CSKA Moscow Vs Tottenham: Match Thread

[1882andallthat]

A good solid performance from the team last night even with a few notable absences, it shows we have reasonable depth in our squad. Although it sounds a little pessimistic it's a shame that this City game is coming so soon because if I'm really honest I don't think we are quite ready for this test just yet, and I would have preferred to have this one a bit further down the line when we have a few more back from injuries and match fit, but hey ho we have to deal with it.

I really hope I'm wrong but either way I'm satisfied with how well we have held up at this point in time even though we haven't properly hit our stride yet.

 

[spursfan77]

Last night showed why I was so annoyed by the Monaco defeat. We are the best team in the group when we are on our game and should progress from the group of all goes to plan.

I know why the Monaco result happened but it did make it hard for ourselves.

Regardless, I think we will beat them at the away game and if we win the remaining 2 home games then we will be ok. We need that first win at Wembley badly.

 

[rocklink]

Part of our Narrowness was down to our full backs not giving as much of an overlap as I think Davies and Walker do. I thought Trippiers positioning defensively was poor throughout the game but also neither were getting up and down the pitch and then Lamela regardless was going way too central - although I thought Poch would have been stricter there

Davies doesn't give much overlap. I would say davies most of the time plays inside rather than overlapping and that creates problem for son as he has almost 3 markers most of the time because of davies not giving him much overlap and taking away 1 or 2 defenders in the process

 

[Kiedis]

My stream froze right after the ball passed Akinfeev, and only got running again after about 30 seconds. T'was a long wait.

 

[Vincent30]

Observations from last night:

Great away win in Russia, deserved and should have been more than one, should be more clinical Tottenham strikes again but we got over the line.

Alli. Me and a buddy watched him closely and he isn't any where near to being a CM2, i will argue this all day. He was lazy and all he wanted was the glory yesterday, anyone who questions this go and watch the whole game back, he was 20 yards away from Wanyama all game, not looking to get the ball or really tracking back with any passion. As soon as we had the ball he was constantly running beyond the defence, which is ok once in a while but he was looking for the glory, getting in the way of our AM's space and being way out of position when play broke down. He was the worst player on the pitch for us and wasn't interested in any link up play in the middle of the park. I honestly feel he needs a massive rocket up his arse, so casual and now he isn't showing that golden touch in front of goal he is offering very little, just silly little flicks around the box. People will say he hit the bar, but that didn't go in. Just watch the game back and look how terrible he is at postional play for a CM2, he offered Wanyama nothing as a team mate in there, fair play to Wanyama, a very disciplined performance.

GKN.... looks a palyer, great balance and both feet. I really like the look of this guy. He doesn't shy away from the hard work as well. Could be an excellent piece of scouting considering his price.

Lamela. Needs to be the centre of the AM. He is our most creative player by far, when it comes to through balls Eriksen isn't close to this guy, his touch and weight of pass is another level. Yes he frustrates, but he makes things happen. Should always be first choice for the middle postion.

 

[degoose]

At times even Delle was caught with the same problem of being too obvious with the ball or he held the ball far too long. Lamela always steps up to give that impeccabile thru ball for someone to finish it off.

True dele did as well. It was a general issue for the team in the first half. I did feel along with a few other spurs supporting mates that lamela was making the biggest mistakes. It's only one game though, he's been great in many others this season and last so will probably get back to his usual ways soon.

 

[Shadydan]

Observations from last night:

Great away win in Russia, deserved and should have been more than one, should be more clinical Tottenham strikes again but we got over the line.

Alli. Me and a buddy watched him closely and he isn't any where near to being a CM2, i will argue this all day. He was lazy and all he wanted was the glory yesterday, anyone who questions this go and watch the whole game back, he was 20 yards away from Wanyama all game, not looking to get the ball or really tracking back with any passion. As soon as we had the ball he was constantly running beyond the defence, which is ok once in a while but he was looking for the glory, getting in the way of our AM's space and being way out of position when play broke down. He was the worst player on the pitch for us and wasn't interested in any link up play in the middle of the park. I honestly feel he needs a massive rocket up his arse, so casual and now he isn't showing that golden touch in front of goal he is offering very little, just silly little flicks around the box. People will say he hit the bar, but that didn't go in. Just watch the game back and look how terrible he is at postional play for a CM2, he offered Wanyama nothing as a team mate in there, fair play to Wanyama, a very disciplined performance.

GKN.... looks a palyer, great balance and both feet. I really like the look of this guy. He doesn't shy away from the hard work as well. Could be an excellent piece of scouting considering his price.

Lamela. Needs to be the centre of the AM. He is our most creative player by far, when it comes to through balls Eriksen isn't close to this guy, his touch and weight of pass is another level. Yes he frustrates, but he makes things happen. Should always be first choice for the middle postion.

Looked to me that we were playing 4-3-3 which is Alli was further forward.

 

[Vincent30]

Looked to me that we were playing 4-3-3 which is Alli was further forward.

We never play one holding player though and leave him that exposed. If you play 3, say it was Eriksen, Alli in front of Wanyama, you still need discipline and he was basically playing like a second striker. Really watch the game back and look at his positioning especially first half when they had a few dangerous breaks, Alli was near Janssen and even when he lost the ball barely run fast to attempt to get back. I was really disappointed with his performance.

 

[Riandor]

We basically played 4-1-4-1 with Wanyama shielding and Dele supporting the attack.

It clearly was not his role to support the defencive side of midfield last night or he would bloody well have been hooked off much sooner.

I see what some are saying about Dele in the mid 2, but I do think some see a lineup sheet and think that those positions are rigid and don't think as a game progresses what a player's instructions might be.

 

[oskathegobshite]

We played 4-1-4-1 as at Boro I thought

 

[Vincent30]

We basically played 4-1-4-1 with Wanyama shielding and Dele supporting the attack.

It clearly was not his role to support the defencive side of midfield last night or he would bloody well have been hooked off much sooner.

I see what some are saying about Dele in the mid 2, but I do think some see a lineup sheet and think that those positions are rigid and don't think as a game progresses what a player's instructions might be.

I get the whole one holding player position, but Dele was acting like a second striker yesterday with no intention of tracking back, watch the first half, his postional play was awful. There is no way Poch started the team away with basically Wanyama sit there on your own buddy and have Eriksen help out as CM2, Alli has played that position way more times and would have had some responsibilty.

Like last year, don't get me wrong, i really like Alli he has great potetnial. But last year he would be terrible in games and pop up with a moment of magic on the stroke of half time etc, this year he isn't scoring those goals or having those moments so it's difficult for me to believe he merits a starting position when he is offering little else to the team.

 

[dagraham]

Just looked at the stats on the BBC report. We had 22 shots and only 2 on target. Now, in part it could be due to CSKA defending, but we really should be getting more on target than under 10%, and should have scored more from the possession and chances we had.

That's not to take anything from tonights win, we played well and deserved it especially with the injuries we have. However, if we want to really break through and become a team that is really feared we must be more clinical in our finishing.

Spot on.

Follows a trend as well, with I think 19 shots against borough and only 5 on target. Even against Sunderland where we had over 30 attempts only something like 9 were on target.

You don't even need stats to back it up, just use your eyes. Our dominance of the ball gives us so many opportunities in the final third, but our passing in these areas are often very poor indeed in execution or the wrong decision is made. I don't whether it's technical ability or the fact we need too much time on the ball or just a casualness in those situations.

You can't just put it down to a packed defence either as it was the same story when the game opened up slightly and we had more space. We obviously have a lot of good qualities, but our poor final ball is an issue.

 

[Jamesbashspur]

Poch says son is on fire he bloody Willis.great performances recently from the Korean man.we need to get a chant for him son is on fire your defence is terrified....

 

[thp86]

Chuffed to get three points on the board and get our champions league campaign up and running. We were dominant throughout, although CSKA ran through us too easily at times in the first half, I think due to Dele being too advanced, but he sorted that out in the second half. Second half we looked in control and Poch made a good move bringing on extra pace and keeping Son on as we looked dangerous on the counter all of second half. Really hope Janssen gets a goal against city from open play to give himself some confidence!

 

[tototoner]

thought Lamela was very frustrating, getting into a lot of good positions but rarely making best use of the situation.

Son more direct as was Nkoudou when he came on

 

[tototoner]

Poch says son is on fire he bloody Willis.great performances recently from the Korean man.we need to get a chant for him son is on fire your defence is terrified....

heung min's on fire.....

yes can see that one alright

 

[HildoSpur]

I thought Dele grew into the game well last night, still unconvinced he is a CM though.

 

[Grey Fox]

My stream froze right after the ball passed Akinfeev, and only got running again after about 30 seconds. T'was a long wait.

About the same time it took to get over the line

 

[KingKay]

N'koudou was lively, stood on the touchline and stretched the game. We were far too narrow before he came on.

 

[hughy]

We basically played 4-1-4-1 with Wanyama shielding and Dele supporting the attack.

It clearly was not his role to support the defencive side of midfield last night or he would bloody well have been hooked off much sooner.

I see what some are saying about Dele in the mid 2, but I do think some see a lineup sheet and think that those positions are rigid and don't think as a game progresses what a player's instructions might be.

Exactly this. I said in the Wanyama thread I thought he was left exposed in he first half. Not his fault, the midfield four are too attack-minded to support him. Would love to see him alongside Winks, even if it means dropping Dele.