for our near complete 180 degree turn in form? For me, it has to getting rid of Paqueta. Failed to convince far too often, and maybe a negative influence in the dressing room. A masterstroke to get Disasi in, too.

“You can always have quality but you need grit and desire and a will to win through the whole squad,” Jarrod Bowen told Sky Sports about the spirit at West Ham after beating Wolves. Somebody needs to tell some of Tottenham players that. Spurs coaches have come and gone this season, Frank and Tudor, paying the price for performances, but the players have to take responsibility as Bowen and his team-mates do. Spurs players need to show that grit and desire. Some like Archie Gray do but too few. Roberto De Zerbi has made a good impression, by all accounts, and Spurs will doubtless look more organised at Sunderland but their survival hopes are down to the players. To dare is to do something about it. Do they truly realise their predicament? Spurs have one point from a possible 21. They haven’t won a league game in 2026. West Ham have now won five. A glance at the table, now showing Spurs in the drop zone, should surely shake them up. A look at West Ham’s gutsy display against Wolves, the Taty and Dinos show, should wake Spurs players up to the threat of the drop. Cristian Romero should note Dinos Mavropanos’ commitment levels, his grit and desire, rising to the challenge over the past few months when his team needed him most. From mistake-maker to responsibility-taker, even goal-taker. Mavropanos is all about the team. Romero is a good player but occasionally lets the team down with some of his erratic decision-making. You can't rely on him - and he's captain. You can rely on West Ham's captain. Bowen sets the tone. Leader, winger, pressing machine, assist-maker (2x v Wolves), grit and desire. Crysencio Summerville has quality with his ability to manoeuvre the ball at pace into danger zones but also the right attitude. He fights for the team. Grit and desire and quality. Spurs were rightly criticised in January for not strengthening a squad patently lacking grit and desire and also numbers (given injuries). West Ham brought in Disasi, Pablo and Taty, players that Spurs recruitment decision-makers might have sniffed at. Bit limited, not “quality”, not Spurs “profile”. But they have brought grit and desire: Disasi (£1.7m loan fee) throwing himself into blocks, the link-up play and work ethic of Pablo (£20m) and the tireless Taty (£26m) providing an outlet and now goals. Given that both Pablo and Taty are on 4½+1 deals, the cost for the trio’s involvement in this crucial period in West Ham’s season, in arguably their recent history, is (very) roughly £15m including wages. That’s a modest price to pay if they help keep West Ham up. Old and new, West Ham are showing grit and desire, in the dug-out too. Their head coach Nuno, a man guided by heart and head, embodies and accentuates that grit and desire. Nuno’s a fighter. He was growing up, overcoming adversity, in his playing career and in management, often doubted. But always showing grit and desire. Nuno's old club, Spurs, need to learn that fast, start to fight, starting with this tricky trip to the Stadium of Light. #THFC #WHUFC #WHUWOL

@CinemaTweets1 Derek and the Dominoes coming in at the end of Goodfellas always gives me the chills. One of the best endings.

Martin Scorsese chose the best music for Casino. I’ve always maintained that Scorsese is the king of the needle drop- no director knows how to pick music for his films better than Marty. This House of Rising Sun needle drop in Casino is one of my all-time favorites from Marty.

@bet365 how can you pay out a bet and then decide after the fact that it wasn't a winner and take the money back?! Joke 🤬

@johncrossmirror Bowen didnt get one earlier in the season. He got taken out after he hit the ball and didn't get the pen.

How is that not a penalty? Utterly bizarre. You can't wipe someone out like Kilman did on Stach there. Ball gone or not. Crazy.

@StanCollymore What you thinking about next week's game against West Ham, Stan?

FT 3-1 No complaints, attacking fortune favours the brave and United were braver when attacking so they got what their intent deserved, chances and goals. Fantastic job Carrick has done to galvanise a group. Villa's malaise is easily identifiable. 1. If players are given licence to attack high up the pitch, great. But their nativity in either not tracking back or arms in the air is gross naivety and grating. Solution? Foul the opponent within 5 seconds of losing it. If Pep and Arteta can do it, we can. 2. Tempo. Said it last week and the week before. Slow slow slow is fine to build a season, punctuated by quick bursts. 50% slow, 50% bursts. Now? 90% slow, 10% bursts. It has to change. If this continues Villa will be reeled in not by Liverpool or Chelsea, but by Newcastle. It's a fight now for almost every team in the division and those that rise to it will acheive aims, those who don't, fall away. Villa "look" as though they're lacking fight. These players have been superb for 2 or 3 seasons, playing way above expected levels but now is the time to ditch the naivety, raise the pace of games ( why did we do it when United scored? Why then?) and start to be a nasty, dark arts, win at all costs team. Others do. Too nice. Too passive.

Potentially, a huge result ⚒️

@henrywinter The same referee who bottled making a decision on a blatant foul on Traore in the box during Monday's game...

“The referee’s call of no penalty to Arsenal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the contact from Keane on Havertz deemed to be minimal.” PGMO. Minimal? But meaningful. #ARSEVE

Havertz through on goal, about to shoot. Keane treads on Havertz’s foot, clearly brings him down. Pen not given, VAR should have intervened, Havertz rightly bemused. #ARSEVE

@joshpearson180 🤟🏻👊🏻

Martin Schindler just walked on to Linkin Park Warra tune

@WestHam Blimey, I'd forgotten all about Morgan Amalfitano!!

Amalfitano and Sakho on the scoresheet 💪

Properly bored of the Stephen Bunting walk on 👎🏻

@kumbdotcom Let's be honest... we were all a little nervous when we saw Dinos step up to take the winning penalty?!

A popular spot for WHU's penalty takers tonight, that top right corner. Top corners, statistically the best chance of a goal from 12 yards. Also statistically the most likely to be missed. Jarrod, Taty, Callum, Tomas and Dinos - DInos! - inch-perfect, every one. #exactitude

@henrywinter Serious question... is there any rule that allows you to actively take a player off if the manager wishes? If youve used all your subs and yiu dont want to risk playing Summerville, could he just come off?

West Ham United cannot afford to lose Crysencio Summerville for any Premier League games. They’re in a relegation dogfight. Gamely playing on in #WHUBRE #FACup tie, moving slightly more freely. Nuno used all his subs. Summerville presumably a pen-taker.

Bravo to whoever approved this Fulham / Southampton kit clash 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

@WestHamViews_ *Simons

@WestHamViews_ Those Spurs players aren't up for the fight. Did Xavi Simon's sign up to fight relegation? They haven't got it in them and they look shot. We have the momentum. We have the fight. We can do it. ⚒️

Nevermind how funny it would be to see Spurs get relegated, but these last couple days have been closed to perfect for West Ham! Nine cup finals to go. COME ON YOU IRONS! 👊🏻⚒️

Is it an exaggeration to say every neutral fan in the country are rooting for Crystal Palace here?

@joshpearson180 What we saying?!? Josh Rock to get a suprising first win?

PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS IS BACK ON TONIGHT!!! 🤩🎯

@danwoff98 The mooted swap deal with Antonin Kinsky ... was that ever real? Or just internet rumour?

Another top & crucial performance from Mads Hermansen yesterday. Good to see him full of confidence after a tricky start - mainly the victim of poor coaching from Graham Potter that exposed him. Difference now with structure is clear. Good keeper.

@StanCollymore What's your prediction, Stan?

Meanwhile, not at Villa Park...👀