Team v Manchester City (H)

[ajspurs]

I don’t think it's a foregone conclusion that we’re just going to sit back and try to soak pressure. Our team has a very different make up from the last time we played City.

It's hard to call as sometimes against City you don't really have much of a say in the matter and in regards to us we don't know how Jose will set us out. If you take the cup game against Chelsea for instance we looked like we sat back in the first half and it was a pretty poor half as a result, a performance we'd seen multiple times under Jose in certain matches. The second half had us much more aggressive though and we pressed them high up the pitch and were much better for it.

It's a tough one to balance against a team like City to be honest.

 

[Bulletspur]

Research shows that Lamela always perform well against Man City, with MOTM performances in recent meetings. So I will always include him against them. This is the team I would like to see.

Lloris

Aurier ------- Toby ------- Dier ------- Reguilon

Lo Celso ------Holjbjerg

Ndombele

Lamela -------Kane ------- Son
​

Hart Davies Winks Sissoko Lucas Bale Vinicius

​

 

[SpursSince1980]

I think we will start to see an obvious pattern emerge this season with how we play against the top 8 to10 teams (Wolves, Foxes, Citeh, Gooners, Utd, Chelsea, Pool, Everton and Southampton). You can arguably through Villa in there too.

Versus, how we play against the bottom ten. Indeed, we have three or four great case studies. (West Brom, Burnley, Brighton and Newcastle)... in all three of those games we had to battle it out. Perhaps to a lesser extent with Newcastle, who simply got a bit lucky with us being wasteful in front of goal and then getting the most charitable penalty of the season. Let's not discuss West Ham. That was an outlier. My point being... we find these teams that are defensively very well organized and designed to hit teams on the break and focus on set pieces, hard to break down. Very hard, in fact. I believe this is an area Jose needs to address... as it's clear to me that especially the teams that have been playing 3 (which is more like a 5) at the back against us, and seem to run us over in midfield. That needs figuring out.

Then we have the aforementioned teams. We have a sample size of three games - (sorry, but I'm excluding the Caraboa Cup Chelsea game for the purposes of this discussion) - against Utd, Southampton, Everton. The latter, now seems like it was the exception, not the rule, and simply came down to our players not being up for the game. But then you have Utd and Soton, who play more expansively. That, in turn, plays into Jose's hands. And for argument's sake, let's also include our post-covid games against Foxes and Arsenal in their too. In each of these games, we looked very dangerous at times... in particular on the break. Which is why Jose doesn't mind playing a slightly lower block against them, as he knows, if we move the ball quickly in transition in our own half, we will create a lot of chances on the break. That was clear against Utd and Soton. Both of whom, I feel didn't fear our attacking abilities, and were punished for lack of preperation.

City will be an interesting litmus test. As they also play expansively. Jose will more likely set up with two DMs with Sissoko and PEH. Ndombele will play in front of them. And then we have Harry, Sonny and Bale, who will all likely start, unless one or two haven't fully recovered from their midweek games and in Sonny's case, is ready to get out of quarantine.

This is the sort of game when the likes of N'Dombele and/or Lo Celso can look excellent. Especially the former. Who has struggled in our last two or three games, as he's had zero space in which to operate. However, against City, he will have a lot of space, and will likely be the difference between winning and losing.

Basically we're playing more like a 4-2-1-3.

LLoris

Aurier
Toby
Dier
Reggie

PEH
Sissoko/Winks

NDombele/Lo Celso

Bale
Kane
Sonny

 

[slartibartfast]

It's going to be interesting thats for sure. I think we'll park the bus and look to counter. 3.1 either way wouldn't surprise me.
Would be hilarious for them to get fked by VAR again

 

[strader]

A fit sissoko plays. Limited in certain abilities we all know but he is key in our midfield in games like this. His energy to close down the opposition is required.

 

[Chirpystheman]

I would go

Hugo

Aurier
Toby
Dier
Reggie

PEH
Sissoko
Ndombele

Lo celso
Kane
Son

Hart, Rodon, Davies, bale, winks, moura, carlos.

We are going to need to keep the ball and draw them into fouls. Also going to need to work hard as a team. Bale on at some point for gio or ndombele.

 

[Bulletspur]

We are going to need to keep the ball and draw them into fouls.

But you chose not to include Lamela who is one of the best at this.

 

[Mr Pink]

Yeah if Lamela is fit he'd should play. His energy for these games transforms us.

 

[wrd]

Yeah if Lamela is fit he'd should play. His energy for these games transforms us.

I always wonder if its better for him to come off the bench.

 

[Chirpystheman]

But you chose not to include Lamela who is one of the best at this.

Is he fit???

 

[grittyspur1]

4-3-3
--------Lloris-------
Aurier Toby Eric Reguilon
Sissoko PEH NDombele
Bale Kane Sonny
Subs: Hart Sanchez Tanganga Lucas Lo Celso Davies Vinicius
COYS!!!!!!

 

[Yid]

So who are we missing for this game?

Lamela, Tanguy, Stevie, and Doherty. But I'm surprised Tanguy is listed as ruled out.

 

[Yid]

Research shows that Lamela always perform well against Man City, with MOTM performances in recent meetings. So I will always include him against them. This is the team I would like to see.

Lloris

Aurier ------- Toby ------- Dier ------- Reguilon

Lo Celso ------Holjbjerg

Ndombele

Lamela -------Kane ------- Son
​

Hart Davies Winks Sissoko Lucas Bale Vinicius

​

​

Lamela has been ruled out according to physioroom.

 

[TheTanguy]

But I'm surprised Tanguy is listed as ruled out.

By who?

 

[Yid]

By who?

Physioroom at premierinjuries.com.
They're normally spot on.

 

[Yid]

By who?

Didn't seem like he picked up a knock in our last PL match before the internationals.

 

[TheTanguy]

Physioroom at premierinjuries.com.
They're normally spot on.

Not ruled out though, it says "potential return 21 November, currently being assessed". So let's wait and see. If he's out or not fit enough to start we can play with Sissoko, Hojbjerg and Lo Celso.

 

[Yid]

Not ruled out though, it says "potential return 21 November, currently being assesed". So let's wait and see.

Oh snap. Didn't realize 21st was Saturday. Apologies

 

[spids]

Lamela was deliberately rested in the games before the international break to give him a few weeks to recuperate from his normal wear and tear injuries and be ready for this run of tougher games. I’d be amazed if he does not play a key part against City.

 

[JCRD]

I think the team picks itself... Sissoko will certainly play in the middle... I think the only question is GLC or Ndombele... and I think Moura will play up front and not Bale,, i think Moura is better defensively although wouldnt be surprised if Lamela does play... Aurier right back... Dier and perhaps Sanchez for the pace?

Actually come to think of it, the team doesnt pick itself. Fuck


Im expecting a goal fest

Spurs 5 - 3 Man Shitty