- Oct 19, 2004
- 39,837
- 50,713
Quagmire
Poch's decisions continue to baffle me. We've got two games in 72 hours, we've got 2 CM's - arguably our best two current CM's - sitting on the bench - but he chooses to play all four of our first team AM's in a 4231 (4123/433 hybrid ?). And within that back four set up, choosing Trippier instead of Aurier, when you know Aurier would suit that system better generally. What does he do at home to West Ham now? At least three of them are going to have to play again now, two of them, Alli and Eriksen put in monumental shifts as well, and we all know how these two react to fatigue. And if he wants to switch to a 3cb system he'll now do it with Auirer, who isn't as clever as a WB as Trippier.
Surely against these type of teams and tactics, the 3CB system, pushing the FB's up and wide, especially Trippier, who as a WB is the most productive in this league, would at least allow us to move the play around, as opposed to funnelling everything through the centre. It also would have allowed Poch the opportunity to change the game offensively if he'd had one or two of our creative players on the bench instead of all of them down the centre of the pitch, as well as allowing some rotation. Or if he is going to go with the back four set up, then play Aurier, who's has the pace and engine for that system, and play Trippier as a RWB against West Ham.
I wouldn't exactly say we were lucky to win, we comprehensively dominated the ball, but where Carvalhal got his tactics pretty right throughout, ours pretty much played into their plans and for all our domination, we still needed some fortune to get us the points. Our first goal is offside, we then survived a couple of iffy moments at 1-0, and also should have had Sanchez sent off.
Dogged isn't always a word you use in sentences with players like Eriksen and Alli, but I thought these two were outstanding today. Eriksen pretty much ran the midfield all game, set up the first goal with another great free kick, saw shitloads of ball, made the joint most tackles and interceptions, my MOTM. Closely followed by Alli, who had another one of his best games for us, the second in as many games. Not so much for the creativity or invention, but for doing more of what was needed in a game like this, showing up for the ball, taking it off team mates who need an out, helping out in midfield and taking the game to Swansea, less fucking around, and it was fitting that his eventual goal owed as much to determination as the flamboyance normally associated with him.
This was a tough old slog, we have to remind ourselves that a few years ago games like this would invariably see us wilt, and that for all our quibbles, it's fucking heartening that this Tottenham is made of sterner stuff.
Individual
Lloris - Deecent game.
Trippier - Couple of good moments offensively, especially the ball for Son, but a couple of weak moments defensively.
Sanchez - Pretty ropey game al in all and in the end, lucky not to get sent off for a very clumsy swing.
Vertonghen - Decent game.
Davies - Pretty meh overall, like Trippier, got a bit exposed a couple of times.
Dier - Pretty meh in midfield, but I thought was good when moved back into defence.
Eriksen - Fucking impressive game, quietly ran it, and was winning 50/50's too. MOTM
Alli - Not far behind Eriksen for MOTM, can't remember too many games where he's been more involved and was a real pain in the arse for Swansea. Deserved his goal for the effort he put into that game.
Son - He did put a lot of effort in, but was one of those frustrating nights where he seemed to bumble at all the important moments.
Lamela - I thought he was having an OK game, but swapping him over to the left just nullified both him and Son second half.
Llorente - Took his goal well enough, not exactly a fucking dynamo is he.
Edit
Rarely do subs but:
Kane - what a pass. Did get caught fucking around a few minutes before that nearly cost us a goal too though.
Poch's decisions continue to baffle me. We've got two games in 72 hours, we've got 2 CM's - arguably our best two current CM's - sitting on the bench - but he chooses to play all four of our first team AM's in a 4231 (4123/433 hybrid ?). And within that back four set up, choosing Trippier instead of Aurier, when you know Aurier would suit that system better generally. What does he do at home to West Ham now? At least three of them are going to have to play again now, two of them, Alli and Eriksen put in monumental shifts as well, and we all know how these two react to fatigue. And if he wants to switch to a 3cb system he'll now do it with Auirer, who isn't as clever as a WB as Trippier.
Surely against these type of teams and tactics, the 3CB system, pushing the FB's up and wide, especially Trippier, who as a WB is the most productive in this league, would at least allow us to move the play around, as opposed to funnelling everything through the centre. It also would have allowed Poch the opportunity to change the game offensively if he'd had one or two of our creative players on the bench instead of all of them down the centre of the pitch, as well as allowing some rotation. Or if he is going to go with the back four set up, then play Aurier, who's has the pace and engine for that system, and play Trippier as a RWB against West Ham.
I wouldn't exactly say we were lucky to win, we comprehensively dominated the ball, but where Carvalhal got his tactics pretty right throughout, ours pretty much played into their plans and for all our domination, we still needed some fortune to get us the points. Our first goal is offside, we then survived a couple of iffy moments at 1-0, and also should have had Sanchez sent off.
Dogged isn't always a word you use in sentences with players like Eriksen and Alli, but I thought these two were outstanding today. Eriksen pretty much ran the midfield all game, set up the first goal with another great free kick, saw shitloads of ball, made the joint most tackles and interceptions, my MOTM. Closely followed by Alli, who had another one of his best games for us, the second in as many games. Not so much for the creativity or invention, but for doing more of what was needed in a game like this, showing up for the ball, taking it off team mates who need an out, helping out in midfield and taking the game to Swansea, less fucking around, and it was fitting that his eventual goal owed as much to determination as the flamboyance normally associated with him.
This was a tough old slog, we have to remind ourselves that a few years ago games like this would invariably see us wilt, and that for all our quibbles, it's fucking heartening that this Tottenham is made of sterner stuff.
Individual
Lloris - Deecent game.
Trippier - Couple of good moments offensively, especially the ball for Son, but a couple of weak moments defensively.
Sanchez - Pretty ropey game al in all and in the end, lucky not to get sent off for a very clumsy swing.
Vertonghen - Decent game.
Davies - Pretty meh overall, like Trippier, got a bit exposed a couple of times.
Dier - Pretty meh in midfield, but I thought was good when moved back into defence.
Eriksen - Fucking impressive game, quietly ran it, and was winning 50/50's too. MOTM
Alli - Not far behind Eriksen for MOTM, can't remember too many games where he's been more involved and was a real pain in the arse for Swansea. Deserved his goal for the effort he put into that game.
Son - He did put a lot of effort in, but was one of those frustrating nights where he seemed to bumble at all the important moments.
Lamela - I thought he was having an OK game, but swapping him over to the left just nullified both him and Son second half.
Llorente - Took his goal well enough, not exactly a fucking dynamo is he.
Edit
Rarely do subs but:
Kane - what a pass. Did get caught fucking around a few minutes before that nearly cost us a goal too though.
Last edited: