Swansea Vs Tottenham: Match Thread

[Shea]

Correct me if I'm wrong, everyone is saying that Eriksen was in the middle. I know he scores the goal from this position but I thought with the subs we were more shaped with a 433

Eriksen - Kane - Chadli
Dembele - Stamb - Bentaleb

Just seemed to me that Eriksen had drifted off the wings?

Like I said correct me if I'm wrong as I was bathing kids at the time so not paying full attention.

I don't think he was playing in the middle you're right - but he's still wasted on the left and should be played in his best position which is centrally

 

[dagraham]

We're 2pts behind Southampton....

How???

2 behind Arsenal???

WTF is going on? How is that possible?

Strange isn't it? Maybe Poch's a lucky manager? We certainly have had the rub of the green and a lot less of the usual diabolical refereeing decisions this season so far.

 

[beats1]

I'm leaning more towards Kane as the centre forward and Eriksen in behind as the solution to our team selection. I always feel we're better when we have 2 forwards though so a wide forward is a must in January. It's great to see Eriksen scoring some goals this season but I'd like to see them come a bit earlier in games so we don't have to suffer so much.

We really struggled to contain Routledge and Montero on the wings today. If you're going to play narrow then you really need to control the centre of the field. We didn't do that today and it nearly cost us. In fact Swansea played just how we should set up by controlling possession centrally and stretching teams on the wings.

I seen kane more than most on this forum bar one or two, as the striker he does get isolated

I actually think he had a poor game today, as the the AM 3 was useless and couldn't keep the ball left both the striker and CM isolated

 

[nidge]

Love Pochettino's response to what was different today to games we lost after a Europa League game.

We scored 2 goals and only conceded 1.

 

[joelstinton14]

Still feel Mason is flavour of the month and now I feel teams are exploiting his lack of tactical discipline.

Rather use him in the squad rotation and bring in Dembele/Stambouli

I think that could be said of the whole midfield lot, no one is really making a stamp to claim those positions.

To be fair mason and Bentaleb have earnt their place in the first team.

Getting there. Slowly, but getting there.

 

[Mustard]

Worse.

Crumbs. Thats a bit of a worry.

I will watch the 'highlights' with some trepidation

3 pts though

 

[carpediem991]

Pochs interviews are so pointless.

Hopefully it is a bit else with the players. He srsly cant be happy with this display.

 

[Trees]

in the credit common:
Team worked very hard.
Kane.
Eriksen.
Davies.
Vertonghen.
Dembele.
Bentaleb.

In the debit common:
Usual suspects !

 

[TH1239]

The number one selection issue going forward is this: Bentaleb/Mason or Dembele/Stambouli?

I think the answer is clearly the latter. Dembele hasn't gotten a consistent run of games this season as a starter and he's been healthy for once. Give him and Stambouli a chance in the league and see if we look more solid as a result. I think both of them are better at shielding the ball and dribbling than Bentaleb and Mason, too. I know people like the quick transitional passing the academy guys provide, but they've gone backwards a bit too much in the last three games, so it might be time to give some of our older, more experienced, physically powerful players a chance.

 

[Dean]

Fucking shocking performance. Not having this anymore.

The 3 points here is just papering over cracks.

I'm intrigued to know what you're gonna do about it. It's all kinds of shit to watch but the league position could be considerably worse!

 

[Danny1]

It is funny as in the week against Besiktas people in the match thread were actually calling for us to sack Poch & sign Koeman. Now we are two points off them and they are falling like a very heavy stone! I wonder if those people still think that way!

 

[the watson]

Looks to me like the players just can't execute MP's attacking gameplan.

The hard work and off the ball work was very good, but nowhere near enough shots on goal. Lamela looks the most lost out of all of them. Swansea are good at keeping the ball and I didn't really see us controlling the game away from home with a midfield due of Carroll/Bentaleb. The subs were spot on in this regard.

 

[Cavehillspur]

That's a fucking great wIn, get in. 17 of their 22pts all came at home. Newcastle robbed us recently so bit luck our way in that respect. I thought we did ok tbh.

 

[Mr Pink]

Worse.

You must be gutted we won.

 

[SpurSince57]

But we need a proper LW with pace

This is where I came in. In January 2006.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

And support the team.

And be allowed an opinion that may differ.

 

[Spurger King]

Yet we still keep picking up points.

Individual skill. Are you honestly going to try and spin that performance into an affirmation of Pochettino's influence? We were shit for the vast majority of the match, and Pochettino did absolutely nothing to change it.

A tiny handful of performances can be attributed to Pochettino's positive influence. Today's was despite him.

 

[Huddlestone22]

Bentley? Let's not start calling him that. It won't end well for anyone.

Random autocorrect unfortunately.

 

[Mr Pink]

That's a fucking great wIn, get in. 17 of their 22pts all came at home. Newcastle robbed us so but luck our way in that respect. I thought we did ok tbh.

Bang on mate, you're absolute spot on to.

 

[2dareis2do]

...we won this game despite Lamela - so wasteful in possession, does not track back effectively, can't challenge without fouling, can't even clear the ball to relieve pressure...should be benched indefinitely, along with his buddy Soldoodoo...
COYS

Does have some nice skills though!??. Got to admire his work rate too. Will improve but has quite a few assists this season already.