Match Threads Spurs v Barcelona - Match Thread

[A.J.]

Lloris fuckin liability, was at fault for 1st and 4th goal , he's the goalkeeping equivalent to dier, lets you down in the big games

Like the World Cup final.

Oh.

 

[piedpiper]

However, now that is done. What the fuck is going on at Spurs? Barcelona weren't even in form and hardly brought their A game. They were there for the taking against a half decent side with some organisation. Our defence has fallen to pieces this season. We play at such a slow tempo. We are making defensive mistakes all over the place.

Tonight was the same below par performance we have seen all season. The difference tonight was that we played a side who punished our mistakes and general defensive malaise. We were just as crap at the back v Fulham, United, Newcastle, Huddersfield etc

I am 100% of the opinion now that we have peaked and are going backwards. Our performances this season have dropped by miles. A proper team gives Barcelona a game tonight. We didn't. The two goals make a it look more of a contest than it was. It could have been 6 - 1 and it would have been a fair result.

I don't like what I'm seeing from Poch or the players this season and I really don't like what I'm seeing from Levy last summer. We've gone backwards.

It started in March/April of this year. Think back how we started to rely on other teams results and how close Chelsea were to getting 4th in the final 3 games.

From the moment Kane was rushed back we've played a very poor brand of football. Something is definitely wrong. We very much play in patches. Vs how we would previously dominated games from the offset to the end. That even when we lost a game it wasn't from a lack of trying but it was more of the superior side won.

i had no expectations of beating Barca and just enjoyed the experience. This is where we want to be as a team. Playing the best sides in Europe. Perhaps we must just enjoy our last few CL games.... Might not make it back in again.

Its been done to death, but as a football club we had a duty to 1. set aside funds and then 2. get rid of all our dead wood like every club does. 3. Brought in new players who would improve the team\squad so that we continue to compete.

 

[heelspurs]

Like the World Cup final.

Oh.

IDK exactly what you are saying here but if it is a rebuttal then i would remind you of the clanger he dropped for the mandzukic goal...which would support @CarrickSpurgus point...and kinda make you look foolish.

I'm not down on Hugo but I would like him to tighten things up.

 

[Sweetsman]

First of all let me say it was great to be there tonight. Privilege to see Messi in the flesh. What a player.

Another thing. Barcelona players are technically on another level to our players. There was a huge gulf in class.

However, now that is done. What the fuck is going on at Spurs? Barcelona weren't even in form and hardly brought their A game. They were there for the taking against a half decent side with some organisation. Our defence has fallen to pieces this season. We play at such a slow tempo. We are making defensive mistakes all over the place.

Tonight was the same below par performance we have seen all season. The difference tonight was that we played a side who punished our mistakes and general defensive malaise. We were just as crap at the back v Fulham, United, Newcastle, Huddersfield etc

I am 100% of the opinion now that we have peaked and are going backwards. Our performances this season have dropped by miles. A proper team gives Barcelona a game tonight. We didn't. The two goals make a it look more of a contest than it was. It could have been 6 - 1 and it would have been a fair result.

I don't like what I'm seeing from Poch or the players this season and I really don't like what I'm seeing from Levy last summer. We've gone backwards.

They might not have been in form coming into this game, but Messi brought his A game alright and lifted the rest of the team. We gave them a good game in the second half. You saw what you wanted to see.

 

[Sweetsman]

It started in March/April of this year. Think back how we started to rely on other teams results and how close Chelsea were to getting 4th in the final 3 games.

From the moment Kane was rushed back we've played a very poor brand of football. Something is definitely wrong. We very much play in patches. Vs how we would previously dominated games from the offset to the end. That even when we lost a game it wasn't from a lack of trying but it was more of the superior side won.

i had no expectations of beating Barca and just enjoyed the experience. This is where we want to be as a team. Playing the best sides in Europe. Perhaps we must just enjoy our last few CL games.... Might not make it back in again.

Its been done to death, but as a football club we had a duty to 1. set aside funds and then 2. get rid of all our dead wood like every club does. 3. Brought in new players who would improve the team\squad so that we continue to compete.

What do you think happened tonight?
https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...es-spurs-toiling-lower-plane-sporting-reality
Regarding your last three points, they answer themselves if you look at the circumstances we are in. These are pretty straightforward and have been expounded before.

 

[Sweetsman]

I can understand the sentiment of the performance and the players but I don't think the fans of City, Liverpool, Chelsea or United would be applauding a loss in Europe like this. I think it shows how far we are yet to go until we challenge on any front

The fans of City wouldn't turn up, for starters. What how the fans feel, having seen one of the great performances in the Champions' League by all accounts, has to do with how we challenge is beyond me.

 

[Metalhead]

What do you think happened tonight?
https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...es-spurs-toiling-lower-plane-sporting-reality
Regarding your last three points, they answer themselves if you look at the circumstances we are in. These are pretty straightforward and have been expounded before.

The last three points have been expounded on before but they probably will continue to be repeated throughout the season if performances and results dip in and out. That's the trouble, the bar has been raised now so like it or not, if we fail to build on the last two or three seasons then it will feel like failure.

 

[shelfmonkey]

Big Vic wants a word

Tell him, outside the school gates, 3.30??

 

[Gassin's finest]

I can understand the sentiment of the performance and the players but I don't think the fans of City, Liverpool, Chelsea or United would be applauding a loss in Europe like this. I think it shows how far we are yet to go until we challenge on any front

That's because not all our fans are fair weather ****s, who don't appreciate or don't understand football.

 

[Gassin's finest]

It felt at the stadium tonight that people turned up to watch Messi and Barcelona than us in all honesty. There was a moment where a few spurs fans applauded Barcelona play - that pissed me the fuck off.

Again...

 

[shelfboy68]

They might not have been in form coming into this game, but Messi brought his A game alright and lifted the rest of the team. We gave them a good game in the second half. You saw what you wanted to see.

A fair assessment would be that at 3-0 the game was too easy for Barcelona and so they slacked off allowing us in which slightly skewed the result making it look more of a game than it was.

 

[shelfboy68]

I knew it was bad while at game but just saw that first Barca goal, what on earth was Lloris thinking. Utter madness from him, imagine your captain doing something so stupid in the first minute of a huge game.

He’s been a class GK but he’s turned into Barthez recently, if he doesn’t sort his decision making out then I think it’s possible a new GK should be looked at next summer. His idiotic moments that keep occurring in games I’m sure is making our defenders more nervous.

It was ridiculous but then the defending has been shocking so far to date with players nowhere near the level of where they were, poch has a bit of work to do sorting out the poor defending and general apathy around the team we have played 10 games in all competitions so far losing four not good enough.

 

[Sweetsman]

A fair assessment would be that at 3-0 the game was too easy for Barcelona and so they slacked off allowing us in which slightly skewed the result making it look more of a game than it was.

I don't know if it would be a fair assessment, but I'm sure that would be the assessment that would suit your mindset. You are always there when results don't go out way; any praise is faint.

 

[shelfboy68]

Could not agree more. I would have thought it would have been a great experience for Gaz to play this game, but I can understand Poch thinking it would have been a bit too much of a gamble. One mistake would potentially have crushed him.

But then Hugo comes on and does what he did in the WC Final - that was simply not good enough for a top keeper. It's a punch in the gut in the first two minutes. And I don't care what anyone says but Leo Messi is the best player walking this planet - you don't make mistakes against a team with him in it. What amazing goals all of them - his two, the second goal volley and the first goal from Coutinho. They were simply a class apart.

I'm proud of our boys, we fought well. But this group was always tough. If we get out then great but if we finish third I wouldn't mind a crack at the Europa League (we can actually win that - no chance in hell for the Champions League) and making sure we are top 4 for next season - with a plan to make 3 or 4 top signings. Realistic ambitions for next season.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45741244

A top article - a very good assessment.

I think expecting or hoping for third with this team is pushing it a bit it looks like we are going out of the CL and probably may not make it in the top four either with the way we are playing no consistency.
The team is off the pace and simply struggle to carry out basic defending aligned with no recruits this season will be a struggle, I wouldn't build your hopes up for many signings in the summer think we maybe dissapointed along with maybe a couple of the better players going.

 

[Sweetsman]

It was ridiculous but then the defending has been shocking so far to date with players nowhere near the level of where they were, poch has a bit of work to do sorting out the poor defending and general apathy around the team we have played 10 games in all competitions so far losing four not good enough.

We've lost games to Watford, Inter, Liverpool and Barca, all of whom have had very good starts to the season. In each game, we may have either drawn or won, despite well-known issues resulting from how far our players went in the world cup and the relative lack of a preseason.

 

[Jenko]

Stating the obvious but going out of the CL at the group stage might not be a bad thing this year with the lack of squad we have.

Then it might be a long time before we ever see a champions league match at the new stadium.

 

[shelfboy68]

I don't know if it would be a fair assessment, but I'm sure that would be the assessment that would suit your mindset. You are always there when results don't go out way; any praise is faint.

That old chestnut nut from yourself as usual digging out people who dare to criticise very sad never mind.

 

[shelfboy68]

Then it might be a long time before we ever see a champions league match at the new stadium.

Who knows I would like to think that the club will get back into it again fairly soon as i don't think that ENIC would have built a world-class stadium to compete in mid table but it's very competitive at the top and only four can get in.

 

[dondo]

I think KWP is at least worth a shot to see if he is ready for this. Trippier proves to be a complete defensive liability time and time again.

Think you are being harsh on trippier.
I agree that kwp should be given more of a chance but throwing him in last night would have done more harm than good for him and the team imo

 

[Deleted member 27995]

Perhaps in the future if they don't gift goals to a team that, while they are one of the few god tier teams in the world, hadn't exactly been on stellar form themselves, we may have had a sporting chance.

No idea what the rest of the UCL holds for us this year but based off the performances so far, I'd rather fuck it all off. It's not like people think we can win it all, is it?