Spurs vs Toronto FC

Like the team in the first half, or perhaps more accurately the way that team made the shape work. Most of the team in the second half could have slotted into the first half team and looked good, but we just do not have the players in the tour squad to put out two coherent teams. But we have lot of players to come back, so no big deal.

mpickard2087 said:

I don't think Harry Kane has had a kick off the ball this half bar the cross he steered wide. We have had no build up play going forward really, just individual stuff.

3-2.

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Not a surprise really as most of them know they are on the fringe and feel they have to shine.

They'd do better just doing exactly what poch wants though.

Davies impressed me first half.

WiganSpur said:

Davies impressed me first half.

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Really? I thought he looked a bit nervous (understandably). Thought he was ok at best.

Pretty good match. I can already see that our football's getting a lot better, and that's after just a few weeks with Poch, which is really encouraging.

Mikegold said:

Whats a 'Glue Player'?

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Yeh that's a slightly strange one. I've heard him use it before and this is what he's referring to. Obviously he means that those are the players that hold the squad together. In American sports where we have salary caps, its difficult to build a squad full of superstars, no matter how much money your owners have. So teams need role players that they can get for relatively low wages who come in and make a difference. So guys who are experienced pros, like Bradley Orr, or guys who can come off the bench and play three or four different positions, a la Warren Creavalle, even though they aren't the most talented at their position can come in and make a difference. In a league where you can only pay three guys on the team over $350,000 a year, you have to have these kinds of role players (which he is calling "glue players") to support your superstars and make the team competitive. It's definitely a less important concept in a league where you can just throw money at you're squad deficiencies and put superstars in every position.

TEESSIDE1 said:

Because he didn't have the best of seasons in 2013/14 and Naughton has played very well at right back.

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Walker was one of our best players last season until he got hurt. I don't know where the revisionist history comes from.

SandroClegane said:

Walker was one of our best players last season until he got hurt. I don't know where the revisionist history comes from.

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Yep indeed he was and in the post match ratings on here I believe he was voted mom quite a few times . Was definitely one of the best players (not that he had a lot of competition at times )

SandroClegane said:

Walker was one of our best players last season until he got hurt. I don't know where the revisionist history comes from.

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He was poor going forward and prone to brain farts. He wasn't of the same standard as in the 2012/13 season. Naughton on the other hand was our 2nd best outfield player after Eriksen for the games he spent at right back. He had the odd error of judgement but he gave 100% and played well both in defence and going forward.

We aren't sweeping forward in waves, yet, but Poch did say it would be defence first. This is what I noticed regarding Poch tactical priorities in defending:

1) When 'Keeper has ball, centre-halves drop out to full-back positions, one of the midfielders drops deep to be available for a pass and the full backs push forward, making the pass, but not aimless hoof, to them other options - giving Keeper five options for an accurate out ball, and more than the oppos can cover unless playing man-for-man. The first half team did this immediately. The first time Friedel has the ball, Kaboul moves out to the right and Veljkovic to the left. The second half team weren't doing this as effectively - main culprit was Dawson who was more likely to loiter at the corner of the penalty area, narrowing the field and leaving an option where an oppos attacker could cover him with the opportunity to close Friedel down. This put more pressure on Friedel in the second half.

2) Defending from the front, for which Poch encourages his forward/midfield players to try to force the ball out wide and then press the possession in groups. Again, the first half team was doing this successfully, with results. The second half team didn't do it consistently, meaning that often the 'pressing' was reduced to Holtby putting himself about (not slating Holtby, by the way). Again, this losing possession and not reclaiming it meant that there was more pressure on the defence in the second half.

All-in-all, not a disastrous game. And I don't see why anyone is slaggin Holtby and Rose from the second half team. Most of those players would only be our third choices. The first half team, which had a much higher quality/maturity showed much greater signs of adapting to Poch's requirements.

Dawson just really isn't suited to this type of malarky. I have read an article, however, claiming it is not as simple as him not wanting to leave. Apparently, and this makes sense when you think about it, he is due a testimonial is he stays until January. It may seem a bit greedy, but he would like a testimonial or some form of compensation. Not saying it is true - just something I've read Surely the club could just award him his testimonial - I don't think many (maybe BC) would grudge him it.

Also, good to see Capoue carry on from Seattle. Could be a vital player for Poch - defends well, but cant turn defence into attack in a jiffy.

TEESSIDE1 said:

He was poor going forward and prone to brain farts. He wasn't of the same standard as in the 2012/13 season. Naughton on the other hand was our 2nd best outfield player after Eriksen for the games he spent at right back. He had the odd error of judgement but he gave 100% and played well both in defence and going forward.

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Now I know you're just talking out of your ass. He was much better in 13/14 than 12/13.

Naughton had the odd error of judgement? you remember the Southampton game?

poc said:

Really? I thought he looked a bit nervous (understandably). Thought he was ok at best.

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I liked him alot. Solid good passer, i dont want a Rose that risk to much, rather have a really good passer in the buildup. And have great crosses. A bit like azpilicueta

Lamela beats Capoue for MoM.

Goal gifs:

Lamela: http://gfycat.com/MajorBlaringHoki
Lamela: http://gfycat.com/AcclaimedUntidyAnura
Wiedeman: http://gfycat.com/IncompatibleUncommonInsect
Hamilton: http://gfycat.com/SillyDeterminedHoatzin
Townsend: http://gfycat.com/DemandingCleverCrow and http://gfycat.com/ShrillRedBedlingtonterrier

Oh and sexy Soldado: http://gfycat.com/FeistyCloseGelding

Lamela, Capoue, Lennon stood out.

Soldado, Rose, Kaboul played well.

Everyone else was pretty much average.

Bit surprised we didn't get a Mason/Holtby + Capoue/Carroll combo, we were exposed in the second half playing without a DM. Tough to give ratings because the 2nd half side was at a disadvantage playing without said DM.

SandroClegane said:

Now I know you're just talking out of your ass. He was much better in 13/14 than 12/13.

Naughton had the odd error of judgement? you remember the Southampton game?

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After that he really did turn his game up a couple of notches and had a fine close to the season.

Just like Rose was excellent at the start of the season until his injury.

eViL said:

After that he really did turn his game up a couple of notches and had a fine close to the season.

Just like Rose was excellent at the start of the season until his injury.

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I like Naughton a lot as a backup, don't get me wrong. I even would be fine with him starting the odd game. There's just no way he's a better option than Kyle Walker.

Just woke up to see the two Lamela goals and it really has made my day

Not long back from the game, really enjoyed the first half, typical Spurs in the second, they like to test your heart even in a friendly match.

Davies was brilliant, good going forward and getting back, tackled well and found himself plenty of space. Capoue bossed the midfield, he was like a tank. I never realised how big he actually is until I see him up close. Eriksen tried through balls and spread the ball well I thought, Soldado had some neat touches and Lamela was superb.

Second half not too many impressed me. I thought Walker, Rose and Dawson were poor, Dawson especially. Holtby seemed out best player second half, Townsend had a nice goal and a few decent runs

I guess it's only a friendly but some good signs out there. Good to see Ceballos and Mason play in this tour, I used to see a lot of Mason in the Caulker/Townsend youth games and they were all brilliant, its nice to see him finally out there with the first team, not sure how much we'll see him in the future though

Thought Mason was quietly good. I think it was his pass to Eriksen building up to the first goal that was absolutely wonderful.

Edit: Yeah, it's Mason's first-time ball to Eriksen that makes that goal. I really hope we see more of that from our central midfield. We're already showing more willingness to simply TRY stuff like that.



Basically first pass in the video is Mason's.

Also didn't notice that it was Erik's layoff to Mason in our own half that helped create the space. A player like Lamela who can draw players to him and then still release the ball under pressure probably one of the most in-demand commodities in football.