Spurs 2-3 West Ham United - Pre-Season Friendly

[mawspurs]

The Ange Postecoglou era began in entertaining fashion on Tuesday although we were on the wrong end of a five-goal thriller against West Ham United in our first pre-season friendly of the 2023/24 campaign.

The scoreline doesn't really reflect the pattern of the game as we had 30 attempts at goal compared to West Ham's four and dominated with 71 per cent of the possession but they took their chances when they came.

Source: Official Site

 

[OnTheUp]

YES!!!....wE HavE OuR TOtTenhAm baCk aGAiN

We're the best at possession and shots on target, who cares who gets the most goals?!

 

[TonyK]

Yeah, watched the game this morning. It was a really good performance by all accounts with us pressing, dominating the ball, passing, moving and attacking at every opportunity. Coulda / shoulda scored 6 though.

Still frustrating to see the same fucking problems as last season cost us goals and ultimately the game. 3 spammer’s goals all came from defensive mistakes. When oh when is someone going to sort the CB situation out???

We’ve been linked with Tapsoba, VdV, Neilsson, Andersen and Bremer in recent weeks but still no CBs signed. Meanwhile, Pau Torres signs for Villa and the goons get Timber. Is it really that difficult to improve our defence? Tanganga / Dier /Sanchez need to be moved on immediately as they are all well off the level required. Instead, 2 of them got game time earlier.

 

[ero1x]

Yeah, watched the game this morning. It was a really good performance by all accounts with us pressing, dominating the ball, passing, moving and attacking at every opportunity. Coulda / shoulda scored 6 though.

Still frustrating to see the same fucking problems as last season cost us goals and ultimately the game. 3 spammer’s goals all came from defensive mistakes. When oh when is someone going to sort the CB situation out???

We’ve been linked with Tapsoba, VdV, Neilsson, Andersen and Bremer in recent weeks but still no CBs signed. Meanwhile, Pau Torres signs for Villa and the goons get Timber. Is it really that difficult to improve our defence? Tanganga / Dier /Sanchez need to be moved on immediately as they are all well off the level required. Instead, 2 of them got game time earlier.

I hear you but maybe let the manager assess the players in these upcoming games and then decide who he wants to discard or bring in.

Have to say, I really enjoyed the attacking performance despite the goals conceded.

 

[Henderson Yid]

Just got back from the game, thought it was great, we played some really nice stuff. Seeing Bissouma receive the ball with a perfect first touch, drive forwards, pass to Maddison who turned his man and layed it off to Kane was the stuff of dreams.

Tanganga needs to wake up out of his dream though, well off the pace even for a first run out in pre season.

 

[TonyK]

I hear you but maybe let the manager assess the players in these upcoming games and then decide who he wants to discard or bring in.

Have to say, I really enjoyed the attacking performance despite the goals conceded.

Every one of us knows that our CBs have needed to be upgraded since Toby and Jan left yet Dier and Sanchez have somehow survived being culled under a number of different managers now. Davies should be a squad player at best and unfortunately I don’t believe that Tanganga is a top 6 player.

It’s been obvious for years that these guys need replaced so I’m sure you’ll understand my frustration at your suggestion of letting yet another manger assess them.

Enough is enough now.

 

[gloryspur]

Lucky Spammers because dominated in every area apart from the scoreline. Great to see us on the front foot and actually attacking seems a world away from the last two managers where the shackles were fully locked, finally it looks like the team has been unleashed with a slight nod to Ardiles tenure as boss, on that note...

As others said though our defence is still a worry, being fragile and clumsy at times. Liked the look of Udogie especially the run he went on 2nd half. I'm still gutted Spence is not getting a chance them two as wingbacks would be a handful although then again defensively possibly suspect. From recent reading he's been training with other also-rans which is worry considering he posted a message to say ready!?! He was a standout for Forest just can't understand why he's not getting a look in and was hoping Ange might change that, seems like the writing is on the way which is a shame.

Plenty of bright lights with Soloman and thought Le Celso/Devine/Peresic did well. Richarlson still has that barn door theme no matter how hard tries with the supply line improving maybe it's a matter of time before tide turns, although still feel unconvinced. Onwards and upwards looking forward to the new season it just has to be better than the last COYS!

 

[newbie]

The score was a win, showed what we are capable of without masking over our shit defence

 

[Rusta81]

I thought tanguy would have been in the playing squad ?

 

[kursaal]

I thought tanguy would have been in the playing squad ?

He picked up a slight knock.in training

 

[deka_spur]

Extremely happy to see us play that way - constant waves of attack and we could have scored 10.
But defence was awful even though we hardly gave them a chance. But Ange said they haven't had time to work on defending corners as such yet, and they looked all at sea.

If I had to pick my 11 from that 22 I would go:

Vicario
Royal - Romero - Davies - Udogie
Biss
Madders - Le Celso
Alfie - Kane - Solomon

But I thought all our midfielders were great.
Tanganga was awful,
Reggy gets an OK,
Porro not great,
Deki disapointing.
Richy - needs to learn to stay onside.

 

[Henry Percy]

I was really encouraged. That was so much better and seeing players hold the ball, move it quickly, will take time for confidence and patterns to properly develop. Aso feel the errors were errors that can coached, or new CBs will help fix.

Spam have been playing under Moyes for some time so their players know and are familiar with their (yawn) style of play, plus this was their third game preseaon and arrived in Australiaabout 5days earlier. Half the Spurs team only arrived back from holidays 7 days ago.

I also noticed Spammers didn't change their team up at half time or through the game. Surprised me as I thought getting match fitness for the squad plus a chance for fring or youth players was more important than going for a win in friendly.

 

[Oh Teddy Teddy]

I was really encouraged. That was so much better and seeing players hold the ball, move it quickly, will take time for confidence and patterns to properly develop. Aso feel the errors were errors that can coached, or new CBs will help fix.

Spam have been playing under Moyes for some time so their players know and are familiar with their (yawn) style of play, plus this was their third game preseaon and arrived in Australiaabout 5days earlier. Half the Spurs team only arrived back from holidays 7 days ago.

I also noticed Spammers didn't change their team up at half time or through the game. Surprised me as I thought getting match fitness for the squad plus a chance for fring or youth players was more important than going for a win in friendly.

Agreed with this.

I saw post-match interview with Zouma where he commented on the win being the most important thing – is it?! I'd argue these games are the only point when the style of play, fitness is most important.

 

[Styopa]

Agreed with this.

I saw post-match interview with Zouma where he commented on the win being the most important thing – is it?! I'd argue these games are the only point when the style of play, fitness is most important.

Very much this. I always recall the 2008-09 preseason, where we were unbeaten and blowing other teams away. We beat Norwich 5-1; Leyton Orient 5-1; Celtic 2-0; Dortmund 3-0; Roma 5-0. We were on a fire. Darren Bent scored 13 times.

Then Ramos was sacked a few months later, with us bottom of the table with two points from eight games.

 

[Oh Teddy Teddy]

Very much this. I always recall the 2008-09 preseason, where we were unbeaten and blowing other teams away. We beat Norwich 5-1; Leyton Orient 5-1; Celtic 2-0; Dortmund 3-0; Roma 5-0. We were on a fire. Darren Bent scored 13 times.

Then Ramos was sacked a few months later, with us bottom of the table with two points from eight games.

Don't get me wrong, you don't want to get thrashed and momentum is an important thing mentally. Look at Arsenal last year.

But I'm not sure what West Ham would have been told from a narrow victory where they outscore their xG massively. Whereas, we have 22 players with 45 mins of match time under their belts, a new style of play on show, and a very clear indicator of where we need to improve in the market still.

 

[JimmyG2]

Enjoyed the new emphasis on attack
but let's not pretend that winning isn't important
for morale, team spirit and momentum
Our incompetence in finishing
and at defending is worrying.
Early days and all that but plenty to do for Ange.