Ratings VS Swansea

[guy]

A very AVB-like performance I thought, which seems to have been lost on most.

We set up in exactly the way AVB would have done/did.

A very solid away performance again, although the critic in me looks at another stupid goal we have conceded.

Adebayor will no doubt get the plaudits, but I thought Eriksen was the one that just made everything work so he gets my vote for MOTM.

His ball in for the first goal was ridiculously good, even Gregorz Raziak would have put that away. Then that turn just before half time was beyond sublime.

He is going to be some player for us.

Except with Ade up top, huge huge difference.

Don't think it was much like a AVB performance at all myself. Playing with one striker instead of two is consistent, but that is about it. It was a 433, and we attacked with speed and skill which we never did previously

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Except with Ade up top, huge huge difference.

Don't think it was much like a AVB performance at all myself. Playing with one striker instead of two is consistent, but that is about it. It was a 433, and we attacked with speed and skill which we never did previously

It wasn't. He's trolling this thread like every other one at the moment.

 

[Teddy Klinsmann]

Adebayor was immense today. If he stays on form he could bag 10-15 goals in the final few months. He's as good as a new signing. Eriksen also was fantastic. A mix of VDV and Modric - really starting to show his class.

I would going forward prefer not to see Chadli start, but give Lamela or Townsend games. Thought he offered little. His shooting is very poor.

 

[ShelfSide18]

I missed this game because I was walking around an art gallery.

ShelfSide18 0/10 - Recommended 3 week ban from SC.

 

[kaz Hirai]

Eriksen was great today, just needs the freedom which I don't think AVB would give his teams.

Gareth bale?

 

[Mr Pink]

A very AVB-like performance I thought, which seems to have been lost on most.

We set up in exactly the way AVB would have done/did.

A very solid away performance again, although the critic in me looks at another stupid goal we have conceded.

Adebayor will no doubt get the plaudits, but I thought Eriksen was the one that just made everything work so he gets my vote for MOTM.

His ball in for the first goal was ridiculously good, even Gregorz Raziak would have put that away. Then that turn just before half time was beyond sublime.

He is going to be some player for us.

Very AVB like indeed - just with more threat and goals lol

 

[kaz Hirai]

Except with Ade up top, huge huge difference.

Don't think it was much like a AVB performance at all myself. Playing with one striker instead of two is consistent, but that is about it. It was a 433, and we attacked with speed and skill which we never did previously

Not sure it can be classed as a proper 4:3:3 with Aaron Lennon in the team

 

[Bus-Conductor]

It's a funny old game innit.

What started out quite an uncomfortable 20 minutes, turned into an almost docile romp, with the only disappointing thing being how many great chances to inflict further pain on a very creatively impotent Swansea were wasted with the omnipresent stupidity and lack of composure that was ever thus.

For me that was a pretty impressive managerial performance that went beyond the cuddle he keeps giving Adebayor. First the switch in personnel and format was bang on. TV were calling it a 433 and maybe it was but it looked more like a 4231, or 42121 even, whatever it was technically, tactically it worked very well and after a shaky first 20 minutes when we could have easily been a goal or two down, we were very coherent and it wasn't really until they scored near the end that we allowed them to work anything of note.

Our discipline, general cohesion and work without the ball was much better today that it has been on our previous away games. Everyone worked pretty hard without the ball, obligatory at Swansea, and the subs were all good, the Naughton for Lennon, pushing Walker up was very good.

As I said earlier, the biggest grumble is our old friends stupidity, lack of decision making and composure in the final third. Lennon (sorry fan boys) had six or seven opportunities in great positions and wasted just about every single one except the ball he played for Dembele, who immediately made up for that by unbelievably stupidly not squaring for Adebayor to tap into an empty net. The most disappointing thing is that several times the options were pretty easy ones. Even the own goal was actually the result of a poor ball that was going nowhere near any of our players.

Stand outs for me were Chiriches, who had an excellent game at the back, and carried on even after growing another head. Eriksen put in a lovely cross for the first (amazing what you can do when you lift your head up and can compose yourself) and generally worked hard for the team as well, dropping back into midfield and helping out Bentaleb and Dembele. Both of those worked hard off the ball, both seeing a very respectable amount of ball and moving it simply but efficiently. Bentaleb played a lovely ball inside for Lennon (wasted). Rose deserves a mention for getting forward with purpose and keeping his head and composure to set up Adebayor (much better than when he burst forward in the first half and shanked it a mile over.

Adebayor continues to be the very good Adebayor.

You expect Swansea to have decent ball, but after the first twenty we generally controlled where they had it.

Overall a managerial success, adapted tactics, good subs, rewarded with a good win.


Individual stuff

Lloris - Decent enough what little he had to do

Walker - Fortunate own goal aside he's still not really providing very much going forward. One Walkeresque moment second half - not the first time he's been caught trying to see a ball out that he shouldn't - but apart from that was decent.

Dawson - Bullied by Bony at times, was lucky not to give a penalty, dived in and committed harry carry once up the pitch and was caught in no mans land for their goal marking space. Look forward to another CB being available.

Chiriches - Has games that make you worry, this wasn't one of them. Dug Walker out when he fucked up and was generally very good. Brought the ball out a couple of times nicely too.

Rose - Did very well for the third goal, generally OK, no major defensive gaffs.

Lennon - Wasteful but apart from that was generally OK and helped Walker.

Dembele - Efficient and tidy and not to much whirly dwelling. Good game.

Bentaleb - Same as Dembele. Good game.

Chadli - Didn't really contribute loads creatively and wasted a great chance but apart from that worked OK for the team.

Eriksen - Great ball in for Adebayor, also had a hand in the third goal, worked really hard to help Dembele and Bentaleb. Very good game.

Adebayor - Another outstanding game. Two (very different) goals, lots of work, lots of hold up. Right to scream at his team mates at times, they are fucking stupid sometimes.

Subs - all decent.

 

[SlotBadger]

Still yet to see a ratings thread where every name is spelt correctly.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

It's a funny old game innit.

What started out quite an uncomfortable 20 minutes, turned into an almost docile romp, with the only disappointing thing being how many great chances to inflict further pain on a very creatively impotent Swansea were wasted with the omnipresent stupidity and lack of composure that was ever thus.

For me that was a pretty impressive managerial performance that went beyond the cuddle he keeps giving Adebayor. First the switch in personnel and format was bang on. TV were calling it a 433 and maybe it was but it looked more like a 4231, or 42121 even, whatever it was technically, tactically it worked very well and after a shaky first 20 minutes when we could have easily been a goal or two down, we were very coherent and it wasn't really until they scored near the end that we allowed them to work anything of note.

Our discipline, general cohesion and work without the ball was much better today that it has been on our previous away games. Everyone worked pretty hard without the ball, obligatory at Swansea, and the subs were all good, the Naughton for Lennon, pushing Walker up was very good.

As I said earlier, the biggest grumble is our old friends stupidity, lack of decision making and composure in the final third. Lennon (sorry fan boys) had six or seven opportunities in great positions and wasted just about every single one except the ball he played for Dembele, who immediately made up for that by unbelievably stupidly not squaring for Adebayor to tap into an empty net. The most disappointing thing is that several times the options were pretty easy ones. Even the own goal was actually the result of a poor ball that was going nowhere near any of our players.

Stand outs for me were Chiriches, who had an excellent game at the back, and carried on even after growing another head. Eriksen put in a lovely cross for the first (amazing what you can do when you lift your head up and can compose yourself) and generally worked hard for the team as well, dropping back into midfield and helping out Bentaleb and Dembele. Both of those worked hard off the ball, both seeing a very respectable amount of ball and moving it simply but efficiently. Bentaleb played a lovely ball inside for Lennon (wasted). Rose deserves a mention for getting forward with purpose and keeping his head and composure to set up Adebayor (much better than when he burst forward in the first half and shanked it a mile over.

Adebayor continues to be the very good Adebayor.

You expect Swansea to have decent ball, but after the first twenty we generally controlled where they had it.

Overall a managerial success, adapted tactics, good subs, rewarded with a good win.


Individual stuff

Lloris - Decent enough what little he had to do

Walker - Fortunate own goal aside he's still not really providing very much going forward. One Walkeresque moment second half - not the first time he's been caught trying to see a ball out that he shouldn't - but apart from that was decent.

Dawson - Bullied by Bony at times, was lucky not to give a penalty, dived in and committed harry carry once up the pitch and was caught in no mans land for their goal marking space. Look forward to another CB being available.

Chiriches - Has games that make you worry, this wasn't one of them. Dug Walker out when he fucked up and was generally very good. Brought the ball out a couple of times nicely too.

Rose - Did very well for the third goal, generally OK, no major defensive gaffs.

Lennon - Wasteful but apart from that was generally OK and helped Walker.

Dembele - Efficient and tidy and not to much whirly dwelling. Good game.

Bentaleb - Same as Dembele. Good game.

Chadli - Didn't really contribute loads creatively and wasted a great chance but apart from that worked OK for the team.

Eriksen - Great ball in for Adebayor, also had a hand in the third goal, worked really hard to help Dembele and Belaleb. Very good game.

Adebayor - Another outstanding game. Two (very different) goals, lots of work, lots of hold up. Right to scream at his team mates at times, they are fucking stupid sometimes.

Subs - all decent.

Good review mate- one that I completely agree with.


Erm...Just one question- Who are you and what the fuck have you done with @Bus-Conductor ?....

 

[Spurger King]

It's a funny old game innit.

What started out quite an uncomfortable 20 minutes, turned into an almost docile romp, with the only disappointing thing being how many great chances to inflict further pain on a very creatively impotent Swansea were wasted with the omnipresent stupidity and lack of composure that was ever thus.

For me that was a pretty impressive managerial performance that went beyond the cuddle he keeps giving Adebayor. First the switch in personnel and format was bang on. TV were calling it a 433 and maybe it was but it looked more like a 4231, or 42121 even, whatever it was technically, tactically it worked very well and after a shaky first 20 minutes when we could have easily been a goal or two down, we were very coherent and it wasn't really until they scored near the end that we allowed them to work anything of note.

Our discipline, general cohesion and work without the ball was much better today that it has been on our previous away games. Everyone worked pretty hard without the ball, obligatory at Swansea, and the subs were all good, the Naughton for Lennon, pushing Walker up was very good.

As I said earlier, the biggest grumble is our old friends stupidity, lack of decision making and composure in the final third. Lennon (sorry fan boys) had six or seven opportunities in great positions and wasted just about every single one except the ball he played for Dembele, who immediately made up for that by unbelievably stupidly not squaring for Adebayor to tap into an empty net. The most disappointing thing is that several times the options were pretty easy ones. Even the own goal was actually the result of a poor ball that was going nowhere near any of our players.

Stand outs for me were Chiriches, who had an excellent game at the back, and carried on even after growing another head. Eriksen put in a lovely cross for the first (amazing what you can do when you lift your head up and can compose yourself) and generally worked hard for the team as well, dropping back into midfield and helping out Bentaleb and Dembele. Both of those worked hard off the ball, both seeing a very respectable amount of ball and moving it simply but efficiently. Bentaleb played a lovely ball inside for Lennon (wasted). Rose deserves a mention for getting forward with purpose and keeping his head and composure to set up Adebayor (much better than when he burst forward in the first half and shanked it a mile over.

Adebayor continues to be the very good Adebayor.

You expect Swansea to have decent ball, but after the first twenty we generally controlled where they had it.

Overall a managerial success, adapted tactics, good subs, rewarded with a good win.


Individual stuff

Lloris - Decent enough what little he had to do

Walker - Fortunate own goal aside he's still not really providing very much going forward. One Walkeresque moment second half - not the first time he's been caught trying to see a ball out that he shouldn't - but apart from that was decent.

Dawson - Bullied by Bony at times, was lucky not to give a penalty, dived in and committed harry carry once up the pitch and was caught in no mans land for their goal marking space. Look forward to another CB being available.

Chiriches - Has games that make you worry, this wasn't one of them. Dug Walker out when he fucked up and was generally very good. Brought the ball out a couple of times nicely too.

Rose - Did very well for the third goal, generally OK, no major defensive gaffs.

Lennon - Wasteful but apart from that was generally OK and helped Walker.

Dembele - Efficient and tidy and not to much whirly dwelling. Good game.

Bentaleb - Same as Dembele. Good game.

Chadli - Didn't really contribute loads creatively and wasted a great chance but apart from that worked OK for the team.

Eriksen - Great ball in for Adebayor, also had a hand in the third goal, worked really hard to help Dembele and Belaleb. Very good game.

Adebayor - Another outstanding game. Two (very different) goals, lots of work, lots of hold up. Right to scream at his team mates at times, they are fucking stupid sometimes.

Subs - all decent.

Well said BC. Can't disagree with any of that. Ade is looking like the player he was in his first season with us. Have to wonder if his performances last season were simply poor form, or an inability/unwillingness to fit into AVB's philosophy.

 

[TheGreenLily]

Danny Rose gets into Garth's team of the week because he made one pass to Adebayor.

I genuinely don't think he watched the rest of the game.

Not much different from some fans.

 

[theShiznit]

Still yet to see a ratings thread where every name is spelt correctly.

Yep, unfortunately SportBadger some idiots will never learn...

 

[Partizan]

Why is it so hard for our supporters to know the spelling of one of our players last name? It's Eriksen, not Erikson or Eriksson. It's not hard.

 

[mpickard2087]

What I'm liking is that even if we start slowly we are able to pick it up and improve as the match goes on. After a tricky opening spell we neutered them largely and were disciplined in what we did and waited for them to give the ball back to us, and when they did we countered pretty well most of the time. I thought our shape in midfield wasn't perfect in the first half, even slighty disappointing, but it improved second half and they had a harder time of bypassing the midfield and getting the ball into Bony's feet and it was only when we switched off with the match won that they found a way through.

I thought that Eriksen was the main man for us today, knitted everything together when we attacked. Adebayor also had another good game and if these two can keep flourishing till the end of the season then we have a chance to finish top four.

Credit to Sherwood for setting up a team that was solid, hardworking but had the threat on the counter and got the job done. Tactics worked perfectly. Should placate some of his critics. Even his subs went well, Naughton for Lennon with Walker pushing forward wasn't an obvious one but worked ok.

Ratings:

Lloris - Couple of sharp stops.

Walker - Got forward decently at times but he could do better with his final ball. The one first half overhit by several 100 miles being an example.

Dawson - Ok. In a real battle with Bony. Contributed a through ball in the build up for the 2nd goal!!

Chiriches - At times looks an accident waiting to happen. He frequently steps out of the defensive line and we are prone to getting cut apart but he scraps away and stops the danger somehow. An unorthodox style but it works. A good game.

Rose - Did ok and got forward well to play a part in the 3rd goal. Wasted one bit of great play in the first half by blazing over which was a shame. Could probably have cleared the ball during the play for the goal we conceded as well.

Dembele - Wasnt happy with some of his defensive positioning in the first half, but improved in this aspect of his game. Kept at it and worked hard. Shocking miss though!

Bentaleb - Another test passed. Had instructions to mark Shelvey it seemed to me and kept him quiet for the most part. Got in plenty of tackles and was efficient with the ball when he had it. Possibly could have reacted a bit quicker for the goal conceded, but thats a minor gripe. Encouraging signs.

Lennon - Worked hard to his credit, but I thought he wasted quite a few decent opportunities, mainly due to him choosing poor options when making a run.

Chadli - Much the same as Lennon in that he didnt effect the game a great deal. Neat and tidy, but needs to start showing more. Worked pretty hard on the left.

Eriksen - Very impressive. Did a shit load of defensive work for starters. Looked the real quality player on the pitch, knitted everything together and made us play. Great cross for the opening goal, involved in the 3rd. Looks like he is really settling in now.

Adebayor - Just keep going, please. Such a presence for us up top. The ball sticks and allows others to play off him. Two well taken goals.

 

[Gedson100]

I'm trying to get my head around the formation, that despite Sherwood saying in the past that formations aren't so important.

He said that Eriksen and Chadli could rotate position and he also said that we played '3 up'

I guess we're looking at an obvious 2 DMs which is ironic considering what's gone before, then Ade up front Lennon right & Eriksen / Chadli rotating, but with Eriksen given his head and Chadli told to cover.

That is certainly a progression from 4-4-2 last week & also from a typical 4-2-3-1 or simple 4-3-3.

Worry for Soldado now; doesn't fit in to this. What to do against City too? Match up with a 4-4-2 variation or stick with this? Having Dembele and Bentaleb solid in there makes more sense surely?

 

[jonathanhotspur]

It looked to me as though we rotated our midfield triangle at half time. Eriksen and Dembele had been playing ahead of Bentaleb for the first 45 but Dembele sat in beside Bentaleb in front of the back 4 after the restart.

 

[Flashspur]

Lloris – 7.0 He had a lot to do in the first half an hour, with Swansea creating a lot of chances. Some good reactions and saves. For the rest of the match, he was largely untroubled. Well beaten for the goal.

Walker - 8.0 A stand-out player. This lad is really improving and his consistency has been one of the successes of this season. His attacking runs down his flank creates width and puts so much pressure on the opposition. His defence work wasn’t that bad either. He must be leading the player of the season list for us at the moment.

Dawson - 7.0 Dawson was s*it today. I am sure that what a lot of people will be saying. I thought he did really well coping with Bony who was a bright spark for Swansea and in form. He saved us a number of times even though he was caught out giving the Ivorian too much space for their goal. Character always come to the fore when the pressure is on and he did well.

Chiriches - 8.0 How good can this lad get?He has arguably been our best signing this summer. I love his consistency. He is improving his challenging for the ball and his retention and recycling is top class. He looked really good as the game went on after a nervous few minutes early on. His main weakness is going up for headers but he is game as ever against bigger forwards.

Rose - 7.0 A competent defensive game today. For once his crossing is improving and he set up the third goal with a lovely cross into Adebayor. Not quite at the level of form which caused Sunderland supporters to rave about him but getting there. It was good to see a real left-back on the left side.

Lennon - 6.0 He was so frustrating.He gives us balance but at the same time I haven’t seen a player gifted with so many qualities flatter to deceive so often. Didn’t have a major impact in the game and didn’t make good use of the ball in advanced positions. Started off the move for the first goal but should take a cue from Eriksen on crossing into the box.

Eriksen – 8.5 Well, well. The reputation wasn’t based on idle talk. He played extremely well, taking on defenders, creating chances, using his speed and skill and intelligence to bamboozle the opposition and sometimes his own players who are often two steps behind him. He set up the first goal with a beautiful cross into Adebayor. Their understanding on the field gets better and better with each game. As Sherwood said after the game "We are just trying to play players in positions to which they are best suited. He’s not much use to you defending. He needs to be in the final third getting on the ball as much as he can.”

Dembele - 7.5 Dembele showed his versatility today. He retained possession, put in a strong shift in our own half defending and combined well with young Bentaleb. Not outstanding but sometimes the hard graft goes unnoticed.

Bentaleb - 7.5 He kept the ball fairly well, but that really was the only thing he did today. Well not really. He turned it over and his pass accuracy was high as usual. His metronomic pass and play allowed Eriksen freedom to take up attacking positions relieving the latter of the hard graft. However, he seemed overawed in the early stages. He didn’t cope well in dealing with the Swansea pressure in the first half, and didn’t impact the game against a weak Swansea midfield as he should have. Still he is making more passes count than any other player in Europe with 91% of his passes against Swansea finding a Spurs man. Can’t complain as he is coming along nicely with each game which sees him grow more in confidence.

Chadli – 7.0 Chadli really came into his own when playing a roving role across the attacking third, taking shots and troubling the Swansea defence with his physicality. Earlier on he had looked a little uncomfortable on the left. But the lad is so big that fullbacks trying to pass him must think they are trying to overtake a greyhound bus on a single lane freeway. Good to see him challenging with Ade for the Eriksen pass for the first goal. That’s where you’d expect your supporting striker to be. Still lacking form but more game time will see him improve.

Adebayor – 8.5 MOM performance. Held the line. Was there for the chances and took them well. Scared the hell out of the Swansea defense when ever he was in sniffing distance of the ball. An imposing CF performance where he used his height, speed and strength to great advantage. He managed to combine the hard work, link up play and goal threat in a strong shift and worked his socks off.

Sherwood - 8.0 He set the side up well. Played a pragmatic 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 formation giving us the numbers in MF even though the team came out once again like a bunch of somnambulists enjoying an afternoon siesta. He needs to get the side working from the whistle. Play like this against the top 4 and you could be 3-0 down in the first 20 minutes. The game formation worked in our favour and the subs were thoughtful and well timed. He seems to have worked out Eriksens best position and has more confidence in giving him the free role. This works because you have Benteleb turning over things in MF which frees Eriksen up to do the sexy stuff. Good work Tim!

Swansea – 6.5 Their fans must be worried where the goals will come from because despite controlling the majority of possession they failed to create too many clear cut chances. Spurs made more of the decisive passes. Swansea made just three passes from within our penalty area all game and they were forced into shots from distance. Once Shelvey limped off with a hamstring problem, their attack lost its single creative outlet. Swansea need to be getting players into the box more often if they are salvage anything out of the season. It seems they have the same problems we had with AVB. Lots of passing, lots of possession but no cut through. Bony needs support – read the Soldado issue earlier this season for us. I think managers like AVB and Laudrup have been found out by the rest of the PL who stack defences and hit back quickly on the counter. Lots of work required here if they are to avoid the drop into the bottom three.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

I missed this game because I was walking around an art gallery.

ShelfSide18 0/10 - Recommended 3 week ban from SC.

Which gallery ?

You should swap one of your iPhones for a sky+ box*


* But get one that doesn't delete your recording of Spurs games.

 

[Spursidol]

I'm trying to get my head around the formation, that despite Sherwood saying in the past that formations aren't so important.

He said that Eriksen and Chadli could rotate position and he also said that we played '3 up'

I guess we're looking at an obvious 2 DMs which is ironic considering what's gone before, then Ade up front Lennon right & Eriksen / Chadli rotating, but with Eriksen given his head and Chadli told to cover.

That is certainly a progression from 4-4-2 last week & also from a typical 4-2-3-1 or simple 4-3-3.

Worry for Soldado now; doesn't fit in to this. What to do against City too? Match up with a 4-4-2 variation or stick with this? Having Dembele and Bentaleb solid in there makes more sense surely?

Formations are easy to describe (442/4231 etc) but i think Sherwood/Ramsey describe to the players how they will play the game - and that doesn't always equate to an obvious popular formation.

One thing which was fascinating with the youth teams they coached was the fluidity and that they changed 'formation' several times during a match - the most apparant one being to change the sides that the wide men were playing or even the front 3 (in a 4231) changing round, the idea being to confuse the opposition and their marking I think. And I am sure we will see more of that.

I am sure that Sherwood/Ramsey will find ways to include Soldado - options include in the Eriksen role or in place of Adebayor with Chadli tasked to provide the physical threat.

Biggest problem for Sherwood/Ramsey could be how to rotate and give game time to the size of squad we have (25 first team players plus promising youngsters but a match squad of only 18 with only 11 staters !) - and only 16 PL games left plus 2-7 (?) Europa League games.