Match Ratings Ratings vs Southampton

[Joeyboey]

I just can't get over taking Son off when you need a goal.

6 goals and 5 assists in his last 9 premiership starts for the lad.

Hugely frustrating.

 

[Gilzeanking]

I agree with the general opinion here and don't have much to add . Except this minor point .

The team looked knackered and slow. They are just back from their Barca trip. it could be argued that the Soton performance was similar to previous jaded post Europe ones . Even those who didn't play when out in Europe were often jaded too I remember.

Something about flights and travel tires players physically or mentally imo . Add to this that 2 players were out with flu , presumably caught on the trip (on the flights ?) and possibly others were affected by a virus in some way .

The wide open spaces for Soton to play in were surely due to our players being short of energy (physical and mental) .

Could it be that the Barca trip was an act of spectacular self harm ?

 

[Hengy1]

I agree with the general opinion here and don't have much to add . Except this minor point .

The team looked knackered and slow. They are just back from their Barca trip. it could be argued that the Soton performance was similar to previous jaded post Europe ones . Even those who didn't play when out in Europe were often jaded too I remember.

Something about flights and travel tires players physically or mentally imo . Add to this that 2 players were out with flu , presumably caught on the trip (on the flights ?) and possibly others were affected by a virus in some way .

The wide open spaces for Soton to play in were surely due to our players being short of energy (physical and mental) .

Could it be that the Barca trip was an act of spectacular self harm ?

I doubt it’s anything to go with the trip in regards to flights etc as they came back Wednesday afternoon, so had 4 days back.

Apparently some had the flu going out there. Kane missed most of the training due to it so it probably got passed around the squad.

Unfortunate

 

[Hakkz]

I agree with the general opinion here and don't have much to add . Except this minor point .

The team looked knackered and slow. They are just back from their Barca trip. it could be argued that the Soton performance was similar to previous jaded post Europe ones . Even those who didn't play when out in Europe were often jaded too I remember.

Something about flights and travel tires players physically or mentally imo . Add to this that 2 players were out with flu , presumably caught on the trip (on the flights ?) and possibly others were affected by a virus in some way .

The wide open spaces for Soton to play in were surely due to our players being short of energy (physical and mental) .

Could it be that the Barca trip was an act of spectacular self harm ?

The results after the Barcelona trip last year was followed up by the 4-3 vs Wycombe and 0-0 to Sunderland so yeah, maybe it does have some negative effect..

 

[the yid]

I love the man and never want him to leVe our football club but this doesn't mean I can't criticise him. Pochettino 2 out of 10 and this result lands at his door in my opinion! This mid season trip to Barcelona we always struggle after it I cannot sed what good it does! Sissoko is a Spurs player and I'll always support he because he wears our shirt, but the bloke has no footballing ability! The fact he chose to play him to replace Eriksen (who along with Eriksen and Kane got ill in Barcelona) is absolutely baffling! Why not start Lamela or drop Kane in behind with Llorente up top.

Then his subs!! His subs have frustrated me since day 1 but here's why, he leaves the subs miles to late generally 72mins 80mins and 85mins it's to late to impact a game! West Ham at home the game plan wasn't working we needed a change about 55-60mins but he makes the first change at 74 just after we go 1 down! Sissoko and 1 of Dembele Dier should've come off between 45-60mins. Our first sub was made on 70th min replacing Son the only player who can create with his pace and skill a goal out of nothing for Lamela?? 1 1 20 mins to go take off Sissoko and go Son Alli Lamela behind Kane and get at them. That wasn't the worst sub and the problem is it's anywhere near the first time this has happened... chasing a result 85th minute still 1 1 Poch makes a change surely he's going to stick Llorente in to try and nick all 3 points.... wait not he's bringing in Victor fucking Wanyama a defensive midfielder?????

To me it seems like all his subs are pre planned before the game even starts I don't think he makes subs based on the way the game is going. Again I love the bloke but he needs to take responsibility for yesterday, learn and adapt

 

[Gb160]

Id wager that Son was one of the ones suffering with this virus thing, no way he'd be coming off otherwise...surprising how many people aren't considering that possibility and blaming Poch.
He didn't look anywhere near the player he has been in the last month or so.

 

[Timbo Tottenham]

Vorm 7
Aurier 5
Sanchez 5
Verts 7 MOM
Davies 6
Sissoko 4
Dier 5
Dembele 5
Dele 5
Son 5
Kane 6

Trips 5.5
Wanyama 4
Lamela 4

Poch 4

Awful performance. Subs did nothing to change the game.

An infuriating performance, players out there that aren't good enough and a manager who doesn't react quick enough when changes are required.

I think these ratings are spot on, although I would have Worm as Motm after Verts woeful shot from distance (it was so bad I thought it was Dier shooting)!

 

[the yid]

Id wager that Son was one of the ones suffering with this virus thing, no way he'd be coming off otherwise...surprising how many people aren't considering that possibility and blaming Poch.
He didn't look anywhere near the player he has been in the last month or so.

Then why start him? Start Lamela who was clearly alright!

 

[Gb160]

Then why start him? Start Lamela who was clearly alright!

How do you know he was alright?

 

[SpartanSpur]

MOTM - Christian Eriksen - Look how much we missed him.

I'd probably say Vertonghen, Davies and Vorm were the only ones worthy of credit, Kane got the quick fire equaliser too which was important.

Sissoko is just not good enough however he actually finished stronger than most, trying to drive forward in the last 10 mins.

Poch had a shocker on base value, although we don't know the extent of illness on each player. His game management continues to warrant questioning however.

 

[Finchyid]

Struggle to see how Vorm is anything more than a 6

 

[Japhet]

I'll put the performance and selection/tactics down to illness in the squad. If it wasn't that, it was an absolute shocker all round.

 

[Klinsmannesque]

Had a feeling yesterday was going to go like that. Poch was asked about the players before the game, asked if they were 100% and he replied with no. Now why would that question be asked (when is it ever asked) unless the interviewer (can't remember who, maybe Geoff Shreeves?) knew something beforehand. A lot of the players were clearly heavy footed, lacked concentration, I suspect that Sissoko started, and played 90, because he was one of the fitter ones. Son was anonymous, Dele and Kane both with poor decision making, laboured on the ball.

Dembele just looked restricted, Dier the same. Thought Sanchez had a mare first 30mins, but credit to the lad, didn't shy away and was much improved after. Jan, Davies and Vorm fairly solid, good hands on a wet pitch on a few occasions for the latter. Aurier all over the shop early on, not helped by no cover from Sissoko - please learn to cross.

If Llorente was fit then subs were ridiculous (bar Trippier which was forced). Lamela looked scatty and Wanyama, wtf are you shooting from 35 yards for. Lack of maturity summarising our performance.

Overall, I am putting the selection, result, and performance down to my first point / theory. Because otherwise, that was an embarrassment. Saints were not organised, they were not clinical, they were not in control really. Us on it, we win that by 4 or 5.

 

[IfiHadTheWings]

Nobody covered themselves in glory, Jan was good as was Davies for the most part. Our attack was utter turd though and you would have put your house on Kane scoring at the end.

Sissoko didn't play too badly yesterday compared to some other offenders but overall he just isn't much of a footballer, seems to panic when he is about to receive the ball which in turn makes me panic and costs a blinkin fortune in underpants over the course of a season.

Lamelas one footedness is a massive cause for concern I think, he is so against using his weaker foot it is a massive hindrance in his ability to make the correct decision which was shown a couple of times today, some players obviously get away with it but when you are a creative hub then I think you need to be atleast comfortable to play the ball off your weaker foot.

Just my tuppence.

 

[Bulletspur]

Then why start him? Start Lamela who was clearly alright!

No he was not

 

[archiewasking]

I doubt it’s anything to go with the trip in regards to flights etc as they came back Wednesday afternoon, so had 4 days back.

Apparently some had the flu going out there. Kane missed most of the training due to it so it probably got passed around the squad.

Unfortunate

Really? Good to see Kane passing something!!!

 

[dannythomas]

Well it was obviously a huge catastrophe for our injury and apparently illness affected team to end up 1-1 at Southampton. Meanwhile I wonder what ratings our players would have got and what criticism our coach would have got if we put out a pretty much full strength team against Swansea and lost. Agreed we find it more difficult to create when Eriksen is out , at least he will be back for our next match. Unlike Coutinho. Anyone that thinks Liverpool won't miss him is wrong . And it was only a few weeks back that everyone was moaning that Eriksen had lost his hunger for us after starring for Denmark in World Cuo qualifying...

 

[fortworthspur]

Im pretty sure Dele was nominally slated into Eriksen's space and Dembele was supposed to help out in this function. Both failed miserably. There was a massive disconnect between the back 6 and front 4 yesterday.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Im pretty sure Dele was nominally slated into Eriksen's space and Dembele was supposed to help out in this function. Both failed miserably. There was a massive disconnect between the back 6 and front 4 yesterday.

I think this match showed that we desperately need a CM version of Eriksen so that we can hopefully always have at least one on the pitch if not both. Dembele’s form has been more bad than good, Winks could be it but is struggling to get there, Sissoko is Sissoko and Dier/ Wanyama will always be there mainly to destroy.

Even at his age, if we had half a sniff at Modric I’d pounce. Problem is, players with this skill set who offer the levels of solidity Pochettino loves are rare, I think our manager might need to accept that we can survive with just one ‘solid’ CM against certain teams so long as his more attacking pivot partner at least puts the miles in.

 

[cozzo]

Alli can be soooo frustrating. Dawdles on the ball too long and tries to pull off a nutmeg.