Match Threads Spurs vs West Brom- Match Thread - Day 22

buckley said:

For all my complaining about the manager the idea that he has lost the players is not born out today there was plenty of effort from all the players . My only gripe is Moura all that skill all that effort but the final pass and the shot at the end of a great run is just not there it is such a pity because if he could complete a pass and shoot on goal at the end of a run things would be so much better but I find myself unable to fault his effort .

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Tend to agree with this view, good run for the 2nd goal, but too often runs up blind alleys & loses the ball.

Overall an acceptable performance, although we still looked dodgy at the back. Just a shame that after finally getting back to winning ways we have MCity up next in the Prem.

Better energy, better movement and better balance.

Lamela and Moura's movement off the ball gave us an option to bring the ball forward rather than having to hit it long every time.

They just not on the same wavelength as others around them at the moment.

Let's hope that we continue to improve on this now.

SPURSLIFE said:

Worried that Kane has been hurried back, smells of panic to me. However he does make a difference to the team bringing in the other attackers with his movement and passes so I see this being 2-0 or 3-0 but only if we attack them and not sit back.

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I reckon it’s time to but a top striker and drop Kane back to attacking midfield and become our full time playmaker.

Nerine said:

Fuck me. West Brom look like a Large Fries.

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Big Sam’s Macdonalds tactics

rez9000 said:

Has he replied?

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Not yet. He hasn't read it though to be fair

GarlicBread said:

COYS Hope Jose doesn’t get out-tacticed today.

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Well he is up against the only international manager in history to have a 100% win record.

If Harry Kane were a dog or a horse, Mourinho would be facing criminal charges,

buckley said:

For all my complaining about the manager the idea that he has lost the players is not born out today there was plenty of effort from all the players . My only gripe is Moura all that skill all that effort but the final pass and the shot at the end of a great run is just not there it is such a pity because if he could complete a pass and shoot on goal at the end of a run things would be so much better but I find myself unable to fault his effort .

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Did you miss the second goal where he ran 50 yds with the ball and put it on a plate for Sonny with a perfect pass?

Who’s our next manager? said:

Take Harry off, he wouldn’t allow that.

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That's true.

What a differnce it makes having a Midfield that want the ball. Lamela in there instead of Sissoko always showed for the ball, did'nt hide and it made a massive difference.

I actually enjoyed watching us for the 1st time in god knows how long

ohh_when_the_spurs said:

What a differnce it makes having a Midfield that want the ball. Lamela in there instead of Sissoko always showed for the ball, did'nt hide and it made a massive difference.

I actually enjoyed watching us for the 1st time in god knows how long

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I always say that Sissoko has his uses, but should never start any game where the onus is on us to control possession. Today showed that.

handsomecake said:

same old story really. Kane and Son.

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And Højbjerg and Lucas. Who made the goals with greats runs and passes.

shelfboy68 said:

Moura is one of those that need upgrading he struggles with end product consistently.

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...except today, when he got an excellent assist, having done most of the work that led to the second goal.

davidmatzdorf said:

And Højbjerg and Lucas. Who made the goals with greats runs and passes.

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Lucas does nothing for me. We have seen that run a thousand times to no avail. In fact he held onto it too long today before he played son in. The pass was there to be played far quicker than he did. I was screaming at the tv.

Even a blind squirrel finds the odd nut. He got away with it today. He's shite.

handsomecake said:

Lucas does nothing for me. We have seen that run a thousand times to no avail. In fact he held onto it too long today before he played son in. The pass was there to be played far quicker than he did. I was screaming at the tv.

Even a blind squirrel finds the odd nut. He got away with it today. He's shite.

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neg rep all you like. no team above us would give us two bob for him.

Not good enough for a team of our aspirations. if you tolerate his ability then you don't want what's best for the club. If he was plumber you'd take him to the small claims court after a job.

have we no youth players coming through like foden no?

our academy needs to start ponying up

Ionman34 said:

Quite the opposite for me Japhet. The performance today was a marked improvement precisely because the players put the effort in. The intensity was higher, the movement off the ball much better (no traffic cones out there today), the cohesion, communication and intent to work as a team all improved. JM hasn’t magically coached that into them in 2 days, they just raised their effort levels and it showed.

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I don't see why they would not be trying one minute and then working hard today and taking 3 points. Seems to me they were given a bit more freedom today and took the opportunity. Could be either way I guess. I'm just happy with a win.

davidmatzdorf said:

...except today, when he got an excellent assist, having done most of the work that led to the second goal.

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One swallow doesn't make a summer etc

As usual, the entire discussion about today's change in style, energy and performance level is about whether Spurs players changed their approach or the Spurs manager changed his approach. The only time the opposition wedge themselves into the story at all is as a convenient reason to diss Spurs' performance, because "West Brom are shit" or "West Brom are one of the worst teams ever in the Premiership".

Mourinho didn't change our midfield or move our defensive line forward because he had some Damaescene conversion over what tactics he should be instilling into his team. He did those things because he knew that the opposition would adopt different tactics to those of Liverpool, Brighton or Chelsea.

Specifically, he knew that there would be space and time in midfield to retain the ball without being pressed to death. The dominating common theme of the Liverpool, Brighton and Chelsea matches was not a lack of attempts to score, it was an inability to retain the ball in midfield for long enough to set up chances. Our midfielders were constantly second to every loose or 50/50 ball, passing to the opposition, or delaying the release of the ball because of lack of movement from the players ahead of them. As well as being harried and pressed, our midfield lacked Kane dropping back and making the invaluable extra man, the release valve for a pass under pressure.

For the entire first half today, West Brom set up with their midfield stationed as an auxiliary defensive line, with minimal distance between the rank of four and the rank of three. They gave us the entire centre of the park, so it's no wonder we were able to pass progressively and knock the ball about, only to have our creative attacks bounce off their defensive wall. Plus we had Kane back to link play and occupy at least one opponent.

West Brom's problem was that a point wasn't enough - they need wins or they're toast. So they inched out in the opening stages of the second half, until the inevitable happened and Kane found enough space to put us ahead. That led to a phase when they played their midfield in midfield, during which we struggled to hang onto the ball almost as much as we had against Brighton. Passing was becoming a problem and it was no wonder that the second goal resulted from Lucas taking matters into his own hands, or rather feet, and driving 30-40m forward with the ball before playing in Son, instead of his more usual tactic of dribbling into a crowd and losing the ball in the box.

After that, we could take a more measured approach, pinging the ball about in areas without pressure until West Brom came out to meet us.

The football was more attractive because the opposition let us play attractive football. The previous three opponents out-pressed and out-passed our midfield, in part because there was inadequate movement ahead of them in Kane's absence. It's not always about how we play.

handsomecake said:

have we no youth players coming through like foden no?

our academy needs to start ponying up

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Reckon every club academy wants to produce players like Foden but how often does it happen. Not an expert on City but how many youngsters have they produced , seems most of their team is a product of the cheque book.