Player Watch: Fernando Llorente

[Hazelton]

The problem we have is that if we hook him now, he's done. I think that's why Poch kept him on for the full game. Strikers live or die by their confidence and he's at a dangerously low point.

He was very poor today but he was also very unlucky with the own goal, it's hard to come back from that when you're already lacking in confidence. If we're not bringing in a new striker, he's our only real option and it makes sense to keep showing faith in him so as not to completely write him off. It's a tough line to walk for any manager.

That said, we really need to bring in a new forward because we can't just rely on him picking up some form. We got very, very lucky today.

 

[rabbikeane]

Need to be someone playing next to him that can threaten behind the opponent's defensive line. Lucas can do this, with him out I'd play Sterling.

 

[spids]

People need to cut him some slack ... he was starting for only the second time in the Premier League in 18 months. Another game hopefully one goals in off his backside and he's a different player.

 

[JollyHappy]

He could work well with Moura

 

[tooey]

For somebody his size and who has build a career on being a target man, he's woeful at heading the ball.

 

[Spurz]

I still don’t understand the og. I mean they are suppose to be ready for the corner, to defend that incoming cross. I could understand if he miskick the ball but his legs weren’t ready for anything. The ball just bounced off his shin and went in.

 

[chinaman]

I still don’t understand the og. I mean they are suppose to be ready for the corner, to defend that incoming cross. I could understand if he miskick the ball but his legs weren’t ready for anything. The ball just bounced off his shin and went in.

Think he was surprised when the ball bounced of Dele's back and caught him unprepared. That can happen to anyone.

 

[Clark28]

Heading towards goal requires timing, which would be hard to nail down when you are rusty and a bit low on confidence.

hopefully he can come good with more minutes.

 

[allatsea]

So many excuses for yet another dreadful performance. He has the experience and should at least make a nuisance of himself even if his touch is a bit wonky. There is no reason for Poch to give him anymore game time if he can’t at least make a nuisance of himself keeping the CDs occupied.

 

[Hakkz]

He could work well with Moura

They did a really good job in pre-season.

 

[Hakkz]

People need to cut him some slack ... he was starting for only the second time in the Premier League in 18 months. Another game hopefully one goals in off his backside and he's a different player.

He was really shit yesterday, no doubt about it. However it's like you say, he barely plays normally and now he knows he has to fill in for Harry. Normally he does a decent job for a 33 year old who is always sat on the bench. It's not his fault that he's suddenly the only senior striker option we have, the best we can do is support him and blame the top people for the situation itself.

 

[stevenurse]

How can confidence be used as an excuse? He literally scored a hat-trick in his last start?.

From a world cup winner I'd expect a better mentality if that's what the problem is. I would expect him to want to prove his worth in the big games, not just against minnows. Yes he's always going to be backup, but surely later in your career you'd want to have one last go of being a hero, not fading away limply and a bit of a joke?

 

[Kiedis]

The best thing about his performance was that he actually managed to get into two very good positions to score. On another day, especially the last one might fly in. Other than that, his touch and timing looks very rusty, meaning that he was pretty much useless as a focal point. Everything he touched, turned into Fulham getting possession.
He'll probably get better with playing time, though.

 

[swarvsta]

I love how spurs fans are always patient and supportive of our players, and never write them off after one bad game...

... oh.

I don’t think he is being written off. I don’t see how you could defend the performance yesterday? I still will support him and actually have faith he can improve massively. He just totally lacks confidence, and it is written all over his face. I genuinely feel bad for him.

I mean, coming into our team trying to replace Kane is just such a big ask. He must have a huge inferiority complex, which is a nightmare for a striker - probably the one position most reliant on confidence levels to perform.

 

[Nebby]

For a player that rarely gets a start, and is mostly used in the final ten minutes, I'd say he's had a massive impact on a couple of results this season.

He hasn't been used enough IMHO and we certainly don't seem to be playing to his strengths.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

He was poor yesterday, dreadful in fact.

However, play him in a 4231, have players close to him rather than 30 yards away at all times, and he might have a chance to add some value.

I’d 100% start him v Chelsea.

 

[Japhet]

How can confidence be used as an excuse? He literally scored a hat-trick in his last start?.

From a world cup winner I'd expect a better mentality if that's what the problem is. I would expect him to want to prove his worth in the big games, not just against minnows. Yes he's always going to be backup, but surely later in your career you'd want to have one last go of being a hero, not fading away limply and a bit of a joke?

He was unlucky with the OG. The ball hit him and flew into the net. He looked shell shocked and anxious after that, and who could blame him. Add to that that his passing accuracy suffered because he was trying flicks and lay offs that Kane hardly ever does and it was a bit of a nightmare for him. We should have played him a lot more when we've been cruising but Kane is the main man, and if he won't come off that's just how it is. I think he'll get over the Fulham performance and make a contribution.

 

[spids]

He was unlucky with the OG. The ball hit him and flew into the net. He looked shell shocked and anxious after that, and who could blame him. Add to that that his passing accuracy suffered because he was trying flicks and lay offs that Kane hardly ever does and it was a bit of a nightmare for him. We should have played him a lot more when we've been cruising but Kane is the main man, and if he won't come off that's just how it is. I think he'll get over the Fulham performance and make a contribution.

Nail on head. It's a team game and he has needed minutes but never been given them regularly.

 

[Monkey boy]

I still like him and have faith that Thursday will be his Ronny Rosenthal vs Soton moment.

 

[stevenurse]

Completely agree with the fact he's needed minutes, but having such a bad first touch, when as a professional player that's literally the minimum i expect. For a lump of a guy, he should at least be able to control the ball and bring others into play. If he's not doing that then he's useless.

Score an unlucky own goal, it happens. I dont think any spurs fans would blame him for it. But go out there and redeem yourself by making a positive impact. Score that header from 6 yards and be a matchwinner.

He's actually impressed me when he's come on recently. Caused problems for the opposition and could have scored a couple. Yesterday he was complete tod though. Worrying if that's his level against the worst defence in the league.

In his defence, I thought we wasted several opportunities to get the ball in the box. Both goals coming from crosses, yet we seemed hesitant to put the ball in. Trippier at times had acres of space and passed the ball backwards. Im sure that's infuriating for a target man