Man City vs Spurs: Match Thread

[shelfboy68]

Have just watched the game. City's bench is frightening.

Agreed and yet some think we are going to finish above them staggering, finish above these and your champions which won't be the case.

 

[Nocando]

Whilst im the first to appreciate overreaction there are some underlying issues which are valid points to discuss as they reared their head again. I don't think people are going over the top instead there are some problems that are valud discussion areas. I know its just a friendly but im still worried about teams that press us back as we have no apparent way of dealing with it. Our tactic of playing short gets exposed and becomes our downfall. If we had played long and competed further up the pitch we would have been set better positionally and i think we could have tried to unpick their high line. Ordinarily and against most teams we can play our usual way but we need to learn to adapt betterto the team and as much as i love tge man this is mostly a mp thing. Of course he may have some theory about these situations but in the few pressy games (liverpool chelsea city) i cant really see it.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out at Wembley.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

What about his lack of dynamism, hiding from the ball when we are pressed, inability to move with it and slack passing of the last two seasons?

He's a CB, and he's got learning to do there, he needs to concentrate on that, not his Phil Jones CM impression.

One hundred percent spot on. He is far from mobile in the DM role, and has been found out when playing against pace. Anyone who watched the Liverpool away game last season would see that as well as games in the CL and EL at Wembley.

Covering Jan or Toby i am and fine with but he's at best fourth choice as a DM in this side.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

I fell a sleep in the 2nd half!

45 minutes after the team then....

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

What we really missed yesterday was Wanyama. When we won against City and Chelsea at home last season he was MOTM in both those games. He's an absolute monster against the big teams.

That shows our deficiency then does it not? Not unlike Harry being our key goalscorer perhaps Poch should look to fill the void left what Wanyama is out?

 

[dk-yid]

Maybe we're more likely to improve than most teams but I can't believe people say preseason games give no indication of how the season will go when they clearly do. Man City were playing in the same conditions we were and I very much doubt City's preseason training has been easy, Pep is renowned for very intense training sessions as well, it's not exclusive to Poch by any means..

Pep is renowned for lots of ball play and lots of stretching, as well as tactical play from the get go. All with high intensity. But that's kind of besides the point. No two teams are have the same regimen and therefore cannot be expected to be the same place at any one point in time during preseason. The proof is in the pudding i.e. When the season starts.
So no, you can't judge it as an indicator of the season to come, but if you wanted to you would have to weigh in all matches plaued on preseseason from all teams that you are comparing to. One game, at one distinct time, under a given set of circumstances tells you absolutely f**ck all about the season to come.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

I am not going to go back and read though this, but a few random thoughts from the match:

- I though it was very interesting that Hugo won the coin flip, but then opted to switch sides to start the match. I rarely see teams opt to switch sides at the coin flip. That put City's defense (and Kyle Walker) in the Spurs' supporters end of the field in the first half. Walker, somewhat predictably, was boo'd every time he touched the ball. It seemed that was the intent of the switch.

- Team was dead from the opening kickoff. City had far more energy - and it showed in how easily City closed us down, and how poorly we closed City down. Guys were simply standing still - which made it easy on City to mark us, and use their press.

- That second point led to us trying way too many long-balls over the top - Kane does not have the pace nor the energy to do that all match long...

- Which leads to my next point - without Walker and Rose - we have no real pace in the squad. That will be a problem this season.

- We need a more mature back up/challenger to Trippier. Walker-Peters is so close to being ready - but he is not quite there physically. KWP did have one of my favorite moments in the match - not sure how it looked on tv - but he was tracking back on Aguero, I think, and KWP made a great sliding tackle to knock the ball out after Aguero was in on goal - and the whistle blew. KWP was up immediately questioning the Ref saying he got the ball - only to then realize the whistle was for offside. Loved his passion. Like I said, he is close - needs just a little bit more time.

- The lack of pace is going to create an unintended consequence - we are not going to sit Dele or Eriksen for a quicker AM - so to inject pace from someone - like Son, or a new player - we will probably shift back to the 4231 more often - and that creates a dilemma for Dier. He is not going to be happy as a reserve CB/DM, and most supporters won't be happy if there is a CM pairing of Dier and Wanyama. So, I think Poch will have his hands full managing that situation.

- Another thing I noticed - that I think was tied to fatigue, sort of - but, City, Kompany in particular, were very physical. The went in hard on tackles - notably Kane and Dele. They were not dirty plays - just hard plays - and it set the tone for the match. Eventually Dier started to retaliate - but it came across as petulant retaliation, rather than just being strong - if that makes any sense. And I thought Dele was close to losing the plot in some of his retaliatory tackles. I think there is a difference that we don't have yet - playing with an edge, that City showed. We need to find that edge.

 

[Gambler]

Preseason means nothing. Best preseason I can remember was under Ramos. We thumped Roma 5-0 if I recall correct. Looked unplayable. Season started, we looked horrible. After 8 games it was allo Arry.

Preseason means nothing. Best preseason I can remember was under Ramos. We thumped Roma 5-0 if I recall correct. Looked unplayable. Season started, we looked horrible. After 8 games it was allo Arry.

Wasn't that the same game where Bentley looked superb?

 

[coys200]

Pep has basically Sussed how to beat us.This game was very similar to game at etihad where they totally outplayed us ,but we somehow managed a 2-2 draw thanks mainly to their porous defence which has now been fixed.
They just press us very high and expose lloris awful kicking.And I mean it is truly shocking.Added to diers totally inability to receive a pass with any pressure on him,he just totally panics.So invariably we end up just hoofing it up the pitch to relieve the pressure.
For us to have any chance against city we have to be 100% on it and clearly and understand ly we weren't as Its pre season.Any 5-10% drop off from our normal high standards and they will punish us which is what happened.
Lloris distribution is a big worry for me.Amazes me that other teams don't pick up on it and press the life out of us.in Fact the only other team to really do this to us is Liverpool who we always seem to struggle against

 

[daryl hannah]

Pep has basically Sussed how to beat us.This game was very similar to game at etihad where they totally outplayed us ,but we somehow managed a 2-2 draw thanks mainly to their porous defence which has now been fixed.
They just press us very high and expose lloris awful kicking.And I mean it is truly shocking.Added to diers totally inability to receive a pass with any pressure on him,he just totally panics.So invariably we end up just hoofing it up the pitch to relieve the pressure.
For us to have any chance against city we have to be 100% on it and clearly and understand ly we weren't as Its pre season.Any 5-10% drop off from our normal high standards and they will punish us which is what happened.
Lloris distribution is a big worry for me.Amazes me that other teams don't pick up on it and press the life out of us.in Fact the only other team to really do this to us is Liverpool who we always seem to struggle against

my 7 year-old neice could distribute better than Lloris.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

I am not going to go back and read though this, but a few random thoughts from the match:



- Team was dead from the opening kickoff. City had far more energy - and it showed in how easily City closed us down, and how poorly we closed City down. Guys were simply standing still - which made it easy on City to mark us, and use their press.

- Which leads to my next point - without Walker and Rose - we have no real pace in the squad. That will be a problem this season.

- The lack of pace is going to create an unintended consequence - we are not going to sit Dele or Eriksen for a quicker AM - so to inject pace from someone - like Son, or a new player - we will probably shift back to the 4231 more often - and that creates a dilemma for Dier. He is not going to be happy as a reserve CB/DM, and most supporters won't be happy if there is a CM pairing of Dier and Wanyama. So, I think Poch will have his hands full managing that situation.

Eventually Dier started to retaliate - but it came across as petulant retaliation, rather than just being strong - if that makes any sense. And I thought Dele was close to losing the plot in some of his retaliatory tackles. I think there is a difference that we don't have yet - playing with an edge, that City showed. We need to find that edge.

Team selection and system is down to the coach, pre-season friendly or not, the team should be able to compete.

With the decision to sell Walker, and more than enough money in the bank a replacement should already be at the club. The club knew at the end of last season Walker was off. No real excuse for not having a replacement here and now.

Dier is a poor DM when faced with the high press, or defending across the midfield against pace. If (and i mean IF) he does not want to play CB and wait his chance then i would take 60 mil off Yanited here and now, because with a fit Wanyama, he would be third or fourth in the DM pecking order.

Both Dele and Dier showed their petulance two seasons ago at Chel$ea and during parts of last season, in particular Dele. This is on Poch to sort.

Overall the facts of the matter is that we still have poor squad strength, Citeh have replaced six players, and had a something like one hundred and fifty million pounds worth of players sitting on the bench.

We will never compete with that, and i fully expect this Citeh side to win the PL next season, because in fairness they played us off the park, and they wanted to, whether it be a meaningless friendly or not. The culture has changed at that club as was there for all to see over the course of this competition.

 

[shelfboy68]

Team selection and system is down to the coach, pre-season friendly or not, the team should be able to compete.

With the decision to sell Walker, and more than enough money in the bank a replacement should already be at the club. The club knew at the end of last season Walker was off. No real excuse for not having a replacement here and now.

Dier is a poor DM when faced with the high press, or defending across the midfield against pace. If (and i mean IF) he does not want to play CB and wait his chance then i would take 60 mil off Yanited here and now, because with a fit Wanyama, he would be third or fourth in the DM pecking order.

Both Dele and Dier showed their petulance two seasons ago at Chel$ea and during parts of last season, in particular Dele. This is on Poch to sort.

Overall the facts of the matter is that we still have poor squad strength, Citeh have replaced six players, and had a something like one hundred and fifty million pounds worth of players sitting on the bench.

We will never compete with that, and i fully expect this Citeh side to win the PL next season, because in fairness they played us off the park, and they wanted to, whether it be a meaningless friendly or not. The culture has changed at that club as was there for all to see over the course of this competition.

Totally agree I just don't get the waiting around if other teams can buy so can we either the player wants to come to us or he doesn't if not move on.
I think poch has played the loyal man servant role beautifully as he always bats away concerns over our lack of activity, you bet your life he wanted people in by now rather than wait right at the end of August to shape his squad utterly ridiculous.

 

[Nocando]

Totally agree I just don't get the waiting around if other teams can buy so can we either the player wants to come to us or he doesn't if not move on.
I think poch has played the loyal man servant role beautifully as he always bats away concerns over our lack of activity, you bet your life he wanted people in by now rather than wait right at the end of August to shape his squad utterly ridiculous.

You have to be careful and put it into perspective. Panic buying because we were out played wont solve anything. Its highly unlikely we can go out there and buy players of the same ilk that we saw yesterday. We are going to need to be clever but we shouldn't buy for the sake of it or because everyone else is. We simply cannot compete on those terms.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

You have to be careful and put it into perspective. Panic buying because we were out played wont solve anything. Its highly unlikely we can go out there and buy players of the same ilk that we saw yesterday. We are going to need to be clever but we shouldn't buy for the sake of it or because everyone else is. We simply cannot compete on those terms.

Having finished the season in May and today being the end of July, where to you get the idea of "panic buying" from? The Club has has known since April that Walker was going and to start to plan on his replacement and to add depth to the current strength that we have.

I make that a quarter of a year to identify, set a plan of action and to at least cover our losses let alone add. Pretty poor if you ask any football fan especially as every single club in the PL has added at least one player.

We pretty much are at present the laughing stock of the PL when is comes to making ourselves more competitive next season.

 

[shelfboy68]

You have to be careful and put it into perspective. Panic buying because we were out played wont solve anything. Its highly unlikely we can go out there and buy players of the same ilk that we saw yesterday. We are going to need to be clever but we shouldn't buy for the sake of it or because everyone else is. We simply cannot compete on those terms.

We can't compete on city's terms no because we don't have owners like that sadly, but that doesn't excuse not bringing in anyone and supporting the best manager we have had for over 30 years.
We have seen this before when Harry was in charge and we lost the first two games because our team wasn't ready, trying to bring in Parker and adebayor waiting most of the summer just to win a deal crazy.

 

[Anurag Jo]

my 7 year-old neice could distribute better than Lloris.

Amazes me how spurs supporters think Lloris is the best goal keeper in the league.Great shot stopper yeah but has many other weaknesses too.

If Ederson keeps up this this form in the lagte he'll be up there with De Gea.

 

[Nocando]

Having finished the season in May and today being the end of July, where to you get the idea of "panic buying" from? The Club has has known since April that Walker was going and to start to plan on his replacement and to add depth to the current strength that we have.

I make that a quarter of a year to identify, set a plan of action and to at least cover our losses let alone add. Pretty poor if you ask any football fan especially as every single club in the PL has added at least one player.

We pretty much are at present the laughing stock of the PL when is comes to making ourselves more competitive next season.

I was referring to a supposed heightened need after last night's game. Its inevitible.

 

[shelfboy68]

Amazes me how spurs supporters think Lloris is the best goal keeper in the league.Great shot stopper yeah but has many other weaknesses too.

If Ederson keeps up this this form in the lagte he'll be up there with De Gea.

Have to say I see your point a bit sometimes he is outstanding and other times he concedes really poor goals.

 

[Nocando]

We can't compete on city's terms no because we don't have owners like that sadly, but that doesn't excuse not bringing in anyone and supporting the best manager we have had for over 30 years.
We have seen this before when Harry was in charge and we lost the first two games because our team wasn't ready, trying to bring in Parker and adebayor waiting most of the summer just to win a deal crazy.

I can't say either way because we don't know whats going on behind the scenes. Of course i think we need to strengthen, we will just have to see what happens.

 

[rabbikeane]

- Another thing I noticed - that I think was tied to fatigue, sort of - but, City, Kompany in particular, were very physical. The went in hard on tackles - notably Kane and Dele. They were not dirty plays - just hard plays - and it set the tone for the match. Eventually Dier started to retaliate - but it came across as petulant retaliation, rather than just being strong - if that makes any sense. And I thought Dele was close to losing the plot in some of his retaliatory tackles. I think there is a difference that we don't have yet - playing with an edge, that City showed. We need to find that edge.

Him and Toure when he came on, I actually don't think it was tactical/psychological that often. I think it might be a weakness and sign that they are two aging (and injury prone in Kompany's case) players that struggle to keep up with the game. It was very evident on Kompany's on N'koudou - that he took out the player because he knew he was beaten from the start.