- May 26, 2004
- 4,781
- 2,108
Covering the wins against Norwich and Watford, the draws with Everton and Leicester, and the loss to Leicester...
GOOD WEEK
Tom Carroll
Probably the biggest winner of this period. Scored against Norwich from the bench, and started the other four games, earning a contract extension as the club exercised their option on him. His passing has reminded us of why we were so excited when we first saw him - a lot of players can be technically accomplished, however plenty either lack the vision or ambition to play higher risk but potentially more incisive passes.
On the flip side, it does not seem like he has developed physically at all, and when the opposition start to rush us little Tom can get swept aside, as shown in the latter stages of the Everton and Leicester 1 games. Has at least earned himself another shot at the club.
Josh Onomah
Another start, this time in the FA Cup, for our latest academy graduate. Has retained his place on the bench even though more experienced players have come back to fitness.
Mousa Dembele
Has our recent poor form been a direct result of Dembele's absence through injury?
Kevin Wimmer, Nabil Bentaleb and the returning masses
The draw in the cup might add another fixture to what is threatening to become a busy schedule, but that will be good news for the like of Wimmer, Bentaleb, and the others needing match fitness and trying to get back into the first XI
Danny Rose
Captain for a day.
BAD WEEK
Christian Eriksen
His goal and the first thirty minutes against Leicester first time round aside, Eriksen has really struggled. Forced onto the periphery, struggling to make an impression, lack of determination or concentration, it is time he sat on the sidelines and someone else was given a chance.
The Dane seems to have no clear role in the attacking play of the team and looks ill at ease on the wing without the sole permission to move into a central position. A pitch map of our average positions against Leicester in the league shows Alli, Eriksen and Lamela all behind Kane in a very narrow setup, and without the brute strength or pace to force his way through or past players, Eriksen suffers most.
Pochettino said recently that good players have to play. He might have been talking about having good strikers, but in Alli and Eriksen he has two good central attacking midfielders and he needs to decide how he can get both of them playing well at the same time.
Toby Alderweireld
He has had a great season, but a poor few days coming up short in one versus one battles. Lost two goalscorers at corners, and sold not just a dummy but the Brentwood franchise of Mothercare by Okazaki.
Our shooters
Last three games - 64 shots attempted, 17 on target.
Mauricio Pochettino
Three wins on the bounce becomes three games without a win, and one win in our last four league games.
The sad thing is that in the first half against Everton and Leicester we played really well, but did not get the second goal we needed to make the match a lot easier. The above shows our issue, but as always there is more behind the numbers. Against Leicester in the cup the full backs had plenty of joy down the wings, but with no physical presence in the box, nor any real numbers, crosses were delayed and were unlikely to find a Spurs shirt. That the goals came when 1) we got men in the box and did not spend an age working the ball, and 2) came from a full back winning a penalty, shows that there was potential to exploit that even more, but the thinking was not joined up with how the rest of the team was set up.
We have played well in all three of our league defeats, have performed well this season and the team as a whole is doing well. And yet...and yet...and yet there still feels like there is a big step still take, more than just individuals upping their game a percent or two.
A lack of width from high up the pitch, a lack of real space to stretch teams, and a lack of true tempo in the majority of our play are things that are hampering us, but as the saying goes "Rome was not built in a day"...
GOOD WEEK
Tom Carroll
Probably the biggest winner of this period. Scored against Norwich from the bench, and started the other four games, earning a contract extension as the club exercised their option on him. His passing has reminded us of why we were so excited when we first saw him - a lot of players can be technically accomplished, however plenty either lack the vision or ambition to play higher risk but potentially more incisive passes.
On the flip side, it does not seem like he has developed physically at all, and when the opposition start to rush us little Tom can get swept aside, as shown in the latter stages of the Everton and Leicester 1 games. Has at least earned himself another shot at the club.
Josh Onomah
Another start, this time in the FA Cup, for our latest academy graduate. Has retained his place on the bench even though more experienced players have come back to fitness.
Mousa Dembele
Has our recent poor form been a direct result of Dembele's absence through injury?
Kevin Wimmer, Nabil Bentaleb and the returning masses
The draw in the cup might add another fixture to what is threatening to become a busy schedule, but that will be good news for the like of Wimmer, Bentaleb, and the others needing match fitness and trying to get back into the first XI
Danny Rose
Captain for a day.
BAD WEEK
Christian Eriksen
His goal and the first thirty minutes against Leicester first time round aside, Eriksen has really struggled. Forced onto the periphery, struggling to make an impression, lack of determination or concentration, it is time he sat on the sidelines and someone else was given a chance.
The Dane seems to have no clear role in the attacking play of the team and looks ill at ease on the wing without the sole permission to move into a central position. A pitch map of our average positions against Leicester in the league shows Alli, Eriksen and Lamela all behind Kane in a very narrow setup, and without the brute strength or pace to force his way through or past players, Eriksen suffers most.
Pochettino said recently that good players have to play. He might have been talking about having good strikers, but in Alli and Eriksen he has two good central attacking midfielders and he needs to decide how he can get both of them playing well at the same time.
Toby Alderweireld
He has had a great season, but a poor few days coming up short in one versus one battles. Lost two goalscorers at corners, and sold not just a dummy but the Brentwood franchise of Mothercare by Okazaki.
Our shooters
Last three games - 64 shots attempted, 17 on target.
Mauricio Pochettino
Three wins on the bounce becomes three games without a win, and one win in our last four league games.
The sad thing is that in the first half against Everton and Leicester we played really well, but did not get the second goal we needed to make the match a lot easier. The above shows our issue, but as always there is more behind the numbers. Against Leicester in the cup the full backs had plenty of joy down the wings, but with no physical presence in the box, nor any real numbers, crosses were delayed and were unlikely to find a Spurs shirt. That the goals came when 1) we got men in the box and did not spend an age working the ball, and 2) came from a full back winning a penalty, shows that there was potential to exploit that even more, but the thinking was not joined up with how the rest of the team was set up.
We have played well in all three of our league defeats, have performed well this season and the team as a whole is doing well. And yet...and yet...and yet there still feels like there is a big step still take, more than just individuals upping their game a percent or two.
A lack of width from high up the pitch, a lack of real space to stretch teams, and a lack of true tempo in the majority of our play are things that are hampering us, but as the saying goes "Rome was not built in a day"...