Match Ratings Ratings vs APOEL

[Donki]

Firstly, you have no idea if we would have lost the game with KWP and another kid in there - but on the evidence of all those types of scenarios, the quality of opposition, and the fact that last year we lost CL games without kids, I would say it's pretty doubtful. Secondly, so what ? there was absolutely nothing riding on that game. And please don't tell me we would have got a morale boost or something, because beating Real Madrid and Dortmund away were both followed by pretty lacklustre performances.

What we could have gained was some very vital first team experience, we could have learnt something about some very promising players that could have actually gone some way to helping us short, medium or long term solve some squad deficiencies, in the coming months provided some new options, some fresh legs and minds, some vim and importantly competition, which we are dreadfully lacking right now and one of the reasons we have been in a complacent funk.

I am not saying this because these are academy players, I am saying it because they are promising players that are already part of our club and could be made much better use of.

How could Amos or Skipp be worse than Sissoko as a CM ? How could risking our current only decent "8" on a completely meaningless game be clever ? How is running Alli, a kid himself, into the ground on meaningless games a clever use of resources ?

I love having Pochettino as our coach. But don't tell me he's beyond criticism. Or that he's always right. He makes mistakes all the time, just like most coaches.

And that last night was a complete fiasco in terms of intelligent management and development of resources.

Id say he thought that giving young players their debut in the CL might be too much for them, I agree though that I don't know why KWP seems to have fallen back so far considering his impressive start to the season.

 

[Japhet]

Firstly, you have no idea if we would have lost the game with KWP and another kid in there - but on the evidence of all those types of scenarios, the quality of opposition, and the fact that last year we lost CL games without kids, I would say it's pretty doubtful. Secondly, so what ? there was absolutely nothing riding on that game. And please don't tell me we would have got a morale boost or something, because beating Real Madrid and Dortmund away were both followed by pretty lacklustre performances.

What we could have gained was some very vital first team experience, we could have learnt something about some very promising players that could have actually gone some way to helping us short, medium or long term solve some squad deficiencies, in the coming months provided some new options, some fresh legs and minds, some vim and importantly competition, which we are dreadfully lacking right now and one of the reasons we have been in a complacent funk.

I am not saying this because these are academy players, I am saying it because they are promising players that are already part of our club and could be made much better use of.

How could Amos or Skipp be worse than Sissoko as a CM ? How could risking our current only decent "8" on a completely meaningless game be clever ? How is running Alli, a kid himself, into the ground on meaningless games a clever use of resources ?

I love having Pochettino as our coach. But don't tell me he's beyond criticism. Or that he's always right. He makes mistakes all the time, just like most coaches.

And that last night was a complete fiasco in terms of intelligent management and development of resources.

I think it would have been a very different game if we were performing in the EPL. The fact is, we've been dreadful for far too many games and playing Alli and bringing on Dembele was (IMO) to give them some much needed game time to try to restore some confidence. If we were flying in the League it would be different, and whilst you may think that our youngsters are ready for the fray of the EPL, it's pretty obvious that Poch doesn't. He's trying to give senior players the chance to play into some form, not, as you claim, 'running Alli into the ground'. It would have been nice to see some of our youngsters, but the circumstances didn't allow for it.

 

[Bulletspur]

we would have lost the game if all the kids started...dont big up the youth when you know most of them have a long way to go yet. Poch works with them every day. I think he knows their limit.

Then why put them on the bench?

Every goal Son scores is invariably a good goal. Can hardly remember him scoring a tap in.The closest was the Liverpool goal which was very very well taken.
The polar opposite of dele. Can barely remember dele scoring a Son type goal in last 18 months. Curler against Watford,that’s it I think. Honestly believe if Son wasn’t Asian he’d be much higher rated. Just think there’s a big of a stigma against Asian players as so few if any have ever been world class. I’m no expert but reckon Son could be getting close to being most highly rated Asian player ever.

When I watch Son I see and support a Spurs player, the same I do for Kane, Rose, Lloris, Sissoko and the rest. I dont see him and think Asian, and I am sure most dont either

 

[knowlespurs]

Sissoko pass completions tonight was 96.2% highest of anyone. For an attacking CM that’s very decent.

thing is half of the passes was him trying to control the ball

 

[knowlespurs]

we would have lost the game if all the kids started...dont big up the youth when you know most of them have a long way to go yet. Poch works with them every day. I think he knows their limit.

but when you are 2 up and coasting you can bring them on
why on earth bring dembele on when you can give a young kid a game, and the last sub, don't think he even touched the ball

 

[zoneD]

...Winks MOTM because Apoel gave him space to work - he won't get that in the PL, though...
...Sissoko runner-up - moved the ball forward effectively - f the haters...
COYS

 

[parj]

2-0 up in a dead rubber, with 25 minutes to go, Son goes off and instead of bringing on Amos (or even Sterling) we get fucking Dembele.

The footballing equivalent of (Poch) stuffing a boulder (Dembele) in the puppy (academy player) sack and throwing it in the river.

Seriously?

It’s a free hit Pochettino FFS. Not one new face started? KWP gets 20 minutes at LB (and looks better than Rose or Aurier tonight), Sterling gets three minutes. Amos gets fucking knish.

How many chances a year do we get to play senior games with absolutely nothing to lose?

How many chances to get real game time into young players.

Pleased Nkoudou was given a start but did Alli need another game ? Did Aurier and Sissoko need to play against opposition of this Quality ? Did we need to risk Winks?

Edwards, Shashoua and maybe even Skipp should have been around this squad or team.

Even City started a couple of kids including handing a debut to Foden, same age as Edwards.

Ok game, decent goals.

I agree Alli and maybe Son shouldn't have played, but Dembele needed to come on. Don't forget he had been out for a while so probably still needs time in the pitch to get his sharpness back

 

[slartibartfast]

Commentary rating for BT 2/10.
Absolutely embarrassingly cringe worthy shite.
I dont know what game those 2 twats were watching.
It was a training exercise for Spurs. Apoel were nowhere near good enough and never in the game.
And yet according to those 2 belmonts we should have had a red for Rose in the box, a red for Rose for a chest push, a red for Sissoko standing on someones foot and a red for Aurier kicking over corner flag!!! And then at 2.0 theres words of wisdom like 'Of course if Apoel score they'll still be very much in this game.' To which Savage replied 'But they'd need to have a shot for that to happen ('you fkin cock'under his breath).
'I really thought they'd have more of a go than they have' said Savage. And how exactly do you have a go when you've only kicked the ball twice in 45min????
I honesty dont think they can get much worse on BT. They're that shit they make Sky sound good.

 

[Trix]

Foden is 2 years younger than Edwards.

So what?

As has been said before, it's not about age it's about physical and mental maturity. Age is irrelevant.

 

[Gb160]

Commentary rating for BT 2/10.
Absolutely embarrassingly cringe worthy shite.
I dont know what game those 2 twats were watching.
It was a training exercise for Spurs. Apoel were nowhere near good enough and never in the game.
And yet according to those 2 belmonts we should have had a red for Rose in the box, a red for Rose for a chest push, a red for Sissoko standing on someones foot and a red for Aurier kicking over corner flag!!! And then at 2.0 theres words of wisdom like 'Of course if Apoel score they'll still be very much in this game.' To which Savage replied 'But they'd need to have a shot for that to happen ('you fkin cock'under his breath).
'I really thought they'd have more of a go than they have' said Savage. And how exactly do you have a go when you've only kicked the ball twice in 45min????
I honesty dont think they can get much worse on BT. They're that shit they make Sky sound good.

I actively avoid their coverage now, I tend to watch CL on Fox or TSN...I have to switch it over at halftime though to kill the urge to put my foot through the TV when Warren fucking Barton is babbling complete nonsense, but during the match its much more bearable.

 

[JimmyG2]

I agree Alli and maybe Son shouldn't have played, but Dembele needed to come on. Don't forget he had been out for a while so probably still needs time in the pitch to get his sharpness back

'Sharpness' is not a word I associate with Dembele.
Should have waited a little longer and put Luke Amos on.
Opportunity for Mauricio to do what he's renowned for missed.

 

[Coyboy]

'Sharpness' is not a word I associate with Dembele.
Should have waited a little longer and put Luke Amos on.
Opportunity for Mauricio to do what he's renowned for missed.

A brief, yet sombre poem.

 

[DanielCHillier]

So what?

As has been said before, it's not about age it's about physical and mental maturity. Age is irrelevant.

Yeah I know, i wasn't commenting on anything, just correcting a mistake in the quoted post.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

So what?

As has been said before, it's not about age it's about physical and mental maturity. Age is irrelevant.

Hopefully, one day Marcus Edwards will be as mentally mature as Danny Rose, and Serge Aurier.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

we would have lost the game if all the kids started...dont big up the youth when you know most of them have a long way to go yet. Poch works with them every day. I think he knows their limit.

Would the "kids" have done anything as stupid or reckless as Rose and Aurier, who both should have been sent off?

 

[Trix]

Hopefully, one day Marcus Edwards will be as mentally mature as Danny Rose, and Serge Aurier.

As you very well know, I have commented before on stuff I have heard regarding Edwards, and it from what I have heard, and repeatedly posted has always been a physical issue. Well done for ignoring that side though.

Also as far as being mentally mature enough, it's not only about coping with what is happening on the pitch, but also with the press social media etc when there is a fall out for any reason. Now I'm not saying Edwards would have an issue in this regard, but it is something that needs to be considered. Could he play and have a stinker and bounce back from a barrage of negatives from the press and social media? As we know both Aurier and Rose have proved in the past that they can, despite being spoilt twats at times both on and off the pitch.

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

A brief, yet sombre poem.

Taken from Jimmy's daring new collection entitled 'Vertonghen Sunrise'

 

[Bus-Conductor]

As you very well know, I have commented before on stuff I have heard regarding Edwards, and it from what I have heard, and repeatedly posted has always been a physical issue. Well done for ignoring that side though.

Also as far as being mentally mature enough, it's not only about coping with what is happening on the pitch, but also with the press social media etc when there is a fall out for any reason. Now I'm not saying Edwards would have an issue in this regard, but it is something that needs to be considered. Could he play and have a stinker and bounce back from a barrage of negatives from the press and social media? As we know both Aurier and Rose have proved in the past that they can, despite being spoilt twats at times both on and off the pitch.

I’m not really sure they have proved that. Rose is still giving off sounbites and Aurier’s only a few games into a new club after royally stinking out his old one.

And both have been erratic on the pitch. Both could have been sent off on Wednesday, Aurier already has been once this season.

I appreciate you were not necessarily talking about Edwards when talking about mentality, I was more using your comment about mentality to make a general point.

I just think this whole mentality thing is a bit of a misnomer. I understand that players are humans and they all have various mental make ups, some are more mentally robust than others, but this notion espoused by some that all these kids are emotionally fragile and will be damaged beyond repair with one bad outing is really not very viable.

If we don't think a kid has the right mentality then surely we wouldn't even consider moving him up through the grades and eventually to be with the first team squad. And once we have moved them all the way through this process, the only way we are ever going to find out if they truly have the type of mentality to function in the first team, in front of 40-50k people plus, is to actually test it.

I also don’t understand the different standards applied to rationlising selection and performance tolerances for developed players and purchased ones.

We seem to tolerate every kind of deficiency from laziness, technical deficiency, lack of composure, lack of tactical awareness and general footballing intelligence in purchased players but expect developed players to arrive into the first team as complete and any deficiencies mean “they are not ready”.

We get Onomah coming in out of position looking a bit erratic “clearly not ready”, Sissoko plays like Rhinoceros on PCP and he’s “having a blinder”.

We’ve seen the same double standard with KWP/Aurier.

If KWP had played as erratically as Aurier we’d be getting “clearly miles from ready”. But the general concensus is, with some justification, he deserves time to bed in, but why was that not the general consensus with KWP, especially from our head coach?

I said at the start of the season, I would have rather persevered with KWP, not because he’s an academy player, but because I think given the same time to bed in, he could well prove to be the better player.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Because they are professionals and this was a game that happened to be Sterling's debut not Sterling's testimonial?

I don't get the outcry that young players weren't given more of a start. They were a poor side offensively but it's not as if even with Son, Llorente and Alli we carved them open at every single opportunity. We play a team of youngsters, we lose or we struggle to draw and I am not sure what any of them learn.

I defer to Poch's better judgment on players he knows but would also wonder whether there was more of an urgent benefit giving Aurier, Rose, Winks, Alli and Llorente a full 90 when they have been bit part players of late or in Alli's case out of form or Rose's coming back from a long lay off; and with some players like Dembele maybe it makes sense for them to keep active and playing to stay fresh and avoid injury. I actually thought the decision to bring KWP on was strange when we had Davies for left back.

I am honestly surprised that there is so much uproar because we didn't give more youngsters a start. Given our league form, I think he struck a right balance between resting players who really didn't need to play and playing those that could have benefited from a full 90 mins while bringing some debutants (Sterling, Amos and to all intents and purposes KWP) into the first team fold.

This is assuming we weren't barred from playing some players (I don't think we were). I did also hear that there are questions about Edwards' attitude. I am not sure if this has come up elsewhere.

The outcry could be because we have good players available to us at a time when our team is looking mentally and physically fatigued, performances both collectively and individually are suffering, we have injuries and suspensions and we are not going to solve many, or even any of these issues using the transfer market any time soon.

Jouxter posed against this we have 3 or 4 development players who are at or close to the stage of being ready to begin taking the next step in there development, a step which in some cases could possibly help counter, relieve or even solve some of the aforementioned problems.

They could provide relief, fresh minds and legs and, at best, competition - for free let’s not forget, no heavy transfer or wage risk - to an overworked and in some cases, out of sorts squad.

We did exactly the same a couple of years ago, wasted Pritchard completely whilst running Eriksen into the ground.

Pochettino failed to use Onomah repeatedly when he had chances to do so, now we have one viable “8” type, (Winks) and his development was delayed by the same reluctance to play young players.

If Poch had developed and integrated Onomah better we could have saved the 30m we spunked on Sissoko and bought someone like Tolisso instead, who would have been a quantum improvement to play the 8 role Sissoko is now stampeding to death.

Continuing to persevere with KWP would have meant we could have instead done the deal Liverpool ended up doing for Keita for example.

We are wasting valuable opportunities to evolve through poor management of existing resources.

 

[Coyboy]

The outcry could be because we have good players available to us at a time when our team is looking mentally and physically fatigued, performances both collectively and individually are suffering, we have injuries and suspensions and we are not going to solve many, or even any of these issues using the transfer market any time soon.

Jouxter posed against this we have 3 or 4 development players who are at or close to the stage of being ready to begin taking the next step in there development, a step which in some cases could possibly help counter, relieve or even solve some of the aforementioned problems.

They could provide relief, fresh minds and legs and, at best, competition - for free let’s not forget, no heavy transfer or wage risk - to an overworked and in some cases, out of sorts squad.

We did exactly the same a couple of years ago, wasted Pritchard completely whilst running Eriksen into the ground.

Pochettino failed to use Onomah repeatedly when he had chances to do so, now we have one viable “8” type, (Winks) and his development was delayed by the same reluctance to play young players.

If Poch had developed and integrated Onomah better we could have saved the 30m we spunked on Sissoko and bought someone like Tolisso instead, who would have been a quantum improvement to play the 8 role Sissoko is now stampeding to death.

Continuing to persevere with KWP would have meant we could have instead done the deal Liverpool ended up doing for Keita for example.

We are wasting valuable opportunities to evolve through poor management of existing resources.

How do you know any of these players are ready?