Race for the Top 4 - 2017/18

[King of Otters]

Which is because his style of play is suited to playing big teams that like to take chances building from the back. City gave them ammo, Swansea didn't. I'd hardly call our games vs Madrid and Dortmund pragmatism either.

Isn’t our style also suited to playing big teams (who allow us space to play in)? Or does our lack of pace just mean we’re not as effective at that style of play away from home as City and Liverpool have proved to be?

 

[SpartanSpur]

Isn’t our style also suited to playing big teams (who allow us space to play in)? Or does our lack of pace just mean we’re not as effective at that style of play away from home as City and Liverpool have proved to be?

In my opinion Liverpool's pace makes their attack deadlier than ours in an open game. Klopp has the most wins over Pep for a reason, his sides are all about punishing teams that set up that way. Their strength is our biggest weakness (losing the ball with players committed) If we can keep a solid shape and not take chances against the press they have a soft underbelly that can be got at. The issue is not being overwhelmed like we did to them at Wembley. At Anfield you can't give them cheap goals like last year.

City have similar weaknesses but are better at breaking teams down. The press can be better against them but you need to hope they aren't bang on it in attack too.

The 3-5-2 variation we played against Liverpool in the 4-1 was similar to that used against Dortmund (3-1) and Madrid (3-1) which for me were our three performances of the season. All had under 40%.

 

[homer hotspur]

Stop it.

I did wonder, with Klopp's Dortmund background, if they would make a late bid for Aubameyang but I haven't seen anything.

 

[spursfan77]

Don't care what anyone says we're better than Liverpool and need to show it. That Anfield game is huge in terms of top 4.

We need to set up like Madrid away. Do that and we will be fine.

Worried if Aurier misses it though but if Rose and Tobes are back we could be in business.

 

[spursfan77]

We simply must not get beat at Anfield

Whilst I do massively agree, we do usually lose there yet still finish above them.

 

[Actionman80]

Its make or break really over the next 4 weeks, come valentines day our season could be over, or it could be getting a little interesting!

Oh yeah and im with quite a few others, other than work rate whoever scouted Sissoko should be put down!

 

[ajspurs]

We need to set up like Madrid away. Do that and we will be fine.

Worried if Aurier misses it though but if Rose and Tobes are back we could be in business.

To be honest it's games like these where I'm not overly concerned about personnel (unless Kane or Eriksen are missing) but more so how we set ourselves. If we don't go about it this game in the right manor it doesn't matter if we have our full squad or not IMO.

 

[John48]

The next 3 games will mostly shows whether top 4 is feasible or not.

I would agree with the view that for all of those games Poch should go with the formation which has yielded our best football against the better teams, 3-5-2, using Dier, Toby (when fit), Sanchez & Verts in the 3, with Wanyama in front, after that fill in as required.

 

[SEANSPURS1975]

We simply must not get beat at Anfield

Memo to Pochettino:

When we play away to Liverpool just park the bus and play on the break.
A win would be excellent.
A draw would be ok.

Thanks

Tottenham fans

 

[archiewasking]

The next 3 games will mostly shows whether top 4 is feasible or not..

We might do ok against Newport.

 

[archiewasking]

Whilst I do massively agree, we do usually lose there yet still finish above them.

Tbh, I think I'd take that now.

 

[cozzo]

Will be interesting to see who our left back will be for those games. I am not too sure how Davies will do against the likes of Sanchez, Mane, Salah, Martial and potentially Aubemeyang.

 

[Roynie]

To be honest it's games like these where I'm not overly concerned about personnel (unless Kane or Eriksen are missing) but more so how we set ourselves. If we don't go about it this game in the right manor it doesn't matter if we have our full squad or not IMO.

If we don't go about it in the right manor, we'll be nowhere near it. If we go about it the right manner, then we do have a chance!

Just to keep the thread on track!

 

[hellava_tough]

Putting this seasons' 'race' to one side for a moment, I think it might be time to consider that over the next few seasons we could spend a lot on strengthening the squad, have some fantastic players and play wonderful football, yet still finish 6th.

This is for the simple reason that you've got 6 big clubs with great players, going for 4 places in the league.

There are definitely question marks over Arsenal, but you never know; a few signings, a new manager and they might be right back in it.

Anyway, I only mention this because in the past it was thought that if a team didn't make the top-4 it was because they weren't that good, or perhaps they 'bottled' it, or whatever.

In the future, however, you're increasingly likely to get a situation where a club could be firing on all cylinders and rack up 80-90 points, but still not finish in the top-4.

With that in mind, how do our expectations change? Do we take the cups more seriously, whilst taking the EPL seriously? As fans, are we just content to watch entertaining football, but not worry too much if we don't make it into the top-4?

 

[St José Dominguez]

Putting this seasons' 'race' to one side for a moment, I think it might be time to consider that over the next few seasons we could spend a lot on strengthening the squad, have some fantastic players and play wonderful football, yet still finish 6th.

This is for the simple reason that you've got 6 big clubs with great players, going for 4 places in the league.

There are definitely question marks over Arsenal, but you never know; a few signings, a new manager and they might be right back in it.

Anyway, I only mention this because in the past it was thought that if a team didn't make the top-4 it was because they weren't that good, or perhaps they 'bottled' it, or whatever.

In the future, however, you're increasingly likely to get a situation where a club could be firing on all cylinders and rack up 80-90 points, but still not finish in the top-4.

With that in mind, how do our expectations change? Do we take the cups more seriously, whilst taking the EPL seriously? As fans, are we just content to watch entertaining football, but not worry too much if we don't make it into the top-4?

I can just about remember winning the FA Cup in '91, although I remember Gazzas semi final goal more (think it was because my Dad was running round garden cheering). Since then in 27 years of supporting Spurs I have I'd say 5 other worthwhile happy memories that I'll keep till I die.
Allan Neilsen's winner in league cup final '99
Woodgate winner in league cup final '08
That mad week where we beat all top teams culminating in Crouchs goal against city to finally get us into top 4 and the CL
Our first season in CL with the Bale shows, it was so new and exciting.
I'm not including the two seasons where we came close to winning the league because it's not a happy memory as I feel we missed a big chance and fell short but Harry Kane will be a happy memory no matter what we do.

It's pretty pathetic and sad really, 5 good genuine memories. Sure we've had great wins, and performances over years but they're all basically meaningless if have nothing to show for it.

Competing is all well and good but it's all about winning things for me. When I'm an old man those are the memories you keep and go to first not a 3-2 random win 30 years prior.

I would honestly take 1 league title win and 30 years of nothing but mid table than another 30 years of competing at the top with CL and nearly but never quite doing it.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

I've been firmly believing in top 4 all season, but my hope has started to dwindle. I feel we have the squad for a top 4 finish, but I don't see us playing the football that will get us there. We are in need of some stunning results, comparable to the win vs. Liverpool. There is still hope, but I can't see it materialising.

 

[Lilbaz]

I can just about remember winning the FA Cup in '91, although I remember Gazzas semi final goal more (think it was because my Dad was running round garden cheering). Since then in 27 years of supporting Spurs I have I'd say 5 other worthwhile happy memories that I'll keep till I die.
Allan Neilsen's winner in league cup final '99
Woodgate winner in league cup final '08
That mad week where we beat all top teams culminating in Crouchs goal against city to finally get us into top 4 and the CL
Our first season in CL with the Bale shows, it was so new and exciting.
I'm not including the two seasons where we came close to winning the league because it's not a happy memory as I feel we missed a big chance and fell short but Harry Kane will be a happy memory no matter what we do.

It's pretty pathetic and sad really, 5 good genuine memories. Sure we've had great wins, and performances over years but they're all basically meaningless if have nothing to show for it.

Competing is all well and good but it's all about winning things for me. When I'm an old man those are the memories you keep and go to first not a 3-2 random win 30 years prior.

I would honestly take 1 league title win and 30 years of nothing but mid table than another 30 years of competing at the top with CL and nearly but never quite doing it.

The vast majority of teams would love to have those 5 memories.
If you want a bag load of trophies i'm afraid you picked the wrong team.
It's up to you. Support someone else or accept what we are and hope for something special. Or you could moan, just don't expect much sympathy from me.

 

[Indacupfortottenham]

Well it’s gonna be a tight one!
Apart from staying relatively injury free.
If we are gonna make it we need Alli firing on all cylinders, he struggled for form this season but I think it’s only a matter of time before it’s starts to click for him again. I predict the next few big games coming up will be his time to shine again.
We also need Toby back ASAP, and Lamela to have an impact when he is given the chance.

 

[Westmorland]

Will be interesting to see who our left back will be for those games. I am not too sure how Davies will do against the likes of Sanchez, Mane, Salah, Martial and potentially Aubemeyang.

It will have to be 3 (5)at the back and play on the break as in champs lge. Means that Son will be on the bench but seems best way to go. We cannot play Liverpool away like last season. Davies was left to fend for himself against Mane and got taken to the cleaners.

 

[Led's Zeppelin]

The vast majority of teams would love to have those 5 memories.
If you want a bag load of trophies i'm afraid you picked the wrong team.
It's up to you. Support someone else or accept what we are and hope for something special. Or you could moan, just don't expect much sympathy from me.

Agreed.

And actually, much as I love us winning things, the memories that really stand out are things like some of Glenn's incredible goals and moves, and Gazza's, and Ginola's, every bit as much as lifting the league cup.

Winning the league would be different, as would the CL I'm sure. But if that was all that really mattered, why bother going to football week after week, year after year? The magic of football is the atmosphere and the fact (and it is a fact) that an amazing thing can happen at any moment that you might remember for the rest of your life.