BARNESTORMER HAS AUSTRIA ON ALERT
AS a striker, Harry Kane understands the importance of taking chances – and he knows Tottenham missed a glorious one against Burnley.
Spurs had a great opportunity to crank up the pressure on Manchester City and Liverpool in the title race and they fluffed it.
Everything was set up for the visitors. They were full of confidence, were coming off a 10-day break and talisman Kane was back after missing six weeks with an ankle injury.
Yet when he cancelled out Chris Wood’s opener with his 21st goal of the season with nearly half an hour remaining, they could not push on.
Instead Burnley finished the stronger and grabbed a late winner through Ashley Barnes to severely damage Tottenham’s title hopes.
“We’re disappointed because it’s a game we feel we should be winning, especially because we had a nice little break as well over the last 10 days or so, we were fresh,” said Kane.
“We got back into the game at 1-1, but just didn’t have another level to go up. It was a great chance to get another three points and get that little bit closer.
“It’s a shame because when we needed to find another level, another gear, we didn’t have it in the locker.
“We’ve a tough week coming up, so we have to dust it off and be ready for that. But yeah, it was a big opportunity ASHLEY BARNES is ready to pledge his international future to Austria, but insists he is good enough for England.
Austria coach Franco Foda was at Turf Moor to see Barnes score Burnley’s late winner (right), his ninth goal of the season. He qualifies for the nation through his paternal grandmother. Gareth Southgate was also watching and Barnes, who was capped by Austria at Under-20 level 11 years ago, claims he would add a different dimension to England’s current compliment of strikers.
“I think I bring something completely different to the whole squad,” said the 29-year-old. “But that decision isn’t down to me.
“I’m a Marmite kind of player, you either love me or hate me. for us and it’s a shame we couldn’t take it.” Kane knows Spurs will be written off, but their title hopes have been dismissed several times this season. On each occasion they have recovered, winning five times after their previous six league defeats, and that is the challenge facing them at Chelsea on Wednesday. “It’s been like that for the whole season,” said the Tottenham and England captain.
“People have been talking about us not being in it, then we would win a few games and we’d be there.
“People will probably say now it’s a two-horse race, but that’s not our problem. All we can do is take care of ourselves.”
Any criticism of Spurs must be set against the financial reality at the club. While City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea splashed out That doesn’t bother me. I know my own ability and how good I am.
“I’m also eligible for Austria, so what will be, will be.
“I haven’t spoken to them yet, but it would be something I would like to do.
“I’d like to have a chat and see what happens.
“It may be a bit strange playing for Austria because I was born here, but I’m eligible through my gran.” hundreds of millions in the last two transfer windows, Tottenham made £11million more than they spent.
It is a huge achievement for them to be as close as they are to City and Liverpool given this most uneven of playing fields.
Despite having next to nothing to spend, Pochettino is on course for a fourth successive top-three finish, a level of consistency not even City can match.
Their continued development is wholly down to the Argentinian, who is delivering the best value for money of any of the big-six managers.
Spurs have also had the upheaval of playing at Wembley.
Kane added: “We don’t like to make excuses, but at the end of the day we’ve been playing away from home for the last two years. We’ve had a tough time. But we’re in the hunt for the Premier League, we’re still in the Champions League, we’re in a good place.”