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The Mauricio Pochettino thread

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LexingtonSpurs

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Aug 27, 2013
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Disagree.
It was entirely predictable that Dembele and Wanyama would struggle this season. MP has to take part of the blame for not tackling this problem.
I agree with Dembele - and reports were we tried to sell him on - but he would not go. What is Poch supposed to do in that situation?

I don't think Wanyma was a certainty to be crocked for most of the season.
 

LexingtonSpurs

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Aug 27, 2013
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Here is how I see it - no matter how much people hated the diamond formation, it was Emery who decided that Arsenal had to adjust if they wanted to get anything from the match.

That tells me, the initial formation, and players, were effective. So much so, that Arsenal made two changes at half-time, and changed their tactics.

After that, I think Poch deserves the chance to see the match play out before making his adjustments. And, he did move to the 3-man back line, dropping Dier in between Foyth and Vertonghen. So he did react, and make the proper adjustments

Assuming Toby was not coming into the match, absent an emergency, Poch had no options to strengthen the central defense, nor the central midfield. Given those limitations, I think the anger at in-match management is misplaced.
 

EQP

EQP
Sep 1, 2013
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Here is how I see it - no matter how much people hated the diamond formation, it was Emery who decided that Arsenal had to adjust if they wanted to get anything from the match.

That tells me, the initial formation, and players, were effective. So much so, that Arsenal made two changes at half-time, and changed their tactics.

After that, I think Poch deserves the chance to see the match play out before making his adjustments. And, he did move to the 3-man back line, dropping Dier in between Foyth and Vertonghen. So he did react, and make the proper adjustments

Assuming Toby was not coming into the match, absent an emergency, Poch had no options to strengthen the central defense, nor the central midfield. Given those limitations, I think the anger at in-match management is misplaced.

But he had Winks on the bench, who he later introduced at the 79' minute. Why wait that long when we were crying out for someone to help manage the tempo and keep possession way before then?
 

LexingtonSpurs

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Aug 27, 2013
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But he had Winks on the bench, who he later introduced at the 79' minute. Why wait that long when we were crying out for someone to help manage the tempo and keep possession way before then?
Because its 2-2, and the primary concern is DM at that score line, and Winks is not a DM.

You want Winks on to push the attack - and find a goal. You don't bring him on to defend.

I am not saying Poch could not have brought Winks on - but its not an egregious error - when you want strength in CM - to keep Winks on the bench (given that Dier is no longer in the midfield).

Winks eventually comes on for Dele - but you want Dele on the pitch as long as possible, because he scores goals. If you swap Sissoko for Winks - then you have effectively taken out the only CM with any size. Sure, its a change you can make - but its not a no-brainer.

Winks for Eriksen? Maybe. But, I don't think that changes the dynamic of the match, and you lose Erkisen's ability to create in the attacking third.

We missed having Lamela - who would have brought a bit more intensity than Eriksen. We missed having Sanchez/Toby available, as that could have left Dier in CM.

We miss a healthy Dembele - and for all that Sissoko can be - he cannot be a Dembele replacement.

I think Poch made the most of what he had at his disposal, given the game conditions.
 

Primativ

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Aug 9, 2017
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Just looking at our goal difference which is for me the biggest indicator of a team's performances. I always stand by it. Last few seasons it's been either the best or the second best in the league generally. We may not have always scored the most but we've usually been really tight at the back.

This season we are the worst goal scorer's of the top 5 sides. We have even scored less than Liverpool who are being criticised for being limp in front of goal this season.

Even more worryingly, we have the 4th worst defensive record, only slightly better than Arsenal's. I know yesterday impacted the GA column badly, but it doesn't pain a very good picture.

We have regressed quite badly this season, it seems quite a few key players have either plateaued or declined stats wise. Performances by and large have been very lackluster.

This is without a doubt going to be our toughest season to date under Poch of getting top 4. But, is it just me or are people a bit fed up of solely fighting for CL places to qualify for a competition we have no hope of winning?!

I find it so so disappointing that under Levy we never seem ambitious enough to invest in the squad so that we can properly go for the title. Like Liverpool have done. Top 4 should be a by product of a title challenge but under Levy it seems we are just happy aiming for top 4 and that's it. Whereas you look at our rivals, and they actually invest and go for the title.
 

robertgoulet

SC Resident Crooner Extraordinaire
Jul 23, 2013
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I only found out about hour ago. Also got told there was 2 players out there who had to play because of numbers. Winks has to be carefully managed due to his ankles.

Have to imagine he's got an eye on getting the strongest line-up possible out there for Barca. The players being managed (Toby, Winks, Lamela, etc) playing yesterday would mean they sit Wednesday and at the weekend and miss Barca.
 

rossdapep

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Aug 25, 2011
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VS. Wolves away. Changed to a back five and nullified them. Sadly, it was 30 minutes after he should've done it. Other than that, Fulham at home springs to mind. And Chelsea away last season. There are probably more, but these were the ones from the very top of my head.
United away too
 

shelfboy68

Well-Known Member
Jun 14, 2008
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Just looking at our goal difference which is for me the biggest indicator of a team's performances. I always stand by it. Last few seasons it's been either the best or the second best in the league generally. We may not have always scored the most but we've usually been really tight at the back.

This season we are the worst goal scorer's of the top 5 sides. We have even scored less than Liverpool who are being criticised for being limp in front of goal this season.

Even more worryingly, we have the 4th worst defensive record, only slightly better than Arsenal's. I know yesterday impacted the GA column badly, but it doesn't pain a very good picture.

We have regressed quite badly this season, it seems quite a few key players have either plateaued or declined stats wise. Performances by and large have been very lackluster.

This is without a doubt going to be our toughest season to date under Poch of getting top 4. But, is it just me or are people a bit fed up of solely fighting for CL places to qualify for a competition we have no hope of winning?!

I find it so so disappointing that under Levy we never seem ambitious enough to invest in the squad so that we can properly go for the title. Like Liverpool have done. Top 4 should be a by product of a title challenge but under Levy it seems we are just happy aiming for top 4 and that's it. Whereas you look at our rivals, and they actually invest and go for the title.
Mate our defensive record this season isn't great I agree but as for winning titles it ain't going to happen so enjoy the ride while it lasts.
 

OPModric

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May 10, 2010
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He was more proactive yesterday and I'd like Poch to do this more often but can we stop with making Poch looking inferior to Emery.

Emery wasn't so proactive and tactically smart coach when his PSG team got easily dealt with by Madrid in the Champs League last season, neither did he look particularly good when Barcelona rioted 6-1 despite being 4-0 up. Didn't change much then did he?

Every season we attack Poch about some character or skillset another coach possesses yet conveniently forget all of the traits he has that others don't. He got it wrong yesterday, he'll get it wrong again but he will certainly get a lot right too and he's still very much a early learner in this management game.

Emery won Europa League for three consecutive seasons with Sevilla. Poch has a long way to go.
 

ebzrascal

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Sep 13, 2009
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Here is how I see it - no matter how much people hated the diamond formation, it was Emery who decided that Arsenal had to adjust if they wanted to get anything from the match.

That tells me, the initial formation, and players, were effective. So much so, that Arsenal made two changes at half-time, and changed their tactics.

After that, I think Poch deserves the chance to see the match play out before making his adjustments. And, he did move to the 3-man back line, dropping Dier in between Foyth and Vertonghen. So he did react, and make the proper adjustments

Assuming Toby was not coming into the match, absent an emergency, Poch had no options to strengthen the central defense, nor the central midfield. Given those limitations, I think the anger at in-match management is misplaced.
Not having it this is a recurring theme just like Juve game
 

shelfboy68

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Jun 14, 2008
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Emery won Europa League for three consecutive seasons with Sevilla. Poch has a long way to go.
Bit unfair poch has never been at a club where he has a genuine chance to win anything including us so that maybe a tad harsh.
 

rossdapep

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2011
21,907
78,646
Just looking at our goal difference which is for me the biggest indicator of a team's performances. I always stand by it. Last few seasons it's been either the best or the second best in the league generally. We may not have always scored the most but we've usually been really tight at the back.

This season we are the worst goal scorer's of the top 5 sides. We have even scored less than Liverpool who are being criticised for being limp in front of goal this season.

Even more worryingly, we have the 4th worst defensive record, only slightly better than Arsenal's. I know yesterday impacted the GA column badly, but it doesn't pain a very good picture.

We have regressed quite badly this season, it seems quite a few key players have either plateaued or declined stats wise. Performances by and large have been very lackluster.

This is without a doubt going to be our toughest season to date under Poch of getting top 4. But, is it just me or are people a bit fed up of solely fighting for CL places to qualify for a competition we have no hope of winning?!

I find it so so disappointing that under Levy we never seem ambitious enough to invest in the squad so that we can properly go for the title. Like Liverpool have done. Top 4 should be a by product of a title challenge but under Levy it seems we are just happy aiming for top 4 and that's it. Whereas you look at our rivals, and they actually invest and go for the title.
Look at our GD this time last season, this season before and the season before that. It's almost the same.

Last season we were;

P W D L F A GD PTS
14 7 3 4 22 12 +10 24

The only things that's really changed is that we have won more than drew.

One thing I know is that Poch's teams normally go into 'full on' mode from mid-December to the end of the season. Here's our form from game week 14-32;

P W D L F A GD PTS
18 13 4 1 42 15 +27 43

The defeat by City was our only loss and hammered our GD total slightly. Otherwise we had plenty of big wins, not quite like 16/17 season but I think that's an exception to the rule and we still have Wembley.

The good thing is we've already accumulated more points than usual, although others have too. It's why the stadium move could prove so critical. Could be that booster that helps us get close to maximum home points.
 

ebzrascal

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Sep 13, 2009
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Because its 2-2, and the primary concern is DM at that score line, and Winks is not a DM.

You want Winks on to push the attack - and find a goal. You don't bring him on to defend.

I am not saying Poch could not have brought Winks on - but its not an egregious error - when you want strength in CM - to keep Winks on the bench (given that Dier is no longer in the midfield).

Winks eventually comes on for Dele - but you want Dele on the pitch as long as possible, because he scores goals. If you swap Sissoko for Winks - then you have effectively taken out the only CM with any size. Sure, its a change you can make - but its not a no-brainer.

Winks for Eriksen? Maybe. But, I don't think that changes the dynamic of the match, and you lose Erkisen's ability to create in the attacking third.

We missed having Lamela - who would have brought a bit more intensity than Eriksen. We missed having Sanchez/Toby available, as that could have left Dier in CM.

We miss a healthy Dembele - and for all that Sissoko can be - he cannot be a Dembele replacement.

I think Poch made the most of what he had at his disposal, given the game conditions.

Personally I think at 2-2 Alli or Eriksen could be sacrificed for Winks to add some energy in the centre and I would consider swapping Kane who seems a bit lathagic of late for Moura and just play more direct on the break to nullify their pressing... Son and Moura using pace to push them back on the flanks. Eriksen or Alli running from deep when opportunities occurred
 

LexingtonSpurs

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Aug 27, 2013
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Not having it this is a recurring theme just like Juve game
Obviously trolling, but I'll bite.

Lets play Devil's Advocate - you be Poch. Who would you have brought on? When, and for whom?

One caveat - you can't bring on Toby - as the story is he was being rested. But you can make any other changes you want - go...
 

ebzrascal

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Sep 13, 2009
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Why is it funny to ever suggest Kane can be taken off it baffles me as even Augero gets changed if tactics require it. When he was injured last season we were fantastic with a false nine
 

Shadydan

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Jul 7, 2012
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Personally I think at 2-2 Alli or Eriksen could be sacrificed for Winks to add some energy in the centre and I would consider swapping Kane who seems a bit lathagic of late for Moura and just play more direct on the break to nullify their pressing... Son and Moura using pace to push them back on the flanks. Eriksen or Alli running from deep when opportunities occurred

Hindsight is 20/20.
 

ebzrascal

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Sep 13, 2009
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Obviously trolling, but I'll bite.

Lets play Devil's Advocate - you be Poch. Who would you have brought on? When, and for whom?

One caveat - you can't bring on Toby - as the story is he was being rested. But you can make any other changes you want - go...

I already suggested a previous post
 

LexingtonSpurs

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Aug 27, 2013
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Why is it funny to ever suggest Kane can be taken off it baffles me as even Augero gets changed if tactics require it. When he was injured last season we were fantastic with a false nine
We don't have anyone with the quality of Jesus to bring on for Kane.

Kane is our best scorer. Period. If we need a goal - we want Kane on the pitch
Kane is our best hold-up player. When we need the ball to stick up front, we want Kane on the pitch.
Kane is our defacto leader among the outfield players - we want Kane on the pitch.

Yes, we can play differently without Kane - but that is best done with advance planning, or as a last resort.


But, even allowing that this is a viable strategy - and it is - it is not something to criticize Poch for not making that move, and taking Kane off in an important match, when we need a goal. It certainly could have been done - but there was nothing to suggest the situation demanded it be done.
 

LexingtonSpurs

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Aug 27, 2013
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I already suggested a previous post
Winks for Dele?

Takes off a goal scorer, and weakens us defensively. I am not sure how I see that as a "Must" move for Pochettino to make when its 2-2 after 60 minutes.

Winks for Eriksen?
How has that improved the set-up? Winks is no better than Eriksen in terms of ball control and passing, and just as weak defensively. We have taken off experience for youthfulness. I agree it could have been done - but again, it was not a "must" or "obvious" move to improve the side after 60 minutes.
 
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