It took Man City, with all their wealth and superstars, years to find their feet in this competition. The expectations of some of our fans are unrealistic. We're still minnows in the CL, and we went out like minnows. Don't panic - we'll be back.
There's definitely some truth in this. But part of the reason we've looked out of sorts is because we've been playing against very good teams (in the CL and in the league, where we've had a lot of tough fixtures). We don't have a divine right to win anything in the two toughest competitions in the world. I'm happy if we're competing. As you say, there's room for improvement on that front. But there are also a lot of positives. Imagine how impressive our unbeaten start in the PL must seem to our rivals.Getting knocked out of the CL is a symptom of the real issue. We have looked devoid of energy and creativity.
I thought prior to toby's injury wanyama had been playing and dier not?Dier is filling in for Alderweireld so not sure why people are suggesting that Wanyama is being preferred to him. Once Toby returns it will be Dier or Wanyama but for now we're limited in our options.
They played together when Dembele was out. We haven't really had Dembele and Dier available to play together as they did last season. Now Dembele is back we have Dier covering for Alderweireld. Once Toby is back I'm sure we'll see Dier and Dembele together again. I'm sure they will be rotated when we are full strength but we haven't had that opportunity as yet.I thought prior to toby's injury wanyama had been playing and dier not?
Maybe my memory doesn't serve me well
A lesson for Spurs but not English football- the other English CL clubs are sailing through.This game - and the other CL games too - was lesson in football ....and humility - both for the players, English football AND the fans. I think the players and the fans almost took it for granted that Spurs would cruise through this group.
This CL experience was a true wake up call. Unfortunately the players still did not "wake up".
I was thinking today, if at the end of last season when we qualified for CL you'd have told any spurs fan we'll be in a must win game away from home..... and here's what the line up will be, well, I think I'd have fkin wept. Or laughed.Team vs CSKA Moscow
Fuck the game at the weekend last night was last chance saloon and we needed our best and strongest side out there to make sure we got through to the knockout stage.Unfortunately our manager didn't think so and obviously felt that the CL wasn't top of his priorities.Win or lose against Chelsea is only one game and will not define our season in the league as last nights result would our CLIf Vertonghen picked up an injury last night we would have no one who could play left back available for the weekend.
Why would he make a real push for EL when he wasn't interested in the main prize the CL. If he does then the guy needs sectioning.Getting knocked out of the CL is a symptom of the real issue. We have looked devoid of energy and creativity, sure we've had injuries but players have looked really disinterested bar man city/stoke. It is still early days but i am hoping that we give the EL a hard pass,allow poch and the squad to really go over the whole CL campaign mishaps and the full week of prep from now on allows him to get the players back to form.
Because they won the league and were in pot one.Disagree wholeheartedly. Leicester had a cakewalk of a group.
Because they won the league and were in pot one.
We fucked up the league and ended up in pot 3, yet we avoided so many big teams.
None of them were in a group with TWO very good teams plus a trip to Russia. We underestimated this group.A lesson for Spurs but not English football- the other English CL clubs are sailing through.
One positive: Alli's touch when he brought down the through ball for the penalty was absolutely delightful. That's the sort of quality we'll need. Once we get the spine of our team back - and that has hardly happened this season - we'll fly.I normally feel better as they day goes on after a defeat but I've got angrier throughout the day. Our CL campaign was an absolute disgrace to the club.
So many players lacking the talent or attitude required to succeed.
I think our group was actually a lot harder than people are giving us credit for.
Most other groups have 2 very good teams and 2 rubbish ones.
We have 3 decent teams and one average one. Monaco were the lowest seeded team in our group after qualification, but lead Ligue 1 and top our group. Bayer Leverkeusen have to be fair been average in the Bundesliga, and were really the team we had to better to qualify but sadly they outplayed us both at Wembley and in Leverkeusen - clearly exploiting our naivety in the competition and exploiting our Wembley woes.
So yes, it's gutting we're out and yes, perhaps if Pochettino had played a different XI on the night we may have gone through - but we were comprehensively outplayed by Monaco and I don't think starting with Vertonghen and Walker would have helped our cause. I thought leaving out Eriksen was reasonable, given his recent form.
We spent this summer but as yet neither Janssen nor Sissoko has done us much good, so Pochettino's options are limited. Injuries to Harry Kane, Toby and Lamela more recently have surely played a role in our CL form (as it has in the EPL).
Lots of groups were tough but had we been drawn in groups A, G or H - heck had we not fucked up against Newcastle and finished 2nd I think we'd have been through to the next stage.
Let's hope we get into the Europa League and try to win it - it'll be an awesome season if we finish Top 4 and win either the FA Cup or Europa League.